A new history of ecclesiastical writers containing an account of the authors of the several books of the Old and New Testament, of the lives and writings of the primitive fathers, an abridgement and catalogue of their works ... also a compendious history of the councils, with chronological tables of the whole / written in French by Lewis Ellies du Pin.

A LETTER from the Clergy of Ravenna to Charles the Younger.

CHARLES the younger had consulted the Clergy of Ravenna, to know, whether the Monks, which were raised to Ecclesiastical Dignities, ought to wear Clergy-men's habit, or keep to their Monks Garb. In Answer to him, they brought several Authorities of the Popes, to shew, that Clergy-men and Monks ought not so much to be distinguished by their Habits, as by their holy Lives and Profession. Then they say, that it doth not seem contrary to the Laws of the Church, that the Monks who are made Bishops, may not wear the same Habits with other Bi∣shops, according to the practice of the Church of Rome; and they think, that such an Unifor∣mity is much better, than if they were distinguished, as they are in the Greek Church. That ne∣vertheless they do not think that it ought to be a Law to all Churches, because every one may have its particular Customs. But yet they can't condemn the practice of the Italian Bishops, and that it is convenient to uphold it, and to oblige all Monks that are Ordained Bishops, to wear the Stole, i. e. a Long Garment, in Honour to the Priesthood; although they are not thereby dispensed with to neglect the practice of their Rule. Lastly, That we must follow in such things the Custom that is anciently setled in the Church.