The canons and decrees of the Council of Trent celebrated under Paul III, Julius III, and Pius IV, Bishops of Rome / faithfully translated into English.

CHAP. IV.

BUt seeing such grievous Enormities are sometimes committed by Persons Ec∣clesiastick, that for their atrocity they may be deposed from their holy Or∣ders, and deliver'd over to a Secular Court: In which according to the holy Ca∣nons a certain number of Bishops is required: If it be difficult to convene them all, the due execution of the Law may be deferr'd: But and if they be able at any time to intervene their Residence may be hindred, This holy Council hath therefore determin'd and decreed, it Lawful for a Bishop of himself, or his Vi∣car General in Spirituals, to proceed against a Clergy-man in holy orders, even of a Persbytership, to the very condemning of him, as also a Verbal Depositi∣on; he may of himself also without any other assisting him, actually and solemnly degrade from Orders and Ecclesiastical Dignities, in Cases wherein the presence of other Bishops in a Definitive number mention'd in the Canons is requir'd: Ne∣vertheless taking to himself to be assisting herein so many Abbots, having the use of the Mitre and Crosier by Apostolick privilege, if they may be found in the City or Diocess and can conveniently be present: If not other Persons in Church Dignity, Grave through Age, and commendable for their Knowledge of the Law, may serve.