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.

Session XXIII, Celebrated the Fifteenth Day of July, MDLXIII. being the Seventhunder Pope Pius IV.

The True and Catholick Doctrine of the Sacrament of Order, for the con∣demning the Errors of our present Times, decreed by the Holy Synod of Trent, and published in the Seventh Session.

CHAP. I. Concerning the Ordination of the Priesthood of the New-Law.

THE Sacrifice and Priesthood is so joined together, as both is extant in every Law. Seeing then in the New Testament, the Catholick Church hath received the holy visible Sacrifice of the Eucharist, by the Insti∣tution

of the Lord; it ought to be confessed also, that the new and external Priesthood is visible, into which the old is Translated. And this also was granted by the same Lord our Saviour, and that Power was given to the Apostles, and their Successors in the Priests Office, of Consecrating, Offering and Administring this Body and Blood; the holy Scriptures shew it, and the Tradition of the Ca∣tholick Church always taught it.

CHAP. II.

SEeing also the Ministry of so holy a Priesthood is so divine a thing, it is convenient, whereby it may be more worthily and with greater veneration exercised, that in the most orderly Disposition of the Church, there might be more and different Orders of Ministers, which might serve in the Priesthood and Office, so disposed, that they might ascend from lesser to greater, who were marked already with the Clerical Polling. For the holy Scriptures do not only distinguish plainly concerning Priests but Deacons also; and those things which more especially are to be allowed in their Ordination, That they teach in most grave words; and the names of the following Orders from the very beginning of the Church, and the proper Service of every of them, namely, of a Sub-Dea∣con, Servitors, those that attend on the Eucharist, Lecturers, and Door-kee∣pers were known to be in use. For the place of Sub-Deacons is brought to higher Orders, by the Fathers and holy Councils, in which we frequently read of others more Inferior.

CHAP. III.

SEeing it is perspicuous, by the testimony of the Scripture, Apostolical Tra∣dition and the unanimous consent of the Fathers, that Grace is conferred by holy Ordination, which is performed by Words and external Signs; none ought to doubt but that that Order is truly and properly one of the Seven Sa∣craments of the holy Church: For the Apostle saith, I admonish thee to stir up that Grace of God that is in thee by the imposition of my Hands, for God hath not given the Spirit of Fear, but Vertue, Love and Sobriety.

CHAP. IV.

AND because in the Sacrament of Order, as in Baptism and Confirmation, an impression is made, which neither can be blotted out nor taken away; the holy Synod deservedly doth condemn their Opinion, who affirm that the Priests of the New Testament have but a Temporary Power only, and that once being ordained, may be made Lay-Men, if they exercise not the Ministry of the Word of God. But if any one shall affirm, That all Christians promiscuously of the New Testament are Priests, or all are endued with equal power among them∣selves; this seemeth to do nothing else, than confound the Ecclesiastical Hie∣rarchy, which is ordained as a strong defence thereof; as though against the Doctrine of St. Paul, all were Apostles, all Prophets, all Evangelists, all Pa∣stors,

all Doctors. Furthermore the holy Synod declareth, That besides the other Ecclesiastical Degrees, Bishops, who have succeeded in the places of the Apostles, do chiefly belong to this Hierarchical Order, and are placed, as the same Apostle saith, by the Holy Ghost, to govern the Church of God, and them to be above the Presbyters, and to confer the Sacrament of Confirmation, and ordain Ministers to the Church; and that they have power to perform ma∣ny other things, the power of which the rest of the Inferior Order have not. The holy Synod, moreover in the Ordination of the Bishops, Priests, and of the other Orders, teacheth, That neither the Consent, Vocation, or Authori∣ty of the people, nor any Secular Power, or of Magistracy, be so required, as that the Ordination be without this of no effect; but rather determineth, That those, who being called and Instituted only by a People, or Secular Power, or Magistrate, do aspire to the exercising those Offices, and who presume to take them by their own rashness, are not to be accounted Ministers of the Church, but Thieves and Robbers, not entring in by the door. These are the things, which in general, the holy Synod thinks fit to teach the Faithful, concerning the Sa∣crament of Order. Moreover it hath determined to condemn the things con∣trary to these by certain, and in proper Canons which follow, in this wise, to the end, that all, by Christs help, using the rule of Faith, may more easily ac∣knowledge, and may keep the Catholick Truth in such a Darkness of Errors.

Concerning the Sacrament of Order.

Can. I. IF any one shall say, That in the New Testament, the Priests Office is not visi∣ble, and external; nor any power of Consecrating and Offering the True Body and Blood of Christ, and of remitting and retaining Sins, but only the Office and Ministry of preaching the Gospel; or, They who do not Preach are no Priests at all; Let him be Accursed.

Can. II. If any one shall say, That besides the Priests Office, there are not other Orders, in the Catholick Church, both higher and lower, through which as through certain Degrees, one advances to the Office of a Priest; Let him be Accursed.

Can. III. If any one shall say, That the Order, or holy Ordination, is not truly and properly a Sacrament appointed by Christ our Lord; or is a certain hu∣mane Invention, devised by Men unskilful of Ecclesiastical Affairs; or is only a certain Rite of chusing Ministers of the Word of God and Sacraments; Let him be Accursed.

Can. IV. If any one shall say, That by the holy Ordination, the holy Spirit is not given; and also that in vain the Bishop saith, Receive the holy Spirit, or by it a Cha∣racter is not impressed, or that he who was once a Priest, may again become a Lay-Man; Let him be Accursed.

Can. V. If any one shall say, That the holy Unction which the holy Church useth in Ordination, shall not only not be required, but be contemned as pernicious, as also the other Ceremonies of Order; Let him be Accursed.

Can. VI. If any one shall say, In the Catholick Church there is not an Hierarchy by di∣vine Order appointed, which consists of Bishops, Presbyters and Ministers; Let him be Accursed.

Can. VII. If any one shall say, That Bishops are not above Presbyters, or have not power of Confirming and Ordaining, or that which they have is common to Presbyters; or Orders conferred by them without the consent or vocation of the People, or Secular Power, may be made void; or they, who are nei∣ther ordained rightly by Ecclesiastical and Canonical Power, nor are sent, but come another way, to be lawful Ministers of the Word and Sacrament; Let him be Accursed.

Can. VIII. If any one shall say, That Bishops, who are chosen by the Pope are not law∣ful and true Bishops, but an Invention of Man; Let him be Accursed.

The Decree concerning the Reformation.

THE same holy Council of Trent, prosecuting the matter of Reformation, hath ordered and decreed, that those things which follow should be decided for the present.

CHAP. I.

SEeing it is commanded by divine precept to all to whom the care of Souls is committed, to know their Sheep, Offer Sacrifice for them, and by preach∣ing the holy Word and Administration of the Sacraments, and by the example of all good Works to feed them, to exercise a paternal care over the Poor, and other miserable persons, and to mind other Pastoral Offices; all which cannot by them be performed and fulfilled, who do not watch over their Flock nor assist, but forsake them after the custom of Hirelings; The holy Synod admonisheth and exhorteth them, to be mindful of divine precepts, and becoming an example to their Flock, they may feed them and govern them in Judgment and Truth. And let not these things, which, concerning residence, have been holily and pro∣fitably already established, under the late happy Paul III. be alienated into other Senses, contrary to the mind of the holy Synod, as if it might be law∣ful by the force of that Decree, to be wanting Five Months altogether; the holy Synod declareth, That all Governors in Patriarchal, Primatical, Metropolitan, and Cathedral Churches whatsoever, by what name or title so ever, although Cardinals of the holy Church of Rome, be obliged to a personal residence in their Church or Diocess, where they are to execute their injoined

Office, neither be able to be wanting unless for the beneath mentioned causes, and reasons. For when Christian Charity, urgent Necessity, due Obedience, and evident Advantage to the Church and Commonwealth, shall require and compel some sometimes; the Holy Synod determineth, That these causes of lawful Absence, either by the Metropolitan, or, he being absent, by the Suf∣fragan Bishop of longer residence, and who shall allow the absence of the Metropolitan, be approved of in writing, unless when absence happeneth by reason of some imploy, or Office in the publick which is joined to that of Bi∣shops; because the causes thereof are remarkable, and sometimes sudden, it will not be needful to signifie them to the Metropolitan; yet it belongs to them with the Provincial Council, to judge concerning Licences granted by themselves or Suffragan, and see that none be abused by that Law, and that those that go astray may be punished by Canonical Punishments. In the mean time let those that are about to depart, remember to provide for their Sheep, that as much as may be, they may suffer no damage by their absence. But because they who are but a little absent, according to the Opinion of the ancient Canons, may not seem to be wanting, because they are about to return presently; The holy Sy∣nod will, That that space of absence every year, wh••ther continued or inter∣rupted, without the foresaid causes, by no means exceed two, or at th•• most three Months, and a reason to be given, that that be done for a just cause, and without any detriment to the Flock: Which whether it be so, it leaveth to the Conscience of those that be absent, which it hopeth will be Religious and Care∣ful, seeing hearts are known unto God, whose work they are bound not to do negligently, at their own Peril. The same, in the mean time it admonisheth and exhorteth in the Lord, That for the space of the Dominical Advent, Qua∣dragesima, the Nativity and Resurrection of the Lord, and also Pentecost and days of Corpus Christi, wherein the Sheep ought to be greatly refreshed, and rejoyced by the presence of the Pastor in the Lord, they by any means be not absent from the Cathedral Church, unless their Episcopal Office in their Diocess call them otherwise.

But if any, which it wisheth may never happen, shall be absent contrary to the intention of this Decree, the holy Synod doth appoint, besides other penalties against Non-Residents, under Paul the Third imposed and innova∣ted, and the guilt of mortal Sin, which he incurreth, that he for a set time of absence, reap not his own Fruits, nor with a safe Conscience, think he is able to detain them for himself, but either to be detained from him neg∣lecting, by an Ecclesiastical Superior, for the building of Churches, or to be employed for the poor of the place; any convenience whatsoever being pro∣hibited, or composition which might be pretended for ill gotten Fruits, by which the foresaid Fruits might in whole or in part be remitted to him; Privileges whatsoever granted to any College, or Building notwithstand∣ing.

The same, always, as touching the Fault, Loss of Fruits, and Punishments of Inferior Curates, and any other whatsover, who, any Benefice Ecclesiastical doth obtain, having cure of Souls, the holy Synod declareth and decreeth; but so, That whensoever they, the cause being first known and allowed of by the

Bishop, happen to be wanting, a fit Vicar by the same Ordinary be ap∣proved, with the due allowance of Stipend, he left. That also the liberty of departing, in writing, and gratis, to be granted for above the space of Two Months, unless for some weighty cause, be not obtained. But if, by this E∣dict, though not personally, they be summoned and be obstinate, it willeth, That it be lawful for the Ordinaries, by Ecclesiastical Censures, and Sequestra∣tion, and taking away of Fruits, and other remedies of Law, even by privation to force them; nor that this execution, by any Privilege, Licence, Familiarity, Exemption, or any reason of any Benefice, Covenant, Statute, Oath, even by any Authority or Custom confirmed, thô immemorable, which are rather to be thought Corruptions; or by Appeals, or an Inhibition even in the Romish Cure, or by force of the Eugenian Constitution, be not suspended. Lastly, that as well that Decree made under Paul the Third, as this same, in Provincial Coun∣cils and Episcopal be published, the holy Synod hath determined; for it de∣sireth, That those things which are of the Office of Pastors and safety of Souls be frequently fixed in the Ears and Minds; that for the time to come, by the help of God, no Injuries of Times, either by forgetfulness of Men, or Disuse, they may be abolish'd.

CHAP. II.

THE Rectors in Cathedral or Chief Churches, by what Name or Title di∣stinguished, though Cardinals of the holy Church of Rome, if they shall not take the Gift of Consecration, within Three months, let them be obliged to the restitution of their injoyed Fruits. If within so many Months after they should neglect to do that, let them be deprived of their Churches. And let the Con∣secration, if it should be without the Cure of Rome, in a Church, to which they were promoted, or in a Province, if it can handsomly be done, be Ce∣lebrated.

CHAP. III.

BIshops of themselves may confer Orders; but if they shall be hindred by Sickness, their Substitute may send no others than are already allowed and examined, to another Bishop to be Ordained.

CHAP. IV.

AT the first Polling they shall not be initiated who have not received the Sacrament of Confirmation, and have not been taught the rudiments of Faith; and concerning which a probable conjecture cannot be given, that they have chosen this kind of Life, not by Fraud of avoiding Secular Judgment, but that they may Perform faithful Worship to God.

CHAP. V.

LET such as are to be promoted to inferior Orders, have the faithful Testi∣monial of the Curate of the Parish, or the Master of the School, wherein they were brought up. But for those, who are to assume superior Orders, let them a month before their Ordination repair to the Bishop, who may refer them to the Curate or such other person he shall judge most fit, that the Names, together with the Desires of those who are willing so to be promoted, being publickly proposed in the Church, a diligent enquiry be made by worthy cre∣dible persons, of the Birth, Age, Manners and Life of those so to be prefer∣red: And let their Testimonial Letters, containing such Inquisition made, be as soon as may be, transmitted to the Bishop himself.

CHAP. VI.

NO one, initiated by his first Tonsure, or even ordained to inferior Or∣ders, may or can obtain a Benefice, till the Fourteenth year after such his Tonsure or Ordination. Nor shall he enjoy the Privilege of a Court, unless he holds an Ecclesiastical Benefice; or wearing the Habit of a Clerk and Ton∣sure, serves to some Church by the command of the Bishop; or be conversant in a seminary of Clerks, in some School or University, by the Bishops Licence, in order as it were for his taking superior Orders. But as to married Clerks, the Constitution of Boniface VIII. shall be observed, which begins, Clerici, qui cum unicis; provided these Clerks, deputed by the Bishop to the Service and Ministery of some Church, do accordingly serve and officiate in the same Church, and use the Habit and Tonsure of a Clerk; none pretending, as to this matter, any privilege or custom, altho time out of mind.

CHAP. VII.

THE Holy Synod, treading in the Footsteps of their ancient Canons, doth ordain and decree, that when the Bishop shall be disposed to make an Or∣dination, all such persons as shall be willing to come into the holy Ministery, shall on the Fourth Holiday, before such Ordination, or whensoever the Bishop shall think fit, be summoned to the City. And, having selected and called unto him the Priests, and other prudent persons, skilful in the Law of God, and well versed in Ecclesiastical Sanctions, the Bishop shall narrowly search out and examin the Descent, Person, Age, Instruction, Manners, Learning, and Credit of the persons so to be ordained.

CHAP. VIII.

LET the Ordinations of holy Orders, at the times appointed by Law, and in the Cathedral Church, the Canons of the Church being thereunto call∣ed and present, be publickly celebrated. But if it be in any other place of the Diocess to be performed, the Clergy thereof being present, let them, as far as may be judged, go to the more worthy Church. But let every one be ordain∣ed by their own proper Bishop. If any one notwithstanding shall desire to be promoted by another, let that in no wise be permitted him, upon pre∣tence of any general or particular Rescript or Privilege soever, even at the times appointed; unless his Probity and good Manners be recommended by the Testimony of his Ordinary. If it be otherwise done, let the ordainer be suspended from the conferring Orders, and the ordained from the Execution of his Orders so taken, during the pleasure of his own Ordinary.

CHAP. IX.

A Bishop may not ordain one of his Houshold, not his Subject, unless he has lived and had his abode with him three Years; and let him immedi∣ately confer on him a Benefice, without any fraud or covin soever: Any cu∣stom whatever, tho' time out of mind, to the contrary notwithstanding.

CHAP. X.

IT may not for the future be lawful for Abbots, and other persons whatso∣ever, howsoever exempt, being within the Limits of any Diocess, altho of no Diocess they may be said to be exempt, to confer Tonsure or inferior Or∣ders upon any person, who being a Regular is not under their Jurisdiction; nor may the said Abbots, and other Privileged persons, or Colleges or Cha∣pters whatsoever, even of Cathedral Churches, grant Letters of [Pardon] or Licence to any secular Clerk, to be ordained by others: But the Ordination of every of these shall belong to the Bishops, within the limits of whose Diocess they be; observing all things which are contained in the Decrees of this holy Synod: Any Privileges, Prescriptions or Customs time out of mind notwith∣standing. And let the Punishment and Penalty laid upon those, who, con∣trary to the Decree of this holy Synod under Paul III. do sue for Letters of Licence from the Bishop's Chapter, the See being vacant, be ordered to be extended or levied upon those who procure the said Letters, not from the Chapter, but from some others who succeed, during the vacancy of the See, in the Jurisdiction of the Bishop, instead of a Chapter. And let those who do grant such Letters of Licence be ipso jure, suspended for a Year, ab Officiis & Beneficiis.

CHAP. XI.

LET inferior Orders be conferred on those, who at least understand the Latin Tongue, at vacation times, except the Bishop shall think otherwise fit: to the end, they may more exactly and accurately be taught of how great Weight and Moment that their Discipline is; and that they may exercise and comport themselves in every Duty and Charge, according to the Bishop's Prescript, and that in the same Church, unto which they shall be admitted; except per∣chance they be absent for their Studies sake; and by that means be advanced by degrees; that as they grow in Years they may increase and flourish in the Worthiness of their Lives, and a greater advancement in Learning: Which both the example of good Manners, and the daily Administration in the Church, as also a greater Reverence towards the Presbyters and Superior Or∣ders, and a more frequent Communion (than before) of the Body of Christ, will exceedingly approve and commend. And when from hence one is ad∣vanced unto higher Degrees, and admitted into the most Holy Mysteries; let none be initiated into them, whom a hope and prospect of Knowledge and Learning do not manifest worthy of superior Orders. Nor shall these be pro∣moted to holy Orders till a year after the taking their last Degree of Inferiour Orders, except the Necessity or Utility of the Church, with the concurrent Judgment of the Bishop, do otherwise require.

CHAP. XII.

LET none be preferred to the Order of a Subdeaconship before the Twen∣ty second, of a Deaconship before the Twenty third, and of the Presby∣tery before the Twenty fifth year of his Age. Nevertheless Bishops are to take notice, That not every one, arrived to the several Ages aforesaid, ought to be taken into those above mentioned Orders, but those only who are worthy, and whose approved Life had rendred so ripe. Let not Regulars also, be or∣dained under Age, and without the strict Examination of the Bishop: All Privi∣leges, relating hereunto, totally excluded and laid aside.

CHAP. XIII.

SUb-deacons and Deacons may be ordained, having a good Testimony, and being already approved, in inferior Orders, and furnished with Letters and such other things, as appertain to the exercise of such Order. Let them who hope to be able, by God's Grace, to contain themselves, serve in those Churches, for, and unto which they are chosen and admitted. And let them know, that it is very convenient that when they serve at the Altar, be it on Sundays, or other Holy and Solemn Days, they receive the Holy Communi∣on. Those who are promoted to the Holy Order of a Subdeaconship, if they have not been conversant in that Order at least a Year, may not be permitted

to be advanced to a higher Degree, unless the Bishop shall think meet. Two holy Orders may not on the same day be conferred, tho' on Regulars: Any Pri∣vileges and Indulgences whatsoever granted, in any wise notwithstanding.

CHAP. XIV.

LET them who have piously and faithfully behaved themselves in their past Ministeries and Functions, and are assumed into the Order of the Presby∣tery, have a good Testimony and Commendation. And these are they, who have served not only in the Office of a Deacon at least a whole Year, except the Bishop thought otherwise convenient, for the Utility and Necessity of the Church: But also have been judged and approved fit, by a strict and curious Examination, to teach the people those things, which are necessary to be known by all in order to their Salvation, and to administer the Sacraments; and thus being excellent and conspicuous for Piety and chast Conversation, an illustrious Pattern of good Works, and wholesome Doctrines and Admonitions may be ex∣pected from them. Let the Bishop take care, that they celebrate Masses at least on Sundays, and on Solemn Festivals; but if they have the cure of Souls, as often as their Duty and the Discharge of the same shall require. Those that are promoted per saltum, altho they shall not administer, the Bishop may for a lawful cause dispence with them.

CHAP. XV.

ALtho' Presbyters may receive power in their Ordination to forgive Sins, yet the holy Synod Decrees, That none, even a Regular, be impowered to hear the Confessions of Seculars, even of Priests, or reputed fit so to do; ex∣cept by his parochial Benefice, or by Examination of the Bishops, if they shall think necessary, or otherwise he shall be judged fit: Any Privileges or Custom whatsoever, tho' time out of mind, to the contrary notwithstanding.

CHAP. XVI.

WHereas no one ought to be ordained, who, in the Judgment of his Bi∣shop, in not profitable and necessary to his Churches; the holy Synod, treading in the steps of the Sixth Canon of the Council of Chalcedon, appoints, That none for the future be ordained, who is not admitted unto that Church or holy Place, for whose Necessity or Utility he is assumed, where he performs his Duty and Charge, and wanders not to uncertain places. But if he shall desert and leave his place without the Knowledge and Consent of the Bishop, let him be interdicted the Exercise of holy Duties. Moreover let no Foreign Clerk, without the Recommendatory Letters of his Ordinary, be admitted by any Bishop to celebrate divine Services, and administer the Sacraments.

CHAP. XVII.

THat the Functions of holy Orders from the Deaconship unto the Office of a Door-keeper, laudably received in the Church from the times of the A∣postles, and in many places sometime intermitted and discontinued, may be again brought into use according to the holy Canons, and may not be traduced by Hereticks, as unused and idle; the holy Synod earnestly desiring the Restitution of the said ancient Custom, decrees, That for the future such Offices be not exerci∣sed but by those that are constituted and appointed in the said Orders: And ex∣horts, in the Lord, and commands all and singular the Prelates of Churches, that, as far as may conveniently be done, they take care that such Functions or Offices be restored in the Cathedral, Collegiate and Parish Churches of their respective Diocesses, if the frequency of the People's Assembling, and the Revenue of the Church can bear it: And that they assign and appoint Stipends to those that exer∣cise the said Functions or Offices, out of some part of the Revenues of some single Benefices, or the building of a Church, if the Income can afford it, or both of them; who, if they shall be negligent, may by the Judgment of the Ordinary, either be fined in part, or wholly deprived. But if the unmarried Clerks shall not be ready to exercise the Offices or Ministeries of the Four inferior Orders; those that are Married may supply, being of approved Life, so that they have not two Wives, and are fit to undergo the said Charges, and who have Tonsure, and wear a Clerk's Habit in the Church.

CHAP. XVIII.

WHereas Youth, except rightly and well instructed, is prone to pursue the Pleasures of the World; and unless they are trained up and Dis∣ciplined from their tender Years unto Piety and Religion, before a habit of Vice possesseth the whole Man, it can never perfectly, and without the greatest, and almost singular Assistance of Almighty God, persevere and go forward in the Discipline of the Church: The holy Synod doth appoint, That all and singular Cathedral, Metropolitan and other great Churches, according to the measure of their Power, and the extent of their Diocesses, be bound and obli∣ged to Nurture, and Religiously educate and instruct in Ecclesiastical Discipline, a certain number of Children of the same City, and Diocess, or of the Pro∣vince of the same, if they cannot be there found, in a College for that purpose Situate near the same Churches, or in some other convenient place, to be cho∣sen by the Bishop. Into this College let them be received, who are at the least Twelve years of Age, born in lawful Wedlock, and have a competent know∣ledge in Reading and Writing, and whose Towardliness and Disposition of mind, gives encouraging hopes of Expectation of their being always hereafter capable to serve in Ecclesiastical Ministeries. But the Synod willeth, That the Children of Poor Men be especially chosen, and yet it excludeth not those of Rich Men; so that they be Nurtured at their own costs and charges, and dedicate their Studies to the Service of God and the Church. These Children, the Bi∣shop

having divided into so many Classes, or Forms, as he thinks good, ac∣cording to their Number, Age, and Progress in Ecclesiastical Discipline, shall when he judges fit, appoint part of them for the Ministery of Churches, and part to be still kept to be instructed in the College, and supply the Rooms of them so taken forth with others; so that this College may be a perpetual Seminary of the Ministers of God: But to the end they may the more commodiously and advan∣tageously be instructed in the said Ecclesiastical Discipline, let them out of hand use Tonsure, and always wear a Clerical Habit; Let them learn Grammar, Singing, Ecclesiastical Accounts, and other good Arts and Sciences: Let them throughly learn the holy Scriptures, Ecclesiastical Books, the Homilies of Saints, and of the giving the Sacraments, especially those things which shall seem most opportune, and seasonable for hearing Confessions, and the forms of the Rites and Ceremonies. Let the Bishop take care, that they be every day present at the Sacrifice of the Mass; and every month at least let them confess their Sins, and according to the Judgment of the Confesser, let them take the Body of our Lord Jesus Christ; and on Holy days let them serve at the Cathedral, and the other Churches of the place. All which, and other matters convenient and necessa∣ry for this matter, every Bishop with the counsel and advice of Two of their senior and graver Canons, whom they shall elect, as the Holy Ghost shall sug∣gest, shall constitute and appoint, and shall endeavour by their frequent Visita∣tions, that the same be observed and kept. They shall severely punish the Dis∣solute and Incorrigible, and the Sowers of bad Manners, even by expelling them, if need require; and thus taking away all Impediments, they shall dili∣gently take care of, and provide for whatever they shall think needful and per∣tinent, to preserve and increase so pious and holy a Purpose. And because, for the erecting the Building of the said College, and for the paying the Salaries to Masters and Officers, for the nourishing of the Youth, and other Charges and Expences; some certain Revenues will be necessary, over and besides those things, which are intended and appointed for the Instruction and Breeding up of Children in some Places and Churches, which, may be consequently supposed, are applyed to this Seminary under the same care of the Bishop: The said Bishops by and with the advice of Two of the Chapters, (of which the one shall be chosen by the Bishop, and the other by the Chapter,) as also of Two of the Clergy of the City, the Election of one of which doth belong to the Bishop, and of the other to the Clergy, from and out of the whole Profits or Incomes of the Bishop's Table and Chapter, and of whatsover Dignities, Personages, Offices, Prebends, Portions, Abbeys and Priories, of what Order (thô Regular) Qua∣lity or Condition soever they be; as also of Hospitals, which are given upon Ti∣tle, or Administration, according to the constitution of the Council of Vienna, which begins, Quia contingit: And of all Benefices whatsoever, thô Regular, thô they be of any Patronage, Exempt, of no Diocess, or annexed to any Chur∣ches, Monasteries and Hospitals, and any other holy places, also exempt; and of all Buildings of Churches and other places, and out of all other Church Rents or Revenues whatsoever, and of other Colleges: Among which never∣theless let not the Seminaries of Students and Scholars, or of Teachers for the promoting the common good of the Church be reckoned, for these the Synod

willeth be exempt. Except in regard of Rents and Revenues, which may be superfluous over and above the convenient Maintenance and support of the said Seminaries, or Bodies, or Fraternities, which in some places are called Schools, and of all Monasteries (except the Mendicants) as also out of the Tenths in any ways belonging to Laicks, (out of which the Ecclesiastical Subsidies are wont to be paid, and the Souldiers of every Militia or Company) the Brethren of Saint John of Jerusalem only excepted; the said Bishops may take some part or portion; and the said part or portion so taken out, as also some simple Benefices, of what qua∣lity and dignity soever they be, without the prejudice of divine Worship, and of those who obtained the same, they shall apply and incorporate into this College; which shall take place and stand good, altho the said Benefices be kept or disposed of; nor upon resignation of the said Benefices, can the Unions and Applica∣tions be suspended, or in any wise hindered, but may divide their effects in any Vacation, nay in Court, any constitution to the contrary notwithstand∣ing. And for the payment of this Portion, the Possessors of Benefices, Digni∣ties, Personages, and of all and singular other the above-mentioned Premises, not only for themselves, but for the Pensions or Rents, which perhaps they pay to others out of the said Fruits, (holding it for established whatsoever they must pay for the said Pensions) may be compelled and forced by the Bishop of the place, by Ecclesiastical Censures, and other Remedies of the Law; having recourse in this case, as need shall require, to the aid of the secular Power: Any Privileges, Exemptions (as to all and singular the above-mentioned Premises) altho they require a special Derogation, [or taking way] Custom, tho time out of mind, any Appeal and Allegation which may hinder Execution, notwith∣standing. But in case it shall so happen, that by the Unions so dividing their Effects, or otherwise the said Seminary be found to be endowed in the whole, or in part; then the Portion, drawn out and incorporated by the Bishop, as above, out of all Benefices may, as the matter it self shall require, be re∣mitted in the whole or in part. But if the Prelates of Cathedrals and other great Churches, shall be negligent in this erecting of a Seminary, and the keep∣ing or preserving thereof, and shall refuse to pay their portion; the Archbi∣shop ought sharply to correct the Bishop, and a provincial Synod the Archbi∣shop and Superiors, and to compel them to perform all the abovesaid Premises; and shall diligently take care, that this holy and pious Work be with all possible speed promoted and advanced, wheresoever it shall happen to be done. And let the Bishop take account of the Revenues of this Seminary every year, Two de∣puted by the Chapter, and Two by the Clergy of the City being present.

Furthermore, that provision may be made, that the Institution of such Schools may be with less charge and cost; the holy Synod ordains, That the Bishops, Archbishops, Primates, and other Ordinaries of places, do enjoyn (even by withdrawing their Revenues) all School-masters and others, who, besides their other Duties, have the charge of Reading and Teaching, to teach in the said Schools those who are there to be instructed by themselves, f they are sit, o∣therwise by fit Substitutes, to be chosen by the said School-masters, and to be approved of by the Ordinaries. But if in the Judgment of the Bishop they shall not be worthy, let them nominate another who is worthy without any Appeal

at all; if he slight and dispise it, the Bishop shall depute one. However the aforesaid Persons shall not teach any thing, but what the Bishop thinks fit or allows of. And the said Offices or Dignities, (viz. of Masters of Schools) shall not from henceforth be conferred but on Doctors, Masters, or Licentiates in Divinity, or in the Canon-Law, or other sit persons, and who are able of themselves to discharge that Office: Any other Provision made to the contrary being null, and of no force: Notwistanding any Privileges or Customs, thô time out of mind.

But in case in any Province Churches labour under so great poverty, that a College cannot be erected therein, a Provincial or Metropolitan Synod, together with two of the Elder Suffragans in the Metropolitan Church, or in some other more convenient Church of the Province, shall take care that one or more Colleges, as shall be thought proper and fit, be erected, out of the Profits or Incomes of Two or more Churches, in each of which a College cannot handsomely be Founded, where the Children of those Churches may be Educated and brought up.

But in Churches that have large Diocesses, the Bishop may have one or more Seminaries in a Diocess, as he shall judge opportune and fit: Which neverthe∣less may depend in all things upon that one, which shall be Erected and Founded in the City.

Lastly, if either by occasion of the Unions, or the Taxation, Assignation or Incorporation of Portions, or for any other respect any difficulty shall happen to arise, by reason of which the Founding or Maintaining of this Seminary might be hindred or disturbed: The Bishop, together with the above-mentioned De∣puties, or a Provincial Synod; according to the custom of the Country, ac∣cording to the quality of the Churches Benefices, even by moderating or increa∣sing the Premises, if need be, may and shall be enabled to decree and provide all and singular such matters and things, as shall seem necessary and opportune for the happy advancing this Seminary.

An Order for the next Session.

MOreover, the said most holy Synod of Trent, ordereth the next ensuing Session to be held on the Sixteenth Day of September, in which the Sacrament of Matri∣mony will be handled, and other matters, which in any wise appertain unto the Doctrine of Faith may be dispatch'd. Also of Provisions of Bishopricks, Dignities, and other Ecclesiastical Benefices, and divers Articles of Reformation.

The Session was Prorogued untill the XI. Day of November, MD LXIII.