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. XIV.

IT is observable, in many Churches, as well Cathedral as Collegiate and Parochial, through their Constitutions, or by some wicked Custom, That in the Election, Presentation, Nomination, Institution, Confirmation, Colla∣tion, or other Provision or Admission unto the Possession of any Cathedral Church or Benefice, of Canonries or Prebends; either part of the Revenues, or certain Conditions for daily Distributions, or Deductions of Fruits, Pay∣ments, Promises, or unlawful Compensations and Requitals, or even those things which in some Churches are called Turnorum Lucra, are introdu∣ced and demanded. The holy Synod detesting and abhoring those practices commands the Bishops, That they suffer not to be done any things of this na∣ture, which are not converted into pious uses; but the persons who shall usurp such practices, shall be declared guilty of the Sin of Simony, and sordid Avarice. And the said Bishops shall take all diligent Cognizance of their Constitutions or Customs aforesaid, touching the same, and excepting those only, which they shall approve as laudible, they shall reject and abolish the rest as scandalous and depraved. And those persons, who shall upon any account commit any thing contrary to the Contents of this present Decree; the holy Synod orders and apppoints, That those Penalties and Punishments be inflicted on them, that are set forth against Simoniacal Offenders, in the holy Canons, and sundry Constitutions of Popes; all which it renews: Notwithstanding any Statutes, Constitutions and Customs whatsoever, thô time out of mind, and confirmed by the Apostolical Authority: Of whose cunning Subreption, craf∣ty Procurement, and defect of Intention, the Bishop, as Delegate of the Apo∣stolick See, may take cognizance.