Page 140
SEeing Ecclesiastical Order is perverted, when one Clerk doth occupy and possess the Offices of many, it hath been piously provided in the holy Ca∣nons, That no one person ought to be entitled and admitted into Two Churches: And because there are many, who, led by wicked Desires and Af∣fections, deceiving themselves, not God, are not ashamed to elude and shift off by divers subtle Arts those things which were well and happily constituted, and to obtain many Benefices together at once: The holy Synod, desiring to re∣store a due and orderly Discipline in the Government of Churches, doth, by this present Decree (which it commands to be observed by all persons whatso∣ever, by what Title or Dignity soever they are distinguished, thô Cardinals) ordain and appoint, That from henceforth one Ecclesiastical Benefice only shall be conferred on one person: To which, if it be not sufficient for a com∣petent and honest Maintenance for him on whom it is so conferred, one other simple Benefice may be also added; so that they do not both require per∣sonal Residence. And these things shall be understood to appertain not only to Cathedral Churches, but also to all other Benefices whatsoever, as well Regu∣lar as Secular, of what Title or Quality soever they be, thô in Commenda. And those who now have more Parish Churches than one, or have one Cathe∣dral, and another Parish Church; they shall be compelled, notwithstanding any Dispensations and Unions for Life whatsoever, to retain and hold one Ca∣thedral, or one Parish Church only, and to leave and quit the rest within the space of six Months; otherwise, as well the Parish Churches, as all other the Benefices which they have, shall be accounted (ipso jure) void, and as void may be freely conferred on other fit persons; nor may those that have for∣merly obtained those Benefices, with a safe Conscience retain and keep the In∣comes or Fruits after the said Time. However the holy Synod desires, That some Provision may be made for supplying the Necessities of those that do re∣sign in some convenient manner, as to the Pope it shall seem best.