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. I. A Decree concerning Reformation.

THe before-specify'd most holy Synod, assisting, embracing, and contributing toward the pious constitutions of the chief Bishops and their approved Councils, lest that divine Treasure of Sacred Writ, which was freely deliver'd unto men by the Holy Ghost, should be neglected, have Order'd and Decreed, That in those Churches, in which there is a Prebendary or Priesthood, or any other Salary, by what name soever call'd, belonging to the Lectors of Divinity, the Bishops, Arch-Bishops, Primates, and others of an Inferiour Rank, shall urge and compel those who have such a Prebendary, Vicarage, or like Salary, to apply themselves to the Exposition and Interpretation of Scripture, if they be abilited thereto; otherwise the Bishops, Arch-bishops, Prelates, and others of an inferiour rank, may take his Benefice from him, and substitute another more fit in his place: Moreover we decree that this Prebendary, Vicarage, or other Salary be not bestowed on any persons, but such as are well qualified thereto; if such a one cannot be got, that then, making some other shift, the place to become void. That in Metropolitan Churches or Cathedrals, if in a great and popu∣lous City, as also in Colleges in some great Towns, and belonging to no Bi∣shops Seat, if the Clergy be therein numerous, and no Prebendary, Vicarage, or other such like place of Salary be there found, the first Prebendary that on any wise becomes vacant, (except by Resignation) may be understood to belong to him properly, who is not ordain'd for some other Benefice. But if there be no Prebendary in those Churches, or, if one, not sufficient, then a Metropolitan, or Bishop, to add thereto the Salary of some other single or small Benefice; or such as are already Benefic'd in the City or Diocess, to contribute towards the endowing of it; or else some other way, as shall seem more convenient: Thus taking care, with the advice of their Chapter, that the Reading of the holy Scripture may be had publickly, but so, that no other Lectures whatsoever, by Custom, or any other Reason, constituted, be in the least thereby hindred. But let those Churches whose Benefices are but small, and the Clergy and People

but few, so that Divine Service cannot conveniently be had, at least have a Ma∣ster chosen by the Diocesan, together with his Council of Deans and Prebends, who may teach the Clergy and other poor Scholars, the Art of Grammar, that thereby, by Gods Grace, they may apply themselves to the study of Scripture, requiring nothing therefore but the income of his School, and the small Benefice, which they shall allow him as long as he continues in that office, not defrauding him of the benefit thereof as long as he continues obsequious in his Duty: Or let a certain Stipend be paid him from the Chapter or Bishops Table: Or other∣wise let the Bishop himself think upon something for the good of his Church and Diocess, that so pious, so necessary and so profitable a design may not be neg∣lected upon any pretence whatsoever.

Let Scripture likewise be read in the Monasteries of the Monks, if it can be done with convenience; in which matter, if the Abbots shall be remiss, then the Bishops of the places, Delegates herein of the Apostolick See, may compel them thereto as they shall see fit. Let it likewise be read in the Conventions of other Regulars wherein there is a conveniency for Study: The which reading of Scri∣pture let it be assign'd to the worthy teachers thereof by order of general or provincial Chapters: Let it likewise be set up in publick Schools, wherein it has not been yet read, by the Piety and Charity of the most Religious Princes and Commonwealths, for the Defence and Increase of the Catholick Faith, and Preservation and Propagating of Sound Doctrine: and restore it again where neglected. And lest under a Pretext of Piety Impiety be disseminated, the said Holy Synod hath decreed, That none be admitted to this office of Le∣cturer either publickly or privately, but, who have been first of all examin'd by the Bishop of the Place, as to his Life, Manners and Understanding, and ap∣prov'd of; which must not be understood of those who read in the Cloysters of the Monks.