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.

THe same Holy Synod, by the same Presidents and Legates of the Apostolick See, willing to prepare it self for the Restitution of the almost decayed Ecclesiastick Discipline, and the amending of manners, in the Clergy, and Chri∣stian

People, thought fit to begin with those of the first Rank in the Church. For the Integrity of the King, or such as are in Authority, is the safety of their Subjects. Confiding therefore in the mercy of the Lord our God, and the pru∣dence of his Vicar upon Earth, that it will so happen, that the government of Churches, because it is an undertaking too weighty even for Angels to bear, that those who are indeed worthy, whose former life, and all their days, from their very Cradles even to their riper Years, can give a good testimony by the Fruits of their Discipline, commendably produced in the Church, may receive that Charge, according to the Venerable Sanctions of the Blessed Fathers; Ad∣viseth, and will have advised, all the Praefects in Patriarchal, Primatical, Me∣tropolitical and Cathedral Churches whatsoever, by what Name or Title soever call'd, that taking heed to themselves, and the whole Flock, in which the Holy Ghost hath put them, they may be careful in governing the Church of God, which he hath purchased with his Blood; as the Apostle teacheth, Let them la∣bour in all things, and accomplish their Ministery. But let them know that they can in no wise accomplish it, if they as hired Servants forsake the Flocks that are committed to them; and be not in the least careful to keep the Sheep, whose Blood by the Supreme Judge will be required at their hands: Whereas it is most certain the Shepherds excuse will not be admitted, if the Wolf eats the Sheep and the Shepherd knows not of it. And nevertheless because some persons (which is a very dolorous thing) are to be found at this time, who preferring Earthly things before Heavenly, and Humane things before Divine, wander about in diverse Courts, or having left their pastoral care, busy themselves about Earthly things: It pleased this Holy Synod to renew those ancient Canons pub∣lished against those who did not Reside, (the which Canons by the Injuries of Men and of the Times, are grown out of use;) nevertheless by Vertue of this Decree, this Council doth renew them: And further for the firmer residence of them, and the Reforming manners in the Church, in this form following doth Ordain and Establish.

If any one shall be absent out of his Diocess from his Patriarchal, Primatical, Metropolitical, or Cathedral Church, by whatsoever Title, Cause, Name, or Right to him committed, in what Dignity, Degree, or Preheminence soever he appear, for six whole months, without a lawful Impediment, or just and reasona∣ble Causes; let him pay a fourth part of his Revenue for one year, towards the Repairing of the Church, and the Relief of the Poor in his Diocess: And if he shall be absent other six months, let him lose another fourth part, to be apply'd to the aforesaid uses. But Contumacy increasing, so that it must be offer'd to the more severe Censure of the Sacred Canons, the Metropolitan in the Absence of his Bishops Suffragans, or the Eldest Bishop Suffragan in his Metropolitans Ab∣sence shall be oblig'd, under pain of being deny'd Entrance into the Church for it, within three months to declare the same to the Pope, either by his Letters or Messenger: Who by the Authority of his Supremacy may inflict a penalty upon such as are Absent, according to the greatness or smallness of their Offence, and provide better Pastors in the Church, as he shall see good in the Lord.