CHAPTER XXI.

Of archdeacons.

SECT. 1. Archdeacons anciently of the same order with

deacons.-2. Elected by the bishop, and not made by

seniority.-3. Commonly persons of such interest in

the church, that they were often chosen the bishops'

successors.-4. The archdeacon's offices: first, To as-

sist the bishop at the altar, and order the other deacons

and inferior clergy to their several stations and ser-

vices in the church.-5. Secondly, To assist the bishop

in managing the church's revenues.-6. Thirdly, To

assist him in preaching.-7. Fourthly, In ordaining

the inferior clergy.-8. Fifthly, The archdeacon had

power to censure the other deacons, but not presby-

ters, much less the archpresbyter of the church, as

some mistake.-9. What meant by the name apan-

tita, and whether it denotes the archdeacon's power

over the whole diocese.-10. Why the archdeacon

called cor-episcopi.-11. The opinions of learned men

concerning the first institution of this office and dignity

in the church.

94

CHAPTER XXII.

Of deaconesses.

SECT. 1. The ancient names of deaconesses, diákovoι,

πpeoẞúTides, viduæ, ministræ. - 2. Deaconesses by

some laws required to be widows.-3. And such

widows as had children.-4. To be sixty years of age.

-5. And such as had been only the wives of one man.

-6. Deaconesses always ordained by imposition of

hands.-7. Yet not consecrated to any office of the

priesthood.-8. Their offices: 1. To assist at the bap-

tism of women.-9. 2. To be a sort of private cate-

chists to the women-catechumens.-10. 3. To visit

and attend women in sickness and distress.-11. 4. To

minister to the martyrs in prison.-12. 5. To keep

the women's gate in the church.-13. Lastly, To pre-

side over the widows, &c.-14. How long this order

continued both in the Eastern and Western church.-

15. Another notion of the name diaconissa, in the

middle ages of the church, in which it signifies a dea-

con's wife, as presbytera does a presbyter's wife, and

episcopa a bishop's wife. The contrary errors of Gen-

tilletus and Baronius about these corrected. . . 99

CHAPTER I.

Of the first original of the inferior orders, and the

number and use of them: and how they differed

from the superior orders of bishops, presbyters, and

deacons.

SECT. 1. The inferior orders not of apostolical, but only

ecclesiastical institution, proved against Baronius and

the council of Trent.-2. No certain number of them

in the primitive church.-3. Not instituted in all

churches at the same time.-4. The principal use of

them in the primitive church, to be a sort of nursery

for the hierarchy.-5. None of these allowed to for-

sake their service, and return to a mere secular life

again.-6. How they differed from the superior orders

in name, in office, and manner of ordination.

CHAPTER II.

Of subdeacons.

105

centuries, the usual exorcists of the church.-3. In

what sense every man his own exorcist.-4. Exorcists

constituted into an order in the latter end of the third

century.-5. Their ordination and office.-6. A short

account of the energumens, their names, and station

in the church.-7. The exorcists chiefly concerned

in the care of them.-8. The duty of exorcists in

reference to the catechumens.

110

CHAPTER V.

Of lectors or readers.

SECT. 1. The order of readers not instituted till the

third century.-2. By whom the Scriptures were read

in the church before the institution of that order.-3.

The manner of ordaining readers.-4. Their station

and office in the church.-5. The age at which they

113

might be ordained

CHAPTER I.

Of the several ways of designing persons to the minis-
try, in the apostolical and primitive ages of the
church.

SECT. 1. Four several ways of designing persons to the
ministry. Of the first way, by casting lots. 2. The

second way, by making choice of the first-fruits of the
Gentile converts.-3. The third way, by particular di-
rection of the Holy Ghost.-4. The fourth way, by
129
common suffrage and election.

CHAPTER II.

A more particular account of the ancient manner and

method of elections of the clergy.

SECT. 1. The different opinions of learned men concern-
ing the people's power anciently in elections.-2. The
power of the people equal to that of inferior clergy in
the election of a bishop.-3. This power not barely
testimonial, but elective.-4. Evidences of this power
from some ancient rules and customs of the church.
As, first, that no bishop was ordinarily to be obtruded
on an orthodox people without their consent.-5. Se-
condly, This further confirmed from examples of the
bishops complying with the voice of the people against
their own inclination.-6. Thirdly, From the manner
of the people's voting at elections.-7. Fourthly, From
the use and office of interventors.-8. Fifthly, From
the custom of the people's taking persons and having
them ordained by force.-9. Sixthly, From the title
of fathers, which some bishops upon this account by
way of compliment gave to their people.-10. What
power the people had in the designation of presby-
ters.-11. Whether the council of Nice made any
alteration in these matters.-12. Some exceptions to
the general rule. First, In case the greatest part of

the church were heretics or schismatics. 13. Se-
condly, In case of ordaining bishops to far distant
churches, or barbarous nations.-14. Thirdly, In case
an interventor or any other bishop intruded himself
into any see without the consent of a provincial sy-
nod.-15. Fourthly, In case of factions and divisions
among the people.-16. Fifthly, The emperors some-
times interposed their authority, to prevent tumults in
the like cases.-17. Sixthly, The people sometimes
restrained to the choice of one out of three, that were
nominated by the bishops.-18. Lastly, By Justinian's
laws, the power of electing was confined to the opti-
mates, and the inferior people wholly excluded.-19.
How and when princes and patrons came to have the

chief power of elections.
132

CHAPTER III.

Of the examination and qualifications of persons to be
ordained in the primitive church. And first, of their
faith and morals.

2.

SECT. 1. Three inquiries made about persons to be or-
dained, respecting, 1. Their faith and learning.
Their morals. 3. Their outward quality and condi-
tion in the world.-2. The rule and method of ex-
amining their faith and learning.-3. The irregular
ordination of Synesius considered.-4. A strict in-
quiry made into the morals of such as were to be or-
dained.-5. For which reason no stranger to be or-
dained in a foreign church.-6. Nor any one who had
done public penance in the church.-7. No murderer,
nor adulterer, nor one that had lapsed in time of per-
secution.-8. No usurer or seditious person.-9. Nor
one who had voluntarily dismembered his own body.
-10. Men only accountable for crimes committed
after baptism, as to what concerned their ordination.
-11. Except any great irregularity happened in their

baptism itself. As in clinic baptism.-12. And here-

tical baptism; both which unqualified men for ordina-

tion.-13. No man to be ordained who had not first

made all his family catholic Christians.-14. What

methods were anciently taken to prevent simoniacal
promotions.

CHAPTER IV.

Of the qualifications of persons to be ordained, re-
specting their outward state and condition in the
world.

SECT. 1. No soldier to be ordained presbyter or deacon.

-2. Nor any slave or freed-man without the consent

of his patron.-3. Nor any member of a civil society,

or company of tradesmen, who were tied to the ser-

vice of the commonwealth.-4. Nor any of the curiales

or decuriones of the Roman government.-5. Nor any

proctor or guardian, till his office was expired.-6.

Pleaders at law denied ordination in the Roman
church.-7. And energumens, actors, and stage-play-
ers in all churches.

CHAPTER V.

146

Of the state of digamy and celibacy in particular: and
of the laws of the church about these, in reference to
the ancient clergy.

SECT. 1. No digamist to be ordained, by the rule of the

apostle.-2. Three different opinions among the an-

cients about digamy. First, That all persons were to be

refused orders as digamists, who were twice married

after baptism.-3. Secondly, Others extended the

rule to all persons twice married before baptism.-4.

Thirdly, The most probable opinion of those, who

thought the apostle by digamists meant polygamists,

and such as married after divorce.-5. No vow of

celibacy required of the clergy, as a condition of their

ordination, for the three first ages.-6. The vanity of

the contrary pretences.-7. The clergy left to their

SECT. 1. The canons of the church to be read to the
clerk, before the bishop ordained him. The reason
of making this law. 2. No clerk to be ordained
áπоλελvμévws, without being fixed to some church.-
3. Exceptions to this rule very rare.-4. No bishop
to ordain another man's clerk without his consent.-

5. No bishop to ordain in another man's diocese.-6.

The original of the four solemn times of ordination.-

7. Ordinations indifferently given on any day of the

week for the three first centuries.-8. Usually per-

formed in the time of the oblation at morning service.

-9. The church the only regular place of ordination.

-10. Ordinations received kneeling at the altar.-11.

Given by imposition of hands and prayer.-12. The
sign of the cross used in ordination.-13. But no unc-
tion, nor the ceremony of delivering vessels into the
hands of presbyters and deacons.-14. Ordinations

concluded with the kiss of peace.-15. The anniver-

sary day of a bishop's ordination kept a festival. 153

CHAPTER VII.

The case of forced ordinations and re-ordinations

considered.

SECT. 1. Forced ordinations very frequent in the pri-

mitive church.-2. No excuse admitted in that case,

except a man protested upon oath that he would not

be ordained.-3. This practice afterward prohibited

by the imperial laws and canons of the church.-4.

Yet a bishop ordained against his will had not the

privilege to relinquish. - 5. Re-ordinations generally

condemned.-6. The proposal made by Cecilian, bishop

of Carthage, to the Donatists, examined.-7. Schis-

matics sometimes re-ordained.-8. And heretics also

upon their return to the church, in some places. 159

CHAPTER I.

Some instances of respect which the clergy paid mu-
tually to one another.

SECT. 1. The clergy obliged to give entertainment to
their brethren, travelling upon necessary occasions.-
2. And to give them the honorary privilege of con-
secrating the eucharist in the church.-3. The use of
the litera formatae, or commendatory letters, upon this
occasion.-4. The clergy obliged to end all their own
controversies among themselves.-5. What care was
taken in receiving accusations against the bishops and
clergy of the church.
163

CHAPTER II.

Instances of respect showed to the clergy by the civil

government. Where particularly of their exemption

from the cognizance of the secular courts in ecclesi-

astical causes.

SECT. 1. Bishops not to be called into any secular court
to give their testimony.-2. Nor obliged to give their
testimony upon oath, by the laws of Justinian,—3.

Whether the single evidence of one bishop was good
in law against the testimony of many others.-4. Pres-
byters privileged against being questioned by torture,
as other witnesses were.-5. The clergy exempt from
the ordinary cognizance of the secular courts in all
ecclesiastical causes.-6. This evidenced from the laws
of Constantius.-7. And those of Valentinian and Gra-
tian.-8. And Theodosius the Great.-9. And Arca-
dius and Honorius.-10. And Valentinian III. and
Justinian.-11. The clergy also exempt in lesser cri-
minal causes.-12. But not in greater criminal causes.
-13. Nor in pecuniary causes with laymen.-14. Of
the necessary distinction between the supreme and
subordinate magistrates in this business of exemp-

tions.
166

CHAPTER III.

Of the immunities of the clergy in reference to taxes,

and civil offices, and other burdensome employments

in the Roman empire.

SECT. 1. No Divine right pleaded by the ancient clergy

to exempt themselves from taxes.-2. Yet generally

--

excused from personal taxes, or head-money.-3. But not excused for their lands and possessions.-4. Of the tribute called aurum tyronicum, equi canonici, &c., and the clergy's exemption from it.-5. The church obliged to such burdens as lands were tied to before their donation. -6. Of the chrysargyrum or lustral tax, and the clergy's exemption from it.-7. Of the metatum. What meant thereby, and of the clergy's exemption from it.-8. Of the superindicta and extraordinaria. The clergy exempt from them.-9. The clergy sometimes exempt from contributing to the reparation of highways and bridges.-10. Also from the duty called angariæ and parangariæ, &c.-11. Of the tribute called denarismus, unciæ, and descriptio lucrativorum: and the church's exemption from it.12. The clergy exempt from all civil personal offices. -13. And from sordid offices both predial and personal.-14. Also from curial or municipal offices.-15. This last privilege confined to such of the clergy as had no estates but what belonged to the church, by the laws of Constantine.-16. Constantine's laws a little altered by the succeeding emperors in favour of the church. 171

CHAPTER IV.

Of the revenues of the ancient clergy. SECT. 1. Several ways of providing a fund for the maintenance of the clergy. First, By oblations; some of which were weekly.-2. And others monthly.—3. Whence came the custom of a monthly division among the clergy.-4. Secondly, Other revenues arising from the lands and possessions of the church.-5. These very much augmented by the laws of Constantine.-6. Whose laws were confirmed, and not revoked, by the succeeding emperors, as some mistake.-7. Thirdly, Another part of church revenues raised by allowances out of the emperor's exchequer.-8. Fourthly, The estates of martyrs and confessors, dying without heirs, settled upon the church by Constantine.-9. Fifthly,

The estates of clergymen dying without heirs and will, settled in like manner.-10. Sixthly, Heathen temples and their revenues sometimes given to the church.11. As also, seventhly, Heretical conventicles and their revenues.-12. Lastly, The estates of clerks deserting the church to be forfeited to the church.-13. No disreputable ways of augmenting church revenues encouraged. Fathers not to disinherit their children, to make the church their heirs.-14. Nothing to be demanded for administering the sacraments of the church, nor for confirmation, nor for consecrating of churches, nor for interment of the dead.-15. The oblations of the people anciently esteemed one of the most valuable parts of church revenues. 182

CHAPTER V.

Of tithes and first-fruits in particular.

SECT. 1. Tithes anciently reckoned to be due by Divine right.-2. Why not exacted, then, in the apostolical age and those that followed.-3. In what age they were first generally settled upon the church.-4. The original of first-fruits, and manner of offering them. 189

CHAPTER VI.

Of the management and distribution of the revenues of the ancient clergy.

SECT. 1. The revenues of the whole diocese anciently in the hands of the bishop.-2. And by his care distributed among the clergy.-3. Rules about the division of church revenues.-4. In some churches the clergy lived all in common.-5. Alterations made in these matters by the endowment of parochial churches. -6. No alienations to be made of the goods or revenues of the church but upon extraordinary occasions.-7. And that by the joint consent of the bishop and his clergy, with the approbation of the metropolitan or some provincial bishops. 191

CHAPTER I.

Of the excellency of these rules in general, and the exemplariness of the clergy in conforming to them. SECT. 1. The excellency of the Christian rules attested and envied by the heathens.-2. The character of the clergy, from Christian writers.-3. Particular exceptions no derogation to their general good character.4. An account of some ancient writers, which treat of the duties of the clergy. 195

CHAPTER II.

Of the laws relating to the life and conversation of the primitive clergy.

SECT. 1. Exemplary purity required in the clergy above other men. Reasons for it.-2. Church censures more severe against them than any others.-3. What crimes punished with degradation, viz. theft, murder, perjury, fraud, sacrilege, fornication, and adultery.-4. Also lapsing in time of persecution.-5. And drinking and gaming.-6. And negociating upon usury. The nature of this crime inquired into.-7. Of the hospitality of

the clergy.-8. Of their frugality, and contempt of the world.-9. Whether the clergy were anciently obliged by any law to part with their temporal possessions.-10. Of their great care to be inoffensive with their tongues.-11. Of their care to guard against suspicion of evil.-12. Laws relating to this matter.-13. An account of the agapete and ovvɛloaкTOL, and the laws of the church made against them.-14. Malevolent and unavoidable suspicions to be contemned. . 197

CHAPTER III.

Of laws more particularly relating to the exercise of the duties and offices of their function.

SECT. 1. The clergy obliged to lead a studious life.-2. No pleas allowed as just apologies for the contrary.— 3. Their chief studies to be the Holy Scriptures, and the approved writers and canons of the church.—4. How far the study of heathen or heretical books allowed.-5. Of their piety and devotion in their public addresses to God.-6. The censure of such as neglected the daily service of the church.-7. Their rules about preaching to edification.-8. Of their fidelity, diligence, and prudence in their private addresses and

applications.-9. Of their prudence and candour in composing unnecessary controversies in the church.— 10. Of their zeal and courage in defending the truth. -11. Of their obligations to maintain the unity of the church; and of the censure of such as fell into heresy or schism..

208

the ancients very different from that of the Romish church. 17. Of the corona clericalis, and why the clergy called coronati.-18. Whether the clergy were distinguished in their apparel from laymen.-19. A particular account of the birrus and pallium.-20. Of the collobium, dalmatica, caracalla, hemiphorium, and linea. 219

CHAPTER IV.

An account of some other laws and rules, which were a sort of out-guards and fences to the former. SECT. 1. No clergyman allowed to desert or relinquish his station without just grounds and leave.-2. Yet in some cases a resignation was allowed of.-3. And canonical pensions sometimes granted upon such occasions.-4. No clergyman to remove from one diocese to another without the consent and letters dimissory of his own bishop.-5. Laws against the ẞakávτiẞoi, or wandering clergy.-6. Laws against the translations of bishops from one see to another, how to be limited and understood.-7. Laws concerning the residence of the clergy.-8. Of pluralities, and the laws made about them.-9. Laws prohibiting the clergy to take upon them secular business and civil offices.-10. Laws prohibiting the clergy to be tutors and guardians, how far extended.-11. Laws against their being sureties, and pleading causes at the bar in behalf of themselves or their churches.-12. Laws against their following secular trades and merchandise. 13. What limitations and exceptions these laws admitted of. - 14. Laws respecting their outward conversation. - 15. Laws relating to their habit. -16. The tonsure of

CHAPTER V.

Some reflections on the foregoing discourse, concluding with an address to the clergy of the present church.

SECT. 1. Reflect. 1. All laws and rules of the ancient church not necessary to be observed by the present church and clergy.-2. Reflect. 2. Some ancient rules would be of excellent use, if revived by just authority. -3. Reflect. 3. Some ancient laws may be complied with, though not laws of the present church.-4. Reflect. 4. Of the influence of great examples, and laws of perpetual obligation.-5. Some particular rules recommended to observation: first, Relating to the ancient method of training up persons for the ministry. -6. Secondly, Their rules for examining the qualifications of candidates for the ministry.-7. Thirdly, Their rules about private address, and the exercise of private discipline.-8. Lastly, Their rules for exercising public discipline upon delinquent clergymen, who were convict of scandalous offences.-9. Julian's design to reform the heathen priests by the rules of the primitive clergy, an argument to provoke our zeal in the present age.-10. The conclusion, by way of address to the clergy of the present church. 232

CHAPTER I.

Of the several sorts of monks, and their different ways of living in the church.

SECT. 1. Several sorts of monks distinguished by their different ways of living.-2. Some called 'AvaxwpnTai, Anchorets. 3. Others, Coenobites or Synodites.-1. Others, Saraibaite and Remboth.-5. A fourth sort, Stylite, or Pillarists.-6. Of secular monks.-7. All monks originally no more than laymen.-8. In what cases the clerical and monastic life might be conjoined together.-9. The original of canons regular.-10. Of the monks called Acometæ, or Watchers.-11. Of those called Bookol, or Grazers.-12. Of the Benedictines and Gyrovagi in Italy.-13. Of the Apostolics in Britain and Ireland.-14. Of some uncommon names of monks in the ancient church, Hesychaste, Continentes, Silentiarii, Renunciantes, Philothei, Therapeuta, Cellulani, and such like.

242

CHAPTER III.

An account of such ancient laws and rules, as relate to the monastic life, and chiefly that of the Cœnobites. SECT. 1. The curiales not allowed to turn monks.-2. Nor servants without their master's consent.-3. Nor husbands and wives without mutual consent of each other.-4. Nor children without the consent of their parents.-5. Children, though offered by their parents, not to be retained against their own consent.-6. Of the tonsure and habit of monks.-7. No solemn vow or profession required of them.-8. What meant by their renunciation of the world.-9. Of the difference between the renunciative and the communicative life. 10. All monks anciently maintained by their own labour.-11. Proper officers appointed in monasteries for this purpose, viz. decani, centenarii, patres, &c.— 12. The power of the abbots or fathers very great in point of discipline over the rest.-13. Allowed also some peculiar privileges in the church.-14. Yet always subordinate to the power of bishops.-15. The spiritual exercises of monks: first, Perpetual repentance. 16. Secondly, Extraordinary fasting. - 17. Thirdly, Extraordinary devotions.-18. Of laws excluding monks from offices both ecclesiastical and civil.-19. No monks anciently encroaching on the duties or rights of the secular clergy.-20. Not allowed at first to dwell in cities, but confined to the wilderness.-21. What exceptions that rule admitted of.-22. Whether monks might betake themselves to a secular life again?-23. Marriage of monks anciently not annulled.-24. What punishments ordinarily inflicted on deserters.

249