Origines Ecclesiasticæ: The Antiquities of the Christian Church &c. &c., Reprinted with an Enlarged Analytical Index [in two quarto volumes] (1846)

Front matter

ORIGINES ECCLESIASTICA

THE ANTIQUITIES

OF

Chapter I

Of those titles and appellations which Christians owned, and distinguished themselves by.

Sect. 1. Christians at first called Jesseans, Therapeute, Electi, &c. —2. Christ called by a technical name, IXOY=; and Christians, Pésciculi, from that. —3. Christians, why called Gnostic?. by some authors.—4. Theophori, and Christophori.—5. Sometimes, but very rarely, Christi. —6. Christians great enemies to all party names and human appellations. Christian, the name they chiefly gloried in.—7. Of the name catholic, and its antiquity.—8. In what sense the name ecclesiastics given to all Christians.—9. The Christian religion called Adyya, and Christians oi rot Adyuaros.—10. Christians called Jews by the heathen.—l1l. Christ commonly called Chrestus by the heathen ; and Chris- DTA. See ees Ge ee ee Ee

Chapter II

Of those names of reproach, which Jews, infidels, and heretics cast upon the Christians.

Secr. 1. Christians commonly called Nazarens by Jews and heathens.—2, And Galileans.—3. And atheists.— 4, Greeks and impostors.—5. Magicians.—6. The new superstition.—7. Sibyllists.—8. Biothanati.—9. Parabolarti, and Desperati.—l0. Sarmentitit, and Semazit. —ll. Lucifugax natio—12. Plautina prosapia.—13. Christians called Capitolins, Synedrians, and Apostatics, by the Novatians.—14, Psychict, by the Montanists and Valentinians.—15. Allegorists, by the Millenaries.—16. Chronite, by the Aetians; Simplices, by the Manichees ; Anthropolatre, by the Apollinarians.— 17. Philosarce, and Pilosiote,* by the Origenians.—

18. The synagogue of Satan and antichrist, by the |

Luciferians.

Chapter III

Of the several orders of men in the Christian church.

Sect. 1. Three sorts of members of the Christian church, the nyovmevor, miorol, and Katnxobuevor; rulers, be-

- lievers, and catechumens. —2. The name believers strictly taken for the baptized laity, in opposition to the catechumens.—3, Catechumens owned as imperfect members of the church.—4. Heretics not reputed Christians.—5. Penitents and energumens ranked in the same class with catechumens. ; 9

Chapter IV

A more particular account of the moroi, or believers, and their several titles of honour, and privileges above the catechumens,

Sect. 1. Believers otherwise called g@wri{ouevor, the illuminate.—2. And oi weuunuévor, the initiated.—3., And réXevor, the perfect.—4. Chari Det, déyio1, &.— 5. The privileges of believers. First, To partake of the eucharist.—6. Secondly, To stay and join in all the prayers of the church.—7. Thirdly, Their sole prerogative to use the Lord’s prayer. Whence that prayer was called evy%) wicrayv, the prayer of believers. —8. Fourthly, They were admitted to hear discourses upon the most profound mysteries of religion, All which privileges were denied to the catechumens. 11

Chapter V

Of the distinction of believers from the rulers. Where, of the distinction observed in the names and offices of laity and clergy; and of the antiquity of these distinctions.

Srcr. 1. Believers otherwise called Jaici, laymen, to distinguish them from the clergy.—2. The antiquity of this distinction in the names proved against Rigaltius, Salmasius, and Selden.—3. The objection from 1 Pet. v. 3, answered.—4, A distinction in the offices of laity and clergy always observed.—5. Laymen otherwise called Biwrixol, seculars.—6. Also idi@rar, private men.—7. What persons properly called clerici.—8. The name clerict sometimes appropriated to the ‘inferior orders.—9. The reason of the name clerict.— 10. All the clergy anciently called canonict ; and the reason of it.—ll. Also réEis Tod Braros, the order of the sanctuary. . oy, Sgt ae ongroey mR AS

* See a note on this word at the end of the Contents.

XXVI1

CONTENTS.

Chapter I

Of the original of bishops ; and that they were a distinct order from presbyters in the primitive church.

Sect. 1. What the ancients mean by different orders of bishops and presbyters.—2. The order of bishops always owned to be superior to that of presbyters.—3. The order of bishops reckoned by all ancient writers to be of apostolical and Divine institution—4. A list or catalogue of bishops ordained by the apostles. 17

Chapter II

Of the several titles of honour given to bishops in the primitive church.

Sect. 1. All bishops at first called apostles.—2. After that, successors of the apostles —3. Whence every bishop’s see called sedes apostolica.—4. Bishops called princes of the people.—5. Prepositi, roosca@Tes, 1dedpot, epopor.—6. Principes sacerdotum, summi sacerdotes, pontifices maximi, &.—7. Every bishop anciently called papa, father, or pope.—8. Pater patrum, and episcopus episcoporum, a title given to others beside the bishop of Rome.—9. Bishops sometimes called patriarchs.—10. All bishops styled vicars of Christ. —ll. And angels of the churches. . . . . . 21

Chapter III

Of the offices of bishops, as distinct from presbyters.

Sect. 1. A threefold difference between bishops and presbyters, in the discharge of their office and function. —2. First, In the common offices that might be performed by both; the bishop acted by an independent power, but presbyters in dependence upon, and subordination to him.—3. This specified in the offices of baptism and the Lord’s supper.—4. And in the office of preaching.—5. Secondly, Some offices never. intrusted in the hands of presbyters ; such as the office and power of ordination.—6. Instances of ordinations by presbyters disannulled by the .church.—7. Some allegations to the contrary examined. Where, of the difference made between the ordinations of schismatical bishops, and those of mere presbyters.—8. A third ° difference between bishops and presbyters was, that presbyters were always accountable to their bishops, not bishops to their presbyters.—9. Yet bishops’ power not arbitrary, but limited by canon in various eR AR a OTE eee SE MRRP

Chapter IV

Of the power of bishops over the laity, monks, subordinate magistrates, and all persons within their diocese ; and of their office in disposing of the revenues of the church. ,

Sect. 1. No exemption from the jurisdiction of the bishop in the primitive church.—2. All monks subject to the bishop of the diocese where they lived.—3. As also all subordinate magistrates in matters of spiritual jurisdiction.—4. Of the. distinction between temporal and spiritual jurisdiction. Bishops’ power wholly confined to the latter. —5. The bishop’s prerogative in granting the litere formate to all persons. —6. Of the bishop’s power in disposing of the revenues of the Ce a es ee gee ae

Chapter V

Of the office of bishops, in relation to the whole catholic church.

Sect. 1. In what sense every bishop supposed to be bi- - shop of the whole catholic church.—2. In what respect the whole world but one diocese, and but one bishopric in the church.—3. Some particular instances of private bishops acting as bishops of the whole universal church. Abe PS) Some a ae

Chapter VI

Of the independency of bishops; especially in the Cyprianie age, and in the African churches.

Sect. 1. What meant by the independency of bishops one of another, and their absolute power in their own church.—2. All bishops had liberty to form their own liturgies. —3. And to express the same catholic creed in different forms, as to what concerned method or expression.—4. And to appoint particular days of fasting in their own Rete Aa The independency of bishops. most conspicuous in the African churches ; proved by several instances out of Cyprian. 35

Chapter VII

Of the power of bishops in hearing and determining secular causes.

Sect. 1. Bishops commonly chosen arbitrators of men’s differences in the primitive church.—2. The original of this custom. Where, of the true meaning of those words in St. Paul, robs éEeBevnuéves év TH ExxAnoia, 1 Cor. vi. 4.—3. This power of bishops confirmed by the imperial laws.—4. Yet not allowed in capital or criminal causes; nor in any causes, but when the litigants both agreed to take them for arbitrators.—d. Bishops sometimes made their presbyters and deacons, and sometimes laymen, their substitutes in this affain A conjecture about the original of lay chan- QOMONN Eis salve REPRE Oh ee ete i cor

Chapter VIII

Of the privilege of bishops to intercede for eriminals.

Sect. 1. Several instances of bishops interceding for criminals to the secular magistrate.-—2. The reasons why they interceded for some criminals, and not others.—3. That they never interceded. in civil matters, and pecuniary cases. er ee ee

Chapter IX

Of some particular honours and instances of respect, showed to bishops by all persons in general.

Srcr. l. Of the ancient custom of bowing the head, to receive the benediction of bishops. —2. Of kissing their hand. —3. The custom of singing hosannas to them sometimes used, but not approved.—4. What meant by the corona sacerdotalis, and the form of saluting bishops per coronam.—5. Whether bishops anciently wore a mitre ?—6. Of the titles dyuwraro., beatissim?, &c., most holy and most blessed fathers, common to all bishops.—7. Bishops distinguished by their throne in the church. . ...... 40

CONTENTS. : xxvii

Chapter X

Of the age, and some other particular qualifications - required in such as were to be ordained bishops.

Sect. 1. Bishops not to be ordained under thirty years of age, except they were men of extraordinary worth. —2. To be chosen out of the clergy of the same church, or diocese, to which they were to be ordained. —3. Some exceptions to this rule, in three special cases.—4. Bishops ordinarily to be such as, had regularly gone through the inferior orders of the church. —5. This to be understood of the orders below that of deacon; for deacons were qualified to be ordained bishops, without being made presbyters.—6. In cases of necessity, bishops chosen out of the inferior orders. —7. And in some extraordinary cases, ordained immediately from laymen. The custom of going through all the orders of the church in five or six

_days’ time, a novel practice never used in the primi- UNIO TO ict. RE ta iat dn, vd amid iarciwy.: city dest Poe

Chapter XI

Of some particular laws and customs observed about the ordination of bishops.

Sect. 1. Bishoprics not to remain void above three months.—2. In some places, a new bishop was always chosen before the old was interred.—3. Some instances of longer vacancies, in times of difficulty and persecution.—4. Three bishops ordinarily required to a canonical ordination of a bishop.—5. Yet ordinations by one bishop allowed to be valid, though not canonical.—6. The bishop of Rome not privileged to ordain alone, any more than any other single bishop. —7. Every bishop to be ordained in his own church. —8. The ancient manner of ordaining bishops.—9. One of the forms of prayer used at their consecration. —1l0. Of their enthronement; their homilie enthronistice, and litere enthronistice, otherwise called synodice, and communicatorie. . . ... . . 46

Chapter XII

Of the rule which prohibits bishops to be ordained in small cities.

Secr. 1. The reason of the law against placing bishops in small cities—2. Some exceptions to this rule in Egypt, Libya, Cyprus, Arabia,.and especially in the provinces of Asia Minor.—3. Reasons which engaged the ancients sometimes to erect bishoprics in small ge ae ee re gt get tees ki @ HOR

CHAPTER XIII. Of the rule which forbids two bishops to be ordained

in one city.

Sect. 1. The general rule and practice of the church to have but one bishop in any city.—2. Yet two bishops sometimes allowed by compromise to end a dispute, or cure an inveterate schism. Where of the famous offer made by the catholic bishops to the Donatists in the collation of Carthage.—3. The opinions of learned men concerning two bishops in a city in the apostolical age, one of the Jews, and the other of the Gentiles. —4. The case of coadjutors. . . . . .. . 52

Chapter XIV

Of the chorepiscopi, mepdevrai, and suffragan bishops : and how these differed from one another. Sect. 1. Of the reason of the name chorepiscopi, and the mistake of some about it.—2. Three different opinions about the nature of this order. The first opinion, that they were mere presbyters. — 3. The second opinion, that some of them were presbyters, and some bishops. —4, The third opinion most probable, that they were all bishops. —5. Some objections against this answered.—6. Of the offices of the chorepiscopi. First, they were allowed to ordain the inferior clergy, subdeacons, readers, &c., but not presbyters or deacons, without special licence from the city bishop.—7. Secondly, they had power to minister confirmation.—8. Thirdly, power to grant letters dimissory to the country clergy. —9. Fourthly, they might officiate in the presence of the city bishop. —l0.. Fifthly, they might sit as bishops and vote in councils.—l1. The power of the chorepiscopi not the same in all times and places.—12. Their power first struck at by the council of Laodicea, which set up mep.odevtai, or visiting presbyters, in their room. Their power wholly taken away in the Western church in the ninth century.—13. Of the attempt made in England to restore this order under the name of suffragan bishops.—14. That suffragan bishops in the primitive church were not the chorepiscopi, but all the bishops in any province under a metropolitan. —I15. Why. the suffragan bishops of the Roman pro- 90 were particularly called by the technical name, rs otis WER neo 0s, BORG AY eS

Chapter XV

Of the intercessores and interventores in the African churches.

Srcr. 1. The reason why some bishops were called by these names in the African church, and what their office was.—2. Their office not to last above one year. —3. No intercessor to be made bishop of the place where he was constituted intercessor. . . . . 99

CHAPTER XVI. Of primates or metropolitans

Sect. 1. The original of metropolitans, by some derived from apostolical constitution. —2. By others, from the age next after the apostles—3, Confessed by all to have been long before the council of Nice.—4. Proofs of metropolitans in the second century.—d. By what names metropolitans were anciently called. —6. In Africa they were commonly called senes, because the oldest bishop of the province (excepting the province where Carthage stood) was always the metropolitan by virtue of his seniority.—7. How the African bishops might forfeit their title to the primacy, and lose their right of seniority.x—8. A register of ordinations to be kept in the primate’s church, and all bishops to take place by seniority, that there might be no disputes about the primacy.—9. Three sorts of honorary metropolitans beside the metropolitans in power. First, the primates evo.—l0. Secondly, titular metropolitans.—11. Thirdly, the bishops of some mother churches, which were honoured by ancient custom.—12. The offices of metropolitans. First, to ordain their suffragan bishops.—13. This power continued to them after the setting up of patriarchs in all places, except in the patriarchate of Alexandria.

_—1I14. The power of metropolitans not arbitrary in this respect, but to be concluded by the major vote of a provincial council.—l5. Metropolitans themselves to be chosen and ordained by their own provincial synod, and not obliged to go to Rome for ordination.—16, The second office of metropolitans, to decide controversies arising among their provincial bishops, and . to take appeals from them.—17. Their third office was to call provincial synods, which all their suffragans were obliged to attend.—18. Fourthly, they were to publish such imperial laws as concerned the church, together with the canons that were made in councils, and to see them executed; for which end

XXViil they were to visit any dioceses, and correct abuses, as occasion required. —19. Fifthly, All bishops were obliged to have recourse to the metropolitan, and take his formate, or letters of commendation, whenever they travelled into a foreign country.—20. Sixthly, It belonged to metropolitans to take care of vacant sees within their province.—21. Lastly, They were to calculate the time of Easter, and give notice of it to the whole province.—22. How the power of metropolitans grew in after ages. —23. The metropolitan of Alexandria had the greatest power of any other in the world.—24. All metropolitans called apostolict, and their sees sedes apostolice. .. . . . . +. +. 60

CHAPTER XVII. Of patriarchs

Sect. 1. Patriarchs anciently called archbishops.—2. And exarchs of the diocese.—3. Salmasius’s mistake about the first use of the name patriarch.—4. Of the Jewish patriarchs, their first rise, duration, and extinction.—5. Of the patriarchs among the Montanists. —6. The name patriarch first used in the proper sense by Socrates and the council of Chaleedon.—7. Four different opinions concerning the first rise of patriarchal power.—8. The opinion of Spalatensis and St. Jerom preferred. Some probable proofs of patriarchal power before the council of Nice, offered to consideration.—9. Patriarchal power confirmed in three general councils successively after the council of Nice.— 10. The power of patriarchs not exactly the same in all churches. The patriarch of Constantinople had some peculiar privileges—I1l1. As also the patriarch of Alexandria had his; wherein they both exceeded the bishop of Rome.—12. The powers and privileges of patriarchs. First, they were to ordain all the metropolitans of the whole diocese, and to receive their own ordination from a diocesan synod.—13. Secondly, They were to call diocesan synods, and preside in them.—14. Thirdly, They might receive appeals from metropolitans and provincial synods.—15. Fourthly, They might censure metropolitans, and their suffragan bishops, if metropolitans were remiss in censuring them.—16. Fifthly, They had power to delegate metropolitans, as their commissioners, to hear ecclesiastical causes in any part of the diocese.—17. Sixthly, They were to be consulted by their metropolitans in all matters of moment. A remarkable instance in the Egyptian bishops.—18. Seventhly, They were to notify and communicate to their metropolitans such imperial laws as concerned the church, in like manner as the metropolitans were to notify to the provincial bishops.—19. Lastly, The absolution of greater criminals was reserved to them.—20. The number of patriarchs throughout the world reckoned to be about fourteen, answerable to the number of capital cities in the several dioceses of the Roman empire ; all which at first were absolute and independent of one another, till Rome by usurpation, and Constantinople by law, got some of their neighbours to be subject to them.—21. The patriarch of Constantinople commonly dignified with the title of cecumenical, and his church called the head of all churches ; and that he was equal in all respects to the bishop of Rome.—22. What figure the subordinate patriarchs of Ephesus and Cesarea made in the church; and that they were not mere titular patriarchs, as some in after ages. é

CHAPTER XVIII. Of the abroxéparot, or independent bishops

Srct. 1. All metropolitans anciently styled avroxépador. —2. Some metropolitans independent after the setting up of patriarchal power, as those of Cyprus, Iberia, Armenia, and the Britannic church.—3. A third sort of avtoxépador, such bishops as were subject to no

CONTENTS.

metropolitan, but only to the patriarch of the diocese. These in the Greek Noféttias dignified with the title, though they had not the power of archbishops and metropolitans.—4. Valesius’s mistake corrected. 74

CHAPTER XIX. Of presbyters

Sect. 1. The meaning of the name presbyter.—2. Apostles and bishops sometimes called presbyters.—3. The original of presbyters, as taken more strictly for the second order in the church.—4. The powers and privileges of presbyters.—5. Presbyters allowed to sit with the bishop on thrones in the church. Whence 6 éx Tov devtépov Spdvov, denotes a presbyter, one that sits on the second throne.—6. The form of their sitting in a semicircle, whence they were called, corona presbyterti.—7. Presbyters esteemed a sort of ecclesiastical senate, or council of the church, whom the bishop consulted and advised with upon all occasions. —8. Evidences of this prerogative, out of Ignatius, Cyprian, and others. —9. The power of presbyters thought by some to be a little restrained in the fourth century, and not so great in some places as in the second.—10. Yet still they were admitted to join with | the bishop in the imposition of hands upon those that were ordained to their own order.—1l1l. And allowed to sit in consistory with their bishops.—12. As also in provincial councils.—13. And in general councils likewise.—14. An account of the titles of honour given to presbyters, and how they differed from the same titles as applied to bishops. —15: In what sense bishops, presbyters, and deacons called priests.—16. hae priests called mediators between God and men. —17. The ancient form and manner of ordaining presbyters.—18, Of the archipresbytert. That these were more ancient than the cardinales presbyteri, which some erroneously confound with them.—19. Of the seniores ecclesie. That these were not lay elders in the modern acceptation. . . . . +

CHAPTER XX. Of deacons

Sect. 1. Deacons always reckoned one of the sacred orders of the church.—2. Yet not generally called priests, but ministers and Levites.—3. And for this reason the bishop was not tied to have the assistance of any presbyters to ordain them.—4. The first office of deacons, to take care of the vessels and utensils of the altar—5. Secondly, To receive the oblations of the people, and present them to the priest, and recite publicly the names of those that offered.—6. Thirdly, To read the Gospel in some churches.—7. Fourthly, To minister the cup to the people.—8. But not to consecrate the elements at the altar.—9. Fifthly, Deacons allowed to baptize in some places by the bishop’s authority.—10. Sixthly, Deacons to bid prayer in the congregation.—1l1. Seventhly, Allowed to preach upon — some occasions.—12. Eighthly, And to reconcile penitents in cases of extreme necessity.x—13, Ninthly, To attend their bishops in councils, and sometimes represent them as their proxies.—14. Tenthly, Deacons empowered to correct men that behaved themselves irregularly in the church.—15. Eleventhly, Deacons anciently performed the offices of all the inferior orders of the church.—16.°Twelfthly, Deacons the bishop’s sub-almoners.—17. Deacons to inform the bishop of the misdemeanors of the people.—18. Hence deacons commonly called the bishop’s eyes and ears, his mouth, his angels and prophets.—19. Deacons to be multiplied according to the necessities of the church. The Roman church precise to the number of seven.—20. Of the age at which deacons might be ordained.—21. Of the respect which deacons paid to presbyters, and received from the inferior orders. . cuter

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Bat SET ee:

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CONTENTS.

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 assist the bishop at the altar, and order the other deacons and inferior clergy to their several stations and services 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 presbyters, much less the archpresbyter of the church, as some mistake.—9. What meant by the name apantita, 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 tea inthe church. . Nips: 94

XXIX CHAPTER XXII.

. Of deaconesses.

Sect. 1. The ancient names of deaconesses, ovdxovor, mpeaBitides, vidue, ministre. —2. Deaconesses by some laws required to be widows.—3. And such widows as had children.—4. To be sixty years of age. —d. 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 baptism of women.—9. 2. To be a sort of private catechists to the women-catechumens.—10. 3. To visit and attend women in sickness and distress.—11. 4. To minister to the martyrs in prison.—l2. 5. To keep the women’s gate in the church.—13. Lastly, To preside 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 deacon’s wife, as presbytera does a presbyter’s wife, and episcopa a bishop’s wife. The contrary errors of Gentilletus 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, -sdeiacigln 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 forsake 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. 105

CHAPTER II. Of subdeacons

Sect. ]. No mention of subdeacons till the third century.—2. Their ordination performed without imposition of hands in the Latin church.—3. A brief account of their offices.—4. What offices they might not perform. —5. The singularity of the church of Rome in keeping to the precise number of seven subdeacons. 108

CHAPTER III. Of acolythists

Secor. 1. Acolythists, an order peculiar to the Latin church, and never mentioned by any Greek writer for four centuries.—2. Their ordination and office.—3. The origination of the name.—4, Whether acolythists be the same with the depwints and hidedadbat of later MMP Es Se Pw S 8 8 rv 4h GOO

CHAPTER IV. Of exorcists

Secr. 1. Exorcists at first no peculiar order of the clergy.—2. Bishops and presbyters, for the three first 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 might be ordained . . . 113

CHAPTER X. Of the catechists

Sect. 1. Catechists no distinct order of the clergy, but chosen out of any other order. — 2. Readers sometimes made catechists. —3. Why called vavroddyor by some Greek writers.—4. Whether all catechists taught publicly in the church ?—5. Of the succession in the catechetic school at Alexandria. 120

CHAPTER XI. Of the defensores or syndics of the church

Sect. 1. Five sorts of defensores noted, Pola sem two only belonged to the church.—2. Of the defensores pauperum.—3. Of the defensores ecclesia, their office and function.—4. Of their quality. Whether they were clergymen or laymen.—5. The éxédumor and éxxdnovéxdtxot among the Greeks the same with the defen-

CONTENTS.

sores of the Latin church.—6. Chancellors and defensors not the same in the primitive church.—7. Whether the defensor’s office was the same with that of our modern chancellors? . : 122

Chapter XII

Of the eeconomi, or stewards and guardians of the . church.

Sect. 1. The economi instituted in the fourth century. The reasons of their institution.—2. These always to be chosen out of the clergy.—3. Their office to take care of the revenues of the church, especially in the vacancy of the bishopric. — 4. The consent of the clergy required in the choice of them. . 125

Chapter XIII

A brief account of some other inferior officers in the church,

Sect. l. Of the wapapovdpio: or mansionarii.—2. Of the custodes ecclesiarum, and custodes locorum sanctorum: and how these differed from each other.—3. Of the sceuophylaces or ceimeliarche.—4. Of the hermeneute or interpreters.—5. Of the notarii.—6. Of the apocrisarit or responsales. ye 126

Book IV

OF THE ELECTIONS AND ORDINATIONS OF THE CLERGY, AND THE PARTICULAR QUALI- FICATIONS OF SUCH AS WERE TO BE ORDAINED.

Chapter I

Of the several ways of designing persons to the ministry, n the apostolical and primitive ages . 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 direction of the Holy Ghost.—4. The fourth way, by common suffrage and election. . . . « . 129

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 concerning 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. Secondly, 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 presbyters.—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. Secondly, 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 synod.—15. Fourthly, In case of factions and divisions among the people.—16. Fifthly, The emperors sometimes 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 optimates, and the inferior people wholly excluded.—19. How and when princes and patrons came to have the chief power of elections. . . . ... .. 182

Chapter III

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

Sect. 1. Three inquiries made about persons to be ordained, respecting, 1. Their faith and learning. 2. Their morals. 3. Their outward quality and condition in the world.—2. The rule and method of examining their faith and learning.—3. The irregular ordination of Synesius considered.—4. A strict inquiry made into the morals of such as were to be ordained.—5. For which reason no stranger to be ordained 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 persecution.—8. No usurer or seditious person.—9. Nor one who had voluntarily dismembered his own body. —l10. Men only accountable for crimes committed after baptism, as to what concerned their ordination. —1ll. Except any great irregularity happened in their