[ 319 ] CHAP. II. OF GOVERNMENT, DOCTRINE, RITES, AND GERE- Evils of popular Elections of the Clergy-Bishop of Rome appointed by the Gothic Princes-Different Modes of appointing to Clerical Offices in different Countries-In France-In Spain-Increase of Superftition-Donations to Monafteries, &c. to obtain the Interceffion of the Saints-Riches of the Church of Rome-Purgatory-Pilures and Images venerated-Increafing Respect for the Virgin Mary-Celibacy of the Clergy much infifted on-Abfurdities concerning Marriage-Spiritual Kindred-Flagellation inflicted in certain Female Convents-St. Benedict and his Order-Pillar Monks-Simeon Stylites, jun.—Introduced into the WeftConvents afford a Refuge for Literature-Conformity of Liturgies to thofe of the Metropolitan Churches-Roman Miffal compofed by Gregory the Great-Increased Veneration for the Sacramental Elements-Holy Water-Tonfure of Priefis-Controverfy concerning the Form of the Tonfure -Incredible Abfurdities refpecting Relics-Festival of the Purification. TH HE form of church government, which had been established during the two preceding centuries, received, in this, little or no alteration. By the laws of Juftinian, the inferior ranks of the people were totally excluded from any share in the appointment of their minifters, the choice of whom was . 320 Popular Election of Bishops abolished. [CENT. 6. was restricted to the optimates, or fuperior orders, and to the clergy *. The power, indeed, originally exercised by the people, appears never to have fo univerfally obtained, that on certain occafions it could not be reftrained, or varied, according to different fituations and circumftances. Whilft it continued to be exercifed, it was frequently fo grofsly abused, and produced fuch disturbances in the Church, as to afford a very reasonable pretext for withdrawing it. The evils of a popular election were, as was formerly ftated, prevented at Rome, after Italy was fubjugated by the Gothic princes, who themselves appointed the bifhop. In the different kingdoms of the western empire, different modes were adopted for adjufting the appointments to clerical offices. A cuftom prevailed in France for the monarch to difpofe of ecclefiaftical appointments by fale. In Spain a new regulation for this effect was paffed in the council of Barcelona, in the year 599, which ordained, that, when a bishopric was vacant, two or three candidates should be chofen, and elected by the consent of the clergy and people, who fhould formally prefent them to the metropolitan and his affiftant bishops. This affembly, having previously fasted, was to caft lots for the candidates, leaving the determination. to Chrift the Lord §. These regulations were far Juftin. Novel. cxxiii. c. 1. Bingham, Ecc. Antiq. b. iv. c. 2. Bingham, b. iv. c. i. from CENT. 6.] Donations to the Church. 321 from being favourable to the interests of literature, or even of virtue. The Gothic princes appeared indeed defirous to nominate the worthiest candidate to the pontificate; but they were indifferent judges of learning, and not very likely to ́es teem in others thofe qualities which they did not poffefs themselves, and of which they could fcarcely conceive the neceffity. The fale of benefices was ftill more pernicious; and the method of choosing a fpiritual guide by lot, even if fairly conducted, was replete with absurdity. More firmly rooted each fucceeding year, the noxious plants of fuperftition continued to throw out a number of ftrong and vigorous branches, which were carefully encouraged and cultivated. They were indeed an unfailing fource of profit to the corrupt ministers of the Church. The people were inftructed, that, by their liberality to the clergy or to the monaftery, they conciliated the favour of heaven, and obtained the interceffion of departed faints. Some of the churches were poffeffed of very confiderable eftates; but that of Rome, according to Theodorus Lector, in the year 520, chose not to keep any immoveable poffeffions; and, if it was prefented with fuch, immediately fold them, and the purchase money was divided into three parts, one of which was appropriated to the use of the Church, the fecond to the bishop, and the third, in appointed portions, to the inferior clergy. Where the revenues were VOL. I. Y thus 322 Churchenriched at Expence of Heretics. [CENT.6. thus divided, the power of the bishop must have been very confiderable. Several councils indeed appointed perfons to be affociated with him in the diftribution of ecclefiaftical property; but even then the fhare which was allotted for the exigencies of the Church, would be diftributed chiefly by his direction, and in such a manner as to extend his influence, if it was not appropriated to the indulgence of a bafer paffion. The property which had been gradually acquiring by the clergy, had been confiderably augmented by the laws of Constantine (which encouraged bequests to the Church), and by an allowance from the public revenue. . Conftantine alfo inftituted the Church fucceffor to all martyrs or perfecuted perfons, who died without heirs. Upon the demolition of the heathen temples, the buildings, ftatues, and revenues were fometimes presented to the clergy; and Honorius enacted, that the property belonging to all heretics and conventicles fhould be appropriated to the fame ufe *. The revenues of the Church continued to receivefresh augmentations from the zeal of Juftinian, who confifcated to its use the eftates and property of all the clergy, or monks, who forfook the * church or monaftery to lead a fecular life. The corrupted doctrines of religion received, if no improvement, no very considerable alterations, in the fixth century. The torments of an intermediate state were indeed loudly infifted upon to the *An admirable expedient for promoting unanimity. H. ignorant Celibacy of the Clergy. CENT. 6] 323 ignorant multitude, at this time, by the fuperftitious Gregory, whom the Romish Church has chofen to diftinguish by the appellation of Great. This prelate is fuppofed, by fome, to have laid the foundation of the modern doctrine of purgatory, which fuppofes a punishment to take place immediately after death, and previous to the station affigned as the eternal refidence of the foul: but his opinions differed very little from thofe of Auguftin, who preceded him near a century; and Gregory must be regarded as the promoter, not the inftitutor, of the doctrine. Various have been the opinions refpecting the feat of purgatory. Volcanos, or the, ocean, the torments of conflicting elements, or the violent convulfions of hope and fear, have, by the profound explorers of divine truth, been at different times affigned to the departed foul of man; and the ministers, who inflict punishment, have by fome been believed to be angels, and by others demons. The wonderful efficacy of pictures and relics was loudly infifted upon; and the utmost reverence inculcated for the Virgin Mary, around whofe head new honours were perpetually ga-. thering. In the reign of Juftinian, it became common to join the Virgin Mary, and the archangels Michael and Gabriel, in folemn oaths. The ef teem for celibacy fo much increased, that, though the Arian clergy of the western parts of the empire were in general married, the Latin bishops of the Catholic Church extended in fome places the ob Y 2 ligation |