A. D. 1614. ing the marriage reforms of Trent, and the Gregorian calendar."

Their plan

tlement of

The first of these chapters is again subdivided "for the set- into five sections called Documents, or lessons of ecclesiasti- instruction, for the guidance of the northern cal discip recusants. And although it be not our purpose

line."

to give here a full account of the records of this papal synod, yet there are in this first chapter in particular, and in the documents of which it consists, matters worthy of our attention, which deserve to be illustrated by further extracts, as will appear from what follows:

Document 1, ch. 1, "concerns the settlement of ecclesiastical jurisdiction, and of an hierarchy." It intimates "that in order to repair the state of ecclesiastical discipline, and extricate it from its present confusion, and for the purpose of tracing the outline and semblance, at least, of a legitimate hierarchy; forasmuch as there have been already appointed for the several dioceses of this province vicars general or officials, on whom devolves, according to their proper office and authority, in the absence or defect of rightful bishops, the care of governing and the administering of jurisdiction within the proper limits The titular of their districts,-it has been determined on as expedient, by common consent, that the said vicars-general shall make a selection of suitable persons, with sufficient literature, probity, and

vicars-general to appoint new parish priests.

prudence," to be appointed and authorized by A. D. 1614. these vicars-general, to act as parish priests in the several dioceses, and "to administer the sacraments according to the exigency of the people dwelling in them." "And all," adds this document, 66 as well vicars-general as rural deans and parish priests, are to summon and invite frequently persons of the regular orders, and others noted for zeal and learning, to preach, catechize, and assist in the better performance of ecclesiastical offices, according to their opportunities and the necessities of their localities; and are to lend to these fellow-labourers, according to their ability, a cheerful and ready aid, as occasion may require."

exhorted to separation

affairs, &c.

Document 2, of the same chapter, is "con- Their clergy cerning directions for ecclesiastical persons, not to involve themselves in matters of public busi- from worldly ness, or merely secular cares, which do not appertain to them." In this the priests are forbidden to meddle with matters of state policy, or give any offence to the king or government, except by attending to their spiritual duties; or to mix themselves up in the concerns of any private family; or undertake the office of steward, receiver, agent, or accountant, for any secular person, however high his rank; or have any dealings about the setting of houses, lands, or farms, or money at interest, or secular contracts;

A. D. 1614,

Wisdom & policy of such coun

sel.

or to act the part of dependent, parasite, buffoon, or jester to any person, however great his quality: "from which practices, if they shall not refrain after due admonition," say these papal authorities, "we ordain that they may and ought to be punished by the ordinary, in proportion to the gravity of their contempt." Such regulations as these exhibited no small wisdom, according to the manner in which they were intended to be put in practice; and could not fail to help in raising the dignity of the newly appointed clergy in the eyes of the people, and to increase the sacredness of their character; especially when contrasted with some of the clergy and prelates of the Church, who, besides their being much involved in state affairs and public business, were also in many cases leading very careless and worldly lives, and were moreover too often guilty of injuring the welfare and interests of the Church, in order to promote their private ends, and gain advantages for their own families, and friends, and relatives. At the same time, the history of that age fully shows us, how little the agents of Rome thought in reality of refraining from intermeddling with state affairs, their peculiar doctrines rather leading men, almost of necessity, to such schemes of

See the extract from Bp. Bramhall's letter in Appendix Ixvi. inf. already referred to at p. 863, sup.

rebellion as have been repeatedly exemplified in a. D. 1614. this history. Only to a certain extent, and in a certain way, the subordinate officers and humbler ministers of their system were, by the prudent policy of the Jesuits and other members of this Conference, to be restrained from entering upon plans of the kind on their own account. Thus would they, while attending to their spiritual concerns, and learning and teaching lessons of blind obedience to Rome, be formed into a force more manageable and better available for the general movements of their ecclesiastical chieftains.

oath of alle

Document 3, of the same chapter, helps to The synod illustrate these remarks, by an instance of licen- condemns King sed hostility to the proceedings of the civil gov- James's ernment. For this document is directed against giance. King James's oath of allegiance, and the oaths of supremacy of the preceding monarchs, Henry VIII., &c. The members of the synod profess that they detest, with the Catholic Church, treason and rebellion, but that they cannot, without most evident and serious insult to the honour of God, take these oaths, considering them to be opposed to the Catholic faith, and to the salvation of souls.'

Document 4, "Contains a statement with The laity directions relative to the duty of lay persons

See Appendix, No, 72, inf. and the illustrations of the popular doctrines of this age and party there given,

cautioned

against par

the worship

of the Church.

A. D. 1614, with respect to communicating in matters of religion with heretics, [i.e., the Catholic Church ticipation in of Ireland,] or going to their churches, or hearing their sermons." Such is the heading of this division; but the matter of it is unfortunately deficient in the manuscript which contains the record. The heading itself however seems plainly to indicate that there appeared among the people at that time too great a willingness to continue their adherence to the worship and rites of their old Church; and that the papal clergy found it necessary to take active measures for putting a stop to the practice as far as was possible. The remainder of the minute is of less consequence to our present subject, and cannot therefore be any further enlarged upon in this place.

Similar synod or con

ference of the titular

clergy of Leinster.

From the life of Owen Mac Mahon, (or according to the anglicised form of his name, Eugene Matthews,) who was titular archbishop of Dublin at this time, it appears that in the latter province also, as well as in Armagh, there was held in the same year (1614) a meeting of the papal clergy, similar to that which we have been just considering. In June of this year*, we are informed that, Archbishop Matthews "presided at a conference held in the city of Kilkenny, for the reformation and good government

⚫ See Dalton's Memoirs of the Archbishops of Dublin, p. 384, seqq.