A golden chain, or the description of theologyA golden chaine, or the description of theologie

We remember that our brethren in a former assembly decreed, that if any lay man remaining three Sabbaths or Lords days, that is, three weeks, in a city, did not in the same city frequent the Church assemblies, he should be excommunicated▪ If then such things are not allowable in lay men, much less in ministers, for whom it is neither lawful nor convenient, without urgent necessity, to be absent from his parish Church longer then the time above mentioned. To this decree there was not one non placet, but every one said, It liketh us well. The Council held at Constantinople, in the 24. Canon decreed that Ministers ought not to have their substitutes, or ut•ars, but in their own persons, with fear and cheerfulness, perform all such duties as are ⟨image 80⟩required of them in the service of God. The Canon law doth conclude the same thing, dist. 36. Canon siquis vult. debent in desinenter, &c. The Bishops (saith that Canon) •ught to be continually resident in Gods tabernacle, that they may learn somewhat of God, and the people of them, whilst they read often and meditate upon Gods word. Again, in the Canons entitled Pontifices, and siquis in clero. Episcopos, qui dominici gregis suscipiunt curam, &c. The Bishops which take upon them to feed Gods flock, ought not to depart from their duty, least they loose that excellent talent which God hath bestowed upon them, but rather strive with that one talent, to get three more talents. And in the 80. Canon of those which are termed the Canons of the Apostles, there is an express mandate, that such, whether Bishop, or Senior, who attendeth not upon their office, in the Church, shall forthwith be removed from that place. The Calced, Council, can. 10. Let no man be ordained minister of two Churches, in two several cities, but let him remain in that, unto which he was first called. And if for vain glory, he shall afterward go to a greater congregation, let him immediately be recalled to his first charge, and in that only exercise his ministry. But if one he called to another charge, let him simply give over the forever, and have no interest in the same, &c. For this thing, look to the decrees of Damasus, and the Council of Trent, section 7. can. 8.

We remēber that our brethren in a former assemblie decreed, that if any lay man remaining three Sabboths or Lords daies, that is, three weekes, in a citie, did not in the same citie frequent the Church assemblies, he should be excommunicated If then such things are not allowable in lay men, much lesse in ministers, for whom it is neither lawful nor conuenient, without vrgent necessitie, to be absent from his parish Church longer then the time aboue mentioned. To this decree there was not one non placet, but euerie one saide, It liketh vs well. The Councill helde at Constantinople, in the 24. Canon decreed that Ministers ought not to haue their substitutes, or vtars, but in their owne persons, with feare and chearefulnesse, performe all such duties as are