M. Harding. The .31. Division.M. Hardinge. The .31. Diuision.

M. Harding. The .31. Division.

M. Hardinge. The .31. Diuision.

In that Council of Agatha we find a Decree, made by the Fathers assembled there, whereof 38¹ it appeareth, that Priests oftentimes said Mass without others receiving with them.² And this much it is in English. If any man will have an Oratory or Chapel abroad in the country, beside the parish Churches, in which lawful and ordinary assembly is: for the rest of the Holy days, that he have Masses there, in consideration of weariness of the household, with just ordinance we do permit. But at Easter, Christs birth, Epiphany, the Ascension of our Lord, Whitsunday, and the Nativity of S. John Baptist, and if there be any other special feasts: let them not keep their Masses, but in the Cities and Parishes. And as for the Clerks if any will do, or have their Masses, at the aforesaid feasts in Chapels, onlesse the Bishop so command or permit, let them be thrust out from Communion. By this Decree we learn, that then Masses were commonly said in Private Chapels at home, at such times, as the people were not accustomed to be houseled. For when by commandment and common order they received their rights, as in the afore named feasts: then were the Priests prohibited to say Masses in Private Oratories or Chapels without the Parish Churches. And hereof we may plainly understand, that in such places Priests customably said Masses of their own and of the householders devotion, when none of the household were disposed to receive with them. The like Decree is to be found, Concilij Aruernensis. cap. 14. Concil. Constantinopol. generalis in Trullo. ca. 31.

In that Councel of Agatha wee finde a Decree, made by the Fathers assembled there, whereof 38¹ it appeareth, that Priestes oftentimes saide Masse without others receiuing with them.²