the other Bishops of the Province; and Presbyters and Deacons, and all who think that they have been in any way aggrieved, may come and obtain the judgment of the Synod. But no persons may gather Synods of themselves, without those who have the charge of the Metropolitan Sees. Ap. Can. 37. Nic. 5.

XXI. A Bishop must not be translated from one Parish to another, neither throwing himself into it of his own accord, nor being forced by the people, nor constrained by the Bishops, but must remain in the Church to which he was originally called, and not be translated from it, according to the decree which has been formerly made upon this subject. Ap. Can. 14. Nic. 15.

XXII. A Bishop must not enter into another city which is not subject to him, nor into a district which does not belong to him, to ordain any one; nor appoint a Presbyter or Deacon in places subject to another Bishop, unless with the consent of the proper Bishop of the district. But if any one dares to do this, the ordination shall be null, and he himself be punished by the Synod. Ap. Can. 35.

XXIII. A Bishop is not to be allowed to appoint another in his stead even at the close of life. If, however, any such thing be done, the appointment shall be null, and the law of the Church shall be preserved which says, that a Bishop shall not be made without a Synod, and the decision of the Bishops, who after the decease of the former Bishop have the power of promoting a deserving man. Ap. Can. 76.

XXIV. It is right that what belongs to the Church should be preserved to the Church with all possible care, and good conscience, and fidelity towards God, the Inspector and Judge of all. It is fit also that these things should be administered by the judgment and

authority of the Bishop, who is entrusted with all the people, and with the souls of the congregation. And the things belonging to the Church should be clearly distinguished and well known to the Presbyters and Deacons, so that they may know for certainty what is the property of the Church, and have nothing concealed from them; that if it shall happen that the Bishop departs this life, the things which belong to the Church being clearly known, neither may they be embezzled or lost, nor the private property of the Bishop be troubled under a pretence of its belonging to the Church. For it is just and pleasing before God and man, that the private property of the Bishop should be left to whom he will, and that of the Church preserved to it, so that neither may the Church suffer loss, nor the Bishop's goods be confiscated under pretence of the Church, nor those persons who belong to him be brought into suits, on account of which he may after his death be evil spoken of. Ap. Can. 40.

XXV. The Bishop ought to have power over the possessions of the Church, so as to dispense them to all those who are in want, with all piety and fear of God. And if need be, he is himself to partake of what he requires for his own necessary uses, and for those of the brethren to whom he has to show hospitality, that they may not be under straits in any respect, according to the divine Apostle, who says, "having food and raiment, let us be therewith content. 99 If, however, he will not be content with such things, but perverts the Church revenues to his own family uses, and does not manage the rents of the Church, or the fruits of its lands, with the consent of the Presbyters and Deacons, but commits authority to his own domestics, or kindred, or brothers, or sons, so that the accounts of the Church may be clandes

tinely injured by such persons, he himself shall be accountable to the Synod of the Province. And if in any other way the Bishop or the Presbyters who are with him are accused of perverting to their own use the things which belong to the Church (whether from farms or any other ecclesiastical source), so that the poor are afflicted, and an accusation and blame be attached to the account, and to those who administer it, let these persons also be subject to correction, the holy Synod determining what is proper. Ap. Can. 41.

THE CANONS OF LAODICEA.

THIS Synod was held at Laodicea in the region of Phrygia Pacatiana, and was attended by many Bishops of the neighboring Provinces. The year in which it was held is not known, but from the Canons being placed in the Code after those of Antioch, it is most probable that it was after that Synod; and Beveridge adduces some probable reasons for supposing that it was in or about A. D. 365. Baronius and others suppose that it was prior to that of Nice, but there is no authority for this opinion; indeed it is contradicted by the circumstance of the Photinians being mentioned in the 7th Canon, who were not known till some years after the Council of Nice.

CANON I. It is right according to the ecclesiastical Canon that those who have been freely and lawfully joined in second marriages, and not clandestinely, having passed a short time, and given themselves to prayers and fasting, should by indulgence be allowed the Communion.

II. Those who have offended in divers particulars, and who continue instant in prayer with confession and repentance, and are perfectly converted from their wickedness, shall have a certain time of penance assigned to

them according to the quality of the offence, and then by the mercy and goodness of God be brought to Com→ munion.

III. A man who has lately been baptized ought not to be promoted to the Sacerdotal order. Ap. Can. 80. Nic. 2.

IV. Those who belong to the Sacerdotal order ought not to lend, and receive usury, and what is called the Hemioliæ. Ap. Can. 44. Nic. 17.

V. Elections [or ordinations] are not to be made in the presence of the Hearers.

VI. Heretics are not to be allowed to enter into the house of God, whilst they continue in their heresy.

VII. Those who have been converted from the heresy of the Novatians, the Photinians, or the Quartodecimans, whether they were ranked as Catechumens or as Believers amongst them, are not to be received before they anathe matize every heresy, and particularly the one in which they were implicated; and those who were called Believers amongst them, having learned the Creeds, and having been anointed with the holy chrism, shall so partake of the holy mysteries.

VIII. Persons who are converted from the heresy of those who are called Phrygians, even if they were of the reputed Clergy amongst them, or even called Chiefs, must be instructed with all care, and be baptized by the Bishops and Presbyters of the Church.

IX. The members of the Church are not to be permitted to go into the Cemeteries, or the so-called Martyries of any heretics for the purpose of prayer or worship; and they who do so, if they be Believers, are to be excommunicated for a time; but their reupon pentance and confession of their faults they are to be received again.