and the bishops and abbats, Richard, the archbishop of Canterbury, standing on an elevated place, published the decrees underwritten : " Synods are called together in the Church of God, in conformity with the ancient usage of the fathers, in order that those who are appointed to the higher offiee of the pastoral eharge, may, by institutions based upon rules subjected to their common consideration, reform the lives of those submitted to their care, and, with a judgment better informed, be able to check those enormities which are incessantly springing up. We therefore, rather adhering to-the rules of our forefathers who adhered to the true faith, than devising anything new, have thought it advisable that certain definite heads should be published by us ; which by all of our province we do enjoin to be strictly and inviolably observed. For all those who shall pre · sume to contravene the enactments of this holy synod, we deem to be transgressors of the sacred canons. 3 7 "I f any priest or clerk in holy orders, having a church or ecclesiastical benefice, shall publicly keep a harlot, and after being warned thereon a first, second, and third time, shall not put away his harlot, and entirely separate himself from her, but shall rather think fit to persist in his uncleanness, he shall [/be deprived of all ecclesiastical offices and benefices. But if any persons below the rank of sub-deacons shall have contracted marriage, let them not by any means be separated from their wives, except with their common consent that they shall do so and enter a religious order, and there let them with constancy remain in the service of God. But if any persons of the rank of sub-deacon or above the same, shall have contracted marriage, let them leave their wives, even though they should be unAvilling and reluctant. Also, on the authority of the same * epistle we have decreed, that the sons of priests are not, henceforth, to be instituted as clergymen in the churches of their fathers ; nor are they, under any circumstances whatsoever, to hold the same without the intervention of some third person. 3 8 " Clerks in holy orders are not to enter taverns for the purpose of eating and drinking, nor to be present at public drinkings, unless when travelling, and compelled by necessity. And if 3 7 Taken from the decretal epistle of pope Alexander III. to Roger, bishop of Worcester. 3 8 From the decrees of the council of Carthage.