to be removed from those offices, and the same are to be bestowed on another, who is both willing and able becomingly to fill the same, and they are not to profit by the pretext of appealing, if they should chance to desire to defend themselves in the transgression of these ordinances, by means of appeal. This, indeed, we order to be observed, not only as to those in future to be promoted, but those also who have been already promoted, if the canons do not impede such a course. If the clergy shall elect any one in contravention of the form above stated they are to understand that they are deprived of the power of electing on that occasion, and from their ecclesiastical benefices suspended for a period of three years. For it is a becoming thing, that those whom the fear of God does not withhold from evil, the severity of ecclesiastical discipline should at least restrain. And as for the bishop, if he shall act contrary to these mandates, or shall consent to such being done, he is to lose his power in the disposal of the offices above-named, and ordination is to be made by the chapter, or by the metropolitan, if the chapter shall not agree thereon.36 Of Heretics. " As Saint Leo says, ' Although the discipline of the Church, being contented with the judgment of the priesthood, avoids a blood-thirsty vengeance,' still it is aided by the enactments of Catholic princes, that so men may often find a salutary remedy, while they dread that corporal punishment may befall them. "Wherefore, inasmuch as, in Gascony, the Albigeois, and other places inhabited by the heretics whom some style 'Catarri,' others 'Publicani,' and others 'Paterini,' and others call by other names, their damnable perverseness has waxed so strong that they practise their wickedness no longer in secret as elsewhere, but publicly expose their errors, and draw the simple and weak to be their accomplices, we do decree them and their protectors and harborers to be excommunicated, and under pain of excommunication we do forbid any one to dare to receive or to encourage them in his house or on his lands, or to have any transactions with them. And if they shall depart this life in their sin, and not under the protection 3 6 The meaning of the latter part of this enactment is involved in great obscurity ; probably in consequence of the evident omission in the middle of it.