A.D. 1200. DECREES OF THE SYNOD OF LONDON. 495 being installed in their sees, or from priests, or any other clerks, when being instituted, or for burying the dead, or for blessing the newly - married, or for the chrism, or for any other of the sacraments. And if any person shall presume to contravene this enactment, let him to know that he will have his portion with Gehazi, whose deeds he has imitated by this exaction of a disgraceful gift. To this we do add, that nothing shall be demanded from priests for license to celebrate Divine service, or from masters for teaching ; and, if any such sums shall have been paid, the same are to be returned. On the authority also of the same council, we do forbid that new imposts shall be exacted from churches by bishops, or abbats, or other prelates, or that the old ones shall be increased, nor are they to presume to appropriate any part of the revenues thereof to their own use ; but, with good will, let those of higher rank preserve for their inferiors that liberty which they desire to be preserved for themselves. And if any person shall act contrary hereto, let that which he shall have so done be deemed of no effect. Also, no ecclesiastical offices, or benefices, or churches, be given or promised to any person before they are vacant ; to the end that no person may seem to long for the death of his neighbour, to whose place or benefice he believes he shall succeed. For whereas, in the very places of the heathens we find this forbidden by law, it is most disgraceful, and most deserving of the censures of the Divine judgment, if, in the Church of God, expectation of succession should hold a place, which even the heathens themselves have taken care to condemn. This, saving in all things the honor and privileges of the Holy Church of Borne." That Tithes are not to he diminished under pretence of wages of servants or of the reapers. • " Inasmuch as Abraham, by his actions, and Jacob, in his promises, signified that tithes ought to be given to God and to the priests of God, and the authority of the Old and the New Testament, as also the enactments of the holy fathers, have declared that tithes ought to be paid of aB things which are yearly renewed, we do decree that the same shall be inviolably observed, and that no diminution shaB be made of the tenth part under pretence of wages of servants or of the reapers, but the same is to be paid in fuB. Priests are also to have the power, before the commencement of autumn, of excommuni