Page:Canons and Decrees of the Council of Trent Buckley.djvu/263

Rh their thoughts on the things of this world, but on the salvation of souls, and on their heavenly country. Whereas the holy synod, perceiving that these things are of chiefest importance towards restoring ecclesiastical discipline, admonishes all bishops, that, often meditating within themselves thereon, they show themselves conformable to their office, by their actual deeds, and the actions of their lives; which is, as it were, a kind of perpetual sermon; but, above all, that they so order their whole manners, as that others may from them be able to derive examples of frugality, modesty, continency, and of that holy humility which so much recommends us to God. Wherefore, after the example of our fathers in the Council of Carthage, it not only orders that bishops be content with modest furniture, and a frugal table and diet, but that they also give heed that in the rest of their manner of life, and in their whole house, where appear nothing that is alien from this holy institution, and which does not manifest simplicity, zeal towards God, and entire contempt of vanities. Also, it forbids them to strive to enrich their own kindred or domestics out of the revenues of the church; seeing that even the canons of the Apostles hinder them from giving to their kindred the property of the Church, which belongs to God; but if [their kindred] be poor, let them distribute to them thereof as to poor, but not misapply or waste it for their sakes. Tea, the holy synod, with all earnestness, admonishes them that they completely lay aside all this human and carnal affection towards brothers, nephews, and kindred, which is the seed-plot of many evils against the Church. And what things have been said concerning bishops, the same are not only to be observed by all who hold ecclesiastical benefices, whether secular or regular, each according to the condition of his rank, but [the synod] decrees that it also appertains to the cardinals of the holy Roman Church; for whereas the administration of the universal Church depends upon their advice to the most holy Roman Pontiff, it would scorn to be shameful, if they did not at the same time shine so pre-eminently in virtue and in the discipline of their lives, as deservedly to turn unto themselves the eyes of all men.