DUPIN afterwards gives an abridgement of the doctrine, discipline, and morality of the first three ages. An extract of this, so far as relates to Baptism, will be given in this Synopsis, at the end of authors who lived in the third century.

DUPIN writes on the Apostolical Canons and Constitutions, thus:

The opinions of authors are extremely divided as to the Canons that are commonly called Apostolical. Turrianus and some others have determined that they were all composed by the Apostles; Baronius and Bellarmine except the 35 last, which are rejected by them as apocryphal, but they have made no difficulty to admit the first 50. Gabriel Albaspinæus, bishop of Orleans, and others have believed that, although these Canons were not written by the Apostles, yet they were very ancient, as being a collection of the Canons of divers Councils that were holden before that of Nice; this opinion is likewise maintained by the learned DR Beveridge, &c., and lastly, M. DAILLÉ affirms "that they were not collected until about the end of the 5th century."

There are then in DUPIN about six columns of his, and Dr. Wootton's remarks on these opinions.

In BROUGHTON'S "Bibliotheca Historica Sacra," on title "Canons," it is stated that they, although not made by the apostles themselves, are of greater antiquity than the conversion of the Roman empire to Christianity.

The best and most complete edition of the Councils of the Church is that of Colet, but on account of the costliness and consequent rarity of this edition, it is not found in many of the Public Libraries. The old edition, which is more common, bears the following title:

Sacrosancta Concilia, ad regiam editionem exacta, quæ nunc

quarta parte prodit auctior, studio Philippi Labbai et Gabr. Cossartii, Soc. Jesu presbyterorum, &c., impensis societatis typographica librorum ecclesiasticorum jussu regis constitutæ, 16 vols folio, 1671.

In the first volume of this edition, column 25, is the title:

Canones apostolorum 84, Græce et Latine, Gentiano Herveto interprete-Anno C. 35 et 50.

All that concerns Baptism is found in the 16th, 45th, and 49th

canons.

In the 16th canon we find what follows:

Ο δυσὶ γάμοις συμπλακεὶς μετὰ τὸ βάπτισμα, ἢ παλλακὴν κτησάμενος, οὐ δύναται εἶναι ἐπίσκοπος, ἢ πρεσβύτερος, ἢ διάκονος, ἢ ὅλως τοῦ καταλόγου τοῦ ἱερατικοῦ.

Latin version:

Qui post sanctum baptismum duobus conjugiis fuerit implicitus, vel habuerit concubinam, non potest esse episcopus, vel presbyter, vel diaconus, vel omnino ex numero sacerdotali.

In English, thus:

Whoever, after holy baptism, marries two wives, or has a concubine, cannot be a bishop or a priest, or a deacon, or belong to the sacerdotal order at all.

The 45th canon is

Ἐπίσκοπον ἢ πρεσβύτερον αἱρετικῶν δεξάμενον βάπτισμα, ἢ θυσίαν, καθαιρεῖσθαι προστάσσομεν. Τίς γὰρ συμφώνησις τοῦ Χριστοῦ πρὸς Βελιαλ; ἢ τίς μερὶς πιστοῦ μετ ̓ ἀπιστοῦ;

Latin version:

Episcopum vel presbyterum, qui hæreticorum baptismum vel sacrificium admiserit, deponi jubemus. Quæ est enim conventio Christi cum Belial, vel quæ pars est fideli cum infideli?

In English, thus:

We ordain that a bishop or priest, who allows baptism or the communion to heretics shall be deposed. For what agreement can there be between Christ and Belial, or what part can a believer have with an infidel?

The 49th canon is:

Εἴ τις, ἐπίσκοπος ἢ πρεσβύτερος, μὴ τρία βαπτίσματα μιᾶς μυήσεως ἐπιτελέσῃ, ἀλλ ̓ ἑν βάπτισμα εἰς τὸν θάνατον τοῦ Κυρίου διδόμενον, καθαιρείσθω· οὐ γὰρ εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος “ εἰς τὸν θάνατον μου βαπτίσατε,” ἀλλὰ “ πορευθεντες μαθητεύσατε πάντα τὰ ἔθνη, βαπτίζοντες αὐτοὺς εἰς τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ Πατέρος, καὶ τοῦ Υἱοῦ, καὶ τοῦ ἁγίου Πνεύματος. MATTH. XXVIII, 10.

Latin version :

Si quis episcopus vel presbyter, non tria unius mysterii baptismata perfecerit, sed unum baptismum, qui datur in mortem Domini, deponatur. Non enim dixit Dominus, In mortem meam baptizate,' sed 'Ambulantes docete omnes gentes, baptizantes ipsos in nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti.'

English:

If any bishop or priest shall celebrate, not three baptisms of one and the same mystery, but one baptism, administered in the name of our Lord's death, he shall be deposed. For the Lord did not say “ Baptize into my death," but " Go and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost."

IV. APOSTOLICAL CONSTITUTIONS.

In the same work "Sacrosancta Concilia" &c. are found CONSTITUTIONES SANCTORUM APOSTOLORUM, similar in some respects to the Canons which have been just cited, and equally of a spurious character, i. e. of a later origin than was claimed by those who first promulgated them.

In the ninth chapter of the third book of these Constitutions is the following:

ΚΕΦΑΛΑΙΟΝ Θ.

Οτι οὐ χρὴ γυναῖκας βαπτίζειν· ἀσεβὲς γὰρ, καὶ τῆς Χριστοῦ διδασκαλίας ἀλλότριον.

Περὶ δὲ τοῦ γυναῖκας βαπτίζειν, γνωρίζομεν ὑμῖν, ὅτι κίνδυνος οὐ μικρὸς ταῖς τοῦτο ἐπιχειρούσαις· διὸ οὐ συμβουλεύομεν· ἐπισφαλὲς γὰρ, μᾶλλον δὲ παράνομον καὶ ἀσεβές.

The Latin version of this passage by Turrianus is as follows:

CAPUT IX.

Quod non oportet mulierem baptizare; esse enim impium, et a doctrina Christi alienum.

De mulieribus baptizantibus scitote, quæ hoc tentant, non mediocre periculum eas incurrere. Quamobrem non hoc concilium damus; periculosum enim est, immo vero præter legem et impium.

In English:

CHAPTER 9.

That it is sinful and alien from Christ's doctrine for women to baptize.

Be it known to you, concerning women who baptize, that those who presume to do this incur no small danger. Wherefore we do not advise it: for it is perilous, nay, contrary to the law and sinful.

In the third book, chap. 10.

ΚΕΦΑΛΑΙΟΝ

Οτι οὐ χρὴ λαϊκὸν ποιεῖν ἱερατικὸν ἔργον, βάπτισμα, ἢ θυσίαν, ἢ χειροθεσίαν, ἢ εὐλογίαν.

̓Αλλ ̓ οὔτε λαϊκοῖς ἐπιτρέπομεν ποιεῖν τι τῶν ἱερατικῶν ἔργων, οἷον θυσίαν ἢ βάπτισμα, ἢ χειροθεσίαν, ἢ εὐλογίαν μικρὰν ἢ μεγάλην· οὐχ ἑαυτῷ γάρ τις λαμβάνει τὴν τιμὴν, ἀλλὰ ὁ καλούμενος ὑπὸ τοῦ Θεοῦ ... &c.

Latin version:

CAPUT X.

Quod non oporteat, ut laicus ullum opus sacerdotale faciat, ut Baptismum aut sacrificium, aut manus impositionem, aut benedictionem.

Immo neque laico permittimus facere aliquod opus sacerdotale, ut sacrificium, aut Baptismum, aut impositionem manus, aut benedictionem, sive parvam sive magnam nemo enim sibi sumit honorem, sed qui vocatus a Domino &c.

In English:

CHAP. 10.

Laymen may not discharge sacerdotal functions, as Baptism or the sacrifice, or lay on hands or give the

blessing.

We forbid a layman to perform any sacerdotal