Page:Readings in European History Vol 1.djvu/547

The Popes and the Councils V. THE COUNCIL OF CONSTANCE The two most interesting acts, historically, passed by the Council of Constance were the decree Sacrosancta, in which it declared that as a general council of Chris- tendom it had the right to reform even the papacy ; and, secondly, the decree Frequens, which provided that gen- eral councils should thereafter be assembled regularly and so form a sort of parliament which, with the pope, should govern the Church. In the name of the Holy and Indivisible Trinity, of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. This holy synod of Constance, constituting a general coun- 214. The cil for the extirpation of the present schism and the union decree Sac/ "" and reformation of the Church of God in head and members, passed by legitimately assembled in the Holy Ghost, to the praise of ^ e Council omnipotent God, in order that it may the more easily, safely, ^^e effectively, and freely bring about the union and reformation (April 6, of the Church of God, hereby determines, decrees, ordains, and declares what follows: It first declares that this same council, legitimately as- sembled in the Holy Ghost, forming a general council and representing the Catholic Church militant, has its power immediately from Christ, and every one, whatever his posi- tion or rank, even if it be the papal dignity itself, is bound to obey it in all those things which pertain to the faith, to the healing of the schism, and to the general reformation of the Church of God in head and members. It further declares that any one, whatever his position, station, or rank, even if it be the papal, who shall contuma- ciously refuse to obey the mandates, decrees, ordinances, or instructions which have been, or shall be, issued' by this holy council, or by any other general council legitimately sum- moned, which concern, or in any way relate to, the above- mentioned objects, shall, unless he repudiate his conduct, be