against those who neglect to assemble at general councils; our venerable brethren from all nations, patriarchs, archbishops, bishops, and our beloved sons the abbots, and others who, by common law, or by privilege, or by ancient custom, are permitted to sit, and give their opinion in a general council, that they meet, by the aforesaid day, there to celebrate a council; unless they happen to be hindered by a lawful impediment, which impediment nevertheless they shall be bound to prove to the synod by lawful proctors. We furthermore admonish all and each, whom it doth and may concern, that they fail not to be present at the council. And we exhort and entreat our most dearly beloved sons in Christ, the emperor elect of the Romans, and the other kings and princes, who it were earnestly to be wished could be present at the council, that, if they should not be able to be themselves present thereat, they would at least send prudent, grave, and pious men as their representatives,[1] to be present thereat in their name; and that they take diligent care, befitting their piety, that the prelates of their kingdoms and dominions perform, without refusal or delay, their duty to God and the Church at this so urgent a season: doubting not they will also take care that through their kingdoms and dominions a safe and free passage be kept for the prelates and their domestics, attendants, and all others who are proceeding to or returning from the council, and that they be received and treated in all places kindly and courteously; as we also, as far as we are concerned, will similarly provide, who have determined not to omit anything that can by us, who have been placed in this position, be done towards completing so pious and salutary a work; seeking, as God knows, nothing else, proposing nothing else, in celebrating this council, but the honour of God himself, the recovery and salvation of the scattered sheep, and the perpetual tranquillity and quiet of the Christian commonweal. But, to the end that these our letter, and the contents thereof, may come to the knowledge of all whom it behoveth, and that none may plead as an excuse that he knew not thereof, especially as there may not, perhaps, be safe access open to all who ought to be made ac-
- ↑ Oratores.
