The Knights Templaes.

pursue with diligence their high calling , to defend . the Christians in the East with heart and soul , and to smite the enemies of the Cross . Calling upon , the authority of God , and " the blessed Peter , Prince of Apostles , " he orders that the Temple

. in which they were gathered together to the praise . and glory of God , for the defence of the faithful , . and the deliverance of the Church should remain for evermore under the safe guard and protection of the Holy Apostolic See , together with all the

. goods and possessions which the Templars then lawfully enjoyed , aud all that they might thereafter rightfully obtain , through the liberalty of Christian Icings and princes , and the alms and ¦ oblations of the faithful ; thus placing himself , aud kis successors , as the sole superiors of the ( Order .

He declared , that the regular discipline , which by the divine favour , had been instituted iu their society , should be rigidly observed , and that the brethren who had dedicated themselves to the . service of the omnipotent God , should live together

in charity , and without property . Making good iheir profession both in word and deed , they should remain subject and obedient in all things to the Master , or to him whom the Master should set in authority over them . And , as the chief house at Jerusalem had been the source and fountain of

. their sacred institution and Order , the Master : thereof should always be considered the head and ¦ chief of all the houses and places belonging to it . 'The Pope decreed that upon the death of the then Grand Master , Odo de Saint Amando , or any of

liis successors , no one should be set in authority -over the Templars , unless he belonged to the -Order , had regularly professed the habit and fellowship , and had been elected by the uuani-¦ mous voice of the brethren , or by a majority of

; ihem . It was furthermore farbidden any eccle-. -astical or secular person to infringe upon or -diminish the customs and observances of their

¦ religion and profession , as instituted by the . Master and brethren in common ; and such rules . a-s had been reduced to writing and observed by ¦ them in times past , were not to be changed except 'b y the authority of the Master , with the consent of

a- majority of the chapter . No ecclesiastic or . secular person was to be permitted to exact from the Master or brethren of the Temple , oaths , ¦ guarantees , or any such securities as was the .-custom to exact from the laity . . 'That since their sacred institution and religious

Chivalry had been established by divine Providence , it was not fit that anyone should enter into another Order with the view of leading a more religious life , for God , the Immutable and Eternal , approved not of an inconstant heart ; but wished rather that

the good purpose , when once begun , should be persevered in , to the end . "How many aud great persons have pleased the lord of an earthly empire , under the military girdle and habit . How many and distinguished men , gathered together

in arms , have bravely fought , in these our times , in the cause of the gospel of God , and in defence of the laws of our Father ; and , consecrating their hands iu the blood of the unbelievers in the Lord , have , after their pains and toils in this world ' s warfare , obtained the reward of everlasting life ! Do you , therefore , both Knights und

servingbrethren , assiduously pay attention to your profession , and , in accordance with the saying of the apostle , ' Let each one of you steadfastly remain in the vocation to which you have been called . '' We therefore ordain , that when your brethren

have once taken the vows , and have been received in your sacred college , and have taken upon themselves your warfare , and the habit of your religion , they shall no longer have the power of returning again to the world ; nor can any , after they have

once made profession , abjure the cross and habit of your religion , with the view of entering into another convent or monastery of stricter or more lax discipline , without the consent of the brethren or Master , or of him whom the Master hath set in

authority over them ; nor shall any ecclesiastic or secular person be permitted to receive or retain them .

The Bull proceeds , that since those who were the defenders of the Church ought to be supported and maintained out of the good things of the Church , the Pope prohibited all manner of men from exacting tythes from the Templars , in respect

of their moveables or immoveables , or any of the goods and possessions appertaining unto their venerable house . That nothing might be wanting to the plenitude of their salvation , and the care of their souls ; aud that they might more conveniently

hear divine service , aud receive the sacraments in their sacred college , he ordained that it should be lawful for the Templars to admit within their fraternity , honest and godly clergymen and priests , in such numbers as they might conscientiously

require j aud to receive them from whatever parts they should come , as well in their chief house at