A.D. 1195. DECREES OF THE SYNOD OF YORK. " We do also enact, that in baptism not more than three sponsors shall receive a child from the holy font, two males and one female a male child, and two females and one male a female child. " Also, where a child, the fact of whose previous baptism is unknown, is found exposed, whether with salt or whether without salt,3" it is to be baptized, since ' that is not known to be repeated which is not known to have been already done.' " We do also decree, that, unless under the pressure of great and urgent necessity, no deacon shall baptize, or shall dispense the body of Christ to any person, or shall impose penance on one making confession ; as, according to the tenor of the canons of our forefathers, antiquity determines to have these things of right to belong to the order of the priesthood. " According to the tenor of the same institutions, we do also enact, that as often as a priest is called upon to baptize a child, or to communicate with a sick person, he shall not presume to be guilty of delay. " Whereas, in the house of prayer, which is called ' The house of God,' there ought to be nothing unbecoming, nothing left unprepared, we do order that the parsons and vicars of churches shall make it their object to provide, in proportion to their incomes received, according as reason demands, and approved custom requires, in order that those churches which stand in need of repair may be repaired. " Also, Divine service is to be performed with the furniture suitable to that service. "Also, the sacrament of the Eucharist is to be celebrated with a silver chalice, where there are means for so doing ; and as the time for carrying out this ordinance, we do appoint one year from the beginning of our legateship ; and if, in the meantime, this ordinance shall not have been carried into execution, we do decree that before the expiration of that time our order shall, out of the revenue of the churches, be carried into effect. "We do also enact, that clerks who have received the tonsure from the bishops, shall retain that tonsure and shorn head ; and if they shall neglect to retain the same, then they are to be 3 6 By the decrees of the church, salt was ordered to he placed about the persons of children exposed, signifying that they had not been baptized. Judging from the present enactment, it seems to have been considered that no confidence could be put in the observance of this order ; and, indeed, it was not likely that those who exposed their children, would be very particular about their welfare in another existence.