But translations of the Keto Testament, made by authors of the first class of this index, are allowed to no one, since little advantage, but much danger, generally arises from reading them. If notes accompany the versions which are allowed to be read, or are joined to the Vnlgate edi- tion, they may be permitted to be read by the same per- sons as the versions, after the suspected places have been expunged by the theological faculty of some Catholic uni- versity, or by the general inquisitor. On the same condi- tions, also, pious and learned men may be permitted to have what is called ' Vatablus's Bible,' or any part of it. But the preface and Prologomeua of the Bibles published by Isidoie Clarius are, however, excepted ; and the text of his editions is not to be considered as the text of the Vulgate edition. (IV.) Inasmuch as it is manifest from experience that if the Holy Bible, translated into the vul- gar tongue, be indiscriminately allowed to every one, the temerity of men will cause more evil thau good to arise from it, it is, on this point, referred to the judgment of the bishops or incniisitdis, who may, by the advice of the piie.-t or ecnircssoi-. ),i'iiiii[ the reading of the Bible trans- latt'd into tlic Miljaf i. ii^iti' by Catholic authors, to those persons wliosL' faith and i>ietV, they apprehend, will be augmented, and not injured by it; and this permission they must have in writiug. But if any one shall have the presumption to read or possess it without such written permission, he shall not receive absolution until he have tirst delivered up such Bible to the ordinary. Booksellers who shall sell, or otherwise dispose of Bibles in the vul- gar tongue, to any person not having such permission, shall forfeit the value of the books, to be applied by the bishop to some pious use ; and be subjected to such other penalties as the bishop .shall judge proper, according to the quality of the offence. But regulars shall neither read nor purchase such Bibles without a special license from their superiors. (V.) Bocks of which heretics are the editors, but which contain little or nothing of their own, being mere compilations from others, as lexicons, concordances (collections of), apothegms, or similes, iri- dexes, and others of a similar kind, may be allowed by the bishops and inquisitors, after haviug made, with the advice of divines, such corrections and emendations as may be deemed requisite. (VI.) Books of controversy be- tween the Catholics and heretics of the present time, writ- ten in the vulgar tongue, are not to be indiscriminately allowed, but are to be subject to the same regulations as Bibles in the vulgar tongue. As to those works in the vulgar tongue wdiich treat of morality, contemplation, confession, and similar subjects, and which contain noth- ing contrary to sound doctrine, there is no reason why they should be prohibited ; the same may be said also of sermons in the vulgar tongue, designed for the people. And if in any kingdom or province any books have been hitherto j/rohibited, as containing things not proper to be indiscriminately read by all sorts of persons, they may be allowed by the bishop and inquisitor, after haviug cor- rected them, if written by Catholic authors. (Vll.) Books professedly treating of lascivious or obscene subjects, or narrating- or teaching them, are utterly prohibited, as readily corrupting both the faith and manners of those who peruse them ; and those who possess them shall be severely punished by the bishop. But the works of an- tiquity," written by the heathens, are permitted to be read, because of the elegance and propriety of the language ; though on no account shall they be suffered to be read by young persons. (VIII.) Books, the principal subject of which is good, but in which some things are occasionally introduced tending to heresy and impiety, divination, or superstition, may be allowed, after they have been cor- rected by Catholic divines, by the authority of the general inquisition. The same judgment is also'formed of pref- aces, summaries, or notes taken from condemned au- thors, and inserted in the works of authors not cou- demued ; but such works must not be printed iu futiu-e, until they have been amended. (IX.) All books and writ- ings of georaancj^ hydromancy, ai'mmanrv. pwninancy, oriomaucy, chiromancy, and necroma ■ > ( > > h treat of sorceries, poisons, auguries, auspiir i incan-
tations, are utterly rejected. The bi-iM-i - ■■,,,,; ,>i-o dili- gently guard against any persons reading oi ki-i-ping any books, treatises, or indexes which treat of judicial astrol- ogy, or contain presumptuous predictions of the events of future contingencies and fortuitous occurrences, or of those actions which depend upon the will of man. But thev shall permit such opinions and observations of nat- ural things as are written in aid of navigation, agricul- ture, and medicine. (X.) In the printing of books and other writings, the rules shall be observed which were or- dained in the tenth session of the Council of Lateran, un- der Leo X. Therefore, if any book is to be printed iu the city of Rome, it shall first be examined by the pope's vicar and the master of the sacred palace, or other persons cho- sen by our most holy ftither for that purpose. In other places, the examination of any book or manuscript in- tended to be printed shall be referred to the bishop, or some skilful person whom he shall nominate, and the in- quisitor of the city or diocese in which the impression is executed, who shall gratuitously, and without delay, affix their approbation to the work, in their own handwriting, sttbject, nevertheless, to the pains and censures contained