Sim.ple Feasts were, according to the Salisbury use, those on which only the initial words of the anti- phon to the Benedictus and Maynificat were sung. They were comprised under three classes, the first, of nine lessons, with triple or double invitatory; the sec- ond, of three lessons, with double invitatory; the third, of three lessons, with simple invitatory; the latter, in distinction from the former two, were marked "sine re- gimine chori." Simple feasts, like ferials and vespers, had no first vespers.
In the Roman use simple feasts, without ruling the choir, are classed as simples ; the simjjle, with ruling the choir, as semi-doubles. Accordingly, the highest class of Salisbury simples became the Koman doubles, to which succeed greater doubles, doubles of the second, and doubles of the first class. — Walcott, Sac. A rchaol. s. v.
Simplices {simple), a term of reproach frequently bestowed upon the early Christians.
Simplicianus, archbishop of Milan (398-400), was a friend and teacher of Ambrose, who wrote to him four epistles (comp. Migne, xvi, 874). Augustine dedicated to Simplicianus his De Diversis Qiicestionibus, and men- tions him very often. Virgilius of Trent addressed to him his De Martyrio S. Sisinnii et Socinorum (Migne, vol. xiii), and Ennodius of Pavia wrote an epigram in his honor. See Gennadius, De Viris Illust. p. 27. (B. P.)
Simplicius, pope from A.D. 468 to 483, in the period of the Monophysite (q. v.) disputes by which the West- ern Church was violently agitated. He participated in the controversy, taking sides with Acacius, the patriarch of Constantinople, and anathematized Timotheus M\n- rus, Petrus Fullo, Petrus Mongus, John of Apamea, and Paul of Ephesus; but he afforded aid and protection to John Talaja, whom Acacius refused to acknowledge as successor to the see of Alexandria. Simplicius also added to the estimation in which the papacy was held by appointing the bishop Zeno of Seville to be apostol- ical vicar, and by depriving the bishop of Aries in France of his right to convoke synodal meetings. It is stated that this pope died March 2, 483, and his memory is honored in the Romish Church annuallj' on the recurrence of that date. See Herzog, Reul-Kncy- kloj). s. v.
Simplicius, a philosopher of the 6th century, was a native of Cilicia, a disciple of Ammonius the Peripa- tetic, and endeavored to unite the Platonic and Stoic doctrines with the Peripatetic. Distrusting his situa- tion under the emperor Justinian, he went to Chosroes, king of Persia, but returned to Athens after it had been stipulated in a truce between the Persians and the Romans, A.D. 549, that he and his friends should live quietly and securely upon what was their own, and not be compelled by the Christians to depart from the religion of their ancestors. Simplicius wrote com- mentaries on Aristotle's Caleyoi-irr, Physica, De Calo, and De Anima, which are the most valuable of all the extant Greek commentaries on Aristotle. Thev are
printed in some of the early editions of Aristotle, and are also contained in Scholia in Aristotelem, collegit Ch. A. Brandis (Berl. 1836). Simplicius also wrote a Commenta7-y on the Enchiridion of Epictetus, which for its pure and noble principles of morality has command- ed general admiration. The best separate edition of this commentary is that by Schweighiiuser, with a Latin translation, in two volumes (Lcips. 1800) ; it has been translated into English by Dr. G. Stanhope (Lond. 1704, 8vo); into French by Dacier (Paris, 1715); and into German by Schulthess (Zurich, 1778).
Simpson, Benjamin Franklin, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, was born at York, Me., Dec. 30, 1835, and was educated at Wilbraham, Mass. In 1858 he went to Rahway, N. J., to take charge of an acad- emy; then to the Biblical Institute at Concord, in 1860. He joined the Newark Conference in 1862; was drafted into the army July 13, 1864, and in October was ap- pointed chaplain. In Sejitember, 1865, he returned from the war and resumed his ministerial work, which he was obliged to give up early in 1869. He died at Han- over, N. J., July 12, 1871. See Minutes of Annual Con- ferences, 1872, p. 34.
Simpson, David, an English clergyman, was born at Ingleby, Yorksliire, Oct. 12, 1745. He was educated at St. John's College, Cambridge, and was successively curate of Ramsden, P^ssex, of Buckingham, and of the Old Church, Macclesfield. In all three places his alleged Methodism gave offence, and, while at the last place, he was silenceil by the bishop of Chester. But his friends erected a new edifice (Christ Church, Macclesfield) for him, in which he officiated until his death, in 1799. He published. Sacred Literature ( Birm. 1788-90, 4 vols. 8vo) : — Discourse on Staye Entertainments (1788): — Key to the Prophecies (Maccles. 1795, 8vo; 3d ed. 1812, 8vo) : — A Plea for Religion, etc. (Lond. 1802, 8vo, with numerous later editions): — Plea for the Deity of Jesus and the Doctrine of the Trinity (1812, 8vo) : — Sermons (8vo). See Allibone, Diet, of Brit, and Amer. A uthors, s. V.
Simpson, EdTward, S.T.D., a learned English di- vine, was born at Tottenham, in i\Iay, 1578. Having been prepared at the Westminster School, he entered Trinity College, Cambridge, from which he graduated in 1600, and the next year was admitted fellow. In 1603 he received his degree of A.M., and his A.B. in 1610. He was chaplain to Sir Moyle Finch, 1615-18, and rector of Eastling in 1618, in which year he took his degree of doctor of divinity and was made prebendary i of Coringham. He died in 1651. He published, Mo- saica, etc. (Cantab. 1636, 4to): — Positive LJirinity : — Knowledge of Christ: — God's Providence in Regard to Evil : — Regeneration Defended : — Declaration : — J)e Justificatione : — A'o/cb Selectiores in Noratium, etc. See Allibone, Diet, of Brit, and Amer. A uthors, s. v.