Solemn League and Covenant. See Cove- nant (Solemn League and).
Solemn Service, a modern Anglican terra used to signify a choral celebration of the holy eucharist with priest, deacon, and subdeacon, or with music. It is ecjuivalent to the "high mass" or "solemn mass" of tlie Roman Catholics, and if used of evening service is the same as " solemn vespers."
Solemnities, The, was an ancient term to desig- nate the holy euchai-ist,
Solicitant, one who, abusing the privacy of the confessional, tempts women to a violation of ihastity. This kind of solicitation became so common in Spain that pope Paul IV promulgated a bidl against solici- tants. Nor was this custom confined to Spain ; it was rife in Portugal, England, France, and (iermany. A German council held A.D. 1225 charged the priests with unchastity, voluptuousness, and obscenity. Greg- ory XV issued a bull on this accursed practice in 1622, bearing the title Universi Dumhi, which was con- firmed by Benedict XIV, June, 1741. Another bull was also issued by the same pontiff in 1745.
Solifidianism, the doctrine that faith is the whole of religion, such doctrine being preceded by an errone- ous description of faith. There are two forms of Soli- fidianism— one resting the whole of religion in the re- ception by the intellect of correct dogma; the other in an inner sense or persuasion of the man that God's promises belong to him. Those who hold the latter view are called also Fiduciaries. It is easily seen that Solifidianism, in both its forms, destroys the nature of faith. The former refers faith to the intellect alone, with a suppression or entire exclusion of the grace of God and the renewed will, and tends to the superseding of good works; the latter suppresses the action of the reason and understanding, and substitutes for a reason- able faith an unreasoning and groundless persuasion.
The former error may take the shape of a mainte- nance of orthodoxy, which, however, will be found to be an extremeh"^ deficient representation of Christian doc- trine, omitting those doctrines which have most power to move the will, and striving to bring others within the comprehension of man's understanding. The more common form is that of advancing the doctrine of justi- fication by faith into the substance of the Gospel. Such
Solifidians teach that good works are not necessary to justification.
The second form of Solifidianism generally connects itself with a one-sided or perverted view of the doctrine of election. It advances the error that Christ died only for the elect, and that the elect cannot fall from grace, and it rests on an inward sense or persuasion of one's own election. It speaks of faith, but makes fides the same asfiducia; and the latter it makes to be, not the witness of the Spirit with our spirits, i. e. with an en- lightened conscience and understanding, but a mere in- ner sense or persuasion, held without appeal to the con- science. Both forms of Solifidianism lead to Antino- mianism. — Blunt, Diet, of Doct. Tkeol. s. v.
Solifidians, those who maintain the principles of Solifidianism (q. v.).
Solimena, Francesco, an Italian painter, was born Oct. 4, 1G57, near Naples, and studied first under his father, Angelo, but was afterwards sent by cardinal Orsini to Naples, where lie studied under various emi- nent painters. He became in some sort a universal art- ist, but executed several sacred designs, which are found in the churches of Naples. See Hoefer, Noitv. Bio<j, Generate, s. v.
Solis, Antonio de, a Spanish ecclesiastic and poet, was born at Placenza, in Old Castile, Jidy 18, 1610, and was sent to Salamanca to study law. His preference, however, was for poetry, which he cultivated with great success, so that he.was considered by Cornero to have been the best comic poet that Spain ever saw. He be- came secretary to the count de Oropesa, and in 1642 Philip IV made him one of his secretaries. After Phil- ip's death the queen-regent made him first historiog- rapher of the Indies, a place of great profit as well as honor. Eventually Solis resolved to dedicate himself to the service of the Church, and was ordained a priest at the age of fifty-seven. He now wrote nothing but some dramatic pieces upon stdyects of devotion, which are represented in Spain on certain festivals. He died April 19, 1686. His Comedies were printed at Madrid (1681, 4to) : — his sacred and prof one poems at the same place (1716, 4to) : — his History of Mexico often, but par- ticularh' at Brussels (1704, fol.). There is also a collec- tion of his Letters (Madrid, 1737). See Hoefer, Nouv, Biog. Generule, s. v.
Solitaires, nuns of the Order of St. Peter of Alcan- tara, instituted b\' cardinal Barberini in 1670. They imitate the austere practices of their patron saint, ob- serve perpetual silence, and employ their time wholly in spiritual exercises. Tliey go barefoot, gird themselves with a linen cord, and wear no linen. — Gardner, Faiths of the World, s. v.
Solitaries, a term which designates such as addict themselves to a retired or solitary life. It was original- ly applied not only to such as retired to absolute soli- tude in caves and deserts, but also to such as lived apart from the world in separate societies.
Solitarii, a branch of the Manicieeans (q. v.). While the Theodosian Code decreed capital punishment upon some of the other branches of this obnoxious sect, the Solitarii were only punished with confiscation. — Gardner, Faiths of the IVorld, s. v.