[33] We give the following extracts from the statutes themselves:--Art. 308--Nullus ad novitiatum armigerorum accedit, nisi genere in quarto gradu sit nobilis. Art. 310.--Si quis, virtute præstantissimus, novitiatum armigerorum postulans, non sit nobili natus genere, audita Conventus relatione petitoria, a Commendariæ, Ballivatus et Linguæ congressibus, sicut et a Comitiis Statutariis Curiaque Præceptoriali, sancita, illum ordini nobilium, in quarto gradu, adscribendi potestatem solus habet in Militia Templi Supremus Magister. Art. 315.--Quacumque de causa, ab Ordine deficere Equiti nefas est. Si autem honoribus Equestribus vel Militia indignus, judicatus fuerit Eques, in proprii Conventus albo, singulisque Conventuum, Abbatiarum, Postulantiarum initiationisque Cœtuum albis, pro sententia, adnotatur: Vel ab Equestribus Honoribus suspensus: vel, ab Equestri Militia interdictus: vel Utraque Militia indignus. Art. 390.--Nullus ad initiationem accedit, nisi Christianus, liberaliter institutus, civili ordine insignis, virtute, moribus, fide et urbanitate præstantissimus. Art. 391.--In militia inferiori aggregari possunt minoris conditionis viri qui, propter artem, Ordini perutiles esse possunt. Art. 392.--Ad quemcumque Ordinis gradum quemlibet cooptare potest Supremum Magister. Cooptatus autem frater vel in Conventu, vel in Capitulo, vel in Cœtu, sicut et in Abbatiâ cooptata soror, juxta Magistrale Decretum, recipitur, solemniumque rituum et usuum in receptione solitorum immunis fieri, potest, Equestri Consecratione excepta, qua nullus donatur nisi votis solemnibus susceptis. Art. 408.--Templi Commilitonum Posteri; Equites Christi; Equites Teutonici; Patres a mercede; Patres a redemptione captivorum, si jubeat Lingualis Congressus, in inferioribus domibus admittuntur, sicut et ad Novitiatum armigerorem illico provehuntur, tenenturque tantum fide dare jusjurandum Statuta Commilitonum Ordinis Templi e regulis sancitis in Conventibus Generalibus prosertim in Conventu Generali Versaliano, Anno Ordinis 586, et in Conventibus Generalibus Lutetianis, A. O. 693, et 695, confecta et in unum codicem coacta. [34] We shall be excused referring to this subject, considering that it engaged so much of the attention of the pious St. Bernard. Respecting the habit of the early Templars, he says, chap, xxii and xxv, "It is granted unto none to wear white tunics or mantles, but to the Knights of Christ.--If any brother wish to have the handsomest or best mantle, either as of due or out of pride, for such presumption, he will, without doubt, deserve the very worst."