_2._ _1596._ _Rome_, _Clement VIII_, _Index Prohibitorius_. In April, 1592, within a few months after his accession, Clement gave instructions to the Congregation for the production of a new Index. As before mentioned, the Index of Sixtus had been cancelled and withdrawn and the Clementine Index was intended to be used as a direct continuation of that of Pius IV. The responsibility for the direction of the new compilation came upon Bellarmin, who, as consultor of the Congregation, had secured the papal disapproval of the work of Sixtus. The title of the Clementine Index makes acknowledgment however of the initiative taken by Sixtus. The title reads: _Index librorum prohibitorum cum regulis confectis per Patres a Tridentina Synodo delectos auctoritate Pii IIII primum editus postea vero a Sixto V auctus et nunc demum S. D. N. Clementis PP. VIII jussu, recognitus & publicatus. Instructione adjecta. De exequendae prohibitionis, dèque sincere emendandi & imprimendi libros, ratione. Romae, apud Impressores Camerales._ 1596. The completed draft of the Index of Clement (probably in the form of proof sheets) was placed in the Pope’s hands by the Cardinal of Ascoli (the Dominican Bernerio) as early as July, 1593. Clement decided to delay the publication in order to give opportunity for suggestions and criticisms. Baronius submitted certain objections which secured consideration. The first of the briefs of Clement is simply a restraint on the right of printing. The second, bearing date October 17, 1595, makes the usual reference to Gelasius I as the founder of the Index, adds a credit to Gregory IX, and then passes on to Pius IV. Then follows a minute detail concerning the intention, described as having been executed only in part, of Sixtus V. The remainder of the brief is taken up with a specification of the work of Clement in completing the plan of Sixtus, with the statement that Clement had commissioned a congregation of cardinals who had been charged with the prohibition, expurgation, and regulation of the impression of books. The wording of the reference to the Congregation of the Index would give the impression that this was here instituted for the first time. Catalani is authority for the statement that the Congregation certainly existed under Gregory XIII and probably as early as Pius IV. Mendham finds authority, as previously stated, for crediting the Congregation to Sixtus V. The brief of Clement is followed by the brief and preface of the Tridentine edition, with the Ten Rules restored to their place by the suppression of the Sistine two and twenty.