The Symbolism of Churches and Church Ornaments: A Translation of the First Book of the Rationale Divinorum OfficiorumDurand, Guillaume
Religion
The Symbolism of Churches and Church Ornaments: A Translation of the First Book of the Rationale Divinorum Officiorum
Durand, Guillaume
Christian art and symbolism; Church architecture
[Footnote 186: This is the practice in some parts of England even to
this day: more especially in Somersetshire. Bp. Montague in his
'Visitation Articles' (reprinted Camb. 1841) asks (p. 17), 'Do men
and women sit together in those seats indifferently and
promiscuously? or (as the fashion was of old), do men sit together
upon one side of the church, and women upon the other?' And, indeed,
of old there was a still further separation on each side, into the
married and unmarried. The restoration of the practice recommended
by Bp. Montague is much to be wished.]
[Footnote 187: 1 Corinth, x, 13.]
[Footnote 188: Apocalypse x, 7.]
[Footnote 189: Eph. v, 23.]
47. A woman must cover her head in the church, because she is not the
image of God, and because by woman sin began. And therefore in the
church, out of respect for the priest, who is the vicar of Christ, in
his presence, as before a judge, she hath her head covered, and not at
liberty: and on account of the same reverence she hath not the power
of speaking in the church before him. Of old time, men and women
wearing long hair stood in church with uncovered heads glorying in
their locks: which was a disgrace unto them.
48. But what should be our conversation in church the Apostle
teacheth, saying, 'Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and
spiritual songs.' [Footnote 190] Whence we must, when we be there,
abstain from superfluous words: {32} according to that saying of S.
Chrysostome, When thou goest into a king's palace, set in order thy
conversation and thy habit. For the angels of the Lord are there: and
the House of God is full of incorporeal virtues. [Footnote 191] And
the Lord saith to Moses, and so doth the angel to Joshua, 'Put off thy
shoes from off thy feet: for the place where thou standest is holy
ground.' [Footnote 192]
[Footnote 190: Coloss. iii, 16.]
[Footnote 191: The passage referred to is as follows:--' Regiam
quidem ingrediens, et habitu et aspectu et incessu et omnibus aliis
te ornas et componis: Hic autem vera est Regia et plane hic talia
qualia caelestia:--et rides? Atque scio quidem quod tu non vides.
Audi autem quod ubique adsunt angeli, et maxima in Domo Dei
adsistunt Regis, et omnia sunt impleta incorporeis illus
Potestatibus.]
[Footnote 192: Exod. iii, 5. Josh, v, 15.]
49. In the last place, a consecrated church defendeth murderers who
take sanctuary in it from losing life or limb, provided that they have
not offended in it, or against it. Whence it is written that 'Joab
fled to the tabernacle, and laid hold on the horns of the altar.'
[Footnote 193] The same privilege is possessed also by an
unconsecrated church, if the divine offices be therein celebrated.
[Footnote 193: 2 Kings i, 28.]
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