'But should the love of justice and virtue be unable to withdraw them from their sins and wickedness, we admonish them on the reverence and obedience they owe to our holy church, to turn from their evil ways, on pain of excommunication for their heresies, and of being condemned to other penalties; and we strictly command and enjoin, that Amadeus, this antipope, do, within fifty days from the date of these presents, lay aside his title of pope of Rome, and all others appertaining thereto, and that henceforth he do not presume to exercise any of the functions attached to the papacy in any manner whatever.
'The aforesaid electors and adherents to this antipope are strictly forbidden, under pain of being prosecuted by the apostolical chamber for schism, henceforward to favour or support the said antipope in any way whatever; and we order them to acknowledge us as the true bishop of Rome, vicar of God, and the legal successor to the holy apostles St Peter and St Paul,—the which, we as their father and pastor of their souls, expect them to obey, and appear before us at the time fixed on.
'Should the aforesaid antipope, Amadeus, and his followers, contumaciously refuse obedience, within the said fifty days, we will that they suffer every penalty attached to their disobedience; but should it be otherwise, we are desirous of their appearance personally before us and the holy council precisely within fifteen days after the said term. Should that day be a feast-day, then on the day following, to hear from each of them their reasons for having thus acted; and we now summon them to appear before us on the day specified, on pain of being declared heretics, guilty of high treason, and sentenced to punishment for these crimes; and we shall then proceed to pass such sentences as their contumacy may require, according to the strict letter of the law, and as they may be found deserving.
'That these our summons may be fully made known to them, we shall order copies thereof to be attached to the doors of the new church of our Lady in Florence, that ignorance of them may not be pleaded,—and we shall otherwise make them as public as possible.
'We also will, and ordain, by our apostolical authority, that this our bull be personally served on each of the principal delinquents, and proclaimed in every large town. To prevent any of them from excusing themselves from obeying these summons, under pretence that the court of Rome and the place where the council is held are not safe for them, and that they would run risks of their personal safety by going and returning thence, we, by these presents most earnestly exhort all patriarchs, archbishops, bishops, and other prelates, whether attached to monasteries or to churches, all dukes, earls, princes, knights, and others, of whatever degree, together with their lieutenants, and all commonalties whether of towns, castles, or townships, to suffer the aforesaid persons to travel to the court of Rome, and to return thence without molestation in person or effects. All who shall in the smallest degree, infringe on these our orders will incur our highest displeasure; and should any one attempt it, he will be in danger of the anger of God and of his holy apostles St Peter and St Paul.
'Given at Florence, at our public synodal session, in the new church of our Lady at Florence, in which city we are now resident, the 10th day of April, in the year of the incarnation 1439, and in the 10th year of our pontificate.
FOOTNOTES:
[23] This council, the eighteenth general council was first held at Basil, and, after many quarrels had arisen between it and the pope, he transferred it first to Ferrara, and thence to Florence, for the better accommodation of the Greeks. Many of the members of the council, however, remained at Basil, deposed pope Eugenius, and elected Amadeus duke of Savoy pope, under the name of Felix V.
See Hist. des Conciles, L'Art de Verifier les Dates, &c. &c.
[24] Aux avichoix. Denys Sauvage, in his annotations seems as much puzzled about this word as I have been. He says, that, 'avichoix' may perhaps mean advice or counsel,—and adds that the whole of this bull is full of faults, from his not having a latin one to correct it by.