XXVIII. GLORIOUS KING FLAVIUS ERVIG.

 

Bishops shall give to all Jews a copy of this book, which has been published for the purpose of correcting their errors; and their confessions and a record of their conversion shall be deposited among the archives of the Church.

 

The perversity of a deceitful mind is accustomed to making use of the pretence of ignorance, when it asserts that it has no knowledge of the law, and declares that it is exempt from punishment because it is ignorant of the new laws. Now, for the purpose of removing this false and malicious excuse, we hereby order all bishops and priests to explain to the Jews within their jurisdiction the decrees which we have heretofore promulgated concerning their perfidy; and also, to give them a copy of this book, which is ordinarily read to them publicly, in the congregations of the Church, and which they must always carry with them as evidence of their instruction. And if, after this book shall have been read to them publicly as aforesaid, or given into their hands, any of them should claim that he was not present when it was read, or should assert that he is ignorant of the laws contained therein, no excuse of his shall be thereafter received; but if, ever subsequently, he should be detected in the breach of any of said laws, under no circumstances shall he escape punishment for the same. And we add to this law, as being a necessary part of it that all written confessions and agreements which any Jew, at any time, has delivered to his priest, shall be carefully preserved by the latter, among the archives of his church, in order that it may be evidence against any Jew who may thereafter venture to resume the practice of his impious rites.

 

(trans. P.S.Scott 1910: 408-409; slightly altered)