among the Jews, denotes every fiftieth year; being that
following the revolution of seven weeks of years; at which time all the
slaves were made free, and all lands reverted to their ancient owners.
The jubilees were not regarded after the Babylonish captivity. The
political design of the law of the jubilee was to prevent the too great
oppression of the poor, as well as their being liable to perpetual
slavery. By this means the rich were prevented from accumulating lands
for perpetuity, and a kind of equality was preserved through all the
families of Israel. The distinction of tribes was also preserved, in
respect both to their families and possessions; that they might be able,
when there was occasion, on the jubilee year, to prove their right to
the inheritance of their ancestors. Thus, also, it would be known with
certainty of what tribe or family the Messiah sprung. It served, also,
like the Olympiads of the Greeks, and the Lustra of the Romans, for the
readier computation of time. The jubilee has also been supposed to be
typical of the Gospel state and dispensation, described by Isaiah lxi,
1, 2, in reference to this period, as “the acceptable year of the Lord.”
The word _jubilee_, in a more modern sense, denotes a grand church
solemnity or ceremony celebrated at Rome, in which the pope grants a
plenary indulgence to all sinners; at least, to as many as visit the
churches of St. Peter and St. Paul at Rome. The jubilee was first
established by Boniface VII., in 1300, which was only to return every
hundred years; but the first celebration brought in such store of
wealth, that Clement VI., in 1343, reduced it to the period of fifty
years. Urban VI., in 1389, appointed it to be held every thirty-five
years, that being the age of our Saviour; and Paul II. and Sixtus IV.,
in 1475, brought it down to every twenty-five, that every person might
have the benefit of it once in his life. Boniface IX. granted the
privilege of holding jubilees to several princes and monasteries; for
instance, to the monks of Canterbury, who had a jubilee every fifty
years; when people flocked from all parts to visit the tomb of
Thomas-a-Becket. Afterward, jubilees became more frequent: there is
generally one at the inauguration of a new pope; and he grants them as
often as the church or himself have occasion for them. To be entitled to
the privileges of the jubilee, the bull enjoins fasting, alms, and
prayers. It gives the priests a full power to absolve in all cases even
those otherwise reserved to the pope; to make commutations of vows, &c;
in which it differs from a plenary indulgence. During the time of
jubilee, all other indulgences are suspended.
following the revolution of seven weeks of years; at which time all the
slaves were made free, and all lands reverted to their ancient owners.
The jubilees were not regarded after the Babylonish captivity. The
political design of the law of the jubilee was to prevent the too great
oppression of the poor, as well as their being liable to perpetual
slavery. By this means the rich were prevented from accumulating lands
for perpetuity, and a kind of equality was preserved through all the
families of Israel. The distinction of tribes was also preserved, in
respect both to their families and possessions; that they might be able,
when there was occasion, on the jubilee year, to prove their right to
the inheritance of their ancestors. Thus, also, it would be known with
certainty of what tribe or family the Messiah sprung. It served, also,
like the Olympiads of the Greeks, and the Lustra of the Romans, for the
readier computation of time. The jubilee has also been supposed to be
typical of the Gospel state and dispensation, described by Isaiah lxi,
1, 2, in reference to this period, as “the acceptable year of the Lord.”
The word _jubilee_, in a more modern sense, denotes a grand church
solemnity or ceremony celebrated at Rome, in which the pope grants a
plenary indulgence to all sinners; at least, to as many as visit the
churches of St. Peter and St. Paul at Rome. The jubilee was first
established by Boniface VII., in 1300, which was only to return every
hundred years; but the first celebration brought in such store of
wealth, that Clement VI., in 1343, reduced it to the period of fifty
years. Urban VI., in 1389, appointed it to be held every thirty-five
years, that being the age of our Saviour; and Paul II. and Sixtus IV.,
in 1475, brought it down to every twenty-five, that every person might
have the benefit of it once in his life. Boniface IX. granted the
privilege of holding jubilees to several princes and monasteries; for
instance, to the monks of Canterbury, who had a jubilee every fifty
years; when people flocked from all parts to visit the tomb of
Thomas-a-Becket. Afterward, jubilees became more frequent: there is
generally one at the inauguration of a new pope; and he grants them as
often as the church or himself have occasion for them. To be entitled to
the privileges of the jubilee, the bull enjoins fasting, alms, and
prayers. It gives the priests a full power to absolve in all cases even
those otherwise reserved to the pope; to make commutations of vows, &c;
in which it differs from a plenary indulgence. During the time of
jubilee, all other indulgences are suspended.