[De horis canonicis]

Note: the reason why a cleric reading alone does not say "The Lord be with you."

Know this, that he may not be excommunicated, by the argument of the chapter Hoc quod, statute, on consecration, distinction 1. For this expression "The Lord be with you" denotes a plurality of persons, and therefore at least two other persons ought to be present beyond the one speaking, in the same way as is said of the Mass, which ought not to be celebrated unless at least two are present, because a plural expression must be fulfilled by the number of two at least, as noted in the said chapter Hoc quod and in the rule of law "A plural expression," etc., Book VI. And therefore, since he says the office alone, in place of those words let him say "Lord, hear my prayer." Think if I say this well, etc. And I have also seen this to be observed, and I myself observe this order, etc. And thus, all offices can an excommunicated and suspended [person], etc., read in the same way as was said above, except for the Mass, because that he can neither publicly nor privately say, as noted in the chapter, 2, question, that [thing] about the cleric, in the excommunication of the Mass, throughout that entire title. And this question is had in the Summa Hostiensis, questions 68 and 69, etc. I have said whatever [was needed] above in the question which begins "I ask next, to whom is it permitted to enter the choir."

I ask whether it is allowed for a cleric to say all the hours together, and what if it is by counsel or by precept? I answer that where he is otherwise occupied by a reasonable cause, that yes, as is proven by our text there, while it says that he can say all the hours together and afterward intend to rural work. Whence, if they were by precept, it would not give counsel through these fathers who composed this, that he could read them together, by the argument of the chapter Super eo, on use, because it is seen to do more, that he pays before the due time, than that he asks for more after, chapter Unico, and Joannes Andreae seems to think that it is by counsel, and likewise Alanus and Innocent and Zabarella, and I rely on their opinion, because thus it is observed by general custom, which is the best interpreter of laws, by the argument of the law Minime, Digest, on law 1, and the chapter Cum dilecti, on custom.

Because there, cardinals and great prelates and many others, even inferiors, read all the hours together up to Sext, sometimes up to None inclusive. And this they do for the reason that, these having been finished, they have great things to expedite, or otherwise many reasonable occupations can supervene, and in such things it is better to prevent than to be prevented, and especially when the hour is more apt...