quo infirmi sustentatur, auctoritas doctrinæ designatur; per
virgam, quà improbi emendantur, potestas regiminis figuratur.
Baculum ergò Pontifices portant, ut infirmos in Fide per
doctrinam erigant. Virgam bajulant, ut per potestatem inquietos
corrigant: quæ virga vel baculus est recurvus, ut aberrantes à
grege docendo ad poenitetiam trabat; in extremo est acutus, ut
rebelles excommunicando retrudat; hæreticos, velut lupos, ab
ovili Christi potestativè exterreat."--_In Gemmâ Animæ_, lib. i.
cap. 218, 219., _apud Hitterpium_.

In its primitive form it appears to have been a staff shaped like a T,
and used to lean upon. It was gradually lengthened, and in some cases
was finished at the top like a mace. The pastoral staff is mentioned in
the _Life of S. Cæsarius of Arles_. Gough says that the pastoral staff
found in the coffin of Grostete, Bp. of Lincoln, who died in 1254, was
made of red wood ending in a rudely shaped ram's horn. It was inscribed:

"Per baculi formam
Prælati discite normam."

In the first prayer-book of the Reformed English Church, 2 Edward VI.,
at the time of the holy communion the bishop is directed to have "_his
pastoral staff in his hand, or else borne by his chaplain_." It was used
in solemn benedictions; and so lately as at the coronation of Queen
Elizabeth. The second book of King Edward VI., published A.D. 1552,
being revived in that reign, the use of the staff was discontinued, as
we find by the consecration service of Archbishop Parker.

"Postq' hæc dixissent, ad reliqua Communionis solemnia permit
Cicestren. nullu. Archie'po tradens Pastorale