CESSION, in the ecclesiastical law, is when an ecclesiastical person is created a bishop, or when a person of a parish takes another benefice, without dispensation, or being otherwise qualified. In both these cases their first benefices became void by cession, without any resignation; and to these livings that the person had, who was created bishop, the king may present for that time, whosoever is patron of them; and in the other case the patron may present: but by dispensation of retainer, a bishop may retain some or all the preferments he was entitled to before he was made bishop.