EXORBITANT CLAIMS OF THE POPE. 53 by constraint, but of their own accord ;" and, " Let," says he, " the bishops be content with their honour; let them know themselves to be fathers, not lords; they should be loved, not feared."' And, "Thou," says St Bernard to Pope Eugenius, "dost superintend, the name of bishop signifying to thee not dominion but duty."' At least [at all events] those precepts of our Lord exclude that power which is ascribed to St Peter over the apostles themselves : which, indeed, is greaterthan in likelihood anyPharisee ever affected, yea in many respects exceeds anydomination which has been claimed or usurped by the most absolute monarch upon earth; for the power of St Peter, in their opinion, was the same which now the Roman bishop challenges to himself over the pastors and people of God's church, by virtue of succession to him (St Peter's power being the base of the papal, and therefore not narrower than its superstruc- ture); but what domination comparable to that ha,s ever been used in the world? What emperor ever pretended to a rule so wide in extent, in regard either to persons or matters, or so absolute in effect? Who, beside " His Holiness," ever usurped a command, not only over the external actions, but the most inward cogitations of all man- kind, subjectingthe veryminds and consciences of men to his dictates, his laws, his censures? Who ever thundered curses and damnations on all those who should presume to dissent from his opinion or to contest his plea- sure? Who ever claimed more absolute power, in making, abolishing, suspending laws, or imposing upon men what he pleased, under obli- gation of conscience, and upon extremest penalties? What prince ever used a style more imperious than is that which is usual in the papal bulls: "Let it be lawful for no man whatever to infringe this expression of our will and command, or togo against it with bold rashness."' What Domitian more commonly admitted the appellation of "lord" than does the pope? "OUR MOST HOLY. LORD"4 is the ordi- nary style attributed to him by the fathers of Trent, as if they were his slaves, and intended to enslave all Christendom to him. Who ever exempted his clients and dependants in all nations from subjection to civil laws, from undergoing common burdens and Sed contenti sinthonore suo ; patresse sciant esse non dominos, &c. Hier., Ep. lxii. ad Theoph., cap. 3. Amari pareos, et episcopus debet, non timeri.Ibid, cap. i. Inde denique superintendis, sonante tibi episcopi nomine non dominium, sed offi- cium.Bero. de Consid., ii. G. 3 Nulli hominum liceat heno paginara nostras voluntatis et mandati infringere,ael el ausu temerario contraire. k Sanctissimus dominus noster.Cono. Trid., Bess, xxii. cap. 11, &c.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=