CAUSES ACCOUNTING FOR THE GROWTH OF THE PAPACY. 229 ability, reputation, to aid their endeavours, most easily compass de- signs of this nature, finding less obstruction to their attempts: for men are not so apt to suspect their integrity, or to charge themwith ambition and avarice; and the few who discern their aims and con- sequences of things are overborne by the number of those who are favourably conceited and inclined toward them. Thus, Julius I., Damasus I., Innocent I., Gregory I., and the like popes, whom history represents as laudable persons, did yet confer to the advancement of papal grandeur. But they whomost advanced that interest, as Pope Leo I., Gelasius I., Pope Nicholas I., Pope Gregory VII., in the esteem of true zealots, pass for the best popes.' Hence the distinction between a good man, a good prince, a good pope. 8. Men of an inferior condition are apt to express themselves highly in commendation of those who are in a superior rank, espe- cially upon occasion of address and intercourse; which commenda- tions are liable to be interpreted for acknowledgmentsor attestations of right, and thence sometimes prove means of creating it. Of the generality of men it is truly said,- - qui fame servit ineptus, Ac stupet in titulis et imaginibus, &e. Ilor. that they " stupidly truckle to fame, and are dazzled with titles and images," readilyascribing to superiors whatever they claim, with- out scanning the grounds of their title. Simple and weak men, out of abjectedness or fear, are wont to crouch and submit to any thing, upon any terms. Wise men do not love brangling, nor will expose their quiet and safety without great reason, thence being inclinable to complywith greater persons. Bad men, out of design to procure advantages or impunity, are prone to flatter and gloze them. Good men, out of due reverence to them, and in hope of fair usage from them, are ready to compliment them or treat themwith the most respectful terms. Those who are obliged to themwill not spare to extol them, paying the easy return of good words for good deeds. Thus all men conspire to exalt power, which snatches all good words as true, and constructs them to the most favourable sense, and alleges them as verdicts and arguments of unquestionable right. So are the compliments, or terms of respect, used by Jerome, Austin, Theodoret, and divers others, toward popes drawn into an argument for papal authority; whenas [whereas] the actions of such fathers, and their discourses upon other occasions, manifest their serious judgment tohave been directly contrary to his pretences. Wherefore, the Emperor of Constantinople, in the Florentine synod, had good reason to decline such sayings for arguments;' for, Sixtus V. 2 BaTá inTá Tmv áyía,v.
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