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But the great Reason which decides the Question beyond Reply, and makes the Juggle of the contrary Opinion appear, is, That in effect, if the Bishop's Jurisdi∣ction were of Divine Right, they are ob∣liged not to obey the Pope, when his De∣crees are not grounded upon just cause: they could not use the Dispensations which
he gives them, when they are not granted after the manner prescribed by the Canons; for the Canons do forbid plurality of Be∣nefices; it confounds, quoth the Council of Trent, the Church-Order, that one person alone should take upon him the Offices of many persons. All are obliged to observe the Sacred Canons without any distinction, indistinctè,* 1.1 unless they be dispensed there∣with for just and urgent cause, and which may redound to the Churches greater profit, and that the Dispensation be granted cost-free; in default whereof, 'tis to be reckoned surreptitious. Now almost all the Bishops have plurality of Benefices, and they have the Pope's Dispensation for it, which is not grounded upon any urgent or just cause, nor given to them cost-free; they make use of these Dispensations, they be conformable to these Decrees, the Pope then has a right to rule over them, even without reason; and since they obey him, they acknowledge that their Jurisdiction is not of Divine Right, otherwise they could not in conscience possess a many Be∣nefices, they could not in conscience be translated from one Bishoprick to another; the Dispensation that is granted them, is by right null according to the Canons, in maniera qualora volesse trasferir un vescovo da una Catedrale all'altrá,* 1.2 gli potesse muo∣vere sempre questione di nullità con allegare il difetto della sufficiente cagione. But if it be so, that the Pope has no power to di∣spense
without a cause, where be the Bi∣shops? for either they have Consciences, or they have none; if they have none, and that being transported with passion for a Benefice or Bishoprick more fat or ho∣nourable, they will needs be translated thereunto,* 1.3 accade che la violenza della pas∣sione accenda talmente gli affetti che ove non si dispensasse cadderebbono in grave peccato; and that they will frame false and coloured causes to obtain their Dispensations, which is rather to get by stealth, than to ob∣tain; such Dispensations granted upon false considerations, are null, rubando per questo mezzo le concessioni mille, and so they will continue even unto their Death, in a sort of sacrilegious, incestuous Marriage with their Churches,* 1.4 continuando poscia in mari∣taggi sacrileghi, fin' alla morte, unless they had rather keep all their life-time in one condition against their minds, and lead a miserable kind of life, con repugnanza di cuore & con infelicità di vita. If they have any Conscience, then if that Conscience be in the least tender, it will never let them be quiet while they reflect upon those just and reasonable causes allowed only by the Ca∣nons, non quietarsi interiormente mai; there∣upon a thousand scruples, either concer∣ning Substance or Circumstances, will be still returning upon them, ripullulando loro sempre n'el cuore varii scrupoli intorno alla verità ò nella sustanza ò nelle circonstanze della ragione esposita, which will keep them
in perpetual torture, without any Reme∣dy, il che gli fà stare in un perpetuo tormen∣to senza rimedio, and will make them in danger to commit many sins through an er∣roneous Conscience, e con pericolo che per coscienza erronea tommettano molti peccati, that in fine they will fall into despair of their salvation,* 1.5 e cadano indesperazione della salute.
Now to avoid such terrible and dange∣rous extremities which might put all the Bishops into a damnable condition, a man sees there's nothing safer than the Doctrine that maintains against the Zealous Igno∣rant, That Bishop's Jurisdiction is not of Divine Right.
Sess. 25. c. 19.
l. 19. c. 6.
l. 23. c. 8.
Ibid.
l. 23. c. 8.