The-papacy-its-history-dogmas-genius-and-prospects-wylie

122 FOUNDATION AND EXTENT OF THE SUPREMACY.of king, but in his capacity of Christian. The unhappymonarch, we say, wouhl find but little solace in this nicedistinction ; and, even at the risk of adding to both his offenceand his punishment, might denounce it as a wretchedquibble.** In December last (1S50), Lord Palmerston addressed from theForeiffiiOffice to her Majesty's representatives abroad, a circular, instructing themto transmit copies of any concordat or equivalent arrangement between thecourt of Rome and the particular government to which each representativewas accredited. The replies form the substance of a Blue Book ofabout 350 pages, which has recently been published. We extract fromthe enclosures received by government in January last, from the Hon.Ralph Abercromby, our representative at Turin, the copy of the oath requiredto be taken by new cardinals in Sardinia. It entirely, and for allgovernments, settles the question of what a cardinal really is,— provinghim to be the sworn emissary, spy, and creature of the court of Rome.He so pledges his allegiance to a foreign prince as palpably to rescind theallegiance due to his own sovereig-n.^o" I, 5cardinal of the Holy Roman Church, do promise and swearthat, from this hour until my life's end, I will be faithful and obedientunto St Peter, the Holy Apostolic Roman Church, and our Most HolyLord the Pope and his successors, canonically and lawfully elected ; thatI will give no advice, consent, or assistance against the Pontifical Majestyand person ; that I will never knowingly and advisedly, to their injury ordisgrace, make public the counsels entrusted to me by themselves, or bymessengers or letters (from them) ; also that I will give them any assistancein retaining, defending, and recovering the Roman Papacy and theRegalia of Peter, all my might and endeavour, so far as the rights andprivileges of my order will allow it, and will defend against all, theirhonour and state ; that I will direct and defend, with due favour andhonour, the legates and nuncios of the apostolic see, in the territories,churches, monasteries, and other benefices committed to my keeping ;that I will cordially co-operate with them, and treat them with honour intheir coming, abiding, and returning ; and that I will resist unto blood allpersons whatsoever who shall attempt anything against them ; that I willby every way, and by every means, strive to preserve, augment, and advancethe rights, honours, privileges, the authority of the Holy RomanBishop our Lord the Pope, and his before-mentioned successors ; and thatat whatever time anything shall be devised to their prejudice, which it isout of my power to hinder, as soon as I shall know that any steps or measureshave been taken (in the matter), I will make it known to the same