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

a1 32 THE CANON LAWrical command, which, in the slang of the dark ages, wascalled canon law. The principle which pollutes every pageof this nefarious imposture is, that every human right, claim,property, franchise, or feeling, at variance with the predominanceof the popedom, was ipso facto inimical to heavenand the God of eternal justice. In virtue of this preposterousprerogative, universal manhood became a priest's footstool;this planet a huge game-preserve for the Pope's individualshooting." We repeat, it is this law which Dr Wisemanavows to be one main object of the papal aggression tointroduce. Its establishment in Britain implies the utterprostration of all other authority. We have seen how itcame into being. The next question is, What is it ? Let usfirst hear the canon law on the subject of the spiritual andcivil jurisdictions, and let us take note how it places theworld under the dominion of one all-absorbing power,—power which is not temporal certainly, neither is it purelyspiritual, but which, for want of a better phrase, we mayterm pontifical." The constitutions of princes are not superior to ecclesiasticalconstitutions, but subordinate to them."*" The law of the emperors cannot dissolve the ecclesiasticallaw.""!-" Constitutions (civil, we presume) cannot contravene goodmanners and the decrees of the Roman prelates. *":|:" Whatever belongs to priests cannot be usurped bykings."§" The tribunals of kings are subjected to the power ofpriests."II" All the ordinances of the apostolic seat are to be inviolablyobserved." IT* Corpus .Juris Canonici, Decreti, pars i. distinct, x.+ Idem, Decreti, pars i. distinct, x. can. i.X Idem, Decreti, pars i. distinct, x. can iv.§ Idem, Decreti, pars i. distinct, x. can, v.IIIdem, Decreti, pars i. distinct, x. can. vi.II Idem, Decreti, pars i. distinct, xix. can. ii.