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

134 THE CANON LAW." We ordain that kings, and bishops, and nobles, whoshall permit the decrees of the Bishop of Rome in anythingto be violated, shallbe accursed, and be for ever guilty beforeGod as transgressors against the Catholic faith.""*" The Bishop of Rome may excommunicate emperors andprinces, depose them from their states, and assoil their subjectsfrom their oath of obedience to them.""-!-" The Bishop of Rome may be judged of none but of Godonly."t" If the Pope should become neglectful of his own salvation,and of that of other men, and so lost to all good thathe draw down with himself innumerable people by heaps intohell, and plunge them with himself into eternal torments, yetno mortal man may presume toreprehend him, forasmuchas he is judge of all, and is judged of no one.'"§This surely is license enough ;and should the pontiff complainthat his limits are stilltoo narrow, we should be gladto know how they could possibly be made larger.But letus hear the canon law on the power of the Pope to annuloaths, and release subjects from their allegiance." The Bishop of Rome has power to absolve from allegiance,obligation, bond of service, promise, and compact,the provinces, cities, and armies of kings that rebel againsthim, and also to loose their vassals and feudatories."||" The pontifical authority absolves some from their oathof allegiance." IT" The bond of allegiance to an excommunicated man doesnot bind those who have come under it."**" An oath sworn against the good of the Church does not* Decreti, pars ii. causa xxv. quest, i. can. xi.f Decreti, pars i. distinct, xcvi. can. x., and Decreti, pars ii. causa xv.quest, vi. can. iii. iv. v.J Decreti, pars ii. causa iii. quest, vi. can. ix.§ Decreti, pars i. distinct, xl. can. vi.II Clementin. lib. ii. tit. i. cap. ii.U Decreti, pars ii. causa xv. quest, vi. can. iii.** Decreti, pars ii. causa xv. quest, vi. can. iv.