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

HILDEBRAND. 73He was theson of a carpenter, and comprehended from thefirst the true destiny of the Papacy, and the height to whichits essential principles, vigorously maintained and fearlesslycarried out, would exalt the popedom. To emancipate thepontificate from the authority of the empire, and to establisha visible theocracy with the vicar of Christ at its head,became the one grand object of his life. He brought to theexecution of his task a profound genius, a firm will, a fearlesscourage, and a pliant policy,—a quality in which thepopes have seldom been deficient. From the moment thathe chid Leo IX. for accepting the tiara from the hands ofthe secular power, his spirit had governed Rome.* Atlength, in a.d, 1073, he ascended the pontifical throne inperson. " No sooner was this man made Pope," says DuPin, " but he formed a design of becoming lord, spiritual andtemporal, over the whole earth ;the supreme judge and determinerof all affairs, both ecclesiastical and civil ;the distributerof all manner of graces, of what kind soever ;thedisposer not only of archbishopricks, bishopricks, and otherecclesiastical benefices, but also of kingdoms, states, and therevenues of particular persons. To bring about this resolution,he made use of the ecclesiastical authority and the spiritualsword."-f- The times were favourable in no ordinarydegree. The empire of Germany was enfeebled by the disaffectionof the barons ; France was ruled by an infantsovereign, without capacity or inclination for affairs of state;England had just been conquered by the Normans ; Spainwas distracted by the Moors ; and Italy was parcelled outamongst, a multitude of petty princes.was rifeEverywhere factionthroughout Europe, and a strong government existednowhere. The time invited him, and straightway Gregoryset about his high attempt. His first care was to assemblea Council, in which he pronounced themarriage of* Du Pin, Eccles. Hist. vol. ii. p. 209 : Dunham's Europe during tlie!Middle Ages, vol. i. p. 150.t Du Pin, Eccles. Hist. vol. ii. p. 211.