Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-03-07
For the Spectator.
The Pope's Temporal Power.

.Messrs. Editors Il have read the speech
of The Hon. Mr.. Chandler, lately delivered
in Congress, in which, with much appear
ance of candor, he attempts to show, not
only for himself, but for his Popish breth-
rem, that The Popes and Bishops of the Ro-
msh Church claim no right to interfere in
the civil governments of the countries in
which they live. His speech is an ingeni-
Gus attempt to conceal the dangerous and
obnoxious opinions which Romanists have
held on this subject, and which, their Church
being infalible, they must still hold, but
are too polite TO avow in Protestant coun-
tries for fear of exciting suspicion.
have made few extracts of the sentl-
ments of Popes and Popish writers, quoted
by Parens in his Erplicatio DuSiorum on
the 18th chapter 10 the Romans. These
extracts will shew what were the sentiments
of the Popes Innocent the Sd and Boniface
the 9Th and also of Bcllarmin, one of their
standard writers on the claims Of their
priesthood on the subject of political power.
Innocent was made Pope in 1893. He
excommunicated Philip Augustus, King Of
France, and laid his kingdom under an in
terdict, because the king had repudiated his
wife, the king was obliged to submit TO the
pope's will He was still more decided and
arbitrary in his treatment of John, King OF
England. John had refused to confirm the
appointment Of Stephen Langton as arch
bishop of Canterbury, he therefore laid his
kingdom under an interdict, and afterwards
formally deposed HIM, and instigated the
king Of France against England. John was
finally forced to submit and resign his king
dom TO Rome, and again received it as a
papa fef from Innocent. Boniface was
made Pope in 1894. He was magnificent
ly indicted into office. The kings of Hun
gary and Sicily held his bride on his way
10 the Lateran, and served him at table
with their crowns on their heads. | men,
ton these historical facts, to show the in
toerabe pride of the Popes, and their actu-
al exercise of supremacy over kings.
Innocent, according to the extract IN Pa
rens, decree1 that the imperial government
does not rule the Priesthood, but is subject
to it: and Boniface says, The Pope has two
swords, the spiritual and the temporal, that
both are in the power of the Church, the
temporal to be used for the Church, the
spiritual by the Church. The temporal in
The hand of kings and soldiers to be used
according TO the patience and will of the
Church. The Apostles said, "See here are
two swords. Our Lord does not say it is
too much but it is enough therefore the
Pope is above Emrerors and Kings who
have only one sword"
Q. The Powers that be are ordained of
God; but they could not be ordained, un-
less sword be subject to sword, "a spiritual
power cannot be reduced under a temporal,
as an inferior under superior, because,
saith Boniface, we are clearly bound to con-
fess, that the spiritual power excels in no.
bllity and dignity, any earthly power what
ever, as much as spiritual things excel tenn
poral things. Innocent also says the Pope
excels in spiritual things, which are as much
more noble than temporal things, as the
soul is than the body.
3. Tithes are paid by the inferior to the
superior. But princes and kings. saith
Boniface, pay tithes to US, therefore they
testify that We are the superiors.
4. He also says "that without controver-
sy the less is blessed Of the greater: but
Bishops bless Kings, the Pope the Empe-
ror, therefore they are greater than these" ;"
s. He says, "Kings are anointed and re-
ceive their crowns from Bishops, the En-
peror from the Pope: but JUNCTION and cor.
onaton are the conIerring OF powers, there
fore Kings and Emperors receive their pow
er and kingdoms from the Pope as from a
superior. This reason Is ampi6ed IN the
gloss upon 1t. The head Of the Bishop is
anointed; but the breast and arms of kings.
The Bishop with chrism, the king with oil,
that it may by known that the Pope is the
vicar of Christ Our head, and how great is
the difference between the authority of the
Pontff and the power Of kings"
6. Both Popes say,-"God appointed Jer-
emlah, not of the royal but priestly race, o.
yer powers and kingdoms. See, | have
set thee this day over the nations, and over
the kingdoms TO root out and to pull down
and to destroy and TO throw down, 10 build
and to plant. Therefore the Pope is set o.
yer Kingdoms, that he may throw down,
transfer, and bestow them as he will How
strange and absurd an application of scrip
tare inustAhls appear to every man of COM
mon sense
Z. They say, "The power Of binding and