Most fruitful [and] learned co[m]mentaries of Doctor Peter Martyr Vermil Florentine, professor of divinity,…Most fruitfull [and] learned co[m]mentaries of Doctor Peter Martir Vermil Florentine, professor of deuinitie,…

¹And as touching this foresaid argument, we must understand that such rewards and stipends, are things indifferent: because they are sometimes paid unto inferiors, and sometimes to superiors. For tributes which are given unto kings and princes, are their stipends which we give unto them, partly to nourish and sustain them, and partly to confess that we are subject unto them, and lastly ye they may have wherewithal to defend the public wealth and us. And sometimes inferiors also do receive stipends. For princes pay them unto soldiers, and yet cannot we therefore say that the soldiers are greater then Kings and Princes. And notwithstanding I would not have any think, that I speak these things, to diminish the dignity of the Ecclesiastical ministry, but that men might understand that their arguments are very trifling.² Neither doubt I to affirm, that the church it self which payeth the stipend unto the minister, is greater then the minister. Wherefore if we speak of tenths, as they are at this day given unto ministers, they are no cause that they should be greater then those that pay them. But in that kings and Emperors are consecrated and anointed of bishops, and in that they receive the crown and sword of them, it nothing helpeth their cause. For if we speak of the civill power, that is not given of the bishop, but of God. But this thing is there done, that after the king or Emperor is chosen of god, in such manner as is agreeable, prayers should be made for him in the assembly of the church, that god may confirm and strengthen his hart, that he may increase piety in him, and instil in him a fear of his name, prosper his counsels, and so make fortunate his actions, that they may prove profitable unto the church, and unto the public wealth. And the bishop whilst these things are in doing, is the mouth of the church, & goeth before it, in expressing the prayer. And this function was derived of an old ceremony and custom of the Jews. And ye the king receiveth not his power of the bishop, but of God, even their own decrees also do testify. In the dist. 96. chap. Si Imperatur, Gelasius saith, that the Emperor hath the privileges of his power at gods hand. Why then doth Bonifacius arrogantly claim it unto himself? namely that which longeth to God only. For as Paul saith: All power is of god.

¹And as touching this foresayd argument, we must vnderstand that such rewardes and stipendes, are thinges indifferent: bicause they are sometimes payd vnto inferiors, and sometimes to superiors. For tributes which are geuen vnto kinges and princes, are theyr stipendes which we geue vnto them, partly to norish and susteine them, and partly to confesse that we are subiecte vnto them, and lastly ye they may haue wherwithal to defēd the publike welth and vs. And somtimes inferiors also do receaue stipendes. For princes pay them vnto souldiers, and yet cannot we therefore saye that the souldiours are greater then Kynges and Prynces. And notwythstandynge I woulde not haue anye thynke, that I speake these thinges, to dimynyshe the dygnitye of the Ecclesiasticall ministerye, but that men myghte vnderstande that theyr argumentes are very trifling.