CHAPTER I

Since I am about to investigate many matters concerning the power of the pope, I have decided, because of the error of some who fear papal power more than God's, to inquire first whether thorough examination of the nature and extent of the pope's power is permissible and without danger of just accusation. There are some — too ready to please men, by whose will they can be now raised, now lowered — who dare assert that no one is permitted to inquire about the pope's power by disputation. They rely on this, that according to the canon and civil laws no one is permitted “to dispute about the ruler's jurisdiction” (C, De crimine sacrilegii, 1. Disputare; 17, q. 4, c. Nemini, and Committunt); therefore, a fortiori, it is not permissible to dispute about the power of the supreme pontiff, lest one commit the crime of sacrilege.

If they were content with only general and ambiguous words such as “it is not permissible to dispute about the pope's power,” they could not be convicted of error. But their actions show clearly that they understand the words badly, for they absolutely refuse to make a thorough examination of questions about the pope's power raised in their presence, and they rebuke those who raise or examine such questions. One must therefore hold this.