Page:Readings in European History Vol 1.djvu/530

 494 Readings in European History nor has ceased to provoke dissension, may be the more speedily checked and prevented from further increase, we add a third and last part to the preceding two. This is nothing more than a collection of the clear and inevitable deductions from the statements and demonstrations given above. If these conclusions be 'duly attended to and acted upon this plague and its sophistical source will be easily abolished, now and hereafter, from the various kingdoms and other states. Of Marsiglio's conclusions the most interesting are the following : It is necessary to accept as true and essential to salvation only the holy and canonical Scriptures, together with their clear implications as interpreted by a general council of the faithful. This is assuredly true and may be assumed. Doubtful points in the Christian belief are to be deter- mined by a general council, in no case by a single person, whoever he may be. No one, according to the gospel, may be forced to observe the divine law by a temporal penalty or any punishment of this world. The human lawgiver can only be the whole body of citi- zens or a majority of them. No one may be compelled by temporal penalties to obey the decretals or ordinances of the bishops of Rome, or of any other bishop, unless the decrees are issued with the sanction of the human lawgiver [namely, the people]. No bishop or priest, as such, has any coercive authority or jurisdiction over any clerk or layman, even over a heretic. No bishop or priest, or assembly of bishops or priests, may excommunicate any person, or interdict the perform- ance of divine services, except with the authority of the lawgiver [namely, the people].