Page:The Net of Faith.pdf/613



To this Paul adds: "The servant of God is for your good." On this word hangs all the assurance of the Church, and the Church Doctors deduce from it all ecclesiastical authority to the great comfort of the powerful priesthood. They say that with these words St.Paul confirmed the position of Christ's servant with the sword, namely, the supreme lord the Emperor, for the benefit and protection of the great and holy mother – the Church of Rome – and of all the sons born of her, in order that she am her sons might not suffer the untowardness of the cross, that she be not bothered by contrary winds, that he Might bear her temptations with his sword, to enable her to recite unmolested her matins, and to sing and direct her litanies and praises to God.

Therefore, let no one rebuke the servant of God and of the sword, for the servant of God is a very great blessing to the Church. The sword of the servant of God is the peace of the Church. Let no one blame the hosts of knights for they exist for the good of the Church; let no one criticize the burgomasters, councillors, the bailiffs, the executioners, the townhalls, 202*