PIETR0 GIANNONE. 401 



againft their fovereigns : but highly approve of the in- 

 corporating this legend into the Breviary ; that it may 

 be read to the people among the public prayers, and 

 that fuch falutary maxims may be deeply imprinted on 

 their hearts. 



VI. As the authority of the pope of Rome is fo great, 

 and fo perfectly unlimited, he very well deferves to be 

 ftyled, a vicegerent of God. I read this title every day 

 in all public difputations, and in books that, here and 

 elfewhere, are printed and dedicated to his papal holi- 

 nefs. Therefore, 1 believe, that the queflion, long 

 lince propofed : Whether the pope be a mere man 

 or, as a god, has the two natures in common with 

 Chrifl:, to be now completely decided ^. The antient 

 gloffarifts of the Decretals, puzzled their learned heads 

 about it, and ftumbled at laft on the thought, that he 

 is neither man nor god, but a mongrel between both ~f-„ 

 Others held him for a vice-god, and believed that this 

 dignity abforbed his humanity^. If I were not afraid 

 of committing a blafphemy, I would, with Auguftinus 

 Steucus Eugubinus, librarian to the pope, even ftyle 

 him a god: for, if, according to the relation of this 

 author, the great Conflantine paid adoration to the 

 pope as a god, why fhould not I, poor earth-worm, do 

 lb too ? " Heareil thou, fays the librarian, that Con- 



* Utrum papa iimplex homo fit, an quail Deus participet utran^ 

 que naturam cum Chrifto ? 



f Papa nec Deus eft, nec homo, fed neuter eft inter utrumque e 

 Gloff. in prasf. Ciem. 



% Et in hac parte non eft homo, fed Dei Vicarius, Gloffcin cap. 

 Fundamenta de elect, in 6. 



vol. ii. p x> ftantine 



