CHAPTER LVI.

HOW IT IS ALLOWED TO RESIST THE CIVIL POWER.

On resistance to lawful authority--The doctrines of the Council of Constance on the assassination of a king--A reflection on the inviolability of kings--Extreme cases--Doctrine of St. Thomas of Aquin, Cardinal Bellarmin, Suarez, and other theologians--The Abbé de Lamennais' errors--He is wrong in imagining that his doctrine, condemned by the Pope, is the same as St. Thomas of Aquin's--A parallel between the doctrines of St. Thomas and those of the Abbé de Lamennais--A word on the temporal power of the Popes--Ancient doctrines on resistance to power--Language of the Counsellors of Barcelona--The doctrine of certain theologians on the case of the Sovereign Pontiff's falling into heresy in his private capacity--Why the Church has been calumniously accused of being sometimes favorable to despotism, and sometimes to anarchy, 336