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XXVI THE WORK IS DIRECTED TO THE LORD POPE And now at the end of this work we return to you, most blessed Pope. We recall to you the point of this composition so that just as it was directed to you at the beginning so the closing of the completed work may fittingly end with you. Consequently, we ask and humbly impore Your Clemency, if it is legitimate to speak, that you prudently inspect the decrees of the sacred canons which, nevertheless, are well known to you. You should approve spiritual and prudent men to consult about this necessary investigation, and you should reply to us regarding these chapters so as to remove all scrupulous doubt from our breast. Nor do we presume to say this as if we did now know that with God's help your profound expertise alone is enough; but as long as the testimony of sacred authority is used and the matter is dealt with through the judgment and consensus of many, the complaint of perverse men, which perhaps would not be ashamed to murmur in dissent, may be quieted. For a complaint set against the judgment of many is not easily sustained. Moreover, a statement brought forward by one person in terms of the consideration of the law of equity is rejected by others as prejudice. Therefore, with the four different kinds of this vice which we enumerated above carefully investigated, it would be gracious of your beatitude mercifullyto instruct me with a decretal writing as to which of those guilty of these vices ought to be deposed irrevocably from ecclesiastical orders; and to whom, truly taking the view of discretion, 91 92 Book of Gomorrah this office can be mercifully granted; whether one who has fallen in any of the above mentioned ways, and with how many, should be allowed to remain in ecclesiastical dignity; how and with how many would he have to be defiled to be compelled to cease in the above mentioned necessity? Let many persons, labouring under the same ignorance, be instructed by what is directed to one person, seeing that the light of your authority removes the darkness of our doubt. And, as I might say, may the plough of the Apostolic Seetear up by the roots the seed of all error from the field of a wavering conscience. Most revered father, may almighty God grant that the monster of this vice completely perish during the time ofyour apostolate, and the state of the sick Church arise to its rightful vigour. ...

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