the Christian and devout heart of the holy Church the
constitutions of the same holy, catholic and apostolic Church
should be received as are useful to the Church, as well for
promoting divine worship as for restraining the lust of the
flesh, while they enable us the more readily to keep the
divine commands, and when well considered are found in the
Holy Scriptures; and he who despises or rashly resists them
grievously offends God, according to Christ's word: "He that
heareth you, heareth me; and he that despiseth you,
despiseth me; and he that despiseth me, despiseth Him that
sent me." Luke 10:16. A prelate, however, is despised when
his statutes are despised, according to St. Paul, not only
when he says: "He that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God,
who hath also given unto us his Holy Spirit," 1 Thess. 4:8,
but also to the bishops: "Take heed, therefore, unto
yourselves and to all the flock over which the Holy Ghost
hath made yu overseers, to rule (Vulgate) the Church of
God," Acts 20:28. If prelates, therefore, have the power to
rule, they will have the power also to make statutes for the
salutary government of the Church and the growth of subjects.
For the same apostle enjoined upon the Corinthians that among
them all things should be done in order, 1 Cor. 14:40; but
this cannot be done without laws. On that account he said to
the Hebrews: "Obey them that have the rule over you, and
submit yourselves; for they watch for your souls, as they
that must give an account," Heb. 13:17. Here St. Paul reckons
not only obedience, but also the reason for obedience. We see
that St. Paul exercised this power, as, in addition to the
Gospel, he prescribed so many laws concerning the choice of a
bishop, concerning widows, concerning women, that they have