294

CHAP.

LXIX.

The elec-tion of thepopes.

THE DECLINE AND FALL

condition of Italy would have offered the fairestopportunity of a second conquest. But in arms,the modern Romans were not above, and in artsthey were far below, the common level of theneighbouring republics. Nor was their warlikespirit of any long continuance: after some irre-gular sallies, they subsided in the national apa-thy, in the neglect of military institutions, andin the disgraceful and dangerous use of foreignmercenaries.

Ambition is a weed of quick and early vegeta-tion in the vineyard of Christ. Under the firstChristian princes, the chair of St. Peter was dis-puted by the votes, the venality, the violence, ofa popular election: the sanctuaries of Rome werepolluted with blood; and, from the third to thetwelfth century, the church was distracted bythe mischief of frequent schisms. As long asthe final appeal was determined by the civil ma-gistrate, these mischiefs were transient and local:the merits were tried by equity or favour; norcould the unsuccessful competitor long disturbthe triumph of his rival. But after the empe-rors had been divested of their prerogatives, af-ter a maxim had been established, that the vicarof Christ is amenable to no earthly tribunal, eachvacancy of the holy see might involve Christen-dom in controversy and war. The claims of thecardinals and inferior clergy, of the nobles andpeople, were vague and litigious: the freedomof choice was overruled by the tumults of acity that no longer owned or obeyed a superior.On the decease of a pope, two factions proceed-