295

OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE.

ed in different churches to a double election: chap.the number and weight of votes, the priority of LXIX -times, the merit of the candidates, might balanceeach other: the most respectable of the clergywere divided; and the distant princes, who bow-ed before the spiritual throne, could not distin-guish the spurious from the legitimate idol.

The emperors were often the authors of theschism, from the political motive of opposing afriendly to an hostile pontiff; and each of thecompetitors was reduced to suffer the insults ofhis enemies, who were not awed by conscience;and to purchase the support of his adherents,who were instigated by avarice or ambition.

A peaceful and perpetual succession was ascer-tained by Alexander the third/ who finally abo-Rigiitoflished the tumultuary votes of the clergy and nais .§ta.people, and defined the light of election in the Airxaudc 5 !sole college of cardinals. 1 The three orders of Iir -bishops, priests, and deacons, were assimilatedto each other by this important privilege: theparochial clergy of Rome obtained the first rankin the hierarchy; they were indifferently chosenamong the nations of Christendom; and the pos-session of the richest benefices, of the most im-portant bishoprics, was not incompatible with

y See Mosheim, Institut . Hist. Ecclesiast. p. 401,403. Alexanderhimself had nearly been the victim of a contested election; and thedoubtful merits of Innocent had only preponderated by the weight ofgenius and learning which St. Bernard cast into the scale (see his lifeand writings.)

1 The origin, titles, importance, dress, precedency, &c. of the Homancardinals,are very ably discussed by Thomassin(l)iseipfine de PEgJise,tom. i, p. 1262 1287) but their purple is now much faded. The sacredcollege was raised to the definite number of seventy-t\so, to repnsuit,under his vicar, the disciples of Christ.