Page:Blaise Pascal works.djvu/318

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310
PASCAL'S THOUGHTS

873

The Pope hates and fears the learned, who do not submit to him at will.


874

We must not judge of what the Pope is by some words of the Fathers—as the Greeks said in a council, important rules—but by the acts of the Church and the Fathers, and by the canons.

Duo aut tres in unum.[1] Unity and plurality. It is an error to exclude one of the two, as the papists do who exclude plurality, or the Huguenots who exclude unity.


875

Would the Pope be dishonoured by having his knowledge from God and tradition; and is it not dishonouring him to separate him from this holy union?


876

God does not perform miracles in the ordinary conduct of His Church. It would be a strange miracle if infallibility existed in one man. But it appears so natural for it to reside in a multitude, since the conduct of God is hidden under nature, as in all His other works.


877

Kings dispose of their own power; but the Popes cannot dispose of theirs.


878

Summum jus, summa injuria.[2]

The majority is the best way, because it is visible, and has strength to make itself obeyed. Yet it is the opinion of the least able.

If men could have done it, they would have placed might in the hands of justice. But as might does not allow itself

  1. John x. 30; 1 John v. 8.
  2. "The greatest law, the greatest injury."