to the secular arm for punishment;
while temporal princes are enjoined to extirpate heresy by all means in
their power[25]. This exterminating canon is still unrepealed, and may
be acted on whenever the church of Rome may have the power to enforce
it. It has been attempted in modern times to deny the genuineness of the
_Third Canon_; but the attempt was unsuccessful. It has also been
pronounced _obsolete_. It is undoubtedly inoperative, simply because the
church cannot carry it into execution; but it is still the law of the
Roman church.

[Footnote 25: "We excommunicate and condemn every heresy, which
exalteth itself against this holy and Catholic Faith. Let such
persons, when condemned, be left to the secular powers, to be
punished in a fitting manner. And let the secular powers be
admonished, and, if need be, compelled, that they should set
forth an oath, that to the utmost of their power, they will
strive to exterminate all heretics, who shall be denounced by
the church. But if any temporal lord shall neglect to cleanse
his country of this heretical filth, let him be bound by the
chain of excommunication. If he shall scorn to make
satisfaction, let it be signified to the supreme pontiff, that
he may declare his vassals to be absolved from their fidelity."
_Labb. et Coss._ Tom. xi. 147-9. This canon was also received
into the _Canon Law_, by Gregory IX. It was carried into effect
against the Albigenses.]

The council of Constance, A.D. 1415, decided that faith was not to be
kept with heretics to the prejudice of the church; and, therefore, John
Huss was committed to the flames, in violation of the solemn promise of
the emperor.

By these councils all heretics are devoted to destruction. They proclaim
principles exactly similar to those on which the conspirators acted;--in
other words, the conspirators acted on the principles promulgated by
these councils, as those of the church of Rome. On these principles did
the jesuits justify the treason, and declare the traitors innocent.

Attempts are made in modern times to prove that the canons alluded to
are not binding on the church; but the hand of Providence has made the
church of Rome set her seal to her own condemnation in this matter; for
by the decrees of the council of Trent every papist is pledged to
receive the decisions of all general councils[26]. The only question,
therefore, to be decided is this,