This is the essential and vital principle, the base and summit, the Alpha and Omega of Catholicism.
Against a power of such a nature and origin, where it really manifests itself, all discussion, resistance, and separation are unlawful.
The new state of society and constitutional France has its principle also, which has become that of its government.
All human power is fallible, and must be controlled and limited.
Every human society has the right of controlling and limiting, directly and indirectly, in such and such measures, and under such or such form, the power which it obeys.
I do not soften the problem. I set forth the two principles. They are essentially different; they are said to be hostile.
They would be so indeed, could they meet and display themselves in the same sphere. But here I find the remedy I sought.
When ages ago the church so loudly and vehemently insisted on the distinction of the spiritual and temporal, she was acting in the interest of her own dignity and founding her own liberty. She was doing more. She thereby maintained the dignity of man, and laid the foundations of liberty of conscience.