CAP. V.
Quomodo agendum cum religiosis, qui iisdem in ecclesia, quibus nos, functionibus vacant.
I. Genus istud hominum ferendum animose, interim principibus et illis, qui aliqua auctoritate valent, et aliquo modo nobis addicti sunt, explicandum et indicandum opportune nostram societatem, omnium ordinum continere perfectionem, præter cantum et exteriorem in victu et vestitu asperitatem; et si quæ religiones in aliquo excellant, societatem in eminentiori modo lucere in ecclesia Dei.
II. Inquirantur et notentur defectus aliorum religiosorum, quibus prudenter et plerumque per modum deplorationis apud fideles amicos paulatim detectis ac propalatis, ostendatur, minus feliciter illos satisfacere istis functionibus, quibus nobiscum concurrunt.
III. Majori conatu eundum est contra eos, qui scholas pro juventute docenda instituere volunt istis locis, in quibus cum honore et utilitate nostri docent. Ostendant principibus et magistratibus tales fore perturbationi et seditioni Reip. nisi impediantur, quæ ab ipsismet pueris, qui diversimode instruentur, incipient, denique societatem sufficere juventuti erudiendæ.
IV. Quod si religiosi litteras pontificias obtinuerint, aut cardinalium commendationem pro se habeant, agant nostri contra per principes ac magnates, qui pontificem informent de bene meritis societatis, et sufficientia ut per illam pacifice juventus instruatur: procurent etiam et exhibeant testimonia a magistratibus danda de bona illorum conversatione et institutione.
V. Interim pro viribus nostri studeant edere specimen singulare virtutis et doctrinæ, exercendo studiosos in studiis, aliisque plausibilibus ludis scholasticis, magnatibus ac magistratibus et populo spectantibus.
CHAP. V.
How to act towards religious orders, which perform the same functions in the church, which we do.
I. These men should be met firmly; and at the same time, it is to be explained and demonstrated on a proper opportunity, to princes and others, who have any authority, and are at all attached to us, that our society contains the perfection of all orders, excepting their cant and external asperity of life and dress; and even if any religious orders should excel in any thing, that even in that, this society shines in a more eminent manner in the church of God.