Marko Antonio de Dominis
Contents of Ecclesiastical State:



"This whole work on ecclesiastical state consists of 10 volumes. In the first one, I discuss the form of such a state and establish that, under Christ, the church is a perfect monarchy. However, in some countries it is governed by Christ’s servants, completely different from secular monarchs and, by Christ’s decision, aristocratic with a certain ingredients of democracy; I consistently prove that Peter’s primate i.e. pontificate, is completely opposed to the gospel and Jesus’ decisions. In the second volume, I speak on the heads and servants of an ecclesiastic state: who they are, how is the heritage of saint apostles maintained, what the meaning of the institution of bishops is, how different they are from priests, who the lower rank servants are and what the sense of the clergy (“sacred order”) in such a state is. In the third book I discuss the hierarchical relationship existing among the bishops and the heads of such a state proving that, according to the law of God, there are no superior or subordinate among the bishops ant that they differ from each other only by the grade of their locality (gradus locorum) according to the ecclesiastic law. Regarding this I speak about bishop election, their confirmation, canonisation, i.e. ordaining, on archbishops, primates, patriarchs, and others rights. In the fourth volume I discuss the Roman church privileges proving that Christ has given it no advantages over the others, not for itself, nor for its bishop, nor for its clergy. And if it had any advantage or has it now, it has been obtained only by human support (humanis praesidiis). In the fifth volume I research the character of ecclesiastical govern proving that it is exclusively spiritual therefore denying it any secular competence; I then discuss the power and effect of religious secrets and the ecclesiastic punishments. In the sixth volume I compare layman govern with ecclesiastic one to show the difference between a secular and ecclesiastic state; I prove that secular Christian rulers can do a lot at church, and the church cannot do anything about secular matters, particularly when the kings are concerned. Then I speak on church and church servant immunity on investitures; on the Sicilian Monarchy and similar things. In the seventh volume I discuss the ecclesiastical state internal governing in accordance with the religion and I search for the real regulation of faith (“regulam fidei”, i.e. the content of Christian religion), discussing here the word of God, the church and pope authority regarding it, the church councils, heresy, schism and the like. In the eighth volume I observe the external ecclesiastic governing by means of the law, cannon and court decisions. Then I research the cannon obligation, pardons, proscribed fasting, prayers and the like. In the ninth volume I discuss the problem of church secular property; I explain broadly how the church servants should be supported, where the assets come from and haw church property should be managed. I speak about tithes, church properties, on use and abuse of church revenues, on pensions and commendams, as well as on cleric wills. In the last tenth volume I am trying to explain the church freedom, so that it can be seen in what matters ecclesiastical state is free. According to this I speak on privileges and the privileged, on abuse of privilege, on exemptions and the exempted, on monk obedience and similar things. This is the result of my studies. While I was reading, with my eyes wide open, the holy bible volumes, strongly believing fathers, most holy canons and decision codes of church synods, filled with the trying to explain the truth both to myself and the others, I could not but to write down what I realised."