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It only remains now to speak of ecclesiastical principalities,

touching which all difficulties are prior to getting possession,

because they are acquired either by capacity or good fortune, and

they can be held without either; for they are sustained by the

ancient ordinances of religion, which are so all-powerful, and of

such a character that the principalities may be held no matter

how their princes behave and live. These princes alone have

states and do not defend them; and they have subjects and do not

rule them; and the states, although unguarded, are not taken from

them, and the subjects, although not ruled, do not care, and they

have neither the desire nor the ability to alienate themselves.

Such principalities only are secure and happy. But being upheld

by powers, to which the human mind cannot reach, I shall speak no

more of them, because, being exalted and maintained by God, it

would be the act of a presumptuous and rash man to discuss them.