1598;) to which he adds a reason, most directly opposite to his conduct, that he preferred the salvation of souls and rule of faith to the goods of this transitory world.] [Footnote 88: Fontanini considers the emperors as no more than the advocates of the church, (advocatus et defensor S.R.E.See Ducange, Gloss Lat.tom.i.p.

297.) His antagonist Muratori reduces the popes to be no more than the exarchs of the emperor.

In the more equitable view of Mosheim, (Institut.Hist.Eccles.p.264, 265,) they held Rome under the empire as the most honorable species of fief or benefice--premuntur nocte caliginosa!] Before the ruin of Paganism in Rome, the competition for a wealthy bishopric had often been productive of tumult and bloodshed.

The people was less numerous, but the times were more savage, the prize more important, and the chair of St.Peter was fiercely disputed by the leading ecclesiastics who aspired to the rank of sovereign.

The reign of Adrian the First [89] surpasses the measure of past or succeeding ages; [90] the walls of Rome, the sacred patrimony, the ruin of the Lombards, and the friendship of Charlemagne, were the trophies of his fame: he secretly edified the throne of his successors, and displayed in a narrow space the virtues of a great prince.