After God, his Prince and the Republic claimed obedience; and when S.Mark called, Sarpi abandoned science for the service of his country.

'Singularly composed of active and contemplative energies was the life of our Father; yielding to God that which he was able, to his Prince that which duty dictated, and to the domain of Venice more than any law but that of love demanded.'[132] [Footnote 131: _Lettere_, vol.ii, p.

80.] [Footnote 132: Sarpi's _Life_ by Fra Fulgenzio, p.

64.] Paul V.assumed the tiara with the fixed resolve of making good the Papal claims to supremacy.

Between Venice and the Holy See numerous disputed points of jurisdiction, relating to the semi-ecclesiastical fief of Ceneda, the investiture of the Patriarch, the navigation of the Po, and the right of the Republic to exercise judgment in criminal cases affecting priests, offered this Pope opportunities of interference.