XXIII. I enact this for Laymen too, and I enjoin
it also upon all Priests, and upon those commissioned to rule.
Come to the aid of the Word, all of you to whom God has given power to
aid. It is a great thing to check murder, to punish adultery, to
chastise theft; much more to establish piety by law, and to bestow
sound doctrine. My word will not be able to do as much in
fighting for the Holy Trinity as your Edict, if you will bridle the ill
disposed, if you will help the persecuted, if you will check the
slayers, and prevent people from being slain. I am speaking not
merely of bodily but of spiritual slaughter. For all sin is the
death of the soul. Here let my discourse end.