[Sidenote: The bishops must first be reformed, then the clergy,]
'In which matter, with all due reverence, I appeal most strongly to _you_, fathers! For this execution of laws and observance of constitutions ought to begin with _you_, so that by your living example you may teach us priests to imitate you. Else it will surely be said of you, "They lay heavy burdens on other men's shoulders, but they themselves will not move them even with one of their fingers." But you, if you keep the laws, and first reform your own lives to the law and rules of the Canons, will thereby provide us with a light, in which we shall see what we ought to do--the light, _i.e._ of your good example. And we, seeing our fathers keep the laws, will gladly follow in the footsteps of our fathers.
[Sidenote: then the lay part of the Church.]
'The clerical and priestly part of the church being thus reformed, we can then with better grace proceed to the reformation of the lay part, which indeed it will be very easy to do, if we ourselves have been reformed first. For the body follows the soul, and as are the rulers in a State such will the people be. Wherefore, if priests themselves, the rulers of souls, were good, the people in their turn would become good also; for our own goodness would teach others how they may be good more clearly than all other kinds of teaching and preaching. Our goodness would urge them on in the right way far more efficaciously than all your suspensions and excommunications. Wherefore, if you wish the lay-people to live according to your will and pleasure, you must first live according to the will of God, and thus (believe me) you will easily attain what you wish in them.
'You want obedience from them. And it is right; for in the Epistle to the Hebrews are these words of Paul to the laity: "Be obedient" (he says) "to your rulers, and be subject to them." But if you desire this obedience, first give reason and cause of obedience on your part, as the same Paul teaches in the following text--"Watch as those that give an account of their souls," and then they will obey you.
'You desire to be honoured by the people. It is right; for Paul writes to Timotheus, "Priests who rule well are worthy of double honour, chiefly those who labour in word and doctrine." Therefore, desiring honour, first rule well, and labour in word and doctrine, and then the people will hold you in all honour.
