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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Church of England cleared from the charge of Schism + Upon Testimonies of Councils and Fathers of the first six centuries + +Author: Thomas William Allies + +Release Date: September 19, 2010 [EBook #33765] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CHURCH OF ENGLAND CLEARED OF SCHISM *** + + + + +Produced by Steven Giacomelli, Keith Edkins and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive/Canadian Libraries) + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<p class="cenhead">THE</p> + +<h1>CHURCH OF ENGLAND</h1> + +<p class="cenhead">CLEARED FROM</p> + +<h2>THE CHARGE OF SCHISM,</h2> + +<p class="cenhead">UPON</p> + +<h3>TESTIMONIES OF COUNCILS</h3> + +<p class="cenhead">AND</p> + +<h3>FATHERS OF THE FIRST SIX CENTURIES.</h3> + +<p class="cenhead">BY</p> + +<h2>THOMAS WILLIAM ALLIES, M. A.</h2> + +<p class="cenhead">RECTOR OF LAUNTON, OXON.</p> + +<h3>LONDON:</h3> + +<h3>JAMES BURNS, 17, PORTMAN STREET,</h3> + +<p class="cenhead">PORTMAN SQUARE.</p> + +<h3>1846.</h3> + + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" /> + +<h3>LONDON:<br /> +R. CLAY, PRINTER, BREAD STREET HILL.</h3> + + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" /> + +<h3>ADVERTISEMENT.</h3> + + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="short" /> + + <p>The writer of the following pages is more and more convinced that the + whole question between the Roman Church and ourselves, as well as the + Eastern Church, turns upon the Papal Supremacy, as at present claimed, + being of divine right or not. <i>If it be</i>, then have we nothing else + to do, on peril of salvation, but submit ourselves to the authority of + Rome: and better it were to do so before we meet the attack, which is + close at hand, of an enemy who bears equal hatred to ourselves and to + Rome; the predicted Lawless One, the Logos, reason, or private judgment + of apostate humanity rising up against the Divine Logos, incarnate in His + Church. <i>If it be not</i>, then may we take courage; for the position + of the Church of England being tenable, all the evils within her pale, + which we are now so deeply feeling, will, by God's blessing, be gradually + overcome. As to practical abuses in her, who will venture to say they are + so great as in the Roman Church of the tenth century, when the First See + was filled successively by the lovers of abandoned women, who made and + deposed Popes at their will? Our cause being good, all that we have to + deplore of actual evil should lead to more earnest intercession, more + continued striving after that love which breathes itself forth in unity, + but should not shake the confidence of any obedient heart in our mother's + title. When the Donatists made the crimes of individuals an excuse for + breaking unity, St. Augustin reminded them, that the crimes of the chaff + do not prejudice the wheat, but that both must grow together till the + Lord of the harvest send forth his angels to make the separation.</p> + + <p>The writer will not conceal that he took up this inquiry for the + purpose of satisfying his own mind. Had he found the Councils and Fathers + of the first six centuries bearing witness <i>to</i> the Roman supremacy, + as at present claimed, instead of <i>against</i> it, he should have felt + bound to obey them. As a Priest of the Church Catholic in England, he + desires to hold, and to the best of his ability will teach, all doctrine + which the undivided Church always held. He finds by reference to those + authorities which could not be deceived, and cannot be adulterated, that + while they unanimously held the Roman primacy, and the patriarchal + system, of which the Roman pontiff stood at the head, they as unanimously + did not hold, nor even contemplate, that supremacy or monarchy which + alone Rome will now accept as the price of her communion. They not only + do not recognise it, but their words and their actions most manifestly + contradict it. This is, in one word, his justification of his mother from + the sin of Schism. If true, it is sufficient: if untrue, he knows of no + other.</p> + + <p>But should any opponent think these pages worthy of a reply, the + writer warns him, at the outset, that he must in fairness discard that + old disingenuous trick of using testimonies of the Fathers to the primacy + of the Roman See in the episcopal and patriarchal system, in order to + prove the full papal supremacy, as now claimed, in a system which is + nearly come to pure monarchy. By this method, because the Fathers + recognise the Bishop of Rome as successor of St. Peter, they are counted + witnesses to that absolute power now claimed by the Roman pontiff, though + they recognise other Bishops, in just the same sense, to be successors of + the holy Apostles; or though they call every Bishop's see the see of + Peter, as the great type and example of the episcopate. What such an one + has to establish in order to justify the Roman Church, and to prove that + the English and the Eastern are in Schism, is, that Roman doctrine, as + stated by Bellarmine, which is really the key-stone of the whole system, + that "Bishops succeed not properly to the Apostles," "for they have no + part of the true apostolic authority," but that "all ordinary + jurisdiction of Bishops descends immediately from the Pope," and that + "the Pope has, full and entire, that power which Christ left on the earth + for the good of the Church."<a name="NtA1" href="#Nt1"><sup>[1]</sup></a> + Let this be proved on the testimony of the first six centuries, and if it + be true, nothing can be more easy than to prove it, as the contradictory + of it is attempted to be proved in the following pages, and all + controversy will be at an end. We claim that it should be proved, for + even De Maistre, who has put forward this theory with the least + compromise, declares, "There is nothing new in the Church, and never will + she believe save what she has always believed."<a name="NtA2" + href="#Nt2"><sup>[2]</sup></a></p> + + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" /> + +<h2>THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND CLEARED FROM<br /> +THE CHARGE OF SCHISM.</h2> + + <p>The course of events, for some time past, has been such as to force + upon the most faithful sons of the Church of England the consideration of + questions which they would rather have left alone, as long ago settled; + for the nature of these questions is such, not to speak of their + intricacy and painfulness, as almost to compel the student to place + himself, as it were, <i>ab extra</i> to that community, which he would + rather regard with the unreasoning and unhesitating instinct of filial + affection. One of these questions, perhaps the first which directly meets + and encounters him, is the charge of Schism brought against the Church of + England on account of the events of the sixteenth century, and her actual + state of separation from the Latin communion, which has been their + result. Time was, and that not long since, when it might have been + thought a sort of treason for one who ministers at the altars of the + Church of England, and receives by her instrumentality the gift of Life, + so much as to entertain the thought, whether there was a flaw in the + commission of his spiritual mother, a flaw which, reducing her to the + condition of a sect, would invalidate his own sonship. And certainly the + treatment of such a question must be most painful to any one, who desires + to be obedient and dutiful, and therefore to be at peace. How can it be + otherwise, when, instead of eating his daily portion of food in his + Father's house, he is called upon to search and inquire whether indeed he + have found that house at all, and be not rather a fugitive or an outcast + from it. Such, however, is the hard necessity which is come upon us. Let + no one imagine that it is our <i>choice</i> to speak on such subjects. We + are in the case of a beleaguered soldier in an enemy's country; he may + not think of peace; he must maintain his post or die; his part is not + aggression, but defence: the matter at issue is the preservation of all + that he holds dear, or extermination. The question of <i>schism</i> is a + question of salvation.</p> + + <p>But over and above the general course of events which forces us to + reconsider this question, circumstances have taken place in the past year + which we may boldly pronounce to be without a parallel in the history of + the Church in England since she became divided from Catholic communion. + Those who have followed with anxious sympathy that great restorative + movement which, for twelve years, has agitated her bosom,—those who + have felt with an ever increasing conviction, as time went on, and the + different parties consolidated and unfolded themselves, that it was at + the bottom a contest for the ancient faith delivered to the saints, for + dogmatic truth, for a visible Church, in whom, as in a great sacrament, + was lodged the presence of the Lord, communicating Himself by a thousand + acts of spiritual efficacy, against the monstrous and shapeless + latitudinarianism of the day; against the unnumbered and even unsuspected + heresies which have infected the whole atmosphere that we breathe; + against, in fine, the individual will of fallen man, under cover of which + the coming Antichrist is marshalling interests the most opposite, and + passions the most contradictory; and further, those not few nor + inconsiderable, we believe, who, by God's grace, owe to the teaching of + <i>one man</i> in particular a debt they never can repay,—the + recovery, perchance, of themselves from some form of error which he has + taught them to discern, or the building them up in a faith whose fair + proportions he first discovered to them,—these will feel with + deeper sorrow than we can express the urgency of the occasion to which we + allude. For how, indeed, could the question, whether the Church of + England is fallen into schism, or be, as from the laver of their + regeneration they have been taught to believe, a member of that one + sacred Body in which Christ incarnate dwells,—how could this + question be so forced upon their minds, as by the fact that her Champion, + whom they had hitherto felt to be invincible, who had seemed her + heaven-sent defender, with the talisman of victory in his hands, of whom + they were even tempted to think</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="i16">Si Pergama dextra</p> + <p>Defendi possent, etiam hac defensa fuissent,</p> + </div> + </div> + + <p>that he, who fighting her battles, never met with his equal, unsubdued + by any foe from without, has surrendered to his own doubts and fears; + self-conquered, has laid down her arms, and has gone over to the camp + opposed. Henceforth she has ranged against her those powers of genius and + that sanctity of life, to which so many of her children looked as to a + certain omen of her Catholicity. They felt that she who bore such + children, must needs be the spouse of God. It is no wonder that many + others, of no mean name among us, and whom we could ill afford to spare, + have had their doubts and disquietudes determined by such a fact as this. + For the first time, I repeat, in the history of the Church of England + have earnest and zealous children of hers, who desired nothing but their + own salvation and the salvation of others, found no rest for the sole of + their feet within her communion. Men who set out with the most + single-minded purpose of defending her cause, nay, of winning back to her + bosom alienated multitudes, of building her up in a beauty and a glory + which she has not yet seen, and one, especially, who has been the soul of + that great movement to restore her,—these have now, after years of + hard fighting spent in her service, quitted her, and proclaim that all + who value their salvation must quit her likewise.</p> + + <p>These are some of the special circumstances which force upon the most + reluctant the question of Schism. It was the privilege of other days to + feed in the quiet pastures of truth. We have to seek the path to Heaven + through the wilderness of controversy, where too often "the highways are + unoccupied, and the travellers walk through byways." But it is a question + which cannot be put off or thrust aside. No instructed Christian, who has + any true faith or love, can bear the thought that he is out of the one + fold of Christ. The question cannot be put off, for it will brood upon + him in his daily devotions and labours; a doubt as to the justice of his + cause will paralyse all his exertions. It cannot be thrust aside; for the + imputation of heresy on another has no tendency to answer the charge of + schism against oneself. It must be met openly, honestly, and without + shrinking. The charge of Schism touches immediately the Christian's + conscience, for this reason, that, if true, it takes away from his + prayers, his motives, his actions, his sufferings, that one quality which + is acceptable to Almighty God. Here it is most true, that "all, which is + not of faith, is sin:" he who does not believe, at least, that he is a + member of the one Church, whatever outward acts he may perform, cannot + please his Judge. In the words of one who himself gave his goods to feed + the poor, and shed his blood for the testimony of Jesus,<a name="NtA3" + href="#Nt3"><sup>[3]</sup></a> "if such men were even killed for + confession of the Christian name, not even by their blood is this stain + washed out. Inexpiable and heavy is the sin of discord, and is purged by + no suffering. He cannot be a martyr who is not in the Church; he can + never attain to the kingdom, who leaves her with whom the kingdom shall + be." "A man of such sort may indeed be killed, crowned he cannot be." + Therefore the charge of Schism, when once brought before the reflecting + mind, cannot be turned aside,—it must be met and answered: if it is + not answered, at least to the conviction of the individual, it leaves + upon the whole of his obedience the stain of insincerity, which is fatal. + In this respect it is more pressing and imperious, more fatal, even than + that of heresy. I observe this, because, in the comments I have seen on + the painful departures of friends from among us, and in exhortations not + to follow them, it has not seemed to be always recognised. When men leave + us on the ground that we are in schism, surely all censure of them, and + all defence of ourselves, is beside the mark, which does not meet and + rebut this particular accusation. Under this no man can rest: it is + useless, it is sinful, to ask him to rest, unless you can remove the + imputation. To talk of "disappointment, or a morbid desire of + distinction, or impatience under deficiencies, want of discipline, or + sympathy in spiritual superiors," and such-like causes, as being those + which have impelled a man to the most painful sacrifices, and "in the + middle of his days to begin life again," is surely both untrue as regards + the individual, and futile as to preventing others doing like him, when + the ground of schism among others is alleged by himself, and is felt to + lie at the bottom. Could we prove that the Church of England is clear + both of enunciating heresy in her formularies, and of allowing it within + her pale, it would in no respect answer this charge of schism against + her, except so far as the <i>à priori</i> presumption, that she who is + clear of the one would be clear of the other also. But it would remain to + be met and answered specifically.</p> + + <p>Moreover, I must confess that this is a point on which I, for one, + cannot write in the spirit of a controversialist. I must state, to the + best of my poor ability, and to the utmost reach of my limited + discernment, not only the truth, but the whole truth. I cannot keep back + points which tell against us. Gibbon charges Thomassin with telling one + half the truth, and Bingham the other half, in their books upon the + ancient discipline of the Church. Whether this be true or not, I cannot, + in my small degree, do likewise. I have found Bishop Beveridge, in his + defence of the 37th Article, quote, in several instances, part of a + paragraph from ancient Fathers, because it told for him, and omit the + other part, because it told against him. And, in considering the celibacy + of the clergy, it is usual to find Protestant writers enlarging on the + fact, that St. Peter was married; and that the Greek Church has always + allowed its parish priests to be married; while they keep out of view + that St. Peter's marriage preceded his call, and that the Eastern Church + never allowed those who were already in holy orders, to marry, but only + to keep those wives which they had taken as laymen. Or again, in + deference to the circumstances of the English Church, writers conceal the + fact, that the whole Church of the East and West, on the authority, as to + the first point, of the express Word of God itself, has never allowed a + person who married twice, or who married a widow, to be in holy orders at + all. I have observed Bingham, when he treats of celibacy, alluding + triumphantly to the biography of St. Cyprian, by Pontius, to prove that + an ancient saint, martyr, and bishop, of the third century, was a married + man; but taking care to leave out the express notice of Pontius, that, + from his conversion, he lived in continence. Those who wish to see on the + Roman side another sort of unfairness alluded to in the Advertisement may + look to the 6th Chapter of the 1st Book of De Maistre, on the Pope, where + they will find a host of quotations to prove the Supremacy, which only + prove at the outside the Primacy; and by far the greater number of them + might be paralleled by like expressions which are addressed to other + bishops, but of which fact no mention is made. They are assumed in a sort + of triumphant strain to prove the point in question, while, to the + student of antiquity, their weakness, or, sometimes, their irrelevancy, + only proves the reverse. This sort of disingenuousness is so common on + both sides, that it may be said to be the besetting sin of + controversialists. If, however, there be any question in which perfect + candour is requisite, it is surely this of schism. Would it not be a most + miserable success to be able to deceive oneself, or others, as to whether + one is or is not within the covenant of salvation? The special pleader in + such a case is surely the most unhappy of all men; for he deprives + himself of the greatest of blessings. He seems to win his cause, while he + most thoroughly loses it; for if a man be indeed out of the ark of + Christ's Church, what benefit can one possibly render him equal to that + of bringing him within it? I write, then, with the strongest sense of + responsibility on this subject, and shall not be deterred from making + admissions, if truth require them, which seem to tell on the other side, + and which have accordingly been shrunk from, or slurred over, by our + defenders in former times.</p> + + <p>And this leads to another consideration. The charge of Schism against + the Church of England is, that by rejecting the Papal authority in the + sixteenth century, she lost the blessing of Catholic communion, and + ceased to belong to that One Body to which salvation is promised. Now, in + such a matter, the Church of England must be judged by principles which + have been, from the first, and are still, recognised by all Christendom. + Whatever obedience we may owe, in virtue of our personal subscription, to + articles or other formularies, drawn up in the sixteenth century, it is + obvious they can decide nothing here. What I mean will be best shown by + an example. Suppose a person were to take the 6th Article, and set upon + it a meaning, not at all uncommon in these days, viz. that the Church of + England therein declares, that Holy Scripture is the sole standard of + faith; and that every man must decide for himself, what is, or is not, + contained in Holy Scripture; and that he, searching Holy Scripture for + the purpose, can find nothing whatever said about the Papal + authority;—it is obvious, that such a mode of arguing would be + utterly inadequate either to terminate controversy, or, one would think, + to quiet any troubled conscience: for whether or no this be the meaning + of the 6th Article, the whole Greek and Latin Church would reject with + horror such propositions as the first two put together, as being + subversive of the very existence of a Church, and of all dogmatic + authority. It is a valid argument enough to an individual to say, You + have signed such and such documents, and are bound by them: but if he is + in doubt whether the documents themselves be tenable, they cannot be + taken to prove themselves. The decision of a province of the Church in + the sixteenth century cannot be quoted to prove that that decision is + right, for it is the very thing called in question. It is the Reformation + itself which is put on trial; it cannot appeal to itself as a witness; it + must be content to bring its cause before a judge, whose authority all + will admit,—and that judge, need we say, must be antiquity, and the + consent of the undivided Church. And the Church of England, it must be + admitted, has not shrunk from this appeal. Her often-quoted canon enjoins + her ministers, in that part of their duty wherein most is left to their + private judgment, "to teach nothing which they wish to be held and + believed religiously by the people, save what is agreeable to the + doctrine of the Old or New Testament, and what the Catholic Fathers and + ancient Bishops, have collected out of that very doctrine." Thus she + spoke in the year 1571. The Church had then passed through fifteen + centuries of a chequered, but superhuman, and most marvellous existence. + Her continuous life implies a continuity of principles, ruling her from + the beginning; and any controversy which affects her well-being, as does + that concerning the integrity or loss of a great member, must be judged + according to those principles. The present position of the Church of + England may be merely a provisional one, I firmly believe that such is + the fact; but if she is to claim the allegiance of her children as a part + of the Catholic Church, it must be proved that such her position is + tenable upon the principles which directed that Church when undivided. In + short, I propose honestly, though briefly, to meet this imputation of + schism by an appeal to the authority of the first six centuries: an + authority, which no Roman Catholic can slight or refuse.</p> + + <p>Let us go back to the first period at which the universal Church, + emerging from the fires of persecution, is found acting as one body. + United, indeed, it had ever been from the day of Pentecost, in charity, + in doctrine, in sacraments, in communion. The Christian people, scattered + throughout the wide precincts of the Roman empire, and speaking its + various tongues, was one in heart and spirit—"A peculiar people," + like none other: the Bread which they ate, and the Cup which they drank, + made them One living Body. But so long as the Church was engaged in a + fierce and unrelenting conflict with the Paganism and despotism of the + empire, she could hardly exhibit to the world her complete outward + organization. So, although in the intervals of persecution, important + provincial councils had been held, and though it was felt to be necessary + for discipline that local synods should take place twice every year, yet + not until the year 325, at the Council of Nicea, does the whole Church + meet in representation; the immediate cause of that assemblage being a + heresy so malignant as to threaten her existence, and which could be + repressed by no less energetic means. That is a strongly marked and + important point in her existence, throwing light upon the centuries + preceding, and establishing irremovable landmarks for those ensuing, at + which we have full means for judging what her constitution and government + were. As the decrees of the 318 Fathers established for ever the true + doctrine concerning the Eternal Son, so do they offer an imperishable and + unambiguous witness concerning the discipline and hierarchy of the + Church. What was schism then, is schism now; what was lawful and + compatible with Christian Sonship and privileges then, is so now. What + then is the view they present us with? We find the Bishops throughout the + whole world recognised, without so much as a doubt, to be the successors + of the Apostles, invested with the plenitude of that royal Priesthood + which the Son of God had set up on the earth in His own Person, and from + that Person had communicated to His chosen disciples, and so possessed of + whatever authority was necessary to govern the Church. Thus spoke a fresh + and unbroken tradition, so universal and so unquestionable that no other + voice was heard beside. Thus the Episcopal power may be safely recognised + as of divine appointment: in truth it is scarcely possible to have + stronger evidence than we have of this. One of the most learned of those + who are opposed to us on the charge of schism, thus sums up the decisions + "of all the Fathers and all the Councils of the first ages." "The Bishop + represents Christ, and stands in his place on earth. As therefore the + Priesthood of Christ embraces all sacerdotal authority and complete power + to feed the flock, so that while we may indeed distinguish and define the + various powers included in that fullness and perfection, yet it is a + great crime to dissever and rend them in any way from each other, just as + we distinguish without dividing the attributes and perfections of the + Godhead itself; so the Episcopate in its own nature contains the fullness + of the Priesthood, and the perfection of the Pastoral office. For Christ + received the perfection of the Priesthood from His Father, when He was + sent by Him. Moreover the perfection of the Priesthood, or both the + Episcopal powers, (<i>i.e.</i> the Sacerdotal and the Pastoral,) He gave + at once to His Apostles when he sent them as He himself was sent by the + Father. Lastly, that same perfection they transmitted to Bishops, sending + them as they themselves were sent by Christ." "Whence Bishops are Fathers + by the most noble participation of divine Fathership which is on earth; + so that here that expression of Paul is true—'From whom every + Fathership in heaven and earth is named.' For no greater Fathership is + there on the earth than the Apostolical and the Episcopal." + <i>Thomassin</i>, Part I. Liv. i. ch. 2.</p> + + <p>And, viewed in itself, this power was sovereign and independent in + every individual Bishop, who was the spouse of the Church, the successor + of the Apostles, and of Peter, the centre of unity; able, moreover, to + communicate this authority to others, and to become the source of a long + line of spiritual descendants. But was this power in practice exercised + in so unmodified a form? Would there not have been not only imminent + danger, but almost certainty, that a power unlimited in its nature, + committed to so large a body of men, who might become indefinitely more + numerous, yet were each independent centres of authority, instead of + tending to unity would produce diversity? Accordingly we find, together + with the apostolical authority, admitted to be lodged in the Episcopal + body in general, a preponderating influence exercised by certain sees, + viz. by Rome in the West, and by Alexandria and Antioch in the East. + Under these leading Bishops are a great number of metropolitans; and + others, again, like the Bishops of Cyprus, have their own metropolitan, + but are not subordinate to either of the three great sees. Next to these, + rank the Bishops of Ephesus, Cesarea, and Heraclea, who preside + respectively over the provinces of Asia, Cappadocia, and Thrace, and were + afterwards called Exarchs. And the source of this preponderating + influence is to be traced to the fact that the Apostles laid hold of the + principal cities, and founded Churches in them, which became centres of + light to their several provinces, and naturally exercised a parental + authority over their children. The three great Bishops, though not yet + called Patriarchs, or even Archbishops, seem to have exercised all the + power of Patriarchs. No general Council would be binding without their + presence in person, or by deputy, or their subsequent ratification. + Moreover, among these, the Bishop of Rome, as successor of St. Peter, has + a decided preeminence. What the extent of that preeminence was, had not + yet been defined; but it is very apparent, and acknowledged in the East + as well as in the West. It does not seem, indeed, that his authority + differed in <i>kind</i>, but only in <i>degree</i>, from that of his + brethren, especially those of Alexandria and Antioch. The Apostolical + Canons, more ancient than the Council of Nice, and representing the whole + East, say:—"The Bishops of every nation must acknowledge him who is + first among them, and account him as their head, and do nothing of + consequence without his consent; but each may do those things only which + concern his own parish, (<i>i.e.</i> diocese,) and the country places + which belong to it. But neither let him (who is the first) do anything + without the consent of all, for so there will be unanimity, and God will + be glorified through the Lord Jesus Christ." Canon 34. The Council of + Nicea mentions the sees of Alexandria, Antioch, and Rome in precisely + similar terms:—"Let the ancient customs be maintained, which are in + Egypt and Libya, and Pentapolis; according to which the Bishop of + Alexandria has authority over all those places. For this is also + customary to the Bishop of Rome. In like manner in Antioch, and in the + other provinces, the privileges are to be preserved to the Churches." + Canon 6. That is, as it would seem, let the Bishop of Alexandria have the + power to consecrate Bishops in the three provinces of his Patriarchate, + for the Bishop of Rome does the same in his, <i>i.e.</i> in the + suburbicarian provinces, or in Italy, south of the province of Milan, and + in Sicily. This precedence or prerogative of Rome, to whatever extent it + reached, was certainly, notwithstanding the famous 28th Canon of + Chalcedon, not either claimed or granted merely because Rome was the + imperial city. It was explicitly claimed by the Bishop of Rome himself, + and as freely conceded by others to him, as in a special sense successor + of St. Peter. From the earliest times that the Church comes before us as + an organized body, the germ at least of this preeminence is observable. + From the very first, the Roman Pontiff seems possessed himself, as from a + living tradition which had thoroughly penetrated the local Roman Church, + with a consciousness of some peculiar influence he was to exercise on the + whole Church. This consciousness does not show itself here and there in + the line of Roman Pontiffs, but one and all, whatever their individual + characters might be, seem to have imbibed it from the atmosphere which + they breathed. St. Victor, and St. Stephen, St. Innocent, St. Leo the + Great, and St. Gregory, are quite of one mind here. That they were the + successors of St. Peter, who himself sat and ruled and spoke in their + person, was as strongly felt, and as consistently declared, by those + Pontiffs who preceded the time of Constantine, and who had continually to + pay with their blood the price of that high preeminence, as by those who + followed the conversion of the empire, when the honour of their post was + not accompanied by so much danger. We are speaking now, be it remembered, + of the feeling <i>which possessed them</i>. The feeling of their brother + Bishops concerning them may have been less definite, as was natural: but, + at least, even those who most opposed any arbitrary stretch of authority + on their part, as St. Cyprian, fully admitted that they sat in the See of + Peter, and ordinarily treated them with the greatest deference. This is + written so very legibly upon the records of antiquity, that I am + persuaded any one, who is even very slightly acquainted with them, cannot + with sincerity dispute it. I cannot think Mr. Newman has the least + overstated the fact when he says, "Faint they (the ante-Nicene + Testimonies to the authority of the Holy See) may be one by one, but at + least they are various, and are drawn from many times and countries, and + thereby serve to illustrate each other, and form a body of proof. Thus, + St. Clement, in the name of the Church of Rome, writes a letter to the + Corinthians, when they were without a Bishop. St. Ignatius, of Antioch, + addresses the Roman Church, and it only out of the Churches to which he + writes, as 'the Church which has the first seat in the place of the + country of the Romans.' St. Polycarp, of Smyrna, betakes himself to the + Bishop of Rome on the question of Easter;" (but the Pope, St. Anicetus, + and he, not being able to agree as to the rule of keeping Easter, agreed + to retain their several customs; a fact which is as much opposed to the + present notion of the Roman Supremacy, as any fact can well be.) "The + heretic, Marcion, excommunicated in Pontus, betakes himself to Rome. + Soter, Bishop of Rome, sends alms, according to the custom of his Church, + to the Churches throughout the empire, and, in the words of Eusebius, + 'affectionately exhorted those who came to Rome, as a father his + children.' The Montanists, from Phrygia, come to Rome to gain the + countenance of its Bishop. Praxeas, from Africa, attempts the like, and + for a while is successful. St. Victor, Bishop of Rome, threatens to + excommunicate the Asian Churches. St. Irenæus speaks of Rome, as 'the + greatest Church, the most ancient, the most conspicuous, and founded and + established by Peter and Paul,' appeals to its tradition, not in + contrast, indeed, but in preference to that of other Churches, and + declares that 'in this Church every Church—that is, the faithful + from every side, must meet,' or 'agree together, <i>propter potiorem + principalitatem</i>.' 'O Church, happy in its position,' says Tertullian, + 'into which the Apostles poured out, together with their blood, their + whole doctrine.' The Presbyters of St. Dionysius, Bishop of Alexandria, + complain of his doctrine to St. Dionysius, of Rome; the latter + expostulates with him, and he explains. The Emperor Aurelian leaves 'to + the Bishops of Italy and of Rome' the decision, whether or not Paul, of + Samosata, shall be dispossessed of the see-house at Antioch. St. Cyprian + speaks of Rome as 'the See of Peter, and the principal Church, whence the + unity of the Priesthood took its rise, ... whose faith has been commended + by the Apostles, to whom faithlessness can have no access.' St. Stephen + refuses to receive St. Cyprian's deputation, and separates himself from + various Churches of the East. Fortunatus and Felix, deposed by St. + Cyprian, have recourse to Rome. Basilides, deposed in Spain, betakes + himself to Rome, and gains the ear of St. Stephen."<a name="NtA4" + href="#Nt4"><sup>[4]</sup></a></p> + + <p>It must be observed that the <i>extent</i> of this authority, in the + Chief See, has not been defined; but, whatever it was, it did not + interfere with the divine right of the Bishops to govern each in his own + diocese. They derived their authority by transmission from the Apostles, + as the Bishop of Rome from St. Peter; the one was as much recognised as + the other. They were not his <i>delegates</i>, but his <i>brethren</i>. + Frater and Co-episcopus <i>they style him</i>, as he styles them, for + hundreds of years after the Council of Nicea; owing him, indeed, and + willingly rendering him the greatest deference, but never so much as + imagining that their authority was derived from him. This fact, too, lies + upon the face of all antiquity, and is almost too notorious to need + proof. If, however, any be wanted, it is found in the names which Bishops + bore both then, and for a long time afterwards, and in their mode of + election and their jurisdiction. For their names: "It must first be + confessed," says a very learned Roman Catholic, who, in his humility, + shrunk from the Cardinalate offered to him for his services to the papal + see, "that the name of Pope, of Apostle, of Apostolic Prelate, of + Apostolic See, was still common to all Bishops, even during the three + centuries which elapsed from the reign of Clovis to the empire of + Charlemagne;" and he adds presently: "These august names are not like + those vain and superficial titles with which the pride of men feeds + itself; they are the solid marks of a power entirely from Heaven, and of + a holiness altogether Divine."<a name="NtA5" + href="#Nt5"><sup>[5]</sup></a> Indeed, the view which every where + prevailed was that so admirably expressed by St. Cyprian: "Episcopatus + unus est, cujus a singulis in solidum pars tenetur."<a name="NtA6" + href="#Nt6"><sup>[6]</sup></a> "The Episcopate is one; it is a whole in + which each enjoys full possession." St. Isidore, of Seville, says: "Since + also the other Apostles received a like fellowship of honour and power + with Peter, who also were scattered throughout the whole world, and + preached the Gospel; whom, at their departure, the Bishops succeeded, who + are established throughout the whole world in the seats of the + Apostles."<a name="NtA7" href="#Nt7"><sup>[7]</sup></a> But Pope + Symmachus (<span class="scac">A.D.</span> 498-514) has expressed the + equality and unity of the Episcopate and Apostolate between the Pope and + all Bishops, by the highest and most sacred similitude which it is + possible to conceive. "For inasmuch as after the likeness of the Trinity, + whose power is one and indivisible, the priesthood is one in the hands of + various prelates, how suits it that the statutes of the more ancient be + broken by their successors?"<a name="NtA8" href="#Nt8"><sup>[8]</sup></a> + We are told by the same author: "Pope Hormisdas (<span + class="scac">A.D.</span> 514-523) prescribed, and all the Bishops of the + east subscribed, after the Patriarch John of Constantinople, a formulary + of faith and of Catholic Communion, where, among other remarkable points, + this is worthy of particular attention:—that as all Churches make + but one Church, so all the thrones of the Apostolate, and all the Sees of + the Episcopate, spread through all the earth, are but one apostolic see, + inseparable from the see of Peter." This is the view of St. Augustin, + expressed again and again in his writings, especially when he is + explaining those remarkable words of our Lord to St. Peter, on which + Roman Catholics ground the <i>scriptural</i> proof of his Primacy. "For + it is evident that Peter, in many places of the Scriptures, represents + the Church, (<i>personam gestet Ecclesiæ</i>) chiefly in that place where + it is said, 'I give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of Heaven. + Whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth, shall be bound in Heaven: and + whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in Heaven.' What! + did Peter receive those keys, and Paul not receive them? Did Peter + receive them, and John and James not receive them, and the rest of the + Apostles? Or are not those keys in the Church, where sins are daily + remitted? But since in meaning hinted, but not expressed, (<i>in + significatione</i>), Peter was representing the Church, what was given to + him singly, was given to the Church. So, then, Peter bore the figure of + the Church: the Church is the body of Christ."<a name="NtA9" + href="#Nt9"><sup>[9]</sup></a> So St. Chrysostom: "But when I speak of + Paul, I mean not only him, but also Peter, and James, and John, and all + their choir. For as in a lyre there are different strings, but one + harmony, so, too, in the choir of the Apostles, there were different + persons, but one teaching; since one, too, was the Musician, even the + Holy Spirit, who moved their souls. And Paul signifying this, said: + 'Whether, therefore, it were they or I, so we preach.'"<a name="NtA10" + href="#Nt10"><sup>[10]</sup></a> How little, on the one hand, the + pre-eminence of St. Peter's see derogated from the apostolicity of other + Bishops, or, on the other hand, their distinct descent and jurisdiction + hindered them from paying due deference to the Chief See, is apparent + likewise in these words of St. Jerome: "But, you say, the Church is + founded upon Peter; although, in another place, this self-same thing + takes place upon all the Apostles, and all receive the keys of the + kingdom of Heaven, <i>and the strength of the Church is consolidated + equally upon them</i>: nevertheless, for this reason, out of the twelve + one is selected, that, by the appointment of a head, the occasion of + Schism may be taken away."<a name="NtA11" + href="#Nt11"><sup>[11]</sup></a> Thomassin doubts whether at the Council + of Nicea, or even at that of Antioch, sixteen years afterwards, the name + even of Archbishop was yet in use; the highest title used in those two + Councils being that of Metropolitan. St. Epiphanius quotes a letter of + Arius to Alexander, of Alexandria, in which he only gives him the quality + of Pope and Bishop, but nowhere that of Archbishop.</p> + + <p>So much for the equality of the names of Bishops in the fourth + century, which recognises the essential equality and unity of their + office. The laws in force respecting their consecration and jurisdiction + are as decisive. Every Bishop, after being elected by the Clergy and + people, and the assembled provincial Bishops, was consecrated by the + Metropolitan of his province, except, indeed, in the Patriarchate of + Alexandria, where the Primate, as we have seen, and not the Metropolitans + under him, consecrated all Bishops. Where a Metropolitan had no immediate + superior, in case of a vacancy, the Bishops of his own province + consecrated him, as in the case of Carthage. Whatever might be the + particular privileges of Patriarchs and Metropolitans, as a general rule, + no one Bishop had direct jurisdiction in the diocese of another. The + Bishops of the great sees, specially Rome, Alexandria, and Antioch, + announced their accession to each other, together with a profession of + the orthodox faith. But as for any jurisdiction emanating from Rome to + the great Bishops of the east, such a thing was never even imagined. Let + us even rest the whole question on this important point, for it is + absolutely necessary to the Papal theory; and I do not think any vestige + of such a doctrine can be found in the first six centuries. At least, let + it be shown; for, to assert it in the face of Canons which imply a system + the very reverse of it, is merely begging the whole question. That in + cases of difficulty, or disputed succession, or heresy, or schism, the + voice of the Bishop of Rome would have great weight, is, indeed, + indisputable. When the ship of the Church was in distress, whom should we + expect to see at the rudder but St. Peter? Thus St. Jerome, himself + baptized at Rome, naturally looks to Rome in this difficulty. Mr. Newman + says:<a name="NtA12" href="#Nt12"><sup>[12]</sup></a> "The divisions at + Antioch had thrown the Catholic Church into a remarkable position; there + were two Bishops in the see, one in connexion with the East, and the + other with Egypt and the West,—with which, then, was Catholic + Communion? St. Jerome has no doubt upon the subject. Writing to St. + Damasus, he says: 'Since the East tears into pieces the Lord's coat, + <i>and foxes lay waste the vineyard of Christ, so that among broken + cisterns, which hold no water, it is difficult to understand where the + sealed fountain and the garden inclosed is</i>, therefore by me is the + chair of St. Peter to be consulted, and that faith which is praised by + the Apostle's mouth, <i>thence now seeking food for my soul where of old + I received the robe of Christ. Whilst the bad children have wasted their + goods, the inheritance of the Fathers is preserved uncorrupt among you + alone. There the earth from its fertile bosom returns the pure seed of + the Lord a hundred fold: here the grain buried in the furrows degenerates + into darnell and tares. At present the Sun of Righteousness rises in the + West; but in the East that fallen Lucifer hath placed his throne. You are + the light of the world: you the salt of the earth: you the vessels of + gold and silver: but here the vessels of earth or wood await the iron rod + and the eternal flame.' Therefore</i>, though your greatness terrifies + me, yet your kindness invites me. From the Priest the sacrifice claims + salvation; from the Shepherd the sheep claims protection. Let us speak + without offence: I court not the Roman height: I speak with the successor + of the Fisherman, and the disciple of the Cross. I, who follow none as my + chief but Christ, am associated in communion with thy blessedness; that + is, with the See of Peter. On that rock the Church is built I know. Whoso + shall eat the Lamb outside that house is profane.... <a + name="quot26"></a>I know not Vitalis (the Apollinarian); Meletius I + reject; I am ignorant of Paulinus. Whoso gathereth not with thee, + scattereth; that is, he who is not of Christ is of Antichrist."<a + name="NtA13" href="#Nt13"><sup>[13]</sup></a></p> + + <p>Considering all the circumstances of the case, no one can wonder at + St. Jerome's application. When it is remembered that the Roman See, up to + that time, had been free from all suspicion of heresy, and that the Arian + controversy was the one in question, and that he himself, of full + manhood, had been baptized, and had lived at Rome, the force of his + language is hardly surprising. His words certainly prove, what, I + suppose, no student of antiquity can doubt, the Primacy of the Roman See: + but could there be a greater unfairness than to apply their bare letter + to a state of things totally changed? or to consider expressions proving + the <i>primacy</i> of Rome, as claimed in the fourth century, to prove + equally a <i>supremacy</i> as claimed in the nineteenth, which is as + different from the former as one thing can well be from another. This + very St. Meletius, a man of pre-eminent sanctity of life, the ordainer of + St. Chrysostom, dies, it would appear, out of communion with Rome, and + has ever been accounted a saint in the Western as well as in the Eastern + Church.</p> + + <p>But to recur to the point of jurisdiction at the time of the Nicene + Council. It is beyond question, both from the acts of that Council, and + from the Apostolic Canons, which represent the Eastern Church in the + second and third centuries, that, whatever the pre-eminence of Rome might + consist in, there was no claim whatever to confer jurisdiction on Bishops + out of the Roman Patriarchate, then comprising Italy, south of Milan, and + Sicily. Even differences, any where arising, were to be settled in + Provincial Councils. "It is necessary to know, that, up to the Council of + Nicea, all ecclesiastical affairs had been terminated in the Councils of + each Province; and there had been but very few occasions in which it had + been necessary to convoke an assembly of several Provinces. The Council + of Nicea, even, only speaks of Provincial Councils, and orders that all + things should be settled therein."<a name="NtA14" + href="#Nt14"><sup>[14]</sup></a> The testimony and conduct of St. Cyprian + will illustrate the Roman Primacy, to which Mr. Newman claims him as a + witness. And such he is beyond doubt. In his fifty-fifth letter, which + begins, "Cyprian to his brother Cornelius, greeting;" he complains + bitterly to that Pope that Felicissimus and his party "dare to set sail, + and to carry a letter from schismatical and profane persons to the see of + Peter, and to the principal Church, whence the unity of the priesthood + took its rise; nor consider that they are the Romans whose faith had been + praised by the preaching of the Apostle, to whom faithlessness can have + no access." This Mr. Newman considers a pretty strong testimony in his + "cumulative argument" for the authority of Rome. It would be as well, + however, to go on a little further, and see what was the cause of St. + Cyprian's vehement indignation. It was, that Felicissimus ventured <i>to + appeal to Pope Cornelius</i>, when his cause had already been heard and + settled by St. Cyprian, at Carthage. "But what was the cause of their + coming and announcing that a Pseudo-Bishop had been made against the + Bishops? For, either they are satisfied with what they have done, and + persevere in their crime, or, if they are dissatisfied, and give way, + they know whither they may return. For, since it has been determined by + all of us, and is both equitable and just, that the cause of every one be + heard there where the crime has been committed, and <i>to every shepherd + a portion of the flock is allotted, which each one rules and governs, as + he is to give an account of his doings to the Lord</i>, it is certainly + behoving that those over whom we preside should not run about, nor break + the close harmony of Bishops with their deceitful and fallacious + rashness, but should plead their cause where they may find both accusers + and witnesses of their crime; <i>unless to a few desperate and abandoned + men the authority of the Bishops seated in Africa seem less</i>, who have + already judged concerning them, and have lately condemned, by the weight + of their sentence, their conscience, bound by many snares of crimes. + Their cause has been already heard, their sentence already pronounced; + nor is it becoming to the judgment of priests to be reprehended by the + levity of a fickle and inconstant mind, when the Lord teaches and says, + 'Let your conversation be yea, yea; nay, nay.'" Let any candid person + say, whether he who so wrote to one whom he acknowledged as the successor + of St. Peter, could have imagined that there was a Divine right in that + successor to re-hear not only this, but all other causes; to reverse all + previous judgments of his Brethren by his single authority; nay, more, to + confer on all those Brethren their jurisdiction "by the grace of the + Apostolic See."<a name="NtA15" href="#Nt15"><sup>[15]</sup></a></p> + + <p>Another letter of St. Cyprian to another Pope, St. Stephen, will set + forth both his view of the Primacy, and of the Episcopal relation to it. + He wishes St. Stephen to write a letter to the people of Arles, by which + their actual Bishop Marcian, who had joined himself to the schismatic + Novatian, might be excommunicated, and another substituted for him. This + alone shows how great the authority of the Bishop of Rome in such an + emergency was. But the tone of his language is worth considering. It is + just such incidents as these which are made use of by Roman Catholic + controversialists in late times to justify the full extent of Papal power + now claimed.<a name="NtA16" href="#Nt16"><sup>[16]</sup></a> "Cyprian to + his brother Stephen, greeting. Faustinus, our colleague at Lyons, dearest + brother, hath more than once written to me, signifying what I know has + certainly been reported to you also, both by him, and by the rest of our + brother-Bishops, in that province, that Marcian of Arles, has joined + himself to Novatian, and has departed from the unity of the Catholic + Church, and from the agreement of our body and priesthood.... This matter + it is our duty to provide against and remedy, most dear brother, we, who + considering the Divine clemency, and holding the balance of the Church's + government, so exhibit to sinners our vigorous censure as not to deny the + medicine of Divine goodness and mercy to the restoration of the fallen + and the healing of the wounded. Wherefore it behoves you to write a very + explicit letter to our fellow Bishops in the Gauls, that they may not any + longer suffer our order (<i>collegio nostro</i>) to be insulted by + Marcian, obstinate, haughty, the enemy both of piety to God, and of his + brethren's salvation.... For, therefore, most dear brother, is the + numerous body of priests joined together in mutual concord, and the bond + of unity, that <i>if any one of our order</i> attempt to make a heresy, + and to sever and lay waste the flock of Christ, the rest may fly to the + rescue, and, like useful and merciful shepherds, collect the Lord's sheep + into a flock.... For, although we are many shepherds, yet we feed one + flock; and we ought to collect and cherish all those sheep which Christ + sought with His own blood and passion.... For we must preserve the + glorious honour <i>of our predecessors</i>, the blessed Martyrs, + Cornelius and Lucius," (the last Popes,) "whose memory we indeed honour, + but which you much more, most dear brother, who are become their + successor, ought to distinguish and preserve by your weight and + authority. For they being full of the spirit of God, and made glorious + martyrs, determined that reconciliation was to be granted to the lapsed, + and set down in their letters, that, after a course of penitence, the + advantage of communion and peace was not to be refused them. <i>Which + thing we all have everywhere entirely determined.</i> For there could not + be in us a difference of judgment in whom there is One Spirit." Now, + might it not be stated, that St. Cyprian wrote to Pope Stephen, to + request him to depose Marcian, Bishop of Arles? But how much is the + inference from this fact modified by the language of Cyprian himself? It + is just such a letter as an Eastern Primate would have written to the + Patriarch of Alexandria, or of Antioch, to request his interference at a + dangerous juncture. It bears witness, not to the present Papal, but to + the Patriarchal, system. It tallies exactly with the spirit of him who + wrote elsewhere, to the lapsed, "Our Lord, whose precepts and warnings we + are bound to observe, regulating the honour of the Bishop, and the + constitution of his Church, speaks in the Gospel, and says to Peter, 'I + say unto thee that thou art Peter,' &c. Thence, according to the + change of times and successions, the ordination of Bishops and the + constitution of the Church has descended, <i>so that the Church is + established upon the Bishops, and every act of the Church is directed by + the same, its governors</i>. This being established by Divine law,"<a + name="NtA17" href="#Nt17"><sup>[17]</sup></a> &c. It is evident that, + if the see of Peter, so often referred to by St. Cyprian, means the local + see of Rome, it also means the see of every Bishop who holds that office, + whereof Peter is the great type, example, and source.</p> + + <p>But it was reserved for a more celebrated controversy, fully to bring + out St. Cyprian's view of the relation of the Bishop of Rome to the rest + of the Episcopal body: I mean, of course, the controversy whether + heretics should be admitted into the Church by rebaptization or by the + imposition of hands. I most fully believe, be it observed, that Cyprian + acknowledged the Roman Primacy, that he admitted certain high + prerogatives to be lodged in the Roman Pontiff, as St. Peter's successor, + which did not belong to any other Bishop. It is this very thing which + makes his conduct the more remarkable. He took a very strong view on one + side of the controversy in question: and St. Stephen took an equally + strong one on the other. St. Stephen, we all know, turned out to be + right. That fervent Pontiff, it may be remarked, when St. Cyprian would + not give up his view, seemed inclined to treat him much as St. Gregory + the Seventh did a refractory Emperor, or St. Innocent the Third, the + dastard tyrant John. This may be very satisfactory to the modern + defenders of Papal omnipotence, but St. Cyprian's conduct is not so at + all. St. Cyprian called a Council of Bishops of the provinces of Carthage + and Numidia; they attended to the number of seventy-one, and decided that + heretics should be rebaptized. St. Cyprian informs the Pope of the + decision of himself and his colleagues. After saying that they had found + it necessary to hold a council, he proceeds—<a name="NtA18" + href="#Nt18"><sup>[18]</sup></a>"But I thought I ought to write to you + and confer with your gravity and wisdom concerning that especially which + most belongs to the authority of the priesthood, and to the unity alike + and dignity of the Catholic Church derived from the ordering of a Divine + disposition.... This, most dear Brother, we have brought to your + knowledge on account both of the honour we share with you, and of our + single-hearted affection, believing that what is both religious and true + is acceptable to you also according to your true religion and faith. But + we know that some are unwilling to give up an opinion they have once + imbibed, nor easily change their mind; but, without interruption to the + bonds of peace and concord with their colleagues, retain certain + peculiarities which have once grown into usage among themselves." (Such + is the manner in which St. Cyprian mentions a judgment deliberately + expressed by a Pope on a matter of high discipline, which involved a + point of faith.) "In which matter we too do violence and give the law to + no one, inasmuch as <i>every Bishop has the free choice of his own will + in the administration of the Church, as he will give an account of his + acts to the Lord</i>." St. Stephen received this decision of the African + Council so ill, that he would not even see the Bishops who brought it, + nor allow the faithful to offer them common hospitality. So important in + his eyes was the matter in dispute. St. Cyprian reports his answer in a + letter to his Brother-Bishop Pompeius, in which he says, <a name="NtA19" + href="#Nt19"><sup>[19]</sup></a>"Although we have fully embraced all that + is to be said concerning the baptizing of heretics, in the letters of + which we have sent to you copies, most dear Brother, yet, because you + desired to be informed what answer our Brother Stephen sent me to our + letters, I send you a copy of his rescript, after reading which you will + more and more mark his error, who attempts to assert the cause of + heretics against Christians and against the Church of God. For amongst + other either proud or impertinent or inconsistent remarks, which he has + written rashly and improvidently, &c.... But what blindness of mind + is it, what perverseness to refuse to recognise the unity of the faith + coming from God the Father and the tradition of Jesus Christ our Lord and + God.... But since no heresy at all, nor indeed any schism, can possess + outside (the Body) the sanctification of saving baptism, why has the + harsh obstinacy of our Brother Stephen burst forth to such a degree?" + &c.... "Does he give honour to God, who, the friend of heretics and + the enemy of Christians, deems the priests of God, maintaining the truth + of Christ and the unity of the Church, worthy of excommunication?" St. + Stephen had inflicted this on the African prelates, until they should + give up their judgment on the point in question.... "Nor ought the + custom, which has crept in <i>among certain persons</i>, to hinder truth + from prevailing and conquering. For custom without truth is but old + error."... "But it is hurried away by presumption and contumacy that a + person rather defends his own perverseness and falsity than accedes to + the right and truth of another. Which thing the blessed apostle Paul + foreseeing, writes to Timothy and warns, that a Bishop must not be + quarrelsome, nor contentious, but gentle and teachable. Now he is + teachable, who is mild and gentle to learn patiently. For a Bishop ought + not only to teach, but also to learn, because he teaches better who daily + improves and profits by learning better." Even as we copy this language + used concerning a Pope by a great Bishop and Martyr of the third century, + who elsewhere writes, <a name="NtA20" + href="#Nt20"><sup>[20]</sup></a>"That our Lord built His Church upon + Peter alone, and though He gave to all the apostles an equal power, yet + in order to manifest unity He has by His own authority so placed the + source of the same unity as to begin from one;" we feel the contrast to + be almost overpowering with the tone in which the first Patriarch of the + Latin Church, however good his cause might be, would now venture to + address the Supreme Pontiff. Towards the conclusion of this letter he + says, instead of admitting that the Pope's judgment terminated the + matter—"This now the priests of God ought to do, preserving the + Divine precepts, so that if in anything truth has been shaken and + tottered, we may return to the fountain-head of the Lord, and to the + evangelical and apostolical tradition, and that the rule of our acting + may spring thence, whence its order and origin arose."</p> + + <p>After receiving the Pope's rescript, and his excommunication, St. + Cyprian convoked another Council of the three provinces of Africa, + Numidia, and Mauritania, which was held at Carthage on the 1st of Sept. + 256. It was attended by eighty-five Bishops, among whom were fifteen + Confessors, beside Priests and Deacons, and a great part of the people. + St. Cyprian opened it, observing: "It remains for us each to deliver our + sentiments on this matter, judging no one, nor removing any one, if he be + of a different opinion, from the right of Communion. <i>For no one of us + sets himself up to be a Bishop of Bishops, or by fear of his tyranny + compels his colleagues to the necessity of obedience, since every Bishop + according to his recognised liberty and power possesses a free choice, + and can no more be judged by another than he himself can judge another. + But let us all await the judgment of our Lord Jesus Christ, who singly + and alone has the power both of setting us up in the government of His + Church, and of judging our proceedings.</i>"<a name="NtA21" + href="#Nt21"><sup>[21]</sup></a> The Bishops delivered their judgments + <i>seriatim</i>, finishing with St. Cyprian, and unanimously ratified + what they had agreed upon before, that heretics should be admitted into + the Church by baptism, and not merely by the imposition of hands: and + thus an African Council of the third century treated a judgment of the + Pope, and his sentence of excommunication until they altered their + practice.</p> + + <p>But these last words of St. Cyprian are so remarkable in themselves, + and have such a bearing on the present Papal claims, that they deserve + further notice. Now, lest we should imagine that St. Cyprian was hurried + away by the ardour of his defence of a favourite doctrine, and his sense + of the Pope's severity, into unjustifiable expressions concerning the + rights of Bishops, it so happens that we possess the comment of the + greatest of the Fathers on these very words. St. Augustin, writing 140 + years after, and fully agreeing with the judgment of Pope Stephen, as had + the whole Church finally, quotes the whole passage. "'It remains for us + each to deliver our sentiments on this matter, judging no one, nor + removing any one, if he be of a different opinion, from the right of + communion.'<a name="NtA22" href="#Nt22"><sup>[22]</sup></a> There he not + only permits me without loss of communion further to seek the truth, but + even to be of a different judgment. 'For no one of us,' saith he, 'sets + himself up to be a Bishop of Bishops, or by fear of his tyranny compels + his colleagues to the necessity of obedience.' What can be more gentle? + What more humble? Certainly no authority deters us from seeking what is + the truth: 'since,' he says, 'every Bishop according to his recognised + liberty and power possesses a free choice, and can no more be judged by + another than he himself can judge another:' certainly, I imagine, in + those questions which have not yet been thoroughly and completely + settled. For he knew how great and mysterious a sacrament the whole + Church was then with various reasonings considering, and he left open a + freedom of inquiry, that the truth might by search be laid open.... I + cannot by any means be induced to believe that Cyprian, a Catholic + Bishop, a Catholic Martyr, and the greater he was the more in every + respect humbling himself, that he might find grace before God, did, + especially in a holy Council of his colleagues, utter with his mouth + other than what he carried in his heart, particularly as he + adds—'But let us all await the judgment of our Lord Jesus Christ, + who singly and alone has the power both of setting us up in the + government of His Church, and of judging our proceedings.' Under appeal + then to so great a judgment, expecting to hear the truth from his + colleagues, should he offer them the first example of falsehood? God + avert such a madness from any Christian, how much more from Cyprian. We + possess then a free power of inquiry, admitted us by Cyprian's own most + gentle and true language."</p> + + <p>Who can conclude otherwise than that St. Augustin in the year 400, as + St. Cyprian in the year 256, was utterly ignorant of any such power as is + now claimed for the See of Rome, under cover of that original Primacy to + which both these great saints have borne indubitable witness? For the + words of St. Cyprian, attested and approved by St. Augustin, contain the + most explicit denial of that power lodged in the see of Rome as distinct + from an Œcumenical Council, by which alone, if at all, the Church + of England has been declared schismatical and excommunicate.</p> + + <p>These are Bishops of the West speaking, but the East also must give + its voice. St. Dionysius of Alexandria, and many other Eastern Prelates, + among the rest Firmilian, Metropolitan of Cesarea, in Cappadocia, + supported St. Cyprian on the question of rebaptization. The latter had + been informed of St. Stephen's strong judgment and decided proceedings in + the matter, who had threatened to separate the Bishops of the East also + from his communion, if they did not comply with his rule. Firmilian wrote + a long letter to Cyprian, which contains very remarkable expressions. He + alludes in it more than once to the Primacy of St. Peter, and to that of + Stephen as descending from him. <a name="NtA23" + href="#Nt23"><sup>[23]</sup></a>"But what is the error, and how great the + blindness of him (<i>i.e.</i> the Pope) who says, remission of sins can + be given in the meetings of heretics, nor remains in the foundation of + the one Church which was once fixed by Christ upon the rock, may be hence + understood, because to Peter alone Christ said, Whatsoever thou shalt + bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatsoever thou shalt loose + on earth shall be loosed in heaven; and again, in the Gospel, when on the + Apostles alone Christ breathed and said, Receive the Holy Ghost: whose + sins ye remit they are remitted, and whose ye retain, they are retained. + <i>Therefore the power of remitting sins was given to the Apostles and + the Churches which they, being sent by Christ, set up, and to the Bishops + who have succeeded them by ordination in their stead</i>.... And here I + am justly indignant at this so open and manifest folly of Stephen, + because, glorying as he does in the rank of his Episcopate, and + maintaining that he holds the succession of Peter, upon whom the + foundations of the Church were laid, he introduces many other rocks, and + sets up new buildings of many Churches, while he affirms, on his own + authority, that Baptism is in them.... Nor does he perceive that the + truth of the Christian rock is clouded over by him, and in a manner + abolished, who thus betrays and deserts unity.... You Africans can say + against Stephen, that, when the truth became known to you, you + relinquished an erroneous custom. But we join custom also to truth, and + to the custom of the Romans oppose a custom indeed, but that of truth, + holding from the beginning this which has been delivered down from + Christ, and from the Apostles." He had said before, "One may know that + those who are at Rome do not in all things observe what has been + delivered down from the beginning, and vainly allege the authority of the + Apostles, even by this, that in celebrating Easter, and in many other + sacred rites, one may see there is among them certain variations; nor are + all things there kept as they are kept at Jerusalem; just as in very many + other provinces also, according to the diversity of places and names, + there are variations; nor yet on this account have the peace and unity of + the Catholic Church ever been departed from. Which now Stephen has dared + to do, breaking peace towards you, which his predecessors always kept + with you, in reciprocal love and honour; casting, too, shameful reproach + (infamans) on the blessed Apostles, Peter and Paul, as if they had handed + this down, &c." The letter concludes with an apostrophe to Stephen, + which only a regard to truth induces us to quote, so painful is its + vehemence, though it proves <i>ex abundanti</i> the point we are upon: + "And Stephen is not ashamed to assert this, that remission of sins can be + given through those who are themselves in all their sins.... But thou art + worse than all heretics; for whilst many, acknowledging their error, come + to thee thence to receive the true light of the Church, thou assistest + the errors of those so coming.... Nor understandest that their souls will + be demanded at thy hand, when the day of judgment is come, who to the + thirsting hast denied the Church's draught, and hast been the cause of + death to those who would live. And moreover thou art indignant! See with + what ignorance thou venturest to censure those who strive for the truth + against falsehood. For who had most right to be angry at another; he who + supports the enemies of God, or he who argues for the truth of the Church + against him who supports God's enemies? except that it is evident that + the ignorant are also passionate and wrathful, whilst, through lack of + wisdom and discourse, they readily betake themselves to passion, so that + it is of none other than thee that Holy Scripture says, 'The passionate + man prepares quarrels, and the wrathful man heaps up sins;' for what + quarrels and dissensions hast thou caused through the Churches of the + whole world! But how great a sin hast thou heaped upon thyself, <i>when + thou didst cut thyself off from so many flocks; for thou hast destroyed + thyself. Do not be deceived. Since he is the true schismatic who has made + himself an apostate from the communion of the Church's oneness; for + whilst thou dost fancy that all can be excommunicated by thee, thou hast + excommunicated thyself alone from all</i>.... This salutary advice of the + Apostle how diligently hath Stephen fulfilled! preserving humility of + feeling and lenity, <i>in his first rank</i>, (primo in loco.) For what + could be more humble or gentle, than to have disagreed with so many + Bishops throughout the whole world, breaking peace with one and the other + on various grounds of discord, now with the Eastern, as we are sure you + are aware, now with you in the South; episcopal deputies from whom he + received with such patience and mildness, that he did not even admit them + to an interview; moreover, so mindful of the claims of charity and + affection, that he charged the whole brotherhood, that no one should + receive them into his house?" &c.</p> + + <p>Concerning this remarkable history, Fleury says:<a name="NtA24" + href="#Nt24"><sup>[24]</sup></a> "It is not known what was then the issue + of this dispute. It is certain that it still continued under Pope Saint + Sixtus, successor of St. Stephen: this is seen by the letters that St. + Dionysius of Alexandria wrote him; and it does not appear that St. + Cyprian or Firmilian changed their mind." (So that St. Cyprian died under + excommunication from Pope Stephen.) "Still St. Cyprian is counted among + the most illustrious martyrs, even in the Roman Church, which names him + in the Canon of the Mass, in preference to Pope St. Stephen; and the + Greeks, in their Menologium, honour the memory of Firmilian. With reason, + since we shall see him preside over the first Council of Antioch, against + Paul of Samosata; and the Fathers of the second Council, writing to the + Pope, name Firmilian, of happy memory, as they do Dionysius of + Alexandria. Why the error of St. Cyprian and St. Firmilian hurt not their + sanctity is, that they always preserved on their part the unity of the + Church, and charity, and that they maintained in good faith a bad cause, + which they believed good, <i>and upon which there had not yet been a + decision received by unanimous consent of the whole Church</i>. Thus St. + Augustin speaks of it, <i>not counting as a final decision the decree of + Pope St. Stephen, though true in its matter, and clothed with all the + force that he could give it. No one of the ancients has accused these + holy Bishops of obstinacy for not having obeyed this decree</i>. The + decision of Pope St. Stephen respecting the baptism of heretics has + prevailed, because it was the most ancient and the most universal, and + consequently the best.... At length this question was entirely set at + rest by the authority of the universal Council, that is to say, at the + latest, at the Council of Nicea." Most fair and just: St. Cyprian and St. + Firmilian may have innocently erred in such a matter; but what of the way + in which they treated the Pope? Could they be ignorant of the + constitution of that Church of which they were Primates, Saints, and one + a Martyr? If his decision was final, must they not have known it? If his + primacy involved their obedience, must they not have rendered it? But if + they were his deputies, as the present Roman claim would have it, who can + express their rashness? Had they been right, and the Pope wrong, + according to the present tenets of the Latin Church, obedience had been + better than sacrifice. In truth, they would have anticipated the noble + submission of the Archbishop of Cambrai, and yielded at once to the chair + of St. Peter, whatever had been their conviction as to the truth of their + views; but the Archbishop of Carthage, the sternest defender of + ecclesiastical unity and discipline which even the Church of the Fathers + produced, knew not that he had any such duty towards the See of St. + Peter.</p> + + <p>Nay, and St. Augustin knew it not either. It was no more the belief in + his day than in St. Cyprian's. The Donatists alleged against him in the + question of Baptism the authority of Cyprian in this great Council of + Carthage. This leads him to make a very important statement—"You + are wont to object against us Cyprian's letters, Cyprian's judgment, + Cyprian's Council: why do you assume the authority of Cyprian for your + schism, and reject his example for the peace of the Church? But who is + ignorant that canonical holy Scripture, as well of the Old as of the New + Testament, is contained in its own certain limits, and is so preferred to + all subsequent letters of Bishops, that no doubt or discussion at all can + be held concerning it, as to whether that be true or right, which is + acknowledged to be found written in it: but that the letters of Bishops + which either have been or are written after the confirmation of the + canon, may be reprehended both by the reasoning, peradventure more full + of wisdom, of some one in that matter more skilled, and by the weightier + authority and more learned judgment of other Bishops, and by Councils, if + haply there has been in them any deviation from the truth; and that + Councils themselves, holden in particular regions or provinces, yield, + beyond all question, to the authority of plenary Councils, which are made + out of the whole Christian world: and that former plenary Councils + themselves are often corrected by subsequent ones, when by some practical + experience what has been hidden is laid open, and what lay concealed is + recognised, without any puffing up of sacrilegious pride, without any + haughty exhibition of arrogance, without any strife of livid envy, with + holy humility, with Catholic peace, with Christian charity."<a + name="NtA25" href="#Nt25"><sup>[25]</sup></a> Here, where, in a <i>dignus + vindice nodus</i>, we should have expected some mention of the Chief See, + and St. Peter's rights, all is referred to the voice of Bishops in + Council,—that See, in which, according to Bellarmine, the plenitude + of all the power resides which Christ left in His Church, is not even + spoken of. He proceeds—"Wherefore holy Cyprian, the more exalted, + the more humble," (in a matter for which he was excommunicated by the + Pope, and in which, if the present Papal theory be true, his conduct was + to the last degree insolent, and unjustifiable,) "who so loved the + example of Peter as to say,—'Showing, indeed, an instance to us of + concord and patience, that we should not pertinaciously love our own + opinion, but should rather count for our own any useful and sound + suggestions, which at times are made by our brethren and colleagues, if + they be true and lawful:' he sufficiently shows that he would most + readily have corrected his judgment, had any one pointed out to him that + the Baptism of Christ might be given by those who had gone out (from the + Church) in the same manner that it could not be lost when they went out: + on which point we have already said much. Nor should we ourselves venture + to make any such assertion, were we not supported by the unanimous + authority of the whole Church: to which he too, without doubt, would + yield, if the truth of this question had at that period been thoroughly + sifted, and declared, and established by a plenary Council. For if he + praises and extols Peter for having with patience and harmony suffered + correction from a single younger colleague, how much more readily would + he himself, with the Council of his province, have yielded to the + authority of the whole world, when the truth was laid open? because, + indeed, so holy and so peaceful a soul might most readily agree to one + person (<i>i.e.</i> the Pope), speaking and proving the truth; and this, + perhaps, was really the fact, but we know not. For not all which at that + time was transacted between Bishops could be committed to posterity and + writing, nor do we know all which was so committed. For how could that + matter, involved in so many clouds of altercations, be brought to the + clear consideration and ratification of a plenary Council, unless first + for a long time throughout all the regions of the world it had been + thoroughly tried, and made manifest by many discussions and conferences + of Bishops on the one side and on the other? But wholesome peace produces + this, that when obscure questions have been long under inquiry, and, + through the difficulty of ascertaining them, beget various judgments in + brotherly discussion, until the pure truth be arrived at, the bond of + unity holds, lest in the part cut off the incurable wound of error should + remain." He considers Pope Stephen here, even when he was right, as one + of many <i>brethren</i>, who had a right to be deferentially heard, but + no more. As in another place, arguing with these same Donatists, he + distinctly considers the case of the judgment of the Roman Pontiff being + erroneous. "The Donatists,"<a name="NtA26" + href="#Nt26"><sup>[26]</sup></a> says he, "chose with a double purpose, + to plead their cause with Cœcilian before the Churches across the + sea; being doubly prepared, that if they could by any skilfulness of + false accusation have overcome him, they might to the full satiate their + desire: but if they failed in this, might continue in the same + perversity, but still as if they would have to allege, that they had + suffered in having bad judges: this is what all wrong suitors cry, though + they have been overcome by the plainest truths: as if it might not be + answered them and most justly retorted,—Let us suppose that these + Bishops who judged at Rome," (Pope Melchiades and his Council,) "were not + fair judges; there still remained a plenary Council of the universal + Church, where the cause might have been tried even with those very + judges, so that had they been convicted of false judgment their decision + might be reversed."</p> + + <p>Nay, it appears, the cause of the Donatists, after being decided by + Pope Melchiades, was reheard, and that, not by a plenary Council, but by + other Bishops of the West, deputed by Constantine. "Know,"<a name="NtA27" + href="#Nt27"><sup>[27]</sup></a> says St. Augustin, "that your first + ancestors carried the cause of Cœcilianus before the Emperor + Constantine. Demand this of us, let us prove it to you, and if we prove + it not, do with us what you can. But because Constantine dared not to + judge in the cause of a Bishop, he delegated the discussion and + terminating of it to Bishops. This took place in the city of Rome under + the presidency of Melchiades, Bishop of that Church, with many of his + colleagues. They having pronounced Cœcilianus innocent, and + condemned Donatus, who had made the schism at Carthage, your party again + went to the Emperor, and murmured against the judgment of the Bishops in + which they had been beaten. For how can the guilty party praise the judge + by whose sentence he has been beaten? Yet a second time the most + indulgent Emperor assigned other Bishops as judges, at Arles, in Gaul, + and from them your party appealed to the Emperor himself, until he too + heard the cause, and pronounced Cœcilianus innocent, and them false + accusers." Did he who wrote these words mean to censure Constantine for + granting a second hearing after the judgment of Pope Melchiades?</p> + + <p>"Basilides," says Mr. Newman, "deposed in Spain, betakes himself to + Rome, and gains the ear of St. Stephen." This, however, is only half the + case. It comes to the knowledge of St. Cyprian that he has done so. Let + us take Fleury's account.<a name="NtA28" href="#Nt28"><sup>[28]</sup></a> + "As Basilides and Martial still endeavoured to force themselves back upon + their sees, Felix and Sabinus, their legitimate successors, went to + Carthage with letters from the Churches of Leon, Asturia, and Merida, and + from another Felix, Bishop of Sarragossa, known in Africa as attached to + the faith, and a defender of the truth. These letters were read in a + Council of thirty-six Bishops, at the head of whom was St. Cyprian, who + answered in the name of all by a letter addressed to the Priest Felix, + and to the faithful people of Leon and Asturia, and to the Deacon + Lœlius, with the people of Merida." In this letter he says, + "Wherefore,<a name="NtA29" href="#Nt29"><sup>[29]</sup></a> according to + Divine tradition, and Apostolic observance, that is to be kept and + observed, which is observed by us also, and generally throughout all the + provinces, that in order rightly to celebrate ordinations, the nearest + Bishops of the same province should meet together with that people for + whom the head is ordained, and the Bishop should be chosen in the + presence of the people, which is most fully acquainted with the life of + every one, and has observed the conduct of each individual from his + conversation. And this we see was observed by you in the ordination of + our colleague Sabinus, so that, according to the suffrage of the whole + brotherhood, and the judgment of the Bishops, who were either present, or + had sent you letters about him, the Episcopate was conferred upon him, + and hands laid upon him in the place of Basilides. Nor can it invalidate + a rightful ordination, that Basilides, after the detection of his crimes + and the laying bare his conscience even by his own confession, going to + Rome deceived our colleague Stephen, who was far removed and ignorant of + the thing as it was really done, that he might make interest for an + unjust restoration to that Episcopate from which he had been rightfully + deposed. It comes to this, that the crimes of Basilides have been rather + doubled than wiped away, since to his former sins, the crime of deceit + and circumvention has been added. <i>Nor should he be so much blamed, who + through negligence was overreached</i>, as the other execrated, who + fraudulently deceived. But if Basilides could overreach men, God he + cannot," &c. If the appeal of Basilides to Stephen proves the Roman + Primacy, what does the subsequent appeal of the people of Leon, Asturia, + and Merida, to Carthage, prove? And if the restoration of Basilides by + Stephen, proves that he possessed that power, what does the subsequent + pronouncing of that restoration void by Cyprian and his brother Bishops, + without even first acquainting Stephen, prove?</p> + + <p>In truth, all the acts of St. Cyprian's Episcopate, of which we have + given several in illustration, are an indisputable assurance to the + candid mind that he treated the Roman Pontiff simply as his + brother,—his elder brother, indeed,—holding the first see in + Christendom, but, individually, as liable to err as himself. And it is + equally clear that St. Augustin, a hundred and forty years later, did not + censure him for this. What we have seen, is this. In the matter of + Fortunatus and Felicissimus, Cyprian rejects with vehement indignation + their appeal to Rome: in the case of Marcian of Arles, he writes as an + equal to Pope Stephen, almost enjoining him what to do: in the question + of rebaptizing heretics, he disregards St. Stephen's judgment, and the + anathema which accompanies it; and how strong St. Firmilian's language is + we need not repeat, who declares that St. Stephen's excommunication only + cut off himself: in the case of Basilides, he deposes afresh one whom + Stephen had restored.</p> + + <p>Such are the illustrations afforded by the preceding century to what + we have stated was the unquestioned constitution of the Catholic Church + at the time of the Council of Nicea; viz. that while the three great Sees + of Rome, Alexandria, and Antioch exercised a powerful but entirely + paternal influence on their colleagues, that of Rome having the undoubted + primacy, not derived from the gift of Councils, or the rank of the + imperial city, but from immemorial tradition as the See of St. Peter; + yet, at the same time, the fullness of the priesthood, and with it all + power to govern the Church, were acknowledged to reside in the whole + Episcopal Body. "The Bishop," says Thomassin, quoting with approbation a + Greek writer, as representing the doctrine of the early Fathers, and of + the universal Church since, "is the complete image in the Church on earth + of Him who in the holy Trinity alone bears the name of Father, as being + the first principle without principle, and the fruitful source of the + other Persons, and of all the divine perfections.... The Bishop + communicates the Priesthood, as He who is without principle in the + Godhead, and is therefore called Father."<a name="NtA30" + href="#Nt30"><sup>[30]</sup></a> The Apostolic Canons, and those of the + Council of Nicea, are the legislative acts bearing witness to this order + of things: the conduct and words of St. Cyprian, St. Firmilian, and St. + Augustin, which we have instanced, and an innumerable multitude of other + cases, exhibit it in full life and vigour; while, on the other side, + there is absolutely nothing to allege.</p> + + <p>The history of the Church during the three hundred years following the + Nicene Council is but a development of this constitution. The problem + was, how to combine in the harmonious action of One organized Body those + Apostolical powers which resided in the Bishops generally. The + Patriarchal system was the result. As the Church increased in extent, her + rulers would increase in number. This multiplication, which would tend so + much to augment the centrifugal force, was met by increased energy in the + centripetal: the power of the Patriarchs, and specially of the Bishop of + Rome, grew. It is impossible, in my present limits, to follow this out, + but I propose to give a few specimens, as before, in illustration.</p> + + <p>In so vast a system of interlaced and concurrent powers as the Church + of Christ presented, differences would continually arise; and in so + profound a subject-matter as the Christian revelation, heresies would be + continually starting up: to arrange the former, and to expel or subjugate + the latter, the Bishops, says Thomassin, having already more than once + appealed to the Christian Emperors for the calling of great Councils, saw + the danger of suffering the Imperial authority to intervene in + ecclesiastical causes, and sought to establish a new jurisprudence on + this head.<a name="NtA31" href="#Nt31"><sup>[31]</sup></a> "The Council + of Antioch (<span class="scac">A.D.</span> 341), and that of Sardica + (<span class="scac">A.D.</span> 347), which were held almost at the same + time,—the one in the East, the other in the West,—set about + this in a very different manner, aiming, however, at the same end. The + Council of Antioch ordered that Bishops, Priests, and Deacons, who should + have been condemned by a provincial Council, might recur to a larger + Council of Bishops; but that if they carried their complaints before the + Emperor they could never be reestablished in their dignity." "One must in + good faith admit, that this regulation had much conformity with what had + been practised in the first ages of obscurity and persecution, for it was + in the same way that extraordinary Councils had been held, such as were + those of Antioch against Paul of Samosata, Bishop of that great city. It + was the Metropolitans and Bishops of the neighbourhood who assembled with + those of the Province where the flame of a great dissension had been + kindled. The Council of Sardica, urged by the same desire to break + through the custom which was introducing itself, of having recourse to + the Emperor for judgment of spiritual causes of the Church, bethought + itself of another means, which was not less conformable to the practice + of the preceding centuries, and which had, beside that, much foundation + in the Holy Scriptures. For Jesus Christ, having given the Primacy, and + the rank of Head, to St. Peter, above the other Apostles, and having + given successors as well to the Apostles, to wit, all the Bishops, as to + St. Peter, to wit, the Roman Pontiffs; moreover, having willed that His + Church should remain for ever one by the union of all Bishops with their + Head, it is manifest, that if the Bishops of a province could not agree + in their Provincial Council, and if the Bishops of several provinces had + disputes between each other, the most natural way to finish these + differences was to introduce the authority of the Head, and of him whom + Jesus Christ has established as the centre of unity of His universal + Church."</p> + + <p>Accordingly, at the Council of Sardica, attended by St. Athanasius, + then in exile, and about a hundred Western Bishops, after the secession + of the Eastern or Arian portion, Hosius proposed, "If two Bishops of the + same province have a disagreement, neither of the two shall take for + arbitrator a Bishop of another province: if a Bishop, having been + condemned, feels so assured of his right, that he is willing to be judged + anew in a Council, <i>let us honour, if you think it good, the memory of + the Apostle St. Peter</i>: let those who have examined the cause, write + to Julius, Bishop of Rome; if he thinks proper to order a fresh trial, + let him name judges; if he does not think that there is reason to renew + the matter, let what he orders be kept to. The Council approved this + proposition. The Bishop Gaudentius added, that, during this appeal, no + Bishop should be ordained in place of him who had been deposed, until the + Bishop of Rome had judged his cause."<a name="NtA32" + href="#Nt32"><sup>[32]</sup></a></p> + + <p>"To make the preceding Canon clearer, Hosius said, 'When a Bishop, + deposed by the Council of the province, shall have appealed and had + recourse to the Bishop of Rome, if he judge proper that the matter be + examined afresh, he shall write to the Bishops of the neighbouring + province to be the judges of it; and if the deposed Bishop persuade the + Bishop of Rome to send a priest from his own person, he shall be able to + do it, and to send commissioners to judge by his authority, together with + the Bishops; but if he believes that the Bishops are sufficient to settle + the matter, he will do what his wisdom suggests to him.' The judgment + which Pope Julius, together with the Council of Rome, had given in favour + of Athanasius and the other persecuted Bishops, seems to have given cause + to this Canon, and we have seen that this Pope complained that they had + judged St. Athanasius without writing to him about it."</p> + + <p>Such is the modest commencement of that power of hearing episcopal + causes on appeal, which has been the instrument of obtaining the + wonderful authority concentrated by a long series of ages in the see of + Rome. However conformable to the practice of preceding centuries, as + Thomassin says, this may have been, this power is here certainly + <i>granted</i> by the Council, <i>not considered as inherent in the see + of Rome</i>. And this one fact is fatal to the present claim of the + supremacy. To use De Maistre's favourite analogy, it is as though the + States General or Parliament conferred his royal powers on the Sovereign + who convoked them, and whose assent alone made their enactments law. + Accordingly, like the whole course of proceedings in these early + Councils, it is incompatible with the notion of the Pope being the + monarch in the Church. We may safely say, history offers not a more + wonderful contrast in a power bearing the same name, than that here + conferred on Pope Julius in 347, and that exercised by Pope Pius the + Seventh in 1802. On the bursting out of the French revolution, out of a + hundred and thirty-six Bishops more than a hundred and thirty remained + faithful to God and the Church: some offered the testimony of their + blood; the rest became confessors in all lands for Christ's sake, in + poverty, contempt, and banishment. After ten years, the civil governor, + who had lately professed himself a Mahometan, proposes to the Pope to + re-establish the Church, but on condition of himself nominating to the + sees, and those not the ancient sees of the country, but a selection from + them, to the number of eighty. Thereupon the Pope requires those eighty + Bishops and Confessors who still survived, and whom he acknowledged to be + not only blameless, but martyrs for the name of Christ, to resign into + his hands their episcopal powers. Of his own single authority he + abolishes the ancient sees of the eldest daughter of the Western Church, + constitutes that number of new sees which the civil power permits, and + treats as schismatics those few Bishops who disobey his requisition. I do + not presume to express any blame of Pope Pius; I simply mention a fact. + But it seems to me, certainly, that those who would entirely recognise + the power and precedence exercised by Pope Julius, are not necessarily + schismatics because they refuse to admit a power not merely greater in + degree, but different in kind, and to set the High Priesthood of the + Church beneath the feet of one, though it be the First of her + Pontiffs.</p> + + <p>The restrictions under which, according to the Council of Sardica, the + Pope could cause a matter to be reheard, are specific. Much larger power + is assigned in the fourth General Council, that of Chalcedon, to the see + of Constantinople, in the ninth Canon, which says, "If any Bishop or + Clergyman has a controversy against the Bishop of the province himself + (<i>i.e.</i> the Metropolitan), let him have recourse to the Exarch of + the diocese, or to the throne of the Imperial city of Constantinople, and + plead his cause before him."</p> + + <p>But, between these two Councils of Nicea, <span + class="scac">A.D.</span> 325, and Chalcedon, 451, the whole Patriarchal + system of the Church had sprung up, and covered the provinces of the + Roman Empire with as it were a finely reticulated net. The system may be + said to be built on two principles, recognised and enforced in the + Apostolic Canons, and consistently carried out, from the Bishop of the + poorest country town up to the primatial see of Rome. These principles + are, "the authority of the Metropolitan over his Bishops in important and + extraordinary affairs, and the supreme authority of Bishops in the + ordinary government of their particular bishoprics. With this + distinction, that the Metropolitan even cannot arrange important and + extraordinary affairs but with the counsel of his suffragans, whilst + every Bishop conducts all the common and ordinary affairs of his Diocese + without being obliged to take the advice of his Metropolitan."<a + name="NtA33" href="#Nt33"><sup>[33]</sup></a> This latter principle, it + will be seen, expresses the essential equality and unity of the High + Priesthood vested in Bishops by descent from the Apostles, to which St. + Cyprian bears such constant witness, so that it may be said to be the one + spirit which animates all his government: while the former, leaving this + quite inviolate, builds together the whole Church in one vast living + structure. For as the Bishops of the province have their Metropolitan, + and their spring and autumn Councils under him, so the Metropolitan + stands in a like relation to his Exarch, or Patriarch; and of the five + great Patriarchs of Rome, Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, and + Jerusalem, who are found at the Council of Chalcedon to preside over the + Church Catholic, that of Rome has the unquestioned primacy, and is seen + at the centre, sustaining and animating the whole. "The most important of + all the powers of Metropolitans, Exarchs, and Patriarchs, was the + election of Bishops, the confirmation and consecration of Bishops + elected. For all the other degrees of authority were founded on this one, + which rendered the Metropolitan the Father, Master, and Judge of all his + suffragans."<a name="NtA34" href="#Nt34"><sup>[34]</sup></a> "And so that + famous Canon of the Council of Nicea, (the 6th,) which seems in + appearance only to confirm the ancient right of the three first + Metropolitans of the world to ordain the Bishops of all the provinces of + their dependence, establishes in effect all the rights and all the powers + of the Metropolitans, because it establishes the foundation on which they + all rest. 'If any one be made a Bishop contrary to the sentence of his + Metropolitan, the great Synod declares that he should not be a Bishop.' + Nothing is juster than to found the right of a holy and paternal rule on + the right of generation. For by ordination the Bishops engender not + children indeed, but Fathers, to the Church." This system continued + unimpaired in the whole Church, at least to the time of St. Gregory the + Great. It offers, I think, an unanswerable refutation to what must be + considered the strongest argument of the Roman Catholics for the + Supremacy, that there could be no unity in the Church without it, as a + living organized body; history says, there <i>was</i> unity, with five + co-ordinate Patriarchs, and an Episcopate twice as numerous as that of + the present Latin Communion. In the Latin Church itself, this system was + only gradually overshadowed by another system which sprang from the + excessive development of one of its parts; in the Greek and Russian + Church, it continues down to this day; whatever ecclesiastical + constitution we still have ourselves, is a part of this system. And by + reference to, and under cover of this, which if not strictly of Divine + right, as is the High Priesthood of Bishops, approaches very nearly + indeed to it, and was the effluence of the Spirit of God ruling and + guiding the Church of the Fathers, we must justify ourselves from the + damning blot of schism. We cannot, dare not, do this upon principles such + as "the right of private judgment"—"The Bible alone is the religion + of Protestants,"—and the like, which lead directly, and by most + certain consequence, to dissent, heresy, and anarchy. God forbid that + they who profess to be members of the One holy Catholic Church should, + urged by any unhappiness of their provisional and strange position, take + up Satanic and Antichristian arms. No! if we may not hope for that system + under which Augustin and Chrysostom laboured and witnessed, we will have + nothing to do with those who destroy dogmatic faith altogether, and break + up the visible unity of the Church of Christ into a multitude of atoms. + <i>Quot homines, tot voluntates.</i> We cannot so relapse into worse than + a second heathenism, and with the unity of Pentecost offered us, + deliberately choose the confusion of Babel.</p> + + <p>But over and above his natural eminence in the Church, which I have + attempted to describe, a concurrence of events in the fourth century + tended to give a still greater moral weight to the voice of the Bishop of + Rome. While the other great sees of the Church were vexed with heresy or + schism, his was providentially exempted from both. The same century + witnessed Cœcilianus of Carthage, judged and supported by Pope + Melchiades, while the Donatist schism all that century long rent Africa + in twain; and St. Athanasius, of Alexandria, driven from his see, and + persecuted by the whole East, received and justified by Pope Julius; and + St. John Chrysostom, too good by far for a corrupt capital and a + degenerate court, in life protected, and in death restored, by Pope + Innocent. We have seen St. Jerome appeal to Pope Damasus, to know which + of three competitors for the Patriarchal throne of Antioch was the right + Bishop. But it is impossible to describe the confusion and violence which + the Arian heresy, and the cognate heresies concerning the Person of our + Lord, wrought throughout the Church and Empire. In all these the Roman + Patriarch was beheld immovable, supporting, with his whole authority, + what turned out to be the orthodox view. What Mr. Newman asserts is, + moreover, entirely in accordance with the Patriarchal system, as we have + attempted to describe it, "that the writers of the fourth and fifth + centuries fearlessly assert, or frankly allow, that the prerogatives of + Rome were derived from apostolic times, and that because it was the See + of St. Peter." I confess that these words set me upon the search, and + that I have found such testimonies in abundance; but then they are + invariably to the Bishop of Rome <i>as holding the first see, not as</i> + Episcopus Episcoporum: <i>they bear witness to the Patriarchal system, + not to the Papal</i>. For instance, all lovers of truth would be obliged + to Mr. Newman to point out, in all the works of St. Augustin, a single + passage which is sufficiently distinct and specific to justify the Papal + claims, nay, which does not consider the Pope the first Bishop, and <i>no + more</i>. It is little to say I have searched for such in vain. But in a + Western Father, whose extant writings are so voluminous, and whose + personal history is almost a history of the Church during the nearly + forty years of his episcopate, and who continually gives judgment on all + matters concerning the Church's government and constitution, it would + seem impossible but that such a testimony should be found, if a thing so + wondrous as is the Papal Power then existed. On the contrary, St. + Augustin, continually explaining those often cited passages of Scripture, + on which mediæval and later Roman writers ground the Papal prerogatives, + that is, Thou art Peter, &c., Feed my sheep, &c., says + specifically, that Peter represents the Church. One of these passages we + have already quoted. Take another. "And I say unto thee, because thou + hast said to me; thou hast spoken, now hear; thou hast given a + confession, receive a blessing; therefore, and I say unto thee, that thou + art Peter; because I am the Rock, thou art Peter; for neither from Peter + is the Rock, but from the Rock, Peter; because not from the Christian is + Christ, but from Christ the Christian. And upon this Rock I will build my + Church; <i>not upon Peter, which thou art, but upon the Rock which thou + hast confessed</i>. But I will build my Church, <i>I will build thee, who + in this answer representest the Church</i>."<a name="NtA35" + href="#Nt35"><sup>[35]</sup></a> Again, in a passage which conveys that + old view of Cyprian, that every Bishop's chair is the chair of St. Peter. + "For as some things are said which would seem to belong personally to the + Apostle Peter, yet cannot be clearly understood unless when they are + referred to the Church, which he is admitted, in figure, to have + represented, on account of the Primacy which he held among the + disciples,—as is,—I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom + of Heaven;—and if there be any such like."<a name="NtA36" + href="#Nt36"><sup>[36]</sup></a> Again: "For Peter himself, to whom He + entrusted His sheep as to another self, He willed to make one with + Himself, that so He might entrust His sheep to him; that he might be the + Head, the other bear the figure of the Body, that is, the Church; and + that, as man and wife, they might be two in one flesh."<a name="NtA37" + href="#Nt37"><sup>[37]</sup></a> Again: "The Lord Jesus chose out His + disciples before His Passion, as ye know, whom He named Apostles. Amongst + these, Peter alone almost everywhere was thought worthy (<i>meruit</i>) + to represent the whole Church. On account of that very representing of + the whole Church, which he alone bore, he was thought worthy to hear, I + will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of Heaven. <i>For these keys + not one man but the unity of the Church received.</i> Here, therefore, + the eminence of Peter is set forth, because he represented the very + universality and unity of the Church, when it was said to him, I give to + thee what was given to all. For that you may know that the Church has + received the keys of the kingdom of God, hear what in another place the + Lord says to all his Apostles: Receive the Holy Ghost. And presently: + Whosesoever sins ye remit, they are remitted to him; whosesoever ye + retain, they are retained. This belongs to the keys concerning which it + was said, What ye loose on earth, shall be loosed in Heaven; and what ye + bind on earth, shall be bound in Heaven. But this He said to Peter. That + you may know that Peter then represented the whole Church, hear what is + said to him,"<a name="NtA38" href="#Nt38"><sup>[38]</sup></a> &c. + "For deservedly, after His resurrection, the Lord delivered His sheep to + Peter himself to feed; <i>for he was not the only one among the disciples + who was thought worthy to feed the Lord's sheep</i>. But when Christ + speaks to one, unity is commended; and to Peter above all, because Peter + is the first among the Apostles."<a name="NtA39" + href="#Nt39"><sup>[39]</sup></a> Again: "As in the Apostles, the number + itself being twelve, that is, four divisions into three,"—(he seems + to mean, that there was a mystical universality betokened in the number + four, as a mystical unity in the number three,)—"and all being + asked, Peter alone answered, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living + God. And it is said to him, I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom + of Heaven, <i>as if he alone had received the power of binding and + loosing; the case really being, that he singly said that in the name of + all, and received this together with all, as representing unity itself; + therefore one in the name of all, because unity is in all</i>."<a + name="NtA40" href="#Nt40"><sup>[40]</sup></a> This, written at so many + different times, was evidently the view preferred by this great Father;<a + name="NtA41" href="#Nt41"><sup>[41]</sup></a> and be it observed, that + while, on the one hand, there is a total silence as to the local see of + Rome, on the other hand, there is in these words a specific denial of the + present Roman doctrine, that all spiritual jurisdiction throughout the + whole Church is derived from the see of Rome <i>alone</i>. That + jurisdiction is derived from the see of Rome, and the other Apostolic + Sees in conjunction, is the truth of the Patriarchal system; that it is + derived from the see of Rome, as distinct from them, and without them, is + the exaggeration of the Papal system.</p> + + <p>I may remark here, that St. Leo the Great does apply these passages + both to St. Peter personally, as distinct from the other Apostles, and to + the Roman Pontiffs, as his successors, distinct from all other Bishops. + St. Augustin's different application is the more remarkable.</p> + + <p>The strongest expressions respecting the power of the Roman see, which + I have been able to find in the works of St. Augustin, are contained not + in his proper works, but in two letters of Pope St. Innocent, written in + answer to the synodical letters of the Council of Milevi,—"who + thought fit likewise to communicate their judgment to the Pope St. + Innocent in order to join the Apostolical authority to their own."<a + name="NtA42" href="#Nt42"><sup>[42]</sup></a> Their own words + are,—"What we have done, Sir and Brother, we have thought good to + intimate to your holy charity, that the authority of the Apostolical See + may also be added to what we, in our mediocrity, have ordered, to protect + the salvation of many, and also to correct the perversity of some."<a + name="NtA43" href="#Nt43"><sup>[43]</sup></a> They were writing + concerning a point nearly touching the common faith, <i>i.e.</i>, in + condemnation of Pelagius. The Pope in his answer, praises them, + that—"Guarding, according to the duty of priests, the institutions + of the Fathers, ye resolve that those regulations should not be trodden + under foot, which they with no human but Divine voice decreed: viz., that + whatever was being carried on, although in the most distant and remote + provinces, should not be terminated before it was brought to the + knowledge of this see: by the full authority of which the just sentence + should be confirmed, and that thence all other churches might derive what + they should order; whom they should absolve; whom, as being bemired with + ineffaceable pollution, the stream, that is worthy only of pure bodies, + should avoid; so that as from their parent source all waters should flow, + and through the different regions of the whole world the pure streams of + the fountain well forth uncorrupted."<a name="NtA44" + href="#Nt44"><sup>[44]</sup></a> And in like manner to the Bishops of + Numidia, at the same Council. "Ye do, therefore, diligently and + becomingly consult the secrets of the Apostolical honour, (that honour, I + mean, on which beside those things that are without, the care of all the + Churches awaits,) as to what judgment is to be passed on doubtful + matters, following in sooth the direction of the ancient rule, which you + know, as well as I, has ever been observed in the whole world. But this I + pass by, for I am sure your prudence is aware of it: for how could you by + your actions have confirmed this, save as knowing that throughout all + provinces answers are ever emanating as from the Apostolic fountain to + inquirers? Especially, so often as a matter of faith is under inquiry, I + conceive that all our brethren and fellow-Bishops ought not to refer, + save to Peter, that is, the source of their own name and honour, just as + your affection hath now referred, for what may benefit all Churches in + common, throughout the whole world. For the inventors of evils must + necessarily become more cautious, when they see that at the reference of + a double synod they have been severed from ecclesiastical communion by + our sentence."<a name="NtA45" href="#Nt45"><sup>[45]</sup></a></p> + + <p>There is certainly an indefiniteness about these expressions, which + may be made to embrace anything; but they do not fairly mean more than + that supervision of the faith which belonged to the office of the first + of the Patriarchs. Moreover, they come from a Pope; in St. Augustin's + mouth, they would have much more force. They show us, besides, what a + tendency there was in the power of the Patriarch continually to increase, + as being the centre of appeal to so many, not only Bishops, but + Metropolitans. Nay, at this very time, within less than a century, a + rival power had grown up in the East, in the See of Constantinople, + which, from a simple bishopric, under the Exarch of Heraclea, threatened + to push aside the Patriarchs of Alexandria and Antioch; and, by virtue of + the Imperial residence at, or near Constantinople, to exercise as great + an influence through the whole East, as Rome did in the West. If this + happened where there was no Apostolic See to build upon, but simply the + privileges of the royal city, how much more in the case of Rome, which + stood alone in the West the single object of common reverence; "since it + is well known," says this same Pope Innocent, "that there were no + churches founded by any one, either in Italy, the Gauls, Spain, Africa, + Sicily, or in the adjacent islands, unless by those whom the Apostle St. + Peter, or his successors, had appointed Bishops."<a name="NtA46" + href="#Nt46"><sup>[46]</sup></a> So that the Pope, on the Patriarchal + theory, was the common father of the whole West.</p> + + <p>In the latter years of St. Augustin's life, the important question of + appeals from African Bishops to Rome was settled. Apiarius, a priest, had + been excommunicated by his Bishop, and appealed to the Pope. The Bishops + of Africa would not agree to the Pope's claim, that the causes of clergy, + condemned by their own Bishop, should be brought before the neighbouring + Bishops; nor that Bishops should appeal to Rome. The Pope alleged the + Canons of Nicea, (not, be it observed, an inherent power in his see to + judge Bishops;) the Bishops of Africa said they could not find those + Canons in the copies which they had. They agreed, however, to be thus + treated, provisionally, for a short time, till they were better informed + of the decrees of Nicea. It turned out that, by the Canons of Nicea, the + Pope meant those of Sardica, to which the African Bishops refused + obedience. The end of this was, that Pope St. Cœlestine restored + Apiarius to communion, and sent him back to Africa, with Faustinus, his + Legate. "At his arrival, the Bishops of Africa assembled a Council, in + which Aurelius, of Carthage, and Valentine, Primate of Numidia, presided. + Thirteen more are named, but the name of St. Augustin does not appear + among them. This Council having examined the affair of Apiarius, found + him charged with so many crimes, that it was impossible for Faustinus to + defend him, though he acted the part rather of an advocate than of a + judge, and violated all right in the opposition he maintained against the + whole Council, under pretence of supporting the privileges of the Church + of Rome. For he wanted Apiarius to be received to the communion of the + Bishops of Africa, because the Pope had restored him to it, believing + that he had appealed, though he could not prove even the fact of his + appeal. After a debate of three days, Apiarius at last, stung with + remorse, and moved by God, confessed, on a sudden, all the crimes of + which he had been accused, which were so infamous and incredible as to + draw groans from the whole Council; after which he was for ever deprived + of all ecclesiastical administration.</p> + + <p>"The Bishops wrote a synodical letter to Pope Cœlestine, in + which they conjure him, for the future, not to receive to his communion + those who have been excommunicated by them; since this was a point ruled + by the Nicene Council. For, they added, if this be forbidden with respect + to the minor Clergy, or Laymen, how much more did the Council intend its + observance in respect to Bishops? Those, therefore, who are interdicted + from communion in their own provinces, ought not to be restored by your + Holiness too hastily, and in opposition to the rules; and you ought to + reject the Priests, and other Clergy, who are so rash as to have recourse + to you. For no ordinance of our fathers has deprived the Church of Africa + of this authority, and the decrees of the Nicene Council have subjected + the Bishops themselves to their respective Metropolitans. <i>They have + ordained with great wisdom and justice, that all matters should be + terminated in the places when they arise; and did not think that the + grace of the Holy Ghost would be wanting in any province to bestow on its + Bishops the knowledge and strength necessary for their decisions; + especially, since whosoever thinks himself wronged, may appeal to the + Council of his province, or even to a General Council, unless it be + imagined that God can inspire a single individual with justice, and + refuse it to an innumerable multitude of assembled Bishops. And how shall + we be able to rely on a sentence passed beyond the sea, since it will not + be possible to send thither the necessary witnesses, whether from the + weakness of sex, or of advanced age, or any other impediment? For that + your Holiness should send any one on your part we can find ordained by no + Council.</i>"</p> + + <p>"With regard to what you have sent us by our brother, Faustinus, as + being contained in the Nicene Council, we find nothing of the kind in the + more authentic copies of that Council, which we have received from our + brother, the Bishop of Alexandria, and the venerable Atticus, of + Constantinople, and which we formerly sent to Boniface, your predecessor, + of happy memory. For the rest, whoever desires you to delegate any of + your clergy to execute your orders, we beseech you not to comply, lest it + seem that we are introducing the pride of secular dominion into the + Church of Christ, which ought to exhibit to all men an example of + simplicity and humility. For as to our brother Faustinus, since the + wretched Apiarius is cut off from the Church, we depend confidently on + your goodness, that, without violating brotherly charity, Africa shall be + no longer forced to endure him. Such is the letter of the Council of + Africa to Pope St. Cœlestine."<a name="NtA47" + href="#Nt47"><sup>[47]</sup></a></p> + + <p>I confess it was not without astonishment that I first read this + passage of history; so exactly had the African Bishops, in 426, when the + greatest father of the Church was one of them, anticipated and pleaded + the cause of the English Church, in 1534. It is precisely the same claim + made in both instances, viz. that these two laws should be observed, on + which the stability of the government of the whole Church Catholic rests; + as Thomassin remarks:—first, that the action of the Bishop in his + own diocese, in matters proper to that diocese, should not be interfered + with; secondly, that the action of the Metropolitan with his Suffragans, + in matters belonging to his province, should be left equally free. Who + ever accused the African Bishops, and St. Augustin, of schism, for + maintaining a right which had come down to them from all antiquity, was + possessed and acted on all over the Church, was specifically enacted at + the greatest Ecumenical Council, and recognised in every provincial + Council held up to that time? This was all that the Church of England + claimed; she based her claim on the unvarying practice of the whole + Church during, at least, the first six centuries. We repeat, it is not a + case of doubt, of conflicting testimony, in words elsewhere quoted, "of + Popes against Popes, Councils against Councils, some Fathers against + others, the same Fathers against themselves; a consent of Fathers of one + age against a consent of Fathers of another age, the Church of one age + against the Church of another age."<a name="NtA48" + href="#Nt48"><sup>[48]</sup></a> It is the Church of the Martyrs, the + Church of the Fathers, of Athanasius, Basil, Gregory, and Chrysostom, + Ambrose, Jerome, Augustin, and Gregory the Great, bearing one unbiassed + indisputable witness, attested in a hundred Councils, denied in none, for + the Patriarchal system, and against a power assumed by one Bishop, though + the greatest, most venerable, and most illustrious in his own see, to + interfere, dispense with, suspend, or abrogate, the authority of the + Bishop in his Diocese, and of the Metropolitan in his Council; to + exercise singly, by himself, powers which belong only to an Ecumenical + Council, and to annul the enactments of at least the first four + Ecumenical Councils. Had an advocate been instructed to draw out the + abstract case of the English Church, he could not have described it more + exactly than the African Bishops in stating their own. True, indeed, it + is, that the African Bishops were maintaining a right which not only had + never been interrupted, but was universal; while the English Bishops + resumed a power which had been surrendered, not only by them, but by all + the west of Europe, for many hundred years. Accordingly, the African + Bishops did not suffer even a temporary suspension of communion with + Rome, for having both condemned afresh Apiarius, whom the Pope had + restored, and explicitly refused permission to the Pope to interfere in + the ordinary government of their dioceses; while the English Church has + ever since been accused of schism by the rest of the Latin communion. + This decision of the African Bishops, in the year 426, is a proof that + the Canon of the Council of Sardica, conferring, in certain cases, the + power of ordering a cause to be reheard on the Pope, and the most + favourable to his authority of any Canon of an ancient Council, was yet + not received even throughout all the West.</p> + + <p>In the year 402, St. Augustin wrote a letter to the Catholics, + commonly called his treatise "on the Unity of the Church." The bearing of + this book on the controversy respecting schism between ourselves and the + Roman Catholics is very remarkable. The Saint refers triumphantly to most + express passages from the Law, the Prophets, the Psalms, our Lord's own + teaching, and that of His Apostles, bearing witness to the catholicity of + the Church, an "Ecclesia toto terrarum orbe diffusa." He challenges his + adversaries, the Donatists, to produce a single passage, which either + restricted the Church to the confines of Africa, or declared that it + would perish from the rest of the world, and be restored out of Africa. + His test seems decisive against the Donatists, and against all those who + in after times have restricted the Church to one province, or have + declared the Roman Church to be so corrupt that it is not a part of the + true Church. For if it be not, then the promises of Christ have failed. + But while it annihilates the position of the Donatists, and of the + Puritan or Evangelical faction in these present times, it leaves + unassailed that of Andrewes and Ken. St. Augustin every where appeals to + the Church spread throughout the whole world, as being, by virtue of that + fact, the one communion in which alone there was salvation, and this upon + the testimony of the Holy Scriptures only. "To salvation itself, and + eternal life, no one arrives, save he who has Christ for his head. But no + one can have Christ for his head, except he be in His Body, which is the + Church, which like the Head itself we ought to recognise in the Holy + Canonical Scriptures, nor to seek after it in the various reports, + opinions, doings, sayings, and sights of men."<a name="NtA49" + href="#Nt49"><sup>[49]</sup></a> But in the whole book there is not one + word about the Roman see, or the necessity of communion with it, save as + it forms part of the one universal Church. It is not named by itself any + more than Alexandria, or Antioch. Any one will see the force of this fact + who has but looked into the writings of late Roman Catholic authors. He + will see how unwearied they are in setting forth the necessity of the + action of the Roman see; how they consider it, and rightly, the centre of + their system; how they are ever crying, "Without the sovereign pontiff + there is no true Christianity."—<i>De Maistre.</i> The contrast in + St. Augustin is the more remarkable. The creed of the Council of Trent + says, "I acknowledge one holy, catholic, and apostolic Roman Church, the + mother and mistress of all Churches: and I promise and vow true obedience + to the Roman Pontiff, successor of the blessed Peter, Prince of the + Apostles, and Vicar of Jesus Christ." This is distinct and unambiguous: + just as much so is St. Augustin's "orbis terrarum." "For this the whole + world says to them (the Donatists,) an argument most briefly stated, but + most powerful by its truth. The case is, the African Bishops had a + contest between themselves; if they could not arrange between themselves + the dissension which had arisen, so that the wrong side should either be + reduced to concord, or deprived, and they who had the good cause remain + in the communion of the whole world through the bond of unity, there was + certainly this resource left, that the Bishops beyond the sea, where the + largest part of the Catholic Church is spread, should judge concerning + the dissensions of their African colleagues,"<a name="NtA50" + href="#Nt50"><sup>[50]</sup></a> &c. No doubt the Bishop of Rome was + one, and the most eminent of these Bishops beyond the sea; but St. + Augustin refers the decision of the Donatist controversy not to him + specially, but to the Bishops generally. This is the very principle, for + which the Eastern Church for a thousand years, and the English Church for + three hundred, have contended against the Church of Rome. I know not + whether what St. Augustin says or what he does not say is strongest + against the present Roman claim; but I think his <i>silence</i> in his + book "De Unitate Ecclesiæ" absolutely convincing to any candid mind. Let + us hold for an infallible truth his dogma, "Securus judicat orbis + terrarum;" but the Latin communion is not the "orbis terrarum." In truth, + the papal supremacy at once cut the Church in half; the West, where the + Pope's was the only apostolical see, unanimously held with him; the East, + with its four patriarchs, as unanimously refused his claim, as a new + thing which they had never received. Even De Maistre observes, (Liv. 4. + ch. 4,) "It is very essential to observe that never was there a question + about dogmas between us at the beginning of the great and fatal + division."</p> + + <p>Again, St. Augustin has five sermons on the day of the Apostles Peter + and Paul; he enlarges, as we might expect, on their labours and + martyrdom; on the wonderful change of life which grace produced in them, + the one thrice denying, and then thrice loving; the other, a blasphemer + and persecutor, and then in labours more abundant than all. He speaks of + their being joined in their death, the first apostle and the last, in the + service and witness of Him, who is the First and the Last; of their + bodies, with those of other martyrs, lying at Rome. But not one allusion + is there in all these to the Roman Pontiff; not a word as to his being + the heir of a power not committed to the other Apostles. On the contrary, + on the very occasion of St. Peter's festival, he does say, "What was + commended to Peter,—what was enjoined to Peter, not Peter alone, + but also the other Apostles heard, held, preserved, and most of all the + partner of his death and of his day, the Apostle Paul. They heard that, + and transmitted it for our hearing: we feed you, we are fed together with + you." "Therefore hath the Lord commended his sheep to us, because he + commended them to Peter."<a name="NtA51" href="#Nt51"><sup>[51]</sup></a> + Thus Peter's commission is viewed not as excluding, but including that of + all the rest; not as distinguished from, but typical of, theirs. Yet at + this very time Roman Catholics would have us believe that the successor + of Peter communicated to all Bishops their power to feed the Lord's + flock; and that such a wonderful power and commission is passed <i>sub + silentio</i> by the Fathers.</p> + + <p>The very same principles which the Great Voice of the Western Church + proclaims in Africa, St. Vincent of Lerins repeats from Gaul. Take the + summary of his famous Commonitorium by Alban Butler. "He layeth down this + rule, or fundamental principle, in which he found, by a diligent inquiry, + all Catholic pastors and the ancient Fathers to agree, that such doctrine + is truly catholic as hath been believed in all places, at all times, and + by all the faithful. By this test of universality, antiquity, and + consent, he saith all controverted points in belief must be tried. He + sheweth, that whilst Novatian, Photinus, Sabellius, Donatus, Arius, + Eunomius, Jovinian, Pelagius, Cœlestius, and Nestorius expound the + Divine oracles different ways, to avoid the perplexity of errors we must + interpret the Holy Scriptures by the tradition of the Catholic Church, as + the clue to conduct us in the truth. For this tradition, derived from the + Apostles, manifesteth the true meaning of the Holy Scripture, and all + novelty in faith is a certain mark of heresy; and in religion nothing is + more to be dreaded than itching ears after new teachers. He saith, 'They + who have made bold with one article of faith, will proceed on to others; + and what will be the consequence of this reforming of religion, but only + that these refiners will never have done, till they have reformed it + quite away?' He elegantly expatiates on the Divine charge given to the + Church, to maintain inviolable the sacred depositum of faith. He takes + notice that heretics quote the Sacred Writings at every word, and that in + the works of Paulus Samosatenus, Priscillian, Eunomius, Jovinian, and + other like pests of Christendom, almost every page is painted and laid on + thick with Scripture texts, which Tertullian also remarks. But in this, + saith St. Vincent, heretics are like those poisoners or quacks, who put + off their destructive potions under inscriptions of good drugs, and under + the title of infallible cures. They imitate the father of lies, who + quoted Scripture against the Son of God, when he tempted Him. The Saint + adds, that if a doubt arise in interpreting the meaning of the Scriptures + in any point of faith, we must summon in the holy Fathers, who have lived + and died in the faith and communion of the Catholic Church, and by this + test we shall prove the false doctrine to be novel. For that only must we + look upon as indubitably certain and unalterable, which all, or the major + part of these Fathers have delivered, like the harmonious consent of a + general council. But if any one among them, be he ever so holy, ever so + learned, holds any thing besides, or in opposition to the rest, that is + to be placed in the rank of singular and private opinions, and never to + be looked upon as the public, general, authoritative doctrine of the + Church. After a point has been decided in a general council, the + definition is irrefragable. These general principles, by which all + heresies are easily confounded, St. Vincent explains with equal elegance + and perspicuity." "The same rules are laid down by Tertullian in his book + of Prescriptions, by St. Irenæus, and other Fathers."—<i>Lives of + the Saints</i>, May. 24.</p> + + <p>But not a word is there here of the authority of the See of Rome + deciding of itself what is, and what is not, error; or of its Communion + of itself being a touchstone of what is, and what is not, the Catholic + Church. These are necessary parts of the Papal Supremacy; instead of + which St. Vincent holds universal consent.</p> + + <p>Now let us hear Bossuet speaking of St. Vincent's rule. "These things + then are understood not by this or by that Doctor, but by all Catholics + with one voice, that the authority of the Church Catholic agreeing is + most certain, irrefragable, and perspicuous. Christians must rest on that + agreement, as a most firm and divine foundation; from whom nothing else + is required but that in the Apostles' Creed, that believing in the Holy + Spirit they also believe the holy Catholic Church; and claim for her the + most certain authority and judgment of the Holy Spirit, by which they are + led captive to obedience. Which entirely proves that this indefectible + power both lies and is believed to lie in consent itself; and this clear + and manifest voice dwells altogether in the agreement of the Churches; in + which we see clearly, on the testimony of the same Vincent of Lerins, + that not a part of the Church, but universality itself, is heard: For we + follow," saith he, "the whole in this way, if we confess that to be the + one true faith which the whole Church throughout the world confesses." + And a little after, "What doth the Catholic Christian, if any part hath + cut itself off from the communion of the universal faith? What surely, + but prefer the soundness of the whole body to that pestilent and + corrupted member?<a name="NtA52" href="#Nt52"><sup>[52]</sup></a></p> + + <p>"Thence floweth unto General Councils that certain and invincible + authority which we recognise in them. For it is on no other principle + that Unity and Consent have force in Councils, or in the assembled + Church, than because they have equal force in the Church spread through + the whole world. For the Council itself hath force, because it represents + the whole Church; nor is the Church assembled in order that Unity and + Consent may have force, but it is therefore assembled, that the Unity + which in itself has force in the Church, everywhere spread abroad, may be + more clearly demonstrated in the same Church assembled, by Bishops, the + Doctors of the Churches, as being the proper witnesses thereunto.</p> + + <p>"Hence, therefore, is perceived a double method of recognising + Catholic truth; the first, from the consent of the Church everywhere + spread abroad; the second, from the consent of the Church united in + Ecumenical or General Councils; both which methods I must set forth in + detail, to show more clearly that this infallible and irresistible + authority resides in the whole body of the Church."</p> + + <p>He then proceeds to show that the type or form of all Ecumenical + Councils was taken from the first Council held at Jerusalem by the + Apostles. He notes these particulars: First, there was a great + dissension, the cause of it: then, that the chief Church, in which Peter + sat, was then at Jerusalem; whence it became a maxim, that Councils + should not be regularly held without Peter and his Successors and the + First Church in which he sits. Thirdly, it was as universal as could be. + Fourthly, all were assembled together. Fifthly, the question was stated, + next deliberated on, lastly decided by common sentence; which all became + rules for future Councils. Sixthly, the discussion is thus stated in the + Acts, "when there had been much disputing." Seventhly, the deliberation + is opened by Peter, whence it became a custom that the President of the + Council should first give sentence. Eighthly, Paul and Barnabas give + their testimony, in confirmation of Peter's sentence; and James expressly + begins with Peter's words—"Simon hath declared," whence the custom + that the rest give their voice at the instance of the President. "They do + not, however, so proceed as if they were altogether bound by the + authority of the first sentence, but themselves give judgment; and James + says, 'I give sentence.' Then he proposes what additions seemed good to + the principal question, and gives sentence also concerning them." + Tenthly, "The decree was then drawn up in the common name, and adding the + authority of the Holy Spirit, 'It seemed good unto us being assembled + with one accord,' and 'It seemed good to the Holy Ghost and to us;' there + then lies the force, 'to the Holy Ghost and to us:' not, what seemed good + to Peter precisely, but, to us; and led by the Spirit, not Peter alone, + but the unity itself of the holy Council. Whence, too, Christ said that + concerning the Spirit whom he was about to send: 'But when He, the Spirit + of truth, is come, He shall teach you all truth:' you, saith He, the + Pastors of the Churches, and the Masters of the rest. Hence, the Spirit + is always added to the Church and the holy congregation. 'I believe in + the Holy Ghost, the holy Church, the Catholic Church:' and with reason + therefore, and carefully was the maxim which we have mentioned laid down + of old by our Doctors: 'The strength of Councils resides not in the Roman + Pontiff alone, but chiefly in the Holy Spirit and in the Catholic + Church.'</p> + + <p>"Eleventhly: when the matter had been judged by common sentence, + nothing was afterwards reconsidered, nor any new dissension left to any + one; but the decree was carried to the Churches, and the people are + taught to keep the decrees which were decreed, in the Greek 'judged,' by + the Apostles and Elders which were at Jerusalem.</p> + + <p>"This we Catholics urge with common consent against heretics who + decline the commands and authority of Councils: which would have no + force, unless together with the authority we also prove the form, and + place the force itself of the decree, not in Peter alone, but in Unity, + and in the Consent of the Apostles and the Pastors of the Church."<a + name="NtA53" href="#Nt53"><sup>[53]</sup></a></p> + + <p>In another place he says, 'In ecclesiastical acts we do indeed find + that the Catholic Church is affirmed by Chief Pontiffs and Councils to be + represented by Ecumenical Synods, which contain all its virtue and power, + which we are wont to mean by the word "represent." But this we do not + read of the Roman Pontiff, as affirmed either by the Pontiffs themselves, + or by Ecumenical Councils, or any where in Ecclesiastical Acts.<a + name="NtA54" href="#Nt54"><sup>[54]</sup></a></p> + + <p>I have been unable to find any testimony of St. Chrysostom to the + transmission of St. Peter's primacy over the whole Church to the Bishop + of Rome. He has, however, a passage about Rome which is worth + transcribing; for sometimes, as we have just seen, as much is proved by + what is <i>not</i> said, as by what <i>is</i> said. Speaking then of St. + Paul, he writes:—"Rather if we listen to him here, we shall surely + see him there; if not standing near him, yet we shall see him surely + shining near to the King's throne, where the Cherubim ascribe glory, + where the Seraphim spread their wings. There with Peter shall we behold + Paul—him that is the leader and director of the choir of the + saints,—and shall enjoy his true love. For if, being here, he so + loved men, that having the choice "to depart and be with Christ," he + chose to be here, much more there will he show warmer affection. Rome + likewise for this do I love, although having reason otherwise to praise + her, both for her size, and her antiquity, and her beauty, and her + multitude, and her power, and her wealth, and her victories in war. But + passing by all these things, for this I count her blessed; because, when + alive, he (Paul) wrote to them, and loved them so much, and went and + conversed with them, and there finished his life. Wherefore the city is + on that account more remarkable than for all other things together, and + like a great and strong body, it has two shining eyes, the bodies of + these saints. Not so bright is the heaven when the sun sends forth his + beams, as is the city of the Romans sending forth everywhere over the + world these two lights. Thence shall Paul, thence shall Peter, be caught + up. Think, and tremble, what a sight shall Rome behold, when Paul + suddenly riseth from that resting-place with Peter, and is carried up to + meet the Lord. What a rose doth Rome offer to Christ! with what two + garlands is that city crowned! with what golden fetters is she girdled; + what fountains does she possess! Therefore do I admire that city; not for + the multitude of its gold, nor for its columns, nor for its other + splendours, but for these the pillars of the Church."<a name="NtA55" + href="#Nt55"><sup>[55]</sup></a> Had St. Chrysostom felt like a Roman + Catholic could he have stopped there? Loving Rome for possessing the + blessed and priceless bodies of the two Apostles, could he have failed to + mention the sovereignty of the universal Church, which together with his + body Peter had left enshrined at Rome? Would it not have seemed to him by + far the greatest marvel at Rome, as it has to a late eloquent partisan, + that Providence has placed "in the middle of the world, to be there the + chief of a religion without its like, and of a society spread everywhere, + a man without defence, an old man who will be the more threatened, the + more the increase of the Church in the world shall augment the jealousy + of princes, and the hatred of his enemies."<a name="NtA56" + href="#Nt56"><sup>[56]</sup></a> "This vicar of God, this supreme pontiff + of the Catholic Church, this Father of kings and of nations, this + successor of the fisherman Peter, he lives, he raises among men his brow, + charged with a triple crown, and the sacred weight of eighteen centuries; + the ambassadors of nations are at his court: he sends forth his ministers + to every creature, and even to places which have not yet a name. When + from the windows of his palace he gazes abroad, his sight discovers the + most illustrious horizon in the world, the earth trodden by the Romans, + the city they had built with the spoils of the universe, the centre of + things under their two principal forms, matter and spirit: where all + nations have passed; all glories have come: all cultivated imaginations + have at least made a pilgrimage from far: Rome, the tomb of Martyrs and + Apostles, the home of all recollections. And when the Pontiff stretches + forth his arms to bless it, together with the world which is inseparable + from it, he can bear a witness to himself which no sovereign shall ever + bear, that he has neither built nor conquered, nor received his city, but + that he is its inmost and enduring life, that he is in it like the blood + in the heart of man, and that right can go no further than this, a + continuous generation which would make the parricide a suicide." Such + feelings as these are what any Churchman must habitually entertain, who + looks on the Roman Pontiff as at once the governing power and the life of + the Church. Could, then, St. Chrysostom have beheld in Rome the Church's + heart, whence her life-blood courses over the whole body, and have seen + no reason to love her for that? or have stated that she was more + remarkable for possessing even the bodies of the blessed Apostles than + for all other things together? What Roman Catholic would so speak now? + The power of the Roman Pontiff in the Latin Communion is actually such, + that Lacordaire's words respecting the city of Rome apply to the whole + Church; to destroy that power would be to destroy the Church herself; the + parricide would be a suicide. But how can this dogma be imposed upon us + as necessary to salvation, if St. Augustin, St. Chrysostom, and the + Church of their day knew it not? or let it be shown us, how any men who + did know it, could either have written as they write, or have been silent + as they are silent.</p> + + <p>We may sum up St. Augustin's view of the relation of the Roman Pontiff + to his brother Bishops in his own beautiful words to Pope Boniface: "To + sit on our watch-towers and guard the flock belongs in common to all of + us who have episcopal functions, although the hill on which you stand is + more conspicuous than the rest."<a name="NtA57" + href="#Nt57"><sup>[57]</sup></a> My object in these remarks throughout + has been to show, that a denial of either of these truths is a violation + of the Church's divine constitution. The Papacy has greatly obscured the + essential equality of Bishops; its opponents have avenged themselves by + explaining away the unquestionable Primacy of St. Peter, and its + important action on the whole Church.</p> + + <p>What this Primacy was, and how it was exercised at a most important + crisis of the Church, I will now endeavour to show. Five years after the + decision of the African Bishops about appeals, the third Ecumenical + Council assembled at Ephesus,—and here, as in other cases, I prefer + that another should speak, and he the most illustrious Prelate of France + in modern times.<a name="NtA58" href="#Nt58"><sup>[58]</sup></a> "In the + third general Council of Ephesus, and in those which follow, our whole + argument will appear in clearer light, its Acts being in our hands; and + there existing very many judgments of Roman Pontiffs <i>on matters of + faith</i>, set forth with the whole authority of their see, which were + afterwards re-considered in general Councils, and only approved after + examination, than which nothing can be more opposed to the opinion of + infallibility. And as to the Council of Ephesus, the thing is clear. The + innovation of Nestorius, Bishop of Constantinople, is known; how, by + denying to the Virgin Mary the title of 'Mother of God,' he divided into + two the person of Christ. Pope St. Cœlestine, watchful, according + to his office, over the affairs of the Church, had charged the blessed + Cyril, Bishop of Alexandria, to send him a certain report of the doctrine + of Nestorius, already in bad repute. Cyril declares this in his letter to + Nestorius; and so he writes to Cœlestine all the doctrines of + Nestorius, and sets forth his own: he sends him two letters from himself + to Nestorius, who likewise, by his own letters and explanations, + endeavoured to draw Cœlestine to his side. Thus the holy Pontiff, + having been most fully informed by letters from both sides, is thus + inquired of by Cyril. 'We have not confidently abstained from communion + with him (Nestorius) before informing you of this; condescend, therefore, + to unfold your judgment, that we may clearly know whether we ought to + communicate with him who cherishes such erroneous doctrine.'" And he + adds, that his judgment should be written to the other Bishops also, + "that all with one mind may hold firm in one sentence." Here is the + Apostolic See manifestly consulted by so great a man, presiding over the + second, or at least the third, Patriarchal See, and its judgment awaited; + and nothing remained but that Cœlestine, being duly consulted, + should perform his Apostolic office. But how he did this, the acts + themselves will speak out.</p> + + <p>"And first, he approves of Cyril's letters and doctrine; for he writes + to him thus: 'We perceive that you hold and maintain all that we hold and + maintain:' and to Nestorius, 'We have approved, and do approve, the faith + of the Prelate of the Church of Alexandria:' and he threatens him with + extremities, "If you preach not that which Cyril preaches.' Nothing could + be said more marked. Nor does he only approve Cyril's doctrine, but + disapproves, too, the perverse dogma of Nestorius: 'We have seen,' he + says, 'your letters containing open blasphemy;' and that distinctly, + because he was unwilling to call the Blessed Virgin 'Mother of God:' and + he decrees that he should be deprived of the episcopate and communion, + unless, within ten days from the date of the announcing of the sentence, + he openly rejects this faithless innovation, which endeavours to separate + what Scripture joineth together, that is, the Person of Christ. Here is + the doctrine of Nestorius expressly disapproved, and a sentence of the + Roman Pontiff on a matter of faith most clearly pronounced under threat + of deposition and excommunication: then, that nothing be wanting, the + holy Pope commits his authority to Cyril to carry into execution that + sentence, 'associating,' he saith to Cyril, 'the authority of our See, + and using our person, place, and power:' so to Nestorius himself; so to + the Clergy of Constantinople; so to John of Antioch, then the Bishop of + the third or fourth Patriarchal See; so to Juvenal, Bishop of the Holy + City, whom the Council of Nice had ordered to be especially honoured: so + he writes to the other Bishops also, that the sentence given may be duly + and in order made known to all. Cyril proceeds to execute his office, and + performs all that he had been commanded. He promulgates and executes the + decrees of Cœlestine; declares to Nestorius, that after the + <i>ten</i> days prescribed and set forth by Cœlestine, he would + have no portion, intercourse, or place with the Priesthood. Nothing + evidently is wanting to the Apostolical authority being most fully + exercised; but whether the sentence put forward with such authority, + after a great dissension had arisen and mention been made of an + Ecumenical Council, was held to be final, the succeeding acts will + demonstrate.</p> + + <p>"We have often said—we shall often say—that it is the + constitution of the Church only in extraordinary cases and dissensions to + recur, of necessity, to an Ecumenical Council. But in the usual order + even the most important questions on the faith, when they arise, are + terminated by the consent of the Church being added to the decree of the + Roman Pontiff. This is clearly manifest from the cause of Nestorius. We + confess plainly that the sentence of Cœlestine would have been + sufficient, as Cyril hoped, to repress the new heresy, had not great + commotions arisen, and the matter seemed of such a nature as to be + referred to an Ecumenical Council. But Nestorius, Bishop of the royal + city, possessed such influence, had deceived men's minds with such an + appearance of piety, had gained so many Bishops, and enjoyed such favour + with the younger Theodosius and the great men, that he could easily throw + everything into commotion; and thus there was need of an Ecumenical + Council, the question being most important, and the person of the highest + dignity; because many Bishops, amongst these almost all of the East, that + is, of the province of Antioch, and the Patriarch John himself, were ill + disposed to Cyril, and seemed to favour Nestorius; because men's feelings + were divided, and the whole empire of the East seemed to fluctuate + between Cyril and Nestorius. Such was the need of an Ecumenical + Council.</p> + + <p>"To this must be added the prayers of the pious and orthodox; here + were most pious monks, who had suffered much from Nestorius for the + orthodox faith, and the expression, 'Mother of God,' supplicating the + Emperor 'for a sacred and Ecumenical Council to assemble, by the presence + of which he should unite the most holy Church, bring back the people to + one, and restore to their place the Priests who preached the pure faith, + before that impious doctrine (of Nestorius) crept wider.' And again, 'We + have asked you to call together an Ecumenical Council, which can most + fully consolidate and restore the tottering.' Here, after the judgment of + the Roman Pontiff, a firm and complete settling of the tottering state of + things is sought for by the pious in an Ecumenical Council.</p> + + <p>"The Emperor, moved by these and other reasons, wrote to + Cyril,—'It is our will that the holy doctrine be discussed and + examined in a sacred Synod, and that be ratified which appeareth + agreeable to the right faith, whether the wrong party be pardoned by the + Fathers or no.'</p> + + <p>"Here we see three things: first, after the judgment of St. + Cœlestine, another is still required, that of the Council; + secondly, that these two things would rest with the Fathers, to judge of + doctrine and of persons; thirdly, that the judgment of the Council would + be decisive and final."</p> + + <p>"He adds, 'those who everywhere preside over the priesthood, and + through whom we ourselves are and shall be professing the truth, must be + judges of this matter; on whose faith we rest.' See in whose judgment is + the final and irreversible authority.</p> + + <p>"Both the Emperor affirmed, and the Bishops confessed, that this was + done according to the Ecclesiastical Canons. And so all, and + Cœlestine himself, prepared themselves for the Council. Cyril does + no more, though named by Cœlestine to execute the pontifical + decree. Nestorius remained in his original rank; the sentence of the + universal Council is awaited; and the Emperor had expressly decreed, + 'that before the assembling and common sentence of the most holy Council, + no change should be made in any matter at all, on any private authority.' + Rightly, and in order; for this was demanded by the majesty of an + universal Council. Wherefore, both Cyril obeyed and the Bishops rested. + And it was established, that although the sentence of the Roman Pontiff + on matters of faith, and on persons judged for violation of the faith, + had been passed and promulged, all was suspended, while the authority of + the universal Council was awaited. This we have seen acted on by the + Emperor, acquiesced in by the Bishops and the Pope himself. The + succeeding acts will declare that it was approved in the Ecumenical + Council itself.</p> + + <p>"Having gone over what preceded the Council, we review the acts of the + Council itself, and begin with the first course of proceeding. After, + therefore, the Bishops and Nestorius himself were come to Ephesus, the + universal Council began, Cyril being president, and representing + Cœlestine, as being appointed by the Pontiff himself to execute his + sentence. In the first course of proceeding this was done. First, the + above-mentioned letter of the Emperor was read, that an Ecumenical + Council should be held, and all proceedings in the mean time be + suspended: this letter, I say, was read, and placed on the acts, and it + was approved by the Fathers, that all the decrees of Cœlestine in + the matter of Nestorius had been suspended until the holy Council should + give its sentence. You will ask if it was the will of the Council merely + that the Emperor should be allowed to prohibit, in the interim, effect + being given to the sentence of the Apostolic See. Not so, according to + the acts; but rather, by the intervention of a General Council's + authority, (the convocation of which, according to the discipline of + those times, was left to the Emperor,) the Council itself understood that + all proceedings were of course suspended, and depended on the sentence of + the Council. Wherefore, though the decree of the Pontiff had been + promulged and notified, and the ten days had long been past, Nestorius + was held by the Council itself to be a Bishop, and called by the name of + Most Religious Bishop, and by that name, too, thrice cited and summoned + to take his seat with the other Bishops in the holy Council; for this + expression, to take his seat, is distinctly written; and it is added, in + order to answer to what was charged against him. For it was their full + purpose that he should recognise, in whatever way, the Ecumenical + Council, as he would then afterwards be, beyond doubt, answerable to it; + but he refused to come, and chose to have his doors besieged with an + armed force, that no one might approach him.</p> + + <p>"Thereupon, as the Emperor commanded, and the Canons required, the + rule of faith was set forth, and the Nicene Creed read, as the standard + to which all should be referred, and then the letters of Cyril and + Nestorius were examined in order. The letter of Cyril was first brought + before the judgment of the Council. That letter, I mean, concerning the + faith, to Nestorius, so expressly approved by Pope Cœlestine, of + which he had declared to Cyril, 'We see that you hold and maintain all + that we hold and maintain;' which, by the decree against Nestorius, + published to all churches, he had approved, and, wished to be considered + as a canonical monition against Nestorius: that letter, I repeat, was + examined, at the proposition of Cyril himself, in these words: 'I am + persuaded that I have in nothing departed from the orthodox faith, or the + Nicene Creed; wherefore I beseech your Holiness to set forth openly + whether I have written this correctly, blamelessly, and in accordance + with that holy Council.'</p> + + <p>"And are there those who say that questions concerning the faith, once + judged by the Roman Pontiff on his Apostolical authority, are examined in + general Councils, in order to understand their contents, but not to + decide on their substance, as being still a matter of question? Let them + hear Cyril, the President of the Council; let them attend to what he + proposes for the inquiry of the Council: and though he were conscious of + no error in himself, yet, not to trust himself, he asked for the sentence + of the Council in these words: 'whether he had written correctly and + blamelessly, or not.' This Cyril, the chief of the Council, proposes for + their consideration. Who ever even heard it whispered, that after a final + and irreversible judgment of the Church on a matter of faith, any such + inquiry or question was made? It was never so done, for that would be to + doubt about the faith itself, when declared and discussed. But this was + done after the judgment of Pope Cœlestine: neither Cyril, nor any + one else, thought of any other course: that, therefore, was not a final + and irreversible judgment.</p> + + <p>"In answer to this question, the Fathers in order give their + judgment,—'that the Nicene Creed, and the letter of Cyril in all + things agree and harmonise.' Here is inquiry and examination, and then + judgment. The acts speak for themselves: we say not here a word.</p> + + <p>"Next that letter of Nestorius was produced, which Cœlestine had + pronounced blasphemous and impious. It is read: then at the instance of + Cyril it is examined, 'whether this, too, be agreeable to the faith set + forth by the holy Council of the Nicene Fathers, or not.' It is precisely + the same form according to which Cyril's letter was examined. The + Fathers, in order, give judgment that it disagreed from the Nicene Creed, + and was, therefore, censurable. The letter of Nestorius is disapproved in + the same manner, by the same rule, by which that of Cyril was approved. + Here, twice in the same proceeding of the Council of Ephesus, a judgment + of the Roman Pontiff concerning the Catholic Faith, uttered and + published, is re-considered. What he had approved and what he had + disapproved, is equally examined, and, only after examination, + confirmed.</p> + + <p>"These were the first proceedings of the Council of Ephesus in the + matter of faith. We proceed to review what concerns the person of + Nestorius, in the same proceeding. First, the letter of Cœlestine + to Cyril is read and placed on the Acts; that, I mean, in which he gave + sentence concerning Nestorius: on which sentence, as the Fathers were + shortly, after full consideration, to pass their judgment, for the + present it was only to be placed among the Acts. In the letter of + Cœlestine there was no special doctrine: it only contained an + approval of Cyril's doctrine and letter, and a disapproval of those of + Nestorius; concerning which letters of Cyril and Nestorius, the judgment + of the Holy Council was already past, so that it would be superfluous to + add anything to them.</p> + + <p>"But for the same reason, the other letter of Cyril being + read,—that, I mean, which executed the sentence of + Cœlestine,—nothing special was done concerning that letter, + but it was only ordered to be placed on the Acts.</p> + + <p>"After these preliminaries, judgment was to be pronounced on the + person of Nestorius. Inquiry was made, whether what Cœlestine had + written to Nestorius, and what Cyril had done in execution, had been + notified to Nestorius; it was certified that it had been notified, and + that he had remained still in his opinion: and that the days had elapsed, + both which were first fixed by St. Cœlestine, and, afterwards by + the Emperor, convoking the Council. Next, for accumulation of proof, + testimonies of the Fathers are compared with the explanations of + Nestorius: the huge discrepancy shows Nestorius to be an innovator and + heretic. A decree is made in these words. The holy Council + declares,—'Since the most impious Nestorius has neither been + willing to obey our procedures, nor to admit the Bishops deputed by us, + we have, necessarily, proceeded to the examination of what he has + impiously taught: finding, therefore, partly from his own letters, partly + from his discourses, that he holds and preaches impiety,—compelled + by the holy Canons, and by the letters of our most holy Father, our + fellow-minister, Cœlestine, Bishop of the Roman Church,—we + have come to this sentence: "Our Lord Jesus Christ, by this most holy + Council, declareth Nestorius to be deprived of his dignity."' You see the + Canons joined with the letters of Cœlestine in terms, indeed, of + high honour, which tend to set forth the majesty of the Apostolic see. + You see the Council carry out what Cœlestine decreed, and thus + compelled it comes to a painful judgment, but that a new one, and put + forth in its own terms in the name of Christ; and after, by legitimate + inquiry, it was evident that all had been done rightly and in order.</p> + + <p>"Finally, the sentence pronounced by the Council, is written to the + most impious Nestorius: 'The holy Council to Nestorius, another Judas: + know thou hast been deposed by the holy Council. So he, who before the + inquiry of the holy Council was called the most religious Bishop, after + this inquiry, is presently set forth as most impious, as another Judas, + and as deposed by an irrevocable sentence, from his episcopal seat.</p> + + <p>"Thus a most weighty matter is completed by the most weighty + agreement; that same which we have asserted gives validity to everything + in the Church: and the order of the judgment is plain in itself. That is, + sentence is put forth by Cœlestine; it is suspended by the + Convocation of a General Council; it is heard and examined; it is + corroborated by a new and irrevocable judgment, united with the authority + of the whole Church. This the Fathers declare in their report to the + Emperor: 'We have removed Nestorius from his see, and canonically + deprived him; highly extolling Cœlestine, Bishop of Great Rome, who + before our sentence had condemned the heretical doctrines of Nestorius, + and had anticipated us in giving judgment against him.' This is that + unity, this that agreement, which gives invincible and irresistible force + to ecclesiastical judgments.</p> + + <p>"So every thing is in harmony, and our judgment is supported. For in + that the holy Council approves and executes the judgment of the + Apostolical see, on a matter of faith and on a person, it does, indeed, + recognise the legitimate power and primacy of the said see. In that it + does not approve of its judgment, until after legitimate hearing and + renewed inquiry, it instructs us that the Roman Pontiff is, indeed, + superior to all Bishops, but is inferior only to a General Council, even + in matters of faith. Which was to be proved.</p> + + <p>"In the mean time, the Bishops Arcadius and Projectus, and the + Presbyter Philip, had been chosen by Cœlestine to be present at the + Council of Ephesus, with a special commission from the Apostolic see, and + the whole Council of the West. So they come from Rome to Ephesus, and + appear at the holy Council, and here the second procedure commences.</p> + + <p>"Wolf, of Louvain, amongst other records of antiquity, has put forth + the charge of Cœlestine to his Legates, and his instructions, as + Cœlestine himself calls them. In these he charged them, to defend + the dignity of the Apostolic see; 'not to mix themselves with the + dissensions of the Bishops, whose judges they should be,' in conjunction, + that is, with the Council: 'to confer on proceedings with Cyril, as being + faithful.' We shall now review what they did, in compliance with these + orders: and by this we shall easily show that our cause is confirmed.</p> + + <p>"First, they bring forward the letter of St. Cœlestine to the + Council, in which the charge committed to his Legates is thus + expressed:—'We have directed our holy brethren to be present at the + proceedings, and to execute what we have ordained.' Hence, it is evident, + that the Council of Ephesus was employed in executing the Apostolical + judgment. But of what sort this execution is, whether it be, as they will + have it, mere obedience, or by a legitimate hearing of the Council + itself, and then by a certain and infallible judgment, the ensuing + proceedings will show.</p> + + <p>"After reading the letter of Cœlestine, the Legates, in + pursuance, say to the Bishops;—'According to the rule of our common + faith, command to be completely and finally settled what Cœlestine + hath had the goodness before to lay down and now to remind you of.' This + is the advantage of a Council; after whose sentence there is no new + discussion, or new judgment, but merely execution. And this the Legates + request to be commanded by the Council, in which they recognise that + supreme authority.</p> + + <p>"Firmus, Bishop of Cæsarea, in Cappadocia, answers for the + Council;—'The Apostolical and holy See of the Bishop + Cœlestine hath prescribed the sentence and rule for the present + matter.' The Greek words are, hath first set forth the sentence and rule, + or type, which expression is afterwards rendered, form. We will not + quarrel about words; let us hear the same Firmus accurately explaining + what the thing is:—'We,' says he, 'have charged to be executed this + form respecting Nestorius, alleging against him the Canonical and + Apostolic judgment;' that is, in the first procedure, in which, after + examination and deliberation, we have seen the decree of Cœlestine + confirmed. Thus a general Council executes the sentence of the First See, + by legitimate hearing and inquiry, and not as a simple functionary; but + after giving a canonical and apostolical judgment. Let the Pope's decree, + as is due to the authority of so great a See, be the form, the rule; + which same, after convocation of a Council, only receives full authority + from the common judgment.</p> + + <p>"It behoved, also, that the Legates, sent to the Council on a special + mission, should understand whether the proceedings against Nestorius had + been pursued according to the requisition of the Canons, and due respect + to the Apostolic See. This we have already often said; wherefore, with + reason, they require the acts to be communicated, 'that we too,' say + they, 'may confirm them.' The proceedings themselves will declare what + that confirmation means.</p> + + <p>"After that, at the request of the Legates, the acts against Nestorius + were given them, they thus report about them at the third + procedure:—'We have found all things judged canonically, and + according to the Church's discipline.' Therefore judgments of the + Apostolic see are canonically, and, according to the Church's discipline, + re-considered, after deliberation, in a General Council, and judgment + passed upon them.</p> + + <p>"After the Legates had approved the acts against Nestorius + communicated to them, they request that all which had been read and done + at Ephesus from the beginning, should be read afresh in public Session, + 'in order,' they say, 'that obeying the form of the most holy Pope + Cœlestine, who hath committed this care to us, we may be enabled to + confirm the judgment also of your Holiness.' After these all had been + read afresh, and the Legates agreed to them, Cyril proposes to the holy + Council, 'That the Legates, by their signature, as was customary, should + make plain and manifest their canonical agreement with the Council.' To + this question of Cyril the Council thus answers, and decrees that the + Legates, by their subscription, confirm the acts; by which place, this + confirmation, spoken of by the Council, is clearly nothing else but to + make their assent plain and manifest, as Cyril proposed. This true and + genuine sense of confirmation we have often brought forward, and shall + often again; and now congratulate ourselves that it is so clearly set + before us by the holy Council of Ephesus.</p> + + <p>"But of what importance it was that the decrees of Ephesus should be + confirmed by the authority of the Legates of the Apostolic see, as says + Projectus, one of the Legates, is seen from hence; because, although + Cyril, having been named the executor of the Pope's sentence, had + executed it in the Council, yet he had not been expressly delegated to + the Council, of which Cœlestine had yet no thought, when he + entrusted Cyril to represent him. But Arcadius, Projectus and Philip, + being expressly sent by Cœlestine to the Council, confirmed the + acts of the Council, in virtue of their special commission, and put forth + in clear view by all manner and testimony the consent of all Churches + with the chief Church, that of Rome.</p> + + <p>"Add to this, that the Legates, sent by special commission to the + Council of Ephesus, bore the sentence, not only of the Apostolic see, but + also of the whole West, whence the Presbyter Philip, one of the Legates, + after all had been read afresh, and approved by common consent, thus sums + up; 'It is then established according to the decree of all Churches, for + the Priests of the Church, (Eastern and Western,) either by themselves, + or by their Legates, to take part in this consent of the Priesthood, + which was pronounced against Nestorius.'</p> + + <p>"Hence it is clear how the decrees of the Churches themselves mutually + confirm each other; for all those things have force of confirmation, + which declare the consent and unity of all Churches, inasmuch as the + strength of ecclesiastical decrees itself consists in unity and mutual + agreement. So that, in putting forth an exposition of the faith, the East + and the West, and the Apostolic see and Synodical assemblies, mutually + confirm each other; whence, too, we read that acclamation to + Cœlestine, in the Council of Ephesus:—'To Cœlestine, + guardian of the faith, (to Cœlestine agreeing with the Council,) + one Cœlestine, one Cyril one faith of the Council,' (one faith of + the whole world.)</p> + + <p>"These acclamations, then, of Catholic unity being heard, Philip, the + Legate, thus answers:—'We return thanks to your holy and venerable + Council, because, by your holy voices, as holy members, you have joined + yourselves to a holy head; for your blessedness is not ignorant that the + blessed Peter is the head of the whole faith, or even of the Apostles.' + This, therefore, is the supreme authority—the supreme + power—that the members be joined with each other, and to the Roman + Pontiff, as their head. Because the force of an ecclesiastical judgment + is made invincible by consent.</p> + + <p>"Finally, Cœlestine himself, after the conclusion of the whole + matter, sends a letter to the holy Council of Ephesus, which he thus + begins; 'At length we must rejoice at the conclusion of evils.' The + learned reader understands where he recognises the <i>conclusion</i>; + that is, after the condemnation of Nestorius by the infallible authority + of an Ecumenical Council, <i>viz.</i> of the whole Catholic Church. He + proceeds: 'We see, that you, with us, have executed this matter so + faithfully transacted.' All decree, and all execute, that is, by giving a + common judgment. Whence Cœlestine adds, 'We have been informed of a + just deposition, and a still juster exaltation:' the deposition of + Nestorius, begun, indeed, by the Roman see, but brought to a conclusion + by the sentence of the Council; to a full and complete settlement, as we + have seen above: the exaltation of Maximianus, immediately after the + Ephesine decrees substituted in place of Nestorius: this is the + conclusion of the question. Even Cœlestine himself recognises this + conclusion to lie not in his own examination and judgment, but in that of + an Ecumenical Council.</p> + + <p>"And this was done in that Council in which it is admitted that the + authority of the Apostolic See was most clearly set forth, not only by + words, but by deeds, of any since the birth of Christ. At least the Holy + Council gives credence to Philip uttering these true and magnificent + encomiums, 'concerning the dignity of the Apostolic See, and Peter the + head and pillar of the Faith, and foundation of the Catholic Church, and + by Christ's authority administering the keys, who to this very time lives + ever, and exercises judgment in his successors.' This he says, after + having seen all the acts of the Council itself, which we have mentioned, + so that we may indeed understand, that all these privileges of Peter and + the Apostolic See entirely agree with the decrees of the Council, and the + judgment entered into afresh, and deliberation upon matter of faith held + after the Apostolic See."</p> + + <p>The letter of Pope Cœlestine, received with all honour as that + of the first Bishop in the world, recognises likewise the authority of + his brethren. It began thus: "The assembly of Priests is the visible + display of the presence of the Holy Ghost. He who cannot lie has said, + 'Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the + midst of them:' much more will He be present in so large a crowd of holy + men; for the Council is indeed holy in a peculiar sense,—it claims + veneration as the representative of that most holy Synod of Apostles + which we read of. Their Master, whom they were commanded to preach, never + forsakes them. It was He who taught them, it was He who instructed them, + what they should teach others; and He has assured the world, that in the + person of His Apostles they hear him. This charge of teaching has + descended equally upon all Bishops. We are all engaged in it by an + hereditary right; all we, who having come in their stead, preach the name + of our Lord to all the countries of the world, according to what was said + to them, 'Go ye and teach all nations.' You are to observe, my brethren, + that the order we have received is a general order, and that He intended + that we should all execute it, when he charged them with it as a duty + devolving equally upon all. We ought all to enter into the labours of + those whom we have all succeeded in dignity."</p> + + <p>"Thus Pope Cœlestine acknowledged that it was Christ Himself who + established Bishops in the persons of His Apostles, as the teachers of + His Church: He places Himself in their rank, and declares that they ought + all to concur in the preservation of the sacred deposit of Apostolical + doctrine."<a name="NtA59" href="#Nt59"><sup>[59]</sup></a></p> + + <p>The importance of this testimony will be felt by those who remember + that Bellarmine specifically denies that the government of the Church + resides in Bishops generally; and that in this he is at least borne out + by the last three centuries of Roman practice.</p> + + <p>Bossuet proceeds to remark as follows:—"From this doctrine of + St. Cœlestine we draw many conclusions: first, this,—that + Bishops in the Apostles were appointed teachers by Christ Himself, not at + all by Peter, or Peter's successors. Nor does a Pontiff, seated in so + eminent a place, think it unworthy to mix himself with the rest of the + Bishops. 'We all,' he says, 'in the stead of the Apostles preach the name + of the Lord: we all have succeeded them in honour.' Whence it is the more + evident that authority to teach was transmitted from Christ, as well to + Cœlestine himself, as to the rest of the Bishops. Hence that the + deposit of sacred doctrine is committed to all, the defence of which lies + with all; and so the faith is to be settled by common care and consent; + nor will the protection of Christ, the true Master, be wanting to the + masters of Churches. This Cœlestine lays down equally respecting + himself and all Bishops, successors of the Apostles. Then what agrees + with it: that as the Apostles, assembled on the question concerning legal + rites, put forth their sentence as being at once that of the Holy Spirit + and their own, so too shall it be in other most important controversies; + and the Council of the Apostles will live again in the Councils of + Bishops. Which indeed shows us, that authority and the settlement of the + question lies not in the sentence of Peter alone, or of Peter's + successors, but in the agreement of all.</p> + + <p>"Nor, therefore, does Cœlestine infringe on his own privilege in + reckoning himself with the other successors of the Apostles; for as the + other Bishops were made successors to the other Apostles, so he, being + made by Christ successor to Peter their chief, everywhere takes + precedence of all by authority of Peter, as we read set forth and acted + on in the same Council.</p> + + <p>"Thus in the third holy General Council, and in those first ages, we + both prove against heretics, that the power of the Apostolical See + everywhere takes precedence and leads all, and, what is of the most + importance, in the name of Peter, and so as instituted by Christ. Not + less do we show to Catholics, that the final and infallible force of an + ecclesiastical judgment is seated there, where to the authority of Peter, + that is, of the Pope, is added the authority and agreement of Bishops + also, who are throughout the whole world in the stead of Apostles; which + alone the Church of France demands,"<a name="NtA60" + href="#Nt60"><sup>[60]</sup></a>—and, we may add, the Church of + England.</p> + + <p>Again; compare the spirit of St. Cœlestine's words with the + spirit that dictated the following to De Maistre, whom we might leave + alone, if he were not the exponent of a theory now in the greatest vogue + in the Roman Church;—a theory, indeed, which those must accept, who + leave us, without any chance of modification; for it is not Bossuet's + most Catholic doctrine, but Bellarmine's, which is acted on and taught + now. "I do not affect to cast the least doubt upon the infallibility of a + general Council. I merely say, that it only holds this high privilege + from its head, to whom the promises have been made. We know well that the + gates of hell shall not prevail against the Church. But why? On account + of Peter, on whom she is founded. Take away this foundation, how would + she be infallible, since she exists no longer? Unless I am deceived, in + order to be something, one must first exist."<a name="NtA61" + href="#Nt61"><sup>[61]</sup></a></p> + + <p>Again: "We see that for two centuries and a half religion has done + very well without them (General Councils), and I do not think that any + one thinks of them, in spite of the extraordinary needs of the Church, + for which the Pope will provide much better than a General Council, if + only people knew how to avail themselves of his power."<a name="NtA62" + href="#Nt62"><sup>[62]</sup></a></p> + + <p>It must not be forgotten that this same Council of Ephesus, which + allows none but heretics to refuse to the blessed Virgin the title and + the honour of 'Mother of God,' confirms by its eighth Canon the Episcopal + and Patriarchal system, and bears the strongest testimony against the + Roman. It runs thus: "The most beloved of God and our fellow-bishop + Rheginus, and Zeno and Evagrius, the most religious Bishops of the + Province of Cyprus, have declared unto us an innovation which has been + introduced contrary to the laws of the Church, and the Canons of the holy + Fathers, and which affects the liberty of all. Wherefore since evils + which affect the community require more attention, inasmuch as they cause + greater hurt; and especially since the Bishop of Antioch has not so much + as followed an ancient custom in performing ordinations in Cyprus, as + those most religious persons who have come to the holy Synod have + informed us, by writing and by word of mouth; we declare that they who + preside over the holy Churches which are in Cyprus, shall preserve, + without gainsaying or opposition, their right of performing by themselves + the ordinations of the most religious Bishops, according to the Canons of + the holy Fathers and the ancient custom. The same rule shall be observed + in all the other Dioceses, and in the Provinces everywhere, so that none + of the most religious Bishops shall invade any other Province, which has + not heretofore from the beginning been under the hands of himself or his + predecessors. But if any one has so invaded a Province and brought it by + force under himself, he shall restore it, that the Canons of the Fathers + may not be transgressed, nor the pride of secular dominion be privily + introduced under the appearance of a sacred office, nor we lose by little + the freedom which our Lord Jesus Christ, the deliverer of all men, has + given us by His own blood. The Holy and Ecumenical Synod has therefore + decreed, that the rights which have heretofore, and from the beginning, + belonged to each province, shall be preserved to it pure and without + restraint, according to the custom which has prevailed of old, each + metropolitan having permission to take a copy of the things now + transacted for his own security. But if any one shall introduce any + regulation contrary to what has been now defined, the whole Holy and + Ecumenical synod has decreed that it shall be of no effect."<a + name="NtA63" href="#Nt63"><sup>[63]</sup></a></p> + + <p>It must be allowed that De Maistre has very good reasons for disliking + General Councils.</p> + + <p>Nine years after this Council, St. Leo the Great became Pope, whose + long and able Pontificate will afford us the best means of judging what + the legitimate power of the Roman See was, and how it tended to the + preservation and unity of the whole Church. He lived at an important + crisis, when the barbarous tribes of the North were about to burst over + the Empire and the Church; the system of which, had it not been + consolidated by himself, his immediate predecessors and successors, might + have been dissolved and broken up into fragments.</p> + + <p>I will first show, by a few quotations, that St. Leo had no slight + sense of his own duty and dignity among his brother Bishops. We will then + see how his actions, and the way in which they were received by others, + supported his words.</p> + + <p>In a sermon on the anniversary of his consecration, after noticing + with pleasure the number of Bishops present, he continues, "Nor, as I + trust, is the most blessed Apostle Peter, in his kind condescendence and + faithful love, absent from this assembly, nor does he disregard your + devotion, reverence for whom has drawn you together. And so he at once + rejoices at your affection, and welcomes the observance of the Lord's + Institution in those who share his honour; approving that most orderly + charity of the whole Church, which in Peter's see receives Peter, and + slackens not in love to so great a shepherd, even in the person of so + unworthy an heir." On a like occasion,—"Although, then, beloved, + our partaking in that gift be a great subject for common joy, yet it were + a better and more excellent course of rejoicing, if ye rest not in the + consideration of our humility: more profitable and more worthy by far it + is to raise the mind's eye unto the contemplation of the most blessed + Apostle Peter's glory, and to celebrate this day chiefly in the honour of + him who was watered with streams so copious from the very Fountain of all + graces, that while nothing has passed to others without his + participation, yet he received many special privileges of his own. The + Word made flesh already dwelt in us, and Christ had given up Himself + whole to restore the race of man. Wisdom had left nothing unordered; + power left nothing difficult. Elements were obeying, spirits ministering, + angels serving; it was impossible that Mystery could fail of its effect + in which the Unity and the Trinity of the Godhead Itself was at once + working. <i>And yet out of the whole world, Peter alone is chosen to + preside over the calling of all the Gentiles, and over all the Apostles, + and the collected Fathers of the Church: so that though there be among + the people of God many priests and many shepherds, yet Peter rules all by + personal commission</i> (propriè), <i>whom Christ also rules by sovereign + power. Beloved, it is a great and wonderful participation of His own + power which the Divine condescendance gave to this man: and if He willed + that other rulers should enjoy ought together with him, yet never did He + give, save through him, what He denied not to others.</i> In fine, the + Lord asks all the Apostles what men think of Him; and they answer in + common so long as they set forth the doubtfulness of human ignorance. But + when what the Disciples think is required, he who is first in Apostolic + dignity is first also in confession of the Lord. And when he had said, + 'Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God,' Jesus answered him, + 'Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona, because flesh and blood hath not + revealed it to thee, but My Father, which is in heaven:' that is, Thou + art blessed, because My Father hath taught thee; nor opinion which is of + the earth deceived thee, but heavenly inspiration instructed thee; and + not flesh and blood hath shown Me to thee, but He, whose only-begotten + Son I am. And I, saith He, say unto thee, that is, as My Father hath + manifested to thee My Godhead, so I, too, make known to thee thine own + pre-eminence. For thou art Peter; that is, whilst I am the immutable + Rock, I, the cornerstone, who make both one, I, the foundation beside + which no one can lay another; <i>yet thou also art a rock, because by My + virtue thou art established, so that whatever is Mine by sovereign power, + is to thee by participation common with Me</i>. And upon this rock I will + build My Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it: on + this strength, saith He, I will build an eternal temple, and My Church, + which in its height shall reach the heaven, shall rise upon the firmness + of this faith. This confession the gates of hell shall not restrain, nor + the chains of death fetter; for that voice is the voice of life. And as + it raises those who confess it unto heavenly places, so it plunges those + who deny it into hell. Wherefore it is said to most blessed Peter, 'I + will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatsoever thou + shalt bind on earth, shall be bound in heaven, and whatsoever thou shalt + loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.' The privilege of this power + did indeed pass to the other Apostles, and the order of this decree + reached to all the rulers of the Church, but not without purpose what is + intended for all is put into the hands of one. For therefore is this + entrusted to Peter singly, because all the rulers of the Church are + invested with the figure of Peter. The privilege, therefore, of Peter + remaineth, wheresoever judgment is passed according to his equity. Nor + can severity or indulgence be excessive, where nothing is bound, nothing + loosed, save what blessed Peter either bindeth or looseth. But at the + approach of His passion, which would disturb the firmness of His + disciples, the Lord saith, 'Simon, Simon, behold Satan hath desired to + have you, that he may sift you as wheat; but I have prayed for thee, that + thy faith fail not, and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren, + that ye enter not into temptation.' The danger from the temptation of + fear was common to all the Apostles, and they equally needed the help of + Divine protection, since the devil desired to dismay, to make a wreck of + all: and yet the Lord takes care of Peter in particular, and asks + specially for the faith of Peter, as if the state of the rest would be + more certain, if the mind of their Chief were not overcome. <i>So then in + Peter the strength of all is protected, and the help of Divine grace is + so ordered, that the stability, which through Christ is given to Peter, + through Peter is conveyed to the Apostles.</i></p> + + <p>"Since, therefore, beloved, we see such a protection divinely granted + to us, reasonably and justly do we rejoice in the merits and dignity of + our Chief, rendering thanks to the Eternal King, our Redeemer, the Lord + Jesus Christ, for having given so great a power to him whom He made chief + of the whole Church, that if anything, even in our time, by us be rightly + done and rightly ordered, it is to be ascribed to his working, to his + guidance, unto whom it was said,—'And thou, when thou art + converted, strengthen thy brethren:' and to whom the Lord, after His + resurrection, in answer to the triple profession of eternal love, thrice + said with mystical intent, 'Feed My sheep.' And this, beyond a doubt, the + pious shepherd doth even now, and fulfils the charge of his Lord; + strengthening us with his exhortations, and not ceasing to pray for us, + that we may be overcome by no temptation. But if, as we must believe, he + everywhere discharges this affectionate guardianship to all the people of + God, how much more will he condescend to grant his help unto us his + children, among whom on the sacred couch of his blessed repose he resteth + in the same flesh in which he ruled. To him, therefore, let us ascribe + this anniversary day of us his servant, and this festival, by whose + advocacy we have been thought worthy to share his seat itself, the grace + of our Lord Jesus Christ helping us in all things, Who liveth and + reigneth with God the Father and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever." I + have before me similar passages in abundance; but these are enough to + show how far the teaching of St. Leo, as to his own office, agreed with, + how far went beyond, that of St. Augustin. The combination of the + Patriarch's, and still more of the universal Primate's, power with that + of the Bishop, is a nice point. If this be pushed too far, it issues in a + monarchy; if the other alone be allowed, it converts the one kingdom of + Jesus Christ into an unlimited number of petty republics. On the one hand + there is danger pregnant to the high priesthood of the Church; on the + other hand, to the sacrament of unity. The one-sided development of St. + Leo's teaching has produced the Papacy, in which the Bishops, who + represent the Apostles, are no longer the brethren, co-ordinate in + authority, but the delegates, of St. Peter's successor: but the one-sided + development of St. Cyprian's teaching has rent into pieces the seamless + robe of Christ. Yet this need not be so: in the bright days of the Church + of Christ it was not so. Surely the first six centuries of her existence + are not a dream; and that beautiful image of St. Augustin not an + imagination, but what he saw before his eyes: "to sit on our + watch-towers, and guard the flock, belongs in common to all of us who + have episcopal functions, although the hill on which you stand is more + conspicuous than the rest."</p> + + <p>A Pontiff so deeply and religiously impressed with the prerogatives of + St. Peter's successor was likely to be energetic in discharging his + duties. In truth we behold St. Leo set on a watch-tower, and directing + his gaze over the whole Church: over his own West more especially, but + over the East too, if need be. He can judge Alexandria, Antioch, and + Constantinople, as well as Eugubium, and is as ready too. Wherever Canons + are broken, ancient custom disregarded, encroachments attempted, where + Bishops are neglectful, or Metropolitans tyrannical, where heresy is + imputed to Patriarchs, in short, wherever a stone in the whole sacred + building is being loosened, or threatens to fall, there is he at hand to + repair and restore, to warn, to protect, or to punish. But still they are + brethren, they are equals, they are fellow-apostles, with whom he has to + act, over whom he presides. If Peter was reproved by Paul, and yet the + glorious Apostles laboured, witnessed, fought together, and together rest + in Roman earth, then may the successors of the Twelve remonstrate with, + nay, reprove and resist the successor of the Chief of the Twelve. If he + is vicar of Christ, so are they. We have already seen examples of this, + we shall find others, without schism.</p> + + <p>It had become the custom of the Roman Pontiffs, at least as early as + St. Damasus, (366—384,) and St. Siricius, (384—398,) to + charge some one prelate, in each province where their influence extended, + to represent the Roman Church; to report any infractions of discipline, + or innovations on the faith; to announce the election and consecration of + Bishops. Thus Anastasius of Thessalonica presided over the ten + Metropolitans of Illyricum in Pope Leo's name. The Primate of Arles + represented him in southern Gaul; and others in Spain; and so on. It is + even said that all the Primacies of western Europe were in their origin + derivations thus made from the Primacy of St. Peter. An authority, which + was exercised on the whole for the good of all, seems to have been + generally submitted to by the Bishops of the different provinces: + doubtless every Bishop felt his hands strengthened in his particular + diocese, and had an additional security against any infraction of his + rights by his brethren, when he was able to throw himself back on the + unbiassed and impartial authority of the Bishop of Rome. An authority, + however, which in its commencement professed to be the especial guardian + of the Canons, and to protect and maintain all in their proper place, was + very liable to abuse, and had an inherent tendency to increase, and to + absorb the power of the local Bishops and Metropolitans in the indefinite + pretensions of the Patriarch. We have seen the resistance offered to the + Pope in the case of the wretched Apiarius by the African Church, and now + the Church of Gaul furnishes a defender of the rights of Metropolitans + against Pope Leo in one of the holiest and most apostolical of its + ancient Bishops.</p> + + <p>St. Hilary of Arles, of noble birth, of splendid ability, having in + the world the highest prospects, was converted to God by the prayers of + St. Honoratus. Thereupon he sold his large possessions, and bestowed them + on the poor, and retired to the desert of Lerins. His friend, St. + Honoratus, was shortly after made Bishop of Arles, but he could not + persuade St. Hilary to remain there with him. Within three years he died, + and St. Hilary, who was attending him in his sickness, hastened, as soon + as all was over, to return to his monastery. But it was in vain: he was + pursued, brought back by force, and ordained, in spite of himself, + Metropolitan of the first See in Gaul, at the age of twenty-nine years. + At forty-eight he died, worn out with the severe labours and ascetic life + he had imposed on himself. The nineteen years of his episcopate were + devoted to the most incessant exertions as Bishop and Metropolitan. + Unwearied in energy, unbounded in charity, gifted with extraordinary + eloquence, a severe defender of discipline, yet winning others to follow + where he was ready to go before himself, he becomes the soul of the three + or four provinces over which the See of Arles then presided. He is + connected in some degree with ourselves, as having probably held one of + the chief places in that great council of the Gauls in the year 429, + which sent St. Germanus and St. Lupus into Britain to resist the + Pelagians. He belonged to the same monastery as St. Vincent of Lerins, + and at the same time. It is certain, also, that he was a great friend of + St. Germanus, and often conferred with him. On one of these occasions + great complaints were brought to the two saints against Celidonius, + Bishop of Besançon, for having formerly married a widow, and for having + condemned persons to death. St. Hilary judged Celidonius in a provincial + council, which declared that, having been husband of a widow, he could + not keep his bishopric, and that he ought voluntarily to quit a dignity + which the rules of Scripture permitted him not to hold. He was + accordingly deposed.</p> + + <p>"Celidonius,<a name="NtA64" href="#Nt64"><sup>[64]</sup></a> finding + himself deposed, had recourse to Rome, where he complained that he had + been unjustly condemned. It seems that St. Leo, without further + examination, at once admitted him to his communion, in which he may have + followed what Zosimus and Cœlestinus did in respect of the + miserable Apiarius, priest of Africa. But I know not what Canon or what + rule of the Church justifies such a proceeding. St. Hilary learnt this at + the severest time of winter. Nevertheless, all the discomforts and + dangers of this season gave way to the ardour of his zeal and faith. He + undertook to pass the Alps, and to go on foot to Rome; and this he + accomplished, without having even a horse either to ride or to carry + baggage. Being come to Rome, he first visited the relics of the Apostles + and Martyrs. Next he waited on St. Leo; and having paid him the greatest + respect, he besought him very humbly to please to order what respected + the state of the Churches according to immemorial practice. Persons were + seen attending at Rome on the holy altar who had been juridically and + justly deposed in Gaul: he was obliged to address to him his complaints + of this; and, if they were found correct, besought the Pope at least to + stop by a secret order this violation of the Canons. If not, he would not + trouble him further, not being come to Rome to bring an action, and make + accusations, but to pay to him his respects, to declare to him the state + of things, and to beseech him to maintain the rules of discipline. There + is reason to believe that St. Hilary maintained that St. Leo had no right + at all to take cognizance of this cause as judge, meaning, doubtless, + that the Church of France was in the same condition as that of Africa, + and had the same power to terminate causes which arose there, without an + appeal elsewhere being allowed. St. Leo even sufficiently assures us that + this was St. Hilary's view; and he takes occasion from it to accuse him + of unwillingness to be subject to St. Peter, and to recognise the Primacy + of the Roman Church: which would prove that all the holy Bishops of + Africa did not recognise it, and give heretics a great advantage. St. + Leo, on the other hand, maintained not only that the Churches of the + Gauls had often consulted that of Rome in various + difficulties—which had nothing to do with the matter in + question—but, also, that they had often appealed to the Holy See, + which had either altered or confirmed judgments pronounced by them. If we + may be allowed to regard the depositions of St. Leo and St. Hilary as the + claims of different parties, and to examine the matter to the bottom, + according to the light which history sheds on it, we may say that we do + not find that the Gallican Church had hitherto admitted, up to that time, + any appeal to the Holy See; and that Zosimus, having wished to claim the + right of judging Proculus, Bishop of Marseilles, Proculus always + maintained himself, in spite of all the efforts of this Pope. Meanwhile, + as St. Leo, sufficiently jealous of the greatness of his See, found + himself opposed by St. Hilary in a point of this importance, it is not + surprising that he was susceptible of the bad impression given him of the + conduct of this great saint, as we shall see hereafter. 'I dare not + examine,' says the historian of St. Hilary, 'the judgment and the conduct + of two men so great, especially now that God has called them to the + possession of His glory. I confine myself to saying, that Hilary singly + opposed this great number of adversaries; that he was not shaken by their + menaces; that he laid the truth before those who would listen to it; that + he prevailed over those who would dispute with him; that he yielded not + to the powerful; in short, that he preferred running the risk of losing + his life to admitting to his communion him whom he had deposed together + with so many great Bishops.'</p> + + <p>"Had St. Leo only required to have the affair reheard in the Gauls, + agreeably to the Canons of Sardica, the only ones which the Church had + hitherto made in favour of appeals to the Pope, St. Hilary would, + perhaps, have consented; that is, if he were better acquainted with this + Council than they were in Africa. But it is not apparent that such a + rehearing was mentioned. And as to suffering the matter to be judged at + Rome, St. Hilary, besides the other reasons which he might have, + considered, doubtless, with St. Cyprian, that the proofs of the facts on + which judgment must be made cannot be transported thither. So the + Gallican Church has always maintained itself in the right, that appeals + made to Rome be referred back to the spot. Though St. Hilary had + protested that he was not come to engage in any dispute, nevertheless he + did not refuse to take part in a conference, in which St. Leo heard him, + together with Celidonius. Several Bishops were there. Notes were made of + all that was said. St. Leo says that St. Hilary had nothing reasonable to + answer; his passion carried him away to say things that a layman would + not have dared to utter, and that the Bishops could not listen to. He + adds that this haughty pride touched him to the quick, and that, + nevertheless, he had used no other remedy than patience, not wishing to + sharpen and increase the wounds which this insolent language caused in + the soul of him who held it: that moreover, having received him at first + as his brother, he only thought of soothing rather than vexing and + paining him; and that indeed he did this to himself sufficiently by the + confusion into which the weakness of his answers threw him. It is clear + that St. Hilary would not answer on the main point of Celidonius's + affair, because he maintained that St. Leo could not be judge of it. And + we must not be surprised that the Romans found much insolence in the + inflexible firmness with which he maintained it. Doubtless it was this + pretended insolence which caused him even to be put under guard, which + may surprise us in the case of a Bishop, and in an affair purely + ecclesiastical. Among the insolent and rash expressions of which St. Leo + in general complains, he remarks, in particular, that St. Hilary had + often demanded to be condemned, if he had condemned Celidonius contrary + to the rules of the Canons. He wished, then, that we should judge others + by the rule which fully justifies St. Hilary. The saint, seeing that his + reasons were not listened to, would not wait St. Leo's sentence. He + preferred withdrawing secretly, while this affair was still being + examined. So he escaped from his guards, and though it was still winter, + left Rome, and returned to Arles, perhaps in February (445): so that when + they sought for him to speak further on this matter, it was found that he + was gone. St. Leo failed not to proceed, reversed the judgment delivered + against Celidonius, declared him absolved and acquitted of the accusation + of having married a widow, and restored him to his rank of Bishop, which + he had already done at first, without having examined the affair."</p> + + <p>There were other accusations made against St. Hilary, into which we + need not enter. St. Leo wrote a very severe letter about him to the + Bishops of Gaul: he accused him "of raising himself against St. Peter, + and being unwilling to recognise his Primacy, as if all those who believe + that a successor of St. Peter passes the bounds of the Canons were + enemies of the Primacy of the Holy See. That would be to arm against the + Popes in favour of heretics a great number of Fathers, of Saints, and of + Councils."<a name="NtA65" href="#Nt65"><sup>[65]</sup></a> The result was + that he took away from St. Hilary his rights of Metropolitan, and + conferred them on the Bishop of Vienne, who had claims upon them. But + this measure was so disliked by the suffragans of Arles, that he restored + the See of Arles to most of its privileges under Ravennius, the successor + of St. Hilary. However, this matter had even more important consequences. + We will let the Roman Catholic historian, as before, describe them. "St. + Leo apparently feared that the Bishops of the Gauls would not be + sufficiently submissive to what he had ordered. And though he had made it + a charge against St. Hilary that he had employed an armed force in + affairs of the Church, for all that he recurred himself to the imperial + power against him. He represented him to the Emperor Valentinian the + Third as one who rebelled both against the authority of the Apostolic + See, and the majesty of the Empire, and obtained of this prince, who was + then at Rome, a celebrated rescript, addressed to the Patrician Aetius, + general of the armies of the Empire, by which, under pretext of + maintaining the peace of the Church, he forbids undertaking any thing + whatever without the authority of the Apostolic See, or resisting its + orders, which, says he, had always been observed inviolably up to + Hilarius. He orders all Bishops to hold as law all that the authority of + the Pope establishes, and all magistrates to compel by force to appear + before the tribunal of the Bishop of Rome all persons cited thither, if + they refused to go. It may be seen by what happened about this time to + Atticus, Metropolitan of Nicopolis, in Epirus, how scandalous this + employment of force was, and how opposed, according to St. Leo himself, + to the gentleness of the Church. Valentinian adds, that the sentence + given by St. Leo against St. Hilary, had no need of any one to be + executed in the Gauls, since the authority of so great a Pontiff has a + right to give any order to the Churches. He goes so far as to make it a + charge against St. Hilary, to have deposed and ordained Bishops without + consulting the Pope. He even names him a criminal of State on the score + of his being charged with having employed the force of arms to establish + Bishops, and to place them on a throne where they had only to preach + peace. This law is dated the 6th of June, 445, and it is this which fixes + the time of all this history. It is undoubtedly very proper, as says + Baronius, to show that the Emperors have greatly contributed to establish + the greatness and authority of the Popes. This is not the place to make + other reflections upon it; but we cannot forbear saying that, in the mind + of those who have any love for the liberty of the Church, and any + knowledge of its discipline, this law will always as little honour him + whom it praises as it will injure him whom it condemns. Pope Hilary + quotes this law, and avails himself of the authority it attributes to the + decisions of Rome."<a name="NtA66" href="#Nt66"><sup>[66]</sup></a> It + would be presumptuous to add a word to the judgment of one who has made + the first centuries of the Church his especial study. St. Hilary, on his + return to Arles, made many attempts to reconcile the Pope to him, but all + were fruitless, as he would not give up the point in dispute. "It seems," + says Tillemont, "that he continued resolved to do nothing in prejudice of + the rights he believed to belong to his Church, but that seeing the two + great powers of Church and State united against him, he remained quiet + and silent, occupied only in the work of his salvation, and that of his + people." During the four years he survived, he redoubled his austerities + and good works: he died in the odour of sanctity; and after his death, + "St. Leo, though still persuaded that he was a presumptuous spirit, calls + him 'of holy memory.' Yet, we have neither proof nor probability that he + had restored him to his communion, from which he had cut him off."<a + name="NtA67" href="#Nt67"><sup>[67]</sup></a> His name occurs in the + Roman Martyrology.</p> + + <p>Thus an encroachment, which had failed in Africa, succeeded through a + conjuncture of circumstances, especially the intervention of the civil + power, in Gaul. Of course it was made the stepping-stone to further + advances. This one specimen may give us a notion how the lawful power of + the Patriarch and the recognised pre-eminence of the one Apostolic See of + the West had a continual tendency to develop, and won, by degrees, + unlimited control over the original and acknowledged rights of the + Bishops and Metropolitans. Still, even in the hands of St. Leo, this was + merely an extraordinary interference. Ravennius, the successor of this + very St. Hilary, was elected and consecrated by the Bishops of his + province, who then announced it to Pope Leo, and received a + congratulatory answer.<a name="NtA68" href="#Nt68"><sup>[68]</sup></a> He + says himself to the Bishops of the province of Vienne, "It is not for + ourselves that we defend the ordinations of your provinces, which perhaps + Hilarius may, according to his wont, falsely state to you, to render + disaffected the mind of your Holiness; but it is for you we claim them + through our solicitude." And again: "Decreeing this, that if any one of + our brethren in any province die, he who is known to be the Metropolitan + of that province, should claim to himself the ordination of the + Priest."<a name="NtA69" href="#Nt69"><sup>[69]</sup></a></p> + + <p>So long as the election and consecration of Bishops and Metropolitans + were thus free and canonical, the greatness of the central See could + never depress and extinguish the essential equality of the Episcopate. + Let it be remembered that St. Leo, with all his power and influence, + consecrated no other Bishops than those of Southern Italy, Sicily, and + Sardinia, which were the bounds of his proper patriarchate; there his + authority was direct and immediate; but in Africa, the Gauls, Spain, + Illyricum, and the West generally, it was only properly exercised in + matters beyond the range of the Bishops and Metropolitans. We suppose it + is impossible to define a power which was to correct and restore in + emergencies. The Bishops of the province of Aries afterwards besought + Pope Leo to restore the primacy to Arles, and render, <span + class="scac">A.D.</span> 450, this undoubted testimony to the Primacy of + the Roman Church, and to the connexion between the rights of the + Metropolitan and the Patriarch:—</p> + + <p>"By the Priest of this Church (Arles) it is certain that our + predecessors, as well as ourselves, have been consecrated to the High + Priesthood by the gift of the Lord; in which, following antiquity, the + predecessors of your Holiness confirmed by their published letters this + which old custom had handed down concerning the privileges of the Church + of Arles, (as the records of the Apostolical See doubtless prove;) + believing it to be full of reason and justice, that as through the most + blessed Peter, Prince of the Apostles, the holy Roman Church holds + primacy over all the Churches of the whole world, so also within the + Gauls the Church of Arles, which had been thought worthy to receive for + its Priest St. Trophimus, sent by the Apostles, should claim the right of + ordaining to the High Priesthood."<a name="NtA70" + href="#Nt70"><sup>[70]</sup></a></p> + + <p>The view on which St. Leo acted in these proceedings against St. + Hilary is very plainly set forth in certain of his letters. Thus, "To our + most beloved Brethren, all the Bishops throughout the province of Vienne, + Leo Bishop of Rome.... The Lord hath willed that the mystery of this gift + (of announcing the Gospel) should belong to the office of all the + Apostles, on the condition of its being chiefly seated in the most + blessed Peter, first of all the Apostles; and from him, as it were from + the head, it is His pleasure that His gifts should flow into the whole + body, that whoever dares to recede from the rock of Peter may know that + he has no part in the divine mystery. For him hath He assumed into the + participation of His indivisible unity, and willed that he should be + named what He himself is, saying, 'Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I + will build my Church:' that the rearing of the eternal temple by the + wonderful gift of the grace of God might consist in the solidity of + Peter, strengthening with this firmness His Church, that neither the + rashness of man might attempt it, nor the gates of hell prevail against + it."<a name="NtA71" href="#Nt71"><sup>[71]</sup></a> So to his vicar the + Bishop of Thessalonica, whom he was erecting into an Exarch over the ten + Metropolitans of Eastern Illyricum: "As my predecessors to your + predecessors, so have I, following the example of those gone before, + committed to your affection my charge of government; that you imitating + our gentleness might relieve the care <i>which we in virtue of our + headship</i> (principaliter), <i>by Divine institution, owe to all + Churches</i>, and might, in some degree, discharge our personal + visitation to provinces far distant from us; since you can readily + ascertain, by near and convenient inspection, what in every matter you + might either by your own zeal arrange, or reserve to our judgment." "For + we have entrusted your affection to represent us on this condition, that + you are called to a part of our solicitude, but not to the fulness of our + power.... But if in a matter which you believe fit to be considered and + decided on with your brethren," (the Bishops of the province,) "their + sentence differs from yours, let every thing be referred to us on the + authority of the Acts, that all doubtfulness may be removed, and we may + decree what pleaseth God. For to this we direct all our solicitude and + care, that the unity of mutual agreement and the maintenance of + discipline be broken by no dissension, nor neglected by any + slothfulness.... For the compactness of our unity cannot remain firm, + unless the bond of charity bind us into an inseparable whole; because, + 'as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same + office, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members + one of another.' For it is the joining together which makes one + soundness, and one beauty in the whole body: and this joining together, + as it requires unanimity in the whole body, so especially demands concord + among Priests. For though these have a like dignity, yet have they not an + equal jurisdiction; (<i>quibus cum dignitas sit communis, non est tamen + ordo generalis</i>;) since even amongst the most blessed Apostles, as + there was a likeness of honour, so was there a certain distinction of + power; and the election of all being equal, pre-eminence over the rest + was given to one. From which type (<i>forma</i>) the distinction between + Bishops also has arisen, and it was provided by an important arrangement + that all should not claim to themselves power over all, but that in every + province there should be one, whose sentence should be considered the + first among his brethren; and others again seated in the greater cities + should undertake a larger care, through whom the direction of the + Universal Church should converge to the one See of Peter, and nothing + anywhere disagree from its head."<a name="NtA72" + href="#Nt72"><sup>[72]</sup></a></p> + + <p>I think it fair to admit that the germ of something very like the + present papal system, without, however, such a wonderful concentration + and absorption of all power, is discernible in these words. I shall give + further on, Bossuet's interpretation of their most remarkable expression. + But it is also certain that such is not the view of the Church's + government set before us by St. Cyprian, St. Augustin, St. Vincent of + Lerins, and the Fathers generally, nor the one supported by the acts of + the ancient Church. There is a very distinct tone in the teaching and + acts of St. Leo, and the other Popes generally, from that of the + contemporary Bishops and Fathers who had not succeeded to St. Peter's own + see. It consists in dwelling on the Primacy so strongly, as quite to + throw out of view the apostolic powers of other Bishops; whereas these + latter dwell upon the apostolic powers of the episcopate generally; and, + while they admit St. Peter's Primacy and that of the Roman see, place the + government of the Church in the harmonious agreement of all. St. Leo's + view, rigorously carried out, as it has been by the later Roman Church, + substitutes St. Peter singly, for St. Peter and his brethren; and this + usurpation, I repeat, we have to admit afresh, or else be accounted + heretics and schismatics.</p> + + <p>Now, as to the government of which St. Leo had the ideal before him, I + must first remark that it was <i>new</i>. He says himself to the Bishop + of Thessalonica: "The government of Churches in Illyricum, which we + commit in our stead to your affection, following the example of Siricius + of blessed memory, who to your predecessor Anysius of holy memory <i>then + first committed with a certain charge</i> the supporting of the Churches + of that province, which he desired to be maintained in discipline."<a + name="NtA73" href="#Nt73"><sup>[73]</sup></a> That is, it was scarcely + sixty years since Pope Siricius had selected the Bishop of the Metropolis + to keep a watch over the maintenance of the canons. And now Pope Leo was + already requiring the Metropolitans to consecrate no Bishop without first + consulting the Bishop of Thessalonica as his vicar.</p> + + <p>Secondly, this proceeding on the part of the Popes was not submitted + to generally, even throughout the West. The "Codex Ecclesiæ Africanæ" is + full of prohibitions against even appealing to "Bishops beyond the sea," + <i>i.e.</i> the Pope. In St. Augustin's time, as we have seen, they + positively forbad the Pope's interference with their internal government, + and only submitted to it after they had been enfeebled by the irruption + of the Vandals.</p> + + <p>Thirdly, this power was set up very much indeed by help of the + imperial authority. The process, in fact, of centralizing in the Church, + ran completely parallel with that in the State. The law of Valentinian, + above mentioned, is a strong proof of this. Of course the object of the + emperors was to control the action of the Church through one Bishop made + the chief. But it is somewhat remarkable that that Church which maintains + a standing protest against the interference of the State with spiritual + matters, (a protest for which she is worthy of all respect and + admiration,) should owe to the support of the State, in different periods + of her history, very much more of her power than any other Church. It may + be that God rewards the fearless maintenance of spiritual rights by the + grant of that very temporal power which threatens them with + destruction.</p> + + <p>Now as we have had St. Jerome in a noted place appealing to Rome, and + acknowledging her primacy, let us take another passage of his which, I + think, implicitly denies St. Leo's view. Arguing then against the pride + of the Roman deacons, in which city, as they were only seven in number, + the office was in higher estimation than even the priesthood, which was + numerous, he observes, "Nor is the Church of the Roman city to be + considered one, and that of the whole world another. Both the Gauls, and + the Britains, and Africa, and Persia, and the East, and India, and all + barbarous nations, adore one Christ, observe one rule of truth. If you + require authority, <i>the world is greater than the city</i>. Wherever a + bishop is, be it at Rome, or Eugubium, or Constantinople, or Rhegium, or + Alexandria, or Tanæ, he is of the same rank, the same priesthood. The + power of riches, and the humility of poverty, make a bishop neither + higher nor lower. But all are successors of the Apostles. But you say, + how is it that at Rome a priest is ordained upon the testimony of a + deacon? Why allege to me <i>the custom of a single city</i>? Why defend + against the laws of the Church a fewness of number, which is the source + of their pride?"<a name="NtA74" href="#Nt74"><sup>[74]</sup></a> The very + force of St. Leo's view lies in the exact contradictory of St. Jerome's + words: viz. <i>the city is greater than the world</i>, and this alone + justifies and bears out the present claim of the Roman see, and its + attitude both to those within, and to those without, its pale.</p> + + <p>But fourthly, had this government, as imaged out by St. Leo, been + submitted to not only in Gaul, Spain, Africa, and Illyricum, but + throughout the West generally, all this would still be nothing for its + catholicity, and therefore its binding effect, unless it had been allowed + by the East. Now we have the strongest proof that it never was so + allowed. This interference, and much more, the centralization pointed at, + as it never would have been tolerated, so neither was it attempted, in + the patriarchates of the East. There was far less danger of the + patriarchal power becoming excessive, when it was possessed by five, who + were a check to each other. St. Leo's influence and authority in the West + were balanced by the exercise of like influence and authority in the + East, originally by the sees of Alexandria and Antioch, and at this and + later times still more by that of Constantinople. And though throughout + the East the Bishop of Rome was reckoned the first of these in rank, yet + the Easterns were governed entirely by their own Patriarchs. So far from + there being any authority delegated by Rome to the Eastern Patriarchs, + there was no appeal from them to Rome, that is to say, in a matter + belonging to their particular government; for as to the general faith of + the Church, in any peculiar emergency or violation of the usual order of + procedure, there was an appeal, if not lawful, at least exercised, to any + of the Patriarchs. Thus Theodoret of Cyrus, unjustly deposed by Dioscorus + of Alexandria in the Latrocinium of Ephesus, flies "to the Apostolic + throne" of St. Leo; "for in all things it is becoming that you should + have the primacy. For your throne is adorned with many advantages. It has + the sepulchres of our common Fathers and teachers of the truth, Peter and + Paul. These have made your throne exceedingly illustrious. This is the + height of your blessings."<a name="NtA75" + href="#Nt75"><sup>[75]</sup></a> Though a supplicant, he addresses him + only as first Bishop of the Church, not as monarch. It is a virtual + denial of the present Papal authority, because a silence, where it would + have been put forward, had it been known. So the heretic Eutyches, before + the council of his own Patriarch, "when his deposition was read, appealed + to the holy synod of the most holy Bishop of Rome, and Alexandria, and + Jerusalem, and Thessalonica."<a name="NtA76" + href="#Nt76"><sup>[76]</sup></a> Thus St. Isidore of Spain, in the sixth + century, says: "The order of Bishops is fourfold; that is, Patriarchs, + Archbishops, Metropolitans, and Bishops. In Greek a Patriarch is called + the first of the Fathers, because he holds the first, that is, the + Apostolic place, and therefore, because he holds the highest rank, he has + such an appellation, as the Roman, the Antiochene, and the + Alexandrine."<a name="NtA77" href="#Nt77"><sup>[77]</sup></a> Accordingly + Gieseler says, "At the end of this period," (<span + class="scac">A.D.</span> 451,) the four Patriarchs of the East "were held + in their patriarchates for ecclesiastical centres, to which the other + Bishops had to attach themselves for maintenance of ecclesiastical unity; + and in conjunction with their patriarchal synod they formed the highest + tribunal of appeal in all ecclesiastical matters of the patriarchate; + whilst, on the other hand, they were treated as the highest + representatives of the Church, who, through mutual communication with + each other, were to maintain the unity of the universal Church, and + without whose concurrence no decrees concerning the whole Church could be + made."<a name="NtA78" href="#Nt78"><sup>[78]</sup></a></p> + + <p>But no more certain proof of the independence of the Eastern Church + can be given than the Synodical Epistle of the Council of Constantinople + to the Pope and the Western Bishops. This was a Synod of purely Eastern + Bishops, held in 381, which afterwards, by the consent of the Western + Church, became Ecumenical. This Council "arranged, without any reference + to the West, the affairs of the Oriental Church, and was even quite + openly on the side of the party of Meletius, rejected by the Westerns; + just so the interference attempted by the Italian Bishops in the matter + of Maximus, the counter-Bishop of Constantinople, remained quite + disregarded."<a name="NtA79" href="#Nt79"><sup>[79]</sup></a> They write + thus: "To our most honoured Lords and pious brethren and + fellow-ministers, Damasus," of Rome, "Ambrosius," of Milan, "Britton, + Valerianus, Ascholius, Anemius, Basilius, and the other holy Bishops + assembled in the great city of Rome, the holy Synod of orthodox Bishops + assembled in the great city of Constantinople greeting in the Lord."<a + name="NtA80" href="#Nt80"><sup>[80]</sup></a> Then after informing them + what they had decreed concerning the highest matters of the faith, they + go on—"But as to the management of particular matters in the + Churches, both an ancient fundamental principle, (<span title="thesmos" class="grk" + >θεσμὸς</span>,) as ye know, hath + prevailed, and the rule of the holy Fathers at Nicea, that in each + province those of the province," <i>i.e.</i> the Bishops, "and if they be + willing, their neighbours also, should make the elections according as + they judge meet. In accordance with which know ye both that the rest of + the Churches are administered by us, and that Priests of the most + distinguished Churches have been appointed. Whence in the, so to say, + newly-founded Church of Constantinople, which by the mercy of God we have + snatched as it were out of the jaws of the lion, from subjection to the + blasphemy of the heretics, we have elected Bishop the most reverend and + pious Nectarius, in an Ecumenical<a name="NtA81" + href="#Nt81"><sup>[81]</sup></a> Council, with common agreement, in the + sight both of the most religious emperor Theodosius, and with the consent + of all the Clergy and the whole city. And those," the Bishops, "both of + the province and of the diocese<a name="NtA82" + href="#Nt82"><sup>[82]</sup></a> of the East, being canonically + assembled, the whole accordant Church as with one voice honouring the + man, have elected the most reverend and religious Bishop Flavian to the + most ancient and truly apostolical Church of Antioch in Syria, where + first the venerable name of Christian became known: which legitimate + election the whole Synod hath received." (And this notwithstanding the + Bishop Paulinus, who was received by Rome and the West, had survived St. + Meletius, and was then alive. So that they would not, even when such an + opportunity occurred, accept the Bishop in communion with Rome—a + fact on the one side, which I suppose may weigh against those words of + St. Jerome on the other, "I know not Vitalis; Meletius I reject; I am + ignorant of Paulinus." <a href="#quot26">Quoted, p. 26.</a> It seems that + though the test of communion with Rome satisfied St. Jerome, it did not + satisfy an Ecumenical Council.) "But of the Church in Jerusalem, <i>the + mother of all Churches</i>, we declare that the most reverend and + religious Cyril is Bishop, both as long since canonically elected by + those of his province, and as having struggled much against the Arians in + different places. Whom, as being lawfully and canonically established by + us, we invite your piety also to congratulate, through spiritual love, + and the fear of the Lord, which represses all human affection, and + accounts the edification of the Churches more precious than sympathy + with, or favour of, individuals. For thus, by agreement in the word of + faith, and by the establishment of Christian love in us, we shall cease + to say what the Apostle has condemned—I am of Paul, and I of + Apollos, and I of Cephas. For all being shown to be Christ's, who in us + is not divided, by the help of God we shall keep the body of the Church + unrent, and shall stand with confidence before the tribunal of the + Lord."</p> + + <p>Here is the whole East, in the year 381, long before the schism, + announcing to the Bishops of Rome, Milan, Aquilea, and the West, the + election of its Patriarchs, and exercising as an ancient incontestable + right that liberty of self-government, according to the canons, for + continuing to do which very thing, and for nothing else, the Latin Church + accounts both the Greek and English Church schismatic. Now the Eastern + Church, as its own rituals to this day declare, always acknowledged St. + Peter's primacy, and that his primacy was inherited by the Bishop of + Rome; but it is apparent at once that it never received, nay most + strongly abhorred, that system of centralization of all power in Rome, + which St. Leo seems to have had before his eyes. Its most holy and + illustrious Fathers never submitted to this domination. St. Basil had + already complained of the Western pride, (<span title="dutikê ophrus" class="grk" + >δυτικὴ + ὀφρύς</span>.)<a name="NtA83" + href="#Nt83"><sup>[83]</sup></a> St. Gregory of Nazianzum is that very + Archbishop by whose voluntary cession and advice Nectarius is elected. + St. Gregory of Nyssa, and Peter, brothers of St. Basil, are in this + council, and so St. Cyril of Jerusalem. And yet Bellarmine will have it + that Bishops who so wrote and so acted received their jurisdiction from + Rome; and what is far more important, if they did not, the present Papal + theory falls to the ground.</p> + + <p>When Gieseler speaks of "the principle of the mutual independence of + the Western and Eastern Church being firmly held in the East + generally,"<a name="NtA84" href="#Nt84"><sup>[84]</sup></a> of course it + must be understood that there can be no independence, strictly so called, + in the Church and Body of Christ. Independence annihilates membership and + coherence. Accordingly, I am fully prepared to admit that the Primacy of + the Roman See, even among the Patriarchs, was a real thing; not a mere + title of honour. The power of the First See was really exerted in + difficult conjunctures to keep the whole body together. I am quite aware + that the Bishop of Rome could do, what the Bishop of Alexandria, or of + Antioch, or of Constantinople, or of Jerusalem, could not do. Even merely + as standing at the head of the whole West he counterbalanced all the + four. But I accept <i>bona fide</i> what Socrates and Sozomen tell us. I + believe they had before them neither the Papal Empire of St. Gregory the + Seventh, nor the maxims of the Reformation. They are unbiassed witnesses. + Sozomen then tells us, that when St. Athanasius, unjustly deposed, fled + to Rome for justice, together with Paul of Constantinople, Marcellus of + Ancyra, and Asclepas of Gaza, "the Bishop of the Romans, having inquired + into the accusations against each, when he found them all agreeing with + the doctrine of the Nicene Synod, admitted them to communion as agreeing + with him. <i>And inasmuch as the care of all belonged to him on account + of the rank of his See, he restored to each his Church</i>. And he wrote + to the Bishops throughout the East, &c., which they took very ill;"<a + name="NtA85" href="#Nt85"><sup>[85]</sup></a> so ill, indeed, that they + afterwards pronounced a sentence of deposition against the Pope himself. + Again, Pope Julius "wrote to them, accusing them of secretly undermining + the doctrine of the Nicene Synod, and that, contrary to the laws of the + Church, they had not called him to their Council. <i>For that it was an + hierarchical law to declare null what was done against the sentence of + the Bishop of the Romans.</i>"<a name="NtA86" + href="#Nt86"><sup>[86]</sup></a> That is, in matters concerning the state + of the whole Church, as was this cause of Athanasius. So Socrates says, + in reference to the same matter, that Pope Julius asserted to the Bishops + of the East, that "they were breaking the Canons in not having called him + to their Council, <i>the ecclesiastical Canon ordering that the Churches + should not make Canons contrary to the sentence of the Bishop of + Rome</i>."<a name="NtA87" href="#Nt87"><sup>[87]</sup></a> These passages + mark the prerogative of the First See: yet are they quite compatible with + the general self-government of the Eastern Church. No doubt, when the + Patriarchs of the East were at variance, all would look for support to + him who was both the first of their number, and stood alone with the + whole West to back him.</p> + + <p>And thus again in St. Leo's time a very extraordinary emergency arose, + which still further raised the credit of the Roman Patriarch. Dioscorus + of Alexandria, supporting the heretic Eutyches, had, by help of the + Emperor, deposed and murdered St. Flavian of Constantinople: Juvenal of + Jerusalem was greatly involved in this transaction. Dioscorus had then + consecrated Anatolius to be the successor of St. Flavian, and Anatolius + had consecrated Maximus to Antioch, instead of Domnus, who, too, had been + irregularly deposed after St. Flavian. Now, had Dioscorus been otherwise + blameless, his consecrating Anatolius, of his own authority, to + Constantinople, and Anatolius then consecrating Maximus to Antioch, + without the participation of Rome, was an infringement of the just rights + of the Primacy; as a Patriarch could not be deposed without the + concurrence of the First See. Thus the whole East was in confusion. A + heretic had been absolved; one Patriarch murdered, two deposed; and of + the other two, one was chief agent, and the other not clear, in these + transactions. No wonder that at the Council of Chalcedon, the Bishop of + Rome appeared at the head of the West, both to vindicate his own violated + rights, for Dioscorus had even deposed him, and as the restorer of true + doctrine, and the deliverer of the Church.</p> + + <p>But I must now quote, at considerable length, the argument of Bossuet, + and his statement as to where the sovereign power in the Church resides. + We have already seen what he has said respecting the Council of Ephesus; + and his observations on that of Chalcedon and the four succeeding + Councils are equally important. His argument, which was intended for the + justification of the Gallican Church, really reaches to that of the Greek + and English Church also; and it is of the very utmost value, as it rests + upon authorities which are sacrosanct in the eyes of every + Catholic—the proceedings and decrees of Ecumenical Councils. Let it + only be remembered, that I quote no German rationalist, no one who denies + either the doctrine or hierarchy of the Church; but a Catholic prelate, + the most strenuous defender of the faith, and one who, in the great + assembly of his brethren, cried out, "If I forget thee, Church of Rome, + may I forget myself; may my tongue dry, and remain motionless in my + mouth, if thou art not always the first in my remembrance, if I place + thee not at the beginning of all my songs of joy."<a name="NtA88" + href="#Nt88"><sup>[88]</sup></a></p> + + <p>The question then at issue is, whether the Bishop of Rome be the first + of the Patriarchs, and first Bishop of the whole world, the head of the + Apostolic college, and holding among them the place which Peter held, all + which I freely acknowledge, as the testimony of antiquity; or whether he + be, further, not only this, but the source of all jurisdiction, uniting + in his single person all those powers which belonged to Peter and the + Apostles collectively: an idea which, however extravagant, is actually + maintained at present in the Church of Rome, is moreover absolutely + necessary to justify its acts, and to condemn the position of the Greek + and English Church. Bossuet, who fought for the Gallican liberties, + fought for the Anglican likewise.</p> + + <p>"Let<a name="NtA89" href="#Nt89"><sup>[89]</sup></a> us now review the + Acts of the General Council of Chalcedon. The previous facts were these. + The two natures of Christ were confounded by Eutyches, an Archimandrite + and Abbot of Constantinople, an old man no less obstinate than out of his + senses. He then was condemned by his own Bishop, St. Flavian of + Constantinople, and appealed to all the Patriarchs, but chiefly to the + Roman Pontiff. Leo writes to Flavian, and 'orders everything to be laid + before him.' Flavian answers and requests of Leo 'that, making his own + the common cause and the discipline of the holy Churches, he should, at + the same time, decree that the condemnation of Eutyches was regularly + passed, and by his own words should strengthen the faith of the Emperor.' + He added, 'For the cause only needs your support and definition; and you + should, by your own determination, bring it to peace.' This means, it is + plain and clear, it has yet few followers, and those obscure, and of no + great name. He ends, 'For so the heresy which has arisen will be most + easily destroyed, by the cooperation of God, through your letters; and + the Council, of which there are rumours, be given up, that the holy + Churches be not disturbed.' This, too, is in accordance with discipline, + for heresies to be immediately suppressed, first by the Bishop's care, + then by that of the Apostolic See: nor is it forthwith necessary that an + universal Council be assembled, and the peace of all Churches + troubled.</p> + + <p>"After the proceedings had been sent to Leo, he writes to Flavian, + most fully and clearly setting forth the mystery of the Lord's + incarnation, as he says himself, and as all Churches bear witness; at the + same time he praises the acts of Flavian, and condemns Eutyches, yet with + the grant of indulgence, should he make amends. This is that noble and + divine letter which was afterwards so warmly celebrated through the whole + Church, and which I wish to be understood so often as I name simply Leo's + letter.</p> + + <p>"And here the question might have been terminated, but for those + incidents which induced the Emperor Theodosius the younger to call the + Synod of Ephesus. He was the same who had appointed the First Council of + Ephesus, under Cœlestine and Cyril.</p> + + <p>"Of this Synod St. Leo writes to Theodosius, at first, 'that the + matter was so evident, that for reasonable causes the calling of a Synod + should be abstained from.' And Flavian likewise seemed to have been + against this. But after the Emperor, with good intentions, had convoked + the Synod, Leo gives his consent, and sends the letter to the Synod, in + which he praises the Emperor for being willing to hold an assembly of + Bishops, 'that by a fuller judgment all error may be done away with.' He + mentions that he had sent Legates, who, says he, 'in my stead shall be + present at the sacred assembly of your Brotherhood, and determine, by a + joint sentence with you, what shall please the Lord.'</p> + + <p>"Here are three points: first, that in questions of faith it is not + always necessary for an Ecumenical Council to be assembled. Secondly, + that Leo, great Pontiff as he was, did not decline a judgment, if the + cause required it, after the matter had been judged by himself. Thirdly, + that, if a Synod were held, it behoved that all error should be done away + with by a fuller judgment, and the question be terminated by the + Apostolic See, by a joint sentence with the Bishops, in which he + acknowledges that full force of consent, so often mentioned by me.</p> + + <p>"But after Dioscorus, Bishop of Alexandria, the protector of Eutyches, + had done every thing with violence and crime, and not a Council, but an + assembly of robbers downright, had been held at Ephesus, then, when the + Episcopal order had been divided, and the whole Church thrown into + confusion, under the name of the Second Ecumenical Council of Ephesus, + Leo himself admits that a new general Council must be held, which should + either remove or mitigate all offences, so that there should no longer be + either any doubt as to faith, or division in charity. Therefore he + perceived that schisms, and such a fluctuation of minds respecting the + faith itself, could not be sufficiently removed by his own judgment. And + the Pontiff, no less wise and good than resolute, demanded a fuller, + firmer, greater judgment, by the authority of a General Council, by + which, that is, all doubt might be removed.</p> + + <p>"But the Emperor Theodosius would not hear of a new Council, so long + as he thought that due order had been preserved at Ephesus. 'For the + matter was settled at Ephesus by the deposition of those who deserved it; + and a decision having been once passed, nothing else can be determined + after it.' Here the difference between the judgments of Roman Pontiffs + and of General Councils is very evident; the judgment of the Roman + Pontiff being reconsidered in a Council, whereas after a Council, so long + as it is held a lawful one, nothing can be reconsidered, nothing + heard.</p> + + <p>"But as Theodosius shortly afterwards died, the Emperor Marcian, upon + understanding that the Ephesine assembly had used violence, and acted + otherwise against the Canons, and was therefore refused the name and + authority of an Ecumenical Council by most Bishops, but chiefly by the + Roman Pontiff, could not deny the calling of a new Council to Leo's + request. So the Council of Chalcedon took place, and all admitted that + there were certain dissensions on matter of faith so grave, that they can + only be settled by the authority of an Ecumenical Council.</p> + + <p>"All know that more than six hundred Bishops assembled at Chalcedon. + The Bishops Paschasinus and Lucentius presided over the holy Council in + Leo's stead. Magistrates were assigned by the Emperor to direct the + proceedings, and restrain disorder; but to leave the question of faith + and all ecclesiastical matters to the power and judgment of the + Council.</p> + + <p>"But in this Council two things make for us: first, the deposition of + Dioscorus; secondly, the sentence of the Council respecting the approval + of Leo's letter.</p> + + <p>"With Dioscorus they thus proceeded: when, upon being cited, he + refused to present himself to judgment, and his crimes were notorious to + all, Paschasinus, Legate of the Apostolic See, asks the + Fathers,—'We desire to know what your Holiness determines:' the + holy Synod replied, 'What the Canons order.' The Bishop Lucentius said, + 'Certain proceedings took place in the holy Council of Ephesus by our + most blessed Father Cyril; look into their form, and assign what form you + determine on.' The Bishop Paschasinus said, 'Does your piety command us + to use Ecclesiastical punishment? Do you consent?' The holy Council said, + 'We all consent.' The Bishop Paschasinus said, 'Again I ask, what is the + pleasure of your blessedness?' Maximus, Bishop of the great city of + Antioch, said, 'We are conformable to whatever seems good to your + Holiness.' Thus the initiative, and form, as it was called, was to be + given by the Apostolic See. And so the Legates, after recounting the + crimes of Dioscorus, thus pronounced: 'Wherefore, holy Leo, by us and + this present Council, together with the most blessed Apostle Peter, who + is the rock and ground of the Church, and the foundation of the right + faith, hath declared him cut off from all sacerdotal power.' Anatolius, + Bishop of Constantinople, said, 'As our most blessed Archbishop and + Father Leo, so Anatolius.' The rest to the same effect: 'I agree; I am of + the same mind; I agree to the condemnation made by the Council; I + declare, I decree the same:' and the subscription, 'I, Paschasinus, + declare and subscribe;' 'I, Anatolius, declare and subscribe;' and so the + rest.</p> + + <p>"Thus from Peter the head and source of Unity the sentence began, and + then became of full force by common agreement of the Bishops, just as + that first Council of the Apostles is always represented.</p> + + <p>"By this is understood the letter of the Emperor Valentinian to the + Emperor Theodosius: 'We ought to defend with all devotion, and preserve + in our times uninjured, the dignity of the veneration due to the blessed + Apostle Peter: so that the most blessed Bishop of the Roman city may have + power to judge concerning the faith and Bishops.' Not, however, alone, + but with the condition added by the Emperor, 'That the aforesaid Bishop,' + at least, in those causes which touch the faith and the universal state + of the Church, 'may give sentence after assembling the Priests from the + whole world.' That is, by a common decree, as both Leo himself had + demanded, and as we have seen done in the Council itself.</p> + + <p>"With the same view, the Empress Pulcheria writes to Leo concerning + assembling the Bishops, 'who,' she says, 'when the Council is made, shall + decree, at your instance, concerning the Catholic confession, and + concerning Bishops.'</p> + + <p>"The Emperors Valentinian and Marcian write the same to Leo: that, 'by + the Council to be held,' every thing should be done at his instance: + first laying this down, that he 'possessed the first rank in the + Episcopate, as to faith.'</p> + + <p>"Hence it is very plainly evident, that, in the usual order, both the + Pope should have the initiative, and the Bishops sitting with him should + be judges; and that the force of an irreversible decree lies in + agreement: the very thing to which the Empress Pulcheria bears witness, + in her letter to Strategus the Consular, who was ordered to protect the + Council from all violence: 'that the holy Council, holding its sittings + with all discipline, what has been revealed by the Lord Christ should be + confirmed in common by all, without any disturbance, and with + agreement.'</p> + + <p>"Meanwhile, it is evident that proceedings are at the instance of the + Pontiff, yet so that the force of the decree lies, not in the sole + authority of the Pontiff, which no one then imagined, but in the consent + itself and approval of the Council: and that the Fathers and the Council + decree together, judge together, and the sentence of the Council is the + sentence of the Pope; which, when the consent of the Churches is added, + is then held to be irreversible and final, which is all I demand.</p> + + <p>"Another important point treated in the Council of Chalcedon, that is, + the establishing of the faith, and the approval of Leo's letter, is as + follows. Already almost the whole West, and most of the Easterns, with + Anatolius himself, Bishop of Constantinople, had gone so far as to + confirm by subscription that letter, before the Council took place; and + in the Council itself the Fathers had often cried out, 'We believe, as + Leo: Peter hath spoken by Leo: we have all subscribed the letter: what + has been set forth is sufficient for the faith: no other exposition may + be made.' Things went so far, that they would hardly permit a definition + to be made by the Council. But neither subscriptions privately made + before the Council, nor these vehement cries of the Fathers in the + Council, were thought sufficient to tranquillize minds in so unsettled a + state of the Church, for fear that a matter so important might seem + determined rather by outcries than by fair and legitimate discussion. And + the Clergy of Constantinople exclaimed, 'It is a few who cry out, not the + whole Council which speaks.' So it was determined that the letter of Leo + should be lawfully examined by the Council, and a definition of faith be + written by the Synod itself. So the acts of foregoing Councils being + previously read, the magistrates proposed concerning Leo's letter, 'As + the Gospels lie before you, let every one of the most reverend Bishops + declare whether the exposition of the 318 Fathers, and, after that, of + the 150 Fathers, agrees with the letter of holy Leo.'</p> + + <p>"Since the question as to examining the letter of Leo was put in this + form, it will be worth while to weigh the sentences, and, as they are + called, the votes of the Fathers, in order to understand from the + beginning why they approved of the letter; why they afterwards defended + it with so much zeal; why, finally, it was ratified after so exact an + examination of the Council. Anatolius first gives his sentence. 'The + letter of the most holy Leo agrees with the Creed of the 318 and the 150 + Fathers; as also with what was done at Ephesus under Cœlestine and + Cyril; therefore I agree and willingly subscribe to it.' These are the + words of one plainly deliberating, not blindly subscribing out of mere + obedience. The rest say to the same effect: 'It agrees, and I subscribe.' + Many plainly and expressly, 'It agrees, and I therefore subscribe.' Some + add, 'It agrees, and I subscribe, as it is correct.' Others, 'I am sure + that it agrees.' Others, 'As it is concordant, and has the same aim, we + embrace it, and subscribe.' Others, 'This is the faith we have long held: + this we hold: in this we were baptized: in this we baptize.' Others, and + a great part, 'As I see, as I feel, as I have proved, as I find that it + agrees, I subscribe.' Others, 'As I am persuaded, instructed, informed, + that all agrees, I subscribe.' Many set forth their difficulties, mostly + arising from a foreign language; others from the subject matter, saying, + that they had heard the letter, 'and in very many points were assured it + was right: some few words stood in their way, which seemed to point at a + certain division in the person of Christ.' They add, that they had been + informed by Paschasinus and the Legates 'that there is no division, but + one Christ; therefore,' they say, 'we agree and subscribe.' Others, after + mentioning what Paschasinus and Lucentius had said, thus conclude: 'By + this we have been satisfied, and, considering that it agrees in all + things with the holy Fathers, we agree and subscribe.' Where the Illyrian + Bishops, and others who before that examination had expressed their + acclamations to the letter, again cry out, 'We all say the same thing, + and agree with this.' So that, indeed, it is evident that, in the Council + itself, and before it, their agreement is based on this, that, after + weighing the matter, they considered, they judged, they were persuaded, + that all agreed with the Fathers, and perceived that the common faith of + all and each had been set forth by Leo.</p> + + <p>"This was done at Chalcedon; but likewise before that Council our + Gallic Bishops, at a synod held in Gaul, wrote thus to Leo himself, + concerning receiving his letter: 'Many in that letter of Leo to Flavian + with joy and exultation have recognised what their faith was assured of, + and are with reason delighted that, by tradition from their fathers, they + have always held just what your Apostleship has set forth. Some rendered + more careful, congratulate themselves every way on being instructed by + receiving the admonition of your blessedness, and rejoice that an + occasion is given them, in which they may speak out freely and + confidently, and each one assert what he believes, supported by the + authority of the Apostolic See.'</p> + + <p>"The Italian (Bishops) agree, at the instance of Eusebius, Bishop of + Milan, 'for it was evident that that (letter of Leo to Flavian) had the + full and vigorous simplicity of the faith; was illuminated likewise by + statements from the Prophets, by authorities from the Gospels, and by + testimonies of Apostolic teaching, and in every point agreed with what + the holy Ambrose, moved by the Holy Spirit, put in his books concerning + the mystery of the Lord's incarnation. And inasmuch as all the statements + agree with the faith of our ancestors delivered down to us from + antiquity, all determined that whoever hold impious opinions concerning + the mystery of the Lord's incarnation, are to be visited with fitting + condemnation, as they themselves agree, according to the sentence of your + authority.'</p> + + <p>"See here an authoritative sentence in the Roman Pontiff; and also the + agreement of the Bishops to the instance of the Roman Pontiff, and that + granted after inquiry into the truth. On these terms they gave their + approval, and their subscription, and decreed that a letter, agreeing + with the apprehensions of their common faith, and found and judged to be + such by them, was of universal authority by the union of their sentences + with the Apostolic See. Which wonderfully accords with what we have just + read in the sentences of the Fathers of Chalcedon.</p> + + <p>"This is that examination of Leo's letter, synodically made at + Chalcedon, and placed among the acts; of which examination Leo himself + thus writes to Theodoret: 'What God had before set forth by our ministry, + He hath confirmed by the irreversible assent of the whole brotherhood, to + show that what was first put forth in form by the First See of all, and + then received by the judgment of the whole Christian world, really + proceeded from Himself (that in this too the members might agree with the + Head.)'<a name="NtA90" href="#Nt90"><sup>[90]</sup></a></p> + + <p>"He proceeds: 'For in order that the consent of other sees to that + which the Lord appointed to preside over all the rest should not appear + flattery, or any other adverse suspicion creep in, persons were found who + doubted concerning our judgment.... The truth, likewise, itself is both + more clearly conspicuous, and more strongly maintained, when + after-examination confirms what previous faith had taught.' Here he + speaks distinctly of examination, and that most free. 'In fine, the merit + of the priestly office shines forth very brightly, when the authority of + the highest is preserved, without the liberty of the lower seeming to be + at all infringed. And the end of the examination profits to the greater + glory of God, when it has confidence enough to exert itself so far as to + prevail over the opposite opinion. So that what is in itself proved to be + heterodox may not seem overcome, merely because it is passed over in + silence,' Lastly, 'the letter of the Apostolic See, confirmed by the + assent of the whole holy Council'<a name="NtA91" + href="#Nt91"><sup>[91]</sup></a> is proposed as a most certain and + perfect rule of faith, not again to be reconsidered. Here is what Leo + considered to be irrevocable, or rather not to be mended, which no one + can be blamed for holding together with the world and the Fathers of + Chalcedon: the form is set forth by the Apostolic See; yet it is to be + examined, and that freely, and every Bishop, the highest and the lowest, + to pronounce judgment in a body concerning decreeing it.</p> + + <p>"They conceived no other way of removing all doubt; for after the + conclusion of the synod, the emperor thus proclaims: 'Let then all + profane contention cease, for he is indeed impious and sacrilegious, who, + after the sentence of so many priests, leaves any thing for his own + opinion to consider.' He then prohibits all discussion concerning + religion; for, says he, 'he does an injury to the judgment of the most + religious Council, who endeavours to open afresh, and publicly discuss + what has been once judged, and rightly ordered.'</p> + + <p>"Here in the condemnation of Eutyches is the order of Ecclesiastical + judgments in questions of faith. He is judged by his proper Bishop + Flavian: the cause is reheard, reconsidered by the Pope St. Leo;" (let it + be remembered that Eutyches likewise appealed to Alexandria, Jerusalem, + and Thessalonica;) "it is decided by a declaration of the Apostolic See: + after that declaration follows the examination, inquiry, judgment of the + Fathers or Bishops, in a General Council: after the declaration has been + approved by the judgment of the Fathers no place is any longer left for + doubt or discussion.</p> + + <p>"To the same effect Leo: 'For no longer is any refuge or excuse + allowable to any, on plea of ignorance, or difficulty of understanding, + inasmuch as for this very purpose the Council of about six hundred of our + brethren and fellow-Bishops met together hath permitted no skill in + reasoning, no flow of eloquence, to breathe against the faith built on a + divine foundation. Since, through the endeavours of our brethren and + representatives, by the help of God's grace, (their devotion in every + procedure being most entire,) it hath been fully and evidently made + manifest, not only to the priests of Christ, but to princes also, and + Christian powers, and to all ranks of the clergy and people, that this is + the truly Apostolic and Catholic faith, flowing from the fountain of + Divine goodness, which we preach, and now with the agreement of the whole + world defend pure and clean from all pollution of error.'<a name="NtA92" + href="#Nt92"><sup>[92]</sup></a></p> + + <p>"Thus at length supreme and infallible force is given to an Apostolic + decree, after that it is strengthened by universal inquiry, examination, + discussion, and thereupon consent and testimony."</p> + + <p><a name="NtA93" href="#Nt93"><sup>[93]</sup></a>"We add a third point, + important to our cause, respecting the restitution of Theodoret to his + see. After, then, by order of the Bishops, he had openly anathematized + Nestorius, 'the most illustrious magistrates said, all doubt respecting + Theodoret is now removed; for he hath both anathematized Nestorius before + you, and has been received by Leo, most holy Archbishop of old Rome, and + has willingly accepted the definition of faith set forth by your piety, + and moreover hath subscribed the epistle of the aforesaid most holy + Archbishop Leo. It is fitting, therefore, that sentence be pronounced by + your most acceptable holiness, that he may recover his Church, as the + most holy Archbishop Leo has judged.' All the most reverend Bishops cried + out, 'Theodoret is worthy of his See. Leo hath judged after God.' So then + the judgment put forth by Leo concerning his restoration to his See would + have profited Theodoret nothing, unless, after the matter had been + brought before the Council, he had both approved his faith to the + Council, and the judgment of Leo been confirmed by the same Council. This + was done in the presence of the Legates of the Apostolic See, who + afterwards pronounced that sentence on confirming Leo's judgment, which + the whole Synod approved."</p> + + <p>Let any one of candour consider these Acts of the Council of + Chalcedon, and then say, which of these two views agrees with them, viz. + that St. Leo was first Bishop of the Church, looked up to with great + reverence as the special successor of St. Peter, and representative of + the whole West; or that he was beside this the only Vicar of Christ, the + source and origin of the Episcopate, from whom his brethren received + their jurisdiction, which is the Papal idea of the middle ages. For on + the truth of this latter view depends the charge, that the Church of + England is in schism.</p> + + <p>What follows may perhaps assist our solution of the question. At this + very Council of 630 Bishops, the largest ever held in ancient times, and + where the credit of the Roman Pontiff was so great, a very celebrated + Canon was enacted concerning the rank of the Bishop of Constantinople. + The Pope's legates attempted, by absenting themselves, to prevent its + being enacted, but that only led to its being confirmed the next day, in + spite of their opposition. The circumstances were as follows, and they + seem to deserve our most stedfast consideration, from their bearing upon + the great subject we are considering, the Papal Supremacy.</p> + + <p>"On the same day, being the last of October, the fifteenth session was + held, at which neither the magistrates nor legates were present: for + after the formula of faith had been agreed to, and the private business + brought before the Council had been despatched, the Clergy of + Constantinople asked the legates to join them in discussing an affair + concerning their Church. This they refused, saying, that they had + received no instructions about it. They made the same proposal to the + magistrates, and these referred the matter to the Council. When the + magistrates and legates therefore had retired, the rest of the Council + made a Canon respecting the prerogatives of the Church of + Constantinople."<a name="NtA94" href="#Nt94"><sup>[94]</sup></a> To make + the scope of this clear we must observe, that the See of Constantinople + had been now for at least seventy years the chief See of the East: at the + second Ecumenical Council, held in 381, at Constantinople, it is declared + in the third canon, that "the Bishop of Constantinople shall have the + primacy of honour after the Bishop of Rome, because that Constantinople + is New Rome." It seems that in the interval that Bishop had not only + taken precedence of Alexandria and Antioch, and reduced under him the + Exarchs of Pontus, Thrace, and Asia, but that his authority was very + great throughout all the East. Theodoret says,<a name="NtA95" + href="#Nt95"><sup>[95]</sup></a> that St. Chrysostom governed + twenty-eight provinces. Accordingly, in its famous 28th Canon, the + Council of Chalcedon only confirmed an authority to the Bishop of + Constantinople which he had long enjoyed and often exceeded. It ran thus: + "We, following in all things the decisions of the holy Fathers, and + acknowledging the Canon of the 150 most religious Bishops which has just + been read, do also determine and decree the same things respecting the + privileges of the most holy city of Constantinople, New Rome. For the + Fathers properly gave the primacy to the throne of the elder Rome, + because that was the imperial city. And the 150 most religious Bishops, + being moved with the same intention, gave equal privileges to the most + holy throne of New Rome, judging with reason, that the city which was + honoured with the sovereignty and senate, and which enjoyed equal + privileges with the elder royal Rome, should also be magnified like her + in Ecclesiastical matters, being the second after her. And (we also + decree) that the Metropolitans only of the Pontic, and Asian, and + Thracian Dioceses, and, moreover, the Bishops of the aforesaid Dioceses + who are amongst the Barbarians, shall be ordained by the above-mentioned + most holy throne of the most holy Church of Constantinople; each + Metropolitan of the aforesaid Dioceses ordaining the Bishops of the + Province, as has been declared by the divine Canons; but the + Metropolitans themselves of the said Dioceses shall, as has been said, be + ordained by the Bishop of Constantinople, the proper elections being made + according to custom, and reported to him."</p> + + <p>"The Legates,<a name="NtA96" href="#Nt96"><sup>[96]</sup></a> being + informed of what had passed, demanded that the Council should assemble + again, and the magistrates be present. On the morrow, therefore, being + Thursday, the 1st November, the twelfth sitting<a name="NtA97" + href="#Nt97"><sup>[97]</sup></a> was held. The magistrates were there + with the Legates, and the Bishops of Illyria, and all the rest. After + they had taken their seats, Paschasinus spoke, having asked permission of + the magistrates, and said, that he was astonished that so many things had + been done the day before in their absence, which were contrary to the + Canons and the peace of the Church, for which the Emperor was labouring + with so much application and zeal. He demanded the reading of what had + passed the day before. And Aetius, (Archdeacon of Constantinople,) having + said that it was the Legates themselves who had refused to be present at + the deliberation, presented the Canon which had been drawn up with the + signatures of the Bishops. After the signatures had been read, Lucentius + said the Bishops had been surprised, and compelled to sign. This is what + St. Leo repeated often in the letter which he wrote concerning this + twenty-eighth Canon, accusing Anatolius of having extorted the signatures + of the Bishops, or of having surprised them by his artifices. + Nevertheless, upon the reproach of Lucentius, all the Bishops cried out + that no one had been forced. They protested again afterwards, both all in + common, and the principal by themselves, that they had signed it of their + full consent. Anatolius also maintains to St. Leo, that the Bishops took + this resolution of their own accord.</p> + + <p>"The Legates continued to oppose the Canon, and showed that they had + an express order of the Pope to do so. They alleged that the Canon was + contrary to the Council of Nicea, of which they read the sixth Canon, + with the celebrated heading—'The Roman Church has always had the + primacy,' which is also found added in the ancient Roman code. The same + Canon was afterwards read as it is in the original Greek, and the Canon + of the second Ecumenical Council, to which the Legates answered + nothing.</p> + + <p>"The magistrates having next begged the Bishops who had not signed the + day before, to give their opinion, Eusebius, of Ancyra, represented with + much gentleness and modesty, that it was better for the Church that + ordinations should be made upon the spot by the Council of the province. + Thalassius then spoke a single word, but I know not his meaning."</p> + + <p>Thereupon "the magistrates<a name="NtA98" + href="#Nt98"><sup>[98]</sup></a> said,—'It appears, from the + depositions, first of all, that the primacy and precedency of honour + (<span title="ta prôteia, kai tên exaireton timên" class="grk" + >τὰ πρωτεῖα, + καὶ τὴν + ἐξαίρετον + τιμήν</span>) should be preserved according to the + Canons for the Archbishop of Old Rome, but that the Archbishop of + Constantinople ought to enjoy the same privileges, (<span title="tôn autôn presbeiôn tês timês" class="grk" + >τῶν αὐτῶν + πρεσβείων + τῆς τιμῆς</span>,) and that + he has a right to ordain the Metropolitans of the Dioceses of Asia, + Pontus, and Thrace, in the manner following. In each metropolis, the + clergy, the proprietors of lands, and the gentry, with all the Bishops of + the province, or the greater part of them, shall issue a decree for the + election of one whom they shall deem worthy of being made a Bishop of the + metropolis. They shall all make a report of it to the Archbishop of + Constantinople, and it shall be at his option either to enjoin the Bishop + elect to come thither for ordination, or to allow him to be ordained in + the province. As to the Bishops of particular cities, they shall be + ordained by all, or the greater part, of the comprovincial Bishops, under + the authority of the Metropolitan, according to the Canons, the + Archbishop of Constantinople taking no part in such ordination. These are + our views, let the Council state theirs.' The Bishops shouted, 'This is a + just proposal: we all say the same: we all assent to it, we pray you + dismiss us:' with other similar acclamations. Lucentius, the Legate, + said,—'The Apostolic See ought not to be degraded in our presence; + we, therefore, desire that yesterday's proceedings, which violate the + Canons, may be rescinded; otherwise let our opposition be inserted in the + Acts, that we may know what we are to report to the Pope, and that he may + declare his opinion of this contempt of his See, and subversion of the + Canons.' The magistrates said,—'The whole Council approves of what + we said.' Such was the last Session of the Council of Chalcedon."</p> + + <p>The remarks of Tillemont on this Canon are significant, and worth + transcribing.<a name="NtA99" href="#Nt99"><sup>[99]</sup></a> "It seems," + he says, "to recognise no particular authority in the Church of Rome, + save what the Fathers had granted it, as the seat of the empire. And it + attributes in plain words as much to Constantinople as to Rome, with the + exception of the first place. <i>Nevertheless I do not observe that the + Popes took up a thing so injurious to their dignity, and of so dangerous + a consequence to the whole Church.</i> For what Lupus quotes of St. Leo's + 78th (104th) letter, refers rather to Alexandria and to Antioch, than to + Rome. St. Leo is contented to destroy the foundation on which they built + the elevation of Constantinople, maintaining that a thing so entirely + ecclesiastical as the Episcopate ought not to be regulated by the + temporal dignity of cities, which, nevertheless, has been almost always + followed in the establishment of the metropolis, according to the Council + of Nicea.</p> + + <p>"St. Leo also complains that the Council of Chalcedon broke the + decrees of the Council of Nicea, the practice of antiquity, and the + rights of Metropolitans. Certainly it was an odious innovation to see a + Bishop made the chief, not of one department, but of three; for which no + example could be found save in the authority which the Popes took over + Illyricum, where, however, they did not claim the power to ordain any + Bishop."</p> + + <p>Now I suppose any Roman Catholic would observe that this Canon is + entirely opposed to the present Papal theory: he would say that St. Leo + and the West for that very reason refused to receive it. The opposition, + beyond all question, is such, that it is quite impossible to reconcile + them. Let any one, then, read through the 104th letter of St. Leo to the + Emperor Mauricius, the 105th to the Empress Pulcheria, and the 106th to + Anatolius himself, and he will see that St. Leo bases his opposition to + it throughout on its being a violation of the Nicene Canons: there is not + a word in all the three letters about any violation of the rights of St. + Peter. May we not quote, alas! St. Leo's words, in these letters, to St. + Leo's successor. "He<a name="NtA100" href="#Nt100"><sup>[100]</sup></a> + loses his own, who lusts after what is not his due.... For the privileges + of the Churches, instituted by the Canons of the holy Fathers, and fixed + by the decrees of the venerable Nicene Synod, cannot be plucked up by any + wickedness, or changed by any innovation. In the faithful execution of + which work, by the help of Christ, I am bound to show persevering + service; since the dispensation has been entrusted to me, and it tends to + my guilt, if the rules of the Fathers' sanctions, which were made in the + Nicene Council for the government of the whole Church, by the teaching of + God's Spirit, be violated, which God forbid, by my connivance; and if the + desire of one brother be of more weight with me than the common good of + the whole house of the Lord." This to the Emperor. To the Empress, + thus:—"Since no one is allowed to attempt<a name="NtA101" + href="#Nt101"><sup>[101]</sup></a> anything against the statutes of the + Fathers' Canons, which many years ago were based on spiritual decrees in + the city of Nicea; so that if any one desires to decree anything against + them, he will rather lessen himself than injure them. <i>And if these are + kept uninjured, as it behoves, by all Pontiffs, there will be tranquil + peace and firm concord through all the Churches. There will be no + dissensions concerning the degree of honours; no contests about + ordinations; no doubts about privileges; no conflicts about the + usurpation of another's right; but under the equal law of charity, both + men's minds and duties will be kept in the due order</i>; and he will be + truly great, who shall be alien from all ambition, according to the + Lord's words, 'Whosoever will be great among you, let him be your + minister, &c.'" But to Anatolius, thus:—"Those<a name="NtA102" + href="#Nt102"><sup>[102]</sup></a> holy and venerable Fathers, who in the + Nicene city established laws of ecclesiastical Canons, <i>which are to + last to the end of the world</i>, when the sacrilegious Arius with his + impiety was condemned, live both with us and in the whole world by their + constitutions; and if anything anywhere is presumed upon contrary to what + they appointed, it is without delay annulled, &c."</p> + + <p>But <i>what</i> the violation was he likewise states: it is not any + wrong done to his own see personally. He says to the Empress: "But<a + name="NtA103" href="#Nt103"><sup>[103]</sup></a> what doth the prelate of + the Church of Constantinople desire more than he hath obtained? Or what + will satisfy him, if the magnificence and glory of so great a city + satisfy him not? It is too proud and immoderate to go beyond one's own + limits, and, trampling on antiquity, to wish to seize on another's right. + And, in order to increase the dignity of one, to impugn the primacy of so + many Metropolitans; and to carry a new war of disturbance into quiet + provinces, settled long ago by the moderation of the holy Nicene + Council," &c.</p> + + <p>To Anatolius himself he says: "I grieve—that you attempt to + infringe the most sacred constitutions of the Nicene Canons; as if this + were a favourable opportunity presented to you, when the See of + Alexandria may lose the privilege of the second rank, and the Church of + Antioch its possession of the third dignity; so that when these places + have been brought under your jurisdiction, all Metropolitan Bishops may + be deprived of their proper honour."<a name="NtA104" + href="#Nt104"><sup>[104]</sup></a> "I oppose you, that with wiser purpose + you may refrain from throwing into confusion the whole Church. Let not + the rights of provincial Primacies be torn away, nor Metropolitan Bishops + be deprived of their privileges in force from old time. Let no part of + that dignity perish to the See of Alexandria, which it was thought worthy + to obtain through the holy Evangelist Mark, the disciple of blessed + Peter; nor, though Dioscorus falls through the obstinacy of his own + impiety, let the splendour of so great a Church be obscured by another's + disgrace. Let also the Church of Antioch, in which first, at the + preaching of the blessed Apostle Peter, the name of Christian arose, + remain in the order of its hereditary degree, and being placed in the + third rank never sink below itself."</p> + + <p>So then it was not St. Peter's Primacy, nor his own proper authority + in the Church, which St. Leo conceived to be attacked by this Canon; but + he refused to be a party to "treading under foot the constitution of the + Fathers"—to disturbing "the state of the universal Church, + protected of old by a most wholesome and upright administration."<a + name="NtA105" href="#Nt105"><sup>[105]</sup></a> So the Emperor Marcian, + Anatolius, Julian of Cos, beseech Leo to grant this, without so much as + imagining that they are injuring <i>his</i> rank by asking it. I see not + how it is possible to avoid the conclusion, that the power of the First + See, even as its most zealous occupant viewed it, was quite different + from that power which was set up in the middle ages. This is only one of + a vast number of proofs which distinguish the Primacy from the present + Supremacy. And it is the more valuable, because St. Leo certainly carries + his notion of his own rights as universal Primate further than any Father + of his time. I shall have occasion to make a like remark presently in the + matter of St. Gregory's protest.</p> + + <p>But, indeed, such a Canon as this being passed in the most numerous + Ecumenical Synod, in spite of the opposition of the Pope's Legates, + speaks for itself. I am well aware that St. Leo refused to receive it, + that, "by the authority of the blessed Peter, he annulled it by a general + declaration, as contrary to the holy Canons of Nicea."<a name="NtA106" + href="#Nt106"><sup>[106]</sup></a> Accordingly it was not received in the + West; but it nevertheless always prevailed in the East, and the Popes + ultimately conceded the point it enacted. And<a name="NtA107" + href="#Nt107"><sup>[107]</sup></a> from the hour it was enacted to this, + it has remained the law of the Eastern Church; and the Patriarchal power, + which in the Western Church has developed into the Papal, has remained + attached to the throne of Constantinople in the other great division of + Christ's kingdom.</p> + + <p>The ninth Canon of Chalcedon also says:—"If a Clergyman has any + matter against his own Bishop or another, let him plead his cause before + the Council of the province. But if either a Bishop or Clergyman have a + controversy against the Metropolitan of the same province, let him have + recourse either to the Exarch of the Diocese, or to the throne of the + imperial city of Constantinople, and plead his cause before it." I remark + this, because it is a far greater power of hearing appeals granted to the + Bishop of Constantinople, than was granted to the Bishop of Rome a + hundred years before at the Council of Sardica.</p> + + <p>Now, let us be fair and even-handed. If the great influence and + authority exercised at the Council of Chalcedon by St. Leo is to be + acknowledged as witnessing the Roman Primacy, let us also grant, that + unless the Acts and the Canons of the first four Ecumenical Councils are + to be swept away as waste paper before the omnipotence of Papal + prerogative, then the ancient decrees of Nicea, Constantinople, Ephesus, + and Chalcedon, offer an insurmountable barrier to the present claims of + Rome. But concerning the Canons of Nicea, St. Leo, at least, + says:—"I hold all ecclesiastical rules to be dissolved, if any part + of that sacrosanct constitution of the Fathers be violated."<a + name="NtA108" href="#Nt108"><sup>[108]</sup></a> St. Gregory + repeats:—"I receive the four Councils of the holy universal Church + as the four books of the Holy Gospel."<a name="NtA109" + href="#Nt109"><sup>[109]</sup></a> Mr. Newman says, "that the definition + passed at Chalcedon is the Apostolic Truth once delivered to the Saints, + is most firmly to be received from faith in that overruling Providence, + which is by special promise extended over the Acts of the Church."<a + name="NtA110" href="#Nt110"><sup>[110]</sup></a> Does it not equally + follow that the Church government recognised as immemorial, and enforced + at Nicea, Constantinople, Ephesus, and Chalcedon, <i>and the doctrine + which is involved therein</i>, are likewise to be maintained, and that + none who appeal to them with truth, as practised by themselves, whatever + else they may fall into, can be guilty of schism?</p> + + <p>The hundred and thirty years between the death of St. Leo and the + accession of St. Gregory, were years of trouble, confusion, and disaster: + "the stars fell from heaven, and the powers of the heavens were shaken." + The Western empire was overthrown; barbarians and heretics obtained the + mastery in Italy, and generally in the West; there was but one fixed and + central authority to which the eyes of churchmen could turn with hope and + confidence in the whole West, that of the Roman Pontiff.</p> + + <p>I select the following points as bearing on our subject:—</p> + + <p>In the year 536 we have one of those rare instances in which the + Primacy of Rome is seen acting on the Eastern Church, but in perfect + accordance with the Canons and the Patriarchal system. The Pope Agapetus + had been compelled by Theodatus, king of the Goths, to proceed to + Constantinople, in order that he might, if possible, prevail upon + Justinian not to attempt the recovery of Italy. Not having wherewith to + pay the expenses of his journey, he had been compelled to borrow money on + the sacred vessels of St. Peter's Church. On arriving at Constantinople + he refused to see the new Patriarch Anthimus, or to receive him to his + communion, both because he was suspected of heresy, and had been + translated from the See of Trebisond. Anthimus refused to appear in the + Council that the Pope held at Constantinople to judge him; so he was + deposed, and returned his pallium to the Emperor. Mennas was elected in + his stead by the Emperor, with the approbation of all the Clergy and the + people, and the Pope consecrated him in the church of St. Mary. "Pope + Agapetus wrote a synodal letter to Peter, Patriarch of Jerusalem, to + acquaint him with what he had done in this Council. 'When we arrived,' + said he, 'at the court of the Emperor, we found the See of Constantinople + usurped, contrary to the Canons, by Anthimus Bishop of Trebisond. He even + refused to quit the error of Eutyches. Therefore, after having waited for + his repentance, we declare him unworthy of the name of Catholic and + Bishop, until he fully receive the doctrine of the Fathers. You ought + likewise to reject the rest whom the Holy See has condemned. We are + astonished that you approved this injury done to the See of + Constantinople, instead of informing us of it; and we have repaired it by + the ordination of Mennas, who is the first of the Eastern Church ordained + by the hands of our See.'"<a name="NtA111" + href="#Nt111"><sup>[111]</sup></a> I find this Pope presently called by + the Easterns, 'Father of fathers,' 'Archbishop of ancient Rome,' + 'Ecumenical Patriarch.' This latter title is also given to Mennas. I + shall have more to say about it hereafter; but it is remarkable that it + was first given, so far as we have any record, to Dioscorus,<a + name="NtA112" href="#Nt112"><sup>[112]</sup></a> by a Bishop in some + complaint made to him at the Latrocinium of Ephesus; but Justinian gives + to the Patriarch of Constantinople the title, "to the most holy and + blessed Archbishop of this royal city, and Ecumenical Patriarch."<a + name="NtA113" href="#Nt113"><sup>[113]</sup></a></p> + + <p>The Pope shortly after dies at Constantinople, and a Council is held, + at which the Patriarch Mennas presides, the Bishops who had accompanied + the defunct Pope taking rank after him. He writes to the Patriarch Peter + of Jerusalem, and informs him of the acts of this Council. Peter + assembles his Council at Jerusalem: the procedure which took place at + Constantinople was there found canonical, and the deposition of Anthimus + was confirmed. Here the same facts which prove the Pope's Primacy refute + his Supremacy: and this is not an isolated incident, but one link in a + vast and uninterrupted chain of evidence.</p> + + <p>I find in the laws of the Emperor Justinian just at the same time, + looking at them merely as facts, a full confirmation and recognition of + the Episcopal and Patriarchal constitution of the Church. In 538, the + Emperor, in an edict, addressing the Patriarch Mennas, says, "Wherefore + we exhort you to assemble all the Bishops who are in this imperial city + ... and oblige them all to anathematize by writing the impious Origen ... + that your Blessedness send copies of what you do on this subject to all + the other Bishops, and to all the superiors of monasteries.... We have + written as much to Pope Vigilius and the other Patriarchs".... "The + Patriarch Mennas, and the Bishops who were at Constantinople, subscribed + to this: it was then sent to Pope Vigilius, to Zoilus, Patriarch of + Alexandria, to Ephrem of Antioch, and to Peter of Jerusalem, who all + subscribed to it".... "There are three great laws of the year 511, of + which the first regulates ordinations:" those of the Bishops were still + in the hands of the several clergy, laity, and Metropolitans.... "The + second law of the 18th March enacts, that the four General Councils shall + have the force of law, that the Pope of Rome is the first of all the + Bishops, and after him the Bishop of Constantinople."—"Bishops + cannot be called to appear against their will before secular judges for + any cause whatsoever. If Bishops of the same province have a difference + together, they shall be judged by the Metropolitan, accompanied by the + other Bishops of the province, <i>and may appeal to the Patriarch, but + not beyond</i>. Likewise if an individual, clerk or lay, has a matter + against his Bishop. The Metropolitan can only be tried before the + Patriarch."—"Simony is forbidden ... still it is allowed to give + for consecrations, according to ancient customs, in the following + proportion. The Pope and the four Patriarchs of Constantinople, + Alexandria, Antioch and Jerusalem, may give to the Bishops and the Clergy + according to custom, provided that it exceed not twenty pounds of gold. + The Metropolitans and the other Bishops may give a hundred gold solidi + for their enthronement," &c.<a name="NtA114" + href="#Nt114"><sup>[114]</sup></a></p> + + <p>So, again: "Therefore let the most holy Patriarchs of each Diocese + propose these things to the most holy Churches under them, and make known + to the Metropolitans, most beloved of God, what we have ratified. Let + these again set it forth in the most holy Metropolitan Church, and notify + it to the Bishops under them. But let each of these propose it in his own + Church, that no one in our commonwealth be ignorant of it."<a + name="NtA115" href="#Nt115"><sup>[115]</sup></a></p> + + <p>"We charge the most blessed Archbishops and Patriarchs, that is, of + elder Rome, and Constantinople, and Alexandria, and Theopolis and + Jerusalem."<a name="NtA116" href="#Nt116"><sup>[116]</sup></a></p> + + <p>But Pope Pelagius I. himself says: "As often as any doubt ariseth to + any concerning an Universal Council, in order to receive account of what + they do not understand—let them recur to the Apostolical + Sees.—Whosoever then is divided from the Apostolical Sees, there is + no doubt that he is in schism."<a name="NtA117" + href="#Nt117"><sup>[117]</sup></a></p> + + <p>St. Augustin had said long before, "What hath the See of the Roman + Church done to thee, in which Peter sat, in which Anastasius sitteth now: + or of the Church of Jerusalem, in which James sat, and where now John + sitteth: with which we are joined in Catholic unity, and from which ye in + impious fury have separated."<a name="NtA118" + href="#Nt118"><sup>[118]</sup></a></p> + + <p>We now come to the dark and sad history of Pope Vigilius. And here I + am glad that another can speak for me. Bossuet says: "The acts of the + Second Council of Constantinople, the fifth general, under Pope Vigilius + and the Emperor Justinian, will prove that the decrees of the third and + fourth Councils were understood in the same sense by the fifth as we have + understood them. And this Council received the account of them near at + hand, and transmitted it to us."<a name="NtA119" + href="#Nt119"><sup>[119]</sup></a></p> + + <p>"The three chapters were the point in question; that is, respecting + Theodore of Mopsuestia, Theodoret's writings against Cyril, and the + letter of Ibas of Edessa to Maris the Persian. The question was whether + that letter had been approved in the Council of Chalcedon. So much was + admitted that it had been read there, and that Ibas, after anathematizing + Nestorius, had been received by the Council. Some contended that his + person only was spared; others that his letter also was approved. Thus + inquiry was made at the fifth Council how writings on the faith were wont + to be approved in former Councils. The acts of the third and fourth + Council, those which we have mentioned above respecting the letter of St. + Cyril and of St. Leo, were set forth. Then the holy Council + declared—'It is plain, from what has been recited, in what manner + the holy Councils are wont to approve what is brought before them. For, + great as was the dignity of those holy men who wrote the letters recited, + yet they did not approve their letters simply or without inquiry, nor + without taking cognisance that they were in all things agreeable to the + exposition and doctrine of the holy Fathers, with which they were + compared.' But the acts proved that this course was not pursued in the + case of the letter of Ibas; they inferred, therefore, most justly, that + that letter had not been approved. So, then, it is certain, from the + third and fourth Councils, the fifth so declaring and understanding it, + that letters approved by the Apostolic See, such as was that of Cyril, or + even proceeding from it, as that of Leo, were received by the holy + Councils not simply, nor without inquiry."</p> + + <p>Pope Vigilius afterwards, when consenting to this Council, + "acknowledges that the letter of St. Leo was not approved at the Council + of Chalcedon until it had been examined and found conformable to the + faith of the three preceding Councils; and this avowal is the more + important in the mouth of a Pope."<a name="NtA120" + href="#Nt120"><sup>[120]</sup></a></p> + + <p>"Again, in the same fifth Council the acts against the letter of + Nestorius are read, in which the Fathers of Ephesus plainly pronounce, + 'that the letter of Nestorius is in no respect agreeable to the faith + which was set forth at Nicea.' So this letter also was rejected, not + simply, but, as was equitable, after examination; and Ibas condemned, who + stated that Nestorius had been rejected by the Council of Ephesus without + examination and inquiry.</p> + + <p>"The holy Fathers proceed to do what the Bishops at Chalcedon would + have done, had they undertaken the examination of Ibas' letter. They + compare the letters with the acts of Ephesus and Chalcedon. The holy + Council declared—'The comparison made proves, beyond a doubt, that + the letter which Ibas is said to have written is, in all respects, + opposed to the definition of the right faith, which the Council of + Chalcedon set forth. All the Bishops cried out, 'We all say this; the + letter is heretical.' Thus, therefore, is it proved by the fifth Council + that our holy Fathers in Ecumenical Councils pronounce the letters read, + whether of Catholics or heretics, or even of Roman Pontiffs, to be + orthodox or heretical, according to the same procedure, after legitimate + cognisance, the truth being inquired into, and then cleared up; and upon + these premises judgment given.</p> + + <p>"What! you will say, with no distinction, and with minds equally + inclined to both parties? Indeed we have said, and shall often repeat, + that there was a presumption in favour of the decrees of orthodox + Pontiffs; but in Ecumenical Councils, where judgment is to be passed in + matter of faith, that they were bound no longer to act upon presumption, + but on the truth clearly and thoroughly ascertained.</p> + + <p>"Such were the acts of the fifth Council. This it learnt from the + third and fourth Councils, and approved; and in this argument we have + brought at once in favour of our opinion the decrees of the Ecumenical + Councils of Ephesus, Chalcedon, and the second Constantinopolitan."<a + name="NtA121" href="#Nt121"><sup>[121]</sup></a></p> + + <p>The point here taken up by Bossuet, and proved upon indisputable + authority, is of the greatest importance, viz. that the decree of a Roman + Pontiff, <i>de fide</i>, and he, perhaps, the greatest of the whole + number, was judged by a General Council, and only admitted when it was + found conformable to antiquity. It settles, in fact, the whole question, + that the Bishop of Rome is indeed possessed of the First See, and Primate + of all Christendom; but that he is not the sole depository of Christ's + power in the Church, which is, in truth, the Papal idea, laid down by St. + Gregory the Seventh, and acted upon since. The difference between these + two ideas is the difference between the Church of the Fathers and the + present Latin Communion in the matter of Church government, in which they + are wide as the poles asunder.</p> + + <p>The history of Pope Vigilius further confirms the truth of what we + have said. Bossuet proceeds: "In the same fifth Council the following + acts support our cause.</p> + + <p>"The Emperor Justinian desired that the question concerning the + above-mentioned three Chapters should be considered in the Church. He + therefore sent for Pope Vigilius to Constantinople. There he not long + after assembled a Council. The Orientals thought it of great moment that + these Chapters should be condemned, against the Nestorians, who were + raising their heads to defend them; Vigilius, with the Occidentals, + feared lest thus occasion should be taken to destroy the authority of the + Council of Chalcedon; because it was admitted that Theodoret and Ibas had + been received in that Council, whilst Theodore, though named, was let go + without any mark of censure. Though then both parties easily agreed as to + the substance of the faith, yet the question had entirely respect to the + faith, it being feared by the one party lest the Nestorian, by the other + lest the Eutychean, enemies of the Council of Chalcedon should + prevail.</p> + + <p>"From this struggle many accusations have been brought against + Vigilius, which have nothing to do with us. I am persuaded that + everything was done by Vigilius with the best intent, the Westerns not + enduring the condemnation of the Chapters, and things tending to a + schism." The facts here alluded to, but for obvious reasons avoided by + Bossuet, are as follows, very briefly. Vigilius on the 11th of April, + 548, issues his 'Judicatum' against the three Chapters, saving the + authority of the Council of Chalcedon. Thereupon the Bishops of Africa, + Illyria, and Dalmatia, with two of his own confidential Deacons, withdraw + from his communion. In the year 551, the Bishops of Africa, assembled in + Council, excommunicate him, for having condemned the three Chapters. At + length the Pope publicly withdraws his 'Judicatum.' While the Council is + sitting at Constantinople he publishes his 'Constitutum,' in which he + condemns certain propositions of Theodore, but spares his person; the + same respecting Theodoret; but with respect to Ibas, he declares his + letter was pronounced orthodox by the Council of Chalcedon. Bossuet goes + on: "however this may be, so much is clear that Vigilius, though invited, + declined being present at the Council; that nevertheless the Council was + held without him; that he published a 'Constitutum' in which he + disapproved of what Theodore, Theodoret, and Ibas were said to have + written against the faith; but decreed that their name should be spared, + because they were considered to have been received by the fourth Council, + or to have died in the communion of the Church, and to be reserved to the + judgment of God. Concerning the letter of Ibas, he published the + following, that, understood in the best and most pious sense, it was + blameless; and concerning the three Chapters generally, he ordered that + after his present declaration Ecclesiastics should move no further + question.</p> + + <p>"Such was the decree of Vigilius, issued upon the authority with which + he was invested. And the Council, after his constitution, both raised a + question about the three Chapters, and decided that question was properly + raised concerning the dead, and that the letter of Ibas was manifestly + heretical and Nestorian, and contrary in all things to the faith of + Chalcedon, and that they were altogether accursed, who defended the + impious Theodore of Mopsuestia, or the writings of Theodoret against + Cyril, or the impious letter of Ibas defending the tenets of Nestorius; + and who did not anathematize it, but said it was correct.</p> + + <p>"In these latter words they seemed not even to spare Vigilius, + although they did not mention his name. And it is certain their decree + was confirmed by Pelagius the Second, Gregory the Great, and other Roman + Pontiffs.... These things prove, that in a matter of the utmost + importance, disturbing the whole Church, and seeming to belong to the + faith, the decrees of sacred Councils prevailed over the decrees of + Pontiffs, and that the letter of Ibas, though defended by a judgment of + the Roman Pontiff, could nevertheless be proscribed as heretical."</p> + + <p>Compare with this history the following remark of De Maistre, "that + Bishops separated from the Pope, and in contradiction with him, are + superior to him, is a proposition to which one does all the honour + possible in calling it only extravagance."<a name="NtA122" + href="#Nt122"><sup>[122]</sup></a></p> + + <p>After all this Fleury says: "At last the Pope Vigilius resigned + himself to the advice of the Council, and six months afterwards wrote a + letter to the Patriarch Eutychius, wherein he confesses that he has been + wanting in charity in dividing from his brethren. He adds, that one ought + not to be ashamed to retract, when one recognises the truth, and brings + forward the example of St. Augustin. He says, that, after having better + examined the matter of the three chapters, he finds them worthy of + condemnation. 'We recognise for our brethren and colleagues all those who + have condemned them, and annul by this writing all that has been done by + us or by others for the defence of the three chapters.'"<a name="NtA123" + href="#Nt123"><sup>[123]</sup></a></p> + + <p>Nor can I think it a point of little moment that Bishops of Rome were + at different times deposed or excommunicated by other Bishops. As in the + second century the Eastern Bishops disregard St. Victor's excommunication + respecting Easter; and in the third St. Firmilian in Asia, and St. + Cyprian in Africa, disregard St. Stephen's excommunication in the matter + of rebaptizing heretics; so when the Bishops of the Patriarchate of + Antioch found that Pope Julius had received to communion St. Athanasius, + and others whom they had deposed, they proceeded to depose him, with + Hosius and the rest.<a name="NtA124" href="#Nt124"><sup>[124]</sup></a> + This was in the fourth century. In the fifth, Dioscorus, at the + Latrocinium of Ephesus, attempts to excommunicate St. Leo. In the sixth, + as we have just seen, the Bishops of Africa, Illyria, and Dalmatia, all + of the West, separate Pope Vigilius from their communion, and the former + afterwards solemnly excommunicate him. It matters not that in all these + cases the Bishops were wrong; I quote these acts merely to prove that + they esteemed the Bishop of Rome the first of all Bishops indeed, yet + subject to the Canons like themselves, and only of equal rank. For on the + present Papal theory, such an act, as we have seen le Père Lacordaire + affirm, would be merely suicidal,—pure insanity. It is in utter + contradiction to the notion of an ecclesiastical monarchy.</p> + + <p>In like manner we find portions of the Church, as that of + Constantinople, again and again out of communion with the Roman Pontiff, + but they do not therefore cease to be parts of the true Church. So + Gieseler states that in consequence of jealousies about the condemning + the three Chapters the Archbishops of Aquileia, with their Bishops, were + out of communion with Rome from <span class="scac">A.D.</span> 568 to + 698.<a name="NtA125" href="#Nt125"><sup>[125]</sup></a> A reconciliation + takes place, and communion is renewed. Facts of the same nature, and + applying closely to our own position, are mentioned by Bossuet;<a + name="NtA126" href="#Nt126"><sup>[126]</sup></a> viz. that the Spanish + Bishops, not having been present at, nor invited to, the sixth General + Council, did not receive it as Ecumenical, though invited to do so by the + Pope of the day, until they had themselves examined its acts, and found + them accordant with previous Councils. And as to the second Nicene, or + seventh General Council, the Gallic Bishops, with Charlemagne at their + head, long refused to receive it, though supported by the Pope, because + neither they nor other Occidentals were present at it. "Nor were they in + the mean time held as heretical or schismatical, though they differed on + a point of the greatest moment, that is, the interpretation of the + precepts of the first table, because they seemed to inquire into the + matter with a good intention, not with obstinate party spirit."<a + name="NtA127" href="#Nt127"><sup>[127]</sup></a> Yet Pope Adrian had + himself written against them.</p> + + <p>Now all these various facts, from the first Nicene Council, converge + towards one view, for which, I think, there is as full evidence as for + most facts of history,—that the Pope, to the time of St. Gregory + the Great, and indeed long afterwards, was but the first of the + Patriarchs, who, in their own Patriarchates, enjoyed a co-ordinate and + equal authority with his in the West. I suppose De Maistre acknowledges + as much in his own way, when he says, "The Pope is invested with five + very distinct characters; for he is Bishop of Rome, Metropolitan of the + Suburbican Churches, Primate of Italy, Patriarch of the West, and, + lastly, Sovereign Pontiff. The Pope has never exercised over the other + Patriarchates any powers save those resulting from this last; so that + except in some affair of high importance, some striking abuse, or some + appeal in the greater causes, the Sovereign Pontiffs mixed little in the + ecclesiastical administration of the Eastern Churches. And this was a + great misfortune, not only for them, but for the states where they were + established. It may be said that the Greek Church, from its origin, + carried in its bosom a germ of division, which only completely developed + itself at the end of twelve centuries, but which always existed under + forms less striking, less decisive, and so endurable."<a name="NtA128" + href="#Nt128"><sup>[128]</sup></a> The confession of one who travesties + antiquity so outrageously as De Maistre is curious at least:—and + now let us proceed to the testimony of St. Gregory.</p> + + <p>And, assuredly, if there was any Pontiff who, like St. Leo, held the + most strong and deeply-rooted convictions as to the prerogatives of the + Roman see, it was St. Gregory. His voluminous correspondence with + Bishops, and the most notable persons throughout the world, represents + him to us as guarding and superintending the affairs of the whole Church + from the watch-tower of St. Peter, the loftiest of all. Let one assertion + of his prove this. Writing to Natalis, Bishop of Salona in Dalmatia, he + says, "After the letters of my predecessor and my own, in the matter of + Honoratus the Archdeacon, were sent to your Holiness, in despite of the + sentence of us both, the above-mentioned Honoratus was deprived of his + rank. <i>Had either of the four Patriarchs done this, so great an act of + contumacy could not have been passed over without the most grievous + scandal.</i> However, as your brotherhood has since returned to your + duty, I take notice neither of the injury done to me, nor of that to my + predecessor."<a name="NtA129" href="#Nt129"><sup>[129]</sup></a> The + following words in another letter will elucidate his meaning here. "As to + what he says, that he (a Bishop) is subject to the Apostolical See, <i>I + know not what Bishop is not subject to it, if any fault be found in + Bishops. But when no fault requires it, all are equal according to the + estimation of humility.</i>"<a name="NtA130" + href="#Nt130"><sup>[130]</sup></a> And again, writing to his own Defensor + in Sicily, a part of the Church most under his own control, "I am + informed that if any one has a cause against any clerks, you throw a + slight upon their Bishops, and cause them to appear in your own court. If + this be so, we expressly order you to presume to do so no more, because + beyond doubt it is very unseemly. For if his own jurisdiction is not + preserved to each Bishop, what else results but that the order of the + Church is thrown into confusion by us, who ought to guard it."<a + name="NtA131" href="#Nt131"><sup>[131]</sup></a> Gieseler says: "They + (the Roman Bishops) maintained, that not only the right of the highest + ecclesiastical tribunal in the West belonged to them, but the supervision + of orthodoxy, and maintenance of the Church's laws, in the whole Church; + and they based these claims, still, it is true, at times, upon imperial + edicts, and decrees of Councils, but most commonly upon the privileges + granted to Peter by the Lord."<a name="NtA132" + href="#Nt132"><sup>[132]</sup></a> And I suppose if the Primacy of + Christendom has any real meaning, it must mean this, that in case of + necessity, such as infraction of the Canons, an appeal may be made to it. + So undoubtedly St. Gregory understood his own rights. What his ordinary + jurisdiction was, Fleury thus tells us:—"The Popes ordained clergy + only for the Roman (local) Church, but they gave Bishops to the greater + part of the Churches of Italy."<a name="NtA133" + href="#Nt133"><sup>[133]</sup></a> "St. Gregory entered into this detail + only for the Churches which specially depended on the Holy See, and for + that reason were named suburbican; that is, those of the southern part of + Italy, where he was sole Archbishop, those of Sicily, and the other + islands, though they had Metropolitans. But it will not be found that he + exercised the same immediate power in the provinces depending on Milan + and Aquileia, nor in Spain and the Gauls. It is true that in the Gauls he + had his vicar, who was the Bishop of Arles, as was likewise the Bishop of + Thessalonica for Western Illyricum. The Pope further took care of the + Churches of Africa, that Councils should be held there, and the Canons + maintained; but we do not find that he exercised particular jurisdiction + over any that belonged to the Eastern empire, that is to say, upon the + four patriarchates of Alexandria, Antioch, Jerusalem, and Constantinople. + He was in communion and interchange of letters with all these Patriarchs, + without entering into the particular management of the Churches depending + on them, except it were in some extraordinary case. The multitude of St. + Gregory's letters gives us opportunity to remark all these distinctions, + in order not to extend indifferently rights which he only exercised over + certain Churches."<a name="NtA134" href="#Nt134"><sup>[134]</sup></a></p> + + <p>Now in St. Gregory's time a discussion arose, which served to draw + forth statements on his part most remarkably bearing on the present + claims of the See of Rome. In the year 589 Gregory, Patriarch of Antioch, + accused of a grievous crime, appealed to the Emperor and his Council. He + accordingly went to Constantinople, and was tried. All the Patriarchs of + the East in person, or by their deputies, attended this trial, the Senate + likewise, and many Metropolitans; and the cause having been examined in + several sittings, Gregory was absolved, and the accuser flogged through + the city and banished. At this Council John the Faster, Patriarch of + Constantinople, took the title of Universal Bishop. Immediately the Roman + Pontiff Pelagius heard of it, he sent letters by which, of St. Peter's + authority, he annulled the acts of this Council, save as to the + absolution of Gregory, and ordered his deacon, the Nuncio, not to attend + the mass with John. But he left the contest about the name Ecumenical, or + Universal, Bishop or Patriarch, to his successor Gregory. We have many + letters of Gregory on the subject, of which I will give extracts. The + Pope foresaw the great danger there was that the Patriarch of + Constantinople would reduce completely under him the other three Eastern + Patriarchs, and perhaps attempt to gain the Primacy of the whole Church; + for this, among other reasons, neither St. Leo, nor any of his + successors, had ever allowed in the West the 28th Canon of Chalcedon, + giving him the next place to Rome. And now this title of Ecumenical, + combined with the fact that the Bishop of that See was, from his + position, the intermediary between all the Bishops of the East and the + imperial power, seemed to point directly to such a consummation. He was + the natural president of a Council continually sitting at Constantinople, + which might be said to lead and give the initiative to the whole East. + Accordingly St. Gregory appears in this matter the great defender of the + Patriarchal equilibrium. "Gregory to Eulogius, Bishop of Alexandria, and + Anastasius, Bishop of Antioch."<a name="NtA135" + href="#Nt135"><sup>[135]</sup></a>... "As your venerable Holiness is + aware, this name Universal was offered by the holy Synod of Chalcedon to + the Pontiff of the Apostolic See, a post which by God's providence I + fill. But no one of my predecessors ever consented to use so profane a + term, because plainly, if a single <i>Patriarch is called Universal, the + name of Patriarch is taken from the rest</i>. But far, far be this from + the mind of a Christian, that any one should wish to claim to himself + that by which the honour of his brethren may seem to be in any degree + diminished. Since, therefore, we are unwilling to receive this honour + when offered to us, consider how shameful it is that any one has wished + violently to usurp it to himself. Wherefore let your Holiness in your + letters <i>never call any one Universal, lest in offering undue honour to + another you should deprive yourself of that which is your due</i>.... Let + us, therefore, render thanks to Him, who, dissolving enmities, hath + caused in His flesh, that in the whole world there should be one flock + and one fold under Himself the one Shepherd.... For because he is near of + whom it is written, 'He is king over all the children of pride,' what I + cannot utter without great grief, our brother and fellow-Bishop John, + despising the Apostolic precepts, the rules of the Fathers, endeavours by + this appellation to go before him in pride.... So that he endeavours to + claim the whole to himself, and aims by the pride of this pompous + language <i>to subjugate to himself all the members of Christ, which are + joined together to the one sole head, that is, Christ</i>.... By the + favour of the Lord we must strive with all our strength, and take care + lest by one poisonous sentence the living members of Christ's body be + destroyed. For if this is allowed to be said freely, <i>the honour of all + the Patriarchs is denied</i>. And when, perchance, he who is termed + Universal perishes in error, presently no Bishop is found to have + remained in the state of truth. Wherefore it is your duty firmly, and + without prejudice, to preserve the Churches as you received them, and let + this attempt of diabolic usurpation find nothing of its own in you. Stand + firm, stand fearless; <i>presume not ever either to give or receive + letters with this false title of Universal</i>. Keep from the pollution + of this pride all the Bishops subject to your care, that the whole Church + may recognise you for Patriarchs, not only by good works, but by your + genuine authority. But if perchance adversity follow, persisting with one + mind, we are bound to show, even by dying, that we love not any special + gain of our own to the general loss." So, likewise to the Bishops of + Illyricum he says—"Because as the end of this world is approaching, + the enemy of the human race hath appeared in anticipation, to have for + his precursors through this name of pride, those very priests who ought + by a good and humble life to resist him; I therefore exhort and advise + that no one of you ever give countenance to this name, ever agree to it, + ever write it, ever receive a writing wherein it is contained, or add his + subscription; but, as it behoves ministers of Almighty God, keep himself + clean from such-like poisonous infection, and give no place within him to + the crafty lier-in-wait; <i>since this is done to the injury and + disruption of the whole Church, and, as we have said, in contempt of all + of you. For if, as he thinks, one is universal, it remains that you are + not Bishops</i>."<a name="NtA136" href="#Nt136"><sup>[136]</sup></a> To + Sabinianus, then his Deacon, afterwards his successor—"For to + consent to this nefarious name, is nothing else but to lose our faith."<a + name="NtA137" href="#Nt137"><sup>[137]</sup></a> "Gregory to the Emperor + Mauricius"<a name="NtA138" href="#Nt138"><sup>[138]</sup></a>... + "Concerning which matter, my Lord's affection has enjoined me in his + commands, saying that scandal ought not to grow between us, for the term + of a frivolous name. But I beg your Imperial Piety to consider, that some + frivolities are very harmless, some highly injurious. When Antichrist at + his coming calls himself God, will it not be very frivolous, but yet + cause great destruction? If we look at the amount of what is said, it is + but two syllables, (<i>Deum</i>,) if at the weight of iniquity, it is + universal destruction. <i>But I confidently affirm that whoever calls + himself, or desires to be called, Universal Priest, in his pride goes + before Antichrist</i>; because through pride he prefers himself to the + rest. And he is led into error by no dissimilar pride, because like that + perverse one, he wishes to appear God over all men; so, <i>whoever he is + who desires to be called sole Priest</i>, he lifts up himself above all + other Priests. But since the Truth says, 'every one who exalteth himself + shall be abased,' I know that the more any pride inflates itself, the + sooner it bursts."</p> + + <p>"Gregory to the Emperor Mauritius."<a name="NtA139" + href="#Nt139"><sup>[139]</sup></a> ... "But since it is not my cause, but + God's, and since not I only, but the whole Church, is thrown into + confusion, since sacred laws, since venerable synods, since the very + commands even of our Lord Jesus Christ are disturbed by the invention of + this haughty and pompous language, let the most pious Emperor lance the + wound, &c.... <i>For to all who know the Gospel, it is manifest that + the charge of the whole Church was entrusted by the voice of the Lord to + the holy Apostle Peter, chief of all the Apostles.</i> For to him is + said, Peter, lovest thou me? Feed my sheep. To him is said, Behold, Satan + hath desired to sift you, &c. To him is said, Thou art Peter, &c. + <i>Lo he hath received the keys of the kingdom of heaven, the power of + binding and loosing is given to him, the care of the whole Church is + committed to him, and the Primacy, and yet he is not called Universal + Apostle.</i> And that holy man, my fellow-priest, John, endeavours to be + called Universal Bishop.... Do I, in this matter, most pious Lord, defend + my own cause? is it a private injury that I pursue? the cause of Almighty + God, the cause of the universal Church. Who is he, who, in violation of + the statutes of the Gospel, in violation of the decrees of Canons, + presumes to usurp a new name to himself? <i>Would that he who desires to + be called universal may exist himself without diminution to + others!</i>... If, then, any one claims to himself that name in that + Church, as in the judgment of all good men he has done, the whole Church + (which God forbid!) falls from its place, when he who is called Universal + falls. But far from Christian hearts be that blasphemous name, in which + the honour of all Priests is taken away, while it is madly arrogated by + one to himself! Certainly, to do honour to the blessed Peter, chief of + the Apostles, this was offered to the Roman Pontiff by the venerable + Synod of Chalcedon. But no one of them ever consented to use this + singular appellation, that all Priests might not be deprived of their due + honour by something peculiar being given to one. How is it, then, that we + seek not the glory of this name, though offered us, yet another presumes + to claim it, though not offered?"</p> + + <p>John had been succeeded by Cyriacus at Constantinople: and he writes + further,<a name="NtA140" href="#Nt140"><sup>[140]</sup></a> "Gregory to + Anastasius, Bishop of Antioch.... I thought it not worth while on account + of a profane appellation to delay receiving the synodical letter of our + Brother and Fellow-Priest Cyriacus, that I might not disturb the unity of + the holy Church: nevertheless, I have made a point of admonishing him + respecting that same superstitious and haughty appellation, saying that + he could not have peace with me unless he corrected the pride of the + aforesaid expression, <i>which the first Apostate invented</i>. But you + should not call this cause of no importance; because, if we bear this + patiently, we corrupt the faith of the whole Church. For you know how + many, not only heretics, but even heresiarchs, have come forth from the + Church of Constantinople. And, not to speak of the injury done to your + honour, if one Bishop be called Universal, the whole Church tumbles to + pieces, if that one, being universal, falls.<a name="NtA141" + href="#Nt141"><sup>[141]</sup></a> But far be such folly, far be such + trifling, from my ears. But I trust in the Almighty Lord, that what He + hath promised, He will quickly perform: every one that exalteth himself + shall be abased." In another most interesting letter he communicates to + the Bishop of Alexandria, that "while the nation of the English, placed + in a corner of the world, was remaining up to this time in unbelief, + worshipping stocks and stones, by the help of your prayers I determined + that I ought to send over to it a monk of my monastery, by the blessing + of God, to preach there. After permission from me, he has been made a + Bishop by the Bishops of Germany, and, assisted by their kindness, + reached the aforesaid nation at the end of the world; and even at this + present moment I have received accounts of his safety and labours; for + either he, or those who have gone over with him, are distinguished among + that nation by so great miracles, that they seem to imitate the powers of + Apostles by the signs which they show forth. On this last feast of the + Lord's Nativity more than ten thousand English are reported to have been + baptized by this our brother and fellow-bishop, which I mention that you + may know what you are doing among the people of Alexandria by your voice, + and in the ends of the world by your prayers."<a name="NtA142" + href="#Nt142"><sup>[142]</sup></a>—"Your Blessedness has also taken + pains to tell me that you no longer write to certain persons those proud + names, which have sprung from the root of vanity, and you address me, + saying, <i>as you commanded</i>, which word <i>command</i> I beg you to + remove from my ears, because I know who I am, and who you are. For in + rank you are my Brother, in character my Father. I did not, therefore, + command, but took pains to point out what I thought advantageous. I do + not, however, find that your Blessedness was willing altogether to + observe the very thing I pressed upon you. For I said that you should not + write any such thing <i>either to me or to any one else</i>, and lo! in + the heading of your letter, directed to me, the very person who forbad + it, you set that haughty appellation, <i>calling me Universal Pope</i>. + Which I beg your Holiness, who are most agreeable to me, to do no more, + because <i>whatever is given to another more than reason requires is so + much taken away from yourself</i>. It is not in appellations, but in + character, that I wish to advance. Nor do I consider that an honour by + which I acknowledge that my brethren lose their own. For my honour is the + honour of the Universal Church. My honour is the unimpaired vigour of my + brethren. Then am I truly honoured, when the true honour is not denied to + each one in his degree. <i>For if your Holiness calls me Universal Pope, + you deny that you are yourself what you admit me to be, Universal.</i> + But this God forbid. Away with words which inflate vanity, and wound + charity. Indeed, in the holy Synod of Chalcedon, and by the Fathers + subsequently, your Holiness knows this was offered to my predecessors. + Yet none of them chose ever to use this term; that, while in this world + they entertained affection for the honour of all Priests, in the hands of + Almighty God they might guard their own."</p> + + <p>As to what Gregory says about the Council of Chalcedon offering this + title, Thomassin says,<a name="NtA143" href="#Nt143"><sup>[143]</sup></a> + "It authorized at least by its silence the title of Ecumenical + (Patriarch), which was given to Pope Leo in several requests there read." + It appears these requests really were the complaints of two Alexandrian + Deacons against Dioscorus.<a name="NtA144" + href="#Nt144"><sup>[144]</sup></a> How very different it was to pass over + without reprobating a title bestowed in documents which came before it, + from itself conferring that title, is plain at once. In just the same way + it had been given at the Latrocinium to Dioscorus. However, the title + Ecumenical has been constantly since, and is now, borne by the Patriarch + of Constantinople; no doubt a very innocent meaning may be given to it. + The remarkable thing is, that Gregory has pointed out in such precise + unmistakeable language a certain power and claim, which he inferred, + rightly or wrongly, would be set up on this title Ecumenical, and which + he pronounces to be a corruption of the whole constitution of the + Church.</p> + + <p>Perhaps, however, the most remarkable passage remains yet to be + quoted. It is in a letter to the Patriarch John himself. "Consider, I + pray you, that by this rash presumption the peace of the whole Church is + disturbed, and the grace, poured out upon all in common, contradicted. + And in this, indeed, you yourself will be able to increase just so much + as you purpose in your own mind; and become so much the greater, as you + restrain yourself from usurping a proud and foolish name. And you profit + in the degree that you do not study to arrogate to yourself by derogating + from your brethren. Therefore, most dear brother, with all your heart + love humility, by which the harmony of all the brethren and the unity of + the holy universal Church, may be preserved. Surely the Apostle Paul, + hearing some say, I am of Paul, I of Apollos, I of Cephas, exclaimed, in + exceeding horror at this rending of the Lord's Body, by which His members + attached themselves, as it were, to other heads, saying, Was Paul + crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? If he then + rejected the members of the Lord's Body being subjected to certain heads, + as it were, besides Christ, and that even to Apostles themselves, as + leaders of parts, what will you say to Christ, <i>who is, as you know, + the Head of the Universal Church, in the examination of the last + judgement</i>,—<i>you, who endeavour to subject to yourself under + the name of Universal, all His members</i>? Who, I say, in this perverse + name, is set forth for imitation but he, who despised the legions of + angels joined as companions to himself, and endeavoured to rise to a + height unapproached by all, that he might seem to be subject to none, and + be alone superior to all. Who also said, 'I will ascend into heaven: I + will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the + mount of the congregation, on the sides of the North. I will ascend above + the height of the clouds: I will be like the Most High.'</p> + + <p>"For what are all your brethren, the Bishops of the Universal Church, + but the stars of heaven? Whose life and language together shine amid the + sins and errors of men, as among the shades of night. And while you seek + to set yourself over these by a proud term, and to tread under foot their + name, in comparison with your own, what else do you say, but 'I will + ascend into the heaven. I will exalt my throne above the stars of God.' + Are not all the Bishops clouds, who rain down the words of their + preaching, and shine with the light of good works? And while your + brotherhood despises them, and endeavours to put them under you, what + else do you say but this, which is said by the old enemy: 'I will ascend + above the heights of the clouds?' And when I see all these things with + sorrow, and fear the secret judgments of God, my tears increase, my heart + contains not my groans, that that most holy man, the Lord John, of such + abstinence and humility, seduced the persuasion of those about him, hath + proceeded to such pride, that in longing after a perverse name, he + endeavours to be like him, who, desiring in his pride to be as God, lost + even the grace of that likeness to God which had been given him; and so + forfeited true blessedness, because he sought false glory. <i>Surely + Peter, the first of the Apostles, a member of the holy universal Church, + Paul, Andrew, John, what else are they but the heads of particular + communities? and yet all are members under one head.</i> And to + comprehend all in one brief expression, the saints before the law, the + saints under the law, the saints under grace, all these making up the + body of the Lord, are disposed among members of the Church, and no one + ever wished to be called Universal. Let, then, your Holiness acknowledge + how great is your pride, who seek to be called by that name, by which no + one has presumed to be called who was really holy."<a name="NtA145" + href="#Nt145"><sup>[145]</sup></a></p> + + <p>Now had these passages occurred in the writings of some ancient saint, + who was generally opposed to the authority of the Roman See, had they + belonged to a Patriarch of Antioch, or Constantinople, jealous of his own + rights, they would surely have had their weight, as testimonies to a + fact, not mere opinions of the speaker. They would have borne witness to + no such thing as they reprobate having, till then, been allowed or + thought of. Or, had they been isolated statements, not borne out by + contemporaneous or antecedent documents, but standing alone, + uncontradicted indeed, but unsupported, they would still have told. How, + then, are we to express their weight, or the full assurance of faith + which they give us, as being the deliberate, oft-repeated, official + statements of a Pope, than whom there never was one more vigorous in + defending or in exercising the rights of his See? As being supported and + borne out, and in every possible way corroborated by the facts of + history, the decrees of Councils, the innumerable testimonies of all + parts of the world, the everyday life of the living, breathing Church for + six hundred years? In an early work, Mr. Newman had said, "What there is + not the shadow of a reason for saying that the Fathers held, what has not + the faintest pretensions of being a Catholic Truth, is this, that St. + Peter, and his successors, were and are universal Bishops; that they have + the whole of Christendom for their own diocese, in a way in which other + Apostles and Bishops had and have not."</p> + + <p>In his last work he has retracted, saying, "Most true, if, in order + that a doctrine be considered Catholic, it must be formally stated by the + Fathers generally from the very first: but, on the same understanding, + the doctrine also of the Apostolic succession in the Episcopal order has + not the faintest pretensions of being a Catholic truth."<a name="NtA146" + href="#Nt146"><sup>[146]</sup></a></p> + + <p>Now these words of Mr. Newman seem to imply that the expressions of + Fathers, or the decrees of Councils, look towards this presumed Catholic + truth, tend to it, and finally admit it, as a truth which they had been + all along implicitly holding, or unconsciously living upon, and at last + recognised and expressed. On the contrary, to my apprehension, they hold + another view about the See of Rome, and express it again and again. It is + not a point on which there is variation or inconsistency among them. I + have as clear a conviction as one can well have that St. Augustine did + <i>not</i> hold the Papal theory. I think the words that I have quoted + from him prove this. Moreover, the Fathers generally express a view about + other Bishops which is utterly incompatible with this theory as now + received, which by no process of development can be made to agree with + it. And I confess that I am unable to understand the meaning of words, if + this so-called "Catholic truth" of the Pope being the universal Bishop, + is not distinctly considered in these passages of St. Gregory, formally + repudiated for himself as well as for others, and the very notion + declared to be, in any case whatsoever, <i>that of the Pope being + specially named</i>, blasphemous and antichristian. Could heretics say + any thing of the kind against the doctrine of the Apostolical succession, + out of the first six centuries, they would have an advantage against the + Church, which, thank God, they are far from possessing.</p> + + <p>And it is of no small importance that we have here speaking a Pope, + one to whom twelve centuries have given the name of Great, one who, with + St. Leo, stands forth out of the ancient line of St. Peter's heirs as an + especially legislative mind. Every Catholic is bound to take his words + without suspicion. Now St. Gregory asserts, as we have seen, the right of + his See to call <i>any</i> Bishop to account, even the four Patriarchs, + in case of a violation of the Canons; declaring at the same time that, + when the Canons are kept, the meanest Bishop is his equal in the + estimation of humility. Even while arguing against this title he says, + "To all who know the Gospel is manifest that the charge of the whole + Church was entrusted by the voice of the Lord to the holy Apostle + Peter,"—"and yet he is not called Universal Apostle;" but this + title, he asserts, and the theory implied in it, is devilish, an + imitation of Satan, an anticipation of Antichrist. What else can we + conclude but that which so many other documents prove, that this Primacy + over the whole Church, the ancient and undoubted privilege of the Bishop + of Rome, was something quite different from what he is here reprobating? + For St. Gregory, least of all men, was so blind as to use arguments which + might be retorted with full force against himself. And yet, any one + reading these words of his, and not knowing whence they came, would + suppose they were written by a professed opponent of the present Papal + claims. For in these letters St. Gregory acknowledges all the Patriarchs + as co-ordinate with himself, acknowledges our Lord to be sole Head of the + Church, declares the title of Universal Bishop blasphemous and + Antichristian, expressly on the ground that it is a wrong done to the + Universal Church, to every Bishop and Priest: "If one is universal, it + remains that you are not Bishops;" declares, moreover, that St. Peter + himself is only a member of the Universal Church, as St. Paul, St. John, + St. Andrew, were other members, the heads of different communities. This + may be said to be the precise logical contradictory of De Maistre's + assertion, that "the Pope" is "the Church," in which he assuredly only + expresses the Papal idea. Rarely, indeed, is it that any controversy, + appealing to ancient times, can have a testimony on all its details so + distinct, and specific, and authoritative as this: and yet it may be said + no more than to crown the testimony of the six centuries going before it. + That during this period the Bishop of Rome was recognised to be first + Bishop of the whole Church, of very great influence, successor of St. + Peter, and standing in the same relation to his brethren the Bishops that + St. Peter stood in to his brother Apostles; this, on the whole, I believe + to be the testimony of the first six centuries, such as a person, not + wilfully blind, and who was not content to take the witness of a Father + when it suited his purpose and pass it by when it did not, would draw + from ecclesiastical documents. I have set it forth to the best of my + ability, as well where it seemed to tell against the present position of + the Church of England, as in those many points in which it supports + her.</p> + + <p>What then is our defence on her part against the charge of schism? It + is simply this. That no one can now be in the communion of Rome without + admitting this very thing which Pope Gregory declares to be blasphemous + and anti-Christian, and derogatory to the honour of every Priest. This is + the very head and front of our offending, that we refuse to allow that + the Pope is Universal Bishop. If the charge were that we refuse to stand + in the same relation to the Pope that St. Augustin of Canterbury stood in + to this very St. Gregory, that we refuse to regard and honour the + successor of St. Gregory with the same honour with which our Archbishops, + as soon as they were seated in the government of their Church, and were + no longer merely Missionaries but Primates, regarded the occupant of St. + Peter's See, I think both the separation three hundred years ago, and the + present continuance of it on our part, would, so far as this question of + schism is concerned, be utterly indefensible. But this is <i>not</i> the + point. It may indeed be, and frequently is, so stated by unfair + opponents. The real point is, that, during the nine hundred years which + elapsed between 596 and 1534 the power of the Pope, and his relation to + the Bishops in his communion, had essentially altered: had been, in fact, + placed upon another basis. That from being first Bishop of the Church, + and Patriarch, originally of the ten provinces under the Præfectus + Prætorii of Italy, then of France, Spain, Africa, and the West generally, + he had claimed to be the source and channel of grace to all Bishops, the + fountain-head of jurisdiction to the whole world, East as well as West; + in fact, the 'Solus Sacerdos,' the 'Universus Episcopus,' contemplated by + St. Gregory. There is a worldwide difference between the ancient + signature of the Popes, 'Episcopus Catholicæ Ecclesiæ Urbis Romæ,' and + that of Pope Pius at the Council of Trent, 'Ego Pius Catholicæ Ecclesiæ + Episcopus.' It has been no longer left in the choice of any to accept his + <i>Primacy</i>, without accepting his <i>Monarchy</i>, which those who + profess to follow antiquity must believe that the Bishops of Nicea, + Constantinople, Ephesus, and Chalcedon, Augustin and Chrysostom, the West + and the East, would have rejected with the horror shown by St. Gregory at + the first dawning of such an idea. And, whereas Holy Scripture and + antiquity present us with one accordant view of the Universal Church + governed by St. Peter and the Apostolic College, and, during the first + six centuries at least, as the Bishop of Rome is seen to exercise the + Primacy of St. Peter, so his brother-Bishops stand to him as the College + of Apostles stood to St. Peter: instead of this, which is the Church's + divine hierarchy, instituted by Christ Himself, the actual Roman Church + is governed by one Bishop who has an apostolical independent power, + whilst all the rest, who should be his brethren, are merely his + delegates, receiving from his hand the investiture of such privileges as + they still retain. If St. Gregory did not mean this by the terms 'Solus + Sacerdos,' 'Universus Episcopus,' what did he mean? That the Pope should + be the only Priest who offered sacrifice, or the only Bishop who + ordained, confirmed, &c. is physically impossible. Nor did the title + of the Bishops of Constantinople tend to this: but to claim to themselves + jurisdiction over the co-ordinate Patriarchs of the East, as the Popes + have since done over the Bishops of the whole world. We have no need to + consider what is the amount of this difficulty to Roman Catholics + themselves: the same Providence which has placed them under that + obedience, has placed us outside of it. Our cause, indeed, cannot be + different now from what it was at the commencement of the separation. If + inherently indefensible then, it is so now. But if then 'severe but + just,' the lapse of three centuries in our separate state may materially + affect our relative duties. I affirm my conviction, that it is better to + endure almost any degree of usurpation, provided only it be not + anti-Christian, than to make a schism: for the state of schism is a + frustration of the purposes of the Lord's Incarnation; and through this, + not only the English, and the Eastern Church, but the Roman also, lies + fettered and powerless before the might of the world, and bleeding + internally at every pore. How shall a divided Church meet and overcome + the philosophical unbelief of these last times? or, the one condition to + which victory is attached being broken, crush the deadliest attack of the + old enemy? But the schism is made; let those answer for it before + Christ's tribunal who made it. Now that it is made, I see not how a + system, which is not a true development of the ancient Patriarchal + constitution, but its antagonist, according to St. Gregory's words, can + be forced upon us, on pain of our salvation, who have the original + succession of the ancient Bishops of this realm, if any such there be, + and the old Patriarchal constitution, 'sua tantum si bona norint.' I + ground our present position simply on the appeal to tradition and the + first six centuries.</p> + + <p>Not that there is any abrupt break in the testimony of history there; + but it is necessary to put a limit somewhere. Otherwise the seventh + century supplies us with the remarkable fact of Pope Honorius condemned, + by the sixth Ecumenical Council in 681, as having connived at and + favoured the Monothelite heresy, condemned more than forty years after + his death; a fact which utterly destroys the new dogma of the + infallibility of the one Roman Pontiff by himself; and which Bellarmine + and Baronius can only meet by attempting to prove that the acts of the + sixth Council have been falsified, though they had been received for + genuine by the seventh and eighth Councils, and for nine hundred years; + and the letter of St. Leo, immediately after that Council, falsified + also, in which he condemns the Monothelites, and amongst them Honorius, + "who did not adorn this Apostolical See with the doctrine handed down + from the Apostles, but endeavoured to subvert the undefiled faith by a + profane tradition." The condemnation of the Council runs as + follows:—"Having examined the letters of Sergius of Constantinople + to Cyrus, and the answer of Honorius to Sergius, and having found them to + be repugnant to the doctrine of the Apostles, and to the opinion of all + the Fathers, in execrating their impious dogmas, we judge that their very + names ought to be banished from the Holy Church of God; we declare them + to be smitten with anathema; and, together with them, we judge that + Honorius, formerly Pope of ancient Rome, be anathematized, since we find, + in his letter to Sergius, that he follows in all respects his error, and + authorizes his impious doctrine."<a name="NtA147" + href="#Nt147"><sup>[147]</sup></a></p> + + <p>It appears, likewise, that as the letter of St. Cyril was read and + approved in the third Council, and that of Pope St. Leo in the fourth, so + that of Pope St. Agathon was read and approved in the sixth, and that of + Pope Adrian the First in the seventh, <span class="scac">A.D.</span> 787. + But here it may be well to give Bossuet's summary. "This tradition" + (<i>i.e.</i> that the supreme authority in the Church resides in the + consent of the Bishops) "we have seen to come down from the Apostles, and + descend to the first eight General Councils; which eight General Councils + are the foundation of the whole Christian doctrine and discipline, of + which the Church venerates the first four, in St. Gregory's words, no + less than the four Gospels. Nor is less reverence due to the rest, as, + guided by the same Spirit, they have a like authority. Which eight + Councils, with a great and unanimous consent, have placed the final power + of giving decisions in nothing else but in the consent of the Fathers. Of + which the six last have legitimately examined the sentence of the Roman + Pontiff even given upon Faith, and that with the approval of the + Apostolic See, the question being put in this form, as we read in the + Acts—'Are these decrees right, or not?'</p> + + <p>"But we have seen that the judgment of a General Council never was so + reconsidered, but that all immediately yielded obedience to it. Nor was a + new inquiry ever granted to anyone after that examination, but punishment + threatened. Thus acted Constantine; thus Marcian; thus Cœlestine; + thus Leo; thus all the rest, as we have seen in the Acts. The Christian + world hath acknowledged this to be certain and indubitable.</p> + + <p>"To this we may add the testimony of the admirable Pope St. Gelasius: + 'A good and truly Christian Council once held, neither can nor ought to + be unsettled by the repetition of a new Council.' And again: 'There is no + cause why a good Council should be reconsidered by another Council, lest + the mere reconsideration should detract from the strength of its + decrees.' Thus what has received the final and certain judgment of the + Church, is not to be reconsidered; for that judgment of the Holy Spirit + is reversed, whenever it is reconsidered by a fresh judgment. But the + judgment put forth by a Roman Pontiff is such, that it has been + reconsidered. It is not therefore that ultimate and final judgment of the + Church.</p> + + <p>"Nor is that sentence of Gregory the Great less clear, comparing the + four General Councils to the four Gospels, with the reason given; + 'Because being decreed by universal consent, whoever presumes either to + loose what they bind, or bind what they loose, destroys not them but + himself.'</p> + + <p>"So then our question is terminated by the tradition of the ancient + Councils and Fathers. All should consent to the power of the Roman + Pontiff, as explained according to the decree of the Council of Florence, + after the practice of General Councils. The vast difference between the + judgment of a Council and of a Pontiff is evident, since after that of + the Council no question remains, but only the obedience of the mind + brought into captivity; but that of the Pontiff is upon examination + approved, room being given to object,—which was to be proved."<a + name="NtA148" href="#Nt148"><sup>[148]</sup></a></p> + + <p>Here the real question at issue is, whether the Bishop of Rome be + First Bishop, or Monarch, of the Church. Now, I have endeavoured to + delineate, from the Fathers and from Councils, what the true Primacy of + the Roman See is. What is now required from us to admit as terms of + communion is—"That the ordinary jurisdiction of Bishops descends + immediately from the Pope;" "the government of the Church is monarchical, + therefore all authority resides in one, and from him is derived unto the + rest;" "there is a great difference between the succession to Peter and + that to the rest of the Apostles; for the Roman Pontiff properly succeeds + Peter not as Apostle, but as ordinary Pastor of the whole Church; and + therefore the Roman Pontiff has jurisdiction from Him from whom Peter had + it: but Bishops do not properly succeed the Apostles, as the Apostles + were not ordinary, but extraordinary, and, as it were, delegated Pastors, + to whom there is no succession. Bishops, however, are said to succeed the + Apostles, not properly in that manner in which one Bishop succeeds + another, and one king another, but in another way, which is two-fold. + First, in respect of the holy Order of the Episcopate; secondly, from a + certain resemblance and proportion: that is, as when Christ lived on + earth, the twelve Apostles were the first under Christ, then the + seventy-two Disciples: so now the Bishops are first under the Roman + Pontiff, after them Priests, then Deacons, &c. But it is proved that + Bishops succeed to the Apostles so, and not otherwise; for they have no + part of the true Apostolic authority. Apostles could preach in the whole + world, and found Churches ... this cannot Bishops." ... "Bishops succeed + to the Apostles in the same manner as Priests to the seventy-two + Disciples."<a name="NtA149" href="#Nt149"><sup>[149]</sup></a> Again: + "But, if the Supreme Pontiff be compared with the rest of the Bishops, he + is deservedly said to possess the plenitude of power, because the rest + have fixed regions over which they preside, and also a fixed power; but + he is set over the whole Christian world, and possesses, in its + completeness and plenitude, that power which Christ left on earth for the + good of the Church."<a name="NtA150" href="#Nt150"><sup>[150]</sup></a> + He proceeds to prove this by those passages of Scripture:—'Thou art + Peter,' &c.; 'Feed my sheep,' &c.; which we have seen St. + Augustin explaining as said to St. Peter in the person of the Church, + while he expressly denies that they are said to him merely as an + individual. "These keys not one man but the unity of the Church + received:" "he was not the only one among the Disciples who was thought + worthy to feed the Lord's sheep," &c. What Bellarmine here says, is, + assuredly, both the true Roman view, and moreover <i>absolutely necessary + to justify that Church in the attitude she assumes and the measures she + authorizes towards other parts of the Church. And if it be the ancient + Catholic doctrine, it does justify her</i>. That it is <i>not</i> the + ancient doctrine, I think I have already shown; but let us hear what + Bossuet says of it. "One objection of theirs remains to be explained, + that Bishops borrow their power and jurisdiction from the Roman Pontiff, + and therefore, although united with him in an Ecumenical Council, can do + nothing against the root and source of their own authority, but are only + present as his Counsellors; and that the force of the decree, as well in + matters of faith as in other matters, lies in the power of the Roman + Pontiff. Which fiction falls of itself to the ground, even from this, + that it was unheard of in the early ages, and began to be introduced into + theology in the thirteenth century; that is, after men preferred + generally to act upon philosophical reasonings, and those very bad, + before consulting the Fathers.<a name="NtA151" + href="#Nt151"><sup>[151]</sup></a></p> + + <p>"But to this innovation is opposed, first, what is related in the Acts + of the Apostles respecting that Council of Apostles, which the letter of + St. Cœlestine to the Council of Ephesus, and the proceedings of the + fifth Ecumenical Council, proved to be as it were repeated and + represented in all other Councils. But if any one says that, in this + Council, the Apostles were not set by Christ to be true judges, but to be + the counsellors of Peter, he is too ridiculous.<a name="NtA152" + href="#Nt152"><sup>[152]</sup></a></p> + + <p>"Secondly, is opposed that fact which we have proved, that the decrees + and judgments of Roman Pontiffs <i>de fide</i> were suspended by the + convocation of an Ecumenical Council, were reconsidered by its authority, + and were only approved and confirmed after examination made and judgment + given. Which things undoubtedly prove that they sat there not as + counsellors of the Pope, but as judges of Papal decrees.</p> + + <p>"And they must indeed be legitimately called together, that they may + not meet tumultuously; but, when once called together, they judge by the + authority of the Holy Spirit, not of the Pope: they pronounce anathemas, + not by authority of the Pope, but of Christ; and we have seen this so + often pressed upon us by the Acts, that we are weary of repeating it.</p> + + <p>"Add to this that expression of the first Council of Arles to St. + Sylvester: 'Had you judged together with us, our assembly had exulted + with greater joy:' and in the very heading of the Council to the same + Sylvester: 'What we have decreed with common consent, we signify to your + charity.' Relying then on this authority of their Priesthood, they judge + concerning most important matters; that is, the observation of the Lord's + passover, that it may be kept on one day all over the world: concerning + the non-iteration of Baptism, and the discipline of the Churches. + Instances of this kind occur everywhere. But it is a known fact, that + even by particular Councils, where the Pope presided, his decrees, even + when present, were examined and confirmed by consent; the Fathers equally + with him judged, decreed, defined, and we have seen this a thousand times + written on the Acts.</p> + + <p>"But in a matter so clear, they have only one thing to object drawn + out of antiquity, the saying of St. Innocent, 'that Peter is the author + of the Episcopal name and honour.'<a name="NtA153" + href="#Nt153"><sup>[153]</sup></a> And again,<a name="NtA154" + href="#Nt154"><sup>[154]</sup></a> 'whence the Episcopate itself and all + the authority of that name sprung.' And of St. Leo,<a name="NtA155" + href="#Nt155"><sup>[155]</sup></a> 'If he willed that anything should be + enjoyed by the other heads (that is, the Apostles) in common with him + (Peter), he never gave save through Peter whatever he denied not to the + rest.' And elsewhere also, 'that Christ granted to the rest of the + Apostles the ministry of preaching on this condition, that he poured into + them, as into the whole body, his gifts from Peter, as from the head.'<a + name="NtA156" href="#Nt156"><sup>[156]</sup></a> Whence also came that + expression of Optatus of Milevi: 'For the good of unity, the blessed + Peter was thought worthy to be preferred to all the Apostles, and alone + received the keys of the kingdom of heaven to be imparted to the rest,'<a + name="NtA157" href="#Nt157"><sup>[157]</sup></a>—and that of + Gregory of Nyssa, 'Through Peter He gave to the Bishops the keys of + heavenly honours.'<a name="NtA158" href="#Nt158"><sup>[158]</sup></a> And + that of St. Cæsarius of Arles to Pope Symmachus: 'As from the person of + the blessed Apostle Peter the Episcopate takes its beginning, so is it + necessary that by suitable rules of discipline your Holiness should + plainly show to every Church what they ought to observe.'<a name="NtA159" + href="#Nt159"><sup>[159]</sup></a></p> + + <p>"If they push these and such like expressions to the utmost, they will + come to assert that the Apostles were appointed by Peter, not by Christ, + or by Christ through Peter, but not by Him immediately and in person: as + if any other but Christ called the Apostles, sent them, and endued them + with heavenly power by the infusion of His Spirit; and Peter and not + Christ said: 'Go ye, teach, preach, baptize, receive, and, as My Father + sent me, even so send I you.'</p> + + <p>"I am aware that John of Turrecremata, and a few others, thinking that + the words now quoted of St. Leo and others cannot be defended by them + sufficiently, unless the Apostles also received their jurisdiction from + St. Peter, have been hurried away even into this folly, against the most + manifest truth of the Gospel. Which fiction Bellarmine himself has + confuted.</p> + + <p>"But this being the greatest absurdity, it will appear that what + follows is the teaching of the Fathers quoted.</p> + + <p>"First; the episcopal authority and jurisdiction is contained in the + keys, and in the power of binding and loosing, which is clear of + itself.</p> + + <p>"Secondly; it is evident from the Gospel History that Peter was the + first in whom that power was shown forth and appointed. For, although + Christ said to all the Apostles, 'Receive the Holy Ghost,' (John xx. 22,) + and 'whatsoever ye bind,' &c., 'whatsoever ye loose,' &c. (Matt, + xviii. 18); yet, what He said to Peter had gone before, 'I will give to + thee the keys,' &c. (Matt. xvi. 19).</p> + + <p>"Thirdly; both these two, that is, both what was said to Peter and + what was said to the Apostles, proceed equally from Christ: for He who + said to Peter, 'I will give to thee,' and 'Whatsoever thou shalt bind,' + said also to the Apostles, 'Receive ye,' and 'Whatsoever ye shall + bind.'</p> + + <p>"Fourthly; that is therefore true which Optatus says of Peter: 'For + the good of unity, he alone received the keys of the kingdom of heaven, + to be imparted to the rest.' For, in truth, these which were given to + Peter in the 16th Matt. were to be imparted afterwards to the Apostles, + Matt. 18th, and John 20th, but to be imparted not by Peter, but by + Christ, as is clear.</p> + + <p>"Fifthly; that also is true which Cæsarius says, 'The Episcopate takes + its beginning from Peter:' he being the first in whom, through the + ministry of binding and loosing, the Episcopal power was shown forth, + begun, entrusted.'</p> + + <p>"Sixthly; hence, also, is true what Innocent says,—'that the + Episcopate, and all the authority of that name, sprung from Peter,' + because he, first of all, was appointed or set forth as Bishop.</p> + + <p>"Seventhly; for this cause, Peter is called by the same Innocent the + author of the Episcopate; not that he instituted it,—not that the + Apostles received the power of binding and loosing from him,—for + the Scriptures everywhere exclaim against this; but that from him was + made the beginning of establishing that power among men, and of + appointing or marking out the Episcopate.</p> + + <p>"Eighthly; to make this clearer, and that it may be easily perceived + what means that expression, 'through Peter,' which we read in Leo, we + must review the tradition of the ancient Church, drawn from the + Scriptures themselves.</p> + + <p>"It is plain, then, that when the Lord asked the Apostles, 'Whom say + men that I, the Son of Man, am?' Peter, the chief of all, answered in the + person of all, 'Thou art the Christ:' and afterwards Christ said to + Peter, thus representing them, 'I will give to thee,'—'Whatsoever + thou shalt bind:' by which it appears that in these words, not Peter + only, but in Peter, their chief, and answering for all, all the Apostles + and their successors were endued with the Episcopal power and + jurisdiction.</p> + + <p>"All which Augustin includes when he writes, 'All being asked, Peter + alone answered, Thou art Christ, and to him is said, I will give to thee, + &c., as if he alone received the power of binding and loosing, the + case really being, that he said that singly for all, and received this + together with all, as representing unity.'<a name="NtA160" + href="#Nt160"><sup>[160]</sup></a> Than which nothing can be + clearer."</p> + + <p>He then quotes passages from St. Cyprian and St. Augustin, which I + have already brought; adding, "In Peter, therefore, singly, Cyprian + acknowledges that all Bishops were instituted, and not without reason; + the Episcopate, as he everywhere attests, being one in the whole world, + was instituted in one. And this was done to establish 'the origin of + unity beginning from one,' as he says.</p> + + <p>"But most of all does Augustin set forth and inculcate the common + tradition. For, not content with having said that once in the place above + mentioned, he is very full in setting forth this view of that doctrine. + Hence he says, 'In Peter was the sacrament of the Church;'" and other + passages I have already quoted. "Whence, everywhere in his books against + the Donatists, he says, 'The keys are given to Unity.'</p> + + <p>"The sum, then, is this. The Apostles and Pastors of Churches being + both one and many,—one, in ecclesiastical communion, as they feed + one flock; many, being distributed through the whole world, and having + allotted to them each their own part of the one flock; therefore, power + was given to them by a two-fold ratification of Christ: first, that they + may be one, in Peter their chief, bearing the figure and the person of + unity, to which has reference that saying in the singular number, 'I will + give to thee,' and 'Whatsoever thou shall bind,' &c.: secondly, that + they may be many, to which that has reference in the plural number, + 'Receive ye,' and 'Whatsoever ye shall bind:' but both, personally and + immediately from Christ; since He who said, 'I will give to thee,' as to + one, also said, 'Receive ye,' as to many: nevertheless, that saying came + first, in which power is given to all, in that they are one: because + Christ willed that unity, most of all, should be recommended in His + Church.</p> + + <p>"By this all is made clear; not only Bishops, but also Apostles, have + received the keys and the power from Christ, in Peter, and, in their + manner, through Peter, who, in the name of all, received that for all, as + bearing the figure and the person of all."</p> + + <p>He then shows that this tradition had gone down even to his own times: + "This holy and apostolic doctrine of the Episcopal jurisdiction and power + proceeding immediately from, and instituted by, Christ, the Gallic Church + hath most zealously retained." "Therefore,<a name="NtA161" + href="#Nt161"><sup>[161]</sup></a> that very late invention, that Bishops + receive their jurisdiction from the Pope, and are, as it were, vicars of + him, ought to be banished from Christian schools, as unheard of for + twelve centuries."</p> + + <p>It is precisely "this very late invention" which is urged against the + Church of England. Unless this be true, her position in itself, supposing + her to be clear of heresy, with which, at present, I have nothing to do, + is impregnable.</p> + + <p>Such is the most Catholic interpretation by which Bossuet sets in + harmony with the teaching of all antiquity a few expressions, which are + all that I have been able to find that are even capable of being forced + into accordance with the present Papal system, and which, as soon as they + are so forced, contradict the whole history of Councils, and the whole + life of the most illustrious Fathers.</p> + + <p>Now there is no doubt that Bellarmine's doctrine is the true logical + development of the Papal Theory; it alone has consistency and + completeness; it alone is the adequate expression of that prodigious + power which was allowed to enthrone itself in the Church during the + middle ages; it would fain account for it and justify it. Grant but its + postulate, that the Pope is the sole vicar of Christ, and all which it + requires must follow. On the other hand, that school which ranks Bossuet + at its head, and which sought to limit, in some degree, by the Canons the + power of the Roman Pontiff, and maintained that Bishops were, <i>jure + divino</i>, successors of the Apostles, in a real, not in a fictitious + sense, however well-founded in what it maintained on the one side, was + certainly inconsistent. It gave either too much or too little to the + Roman See;—too much, if its own declarations about the succession + of Bishops and the authority of General Councils be true, and founded in + antiquity, as we believe; too little, if the Pope be indeed the only + Vicar of Christ on earth, and the supreme Ruler of His Church; for then + these maxims put their partisans very nearly into the position of rebels, + and, in truth, brought the Gallican Church to the brink of a schism, in + 1682. However this may be, that school is extinct; the ultramontane + theory alone has now life and vigour in the Roman Church. It seems to + absorb into itself all earnest and self-denying minds, while the other is + left to that treacherous conservatism which would use the Church of + Christ as a system of police, for the security of worldly interests. What + the ultramontane theory is, we see from Bellarmine. It proclaims that the + government of the Church is a monarchy, concentrating in one person all + the powers bestowed by Christ upon the Apostles. In this the student of + history is bound to declare that it stands in point-blank contradiction + to the decrees of General Councils, to the sentiments of the Fathers, and + the whole practice of the Church for the first six hundred years; for + much longer indeed than this, but this is enough. Well may Bossuet ask, + "if the infallible authority of the Roman Pontiff is of force by itself + before the consent of the Church,—to what purpose was it that + Bishops should be summoned from the farthest regions of the earth, at the + cost of such fatigues and expense, and Churches be deprived of their + Pastors, if the whole power resided in the Roman Pontiff? If what he + believed or taught was immediately the supreme and irrevocable law, why + did he not himself pronounce sentence? Or if he pronounced it, why are + Bishops called together and wearied out, to do again what is already + done, and to pass a judgment on the supreme judgment of the Church? Would + not this be fruitless? But all Christians have imbibed with their faith + the conviction, that, in important dissensions, the whole Church ought to + be convoked and heard. All therefore understand that the certain, + deliberate, and complete declaration of the truth is seated not in the + Pope alone, but in the Church spread everywhere."<a name="NtA162" + href="#Nt162"><sup>[162]</sup></a> "This too is certain, that when + General Councils have been holden, the sentence of the Roman Pontiff has + generally preceded them; for undoubtedly Celestine, Leo, Agatho, Gregory + the Second, Adrian the First, had pronounced sentence, when the third, + fourth, sixth, seventh Councils were held. What was desired therefore + was, not a Council for the Pontiff about to give judgment, but, after he + had given judgment, the force of a certain and insuperable + authority."</p> + + <p>In fact, on this theory, as we have seen above, St. Cyprian, St. + Firmilian, St. Hilary of Arles, the African Bishops in 426, the Fathers + of Chalcedon in 451, in passing their famous 28th Canon, the Fathers of + Ephesus in 431, in passing their 8th, the Fathers of Constantinople in + 381, in passing their 2d and 3d Canons, and in the synodal letter + addressed to the Pope and the Western Bishops, the Fathers of Nicea, in + passing their 6th, nay, all ancient Councils whatever, in all their form + and mode of proceeding, were the most audacious of rebels. But what are + we to say about the language of St. Gregory? Did he then betray those + rights of St. Peter, which he held dearer than his life? When he wrote to + Eulogius of Alexandria, "If your Holiness calls me Universal Pope, you + deny that you are yourself what you admit me to be—universal. But + this God forbid:" are we to receive Thomassin's explanation, that he + meant, as Patriarch, he was not universal, but, as Pope, he was, all the + time? or when he says to the same, "in rank you are my brother, in + character my father," was Eulogius at the same time, as Bellarmine will + have it, merely his deputy? "In the beginning, Peter set up the Patriarch + of Alexandria, and of Antioch, who, receiving authority from the Pontiff + (of Rome), presided over almost all Asia and Africa, and could create + Archbishops, who could afterwards create Bishops."<a name="NtA163" + href="#Nt163"><sup>[163]</sup></a> And this, it appears, is the key which + is to be applied to the whole history of the early Church. Those Bishops, + Metropolitans, Exarchs, and Patriarchs, throughout the East, who had such + a conviction of the Apostolic authority residing in themselves as + governors of the Church, who showed it in every Council in which they + sat, who expressed it so freely in their writings and letters: St. + Augustin, again, in the West, himself a host, who speaks of a cause + decided by the Roman Pontiff being reheard, of "the wholesome authority + of General Councils," who assents to St. Cyprian's proposition, that + "every Bishop can no more be judged by another, than he himself can judge + another," with the single limitation, "certainly, I imagine, in those + questions which have not yet been thoroughly and completely settled;" + who, in a question of disputed succession, which more than any other + required such a tribunal as the Papal, had it existed, appeals not to the + authority of the Roman See, but to the testimony of the whole Church + spread everywhere, not mentioning that See pre-eminently; or when he does + mention "the See of Peter, in which Anastasius now sits," mentioning + likewise "the See of James, in which John now sits:"—all these were + nothing more, at the same time, than the Pope's delegates, and received + through him their jurisdiction.</p> + + <p>Can a claim be true which is driven to shifts such as this for its + maintenance? Or can the truth of Christianity and the unity of the Church + rest upon a falsehood? Is infidelity itself in such "a hopeful + position,"<a name="NtA164" href="#Nt164"><sup>[164]</sup></a> as regards + Christianity, that it is really come to this, that we must either receive + a plain and manifest usurpation, or be cast out of the house and kingdom + of God? That we must reject the witness and history of the first six + hundred years of the Church's life on the one hand, or be plunged into + the abyss of infidelity on the other? If it be true that the Pope is + Monarch of the Church, which is the present Papal theory, the Church of + England is in schism. If it be not true, she is at least clear of that + fatal mark. All that is required for her position is the maintenance of + that Nicene Constitution which we have heard St. Leo solemnly declare was + to last to the end of the world, viz. that every province of the Church + be governed by its own Bishops under its own Metropolitan. And who then + but will desire that the successor of St. Peter should hold St. Peter's + place? Will the Patriarch of Constantinople, or the Archbishop of Moscow, + or the Primate of Canterbury, so much as think of assuming it? Be this + our answer when we are accused of not really holding that article of the + Creed "one Catholic and Apostolic Church." Let the Bishop of Rome require + of us that honour and power which he possessed at the Synod of Chalcedon, + <i>that, and not a totally different one under the same name</i>, and we + shall be in schism when we do not yield it. At present we have no farther + separated from him than to fall back on the constitution of the Church of + the Martyrs and the Fathers.</p> + + <p>But, it may be said, is the Catholic Church unanimous on the one hand, + and the Anglican communion, restricted to one small province, left alone + in her protest on the other? Did not she, whom they would call "the + already decrepit rebel of three hundred years," submit from 596 to 1534 + to that very authority which she now denies? It would be quite beyond my + present limits to trace, as I had first purposed, the Roman Bishop's + power from that point at which it stood when St. Gregory sent our Apostle + Augustin into England, to that point which it had reached in the + thirteenth century, and which it strove to maintain in the sixteenth. I + can only now very briefly point out a few of the steps in that most + wonderful rise. The two centuries, then, which succeeded St. Gregory, + were even more favourable to this growth than those which went before. + While the confusion and violence of secular governments by the breaking + in and settlement of the various northern tribes were greater than + ever,—while the ecclesiastical constitution was all that yet held + together the scattered portions of the shattered Western empire—the + single Apostolical See of the West, whose Bishop was in constant + correspondence with the spiritual rulers of these various countries, + whose voice was ever and anon heard striving to win and soften into mercy + and justice those temporal rulers, would be, as it were, "a light shining + in a dark place." The Bishops, everywhere miserably afflicted by their + own sovereigns, found a stay and support in one beyond the reach of the + feudal lord's violence. The benefit they thus derived from the Roman + Patriarch was so great, that they would be disposed to overlook the + gradual change which was ensuing in the relation between themselves and + him, the deference which was deepening into subjection. Or, if here and + there, what Leo would have called "a presumptuous spirit," such as + Hincmar of Rheims, or our own Grossetête, in after times, set himself + against the stream, it would all be in vain. However good his cause might + be, if he did not yield, he would be beaten down like St. Hilary of + Arles. Moreover, as the great heresy of Mahomet invaded and hemmed in + three of the Patriarchal Sees of the East, their counterpoise to the + originally great influence of the Roman See was removed. Political + separation from the East, and the difficulty of communication, would of + themselves greatly tend to this result. To this must be added the great + increase of power which the house of Charlemagne, for their own political + purposes, bestowed on the Roman See; it was worth while building up a + popedom for an imperial crown. De Maistre says, "The Popes reign since + the ninth century at least."<a name="NtA165" + href="#Nt165"><sup>[165]</sup></a> But it is a somewhat naïve confession, + "The French had the singular honour, one of which they have not been at + all sufficiently proud, of having set up, humanly, the Catholic Church in + the world, by raising its august head to the rank indispensably due to + his divine functions; and without which he would only have been a + Patriarch of Constantinople, miserable puppet of Christian sultans, and + Musulman autocrats." Just, too, when it was most difficult to detect + imposture, and to refer to the acts of ancient Councils, that singular + counterfeit of the false decretals made its appearance, which so + wonderfully helped the Roman Patriarchs in consolidating the manifold + structure of their authority. This, indeed, assailed the Bishops of the + West by their most reverential feelings, and added to the force of a + great present authority, almost always beneficially exercised, the weight + of what seemed an Apostolical tradition. Besides these causes, the Popes + found in the several monastic orders throughout Europe the most unceasing + and energetic pioneers of their power. From the very first there appears + to have existed a desire to exchange the present superintendence of the + local Bishop for the distant authority of the Pope. The great orders, + indeed, were themselves so many suspensions of the Episcopal system. With + reason do the statues of their founders adorn the nave of St. Peter's, + not only as witnesses of the Church's exuberant life, but as those whose + hands, more than any others, have helped to rear that colossal central + power, of which that fane is the visible symbol. Thus the Papal structure + was so gradually built upon the Patriarchal, that no one age could + accurately mark where the one ended and the other began, but all may see + the finished work. It requires no microscopic eye to distinguish the + authority of St. Leo or St. Gregory from that of St. Innocent the Third. + The poet spake of a phantom what is true of a great reality:—</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="i8">"Mobilitate viget, viresque acquirit eundo,</p> + <p>Ingrediturque solo, et caput inter nubila condit."</p> + </div> + </div> + + <p>That power, for which the heroic and saintly Hildebrand died in + exile,<a name="NtA166" href="#Nt166"><sup>[166]</sup></a> if exile there + could be to him who received the heathen for his inheritance, and the + utmost parts of the earth for his possession; for which our own St. + Anselm, forced against his will to the Primacy, stood unquailing in the + path of the Red King, most furious, if not the worst, of that savage + race, whose demon wrath seemed to justify the fable of their origin; for + which St. Bernard, the last of the Fathers in age, but equal to the first + in glory, wrote and laboured, and wore himself out with vigils, and + wrought miracles; for which our own St. Thomas shed that noble blood, + which sanctifies yet our primatial Church, an earnest of restoration and + freedom to come; that power, for which St. Francis, the spouse of holy + poverty, so long neglected since her First Husband ascended up on high, + and St. Dominic—</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="i16">l' amoroso drudo</p> + <p>Della fede Cristiana, il santo atleta,</p> + <p>Benigno a' suoi, ed a' nemici crudo;<a name="NtA167" href="#Nt167"><sup>[167]</sup></a></p> + </div> + </div> + + <p>and one greater yet, the warrior saint, Ignatius, raised their myriads + of every age and of both sexes, armed in that triple mail of poverty, + chastity, and obedience, "of whom the world was not worthy;"—that + power, to which have borne witness so many saintly Bishops, poor in the + midst of poverty, and humble in the exercise of more than royal + power,—so many scholars, marvellously learned,—so many, + prodigal of labour and blood, who are now counted among the noble army of + martyrs,—so many holy women, who have hidden themselves under the + robe of the first of all saints, and followed the Virgin of virgins in + their degree;—that power is, indeed, the most wondrous creation + which history can record, and one to which I am not ashamed to confess + that I should bow with unmingled reverence, had not truth a yet stronger + claim upon me, and did not the voice of the early Church, its Fathers, + Councils, and Martyrs, sound distinctly in my ears another language. + Still, human and divine, ambition and Providence, are so mingled there, + that I would not utter a word more than truth requires. I should even be + compelled to give up the strongest individual conviction, acknowledging + the weakness and liability to err of any private judgment; acknowledging, + moreover, that a single province of the Church, if opposed to all the + rest, is certain to be in error, were it not that, besides the voice of + antiquity, we have witnesses the most legitimate, the most time-honoured, + the most unswerving in their testimony,—witnesses who take away + from our opponents their proudest claim,—nay, a claim which, if + real, would be irresistible,—that of being, by themselves, the + Catholic Church.</p> + + <p>Let it never, then, be forgotten, that any argument which would prove + the Church of England to be in schism would condemn likewise the Eastern + and Russian Church. It is not the Catholic Church against a revolted + province, as our adversaries would have us believe; it is the one + Patriarch of the West, with his Bishops, against the four Patriarchs of + the East, with theirs, and that great and, as yet, unbroken phalanx of + the North, which Constantinople won to the faith of old, and which now + promises to beat back the tide of heresy and infidelity from the + beleaguered Sees of the East. On this point of schism, at least, they + bear witness with us. The causes, adverted to above, which were so + influential in exalting the great fabric of Roman power in the West, did + not act upon the East,—nay, acted in the inverse direction. The See + of Constantinople still remains where the Council of Chalcedon placed it, + where the Emperor Justinian recognised it to be, the second See of the + world: and it has ever since refused to admit that Rome was <i>first</i> + in any sense in which itself was not <i>second</i>. This may serve to set + in a clear light the vast difference between the legitimate power of the + First See, and the claim to give jurisdiction to all Bishops. The + systems, of which these are expressions, are in truth antagonistic. + Constantinople maintains still that constitution of the whole Church + which St. Gregory accused its Bishops of undermining. The evil which he + foresaw has come from his own successors: "the cause of Almighty God, the + cause of the Universal Church," the privileges and rights of Bishops and + Priests, as against one "Universal Pope," are borne witness to now, as + they have ever been, by the immutable East. Here, at least, are no + sympathies with the heresiarchs of the sixteenth century: the Synod of + Bethlehem has anathematised Luther and Calvin as decidedly as the Council + of Trent. Here was no Henry the Eighth fixing his supremacy on a + reluctant Church by the axe, the gibbet, the stake, and laws of premunire + and forfeiture: no State using that Church as a cat's-paw for three + hundred years, and ready now to offer it up a holocaust to the demon of + liberalism. Here is the ancient Patriarchal system, the thrones of + Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem, subsisting still. + Here is the same body of doctrine, the same seven sacraments, the same + Real Presence, the same mighty sacramental and sacerdotal system, which + Latitudinarian and Evangelical, statesman and heretic, dread while they + hate, as being indeed the visible presence of Christ in a fallen + world,—the residence of a spiritual power which controls and + torments the worldling, while it disproves and falsifies the heretic. + Here is all that the Roman Catholic claims as tokens of the truth for + himself: but there is one thing more, the same protest that we make + against the monarchical, as distinct from the patriarchal, power, the + same appeal back to early Councils, and the unambiguous voice of those + who cannot be silenced or corrupted, the Fathers of the Church. In the + Fathers of the undivided Church, the East and the North and the West, so + long severed, meet: we are not alone, who have with us, on the very point + which divides us from our Mother Church, the still unbroken line of + successors from St. Athanasius and St. Chrysostom. There is no break in + the descent or in the doctrine of the Eastern Churches. There is the same + dogmatic, the same hierarchical fabric, subsisting now as when St. + Gregory addressed Anastasius of Antioch, and Eulogius of Alexandria. It + may suit the purposes of unfair Roman controversialists to brand them as + schismatics, and overcome, by calling them a name, their own most + formidable opponents: but history cannot be so overcome. They have + <i>never</i> admitted the Papal sway, any more than the Fathers who + passed the 28th Canon of Chalcedon: they have, indeed, admitted the Roman + <i>Primacy</i>, as those same Fathers admitted it; for the very system, + for which they are witnesses, is not complete without the Bishop of Rome + stands at the head of it: the <i>due</i> honour of Rome is involved in + the due honour of Constantinople; and, we may add, the due honour of + Canterbury: the same temper, the same persons, who reject the one, hate + the other. What we say they never have admitted is, that which has really + worked the disunion of the Universal Church, as St. Gregory foretold it + would, the doctrine which is the centre of the present Papal system, + which alone makes all its parts cohere, and justifies all its acts, and + triumphs over all appeal to argument, and all testimonies of antiquity, + viz., that, "the Pope is set over the whole Christian world, and + possesses in its completeness and plenitude that power which Christ left + on earth for the good of the Church."<a name="NtA168" + href="#Nt168"><sup>[168]</sup></a> They have never for a moment admitted + that the Bishops of the Universal Church were the Pope's delegates, and + received their jurisdiction from him. <i>We</i> fight, it must be + admitted, at some disadvantage with our opponents. The long subjection + which our Church yielded to Rome, the manifold obligations under which we + lie to her, the complete unsettling of the ecclesiastical and doctrinal + system in the sixteenth century, the horrible vices of those who effected + the change, the connection with those whose doctrine has now worked + itself out into Socinianism, infidelity, and anarchy, the inability we + have ever since been under of shaking ourselves completely clear of them, + the thoroughly unsatisfactory position of the state towards us, as a + Church, at present,—all these things are against us,—all + these things tell on the mind which really lives and dwells on antiquity, + and looks to the pure Apostolic Church. Still, though they weaken, they + do not overcome our cause. But from all these objections the witness of + the Eastern Churches is free. They were never subject to Rome, but to + their own Patriarchs; they derived not their Christianity from her: the + Priesthood, and the pure unbloody sacrifice, and the power to bind and to + loose, remain undisputed among them: the Eastern mind cannot conceive a + Church without them. They have received no reformation from those whose + lives were a scandal to all Christian men: they are not mixed up with the + Lutheran or Calvinistic heresy: nor has Erastianism eaten out their life. + Yet, if we are schismatics, so are they, and on the same ground. Moreover + the Roman Church has again and again treated with them as parts of the + true Church. It is only in comparatively modern times, that as the hope + of re-union became fainter, the line of denying their being members of + the One Body has been taken up. I have seen even so late as the time of + Clement the Eighth a letter of that Pope to the Czar, in which he treats + him as already belonging to the Church. Moreover the Eastern Church has + put forth the best and most convincing sign of Catholicity, <i>life</i>: + to her, <i>since her separation from Rome</i>, and to this particular + attention must be claimed, is due the most remarkable conversion of a + great nation to the Faith which has taken place in the last eight hundred + years—Russia with her Bishops, her clergy, her monasteries, her + convents, her Christian people, her ancient discipline, her completely + organised Church system, her whole country won from Paganism by the + preaching of Monks and Missionary Bishops, is a witness to the Greek + Church (which who shall gainsay?) that she is a true member of the One + Body. The Patriarch of Constantinople exercised that charge which the + Council of Chalcedon gave him, and ordained Bishops among the barbarians, + and the Spirit of God blessed their labours, and the whole North became + his spiritual offspring. Rome cannot show, since she has been divided + from the East, a conversion on so large a scale, so complete, so + permanent. And on that great mass she has hitherto made no impression. It + is a complete refutation of her claim to be <i>by herself</i> Catholic, + that there exists out of her communion a Body of Apostolic descent and + government, with the same doctrinal system as her own, with the ascetic + principle as strongly developed, with the same claim to + miracles,—with all, in fact, which characterises a Church; a Body, + moreover, so large, that, supposing the non-existence of the Roman + Communion, the promises of God in Scripture to His Church might be + supposed to be fulfilled in that Body.<a name="NtA169" + href="#Nt169"><sup>[169]</sup></a> And this Body, like ourselves, denies + that particular Roman claim, for which Rome would have us and them to be + schismatic. And it has denied it not merely for three hundred years, but + from the time that it has been advanced. Truly all that was deficient on + our side seems made up by the Greek Church. And this living and + continuous witness of a thousand years is to be added to that most + decisive and unambiguous voice of the whole undivided ancient Church.</p> + + <p>I have, throughout these remarks, considered the Church of Christ to + be what, at the Councils of Nicea, Ephesus, and Chalcedon, she so + manifestly appeared, one organic whole; a Body, with One Head, and many + members; as St. Gregory says, Peter, and Paul, and Andrew, and John; a + kingdom with One Sovereign, and rulers, an Apostolic College appointed by + that Head, with a direct commission from Himself. I believe that no other + idea about the Church prevailed up to St. Gregory's time. It follows that + all so-called national churches, unless they be subordinate to the law of + this kingdom, are so many infringements of the great primary law of + unity, in that they set up a member instead of the Body. St. Paul, in the + 12th chapter of the 1st Epistle to the Corinthians, has clearly set forth + such, and no less, to be the unity of Christ's Body. Certainly it is a + difficulty, that we must admit this essential law to be at present + broken. But I do not think it fair to argue against a provisional and + temporary state, such as that of the Church of England is confessed to + be—which, too, has been forced upon her—as if it were a + normal state, one that we have chosen, a theory of unity that we put + forth over against the ancient theory, or the present Roman one. Nay, + thousands and ten thousands feel, the whole rising mind of the Church + feels, that we are torn "from Faith's ancient home," that we groan within + ourselves, waiting until God in his good time restore a visible unity to + His Church, till the East and the West and the South be one again in the + mind of Christ. Who but must view it as a token of that future blessing, + that public prayers have been offered up in France and Italy for such a + consummation? Let us begin to pray for each other, and we must end by + being one. Let <i>us</i>, too, pray that the clouds of error and + prejudice, the intense blind jealousy on one side, the cruel and + disingenuous temper on the other, may be subdued by the Spirit of God, + who in some great and blessed Pentecost shall draw long alienated hearts + together, and mould them into a union closer than has ever been, against + an attack the last and most terrible of the foretold enemy, the tokens of + whose coming are at hand.</p> + + <p>But the Roman Catholic, who seems to escape this difficulty, and + points to his communion as one organic whole, falls into another. Grant + that it is one, but it is at the expense of ceasing to be Catholic: it + has lost all the East and the North, and part of the West. Thus, in this + choice between difficulties, it seems the least to suppose that the unity + of Christendom may be for a time suspended, during which the several + parts of Christ's Body retain communion with the one Head, and thence + derive life, though active communion with each other is suspended. A less + difficulty, I say, than to cut off, not merely our own Church, but the + seventy millions of the Eastern Church, having a complete inward identity + with the Roman, from the covenant of salvation, merely because that + intercommunion is prevented by a claim to spiritual monarchy, which was + unknown in the best ages of the Church, and has been resisted ever since + it was set up. If this view be true, we should expect that the several + parts, though living, would yet be languishing, and far from that healthy + vigour which they ought to possess; that the Great Head would give + manifold warnings of the injury done to His Body. Now, it is very + remarkable that the circumstances, no less of the Latin than of the + Eastern and the Anglican Church, exactly agree to this expectation. I + need not speak on this point of the second and third; but I cannot help + thinking that they who have suffered themselves to be driven by fearful + scandals out of our bosom, who have brooded over acknowledged but + unrelieved wants, till the duty of patient long-suffering has been + forgotten, close their eyes to the state of France, Spain, and Italy, + under what they have now learnt to call <i>by itself</i> the "Catholic" + Church. Yet are there tokens abroad which men of less spiritual + discernment might lay to heart. Does the "obscene rout" of Ronge and + Czerski, bursting forth from the bosom of the Roman Church, awake no + misgiving? Fearful, when viewed by Scripture and antiquity, as the state + of England is, (an argument which is now being used against our communion + with such effect on tender and loving minds,) he must be bold who would + venture to say that the relation of the French Church to the French + nation in the last century, or its relation even now, greatly as the + present French Church is to be admired and sympathised with, does not + offer as much ground for fearful apprehension, as much reason to dread, + lest the terms on which victory is promised to the Church over the world + have been essentially broken. I fear there is no doubt that two-thirds of + the French capital are not <i>Christian</i>, in any sense of the word; + and probably the proportion is as great in the larger towns. How did this + state of things arise? How has nearly the whole intellect of that country + become infidel? From the French Revolution, it will be answered. But how + could that great Satanical outburst have ever taken place, had the Church + of Christ, free from corruption, as those who have left us believe, and + throned in the possession of sixteen hundred years, with its numberless + religious houses, its unmarried clergy, and great episcopate, been + discharging its functions, I do not say aright, but with any moderate + efficiency? Surely the acts of the States General were as bad as those of + Henry the Eighth; yet its members were Catholics, in full communion with + the Roman See. Surely the ecclesiastical legislation of Napoleon was as + uncatholic as that of a House of Commons; yet it was sanctioned by + Concordat with the Pope. But if manifold corruptions did not unchurch the + Gallican communion in the last century,—if the mass of a great + nation, which the Church once completely possessed, but has now + surrendered to active unbelief, does not invalidate her claim to be a + pure communion at present, why are such things alleged as so fatal a mark + against us? God forbid that one should mention such things without the + deepest sorrow; but when our troubles, and difficulties, and relations + with the state, and the alienated hearts of our people, and the absence + of external discipline and inward guidance, and the misery of our + divisions, are alleged to prove that we are out of the pale of the + Church, these things ought to be weighed on the other side. There ought + not to be different measures on different sides of the Channel. I forbear + to speak of the state of Spain, Portugal, and much of Italy; but I + imagine that the worst deeds of the Reformation were at least paralleled + by what the Church has had to endure there from the hands of her own + children. I believe that our own most sad corruptions have, too, their + counterpart among Churches in communion with the Apostolic See.</p> + + <p>But to conclude. As our defence against the charge of Schism rests + upon the witness of the ancient Church, thus fully corroborated by the + Eastern Communion, so our whole safety lies in maintaining the clear + indubitable doctrine of that Church. I have avoided the whole question of + <i>doctrine</i> in these remarks, both as leading me into a wider field + than that which I am obliged to traverse so cursorily at present, and as + distinct from the question of Schism, though very closely connected with + it. No one can deny that it is not sufficient for our safety to repel one + single charge: but this charge was the most pressing, the most specious, + and one which requires to be disposed of before the mind can with + equanimity enter upon any other. My conclusion is, that upon the + strictest Church principles,—in other words, upon those principles + which all Christendom, in its undivided state, recognised for six hundred + years, which may be seen in the Canons and Decrees of Ecumenical + Councils, our present position is tenable at least till the convocation + of a really Ecumenical Council. The Church of England has never rejected + the communion of the Western, and still less that of the Eastern Church: + neither has the Eastern Church pronounced against her. She has only + exercised the right of being governed by her own Bishops and + Metropolitans. There is, indeed, much peril of her being forced from + this, her true position,—a peril lately pointed out by the author + of "The real Danger of the Church of England." I need say little where he + has said so much, in language so well-timed, so moderate, and from a + position which cannot be misrepresented. I will only add, that I cannot + conceive any course which would so thoroughly quench the awakened hopes + of the Church's most faithful children, as that her rulers, which I am + loth even to imagine, at a crisis like the present, should seek support, + not in the rock of the ancient Church, in which Andrewes, Laud, and Ken, + took refuge of old,—not in the unbroken tradition of the East and + West, by which, if at all, the Church of Christ must be + restored,—not in that great system which first subdued and then + impregnated with fresh life the old Roman Empire, delaying a fall which + nothing could avert, and which lastly built up out of these misshapen + ruins all the Christian polities of Europe,—not in that + time-honoured and universal fabric of doctrine to which our own + Prayer-book bears witness, but in the wild, inconsistent, treacherous + sympathies of a Protestantism, which the history of three hundred years + in many various countries has proved to be dead to the heart's core. + Farewell, indeed, to any true defence of the Church of England, any hope + of her being built up once more to an Apostolical beauty and glory, of + recovering her lost discipline and intercommunion with Christendom, if + she is by any act of her rulers, or any decree of her own, to be mixed up + with the followers of Luther, Calvin, or Zuingle: with those who have + neither love, nor unity, nor dogmatic truth, nor sacraments, nor a + visible Church among themselves: who, never consistent but in the depth + of error, and the secret instinct of heresy, deny regeneration in + Baptism, and the gift of the Holy Spirit in Confirmation and Orders, and + the power of the keys in absolution, and the Lord's Body in the + Eucharist. That is the way of death: who is so mad as to enter on it? + When Protestantism lies throughout Europe and America a great disjointed + mass, in all the putridity of dissolution,</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>"Monstrum horrendum, informe, ingens, <i>cui lumen ademptum</i>,"</p> + </div> + </div> + + <p>judicially blinded, so that it cannot perceive Christ dwelling in his + Church, while she grows to the measure of the stature of the perfect man, + and making her members and ministers His organs—who would think of + joining to it a living Church? Have we gone through so much experience in + vain? Have we seen it develop into Socinianism at Geneva, and utter + unbelief in Germany, and a host of sects in England and America, whose + name is Legion, and who seem to be agreed in nothing else but in the + denial of sacramental grace, and visible unity; and all this at the last + hour, in the very turning point of our destiny, to seek alliance with + those who have no other point of union but common resistance to the + tabernacle of God among men? A persuasion that nothing short of the very + existence of the Church of England is at stake, that one step into the + wrong will fix her character and her prospects for ever, compels one to + say that certain acts and tendencies of late have struck dismay into + those who desire above all things to love and respect their spiritual + mother. If the Jerusalem Bishopric, promoted, (at the instance of a + foreign minister, not in communion with our Church,<a name="NtA170" + href="#Nt170"><sup>[170]</sup></a> and who has recorded in the strongest + terms his objection to <i>her</i> apostolical episcopacy,) by two Bishops + on their private responsibility, without any authority from the Church of + which they are indeed most honoured, but only individual rulers, be the + commencement of a course of amalgamation with the Lutheran or Calvinistic + heresy, who that values the authority of the ancient undivided Church, + will not feel his allegiance to our own branch fearfully shaken? The time + for silence is past. There is such a thing as "propter vitam vivendi + perdere causas." It must be said publicly that such a course will lead + infallibly to a schism, which will bury the Church of England in its + ruins. If she is to become a mere lurking-place for omnigenous + latitudinarianism; if first principles of the faith, such as baptismal + regeneration, and priestly absolution, may be indifferently held or + denied within her pale,—though, if not God's very truths, they are + most fearful blasphemies,—the sooner she is swept away the better. + There is no mean between her being "a wall daubed with untempered + mortar," or the city of the living God. I speak as one who has every + thing commonly valuable to man depending on this decision; moreover, as a + Priest in that communion, whose constitution, violently suspended by an + enemy for one hundred and thirty years, yet requires that every one of + her acts, which bind her as a whole, should be assented to by her + Priesthood in representation, as well as by her Episcopacy. If the grace + of the sacraments may be publicly denied by ministers of the Church, nay, + by a Bishop ex cathedrâ, with impunity, in direct violation of the most + solemn forms to which they have sworn obedience, while the assertion of + Christ's Real Presence in the Eucharist draws down censure on the most + devoted head, the communion which endures such iniquity requires the + constant uninterrupted intercession of her worthier children, that she be + not finally forsaken of God, and perish at the first attack of + antichrist.</p> + + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" /> + +<h3>R. CLAY, PRINTER, BREAD STREET HILL.</h3> + + <p><br style="clear:both" /></p> +<hr class="full" /> + +<h2>NOTES</h2> + +<div class="note"> + <p><a name="Nt1" href="#NtA1">[1]</a> Bellarmin. de Rom. Pont. Lib. iv. + 25; iv. 24; i. 9.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt2" href="#NtA2">[2]</a> De Maistre, du Pape. Liv. i. ch. + i.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt3" href="#NtA3">[3]</a> S. Cyprian de Unit. Ecc. 12.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt4" href="#NtA4">[4]</a> "Development," &c. p. 22.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt5" href="#NtA5">[5]</a> Thomassin, Part i. lib. i. ch. 4. + De l'ancienne discipline de l'Eglise.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt6" href="#NtA6">[6]</a> St. Cypr. de Unit. 4. Oxford + Tr.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt7" href="#NtA7">[7]</a> Quoted by Thomassin, <i>ut + sup.</i></p> + + <p><a name="Nt8" href="#NtA8">[8]</a> Ibid.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt9" href="#NtA9">[9]</a> S. Aug. Tom. v. 706, B.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt10" href="#NtA10">[10]</a> S. Chrys. Tom. ii. 594, B.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt11" href="#NtA11">[11]</a> St. Jerome, tom. ii. 279, + Vallarsi.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt12" href="#NtA12">[12]</a> Development, p. 279.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt13" href="#NtA13">[13]</a> The words in italics are left + out by Mr. N.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt14" href="#NtA14">[14]</a> Thomassin, Part i. liv. i. ch. + iii.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt15" href="#NtA15">[15]</a> Of a passage in this letter, De + Maistre says (Du Pape, liv. i. ch. 6): "Resuming the order of the most + marked testimonies which present themselves to me on the general + question, I find, first, St. Cyprian declare, in the middle of the third + century, that heresies and schisms only existed in the Church because all + eyes were not turned towards the Priest of God, towards the Pontiff who + judges in the Church <i>in the place of Jesus Christ</i>." A pretty + strong testimony, indeed, and one which would go far to convince me of + the fact. Pity it is, that when one refers to the original, one finds + that St. Cyprian is actually speaking of himself, and of the consequences + of any where setting up in a see a schismatical Bishop against the true + one. After this, who will trust De Maistre's facts without testing them? + The truth is, he had taken the quotation at second hand, and never looked + to see to whom it was applied. It suited the Pope so admirably that it + must have been meant for him. But I recommend no one to change their + faith upon the authority of quotations which they do not test.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt16" href="#NtA16">[16]</a> Epist. 67. De Marciano + Arelatensi.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt17" href="#NtA17">[17]</a> S. Cyp. Ep. 29.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt18" href="#NtA18">[18]</a> Ep. 73.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt19" href="#NtA19">[19]</a> Ep. 74.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt20" href="#NtA20">[20]</a> De Unit. Ecc. Oxf. Tr.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt21" href="#NtA21">[21]</a> Op. St. Cypr. p. 329. ed. + Baluz.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt22" href="#NtA22">[22]</a> Tom. ix. p. 110.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt23" href="#NtA23">[23]</a> S. Cyp. Ep. 75.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt24" href="#NtA24">[24]</a> Liv. VII. sec. 32.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt25" href="#NtA25">[25]</a> Tom. ix. 97. G.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt26" href="#NtA26">[26]</a> Tom. ii. 96. F.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt27" href="#NtA27">[27]</a> Tom. ii. 299. C.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt28" href="#NtA28">[28]</a> Fleury, liv. vii. 23.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt29" href="#NtA29">[29]</a> Ep. 68. S. Cypriani.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt30" href="#NtA30">[30]</a> Liv. i. ch. 2, sect. 5.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt31" href="#NtA31">[31]</a> Liv. i. ch. 3, sect. 8.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt32" href="#NtA32">[32]</a> Fleury, Liv. xii. xxix. Conc. + Sard. Can. 3, 4, 7.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt33" href="#NtA33">[33]</a> Thomassin, Part I. liv. i. ch. + 40. sect. 2.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt34" href="#NtA34">[34]</a> Idem, ut supra.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt35" href="#NtA35">[35]</a> St. Aug. Tom. V. 1097. B.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt36" href="#NtA36">[36]</a> Tom. IV. 1215. E.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt37" href="#NtA37">[37]</a> Tom. V. 240. F.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt38" href="#NtA38">[38]</a> Tom. V. 1194. E.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt39" href="#NtA39">[39]</a> Tom. V. 1195. E.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt40" href="#NtA40">[40]</a> Tom. III. Part ii. 800. G.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt41" href="#NtA41">[41]</a> He allows that Peter <i>may</i> + be called the rock. Tom. i. 32, E.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt42" href="#NtA42">[42]</a> Fleury 23, 30. Oxf. Tr.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt43" href="#NtA43">[43]</a> St. Aug. Tom. II. 618. B.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt44" href="#NtA44">[44]</a> St. Aug. Tom. ii. 635. F.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt45" href="#NtA45">[45]</a> Tom. ii. 639. B.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt46" href="#NtA46">[46]</a> Quoted by Fleury, 23, 32. Oxford + Tr.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt47" href="#NtA47">[47]</a> Fleury, Liv. 24, 35. Oxf. Tr. + See the original: Codex Eccl. Afric. 138.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt48" href="#NtA48">[48]</a> Chillingworth, quoted by Mr. + Newman, "Developement," p. 4.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt49" href="#NtA49">[49]</a> Tom. ix. 372. F.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt50" href="#NtA50">[50]</a> Tom. ix. 340. A.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt51" href="#NtA51">[51]</a> Tom. v. 1199. D. 1202. F.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt52" href="#NtA52">[52]</a> Def. Cleri. Gall. Pars ii. lib. + xii. ch. 5.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt53" href="#NtA53">[53]</a> Def. Cleri. Gall. Pars ii. lib. + xii. ch. 7.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt54" href="#NtA54">[54]</a> Ibid. lib. xiii. ch. 19.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt55" href="#NtA55">[55]</a> St. Chrys. Tom. ix. 757. A.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt56" href="#NtA56">[56]</a> Lacordaire, Sur le Saint + Siège.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt57" href="#NtA57">[57]</a> St. Aug. Tom. x. 412. B. quoted + in Fleury, Oxf. Tr. 3. 93.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt58" href="#NtA58">[58]</a> Def. Clerc. Gall. Pars ii. lib. + xii. c. 10.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt59" href="#NtA59">[59]</a> Fleury, 25-47. Oxf. Trans.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt60" href="#NtA60">[60]</a> Ut sup. ch. 14.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt61" href="#NtA61">[61]</a> Du Pape, Liv. i. ch. 2.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt62" href="#NtA62">[62]</a> Id. Liv. i. ch. 4.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt63" href="#NtA63">[63]</a> Hammond's Translation.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt64" href="#NtA64">[64]</a> Tillemont, tom. xv. p. 72.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt65" href="#NtA65">[65]</a> Tillemont, tom. xv. p. 81.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt66" href="#NtA66">[66]</a> Tillemont, tom. xv. p. 83.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt67" href="#NtA67">[67]</a> Tillemont, tom. xv. p. 89.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt68" href="#NtA68">[68]</a> St. Leo. Ep. 40.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt69" href="#NtA69">[69]</a> St. Leo. Ep. 10. Edit. Ball.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt70" href="#NtA70">[70]</a> Ib. Ep. 65.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt71" href="#NtA71">[71]</a> Ep. 10.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt72" href="#NtA72">[72]</a> St. Leo. Ep. 14, cap. i. xi.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt73" href="#NtA73">[73]</a> S. Leon. Ep 6, cap. 2.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt74" href="#NtA74">[74]</a> St. Jerome, Ep. 146. + Vallarsi.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt75" href="#NtA75">[75]</a> Theodoret, Ep. in Epist. S. + Leonis, 52.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt76" href="#NtA76">[76]</a> Mansi, 6, 817, quoted by + Gieseler, tom. i. part ii. p. 192.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt77" href="#NtA77">[77]</a> Isidorus, Hisp. Etymol. 7, 12, + quoted by Gieseler, ut sup. p. 406.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt78" href="#NtA78">[78]</a> Gieseler, tom. i. part ii. pp. + 191, 192.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt79" href="#NtA79">[79]</a> Gieseler, tom. i. part ii. p. + 205.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt80" href="#NtA80">[80]</a> Theodoret. Hist. Eccl. lib. v. + ch. 9.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt81" href="#NtA81">[81]</a> Observe this Council so called + by the Greeks before it was received by the West.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt82" href="#NtA82">[82]</a> It must be remembered that + Diocese, in the language of this time, means the several provinces + comprehended in a Patriarchate. It was the civil term.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt83" href="#NtA83">[83]</a> S. Bas. M. Ep. 239.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt84" href="#NtA84">[84]</a> Gieseler, tom. i. part ii. p. + 202.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt85" href="#NtA85">[85]</a> Sozomen, Hist. iii. ch. 8.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt86" href="#NtA86">[86]</a> Ibid. Hist. iii. ch. 10.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt87" href="#NtA87">[87]</a> Socrates, Hist. ii. ch. 17.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt88" href="#NtA88">[88]</a> Bossuet, Sermon sur l'Unité de + l'Eglise.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt89" href="#NtA89">[89]</a> Bossuet, Def. Cleri Gall. Pars + ii. lib. xii. ch, 15, 16, 17.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt90" href="#NtA90">[90]</a> S. Leon. Ep. 120.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt91" href="#NtA91">[91]</a> Ib. c. 4.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt92" href="#NtA92">[92]</a> S. Leon. Ep. 102.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt93" href="#NtA93">[93]</a> Ch. 18, ibid.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt94" href="#NtA94">[94]</a> Fleury, Liv. xxviii. 29. Oxf. + Tr.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt95" href="#NtA95">[95]</a> Theod. lib. v. ch. 28, quoted by + Tillemont.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt96" href="#NtA96">[96]</a> Tillemont, tom. xv. p. 711.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt97" href="#NtA97">[97]</a> The sittings are variously + counted.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt98" href="#NtA98">[98]</a> Fleury, liv. xxviii. xxx. Oxf. + Tr.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt99" href="#NtA99">[99]</a> Tillemont, tom. xv. p. 707.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt100" href="#NtA100">[100]</a> S. Leon. Ep. 104, cap. 3.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt101" href="#NtA101">[101]</a> S. Leon. Ep. 105.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt102" href="#NtA102">[102]</a> Ep. 106, cap. 4.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt103" href="#NtA103">[103]</a> Ep. 105, cap. 2.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt104" href="#NtA104">[104]</a> Ep. 106, cap. 2-5.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt105" href="#NtA105">[105]</a> Ep. 107.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt106" href="#NtA106">[106]</a> Ep. 105, cap. 3.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt107" href="#NtA107">[107]</a> Tillemont, tom. xv. p. + 731.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt108" href="#NtA108">[108]</a> S. Leon. Ep. 107.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt109" href="#NtA109">[109]</a> S. Greg. Ep. lib. iii. + 10.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt110" href="#NtA110">[110]</a> On Development, p. 307.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt111" href="#NtA111">[111]</a> Fleury, liv. xxxii. 54.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt112" href="#NtA112">[112]</a> Gieseler, vol. i. part. ii. + p. 192.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt113" href="#NtA113">[113]</a> Nov. i. 1-7, quoted by + Gieseler.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt114" href="#NtA114">[114]</a> Fleury, liv. xxxiii. 4, 5, + 6.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt115" href="#NtA115">[115]</a> Nov. vi. Epilogus.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt116" href="#NtA116">[116]</a> Nov. cxxiii. c. 3.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt117" href="#NtA117">[117]</a> Ad Valerianum, Mansi, ix. + 732.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt118" href="#NtA118">[118]</a> Contra litt. Petiliani, ii. + 51, all quoted by Gieseler.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt119" href="#NtA119">[119]</a> Bossuet, Def. Cleri Gall. + pars ii. lib. xii. cap. 19.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt120" href="#NtA120">[120]</a> Fleury, liv. xxxiii. 52.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt121" href="#NtA121">[121]</a> Bossuet, <i>ut sup.</i></p> + + <p><a name="Nt122" href="#NtA122">[122]</a> Du Pape, liv. i. ch. 3.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt123" href="#NtA123">[123]</a> Fleury, Liv. xxxiii. 52.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt124" href="#NtA124">[124]</a> Sozomen, lib. iii. ch. + 11.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt125" href="#NtA125">[125]</a> Tom. i. part ii. 410.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt126" href="#NtA126">[126]</a> Def. Cleri Gall. pars ii. + lib. xii. cap. 29.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt127" href="#NtA127">[127]</a> Id. cap. 31.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt128" href="#NtA128">[128]</a> Du Pape, liv. iii. ch. 7.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt129" href="#NtA129">[129]</a> S. Greg. Ep. lib. ii. 52.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt130" href="#NtA130">[130]</a> Lib. ix. 59, Gieseler.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt131" href="#NtA131">[131]</a> Lib. xi. 37, Gieseler.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt132" href="#NtA132">[132]</a> Gieseler, tom. i. part ii. + 401.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt133" href="#NtA133">[133]</a> Liv. xxxiv. 60.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt134" href="#NtA134">[134]</a> Liv. xxxv. 19.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt135" href="#NtA135">[135]</a> Ep. S. Greg. lib. v. 43.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt136" href="#NtA136">[136]</a> Lib. ix. 68.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt137" href="#NtA137">[137]</a> Lib. v. 19.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt138" href="#NtA138">[138]</a> Lib. vii. 33.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt139" href="#NtA139">[139]</a> Lib. v. Ep. 20.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt140" href="#NtA140">[140]</a> Lib. vii. 27.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt141" href="#NtA141">[141]</a> I cannot but consider St. + Gregory's words to contain one of the most remarkable prophecies to be + found in history; for this assuming the title and exercising the power of + universal Pope has actually led not only to the concentration of all + executive power in the Roman See, but to the conviction, among its + warmest partisans, that the whole existence of the Church depends on the + single See of Rome. Take the following from De Maistre: "Christianity + rests entirely upon the Sovereign Pontiff."—"Without the Sovereign + Pontiff the whole edifice of Christianity is undermined, and only waits, + for a complete falling in, the development of certain circumstances which + shall be put in their full light."—"What remains incontestable is, + that if the Bishops, assembled without the Pope, may call themselves the + Church, and claim any other power but that of certifying the person of + the Pope in those infinitely rare moments when it might be doubtful, + unity exists no longer, and the visible Church disappears."—"The + Sovereign Pontiff is the necessary, only, and exclusive foundation of + Christianity. To him belong the promises, with him disappears unity, that + is, the Church."—"The supremacy of the Pope being the capital dogma + without which Christianity cannot subsist, all the Churches, which reject + this dogma, the importance of which they conceal from themselves, are + agreed even without knowing it: all the rest is but accessory, and thence + comes their affinity, of which they know not the cause."—Du Pape, + Discours Préliminaire; Liv. i. ch. 13; Liv. iv. ch. 5. Could we have any + stronger witness to the antagonism between the Papal and Patriarchal or + Episcopal System? Or can any words be spoken more opposed in tone than + these to the writings of Fathers and decrees of ancient Councils? Or are + they who say such things wise defenders of the Church or promoters of + unity?</p> + + <p><a name="Nt142" href="#NtA142">[142]</a> Lib. viii. 30.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt143" href="#NtA143">[143]</a> Part i. liv. i. ch. 11.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt144" href="#NtA144">[144]</a> Mansi, vi. 1006. 1012, quoted + by Gieseler.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt145" href="#NtA145">[145]</a> Lib. v. 18.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt146" href="#NtA146">[146]</a> Proph. Office, p. 221. + Development, p. 10.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt147" href="#NtA147">[147]</a> Sect. 13. March 28, 681, + translated in Landon's Councils.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt148" href="#NtA148">[148]</a> Bossuet, Def. Cler. Gall. + pars ii. lib. xii. cap. 34.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt149" href="#NtA149">[149]</a> Bellarmin de Pont. Rom. lib. + iv. cap. 24, 25.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt150" href="#NtA150">[150]</a> Bellarmin de Pont. Rom. lib. + i. cap. 9.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt151" href="#NtA151">[151]</a> Def. Cleri. Gall. pars ii. + lib. xiii. cap. 11.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt152" href="#NtA152">[152]</a> Bossuet is very moderate. St. + Chrysostom says, (on Acts, Hom. 33,) "James was Bishop in Jerusalem, and + so speaks last;" and presently, "There was no pride in the Church, but + much good order. And see, after Peter, Paul speaketh, and no one rebukes + him: James waits and starts not out of his place, for <i>he was entrusted + with the government</i>." What would St. Chrysostom say to Bellarmine's + doctrine?</p> + + <p><a name="Nt153" href="#NtA153">[153]</a> Ep. S. Innoc.; in Op. S. Aug. + tom. ii. 618; see above, p. 59.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt154" href="#NtA154">[154]</a> Ibid, quoted above, p. + 60.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt155" href="#NtA155">[155]</a> St. Leo. Serm. in Anniver. + Assumpt. quoted above.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt156" href="#NtA156">[156]</a> Ep. 10.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt157" href="#NtA157">[157]</a> Optat. l. ix. contra + Parmen.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt158" href="#NtA158">[158]</a> Greg. Nyss. T. 2. 746.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt159" href="#NtA159">[159]</a> Cæsar. Arel. Epist. ad + Symm.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt160" href="#NtA160">[160]</a> Quoted above, p. 58.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt161" href="#NtA161">[161]</a> Cap. xiv. lib. xiii. pars + 2.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt162" href="#NtA162">[162]</a> Bossuet, Def. &c. Pars + ii. lib. xiii. cap. 20.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt163" href="#NtA163">[163]</a> De Rom. Pont. lib. iv. cap. + 26.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt164" href="#NtA164">[164]</a> Developement, p. 28.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt165" href="#NtA165">[165]</a> Du Pape, liv. ii. ch. 6; and + Discourse Préliminaire.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt166" href="#NtA166">[166]</a> See the account of his death + in Bowden's Life.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt167" href="#NtA167">[167]</a> Dante, Paradiso, xii. 55.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt168" href="#NtA168">[168]</a> Bellarmine, quoted above.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt169" href="#NtA169">[169]</a> I owe this observation to a + friend who has had great opportunities of judging about the state of the + Russian Church.</p> + + <p><a name="Nt170" href="#NtA170">[170]</a> "Introduction to Die Zukunft + Kirche. The work advocates the introduction of Episcopacy into the German + Church, but not the Apostolical Episcopacy of the English Church, which + M. Bunsen condemns in terms as strong as any which have been used by any + opponent of the Bishopric. 'If ever and at any time the Episcopate, in + the sense of Anglicanism, should be raised into a distinctive mark of + Churchdom among us, not constitutionally and nationally (?) it would, in + my opinion, be striking the death-blow to the innermost germ of life in + the Church.' He will exert every energy, and shed the last drop of his + blood in order to preserve the Church of the German nation against such + an Episcopacy,"—<i>English Churchman</i>, April 30, 1846. There are + solemn words, which have found an echo in many hearts, "May that measure + utterly fail, and come to nought, and be as though it had never + been!"</p> + +</div> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Church of England cleared from the +charge of Schism, by Thomas William Allies + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CHURCH OF ENGLAND CLEARED OF SCHISM *** + +***** This file should be named 33765-h.htm or 33765-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/3/3/7/6/33765/ + +Produced by Steven Giacomelli, Keith Edkins and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive/Canadian Libraries) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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