Thus, notwithstanding S. Peter were Head of the Church, yet cannot the B. of Rome therefore of right claim the same title.1 And albeit S. Peter of special reverence, and admiration of his Sprite, and virtues, were sometimes so called, as S. Paul sometimes upon like consideration also was, yet understanding this Chieftie for Universal Power, and Government, & Authority to command, S. Peter neither was the Head of the Universal Church in deed, nor was so esteemed, or taken among his brethren: as many ways it may well appear. And therefore S. Gregory saith,2 Paulus membra Dominici Corporis certis extra Dominū quasi Capitibus, & ipsis quidem Apostolis subijci particulariter evitavit. S. P•ule forbade, that the members of Christs Body, should not be subject particularly unto any certain Heads besides the Lord, no not unto the Apostles themselves. So saith S. Augustine, as it is before alleged,3 Nec Apostolus Paulus Caput est, & Origo eorum, quos plantaverat. Neither is Paul him self the Head of them, whom he planted. Likewise again he saith, Paulus Apostolus, quanquam sub Capite praecipuum Membrum, tamen Mē brū est Corporis Christi.4 Paule the Apostle, although he be a special member under (Christ) the Head, yet is he a member (& not the Head) of Christs Body. To conclude, S. Gregory saith: Cer•è Petrus Apostolus primum membrum Sanctae, & Universalis Ecclesiae est. Paulus, Andreas, Johannes, quid aliud, quàm singularium sunt plebium Capita? Et tamen sub uno Capite omnes membra sunt Ecclesiae. Atque ut cuncta brevi cingulo locutionis astringam, Sancti ante Legem, Sancti in Lege, Sancti sub Gratia: Omnes hi perficiē tes Corpus Domini, in membris sunt Ecclesiae constituti: Et nemo se unquam Universalem vocari voluit. In deed Peter the Apostle is the Chief Member of the holy Universal Church. Paul, Andrew, and John, what are they else, but the Heads of several peoples? Yet notwithstanding under one Head they are all members of the Church. To be short, The Saints before the Law: The Saints in the Law: the Saints under Grace: all accomplishing the Lords Body, are placed among the members of the Church: And there was never yet none, that would call him self Universal.
Thus, notwithstandinge S. Peter were Heade of the Church, yet cannot the B. of Rome therefore of right claime the same title.1 And albeit S. Peter of special reuerence, and admiration of his Sprite, and vertues, were sometimes so called, as S. Paule sometimes vpon like consideration also was, yet vnderstandinge this Chieftie for Uniuersal Power, and Gouernment, & Authoritie to commaunde, S. Peter neither was the Heade of the Uniuersal Churche in déede, nor was so estéemed, or taken emonge his bretherne: as many waies it may wel appeare. And therefore S. Gregorie saithe,2 Paulus membra Dominici Corporis certis extra Dominū quasi Capitibus, & ipsis quidem Apostolis subijci particulariter euitauit. S. P•ule forbade, that the members of Christes Bodiè, shoulde not be subiecte particul•rely vnto any certaine Heades bysides the Lorde, no not vnto the Apostles themselues. So saithe S. Augustine, as it is before alleged,3 Nec Apostolus Paulus Caput est, & Origo eorum, quos plantauerat. Neither is Paule him selfe the Heade of them, whome he planted. Likewise againe he saithe, Paulus Apostolus, quanquam sub Capite praecipuum Membrum, tamen Mē brū est Corporis Christi.4 Paule the Apostle, although he be a special member vnder (Christ) the Heade, yet is he a member (& not the Head) of Christes Bodie. To conclude, S. Gregorie saithe: Cer•è Petrus Apostolus primum membrum Sanctae, & Vniuersalis Ecclesiae est. Paulus, Andreas, Iohannes, quid aliud, quàm singularium sunt plebium Capita? Et tamen sub vno Capite omnes membra sunt Ecclesiae. Atque vt cuncta breui cingulo locutionis astringam, Sancti ante Legem, Sancti in Lege, Sancti sub Gratia: Omnes hi perficiē tes Corpus Domini, in membris sunt Ecclesiae constituti: Et nemo se vnquam Vniuersalem vocari voluit. In deede Peter the Apostle is the Chiefe Member of the holy Vniuersal Churche. Paule, Andrewe, and Iohn, what are they els, but the Heades of seueral peoples? Yet notwithstandinge vnder one Heade they are al members of the Churche. To be shorte, The Sainctes before the Lawe: The Sainctes in the Lawe: the Sainctes vnder Grace: al accomplishinge the Lordes Bodie, are placed emonge the members of the Churche: And there was neuer yet none, that woulde cal him selfe Vniuersal.
- 1Paul the Head as well as Peter.Paule the Head as wel as Peter.
- 2Cregor. li. 4. Epis. •8.
- 3August. contra literas Petiliani. li. 1. ca. 5.
- 4August. contra Epistolam Far••niant. li. 2. c. 8. •regor. li. 4. Epist. 38.