Calvin’s Institutes, 4.7.10: Emperor Constantine, Bp. Melchiades of Rome (310-314 AD), and the sovereign, independent Synod of Arles (314)As an aside, we post a photo of the Cathedral of Geneva, St. Peter's.
Observations:
1. The subject under review in 4.7.5-4.7.10: We’ve reviewed the origin and growth of Romanism until it raised itself to imperialism. We’ve seen the limited position of Rome in the Councils of Nicaea, Ephesus, Council of Chalcedon and the Fifth Council of Constantinople. We’ve seen pompous and arrogant titles were not embraced, but were repudiated. We’ve seen the limits of the Rome in relation to emperors and metropolitans. We’ve seen the authority of convening synods and appeals did not require Roman involvements. The Council of Milevis, at which Augustine was present, denied the right of Rome to interfere with the African’s independence and autocephalous decisions. We’ve see forged documents in its impulse for dominion.
2. Here is another instance of the limited role of Rome. The Synod of Arles, at Constantine's behest, will resolve the African question, not Melchiades of Rome or a Roman Synod of Presbyters and Deacons.
a. Donatus of Casae Nigrae brings an accusation against Caecilian, bp. of Carthage.
b. Caecilian know the bishops had conspired against him and refused to appear. He was condemned without a hearing.
c. The African case came to Emperor Constantine.
d. Constantine referred the case to Rome (bp. Melchiades, 310-314) and others from Italy, Gaul and Spain for resolution. Where’s Petrine supremacy here?
e. Among these men, Caecilian wins his case and Donatus falls “by his slander.”
f. Donatus appeals the ruling.
g. Constantine commits the appeal of Donatus to a Council of Arles (314). Where’s the Petrine supremacy? Why a French Synod?
h. Under the current Roman fictions, how could the bp. of Rome, Melchiades, allow this indignity of a bp. of Arles to be the court of appeals? Melchiades could allow this because he did not think himself a universal bishop, unlike the corruptionists in later centuries.
i. From a Romanist scholar, J.R. Palanque, The Church in the Christian Roman Empire, tr. E.C. Messenger, 30: Arles was “a striking example of the effacement of the papacy.”
j. Notably, is was a Council of Arles, a College of Presbters, who gave the ruling, not a bishop.
Correlations:
1. Study of elite theory and growth of beaucracies.
2. Study of episcopacy in English Reformation and thereafter.
Interpretation:
Calvin relentlessly beats the head and body of the Pope’s--blow by blow--blows to Papist claims to universal supremacy and jurisdiction. “The Popes are on the ropes” in the boxing ring.
Application:
1. Lovingly help free Romanists from their bondages. Help libeerated Romanists who understand the Gospel to liberate their families from this system of deception. Isaiah 58 applies.
2. Disseminate.
3. Do not play the "let's all love Jesus" game that dispenses with thinking and propositional facts and truth.
4. Continue to pray morning and evening, "Remove lying lips from my presence."
5. Continue the study of the relationship of Paul to the churches. 2 Cor.11.5: "For I consider that I am not inferior to the most eminent apostles." 2 Cor. 12.11: "For I ought to have been commended by you; for in nothing was I behind the most eminent apostles, although I am nothing."
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