Observations.
1. This section, 4.7.11-16, deals with the attitude of the fifth and sixth century bishops of Rome: Rome versus Constantinople. Where’s Petrine supremacy?
2. Vandals, Goths and other invasions caused great tumult in Italy, Spain, Gaul and North Africa. Continual disasters.
3. Many bishops pulled together with Rome that “the faith might remain whole;” the same phenomenon occurs in the second and third centuries when Christians were being persecuted, to wit, rallying around bishops (senior presbyters) to preserve the faith.
4. This itself—the political chaos—resulted in a marked increase of Rome in the west. The power of the papacy was increased.
5. Yet, having said (4), it was far from the “unbridled domination in which one man could command others according to his pleasures.”
6. Gregory the Great argues for his rights in preserving the faith, but argues for others’ rights also.
7. “Nor do I deprive any man, when he is pricked by ambition, of what is his right: but I desire to honor my brothers in all things.” Letters III.29; II.52; IX.27.
8. He takes upon himself the right to correct others; other could protest against him with impunity.
Interpretation.
Calvin continues to show that the papacy did not claim universal supremacy, let alone exercise it; in fact, when attempted, it was rebuffed.
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