Tracts and Letters (Volume 1) by John Calvin (Available from Amazon or free here). Conclude 'Articles agreed upon by the Faculty of Sacred Theology of Paris' by reading Articles XIII to XXV.
Today we conclude reading the Roman Catholic articles of faith drawn up by the theological faculty of Paris and Calvin's reply to each.
The articles we read today concern:
(xiii) veneration of saints;
(xiv) pilgrimages;
(xv) invoking saints before invoking God;
(xvi) worship of the cross and images;
(xvii) purgatory;
(xviii) the inerrancy of the church;
(xix) authority of the church to define doctrine;
(xx) the articles of the faith of the church;
(xxi) excommunication;
(xxii) authority of councils;
(xxiii) primacy of the Roman See;
(xxiv) human constitutions;
(xxv) vows.
A particularly good example today concerned the papal office: 'We see how he makes the bishopric of Christ alone universal, and teaches that portions of it are held by his ministers. For this reason it was forbidden by the Council of Carthage, (cap. 47,) to give to any one the name of chief of the priests, or prime bishop, or more than bishop of the prime see. And Gregory execrates the name of universal bishop as profane, nay, blasphemous, and the forerunner of antichrist, terming it an invention of the devil, (Epist. 76, ad Maw., Augustin. Epist. 78, ad Const, Augustin. sequenti ad Euodium.) Cyprian does not honour the Roman bishop with any other appellation than that of brother and co-bishop and colleague. In writing to Stephen, the Roman bishop, he not only makes him the equal of himself and others, but even addresses him in harsher terms, accusing him of arrogance and ignorance. Nay, even Jerome, a Roman presbyter, hesitates not to make that see subordinate. If, says he, (Epist. ad Anient) the question of authority is raised, the world is greater than a city. Why talk to me of the custom of one city? Why, against the laws of the Church, vindicate the few, from whom superciliousness has sprung? Wherever there is a bishop, whether at Rome, or Eugubium, or Constantinople, or Rhegium, there is the same merit, and the same priesthood. The power of riches, and the humbleness of poverty, do not make one bishop superior, and another inferior.'
Even the Fathers admit no bishop is greater than another.
Next week's reading
Commence reading 'Reforming the Church' by reading up to the paragraph beginning 'The next question relates to the value and merit of works' (pg 160 of the Banner edition).
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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