Historical Evidence

12] VI. The Council of Nice resolved that the bishop of Alexandria should administer the churches in the

East, and the Roman bishop the suburban, i.e., those which were in the Roman provinces in the West.

From this start by a human law, i.e. the resolution of the Council, the authority of the Roman bishop first

arose. If the Roman bishop already had the superiority by divine law, it would not have been lawful for

the Council to take any right from him and transfer it to the bishop of Alexandria; nay, all the bishops of

the East ought perpetually to have sought ordination and confirmation from the bishop of Rome.

13] VII. Again the Council of Nice determined that bishops should be elected by their own churches, in

the presence of some neighboring bishop or of several. 14] The same was observed [for a long time, not

only in the East, but] also in the West and in the Latin churches, as Cyprian and Augustine testify. For

Cyprian says in his fourth letter to Cornelius: Accordingly, as regards the divine observance and

apostolic practice, you must diligently keep and practice what is also observed among us and in almost

all the provinces, that for celebrating ordination properly, whatsoever bishops of the same province live

nearest should come together with the people for whom a pastor is being appointed, and the bishop

should be chosen in the presence of the people, who most fully know the life of each one, which we also

have seen done among us at the ordination of our colleague Sabinus, that by the suffrage of the entire

brotherhood, and by the judgment of the bishops who had assembled in their presence, the episcopate

was conferred and hands laid on him.

15] Cyprian calls this custom a divine tradition and an apostolic observance, and affirms that it is

observed in almost all the provinces.

Since, therefore, neither ordination nor confirmation was sought from a bishop of Rome in the greater

part of the world in the Latin and Greek churches, it is sufficiently apparent that the churches did not then

accord superiority and domination to the bishop of Rome.

16] Such superiority is impossible. For it is impossible for one bishop to be the overseer of the churches

of the whole world, or for churches situated in the most distant lands to seek ordination [for all their

ministers] from one. For it is manifest that the kingdom of Christ is scattered throughout the whole

world; and to-day there are many churches in the East which do not seek ordination or confirmation from

the Roman bishop [which have ministers ordained neither by the Pope nor his bishops]. Therefore, since

such superiority [which the Pope, contrary to all Scripture, arrogates to himself] is impossible, and the

churches in the greater part of the world have not acknowledged [nor made use of] it, it is sufficiently

apparent that it was not instituted [by Christ, and does not spring from divine law].

17] VIII. Many ancient synods have been proclaimed and held in which the bishop of Rome did not

preside; as that of Nice and most others. This, too, testifies that the Church did not then acknowledge the

primacy or superiority of the bishop of Rome.

18] IX. Jerome says: If the question is concerning authority, the world is greater than the city. Wherever

there has been a bishop, whether at Rome, or Eugubium, or Constantinople, or Rhegium, or Alexandria,

he is of the same dignity and priesthood.

19] X. Gregory, writing to the patriarch at Alexandria, forbids that he be called universal bishop. And in

the Records he says that in the Council of Chalcedon the primacy was offered to the bishop of Rome, but

was not accepted.

20] XI. Lastly, how can the Pope be over the entire Church by divine right when the Church has the

election, and the custom gradually prevailed that bishops of Rome were confirmed by the emperors? 21]

Also, when for a long time there had been contests concerning the primacy between the bishops of Rome

and Constantinople, the Emperor Phocas finally determined that the primacy should be assigned to the

bishop of Rome. But if the ancient Church had acknowledged the primacy of the Roman Pontiff, this

contention could not have occurred, neither would there have been need of the decree of the emperor.

22] But they cite against us certain passages, namely, Matt. 16, 18f : Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I

will build My Church; also: I will give unto thee the keys; also John 21, 15: Feed My sheep, and some

others. But since this entire controversy has been fully and accurately treated elsewhere in the books of

our theologians, and everything cannot be reviewed in this place, we refer to those writings, and wish

them to be regarded as repeated. Yet we shall reply briefly concerning the interpretation [of the passages

quoted].

23] In all these passages Peter is the representative of the entire assembly of apostles [and does not speak

for himself alone, but for all the apostles], as appears from the text itself. For Christ asks not Peter alone,

but says: Whom do ye say that I am? And what is here said [to Peter alone] in the singular number: I will

give unto thee the keys; and whatsoever thou shalt bind, etc., is elsewhere expressed [to their entire

number], in the plural Matt. 18, 18: Whatsoever ye shall bind, etc. And in John 20, 23: Whosesoever sins

ye remit, etc. These words testify that the keys are given alike to all the apostles and that all the apostles

are alike sent forth [to preach].

24] In addition to this, it is necessary to acknowledge that the keys belong not to the person of one

particular man, but to the Church, as many most clear and firm arguments testify. For Christ, speaking

concerning the keys adds, Matt. 18, 19: If two or three of you shall agree on earth, etc. Therefore he

grants the keys principally and immediately to the Church, just as also for this reason the Church has

principally the right of calling. [For just as the promise of the Gospel belongs certainly and immediately

to the entire Church, so the keys belong immediately to the entire Church, because the keys are nothing

else than the office whereby this promise is communicated to every one who desires it, just as it is

actually manifest that the Church has the power to ordain ministers of the Church. And Christ speaks in

these words: Whatsoever ye shall bind, etc., and indicates to whom He has given the keys, namely, to the

Church: Where two or three are gathered together in My name. Likewise Christ gives supreme and final

jurisdiction to the Church, when He says: Tell it unto the Church.]

Therefore it is necessary that in these passages Peter is the representative of the entire assembly of the

apostles, and for this reason they do not accord to Peter any prerogative or superiority, or lordship [which

he had, or was to have had, in preference to the other apostles].

25] However, as to the declaration: Upon this rock I will build My Church, certainly the Church has not

been built upon the authority of man, but upon the ministry of the confession which Peter made, in which

he proclaims that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. He accordingly addresses him as a minister: Upon

this rock, i.e., upon this ministry. [Therefore he addresses him as a minister of this office in which this

confession and doctrine is to be in operation and says: Upon this rock, i.e., this preaching and ministry.]

26] Furthermore, the ministry of the New Testament is not bound to places and persons as the Levitical

ministry, but it is dispersed throughout the whole world, and is there where God gives His gifts, apostles,

prophets, pastors, teachers; neither does this ministry avail on account of the authority of any person, but

on account of the Word given by Christ. 27] [Nor does the person of a teacher add anything to this word

and office; it matters not who is preaching and teaching it; if there are hearts who receive and cling to it,

to them it is done as they hear and believe.] And in this way, not as referring to the person of Peter, most

of the holy Fathers, as Origen, Cyprian, Augustine, 28] Hilary, and Bede, interpret this passage: Upon

this rock. Chrysostom says thus: “Upon this rock,” not upon Peter. For He built His Church not upon

man, but upon the faith of Peter. But what was his faith? “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

And Hilary says: To Peter the Father revealed that he should say, “Thou art the Son of the living God.”

29] Therefore the building of the Church is upon this rock of confession; this faith is the foundation of

the Church.

30] And as to that which is said John 21, 15ff : Feed My sheep, and, Lovest thou Me more than these? it

does not as yet follow hence that a peculiar superiority was given Peter. He bids him “feed,” i.e., teach

the Word [the Gospel], or rule the Church with the Word [the Gospel], which Peter has in common with

the other apostles.

31] The second article is still clearer, that Christ gave to the apostles only spiritual power, i.e., the

command to teach the Gospel to announce the forgiveness of sins, to administer the Sacraments, to

excommunicate the godless without bodily force [by the Word], and that He did not give the power of

the sword, or the right to establish, occupy or confer kingdoms of the world [to set up or depose kings].

For Christ says, Matt. 28, 19. 20: Go ye, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have

commanded you; also John 20, 21: As My Father hath sent Me, even so send I you.

Now, it is manifest that Christ was not sent to bear the sword or possess a worldly kingdom [rule in a

worldly fashion], as He Himself says, John 18, 36: My kingdom is not of this world. And Paul says, 2

Cor. 1, 24: Not for that we have dominion over your faith; and 2 Cor. 10, 4: The weapons of our warfare

are not carnal, etc.

32] Accordingly, that Christ in His passion is crowned with thorns and led forth to be derided in royal

purple, this signified that in the future, after His spiritual kingdom was despised, i.e., the Gospel was

suppressed, another kingdom of a worldly kind would be set up [in its place] with the pretext of

ecclesiastical power. 33] Therefore the Constitution of Boniface VIII and the chapter Omnes, Dist. 22

and similar opinions which contend that the Pope is by divine right the ruler of the kingdoms of the

world, are [utterly] false and godless. 34] From this persuasion horrible darkness has been brought into

the Church, and after that also great commotions have arisen in Europe. For the ministry of the Gospel

was neglected, the knowledge of faith and the spiritual kingdom became extinct, Christian righteousness

was supposed to be that external government which the Pope had established.

35] Next, the Popes began to seize upon kingdoms for themselves; they transferred kingdoms, they vexed

with unjust excommunications and wars the kings of almost all nations in Europe, but especially the

German emperors, sometimes for the purpose of occupying cities of Italy, at other times for the purpose

of reducing to subjection the bishops of Germany, and wresting from the emperors the conferring of

episcopates. Yea, in the Clementines it is even written: When the empire is vacant, the Pope is the

legitimate successor.

36] Thus the Pope has not only usurped dominion, contrary to Christ’s command, but has also

tyrannically exalted himself above all kings. And in this matter the deed itself is not to be reprehended as

much as it is to be detested, that he assigns as a pretext the authority of Christ; that he transfers the keys

to a worldly government; that he binds salvation to these godless and execrable opinions, when he says it

is necessary to salvation for men to believe that this dominion belongs to him by divine right.

37] Since these great errors obscure [the doctrine of] faith and [of] the kingdom of Christ they are in no

way to be concealed. For the result shows that they have been great pests to the Church.

38] In the third place, this must be added: Even though the bishop of Rome had the primacy and

superiority by divine right nevertheless obedience would not be due those pontiffs who defend godless

services, idolatry, and doctrine conflicting with the Gospel. Nay; such pontiffs and such a government

ought to be held accursed, as Paul clearly teaches, Gal. 1, 8: Though an angel from heaven preach any

other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. And in Acts 5,

29: We ought to obey God rather than men. Likewise the canons also clearly teach that a heretical Pope

is not to be obeyed.

The Levitical high priest was the chief priest by divine right, and yet godless high priests were not to be

obeyed, as Jeremiah and other prophets dissented from the high priests, the apostles dissented from

Caiaphas and did not have to obey them.

39] Now, it is manifest that the Roman pontiffs, with their adherents, defend [and practice] godless

doctrines and godless services. And the marks [all the vices] of Antichrist plainly agree with the kingdom

of the Pope and his adherents. For Paul, in describing Antichrist to the Thessalonians, calls him 2 Thess.

2, 3: an adversary of Christ, who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God or that is

worshiped, so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God. He speaks therefore of one ruling in the

Church, not of heathen kings, and he calls this one the adversary of Christ, because he will devise

doctrine conflicting with the Gospel, and will assume to himself divine authority.

40] Moreover, it is manifest, in the first place, that the Pope rules in the Church, and by the pretext of

ecclesiastical authority and of the ministry has established for himself this kingdom. For he assigns as a

pretext these words: I will give to thee the keys. Secondly, the doctrine of the Pope conflicts in many

ways with the Gospel, and [thirdly] the Pope assumes to himself divine authority in a threefold manner.

First, because he takes to himself the right to change the doctrine of Christ and services instituted by

God, and wants his own doctrine and his own services to be observed as divine; secondly, because he

takes to himself the power not only of binding and loosing in this life, but also the jurisdiction over souls

after this life; thirdly, because the Pope does not want to be judged by the Church or by any one, and puts

his own authority ahead of the decision of Councils and the entire Church. But to be unwilling to be

judged by the Church or by any one is to make oneself God. Lastly, these errors so horrible, and this

impiety, he defends with the greatest cruelty, and puts to death those dissenting.

41] This being the case, all Christians ought to beware of becoming partakers of the godless doctrine,

blasphemies, and unjust cruelty of the Pope. On this account they ought to desert and execrate the Pope

with his adherents as the kingdom of Antichrist; just as Christ has commanded, Matt. 7, 15: Beware of

false prophets. And Paul commands that godless teachers should be avoided and execrated as cursed,

Gal. 1, 8; Titus 3, 10. And he says, 2 Cor. 6, 14: Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers; for

what communion hath light with darkness?

42] To dissent from the agreement of so many nations and to be called schismatics is a grave matter. But

divine authority commands all not to be allies and defenders of impiety and unjust cruelty.

On this account our consciences are sufficiently excused; for the errors of the kingdom of the Pope are

manifest. And Scripture with its entire voice exclaims that these errors are a teaching of demons and of

Antichrist. 43] The idolatry in the profanation of the masses is manifest, which, besides other faults

[besides being altogether useless] are shamelessly applied to most shameful gain [and trafficking]. 44]

The doctrine of repentance has been utterly corrupted by the Pope and his adherents. For they teach that

sins are remitted because of the worth of our works. Then they bid us doubt whether the remission takes

place. They nowhere teach that sins are remitted freely for Christ’s sake, and that by this faith we obtain

remission of sins.

Thus they obscure the glory of Christ, and deprive consciences of firm consolation, and abolish true

divine services, namely, the exercises of faith struggling with [unbelief and] despair [concerning the

promise of the Gospel].

45] They have obscured the doctrine concerning sin, and have invented a tradition concerning the

enumeration of offenses, producing many errors and despair.

They have devised, in addition, satisfactions, whereby they have also obscured the benefit [and merit] of

Christ.

46] From these, indulgences have been born, which are pure lies, fabricated for the sake of gain.

47] Then, how many abuses and what horrible idolatry the invocation of saints has produced!

48] What shameful acts have arisen from the tradition concerning celibacy!

What darkness the doctrine concerning vows has spread over the Gospel! There they feigned that vows

are righteousness before God and merit the remission of sins. Thus they have transferred the benefit of

Christ to human traditions, and have altogether extinguished the doctrine concerning faith. They have

feigned that the most trifling traditions are services of God and perfection and have preferred these to the

works of callings which God requires and has ordained. Neither are these errors to be regarded as light;

for they detract from the glory of Christ and bring destruction to souls, neither can they be passed by

unnoticed.

49] Then to these errors two great sins are added: The first, that he defends these errors by unjust cruelty

and death-penalties. The second, that he wrests the decision from the Church, and does not permit

ecclesiastical controversies [such matters of religion] to be judged according to the prescribed mode; yea

he contends that he is above the Council, and can rescind the decrees of Councils, as the canons

sometimes impudently speak. But that this was much more impudently done by the pontiffs, examples

testify.

50] Quest. 9, canon 3, says: No one shall judge the first seat; for the judge is judged neither by the

emperor, nor by all the clergy, nor by the kings, nor by the people.

51] The Pope exercises a twofold tyranny: he defends his errors by force and by murders, and forbids

judicial examination. The latter does even more injury than any executions because, when the true

judgment of the Church is removed, godless dogmas and godless services cannot be removed, and for

many ages they destroy innumerable souls.

52] Therefore let the godly consider the great errors of the kingdom of the Pope and his tyranny, and let

them ponder, first, that the errors must be rejected and the true doctrine embraced, for the glory of God

and to the salvation of souls. 53] Then let them ponder also how great a crime it is to aid unjust cruelty in

killing saints, whose blood God will undoubtedly avenge.

54] But especially the chief members of the Church, kings and princes, ought to guard the interests of the

Church, and to see to it that errors be removed and consciences be healed [rightly instructed], as God

expressly exhorts kings, Ps. 2, 10: Be wise, now, therefore, O ye kings; be instructed, ye judges of the

earth. For it should be the first care of kings [and great lords] to advance the glory of God. Therefore it

would be very shameful for them to lend their influence and power to confirm idolatry and infinite other

crimes, and to slaughter saints.

55] And even though the Pope should hold Synods [a Council], how can the Church be healed if the Pope

suffers nothing to be decreed contrary to his will, if he allows no one to express his opinion except his

adherents whom he has bound by dreadful oaths and curses to the defense of his tyranny and wickedness

without any exception concerning God’s Word [not even the Word of God being excepted]?

56] But since the decisions of Synods are the decisions of the Church, and not of the Popes, it is

especially incumbent on kings to check the license of the Popes [not allow such wantonness], and to act

so that the power of judging and decreeing from the Word of God is not wrested from the Church. And

as the rest of the Christians must censure all other errors of the Pope, so they must also rebuke the Pope

when he evades and impedes the true investigation and true decision of the Church.

57] Therefore, even though the bishop of Rome had the primacy by divine right, yet since he defends

godless services and doctrine conflicting with the Gospel, obedience is not due him; yea, it is necessary

to resist him as Antichrist. The errors of the Pope are manifest and not trifling.

58] Manifest also is the cruelty [against godly Christians] which he exercises. And it is clear that it is

God’s command that we flee idolatry, godless doctrine, and unjust cruelty. On this account all the godly

have great, compelling, and manifest reasons for not obeying the Pope. And these compelling reasons

comfort the godly against all the reproaches which are usually cast against them concerning offenses,

schism, and discord [which they are said to cause].

59] But those who agree with the Pope, and defend his doctrine and [false] services, defile themselves

with idolatry and blasphemous opinions, become guilty of the blood of the godly, whom the Pope [and

his adherents] persecutes, detract from the glory of God, and hinder the welfare of the Church, because

they strengthen errors and crimes to all posterity [in the sight of all the world and to the injury of all

descendants].