The Primitive Church and the See of Peter

by Luke Rivington

Excerpt from The Primitive Church and the See of Peter

Now it is best, in this matter, to come to close quarters, and to deal with a definite member of the Church  namely, with the Head. If the Church is visible at all, it must have a visible Head, at least as visible as the body itself. It is the essential business Of the head to speak and direct. It controls the body, according to certain divine laws. It secures to the whole unity of thought and of action. Without its presence and in?uence the members must either fall into dissolution or destroy one another. Where, then, is the visible Head of the Catholic Church? For a thousand years the English people professed. With one accord, the Pope to be their religious Head. They acknowledged one centre of authority, the Sec of Peter; were led by one Supreme Shepherd, the successor of Peter; and they were consequently united, by the pro Mion of the same Faith and Sacraments, in one re ligion, with the whole of Christendom.

528 pages, Paperback

First published September 27, 2015

About the author

1838-1899

Reviews

[Kevin de Ataíde · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent and lengthy commentary on the papal supremacy in the early Church, from the early ministry of S. Clement, and the other early martyr popes (S. Victor, S. Stephen, S. Iulius) through to the mighty popes of the fourth and fifth centuries (S. Damasus, S. Zosimus, S. Leo the Great). There are detailed descriptions of the heresies and other disturbances that plagued the East, and the constant support given by great Eastern champions like S. Athanasius and S. Cyril of Alexandria by the bishops of Rome, and the book ends with the conniving of the bishops of the 'new Rome' - Constantinople - who were eager to be ranked second only to Rome and before the older patriarchates of Antioch, Alexandria and Jerusalem. This has been a great little history, and I do recommend it, if prints can still be found or scans downloaded.

[Kyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely sensational masterpiece of a work. This book is probably the greatest apologetic work for the papacy I have ever seen. It is incredibly thorough, tracing every event and notable theologian through the first several centuries of the existence of the Church. This is worth having even as a reference, especially for the price of (last I checked) $15 on Amazon. The chapter on St. Cyprian was especially helpful and convincing, as he is often cited contra the papacy.