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 HIERARCHY

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HIERARCHY

flict would arise with regard to the episcopal office (M ToC ovbtiaTos T^s iin.aKoiTTjs) ; for which reason they insti- tuted the bishops and deacons just mentioned and en- joined (iTTimiiTjv (duKav — a dovibtful reading; Light foot has iTifwvrji') that after their death other tried men should succeed to their office. This provision had the approval of the entire Church (xliv, 1, 3).

Some points in Clement's argumentation are un- doubtedly pure theory (e. g. the revelation of a future contest regarding the episcopal office), but the central facts cannot be critically controverted. The thought that the governing body in general was an institution of God and of Christ is "an inheritance from St. Paul. The whole argumentation used by the Roman com- munity would be completely absurd, if the story of Apostolic institution were a mere fable. It may be observed that Clement looks upon the hierarchy of the Old Testament with its liigh priest, priests, levites as a type of the Christian hierarchy (xi, 5; xli). He seems to regard the high-priest as a type of Christ, and sees a typical significance in the contest under Moses regarding the priesthood (xliii, 2). The local Church is also called the flock of Christ {iroiij.vlov, xvi, 1; xliv, .3;liv, 2;lvii, 2), but nowhere is autonomy or even complete authority attributed to it. It is obvious that amid the general disorder and revolt it was not the presbyters threatened with deposition who were able to judge the disturbers of the peace, but only the people as a whole in a kind of plenary council. Hence the remark that the more noble-minded among the party of opposition give in and say, "I do whatever is enjomcd imto me by the people " (ra irpouTaaabiifva iiirb ToO ttXtjSous, liv, 2). To construct a general law out of this particular concrete case without further investi- gation would argue a strange lack of critical sense.

(7) The .\scension of Isaias. — If the section, iii, 13- iv, 1, really belongs to the second or even the first cen- tmy (Fleming, Tisserant), then attention should be called, as very remarkable, to the prophecies of the elders (presbyters) at the end of the world ; these love their office although they have no wisdom, and are un- just and violent .shepherds of their sheep. Somewhat further on in the same section reference is made to the dissension which shall arise in the last days between the elders and the shepherds. Here the presbyters seem to be old, highly respected members of the Chris- tian community.

D. The Texts of the Fourth Group.— (1) The Apoca- lypse. — Our motive for including in the fourth gioup of texts the data given in i, 4 and iii, 22, is the possi- bility that the "Angels" of the Seven Churches are the "monarchical bishops" of these communities. This supposition offers imdoubtedly many difficulties, yet it cannot be simply rejected. Toward the com- munities addressed the author takes the po.sition, and claims the jurisdiction, of an Apostolic and monar- chical superior. The only other texts to be touched upon are the following: the twelve foimdations of the wall of the holy city bear the names of the "twelve apostles of the Lamb" (xxi, 14); "apostles and prophets" rejoice at the destruction of the city of sin (xviii, 20): and the prophets slain in the city (verse 24) are undoubtedly also Prophets of the New Testa- ment. The existence of any relation lietween the four-and-twenty ancients (iv, 20) and the constitution of the early Church cannot be ascertained

(2) The Gospel of St. John. — We need mention only the choice of the Twelve (vi, 71); their vocation, life- course, and union with Christ as portrayed in His final discourse (xiii, 33-xvii inch), the unique position and special election of Simon Peter (i, 24; vi, 69, 70; xiii, 6 sq.: XX, 2 s(|.; .\xi, :! s(|., l.") sq.).

(3) The seven IO|)istlcs of 8t. Ignatius of Antioch (al)out A. D. 1 !.'>). — (a) The general topic is the exhorta- tion to obedience towards the bishop, the presbyters, and deacons, and to intimate union with the bishop. The position of the bishop is throughout monarchical.

(i) General admonition to reverence the bishop and remain in agreement with him (ad Eph., i, 3); to love and imitate him (ad Magn., xiii, 12) ; to be subor- dinate to him (ad Trail., xii, 2) ; to comfort him (ad Polyc, vi. 1); to keep to him (ad Philad., ii, 1); to follow him as sheep follow the shepherd (ad Magn., iii, 1); to honour him, even though he be young (ad Eph., vi, 1), all the more if he keeps silence, (ii) Exhortation to be subject to bishops, presbyters, and deacons (ad Philad., vii 1; ad Magn., xiii, 1; ad Polyc, vi. l;cf. ad Trail., iii, 1). (iii) Unity with the bishop, the presbyters, and deacons, especially in things which concern Divine service (ad Eph., iv, 1; ad Trail., ii, 2; vii; ad Magn., vi, 2); unity with the bishop and superiors (to?! wpoKa8t)y.ivoi%) (ad Eph., v, 1 sq.); unity in prayer, in the Sacrifice of the altar, and (xx, 1 aiul 2) in the breaking of bread. Unity in the Eucharistic celebration is also emphasized in ad. Smyrn., viii, 2 and ad Philad., iii, 3, and iv, 1; cf. v, 1. Nothing at all is to be done without the lii.shop (ad Philad., vii, 2; cf. ad Polyc, iv, 1), especially no ecclesiastical functions, such as baptism and agape (ad Smyrn., viii, 1 and 2); marriages are to be con- tracted subject to the approval of the bishop (Polyc, V, 2). (iv) This obedience is nece.s.sary for sanctifi- cation and is the commandment of Ciod (ad Eph., ii, 2; V. 3; ad Magn., iv, 1; ad Trail., ii, 1. Cf. vii, 2 and xiii, 2; ad Philad., iii, 2; ad Smyrn., ix, 1). He who submits to the bishop subjects himself to the I'ather of Jesus, who is the Bishop of all men (ad Magn., iii, 1 and 2).

(b) Origin and Basis of the Hierarchy. — (i) The institution of the single bishop, of the priests anil the deacons originates from God, i. e. from Christ (ad Eph., iii, 2). As Christ is the thought (i) -ffdip-v) of the Father, so the bishops established unto the ends of the earth are according to the intention of Christ {iv yvJjfj.Tl) (ibid., vi, 1). He whom the master sends in His stead should be received even as the Sender Him- self; in like manner you should look on the bishop as upon the Lord Himself (ad Magn., ii, 1); the ileacon Zotion gives joy to St. Ignatius, because he is obedi- ently devoted to the bishop as to a gift of Ciod's grace, and to the presbyters as to a law of Jesus Christ. Bishops and priests are also spoken of as a "com- mandment of God" in ad Trail., iii, 2; ad Philad. (title); the bishops and the priests are instituted pursuant to the ordinance of Jesus Christ, and, in accordance with His will, they are protected and con- firmed by the Holy Ghost (cf. i, 1 ; ad Smyrn., viii, 1). The deacons also are to be regarded as the command- ment of God. (ii) The bishop, priests, and deacons compared with God, with Christ, or with the .Apostles. The bishop presides in place of God (ad Magn., vi, 1). Tlic deacons are to be respected as Christ; the Ijishop as an image of the Father; the presbyters are com- pared to tlie Apostles (ad Trail., iii, 1). Other com- parisons between the presbyterate and the Apo.stolic college (ad Magn., vi. 1; ad Trail., ii, 2; ad Pliilad., vi, 1; ad Smyrn., viii, 1). (iii) The bishops (i)res- byter and deacons) belong to the essence, the idea of the Church (ad Trail., iii, 1). Separated from the bishops and jircsbyters no Church can exist Cf. also ad Smvrn., viii, 2.

(c) Field of activity of the bishop, the presbyters, and the deacons.— (i") The bishop.— Principal texts are in the Epistle to Polycarp. The bishop's duties include: admonition of the whole body and of individ- uals as well (i, 2, 3, and v, 1), convocation of frequent as.semblies (iv, 2), preservation of unity (i, 2), heal- ing of spiritual ailments (i, 2, and ii, 1), firm resist- ance to teachers of false doctrine (iii, 1), care of widows (iv, 1). Nothing shall be ilone without his co-operation (iv, 1). The texts quoted above show the same field of activity; in particular, the bishop appears also as the centre of the liturgical celebration and supreme guardian of the Faith. The position of