Page:Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (1827) Vol 2.djvu/130

 112 THE DECLINE AND FALL CHAP, assembly of their brethren; but in the government of ^^' his peculiar diocese, each of them exacted from his flock the same impHcit obedience as if that favourite metaphor had been literally just, and as if the shepherd had been of a more exalted nature than that of his sheep ^ This obedience, however, was not imposed without some efforts on one side, and some resistance on the other. The democratical part of the constitu- tion was, in many places, very warmly supported by the zealous or interested opposition of the inferior clergy. But their patriotism received the ignominious epithets of faction and schism ; and the episcopal cause was indebted for its rapid progress to the labours of many active prelates, who, like Cyprian of Carthage, could reconcile the arts of the most ambitious states- man with the christian virtues which seem adapted to the character of a saint and martyr*^. The same causes which at first had destroyed the equality of the presbyters, introduced among the bi- shops a preeminence of rank, and from thence a supe- riority of jurisdiction. As often as in the spring and autumn they met in provincial synod, the difTerence of personal merit and reputation was very sensibly felt among the members of the assembly, and the multitude was governed by the wisdom and eloquence of the few. But the order of public proceedings required a more regular and less invidious distinction : the office of per- petual presidents in the councils of each province, was conferred on the bishops of the principal city ; and these aspiring prelates, who soon acquired the lofty titles of metropolitans and primates, secretly prepared them- selves to usurp over their episcopal brethren the same Preemi- nence of the metro- politan ciiurches. «^ We may appeal to the whole tenor of Cypiian's conduct, of his doc- trine, and of his epistles. Le Clerc, in a short life of Cyprian, (Biblio- theque Universelle, torn. xii. p. 207—378.) has laid him open with great freedom and accuracy. ^ If Novatus, Felicissimus, etc. whom the bishop of Carthage expelled from his church, and from Africa, were not the most detestable monsters of wickedness, the zeal of Cyprian must occasionally have prevailed over his veracity. For a very just account of these obscure quarrels, see Mo- sheim, p. 497— 512.