Page:Readings in European History Vol 1.djvu/108

 Readings in European History 25. The edict of the emperor Valentinian recognizing the suprem- acy of the bishop of Rome (445). 26. Letter of Pope Gelasius I to Emperor Anastasius on the superiority of the spiritual over the temporal power (494). the whole Church is concentrated in one see, that of Peter, and from this head there should never be any dissent. The following edict was issued by the western emperor, during Leo's pontificate : Since, then, the primacy of the Apostolic See is estab- lished by the merit of St. Peter (who is the chief among the bishops), by the majesty of the city of Rome, and finally by the authority of a holy council, 1 no one, without inexcusable pre- sumption, may attempt anything against the authority of that see. Peace will be secured among the churches if every one recognize his ruler. [After a reference to the independent action of certain prelates of Gaul, the edict continues.] Lest even a slight commotion should arise in the churches, or the religious order be disturbed, we herewith permanently decree that not only the bishops of Gaul, but those of the other prov- inces, shall attempt nothing counter to ancient custom with- out the authority of the venerable father _papa~ of the Eternal City. Whatever shall be sanctioned by the author- ity of the Apostolic See shall be law to them and to every one else ; so that if one of the bishops be summoned to the judgment of the Roman bishop and shall neglect to appear, he shall be forced by the moderator 2 of his province to present himself. In all respects let the privileges be main- tained which our deified predecessors have conferred upon the Roman church. The pope's view of the natural superiority of the spir- itual over the temporal power finds a clear expression in the following remarkable letter of Gelasius I (494). . . . There are two powers, august Emperor, by which this world is chiefly ruled, namely, the sacred authority of the priests and the royal power. Of these, that of the priests is the more weighty, since they have to render an account for even the kings of men in the divine judgment. You are 1 That of Sardika: see above, p. 67. 2 An imperial official.