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Cyprian
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Introductory Notice to Cyprian.
[2564] Strictly, the phrase here as elsewhere is, “should do penance,” “pœnitentiam agerent.”
[2565] “That by the malice of the devil they may consummate their work;” v. l.
[2566] Scil. Capitol of Carthage, for the provinces imitated Rome in this respect. Du Cange give many instances.
[2567] Isa. xxix. 10: orig. “transpunctionis.”
[2569] [The organization of the laity into their freedom and franchises is part of the Cyprianic system, and gave birth to the whole fabric of free constitutions, in England and elsewhere.]
[2571] “Unless they had set up,” v. l.
[2572] [The Apostolic See of the West was necessarily all this in the eyes of an unambitious faithful Western co-bishop; but the letter itself proves that it was not the See of one who had any authority over or apart from his co-bishops. Let us not read into his expressions ideas which are an after-thought, and which conflict with the life and all the testimony of Cyprian.]
[2573] [To be interpreted by Epistle xxx. p. 308, supra. Elucidation XII.]
[2574] [Note this decree, “by all of us,” and what follows.]
[2575] [Only “desperate and abandoned men” could make light of other bishops, by carrying their case from their own province to Rome. This was forbidden by canons. Cyprian’s respect for the mother See was like that felt by Anglo-Americans for Canterbury, involving no subjection in the least degree. See Elucidation XIII.]
[2577] [Exod. xxiii. 2. The best comment on Cyprian’s system is to be found in the Commonitory of Vincent of Lerins (a.d. 450), who lays down the rule, that if the whole Church revolts from the faith save only a few, those few are the Catholics.]
[2578] Ecclesiasticus 16.1,2. The words in parenthesis are not found in many editions.
[2579] [See vol. ii. pp. 15, 22. And for this ecclesiastical “remission,” 2 Cor. ii. 10, which Cyprian imitates.]
[2580] [What a contrast to the hierarchical spirit of the Middle Ages, this primitive compassion for penitents! Think of Canossa.]
[2582] [Cyprian’s love for the people is always thus conspicuous. Here the majesty and dignity of the Catholic Church is identified with all estates of men therein.]
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