CHAPTER IV.

CORRESPONDENCE AND EQUIVALENCE OF THE GREAT TEXTS CONCERNING PETER.
Difference in the mode of speaking of persons indicates a difference of
rank—The phrase, a person "and they that were with him."[84]
S. Peter first in all the Apostolic catalogues[86]
Synthetical view of the whole evidence[89]
Distinct spheres of S. Peter and S. John[91]
Peter wrought into the whole Gospel history[92]
The Primacy defined by the three great texts: first, Matt. xvi. 18[94]
Paraphrase of Matt. xvi. 18[95]
Corollaries from it[96]
Our Lord's answer to the question, who was the greatest?[100]
The text, confirm thy brethren[101]
Our Lord's conduct to Peter, after His resurrection, the counter part to
that before it.—Comparison of what is given to the Apostles, and what
to Peter[102]
The joint force, identity, and reciprocal relations of the three texts [104]
1. They are appropriated to Peter only.
2. Priority of time is assigned to him.
3. Their equivalence.
4. They indicate a sovereign and independent authority.
5. Their definiteness.
6. The ordinary government of the Church contained in them.
7. Peter made in them the continuous principle of power.
8. Peter made the type and efficient cause of visible unity.
These conclusions borne out by Cassian in Gaul[111]
By Maximus of Turin, in Italy[112]
By S. Isidore in Spain, and summed up by Pope Gregory II.[113]