THE INVESTITURE OF PETER.
What our Lord had done up to His resurrection[64]
Further disposition of powers after His resurrection[65]
Special care to prove the resurrection to Peter[66]
Fulfilment of the Lord's promises to the Twelve, in the bestowal of their
legislative, judicial, and executive powers[68]
Subsequent exercise of these powers by the Twelve[69]
Fulfilment of the special promises to Peter in the bestowal of the
l egislative, judicial, and executive powers of the Primacy[70]
Force of the Lord's title, the Shepherd[72]
Importance and extent of the charge conveyed by this title[74]
Force of the circumstances under which it is conveyed[76]
S. Ambrose, S. Chrysostome, Theophylact, S. Leo, and S. Basil on the text [79]
S. Cyprian adds the Primacy to the Apostolic equality[81]
Force of Follow thou Me[82]

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]

CHAPTER V.

PETER'S PRIMACY AS EXHIBITED IN THE ACTS.
Division of the Acts into history of the Church universal, and of S. Paul
in particular[114]
Gospels, history of the Head; Acts, of the Body[115]
Execution of Christ's promises declaratory of their enactment[116]
General proof of this as to the Primacy in the Acts[117]
1. Peter oftener mentioned than all the rest put together.
2. The leading part assigned to him.
3. Peter mentioned directly; the rest obliquely[118]
4. Peter answers for all the Apostles[119]
5. Luke records Peter's actions and speeches in full.
6. The first part of the Acts may be called the history of Peter[120]
I. Particular proof—Election of a new Apostle[122]
S. Chrysostome's comment on this[124]
Peter's conduct in defending the rest on the day of Pentecost[125]
Third and fourth speech of Peter.—Summary of the first four chapters[128]
II. Proof from junction of authoritative teaching and miracles[129]
Resemblance between Peter's miracles and Christ's[131]
Peter the chief figure among the Apostles as Christ before[133]
III. Peter presides over the different steps in propagating the Church[134]
Peter's part in the conversion of Samaria[135]
IV. Peter receiving the Gentiles in the person of Cornelius[137]
Things to be noted in this reception concerning Peter.—Peter murmured
against by some of the circumcision[142]
S. Chrysostome and S. Gregory upon his conduct[143]
V. S. Peter exercising supreme judicial power over Ananias[144]
VI. S. Peter exercising supreme visitatorial power[145]
VII. S. Peter's supreme legislative authority in council[147]
The consent and joint action of others do not impugn the supremacy[148]
Tertullian's testimony as to his authority here, and that of S. Jerome and
Theodoret[150]
VIII. Contrast between the mode in which the imprisonment of Peter,
and that of James and Paul is mentioned[151]
Summary of the testimony to Peter in the Acts[153]
His Primacy magisterial, judicial, and legislative.—Its institution
compared with its exercise[154]
No opposition offered to it[155]
The mystical headship contrasted with the visible[157]