Overview

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1901 edition. Excerpt: ...commensurate in fervor. Gregory is moreover a prototype of the mediaeval union of humility and authority. He outlines such a character in his Book of Pastoral Rule: the bishop shall be humble, but 1 See, e.g., Gregorius, Dialogi, II, 6 and 7. 2 See, e.g., Ep. V, 15, Ad Johannem Episcopum. authoritative in suppressing sins; he must lord it, not over the brethren, but over their vices.1 Gregory's Pastoral.Rule is an authoritative work of episcopal--inchoate papal--precept. Its purpose was to supply the bishop with rules for his conduct, just as Benedict's regula monachorum sets the rules for monks. Both writings are regulae authoritatively prescribed. They are thus typical of the later transition centuries and the Middle Ages; the former yearned for such regulae as these to obey, and created them; the latter accepted the same, modifying them according to the further development and needs of mankind. As pope and head of Western Christendom, Gregory assumed a title expressive of his humility, and prophetic of the nature of the papacy's future dominion: servus servorum Dei.2 It was as a servant of servants that the pope was to command the world, in obedience to God and in exaction of obedience to authority given and enjoined by God. Gregory is a man of the late transition centuries, a man far more mediaeval than Augustine. Augustine had summed up Christian doctrine and feeling for the West; Gregory accepts the work of Augustine, but reexpresses Augustinian feelings and conclusions in conformity to his own character, which is more definitely touched by the spirit and the new ignorance of the Middle Ages. His mind is occupied with topics which were to occupy coming centuries; he is filled with allegorism; he discusses the affairs and details 1 See, ...

Full Product Details

9781236664907

Table of Contents

Reviews

Author Information

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available