Assertion of the Ecclesiastical Hierarchy

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Original title: Hierarchiae ecclesiasticae assertio A six-book Latin theological polemic defending ecclesiastical hierarchy and papal authority, dedicated to Pope Paul III and printed at Cologne by Melchior Novesianus, with two indexes. Book I argues that Scripture and unwritten tradition rest on the authority and consensus of the Church, tested by antiquity. Book II defends the visible Church, its priesthood, the sacrifice of the Mass, confession, and episcopal order. Book III treats Peter, the keys, and Roman primacy. Book IV presents the definition of the Apostolic See as a third principle of faith and argues that a true pope cannot become a heretic. Book V addresses the controversies between kingdom and priesthood, chiefly against Marsilius of Padua and Ludwig of Bavaria's advisers. Book VI treats general councils as human institutions subordinate to the pope, rejecting the conciliar claims of Constance and Basel and the Schmalkaldic demand for a 'free council'. The work is directed against Luther and the reformers, the conciliarists, and royal headship over the Church such as Henry VIII's. 👉 Read our introductory primer, full report, and finding guide here 📜 View the original source file This text was transcribed and translated as part of the ExLatinis project—an effort by Leo to make English translations of every published text in Latin in early modern Europe (between 1450 and 1750) available to the public for free online.

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Document excerpt

Ex Bibliotheca majori Coll. Rom. Societ. Jesu 28.7.16.