Popery condemned by scripture and the fathers - End Time Deception

46 POPERY CONDEMNED BY
CHAP. III.
A REFUTATION OF THE SPIRITUAL SUPREMA-
CY WHICH THE R. HAS ASCRIBED TO THE
POPE.
1 HE reason why the Romish church contends
so strenuously for Peter's supremacy, is given,
in the 176th page of the Remarks: " Peter
*'
transmitted his authority to feed Christ's
*'
flock to his successor. For this was an offi-
*'
cial authority, not a personnl quality, and-
" official authority is always invested in the law-
*'
ful successor." The R. accordingly endeavours
to prove, that the Pope of Rome *, as the
lawful successor of Peter,
now possesses his supremacy.
This apostle, I have already shown,
possessed no such authority in the church ; and
therefpre the Pope's claims must be v/ithout.
foundation.
As the R. has, however, advanced
many pretended proofs of this point, it may not
be amiss to afford them an examination.
Though Peter had enjoyed all the supremacy
for which the R. contends, it by no means follows,
that the head of the Romish See inherits
his
* The term Pope was formerly a title oF respect given
indiscriminately to any eminent clergyman., and r.ot eit ail
pev^^r to the head of the Romish See.