A Source Book for Ancient Church History - Mirrors

266 A Source Book for Ancient Church Historywhich Mirbt gives an extract (n. 71), might be cited in thisconnection, but its force depends upon its origin. It is whollyuncertain that it was written either by a bishop of Rome or inItaly. Cf. Bardenhewer. Kirch also gives the text in part, n.276; for other references, see Kirch.(a) Cyprian, De Catholicæ Ecclesiæ Unitate, 4, 5. (MSL, 4:513.)[241]The tract entitled On the Unity of the Catholic Church isthe most famous of Cyprian's works. As the theory theredeveloped is opposed to that which became dominant, and asCyprian was regarded as the great upholder of the Church'sconstitution, interpolations were early made in the text whichseriously distort the sense. These interpolations are to-dayabandoned by all scholars. The best critical edition of theworks of Cyprian is by W. von Hartel in the CSEL, but criticaltexts of the following passage with references to literature andindication of interpolations may be found in Mirbt (Prot.), n.52, and in Kirch (R. C.), n. 234 (chapter 4 only).Ch. 4. The Lord speaks to Peter, saying: “I say unto thee, thatthou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my Church and thegates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give thee the keysof the Kingdom of Heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt bind onearth shall be bound also in heaven; and whatsoever thou shaltloose on earth shall be loosed also in heaven” (Matt. 16:18, 19).[To the same He says after His resurrection: “Feed my sheep”(John 21:15). Upon him He builds His Church, and to himHe commits His sheep to be fed, and although. Interpolation.]Upon one he builds the Church, although also to all the Apostlesafter His resurrection He gives an equal power and says, “Asthe Father has sent me, I also send you: receive ye the HolyGhost: whosesoever sins ye retain, they shall be retained” (John20:21); yet, that He might show the unity, [He founded onesee. Interpolation.] He arranged by His authority the origin