Father which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant."
Upon comparing these words of the Gospel with the pictures that the Roman theologians make of the prerogatives of the bishop of Rome, it will be easily seen that these theologians are not in the truth.
St. Matthew relates that Peter having interrogated Jesus Christ upon the prerogatives of the apostles, our Lord answers him, saying: "Verily I say unto you, that ye which have followed me in the regeneration, when the Son of Man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye shall also sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel."
If Christ had destined a superior seat to Peter, if he had granted to him a higher position than to the other apostles, would he have said to St. Peter himself that the twelve apostles should be seated upon twelve thrones without distinction?
The conclusion from all this is, that there is in the Church but one master, but one lord, one chief shepherd.
Saith Christ: "I am the Good Shepherd." (John 10:11.) "Ye call me Master and Lord, and ye say well, for so I am." "One is your Master, even Christ." (Matt. 23:10.)
He is seated alone upon the throne of his majesty, in the heavenly city whose "wall has twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb." (Rev. 21:14.) The first pastors are there upon the their seats, judging the tribes of the new people of God. If any discussions arise that can not be amicably settled, they must be carried to this tribunal; not to one alone, but before the whole Church, represented by those ordained to govern it.
There is nothing then in the writings of the New Tes-
