Summa de Ecclesia
Juan de Torquemada (1388–1468)
First published 1561
Torquemada's Summa de Ecclesia from the Venice 1561 edition, Books I-IV with the Florentine union apparatus, in Latin with a new English translation.
Titulus I: Title page
Privilegium I: Privilege
Epistola I: Dedicatory letter
Index I: Full index
Prologus I: Prologue
Liber I: Book I — On the Universal Church
Caput I: Chapter I. On the name Church and how it differs from the name synagogue.
Caput II: Chapter II. On the various senses of the name Church.
Caput III: Chapter III. In which sense the discussion of the Church is to be taken in what follows, where it is shown that in the Church the good and the wicked are mingled together.
Caput IV: Chapter IV. In which objections are raised against what was said, that in the holy and universal Church the good and the wicked are contained together.
Caput V: Chapter V. In which the distinction is given by which the just faithful and sinful faithful are said to be in the Church, and the objections raised are answered.
Caput VI: Chapter VI. Proving that the Church is one, and on its manifold unity.
Caput VII: Chapter VII. In which objections are raised against what was said on the unity of the Church.
Caput VIII: Chapter VIII. In which the objections raised are answered.
Caput IX: Chapter IX. In which it is shown that the Church is holy.
Caput X: Chapter X. In which objections are raised against what was said on the holiness of the Church.
Caput XI: Chapter XI. In which the objections raised are answered.
Caput XII: Chapter XII. In which a certain way of speaking about the holiness of the Church is disapproved.
Caput XIII: Chapter XIII. That the Church is to be called Catholic.
Caput XIV: Chapter XIV. In which objections are raised against what was said, that the Christian faith is to be called Catholic.
Caput XV: Chapter XV. In which the arguments already made are answered.
Caput XVI: Chapter XVI. Where objections are raised against what was said, that the Church is to be called Catholic.
Caput XVII: Chapter XVII. In which the objections of the preceding chapter are answered.
Caput XVIII: Chapter XVIII. In which it is shown by arguments that the Church is called Apostolic.
Caput XIX: Chapter XIX. In which some objections are raised against what was said, that the Church is to be called Apostolic.
Caput XX: Chapter XX. How the words 'We believe in one holy Church' are to be understood.
Caput XXI: Chapter XXI. In which the error of those who say that men can be saved outside the unity of this holy Catholic and Apostolic Church is refuted.
Caput XXII: Chapter XXII. When the Church began, and on its ages.
Caput XXIII: Chapter XXIII. In which objections are raised against what was said on the antiquity of the Church.
Caput XXIV: Chapter XXIV. In which the solution to the arguments of the preceding chapter is given.
Caput XXV: Chapter XXV. From whom the Church began.
Caput XXVI: Chapter XXVI. In which objections are raised against the foregoing.
Caput XXVII: Chapter XXVII. In which the objections already made are answered.
Caput XXVIII: Chapter XXVIII. That after the Church began it has not ceased to be, and that in it faith, holiness, doctrine, prelacy, and the sacraments will endure to the end of the age.
Caput XXIX: Chapter XXIX. In which some objections are raised against what was said on the duration of the Church.
Caput XXX: Chapter XXX. In which the objections already made are answered.
Caput XXXI: Chapter XXXI. Why the Church is called heaven, earth, field, and net.
Caput XXXII: Chapter XXXII. On the reasons why the holy Church is called the vineyard of God, and the garden, fountain, and well of living waters.
Caput XXXIII: Chapter XXXIII. In which the reasons are given why the Church is called Ship, House, City, and an army in battle array.
Caput XXXIV: Chapter XXXIV. On the reasons why the Church is called a Kingdom, and on the twelve things by which the glory of the magnificence of the kingdom of the Church is shown.
Caput XXXV: Chapter XXXV. On the reasons why the Church is called the tabernacle and temple of God.
Caput XXXVI: Chapter XXXVI. On the reasons why the Church is called Woman, Beloved, and Dove, Perfect, Sister, and Daughter.
Caput XXXVII: Chapter XXXVII. Why she is also called bride, and on the time of her espousal.
Caput XXXVIII: Chapter XXXVIII. In which the solution to a certain difficulty concerning what was said on the time of the espousal of the Church is given.
Caput XXXIX: Chapter XXXIX. On the gifts and presents with which Christ adorned his bride the Church, singularly even above the angels.
Caput XL: Chapter XL. That the Church is called the spouse of Christ and the mother of the faithful.
Caput XLI: Chapter XLI. That although the Church is said to be the spouse of Christ and the mother of all the faithful, she does not cease to be wholly a virgin.
Caput XLII: Chapter XLII. That the Church is called queen.
Caput XLIII: Chapter XLIII. On the reasons why the Church is called a body, namely the mystical body of Christ.
Caput XLIV: Chapter XLIV. On the variety of the members of the Church and their signification.
Caput XLV: Chapter XLV. In which objections are raised against what was said on the head of the body of the Church.
Caput XLVI: Chapter XLVI. In which the objections already made are answered.
Caput XLVII: Chapter XLVII. In which it is shown how Christ can be called a member of the Church, and how not.
Caput XLVIII: Chapter XLVIII. That Christ as man was the head of the faithful, not only of those who came after the Incarnation, but also of those who from the beginning preceded the Incarnation.
Caput XLIX: Chapter XLIX. In which objections are raised against what was said, that Christ as man was the head of the faithful who preceded the Incarnation.
Caput L: Chapter L. In which the objections already raised are answered.
Caput LI: Chapter LI. In which, on the foregoing, one recent error is refuted.
Caput LII: Chapter LII. In which it is shown how it belongs to Christ alone as God to be head of the Church, and how not to him alone but to others.
Caput LIII: Chapter LIII. In which it is shown that Christ is head of the faithful not only as to souls but also as to bodies.
Caput LIV: Chapter LIV. In which the opinion of some is set out, with their arguments, who say that only the elect are members of Christ or of the mystical body which is the holy Church of God.
Caput LV: Chapter LV. In which the aforesaid opinion is refuted, with its foundations.
Caput LVI: Chapter LVI. In which two other ways of speaking or of marking out the members of the body of Christ are set out.
Caput LVII: Chapter LVII. In which the truth of the difficulty raised is shown: namely, of which men Christ is head, and who are to be called members of his body, which is the Church.
Caput LVIII: Chapter LVIII. In which the objections made to the contrary by those who say that only the elect are members of the body of Christ are answered.
Caput LIX: Chapter LIX. In which the arguments of the others are answered, who in second and third place spoke otherwise concerning the members of Christ in ch. 56.
Caput LX: Chapter LX. In which it is shown what the union of the members of the Church with one another is, and on the manner of the union of the members with the head.
Caput LXI: Chapter LXI. In which it is shown what the efficient cause of this union of the members of the Church with one another is.
Caput LXII: Chapter LXII. In which it is shown whether the true body of Christ is better than the mystical body of Christ, or the converse.
Caput LXIII: Chapter LXIII. On the quality and manner of the union by which the body of Christ which is the Church is said to be united to Christ the head.
Caput LXIV: Chapter LXIV. How the saying that Christ and his body which is the Church are one man is to be understood.
Caput LXV: Chapter LXV. How the saying that Christ and his body which is the Church are one person is to be understood.
Caput LXVI: Chapter LXVI. How the saying of the saints that Christ and his body which is the Church are one Christ is to be understood.
Caput LXVII: Chapter LXVII. How the saying of the saints that the body of Christ, indeed that any member of it, is Christ is to be understood.
Caput LXVIII: Chapter LXVIII. How the predications of those things said of Christ in Sacred Scripture by reason of the aforesaid mystical unity are to be understood.
Caput LXIX: Chapter LXIX. On the fittingness of the distinction and manifold variety of states and offices in the Church.
Caput LXX: Chapter LXX. In which objections are raised against the variety and diversity of states and offices in the Church of God.
Caput LXXI: Chapter LXXI. In which the answer to the objections already made against the variety and diversity of states and offices in the Church of God is given.
Caput LXXII: Chapter LXXII. On the threefold diversity principally found in the body of the Church.
Caput LXXIII: Chapter LXXIII. What is meant by the name state.
Caput LXXIV: Chapter LXXIV. That the difference of states pertaining to spiritual servitude or liberty is reckoned according to beginners, proficients, and the perfect.
Caput LXXV: Chapter LXXV. In which it is shown to whom it belongs to be perfect, and to whom it belongs to be in the state of perfection.
Caput LXXVI: Chapter LXXVI. That it properly belongs to the greater prelates of the Church, to bishops, and to religious to be in the state of perfection.
Caput LXXVII: Chapter LXXVII. In which objections are raised against what was said on the perfection of the pontifical state and of religious.
Caput LXXVIII: Chapter LXXVIII. In which the arguments already made in the preceding chapter are answered.
Caput LXXIX: Chapter LXXIX. In which the arguments on the distinction between bishop and priest are set out, namely whether it held always from their institution.
Caput LXXX: Chapter LXXX. That the lord Cardinals of the holy Roman Church are in the state of perfection.
Caput LXXXI: Chapter LXXXI. In which the reasons are given why the state of the lord Cardinals of the holy Roman Church is to be preferred in honour to the other prelates of the Church.
Caput LXXXII: Chapter LXXXII. In which objections are raised against the state of the lord Cardinals.
Caput LXXXIII: Chapter LXXXIII. In which the objections made against the state and dignity of the lord Cardinals are answered.
Caput LXXXIV: Chapter LXXXIV. On the threefold order in the state of the Cardinals of the holy Roman Church.
Caput LXXXV: Chapter LXXXV. On the variety and difference of offices in the Church of God.
Caput LXXXVI: Chapter LXXXVI. On the variety and distinction of grades in the Church of God.
Caput LXXXVII: Chapter LXXXVII. On the twofold power in the Christian commonwealth, namely spiritual and earthly.
Caput LXXXVIII: Chapter LXXXVIII. In which objections are raised against what was said on the twofold power to be given in the whole of the Christian commonwealth, secular and spiritual.
Caput LXXXIX: Chapter LXXXIX. In which the answers to the objections made in the preceding chapter against the twofold power in the whole body of the faithful are given.
Caput XC: Chapter XC. On the manifold eminence by which the spiritual power surpasses the secular power.
Caput XCI: Chapter XCI. In which some objections are raised against what was said on the preeminence of the spiritual power over the secular.
Caput XCII: Chapter XCII. In which the arguments made above against the preeminence of the spiritual power over the secular are answered.
Caput XCIII: Chapter XCIII. In which, on the sacramental or ordinal power and the jurisdictional power, twelve conclusions are set out.
Caput XCIV: Chapter XCIV. In which some objections are raised against some of the conclusions set out in the preceding chapter.
Caput XCV: Chapter XCV. In which the objections made in the preceding chapter will be answered.
Caput XCVI: Chapter XCVI. In which, after the distinction of the power of jurisdiction, twelve conclusions are set out.
Caput XCVII: Chapter XCVII. In which some objections are raised against some of the conclusions set out in the preceding chapter.
Caput XCVIII: Chapter XCVIII. In which the objections made in the preceding chapter are answered.
Caput XCIX: Chapter XCIX. Showing that the spiritual power of the keys is common to good priests and bad alike.
Caput C: Chapter C. In which some objections of the adversaries are raised against what was said in the preceding chapter.
Caput CI: Chapter CI. In which the answers to the objections made are given.
Liber II: Book II — On the Roman Church and the Primacy of Its Pontiff
Caput I: Chapter I. Showing that in the Church there is order.
Caput II: Chapter II. Showing that such order is and ought to be in the Church that one superior prince and ruler exists in it.
Caput III: Chapter III. In which some objections of the adversaries are raised against the foregoing, on the unity of one president and head in the Church.
Caput IV: Chapter IV. In which the aforesaid reply of the adversaries is refuted, and their arguments are answered.
Caput V: Chapter V. In which it is shown by manifold testimony of Sacred Scripture that blessed Peter held the primacy among the Apostles.
Caput VI: Chapter VI. In which some arguments are brought to the same end, namely to prove that Peter the Apostle held primacy over the Apostles.
Caput VII: Chapter VII. In which certain refutations of the adversaries are set out against the foundations adduced in ch. 5 for the primacy of blessed Peter.
Caput VIII: Chapter VIII. In which other arguments of the adversaries against the primacy of blessed Peter, taken from the Gospels, are set out.
Caput IX: Chapter IX. In which some arguments of the adversaries collected from the epistles of blessed Paul are set out.
Caput X: Chapter X. In which are the arguments of the adversaries against the primacy of Peter taken from the Acts of the Apostles.
Caput XI: Chapter XI. In which the refutations made against the foundations adduced in ch. 7 for the primacy of blessed Peter are answered.
Caput XII: Chapter XII. In which the arguments made above in ch. 8 against the primacy of blessed Peter, which seemed to be taken from the Gospel, are answered.
Caput XIII: Chapter XIII. In which the arguments taken from the epistles of Paul are answered.
Caput XIV: Chapter XIV. In which the arguments of the adversaries taken in ch. 10 from the Acts of the Apostles are answered.
Caput XV: Chapter XV. That blessed Peter held principate not only among the Apostles but over all the faithful in the whole world.
Caput XVI: Chapter XVI. In which the objections of the adversaries are set out against what was said, that the Roman Pontiff holds the primacy of the universal Church, with the reply to them.
Caput XVII: Chapter XVII. By which arguments blessed Peter is called the foundation of the Church.
Caput XVIII: Chapter XVIII. In which certain objections of the adversaries are set out against what was said, that Peter the Apostle is truly called the foundation of the Catholic Church.
Caput XIX: Chapter XIX. In which the above objections of the adversaries are answered.
Caput XX: Chapter XX. That blessed Peter was head of the holy and universal Church.
Caput XXI: Chapter XXI. In which the objections of the adversaries are set out against what was said, that blessed Peter was head of the universal Church.
Caput XXII: Chapter XXII. In which the aforesaid sentence of the adversaries is disproved, and it is shown how the character of head with respect to the Church belongs to Peter and to his successor.
Caput XXIII: Chapter XXIII. In which the objections of the adversaries are answered against the claim that blessed Peter was head of the holy Catholic Church.
Caput XXIV: Chapter XXIV. On the error of some who say that Peter was not head of the universal Church, though indeed of the several particular churches.
Caput XXV: Chapter XXV. In which the aforesaid error of the adversaries is disproved.
Caput XXVI: Chapter XXVI. In which the arguments brought in favour of the aforesaid error are answered.
Caput XXVII: Chapter XXVII. That the Pope is in some sense to be called the spouse of the universal Church.
Caput XXVIII: Chapter XXVIII. In which it is objected that the Pope cannot be called the spouse of the universal Church, and the objections are answered.
Caput XXIX: Chapter XXIX. On the time when blessed Peter was by Christ raised and consecrated with pontifical authority.
Caput XXX: Chapter XXX. In which some objections are raised against the foregoing.
AGAINST the conclusion stated above, concerning the time at which the pontificate was given to Peter, the adversaries rise up with authorities and with arguments. 1
First they cite that of Anacletus in ch. In novo, dist. 21, who says: "The pontificate was first given to Peter himself, the Lord saying: 'You are Peter, etc.'" But this was before the passion; therefore he was made pontiff before the passion. 2
Second, St John Chrysostom, on that verse of Luke 22, "A contention arose among them," says that the keys of the kingdom of heaven were entrusted to Peter; but this was before the passion; therefore, etc. 3
Third, the same St Chrysostom, on that verse of Matt. 16, "Upon this rock, etc.," says: "Here he raises up his mind and makes him shepherd." 4
Fourth, there is the Gloss of Rabanus on that verse of Matt. 16, "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven," which says that Peter spiritually received the keys of the kingdom of heaven and the principate of judicial power; but this manifestly implies his pontificate; therefore it follows that before the passion Peter was made pontiff or bishop by Christ. 5
Fourth, by reason, thus: Aaron was at once made priest and bishop; therefore similarly, and much more, Peter, who was prefigured by Aaron; but Peter was made priest at the supper; therefore he was also made bishop. 6
Sixth, thus: Judas was made bishop by Christ, but not after the passion and resurrection, as is plain; therefore before it. Therefore similarly, and much more, Peter was made bishop before the passion. The consequence is plain; the antecedent is gathered from that of Ps. 108, and from Acts 1, where it is said of Judas: "Let another take his bishopric." 7
Seventh, thus: all the sacraments ought to have been instituted before the passion, among which the confirmation of the sacrament of order, which is the episcopate; therefore before the passion Peter was a bishop, and the others who were made by Christ. 8
Eighth, thus: "The works of God are perfect," Deut. 31. Hence one who institutes a sacrament ought to institute it perfectly, both as to matter and as to minister. Therefore, just as one who instituted the Eucharist instituted a minister, making the apostles priests, so one who instituted the sacrament of order ought to have instituted the minister, who is the bishop ordaining priests. 9
Ninth, thus. It is argued that Peter and the other apostles were made bishops by that of John 20: "Receive the Holy Spirit; whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven them," etc. On which St Gregory says: "They have obtained the principate of supreme judgment, in that, in the place of God, they should retain the sins of some and forgive the sins of others; of whom now in the Church the bishops hold the place, who receive the authority of binding and loosing, who obtain the rank of governance." Therefore, etc.