156 THE MIDDLE AGES. A.D. 1198-1216.
told that the central figure of it all was the chief personality in the Christian world.
When he ascended the fisherman's throne, Innocent was only thirty-seven years old, the youngest in the line of popes up to that time. Walter von der Vogelweide gave expression to the fear which his youth awakened when he wrote, 0 w£ der bdbest ist ze June, Jiilf Jierre diner kristenlieit. " Alas ! the pope is so young. Help, Lord, thy Christian world." The new pontiff was well formed, medium in stature,1 temper ate in his habits, clear in perception, resolute in will, and fearless in action. He was a born ruler of men, a keen judge of human nature, demanding unconditional submission to his will, yet considerate in the use of power after submission was once given, — an imperial personality towering high above the contemporary sovereigns in moral force and in magnificent aims of world-wide dominion.
§ 37. Innocent's Theory of the Papacy.
The pope with whom Innocent is naturally brought into comparison is Hildebrand. They were equally distinguished for moral force, intellectual energy, and proud assertion of prelatic prerogative. Innocent was Hildebrand's superior in learning, diplomatic tact, and success of administration, but in creative genius and heroic character he was below his predecessor. He stands related to his great predecessor as Augustus to Julius. He was heir to the astounding pro gramme of Hildebrand's scheme and enjoyed the fruits of his struggles. Their personal fortunes were widely different. Gregory was driven from Rome and died in exile. To Inno cent's good fortune there seemed to be no end, and he closed his pontificate in undisputed possession of authority.
Innocent no sooner ascended the papal chair than he began
1 Statura mediocris, etc. See Gesta, Migne, 214, XVII. The portrait prefixed in Hurter has no historic value. For Innocent's personal habits and methods of conducting business, see Hurter, II. 743 sqq.
§ 37. INNOCENT'S THEORY OF THE PAPACY. 157
to give expression to his conception of the papal dignity. Throughout his pontificate he forcibly and clearly expounded it in a tone of mingled official pride and personal humil ity. At his coronation he preached on the faithful and wise servant. " Ye see," he said, " what manner of servant it is whom the Lord hath set over his people, no other than the vicegerent of Christ, the successor of Peter. He stands in the midst between God and man ; below God, above man; less than God, more than man. He judges all and is judged by none. But he, whom the pre-eminence of dignity exalts, is humbled by his vocation as a servant, that so humility may be exalted and pride be cast down ; for God is against the high-minded, and to the lowly He shows mercy ; and whoso exalteth himself shall be abased."
Indeed, the papal theocracy was Innocent's all-absorbing idea. He was fully convinced that it was established of God for the good of the Church and the salvation of the world. As God gave to Christ all power in heaven and on earth, so Christ delegated to Peter and his successors the same authority. Not man but God founded the Apostolic see.1 In his famous letter to the patriarch of Constantinople, Nov. 12, 1199,2 he gave an elaborate exposition of the commission to Peter. To him alone the command had been given, " Feed my sheep." On him alone it had been declared, " I will build my church." The pope is the vicar of Christ, yea of God himself.3 Not only is he intrusted with the dominion of the Church, but also with the rule of the whole world. Like Melchizedek, he is at once king and priest. All things in heaven and earth and in hell are subject to Christ. So are they also to his vicar. He can depose princes and absolve
1 Apostolicce sedis primatus quern non homo sed Deus, imo verius Deus homo constitute.
2 Meg. II. 209 ; Migne, 214, 758-765.
8 Cum non humana sed divina fiat auctoritate quod in hac parte per summum pontificem adimpletur, qui non hominis puri sed veri Dei vere vicqrius appellatur. I. 326 ; Migne, 214, 292,