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proofs did not accompany the assertion。 The proud pontiff also claimed the
power to depose emperors； and declared that no sentence which he pronounced
could be reversed by anyone； but that it was his prerogative to reverse the
decisions of all others。 （See Appendix。）
A striking illustration of the tyrannical character of this advocate of
infallibility was given in his treatment of the German emperor； Henry IV。
For presuming to disregard the pope's authority； this monarch was declared
to be excommunicated and dethroned。 Terrified by the desertion and threats
of his own princes； who were encouraged in rebellion against him by the
papal mandate； Henry felt the necessity of making his peace with Rome。 In
company with his wife and a faithful servant he crossed the Alps in
midwinter； that he might humble himself before the pope。 Upon reaching the
castle whither Gregory had withdrawn； he was conducted； without his guards；
into an outer court； and there； in the severe cold of winter； with uncovered
head and naked
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feet； and in a miserable dress； he awaited the pope's permission to come
into his presence。 Not until he had continued three days fasting and making
confession； did the pontiff condescend to grant him pardon。 Even then it was
only upon condition that the emperor should await the sanction of the pope
before resuming the insignia or exercising the power of royalty。 And
Gregory； elated with his triumph； boasted that it was his duty to pull down
the pride of kings。
How striking the contrast between the overbearing pride of this haughty
pontiff and the meekness and gentleness of Christ； who represents Himself as
pleading at the door of the heart for admittance； that He may come in to
bring pardon and peace； and who taught His disciples： 〃Whosoever will be
chief among you； let him be your servant。〃 Matthew 20：27。
The advancing centuries witnessed a constant increase of error in the
doctrines put forth from Rome。 Even before the establishment of the papacy
the teachings of heathen philosophers had received attention and exerted an
influence in the church。 Many who professed conversion still clung to the
tenets of their pagan philosophy； and not only continued its study
themselves； but urged it upon others as a means of extending their influence
among the heathen。 Serious errors were thus introduced into the Christian
faith。 Prominent among these was the belief in man's natural immortality and
his consciousness in death。 This doctrine laid the foundation upon which
Rome established the invocation of saints and the adoration of the Virgin
Mary。 From this sprang also the heresy of eternal torment for the finally
impenitent； which was early incorporated into the papal faith。
Then the way was prepared for the introduction of still another invention of
paganism； which Rome named purgatory； and employed to terrify the credulous
and superstitious multitudes。 By this heresy is affirmed the existence of a
place of torment； in which the souls of such as have not merited eternal
damnation are to suffer punishment for their sins；
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and from which； when freed from impurity； they are admitted to heaven。 （See
Appendix。）
Still another fabrication was needed to enable Rome to profit by the fears
and the vices of her adherents。 This was supplied by the doctrine of
indulgences。 Full remission of sins； past； present； and future； and release
from all the pains and penalties incurred； were promised to all who would
enlist in the pontiff's wars to extend his temporal dominion； to punish his
enemies； or to exterminate those who dared deny his spiritual supremacy。 The
people were also taught that by the payment of money to the church they
might free themselves from sin； and also release the souls of their deceased
friends who were confined in the tormenting flames。 By such means did Rome
fill her coffers and sustain the magnificence； luxury； and vice of the
pretended representatives of Him who had not where to lay His head。 （See
Appendix。）
The Scriptural ordinance of the Lord's Supper had been supplanted by the
idolatrous sacrifice of the mass。 Papal priests pretended； by their
senseless mummery； to convert the simple bread and wine into the actual
〃body and blood of Christ。〃Cardinal Wiseman； The Real Presence of the Body
and Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Blessed Eucharist； Proved From
Scripture； lecture 8； sec。 3； par。 26。 With blasphemous presumption； they
openly claimed the power of creating God； the Creator of all things。
Christians were required； on pain of death； to avow their faith in this
horrible； Heaven…insulting heresy。 Multitudes who refused were given to the
flames。 （See Appendix。）
In the thirteenth century was established that most terrible of all the
engines of the papacythe Inquisition。 The prince of darkness wrought with
the leaders of the papal hierarchy。 In their secret councils Satan and his
angels controlled the minds of evil men； while unseen in the midst stood an
angel of God； taking the fearful record of their iniquitous decrees and
writing the history of deeds too horrible to appear to human eyes。 〃Babylon
the great〃 was 〃drunken with the blood of the saints。〃 The mangled forms of
millions of
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martyrs cried to God for vengeance upon that apostate power。
Popery had become the world's despot。 Kings and emperors bowed to the
decrees of the Roman pontiff。 The destinies of men； both for time and for
eternity； seemed under his control。 For hundreds of years the doctrines of
Rome had been extensively and implicitly received； its rites reverently
performed； its festivals generally observed。 Its clergy were honored and
liberally sustained。 Never since has the Roman Church attained to greater
dignity； magnificence； or power。
But 〃the noon of the papacy was the midnight of the world。〃J。 A。 Wylie；
The History of Protestantism； b。 1； ch。 4。 The Holy Scriptures were almost
unknown； not only to the people； but to the priests。 Like the Pharisees of
old； the papal leaders hated the light which would reveal their sins。 God's
law； the standard of righteousness； having been removed； they exercised
power without limit； and practiced vice without restraint。 Fraud； avarice；
and profligacy prevailed。 Men shrank from no crime by which they could gain
wealth or position。 The palaces of popes and prelates were scenes of the
vilest debauchery。 Some of the reigning pontiffs were guilty of crimes so
revolting that secular rulers endeavored to depose these dignitaries of the
church as monsters too vile to be tolerated。 For centuries Europe had made
no progress in learning； arts； or civilization。 A moral and intellectual
paralysis had fallen upon Christendom。
The condition of the world under the Romish power presented a fearful and
striking fulfillment of the words of the prophet Hosea： 〃My people are
destroyed for lack of knowledge： because thou hast rejected knowledge； I
will also reject thee： 。 。 。 seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God；
I will also forget thy children。〃 〃There is no truth； nor mercy； nor
knowledge of God in the land。 By swearing； and lying； and killing； and
stealing； and committing adultery； they break out； and blood toucheth
blood。〃 Hosea 4：6； 1； 2。 Such were the results of banishing the word of God。
（61）
Chapter 4
The Waldenses
Amid the gloom that settled upon the earth during the long period of papal
supremacy； the light of truth could not be wholly extinguished。 In every age
there were witnesses for Godmen who cherished faith in Christ as the only
mediator between God and man； who held the Bible as the only rule of life；
and who hallowed the true Sabbath。 How much the world owes to these men；
posterity will never know。 They were branded as heretics； their motives
impugned； their characters maligned； their writings suppressed；
misrepresented； or mutilated。 Yet they stood firm； and from age to age
maintained their faith in its purity； as a sacred heritage for the
gener