In the year 1163 Henry II, king of England, summoned a great council at Westminster to consider how they could punish the crimes of the clergy because the papal primate would not consent that when a clergyman was degraded for any crime he should be delivered up to the civil power. The king opened the meeting with an excellent speech in which he complained of the mischiefs occasioned by the thefts, robberies, and even murders committed by the clergy, who were suffered to go unpunished. At this council it was decided that all clergymen, guilty of criminal offenses should be amenable to the civil law. 8

He

In the year 1274 the fourth general council was held at Lyons when Henry was bishop of Liege in Belgium. He was guilty of simony (selling masses), and lived so profligate a life that the pope wrote him a letter exhorting him to lead a different life. In the letter is mentioned among other things that he had boasted at a public entertainment of having fourteen children in the space of twenty-two months. The bishop continued nevertheless his vicious life. was at last deposed and afterward killed by a nobleman whose female relative he had dishonored. He left sixtyfive illegitimate children. "It affords a lamentable and striking illustration of the state of morals among the Romish clergy of that age, that a bishop could retain his office while engaged in such a course of open and notorious profligacy."

9

Thus history continues to point out the most horrible crimes committed by one pope after another as well as by the Catholic clergy in general. This shows clearly that the mystery of iniquity is fully developed in the Catholic Church. "Every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit." "Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them." 10

8 Dowling's "History of Romanism,” book v, chap. iv, par. 37. Dowling's "History of Romanism," book v, chap. xi, par. 107. 10 Matt. 7:17, 20.

Papal Infallibility.

The papal doctrine of infallibility also shows that the mystery of iniquity has been fully developed by the popes and their adherents. They claim that all doctrines published by the pope are infallible and therefore unchangeable and eternal.

In the summer of 1868 Pope Pious IX published a decree to the patriarchs, archbishops, bishops, and all others who were authorized to take part in a council, that they should assemble at Rome and be present at an ecumenical council which should begin Dec. 8, 1869.

It is said that 766 clergymen were present; 541 from Europe, 114 from America, 83 from Asia, 14 from Africa, and 14 from the islands of the Pacific Ocean.

At the different meetings the privileges of St. Peter and his followers were minutely discussed, and also how far the power of the Roman pope extended. But the most important point that was settled was the infallibility of the pope. Of the clergymen present 538 voted for it, two against it, and the rest stayed away from the meeting.

was taken July 18, 1870.

This vote

One portion of the last and most important paragraph of the document concerning the infallibility of the pope reads as follows :

"Therefore, faithfully adhering to the tradition received from the beginning of the Christian faith, for the glory of God our Saviour, the exaltation of the Catholic religion, and the salvation of Christian people, the sacred council approving, we teach and define that it is a dogma divinely revealed, that the Roman pontiff, when he speaks ex cathedra, that is, when, in discharge of the office of pastor and doctor of all Christians, by the virtue of his supreme apostolic authority, he defines a doctrine regarding faith or morals to be held by the universal church, by the divine assistance promised to him in the blessed Peter, is possessed of that infallibility with which the divine Redeemer willed that his church should be endowed for the defining of doctrines regarding faith or morals; and that

therefore such definitions of the Roman pontiff are irreformable of themselves, and not from the consent of the church.

"But if any one-which may God avert dict this our definition; let him be anathema." 11

presume to contra

To be infallible is certainly an attribute pertaining to God alone; and when mortal man tries to appropriate to himself authority and power by pretending to possess such attributes, it is nothing but blasphemy against God in the highest degree.

The papal doctrine condemns all who differ from the Catholic Church in their belief. There is no end to all the curses and persecutions of this church. That such people neither are the followers of St. Peter nor of Christ is plainly seen from the following text of Scripture: "For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." 12

If Jesus did not come to judge or condemn the world, then his followers have no right to do it. And if the Son of God came to make men happy in this world and the world to come, then no one can be a follower of Christ unless he endeavors to do good to his fellow-men.

Jesus was meek and lowly in heart. He that follows him has the same mind; but the papacy has acted just the opposite way. Jesus relieved pain and distress both temporal and spiritual. He that will be his disciple must follow his example. But no power in the world has plagued and tormented men more than the papal power and its adherents.

Let every one search his own heart. "Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." What is your mind, dear reader? Are you meek and lowly in heart? Are you endeavoring to relieve distress and suffering and to do good to others? or do you cherish envy and 11 Dowling's "History of Romanism," Appendix, p. 915.

12 John 3 : 17.

anger in your soul? Have you learned to return good for evil? or do you still live and act like the world?

Let us remember that we do not need to be as wicked as antichrist in order to be lost. But we must be branches of the true vine, and bear fruit to the glory of God in order to be saved. Without Christ we can do nothing; but when we live in fellowship with our dear Redeemer, then we may live to the glory of God in this life, and obtain immortal life when Jesus comes.

CHAPTER IV.

ERRORS OF THE PAPACY.

THE papacy is in the Bible presented as the greatest antichristian power in the world. It is plainly spoken of by our Saviour as well as by the prophet Daniel. It is also spoken of by Paul and John. The apostle Paul speaks of this power as the great apostasy. He calls it "the man of sin," the son of perdition," "the mystery of iniquity," "that wicked." He shows how the mystery of iniquity was already at work in his days, and points to the pagan worship as that which kept back the man of sin. He testifies plainly that this hindering power should be taken out of the way. And then he says:

"And then shall that wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming."1

The many different names by which the apostle points out this antichristian power show plainly that in wickedness and power it would excel everything that had before been seen in the world, and this can truly be said of the papal power. And its work has not been finished as yet. There are other portions of the Bible (these will be considered afterward) showing plainly that the papal power in the last days shall be terrible in its final wrath. For this reason the last warning message principally lifts up its voice against this power."

From the text quoted above, we learn that this wicked power shall be destroyed at the glorious revelation of

1 2 Thess. 2: 8.

2 Rev. 14: 9.