the great controversy-第141章
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closely are they united with him； and so thoroughly imbued with his spirit；
that they have no power and no inclination to break away from his snare。
Satan has long been preparing for his final effort to deceive the world。 The
foundation of his work was laid by the assurance given to Eve in Eden： 〃Ye
shall not surely die。〃 〃In the day ye eat thereof； then your eyes shall be
opened； and ye shall be as gods； knowing good and evil。〃 Genesis 3：4； 5。
Little by little he has prepared the way for his masterpiece of deception in
the development of spiritualism。 He has not yet reached the full
accomplishment of his designs； but it will be reached in the last remnant of
time。 Says the prophet： 〃I saw three unclean spirits like frogs； 。 。 。 they
are the spirits of devils； working miracles； which go forth
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unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world； to gather them to the
battle of that great day of God Almighty。〃 Revelation 16：13； 14。 Except
those who are kept by the power of God； through faith in His word； the whole
world will be swept into the ranks of this delusion。 The people are fast
being lulled to a fatal security； to be awakened only by the outpouring of
the wrath of God。
Saith the Lord God： 〃Judgment also will I lay to the line； and righteousness
to the plummet： and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies； and the
waters shall overflow the hiding place。 And your covenant with death shall
be disannulled； and your agreement with hell shall not stand； when the
overflowing scourge shall pass through； then ye shall be trodden down by
it。〃 Isaiah 28：17； 18。
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Chapter 35
Liberty of Conscience Threatened
Romanism is now regarded by Protestants with far greater favor than in
former years。 In those countries where Catholicism is not in the ascendancy；
and the papists are taking a conciliatory course in order to gain influence；
there is an increasing indifference concerning the doctrines that separate
the reformed churches from the papal hierarchy； the opinion is gaining
ground that； after all； we do not differ so widely upon vital points as has
been supposed； and that a little concession on our part will bring us into a
better understanding with Rome。 The time was when Protestants placed a high
value upon the liberty of conscience which had been so dearly purchased。
They taught their children to abhor popery and held that to seek harmony
with Rome would be disloyalty to God。 But how widely different are the
sentiments now expressed！
The defenders of the papacy declare that the church has been maligned； and
the Protestant world are inclined to accept the statement。 Many urge that it
is unjust to judge the church of today by the abominations and absurdities
that marked her reign during the centuries of ignorance and darkness。 They
excuse her horrible cruelty as the result of the barbarism of the times and
plead that the influence of modern civilization has changed her sentiments。
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Have these persons forgotten the claim of infallibility put forth for eight
hundred years by this haughty power？ So far from being relinquished； this
claim was affirmed in the nineteenth century with greater positiveness than
ever before。 As Rome asserts that the 〃church never erred； nor will it；
according to the Scriptures； ever err〃 （John L。 von Mosheim； Institutes of
Ecclesiastical History； book 3； century II； part 2； chapter 2； section 9；
note 17）； how can she renounce the principles which governed her course in
past ages？
The papal church will never relinquish her claim to infallibility。 All that
she has done in her persecution of those who reject her dogmas she holds to
be right； and would she not repeat the same acts； should the opportunity be
presented？ Let the restraints now imposed by secular governments be removed
and Rome be reinstated in her former power； and there would speedily be a
revival of her tyranny and persecution。
A well…known writer speaks thus of the attitude of the papal hierarchy as
regards freedom of conscience； and of the perils which especially threaten
the United States from the success of her policy：
〃There are many who are disposed to attribute any fear of Roman Catholicism
in the United States to bigotry or childishness。 Such see nothing in the
character and attitude of Romanism that is hostile to our free institutions；
or find nothing portentous in its growth。 Let us； then； first compare some
of the fundamental principles of our government with those of the Catholic
Church。
〃The Constitution of the United States guarantees liberty of conscience。
Nothing is dearer or more fundamental。 Pope Pius IX； in his Encyclical
Letter of August 15； 1854； said： ‘The absurd and erroneous doctrines or
ravings in defense of liberty of conscience are a most pestilential errora
pest； of all others； most to be dreaded in a state。' The same pope； in his
Encyclical Letter of December 8； 1864； anathematized ‘those who assert the
liberty of conscience and of religious
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worship；' also 'all such as maintain that the church may not employ force。'
〃The pacific tone of Rome in the United States does not imply a change of
heart。 She is tolerant where she is helpless。 Says Bishop O'Connor：
'Religious liberty is merely endured until the opposite can be carried into
effect without peril to the Catholic world。'。 。 。 The archbishop of St。
Louis once said： 'Heresy and unbelief are crimes； and in Christian
countries； as in Italy and Spain； for instance； where all the people are
Catholics； and where the Catholic religion is an essential part of the law
of the land； they are punished as other crimes。'。 。 。
〃Every cardinal； archbishop； and bishop in the Catholic Church takes an oath
of allegiance to the pope； in which occur the following words： 'Heretics；
schismatics； and rebels to our said lord （the pope）； or his aforesaid
successors； I will to my utmost persecute and oppose。'〃Josiah Strong； Our
Country； ch。 5； pars。 2…4。
It is true that there are real Christians in the Roman Catholic communion。
Thousands in that church are serving God according to the best light they
have。 They are not allowed access to His word； and therefore they do not
discern the truth。＇* PUBLISHED IN 1888 AND 1911。 SEE APPENDIX。＇ They have
never seen the contrast between a living heart service and a round of mere
forms and ceremonies。 God looks with pitying tenderness upon these souls；
educated as they are in a faith that is delusive and unsatisfying。 He will
cause rays of light to penetrate the dense darkness that surrounds them。 He
will reveal to them the truth as it is in Jesus； and many will yet take
their position with His people。
But Romanism as a system is no more in harmony with the gospel of Christ now
than at any former period in her history。 The Protestant churches are in
great darkness； or they would discern the signs of the times。 The Roman
Church is far…reaching in her plans and modes of operation。 She is employing
every device to extend her influence and increase her power in preparation
for a fierce and determined
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conflict to regain control of the world； to re…establish persecution； and to
undo all that Protestantism has done。 Catholicism is gaining ground upon
every side。 See the increasing number of her churches and chapels in
Protestant countries。 Look at the popularity of her colleges and seminaries
in America； so widely patronized by Protestants。 Look at the growth of
ritualism in England and the frequent defections to the ranks of the
Catholics。 These things should awaken the anxiety of all who prize the pure
principles of the gospel。
Protestants have tampered with and patronized popery； they have made
compromises and concessions which papists themselves are surprised to see
and fail to understand。 Men are closing their eyes to the real character of
Romanism and the dangers to be apprehended from her supremacy。 The people
need to be aroused to resist the advances of this most dangero
