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Character and Aims of the Papacy
261
Many urge that the intellectual and moral darkness prevailing during
the Middle Ages favored the spread of her dogmas, superstitions,
and oppression, and that the greater intelligence of modern times,
the general diffusion of knowledge, and the increasing liberality in
matters of religion, forbid a revival of intolerance and tyranny. The
very thought that such a state of things will exist in this enlightened
age is ridiculed. It is true that great light, intellectual, moral, and
religious, is shining upon this generation. In the open pages of God’s
holy word, light from Heaven has been shed upon the world. But
it should be remembered that the greater the light bestowed, the
greater the darkness of those who pervert or reject it.
A prayerful study of the Bible would show Protestants the real
character of the papacy, and would cause them to abhor and to shun
it; but men are so wise in their own conceit that they feel no need of
humbly seeking God that they may be led into the truth. Although
priding themselves on their enlightenment, they are ignorant both
of the Scriptures and of the power of God. They must have some
means of quieting their consciences; and they seek that which is least
spiritual and humiliating. What they desire is a method of forgetting
God which shall pass as a method of remembering him. The papacy
is well adapted to meet the wants of all these. It is prepared for two
classes of mankind, embracing nearly the whole world,—those who
would be saved by their merits, and those who would be saved in
their sins. Here is the secret of its power.
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A day of great intellectual darkness has been shown to be fa-
vorable to the success of popery. It will yet be demonstrated that
a day of great intellectual light is equally favorable for its success.
In past ages, when men were without God’s word, and without the
knowledge of the truth, their eyes were blindfolded, and thousands
were ensnared, not seeing the net spread for their feet. In this gen-
eration there are many whose eyes become dazzled by the glare of
human speculations, “science falsely so called;” they discern not the
net, and walk into it as readily as if blindfolded. God designed that
man’s intellectual powers should be held as a gift from his Maker,
and employed in the service of truth and righteousness; but when
they are idolized, and laid upon the shrine of Satan to be employed
in the service of a false religion, then intelligence can accomplish
greater harm than ignorance.