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The Spirit of Prophecy Volume 4
their independence than they returned to obedience to the fourth
commandment.
These records of the past clearly reveal the enmity of Rome
toward the true Sabbath and its defenders, and the means which she
employs to honor the institution of her creating. The word of God
teaches that these scenes are to be repeated as papists and Protestants
shall unite for the exaltation of the Sunday. [
Revelation 13:11, 12
.
See appendix, note 8.
] For nearly forty years Sabbath reformers
have presented this testimony to the world. In the events now taking
place is seen a rapid advance toward the fulfillment of the prediction.
There is the same claim of divine authority for Sunday-keeping,
and the same lack of scriptural evidence, as in the days of papal
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supremacy. The assertion that God’s judgments are visited upon
men for their violation of the Sunday-Sabbath, will be repeated.
Already it is beginning to be urged.
Marvelous in her shrewdness and cunning is the Romish Church.
She can read what is to be. She bides her time, seeing that the
Protestant churches are paying her homage in their acceptance of the
false Sabbath, and that they are preparing to employ the very means
which she herself employed in by-gone days. Those who reject the
light of truth will yet seek the aid of this self-styled infallible power
to exalt an institution that originated with her. How readily she will
come to the help of Protestants in this work, it is not difficult to
conjecture. Who understands better than popery how to deal with
those who are disobedient to the church?
The Christian world will learn what Romanism really is, when it
is too late to escape the snare. She is silently growing into power.
Her doctrines are exerting their influence in legislative halls, in the
churches, and in the hearts of men. Throughout the land she is
piling up her lofty and massive structures, in the secret recesses of
which her former persecutions will be repeated. She is stealthily
and unsuspectedly strengthening her forces to further her own ends
when the time shall come for her to strike. All that she desires is
vantage ground, and this is soon to be given her. In the near future
we shall see and shall feel what the purpose of the Roman element
is. Whoever shall believe and obey the word of God will thereby
incur reproach and persecution.
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