Character and Aims of the Papacy
473
It is not without reason that the claim has been put forth in Protes-
tant countries, that Catholicism differs less widely from Protestantism
than in former times. There has been a change; but the change is not in
the papacy. Catholicism indeed resembles much of the Protestantism
that now exists, because Protestantism has so greatly degenerated since
the days of the reformers.
As the Protestant churches have been seeking the favor of the
world, false charity has blinded their eyes. They do not see but that it
is right to believe good of all evil; and as the inevitable result, they will
finally believe evil of all good. Instead of standing in defense of the
faith once delivered to the saints, they are now, as it were, apologizing
to Rome for their uncharitable opinion of her, begging pardon for their
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bigotry.
A large class, even of those who look upon Romanism with no
favor, apprehend little danger from her power and influence. 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 many 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