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From Here to Forever
the payment of large sums to the church—these were enjoined to
appease the wrath of God or to secure His favor.
About the close of the eighth century, papists put forth the claim
that in the first ages of the church the bishops of Rome had possessed
the same spiritual power which they now assumed. Ancient writings
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were forged by monks. Decrees of councils before unheard of were
discovered, establishing the universal supremacy of the pope from
the earliest times.
The few faithful builders upon the sure foundation (
1 Corinthians
3:10, 11
) were perplexed. Wearied with the constant struggle against
persecution, fraud, and every other obstacle that Satan could devise,
some who had been faithful became disheartened. For the sake of
peace and security for their property and their lives, they turned away
from the sure foundation. Others were undaunted by the opposition
of their enemies.
Image worship became general. Candles were burned before
images and prayers offered to them. The most absurd customs
prevailed. Reason itself seemed to have lost its sway. While priests
and bishops were themselves pleasure-loving and corrupt, the people
who looked to them for guidance would be sunken in ignorance and
vice.
In the eleventh century, Pope Gregory VII proclaimed that the
church had never erred, nor would it ever err, according to the Scrip-
tures. But Scripture proofs did not accompany the assertion. The
proud pontiff also claimed power to depose emperors. An illustration
of the tyrannical character of this advocate of infallibility was his
treatment of the German emperor, Henry IV. For, presuming to dis-
regard the pope’s authority, this monarch was excommunicated and
dethroned. His own princes were encouraged in rebellion against
him by the papal mandate.
Henry felt the necessity of making peace with Rome. With his
wife and faithful servant he crossed the Alps in midwinter, that he
might humble himself before the pope. Upon reaching Gregory’s
castle, he was conducted into an outer court. There, in the severe
cold of winter, with uncovered head and naked feet, he awaited
the pope’s permission to come into his presence. Not until he had
continued three days fasting and making confession, did the pontiff
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grant him pardon. Even then it was only upon condition that the