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Mystery of Iniquity
259
They were taught not only to look to the pope as their mediator
but to trust to works of their own to atone for sin. Long pilgrimages,
acts of penance, the worship of relics, the erection of churches,
shrines, and altars, the payment of large sums to the church—these
and many similar acts were enjoined to appease the wrath of God or
to secure his favor; as if God were like men, to be angered at trifles,
or pacified by gifts or acts of penance!
The advancing centuries witnessed a constant increase of error
in the doctrines put forth from Rome. Even before the establishment
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of the Papacy, the teachings of heathen philosophers had received at-
tention and exerted an influence in the church. Many who professed
conversion still clung to the tenets of their pagan philosophy, and
not only continued its study themselves but urged it upon others as a
means of extending their influence among the heathen. Thus were
serious errors introduced into the Christian faith. Prominent among
these was the belief in man’s natural immortality and his conscious-
ness in death. This doctrine laid the foundation upon which Rome
established the invocation of saints and the adoration of the virgin
Mary. From this sprung also the heresy of eternal torment for the
finally impenitent, which was early incorporated into the papal faith.
Then the way was prepared for the introduction of still another
invention of paganism, which Rome named purgatory, and employed
to terrify the credulous and superstitious multitudes. By this heresy
is affirmed the existence of a place of torment, in which the souls of
such as have not merited eternal damnation are to suffer punishment
for their sins, and from which, when freed from impurity, they are
admitted to heaven.
Still another fabrication was needed to enable Rome to profit
by the fears and the vices of her adherents. This was supplied by
the doctrine of indulgences. Full remission of sins, past, present,
and future, and release from all the pains and penalties incurred,
were promised to all who would enlist in the pontiff’s wars to extend
his temporal dominion, to punish his enemies, or to exterminate
those who dared deny his spiritual supremacy. The people were
also taught that by the payment of money to the church they might
free themselves from sin and also release the souls of their deceased
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friends who were confined in the tormenting flames. By such means
did Rome fill her coffers and sustain the magnificence, luxury, and