God, but in the very
heart and throughout the extent of Christendom, we have only to look at
the history of Romanism. Through this mammoth system of deception the
prince of evil achieves his purpose of bringing dishonor to God and
wretchedness to man. And as we see how he succeeds in disguising himself,
and accomplishing his work through the leaders of the church, we may
better understand why he has so great antipathy to the Bible. If that book
is read, the mercy and love of God will be revealed; it will be seen that
He lays upon men none of these heavy burdens. All that He asks is a broken
and contrite heart, a humble, obedient spirit.

Christ gives no example in His life for men and women to shut themselves
in monasteries in order to become fitted for heaven. He has never taught
that love and sympathy must be repressed. The Saviour's heart overflowed
with love. The nearer man approaches to moral perfection, the keener are
his sensibilities, the more acute is his perception of sin, and the deeper
his sympathy for the afflicted. The pope claims to be the vicar of Christ;
but how does his character bear comparison with that of our Saviour? Was
Christ ever known to consign men to the prison or the rack because they
did not pay Him homage as the King of heaven? Was His voice heard
condemning to death those who did not accept Him? When He was slighted by
the people of a Samaritan village, the apostle John was filled with
indignation, and inquired, "Lord, wilt Thou that we command fire to come
down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?" Jesus looked with
pity upon His disciple, and rebuked his harsh spirit, saying, "The Son of
man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them."(1004) How
different from the spirit manifested by Christ is that of His professed
vicar.

The Roman Church now presents a fair front to the world, covering with
apologies her record of horrible cruelties. She has clothed herself in
Christlike garments; but she is unchanged. Every principle of the papacy
that existed in past ages exists to-day. The doctrines devised in the
darkest ages are still held. Let none deceive themselves. The papacy that
Protestants are now so ready to honor is the same that ruled the world in
the days of the Reformation, when men of God stood up, at the peril of
their lives, to expose her iniquity. She possesses the same pride and
arrogant assumption that lorded it over kings and princes, and claimed the
pr