faithful builders upon the true foundation . ( 1 Corinthians 3:10 , 11 ) were perplexed and hindered as the rubbish of false doctrine obstructed the work . Like the builders upon the wall of Jerusalem in Nehemiah ' s day , some were ready to say : " The strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed , and there is much rubbish ; so that we are not able to build ." Nehemiah 4:10 .
Wearied with the constant struggle against persecution , fraud , iniquity , and every other obstacle that Satan could devise to hinder their progress , some who had been faithful builders became disheartened ; and for the sake of peace and security for their property and their lives , they turned away from the true foundation . Others , undaunted by the opposition of their enemies , fearlessly declared : " Be not ye afraid of them : remember the Lord , which is great and terrible " ( verse 14 ); and they proceeded with the work , everyone with his sword girded by his side . Ephesians 6:17 . The same spirit of hatred and opposition to the truth has inspired the enemies of God in every age , and the same vigilance and fidelity have been required in His servants . The words of Christ to the first disciples are applicable to His followers to the close of time : " What I say unto you I say unto all , Watch ." Mark 13:37 .
The darkness seemed to grow moredense . Image worship became more general . Candles were burned before images , and prayers were offered to them . The most absurd and superstitious customs prevailed . The minds of men were so completely controlled by superstition that reason itself seemed to have lost its sway . While priests and bishops were themselves pleasure-loving , sensual , and corrupt , it could only be expected that the people who looked to them for guidance would be sunken in ignorance and vice . Another step in papal assumption was taken , when , in the eleventh century , Pope Gregory VII proclaimed the perfection of the Roman Church . Among the propositions which he put forth was one declaring that the church had never erred , nor would it ever err , according to the Scriptures . But the Scripture proofs did not accompany the assertion . The proud pontiff also claimed the power to depose emperors , and declared that no sentence which he pronounced could be reversed by anyone , but that it was his prerogative to reverse the decisions of all others . ( See Appendix .)
A striking illustration of the tyrannical character of this advocate of infallibility was given in his treatment of the German emperor , Henry IV . For presuming to disregard the pope ' s authority , this monarch was declared to be excommunicated and dethroned . Terrified by the desertion and threats of his own princes , who were encouraged in rebellion against him by the papal mandate , Henry felt the necessity of making his peace with Rome . In company with his wife and a faithful servant he crossed the Alps in midwinter , that he might humble himself before the pope . Upon reaching the castle whither Gregory had withdrawn , he was conducted ,
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