The Great Controversy The Great Controversy | Page 564
Chap. 35 - Liberty of Conscience
Threatened
Romanism is now regarded by Protestants with far greater favor than
in former years. In those countries where Catholicism is not in the
ascendancy, and the papists are taking a conciliatory course in order
to gain influence, there is an increasing indifference concerning the
doctrines that separate the reformed churches from the papal hierarchy;
the opinion is gaining ground that, after all, we do not differ so widely
upon vital points as has been supposed, and that a little concession on
our part will bring us into a better understanding with Rome. The time
was when Protestants placed a high value upon the liberty of conscience
which had been so dearly purchased. They taught their children to abhor
popery and held that to seek harmony with Rome would be disloyalty to
God. But how widely different are the sentiments now expressed!
The defenders of the papacy declare that the church has been
maligned, and the Protestant world are inclined to accept the statement.
Many urge that it is unjust to judge the church of today by the
abominations and absurdities that marked her reign during the centuries
of ignorance and darkness. They excuse her horrible cruelty as the result
of the barbarism of the times and plead that the influence of modern
civilization has changed her sentiments.
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