The Great Controversy The Great Controversy | Page 582
55. This is in harmony with the claims regarding the power of the
Roman pontiff “that it is lawful for him to depose emperors” and
“that he can absolve subjects from their allegiance to unrighteous
rulers.”—Mosheim, b. 3, cent. 11, pt. 2, ch. 2, sec. 9, note 17. (See also
Appendix note for page 447.)
And let it be remembered, it is the boast of Rome that she never
changes. The principles of Gregory VII and Innocent III are still the
principles of the Roman Catholic Church. And had she but the power,
she would put them in practice with as much vigor now as in past
centuries. Protestants little know what they are doing when they propose
to accept the aid of Rome in the work of Sunday exaltation. While they
are bent upon the accomplishment of their purpose, Rome is aiming to
re-establish her power, to recover her lost supremacy. Let the principle
once be established in the United States that the church may employ
or control the power of the state; that religious observances may be
enforced by secular laws; in short, that the authority of church and state
is to dominate the conscience, and the triumph of Rome in this country
is assured.
God’s word has given warning of the impending danger; let this
be unheeded, and the Protestant world will learn what the purposes of
Rome really are, only when it is too late to escape the snare. She is
silently growing into power. Her doctrines are exerting their influence in
legislative halls, in the churches, and in the hearts of men. She is piling
up her lofty and massive structures in the secret recesses of which her
former persecutions will be repeated. Stealthily and unsuspectedly she
is strengthening her forces to further her own ends when the time shall
come for her to strike. All that she desires is vantage ground, and this
is already being given her. We shall soon see and shall feel what the
purpose of the Roman element is. Whoever shall believe and obey the
word of God will thereby incur reproach and persecution.
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