The Great Controversy The Great Controversy | Page 59

feet, and in a miserable dress, he awaited the pope’s permission to come
into his presence. Not until he had continued three days fasting and
making confession, did the pontiff condescend to grant him pardon.
Even then it was only upon condition that the emperor should await the
sanction of the pope before resuming the insignia or exercising the power
of royalty. And Gregory, elated with his triumph, boasted that it was his
duty to pull down the pride of kings.
How striking the contrast between the overbearing pride of this
haughty pontiff and the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who
represents Himself as pleading at the door of the heart for admittance,
that He may come in to bring pardon and peace, and who taught His
disciples: “Whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant.”
Matthew 20:27.
The advancing centuries witnessed a constant increase of error in the
doctrines put forth from Rome. Even before the establishment of the
papacy the teachings of heathen philosophers had received attention 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. Serious errors were thus introduced
into the Christian faith. Prominent among these was the belief in man’s
natural immortality and his consciousness in death. This doctrine laid
the foundation upon which Rome established the invocation of saints
and the adoration of the Virgin Mary. From this sprang 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,

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