The Great Controversy The Great Controversy | Page 78

of the pope. For this crime every humiliation, insult, and torture that
men or devils could invent was heaped upon them.
When Rome at one time determined to exterminate the hated sect, a
bull was issued by the pope, condemning them as heretics, and delivering
them to slaughter. (See Appendix.) They were not accused as idlers, or
dishonest, or disorderly; but it was declared that they had an appearance
of piety and sanctity that seduced “the sheep of the true fold.” Therefore
the pope ordered “that malicious and abominable sect of malignants,”
if they “refuse to abjure, to be crushed like venomous snakes.”—Wylie,
b. 16, ch. 1. Did this haughty potentate expect to meet those words
again? Did he know that they were registered in the books of heaven, to
confront him at the judgment? “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of
the least of these My brethren,” said Jesus, “ye have done it unto Me.”
Matthew 25:40.
This bull called upon all members of the church to join the crusade
against the heretics. As an incentive to engage in this cruel work,
it “absolved from all ecclesiastical pains and penalties, general and
particular; it released all who joined the crusade from any oaths they
might have taken; it legitimatized their title to any property they might
have i llegally acquired; and promised remission of all their sins to such
as should kill any heretic. It annulled all contracts made in favor of
Vaudois, ordered their domestics to abandon them, forbade all persons
to give them any aid whatever, and empowered all persons to take
possession of their property.”—Wylie, b. 16, ch. 1. This document
clearly reveals the master spirit behind the scenes. It is the roar of the
dragon, and not the voice of Christ, that is heard therein.
The papal leaders would not conform their characters to the great
standard of God’s law, but erected a standard to suit themselves, and
determined to compel all to conform to this because Rome willed it. The
most horrible tragedies were enacted. Corrupt and blasphemous priests
and popes were doing the work which Satan appointed them. Mercy had

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