POPERY A SYSTEM OF PRIESTCRAFT. 179 cially according to the opinions passant and in vogue among them. To pass over those concerning thepope, his universal pastorship, judgeship in controversies, power to call councils, presidency in them, Superiority over them, right to confirm or annul them; his infallibi- lity; his double sword anddominion, direct or indirect, over princes;' his dispensing in laws, in oaths, in vows, in matrimonial cases, with all other the monstrous prerogatives which the sound doctors of Rome, with encouragement of that chair, teach, What does the doctrine concerning the exempting of the clergy from secularjurisdiction and immunityof their goods from taxes sig- nify, but their entire dependence on the pope, and their being closely tied to his interests? What is the exemption of monastical places from the jurisdiction of bishops but listing so many soldiers and advocates to defend and advance the papal empire? What means the doctrine concerning that middle region of souls, or cloister of purgatory, of which the pope holds the keys, opening and shutting it at his pleasure, by dispensation of pardons and in- dulgences, but that he must be master of the people's condition and of their purse? What means the treasure of merits and supererogatory works, of which he is the steward, but a way of driving a trade, and draw- ing money from simple people to his treasury? Whither does the entanglingof folk in perpetual vows tend, but to assure them in a slavishdependence ontheir interests eternally,without evasion or remedy, except by favourable dispensation from the pope? Why is the opus operatum in sacraments taught to confer grace, but to breed a high opinion of the priest and all he does? Whence did the monstrous doctrine of transubstantiation, urged with so furious zeal, issue, but from design to magnify the credit of those who, by saying of a few words, can make our God and Saviour; and withal, to exercise a notable instance of their power over men, in making them to renounce their reason and senses? Whither tends the doctrine concerning the mass being a propitia- tory sacrifice for the dead, but to engage men to leave in their wills good sums to offer in their behalf? Why is the cup withheld from the laity, but to lay it low by so notable a distinction, in the principal mystery of our religion, from the priesthood? Why is saying private mass, or celebrating the communion in soli- tude, allowed, but because priests are paid for it and live by it? Pasce, id est, regio more impera. Ecee duos gladios. Oravi ne deficeres. "Feed," i. e., rule as a king. " Behold two swords.° " I have prayed that thou fail not."
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