180 POPERY A SYSTEM OF PRIESTCRAFT. At what does the doctrine concerning the necessity of auricular confession aim, but that thereby the priests may have a mighty awe on the consciences of all people, may dive into their secrets, may manage their lives as they please? And what does a like necessary particular absolution intend, but to set the priest in a lofty state of authority above the people, as a judge of their condition and dispenser of their salvation? Why do they equal ecclesiastical traditions with Scripture, but that on the pretence of them they may obtrude whatever doctrines, [any doctrines whatever] advantageous to their designs? What drift has thedoctrine concerning the infallibility of churches or councils, but that, when opportunity invites, he may call a com- pany of bishops together to establishwhat he likes, which ever after must pass for certain truth, to be contradicted by none; so enslaving the minds of all men to his dictates, which always suit to his interest. What does theprohibition of holy Scripture drive at, but a mono- poly of knowledge to themselves, or a detaining of people in igno- rance of truth and duty; so that they must be forced to relyon them for direction, must believe all they say, and blindly submit to their dictates, being disabled to detect their errors or contest their opinions? Why must the sacraments be celebrated, and the public devotions exercised, in an unknown tongue, but that the priests may seem to have a peculiar interest in them and ability for them? Why must the priesthood be so indispensably forbidden marriage, but that it may be whollyuntacked from the state, and rest addicted to him and governable by him,that the persons and wealth of priests may be purely at his devotion? To what end is the clogging religion by multiplication of ceremo- nies and formalities, but to amuse the people, and maintain in them a blind reverence toward the interpreters of the dark mysteries couched in them;' and by seeming to encourage an exterior show of piety, or form of godliness, to gain reputation and advantage, whereby they might oppress the interior virtue and reality of it, as the Scribes and Pharisees did, although with less [base] designs? Why is the veneration of images and relics, the credence of mira- cles and legends, the undertaking of pilgrimages and voyages to Rome, and other places more holy than ordinary, sprinklings of holy water, consecrations of baubles, with innumerable foppish knacks and trinkets, so cherished, but to keep the people in a slavish cre- dulity and dotage, apt to be led by them whither they please, by any sleeveless pretence, and in the meanwhile to pick various gains from them by such trade? I vid. Slcid., p. G73.
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