182 POPERY AN INCORRIGIBLE SYSTEM. then be deemed high presumption, contumacy, rebellion, to dissent from his determinations, how false soever, or tax the practices counte- nanced by him, however irregular and culpable. He will assume to himself the privilege not to be crossed in any thing ; and soon will claim infallibility, the mother ofincorrigibility. No error can be so palpable which that authoritywill not protect and shroud from confutation; no practicesso enormous which it will not palliate and guard from reproof. There will be legions of mercenary tongues to speak, and stipen- diary pens to write, in defence of its doctrines and practices; so that whoever will undertake to oppose it shall be voted, down and over- whelined with noise, and shall incur all the discouragement and per- secution imaginable. So poor truthwill become utterly defenceless, wretched virtue destitute of succour or patronage. This is so in speculation, and we see it confirmed by experience; for when, from the influence of this power, as Pope Adrian VI. in- genuously confessed, an apparent degeneracy in doctrine, in discipline, in practice, had seized on Christendom, all the world feeling it, and crying out loudly for reformation, yet how stiff a repugnance the adherents to this interest made thereto! with what industry and craft popes endeavoured to decline all means of remedy!' What will not this party do rather than acknowledge themselves mistaken or liable to error? what palliations, what shifts, do not they use? what evidence of light do they not outface? 5. The same will induce a general corruption of manners. For the chief clergy, partaking of its growth and protected by its interest, reciprocally supporting it and being sheltered by it from any curb or control, will swell into great pride and haughtiness; will be tempted to scrapeand hoard upwealth, by rapine, extortion, simony; will come to enjoy ease and sloth; will be immersed in sensuality and luxury; and will, consequently, neglect their charge. The inferiors will become enamoured and ambitious of dignity, and will use all means and arts to attain it. Thence emulation, discord, sycophantry [sycophancy], will spring. Thence all ecclesiastical offices will become venal, to be purchased by bribes, flattery, favour,' &c. The higher ranks will become fastuous, supercilious, and domi- neering. The lower will basely crouch, cog [wheedle], &c. See the description of them in S. Bernard. in Cant. Serm. xxxiii., Guicciard, in SuppL What, then, must the people be, the guides being such? ' Sleid., lib. iv. p. 82, lib. xii. p. 322; Hist. Cone. Trid., p. 24. Vid. Riv. it Castig. Nol., p. 525. Centum gravamina, 3 Vid. ipsum Greg. VII., Ep. i. 42, ii. 45.
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