Popery condemned by scripture and the fathers - End Time Deception

M-0 POPERY CO.nDEiMNED HY
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either read or know how to read the hoiy
" scriptures. . . . They have never touched any
" other part of the Bible than the cover, though
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they swear at their instahiient that they know
" it all * :" And, says the same avithor, " The
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Church, which Jesus Christ has chosen for
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his spouse without spot- and blemish, is in
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these days a warehouse of ambition and busi-
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ness, of theft and rapine. The sacraments,
" and all orders, even that of (he priests, are
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exposed fo sale. For money, they bestow fa-
' vours, dispensations, licences, offices, and be-
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nefices. They sell the pardon of sins, masses,
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and the very administration of our Lord's bo-
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dy. If any person desire a bishoprick, he
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need only get himself furnished with money;
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yet not a little sum, but a great one, must
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purchase such a great title. He need only
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empty his purse to obtain the dignity which he
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seeks ; but he may soon fill it again advan-
' tageously, by more ways than one. If any
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one wish to be made a prebendary or a priest
" of any church, or to have any other charge,
" it is of no consequence whether his merit, his
" life, or his manners be known ; but it is very
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requisite that it should be known, how much
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money he has gotten ; for his hopes will sue-
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ceed only in proportion to his cash f."
" The Court of Rome," says Eneas Sylvius,
" gives
* De Coir. Stat. Eccles. f
De Presu!.