Popery condemned by scripture and the fathers - End Time Deception

200 POPERY CONDEMNED BY
has invented an improvement, by prohibiting'
the latter, except in particular cases, from using
freely this advantageous book. The pastors
pretended to find, that a practical use of the
scriptures was productive of consequences inconsistent
with the designs of God in giving this
revelation of his will ; and therefore, with all
Popish humility, they altered his arrangement
'^
Seeing it is manifest by experience^ says the
Council of Trent, " that if the holy bible be
" permitted to be read every where without dif-
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ference in the vulgar tongue, more 'harm than
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benefit results thence through the rashness of
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men ; let it therefore be at the pleasure of
" the bishop or inquisitor, with the advice of
" the parish clerk or confessor, to grant the
**
reading of the bible, translated by catholic
" authors, to those, who, in their opinion, will
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thereby receive an increase of faith and piety.
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This licence, let them have in writing ; and
" whoever shall, presume, without permission,
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to read or possess such bibles, may not re-
" ceive the absolution of his sins, till he has re-
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turned them to the ordinary *."
This was caring for the souls of the simple in
a very high degree ; and these reverend ecclesiastics
ought to receive due praise, for their affection.
At the same time, the whole truth
should be told ; and this the reader will find ia
the
* Regula 4. List of prohibited Ecokr.