Popery condemned by scripture and the fathers - End Time Deception

SCRIPTURE AND THE FATHERS. 75
R. would wish it believed, that Pope Victor's
authority was acknowledged by the excommunicated
bishops and the whole Church ;
and also,
that this strong measure produced a more regular
observance of Easter :
" His severity," says
he, " put a stop to the progress of the evi!, his
" authority was never called in question *."
But nothing can be farther from the truth
than
both these assertions. These excommunicated
bishops disregarded equally the Pope and his
sentence ;
and the other bishops of the Church,
instead of acquiescing in his judgement, and
withdrawing from
to rebuke him,
their communion, combined
as a disturber of the peace.
Such views did they entertain at that time of
the infallibility and supremacy of the Romish
Church ; and yet the R. presumes to say, that
they entertained no doubt of the validity of the
act ! As yet the thunder of Popes was not armed
with all its terrors. They could neither toast
the refractory with fire and faggot,
nor disseminate
discord among neighbours, rebellion in
kingdoms ; and therefore, their unjust decisions
were treated with contempt. So little did the
primitive bishops consider a Pope's excommunication
as a decisive proof of his supreme autho-
I'ity, that they never failed to use this weapon
against himself upon just occasions. Had the R.
ever seen the writings of some of these Fathers
* P. 200.
which