The-papacy-its-history-dogmas-genius-and-prospects-wylie

;REAL AUTHOR OF PAPACY. 399velopment of which they are capable ; it combines and arrangesthem with exquisite skill, and thus enables them toact with the greatest effect. It is the most powerful organizationthat ever existed on the side of error and againstthe truth. When perfected, the once humble pastor ofE-ome occupied a seat which rose not merely above the thronesof earth, but above the throne of the Eternal. In Ms exaltationSatan recognised his own exaltation. The reignof the servant was the reign of the master. The Pope wasSatan's vicar, and Satan therefore had withheld nothingthat could strengthen his power or enhance his magnificence.He enthroned him on the wealth and dominion ofEurope ; he commanded kings to obey him, and all nationsto serve him ; he did more for him than he had done forthe greatest of his servants before ; he did more for himthan he will ever be able to do again for the best beloved ofhis servants ; he literally did his all, because the emergencywas ffreat.Let us take this into account when we contemplatethe surpassing state and dazzling magnificence of thesemasters of the world. It is the very utmost which evenLucifer can do for a mortal. Like Judas, the pontiff hadbetrayed his lord, and behold the reward !—all the kingdomsof the world and the glory of them.In speaking of the genius of the Papacy, it is necessaryto distinguish between the real though invisible author ofPopery, which is Satan, and the secondary and visible author,that is, the Pope. Viewing the system as emanating fromSatan, its genius is of course that of its invisible author.He has thrown into it his whole intellect. Just as thework of i-edemption is an exhibition of the character of God,and comes stamped with the glorious perfections of Hisnature, so the Papacy is an exhibition of the character ofSatan : it is stamped with the great qualities of his mindand in studying the Papacy, we are just contem.platingthose powerful but malignant attributes with which thismysterious spirit is endowed. We gaze into the abyss ofthe Satanic soul. But, to speak more strictly, the key of