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

4J2GENIUS OF THE PAPACY.rank, it presents a Church moulded on the pattern of earthlymonarchies,—an imposing hierarchy, rising in successiveranks, throne above throne, from the barefooted friar up toChrises vicar. To the man who is capable of being captivatedwith only an outward religion, here is a worship tohis heart''s content,—a gorgeous ritual, performed amidstthe glories of architecture, of statuary, and of painting,amid the perfume of incense, the glare of lamps, and theswell of noble music.There is no revelation of God's holiness;there are no humbling views of the sinner''s unworthinessand guilt comnmnicated; everything is so contriven aspowerfully to stir, not the conscience, which is left in itsprofound sleep, but the imagination ;and to gratify, not thelongings of the spiritual nature, which do not exist, butthe cravings of the senses.In short, every ingredient thatcould intoxicate and madden, that could weaken reason anddrown the man in delirium, has Rome mixed in her " witch'scauldron." The figure is almost apocalyptic,—the cup ofsorcery.To that large class of mankind who seek to reconciletheir hopes of heaven with theindulgence of their passions,the religion of Popery is admirably adapted. The religionof Rome is not a principle, but a ritual ; and the observanceof that ritual will secure heaven, let the morals of the manbe ever so corrupt. It is not necessary to part with anysin ; no change of heart, no progress in holiness, is required;obedience to the Church is the one cardinal virtue. Thewant of this alone can damn a man.More lax and pliantthan even Mahommedanism or Hinduism, there is not aceremonial rite nor a moral duty in the system of Poperyfrom which a few gold pieces may not purchase a dispensation.It is the most demoralizing of all idolatries. Itspares the indolent man the trouble of inquiry, by presentinghim with the infallibility. In fact, it makes his indolencea virtue, and thus, by sanctifying his vices, makes him morecompletely its slave. But farther, there is a lurking dispositionin the heart of man to claim heaven as a debt due,