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

REAL ORIGIN OF TEMPORAL SUPREMACY. 55" Rome raised her throne," to use D'Aubigne's words, " betweentwo revolts." On the one side Italy threw off theyoke of the eastern emperors; on the other, France discardedher ancient dynasty, and both revolts M-erezealously encouragedand formally sanctioned by the popes. It is difficultto say which of the two,—the Greek schism or the Gallicusurpation,—contributed most to elevate the Papacy to temporalsovereignty.Such is the real origin of the Pope''s power. Accordingto his own claim, it is of heaven ;but history refuses to letthe claim pass current, and points unequivocally to a differentquarter as the source of his prerogative. Of the twobranches of his power,—the sacerdotal and the regal,—it ishard to determine which is the most disreputable and infamousin its beginnings. His mitre he had from the murdererPhocas ; his crown from the usurper Pepin. A spotlessand noble lineage forsooth ! The pontifical trunk hasone stem rooted rankly in blood, and the other foullygrafted on rebellion. As a priest, the Pope is qualifiedto minister in the ensanguined temples of JNIoloch ; as asovereign, his title is indisputable to act the satrap underthe arch-rebel and " anarch old." No one can glance amoment at the contour of his character, as seen in history,without feeling that theis that of the Antichrist.hideous likeness on which he gazesEvery line of his visage, every passageof his history, is full of antagonism, is the very counterpart,of that of the Saviour."All these things will I give thee,"said the tempter to Christ in the wilderness, " if thou wiltfall down and worship me."" Get thee hence, Satan," wasthe reply. The fiend returned after three hundred years,and, leading the pontiff to the summit of the Roman hill,showed him " all the kingdoms of the world and the glory ofthem."" All these," said he, " will I give thee, if thou wiltfdll down and worship me." No second denial awaited thetempter : instantly the knee was bent, and the pontiff raisedhis head crowned with the tiara. Twice has Christianitybeen crowned in bitter derision and mockery of her cha-