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History of the Sabbath and First Day of the Week - John N. Andrews

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eformations; yet <strong>the</strong>ir great pride <strong>and</strong> infinite<br />

pr<strong>of</strong>it, arising from purgatory, pardons, <strong>and</strong> such<br />

like, hath hindered all such reformations.<br />

Therefore, to maintain <strong>the</strong>ir greatness, errors, <strong>and</strong><br />

new articles <strong>of</strong> faith, 1. They have corrupted many<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ancient fa<strong>the</strong>rs, <strong>and</strong> reprinting <strong>the</strong>m, make<br />

<strong>the</strong>m speak as <strong>the</strong>y would have <strong>the</strong>m. ... 2. They<br />

have written many books in <strong>the</strong> names <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se<br />

ancient writers, <strong>and</strong> forged many decrees, canons,<br />

<strong>and</strong> councils, to bear false witness to <strong>the</strong>m."[11]<br />

And Wm. Reeves testifies to <strong>the</strong> same fact:--<br />

"The church <strong>of</strong> Rome has had all <strong>the</strong><br />

opportunities <strong>of</strong> time, place <strong>and</strong> power, to establish<br />

<strong>the</strong> kingdom <strong>of</strong> darkness; <strong>and</strong> that in coining,<br />

clipping, <strong>and</strong> washing, <strong>the</strong> primitive records to<br />

<strong>the</strong>ir own good liking, <strong>the</strong>y have not been wanting<br />

to <strong>the</strong>mselves, is notoriously evident."[12]<br />

The traditions <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> early church are<br />

considered by many quite as reliable as <strong>the</strong><br />

language <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Holy Scriptures. A single instance<br />

taken from <strong>the</strong> Bible will illustrate <strong>the</strong> character <strong>of</strong><br />

334

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