Protestantism in Sweden and Denmark - James Aitken Wylie

in bold relief before the world as the opponent of
Rome, than disaster after disaster came hurrying
towards the Papacy, as if in haste to weaken and
destroy a power which stood between the world
entrance of the new age.
Let us bestow a moment on the consideration
of this series of calamities to Rome, but of
emancipation to the nations. At the distance of
three centuries we see continuous and systematic
progress, where the observer in the midst of the
events may have failed to discover aught save
confusion and turmoil. First came the schism of the
Popes. What tremendous loss of both political
influence and moral prestige the schism inflicted
on the Papacy we need not say. Next came the
deposition of several Popes by the Council of Pisa
and Constance, on the ground of their being
notorious malefactors, leaving the world to wonder
at the rashness of men who could thus cast down
their own idol, and publicly vilify a sanctity which
they professed to regard as not less immaculate
than that of God.
29