POPISH EXALTATION by Mr. Goring

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 7, 1876

POPISH EXALTATION.

By Mr. Goring

Jesus Christ, as one of his last acts, left mankind this new law: “Love one another, as I have loved you; by this shall all men know that ye are my disciples.” Popery hates all that are not of its communion, and condemns them soul and body to the pit. The blessed Saviour declared his kingdom was not of this world, being spiritual; that he judged no man, but that the words he uttered should judge them in the last day. The popes claim the dominion of the whole world, spiritual and temporal; they wear a triple crown, and pretend to judge all men.

The Saviour, previous to his death, condescended to wash his disciples’ feet, assuring them they should have no part with him unless they submitted to it. The popes, so far from submitting to this lesson of humility, arrogantly permit their followers to kiss their feet.

Our blessed Lord claimed not a spot on earth, nor had he a place where to lay his head; to him, sufficient for the day was the evil thereof, both with respect to food and raiment,—not so the popes: from their votaries they extort the scanty gains of the sweat of their brows; they go gorgeously attired, and fare sumptuously every day. Our Saviour freely pardoned the sins of his penitent creatures without fee or reward—the popes presume to pardon sins; nay, grant indulgences for committing more; but it is for money and sordid lucre.

Can any find a resemblance in these two characters? Is not the counterfeit easily discovered? And will not men blush with shame when they see how grossly they have been deluded by this deceiver. Let them but fairly read the gospel of Jesus Christ; they will there find he delegated his power to no man in the way the popes claim it, and that he alone is the intercessor between God and man, and no man can approach God but through him.—Extract from Mr. Goring’s “Thoughts on the Revelation.”