Romanism and Protestantism
By Philip Schaff
ROMANISM makes all of the church; Protestantism makes all of Christ. The one measures Christianity by Catholicity; the other measures Catholicity by Christianity. The one knows only a visible church ruled by the pope; the other puts the invisible church ruled by Christ above all visible churches. Romanism obstructs man's relation to God by interposing traditions and saints; Protestantism brings man into direct communion with God through Christ the only Mediator. Romanism appeals to the voice of the popes and councils; Protestantism, to the Word of God. Romanism overrules the Bible by the traditions of men, and restrains its circulation; Protestantism spreads it in all languages over the world. Romanism makes justification dependent on faith and good works; Protestantism, solely on the grace of God as apprehended by a living faith, which manifests its power by good works. Romanism in its worship appeals to the senses and the imagination; Protestantism, to the intellect and the conscience. Romanism is a religion of priests; Protestantism, the religion of a self-governing Christian people. Romanism is a religion of authority, and at heart opposed to civil and religious liberty; Protestantism is a religion of freedom, and the pioneer of modern Christian civilization, especially in all Western lands, whither "the star of empire takes its course."— Philip Schaff, D.D., in Johnson's "Universal Encyclopedia," Art. "Roman Catholic Church."