CHAPTER XXI.

Roman Despotism.

EVERY one familiarly acquainted with the past history of the Roman Catholic Church, and unbiassed by prejudice or interest, must have been deeply impressed with the absolute despotism that has been inaugurated and maintained with all the attendants of the most unscrupulous policy of a worldly ambition, by her, during the whole period of her greatest prosperity. Popes and Councils have seemed to vie with each other in seeking to crush out every appearance of liberal principles, or independence among the nations of the earth, to the extent of their power. In violation of the plainest teachings of Christ, they have claimed authority from heaven to overturn every kingdom that should dare to oppose their extravagant assumptions, and to bring all men into subordination to their iron yoke.

Pope Boniface VIII., in a bull called Unam Sanctum, utters the following language: "We declare and determine it a principle absolutely necessary to salvation that all human beings are subject to the Pope." And mind you, this subjection is not merely ecclesiastical subjection,

but is intended to include political subjection also, entire and complete. The same Pope in a letter addressed to Philip, King of France, declares "that all kings and persons whatever, and the King of France as well as others, by divine command owe perfect obedience to the Roman pontiff; and this not merely in religious matters, but likewise in secular and human affairs." In the Dictates drawn up by Pope Gregory VII., it is declared among other things that "it is lawful for the Pope to depose emperors, and absolve subjects from their allegiance to unrighteous rulers." Pope Martin V., in sending ambassadors to Constantinople, headed their instructions as follows: "THE MOST HOLY AND MOST BLESSED, WHO IS LORD ON EARTH, THE MASTER OF THE UNIVERSAL WORLD, THE MOST HIGH AND SOVEREIGN BISHOP, MARTIN, BY DIVINE PROVIDENCE," &c.

Such is in perfect harmony with the blasphemous salutations of Romanists, "Noster Dominus Deus papa." The Lord our God the Pope, as they bow down and kiss his feet. What is this but accepting divine honor?

These absurd pretensions and ungodly assumptions, have been rigidly carried out to the utmost extent of their power, by thundering the dire and tremendous anathemas on the heads of all who ventured to think for themselves, or question their right to rule the world. While

they profess to be the Vicegerents of Christ, who declared his kingdom not of this world, they have sought not only to lord it over God's heritage, but to rule with a rod of iron over all the kingdoms of the earth.

The haughty pretensions of Pope Innocent III., are unsurpassed for pride, arrogance and lordly utterances. In his coronation sermon he said: "Now you may see who is the servant who is placed over the family of the Lord; truly is he the Vicar of Jesus Christ, the successor of Peter, the Christ of the Lord, the God of Pharaoh; placed in the middle between God and man, on this side of God, but beyond man ; less than God but greater than man; who judges all, but is judged of none." Here we have the incarnation of the most despotic assumtions that it is possible for a man to avow. Nor was this mere empty declamation. He created kings both in Europe and Asia according to his pleasure. In Asia he gave a king to the Armenians. In Europe he conferred the honors of royalty on Primislaus, the Duke of Bohemia; and also by his legate he placed a royal crown on Johannicius, duke of the Bulgarians; and in person, crowned at Rome, Peter II. of Aragon.

It is almost incredible to read the terror and consternation that were excited among all ranks in the middle ages by Papal maledictions and excommunications.

Among those who fell under the displeasure of the Popes may be named the Emperor Henry IV., and also Henry VI., Emperor; Leopold, Duke of Austria; Alphonson X., King of Galicia; Philip Augustus, King of France; Frederick II., Emperor of Germany; Philip the Fair, King of France; Lewis XII., also King of France; John and Henry VIII., both Kings of England; also Queen Elizabeth; Joan, Queen of Navarre; and Basilius, King of Poland.

Henry IV., Emperor of Germany, was formally deposed by Pope Gregory VII., and his subjects absolved from their oath of allegiance to him as their sovereign in the following language:

"For the dignity and defense of God's holy Church, in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, I depose from imperial and royal administration, King Henry, son of Henry, some time Emperor, who too boldly and rashly laid hands on the Church. I absolve all Christians subject to the Empire from that oath, whereby they were wont to plight their faith unto true kings; for it is right that he should be deprived of dignity who doth endeavor to diminish the majesty of the Church."

As this did not bring the king to terms, the Pope three years after pronounced another terrible curse upon him.

The same calamity was visited upon Frederick II., another German Emperor, by Pope Innocent IV. When Basilius, King of Poland,

was hurled from his throne by Pope Gregory VII., he not only dissolved the oath of allegiance of his subjects, but by imperious edict, prohibited the nobles and clergy from electing a new king without his consent. Pope Paul III. deposed Henry VIII., King of England, after this style: "I absolve all his subjects from their oath of allegiance to him, and command them all, under pain of excommunication, not to obey him, nor any officer under him."

In about the same style was Queen Elizabeth of England cursed, and excommunicated by Pius V., because she dared to be a Protestant. The anathema, which was pronounced in the following language, shows at once the unbounded despotism and wrath that governed him:

"We (the Pope,) declare her to be deprived of her pretended title to the kingdom aforesaid, and all dominion, dignity and privilege whatsoever, and also the nobility, subjects and people of said kingdom, and all others which have in any sort sworn unto her; to be forever absolved from any such manner of duty, dominiou, allegiance, and obedience; as we also do by these presents absolve them, and deprive Elizabeth of her pretended title to the kingdom, and all other things above said. And we command and interdict all and every, the noblemen, subjects and people, and others aforesaid, that they presume not to obey her, or her monitions, mandates or laws. And those that shall do contrary we include in the same sentence of condemnation."

And be it remembered that these anathemas were not merely harmless invectives to be de