Page:Apocalypse Revealed Vol I.djvu/19

Rh of the apostle Peter, and vicar of Jesus Christ, the head of the church, and the universal bishop; that he is superior to councils; that he hath the keys for opening and shutting heaven, consequently the power of remitting and retaining sins; that therefore he, as keeper of the keys of everlasting life, hath a right at once to earthly and heavenly empire; that moreover bishops and priests have such a power from him, because it was given also to the rest of the apostles, and that therefore they are called ministers of the keys. That it belongs to the church to judge of the true sense and interpretation of the sacred scriptures, and that they who oppose them are to suffer punishments established by law. That it is not proper for the laity to read the sacred scriptures, because the sense of them is only known to the church: thence its ministers boast that it is known to them."

X. The above doctrinals are selected from their councils and bulls, particularly from the council of Trent, and the papal bull confirming it, wherein all who think, believe, and act contrary to what was there decreed, which in general is as above adduced, are condemned to be excommunicated.