Page:Readings in European History Vol 2.djvu/116

 78 Readings in European History Lso ] has not The third wall : the exclusive right of the pope to summon a council. contains so many heretical and unchristian — nay, unnatural — laws ; but of them we need not speak at present. For since the Romanists claim that the Holy Ghost never leaves them, however wicked and ignorant they may be, they grow bold enough to decree whatever they like. But were this true, where were the need or use of the Holy Scriptures ? Let us burn them and content ourselves instead with the unlearned gentlemen at Rome in whom dwells the Holy Ghost, who nevertheless is wont to dwell only in pious souls! If I had not read about it, I would never have believed that the devil could do such stupid things in Rome and still find a following ! But that we fight not with our own words, let us bring forth the Scriptures. St. Paul says : " If any thing be re- vealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace" (i Cor. xiv. 30). What would be the use of this command- ment if we were to believe him alone who speaks first or sits in the highest seat ? ^Christ himself says that all Christians shall be taught of God (John vi. 45). But it may come to pass that the pope and his followers are wicked men, with- out true understanding, neither true Christians nor taught of God, whereas some common man may have true under- standing. Why, then, should we not follow him? Has not the pope often been in error ? Who is to help Christianity when the pope errs if we are not to believe another who has the Scriptures for him ? . . . In olden times Abraham was forced to listen to Sarah, though she was far more strictly subject to him than we are now to any one on earth. Even so Balaam's ass was wiser than the prophet himself. If God has spoken against a prophet through an ass, why should he _not still speak through a good man against the pope ? The third wall falls of itself as soon as the first two have fallen; for if the pope acts contrary to the Scriptures, we are bound to stand by the Scriptures and to punish and restrain him, in accordance with Christ's commandment (Matt, xviii. 15). . . . Moreover there is nothing in the Scrip- tures to show that the pope has the sole right to summon and confirm a council ; the Romanists have nothing but their