Page:The Net of Faith.pdf/399

95b* the King of Naples; he invoked anathema upon him and with him he excommunicated the whole country so that they could not even bury their dead. Such a disciple of Christ made naught of the teachings of his Master and trampled them in the dust.

Of what use is Christ to us, indeed, if the great priest, his vicar, can forgive all our sins and remit all sufferings, and sanctify us, make us just? What more can Jesus add to this? For it is only our sins that are in our way to salvation. And if the high priest forgives these, what is left to poor Jesus Christ? Why does the world neglect him and why does it not seek salvation from him? Only because this great priest has overshadowed him with his great pomp and glory received from the world, generously giving salvation in a way in which the world desires it. Wherefore the crucified Jesus is made into a laughing-stock before the world, while only the great priest is on the lips of the world which in him alone seeks salvation, believing to find it there.

Isa. 40:2.

John 1:29.

2-Thes. 2:4.

Chelc̄icky̍ has the names confused; it was not Boniface but John XXIII (Baldassare Cossa, 1410–1419) who promised indulgence to all who would take part in his crusade against King Ladislaus of Naples. Chelc̄icky̍ was probably thinking of Boniface IX ( 1389–1404).