| 140 had prevailed for two centuries in all parts of the known earth. The monks had increased to an almost incredible number, and their whole business was to defraud and cheat the public. We are told that at the death of St. Martin, 2000 monks accompanied his remains to the grave.
In the thirteenth century, Gregory reduced the monks to four societies; but the Mendicants (established by Innocent III) were the most popular, insomuch [inasmuch], that we are informed it was very common for the laity to request in their last wills, that their bodies might be wrapped in the rags of some monk, and buried among the Mendicants.
Marsh says, in his Ecclesiastical History, "To give a full account of all the operations, corruptions, superstitions, frauds, and enormities of the monks; their bitter animosities and contentions, would require volumes. Their history sickens the heart. To see men under pretence [pretense] of great devotedness to God, leading the most loathsome, filthy lives, sometimes casting off all clothing, and going on all fours, like beasts * * * Their bodies covered with vermin; eating, of choice, the most nauceous [nauseous] food; wearing heavy chains; fastening grates upon their breasts, and backs; * * * flogging themselves with thorn sticks, and otherwise mutilating themselves, till they frequently expired; and these men commanding reverence and homage as the saints-holy ones. What can be more revolting and distressing to a rational mind? Is this the church which Christ redeemed to himself, and renewed by his spirit, that he might present it a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing? Oh no. But we will see worse things than these."
From the seventh century, the whole christian world was divided between the Pope and Mohammed, and vain has been the search to find out any branch of the church which had not fallen into one or the other of these heresies. It is true that ingenious men have endeavored to find a loop-hole, and prove a regular descent from the apostles; but the rent has only been made worse; for the only straw they had to catch at was the Albigenses or Waldenses; and I have never heard that any one could trace them further than the tenth century, when they were founded by Claudius but took the name of Waldenses from Peter Waldo, who joined them and became their leader in the year 1160; and greatly improved their discipline, and introduced a more rational system. But it is the easiest matter in the world to prove that they had become corrupt, for Wall says, there was division among them about the year 1150. One sect declared against the baptism of infants, but the main body rejected their opinions, and they were soon silenced.-The prophet has said, if any man thinks that infants need baptism, he is in the gall of bitterness. Besides, sir, I contend that had they been the church of Christ they would have needed no reform by Waldo, for it must have been a perfect system. And now I ask the question, Was there a pure church on the face of the earth, in the twelfth century? I answer, No. Then, sir, shall we begin to mend this old garment? Why, the rent will but be worse. Seeing that the fountain is corrupt, shall we begin to purify the stream? or shall we make good the tree first, before we look for good fruit? Job asks the question, Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? and then he gives the answer-No one.
Seeing that the church has been disorganized and altogether overcome, and the church of Rome (from whence they all sprang,) is acknowledged to be the mother of harlots, we might be able to find out her daughters without much trouble. I was a little amused some months since, by two discussionists, one of the church of Rome, and the other the church of England, when the latter told him that his church (the Romans) was the mother of harlots. It seemed to me something like a female coming home after having played the harlot, and branding her mother with her own infamy: it was too bad.
In the church, as established by Christ and his apostles, men received the Holy Ghost, which caused them to dream dreams, see visions, and prophecy; and they could not be carried about with every wind of doctrine; and the gift of the Holy Ghost was as essential to the church as breath to the body, for that alone was to lead them into all truth; and I contend that this blessing was lost in the very earliest ages; for that iniquity abounded in every branch of the church, I presume no one will have the hardihood to deny; and the Holy Ghost could not abide in the midst of sin and corruption. If this blessing was lost, (as it was) could any man who saw the need of it, take upon himself to restore it? surely not. Can any man, or all men, bring back or restore that which has been taken from the world? As well might they endeavor to cast a cord around Orion and drag him to the earth. Their arms are too feeble, till God himself shall arise, and again confer that power on man, and covenant that the Holy Ghost shall descend on whomsoever they lay their hands; and then, sir, we
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