第03章 罗马教会
§1
第三章 罗马教会
§2
Chapter 3—The Roman Church
§3
使徒保罗曾在《帖撒罗尼迦后书》中预言到日后的大背道，其结果就是罗马天主教势力的崛起。他说，在基督复临之前，必有“离道反教的事；并有那大罪人，就是沉沦之子，显露出来；他是抵挡主，高抬自己，超过一切称为神的，和一切受人敬拜的；甚至坐在上帝的殿里，自称是上帝”。使徒保罗接着进一步警告他的弟兄们说：“那不法的隐意已经发动”了（帖后2:3-4,7）。在那个早期时代，他已经看到种种异端邪道渗入教会，为罗马教的发展预备了道路。{4SP 51.1}
§4
The apostle Paul, in his second letter to the Thessalonians, foretold the great apostasy which would result in the establishment of the papal power. He declared that the day of Christ should not come, “except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.” And furthermore, the apostle warns his brethren that “the mystery of iniquity doth already work.” [2 Thessalonians 2:3, 4, 7.] Even at that early date he saw, creeping into the church, errors that would prepare the way for the development of the papacy. {4SP 51.1}
§5
这“不法的隐意”起初是在暗中静静地发动的，及至它势力日增，博得人心之后，它便逐渐更公开地进行那欺骗人类，亵渎上帝的工作。异教的风俗习惯几乎在人不知不觉之中潜入基督教会。教会在异教徒手中所受的剧烈逼迫，把妥协和屈从世界的风气一时抑制住了。及至逼迫停止，基督教传进王宫和贵族中间以后，教会便失去了基督与使徒们谦卑简朴的精神，效法异教僧侣和官僚的傲慢和虚荣，并且废除了上帝的律法，而代之以人为的理论和遗传。第四世纪初叶，君士坦丁皇帝在表面上的悔改信教，使教会大为兴奋；同时属世的精神披上公义的外衣，步入教会之内。从此以后，腐化的影响便迅速蔓延了。异教虽在表面上销声匿迹，但实际上她却是胜利者。她的精神控制了教会。她的教义，仪典和迷信，搀入了那些自称为基督徒者的信仰与敬拜之中了。{4SP 51.2}
§6
Little by little, at first in stealth and silence, and then more openly as it increased in strength and gained control of the minds of men, the mystery of iniquity carried forward its deceptive and blasphemous work. Almost imperceptibly the customs of heathenism found their way into the Christian church. The spirit of compromise and conformity was restrained for a time by the fierce persecutions which the church endured under paganism. But as persecution ceased, and Christianity entered the courts and palaces of kings, she laid aside the humble simplicity of Christ and his apostles for the pomp and pride of pagan priests and rulers; and in place of the requirements of God, she substituted human theories and traditions. The nominal conversion of Constantine, in the early part of the fourth century, caused great rejoicing; and the world, arrayed in robes of righteousness, walked into the church. Now the work of corruption rapidly progressed. Paganism, while appearing to be vanquished, became the conqueror. Her spirit controlled the church. Her doctrines, ceremonies, and superstitions were incorporated into the faith and worship of the professed followers of Christ. {4SP 51.2}
§7
异教与基督教的妥协，终于产生了预言所示抵挡主，高抬自己超过上帝的“大罪人”（帖后2:3）。这庞大的虚伪宗教制度乃是撒但权势的杰作，是他为自己登上宝座，按己意统治世人所作一切努力的结晶。{4SP 52.1}
§8
This compromise between paganism and Christianity resulted in the development of the man of sin foretold in prophecy as opposing and exalting himself above God. That gigantic system of false religion is a masterpiece of Satan’s power,—a monument of his efforts to seat himself upon the throne to rule the earth according to his will. {4SP 52.1}
§9
撒但曾一度想与基督妥协。在上帝的儿子受试探的旷野中，撒但曾来到祂面前，将天下万国和万国的荣华指给祂看，并表示愿将这一切交在祂手中，只要祂承认黑暗之君的无上权力。基督却斥责那狂妄僭越的试探者，并迫使他离开了。然而撒但用这同样的方法试探人类的时候，却取得了较大的成效。为了取得世俗的利益和荣誉，教会被引诱去寻求地上大人物的赞助与支持。她既这样拒绝了基督，就进一步被诱惑去效忠撒但的代表，就是罗马城的主教。{4SP 52.2}
§10
Satan once endeavored to form a compromise with Christ. He came to the Son of God in the wilderness of temptation, and, showing him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them, offered to give all into his hands if he would but acknowledge the supremacy of the prince of darkness. Christ rebuked the presumptuous tempter, and forced him to depart. But Satan meets with greater success in presenting the same temptations to man. To secure worldly gains and honors, the church was led to seek the favor and support of the great men of earth, and having thus rejected Christ, she was induced to yield allegiance to the representative of Satan,—the bishop of Rome. {4SP 52.2}
§11
罗马教的主要教义之一，就是声称教皇为普天下基督教会看得见的元首，并具有至上的威权，可以管理世界各地的主教和教牧人员。更有甚者，教皇已僭称了上帝的尊号。他自称为“主上帝教皇，”并妄说自己是永无错谬的。他要众人都向他敬拜。撒但在旷野里的试探中所作的同样主张，他今日仍藉着罗马的教会贯彻到底，并且竟有许多人欣然向他敬拜。{4SP 53.1}
§12
It is one of the leading doctrines of Romanism that the pope is the visible head of the universal church of Christ, invested with supreme authority over bishops and pastors in all parts of the world. More than this, the pope has arrogated the very titles of Deity. He styles himself “Lord God the Pope,” assumes infallibility, and demands that all men pay him homage. Thus the same claim urged by Satan in the wilderness of temptation is still urged by him through the church of Rome, and vast numbers are ready to yield him homage. {4SP 53.1}
§13
但一切敬畏上帝的人，必能应付这胆大包天的僭越者，正如基督应付那奸猾的仇敌说：“当拜主你的上帝，单要事奉祂”（路4:8）。在圣经中，上帝从来没有暗示祂已委派任何人担任教会的元首。以教皇为至尊至上的教义，乃是与圣经的教训直接冲突的。教皇除非用僭取豪夺的手段，他是无权统治基督教会的。{4SP 53.2}
§14
But those who fear and reverence God meet this Heaven-daring assumption as Christ met the solicitations of the wily foe: “Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” [Luke 4:8.] God has never given a hint in his word that he has appointed any man to be the head of the church. The doctrine of papal supremacy is directly opposed to the teachings of the Scriptures. The pope can have no power over Christ’s church except by usurpation. {4SP 53.2}
§15
罗马教徒坚持反对基督教徒，诬告他们是信异端的，说他们故意脱离真教会。但这些诬告正应该用在他们自己身上。正是他们降下了基督的军旗，离弃“从前一次交付圣徒的真道”（犹3）。{4SP 53.3}
§16
Romanists have persisted in bringing against Protestants the charge of heresy, and willful separation from the true church. But these accusations apply rather to themselves. They are the ones who laid down the banner of Christ, and departed from the faith once delivered to the saints. {4SP 53.3}
§17
撒但深知圣经能使人洞悉他的骗术，并抗拒他的权力。就连世界的救主，也曾运用圣经来抵挡他的袭击。对他每一次的进袭，基督皆迎之以永生真理的盾牌，说：“经上记着说。”祂在应付仇敌的每一提议时，总是运用圣经的智慧和能力。所以撒但为要维持他统治人类的权力，并建立篡位者教皇的威权起见，他就必须使人们对圣经长久蒙昧无知。圣经是高举上帝，并把有限的世人置于其应有的地位上的；故此，撒但必须把圣经中神圣的真理加以隐蔽与扑灭。这就是罗马教会所采用的手段。数百年来，她禁止圣经的销售。禁止人阅读圣经，也不准他们家里藏有圣经，而只让他们听取一班神父和主教们无原则地曲解圣经的教训，来支持自己的虚伪。在这种情形之下，教皇便几乎被公认为上帝在地上的代理人，并赋有统治教会与国家的权威了。{4SP 53.4}
§18
Satan well knew that the Holy Scriptures would enable men to discern his deceptions and withstand his power. It was by the word that even the Saviour of the world has resisted his attacks. At every assault, Christ presented the shield of eternal truth, saying, “It is written.” To every suggestion of the adversary he opposed the wisdom and power of the word. In order for Satan to maintain his sway over men, and establish the authority of the papal usurper, he must keep them in ignorance of the Scriptures. The Bible would exalt God, and place finite men in their true position; therefore its sacred truths must be concealed and suppressed. This logic was adopted by the Roman Church. For hundreds of years the circulation of the Bible was prohibited. The people were forbidden to read it, or to have it in their houses, and unprincipled priests and prelates interpreted its teachings to sustain their pretensions. Thus the pope came to be almost universally acknowledged as the vicegerent of God on earth, endowed with supreme authority over Church and State. {4SP 53.4}
§19
撒但既把那辨明错谬的圣经除掉，就可以任意妄为了。先知的预言说过，罗马教皇必“想改变节期和律法”（但7:25）。这种工作，他随即下手尝试了。为使更多的异教徒在表面上信奉基督，教会便制作一些神像来代替他们所敬拜的偶像。于是敬拜偶像和圣物的风气便渐渐的潜入基督教的敬拜中。最后在一次宗教会议上，正式设立了这拜偶像的制度。为了巩固这种亵渎的风俗，罗马教竟敢擅自从上帝的律法中删掉那禁止人拜偶像的第二条诫命，并把第十条诫命分为两条，以补足其数目。{4SP 54.1}
§20
The detector of error having been removed, Satan worked according to his will. Prophecy had declared that the papacy was to “think to change times and laws.” [Daniel 7:25.] This work it was not slow to attempt. To afford converts from heathenism a substitute for the worship of idols, and thus to promote their nominal acceptance of Christianity, the adoration of images and relics was gradually introduced into the Christian worship. The decree of a general council finally established this system of popish idolatry. To complete the sacrilegious work, Rome presumed to expunge from the law of God the second commandment, forbidding image worship, and to divide the tenth commandment, in order to preserve the number. {4SP 54.1}
§21
向异教让步的精神，打开了一条门路，使人更进一步无视上天的威权。撒但企图窜改第四条诫命，想要废除古传的安息日，就是上帝所分别为圣并赐福的日子（见创2:2-3），而高举异邦人所遵守的“可敬之太阳日”来代替它。这种更改最初并不是公开进行的。在第一世纪，所有的基督徒都是遵守真安息日的。他们热切关心上帝的尊荣，相信祂的律法是永不改变的，所以他们热心维护每一条律法的神圣性。但撒但却极其狡猾地利用自己的代理人来达成他的目的。为了吸引人注意星期日，教会的领袖便定星期日为记念基督复活的节日。在这日他们举行宗教礼拜，但还是公认它为娱乐的日子，而安息日则仍被遵守为圣日。{4SP 55.1}
§22
The spirit of concession to paganism opened the way for a still further disregard of Heaven’s authority. Satan tampered with the fourth commandment also, and essayed to set aside the ancient Sabbath, the day which God had blessed and sanctified, and in its stead to exalt the festival observed by the heathen as “the venerable day of the sun.” This change was not at first attempted openly. In the first centuries the true Sabbath had been kept by all Christians. They were jealous for the honor of God, and, believing that his law is immutable, they zealously guarded the sacredness of its precepts. But with great subtlety, Satan worked through his agents to bring about his object. That the attention of the people might be called to the Sunday, it was made a festival in honor of the resurrection of Christ. Religious services were held upon it; yet it was regarded as a day of recreation, the Sabbath being still sacredly observed. {4SP 55.1}
§23
君士坦丁皇帝在仍为异教徒时，曾谕令将星期日定为全罗马帝国的公共节日。他改信基督教以后，依然热心倡导星期日，为了他的新信仰的利益而推行他的异教敕令。但对这一日的尊敬仍不足以阻止基督徒视真安息日为上帝的圣日。必须采取另一个步骤，把伪安息日举得与真安息日一样高。君士坦丁的敕令发布数年之后，罗马主教赋予星期日“主日”的称呼。信徒就这样被引诱逐渐视星期日具有一定的神圣色彩，但依然遵守原来的安息日。{4SP 55.2}
§24
Constantine, while still a heathen, issued a decree enjoining the general observance of Sunday as a public festival throughout the Roman empire. After his conversion, he remained a staunch advocate of Sunday, and his pagan edict was then enforced by him in the interests of his new faith. But the honor shown this day was not as yet sufficient to prevent Christians from regarding the true Sabbath as the holy of the Lord. Another step must be taken; the false Sabbath must be exalted to an equality with the true. A few years after the issue of Constantine’s decree, the bishop of Rome conferred on the Sunday the title of Lord’s day. Thus the people were gradually led to regard it as possessing a degree of sacredness. Still the original Sabbath was kept. {4SP 55.2}
§25
这时大骗子撒但尚未完全成功。他坚决要将基督教界置于自己的麾下，并利用他的代表人，就是那自称为基督代表的傲慢教皇，去行使他的权力。撒但利用那些半悔改的异教徒，野心勃勃的主教和贪爱世俗的信徒去达到自己的目的。各地时常举行宗教大会，从世界各地招集教会的主要人物前来参加。几乎每一次会议都把上帝所制定的安息日贬低一点，同时把星期日相应地抬高了。因此这异教徒的节日终于被尊为一种神圣的制度，而圣经的安息日却被宣布为犹太教的遗物，而且凡遵守的人都要受咒诅。{4SP 56.1}
§26
The arch-deceiver had not completed his work. He was resolved to gather the Christian world under his banner, and to exercise his power through his vicegerent, the proud pontiff who claimed to be the representative of Christ. Through half-converted pagans, ambitious prelates, and world-loving churchmen, he accomplished his purpose. Vast councils were held, from time to time, in which the dignitaries of the church were convened from all the world. In nearly every council the Sabbath which God had instituted was pressed down a little lower, while the Sunday was correspondingly exalted. Thus the pagan festival came finally to be honored as a divine institution, while the Bible Sabbath was pronounced a relic of Judaism, and its observers were declared to be accursed. {4SP 56.1}
§27
这个大背道者成功地高抬自己“超过一切称为神的，和一切受人敬拜的”（帖后2:4）。上帝的诫命中，只有一条向全人类明确指出永生的真神，而他竟敢把它更改了。第四条诫命显明上帝是创造天地的主，如此就把祂与一切假神分别出来。第七日之所以被分别为圣，作为世人休息的日子，乃是要为记念创造之功。设立安息日的原意，是要人在心中时常记念永生的上帝为他们生命的根源，和尊崇敬拜的对象。撒但竭力要鼓动人不忠于上帝，不顺从祂的律法；因此他便特别致力于攻击那条指明上帝为创造主的诫命。{4SP 56.2}
§28
The great apostate had succeeded in exalting himself “above all that is called God, or that is worshiped.” [2 Thessalonians 2:4.] He had dared to change the only precept of the divine law that unmistakably points all mankind to the true and living God. In the fourth commandment, God is revealed as the Creator of the heavens and the earth, and is thereby distinguished from all false gods. It was as a memorial of the work of creation that the seventh day was sanctified as a rest-day for man. It was designed to keep the living God ever before the minds of men as the source of being and the object of reverence and worship. Satan strives to turn men from their allegiance to God, and from rendering obedience to his law; therefore he directs his efforts especially against that commandment which points to God as the Creator. {4SP 56.2}
§29
现今的基督教徒声称，基督既在星期日复活，就使这日成为基督教的安息日。然而这种说法却没有经文的根据。基督和祂的使徒并没有如此尊敬这一天。以星期日为基督教圣日的制度，乃是那“不法的隐意”（帖后2:7）所首创。而这个势力在保罗的时代就已经发动了。请问，上帝曾在何时何地承认过这个罗马教的作品呢？有什么有力的理由可以偏袒这圣经所不认可的变更呢？ {4SP 57.1}
§30
Protestants now urge that the resurrection of Christ on Sunday, made it the Christian Sabbath. But Scripture evidence is lacking. No such honor was given to the day by Christ or his apostles. The observance of Sunday as a Christian institution has its origin in that “mystery of lawlessness” which, even in Paul’s day, had begun its work. Where and when did the Lord adopt this child of the papacy? What valid reason can be given for a change concerning which the Scriptures are silent? {4SP 57.1}
§31
在第六世纪，罗马教已经稳固地建立起来了。她权力的宝座安置在罗马帝国的首都。罗马的主教被称为全教会的元首。异教已经让位给罗马教了。那“龙”已经“将自己的能力，座位，和大权柄，都给了”那兽（启13:2）。在但以理和《启示录》中所预言教皇施行逼迫的一千二百六十年从此就开始了（但7:25;启13:5-7）。基督徒必须选择，到底是要放弃自己的忠贞，去接受罗马教的仪文与敬拜，或是要在牢狱中折磨自己的生命，在拷问台上，火刑柱上，或在刽子手的斧下受死。耶稣以下的话，此时便应验了：“连你们的父母，弟兄，亲族，朋友，也要把你们交官；你们也有被他们害死的。你们要为我的名，被众人恨恶”（路21:16-17）。忠心的信徒所受的逼迫空前残暴，以致当时的基督教世界竟成了一个广大的战场。在数百年时间里，基督的真教会必须在穷乡僻壤与人迹罕到之处避难。这就是先知所预言的情形：“妇人就逃到旷野，在那里有上帝给她预备的地方，使她被养活一千二百六十天”（启12:6）。{4SP 57.2}
§32
In the sixth century the papacy had become firmly established. Its seat of power was fixed in the imperial city, and the bishop of Rome was declared to be the head over the entire church. Paganism had given place to the papacy. The dragon had given to the beast “his power, and his seat, and great authority.” [Revelation 13:2.] And now began the 1260 years of papal oppression foretold in the prophecies of Daniel and John. [Daniel 7:25; Revelation 13:5-7.] Christians were forced to choose, either to yield their integrity and accept the papal ceremonies and worship, or to wear away their lives in dungeon cells, or suffer death by the rack, the fagot, or the headsman’s ax. Now were fulfilled the words of Jesus, “Ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake.” [Luke 21:16, 17.] Persecution opened upon the faithful with greater fury than ever before, and the world became a vast battle-field. For hundreds of years the church of Christ found refuge in seclusion and obscurity. Thus says the prophet: “The woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and three-score days.” [Revelation 12:16.] {4SP 57.2}
§33
罗马教开始掌权的时候，也就是黑暗时代的开始。她的势力越增强，黑暗也就越深。人的信仰便从那真正的基础基督，转移到罗马的教皇身上。一般人为要求得赦罪和永久的救恩，就不再信赖上帝的儿子，却仰望教皇和他权威的代表──神父与主教。罗马教会教训众人说，教皇是他们的中保。若不藉着他，无人能到上帝面前。他们还进一步说，他是站在上帝的地位上，所以人人必须绝对服从他。人若偏离了他的命令，就足以使最严厉的刑罚临到自己的身体和灵魂。因此众人的心便远离了上帝，而转向容易犯错误，荒谬而残忍的人，更是转向那藉着这些人行使他权势的黑暗之君。罪恶竟披上了一件圣洁的外衣。每当圣经被人禁止流行，而人自称为至高至上的时候，其结果总不外乎诡诈，欺骗和卑鄙的罪孽。人的律法和遗传既被高举，那么，废弃上帝律法所必引起的败坏就出现了。{4SP 58.1}
§34
The accession of the Roman Church to power marked the beginning of the Dark Ages. As her power increased, the darkness deepened. Faith was transferred from Christ, the true foundation, to the pope of Rome. Instead of trusting in the Son of God for forgiveness of sins and for eternal salvation, the people looked to the pope, and to the priests and prelates to whom he delegated authority. They were taught that the pope was their mediator, and that none could approach God except through him, and, further, that he stood in the place of God to them, and was therefore to be implicitly obeyed. A deviation from his requirements was sufficient cause for the severest punishment to be visited upon the bodies and souls of the offenders. Thus the minds of the people were turned away from God to fallible, erring, and cruel men, nay more, to the prince of darkness himself, who exercised his power through them. Sin was disguised in a garb of sanctity. When the Scriptures are suppressed, and man comes to regard himself as supreme, we need look only for fraud, deception, and debasing iniquity. With the elevation of human laws and traditions was manifest the corruption that ever results from setting aside the law of God. {4SP 58.1}
§35
那时真是基督的教会遭遇危险的日子。忠心高举真理旗帜的人实在寥寥无几。为真理作见证的人虽然没有完全绝迹，但有时异端与迷信似乎要完全得胜，而真实的宗教信仰险些要从地上消灭了。一般人已经看不到福音的真光，同时宗教的形式却愈来愈多，使众人被宗教的种种严格规则所压倒。{4SP 58.2}
§36
Those were days of peril for the church of Christ. The faithful standard-bearers were few indeed. Though the truth was not left without witnesses, yet at times it seemed that error and superstition would wholly prevail, and true religion would be banished from the earth. The gospel was lost sight of, but the forms of religion were multiplied, and the people were burdened with rigorous exactions. {4SP 58.2}
§37
罗马教会教训人非但要仰望教皇为罪人的中保，同时也要靠自己的行为赎罪。长途跋涉朝拜圣地，修苦行，拜圣物，以及建造教堂，神龛，祭坛，并捐献巨款给教会，——这些事，以及诸如此类的行为，是要用来平息上帝的怒气，并获得祂恩宠的。他们把上帝看作凡人一样，以为祂会因琐事而震怒，并可用礼物或苦行来和解的！{4SP 59.1}
§38
They were taught not only to look to the pope as their mediator, but to trust to works of their own to atone for sin. Long pilgrimages, acts of penance, the worship of relics, the erection of churches, shrines, and altars, the payment of large sums to the church,—these and many similar acts were enjoined to appease the wrath of God or to secure his favor; as if God were like men, to be angered at trifles, or pacified by gifts or acts of penance! {4SP 59.1}
§39
当时虽然罪恶普遍地流行，甚至在罗马教会的领袖之间也是如此，但这个教会的势力似乎仍然在不断地增长。在第八世纪的末叶，罗马教徒出来主张说，早期教会中，罗马城的主教本来就有他们现在所有的属灵权力。为证实这种主张，他们必须想办法给它加上一副权威性的假面具。于是“说谎之人的父”也就很自然地为他们想出办法来。僧侣们伪造了许多古代的文书。从来没有听说过的议会法令，这时忽然发现了，证明教皇的至上权威是从最早的时期流传下来的。于是这个已经拒绝真理的教会，便饥不择食地接受了这些欺骗。{4SP 59.2}
§40
Notwithstanding vice prevailed, even among the leaders of the Romish Church, her influence seemed steadily to increase. About the close of the eighth century, papists put forth the claim that in the first ages of the church the bishops of Rome had possessed the same spiritual power which they now assumed. To establish this claim, some means must be employed to give it a show of authority; and this was readily suggested by the father of lies. Ancient writings were forged by monks. Decrees of councils before unheard of were discovered, establishing the universal supremacy of the pope from the earliest times. And a church that had rejected the truth greedily accepted these deceptions. {4SP 59.2}
§41
那在真实的根基上（见林前3:10-11）建造的少数忠实信徒，因为异端邪说的垃圾妨碍了工作，便感到困惑而无法行动。他们正象尼希米时代修造耶路撒冷城墙的工人一样。有人说，“灰土尚多，扛抬的人力气已经衰败，所以我们不能建造城墙”（尼4:10）。有一些本来是忠心的建造者，因不断地与逼迫，欺诈，罪恶，以及撒但所能想出来拦阻他们前进的种种障碍斗争，就感到疲惫灰心了。为了追求和睦和保全生命财产，他们便离开了真实的根基。至于其他不因仇敌反对而丧志的人，却毫无惧怕地宣告说：“不要怕他们，当记念主是大而可畏的”（尼4:14）。他们象古时造城的工人一样，各人都在腰间佩剑，仍旧进行工作（见弗6:17）。{4SP 59.3}
§42
The few faithful builders upon the true foundation were perplexed and hindered as the rubbish of false doctrine obstructed the work. Like the builders upon the wall of Jerusalem in Nehemiah’s day, some were ready to say, “The strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed, and there is much rubbish, so that we are not able to build.” [Nehemiah 4:10.] Wearied with the constant struggle against persecution, fraud, iniquity, and every other obstacle that Satan could devise to hinder their progress, some who had been faithful builders became disheartened; and for the sake of peace and security for their property and their lives they turned away from the true foundation. Others, undaunted by the opposition of their enemies, fearlessly declared, “Be not ye afraid of them; remember the Lord, which is great and terrible;” [Nehemiah 4:14.] and they proceeded with the work, every one with his sword girded by his side. {4SP 59.3}
§43
在每一个时代中，上帝的仇敌都为这同样的憎恨并反对真理的精神所鼓动，同时祂的仆人也必须具有这同样的警戒和坚守忠诚的精神。基督向早期的使徒所说的话，也可以应用在祂一切的信徒身上，直到末时：“我对你们所说的话，也是对众人说，要儆醒”（可13:37）。{4SP 60.1}
§44
The same spirit of hatred and opposition to the truth has inspired the enemies of God in every age, and the same vigilance and fidelity have been required in his servants. The words of Christ to the first disciples are applicable to his followers to the close of time: “What I say unto you, I say unto all, Watch.” [Mark 13:37.] {4SP 60.1}
§45
黑暗似乎越来越深沉了；拜偶像之风也越发普遍。信徒们竟在偶像面前点燃灯烛，向它祈祷。最荒诞最迷信的习俗和礼节风行各地。人们的思想完全被迷信所支配，甚至理性似乎已经失去力量。神父和主教们自己既然贪爱宴乐，纵情败坏，则一般仰赖他们为导师的民众，除了愚妄和罪恶之外，还能有什么更好的表现呢？{4SP 60.2}
§46
The darkness seemed to grow more dense. Image worship became more general. Candles were burned before images, and prayers were offered to them. The most absurd and superstitious customs prevailed. The minds of men were so completely controlled by superstition that reason itself seemed to have lost her sway. While priests and bishops were themselves pleasure-loving, sensual, and corrupt, it could only be expected that the people who looked to them for guidance would be sunken in ignorance and vice. {4SP 60.2}
§47
在第十一世纪，罗马教又采取了一个僭越的步骤。教皇格利高里七世宣布教会是完全的。在他所发布的公告中，有一条说，根据圣经的教训，教会是从来没有错的，而且从今直到永远也是不会有错的。但他并没有同时提出圣经的证据。这个高傲的教皇接着又主张自己有黜废君王之权，并声称他所宣布的每一个判决，任何人都不得更改，而他自己却有权推翻别人的定案。{4SP 60.3}
§48
Another step in papal assumption was taken, when, in the eleventh century, Pope Gregory VII. proclaimed the perfection of the Romish Church. Among the propositions which he put forth, was one declaring that the church had never erred, nor would it ever err, according to the Scriptures. But the Scripture proofs did not accompany the assertion. The proud pontiff next claimed the power to depose emperors, and declared that no sentence which he pronounced could be reversed by any one, but that it was his prerogative to reverse the decisions of all others. {4SP 60.3}
§49
在教皇对待德国皇帝亨利四世的事上，我们可以看到一个显著的实例，说明这自称永无错谬者的专横作风。因为亨利擅敢漠视教皇的威权，教皇便宣布开除他的教籍，撤消他的王位。亨利为了向教皇求和，便在仲冬严寒的时节，攀越阿尔卑斯高山，以便到教皇之前谦卑服罪。及至他到了教皇格利高里所驻的城堡，便把卫兵留在城外，自己进入宫殿的外苑。在冬日严寒之下，他光头赤脚，衣衫单薄，站在那里等候教皇的传见。直到他禁食认罪三日之后，才蒙教皇赦免。即便这样，他还必须等候教皇正式下令许可之后，才能恢复王位，行使王权。格利高里因这次的胜利而非常得意，并夸口说，“使君王的威风扫地”乃是他的本分。{4SP 61.1}
§50
A striking illustration of the tyrannical character of this advocate of infallibility was given in his treatment of the German king, Henry IV. For presuming to disregard the pope’s authority, this monarch was declared to be excommunicated and dethroned. In order to make his peace with Rome, Henry crossed the Alps in midwinter that he might humble himself before the pope. Upon reaching the castle whither Gregory had withdrawn, he was conducted, without his guards, into an outer court, and there, in the severe cold of winter, with uncovered head and naked feet and in a miserable dress, he awaited the pope’s permission to come into his presence. Not until he had continued three days fasting and making confession did the pontiff condescend to grant him pardon. Even then it was only upon condition that the emperor should await the sanction of the pope before resuming the insignia or exercising the power of royalty. And Gregory, elated with his triumph, boasted that it was his duty “to pull down the pride of kings.” {4SP 61.1}
§51
这傲慢至极的教皇目空一切的作风，与基督的柔和谦卑相比，真有霄壤之别！基督形容自己是站在人的心门之前，请求人让祂进去，以便带来赦免与平安。祂曾教训自己的门徒说，“谁愿为大，就必作你们的用人”（太20:27）。{4SP 61.2}
§52
How striking the contrast between the overbearing pride of this haughty pontiff and the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who represents himself as pleading at the door of the heart for admittance, that he may come in to bring pardon and peace, and who taught his disciples, “Whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant.” [Matthew 20:27.] {4SP 61.2}
§53
一世纪一世纪地过去，从罗马城所传出来的教义，越发荒诞不经了。在罗马教会成立之前，异教哲学家的学说就已经受教会的重视，并在教会中发生影响。许多自称悔改信教的人仍然固守异邦哲学的理论，不但自己继续研究，还鼓励别人研究，以此为在异教人中发展圣工感化力的一种手段。因此，许多严重的错误异端便混入基督教的信仰之中了。其中最显著的一个异端，就是人的灵魂不死和死人仍有知觉的道理。这种教义奠定了根基，罗马教便在其上建立了圣徒为人代求和崇拜童贞女马利亚的教条，从此也构成了终身不悔改之人受永远痛苦的异端邪说。这邪说很早就已成为罗马教的信条之一了。{4SP 62.1}
§54
The advancing centuries witnessed a constant increase of error in the doctrines put forth from Rome. Even before the establishment of the papacy, the teachings of heathen philosophers had received attention and exerted an influence in the church. Many who professed conversion still clung to the tenets of their pagan philosophy, and not only continued its study themselves, but urged it upon others as a means of extending their influence among the heathen. Thus were serious errors introduced into the Christian faith. Prominent among these was the belief in man’s natural immortality and his consciousness in death. This doctrine laid the foundation upon which Rome established the invocation of saints and the adoration of the virgin Mary. From this sprung also the heresy of eternal torment for the finally impenitent, which was early incorporated into the papal faith. {4SP 62.1}
§55
这样就为异教的另一个谬论开了门路，就是罗马教会所称为“炼狱”的道理。这个异端是用来恫吓许多愚夫愚妇与迷信之徒的。它声称有一个执行酷刑的所在，凡不必永沦地狱者的灵魂，便要在炼狱里为自己的罪受罚，及至罪恶的污秽被炼净之后，他们便可升入天堂。{4SP 62.2}
§56
Then the way was prepared for the introduction of still another invention of paganism, which Rome named purgatory, and employed to terrify the credulous and superstitious multitudes. By this heresy is affirmed the existence of a place of torment, in which the souls of such as have not merited eternal damnation are to suffer punishment for their sins, and from which, when freed from impurity, they are admitted to Heaven. {4SP 62.2}
§57
罗马教会为了从信徒的恐惧心理和罪恶生活上图利，必须虚构又一种荒诞不经之说；那就是她所提倡的特赦的道理。她应许说，凡参加教皇军役的人，或去扩张她在世上之领土，或去惩罚她的敌人，或去消灭那些反对他属灵的至上权威的人，他们过去、现在和将来的罪都可全部赦免；而且他们因这些罪而应受的痛苦和刑罚也可同时勾销。她又教训人说，藉着捐款给教会，他们也能脱罪自由，甚至可以释放那些在炼狱火焰中受痛苦的已故亲友的灵魂。由于这些方法，罗马教廷便金银满库，足供维持那些冒称“没有枕头的地方”之主的代表者尽情奢侈挥霍，放荡邪淫。{4SP 62.3}
§58
Still another fabrication was needed to enable Rome to profit by the fears and the vices of her adherents. This was supplied by the doctrine of indulgences. Full remission of sins, past, present, and future, and release from all the pains and penalties incurred, were promised to all who would enlist in the pontiff’s wars to extend his temporal dominion, to punish his enemies, or to exterminate those who dared deny his spiritual supremacy. The people were also taught that by the payment of money to the church they might free themselves from sin, and also release the souls of their deceased friends who were confined in the tormenting flames. By such means did Rome fill her coffers, and sustain the magnificence, luxury, and vice of the pretended representatives of Him who had not where to lay his head. {4SP 62.3}
§59
这时，圣经上的圣餐礼节，已被拜偶像式的弥撒祭所代替了。罗马教的神父们竟伪称他们能藉着他们那种无意义的画符念咒，把普通的酒和饼变成基督的真肉真血。他们怀着亵渎僭越的心，公然宣称自己拥有万物创造主上帝的权能。他们甚至用死刑来威胁一切基督徒，要他们承认这种可憎的，侮辱上天的异端。成千成万拒绝这种教条的人竟被处火刑焚死。{4SP 63.1}
§60
The scriptural ordinance of the Lord’s supper had been supplanted by the idolatrous sacrifice of the mass. Papist priests pretended, by their senseless mummery, to convert the simple bread and wine into the actual body and blood of Christ. With blasphemous presumption, they openly claimed the power to “create their Creator.” All Christians were required, on pain of death, to avow their faith in this horrible, Heaven-insulting heresy. Those who refused were given to the flames. {4SP 63.1}
§61
在第十三世纪，罗马教成立了最残酷的机构，就是宗教裁判所。那时黑暗的魔君和罗马教的领袖们密切合作。在他们的秘密会议中，有撒但和他的使者控制着恶人的思想。同时在冥冥之中，也有上帝的天使在场，为他们罪恶的命令留下可怕的记录，并把他们罪恶的历史写了下来。这些记录在人看来，也是惨不忍睹的。“大巴比伦”已经“喝醉了圣徒的血。”千万殉道者血肉狼藉的遗骸向上帝呼叫，求祂追讨这背叛势力的罪。{4SP 63.2}
§62
In the thirteenth century was established that most terrible of all the engines of the papacy,—the Inquisition. The prince of darkness wrought with the leaders of the papal hierarchy. In their secret councils, Satan and his angels presided, while unseen in the midst stood an angel of God, taking the fearful record of their iniquitous decrees, and writing the history of deeds too horrible to appear to human eyes. “Babylon the great” was “drunken with the blood of the saints.” The mangled forms of millions of martyrs cried to God for vengeance upon that apostate power. {4SP 63.2}
§63
罗马教皇已经成了全世界的独裁霸主。各国的帝王都俯首帖耳，唯命是从。众人的命运，不论是今生或来世的，似乎都已操在他的掌握之中。数百年来，罗马教的教义已被广泛而绝对地接受了。她的仪式规例已被恭谨地奉行，她的节期也被普遍地遵守了。她的神父僧侣们为人所尊敬，并领受人的慷慨布施。当时罗马教会所得的尊荣，威严和权力，可以说是空前的。{4SP 64.1}
§64
Popery had become the world’s despot. Kings and emperors bowed to the decrees of the Roman pontiff. The destinies of men, both for time and for eternity, seemed under his control. For hundreds of years the doctrines of Rome had been extensively and implicitly received, its rites reverently performed, its festivals generally observed. Its clergy were honored and liberally sustained. Never since has the Roman Church attained to greater dignity, magnificence, and power. {4SP 64.1}
§65
罗马教廷的中午，正是世界道德的半夜。不但一般民众几乎不知道有圣经的存在，连神父们也是如此。象古时的法利赛人一样，罗马教的领袖们恨恶那显明他们罪恶的真光。上帝的律法本是公义的标准，这时既被废除，他们就能横行无忌，尽情作恶。各种欺诈，贪欲，淫荡的行为到处风行。人们只要有名有利，就无所不为。教皇和主教们的宫庭成了极荒淫邪恶的场所。有一些教皇和主教的罪恶是那么可憎，甚至连世俗的官吏也觉得忍无可忍，要设法罢免这些教会的权贵，他们太邪恶了，象怪物一样，不能容留在宝座上。在几百年时间里，欧洲各国在学问，艺术和文化方面是毫无进步的。道德和智力上的麻痹状态临到了当时的基督教世界。{4SP 64.2}
§66
The noontide of the papacy was the world’s moral midnight. The Holy Scriptures were almost unknown, not only to the people, but to the priests. Like the Pharisees of old, the papist leaders hated the light which would reveal their sins. God’s law, the standard of righteousness, having been removed, they exercised power without limit, and practiced vice without restraint. Fraud, avarice, and profligacy prevailed. Men shrank from no crime by which they could gain wealth or position. The palaces of popes and prelates were scenes of the vilest debauchery. Some of the reigning pontiffs were guilty of crimes so revolting that secular rulers endeavored to depose these dignitaries of the church as monsters too vile to be tolerated upon the throne. For centuries there was no progress in learning, arts, or civilization. A moral and intellectual paralysis had fallen upon Christendom. {4SP 64.2}
§67
处于罗马教权势之下的世界状况，正好应验了先知何西阿的预言：“我的民因无知识而灭亡；你弃掉知识，我也必弃掉你。……你既忘了你上帝的律法，我也必忘记你的儿女。”“因这地上无诚实，无良善，无人认识上帝。但起假誓，不践前言，杀害，偷盗，奸淫，行强暴，杀人流血接连不断”（何4:6,1-2）。这一切都是因废弃圣经而产生的后果。 {4SP 64.3}
§68
In the condition of the world under the Romish power was presented a fearful and striking fulfillment of the words of the prophet Hosea: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee.” “Seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.” “There is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land. By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood.” [Hosea 4:6, 1, 2.] Such were the results of banishing the word of God. {4SP 64.3}