The late Cardinal Manning, once an archdeacon in the Church of England, who became a pervert to Rome, gave expression to the following strange claims: " I acknowledge no civil power; I am the subject of no prince; and I claim more than this. I claim to be the supreme judge and director of the consciences of men. Of the peasants that till the fields and of the prince that sits on the throne; of the household that makes laws for kingdoms. I am sole, last, supreme judge of what is right and wrong. Moreover we declare, affirm, define, and pronounce it to be necessary to salvation to every human creature, to be subject to the Roman Pontiff " (Tablet, Oct. 9th, 1864).
These are proud words, and as hateful and wicked as they are proud. Did the apostles ever make such claims? How different is the language of the Apostle Peter: " FEAR GOD. Honor THE KING " (1 Peter 2:1717Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. (1 Peter 2:17)).
The Apostle Paul is likewise insistent on the same lines: " Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.... For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil.... Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake " (Rom. 13:1-51Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. 5Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. (Romans 13:1‑5)). " Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work " (Titus 3:11Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, (Titus 3:1)).
Evidently Cardinal Manning set these Scriptures at defiance. Can there be any confidence in the loyalty of a man with such sentiments, claiming to be the subject of no prince? A religion that can take such an arrogant stand is a menace to the land in which it operates.
Cardinal Manning, in addressing the English Roman Catholic prelates, said:
" It is yours, right reverend fathers, to subjugate and to subdue, to bend and break the will of an imperious race, the will which, as the will of Rome of old, rules over nations and people, invincible and inflexible " (The Bible or the Church? Sir Robert Anderson, p. 108).
Is this the language of a loyal subject of the realm? Is it the language of a follower of Him, who was meek and lowly in heart? Woe betide any land that gets under the heel of Rome.