execrable COURT OF HOLY INQUISITION!! With these advances of the papal power there was a corresponding corruption in the doctrines and ceremonies of religion. While Romanists pretend that theirs is the only pure form of Christianity, we know that all their peculiarities are novelties, the contrivances of priests, to serve their own purposes. Their doctrines were never formed into a system or settled until the council of Trent, at the close of which, A.D. 1564, they were first published in the creed of Pope Pius IV. And one of the greatest points,--relating to the Virgin Mary, whether she were _conceived in sin_,--fiercely contested between monkish sects in the Romish Church,--was determined in the affirmative, first by Pope Pius IX., in 1849. Many of the practices had previously been inculcated by individuals, before their establishment as follows:-- A.D. The celibacy of the clergy first ordained 305 The invocation of Saints and Angels 350 The Virgin called Mother of God 431 The Virgin invoked in litanies 620 The worship of images 787 Transubstantiation originated 831 Transubstantiation established 1215 Auricular confession, and priestly pardon 1215 Purgatory affirmed, A.D. 1140: Decreed 1563 CHAPTER III. ORIGIN OF THE ROMISH INQUISITION. Persecution of the Paulicians--Albigenses--Their sufferings in Languedoc--In England, Spain, France--Counts Raymond and Roger--Massacre of their People--Dominic, founder of the Inquisition. Intolerance seems essential to the office of a priest; as no sooner was this character assumed by Christian pastors, than they commenced persecution against those who disputed their claims. Hence originated the Inquisition. Its operations have ever been directed against all who differed from the ruling prelates, even when making their appeal to the Holy Scriptures. And such there were from the time of the apostles. Among the earliest of those who were put to death by professing Christians were the Paulicians.