These, [the mixed multitude,] being themselves indifferent to the true interests of the Christian life, are incapable of sharing in the government of a religious body; they will therefore gladly free themselves from a burdensome responsibility by casting it on their leaders. The hierarchy gains strength in proportion as living piety declines.
On the other hand, a Church composed of earnest, active Christians, well instructed in divine things, is a self-governing Church; it does not surrender to any the conduct of its highest interests, which it regards no less than sacred obligations; its rights and duties go hand in hand, and the former are forfeited only as the latter are neglected. A saintly life cannot be servile. Primitive Christianity preserved its sacred liberty so long as it defended itself against the intrusion of foreign elements, and its stern discipline proved the strongest bulwark of its independence. Thus so long as every Christian believed himself to be a priest of Christ, no special priesthood could interfere between him and heaven. The true worshiper of the living God stands erect in presence of every human dignitary, and is intolerant of the superstitions of man just in proportion to his reverent submission to the authority of God.
On the other hand, a Church composed of earnest, active Christians, well instructed in divine things, is a self-governing Church; it does not surrender to any the conduct of its highest interests, which it regards no less than sacred obligations; its rights and duties go hand in hand, and the former are forfeited only as the latter are neglected. A saintly life cannot be servile. Primitive Christianity preserved its sacred liberty so long as it defended itself against the intrusion of foreign elements, and its stern discipline proved the strongest bulwark of its independence. Thus so long as every Christian believed himself to be a priest of Christ, no special priesthood could interfere between him and heaven. The true worshiper of the living God stands erect in presence of every human dignitary, and is intolerant of the superstitions of man just in proportion to his reverent submission to the authority of God.
E. de Pressensé, Christian Life and Practice in the Early Church,
(trans. Annie Harwood-Holmden; London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1877), 7-8.
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