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‘The purest Ultramontanism!’ cried Miusov impatiently,
crossing and recrossing his legs.
‘Oh, well, we have no mountains,’ cried Father Iosif, and
turning to the elder he continued: ‘Observe the answer he
makes to the following ‘fundamental and essential’ proposi-
tions of his opponent, who is, you must note, an ecclesiastic.
First, that ‘no social organisation can or ought to arrogate
to itself power to dispose of the civic and political rights of
its members.’ Secondly, that ‘criminal and civil jurisdiction
ought not to belong to the Church, and is inconsistent with
its nature, both as a divine institution and as an organisa-
tion of men for religious objects,’ and, finally, in the third
place, ‘the Church is a kingdom not of this world.’
‘A most unworthy play upon words for an ecclesiastic!’
Father Paissy could not refrain from breaking in again. ‘I
have read the book which you have answered,’ he added, ad-
dressing Ivan, ‘and was astounded at the words ‘The Church
is a kingdom not of this world. ‘If it is not of this world,
then it cannot exist on earth at all. In the Gospel, the words
‘not of this world’ are not used in that sense. To play with
such words is indefensible. Our Lord Jesus Christ came to
set up the Church upon earth. The Kingdom of Heaven, of
course, is not of this world, but in Heaven; but it is only
entered through the Church which has been founded and
established upon earth. And so a frivolous play upon words
in such a connection is unpardonable and improper. The
Church is, in truth, a kingdom and ordained to rule, and in
the end must undoubtedly become the kingdom ruling over