3. The man of sin is also the son of perdition — (1.) Actively. False religions strangely efFerate the mind: Jude 11, 'These go in the way of Cain ;' and Hosea v. 2, ' Revolters are profound to make slaughter.' Men think no cruelty nor dishonesty unlawful which serveth to pro- mote the interests of their sect, and lose all charity to those that are not of their way. (2.) Passively, shall be destroyed. Sometimes grievous judgments come in this world for the corruptions of religion; but in the world to come, dreadful is the end of apostates : 2 Peter ii. 20, 21, ' For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning ; for it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than after they had known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.'
SERMON IV.
Who opposeih and cxalteth himself above all that is called God, or is woi'shipped ; so that he, as God, sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself ileal he is God. — 2 Thes. II. 4.
In this matter of Antichrist we have made this progress: — First, That he arose upon, and by a falling away from, the ancient pure state of
2 ThES. II. 4.] THE FOURTH SERMON. 37
Christianity. Secondly, That the Holy Ghost points him out by his names and titles, which are two: — 'the man of sin,' wherein he is resembled to Antiochus ; and ' the son of perdition,' wherein he is resembled to Judas. As Antiochus, he is one that by force and power should change the laws and ordinances, and compel men to his abomi- nations. As Judas, he should betray Cliristby a kiss for worldly gain, and be one that is in pretence an apostle, but indeed a real adversary to Christ. Now, after the apostle had pointed at him by his names and titles, he describeth him by his practices, wherein his names and titles are verified ; for here he proveth that he should be as Antiochus, by his exalting himself above all that is called God, which is said of Antiochus, Dan. xi. 36, ' And the king shall do according to his will, and he shall exalt and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods ; ' — and as Judas, one sitting in the temple of God ; that is, he sitteth there as exercising a public ecclesiastical office, yea, challenging the highest seat in it. He sitteth there fotestate regiminis, by the power of his government ; he doth Cathedratica jwtestate prccsidere (Estius). His sitting there as chief shows him as Judas ; his sitting here as God, and exalting himself above all that is called God, showeth him Antiochus.
But to handle the words more closely. Antichrist is here set forth : —
I. As opposite to Christ ; 6 dvTiKei/j,€vo<;, one set to the contrary, that is, in respect of pride chiefly. Christ was the pattern of humility. Antichrist is the king of pride ; Christ would, not so much as assume to himself an authority to divide the inheritance between two brethren ■ — Luke xii. 14, ' Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?' — but Antichrist will depose kings, and dispose of kingdoms.
II. The instances of his pride: — (1.) In exalting himself above all human power: ' Who exalteth himself above all that is called God, or is worshipped.^ (2.) A usurpation of divine honour : ' He, as God, sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.'
Let us open these things more particularly : —
I. He is represented in the term avTiK€Lfxevo<; as one diametrically opposite to Christ, and contrary to him, who is the true head and Lord of the church : Acts x. 36, * He is Lord over all ;' but Antichrist opposeth himself, that is, showeth himself in a quite contrary appear- ance. That which is most remarkable in Christ, and should be in all his followers, is humility. He expressed a wonderful contempt of the riches and greatness of the world, and all the honour which is of man ; taking the form of a servant, and making himself of no reputation, and living a mean, inferior life. He ' came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many,' Mat. xx. 28. He kept no state, nor affected pomp of attendants ; though he were Lord of all, yet ' he became poor, to make us rich,' 2 Cor. viii. 9. But it may be this was proper to him ; doth he expect it from his servants and ofQcers in the church ? Yes ; this is the grace which he hath recommended to all his followers: Mat. xi. 29, ' Learn of me, for I am meek and lowly.' But especially to the ministers of the gospel : our Lord foresaw what spirit would work in them, and therefore he forewarned them of pride and lordliness : Mat. xx. 25, 26, ' Ye know that the princes of the earth do exercise dominion over them, and they that are