emperor remove from Rome to Constantinople, than the papacy al'08e-the restraint on the Bishop of Rome was removed; and after the Roman empire in the West came to an end by the dethronement of Augustulus, the power of the pope mightily in- creased. But the great point of inquiry i1-ls there a sufficient resemblance between this prophecy and Ro!Dllnism, so that we may conclude that they are related to each other as prediction and fulfilment? Are the characteristics of the Man of Sin found in popc-ry? Tho~ who. belong to this class of interpreters assert that the resemblance is striking and obdous. An apostasy is predicted, and there is in Romanism a fallin" away from the pure gospel to the traditions of men; the doctrines of purgatory tran~ substantiation, the sacrifice of the Mass, the adoration of the Virgin and the sain'ts are adduced as examples. The Man of Sin is represented as opposing and exaltina hidiself against all that is called God or is an object of worship; and this is considered I\S receiving its fulfilment in the pope exalting himself above all human and Divine authority, claiming the_ title" kin_g of kings, and lord ·of lords," applying to himself the words of the psalmist, "All kmgs shall bow down before thee," styling himself ·miversal bishop,1 and a-,;serting his power to dispose of the kingdoms of the earth. The Man of Sin i8 said to seat himself in the temple of God, showing himself as God. The temple of God is here understood to be the Christian Church, and the pope places himself in it as its supreme head, the vicar of Jesus Christ. He shows himself as God by claiming Divine attributes, as holiness and infallibility; assuming Divine preroaa- 0 ti\·es, as the power of pardoning sins and the opening and shutting of the kingdom of heaven; and using such Divine titles as "Our Lord God the pope,"" Another God on earth." 2 Every pope, on his election, is placed on the high altar of St. Peter's, and receives the adoration of the cardinals. The corning" of the Man of Sin is after the working of Satan, with all power, and signs, and wonders of falsehood. And this is considered as receiving its fulfilment in the false miracles of popery; in the impositions of indulgences and pur~atory ; in the wonders done by sacred images moving, speaking, bleeding ; in the prodigies effected by sacred relics; in the supernatural visitations of the Virgin; and in the pretended power of working miracles which the Church of Rome still claims; as Bellarmine reckons the glory of miracles as the eleventh mark of the Catholic Church. God is represented as punishing sin by sin, "sending to them the working of error that they mi'.!ht believe the lie." The popish 1.,gends, which have gained such credit as to be admitted among their ceremonies, and especially the monstrous doctrine of transub- ,;tantiation, are regarded as the fulfilment of this part of the prophecy. 8 And, besides, in the other passage where Paul predicts the falling away of the latter times, the marks which he gives find their counterpart in the corruption of popery: "Giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctriues of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their con- science seared with a hot iron; forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats" (1 Tim. iv. 1-3). Paul represents the system as working even in his days: " For the mystery ot lawlessness is already working" (eh. ii. 7). It works inwardly; it is a mystery, something concealed and unknown until it is revealed; the germs of the .Antichristian system were already in the Church; the leaven of corruption was at work. Paul knew this because he was inspired by the Holy Ghost, and the Holy Ghost can see what man cannot see (Wordsworth). But, in truth, the germs of the Antichristian system are discernible in thP. fals,· doctrines and superstitious practices alluded to in Paul's Epistles; and it 1s assertoo that there is a striking resemblance between them and the doctrines and practices of Bomanism; &11, for example, the worship of angels (Col. ii. 8), the
In the remarkable words of Gregory the Great, in opposition t.o the Patriaroh of Oon- 1!.aotinople, "Whoever c-alls himself universal bisho~ is the precureor of Antichrist." • These e.nd such-like titles are cited in Jewell s 'Apology;' Poole's 'Anuotationa;' Newton, 'On the Prophecies.' See also Barrow's 'Treatise on the Pope'• Supremacy; ' Stillingfieet, • On Popery,' eh. :a:viii. ; and Luthardt's 'Saving Truths of Ohristianity; pp. ::105, :i~G. • " The annals of the world," observes Dr. Macknight, " cannot produce persons and eve11ts to which tht! things wriltt!n in tlii.. passage can be applied with so much fitneas u $o tile bisl,ops of Rome. Wily, tlion, should we be in any doubt concuning the interpreta- tion &nd 11.pplication of this fa.moua prophecy P" cu. n. 1-17.J THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE THESSALONIANS. H