1But we know how this name of Gods Temple is used by Paul, as when he saith, the Temple of God is holy, which Temple are ye. And by Peter where he maketh Christians living stones of this building. Wherefore as the Jews, so they have stumbled at the stones of this Temple.2 And as they have erred in the seat so in the doctrine of that which concerneth his declaring of himself to be God. For they say that Antichrist shall take away all manner of worship both of God and Idols. Wherefore they ⟨p. 11⟩gather that seeing the Pope hath established a continual and daily worship of the Mass, though it were Idolatry (as we say) yet even for that cause could he not be Antichrist. But we have a rule out of the Scripture, whereby we know that they exalt themselves above God, not only which take from him all his power and majesty, but who translate his honour to themselves. When Rachel said to Jacob, 3give me children or else I die, it is written that Jacobs anger was kindled against her (though he loved her dearly) and said am I in Gods steed?4 When Naaman was sent to the King of Israel with his Masters letter that he might heal him from his leprosy, the king of Israel reading the letter, even for indignation rent his clothes, and said, am I God to kill and to give life? If to heal and to give children be so proper to God that to give it to men is to make them Gods: what shall we say to him who setteth aside Gods law, and placeth instead thereof his own?5 There is one Lawgiver, saith James, that is able to save and to destroy. And Azariah to king Asa, for a long time hath Israel been without the true God, without Priest to teach, and without law. Whereby is understood that it is so proper to God to make and appoint laws, whereby all his people should be governed, that he who taketh on him to do it, displacing Gods law, placeth himself in Gods room, thrusting him out of his seat, for to be without Gods law, is to be without God himself.
1But we knowe how this name of Gods Temple is vsed by Paul, as when he saith, the Temple of God is holy, which Temple are yee. And by Peter where he maketh Christians living stones of this building. Wherefore as the Iewes, so they haue stumbled at the stones of this Temple.2 And as they haue erred in the seat so in the doctrine of that which concerneth his declaring of himselfe to be God. For they say that Antichrist shall take away all maner of worship both of God and Idols. Wherefore they ⟨p. 11⟩gather that seeing the Pope hath established a continuall and dayly worship of the Masse, though it were Idolatry (as wee say) yet even for that cause could he not be Antichrist. But we haue a rule out of the Scripture, whereby wee knowe that they exalt themselues aboue God, not only which take from him al his power and maiestie, but who translate his honour to themselues. When Rahel said to Iacob, 3giue mee children or else I die, it is written that Iacobs anger was kindled against her (though he loved her dearely) and said am I in Gods steed?4 When Naaman was sent to the King of Israel with his Masters letter that he might heal him from his leprosie, the king of Israel reading the letter, even for indignation rent his clothes, and said, am I God to kill and to giue life? If to heale and to giue children bee so proper to God that to giue it to men is to make them Gods: what shall we say to him who setteth aside Gods law, and placeth insteed thereof his owne?5 There is one Lawgiuer, saith Iames, that is able to saue and to destroy. And Azariah to king Asa, for a long time hath Israel beene without the true God, without Priest to teach, and without law. Whereby is vnderstood that it is so proper to God to make and appoint lawes, whereby all his people should be governed, that hee who taketh on him to doe it, displacing Gods law, placeth himselfe in Gods roome, thrusting him out of his seat, for to bee without Gods law, is to be without God himselfe.
- 11. Cor. 3.16.17 & cap. 6, 19. 2 Cor. 6, 16. 1. Pet. 2.5.
- 2Bellar de Pont. lib. 3. c. 14 Lactani. de verasap. l. 4 c. 13. Sand. Dem. 36.
- 3Gen 30.1.2.
- 42. King. 5, 6, 7.
- 5Jam. 4.12. 2. Chr. 15.3.Iam. 4.12. 2. Chr. 15.3.
