03 - The Romish Religion
1. The Romish religion is an UNSCRIPTURAL religion. The papists cannot say as much, as once the devil said, "It is written." They have not God’s Word to show, for what they do. What Scripture have they to show, for their seven sacraments? What Scripture have they to show, for keeping the cup from the people? What Scripture have they to show, for their dirges and pilgrimages, going many miles to visit the shrines of saints? The Lord will say to them at last, "Who has required these things at your hand!"
2. The Romish religion is a CARNAL religion. It consists only of worshipings, cringings, and penance. 1 Corinthians 3:3, "Are you not carnal?" Whereas God will be worshiped in spirit, John 4:24. Living by faith, examining the heart, mortifying sin—these things Catholics are wholly strangers to. Popery is a mere external shell. It is a carcass, which has no soul in it.
3. The Romish religion is an UNEDIFYING religion. 1 Corinthians 14:12, "Let all things be done to edifying." But what edifying is done in their ceremonies? Their candles, flowers; their ’Hail Marys’; their incense, their beads, rings, medals, altar-clothes—what intrinsic goodness can there be in these? They draw the heart from the serious worship of God, causing it to mind superstitious vanities! What are the baptizing of bells, adoring of crucifixes, and sprinkling with ashes—but the deliriums of sick brains? Can these things purify the conscience? What is there in holy water to wash a defiled soul? Will the papist’s balm and incense make them a sweet odor to God? Will their lighted candles show them the way to heaven?
4. The Romish religion is a PROUD religion. The pope calls himself Peter’s successor—but he more truly exceeds him in pomp—than succeeds him in humility. The pope of Rome sets his mitre above all temporal crowns. He calls himself "servant of the servants of God," but he insults princes. He makes them stand barefoot at his holiness’ gate and hold his stirrup. Pope Alexander the Third trod upon the neck of Frederick the Emperor. The pope causes the monarchs of the earth to become his tributaries.
5. The Romish religion is an IMMORAL religion. The papists are not the holy catholic church. At Rome, fornication keeps open shop and is, in some cases, preferred before honorable matrimony. The pope is called his holiness—but his chair is fouled. Pope Plus the Second and Julius the Third were stained with vice. Some of their popes have been guilty of sodomy, as Dr. Rivet relates out of their own writers. Pope John was guilty of selling sacred things and murder.
6. The Romish religion is a TOOTHLESS religion. It never hurts Satan. Popery is like a sword with a fine hilt—but has no edge; or like weak medicine which will not work. Some of the popish writers say that the cross is a holy charm or spell against the devil. But I think that it rather invites the devil—than frightens him! Their singing, and their prayers in Latin, is the devil’s music. Their whipping themselves, will not let out the blood of one sin. There lent-fasts will no more starve the devil, than it does their fat monks.
7. The Romish religion is a BLOODY religion. The pope does not content himself to have Peter’s key in his hand, the power of excommunication—but he gets the civil sword too. That what he cannot defend by strength of argument, he may maintain by force of violence. Popery is propagated by violence. Witness the persecution under Pope Pius the Fourth, where multitudes of Christians were put to death. Witness the many thousands of the Albigenses and Waldenses who were cruelly murdered. Witness the Spanish inquisition, the massacre at Paris. Our own nation has felt the weight of antichrist; they who would not drink in the golden cup of Rome’s fornication were forced to drink in the bloody cup of martyrdom! We know the papists are good at fireworks. It is an observation of a learned man that the persecutions under the bishop of Rome have been far greater then those under the emperors of Rome. God forbid we should ever nourish that Italian wolf which has sucked so much blood!
8. The Romish religion is a BLASPHEMOUS religion. The papists hold:
- That the pope is above Scripture; that he may dispense with it, and that his canons bind more than the Word of God.
- That infallibility is a jewel of his mitre; in his pontifical chair he cannot error.
- They hold that the virgin Mary is to be worshiped; they give her veneration. They call her "the queen of the world", "the ladder of heaven", "the gate of paradise". They say we may appeal from God’s court—to the Virgin Mary’s court. They affirm that she is at the golden altar in heaven—not only requesting mercy but commanding it. "God has decreed to give nothing without her," said Ozorius the Jesuit. The papists honor the Virgin Mary above Christ, ascribing more to her milk—than His blood! In their doxologies they say, "Praise be to God and the Virgin Mary, and also to Jesus Christ." What Christian ear can endure to hear these blasphemies!
9. The Romish religion is a RIDICULOUS religion, more fit to move to laughter, than devotion. What are their adoring of relics—but a Romish toy! The papists pretend to show Paul’s chain with which he was bound, and the tail of the donkey which Christ rode on. They show John the Baptist’s ear for a relic in Floride, his forehead in Spain—yet his whole head they affirm is to be seen in Rome! Thus the Roman faith is turned into a fable!
10. The Romish religion is a GOD-PROVOKING religion. As if the Lord were not wise enough to appoint the manner of His own worship—they will prescribe rules to Him. This sin has made God divorce a people. Hosea 2:2, "She is no longer My wife, and I am no longer her husband." It has made the fury to come up into His face. Ezekiel 6:4, "I will cast down your slain men before your idols." Seeing you will be kneeling to your idols—I will lay your dead men at the feet of your altars!
11. The Romish religion is a SOUL-DESTROYING religion. Worshiping the beast, and drinking the cup of God’s wrath are put together in Revelation 14:9. It is not clear to me how men dying in the Roman religion, can be saved. For besides all that has been said, the papists bring themselves directly under that curse, Revelation 22:18, "I solemnly declare to everyone who hears the prophetic words of this book: If anyone adds anything to what is written here, God will add to that person the plagues described in this book. And if anyone removes any of the words of this prophetic book, God will remove that person’s share in the tree of life and in the holy city that are described in this book." The papists are guilty of this: they take away from Scripture for they blot out the second commandment; and they add to Scripture. They say that Scripture is not perfect; therefore replace it with their traditions, which they hold to be not only equal with Scripture, but superior to it.
Oh, then, if we are the temples of God, let us not defile ourselves with popery! Let us not receive the mark of the beast—either in our right hand or forehead. For what agreement has the temple of God with idols! It would be worse for us to embrace popery, than for our forefathers. They lived in times of darkness and knew no better; but we, like Jonathan, have tasted the honey of the Gospel and our eyes have been enlightened. Therefore, if we should pollute ourselves with idols—what judgment and fiery indignation might we expect! "Keep yourselves from idols!" 1 John 5:21