The Text
Antichrist as the Opposite of Christ
Antichrist is here represented as one diametrically opposite to Christ, and contrary to him who is the true head and Lord of the church. 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, making himself of no reputation, living a mean, inferior life. He came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28). He kept no state nor affected pomp of attendants.
He recommended this spirit of lowliness to all his followers: Learn of me, for I am meek and lowly (Matthew 11:29). And especially to the ministers of the gospel: Ye know that the princes of the earth do exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them; but it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister (Matthew 20:25–26). Domination, greatness, principality and power is allowed in the civil state, for there it is necessary; yet it is excluded the church. The apostles themselves disclaimed this affectation of lordship everywhere: Not that we are lords of your faith, but helpers of your joy (2 Corinthians 1:24).
The Ambitious Progression of the Papacy
If humility and meekness be in the very essence of Christianity, woven throughout the whole frame of it, then it is antichristian to be lordly and proud, especially in those who pretend to be successors of Christ and his apostles. Now, in the Pope and his adherents, you will see the most odious pride set forth that ever the world was conscious unto, without any cloak or shame.
The bishop of Rome, at first the chief pastor of that city, affected to be an archbishop over the suburban towns and cities; then a patriarch over many cities; and then, when two cities in Italy opposed him for a long time — Ravenna and Milan — he obtained power over them, and then he must be oecumenical bishop over all the world. Who more earnest against this title than Gregory himself, whom they call the Great, who charged the assuming of this title as antichristian? But when once they began to be owned as universal bishop, they enlarged their bounds, not only over ecclesiastical power, but civil, and all kings and princes must stoop to them, as well as bishops. From private priests they grow up into archdeacons and deans; then a bishopric; then a richer bishopric; then archbishops, cardinals; then pope. And the devil is grown so impudent, by the help of these churchmen, that it is counted a great piece of spiritual wisdom to be able, by these steps, to get higher and higher and lord it over God’s heritage.
Exalting Himself Above All That Is Called God
The first instance of Antichrist’s pride is his exalting himself above all human power: who exalteth himself above all that is called God, or is worshipped. Those called gods in Scripture are magistrates, princes, and kings: I have said, Ye are gods (Psalm 82:6). The Pope hath not only challenged superiority over the emperors and kings of the earth in spiritual matters, but even in temporal things he hath presumed to tread on their necks, kick off their crowns with his feet, and dispose of kingdoms and thrones as though Christ had made him the lord of the whole earth. He that hath any knowledge of the histories of Christendom cannot but know these things; how emperors have stood barefoot in the snow at the Pope’s door to beg admittance; how crowns have been placed and removed by papal decree.
Sitting in the Temple of God as God
The second instance is still more dreadful: he, as God, sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. He sitteth there by the power of his government, challenging the highest seat. But he doth not only sit there as chief — he sits there as God. What are the titles assumed by the papacy but divine titles? He is called Holy Father. He is called His Holiness. He is called the Vicar of Christ. He claims the power to bind and loose consciences, to forgive sins, to canonise saints, to define what is Scripture and what is not, to speak infallibly on matters of faith and morals. Is this not sitting in the temple of God and showing himself that he is God?
That there should be a universal head of the church on earth, claiming divine prerogatives, was foretold by the apostle as the great sign of the latter times before Christ’s return. The man of sin was to be revealed: not merely present, but revealed — openly manifested in his full character. And in the papacy, Manton argues, the Holy Ghost has given us as plain a fulfilment of this prophecy as any honest reader of Scripture and history could desire.