The Holy Scripture - english version B.indd - Sabbat

412 Double Foreview of the Reformation.respectively belong ; and if the first advent belongs to the days of the restoredtemple, we have every reason to believe that the second will take place in thisProtestant era, for, as I will show you presently, a chronological prediction occursin the prophecy of it in Revelation.But I must revert to the point of Israel's idolatry for a moment, and ask you toglance at the remarkable development of this same sin in the apostasy in theRomish Church.All through its history idolatry has been the most marked characteristic ofthe Papal system. Romanism is simply the of Roman paganismrevived under Christian names. Romanism and paganism bear toeach other the most exact and extraordinary resemblance.Had paganism its temples and altars, its pictures and images? So has Popery.Had paganism its use of holy water and its burning of incense? So has Popery.Had paganism its tonsured priests, presided over by a pontifex maximus,or sovereign pontiff? So has Popery ; and it stamps this very name, which ispurely heathen in origin, upon the coins, medals, and documents of the arrogantpriest by whom it is governed. Had paganism its claim of sacerdotal infallibility?So has Popery. Had paganism its adoration of a visible representative of Deitycarried in state of men's shoulders? So has Popery. Had paganism its ceremonyof kissing the feet of the sovereign pontiff? So has Popery. Had paganism itscollege of pontiffs? So has Popery, in the college of cardinals. Had paganism itsreligious orders? So has Popery. Had paganism its stately robes, its crowns andcrosiers of office? So has Popery. Had paganism its adoration of idols, its worshipof the queen of heaven [Editor: Mary!], its votive offerings? So has Popery.Had paganism its rural shrines and processions? So has Popery. Had paganismits pretended miracles, its speaking images, and weeping images, and bleedingimages?! So has Popery. Had paganism its begging orders and fictitious saints?So has Popery. Had paganism its canonization of saints, as in the deification of thedead Cæsars? So has Popery. Had paganism its idolatrous calendar and numerousfestivals? So has Popery. Had paganism its enforced celibacy, its mystic signs,its worship of relics? So has Popery. Had paganism its cruel persecution of thosewho opposed idolatry? So has Popery. Was paganism satanically inspired? So isPopery. God overthrew paganism ; Satan revived it under Christian names :but God shall yet destroy it, and sweep its hateful presence from the earth.And further, just as there never failed in IsraelA LINE OF FAITHFUL WITNESSESto testify against the idolatry of the people of God, so also in the case of Romanism.All the prophets testified against Jewish idolatry. Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel,Hosea and Amos were burning witnesses against it ; but perhaps the most typicalwitness of all was Elijah the Tishbite. This holy and earnest man was one whofeared God, and consequently feared not the face of his fellow man. ThoughJezebel had slain the prophets of the Lord [YAHWEH], he hesitates not to startleAhab with the bold accusation that his idolatries were the cause of the famine thatwas desolating the land. "I have not troubled Israel ; but you, and your father'shouse, in that you have forsaken the commandments of the Lord [YAHWEH], and