Bishop Jewell on Antichrist.
As a scholar, preacher, controversialist and earnest Christian, Bp. Jewell, who died A. D. 1571, was one of the best and most able of the British Reformers. His exposition of the Epistles to the Thessalonians—published after his death—has been characterized as “worth its weight in gold.” We intend to make some extracts from it. The following concerning Antichrist may be in place just now: This shall be the mark whereby you may know him; he shall set himself against God, and against Christ, for he is an enemy of the cross of Christ. Why then, say you, are not the Jews, and Mahomet, and the Turks, either all, or the most wicked of them, so called, * seeing they utterly refuse all Christian religion? Because none of these sit in the temple of God, which is the place where antichrist shall advance himself; and because antichrist shall not in open show set himself against Christ, as doth Mahomet, and the Turk, but subtly and craftily, like an evil and ungracious servant. He will not openly speak his blasphemies, or spit at the gospel of God, or defy the name of Christ; but he will call himself “the servant of God;” perhaps, “the vicar of Christ;” and perhaps, “the servant of God’s servants;” or perhaps, “the head, or the chief member of the church.” [Titles assumed by the pope.] He shall say he is led with the zeal of God’s house, and shall do nothing less; for he shall seek himself; he shall say, he seeks the glory of God, when all that he doth is for the enriching and ambitious enlarging of his own worldly pomp and vanity. In matters of princes, if any man take upon him the name of an ambassador, or deputy to a prince, having no commission thereto, and in this boldness presume to levy and raise a power, and force the subjects to follow him, although he work all this under the name, and by the color, of the prince’s authority, as is the manner of rebels to do, yet he is a traitor, and his doings are not well thought of, because he deals in the prince’s matters without warrant from the prince. Even so antichrist shall come in the name of Christ, yet will he do all things against Christ, and under pretense and color of serving Christ; he shall devour the sheep and people of Christ; he shall deface whatsoever Christ hath taught; he shall quench that fire which Christ hath kindled; those plants which Christ hath planted he shall root up; he shall undermine that house which Christ hath built; he shall be contrary to Christ; his faith contrary to the faith of Christ, and his life contrary to the life of Christ. Is any man desirous to know antichrist? His coming shall be notable; it shall astonish the world. By this mark you may know him: he shall be contrary to Christ. To show you at large this contrariety, by comparison of things contrary in Christ and antichrist, would ask long time. It shall be sufficient that we consider only some few wherein they are186manifestly contrary, that by them judgment may be made of the residue. St. Paul saith (Heb. 10), With one offering hath he consecrated forever them that are sanctified. And again: We are sanctified by the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once made. What is he, then, that saith, I make priests to offer a daily sacrifice for the sins of the people, by whom the offering up of the body of Christ is made every day? He is contrary to Christ; he is antichrist. St. Paul saith (Eph. 1), God hath appointed Christ over all things, to be the Head of the church? What is he, then, which saith, I am the head of the church? which saith, All the churches of God are knit in me; you must understand as I understand; you must hear with mine ears, and see with mine eyes; I will govern and direct you? He is contrary to Christ; this is antichrist. Christ ordained that the communion should be ministered under both kinds. Matt. 26. What is he, then, that delivers it to the people but under one kind? He is contrary to Christ; he breaks the first institution of the Lord’s supper; he is antichrist. Christ saith (John 18), My kingdom is not of this world. What is he, then, that saith, I am lord of lords, and king of kings. I have right to both swords; my power and authority reacheth over all the kingdoms of the world? He is contrary to Christ; he is antichrist. Christ washed his disciples’ feet. John 13. What is he, then, that gives his feet to be kissed of kings and emperors? He is contrary to Christ; he is antichrist. Christ paid tribute to Cæsar. Matt. 17. What is he, then, that exempts himself and his clergy from the temporal sword and authority? He is contrary to Christ; he is antichrist. Christ allowed marriage, and reproved fornication. What is he, then, that allows fornication, and forbids marriage? He is contrary to Christ; he is antichrist. Christ saith (John 5); Search the Scriptures. What is he, then, which saith, Give not that which is holy to dogs, neither cast pearls before swine; ye may not search the Scriptures? He is contrary to Christ; he is antichrist. These are the certain and undoubted marks of antichrist.—Advent Herald.