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2 The Bulwark
Letter By
Hugh Martin
cover picture, which dates
from about 1870, is from the
Robert Tucker collection of
early photographs of members
of the London Mathematical
Society (and is reproduced
by permission). Hugh Martins
name occurs, along with
many other eminent names,
on what appears to be a list
of members or supporters
of the Scottish Reformation
Society in 1860.
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Antichrist in the
Protestant Confessions
When people are departing from the Often the first doctrine to be abandoned
faith they often do so under cover of a is the belief that the Pope is the Antichrist.
smokescreen. They protest loudly that We are not suggesting that everyone who
they still are holding to the essentials of rejects this doctrine is on a path of apostasy
the faith and that they are yielding only a - we know that there are several schools
few peripheral and inessential points of of prophetic interpretation in Protestant
doctrine. But these inessential points circlesbut where a denomination has
become rapidly more numerous and more committed itself to this doctrine and then
weighty, while the supposed essentials of starts to draw back there is great cause for
the faith dwindle away to nothing. alarm. History warns us that many other
doctrines are likely to be jettisoned as well.
One of the early signs of this apostasy
is often a weakness in opposition to With these thoughts in mind, it is interesting
Romanism. Where there is a clear view of to see how widely the Protestant Church
the true way of salvationby faith alone since the Reformation has committed
in Christ alonethere is always a horror herself to the doctrine that the Papacy is
of deadly error, such as Romes blatant the Antichrist. Most of the main branches of
teaching of salvation by works. But where Protestantism have done so, and generally
views of the gospel become indistinct, this step has been taken at a highpoint
there is a growing indifference, also, to of spiritual history. If that branch has
the errors of Romanism. The opposition subsequently reneged, as several of them
to it becomes lukewarm, and there is an have, this has been part of a wider course
impatience, instead, with those who are of spiritual defection and backsliding.
continuing to speak out against Romanism.
Soon, those on this path of apostasy are far One of the standard books on Creeds, from
more vehement in their denunciation of the which much of our information is taken, is
Protestantism of their former friends than Philip Schaffs The Creeds of Christendom
ever they are in their exposure of the errors (in three volumes, and now accessible
of Rome. Within a short while, perhaps, they on the internet). The first edition was
may be holding joint services with Roman published in 1876; our quotations are from
Catholics, and yet protesting all along that the 6th edition of 1931, edited by David
they are holding to the essentials of the S. Schaff, and reprinted by Baker Books
faith. in 1996. Another useful book, containing
English translations of many less well-
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in man (Rom. 3:20-28; Gal. 2:16); that he spent little time on prophetic issues, and
recognizes only those as members of the his successor in Zurich, Heinrich Bullinger,
Christian Church who bow to his authority; seems to have regarded the Pope as an
and that, like a deluge, he had inundated antichrist rather than the Antichrist. The First
the whole Church with his antichristian Helvetic Confession of 1536, which was
doctrines till God revealed him through the translated into English by George Wishart,
Reformationthese very features are the makes no reference to the Antichrist. The
outstanding characteristics of the Papacy. Genevan Liturgy, however, contains an
Hence we subscribe to the statement of interesting prayer which commends to the
our Confessions that the Pope is the very Divine protection all such as are under
Antichrist. the tyranny of Antichrist. This prayer was
originally composed by Bucer in 1537, but
2. The Reformed Churches in was modified by Calvin on more than one
Switzerland occasion, and the paragraph referring to
Antichrist was added in 1559. The Papacy
is not explicitly mentioned in the prayer
but it is evident that everybody hearing the
prayer knew what was meant.
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usurped authority of that Roman Antichrist
upon the Scriptures of God, upon the Kirk,
the civil magistrate, and consciences of
men etc.
In 1581 the Kings Confession or National There is no other head of the Church, but
Covenant, drawn up by John Craig, was the Lord Jesus Christ; nor can the Pope of
signed by the King and by people of all ranks Rome, in any sense, be head thereof; but
in the country. The lengthy denunciation of is that Antichrist, that man of sin, and son
Romanism begins: of perdition, that exalteth himself, in the
Church, against Christ and all that is called
But in special we detest and refuse the God.
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affirmed the original decision of 1603, with was, says Quick, a grievous tormenting
only two members voting against (Quick, boil unto the Papists. At the following
vol.1 p.266, Life of Welsh, p.292): Synod, that of St Maixent in 1609, it was
resolved that the various Provinces of the
That article concerning Antichrist, inserted Church should nominate some worthy
by the Synod of Gap into the body of our ministers particularly to study controversies,
Confession, and making the thirty-first, and in every Province someone to be most
having been in its order read, weighed, prepared for the defence of one particular
and examined, was approved and allowed truth opposed by our adversaries (Quick,
by the general consent, both as to its form vol.1 p.258, 275, 328-9). The Province
and substance, for very true and agreeing of Saintonge, in which John Welsh of Ayr
with Scripture prophecy, and which in these was then ministering, was allocated the
our days we see most clearly to be fulfilled. subject Of the Church and Councils.
Whereupon it was resolved that it should John Welshs book LArmageddon de la
continue in its place, and that for time Babylon Apocalyptique was ready the
coming it should be imprinted in all copies following autumn, although not published
which should come from the press. until 1612, and was probably a response
to this instruction. In it he considers
The meeting went on for seven weeks, the resemblance between the Romish
however, and later in the meeting it was Church and the figures divinely appointed
decided that it would not be wise to proceed to symbolise her and to make known her
with the printing of the article (Quick, vol.1 character. She is symbolised by a city and
p.274): a great city, by Sodom, by Egypt, by the
place where Christ was crucified, and by
Whereas since the last resolution taken by Babylon (Life of Welsh, p.356-7).
us concerning that article of Antichrist, and
its insertion into the body of our Confession Although the 31st Article technically
of Faith, and in consequence thereof of its remained a part of the French Confession,
being printed, his Majesty hath notified unto the effect of omitting it from printed copies
us by his deputies... that the publishing of of the Confession was that it came to be
this article would greatly displease him: this overlooked as a part of the Confession. At
Assembly ordaineth that the printing thereof the National Synod of Loudun in 1659, the
shall be superseded etc. final Synod permitted before the Revocation
of the Edict of Nantes in 1685, the Kings
Instead, one of the pastors, Nicolas Commissioner instructed the Synod that all
Vignier, was entreated to study well that ministers were, by his Majesty (Quick, vol.2
controversy about the Great Antichrist, and p.507):
to bring in his work unto the next National
Synod. The resulting volume Theatre de expressly forbidden in their sermons or
lAntechrist was published in 1610 with books to mention the word Antichrist,
a second edition in Geneva in 1613, and when as they speak of the Pope, nor to
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After this, the Preface, which was to be ancient and most probable of all is the
prefixed to the Canons, was read with exposition of Irenaeus... who applieth this
the amendments. Among the corrections, to the word Lateinos, wherein the number
instead of Antichrist, they made it now the 666 is found. Which agreeth very well with
Roman Antichrist, which gave content to the thing, since the Pope pretendeth to be
those who thought it not proper to advance, the head of the Latin church, will have the
without due consideration, that the Pope service of God to be performed in Latin,
of Rome was the great Antichrist, and yet and will hold the old Latin translation of the
allowed him to be a sort of Antichrist. And Bible to be authentic.]
thus the Preface was approved.
Thus the Dutch Church has been officially
The clearest commitment of the Dutch teaching that the Papacy is the Antichrist,
Church to the position that the Papacy is even if she has not committed herself to
the Antichrist is found in the marginal notes that position in her Confession.
of the Statenvertaling, the translation of
the Bible requested by the Synod of Dort There is another Dutch Confession which
and authorized by the States-General in should be mentioned here. This was
July 1637. In Haaks English translation of produced in 1551 by the Polish Reformer
1657, the Bible text is given in italics and John Lasco (1499-1560) who was at
the Dutch annotation in square brackets. In that time the pastor of a Dutch Refugee
2 Thessalonians, we have the following: Congregation in London. Subjoined to the
Confession was a Form of Public Prayers
Chap. 2:6 And now what withholdeth which included the petition (Dennison, vol.1
[...Now who this Antichrist is, that hath p.582):
usurped this power in Christendom for
many hundred years, is clearly shewed Rev We further beseech thee, O Most Merciful
13:17-18.] Father, for the preservation of the Churches
of this Kingdom, as well as of all others
On turning to Rev 13:17-18, we find: scattered throughout the entire world,
in which the Doctrine of thy Son is being
v.17 And that no man might buy or sell, proclaimed, cleansed of the blasphemies of
save he that had that mark (or the name) of the Roman Antichrist.
the beast [that is, the profession that they
are Roman Catholics, or good popelings, 7. The Church of Ireland
well-affected to the Pope, holding him to
be the head of the Church, and infallible in The Church of England has never formally
his doctrine and traditions...] v.18 Here is committed herself to the position that Rome
wisdom: let him that hath understanding is the Antichrist, although was the view of her
count the number of the beast: for it is the eminent martyrs such as Bradford, Latimer,
number of a man: and his number is six Ridley, Cranmer etc (see Cooke, Antichrist
hundred three-score and six [...the most Exposed, above, for quotations). Perhaps
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The Lord Jesus Christ is the Head of The Synod of Philadelphia was formed in
the Church, in whom by the appointment 1717. The Synod adopted the Westminster
of the Father, all power for the calling, Confession of Faith and the Larger and
institution, order, or Government of the Shorter Catechisms in 1729. In 1788, prior
Church, is invested in a supreme and to the forming of the first General Assembly
sovereign manner, neither can the Pope of the Church, the Westminster Confession
of Rome in any sense be head thereof, was modified in some respects, but the
but is that Antichrist, that Man of Sin, and teaching that the Papacy is the Antichrist
Son of perdition, that exalteth himself in the was retained. The doctrine was dropped
Church against Christ, and all that is called from the Westminster Confession in the
God; whom the Lord shall destroy with the extensive liberal revision of 1903.
brightness of his coming.
Conclusion
The 1689 Confession, with the addition of
two further chapters and under the name of The official acts and pronouncements of
the Philadelphia Confession, was adopted Churches are more weighty and authoritative
by the American Baptists in 1742. than those of individual members. The list
of eminent divines who have maintained
10. The American that the Papacy is the Antichrist would be
Presbyterian Church very long indeed, but it is interesting to see
that so many branches of the Christian
Church have officially adopted this position.
Indeed, the Churches and denominations
that we have mentioned include most of
the strongest branches of the Protestant
Church since the Reformation; and
most of these branches have committed
themselves, either in their creeds, or in their
public prayers, or in their official notes on
the Bible, to the position that the Papacy
is the Antichrist. The departure from this
doctrine in the last hundred and thirty years
has been the fruit, not of greater spirituality
and learning, but, generally speaking, of
apostasy.
Charles Hodge
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The national
Covenant of 1581
The National Covenant of Scotland kirks and realms, but chiefly by the Kirk
contains as detailed a rejection of the errors of Scotland, the Kings Majesty, and three
of Romanism as any of the Reformed estates of this realm, as Gods eternal truth
Confessions of Faith. Rome claims not to and only ground of our salvation; as more
change, though she does in fact modify her particularly is expressed in the confession of
doctrines to suit the times; nevertheless it our faith, established and publicly confirmed
can be seen that most or all of the errors by sundry Acts of Parliament; and now of a
repudiated below are current in Scottish long time hath been openly professed by
Roman Catholicism at the present day. the Kings Majesty, and whole body of this
realm, both in burgh and land.
The confession of faith of the Kirk of
Scotland, subscribed at first by the Kings To the which confession and form of religion
Majesty and his household in the year we willingly agree in our consciences in
of God 1580; thereafter by persons of all all points, as unto Gods undoubted truth
ranks in the year 1581, by ordinance of the and verity, grounded only upon his written
lords of the Secret Council, and acts of the Word; and therefore we abhor and detest
General Assembly. all contrary religion and doctrine, but chiefly
all kind of papistry in general and particular
We all, and every one of us underwritten, do heads, even as they are now damned and
protest, that after long and due examination confuted by the Word of God and Kirk of
of our own consciences in matters of true Scotland.
and false religion, we are now thoroughly
resolved of the truth, by the Word and Spirit But in special we detest and refuse the
of God; and therefore we believe with our usurped authority of that Roman Antichrist
hearts, confess with our mouths, subscribe upon the Scriptures of God, upon the Kirk,
with our hands, and constantly affirm before the civil magistrate, and consciences of
God and the whole world, that this only is men; all his tyrannous laws made upon
the true Christian faith and religion, pleasing indifferent things against our Christian
God, and bringing salvation to man, which liberty; his erroneous doctrine against
now is by the mercy of God revealed to the sufficiency of the written Word, the
the world by the preaching of the blessed perfection of the law, the office of Christ and
evangel, and received, believed, and His blessed evangel; his corrupted doctrine
defended by many and sundry notable concerning original sin, our natural inability
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doctrine and discipline of this Kirk, and shall We therefore, willing to take away all
defend the same according to our vocation suspicion of hypocrisy, and of such double
and power all the days of our lives, under dealing with God and His Kirk, protest and
the pains contained in the law, and danger call the Searcher of all hearts for witness,
both of body and soul in the day of Gods that our minds and hearts do fully agree
fearful judgement. with this our confession, promise, oath, and
subscription: so that we are not moved for
And seeing that many are stirred up by Satan any worldly respect, but are persuaded only
and that Roman Antichrist, to promise, in our consciences, through the knowledge
swear, subscribe, and for a time use the and love of Gods true religion printed in our
holy sacraments in the Kirk, deceitfully hearts by the Holy Spirit, as we shall answer
against their own consciences, to him in the day when the secrets of all
hearts shall be disclosed.
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MCheyne
on Antichrist
The following is an extract from a sermon But farther, let us observe the object of
of Robert Murray MCheynes on John the false shepherd. Verse 10, The thief
10:1-6, The True and the False Shepherd. cometh not but for to steal, and to kill, and
The references to Antichrist remind one of to destroy. You know, dear brethren, this is
the Popes recent visit to Scotland. Satans great object in the world;it is to
steal, and to kill, and to destroy. This is the
The marks of the false shepherd. Verse object of Antichrist. This is the object of the
1, Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that world. This is the object of all false ministers.
entereth not by the door into the sheep This is the object of your enemies, little flock,
fold, but climbeth up some other way, the of whom it is the Fathers good pleasure
same is a thief and a robber. The great to give you the kingdom. Satan comes to
mark of false shepherds is, they enter not rob God of your souls; Antichrist comes to
in by the door. Verse 9, I am the door; by rob God of his throneto rob God of his
me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, laws; and the world comes to rob God of
and shall go in and out, and find pasture. his Sabbath. So with worldly ministers in
Christ is the door into the sheep fold. The like manner, they come to rob you of your
mark of every false shepherd is, he is not soul, of peace, of joy, of holiness. Antichrist
saved himself. This is the mark of the devil, robs you of the true way to the Father. And
he is lost! lost! lost! Those of you who the world comes to rob youthat pleasant
follow Satan as master, are following one world which says, Stolen waters are sweet,
who is lost himself. And this is the mark and bread eaten in secret is pleasant. And
of Antichrist, just that he enters not in by so with worldly ministers,this is their
the door. They make another way into the object, to rob, to steal, and to destroy. O
sheep fold; they have other mediators than my brethren, be warned to flee; be warned
the one Mediator between God and man. to flee from Antichrist; be warned to flee
This is the mark of the world, they enter from an ungodly world; Make no friendship
not in by the door; it is a lost world. Oh, with an angry man; and with a furious man
dear sheep, why do you fear the world; it thou shalt not go (Prov. 22:24); or with a
will soon perish. The same is the mark of covetous man thou shalt not go.
all false ministers. Ah, brethren, remember
that you live in a dangerous time.
Even today, the Roman Catholic Church and the smuggling of whisky across the
enjoys majority support in several isolated hills to the towns of the lowlands. There are
pockets in rural Scotland. One such district three imposing Roman Catholic churches
is Glenlivet, in upland Banffshire. The very in the area, at Tomintoul, Tombae, and
remoteness of the area was an obstacle to Chapeltown, while the old college, sad to
Protestant missionary activity in the post say, is a place of pilgrimage for hundreds
Reformation period. The most powerful each year.
family in the North East of Scotland were
the Gordon Earls of Huntly, hence the old Born within a stones throw of this college,
saying, The Gordons hae the guidin ot. in 1797, was Jane Stuart, the eldest of six
In common with many other nobles and daughters of Allan Stuart, the local sheriff
indeed the Stuart monarchs, the Gordons officer. Her entire extended family were
were sympathetic to Romanism. In 1594, Roman Catholic and among the thousand
the Earls of Huntly, Angus, and Errol or so inhabitants of Glenlivet, there was
defeated the Earl of Argyll at the Battle only a handful of Protestants. Jane entered
of Glenlivet after they had been outlawed domestic service in various houses in
for refusing to renounce Romanism. The Aberdeenshire, including the Manse of
Gordons employed private chaplains to Rayne. In the Lords providence, she heard
celebrate Mass illegally and they exercised the gospel from the lips of Rev Gavin Parker
a powerful influence over extensive lands in of Aberdeen: her conversion to Christ and
which the priests of Rome could go about her change of church were simultaneous.
their work untroubled. A secret college for
training priests was established at Scalan Mr Parker (1780-1845) was a Church of
in the Braes of Glenlivet, in 1716. It was Scotland minister who joined the Free
the effective headquarters of Romanism Church at the Disruption. His preaching was
in 18th century Scotland and was raided highly valued by exercised Christians and he
by redcoats several times. The wild men laid a strong emphasis on the sovereignty of
of Glenlivet defied the excise laws and the God. William Robbie wrote, As a preacher
area became well known for illicit distilling he never aimed at popularity; and, indeed,
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Glenlivet
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Aberdeen, 19th Century
and earnestness impressed them although drowned at sea. After Mr Mitchells death,
others, who did not know her well, thought Jane scraped a living by selling pamphlets
her rather mad. One such recalled, There and other articles on the streets and lived in
was nothin in her head but religion. You Short Loanings, a poverty stricken street in
couldna open your mouth but she would the Rosemount area of Aberdeen. During
have it in. She put herself clean wrang wit. her years of widowhood, Janes concern
As for her ain folk, she wid never lat them for the salvation of the Glenlivet people
be. almost became an obsession. She was
determined to set up a Protestant mission
Jane and her husband had two children; in her native glen and to construct a
their daughter, Amelia, died aged eighteen mission hall. To that end, she set aside
of consumption and their son, James, most of her meagre income and collected
comfortable, Jane refused, responding, I West Church, to be used for the good of
wonder to hear you, you see its nae mine. souls and the advancement of the cause
In her later years she attended the Free of Christ in Glenlivet. Her life was indeed
West Church, and became well known made what it evidently was by Divine
among an influential circle including the grace, surprising in its faithfulness, true as
minister, Dr Alexander Dyce Davidson. steel, unwavering in its one noble aim to
the very last.
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Triple Kirks, Aberdeen
Over the next few years, the story of the By the end of 1892, the sum raised was
Widow Mitchell became well known and over 600 and work began on a mission
was spoken of in many pulpits. The Free hall in the hamlet of Tomnavoulin. It was
Presbytery of Aberlour took responsibility opened in June 1893 by Rev Alexander
for administering the legacy fund. After Lee of the Free Church, Nairn. Services
a delay, an article eventually appeared in continued in the mission hall, latterly under
the Free Church Monthly for April 1891 the auspices of the Church of Scotland,
and financial contributions were sent in until the 1980s.
from throughout the Church. Two years
later, Rev Donald Robertson of Inveravon
published a short memoir of Jane entitled
The Strong Faith of a Good Woman
(Aberdeen; Wylie, 1893).
Anwoth
Entrants are asked to choose from a If appropriate, the winning essays from
selection of three questions in their age the older age groups will also be printed
group. Every entrant will receive a 10 book in the Bulwark. The closing date is 31st
token (this may be changed to a book) if they July 2011. Entries should be sent to Rev
are judged to have completed the project David Campbell, F. P. Manse, N. Tolsta, Isle
or question. There will be an additional two of Lewis, HS2 0NH, and must include the
prizes awarded to the winner and runner- entrants name, full postal address, and
up in each section and all participants will age.
receive a certificate.
28 The Bulwark
Monarchy Project of the Scottish Parliament on 24th August
(12 years and under) 1560 which repudiated the jurisdiction of
Winner 20, Runner-up 15 the Pope in Scotland.
OR
Hamilton Memorial Essay Write a book review assessing John Knoxs
(12 years and under) History of the Reformation.
(300 words)
Winner 20, Runner-up 15 OR
Summarise any three of the writings of
Explain why no one was executed for their John Knox other than his History of the
religion by the Scottish Reformers in 1560. Reformation.
OR
Give an account of the Queen Regent Marys Melville Essay
intentions against the Reformers in Perth in (18-25 years)
May 1559 and explain what happened. (2500 3000 words)
Winner 50, Runner-up 40
OR
What happened in the first General What did the Scottish Reformation under
Assembly of the Scottish Reformed Church John Knox contribute to the emergence
on 20th December 1560? of liberty in the modern world? OR Knox
parted company with Calvin when he
Magdalen Chapel Essay held that Gods covenant with his people
(13 to 15 years) gave them the direct right to rebel against
(600 - 800 words) ungodly magistrates Discuss. OR
Winner 25, Runner-up 20 Compare the Scots Confession 1560 with
the Westminster Confession of 1647. Is
Give a short biography of three persons there anything in the Scots Confession
(other than John Knox) who were members which is not covered in the Westminster
of the first General Assembly of the Church Confession?
of Scotland on 20th December 1560.
OR
Explain the context and the terms of the Act
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Branch
News
Aberdeen Branch
Meetings are on Fridays in the
Dunbar St Hall, Old Aberdeen, at
7.30 pm (DV).
Lewis Branch
Meetings are on Fridays in the
Nicolson Institute Assembly Hall at
7.30 pm (DV).
MCheyne on Antichrist 20
Writing Competition 28
www.scottishreformationsociety.org.uk/downloads/SRS_Membership_Form.pdf
32 The Bulwark