Commentary on Galatians Ephesians Philippians Colossians Thessalonians Timothy Titus and Philemon John Calvin
John Calvin according to his own inclination, 816 or he corrupts and deforms those which had been instituted by Christ --- nay, sets them aside altogether, that he may substitute in their place the sacrileges 817 which he has invented. He contrives means of attaining salvation that are altogether at variance with the doctrine of the Gospel; and, in fine, he does not hesitate to change the whole of religion at his own pleasure. What is it, I pray you, for one to lift up himself above everything that is reckoned God, if the Pope does not do so? When he thus robs God of his honor, he leaves him nothing remaining but an empty title of Deity, 818 while he transfers to himself the whole of his power. And this is what Paul adds shortly afterwards, that the son of perdition would shew himself as God. For, as has been said, he does not insist upon the simple term God, but intimates, that the pride 819 of Antichrist would be such, that, raising himself above the number and rank of servants, and mounting the judgment-seat of God, 820 would reign, not with a human, but with a divine authority. For we know that whatever is raised up into the place of God is an idol, though it should not bear the name of God.
In the temple of God. By this one term there is a sufficient refutation of the error, nay more, the stupidity of those who reckon the Pope to be Vicar of Christ, on the ground that he has his seat in the Church, in whatever manner he may conduct himself; for Paul places Antichrist nowhere else than in the very sanctuary of God. For this is not a foreign, but a domestic enemy, who opposes Christ under the very name of Christ. But it is asked, how the Church is represented as the den of so many superstitions, while it was destined to be the pillar of the truth? (1 Timothy 3:15.) I answer, that it is thus represented, not on the ground of its retaining all the qualities of the Church, but because it has something of it remaining. I accordingly acknowledge, that that is the temple of God in which the Pope bears rule, but at the same time profaned by innumerable sacrileges.
2 Thessalonians 2:5-8
2 Thessalonians 2:5-8 5. Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? 5. Annon memoria tenetis, quod, quum adhuc essem apud vos, haec vobis dicebam?
6. And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. 6. Et nunc quid detineat, scitis, donec ille reveletur suo tempore. 7. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
816"Selon son plaisir et fantasie;" — "According to his own pleasure and fancy." 817"Sacrileges abominables;" — "Abominable sacrileges." 818"Le titre de Dieu par imagination;" — "The title of God by imagination." 819"L'orgueil et arrogance;" — "The pride and arrogance." 820"Auec vne fierete intolerable;" — "With an intolerable presumption."