assembled a Council at Nicaea, and procured a decree that images should
3. How Irene, mother of Constantine the Sixth, in the eighth century, assembled a Council at Nicaea, and procured a decree that images should be put up in all the churches of Greece, and that honor and worship should be given to the images.
And there we may read the conclusion with which the sermon winds up its historical summary, "that the congregation and the clergy, learned and unlearned, all ages, sorts, and degrees of men, women and children of whole Christendom, have been at once drowned in abominable idolatry, of all other vices most detested by God, and most damnable to man, and that in the space of 800 years."
This is a mournful account, but it is only too true. There can be little doubt the evil began even before the time just mentioned by the sermon writer. No man, I think, need wonder at the rise of idolatry in the Early Church who considers calmly the excessive reverence which it paid, from the very first, to the visible parts of religion. I believe that no impartial man can read the language used by nearly all the Fathers about the Church, the bishops, the ministry, baptism, the Lord's Supper, the martyrs, and the dead saints, generally—no man can read it without being struck with the wide difference between their language and the language of Scripture on such subjects. You seem at once to be in a new atmosphere. You feel that you are no longer treading on holy ground. You find that things, which in the Bible are evidently of second-rate importance, are here made of first-rate importance.
You find the things of sense and sight exalted to a position in which Paul, and Peter, and James, and John, speaking by the Holy Spirit, never for a moment placed them. It is not merely the weakness of uninspired writings that you have to complain of; it is something worse; it is a new system. And what is the explanation of all this? It is, in one word, that you have gotten into a region where the malaria of idolatry has begun to arise. You perceive the first workings of the mystery of iniquity. You detect the buds of that huge system of idolatry which, as the sermon describes, was afterwards formally acknowledged, and ultimately blossomed in every part of Christendom.
But let us now turn from the past to the present. Let us examine the
question which most concerns ourselves. Let us consider in what form idolatry presents itself to us, as a sin of the visible Church of Christ in our own time.
I find no difficulty in answering this question. I feel no hesitation in affirming that idolatry never yet assumed a more glaring form than it does in the Roman Catholic Church in this present day.
And here I come to a subject on which it is hard to speak, because of the times we live in. But the whole truth ought to be spoken by ministers of Christ, without respect of times and prejudices. And I could not lie down in peace, after preaching on idolatry, if I did not declare my solemn conviction that idolatry is one of the crying sins of which the Roman Catholic Church is guilty. I say this in all sadness. I say it, acknowledging fully that we have our faults in the Protestant Church; and practically, perhaps, in some quarters, a little idolatry. But from formal, recognized, systematic idolatry, I believe we are almost entirely free. While, as for the Roman Catholic Church, if there is not in her worship, an enormous quantity of systematic, organized idolatry, I frankly confess then I do not know what idolatry is.
(a) To my mind, it is idolatry to have images and pictures of saints in churches, and to give them a reverence for which there is no warrant or precedent in Scripture. And if this is so, I say there is idolatry in the Roman Catholic Church.
(b) To my mind, it is idolatry to invoke the Virgin Mary and the saints in glory, and to address them in language never addressed in Scripture except to the Holy Trinity. And if this be so, I say there is idolatry in the Roman Catholic Church.
(c) To my mind, it is idolatry to bow down to mere material things, and attribute to them a power and sanctity far exceeding that attached to the ark or altar of the Old Testament dispensation; and a power and sanctity, too, for which there is not a speck of foundation in the Word of God. And if this be so, with the holy coat of Treves, and the wonderfully-multiplied wood of the true cross, and a thousand other so-called relics in my mind's eye, I say there is idolatry in the Roman Catholic Church.
(d) To my mind, it is idolatry to worship that which man's hands have made—to call it God, and adore it when lifted up before our eyes. And if this be so, with the notorious doctrine of transubstantiation, and the elevation of the host in my recollection, I say there is idolatry in the Roman Catholic Church.
(e) To my mind, it is idolatry to make ordained men mediators between ourselves and God, robbing, as it were, our Lord Jesus Christ of His office, and giving them an honor which even Apostles and angels in Scripture flatly repudiate. And if this is so, with the honor paid to Popes and Priests before my eyes, I say there is idolatry in the Roman Catholic Church.
I know well that language like this jars the minds of many. Men love to shut their eyes against evils which is disagreeable. They will not see things which involve unpleasant consequences. That the Roman Catholic Church is an erring church, they will acknowledge. That she is idolatrous, they will deny.
They tell us that the reverence which the Roman Catholic Church gives to saints and images does not amount to idolatry. They inform us that there are distinctions between the kinds of worship—that God deserves the "strong worship" and the saints and images get a lesser worship. That there is a distinction between a mediator of redemption, and a mediator of intercession, which clear the church of the charge of idolatry. My answer is, that the Bible knows nothing of such distinctions; and that, in the actual practice of the great bulk of Roman Catholics, there is no distinction at all.
They tell us, that it is a mistake to suppose that Roman Catholics really worship the images and pictures before which they perform acts of adoration; that they only use them as helps to devotion, and in reality look far beyond them. My answer is, that many a heathen could say just as much for his idolatry—that it is well-known, in former days, they did say so—and that in Hindu religion many idol-worshippers do say the same even in the present day. But the apology does not help. The terms of the second commandment are too stringent. It prohibits "bowing down," as well as worshipping. And the very anxiety which the Roman Catholic
Church has often displayed to exclude that second commandment from her catechisms, is of itself a great fact which speaks volumes to a candid observer.
They tell us that we have no evidence for the assertions we make on this subject; that we found our charges on the abuses which prevail among the ignorant members of the Roman Catholic Church; and that it is absurd to say that a Church containing so many wise and learned men, is guilty of idolatry. My answer is, that the devotional books in common use among Roman Catholics supply us with unmistakable evidence. Let any one examine that well known Catholic book, "The Garden of the Soul," if he doubts my assertion, and read the language there addressed to the Virgin Mary. Let him remember that this language is addressed to a woman, who, though highly favored, and the mother of our Lord, was yet one of our fellow-sinners—to a woman, who actually confesses her need of a Savior for herself. She says, "My spirit rejoices in God my Savior" (Luke 1:47).
Let him examine this language in the light of the New Testament, and then let him tell us fairly, whether the charge of idolatry is not correctly made. But I answer, beside this, that we need no better evidence than that which is supplied in the city of Rome itself. What do men and women do under the light of the Pope's own countenance? What is the religion that prevails around St. Peter's and under the walls of the Vatican? What is Romanism at Rome, unfettered, unshackled, and free to develop itself in full perfection? Let a man honestly answer these questions, and I ask no more. Let him read such a book as Seymour's "Pilgrimage to Rome," or "Alford's Letters," and ask any visitor to Rome if the picture is too highly colored. Let him do this, I say, and I believe he cannot avoid the conclusion, that Romanism in perfection is a gigantic system of Churchworship, Sacrament-worship, Mary-worship, saint-worship,
image-worship, relic-worship, and priest-worship—that it is, in one word, a huge organized idolatry.
I know how painful these things sound to many ears. To me it is no pleasure to dwell on the shortcomings of any who profess and call themselves Christians. I can truly say, that I have said what I have said
with pain and sorrow.
I draw a wide distinction between the accredited dogmas of the Roman Catholic Church and the private opinions of many of her members. I believe and hope that many a Roman Catholic is in his heart inconsistent with his profession, and is better than the Church to which he belongs. I believe that many a poor Italian at this day is worshipping with an idolatrous worship, simply because he knows no better. He has no Bible to instruct him. He has no faithful minister to teach him. He has the fear of the priest before his eyes, if he dares to think for himself. He has no money to enable him to get away from the bondage he lives under, even if he feels a desire. I remember all this, and I say that the Italian eminently deserves our sympathy and compassion. But all this must not prevent my saying that the Roman Catholic Church is an idolatrous Church.
I would not be faithful if I said less. The Church of which I am a minister has spoken out most strongly on the subject. The sermon on the "Perils of Idolatry," and the solemn protest in our own Church of England writings, which denounces the adoration of the Sacramental bread and wine as "idolatry to be abhorred of all faithful Christians," are plain evidences that I have said no more than the mind of my own Church. And in a day like this, when some are disposed to break away to the Roman Catholic Church, and many are shutting their eyes to her real character, and wanting us to be reunited to her, in a day like this, my own conscience would rebuke me if I did not warn men plainly that the Roman Catholic Church is an idolatrous Church, and that if they will join her they are "joining themselves to idols."
But I will not dwell any longer on this part of my subject. The main point I wish to impress on men's minds is this—that idolatry has decidedly manifested itself in the visible Church of Christ, and nowhere so decidedly as in the Roman Catholic Church.
IV. And now let me show, in the last place, the ultimate termination of all idolatry. WHAT WILL END IT?
I consider that man's soul must be in an unhealthy state who does not long for the time when idolatry shall be no more. That heart can hardly be
right with God which can think of the millions who are sunk in heathenism, or honor the false prophet Mohammed, or daily offer up prayers to the Virgin Mary, and not cry, "O my God, when shall the end come of these things? How long, O Lord, how long?
Here, as in other subjects, the sure word of prophecy comes to our aid. The end of all idolatry shall one day come. Its doom is fixed. Its overthrow is certain. Whether in heathen temples, or in so-called Christian Churches, idolatry shall be destroyed at the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Then shall the prophecies be fulfilled:
"The idols will totally disappear" (Isaiah 2:18).
"I will destroy your carved images and your sacred stones from among you; you will no longer bow down to the work of your hands" (Micah 5:13).
"The LORD will be awesome to them when he destroys all the gods of the land. The nations on every shore will worship him, every one in its own land" (Zephaniah 2:11).
"On that day, I will banish the names of the idols from the land, and they will be remembered no more," declares the LORD Almighty. I will remove both the prophets and the spirit of impurity from the land" (Zechariah 13:2).
In a word the 97th Psalm will then receive its fulfillment: "The LORD reigns, let the earth be glad; let the distant shores rejoice. Clouds and thick darkness surround him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne. Fire goes before him and consumes his foes on every side. His lightning lights up the world; the earth sees and trembles. The mountains melt like wax before the LORD, before the Lord of all the earth. The heavens proclaim his righteousness, and all the peoples see his glory. All who worship images are put to shame, those who boast in idols —worship him, all you gods!"
The second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ is that blessed hope which should always comfort the children of God under the present dispensation. It is the guiding star by which we must journey. It is the one point on which all our expectations should be concentrated. "For in just a very little while, 'He who is coming will come and will not delay'" (Hebrews 10:37). Our David shall no longer dwell in Adullam, followed by a despised few, and rejected by the many. He shall take to Himself His great power, and reign, and cause every knee to bow before Him.
Till then our redemption is not perfectly enjoyed; as Paul tells the Ephesians, "You were sealed for the day of redemption" (Ephesians 4:30). Till then our salvation is not completed; as Peter says of Christians, "who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time" (1 Peter 1:5). Till then our knowledge is still defective; as Paul tells the Corinthians: "Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known" (1 Corinthians 13:12). In short, our best things are yet to come.
But in the day of our Lord's return every desire shall receive its fulfillment. We shall no more be pressed down and worn out with the sense of constant failure, feebleness, and disappointment. In His presence we shall find there is a fullness of joy; and when we awake we will be satisfied with seeing His likeness (Psalm 16:11; 17:15).
There are many abominations now in the visible Church, over which we can only sigh and cry, like the faithful in Ezekiel's day (Ezekiel 9:4). We cannot remove them. The wheat and the weeds will grow together until the harvest. But a day comes when the Lord Jesus shall once more purify His temple, and cast forth everything that defiles. He shall do that work of which the doing of Hezekiah and Josiah were a faint type long ago. He shall cast forth the images, and purge out idolatry in every shape.
Who is there now that longs for the conversion of the heathen world? You will not see it in its fullness until the Lord's appearing. Then, and not till then, will that often misapplied text be fulfilled: "In that day men will throw away to the rodents and bats their idols of silver and idols of gold, which they made to worship" (Isaiah 2:20).
Who is there now that longs for the redemption of Israel? You will never see it in its perfection till the Redeemer comes to Zion. Idolatry in the professing Church of Jesus Christ has been one of the mightiest stumbling blocks in the Jew's way. When it begins to fall, the veil over the heart of Israel shall begin to be taken away (Psalm 102:16).
Who is there now that longs for the fall of Antichrist, and the purification of the Roman Catholic Church? I believe that will never be until the winding up of this dispensation. That vast system of idolatry may be consumed and wasted by the Spirit of the Lord's mouth, but it shall never be destroyed excepting by the brightness of His coming. (2 Thessalonians 2:8).
Who is there now that longs for a perfect Church—a Church in which there shall not be the slightest taint of idolatry? You must wait for the Lord's return. Then, and not till then, shall we see a perfect Church—a Church having neither spot nor wrinkle, nor any such thing (Ephesians 5:27)—a Church of which all the members shall be regenerate, and every one a child of God.
If these things be so, men need not wonder that we urge on them the study of prophecy, and that we charge them above all to grasp firmly the glorious doctrine of Christ's second appearing and kingdom. This is the "light shining in a dark place" to which we shall do well to take heed. Let others indulge their fancy if they will, with the vision of an imaginary "Church of the future." Let the children of this world dream of some "coming man," who is to understand everything, and set everything right. They are only sowing to themselves bitter disappointment. They will awake to find their visions baseless and empty as a dream. It is to such as these that the Prophet's words may be well applied: "But now, all you who light fires and provide yourselves with flaming torches, go, walk in the light of your fires and of the torches you have set ablaze. This is what you shall receive from my hand: You will lie down in torment" (Isaiah 50:11).
But let your eyes look onward to the day of Christ's second advent. That is the only day when every abuse shall be rectified, and every corruption and source of sorrow completely purged away. Waiting for that day, let us each work on and serve our generation; not idle, as if nothing could be
done to check evil, but not disheartened because we do not yet see all things put under our Lord. After all, the night is far spent, and the day is at hand. Let us wait, I say, on the Lord.
If these things be so, men need not wonder that we warn them to beware of all leanings towards the Roman Catholic Church. Surely, when the mind of God about idolatry is so plainly revealed to us in His Word, it seems the height of infatuation in anyone to join a Church so steeped in idolatries as the Roman Catholic Church. To enter into communion with her, when God is saying, "Come out of her, my people, so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues" (Revelation 18:4)—to seek her when the Lord is warning us to leave her— to become her subjects when the Lord's voice is crying, "Escape for your life, flee from the wrath to come;" all this is mental blindness indeed, a blindness like that of him, who, though forewarned, embarks in a sinking ship—a blindness which would be almost incredible, if our own eyes did not see examples of it continually.
We must all be on our guard. We must take nothing for granted. We must not hastily suppose that we are too wise to be ensnared. Those who preach must cry aloud and spare not, and allow no false tenderness to make them hold their peace about the heresies of the day. Those who hear must have the belt of truth buckled around their waist, and their minds stored with clear prophetical views of the end to which all idolworshippers must come. Let us all try to realize that the last days of the world are upon us, and that the termination of all idolatry is hurrying on. Is this a time for a man to draw nearer to the Roman Catholic Church? Is it not rather a time to draw further back and stand clear, lest we be involved in her downfall?
Is this a time to whitewash Rome's manifold corruptions, and refuse to see the reality of her sins? Surely we ought rather to be doubly jealous of everything of a Roman Catholic tendency in religion—doubly careful that we do not hint at any treason against our Lord Christ—and doubly ready to protest against unscriptural worship of every description. Once more, then, I say, let us remember that the destruction of all idolatry is certain, and remembering that, beware of the Roman Catholic Church.
The subject I now touch upon is of deep and pressing importance, and demands the serious attention of all Protestants. It is vain to deny that a large party of clergy and laity in the present day are moving heaven and earth to reunite the Protestant Church with the idolatrous Roman Catholic Church. The publication of that monstrous book, Dr. Pusey's "Eirenicon" and the formation of a "Society for Promoting the Union of Christendom," are plain evidence of what I mean.
The existence of such a movement as this will not surprise any one who has carefully watched the history of the Church during the last forty years. The tendency of Ritualism has been steadily moving towards Rome. Hundreds of men and women have fairly and honestly left our ranks, and become Catholics. But many hundreds more have stayed behind, and are yet nominal Christians within our midst. The pompous semi-Roman Catholic ceremonies, which has been introduced into many churches, has prepared men's minds for changes. An lavishly theatrical and idolatrous mode of celebrating the Lord's Supper has paved the way for transubstantiation. A regular process of unprotestantizing has been long and successfully at work. The poor old Church stands on an inclined plane. Her very existence, as a Protestant Church, is in peril.
I hold, for one, that this Roman Catholic movement ought to be steadily and firmly resisted. Notwithstanding the rank, the learning, and the devotedness of some of its advocates, I regard it as a most mischievous, soul-ruining and unscriptural movement. To say that reunion with Rome would be an insult to our martyred Reformers, is a very light thing, it is far more than this: it would be a sin and an offense against God! Rather than be reunited with the idolatrous Roman Catholic Church, I would willingly see my own beloved Church perish and go to pieces. Rather than become Roman Catholic once more, she would be better dead!
Unity in the abstract is no doubt an excellent thing: but unity without truth is useless. Peace and uniformity are beautiful and valuable: but peace without the Gospel—peace based on a common church government, and not on a common faith—is a worthless peace, not deserving of the name. When Rome has repealed the decrees of Trent, and her additions to the Creed—when Rome has recanted her false and unscriptural doctrines—when Rome has formally renounced image-
worship, Mary-worship, and transubstantiation—then, and not till then, will it be time to talk of reunion with her. Till then there is a gulf between us which cannot be honestly bridged. Till then I call on all Christians to resist to the death this idea of reunion with Rome. Till then let our watchwords be "No peace with the Roman Catholic Church! No communion with idolaters!"
Jewell well says in his Apology, "We do not decline concord and peace with men; but we will not continue in a state of war with God that we might have peace with men! If the Pope does indeed desire we should be reconciled to him, he ought first to reconcile himself to God." This witness is true! Well would it be for the Church, if all her leaders had been like Jewell!
I write these things with sorrow. But the circumstances of the times make it absolutely necessary to speak out. To whatever quarter of the horizon I turn, I see grave reason for alarm. For the true Church of Jesus Christ I have no fears at all. But for the Established Protestant Churches, I have very grave fears indeed. The tide of events seems running strongly against Protestantism and in favor of Rome. It looks as if God had a controversy with us, as a nation, and was about to punish us for our sins.
I am no prophet. I do not know where we are drifting. But at the rate we are going, I think it quite within the verge of possibility that in a few years the Protestant Church may be reunited to the Roman Catholic Church. Protestantism may be formally repudiated. A Roman Catholic Archbishop may once more preside over the former Protestant Churches. Mass may be once more said at Westminster Abbey and St. Paul's. And one result will be that all Bible-reading Christians must either leave the Established Protestant Church, or else sanction idol-worship and become idolaters! God grant we may never come to this state of things! But at the rate we are going, it seems to me quite possible.
And now it only remains for me to conclude what I have been saying, by mentioning some safeguards for the souls of all who hear this message. We live in a time when the Roman Catholic Church is walking amongst us with renewed strength, and loudly boasting that she will soon win back the ground that she has lost. False doctrines of every kind are continually
set before us in the most subtle forms. It cannot be thought unreasonable if I offer some practical safeguards against idolatry. What it is, where it comes from, where it is, what will end it—all this we have seen. Let me point out how we may be safe from it, and I will say no more.
(1) Let us arm ourselves, then, for one thing, with a thorough knowledge of the Word of God.
Let us read our Bibles more diligently than ever, and become familiar with every part of them. Let the Word dwell in us richly. Let us beware of anything which would make us give less time, and less heart, to the perusal of its sacred pages. The Bible is the sword of the Spirit; let it never be laid aside. The Bible is the true lantern for a dark and cloudy time; let us beware of traveling without its light. I strongly suspect, if we knew the secret history of the numerous secessions from our Church to that of Rome, which we deplore—I strongly suspect that in almost every case one of the most important steps in the downward road would be found to have been a neglected Bible—more attention to forms, sacraments, daily services, primitive Christianity, and so forth, and diminished attention to the written Word of God. The Bible is the King's highway. If we once leave that for any side road, however beautiful, and old, and frequented it may seem, we must never be surprised if we end with worshipping images and relics, and going regularly to a confessional.
(2) Let us arm ourselves, in the second place, with a godly jealousy about the least portion of the Gospel.
Let us beware of sanctioning the slightest attempt to keep back any jot or tittle of it, or to throw any part of it into the shade by exalting subordinate matters in religion. When Peter withdrew himself from eating with the Gentiles, it seemed but a little thing; yet Paul tells the Galatians, "I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong" (Galatians 2:11). Let us count nothing little that concerns our souls. Let us be very particular whom we hear, where we go, and what we do, in all the matters of our own particular worship. We live in days when great principles are involved in little acts, and things in religion, which fifty years ago were utterly indifferent, are now by circumstances rendered indifferent no longer. Let us beware of tampering with anything of a Romanizing
tendency. It is foolishness to play with fire. I believe that many of our perverts and seceders began with thinking there could be no mighty harm in attaching a little more importance to certain outward things than they once did. But once launched on the downward course, they went on from one thing to another. They provoked God, and He left them to themselves! They were given over to strong delusion, and allowed to believe a lie (2 Thessalonians 2:11). They tempted the devil, and he came to them! They started with trifles, as many foolishly call them. They have ended with downright idolatry.
(3) Let us arm ourselves, last of all, with clear, sound views of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of the salvation that is in Him.
He is the "image of the invisible God," the "exact representation of His being," and the true preservative against all idolatry, when truly known. Let us build ourselves deep down on the strong foundation of His finished work upon the cross. Let us settle it firmly in our minds, that Christ Jesus has done everything needful in order to present us without spot before the throne of God, and that simple, childlike faith on our part is the only thing required to give us an entire interest in the work of Christ. Let us not doubt that having this faith, we are completely justified in the sight of God—will never be more justified if we live to the age of Methuselah and do the works of the Apostle Paul—and can add nothing to that complete justification by any acts, deeds, words, performances, fastings, prayers, attendance on ordinances, or anything else of our own.
(4) Above all let us keep up continual communion with the person of the Lord Jesus!
Let us abide in Him daily, feed on Him daily, look to Him daily, lean on Him daily, live upon Him daily, draw from His fullness daily. Let us realize this, and the idea of other mediators, other comforters, other intercessors, will seem utterly absurd. "What need is there?" we shall reply: "I have Christ, and in Him I have everything. What have I to do with idols? I have Jesus in my heart, Jesus in the Bible, and Jesus in heaven, and I want nothing more."
Once let the Lord Christ have His rightful place in our hearts, and all
other things in our religion will soon fall into their right places—Church, ministers, ordinances, all will go down, and take the second place.
Except Christ sits as Priest and King upon the throne of our hearts, that little kingdom within will be in perpetual confusion. But only let Him be "all in all" there, and all will be well, Before Him every idol, every Dagon shall fall down. CHRIST RIGHTLY KNOWN, CHRIST TRULY BELIEVED, AND CHRIST HEARTILY LOVED, IS THE TRUE PRESERVATIVE AGAINST RITUALISM, ROMANISM, AND EVERY FORM OF IDOLATRY. AMEN.
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Warnings to the Churches by J. C. Ryle, Copyright © 2015
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