ed _deification_, raised men,
after their death, to a dignified position and accorded them
special honors and worship. Papists, by a similar process called
_canonization_, exalt men after their death to the dignity of saints
and then offer up prayers to them.

4. Papists' adoration of idols and images was also borrowed direct
from the heathen; for all such practises were absolutely forbidden by
the Mosaic law and had no place in primitive Christianity.

5. Their religious orders of monks and nuns were also in imitation of
the vestal virgins of antiquity.

The beast is described as a blasphemous power. Adam Clarke has stated
that "blasphemy, in Scripture, signifies _impious speaking_, when
applied to God; and _injurious speaking_, when directed against our
_neighbor_." A name of blasphemy would therefore properly signify the
prostitution of a sacred name to an unholy purpose. An example of this
kind is given in Rev. 2:9, where we read, "I know the blasphemy of
them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagog of
Satan." In this case certain wicked men blasphemed the name by calling
themselves Jews, since according to Scripture 'he _only_ is a Jew who
is one inwardly.' But to prostitute a sacred name to an unworthy use
would be no more impious or blasphemous than would the assumption by
man of those rights and prerogatives which belong to God alone. This
the pope has done for ages. Among the blasphemous titles which he has
assumed are these: "Lord God the Pope," "King of the World," "Holy
Father," "King of kings and Lord of lords," "Vicegerent of the Son of
God." For ages he has claimed infallibility, and this claim became
a dogma of the church when adopted by the General Council of 1870.
Further, he claims power to dispense with God's laws, to forgive sins,
to release from purgatory, to damn and to save. To call the Roman
Catholic Church the _holy_ church of the Bible is to prostitute a
sacred name to an unworthy institution. And to elevate a man to the
place where "he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself
that _he_ is God," by claiming those prerogatives which belong to God
only, is most flagrant blasphemy.

[Sidenote: A persecuting power]

"And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to
overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues,
and nations" (chap. 13: 7). Here we have a direct prediction of that
reign of tyranny in the Dark Ages in which mill