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Originally Posted by CarolinaCalvinist  Just out of curiosity, do the Belgic Confession or Heidelberg Catechism contain anything concerning this issue? |
The Belgic Confession says, Article 36:
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Of Magistrates.
We believe that our gracious God, because of the depravity of mankind, hath appointed kings, princes and magistrates, willing that the world should be governed by certain laws and policies; to the end that the dissoluteness of men might be restrained, and all things carried on among them with good order and decency. For this purpose he hath invested the magistracy with the sword, for the punishment of evil-doers, and for the protection of them that do well. And their office is, not only to have regard unto, and watch for the welfare of the civil state; but also that they protect the sacred ministry; and thus may remove and prevent all idolatry and false worship; that the kingdom of Anti-Christ may be thus destroyed and the kingdom of Christ promoted. |
I have no doubt that Guido de Bres, author of the Belgic Confession, was referring to the Roman Papacy, by whose authority he was later martyred.
The Heidelberg Catechism does not make explicit reference to Anti-Christ, so far as I know, but one of the authors, Zacharius Ursinsus, does so in his commentary on the Catechism.
In his Special Prolegomena, concerning the design of catechism, p. 16, he
says:
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A neglect of the catechism is, therefore, one of the chief causes why there are so many at the present day tossed about by every wind of doctrine, and why so many fall from Christ to Anti-Christ.
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Later, on Q. 80, concerning the difference between the Lord's Supper and the Mass, p. 423, he
says:
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From what has now been said, it is evident that the mass is an idol, formed by Anti-Christ out of various accursed errors and blasphemies, and substituted in the place of the Lord's supper, which, for this reason, is properly and necessarily abolished.
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While, the explicit declaration of the Westminster Confession on this point is not to found in the Belgic Confession or the Heidelberg Catechism, there is no doubt that Guido de Bres and Zacharius Ursinus and their adherents were among the company of Reformers who acknowledged the Papacy to be Anti-Christ.
I would also take note of the third element of the Three Forms of Unity: the Canons of the Synod of Dordt. The
introduction to which says:
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With like favour our faithful Saviour hath given a testimony of his gracious presence at this time to the long distressed Church of the Low-Countries. For this Church being by God’s mighty hand set free from the tyranny of the Romish Antichrist, & from the fearful idolatry of Popery, so often wonderfully preserved amidst the dangers of a long-continuing war, and flourishing in the concord of true {} doctrine, and of discipline to the praise of her God, the admirable increase of the weal-publick, and joy of all other reformed Churches, hath first covertly, afterwards openly, with manifold both old and new errors been assaulted by one James Harmans, alias Arminius, and his followers, assuming the title of Remonstrants, and brought into so great hazard through the ceaseless turmoils of scandalous dissentions, and schisms, that, had not our Saviour’s merciful hand in time been interposed, these flourishing Churches had been utterly consumed with the horrible flames of discord and schism. But blessed for ever be the Lord, who, after he had for a while hidden his countenance from us (who had many ways provoked his {} wrath and indignation) hath witnessed to the whole world, that he is not forgetful of his covenant, and despiseth not the sighs of his people.
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