Dowling's History of Romanism, 1845 -- Page #661 (Which reads as Page #647 because of the additions at the front of the Book, i.e.: the .PDF)
Men who have advocated the identity of Rome with anti Christ. Can a Roman Catholic be saved?
-- it is that great anti-Christian power, described by Daniel, in his seventh chapter (verse25), under the emblem of a little horn, as " wearing out the saints of the Most High ;" by John in the Revelations, as a beast "making war with saints," and "opening his mouth in blasphemy against God" (xiii., 5, 6,7), andas " Babylon the great, mother of harlots, and abominations of the earth," " a woman drunken with the blood of the saints and the martyrs of Jesus" (xvii., 5, 6), and by Paul in his first epistle to Timothy as " a departure from the faith, giving heed to seducing
spirits and doctrines of devils (iv., 1), and in his second epistle to Thessalonians as " a falling away," or apostasy, as the revelation of that " Man of Sin," that " Son of perdition who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God or is worshipped" (ii., 3, 4). In these prophetic scriptures, the character of the papal anti-Christ is drawn, with an unerring precision, which is sufficient alone to prove that these holy men, Daniel, Paul and John, " spake as they were inspired by the Holy Ghost."
This identity of papal Rome with anti-Christ was maintained by Luther, Melancthon, Calvin, and all the continental reformers; by Latimer, Ridley, Cranmer, and all the British reformers: by the
illustrious Sir Isaac Newton, Mede, Whiston, Bishop Newton, Lowth, Daubuz, Jurieu, Vitringa, Bedell, and a host of equally pious, illustrious and learned names. The same testimony has been
borne in the authorized doctrinal standards of the Episcopal, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Methodist, Baptist, and other churches both of Europe and America. The same doctrine is still taught in the theological school of Geneva by the illustrious D'Aubigne and Gaussen, and with but here and there a solitary exception, by all the most
learned professors and clergymen of the present day, connected with the various evangelical denominations of protestant Christians. § 48.
—Here the inquiry naturally presents itself, 'if the Romish is not a true church of Christ, but only an apostate anti-Christian power, is it possible for any one to be saved who dies in her communion? To this we reply, that the salvation of a man depends
not upon what visible Church, whether true or false, he is connected with, but upon the question, whether he has been " born again" (John hi., 3), whether he has truly repented of his sins before God (Luke
xiii., 3), and believed on the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts xvi., 31 ; John iii., 16, 36). If any man be thus reconciled to God through faith in Christ, he is a " new creature old things are passed away; behold, all
things are become new" (2 Cor. v., 17) ; and he who is thus called and justified shall most assuredly be glorified (Rom. viii., 30), what
ever visible church he belong to, or if he belong to none at all. It is not the connection with any particular church that saves a man (though it is the duty of every converted man to become a member of a church of Christ), but it is his union to the Lord Jesus Christ by a sanctifying and saving faith ; and if this is wanting, then all the confessions, and absolutions, and indulgences and extreme unctions of a priest can confer no benefit ; but if he possesses this sav-
Revelation 18:23
23 And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.
( . . . for by thy SORCERIES (PHARMACIES) were all nations deceived.) SORCERIES in the Greek is the word: Pharmakeia which is translated into English as Pharmacy means the use of medicine, drugs or spells -- associated with WITCHCRAFT -- magic, sorcery, enchantment ...(Exodus 22:18; John 8:32; John 14:17; John 8:36.) So, the antiChrist uses SORCERIES (PHARMACIES) to DECEIVE the whole world, takes over the world, to have the world (satan's family--those NOT BORN AGAIN, NOT CHRISTIAN,) worship him, by accepting his mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Revelation 13:11-18.)
John 8:32
32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
John 14:6
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
John 8:36
36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Note: Fear God! Not satan. God has the power to kill the soul and destroy both the soul and body in hell. Fear Him, fear God! Matthew 10:28 is NOT referring to satan, for satan is not spoken of having that power/authority at all. This is spoken of God Himself, who is able to destroy both soul and body in Hell.
The 'pope' IS HONORED ABOVE ALL BY GIVEN NAMES WITH EXALTED TITLES among which he claims to be "the Lord our God," and thus presents himself as a counterfeit Christ, a rival Christ, having names of blasphemy . . .