XII. While we refuse, therefore, to allow to the Papists the title of the Church, without any qualification or restriction, we do not deny that there are Churches among them. We only contend for the true and legitimate constitution of the Church, which requires not only a communion in the sacraments, which are the signs of a Christian profession, but above all, an agreement in doctrine. Daniel and Paul had predicted that Antichrist would sit in the temple of God.[797] The head of that cursed and abominable kingdom, in the Western Church, we affirm to be the Pope. When his seat is placed in the temple of God, it suggests, that his kingdom will be such, that he will not abolish the name of Christ, or the Church. Hence it appears, that we by no means deny that Churches may exist, even under his tyranny; but he has profaned them by sacrilegious impiety, afflicted them by cruel despotism, corrupted and almost terminated their existence by false and pernicious doctrines, like poisonous potions; in such Churches, Christ lies half buried, the gospel is suppressed, piety exterminated, and the worship of God almost abolished; in a word, they are altogether in such a state of confusion, that they exhibit a picture of Babylon, rather than of the holy city of God. To conclude, I affirm that they are Churches, inasmuch as God has wonderfully preserved among them a remnant of his people, though miserably dispersed and dejected, and as there still remain some marks of the Church, especially those, the efficacy of which neither the craft of the devil nor the malice of men can ever destroy. But, on the other hand, because those marks, which we ought chiefly to regard in this controversy, are obliterated, I affirm, that the form of the legitimate Church is not to be found either in any one of their congregations, or in the body at large. Footnote 781: Ephes. ii. 20. Footnote 782: 1 Tim. iii. 15. Footnote 783: Jer. vii. 4. Footnote 784: Gal. iv. Footnote 785: Rom. ix. 6-8. Footnote 786: Mal. ii. 1-9. Footnote 787: John xviii. 37. Footnote 788: John x. 4, 5, 14, 27. Footnote 789: Ephes. ii. 20. Footnote 790: John viii. 47. Footnote 791: Ephes. iv. 5. Footnote 792: Phil. ii. 2, 5. Footnote 793: John xvi. 2. Footnote 794: Isaiah i. 13, 14. Footnote 795: Matt. xviii. 18. Footnote 796: Ezek. xiv. 20. Footnote 797: Dan. ix. 27. 2 Thess. ii. 3, 4. CHAPTER III. THE TEACHERS AND MINISTERS OF THE CHURCH; THEIR ELECTION AND OFFICE.