odor of sanctity and in the aura of importance. In doing so God seems unjust
and harsh. But men need deterring examples. For it is a vice with us to
esteem personality more highly than the Word of God. God wants us to exalt
His Word and not men.

There must be people in high office, of course. But we are not to deify them.
The governor, the mayor, the preacher, the teacher, the scholar, father,
mother, are persons whom we are to love and revere, but not to the extent
that we forget God. Least we attach too much importance to the person, God
leaves with important persons offenses and sins, sometimes astounding
shortcomings, to show us that there is a lot of difference between any person
and God. David was a good king. But when the people began to think too well
of him, down he fell into horrible sins, adultery and murder. Peter,
excellent apostle that he was, denied Christ. Such examples of which the
Scriptures are full, ought to warn us not to repose our trust in men. In the
papacy appearance counts for everything. Indeed, the whole papacy amounts to
nothing more than a mere kowtowing of persons and outward mummery. But God
alone is to be feared and honored.

I would honor the Pope, I would love his person, if he would leave my
conscience alone, and not compel me to sin against God. But the Pope wants to
be adored himself, and that cannot be done without offending God. Since we
must choose between one or the other, let us choose God. The truth is we are
commissioned by God to resist the Pope, for it is written, "We ought to obey
God rather than men." (Acts 5:29)

We have seen how Paul refutes the argument of the false apostles concerning
the authority of the apostles. In order that the truth of the Gospel may
continue; in order that the Word of God and the righteousness of faith may be
kept pure and undefiled, let the apostles, let an angel from heaven, let