"But to be the Vicar of Christ, to claim to exercise his prerogatives on earth, does involve a claim to his attributes, and therefore our opposition to Popery is opposition to a man claiming to be God"

This quote by Charles Hodge talks to the core of the opposition to Popery. Hodge is stating that the Vicar of Christ, or the Pope, is claiming to have the very same qualities as God. This is a direct challenge to the Christian faith, as it implies that the Pope amounts to God. Hodge is stating that this is why there is such strong opposition to Popery, as it is a direct difficulty to the Christian faith. He is saying that the Pope is declaring to be God, and this is why it is so strongly opposed. Hodge is making the point that the Pope is claiming to have the very same qualities as God, and this is why there is such strong opposition to Popery.