Is Romanism Christianity? I l l The voice from heaven (Rev. 18:4) : “Come out of her, My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues,” is proof that there may be true Christians in the Roman body; but it is proof also that even while in it, they are not of it; and that they will strive to escape from it, so as not to share in its sins. We are informed by God that this system is the Work of Satan; that his ministers are “transformed as the ministers of righteousness, whose end shall be according to their works” (2 Cor. 11:15); that it is he who turns men away “from the simplicity which is in Christ” (11: 3) ; that it is he who is the author of that “mystery of iniquity” which was at work even while the Apostles were still living, and which was to be further revealed, and to remain, till it should be consumed by Christ, and “destroyed by the brightness of His coming;” a system which is “according to the working of Satan, with all power, and signs, and lying wonders, and with all de- ceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth that they might be saved” (2 Thess. 2:7-10). May those who love God, and yet have some connection with this system, listen to the command, “Come out of her, My p e o p l e May we in no degree partake of her sins: may we renounce, with a holy loathing, all her symbols; throw off, with righteous indignation, all allegiance to her corruptions. May we have nothing of Romanism in our doctrines, but contend earnestly for the pure faith of the Gospel of Jesus. May we have nothing of Romanism in our discipline. May we be subject, in all matters of religious faith and practice, to the Word of God, and to that alone. May we have nothing of Romanism in our services, in our buildings, in our forms, in our attire. Because Israel burned incense to the brazen serpent which Moses had made, Hezekiah broke it in pieces. (2 Kings 18:4.) For the like reason, let us cease to use, on
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