The prophets and apostles foresaw the Gentile apostacy that would spread over the earth, under the plausible name of christianity, obliterating the knowledge of God, and "denying the power of God, and changing his laws and ordinances," till "gross darkness should cover the people." They saw the "mystery of iniquity" working, and boldly foretold the "_falling away_"--the exaltation of the man of sin,--the removal of the priesthood and light of truth from the seven churches of Asia,--the refusal to "teach all things that Jesus commanded,"--the irresistible fact, that men would not "_endure sound doctrines_," but would multiply discrepant teachers to suit "_itching ears_,"--the introduction of "_damnable heresies_," and the "_doctrines of devils_," and the church becoming like a blood-guilty "_harlot_," that had exterminated the whole order of apostles, and prophets, and spiritual gifts, and even denied the need of any such order of gifts and ministry as existed in the primitive church! The first doctrine of the devil in the garden was that it was not necessary to obey God concerning a particular tree of the garden; and the same doctrine of _devils_ has, _by inches and by piece-meal_ removed and broken every command of Christ, and put bishops and doctors in the seats of apostles and prophets, and the ordinance of sprinkling infants, in place of baptism; virtually saying, "that God doth know," that without the aid of apostles and the gift of the Spirit by laying on of hands, you can know truth _enough_; and without baptism "_for remission of sins_," you can be forgiven through prayer at the altar. Permit me, sir, in the conclusion to remind you of the reproof given by an inspired wise man. "_Say not thou what is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this_." The true and only rational revealed cause why modern christianity is so weak, contentious, discrepant, and so unlike the majestic, almighty christianity of apostolic days, is, because _apostate uninspired men_ "HAVE TRANSGRESSED the LAWS, CHANGED the ORDINANCES, and BROKEN the EVERLASTING COVENANT." Therefore, _the "earth is defiled under the inhabitants thereof."_ "Gentile" christianity will yet be compelled to come from the "_ends of the earth and say, surely our fathers have inherited lies, vanity, and things wherein there is no profit_."