been caught in this theological mix-up, and have dropped out of the
old-time holiness ranks. What does it all signify? It signifies a mixing
of seed--a mixing of doctrine. The theocracy of the Old Testament
forbade it in the literal, and the inspired Word also forbids it in the
spiritual, in the present dispensation.
A person who is mixed in his doctrine is a dangerous element in the
community. His work is not to settle, root and ground others in the
faith, but rather to unsettle them. "A heretic after the first and
second admonition, reject." Has it ever occurred to the reader that
heresy is one of the works of the flesh, or carnal mind? Read it in Gal.
5:20. The Conservator of orthodoxy is the Holy Ghost in a purified
heart. Outside of that, where is the hope of preserving inviolate the
purity of the doctrine of God? Let me illustrate how this works. There
enters an intelligent, so-called expounder of the truth, into a pulpit,
and he proceeds to teach the people. There sits in the congregation one
with a purified heart, in whom dwells the Holy Ghost, the Author of the
inspired Word. As this ingenious mixer of seed throws out some good
truth, he adroitly mixes into it his heresy, and makes it so plausible,
that, if possible, it would deceive the very elect. His arguments are so
clear, and he uses the Scriptures so well to prove his statements, that
even to the minds of the most spiritual, it seems that he has made the
points scripturally plain. The head responds and says, "It looks that
way," but the Holy Ghost dwelling in that purified heart causes a
shrinking. The soul closes in, and the listener says, "I do not feel
right somehow. I am not comfortable." What is the matter? It is the
blessed Conservator of orthodoxy, the Preserver of the purity of the
Word of God operating in that heart to hinder it from accepting heresy.
But here sits another who has not been so fortunate as to have the
element of inbred sin purged from the heart; hence, has not the abiding
fulness of the Holy Spirit in the heart. The speaker appeals to him in
the same way he did to the other. The head nods assent, for he certainly
makes it plain. But he has that in his heart from which heresy springs,
and so the heresy from this man appeals to its kindred spirit in the
listener, and the result is, it is swallowed down, the poison has done
its work, and another victim is numbered. Oh, reader, is it of small
import that we should be filled with the Holy Ghost, and thus have our
spiritual Protector always guarding us from poisonous seed? We would not
want to take the stand that this is the infallible rule with all people,
but we do certainly believe that this is the secret of some remaining
firm and immovable in doctrine, while others are swept from their
moorings.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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