spirit," was the counsel of the Apostle John, with regard to false teachers in his day, "but try the spirits whether they be of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world." And when we see some, who under the guise of high spirituality, are propagating the most injurious perversions of Holy Scripture, how important is it, that all, especially those who profess to be ministers of Jesus Christ, should possess correct, and clear views of the Gospel, as taught in the Scriptures: lest, blinded by the self-importance, which their own delusions produce, and not distinguishing between the infallibility of the Holy Spirit, and their own fallibility, they become blind leaders of the blind. For if by any partial, or distorted statement, they produce an impression, which the whole counsel of God, as revealed in Holy Scripture, does not warrant, they dishonour its divine Author, by pretending his authority for what he has not revealed; whereby they greatly endanger the souls of those who receive the erroneous impression.
To ministers, and all others in the Society, we would raise a warning voice against this deadly heresy, with an earnestness which the safety of the never dying soul demands; and we would affectionately entreat every one, to examine whether the rule of Christ and his Apostles, be really his rule.
Let us then cast aside prejudice, and reject human authority, and pray for the influence of the Holy Spirit, whereby we shall be induced thankfully to accept the written revelation; and in the simplicity of little children, let us seek to be taught of God, by the means which his perfect wisdom has provided.
Henry Smith, Printer, Manchester.
