founded on practically setting aside the power of that truth which has been, in any given case, the gathering principle, and the testimony of God to the world.
I do not exactly expect that in itself every one could see through such a work; but, as I have already said, there are sufficient proofs always afforded of God to the single eye. There will not, and cannot be, to others. I shall add here some of the points which seem to me to mark the presence and influence of the enemy in general.
The first sign of weakness is the gathering itself becoming the object of attention, instead of their being a people enjoying the blessedness of their position by the relationship and fellowship it gave them,with Christ, who had become, and was their abiding object, revealing withal God the Father. But I would speak with more detail, for this is rather the occasion of Satan’s power than the fruit of it as a positive work. Where this last is, you will find holy spiritual affections broken and set aside to give place to the claim of the institution. And so are even natural affections, whilst the latter are given all their natural force and weight in practice to hold persons in the institution, and even largely used for this purpose. In the same manner people are won and brought under the influence that acts there by them. The activity and zeal will be for the system. It will be to make proselytes, and establish them in what will keep them there, not to save souls, or lead them on in Christ. There will generally be a good deal of acting against, or depreciation of, others who even hold the faith of Christ.
Paramount importance will be attached to the views which distinguish that institution, not to what saves, or to what brings faith to the test by the revelation of Christ.
Good works will be found generally much pressed, and that in a systematic way in which it works for and into the system. Truth, I mean truthfulness, will ever be wanting. This I have always found where the work of the enemy is. Connected with this is the pressing much certain doctrines, when it is safe, which form the bond of the institution, and denying them in the alleged
