Popery is a rest for the flesh; and in the many distractions of the day Satan is busy in suggesting it; but in its principles really it is apostasy from the truth and church of God. Not that I think any are safe from it (though God can keep them) till they know redemption. Once I have believed Heb. 10, Popery is the denial of, and hostility to, Christ; till then it may look like piety and humility (but is “voluntary humility”) and what not. It does not tell its heresies and abominations till you are in for it and the spell of Satan is over a person: for its actual wickedness is beyond all belief. But if Christ is my righteousness, it is all a lie from beginning to end. It is really infidelity. Christ became a man to be near my heart; and I trust Him and God thus in Him. They tell me, No: I must have the virgin and saints, because He is so high above me. This denies His gracious tenderness. Men, mortal men and women, are tenderer! This is a horrid denial of what He is. But see you hold fast through grace to a perfect redemption. Study Heb. 9; 10. Learn your own heart; but cast your need on the perfect grace of Christ, and find what His heart is for us in patient and loving mercy. You will find peace and rest. J. N. D.