Downward Stages of Religious Profession.

Listen from:
(Extract from letter.)
“I HAVE had this impression from the Epistle of Jude that the Holy Ghost is summarily and rapidly glancing at the corruption that was to manifest itself in the progress of the history of the dispensation under the forms of ‘the way of Cain,’ ‘the error of Balaam,’ ‘the gainsaying of Core’ (vs. 11).
The first being false religion, or the leaven of self-righteousness, coupled with hatred of the poor self-renouncing remnant, who like Abel trust only in the blood of Jesus, and walk in real godliness.”
The second being a sounder form of religion, real prophetic truth or correctness as to the mind of God, but coupled with worldliness, and a subjection to the power of the kingdom for reward.”
The third being a more bold and infidel scorning of all that is divinely sacred, and a setting of oneself up in the place of God’s dignities.”
“There is order in these forms of corruption. The first rather gave character to the earlier times, and the dispensation will close, doubtless, when the pattern of Core be fully copied.”
J. G. B.