Some of this description were found in the primitive church.  Such were those who made Christ the minister of sin—­who considered the design of his coming, not to be “to destroy the works of the devil,” but to render it safe to live in sin and indulge depravity.  Such were those who held the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes; and the doctrine of Balaam, which were probably nearly akin, giving countenance to uncleanliness.  Such were also those pretendedly enlightened persons, who claimed knowledge in divine things, superior to that of the apostles, and taught that chastity, and temperance, and sundry other duties enjoined of God, were not obligatory on believers.  These are described by St. Peter and Jude, as enemies of Christ.

In later ages the gospel hath not been less corrupted, by some, who have called themselves Christians.  It hath become in their hands, another gospel.

It maybe difficult precisely to determine, all who in this way deny Christ:  But when the manifest tendency of any scheme, called Christian, is to lead to sin, render secure in sin, or build the hope of salvation on any other foundation than the mercy of God, and merits of the Redeemer, it must lead to a practical denial of Christ.  To the sacred standard should every system be referred.  Those which deviate essentially there from, lead to a denial of Christ; and will produce a denial by him before his Father in heaven.

REFLECTIONS.

If we do not mistake the Scriptures, those who deny Christ are without hope; and those who reject and those who neglect the gospel, or refuse to confess the Savior, are to be reckoned among them.

Some are otherwise minded.  “If a person only acts sincerely, no matter what his religious principles, (say some) or whether he hath religious principles; he will find mercy with God and be accepted of him;” an opinion which is spreading in this liberal age!

We would gladly adopt it, and receive to the arms of charity all who appear to act honestly, could we see reason for it.  But, in our apprehension, the word of truth condemns those who deny Christ, and declares that they will be denied by him before his heavenly Father.  We read of damnable heresies—­of those who are given up to strong delusions that they should believe a lie that they might be damned.  —­And find an express declaration, cutting off unbelievers from all hope.—­“He that believeth not shall be damned.”

Whatever God may do with those who have not the gospel, those to whom it is sent must believe, receive and obey it, or perish in their sins.  This is so plainly and expressly declared in the word of truth, that we wonder doubts should arise in the minds of those who believe it.

Nor is it less strange, that confessing Christ should be thought a matter of indifference.  Scripture is equally express respecting this matter, as the other.  We have seen that under the former dispensation, God’s covenant and the tokens of it were commanded, under penalty of excision from his people—­That in the apostolic age, Christ was to be confessed, under penalty of being denied by him in the presence of God.  These are not matters of doubt.