Page:Darby - Christianity Not Christendom.djvu/6

 the Greek, counting by millions, reject and denounce it. Unity, holiness, catholicity, are a fable as regards the church; excellent, blessed things, only not to be found now-a-days.

The conscience of half Europe rose against the open, flagrant, impious iniquity of what they call the church; nay, take it altogether, the change of system shews, at the rate it has gone on, that the boasted church could not take care of its children, was incompetent to prevent the mischief. All we simple people know is, that Quiequid delirant reges plectuntur Achivi. The church cannot be trusted, it has not been able somehow to take care of itself. In Roman Catholic countries, and now also in protestant ones, not only scientific men, but masses of the uneducated are turned, or turning infidels, and the remedy is, superstitious ceremonies and a going back to what was so notoriously corrupt that natural conscience would stand it no longer; when to be a clergyman, or of religion, was universally to be esteemed worthless, submitted to for the necessities of sacramental grace, and despised for licensed and unlicensed immorality.

And this was the church. Is this what we are reduced to? or to turn infidel and deny the Saviour that loved us and gave Himself for us? Assuredly not. The truth is as true as ever, divine love as full, above all our evil, the Lord as sure in His faithfulness, His arm unshortened. But the church, so called, cannot help us; it cannot help itself. Which church am I to trust to? Who will tell me? The church, I am told. Where is it? In Rome? No, cry loudly both the most ancient church, the Greek, and all the protestants, who have more or less purified themselves from it, unless in despair