Works of Benjamin Wills Newton (Volume 8) (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1878. Excerpt: ... "doctrine of Apostolic succession was not accepted "by Hegesippus thenceforth attempted without shame "to put forward their knowledge falsely so called, "and to bring it into antagonism with the preaching "of the Truth." How different would the past path, how different would the present condition of true Christians have been, if they had believed and laid to heart this early testimony to the Church's failure Yet, although attested by Scripture, and every day confirmed by fact, they have not believed it. In every age they have been dreaming about progress, and have never recognised the perpetuity of the retrogression. Hegesippus lived in the second century, just at the time when those corruptions were arising which afterwards overspread the East, and brought down on it the fell scourge of Mahomedanism. In the West, the writings of Augustine shed, for a season, a glimmering and uncertain light, but it was soon quenched by the advancing darkness; and mediaeval sacerdotalism reigned with well-nigh undisputed supremacy till Wicliffe and Luther came. Their work was not faultless; yet it was blessed, for they upheld and exalted the Bible against the traditions of men. But the early energy of Protestantism soon decayed. Its efforts were checked, its course impeded, its more faithful servants persecuted and destroyed; while those less faithful, temporised, and ceased to struggle. Protestantism, becoming nominal, nationalised and secularised itself; and the current of evil flowed on just as proudly as before. It is true, indeed, that the great Euaebius, "Eccles. Hist.," lib. iii. 33. principle of Protestantism has not failed; but they who have professedly accepted it have failed. They have corrupted themselves, perverted the Scripture, and are now betrayin...