Private Judgment # 7

Private Judgment # 7

If we would "hold fast" that which is good, we must never tolerate any doctrine which is not the pure doctrine of Christ's gospel. There is a hatred which is downright charity - that is, the hatred of erroneous doctrine. There is an intolerance which is downright praiseworthy - that is, the intolerance of false teaching in the pulpit. Who would ever think fo tolerating a little poison given to him day by day? If men come among us who do not preach "all the counsel of God," who do not preach of Christ, and sin, and holiness, of ruin, and redemption, and regeneration, and do not preach of these things in a Scriptural way - then we ought to cease to hear them! We ought to act upon the injunction given by the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament: "Cease, my son, to hear the instruction which causes to err from the words of knowledge." (Proverbs 19:27). We ought to carry out the spirit shown by the Apostle Paul, in Galatians 1:8: "Though we, or an angel from Heaven preach any other doctrine unto you than that which we have preached - then let him be accursed."

If we can bear to hear Christ's truth mangled or adulterated - and can see no harm in listening to that which is another gospel - and can sit at ease while sham Christianity is poured into our ears - and can go home comfortably afterwards, and not burn with holy indignation - if this is the case, there is little chance of our ever doing much to resist Rome. If we are content to hear Jesus Christ not put in His rightful place, we are not men and women who are likely to do Christ much service, or fight a good fight on His side. He who is not zealous against error - is not likely to be zealous for truth.

If we would hold fast the truth, we must be ready to unite with all who hold the truth, and love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. We must be ready to lay aside all minor questions as things of subordinate importance. Establishment or no Establishment, Liturgy or no Liturgy, Bishops or Presbyters - all these points of difference, however important they may be in their place and in their proportion - all ought to be regarded as subordinate questions. I ask no man to give up his private opinions about them. I wish no man to do violence to his conscience. All I say is, that these questions are wood, hay, and stubble - when the very foundations of the faith are in danger! The Philistines are upon us. Can we make common cause against them - or can we not? This is the one point for our consideration. Surely it is not right to say that we expect to spend eternity with men in Heaven - and yet cannot work for a few years with them in this world. It is nonsense to talk of alliance and union - if there is to be no cooperation. The presence of a common foe ought to sink minor differences. We must hold together, if we mean to "hold fast that which is good."

Some men may say, "This is very troublesome." Some may say, "Why not sit still and be quiet?" Some may say, "Oh, that horrid controversy! What need is there for all this trouble? Why should we care so much about these points of difference?" I ask, what good thing were ever gotten, or ever kept, without trouble? God does not lie in English cornfields - but at the bottom of rivers, and in the rocks. Pearls do not grow on English hedges - but deep down in Indian seas.

Difficulties are never overcome without struggles.

Mountains are seldom climbed without fatigue.

Oceans are not crossed without tossings on the waves.

Peace is seldom obtained with war.

And Christ's truth is seldom made a nation's property, and kept a nation's property, without pains, without struggles, and without trouble.

Let the man who talks of trouble tell us where we would be at this day, if our forefathers had not taken some trouble? Where would be the gospel if martyrs had not given their bodies to be burned? Who shall estimate out debt to Crammer, Latimer, Hooper, Ridley and Taylor, and their brethren? They "held fast that which is good." They would not give up one jot or Christ's truth. They counted not their lives dear for the Gospel's sake. Shame on us, if we will not take a little trouble to keep with us what they so nobly won! Trouble or no trouble - pains or no pains - controversy or no controversy - one thing is very sure - that nothing but Christ's gospel will ever do good to our own souls. Nothing else will ever bring down God's blessing upon our land. "Hold fast" firmly the gospel, and refuse to let it go.

~J. C. Ryle~

(continued with # 8)