The Sins of Time Do Not Change
This could have been written about today’s reformed church, yet, then at least, they did have the excuse of being overwhelmed by only darkness and popish rites till recent years, and that light dawned very slowly, just a flicker that grew and grew into more and more illumination. We do not have that same excuse today, yet this could just as well have been written about today’s Reformed church, rather than the era of Thomas Cramner, as it is.
Nor were the lives of many who were zealous for the Reformation free from scandal: the courtiers and great men indulged themselves in a dissolute and licentious life; and the clergy were not without their blemishes. Some that embraced the Reformation were far from adorning their profession, but rather disposed the people to return to their old superstitions: nevertheless there were many great and shining lights among them, who preached and prayed, ferverntly against the corruptions of the times, and were an example to their flocks, by the strictness and severity of their lives and manners; but their numbers were small in comparison to the many that were otherwise, turning the doctrines of grace into lasciviousness. [Daniel Neal--The History of the Puritans Vol 1 pp. 54]
Filed under Church History, Quotes by on May 4th, 2009. 
Leave a Comment
Powered by FireStats
Comments on The Sins of Time Do Not Change
As is often the case, history reflects the current day, just as the future can pretty much be predicted by our (collective) lives today.
Yes, it was striking me the other day how many seemingly religious people there are who have these glaring sins. I almost don’t know what to make of it, or how to explain it in detail. This is true today and true in the past. The only explanation in general is the Scriptural one, that they have a form of godliness, but deny the power thereof. It must be that many of these are like Mr Talkative in The Pilgrim’s Progress.
Probably the most common sort of besetting sin (if some of them are believers) or betraying sin (betraying their true nature) is sexual. That part of our life is so very central to our being, I suppose, and has been from the start.