In the case stated the mind is at once shut up into the system, and real progress in divine truth is entirely arrested. The consequences of having thus taken a system of error for truth is often most deplorable for the whole life, even if the person be delivered from it.
The reader will find another example of the unsettling the soul as to fundamental truths in the confusion between the life communicated to the saint and the divine nature in Christ. Thus: “But did Jesus think that the Life which was in Him, and which He communicated to others, was not heavenly? Did he not Himself say, “The Son of Man which is in heaven? Were they (the angels) ignorant of the existence of a life in earth, which they had known in the excellence of its own uncreated glory above? ........ Were they ignorant that this life had, through the Son been communicated to persons chosen from among sinful men.“ See pp. 28, 29, of Answer to Second Letter. I have felt unable, having re-read this narrative after the corrections, to detect any inaccuracy. The expression “he will catch it“ (p. 41), my memory is so vague as to, that I could not pretend to give it as the word used. But this perusal has made me feel that such a publication of evil would be entirely unjustifiable, and evil in itself, had I not the conviction the solemn settled conviction, not I believe led to it of man, that there is an active positive work of the enemy going on. That conviction I have. I do not publish it to justify myself. For in my own judgment it does the contrary. I feel, as I have stated in the body of the narrative, that I failed in spiritual energy, through human feeling, in letting the matter drop in April at the instance of others. I hesitated as to my own being spiritual enough to do it in public then, though I had acquiesced in doing it in private. If it be asked why I do it in a worse way now, I answer it became a public duty to the saints, cost me what it would. And I do not expect to meddle with such evil without its costing me something.
I have had, in journeys I have made since I wrote this account, abundant confirmation as to the doctrine taught, and other points.
