mitchell-P044_A-11_5

What is heresy?

In answering this question, one says, "the denial of some essential doctrines of Christianity, publicly and obstinately avowed." Buck. Says, another, "Teaching of erroneous opinions contrary to the faith and blessed determinations of the holy Church."

Indeed acording to the Ecclesiastical history of the dark + persecuting age, heresy was at one time, opinions contrary to the determinations of the Pope, and then rejecting the peculiarity of the Church of England, then sentiments opposed to the Church of Scotland, and finally views not entirely in accordance with the Puritans of New England. Indeed it would be inveloping ourselves in darkness, to think of following the history of reputed heresy, to obtain a correct definetion of it. To the law + the testimony. [If I understand the scriptures rightly of on this subject; heresy is an error, real, or reputed, in religious doctrines, whence results corresponding errors in practice. It is more, or less [culpable] dangerous as the opposite sentiment is viewed to be more or less fundamental]. The word Αιρεσις Αιρεσεως is used in nine 8 places in the New - Testament. In four of which it is rendered sect; and in 4, heresy, or heresies. Acts 3:17. Sect, or heresy of Saduces. That is the saduces, who denied the resurrection of the dead, + the existances of Angels and Spirits, were viewed by all orders, but their own, as heretical. Acts 15:5. - Sect or heresy of the Pharisees. Here Pharisees, who held to the resurrection of the dead, and the existance of Angels + Spirits, and

perhaps, other peculiarities, were viewed regarded by Saduces and others as holding to heresy.

Acts 26:5. - Straitest sect, or heresy of our religion. Refering to the Pharisees.

Acts 28:22. - This Sect, - or heresy spoken against - In this place, the whole of Christianity, as distinguished from all other religion, whether Jewish, or heathens, is considered a heresy, and its professors, as heretics.

Acts 24:14. - The way, which they call heresy. It seems, that the sum of the Apostle's accusation before Filix was, that he had embraced a heresy; viz, Christianity; but the Apostle repels the charge of heresy by showing, that the worhip, which he renderd to God, and the doctrine, that he taught was were contained in the law, and the Prophets. -

2 Pet. 2:1. - Demnable heresies. Here Heresy is in the plural, and is sumed up in the expression, "denying the Lord, who bought them." This is such a complication of erros, which under a professed belief of the gospel, virtually rejects the whole system. Hence swift distruction must be the inevitable consequence.

This verse, being understood, will help us, I think, to understand 1 Cor. [11]:19. Gal.5:20. And also will help to understand, Tiitus 3:10. where we Αιρετικος, Heretic, a person, who has embraced such a complication of errors, as amounts to a subvertion of the faith.

Hence then if I understand these scriptures rightly, it is as I have before stated on the preceeding page, within the brackets. Whatever is viewed by us, as an error in religious doctrines, or practice must be regarded by us as a heresy. Thus the denial of the resurection, and the belief of it; The belief in the existance of Angels + Spirits, and the disbelieft of the same, have been regarded by different advocates as heretical. As it l would be as difficult

to draw the line between demnable heresy and a heresy, that does not endanger the salvation, of the soul, as it would be, upon a different view of subject, to drawn a line between error + heresy, it becomes us to guard against all deviations from the truth, lest unawares we should become authors, or abettors of heresies.

--------------------------------- 1 Tim.1:17. Where? to attempt to preach on this text, I think, I should observe the follows order.

1. Some expository remark, on the perfections of God here mentioned. As Eternal; His underived existance. Immortal; His continued existance. Invisible; His spirituality --- Only wise; that He is the underived fountain + source of all wisdom ---

2 That this glorious King is the only object of Supreeme religious Worship. --- ------------- In which workship those feelings are to be cheerished, which are suited to his glorious perfections --- as love, faith hope, fear, joy --- -------------- And those acts are to be performed, which are answerable to his word as the Sovereign King. even obidience to his sovereign will. -------------- Which feelings and acts of obedience are to be constant and unremitted. ----------------

This subject would condemn all idolatrous worship --- All worship merely formed - All pretenc to worship without obedience --- ----------------------- Calculated to destroy all feelings of pride selfishness, worldly mindedness by leading us to delight in a being infinitely worthy of our love, submission, + dependence, and capable of rendering us completely + eternally happy. -------------------------- This subject is calculated to inspire longing desires after heaven, where the united song is, Blessing, and honour, and glory and power unto him that sitteth xc.

Lennenburg 3^rd tuesday January