The History of the Church

As Christians responsible for our part of the Church's history today, let us ask ourselves: are we leaving all behind, counting all but loss, for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord? Have His charms, His beauties and excellencies led captive our affections? Are we pressing on through the wilderness with hearts throbbing with glad anticipation of that nuptial day when we shall be joined to Him in holy wedlock forever?
The Church, that which is called by Christ's name, has sadly failed and made a dismal descent from those early, bright days of her pristine fairness before she left her first love. But how early she is called back "I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent." Rev. 2:4, 5.
The terrors of Nero to Diocletian follow, marking as in Smyrna, the second stage of the Church's history. But the heart once estranged, though checked by this chastening, is but one stage later found dwelling where Satan's throne is, having lost in her soul the sense of her high, holy and heavenly calling. (Phil. 3:14: 2 Tim. 1:9: Heb. 3:1.) She becomes a part of the world's system, a religious part lobe sure, but none the less the world. And why not, since Satan is both "god" and "prince" of it?