Take any church on earth, the most renowned for wisdom, the most famous for age, the most apostolic in her government;
and we are bold to tell you if that church is unfaithful to the Bridegroom Christ Jesus, if she does not hold forth the light of the pure gospel, if she leaves her first love, if she allows false prophets to teach and seduce, if she becomes lukewarm, and says “I am rich and increased with goods,” if she rests content with having a name to live while she is dead, and plumes herself on keeping hold of the truth while she does not witness to it—we are bold to tell you, however long God’s mercy may spare her, her candlestick shall sooner or later be removed, for we know this fearful threat has been over and over again made good.
and we are bold to tell you if that church is unfaithful to the Bridegroom Christ Jesus, if she does not hold forth the light of the pure gospel, if she leaves her first love, if she allows false prophets to teach and seduce, if she becomes lukewarm, and says “I am rich and increased with goods,” if she rests content with having a name to live while she is dead, and plumes herself on keeping hold of the truth while she does not witness to it—we are bold to tell you, however long God’s mercy may spare her, her candlestick shall sooner or later be removed, for we know this fearful threat has been over and over again made good.
~ J.C. Ryle
Tract: The Unchanging Christ
