It is truly lamentable to observe how many young men and women, of whom better things might have been expected, fall away into semi-Romanism in the present day, under the attraction of a highly ornamental and sensuous ceremonial. Flowers, crucifixes, processions, banners, incense, gorgeous vestments, and the like never fail to draw such young persons together, just as honey attracts flies. I will not insult the common sense of those who find these things attractive by asking them whether they really believe they get any food from them for heart, and conscience, and soul. But I should like them to consider seriously what these things mean. Do they really know that the doctrines of the mass and transubstantiation are the root of the whole system? Are they prepared to swallow these awful heresies? I suspect many are playing with ritualism without the least idea what it covers over. They see an attractive bait, but they do not see the hook.
J. C. Ryle | Knots Untied (London, 1898), 216 (HT: Neil Jackson)
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