“A Constant Reader,” Tramore. Your question as to “leaven” is a deeply important one. If you will turn for a moment to “the law of the sacrifice of peace-offerings,” in the seventh chapter of Leviticus, you will see that, while “leaven” was admitted in connection with this offering, yet “uncleanness” was expressly forbidden (Compare verses 13 and 20). The reason is obvious. There is sin in us, but no guilt on us. Now the leaven was admitted in connection with the peace offering, because of the evil in the worshipper. So also we find leaven in the two wave loaves on the day of Pentecost—type of God’s redeemed, who, though indwelt by God the Holy Spirit, have evil in them; but, blessed be God, the evil is fully met by the blood of the sin offering. All this is easily understood by the spiritual mind; but if the question be asked, “Does not the admission of leaven in these offerings prove that the people of God may go on in fellowship with known evil?” our answer is, “Assuredly not.” To maintain such an idea is simply taking advantage of the grace of God, that recognizes and provides against the evil, in order to trample upon His holiness that abhors it. This we look upon as consummate wickedness. It ought to be remembered, that the grace that recognized the leaven in the worshipper’s offering, was inseparably connected with holiness that prohibited uncleanness on the worshipper’s person. We know there is evil dwelling in every member of the assembly; but if the evil within is allowed to become uncleanness upon, there must be judgment. If a man does not judge himself, the assembly will have to judge him, as we read in 1 Corinthians 5 “Do not ye judge them that are within?” They were bound to do so. Had that wicked person judged the incipient workings of lust in his nature, the assembly would never have had to judge him; but seeing there had not been self-judgment, there was an imperative demand for church judgment; and if the assembly had refused to act, there would have been divine judgment; for God and wickedness cannot dwell together. We tremble for those who could raise such a question as that to which you have called our attention. As to your second question, we strongly recommend you not to entertain it for a moment. It is calculated to give rise to irreverent speculations, from which every sensitive mind must recoil with just horror.