Inhaltsangabe
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1827 Excerpt: ...have declared, both by example and express statement, that this is one degree in the peculiar work of the Holy Ghost To be impressed with the deficiency of the common motions to virtue, and their peculiar weakness, when controlled by many cares of life,--this is not a little; and to see the necessity of a disinterested principle, as the prime spring of religion, is a farther hope of good reformation. But how is this principle to be gained? And by what means is the growth of spiritual life? We have shewn how our love of God can alone determine every particular of Christian duty; yet, on the principle already alluded to, that right feelings result from habits of virtuous action, this love, in most cases, overtakes with its holy influence, the careful soul, attentive with all its energy to mistake no duty, and studious to perform it well. It were certainly to be desired that reformation should proceed at once from this motive, Optimus ille animi vindex laedantis pectus Vincula qui rupit dedoluitque semel! but we know that a man often grows to this first necessary point, this high principle itself, by particulars of reformation. Were the same affection in general operation, it were unneces-, sary, for the amelioration of any age, to attack, point by point, its abuses; but every active Christian patriot, while he inculcates the higher motive and ministers to it immediately by representations of God's goodness, knows, at the same time, that, in making men leave one sin after another, he is gradually winning them to the proper love of virtue. It is taken for granted, in this detailed renovation, that the individual acts honestly, to the best mortification in his power of every known sin, and the neglect of no one duty; because in principle it cannot be, that any p...
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