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. 1877 edition. Excerpt: ... of Christ." Absolute perfection is a measure to which we can never reach; for St. Paul declares that he himself had not attained unto it. " Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect."8 1 Absolute perfection is of course not attainable by man. Hence the necessity of a continual progress ...
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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. 1877 edition. Excerpt: ... of Christ." Absolute perfection is a measure to which we can never reach; for St. Paul declares that he himself had not attained unto it. " Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect."8 1 Absolute perfection is of course not attainable by man. Hence the necessity of a continual progress in a holy course of life. However advanced the Christian may consider himself in knowdge or grace, he is never so far in advance that he can safely stand still. He must still " go on unto perfection." Thus spiritual pride is effectually checked. Continual watchfulness; continual exertion; continual self-denial; are the requisites for a Christian's hope. " Let him take up his cross daily." As, however, children grow up to full age under the care of earthly parents, so Christians grow up under the care of a heavenly Father. God doth " bring them up in His steadfast fear and love;" as parents bring up their children to reverence and to love them. If a child be rebellious, is not the voice of love justly changed into anger? If he forsakes his father's house, and becomes an alien to his family, a castaway, doth he not justly forfeit his inheritance? And shall not the same justice be awarded to the children of God? If they be disobedient, shall not the anger of their Father justly be upon them? If they forsake His house, become strangers to His family, and reprobate; shall not their inheritance be justly forfeited? ' The more seriously we meditate upon the relation we bear to God--as children to a parent, --the stronger shall we feel the necessity which lies upon us, of having on our own part " a perpetual fear and love of His holy name;" in order that we may encourage the stronger hope in His mercy, that on His part He will " keep us under the...
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All Editions of A Comment Upon the Collects Appointed to Be Used in the Church of England: Before the Epistle and Gospel on Sundays and Holydays (1843)