Practical Piety

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1811 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAP. X. Christian Holiness, CHRISTIANITY then, as we have attempted to shew in the preceding Chapter, exhibits no different standards of goodness applicable to different stations or characters. No one can be allowed to rest in a low degree and plead his exemption for aiming no higher. No one can be secure in any state of piety below that state which would not have been enjoined on all, had not all been entitled to the means of attaining it. Those who keep their pattern in their eye, though they may fail of the highest attainments, will not be satisfied with such as are low. The striking inferiority will excite compunction; compunction will stimulate them to press on, which those never do, who, losing sight of their standard, are satisfied with the height they have reached. He He is not likely to be the object of God's favour, who takes his determined stand on the very lowest step in the scale of perfection; who does not even aspire above it, whose aim seems to be, not so much to please God as to escape punishment. Many however will doubtless be accepted though their progress has been small; their difficulties may have been great, their natural capacity weak, their temptations strong, and their instruction defective. Revelation has not only furnished injunctions but motives to holiness; not only motives, but examples and authorities. "Be ye therefore perfect" (according to your measure and degree) " as your father which is in heaven is perfect." And, what fays the Old Testament? It accords with the New--" Be ye holy, for I the Lord your God am holy." This was the injunction of God himself, not given exclusively to Moses, to the leader and legislator, or to a few distinguished officers, or to a selection of eminent men, but Vol. 1. i to...