True Christianity: A Treatise on Sincere Repentence, True Faith, the Holy Walk of the True Christian, Etc.Arndt, Johann
Religion
True Christianity: A Treatise on Sincere Repentence, True Faith, the Holy Walk of the True Christian, Etc.
Arndt, Johann
Christian life; Christianity
19. From these considerations it abundantly appears, that the true worship
of God is seated in the heart, and consists in the knowledge of God, and
in true repentance, which mortifies the flesh; and, through grace, renews
man after the divine image. In this order, man is made the holy temple of
the Lord, where, through the good Spirit of God, internal worship is
performed, in the exercise of faith, charity, hope, humility, patience,
prayer, thanksgiving, and the praise of God.
20. But though this worship has regard to God himself, and is offered to
him alone; yet far be it from us to believe, that God has any need of our
adoration or service, or that he receives any advantage from it, or any
addition to his perfection. Let us rather think, that such is the mercy of
God to miserable men, that he is willing to impart himself wholly to us
with all his benefits, to live, to operate, and to dwell in us, provided
we be but ready, by true knowledge, by faith and repentance, to entertain
him in the heart, that as in the school of the Spirit, he may teach us
true wisdom, and carry on the work which he has so happily begun.
21. For there is no work approved and accepted of God, but that of which
he himself is the author. Therefore has he commanded us to repent and to
believe, to pray and to fast; not that the benefit in any way might return
to him, but belong to us alone. For to God no man can give, and from him
no man can take away; him none can profit, and none can injure. If we be
found devout and sincere in his sight, we shall reap the advantage of it
ourselves; but if we be found false and corrupt, the evil will return upon
our own heads. But what harm, O man, canst thou do to God, if even thou
shouldst wilfully persist in impiety and a dissolute course of life?
22. God, therefore, commands that he should be served on thy account, not
on his own. He being Love itself, it pleases him that many be found in his
service, to whom he may freely impart the streams of his love, yea, even
himself too. For as a mother cannot but love the infant that reposes on
her breast, so God takes a singular pleasure in a free and unconfined
communication of his love and kindness.
Chapter XXII.
A True Christian Is Known Primarily By Love, And By A Daily Amendment Of
Life.
_The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree; he shall grow
like a cedar in Lebanon. Those that be planted in the house of the
Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still
bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing;
to shew that the Lord is upright; he is my rock, and there is no
unrighteousness in him._—PS. 92:12-15.
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