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
2. What he says in the _second_ place, namely, that Charity must arise
from a pure heart, relates to the love of _God_, which requires a heart
void of worldly love and affection, according to that saying of St. John:
“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. For all
that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the
pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world
passeth away, and the lust thereof; but he that doeth the will of God
abideth forever.” 1 John 2:15-17. Whosoever, therefore, has a heart
purified from all love to the creature, so as to depend or acquiesce in no
transient good whatsoever, can cleave most intimately to God, saying with
David, “Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that
I desire besides thee. My flesh and my heart faileth; but God is the
strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.” Psal. 73:25, 26. The love
of such a one, proceeds out of a “_pure heart_.” Of the same character
also, is that love which is attended with great delight, pleasure and joy
in God; of which we have an illustration in David: “I will love thee, O
Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer;
my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my
salvation, and my high tower.” Psal. 18:1, 2.
3. The apostle, in the _third_ place, teaches us, that love must be “out
of a good conscience.” This properly concerns the love of _our neighbor_,
who is to be loved, not for the sake of interest or worldly advantage
(which would be a false love out of a bad conscience); but for the sake of
God only, and of his commandments. Nor ought we to afflict our neighbor
either by word or deed, either secretly or openly; nor on any account,
bear envy, wrath, hatred, malice or rancor against him; that so our
conscience may not accuse us when we address ourselves in prayer to God
Almighty.
4. The _fourth_ requisite of Love is, a “faith unfeigned;” so that nothing
be done that is contrary to the rule of faith, and to our Christian
profession, and that God be not denied publicly or privately, in
prosperity or adversity. This is the substance of what is contained in
that sentence of the apostle. We shall now speak more particularly, with
respect to each of the several parts.
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