True Christianity Part 68

3. Return, therefore, and repent, O man! believe in Christ and live in him as a new creature, and he will receive thee and comfort thee. But to others, who persist in their rebellion and continue in their corruptions, he shall say at the last day: "I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity!" Matt. 7:23. Moreover, as the love of Christ is our chief good, our highest wisdom, and the perfection of our knowledge, and self-love is perfectly opposite to it: let us be persuaded to cast out the love of ourselves and of the world, that the love of Christ may enter into our hearts. This is that love which perfects and accomplishes our Christianity, and with this do thou, O G.o.d, refresh and satisfy our souls for ever and ever. Amen.

Conclusion.

1. The t.i.tle "True Christianity" is prefixed to these Four Books for the reason that true faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, and the righteousness which proceeds from faith, const.i.tute the fountain from which the whole Christian life must flow. I have, accordingly, written, not for heathens, but for Christians; who have, it is true, adopted the Christian faith, but whose life does not accord with it, and who deny, or will not understand, the power of faith. 2 Tim. 3:5. I have written, not for unbelievers, but for believers; not for those who are yet to be justified, but for those who are already justified. Hence, this whole work on daily repentance and Christian love, ought to be understood in no other sense, than that faith must go before as a light in our path, and that it is the foundation of all. Let no one, by any means, suppose that anything is here ascribed to our carnal free will or to good works; our sole object is to persuade you, as you are a Christian, and are anointed with the Spirit of G.o.d, to let Christ live in you, and rule in you, and to let the Holy Spirit govern you, in order that your Christianity may not be hypocrisy.

2. Hence, too, Part II. of this Fourth Book is not to be so understood, as if we could love G.o.d from our own carnal will; for love is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. This Part II. is, on the contrary, only intended to show that, besides the Word of G.o.d, the Holy Scriptures, even our own heart and conscience may teach us, from the book of nature, and the light of nature, that we are bound to love G.o.d on account of his great love bestowed upon us, and manifested through the means of all his creatures. Such an argument, derived from nature, ought to convince every man, whether he be a heathen or a Christian, a believer or an unbeliever; and no one can refute it. For, granting that G.o.d has bestowed so many mercies on us, who can deny that we are in grat.i.tude obliged to so gracious a benefactor? And as he calls and invites us to love him, by all the creatures which are bestowed in common upon all mankind, who can deny that the love of G.o.d is discovered to us in the book of nature, and that the heathens themselves may be convinced by arguments drawn thence? "The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein." Ps. 111:2. And, "Thou Lord, hast made me glad through thy work; I will triumph in the works of thy hands." Ps. 92:4. How can these works be more effectually praised, than in this manner? The Lord G.o.d give us understanding and wisdom, that we may know him and praise him for all his works, both here and forevermore. Amen.