The Christian S Deliverance By Christ And The Nature Of Practical Religion

This work on Practical Religion, which centers on the Gospel of Jesus Christ, was Kettlewell’s first work ever published, and was eminently popular. Its purpose was to take basic Christian doctrine and make it exceptionally practical in the life of a believer. In this work he expanded his sermons into 5 discourses or chapters. The first discourse states the notion of the Christian's salvation, and shows it chiefly to consist in a deliverance from our sins, centered on Matthew 1:21, “Thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.” The second discourse shows that this deliverance, and entire obedience, is neither impossible, nor extremely difficult, if sincere Christians set about it as they should, centered on Phil. 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” The third discourse shows how to form such a purpose of sincere repentance, and entire obedience which will be effectual for this purpose, centered on Acts 11:23, “And exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart, they would cleave unto the Lord.” The fourth discourse shows how to take the truest wisdom of worldly men in their managements, and apply it with admirable use and advantage in the improvement and perfection of holy obedience, centered on Luke 16:8, “For the children of this world are wiser in their generation, than the children of light.” The fifth discourse shows how Christians ought to think about the return of their prayers, or when they may, and when they may not, promise themselves the particular things they ask for, centered on Matthew 7:7-8, “Ask and it shall be given you; for every one that asketh, receiveth.” This work is not a scan or facsimile, has been carefully transcribed by hand being made easy to read in modern English, and has an active table of contents for electronic versions.

Reproduction of the original: Practical Religion by John Charles Ryle

KEY QUOTES "The love of the bible will show itself in a believer's readiness to bear evil as well as to do good. It will make him patient under provocation, forgiving when injured, meek when unjustly attacked, quiet when slandered. It will make him hear much, put up with much and look over much, submit often and deny himself often, all for the sake of peace." "The early Christians made it a part of their religion to look for his return. They looked backward to the cross and the atonement for sin, and rejoiced in Christ crucified. They looked upward to Christ at the right hand of God, and rejoiced in Christ interceding. They looked forward to the promised return of their Master, and rejoiced in the thought that they would see him again. And we ought to do the same" "The incorruptible things are all within the narrow gate. The peace of God which passed all understanding - the bright hope of good things to come - the sense of the Spirit dwelling in us - the consciousness that we are forgiven, safe, insured, provided for in time and eternity, whatever may happen - these are true gold, and lasting riches." "Death is a solemn event for everyone. It is the winding up of all earthly plans & expectations. It is a separation from all we have loved and lived with. It is often accompanied by much bodily pain and distress. It opens the door to judgement and eternity - to heaven or to hell. It is an event after which there is no change, or space for repentance" "... we live in a day of weak and feeble statements. The danger of the state of nature is feebly exposed. The privileges of the state of grace are feebly set forth. Hesitating souls are not encouraged. Disciples are not established and confirmed. The man out of Christ is not rightly alarmed. The man in Christ is not rightly built up. The one sleeps on, and seldom has his conscience pricked. The other creeps and crawls all his days and never thoroughly understands the riches of his inheritance." "But to have religion enough to be saved, and yet not go into extremes, -- to be sufficiently good, and yet not be peculiar, -- to have a quiet, easy-going, moderate kind of Christianity, and go comfortably to heaven after all, -- this is the world's favorite idea. There is a third class, a safe middle class, the world fancies, and in this middle class the majority of men persuade themselves they will be found." Table of Contents 1. Self-Inquiry 2. Self-Exertion 3. Reality 4. A Call to Prayer 5. Bible Reading 6. The Lord's Supper 7. Christian Love 8. Zeal 9. Freedom 10. HAPPINESS 11. Formal Religion 12. The World 13. Riches and Poverty 14. The Best Friend 15. Sickness 16. The Family of God 17. Our Home 18. Heirs of God 19. The Great Gathering 20. The Great Separation 21. Eternity

"An annotated reissue of the first British edition of 1797, A practical view of the prevailing religious system of professed Christians, in the higher and middle classes in this country, contrasted with real Christianity, by William Wilberforce. First Hendrickson edition published in 1996. Reissued as part of the Hendrickson Christian classics series in 2006"--Title page verso.