Simple Tracts on Great Truths, by Clergymen of the Church of England (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1854 Excerpt: ... ARE YOU A CHRISTIAN INWARDLY? Dear Reader, The question I ask you is a very solemn one. I do not know who you are: but I do know that, whoever you are, you will do well to give this question your most serious attention. It is a question, the answer to which is known probably already to two Beings, at least--to God and the Evil Spirit. Can you answer it? This is what I want you to lose no time in finding out. It is a question which sooner or later you will have to face, at the bar of God. You will save time and trouble, and it may be, through the Precious Blood of our Divine Redeemer, your undying soul, if you face it now. I ask you then: Are you a Christian inwardly? By which I mean, have you the Spirit of Jesus Christ? Because St. Paul says, that whatever else you may have, or be, nothing will avail if you have not this Spirit. "If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His." (Rom. viii. 9.) 1. You are not a formalist? You do not put your trust in forms and outward observances. This, you think, proves that you have the Spirit of our Blessed Lord. Now, my dear reader, I am glad, heartily glad, that it is with you as you say. If your conscience bears you out in saying that you go to church, for example, not unthinkingly and from custom, but purely from a wish, to do the will of Jesus Christ: I rejoice with you. To use forms, without life, and zeal, is opposed to the Spirit of Jesus Christ. He detected and denounced this sin in the Scribes and Pharisees. He will not endure it in His followers. But here you will remark two points, which cannot be overlooked without considerable danger. (1.) First, it may be your own fault that particular forms do not lift you up to Christ. And this is certain to be the case when the Church, who is Christ's own sp...