True Christianity
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Arndt Johann. True Christianity
Introduction By The American Editor
Book I. Wherein True Christianity, Sincere Sorrow For Sin, Repentance, Faith, And The Holy Life Of The True Christian, Are Considered
The Author's Preface To The First Book
Chapter I. Showing What The Image Of God In Man Is
Chapter II. Of The Fall Of Adam
Chapter III. Showing How Man Is Renewed In Christ Unto Eternal Life
Chapter IV. Of True Repentance, And The True Yoke And Cross Of Christ
Chapter V. Wherein Does True Faith Consist?
Chapter VI. Showing How The Vital Power Of The Word Of God Should Be Manifested In Man Through Faith
Chapter VII. The Law Of God, Written In The Hearts Of All Men, Convinces Them That On The Day Of Judgment They Will Be Without Excuse
Chapter VIII. No One Can Find Comfort In Christ And His Merits, Who Does Not Truly Repent
Chapter IX. The Unchristian Walk Of Many Persons In Our Day, Is A Cause Of The Rejection Of Christ And Of The True Faith
Chapter X. The Children Of The World Are Against Christ, And, Consequently, Their Life And Their Christianity Are Both Alike False
Chapter XI. Showing That He Does Not Truly Repent, Is Not A Christian, And Not A Child Of God, Who Does Not, In His Life And Conduct, Follow Christ; Also, Wherein The New Birth And The Yoke Of Christ Consist
Chapter XII. The True Christian Dies Unto Himself And The World, And Lives In Christ
Chapter XIII. The Christian Ought Willingly To Die Unto Himself And The World, For The Sake Of The Love Of Christ, And For The Sake Of That Future And Eternal Glory, For Which We Were Created And Redeemed
Chapter XIV. The True Christian, Who Imitates Christ, Hates His Own Life In This World, And Forsakes The World
Chapter XV. Showing How The “Old Man” Daily Dies, And The “New Man”Is Daily Renewed, In A True Christian; Also, Wherein Self-Denial Consists, And What Is Meant By The Christian's Cross
Chapter XVI. A Conflict Is Constantly Maintained In The Christian Between The Spirit And The Flesh
Chapter XVII. The Inheritance And Possessions Of Christians Are Not Of This World; They Should, Therefore, Regard Themselves As Strangers In It, While They Make Use Of Earthly Things
Chapter XVIII. Showing How Greatly God Is Offended, When Man Prefers Things That Are Temporal To Those That Are Eternal; And How Great The Evil Is, When Our Affections Cleave To The Creature And Not To The Creator
Chapter XIX. He Who Is Most Of All Conscious Of His Misery, Is Most Of All Acceptable To God; And His Christian Knowledge Of His Misery, Urges Him To Seek The Grace Of God
Chapter XX. A Truly Christian Sorrow For Sin Promotes The Daily Amendment Of The Life Of Man, Makes Him Meet For The Kingdom Of God, And Fits Him, In An Increasing Degree, For Eternal Life
Chapter XXI. Of The True Worship Of God
Chapter XXII. A True Christian Is Known Primarily By Love, And By A Daily Amendment Of Life
Chapter XXIII. He Who, In Christ, Desires To Grow In Grace, Is Often Compelled To Withdraw From Worldly Society
Chapter XXIV. Of The Love Of God And Our Neighbor
Chapter XXV. The Love Of Our Neighbor, More Particularly Considered
Chapter XXVI. Wherefore Our Neighbor Is To Be Loved
Chapter XXVII. Wherefore Our Enemies Are To Be Loved
Chapter XXVIII. Showing How The Love Of The Creator Should Be Preferred To That Of All Creatures; And How Our Neighbor Is To Be Loved In God
Chapter XXIX. Of That Reconciliation To Our Neighbor, Without Which God Withdraws His Grace
Chapter XXX. Of The Fruits Of Love
Chapter XXXI. Pride And Self-Love Corrupt And Destroy Even The Best And Noblest Gifts
Chapter XXXII. Great Gifts Do Not Demonstrate A Man To Be A Christian, But Faith That Works By Love
Chapter XXXIII. God Has No Respect To The Works Of Any One; But Judges Of Works According To The Heart
Chapter XXXIV. Showing That God Alone, Without Any Human Aid, Is The Author Of Our Salvation, And That We Are To Submit Unreservedly To His Grace; Also, That Christ's Merit Is Not Imputed To The Impenitent
Chapter XXXV. All Wisdom, Arts, And Sciences, Yea, Even The Knowledge Of The Whole Scripture, Are Vain, Without A Holy And Christian Life
Chapter XXXVI. He Who Does Not Live In Christ, But Gives His Heart To The World, Has Only The Outward Letter Of The Scriptures, But He Does Not Experience Their Power, Or Eat Of The Hidden Manna
Chapter XXXVII. He Who Does Not Follow Christ In Faith, Holiness, And Continued Repentance, Cannot Be Delivered From The Blindness Of His Heart, But Must Abide In Eternal Darkness; And He Cannot Have A True Knowledge Of Christ, Or Fellowship With Him
Chapter XXXVIII. Showing That An Unchristian Life Leads To False Doctrine, Hardness Of Heart, And Blindness; Also, Treating Of The Eternal Election Of Grace
Chapter XXXIX. Showing That The Purity Of The Doctrine Of The Divine Word Is Maintained Not Only By Discussions And Publications, But Also By True Repentance And Holiness Of Life
Chapter XL. Sundry Rules For Leading A Holy Life
Chapter XLI. The Whole Of Christianity Consists In The Restoration Of The Image Of God In Man, And The Destruction Of The Image Of Satan
Chapter XLII. In This Concluding Chapter The Reasons For Adopting The Method Observed In Book I. Are Explained; The Duty Of Guarding Against Spiritual Pride Is Described, And The Truth Is Set Forth That True Spiritual Gifts Cannot Be Obtained Without Prayer
Book II
Preface To The Second Book
Chapter I. Jesus Christ, The Son Of God, Is Given To Us By Our Heavenly Father As Our Help Against The Damnable And Deadly Poison Of Original Sin, And The Pernicious Fruits Thereof, As Well As A Protector Against All The Calamities And Evils Both Of The Body And The Soul
Chapter II. The Manner In Which The Christian Should Apply And Appropriate To Himself The Consolation Noticed In Chapter I
Chapter III. Our Righteousness Before God, Consists Solely In The Perfect Obedience And Merit Of Christ Jesus, And In The Remission Of Sin Apprehended By Faith
Chapter IV. Showing That Saving Faith In The True Christian Produces Manifold Fruits Of Righteousness, And That These Must Proceed From The Depth Of The Heart; Also, That The Character Of Our Outward Works, Depends, In The Judgment Of God, Upon The State Of The Heart
Chapter V. Showing That The Evidence Of True Christianity Does Not Consist In The Knowledge And The Hearing Of God's Word, But That He Is A Christian, In Whose Life God's Word Is Manifested, And Who Beseeches God In Sincerity That This Word, As A Divine Seed, May Be Quickened In Him, And Bear Fruit
Chapter VI. The Perfection And Salvation Of Men Depend On Union With Christ By Faith; But To This They Can Contribute Nothing, Whereas They Rather Interfere With The Grace Of God By Their Perverse Will; But Christ, And He Alone, Accomplishes The Work In Us
Chapter VII. Showing That In Order To Understand The True Nature Of Repentance, We Must Necessarily Know The Distinction Between The Old And The New Man; Or, How In Us Adam Must Die, And Christ Live; Or, How In Us The Old Man Must Die, And The New Man Live
Chapter VIII. Showing How Graciously God Invites Us To Repentance, And How Necessary It Is That It Should Not Be Delayed
Chapter IX. Showing What Repentance Is, And The Manner In Which The Sinner Truly Repents; Also, How The Goodness Of God Leads Us To Repentance
Chapter X. The Four Properties Of True Repentance
Chapter XI. Showing That The Fruit Of Conversion Is The New Creature; Also, That The Christian Is, By Faith, A Lord Over All, And, By Love, A Servant Of All; And, That The Life Of Christ Is A Mirror For Us
Chapter XII. Showing That Christ Is The Only Way And End Of True Godliness; And That Man Goes Astray, When God Does Not Guide And Direct Him
Chapter XIII. Showing That Jesus Christ Is The True Book Of Life, And That His Poverty Teaches Us To Despise The Glory Of The World
Chapter XIV. Showing How Christ, By The Shame And Contempt Which He Endured, And By His Self-Denial, Teaches Us To Despise The Honor And Glory Of The World
Chapter XV. Showing How We Should, Through Christ, Bear And Overcome The Trials And Contempt Of The World
Chapter XVI. Showing How Christians Are To Seek And Obtain Favor And Glory Through Christ, In Heaven
Chapter XVII. Showing How We May Through Christ, And After The Example Of All The Saints, Overcome The Calumnies Of Men
Chapter XVIII. Showing How The Sorrows And Pains Of Christ Should Teach Us To Subdue The Lusts Of The Flesh
Chapter XIX. Showing How We Should Behold In The Crucified Christ, As In The Book Of Life, Both Our Sins, And Also The Displeasure, The Love, Justice, And Wisdom Of God
Chapter XX. Of The Power And Necessity Of Prayer, In These Holy Contemplations
Chapter XXI. Of The Power Of The Noble Virtue Of Humility
Chapter XXII. All The Works Of A True Christian Must Be Done In Humility, Or They Will, Otherwise, Become An Abomination And Idolatry
Chapter XXIII. A Man Who Does Not Perceive His Own Emptiness, And Does Not Give All The Honor To God, Commits The Greatest Of Sins, And Falls Like Satan
Chapter XXIV. Of The Noble Virtue Of Love, And Of Its Power, Soundness, And Purity
Chapter XXV. Sundry Signs By Which We May Ascertain Whether We Truly Love Christ
Chapter XXVI. Five Kinds Of Works Of Love, In Which The Grace And Goodness Of God Are Especially Revealed
Chapter XXVII. Showing How The Lord Jesus Manifests Himself To The Loving Soul As The Highest Love And The Highest Good
Chapter XXVIII. Showing How The Highest Good Is Perceived And Tasted In The Soul
Chapter XXIX. Showing How The Loving Soul Considers God In His Benefits As The Most Liberal Bountifulness
Chapter XXX. Showing How God Manifests Himself To The Loving Soul, As The Supreme Beauty
Chapter XXXI. Showing How God Manifests Himself To The Loving Soul As The Infinite Omnipotence
Chapter XXXII. Showing How The Loving Soul Knows God As The Highest Righteousness And Holiness
Chapter XXXIII. Showing How The Loving Soul Considers God As The Eternal Wisdom
Chapter XXXIV. Showing How A Man Should Seek The Wisdom Of God By Prayer; Containing Also A Useful Treatise On Prayer, Wherein The Reader Is Taught How The Heart Is To Be Moved Unto Prayer, And Brought Into A Quiet Sabbath, So That Prayer May Be Wrought In Us By The Lord; The Whole Being Set Forth In Twelve Sections
Section I. All That We Have Lost In Adam We Recover Fully And Completely In Christ
Section II. The Evils That Follow The Neglect Of Prayer
Section III. The Benefits Of Continual Prayer
Section IV. The True Christian Chooses The Narrow Way In Christ, Rather Than The Broad Way In Adam
Section V. Considerations Which Should Move The Heart To Commune With God In Prayer
Section VI. The Omniscient God Knows What We Stand In Need Of, Before We Ask Him
Section VII. That God Invites And Engages All Men To The Exercise Of Prayer, And Promises To Hear Their Petitions
Section VIII. God Is No Respecter Of Persons, But Has An Impartial Love For All His Creatures
Section IX. Showing That It Is Equally Sinful To Pray To God Upon The Presumption Of Our Own Merit, And To Forbear On Account Of Our Unworthiness
Section X. The True Worshipper Ought Not To Seek After God In Any Particular Place; For He Finds Him Everywhere In Spirit And In Truth
Section XI. The Worshipper Is Not Restricted To Certain Times Of Prayer, But May At Any Hour Address God In Prayer, Provided That He Does Not Hinder Himself
Section XII. The Considerations Stated Above, Not Only Dispose The Heart To True Prayer, But Also Furnish Various Useful Lessons
Chapter XXXV. Prayer Is The Sign Of A True Christian, That Is, Of One Who Is Anointed Of The Lord
Chapter XXXVI. On The Benefits And Power Of Prayer, And On Its True Ground Or Foundation
Chapter XXXVII. Reasons Why God Certainly Hears Our Prayers
Chapter XXXVIII. Seven Helps Or Aids For Our Infirmities In Prayer
Chapter XXXIX. The Conversation Of A Believing Soul With God
Chapter XL. A Conversation Between Faith And The Mercy Of God
Chapter XLI. The Great Benefits, And The Great Efficacy Of Praise Offered To God
Chapter XLII. The Reasons For Which We Ought Daily To Offer Praises To God
Chapter XLIII. To Praise God Is The Highest And Most Honorable Employment Of Men
Chapter XLIV. Of Patience, Which Triumphantly Endures The Cross, And Waits For The Promised Glory
Chapter XLV. Divine Consolation Produces Patience Under Afflictions
Chapter XLVI. Motives To Patience; And, The Benefits Of The Cross
Chapter XLVII. Sentences, And Examples Of Patience And Consolation
I. Some Sentences And Testimonies Of Scripture
II. Examples Of Patience
III. Consolations
Chapter XLVIII. There Is No Affliction For Which God Has Not Provided Appropriate Consolation. The Consolation Which He Affords Is Always Greater Than Our Misery; This Consideration Should Sustain And Confirm Our Patience
Chapter XLIX. The Truth Of God And The Certainty Of His Promises, Ought To Dispose Us To Patience
Chapter L. Showing How Hope Is Tested In Seasons Of Adversity; It Maketh Not Ashamed
Chapter LI. Comfort For Those That Are Weak In Faith
Chapter LII. Comforting Instructions For Those That Are Laboring Under Great Temptations In Spirit
Chapter LIII. Consolations For Those Who Labor Under Great Spiritual Temptations
Chapter LIV. Comforts Under Secret And Spiritual Temptations Of The Devil
Chapter LV. The Reasons For Which God Sometimes Delays His Comfort And Assistance
Chapter LVI. Showing That In Seasons Of Trial The Consideration Of The Exalted Patience Of Christ, And Of The Future And Eternal Glory, Will Alleviate The Burden Of The Cross
Chapter LVII. Consolations Against The Fears Of Death
Conclusion Of The Second Book
Book III
Preface To The Third Book
Chapter I. Of The Great Internal Treasure Of An Enlightened Believer
Chapter II. True Faith, And Converse With The Soul, The Only Means Of Attaining To This Inward Treasure
Chapter III. The Whole Treasure Of The Inner Man Depends On Faith, Namely, God, Christ, The Holy Spirit, And The Kingdom Of God
Chapter IV. The Believing Soul Seeks God Internally, In Itself; Its Beauty And Blessedness When It Is United With God
Chapter V. Showing How A Man May Be Drawn To God; Also, Wherein Spiritual Poverty Consists; And, What The Degrees Of Humility Are
Chapter VI. The Seat Of God In The Soul
Chapter VII. Of The Dignity Of The Soul; Of True Repentance; And, Of Divine Mercy
Chapter VIII. The Calling Of God Is Earnest And Sincere, And Directs Us To Come To Him
Chapter IX. The Purifying Influence Of True Faith
Chapter X. Showing How The Natural Light In Us Must Disappear, And The Light Of Grace Shine Forth
Chapter XI. God, The Light Of The Soul, Directing Us Not To Judge Our Neighbors
Chapter XII. The Christian Ought Daily, Once At Least, Wholly To Abstract Himself From All External Objects, And Retire Into His Own Soul; The Advantages Of This Course
Chapter XIII. Showing How The Love Of God Enters Into The Soul, When It Is Empty Of The Love Of The Creatures
Chapter XIV. Of The Exercise Of Patience And Love
Chapter XV. Showing How Christ, The Eternal Word Of The Father, Perfects His Work In The Hearts Of The Faithful, By Love And Humility
Chapter XVI. Showing How The Holy Spirit Operates In Our Souls
Chapter XVII. Signs Of The Presence Of The Holy Spirit In Us
Chapter XVIII. Showing How Worldly Pleasures Drive Away The Holy Spirit
Chapter XIX. Of Inward Prayer, And Of The True Use Of The Lord's Prayer
Chapter XX. Showing That Humility Must First Be Laid As A Foundation In The Heart, And All Our Works Must Rest On It; Its Blessed Influences
Chapter XXI. Showing That A Man Ought To Rest In God Alone, And Not In His Gifts; And That He Must Deny Himself
Chapter XXII. Showing How Our Works May Be Rendered Acceptable To God
Chapter XXIII. Of The Mystery Of The Cross, By Which We Are Drawn To God
Book IV
Preface To The Fourth Book. All Creatures Are Messengers Of God, Intended To Lead Us To God
Part I. Treating Of The Works Of The Six Days Of Creation, In General
Chapter I. Of Light, The Work Of The First Day
Chapter II. Of Heaven, The Work Of The Second Day
Chapter III. Of The Separation Of The Waters From The Dry Land, The Work Of The Third Day
Chapter IV. Of The Sun, Moon, And Stars, The Work Of The Fourth Day
Chapter V. Of The Waters, And Their Productions, The Work Of The Fifth Day
Chapter VI. Of The Living Creatures, The Work Of The Sixth Day
Part II. Treating Specially Of Man
Chapter I. God, An Infinite And Eternal Being
Chapter II. God, The Supreme Good
Chapter III. Man, The Most Noble Of All Creatures, And Made For The Service Of God
Chapter IV. God Made Man In His Own Image, In Order That He Might Delight In Him
Chapter V. That God By His Love Bestows Himself Upon Us
Chapter VI. Showing How Much Man Is Indebted To God For His Everlasting Love
Chapter VII. Of The Things That Instruct And Comfort The Soul
Chapter VIII. Of The Obligations Under Which Men Lie To God
Chapter IX. Man Even More Indebted To God For Inward, Than For Outward Blessings
Chapter X. Of The Wisdom Which God Has Shown In The Formation Of Man
Chapter XI. Of The Obligations Man Lies Under Towards God
Chapter XII. Of Answering The Obligations Which Man Lies Under To God
Chapter XIII. Showing That God's Love Appears In All His Works, Even In His Chastisements
Chapter XIV. Showing How, And On What Account, Man Is Obliged To Love God
Chapter XV. Showing That All The Creatures Continually Remind Us Of The Love Which We Owe To God
Chapter XVI. A General Rule, Teaching Us How To Answer Our Obligations To God
Chapter XVII. Showing That The Christian Who Loves Not God Is Without Excuse
Chapter XVIII. Showing That Our Duty To God Tends To Promote Our Own Happiness
Chapter XIX. The Service Which The Creatures Render To Man, Compared With That Which Man Renders To God
Chapter XX. All Things Are Preserved By The Hand Of God
Chapter XXI. Showing That From The Service Of Man And The Creatures, A Union Takes Place Between The Visible World, Man, And God
Chapter XXII. From The Love Which We Owe To God, Proceeds That Which We Owe To Our Neighbor
Chapter XXIII. Man Is Made In The Image Of God
Chapter XXIV. That Man Is Obliged To Love His Neighbor As Himself
Chapter XXV. All Mankind Are To Be Considered As One Man, Or As Being Many Members Of One Great Body
Chapter XXVI. Charity, The Foundation Of The Greatest Strength
Chapter XXVII. Of The Nature, Properties, And Fruits Of Love
Chapter XXVIII. Love Unites Him Who Loves With The Person Loved, And Transforms Into The Same Nature
Chapter XXIX. Nothing Is Worthy Of Our Love, But That Which Can Make Us More Noble And Pure
Chapter XXX. Our Chief Love Is Due To God, As The First And Last, The Beginning And The End Of All Things
Chapter XXXI. He Who Principally Loves Himself, Actually Sets Up Himself In God's Stead
Chapter XXXII. Love To God, The Source Of All That Is Good; Self-Love, The Source Of All Evil
Chapter XXXIII. Of The Love Of God, And The Love Of Self
Chapter XXXIV. Love To God, The Only Source Of Peace And Unity
Chapter XXXV. Showing How We Ought To Love God
Chapter XXXVI. Divine Joy, The Fruit Of Divine Love
Chapter XXXVII. Of The Evil Fruits Of Self-Love
Chapter XXXVIII. Everlasting Sorrow And Death, The End Of Self-Love And Carnal Joy
Chapter XXXIX. All That We Have Must Be Offered And Consecrated To God
Chapter XL. He Can Never Praise And Glorify God, Who Seeks His Own Glory
Conclusion
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Christian Reader! That the holy Gospel is subjected, in our age, to a great and shameful abuse, is fully proved by the ungodly and impenitent life of those who loudly boast of Christ and of his word, while their unchristian life resembles that of persons who dwell in a land of heathens and not of Christians. Such an ungodly course of conduct furnished me with an occasion for writing this Treatise; it was my object to show to plain readers wherein true Christianity consists, namely, in the exhibition of a true, living, and active faith, which manifests itself in genuine godliness and the fruits of righteousness. I desired to show that we bear the name of Christians, not only because we ought to believe in Christ, but also because the name implies that we live in Christ, and that He lives in us. I further desired to show that true repentance proceeds from the inmost centre of the heart; that the heart, mind, and affections must be changed; that we must be conformed to Christ and His holy Gospel; and that we must be renewed by the word of God, and become new creatures. For even as every seed produces fruit of a like nature, so the word of God must daily produce in us new spiritual fruits. If we become new creatures by faith, we must live in accordance with our new birth. In a word, Adam must die, and Christ must live, in us. It is not sufficient to acquire a knowledge of the word of God; it is also our duty to obey it practically, with life and power.
2. There are many who suppose that Theology is merely a science, or an art of words, whereas it is a living experience and practical exercise. – Every one now aims at acquiring eminence and distinction in the world; but no one is willing to learn how to be devout. Every one now seeks out men of great learning, who can teach arts, languages, and wisdom; but no one is willing to learn from our only Teacher, Jesus Christ, how to become meek and sincerely humble; and yet His holy and living example is the true rule for our life and conduct, and, indeed, constitutes the highest wisdom and knowledge; so that we can with truth declare, “The pure life of Christ opens all knowledge to us.”
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10. All this is illustrated in Josh. 16:10. The remnant of the Canaanites were permitted to dwell amongst the children of Israel, but not to have dominion over them; and thus the Israel of God feel their remaining imperfections, but do not allow them to gain the pre-eminence. To preserve this pre-eminence is the duty of the new man in Christ, whose name is Israel (that is, a prince of God) (Gen. 32:28); and who, as a prince, hath power with God, and shall at last prevail.
11. This daily strife with the old man, is an encouraging evidence of the existence of the new man; for it plainly indicates that there are two contending principles in him who is the subject of it. The strength of the spirit and the victory succeeding it, demonstrate the true Israelite; and the warfare of the spirit indicates the real Christian. The land of Canaan cannot indeed be gained without war: but when the flesh, like the Canaanite of old, invades the territories of the spirit, it then becomes the part of the spiritual and true Israel not to submit to such a master; but, after true repentance and remission of sin, to collect new strength in Christ, and by the grace of God to rise again from his fall, and earnestly implore Jesus, our true Joshua, to vanquish for him and in him, the spiritual Canaanite, the enemy of his soul. When this is accomplished, the sinner is not only forgiven and restored to favor, but he is likewise refreshed and strengthened in Christ, his great Captain in this spiritual combat. With regard, therefore, to such as continue to feel many infirmities in the flesh, and who cannot do the things which they would, I exhort them to cleave to Jesus as sincere penitents, and to cover their blemishes with his perfect obedience. It is in this order, and in this order alone, that the imputation of Christ's merits becomes salutary and effectual; that is, when a man forsakes his sin, and by daily repentance strives against it; repairs his former losses, and guards against future temptations. But while the sinner remains a stranger to brokenness of heart on account of transgression; while he continues to gratify the unholy propensities of the flesh, nothing can be more absurd than for him to suppose that the merits of Christ are imputed to him; for how can the blood of Christ benefit him who treads it under foot? Heb. 10:29.
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