Holiness: Symbolic and Real

THIS volume, superseding an earlier one published in 1880, embodies the results of a life-long effort to reproduce as accurately and fully as possible the conception of Holiness held by the writers of the New Testament; in order thus to obtain a richer fulness of the New Life in Christ. The method pursued has been a careful search of their writings and of the earlier Scriptures so familiar to them. The book is therefore a Bible Study; and will be helpful to others chiefly so far as they are prepared to follow me along the same path.

It is designed in the first place for pastors of the Flock of Christ, commissioned by Him to feed and teach. But it will be easily understood by, and helpful to, all intelligent Christian workers and all devout men and women.

Some would prefer a shorter and easier way to the goal. But I am deeply convinced that one of the greatest needs of the present day is accurate grammatical scholarship directed to the aim of obtaining a broader and deeper comprehension of God’s purpose of mercy to men. We need both earnest enthusiasm and careful research.

As a good example of a different method, I may refer to an inspiring volume on New Testament Holiness, by my friend, the Rev. Thomas Cook. My book is a bag of seed for patient sowing in good soil; his, a sharp sickle for an immediate harvest. I notice with pleasure, amid differences in detail, substantial agreement. The same may be said of the teaching of John and Charles Wesley, the seed from which sprang the Methodist Revival. This teaching, I have traced back to earlier sources. We who owe so much to this revival are bound to proclaim it to all who will hear us, and to trace it still further back to the words of Christ and His Apostles. To prompt and aid this proclamation, is the purpose of this book.

CrossReach Publications