A Practical View of Preferred ChristiansCosimo, Inc., 2005 M11 1 - 124 páginas Dwell awhile on the state of the ancient world; not merely on that benighted part of it where all lay buried in brutish ignorance and barbarism, but on the seats of civilized and polished nations, on the empire of taste, and learning, and philosophy... Behold their sottish idolatries, their absurd superstitions, their want of natural affection, their brutal excesses, their unfeeling oppression, their savage cruelty! -from "Inadequate Conceptions of the Corruptions of Human Nature" Its full title is A Practical View of Preferred Christians of the Prevailing Religious System of Professed Christians in the Higher and Middle Classes in This Country Contrasted with Real Christianity, and it rings with the indignation and fervor only a new convert can bring to such a subject. In 1784, Wilberforce, a member of the House of Commons and formerly a bon vivant in demand for dinner parties and card games, was a newly minted Evangelical Christian; by 1797, he'd grown so appalled at the state of the souls of the British people that he published this manifesto, floridly scolding his fellow countrymen for their deficient Christianity. Flowery language aside, this incensed protest could well have been written today. British abolitionist and politician WILLIAM WILBERFORCE (1759-1833) founded the Society for the Suppression of Vice and was active in the Association for the Better Observance of Sunday. |
Términos y frases comunes
abounding active admitted affections altogether amiable anity become believe blessed Saviour bulk of nominal bulk of professed cerned character Christ Church Church of England comfort concerning conduct confess consider cordial corruption declension defective depravity diligence disposition divine divine grace duty endeavour eternal evil expected faith favour fear feel fruits glory Gospel grace grand gratitude habits hath heart heaven heavenly Holy Spirit honour hope human humiliating INADEQUATE CONCEPTIONS indolence injunctions internal principles Jesus judgment justly kingdom of heaven labours language lence less lives Looking unto Lord mercy merits mind moral nation nature nominal Christians object observed opinions ourselves Paradise Lost pardon peculiar doctrines perhaps plea possess practical precepts prevail professed Christians proper pursuit reason religion religious render sacred scarcely sidering sinners sins Son of God strictness suffered surely temper things Thou true Christian truth vice views virtue Wilberforce WILLIAM WILBERFORCE