In the 17th century a young theologian/pastor named Henry Scougal (1650-1678) wrote a letter to a friend in need as an encouragement and to help him progress in his spiritual life. It was called The Life of God in the Soul of Man (Christian Focus Publications,1996). After this precious young man tragically died of tuberculosis at the age of 27, his work was later published as a book for a wider readership. A hundred years later, a copy of this book was given to the great evangelist George Whitefield by his friend Charles Wesley. It was instrumental in Whitefield's conversion. Whitefield spoke of this book, "I never knew what true religion was until God sent me this excellent treatise."
John Piper considered this book a major stimulus to his book, The Pleasures of God. He writes, "There are some books whose vision is so deep and clear that truth rings from the pages like the toll of a large bell, perfectly obvious, but rare and precious. They unfold the heart of man and God with such forceful illumination that the truth is not just shown to my mind but created in my heart...so it went as I grazed in the green pasture of this wonderful book." (Taken from the back cover) Piper uses one of Scougal's statements as a major premise for his own book: THE WORTH AND EXCELLENCY OF A SOUL IS TO BE MEASURED BY THE OBJECT OF IT'S LOVE. (Scougal, page 68; Piper, page 17)
I myself have read this book at least four times and am currently rereading it again. Every time I read it, Scougal is like a navigator pointing my soul back on course. Listen to how Scougal defines as True Religion (What we would call Authentic Christianity).
True religion is essentially:
"An inward, free and self-moving principle; and those who have made progress in it, are not acted only by external motives, driven merely by threatenings, nor bribed by promises, nor constrained by laws; but are powerfully inclined to that which is good, and delight in the performance of it. The love which a pious man bears to God and goodness, is not so much by virtue of a command enjoining him so to do, as by a new nature instructing and prompting him to it; nor doth he pay his devotions as an unavoidable tribute, only to appease the Divine justice, or quiet his clamorous conscience; but those religious exercises are the proper emanations of the Divine life, the natural employments of the new-born soul. He prays, and gives thanks, and repents, not only because these things are commanded, but rather because he is sensible of his wants, and of the Divine goodness, and of the folly and misery of a sinful life; his charity is not forced, nor his alms extorted from him, his love makes him willing to give; and though there were no outward obligation, his `heart would devise liberal things'; injustice or intemperance, and all other vices, are as contrary to his temper and constitution, as the basest actions are to the most generous spirit, and impudence and scurrility to those who are naturally modest: so that I may well say with St John, `Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin: for his seed remaineth in him, and he cannot sin because he is born of God' (1 John 3:9). Though holy and religious persons do much eye the law of God, and have a great regard unto it, yet it is not so much the sanction of the law, as its reasonableness, and purity, and goodness, which do prevail with them. They account it excellent and desirable in itself, and that in keeping of it there is great reward; and that Divine love wherewith they are acted makes them become a law unto themselves." (Scougal pages 43-44)
Scougal goes on a few paragraphs later:
"Now if such a person be conscientious and uniform in his obedience, and earnestly groaning under the sense of his dullness, and is desirous to perform his duties with more spirit and vigor; these are the first motions of the Divine life, which though it be faint and weak, will surely be cherished by the influences of heaven, and grow unto greater maturity. But he who is utterly destitute of this inward principle, and doth not aspire unto it, but contents himself with those performances where unto he is prompted by education or custom, by the fear of hell, or carnal notions of heaven, can no more be accounted a religious person, than a puppet can be called a man." (page 45)
Listen to what Scougal says about duty based, external, performance centered religion:
"This forced and artificial religion is commonly heavy and languid, like the motion of a weight forced upward: it is cold and spiritless, like the uneasy compliance of a wife married against her will, who carries it dutifully toward the husband whom she doth not love, out of some sense of virtue or honor. Hence also this religion is scant and niggardly, especially in those duties which do greatest violence to men's carnal inclinations, and those slavish spirits will be sure to do no more than is absolutely required; it is a law that compels them, and they will be loath to go beyond what it stints them to; nay, they will ever be putting such glosses on it, as may leave themselves the greatest liberty: whereas the spirit of true religion is frank and liberal, far from such peevish and narrow reckoning; and he who hath given himself entirely unto God, will never think he doth too much for him." (pages 45-46)
He concludes:
"By this time I hope it doth appear, that religion is with a great deal of reason termed a life, or vital principle, and that it is very necessary to distinguish betwixt it and that obedience which is constrained, and depends on external causes." The fruit of the life of God operating in ones soul is divine love. Listen to how divine love impacts our souls: "Love is that powerful and prevalent passion by which all the faculties and inclinations of the soul are determined, and on which both its perfection and happiness depend. The worth and excellency of a soul is to be measured by the object of its love: he who loves mean and sordid things doth thereby become base and vile; but a noble and well-placed affection doth advance and improve the spirit unto a conformity with the perfections which it loves" (page 68).
Oh Christian get this book and read it! If it has impacted Whitefield, Piper, and countless others; who knows what impact it could make on you and your life. Your soul is precious to God. Invest in its growth and nurture and progress.
Longing for a worthy and most excellent soul,
Pastor Bill
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