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The Life of God in the Soul of Man by Henry Scougal

The book instrumental in George Whitefield’s conversion The Life of God in the Soul of Man (1677), was originally written as a private letter to a ‘dear’ friend, to explain Christianity. It was never intended for publication. Yet it has become a classic Puritan text and one of the most read and influential treatises ever written for the comfort of God’s saints.

The book instrumental in George Whitefield’s conversion The Life of God in the Soul of Man (1677), was originally written as a private letter to a ‘dear’ friend, to explain Christianity. It was never intended for publication. Yet it has become a classic Puritan text and one of the most read and influential treatises ever written for the comfort of God’s saints.

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sent<strong>in</strong>el to keep out every th<strong>in</strong>g that may <strong>of</strong>fend <strong>the</strong><br />

beloved, and doth disda<strong>in</strong>fully repulse those<br />

temptations which assault it: it complies cheerfully, not<br />

only with explicit commands, but with <strong>the</strong> most secret<br />

notices <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> beloved's pleasure, and is <strong>in</strong>genious <strong>in</strong><br />

discover<strong>in</strong>g what will be most grateful and acceptable<br />

unto him: it makes mortification and self-denial change<br />

<strong>the</strong>ir harsh and dreadful names, and become easy, sweet,<br />

and delightful th<strong>in</strong>gs.<br />

But I f<strong>in</strong>d this part <strong>of</strong> my letter swell bigger than I<br />

designed, (<strong>in</strong>deed who would not be tempted to dwell on<br />

so pleasant a <strong>the</strong>me!) I shall endeavor to compensate it<br />

<strong>by</strong> brevity <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r po<strong>in</strong>ts.<br />

<strong>The</strong> next branch <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Div<strong>in</strong>e <strong>Life</strong>, is a universal charity<br />

and love. <strong>The</strong> excellency <strong>of</strong> this grace will be easily<br />

acknowledged; for what can be more noble and generous<br />

than a heart enlarged to embrace <strong>the</strong> whole world, whose<br />

wishes and designs are leveled at <strong>the</strong> good and welfare<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> universe, which considers every man's <strong>in</strong>terest as<br />

its own? He who loves his neighbor as himself, can never<br />

enterta<strong>in</strong> any base or <strong>in</strong>jurious thought, or be want<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong><br />

expressions <strong>of</strong> bounty. He had ra<strong>the</strong>r suffer a thousand<br />

wrongs, than be guilty <strong>of</strong> one; and never accounts<br />

himself happy, but when some one or o<strong>the</strong>r hath been<br />

benefited <strong>by</strong> him: <strong>the</strong> malice or <strong>in</strong>gratitude <strong>of</strong> men is not<br />

able to resist his love: he overlooks <strong>the</strong>ir <strong>in</strong>juries, and<br />

48 <strong>of</strong> 102

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