Practical Religion: Being Plain Papers on the Daily Duties, Experience, Dangers, and Privileges of Professing Christians

Preface
THE volume now in the reader's hands is intended to be a companion to two other volumes which I have already published entitled "Knots Untied" and "Old Paths".

"Knots Untied" consists of a connected series of papers, systematically arranged, about the principle points which form the subject of controversy among Churchmen in the present day. All who take interest in such disputed questions as the nature of the church, the Ministry, Baptism, Regeneration, the Lord's Supper, the Real Presence, Worship, Confession, and the Sabbath, will find them pretty fully discussed in "Knots Untied".

"Old Paths" consistes of a similar series of papers about those leading doctrines of the Gospel which are generally considered necessary to salvation. The inspiration of Scripture, sin, justification, forgiveness, repentance, conversion, faith, the work of Christ, and the work of the Holy Spirit, are the principle subjects handled in "Old Paths".

The present volume contains a series of papers about "practical religion," and treats of the daily duties, dangers, experience, and privileges of all who profess and call themselves true Christians. Read in conjunction with another work I have previously put out called "Holiness", I think it will throw some light on what every believer ought to be, to do, and expect.

One commen feature will be found in all three volumes. I avow it frankly at the outset, and will not keep it back for a moment. The standpoint I have tried to occupy, from first to last, is that of an Evangelical Churchman.

I say this deliberately and emphatically. I am fully aware that Evangelical churchmanship is not popular and acceptable in this day. It is despised by many, and has "no form or comeliness" in their eyes. To avow attachment to Evangelical views, in some quarters, is to provoke a sneer, and bring on yourself the reproach of being an "unlearned and ignorant man". But none of these things move me. I am not ashamed of my opinions. After forty years of Bible-reading and praying, meditation and theological study, I find myself clinging more tightly then ever to "Evangelical" religion, and more than ever satisfied with it. It wears well: it stands the fire. I know no system of religion which is better. In the faith of it I have lived for the third of a century, and in the faith of it I hope to die.

The plain truth is, that I see no other ground to occupy, and find no other rest for the sole of my foot. I lay no claim to infallibility, and desire to be no man's judge. But the longer I live and read, the more I am convinced and persuaded that Evangelical principles are the principles of the Bible, of the Articles and Prayer-book, and of the leading Divines of the reformed Church of England. Holding these views, I cannot write otherwise then I have written.

I now send forth this volume with an earnest prayer that God the Holy Ghost may bless it, and make it useful and helpful to many souls.

J. C. Ryle, Vicar of Stradbroke, November, 1878.

Contents

 * Chapter 1 - Self-Inquiry
 * Chapter 2 - Self-Exertion
 * Chapter 3 - Reality
 * Chapter 4 - Prayer
 * Chapter 5 - Bible Reading
 * Chapter 6 - Going to the Table
 * Chapter 7 - Charity
 * Chapter 8 - Zeal
 * Chapter 9 - Freedom
 * Chapter 10 - Happiness
 * Chapter 11 - Formality
 * Chapter 12 - The World
 * Chapter 13 - Riches And Poverty
 * Chapter 14 - The Best Friend
 * Chapter 15 - Sickness
 * Chapter 16 - The Family of God
 * Chapter 17 - Our Home!
 * Chapter 18 - Heirs of God
 * Chapter 19 - The Great Gathering
 * Chapter 20 - The Great Separation