This comprehensive eBook presents the complete fictional works of Henry Fielding, with numerous illustrations, informative introductions and the usual Delphi bonus material. (Version 1)Beautifully illustrated with images relating to Fielding's life and worksConcise introductions to the novels and other textsALL the novels, with individual contents tablesImages of how the books were first printed, giving your eReader a taste of the original textsThe complete 26 extant plays, for the first time in digital publishing historyExcellent formatting of the textsFamous works such as TOM JONES are illustrated with their original artworkSpecial chronological and alphabetical contents tables for the poetryIncludes a thorough selection of Fielding's non-fictionFeatures two biographies, including Sir Walter's Scott's scarce study of the author's life - explore Fielding's literary worldScholarly ordering of texts into chronological order and literary genresPlease visit delphiclassics.com to browse through our range of exciting titlesContents:The NovelsAn Apology for the Life of Mrs Shamela AndrewsThe History of the Adventures of Joseph AndrewsThe Life of Mr Jonathan Wild the Great.The History of Tom Jones, a FoundlingThe History of AmeliaThe PlaysLove in Several MasquesThe Temple BeauThe Author's Farce; And the Pleasures of the TownTom Thumb: A TragedyRape Upon RapeThe Letter-WritersThe Grub Street OperaThe LotteryThe Modern HusbandThe Covent-Garden TragedyThe Old DebaucheesThe Mock DoctorThe MiserThe Intriguing ChambermaidDon Quixote in EnglandAn Old Man Taught WisdomThe Universal Gallant, or the Different HusbandsPasquin, a Dramatick Satire on the TimesTumble-down DickEurydice, a FarceThe Historical Register for the Year 1736Eurydice Hiss'dMiss Lucy in TownPlutus, the God of RichesThe Wedding-DayThe Fathers, or the Good-Natur'd ManThe PoemsList of Poems in Chronological OrderList of Poems in Alphabetical OrderThe Non-FictionThe Journal of a Voyage to LisbonA Journey from This World to the NextAn Essay on Conversation.An Essay on the Knowledge of the Characters of MenAn Essay on NothingThe Opposition: A VisionThe True PatriotA Selection from the Covent-Garden JournalThe Female HusbandFamiliar Letters.The BiographiesThe Life of Henry Fielding by Sir Walter ScottFielding by Austin DobsonPlease visit delphiclassics.com to browse through our range of exciting titles
Chapter 1 ALL ARE SINNERS.
Some time ago we overheard from a person who should have known better, remarks something like these: "I wonder how sinners are saved in the Lutheran Church?" "I do not hear of any being converted in the Lutheran Church," and such like. These words called to mind similar sentiments that we heard expressed long ago. More than once was the remark made in our hearing that in certain churches sinners were saved, because converted and sanctified, while it was at least doubtful whether any one could find such blessings in the Lutheran Church.
The writer also freely confesses, that in those days, surrounded by such influences, "his feet had well-nigh slipped-his steps were almost gone." Therefore, he can sympathize with those honest questioners, who have not had the privileges of instruction in the doctrines of sin and Grace, and who are consequently in the dark. He has, therefore, concluded to write a series of plain, practical papers on the "Way of Salvation in the Lutheran Church." It will be his endeavor to set forth the manner or method through which the Church of the Reformation proposes to reach the sinner, and apply to him the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
The first question that presents itself is: Who are the subjects of salvation? The answer clearly is: All sinners. But, again: Whom does this embrace? The answer to this is not so unanimous. The views already begin to diverge. True, there is quite a substantial harmony on this point, among all the older Protestant Confessions of faith, but the harmony is not so manifest among the professed adherents of these Confessions.
In many of the denominations there is a widespread skepticism as to the reality of original sin, or native depravity. Doubtless on this point the wish is father to the thought. The doctrine that, "after Adam's fall, all men begotten after the common course of nature, are born with sin," is not palatable. It grates harshly on the human ear. It is so humbling to the pride of man's heart, and therefore he tries to persuade himself that it is not true. It has become fashionable to deny it. From the pulpit, from the press, from the pages of our most popular writers, we hear the old-fashioned doctrine denounced as unworthy of this enlightened age. Thus the heresy has spread, and is spreading. On every hand we meet men who stand high in their churches, spurning the idea that their children are sinners, and need to be saved. Their creed is: "I believe in the purity and innocence of childhood, and in its fitness for the kingdom of heaven, without any change or application of divine Grace." Ah! yes, we would all like to have this creed true. But is it true? If not, our believing it will not make it true.
Then let us go "to the law and the testimony;" to the source and fountain of all truth, the inspired Word of God. Listen to its sad but plain statements. Job xv. 14: "What is man that he should be clean? and he which is born of a woman that he should be righteous?" Ps. li. 5: "Behold I was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me." John iii. 6: "That which is born of the flesh is flesh." Ephesians ii. 3: "Among whom also we all ... were by nature"-i.e. by birth-"the children of wrath even as others." These are a few of the many clear, plain statements of the divine Word. Nowhere does it teach that children are born pure, righteous and fit for heaven.
The Lutheran church, then, teaches and confesses nothing but the pure truth of God's Word in the Augsburg Confession, Article II., where it says: "Also they teach, that after Adam's fall all men, begotten after the common course of nature, are born with sin," etc. Also Smalcald Articles, Part III., Article I: "Here we must confess, that sin originated from one man Adam, by whose disobedience all were made sinners and subject to death and the devil. This is called original or capital sin.... This hereditary sin is so deep a corruption of nature that no reason can understand it, but it must be believed from the revelation of Scripture," etc. So also the Formula of Concord, Chapter I., "Of Original Sin," where see a full presentation of our faith and its foundation. Also Luther's Explanation of the Second Article of the Apostles' Creed where he says: "Who-Christ-has redeemed me, a poor, lost and condemned creature, secured and delivered me from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil."
This, then is the teaching of our Church, as founded on the Word of God. That this doctrine is true, beyond the possibility of a doubt, we can learn even from reason. It will not be disputed that what is in the child will show itself as it develops. The germs that lie hidden there will unfold and bring forth their proper and natural fruit. By its fruits we can know even the child. And what are these fruits? How long will it be before that helpless and seemingly innocent babe, that slumbers on its mother's breast, will show symptoms of anger, jealousy, stubbornness and disobedience? Let that child alone, and, without a teacher, it will learn to lie, deceive, steal, curse, give pain to others, etc. But, without a teacher, it will not learn to pray, confess wrong, and "fear, love and trust in God above all things." Are these the symptoms and evidences of inward purity, or of inbred sin?
Again, that child is subject to sickness, suffering and death. As soon as it draws its first breath its life is a struggle. It must contend against the inroads of disease. Its little body is attacked by dire maladies. It is weakened by suffering and often racked by pain. And how frequently the feeble life succumbs and the lately-born infant dies.
How can we account for this on the ground of infant sinlessness? Do we not all believe that suffering and death are the results of sin? Is there, can there be suffering and death where there is no sin? No; "the wages of sin is death." But this wages is never exacted where the work of sin has not been done. The conclusion then is irresistible. The child is a sinner. It needs salvation. It must be reached by saving Grace. It must be counted in. It is one of the subjects of salvation, and must be brought into the Way of Salvation.
The Church is the Bride of Christ, the institution through which Christ brings and applies this Grace to the children of men. She must begin with the child. She must reach down to the tender infant and carry the cleansing and life-giving Grace of the Redeemer even into its sin-sick soul.
How is this to be done? How does the Lutheran Church propose to reach that child? This we shall try to answer as we advance.
Chapter 1 ALL ARE SINNERS.
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Chapter 2 ALL THAT IS BORN OF THE FLESH MUST BE BORN OF THE SPIRIT.
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Chapter 3 THE PRESENT, A DISPENSATION OF MEANS.
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Chapter 4 BAPTISM, A DIVINELY APPOINTED MEANS OF GRACE.
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Chapter 5 THE BAPTISMAL COVENANT CAN BE KEPT UNBROKEN. AIM AND RESPONSIBILITY OF PARENTS.
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Chapter 6 HOME INFLUENCE AND TRAINING IN THEIR RELATION TO THE KEEPING OF THE BAPTISMAL COVENANT.
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Chapter 7 THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL IN ITS RELATION TO THE BAPTIZED CHILDREN OF CHRISTIAN PARENTS.
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Chapter 8 THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL-ITS RELATION TO THOSE IN COVENANT RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST, AND ALSO TO THE UNBAPTIZED AND WANDERING.
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Chapter 9 CATECHISATION.
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Chapter 10 CONTENTS, ARRANGEMENT AND EXCELLENCE OF LUTHER'S SMALL CATECHISM.
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Chapter 11 MANNER AND OBJECT OF TEACHING LUTHER'S CATECHISM
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Chapter 12 CONFIRMATION.
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Chapter 13 THE LORD'S SUPPER-PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS.
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Chapter 14 THE LORD'S SUPPER-CONTINUED.
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Chapter 15 THE LORD'S SUPPER-CONCLUDED.
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Chapter 16 THE PREPARATORY SERVICE; SOMETIMES CALLED THE CONFESSIONAL SERVICE.
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Chapter 17 THE WORD AS A MEANS OF GRACE
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Chapter 18 CONVERSION, ITS NATURE AND NECESSITY.
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Chapter 19 CONVERSION-VARIED PHENOMENA OR EXPERIENCE.
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Chapter 20 CONVERSION-HUMAN AGENCY IN
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Chapter 21 JUSTIFICATION.
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Chapter 22 SANCTIFICATION.
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Chapter 23 REVIVALS.
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Chapter 24 MODERN REVIVALS.
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Chapter 25 MODERN REVIVALS, CONTINUED.
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Chapter 26 MODERN REVIVALS, CONCLUDED.
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Chapter 27 TRUE REVIVALS.
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Chapter 28 CONCLUSION.
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