Preface
by
Evangelist Thomas Cook
from the original 1902 edition of his book
New Testament Holiness

 

Original 1902 cover “New Testament Holiness” by Evangelist Thomas Cook

Original 1902 cover of New Testament Holiness

A

t one of our Theological institutions the students asked their Tutor in Theology to give them a definition of Scriptural holiness.  The Professor replied that the holiness he found in the Bible seemed to him to be not so much a definite experience to be reached immediately, as “an eternal approximation toward an unrealisable ideal.” “But,” he continued,

there is, beyond doubt, an experience attainable by faith, which some describe as holiness, and which has brought to many Christians a great spiritual uplifting so as to mark an epoch in their spiritual life.  This was taught by Wesley and the early Methodist Preachers, and the teaching was intimately associated with the early successes of our Church.

He advised the students to make themselves familiar with the works of Wesley and Fletcher, and to use their own judgment as to which aspect of the subject they would preach, and concluded with this testimony:

In my last Circuit an Evangelist conducted a series of Mission Services in the Church over which I had pastoral charge and emphasized the definite view of holiness which Mr. Wesley teaches, and urged the people to believe and enter in.  Several of the most thoughtful members of my congregation were so greatly blessed that from that time their Christian life seemed to be on a higher plane.  Because of this, I have never spoken other than respectfully of that form of teaching, though I have never been able to teach holiness in that way myself.

The Evangelist referred to by the Tutor is the writer of this book.  It contains the substance of the addresses which were so much blessed to the congregation mentioned, and which have been used of God to help Christian people into the higher Christian life in many parts of the world. Testimonies received from those who have been definitely helped and blessed are so numerous that no apology is needed for their publication.

May He who has condescended to bless so richly the spoken word, still more abundantly crown with His favour that which is written.

 

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