Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1893 edition. Excerpt: ...heart and the theologian of matchless genius, grew out of the new begetting that came to him on that memorable day, and out of that single seed of truth.1 Thomas Bilney, who may be called the Father of the English Reformation, since he was the spiritual father of Latimer and others of its chief promoters, tells the pathetic story of the first seed-sowing of Scripture in his heart while in Cambridge University. From Erasmus's translation of the New Testament this word fell into his heart: "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief" (I. Tim. i. 15). "This one sentence," he says, "through God's instruction and inward working, did so exhilarate my heart, which before was wounded with the guilt of my sins and almost in despair, that immediately I found wonderful comfort and quietness in my soul, so that my bruised bones leaped for joy." Considering all that this reformer wrought from that hour till the day when he yielded up his life at the stake, we may see a convincing example of the dynamic power of the seed of Scripture. Who does not know the story of Luther's conversion, as, climbing Pilate's staircase at Rome, Christ, the great Seed-sower of the world, dropped into his ear that text, " The just shall live by faith"? And time would fail me to tell of the miracles wrought by that golden text of the gospel, John iii. 16. To what thousands receiving with meekness this implanted word, and mixing it with faith, has new life come! and from what thousands so receiving has unspeakable blessing gone forth! The point of leverage for moving the world, which the philosopher wanted, God has found, not without but 1...