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Principles of the Interior or Hidden Life: Designed Particularly for the Considerable of Those Who Are Seeking Assurance of Faith and Perfect Love
Excerpt from Principles of the Interior or Hidden Life: Designed Particularly for the Considerable of Those Who Are Seeking Assurance of Faith and Perfect Love
There is a modification or form of religious experience which may conveniently, and probably with a considerable degree of propriety, be denominated the Interior or Hidden Life. When a person first becomes distinctly conscious of his sinfulness, and, in connection with this experience, exercises faith in Christ as a Savior from sin, there is no doubt, however feeble these early exercises may be, that he has truly entered upon a new life. But this new life although it is in its element different from that of the world, is only in its beginning. It embraces, undoubtedly, the true principle of a restored and renovated existence, which in due time will expand itself into heights and depths of knowledge and of feeling; but it is now only in a state of incipiency, maintaining, and oftentimes but feebly maintaining, a war with the anterior or natural life, and being nothing more at present than the early rays and dawnings of the brighter day that is coming.
It is not so with what may be conveniently denominated the Hidden Life - a form of expression which we employ to indicate a degree of Christian experience greatly in advance of that which so often lingers darkly and doubtfully at the threshold of the Christian's career.
About the Publisher
Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com
This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.
There is a modification or form of religious experience which may conveniently, and probably with a considerable degree of propriety, be denominated the Interior or Hidden Life. When a person first becomes distinctly conscious of his sinfulness, and, in connection with this experience, exercises faith in Christ as a Savior from sin, there is no doubt, however feeble these early exercises may be, that he has truly entered upon a new life. But this new life although it is in its element different from that of the world, is only in its beginning. It embraces, undoubtedly, the true principle of a restored and renovated existence, which in due time will expand itself into heights and depths of knowledge and of feeling; but it is now only in a state of incipiency, maintaining, and oftentimes but feebly maintaining, a war with the anterior or natural life, and being nothing more at present than the early rays and dawnings of the brighter day that is coming.
It is not so with what may be conveniently denominated the Hidden Life - a form of expression which we employ to indicate a degree of Christian experience greatly in advance of that which so often lingers darkly and doubtfully at the threshold of the Christian's career.
About the Publisher
Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com
This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.
464 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
About the author
Thomas Cogswell Upham
172 books2 followersThomas Upham was an American philosopher, psychologist, pacifist, poet, author, and educator. He was an important figure in the holiness movement.
He became influential within psychology literature and served as the Bowdoin College professor of mental and moral philosophy from 1825-1868.
He became influential within psychology literature and served as the Bowdoin College professor of mental and moral philosophy from 1825-1868.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 6, 2019
Written in 1947, this "abridged holiness classic" suffers from archaic language. I have read many books (and heard many sermons) on the subject of the holy life and this was the first place I'd ever seen the term "inward recollection," which is a "fixed habit of the soul of realizing the presence of God."
I appreciated Upham's chapter on Signs and Manifestations because there is quite an emphasis on those in Brazilian Pentecostalism. His chapter on the regulation of appetites hit a sour note with me, not because I don't think Christians should be self-controlled, but because I think it's okay to delight in God's good gifts. This chapter talks as if eating should only be done for the purpose of strengthening one's body for service. I happen to think that we can also eat the wonderful foods God has given us while rejoicing in their textures and flavors. Christians ought to enjoy God's creative goodness more than anyone.
Finally, I think there are more accessible books on the subject of sanctification than this one. Dennis Kinlaw's The Mind of Christ, Tozer's Pursuit of the Holy, and Called to be Holy by John Oswalt are just a few titles that come to mind.
I appreciated Upham's chapter on Signs and Manifestations because there is quite an emphasis on those in Brazilian Pentecostalism. His chapter on the regulation of appetites hit a sour note with me, not because I don't think Christians should be self-controlled, but because I think it's okay to delight in God's good gifts. This chapter talks as if eating should only be done for the purpose of strengthening one's body for service. I happen to think that we can also eat the wonderful foods God has given us while rejoicing in their textures and flavors. Christians ought to enjoy God's creative goodness more than anyone.
Finally, I think there are more accessible books on the subject of sanctification than this one. Dennis Kinlaw's The Mind of Christ, Tozer's Pursuit of the Holy, and Called to be Holy by John Oswalt are just a few titles that come to mind.
December 16, 2016
Brilliant Christian classic (originally published in 1843). Upham comes from the total sanctification crowd, but it's an inspiring message we all should heed even if we might quibble with the end conclusion of perfect sanctification. So inspiring, helpful and challenging. A classic I plan to read again and one that should get far more attention than it does.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews