Thomas Vincent - The True Christians Love of the Unseen Christ: A Discourse Chiefly Tending to Excite and Promote the Decaying Love of Christ in the Hearts of Christians

A Discourse Chiefly Tending to Excite and Promote the Decaying Love of Christ in the Hearts of Christians.

by Thomas Vincent

Edited by Gerald Mick

Westfield, Indiana, USA

www.digitalpuritan.net

The True Christians Love of the Unseen Christ was first published in London in 1677. This Digital Puritan reprint, in which spelling, grammar, and formatting changes have been made, is Copyright 2017 by Gerald Mick. All rights reserved.

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Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations in the end-note section are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations annotated [KJV] are from The Authorized (King James) Version. Rights in the Authorized Version in the United Kingdom are vested in the crown. Reproduced by permission of the Crowns patentee, Cambridge University Press.

The unattributed biographical preface is adapted from that which appears in several 19th century editions of works by Thomas Vincent, including this title and Gods Terrible Voice in the Cityan account of his experiences during the Great Plague of London in 1665, and the Great Fire which followed in 1666.

Cover art by GP232. Licensed through iStock.

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ISBN 9780359565603 (e-book)

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Table of Contents

The True Christians Love of the Unseen Christ

True Christians love Jesus Christ.

The object of a Christians love is the unseen Christ.

Concerning the love Christians bear for the unseen Christ.

It is an attribute of true Christians to love Jesus Christ, whom they have never seen.

It is a Christians duty to love Jesus Christ.

How should a Christian love Jesus Christ?

Why does a Christian love Jesus Christ?

Use 1: There are but few true Christians in the world.

Use 2: Examine yourself, to see if you truly love Jesus Christ.

Use 3: Reproof for those who do not love Christ, or who love him but a little.

Use 4: An exhortation to love Jesus Christ

If you would love Jesus Christ, consider his person.

If you would love Jesus Christ, consider his love for you.

If you would love Jesus Christ, consider the benefits he bestows upon you.

If you would love Jesus Christ, consider the love which Christians have (or should have) for him.

How to obtain this love for Christ when it is completely absent.

How to obtain this love for Christ when it is present, but in weak measure.

How to express this love for Christ.

A word of encouragement.

Appendix: Christs Manifestation of Himself Unto Those That Love Him

What does it mean to have Christ manifest himself unto those that love him?

Christ will indeed manifest himself to those that love him.

How does Christ manifest himself to those that love him?

When will Christ manifest himself unto those that love him?

Where will Christ manifest himself unto those that love him?

Use 1: To those that have no love for Christ.

Use 2: To those that have some love for Christ, but lack these manifestations of it.

Use 3: To those that both love Christ and have the manifestations of his love.

Apathy amongst believers is perhaps the greatest danger facing the church in our day. It quietly opens a door to let in a multitude of divisive and unwelcome guests. Apathy cultivates a sleepy tolerance for error and false teaching, coaxing us to stand by in silence while Scripture is manipulated in a way that brings glory to the personality standing behind the pulpit. Apathy produces the kind of superficial preaching that is heard and soon forgotten in far too many sanctuaries throughout the world every Sunday. Apathy first permits, then rationalizes, and finally defends the compromise of basic biblical morality. Apathy nurtures the neglect of evangelism and promotes the endless (and aimless) pursuit of pleasure or leisure over the difficult and necessary duties of service and holiness.