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"The reason why so much stress in laid, in the Bible, on practical religion"

Richard Warner - in two sermons in the second volume of his Old Church of England Principles Opposed to "New Light" (published in 1818) - on "the necessity of practical religion", capturing the characteristic Georgian Anglican emphasis on the need for good works.  This is an emphasis rooted (of course) in the Scriptures and, indeed, in the Homilies ("faith of itself is full of good works", "true faith bringeth forth good works") and the Prayer Book ("and, that we may obtain that which thou dost promise, make us to love that which thou dost command", "direct, sanctify, and govern, both our hearts and bodies, in the ways of thy laws, and in the works of thy commandments; that through thy most mighty protection, both here and ever, we may be preserved in body and soul").

This view of the necessity of practical religion, of obedience, or "good works", being a condition of salvation, was kept up under every dispensation, and is presented to mankind in every book of the Bible. It was this obedience which made Abraham's faith precious in the sight of God ... It was this obedience which Moses earnestly and constantly enjoined the Israelites to exercise, as the best proof of their religious fidelity ... It was this obedience to which David exhorted mankind, in his Book of Psalms, that precious treasure of inspired wisdom ... It was this obedience, which Solomon, the wisest of mortals, so particularly explained, and so powerfully enforced, when, under the influence of the Holy Ghost, he wrote his admirable book of Proverbs ... and Malachi, speaking in the words of the Almighty, closes the books of the Old Testament with this exhortation to his countrymen to moral righteousness ...

The same spirit , expressed in similar terms, breathes through the whole of the New Testament; where a like language is held, by John the Baptist, who was raised up to preach "the way of the LORD"; by Jesus Christ himself, who came "not to destroy the law and the prophets but to fulfil them"; and by his Apostles after him, who were commissioned by their Master to awaken a slumbering world, "dead in trespasses and sins", to a right faith, and a diligent practice of righteousness; to believe in the “ Lord Jesus Christ” and to "add to their faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance, patience; and to patience, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, charity"; all uniting their voices to declare the same great truth which the inspired men of the old world had asserted, that obedience was one great condition of God's favour; and that, "without holiness no man should see the Lord".

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Now all this was done, by making obedience, or "good works", an absolute condition of salvation; and by joining it with faith as a necessary passport to heaven. Here, then, we see the reason why so much stress is laid, in the Bible, on practical religion; on the virtues of a holy and just, an useful and benevolent life. Here we discover the wisdom and goodness of God in giving us a moral law, leading us into all good, to oppose to the law of sin, which is inclining us to evil; and the loving-kindness of Jesus Christ, in promising us the assistance of his grace to enable us to fulfil it. 

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  1. Anonymous11 November 2021 at 03:49

    I've been a reader of yours for 1 or 2 years now, and your insights and content have shown me so much to love about the Old-High Church tradition, something that I never knew existed before. Lacking a living connection to this lifestyle, however, one thing eludes me. I've read of the Old High Church commitment to the BCP and the Articles; to the theology of participation and practical religion; to gathering up all of life, womb to tomb, into Christ; and to that most blessed message that one can be a Christian without being a crank. I've heard of Hooker's Laws, read (not nearly enough of) Holy Living and the Golden Grove, trembled at the immensity of the Whole Duty, and read . The thing I still can't quite get is: how does it all fit together in real life--a layman's life? In what concrete ways does a High Churchman live his faith?

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    1. laudable Practice13 November 2021 at 16:14

      Many thanks for reading the blog and for your question. The phrase "one can be a Christian without being a crank" is a wonderful summary.

      On living the faith in the realities of life, the key thing I would say is to discuss this with your priest (or spiritual director). They will know your context, your duties and vocation in life etc and are thus best placed to give spiritual counsel.

      The only other thing I would add is to do the basics: receive the Sacrament regularly, pray daily (find a form of the Office that suits you), maintain spiritual reading which enriches you, and consider use of the Ministry of Absolution. It is this which animates daily living, ensuring that the life we share in Christ takes root deep within us and thus shapes our daily duties and obligations.

      This all comes back to your original point. The Christian life is not about being a crank. It is not weird. It does mean seeking to gather up in Christ through prayer and sacrament our ordinary, daily lives.

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