El Corazon De Dios En El Alma Del Hombre

THE LIFE OF GOD IN THE SOUL OF MAN
by Henry Scougal

BOSTON: NICHOLS AND NOYES. iS68.

INTRODUCTION ‘The Life of God In The Soul of Man’ was originally written as a private letter to a ‘dear’ friend, to explain Christianity. It was never intended for publication. Yet it has become a classic Puritan text and one of the most read and influential treatises ever written for the comfort of God’ssaints. Henry Scougal was born in 1650 and lived only 27 years, when he died of tuberculosis. Just before his death in 1677, Scougal allowed the private communication to his friend to be published. Nearly 70 years later, George Whitefield ‘decided’ to live a life of obedience and self denial to obtain the approval of God and assurance of salvation. To deny himself he quit the only thing heenjoyed, the Oxford ‘Holy Club’ where he was acquainted with John and Charles Wesley. In the spring of 1735, at the age of 20, they handed Whitefield this book ‘The Life of God In The Soul of Man.’ Whitefield said, “I really wanted to know God and be assured of salvation, but even strict discipline didn't seem to help. God Showed me (in Scougal’s writings) that I must be born again.” The rest ishistory. The brief life of a young Christian, whose only ‘work’ was a letter to a friend, was used profoundly in the seeding of the great awakening in America. Scougal wrote that Christianity is not about external duties to perform, nor is it an emotion or feeling one has. He defines true religion as the union of the soul with God, a partaker of the divine nature, or in the apostle's words, “Christ inyou, the hope of glory."

PREFACE. THERE are books which never grow old; and this precious little volume, by Henry Scougal, is to be numbered among them. In it is an eternal freshness and beauty, its bloom actually brightening with advancing time. These words, for two centuries, have been bread of life to thousands. They have, through that long period, guided, comforted, and inspired; from thatfact, they possess additional interest, for they have stood the severest test, and been found adequate to meet the deepest wants of human nature in its most trying needs. This "Life of God in the Soul of Man " has something of that divine life within itself which can impart of its own fulness to every soul ready to receive. The very breath of Jehovah may be felt through it. It kindles in the soul asympathetic power, and lifts it into connection with higher realms. With its holy fervor there is blended a natural calmness. Health and healing are in its influence. Practical throughout, there is also a heavenly spirituality. Rising above all narrow limitations, the devout of every name may hold it in reverence, and cherish its counsels with gratitude and love. To the young, it will prove,armor of strength; to the aged, perpetual renovation; while Christians of all communions will find within it a foretaste of immortality. The life to which it would lead is a heaven upon earth, and that is but the commencement of a heaven without end. To all who hold in honor Christ and his gospel, to those who would love God and man, to each one who would so live in time as to make it the joyousgateway to a glorious eternity, this little volume should be heartily welcome; and we doubt not such welcome it will widely receive.

Henry Scougal was the son of the Bishop of Aberdeen, in Scotland. Born, June, 1650, at the age of fifteen he entered the University, and at the early age of twenty he became professor of philosophy. Having most acceptably fulfilled this important office for fouryears, he prepared himself for the ministry, and was established in a small village about twenty miles from Aberdeen. From this place, however, he was soon urged to enter upon the Professorship of Divinity in King's College, which duties he discharged with honor; but, at the early age of twenty-seven, his health gave way, and on the 13th of June, 1678, he closed his brief but useful career. One year...