How to Help Men Love Themselves
Represent mankind in a pitiable condition rather through misfortune than crime. Speak much of Christ’s bleeding love to them, of His agonies in the Garden and on the cross without showing the need or the nature of satisfaction for sin. Speak of His present glory and of His compassion for poor sinners, of the freeness with which He dispenses pardons, of the privileges which believers enjoy here, and of the happiness and glory reserved for them hereafter.
Clog this with nothing about regeneration or sanctification, or represent holiness as somewhat else than conformity to the holy character and Law of God and you have made a plausible gospel calculated to humor the pride, soothe the conscience, engage the heart and raise the affections of natural men who love not God, but themselves.”
(1747-1821)
