Christ Is All: The Piety of Horatius Bonar (Chapters 3-6)

HORATIUS BONAR
December 19, 1808 – July 31, 1889

Following are quotes from the Scotish theologian and hymn-writer, Horatius Bonar, as presented in the anthologized biography Christ Is All: The Piety of Horatius Bonar (Haykin & Brooker, Reformation Heritage Books, Grand Rapids, Michigan 2007)

Chapter 3:  Biblical Religion:  A Via Media

One feels, in our day, how little there is of simple reading of the Divine Word, and simple understanding of it, unwarped by system, or undiluted by speculation.  Not that Scripture is left unstudied, but it is little studied for the simple end of learning the mind of God, and of having the way that leads to the kingdom traced out for our personal guidance.  (p. 52)

Chapter 4:  The Apostolic Way of Evangelism

Nothing less than this is our work now; nothing below this must be the church’s standard i every age.  Out and out Christianity, unmistakable religion; not varnished worldliness or baptized paganism.  “Ye must be born again;” “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature;” “Ye are washed, ye are sanctified, ye are justified:”  these are the keynotes of the church’s testimony.  Let us not lower this for a moment.  (p. 54)

Chapter 5:  Health of the Soul

Whether, then, we consult our own interests or those of others, we must advance in holiness.  If we would have a deeper peace, we must be holier men.  If we would shed brighter light upon a dark world to attract them and win them out of their darkness, we must be holier men.  If we would glorify God each day, we must be getting holier each day.  (p.56)

Chapter 6:  On Reading

…beware of light reading.  (p.57)

Let your reading be always select; and whatever you read, begin with seeking God’s blessing on it.  But see that your rlish for the Bible be above every other enjoyment, and the moment you begin to feel greater relish for any other book, lay it down till you have sought dliverance from such a snare, and obtained from the Holy Spirit an intenser relish, a keener appetite for the Word of God (Jer. 15:15; Ps. 19:7-10).  (p. 59)