The English Theological Library

General Editor

Frederic Relton A.K.C.

Vicar of St. Andrew's, Stoke Newington

With General Introduction by

The Lord Bishop of London

MAXIMS OF PIETY

AND OF CHRISTIANITY

By THOMAS WILSON D.D.

LORD BISHOP OF SODOR AND MAN

A NEW EDITION WITH PREFACE AND NOTES BY

FREDERIC RELTON A.K.C.
VICAR OF ST. ANDREW'S, STOKE NEWINGTON

London
MACMILLAN AND CO. LIMITED

NEW YORK: THE MACMILLAN COMPANY

1898

All rights reserved

3-28-49 FH

Libr.
Dobell
7-23·46
55742

BV

4831 W75 1898

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

THEOLOGY is concerned with setting forth the truth
of God as He has revealed it in His Word to
His Church. This truth needs new application
to the conditions and circumstances-intellectual
and social-of each generation. As various prob-
lems arise in the world of man, various aspects
of God's truth receive additional emphasis and
explanation. Theology grows according to the
growth of human knowledge. It brings out of
the treasure-house of Scripture "things new and
old."

A student of theology who wishes to gain accurate knowledge on any particular point, must refer to the time when that point was forced into prominence by some movement or tendency of thought. At such times men's minds, with the full force of their intelligence and their learning, were directed to the full investigation of a question which pressed for immediate solution. At such periods a subject was fully studied and thought out. It is only when we are in contact with minds to which these subjects were of vital importance that we feel their full significance.