Monday, December 22, 2008

Real Religion

A portion of a letter by William Jay to his fiancée, Miss Anne Davies. They were married on January 6, 1791, Mr. Roland Hills performing the service. The date is not given for this letter but it was written not long before the wedding. Mr. Jay expressed the kind of marriage he hoped for.

Yes, my love, let us determine to live as strangers and pilgrims here, and plainly declare by our profession and conduct that we seek a better country, that is a heavenly. Not when we shall be incapable of pursuing this world, and when our gust for earthly pleasure shall be abated by old age; but now while our affections are so warm, and when so many are carried away by the vanity of the world and the pride of life, let us unreservedly dedicate ourselves to God, and present ourselves as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is our reasonable service. Nothing but real religion can make us holy and happy in any situation or relation. In proportion as it prevails we shall find heaven begun below.

The Autobiography of William Jay, first published in 1854 and reprinted by The Banner of Truth Trust, 1974, p. 483.

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