The original 1797 version, manually edited and full unabridged.
“An electric shock could not be felt more vividly and instantaneously. Every one talked of it, every one was attracted by its eloquence, every one admitted the benevolence, talents, and sincerity of the writer. It was acknowledged, that whether good or bad on a few particular topics, such an important work had not appeared for a century. The great elevation of its views and principles, stamped upon it a noble singularity, which did not fail to strike the experienced observer.” -Rev. Daniel Wilson
“The religion recommended in the ‘Practical View’ of Mr. Wilberforce, is of a higher order. It is satisfied with nothing merely external, however blameless and fair. The offering up of prayer and praise, meditation on the scriptures, attendance upon ordinances, liberality towards the poor, the utmost exactness and irreproachableness of life – these do not meet its demands, unless there is correspondent sensibility and life in the heart. There must be a feeling of the divine presence – a relishing of the divine excellence – a heart-assured persuasion of the divine favor and complacency. God must be enjoyed; or there will be disquietude of soul….If the light of God’s countenance ceases at any time to shine upon the soul, the darkness which then covers it, no outward prosperity can dispel; its sorrows nothing can alleviate. No loveliness, no excellence remains, when the heart cannot taste the excellency of the knowledge of Christ. No satisfaction is taken in the intercourse of the dearest friends, when returns of grace from the Holy Comforter are suspended. The visible world is a waste wilderness, when the world unseen is clouded or remote. There is no peace, no pleasure in life, when there is no sensible relish and delight in God and divine things.” -The Quarterly Christian Spectator, Vol. 1, 1829
CONTENTS.
Introduction.
Chap. I. Inadequate Conceptions of the Importance of Christianity.
Chap. II. Corruption of Human Nature.
Chap. III. Chief Defects of the Religious System of the bulk of professed Christians, in what regards our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit—with a Dissertation concerning the use of the Passions in Religion.
Chap. IV. On the prevailing inadequate Conceptions concerning the Nature and the Strictness of Practical Christianity.
Chap. V. On the Excellence of Christianity in certain important Particulars. Argument which results thence in Proof of its Divine Origin.
Chap. VI. Brief Inquiry into the present State of Christianity in this Country, with some of the Causes which have led to its critical Circumstances. Its Importance to us as a political Community, and practical Hints for which the foregoing Considerations give occasion.
Chap. VII. Practical Hints to various Descriptions of Persons.
Footnotes.
William Wilberforce (1759–1833) was an English politician, philanthropist, and a leader of the movement to abolish the slave trade. A native of Kingston upon Hull, Yorkshire, he began his political career in 1780, eventually becoming the independent Member of Parliament for Yorkshire. In 1785, he underwent a conversion experience and became an evangelical Christian, which resulted in major changes to his lifestyle and a lifelong concern for reform. In 1787, he came into contact with Thomas Clarkson and a group of anti-slave-trade activists, including Granville Sharp, Hannah More and Charles Middleton. They persuaded Wilberforce to take on the cause of abolition, and he soon became one of the leading English abolitionists. He headed the parliamentary campaign against the British slave trade for twenty-six years until the passage of the Slave Trade Act of 1807. Wilberforce was convinced of the importance of religion, morality and education. He championed causes and campaigns such as the Society for the Suppression of Vice, British missionary work in India, the creation of a free colony in Sierra Leone, the foundation of the Church Mission Society, and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. His underlying conservatism led him to support politically and socially repressive legislation, and resulted in criticism that he was ignoring injustices at home while campaigning for the enslaved abroad. In later years, Wilberforce supported the campaign for the complete abolition of slavery, and continued his involvement after 1826, when he resigned from Parliament because of his failing health. That campaign led to the Slavery Abolition Act 1833, which abolished slavery in most of the British Empire; Wilberforce died just three days after hearing that the passage of the Act through Parliament was assured. He was buried in Westminster Abbey, close to his friend William Pitt.
