Ebook An Eastern Exposition of the Gospel of Jesus According to St. John

St. Paul has described the ways of the Spirit called self-love or the Lover of Self (2 Tim. Iii. Which is neither male nor female (gal. Iii. In the domestic circle, it pays no heed to the voice of its natural guardians, is devoid of affection for those. Whom it should love, is unthankful, not willing to oblige, nor easily pacified. Abroad, it puts on the appearance of goodness without believing in its virtue, is false in friendship, given to be littling others, boastful of its own deeds, unforgiving, scornful, much inclined to the pleasures of the senses, easily urged by external in?uences and led away by divers desires, owing to instability of character. Such a spirit, said St. Paul, may be ever learning but will never know the Truth (2 Tim. Iii. Which,is God and Christ (p. The Doctrine of Grace, having for its object the Forma tion of Christly Love (gal. Iv. Is not intended for the Lover of Self who, being unripe for it, cannot under stand it. Schooled by Law, self-love must learn to think and act according to the spirit rather than the letter of the Law, before it can reach the next stage of growth called Neighbourly Love.