Wednesday, July 21, 2004

On July 21, 1878
Venerable John Henry Newman, C.O., preached the first part of what was apparently a two-part sermon. (He preached the second part the next Sunday.) The following notes survive:

On the New Creation
I

1. We find from St. Paul that its life [i.e. the life of the New Creation] is gratitude for our Lord's sufferings for us, 2 Cor. v.; Gal. ii., sin.

2. Gratitude implies (and requires) (1) sense of sin; (2) faith.

3. Leads to (3) hope; (4) hope implies fear.

4. And gratitude is a kind of love.

II

But love is charity, such as is necessary to fulfil the command for 'eternal life,' 'Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with,' etc.,

Involves

1. Gratitude.

2. Likeness to God. Like loves like, i.e. love of appreciation.

3. The love of friendship—'Abraham the friend'; John xv., 'friends'—which involves a mutual consciousness of love—John xxi., 'Lord, thou knowest,' etc.

4. Companionship—'Walk before me'; 'Walk with me'—journey to Emmaus.

5. Dilectio—preference.




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