Wilberforce on Moralism

William Wilberforce writes against moralism and good manners in A Practical View of the Prevailing Religious System of Professed Christians, in the Higher and Middle Classes in This Country, Contrasted with Real Christianity:

  Suppose, however, their standard of these amiable qualities of benevolence and usefulness were greater than what we have depicted. Could they still be a substitute for the supreme love and fear of God, and the dominant desire to promote His glory?
  To allow them this plea would be like allowing men to abolish the first commandment in preference to obeying the second commandment.

a great response to the inclusivists, who would insist upon the good moral character of many who do not claim the name of Christ, and would love to believe that this is grounds for their salvation. how i wish they were right, but this quote (and the Bible) mean we have to say no.


they printed only 500 copies of this book in 1797. within the year they were up to the 5th edition and 7,500 copies. besides possibly the record holder for the longest title of any book ever written, it (like many old books) is just as potent today as ever.