Truth and Love Happily Married in the Saints (eBook)

by Thomas Hill

in ePub, .mobi & .pdf formats

Thomas Hill’s Truth and Love Happily Married in the Saints is a passionate and compelling call for unity within the Church, emphasizing the inseparable bond between truth and love as essential virtues in Christian life. Preached as one of the Spital Sermons in 1648, Hill delivers a timely exhortation to a divided Church, drawing from Proverbs 23:23 (“Buy the truth, and do not sell it”) and John 13:35 (“By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another”). These texts provide the foundation for his central thesis: truth and love must not be separated in the life of the believer or in the governance of the Church.

One of the book’s most engaging aspects is Hill’s historical and theological urgency. Preaching in the turbulent era of the English Civil War, he warns against the dangers of allowing disputes over secondary matters to fracture Christian unity. Hill argues that while believers must stand firm on essential doctrines, they must also exercise patience, humility, and brotherly love in areas of disagreement—a message that remains profoundly relevant in today’s church landscape.

Hill employs vivid imagery and biblical examples to make his case. He compares the Church to Solomon’s Temple, which was adorned and strengthened by two great pillars, symbolizing truth and love. He urges ministers and believers alike to lay down their swords of division and instead “earnestly test what faith and love might accomplish in resolving our unhappy and untimely controversies.” His warm yet firm pastoral tone ensures that this is not a mere intellectual discourse but a heartfelt plea for the unity and peace of the Church.

A particularly powerful section of the sermon addresses the practical outworking of truth and love in the Christian life. Hill rebukes those who prioritize truth without love, resulting in cold, rigid orthodoxy, as well as those who emphasize love without truth, leading to spiritual compromise. He calls for a gospel-centered balance, urging believers to hold fast to the truth without arrogance and to love their brothers without wavering in doctrine.

For modern readers, Truth and Love Happily Married in the Saints offers a timely and much-needed corrective. In an age where theological disputes and denominational divisions persist, Hill’s message reminds us that the Church flourishes when truth and love walk hand in hand. This work is a must-read for pastors, theologians, and any believer seeking to cultivate a spirit of both doctrinal fidelity and Christlike charity. It is a timeless call to unity, urging the saints to adorn the gospel with the beauty of both conviction and compassion.

Thomas Hill (d. 1653) was an English Puritan divine and Master of Trinity College, Cambridge. A staunch defender of Reformed doctrine, he opposed the rise of Arminianism and popery, which led to his forced recantation under Bishop Laud’s influence. Despite persecution, Hill remained a steadfast preacher and scholar, known for his moderation and commitment to truth.

By Topic

Joy

By Scripture

Old Testament

Genesis

Exodus

Leviticus

Numbers

Deuteronomy

Joshua

Judges

Ruth

1 Samuel

2 Samuel

1 Kings

2 Kings

1 Chronicles

2 Chronicles

Ezra

Nehemiah

Esther

Job

Psalms

Proverbs

Ecclesiastes

Song of Solomon

Isaiah

Jeremiah

Lamentations

Ezekiel

Daniel

Hosea

Joel

Amos

Obadiah

Jonah

Micah

Nahum

Habakkuk

Zephaniah

Haggai

Zechariah

Malachi

New Testament

Matthew

Mark

Luke

John

Acts

Romans

1 Corinthians

2 Corinthians

Galatians

Ephesians

Philippians

Colossians

1 Thessalonians

2 Thessalonians

1 Timothy

2 Timothy

Titus

Philemon

Hebrews

James

1 Peter

2 Peter

1 John

2 John

3 John

Jude

Revelation

By Author

Latest Links