PRINCIPLES

OF THE

INTERIOR OR HIDDEN LIFE.


 
DESIGNED PARTICULARLY FOR THE CONSIDERATION OF THOSE
WHO ARE SEEKING ASSURANCE OF FAITH
AND PERFECT LOVE.






BY
THOMAS C. UPHAM


____________

SECOND EDITION
____________



BOSTON
WAITE, PIERCE, AND COMPANY,
No. 1, CORNHILL.
1844

— Thomas C. Upham.

EDITOR'S NOTE: I am thankful to Google Books and archve.org for making scanned copies of all of Thomas Cogswell Upham's books available. Upham (1799–1872) is an interesting character, and his holiness books are some of the most significant ones that were written in the 19th Century. Upham was a Congregationalist minister and academic who discovered the message of christian perfection through the ministry of Phoebe Palmer. Upham served as Professor of Mental and Moral Philosophy at the Bowdoin College from 1825-1868. He not only taught this subject, he wrote the primary textbook on the subject: Elements of Mental Philosophy (2 Volumes). To put it another way: Upham was teaching psychology long before the discipline had that name. His textbook on Mental Philosophy was reprinted more than 50 times, going through various editions, over a period of more than 70 years. Thus, Upham's thinking was incredibly influential in its day. At the urgings of his wife, Upham attended some of the meetings led by Phoebe Palmer for the promotion of Christian holiness. Here he encountered the message and experience of entire sanctification. After this, he wrote several books explaining, defending and recommending this experience. His way of understanding psychological issues is structured differently than our present understanding — it may take a while to get used to his categories. Once this adjustment is made, however, the reader will discover many helpful insights in his writings.

Most — if not all — the chapters of this book originally appeared as a series of articles called "Principles of the Interior Life" in the 19th Century periodical The Guide to Holiness.

While searching around at Google books I discovered that the second edition (1844) of this book is substantially different than the first edition (1843). The chapters in the second edition were rearranged into 3 parts, and new chapters were added. Having looked at both, I felt that the second edition was a significant improvement. So, this online version is based on that edition.

(I have corrected some, but not all, of the spelling in the original to conform to contemporary spelling.)

— Craig L. Adams

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I.

ON THE INWARD LIFE IN ITS CONNECTION WITH FAITH AND LOVE.

1. Some marks or traits of the hidden life
2. On the doctrine of holiness
3. Directions to aid in the attainment of holiness
4. On the act or covenant of religious consecration
5. On faith, especially appropriating faith
6. Consecration to be followed by the faith of acceptance
7. Of assurance of faith
8. Relation of consecration to assurance of faith
9. Relation of assurance of faith and perfect love
10. Considerations on the life of faith
11. Of a life of special signs and manifestations as compared with a life of faith
12. Of disinterested or pure love in distinction from interested love
13. On the love of our neighbor and of ourselves
14. On the distinction between love and joy
15. On the distinction between natural and spiritual joy
16. On the nature and relations of emotional experience
17. Some marks or characteristics of perfection of love
18. On the joy of faith in the want and desolation of all things else
19. On the nature of the temptations of a sanctified heart

PART II.

THE LIFE OF FAITH AND LOVE FOLLOWED BY THE CRUCIFIXION OF THE LIFE OF NATURE.

1. On the distinction between justification and sanctification
2. Remarks on unrestrained and inordinate desires
3. On the proper relation of the appetites
4. On the nature and regulation of the propensive principles
5. On the regulation of the principle of self love
6. On the nature and regulation of the social principle
7. On the nature and regulation of the principle of curiosity
8. On the grace of silence as the means of sustaining a holy life
9. On the nature and regulation of the affections
10. Of the excision and crucifixion of the natural life
11. On the necessity of possessing the gifts and graces of God in purity of spirit
12. Remarks on interior trials and desolations
13. Of the new life in the image of Christ
14. On the true idea of spiritual liberty
15. On growth in holiness
16. On the confession of sin

1. On the dispensation of the Holy Ghost
2. The providences of God considered as interpreters of the inward operations of the Holy Spirit
3. Suggestions to aid in securing the guidance of the Holy Spirit
4. Distinction between impulses and a sanctified judgment
5. On spiritual cooperation with God
6. Evidences of being guided by the Holy Spirit
7. On the state of inward recollection
8. On the inward utterance, or the voice of God in the soul
9. Spiritual bread, or the doctrine of receiving by faith
10. On the principle of inward quietude or stillness
11. Additional remarks on the state of interior stillness
12. On the true idea of interior annihilation or nothingness
13. On the state of union with God
14. On varieties of christian character
15. Religious maxims

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