J.C. Ryle playlist: http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=F5502DD37912A9C7 John Ryle had his beginnings at Oxford, where he was an athlete and first class student of the Greats. He was headed for a career in politics, but then was called to the ministry. This work is a study of holiness, or Christian perfection. Ryle works to debunk many of the popular beliefs of his day concerning holiness. Reviewers praise his balance of honest, tough-love messages and compassionate, pastoral care. An intense but readable book, Holiness has been inspiration for living a Christian life for over a century. Believers looking for instructions on how to improve their lifestyle and continue the process of sanctification will value this book, which discusses grace, God's love, and, of course, holiness. (This volume is considered the best book on the Christian life that has EVER been written.) Chapters on: Sin Sanctification Holiness The Fight The Cost Growth Assurance Moses—An Example Lot—A Beacon A Woman to Be Remembered Christ's Greatest Trophy The Ruler of the Waves The Church Which Christ Builds Visible Churches Warned Do you love Me? Without Christ Thirst Relieved Unsearchable Riches Needs of the Times Christ is All "From his conversion [in 1837] to his burial [in 1900], J.C. Ryle was entirely one-dimensional. He was a one-book man; he was steeped in Scripture; he bled the Bible. As only Ryle could say, 'It is still the first book which fits the child's mind when he begins to learn religion, and the last to which the old man clings as he leaves the world.' "This is WHY his works have lasted—and will last—they bear the stamp of eternity. Today, more than a hundred years after his passing, Ryle's works stand at the crossroads between the historic faith and modern evangelicalism. Like signposts, they direct us to the 'old paths.' And, like signposts, they are meant to be read." "He [J.C. Ryle] was great through the abounding grace of God. He was great in stature; great in mental power; great in spirituality; great as a preacher and expositor of God's most holy Word; great in hospitality; great as a writer of Gospel tracts; great as a Bishop of the Reformed Evangelical Protestant Church in England, of which he was a noble defender; great as first Bishop of Liverpool. I am bold to say, that perhaps few men in the nineteenth century did as much for God, for truth, and for righteousness, among the English speaking race, and in the world, as our late Bishop." ~ Rev. Richard Hobson, three days after Ryle's burial in 1900.