Compared to previous releases of this title from EP, this new 2014 edition restores the full text of Ryle’s great work and includes the preface by JI Packer, in which he reveals that this book was a strong formative influence in his early Christian life.

‘Holiness is the habit of being of one mind with God’ In this classic collection of soul nourishing essays, as relevant and helpful today as when first published in 1877, Ryle endeavours, ‘by God’s help, to examine what true holiness is, and the reason why it is so needful’ The first part of the book examines the doctrine of holiness, from sin and sanctification, to holiness, our fight for personal holiness, what it costs to be a true Christian, growth in grace and how a lack of holiness often leads to lack of assurance. In the second part Ryle gives warmly drawn instruction from scriptural characters. Moses, Lot, Lot’s wife, the dying thief and the Lord himself, teach us valuable lessons about holiness or the sad effects of its lack.

Holiness concludes with a collection of practical and devotional essays, ending with the exhortation ‘Let us live on Christ. Let us live in Christ. Let us live with Christ. Let us live to Christ. So doing, we shall prove that we fully realize that “Christ is all.” So doing, we shall feel great peace, and attain more of that “holiness without which no man shall see the Lord”.’

John Charles Ryle (1816–1900) was an Evangelical Anglican, who after 39 years service in country parishes was appointed bishop of Liverpool in 1880. His many writings still published, read & unequalled today, include Notes on the Gospels, Practical Religion and Heading for Heaven.