Copyright©MonergismBooks

Holiness,theOnlyWaytoHappiness

byThomasBrooks

Discoveredin58sermons,fromHebrews12:14.WhereyouhavetheNecessity,Excellency,Rarity,BeautyandGloryofHolinesssetforth;withtheresolutionofmanyweightyQuestionsandCases.AlsoMotivesandMeanstoperfectHoliness.Withmanyotherthingsofveryhighandgreatimportancetoallpeoplewhohadratherbeblessedthancursed,savedthandamned.

TableofContents

TheEpistleDedicatory

I.Whatthisholinessis

II.Thetruthoftheproposition,that"withoutholiness,nomanshallseetheLord"

III.Reasons

IV.PracticalApplication:

1.Conviction

2.Sixteenmarksofaholyperson

3.Fifteenmotives

4.Sixteencounsels

5.Sevenobjections

6.Sixevidencesoftherealityandpowerofholiness

7.Sixteenprovocationstoincreasedholiness

8.Degreesofglory

9.Eightmeans,helps,anddirectionsforprogressinholiness

10.Twelveevidencesofhighdegreesofholiness

11.Twelveconsolationstoallwhohaverealholiness

12.Sevenpositionsconcerningholiness

Copyright

"Tohimwhoordershisconductaright,willIshowthesalvationofGod."Psalm50:23

"Blessedarethepureinheart,fortheyshallseeGod."Matthew5:8.

"God has from the beginning chosen you to salvation, throughsanctificationoftheSpirit,andbeliefofthetruth."2Thes.2:13.

TheEpistleDedicatory

Toallwhohavebuttheleastdesire,theleastmind,ortheleastwill—toescapehell,andtogotoheaven,ortobehappyinbothworlds.

The philosophers, speaking of happiness, were divided into twohundred and eighty-eight opinions, everyone intending something—yetresolvinguponnothing;andthereforethemaninPlutarchhearingthemwrangleaboutthe'summumbonum',thechiefgood—oneplacingofitinthis, and another in that—he caught up all that was good, hoping thatamong all he should notmiss of happiness; and yet hemissed it; truehappiness being too great and too glorious a thing to be found inanythingbelowrealholiness.

Allmeninthegeneral,desiretobehappy—butallmendonotdesire in

thisorthatparticular,orinthisorthatway—tobehappy.Herethere isaninfinitedifference—somanymen—somanymindsandopinions.

Adesireforhappinessisplantedinallmenbytheconstitutionofnature.Thisissointrinsicandsoinnateinnature,thatitissoengravedinit,thateventhefallofAdam,asgreatasitwas,hasnotblotteditout.

Thisdesire forhappiness is left inman fora stock tograftholinesson.Godgraftstheplantofgraceuponthestockofnature.Indeedhappiness,likeRachel,Gen.29:17,issofairandsobeautifulathing,thateveryoneisapttofall inlovewithit,andearnestlytodesireit,yes,manythereare,whowouldservetwicesevenyearstoenjoyit.Butbythestandinglawofthatheavenlycountryabove,theyoungersistermustneverbebestowedbeforetheelder;youcanneverenjoyfairRachel—heavenandhappiness—except you are firstmarried to tender-eyed Leah—real holiness,Gen.29:17-28. He who will have heaven,must have union and communionwith Christ; and he who will have union and communion with Christmust be holy. "For what fellowship has righteousness withunrighteousness and what communion has light with darkness? AndwhatconcordhasChristwithBelial?"2Cor.6:14-15.

Of all the many thousands who have traveled to happiness,thereisnotonetobefound,buthastraveledthereinawayofholiness.Nowthedrift, thescopeof this followingtreatise, is tomakemenholy,thattheymaybehappy; it istomakemengraciousonearth,that theymaybe glorious inheaven.Now to prevent allmistakes, rashcensures,andmisconstructions,Ijudgeitveryconvenientandnecessary,beforeIgoanyfurther,toacquaintthereaderplainlyandhonestlywiththoseargumentswhichhaveprevailedwithme todedicate thisbook toallsorts,ranks,anddegreesofpeople,ratherthantoanysingleperson,ortoanyonesortorrankofmenwhatever.Andtheyarethesesix.

I.First,Becauseallsortsandranksofmenarefallenfromthatprimitive holiness that once they had, Psalm 14:3; Romans 3:12.TherearefivethingsthatwehavealllostbyourfallinAdam.

First,wehaveall lost thatholy image thatGodhadstampeduponus—andsowehavebecomevile.

Secondly,wehavealllostoursonship—andsowehavebecomeslavesofSatan.

Thirdly,wehavealllostourfriendshipwithGod—andsowehavebecomeenemiestoGod.

Fourthly, we have all lost our communion with God—and so we havebecomestrangerstoGod.

Andfifthly,wehavealllostourglory—andsowehavebecomemiserable.

Some say that the naked bodyofman was so glorious in his estate ofinnocency, thatall thebeastsof the fieldadmiredit,andthereupondidhomage to him. Oh, how glorious was his soul then! Certainly if thecabinetwassoglorious,thejewelwithinitwasmuchmoreglorious.Buthowevergloriousmanwasinhisprimitiveestate, it ismostcertainthatheisnowsosadlyfallenfromthehighestpinnacleofglory—toso lowastep of misery, that God sometimes sends him to the ant to learninstruction,Proverbs6:6-7;andsometimeshesendshimtothestorkandtheswallowtomakearightimprovementofprecioustime,Jer.8:7;andsometimeshesendshimtotheoxandtothedonkeytolearnknowledge,Isaiah1:3;andsometimeshesendshimto the fowlsof the air to learnconfidence,Mat.6:25seq.;yes,andsometimeshesendshimtotheverylilies and grass of the field to learn how to live without carking anddistractingcares.

It is true,man's first estatewas a state of perfect holiness, he beingmadeintheimageofGod,andafterthelikenessofGod,Gen.1:27.Itwasan estate of perfect light, knowledge, prudence, wisdom, andunderstanding. It was an estate of very great honor and dignity, andthereforethepsalmist,speakingofmaninthisestate,bringshiminwithacrownofgloryandhonoruponhishead,Psalm8:5,"Youhavecrownedhimwithgloryandhonor."Man'sfirstestatewassostatelyanestatethathewasnotsomuchbelowthegloriousangels,ashewasaboveallothercreatures.Godmadehimthesovereignrulerofthewholecreation,Godgavehimanabsolutedominionandauthoritybothofseaandland,andallcreaturesinbothweresubjectedtohim,Gen.1:26;Psalm8:6-8.

Suchwastheexquisitebeautyandperfectionofhisbody, that fromthecrownofhisheadtothesolesofhisfeettherewasnottheleastblemish.His outward man was clothed with all such requisite beauties andabilities thatmight render him lovely and attractive to every eye. In aword,man'sfirstestatewasastateofperfecthappiness.Allwithinhim,andallwithouthim,andallabouthim,spokehimout tobecompletelyblessed. There was nothing within him—but what was very sweet anddesirable; therewasnothingwithouthim—butwhatwasverydelightfuland amiable; neither was there anything about him—but what wasserviceableandcomfortable.

Oh—butnowbyhisfall,hiscrownhasfallenfromhishead,andfromtheheadsofallhisposterity,Lam.5:16; forAdamwasapublicperson.Hewastheprinceofallmankind;andthoughallmankindwasnotactuallyinhisloinswhenhefell—yettheywereallpotentiallyinhisloinswhenhefell.Iftwokingsmakealeague,andtheonebreaksit,hemakesnotonlyhimselfbutallhis subjects liable toall the calamitiesandmiseriesthatshallfollowthereupon.Adamwasourcommonfather,andweareallhissons and daughters. Now Adam forfeited his lease, as I may say, anddivinejusticetooktheadvantageoftheforfeiture,andsohasturnedallhisposterityoutofdoors.Sothatthereisnownowayunderheaventobehappy—butbybeingholy.AllsortsandranksofmenarefalleninAdam,andthereisnowaytorisebutbyChristandholiness,etc.

II.AsecondreasonwhyIdedicatethistreatisetoallsortsandranksofpeople,is—becausethemattercontainedinthisbookisof the greatest and highest concernment imaginable, to allranksanddegreesofmen, from the greatest emperor that ever satuponathrone,tothemeanestandthepoorestwretchthateverlayuponaash-heap.Anddoubtlessthatwhichisofsuchamarvelousimportancetoall,mayveryjustlyandreasonablybededicatedtoall.

III.AthirdreasonwhyIdedicatethistreatisetoallsorts andranks of people, is—because God intends to save some of allsorts, ranks, and degrees. Though greatness and godliness do notalways meet—yet greatness and godliness do sometimes meet; andthoughrichesandreligiondonotalwaysmeet—yetrichesandreligiondosometimesmeet.Thoughnotmanywise—yetsomewiseshallbecalled,

sanctified, and saved, 1 Cor. 1:26; though not many mighty—yet somemightyshallbecalled,sanctified,andsaved;thoughnotmanynoble—yetsomenobleshallbecalled,sanctified,andsaved.Look,asthesunintheskydoescasthislightandwarmthuponallsorts,ranks,anddegreesofmen, Mat. 5:45; so does the Sun of righteousness shine upon theunderstandingsandconsciencesofallsorts,ranks,anddegreesofmen,andbyhissecretandspiritualinfluences,hewarmsandcheerstheheartsofhighandlow,richandpoor,nobleandignoble.

Abrahamwas very great and very gracious: Josephwas very high andveryholy:Jobwas very rich and very righteous. Thoughmost of thosekings and princes thatwe read of in Scripturewere bad, very bad—yetsome of them were godly, yes, very godly. [It is a strange saying inLipsius."Thenamesofallgoodprinces,"sayshe,"mayeasilybeengravedor written in a small ring."] Some of them were as famous for grace,righteousness, and holiness: witness David, Asa, Josiah, Hezekiah,Jehoshaphat,etc.,asSaul,Jehoram,Jehu,Ahab,andothersofthemwereinfamous for all unrighteousness andwickedness.God, for the glory ofhis own grace, and the honor of his Son's blood, will have some of allsorts,ranks,anddegreessanctifiedandsaved:anduponthisverygroundheengageshisservantstoprayforallsorts,ranks,anddegreesofmen,in1Tim.2:1-4.

Now where God is resolved to save, there he is resolved to sanctify:wherehe is resolved tomakehappy, therehe is resolved tomakeholy.AndthereforeIlookuponmyselfasmanywaysobligedtohavesolargeaheartforGod,astodoallIcantohelponthesalvationofallsorts,ranks,and degrees of men in the world. My heart's desire and prayer forEnglandis,thatherprincesandnoblesmaybesanctifiedandsaved,andthathergentrymaybesanctifiedandsaved,andthatallthepeopleofthenationmaybesanctifiedandsaved.[Romans10:1.—Paul'scopyisnottobedespised—butimitated.]IlookuponmyselfasengagedtodoallIcan,bymypenandprayers,tohelpmakeEnglandholy,thatsoEnglandmaybetrulyhappy.Forof thisIammostcertain, that ifGodwillbutmakeEnglandaholynation,itisnotallthepowersonearth,norallthepowersofhell,thatshallevermakeEnglandamiserablenation.

IV.AfourthreasonwhyIthusdedicatethistreatiseasyousee,

is—becausemy former poor labors and endeavors have beenacceptabletosomeofallranksanddegrees, and theyhavebeenblessed to someof all ranks and degrees; and I have been encouraged,whetted, and stirredupby someonallhands,oncemore to cast inmynet.AndnowIhavedoneit,ohthatitmayissueinthedrawingofmanysoulstoChrist!andinthemakingofthegraceless—gracious,theprofane—holy!andinthemakingofthosewhoareholy,tobeyetmoreholy!etc.

V.AfifthreasonwhyIthusdedicatethistreatiseasyousee,is—becausethoughallmenareboundtobeholy—yetthegreat,therich, thenoble,and thehonorableof theearthareboundaboveall othermen in theworld to beholy. God has laid uponthemgreaterobligationsandtiestoholiness,thanhehasuponanyothermenunderheaven;andthisyoumayseesoclearlyandsofullyprovedinthisbook—thatneithertheworldnorthedevil,ascunningandaslearneda devil as he is, will ever be able to disprove. This reason alone issufficienttojustifymypresentpractice.

VI.MysixthandlastreasonwhyIthusdedicatethistreatiseasyousee, is—that itmaybeablessedtestimonyandastandingwitness for Christ in this day of blasphemy, profaneness,looseness, and wickedness, against all sorts and ranks ofpeopleintowhosehandsitmayfall,who,notwithstandingallthatishere said, shall continue obstinate and impenitent in their ungodlycoursesandpractices,asmenresolvedrathertogotohellthantoheaven,andtobeforeverunhappyratherthantheywillbeholy,Isaiah43:10,12,and 44:8.Woe, woe to them forever, that had rather be Satan's bond-slavesthanChrist'sfree-men,whohadratherbe"vesselsofwrath"thanvesselsofhonor,andthathadratherbefirebrandsofhell thanglorioussaintsinheaven,Eph.2:12;Romans9:22.

And so I have done with those reasons that may satisfy the readerconcerningmydedicationofthistreatisetoallsorts,ranks,anddegreesofpeople.

I.Having premised these things in the general, giveme permission tosay,thatifthistreatiseshouldfallintothehandsofanyofthelearnedjudgesofthisland,orintothehandsofanyofthejusticesofthisnation,

Iwouldthentakethehumbleboldnesstoofferthistotheirmostseriousconsideration—namely, that if they would discharge the duties of theirplaces,soastogiveuptheiraccountsatlastwithjoyandcheerfulnesstotheKingofkingsandLordoflords;ithighlyconcernsthemtostudythisdoctrineofholiness,yes,tofallinlovewithholiness,andhighlytoprizeit,andearnestly topressafter it,andtoberestless in theirownspirits,until theyhaveexperienced thepowerfuloperationsofholiness in theirownsouls;foruntilthen,theywillneverbeablesotoadministerjusticeandjudgmentasbefitsthosewhohavethenameofGod,andthenameofprofessionuponthem,andwhojudgethemselvestobeinahigherplacethanthoseheathenswere,whowerefamousforjusticeandrighteousness—and yet never heard of a Christ nor salvation by him—and as befitsthose who would not stand trembling and quaking in the great andterribleday,whenChristtheLord-Chief-Justiceofheavenandearthshallpassarighteousandimpartialjudgmentuponallthejudgesandjusticesthateverwereonearth,Joel2:11,31;Acts17:31;2Tim.4:1-2.

MyLordsandGentlemen—Youknowthatthewisestprincethateversatuponathronehastoldusthat"Righteousnessexaltsanation,butsinisadisgrace toanypeople,"Proverbs 14:34. ["Where justice is,God is; andwhereGodis,thereisnolackofmenorfortitude,"saidHerodattheheadofhisarmy,thebettertoencouragehissoldiers.]Itisnotvalorinwar—butrighteousness;itisnotpolicyingovernment—butrighteousness;itisnotwittinessofinvention—butrighteousness;itisnotcivilityinbehavior—but righteousness; it is not antiquity of laws—but righteousness; it isnot largenessofdominion—butrighteousness;nor it isnotgreatnessofcommand—butrighteousness,whichisthehonorandthesafety,whichisthe renown and the security of a nation. That nation which exaltsrighteousness, that nation shall be certainly exalted by righteousness,Amos5:24.

It is not Ahithophel's policy, it is not Jeroboam's calves in Dan andBethel, it isnotJehu'spompouszeal, it isnotGoliath's sword, it isnotrichminesofgoldandsilver,norstorehouses,norarmies,norcouncils,norfleets,norforts—butjusticeandrighteousnesswhichexaltsanation,andwhichwillmakealowlypeopletobecomeagreat,aglorious,andafamouspeopleintheworld.Theworldisaring,andrighteousnessisthe

diamondinthatring:theworldisabody,andrighteousnessandjusticeisthesoulofthatbody.

Ah! England, England! so long as judgment runs down [The Hebrewword which is here rendered "run down," signifies to roll down freely,plentifully,plainly,vigorously,constantly:Wherejusticethusrollsdown,all theworld shall nevermake that nationmiserable.] aswaters in themidstofyou,andrighteousnessasamightystream,youshallnotdie—but live andbearupbravely against all gainsayers andopposers.But ifinjusticeshallgrowrampant,andyoushallbrandishtheswordofjusticeinthebehalf of the friendsofBaal,Balaam,andBacchus, and turn thewheel upon the righteous; if the sword of justice shall be a sword ofprotectionto the desperate swearer, and to the cruel oppressor, and tothe roaring drunkard, and to the cursing monster, and to the gospeldespiser,andtotheChristdespiser,etc.,andshallbeadevouringswordtotheuprightandpeaceableintheland—divinevengeancewilldigyourgrave,anddivinejusticewilltumbleyouintoit,thoughallthenationsoftheearthshouldlabortopreventit.

Itisabaseandignoblespirit,topityCatalinemorethantopityRome;topityanyparticularsortofmen,morethantopitythewhole.Itiscrueltyto the good, to justify thebad: it iswrong to the sheep, to animate thewolves:itisdangerifnotdeathtothelambs,nottorestrainorchainupthelions.ButfromallthesevanitiestheLorddeliverallyoursouls!Andoh that youwould forever remember this, that as the constitution of aman'sbodyisbestknownbyhispulse:ifitbeatsnotatall,thenweknowhe isdead; if itbeatsviolently, thenweknowhim tobe ina fever; if itkeepsanequalstroke,thenweknowheissound,well,andwhole:sothestate of a kingdom or commonweal is best known by the manner ofexecuting justicetherein; for justice is thepulseofakingdom.If justicebeviolent,thenthekingdomisinafever,inaverybadstate;ifitstirsnotatall,thenthekingdomisdead;butifithasanequalstroke,ifitbejustlyanddulyadministered,thenthekingdomisinagood,asafe,andsoundcondition. When Vespasian asked Apollonius what was the cause ofNero's ruin, he answered, that Nero could tune the harps well—but ingovernmenthedidalwayswindupthestringstoohigh,orletthemdowntoolow.Theapplicationiseasy.

Nowhavingpremised thusmuch in the general, givemepermission totell you that thereare eight special rules that youare carefullyand faithfully to observe in the administration of justice andrighteousness.Andhowyouwillbeabletoactsuitabletothoseruleswithoutaspiritofholiness,withoutprinciplesofholiness,andwithoutanexperienceofthepowerfulinfluencesandoperationsofholinessinyourownsouls,Icannotforthepresentunderstand.

1.Now,myLordsandGentlemen,thefirstrulethatyouaretoobserveinyour administering of judgment and justice, is this—you must dojustice IMPARTIALLY. You are called gods, [Psalm 82:1, 6; Luke20:21;Mat. 22:16.] and in this youmustbe like toGod,who showsnofavoritism.Heacceptsnottherichmanbecauseofhisrobes,neitherdoeshe reject the poor man because of his rags. Deut. 1:17, "You shall notrespectpeople in judgment—butyoushallhear the smallaswell as thegreat; you shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment isGod's." And so in Lev. 19:15, "You shall do no unrighteousness injudgment; you shall not respect the person of the poor, nor honor theperson of the mighty: but in righteousness shall you judge yourneighbor."Thegreatmanisnottobesparedforhismight,northepoorman for his misery. [Mercy is good—but not when it is contrary tojudgment—Augustine.]

Itisneitherthegreatman'spower,northepoorman'sbaseness—whichajudgeistomindinjudgment.Ajudge,ajustice,mustneveroutofcarnalpitycryout,"Oh,heisapoorman!"noryetoutofbasefearcryout,"Oh,heisagreatman!"Theireyesarealwaystobeuponcauses,andnotuponpeople.ThestatuesoftheThebanjudgesweremadewithouthandsandwithouteyes,tointimatetous,thatasjudgesandjusticesshouldhavenohandstoreceivebribes,sotheyshouldhavenoeyestoseeafriendfromafoe, a brother from a stranger. [The judges in Egypt were portrayedwithout hands and without eyes, to signify that they were not to takebribes,nortohavepartiality.]Anditwastheoathoftheheathenjudges,as the orator relates, "I will hear the plaintiff and defendant, with anequalmind,withoutaffectionandrespectofpersons."

InthetwelfthnovelofJustinian,youmayreadofanoathimposeduponjudges and justices, against inclining or addicting themselves to either

party; yes, they put themselves under a deep and bitter execration andcurse in caseofpartiality, imploringGod in such languageas this, "LetmehavemypartwithJudas,andlettheleprosyofGehazicleavetome,andthetremblingofCaincomeuponme,andwhateverelsemayastonishanddismayaman—ifIampartialintheadministrationofjustice."Thatwas a famous act of justice that was performed by Canutus, king ofDenmark,who,whenoneof the twelve thieves thathehad condemnedpleadedthathewasoftheroyalblood—saystheking,"Itisreasonsomefavorshouldbe showed to thisperson;whereuponhe commanded thatheshouldbehangedonthehighestgibbet:whichwasdoneaccordingly."

ItwasCato'scomplaintofold,thatthosewhorobbedprivatemenwereclapped up and laid by the heels in cold irons. "But," says he, "publicthieveswhowrongand rob the commonwealth, they sit in scarlet,withgoldchainsabouttheirnecks."

TheRomanoratorobserved,thattheforceofjusticeissuch,andsogreat,that even thieves and robbers, both by sea and land, who live uponinjustice and rapine—yet cannot live upon their trade without somepracticeof justiceamongthemselves.AndtheScythianphilosopherhaslongsincecomplained,thatlawswerelikespiders'webs,thatwouldcatchflies but not wasps or hornets. His meaning was, that if poor menoffended,theywouldbesuretobepunished;butgreatmenwhowerethemakers of laws, they might be breakers of the laws, and yet never bepunished for it. In all ages some or others have poured out sadcomplaintsagainstpartialjustice.Pilate,whounjustlycondemnedChrist,was afterwards kicked off the bench by Caius the emperor, for partialjustice,and forgriefandshamehebecamehisownexecutioner.Osirs,Godwillonedaykicksuchjudgesandjustices,notonlyoff thebench—but intohell,whomakeatradeofpartial justice,excepttherebesoundrepentanceon their sides, andpardoninggraceonhis,Psalm9:17, and11:5. Oh that all the judges and justices of the land would foreverremember, what the wisest prince who ever swayed a scepter says inProverbs18:5,"Itisnotgoodtobepartialtothewickedortodeprivetheinnocentofjustice."Itisnotgood,thatis,itisbad,itisverybad,yes,itisso exceedingbad, as that it canhardlybe expressedoruttered. It is sogreatawickedness,itissohorridandsohideousawickedness,yes,itis

so hellish a wickedness—as can hardly be imagined—as can rarely bedeclared.

TheAthenianjudgesjudgedinthenight,whenthefacesofmencouldnotbe seen, that so they might be impartial in judgment. I have read ofZaleucus, that impartial law-giver and judge among the Locrians, howthathemadeaveryseverelawagainstadulterers—namely,thatwhoevershouldbefoundguiltythereofshouldhaveboththeireyesputout.Nowitsohappened, thathis sonproved the firstoffender.Forthwith sentencewaspronounced,andexecutionreadytobedone:whereuponthejudge,hisfather,putoutoneofhisowneyesandoneofhisson's,andsoshowedhimselftobebothatenderfatherandanuprightandimpartialjudgeatonce.Osirs!itisyourwisdomandwork,yes,itisasmuchyourgloryasitisyourduty,tobeimpartialinallyouradministrationsofjustice,andnotto favor friends or relations, nor to fear the frowns of enemies—but toproceed impartially, according to themerits of the cause that is beforeyou.But,

2.Secondly,Asyoumustdojusticeimpartially,soyoumustdojusticeSPEEDILY.Jer.21:12, "OhouseofDavid, thussays theLord;Executejudgmentinthemorning,anddeliverhimwhoisrobbedoutofthehandof the oppressor, lestmy fury go out like fire, and burn that none canquench it, because of the evil of your doings." After examination,executionistobedonewithswiftness,Ezra7:16.Whenmencryoutfor"justice,justice,"youmustnotcryout"tomorrow,tomorrow;"youmustdo justice in the morning. Noon-justice and evening-justice is not soacceptable toGod,norsohonorable toyourselves,norsoadvantageousto others, as morning-justice is. You are called gods: and as in otherthings,so inthis,youshouldbe like toGod,who isspeedyandswift inthe exercise of justice, as you may see by comparing these scripturestogether.[Joel3:4;Gen.19;Num.16;Psalm101:8.]

ThePersiankinghadoneabouthim,whoseoffice itwastoremindhimeverymorningofhis charge, saying, "Arise,Oking,andhaveaneye tothose affairs forwhich the greatGodhasmade youking, anddespatchthem."Todelayjustice,isworsesometimesthantodenyjustice.Itisanevil thing andadangerous thing,whenmagistrates, judges, and justiceare as long a-bringing forth their verdicts as the elephant her young.

Delays of justice make many more irreconcilable. It makes the clientoften gowith a heavy heart, an empty purse, and a threadbare coat. Itfetchesheavysighsandgroans fromthehearts,andaseaof tears fromtheeyesof thedelayedandoppressed.Magistrates, judges,andjusticesshouldbealwaysreadytodojustice:theyshouldalwaysmaketimetodojustice.

IhavereadofoneofthekingsofPersia,howthathewouldmanytimesalightofffromhishorsetodojusticeonlytoapoorperson.Itwerewellifall judges and justices would write after this copy, to be ready to dojusticeandjudgmentatalltimes,anduponalloccasions.Osirs!youmayhave time to live; even when you have outlived your seasons andopportunities of doing justice and judgment; andwhat a hell will thenyour livesbe toyou!Toprevent thishell, it is good todo justice in themorning.

Ihavereadofaverypoorwoman,whowasveryearnestwithkingPhilipofMacedon todoher justice—buthedeferredher,and toldherthathehad no time to hear her: she replied then, "Why have you time to beking?"Thepoorwomanthoughtthattheywereveryunfittobekingsandjudges,whocouldnotbeat time todo justicewhen thenecessitiesandmiseriesofpoorcreaturescriedaloudforjustice,justice.

IhavereadofafamouspassageofTheodoric,kingoftheRomans,who,when a widow came to him with a sad complaint, that she had a suitpendinginthecourtthreeyears,whichmighthavebeenendedinafewdays:thekingdemandsofherthejudges'names:shetellshim:hesendsa special command to them to give all the speedy dispatch that waspossible to the widow's cause, which they did, and in two daysdeterminedittothewidow'sliking.Thisbeingdone,thekingcallsforthejudges, and they supposing that they should have both applause andrewardfortheirexpedition,hastenedtohimfullofjoy:butafterthekinghad propounded several things to them about their former delays, hecommandedboththeirheadstobestruckoff,becausetheyhadspunoutthat cause to a three years' length, which two days would have ended.Herewasroyaljusticeindeed![ThepoetsfeignJusticetobethedaughterofJupiter,whomhehassetovertheworldtorevengethoseinjuriesthatonemandoestoanother,etc.]

Ohthatallthemagistrates,judges,andjusticesofthenationwouldeverymorning lay Proverbs 13:12 warm upon their hearts! "Hope deferredmakestheheartsick:butwhenthedesirecomes,itisatreeoflife."TheHebrew word, that is here rendered deferred, signifies to draw out atlength.Menareshort-breathedandshort-spirited,andhope'shoursarefullofeternity:andwhentheirhopesaredrawnoutatlength,thismakestheirheartssick;andah,whataworldofsuchsicksoulslieslanguishingathope'shospitalallthenationover,yes,alltheworldover!Hopeinthistextisputforthegoodthingsmenhopefor.Now,whenthegoodthingsmen hope for—be it justice or a quick verdict, etc.—are deferred anddelayed,thismakesthepoorclientsickatheart.Alingeringhopealwaysbreedsintheheartalingeringconsumption.Thehardertravailhopehas,and themore strongly it labors to bring forth, and yet is deferred anddelayed, the more deadly sick the client grows. But when the desirecomes, that is, when the thing desired, wished, and looked for, be itjustice,beitrighteousness,beitsuccess,etc.,isgained,itisatreeoflife;orratherastheHebrewhasit,isatreeoflives.Allsortsoflives,andallthecomfortsandcontentsof life,areenraptup intheenjoymentof thething desired. He who has those things granted to him which areearnestlydesiredbyhim,isoncemoreputintoaparadise.Willfuldelaysinjusticemakesthejudgeunrighteous,Luke18:6.But,

3. Thirdly, As youmust do justice speedily, so youmust do justiceSINCERELY. You must do justice out of love to justice, Isaiah 61:8.When thegoldenangels [money-bribes] appear to draw you to pervertjustice, youmust say as Peter did to SimonMagus, "May yourmoneyperishwithyou!"Acts8:20.

Deut.16:20,"Thatwhichisaltogetherjustshallyoufollow,thatyoumaylive,andinheritthelandwhichtheLordyourGodgivesyou."Orratheras the Hebrew has it, "justice, justice shall you follow," that is, purejusticeshallyoufollow.Thestreamsofjusticeshouldbealwayspureandclear."Justice,justiceshallyoufollow,"thatis,allmannerofjusticeshallyoufollow,andnothingbutjusticeshallyoufollow;andyoushallfollowjustice sincerely, exactly, carefully, and constantly: you shall be notapparentlyjust—butreallyjust;nothypocriticallyjust—butentirelyjust;notpartially just—butuniversally just;not just to some—but just toall;

nottransientlyjust—butperpetuallyjust;notsometimesjust—butalwaysjust.

Proverbs21:15, "It is joy to the just todo judgment."Thisarguesmuchsincerity and integrity in a man's spirit, when he does not only dojudgment—but joys to do judgment. It is a vanity to do justice slightly,lightly,spasmodically;butitisanhonortodojusticefromaprincipleofdivine joy.Hewho joys todo judgment,hewill do justice sincerely, hewilldojusticeoutoflovetojustice;andindeedtherearenojudges,thereareno justices compared to thosewhodo justice out of love to justice.Certainlymendojusticesincerely—whodojusticeoutoflovetojustice.

Some judges and justices there have been, who would, like mendicantfriars,touchnomoneythemselves—buthaveaboyoraclerkwithabagtoreceiveitforthem.Certainlythesewereasfarfromdoingjusticeoutofloveto justice,asheavenis fromhell,orasthePope, theTurk,andthedevilarefrombeingrealsaints.Doubtlessmanymagistrates,judges,andjusticeshavefoundthat"agiftblindsthewise,andpervertsthewordsoftherighteous,"Exod.23:8.Goldendusthasputoutmoreeyes,thanithasdonegoodtohearts.Oh,thisgoldenwedge,hasmademanymensilentandspeechlessingoodcauses!

Titus Vespasian was so delighted in doing of justice, that if a day hadpassedoverhisheadwhereinhehaddonenoactofjustice,hewouldcryout,"Omyfriends,Ihave lostaday."AndsoEpaminondas,aheathen,though he was very poor, and often tempted with great bribes andpresents to be unjust—yet he refused and scorned all, and wouldcommonly say, that if the cause were good, he would do it without abribe,becauseitwasgood;butifthecausewasbad,hewouldnotmeddlewithitforaworld.Theseheathenswillonedayriseinjudgmentagainstall such corrupt judges and justices that will not do justice without abribe.Ifthistreatiseshouldfallintothehandsofanysuch,Iwouldthenlet them know that God will one day make good that dreadful wordagainst them, that you have in Job 15:34, "For the congregation ofhypocrites shall be desolate, and fire shall consume the tabernacles ofbribery;"orastheSeptuagintreadsit,"Ofmenthattakegifts, fireshallconsume;"orratherastheHebrewhasit,"Fireshalleatthetabernacles;itshallfeedontheirtabernaclesasgreedilyasahungrymandoesfeedon

his food." Oh, the sumptuous buildings which have been built by thehandsofbribery,shallbesetonfirebyahandofjustice!Proverbs10:2-3,and 3:33. God will one day burn up all the comforts, and all thecontentments,andalltheenjoymentsofcorruptmagistrates,judges,andjustices.

IhavereadofaPolonianjudge,whostoodupverystoutlyandresolutelya long time for a poor plaintiff against a rich defendant; but at last hereceived from the defendant a great sum of money, stamped with theusual stampof that country,which isaman in completearmor; andatthenextsessioninopencourtheadjudgedthecauseinthefavorof thedefendant: and being sharply blamed by his friends for it, he showedthem his large bribe, and demanded of them, "Who could stand outagainst so many men in complete armor?" Ah, England, England! itwouldbebetterwithyouifthisspiritdidnotstillsurvive;butalas,whatgoodwill all thesemen inarmordo them in thegreatdayofourLord,when the thoughts of all such corruptmagistrates, judges, and justicesshall be exceedingly troubled, their countenances changed, their heartsterrified,theirconsciencesawakened,theirsoulsamazed,andtheirkneesdashedoneagainstanother!Ohthatalljudgesandjusticeswouldforevermake Isaiah5:23 their daily companion, "Woe to thosewho justify thewicked for a reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteousfromhim."

IhavereadofSysamnes,acovetous,tenaciousjudge,whoforfilthylucrepronounced a false sentence; whereupon Cambyses, king of Persia,commandedhimtobekilledandflayed,andhisskintobenailedoverthetribunal: and thenhe commandedhis son to sit as judge there, that sothissightmightarmhimagainstall injustice,andbeaterrortoallthatsucceeded him. If princes did but exercise such royal justice upon allcorrupt covetous judges and justices, justicewouldbehadat a cheaperrate,andpoormenwouldnotbesooftenputtopawntheircoats,norrichmen would not so often empty their purses nor mortgage theirinheritances.But,

4.Fourthly,Asyoumustdo justicesincerely, soyoumustdo justiceDELIBERATELY. You must have one ear for the defendant, andanother for theplaintiff,orelseyouareatoncebothweakandwicked,

Deut. 17:4; vide Deut. 19:17-19. It argues much weakness of spirit, tojudge a matter before all is heard that can be said. Job's piety andprudenceshinedfortheminentlyinthis,thatthecausethatheknewnot,he searched it out, Job 29:16. Before God would pronounce judgmentuponAdam,he firstexamineshim,andpropoundsseveralquestions tohim,Gen.3.Andinthosetwogreatandfamousactsofjustice,whenGodconfoundedBabel'sbuilders,andrainedhelloutofheavenuponSodomandGomorrah,hetellsyouthathewillgodownandsee,Gen.11and18.

Youarecalledgods; inthisit isasmuchyourgloryasit isyourdutytoimitate thegreatGod.ThoughSolomonwas inallhisglory—yethehadpatience to hear both what themother and the harlot had to say. TheHoly Spirit calls him a fool—who answers amatter before he hears it,Proverbs 18:13. Itwas the usual custom of Philip, king ofMacedon, tostopuponeofhisearswhiletheaccuserwasspeaking,thatsohemightreserveitforthedefendant.Ihavereadofsomewhohavedeeplysufferedboth in their civil liberties and in their consciences, for their rash andhastypassingofjudgmentuponothers.WhyhasGodgiventhejudgesoftheearthtwoearsandbutonetongue—butthattheyshouldbeswift tohearandslowtospeak?

I have read of Louis, king of France, that when he had throughinadvertency granted anunjust suit, as soon as ever he had read thosewordsofthepsalmist,"Blessedishewhodoesrighteousnessatalltimes,"Psalm106:3,hepresentlyrecollectedhimself,anduponbetterthoughtsgavehisjudgmentquitecontrary.Certainlyallactsofjusticeoughtto flow from mature deliberation. All magistrates, judges, andjustices, in theiradministrationsof justiceand judgment, shouldwiselyobservebywhatprinciples theyact, andbywhat rules theyact, andbywhatauthoritytheyact,andinwhatmannertheyact,andtowhatendstheyact.Andhowalltheseimportantthingscanbedonewithoutseriousdeliberation,Icannotforthepresentunderstand.

Justiceintheemblemisrepresentedwithabalanceintheonehand,anda sword in the other—to note that matters must be first deliberatelyweighedinthebalance,beforejudgmentcanbepassed.Hewhoonlyusestheswordandnotthebalance,maysmiteaninnocentNaboth,andacquitaguiltyAhab.Thecivillawconcludesitveryunreasonableforanymanto

giveadviceorjudgmentbeforehehasconsideredandweighedthewholecause.Andthereforebyyourownlawsyouareboundtodeliberatebeforeyougivejudgment,unlessyouwilltelltheworldthatyou,evenyou,areunreasonable men, who above all others should be the masters of thegreatest reason, as well as men of the greatest measures of grace andholiness.But,

5.Fifthly,Asyoumustdojusticedeliberately,soyoumustdojusticeRESOLUTELY, courageously, valiantly. As soon as Joshua cameintotheofficeofmagistracy,Godchargeshimnolessthanthreetimes,inabreathasitwere,tobeverycourageous,inJoshua1:6-9.Ajudgewhoistimorouswillquicklybetreacherous.Ajudgewhoisfearfulcanneverbefaithful. Solomon's throne was supported with lions, to show thatmagistrates shouldbemenof courageandmettle.TheAthenian judgessat inMars Street, to show that they hadmartial hearts, and that theyweremen of courage andmettle, Acts 17:22; Job 31:31, 34. Job was ajudge of rare courage and magnanimity; nothing could frighten him,nothing could daunt him, nothing could terrify him, nothing coulddiscouragehimfromdoingjusticeandjudgment.

Theremustbeindifferenceindetermining,sothereoughttobecourageinexecuting.Wherethereiscouragewithoutknowledge,theretheeyeofjusticeisblind;andwherethereisknowledgewithoutcourage,theretheswordof justice isblunt.Judgesand justices shouldbemenof courageforGodandgodliness.Whyshouldnotthestandardbeofsteel,andthechiefpostsinthehousebeofoak?IhavereadofAgesilaus,howthathewasbyallconcludedfittobemadetheirking—exceptthathehalted.Menofthebestandchoicestaccomplishments,iftheyarenotcourageousandmagnanimous—butlameandhalting,theyarenowaysfitformagistrates.Judges and justices should havemartial spirits, high spirits for justiceandrighteousness.

Everyjudge,everyjustice,shouldhavealion'sheart,aneagle'seye,andagiant's arm. Suchmen whose dull hearts are faint, whose heads aredull,whoseearsareheavy,whoseeyesaredim,whosehandsareweak,andwhosefeetarelame—aremorefittositinachimneycornerthantositas judgesandjusticesuponthebench.Ithasbeen longsincesaidofCato,Fabricius,andAristides,thatitwasaseasytoremovethesunoutof

the sky—as to remove them from justice and equity; they weremen ofsuchcourageousandmagnanimousspiritsforjusticeandrighteousness.Noscarletrobedoessowellbefitajudge—asholycourageandstoutnessdoes.

I have read of Louis the Eleventh, king of France, who going about toestablish some unjust edicts, which, when some of his chief courtiersperceived,theyallwenttohiminredgowns;thekingaskedthemwhattheywouldhave, theyanswered, "Wehave comewitha full purpose tolose our lives—rather than by our connivance, any unjust ordinanceshould take place." The king being amazed at this answer, and at thecourage, constancy, and resolution of those nobles, gave them graciousreception,andcommandedthatalltheformeredictsshouldbeforthwithcancelled in his presence. Courage and resolution may preventmanyapublicmischiefandmisery.But,

6.Sixthly,Asyouaretodo justiceresolutely,courageously,soyouaretodojusticeandjudgmentEXACTLY.Godisexactinallhisways,andheisexactinallhisworks;heisexactinallhispromises,andheisexactinallhisthreatenings;heisexactinallhisrewards,andheisexactinallhispunishments;heisexactintheexerciseofhismercy,andheisexactintheexerciseofhisjustice."Heappointedjudgesthroughoutthenation in all the fortified cities, and he gave them these instructions—Alwaysthinkcarefullybeforepronouncingjudgment.RememberthatyoudonotjudgetopleasepeoplebuttopleasetheLord.Hewillbewithyouwhenyourendertheverdictineachcasethatcomesbeforeyou.FeartheLord and judge with care, for the Lord our God does not toleratepervertedjustice,partiality,orthetakingofbribes."2Chronicles19:5-7;Exod.23:6,7,13.

Youwhoarecalledgods,shouldinthisbelikeGod.Osirs,somebyforce,othersbyflattery,somebylargepresentstoyourrelations,andothersbypromising great rewards to yourselves—may endeavor to corrupt you,and blind you, and induce you to judge rashly, inconsiderately,irregularly, etc.; and therefore you have themore cause to be exact intransacting all your judicial affairs. Oh, remember that themost sharpandpiercingeyeofGodisstilluponyou!Oh,rememberthatthesevereeyeof JesusChrist,who is the judgeof judges, isneveroff of you!Oh,

rememberthattheangels,thoseprincesofglory,areverystrictobserversofyou.When theEthiopian judgeswereset in their seatsof judicature,certain empty chairs were placed about them, into which theyconjectured the holy angels came and were spectators of all theirtransactions, and this they thought would work such an awe, such adread,suchacare,suchafear,andsucharesolutioninthem,thattheycouldnotbutmanagealltheirjudicialproceedingswithmuchexactnessandheedfulness.

Andastheangelshavetheireyesuponyou,soSatanhasalwayshiseyesuponyou;hehasalwaysawatchfuleye,anenviouseye,amaliciouseye,acrafty eye, and a revengeful eye upon you.Witness his dissuading yousometimesfromyourduty;andwitnesshisdistractinganddisturbingofyouwhileyouare inyourduty;andwitnesshisaccusingofyoufortheneglectofyourduty;andwitnesshisendeavorstoprideyouandpuffyouupuponthedischargeofyourduty.

AndastheeyeofSatanisuponyou,sotheeyesofgodlymenarealwaysuponyou,andtheeyesofbadmenareuponyou.Andifallthisdoesnotbespeak you to be very exact and accurate in all your judicialtransactions,Iknownothing.MyLordsandGentlemen,ifallthiswillnotdo,thenrememberthatthelives,liberties,consciences,rights,privileges,estates, and interests of people—next toGodandChrist and grace—arethemost choice and precious, themost desirable and delectable jewelswhichmen have in all the world; and therefore you had need be veryexactandaccurateinallyourjudicialtransactions.[Tenneswassostrictand exact in judgment, that he caused an axe to be held over thewitnesses'heads, to execute them immediately, if theywere takenwithfalsehood.]

Yes,oncemore, remember thatGodwill onedaybringyou to an exactaccountconcerningallyourjudicialproceedings.Thatsamemouthwhichtellsyouwhoyouaregods,tellsyoualsothatyoumustdielikemen;andafterdeathcomesjudgment,Psalm82:6,7;Heb.9:27.Youwhonowcallothers to judgment, shall shortly be called to judgment yourselves: youwhonowsitinjudgmentuponothers,shallbeforelongbejudgedbyhimwhowilljudgetheworldinrighteousness,Acts17:31.Thatjudgetowhomyoumust be responsible is no ignorant judge, nor any covetous judge,

noranypartial judge,norany fearful judge,nor anydoting judge, noranytriflingjudge;butheisanomniscientjudge,anomnipotentjudge,animpartial judge, a holy judge, a courageous judge, a serious judge, aexactjudge,anunbiased judge,arighteous judge,andaresolute judge.Alas,sirs,itisnotyourscarletgowns,noryourtitlesofhonor,noryourgreatestates,noryour interest inprinces,noryournoble relations,noryourapplauseamongmen—whichwillstandyouingoodstead,whenyoushallstandbeforethatjudgewhoisaconsumingfire,Heb.12:29.

Well, Gentlemen, remember this, there is never a professing judge norjusticeintheworld,whowillbeableatlasttogiveuptheiraccountswithjoy,andtostandinjudgmentwhentheLambshallsituponhisthrone—butsuchashavemadeittheirgreatbusinesstotaketheSpiritoftheLordfortheirguide,andtosetupthegloryoftheLordastheirgreatend,andtomakethewordoftheLordtheirprincipalrule,andtoeyetheexampleoftheLordastheirchoicestandchiefpattern.Andthereforeitismuchtobefearedthatthenumberofsuchjudgesandjustices,thatwillbeabletostandbeforethejudgeofalltheworld—willbebutfew.But,

7.Seventhly,Asyoumustdojusticeandjudgmentexactly,soyoumustdojusticetoothersasyouwouldhaveothersdojusticetoyou.Forjudgesandjusticestodoastheywouldbedoneby,istheroyallaw,thegolden rule, and the standardof equity. Judges and justices shouldthink of others, as theywouldhave others thinkof them; and speakofothers,astheywouldhaveothersspeakofthem;anddotoothers,astheywouldhaveothersdotothem.[Mat.7:12.Severus,theemperor,hadthisscripture often in his mouth; and whenever he punished any of hissoldiers for offering of injuries to others, he still commanded thisscripturetobeproclaimedbythecrier.]Whateverbythelightofnature,or by the light of conscience, or by the light of scripture—a judge, ajustice,wouldhaveanotherdotohim,thesamemusthedotoanother.Inalljustthings—forsothislawofChristisonlytobeunderstood—wemustdotoothers,aswewouldhaveothersdotous.Aswewouldhaveothersbehave equally, justly, and righteously towards us—sowemust behaveequally,justly,andrighteouslytowardsothers.Andaswewouldnothaveothers towrong us in our names, estates, rights, liberties, lives—so wemustnotwrongothersintheirnames,estates,rights,liberties,lives,etc.

ThislawofChrististhesumofallrighteousness.Itisthefoundationofalljusticeandequity.

Self-love does so commonly blindmen, that to judge righteously, theymust put themselves in others' place. All princes, judges, justices,parents,masters,subjects,servants,andchildren,shouldsoact intheirrelations, as theywould have others act in the co-relation.All injusticewillberepaidonetimeoranother;andthereforemenhadneedbejust,anddotoothersastheywouldhaveothersdotothem.IhavereadofacitizenofComun,whobeingcastintoprisonuponsuspicionofmurder,hiswifecouldgetnopromiseofhisdeliverance,unlessshewouldgivethecaptain,whoseprisonerhewas,twohundredducats,andyieldherbodytohispleasure;which,withtheconsentofherhusband,shedid;butafterthe captain had his desire, he notwithstanding put him to death. TheDukeGonzala hearing of it, commanded the captain to restore the twohundredducatstothewidow,withanadditionofsevenhundredcrowns;thenheenjoinedhimtomarryherpresently,andlastly,beforehecouldenjoyhisnewwife, thedukecausedhimtobehanged forhis treacheryandinjustice.Sometimesinthislife,injusticeisrepaidupontheheadsofunjustjudges.

MyLordsandGentlemen,beforeIcloseupthishead,givemepermissionheartily to recommend to your justice thosewrongs and injurieswhichmoreimmediatelystrikeatthehonorandgloryofthegreatGod.Godhasputhisnameuponyou;Psalm82:6,"Isaidthatyouaregods:"yetitmustbegranted thatyouaregods inasmaller letter—mortalgods,godsthatmust die likemen. And asGod has put his name upon you, so he hasmadeyouhisviceroys.2Chron.19:6,"Youjudgenotforyourselves—butfortheLord."AndthereforeGodtakesallaffrontswhicharedonetoyou,as done to himself, as you may see by comparing theses scripturestogether. [Romans 13:2; Exod. 16:7, 8; 1 Sam. 8:7; Romans 13:7; Josh.4:14.]AndGodhas provided for your honor amongmen;Exod. 22:28,"Youshallnotrevileyourjudges,orcursetherulerofyourpeople."Godwilljudgeagainstallwhoscorntogivetomagistratesthathonorthat,bythefifthcommandment,whichisdueuntothem.AndGodisverysevereinrevengingthewrongswhicharedonetoyou,2Pet.2:9-10;1Sam.8:7.Heinterpretsall the injurieswhicharedonetoyou,asdonetohimself.

Andwhy then will you not revenge the wrongs and injuries which aredonetothegreatGod?

Givemepermission,Gentlemen,inthebehalfofthegreatGod,alittletoexpostulate with you. Shall the least dishonorable word that is spokenagainstanearthlyprincebeseverelypunished?andshallallthosehorridandhellishblasphemies,bywhichthePrinceofthekingsoftheearthisdishonoredandreproachedallthenationover,passunobserved?Shallallaffrontswhichareofferedtoambassadorsbedeeplyresentedandjustlycensured,ashighindignitiesdonetotheprincewhoemploysthem?andshall the ambassadors of the great God—I mean such as are called,commissioned, spirited, gifted, and graced for that high office by Godhimself—be scorned, defamed, injured, reviled, and on all hands evillyentreated, and yetnoman say, "Whydo you thuswickedly, toprovokethegreatGodtoyourowndestruction?"2Chron.36:15,seq.Shall itbelookeduponasnobleandnecessary justice, thatall insurrections inthestatebepunishedasrebellion?andshallthosewhoaredailyupinopenarmsagainstthegreatGod,andwhodailybiddefiancetohim,tohisSon,to his ordinances, to his people, to his word, and to his ways—escapewithout the least lash, the least censure? Shall those who rob theirneighbors,be indicted, examined, condemned, and executed? and shallothersthatrobGodofhisglory,ofhisSabbaths,andofhisservice,etc.,escapewithouttheleastshakingoftherod,orwithouttheleastdangerofthewhip?Shallallprofaneness,looseness,andwickedness,bewinkedat,yes, countenancedand encouraged, notwithstanding hisMajesty'smostzealous, pious, and renowned declaration against it? and shall realholiness and the power of godliness be on all hands scorned,discountenanced,opposed,andreviled?

Well, my Lords and Gentlemen, forever remember this: all those sinswhichareinthislandcommitted,whichbyyourjustpowerandgraciousexamplesmighthavebeenprevented,allthosesinsinthegreatdayshallbechargeduponyouraccounts;andthereforeithighlyconcernsyouwithall yourmight to browbeatwickedness, to discountenance ungodliness,and to improve your power to the uttermost, for the suppressing of allprofaneness,andfor thecountenancing,encouraging,andpromotingofrealholiness,thatsoyoumaygiveupyouraccountsatlastwithjoy.

IhavereadofkingEthelbert,howthatbyhisgodlyexample,andbyhiscountenancing and encouraging such as were godly, and by hisdiscountenancing of profaneness and wickedness, he drew this wholekingdomoncetolookaftergodliness.OmyLordsandGentlemen,ifyouwouldbebutshiningexamplesandpatternsofholinesstothenation;ifyou would but in good earnest put forth your utmost power for theencouraging of godliness, and for the suppressing of profaneness; oh,whataholynation,yes,whatahappynationwouldwehave!KingCyruscommanded the chief officers of his army to keep a strict hand uponthemselves; for, says he, that is the best way in the world to keep thewholearmyingoodorder.Theapplicationiseasy.But,

8.Eighthly,Intheexerciseof justice,youmustseethatjusticeandmercy, that justice and clemency go hand in hand. Proverbs20:28, "Mercyand truthpreserve theking:andhis throne isupheldbymercy,"Proverbs29:14;Psalm101:1.Somereadthewordsthus,"Mercyand justicepreserve theking;andhis throne isupheldbymercy." [It isusual in Scripture, by truth, to understand justice.] All justice will notpreservetheking,norallmercywillnotpreservetheking;theremustbeamixturebothofjusticeandmercytopreservetheking,andtoupholdhis throne; and to show that mercy is more requisite than justice, thewordmercyisdoubledinthetext.Justicewithoutmercyturnsintorigor,andsobecomeshateful;mercywithout justice turns into fondpity,andsobecomescontemptible.

Look!astherodofAaronandthepotofmannawerebyGod'scommandlaidupinthesameark—somustmercyandjusticebepreservedentireinthebosomofthesamemagistrate,judge,andjustice.Mercyandjustice,mildnessandrighteousness,lenityandfidelity—areasaferandastrongerguardtoprincesandpeople,thanrichmines,munitionsofrocks,mightyarmies,powerfulnavies,oranywarlikepreparations.

ItisveryobservablethatChristiscalledbutoncetheLionofthetribeofJudah,intheBookoftheRevelation,andthatisinchapter5:5;butheiscalledaLambnolessthantwenty-ninetimes inthatbook.Andwhat isthisbuttoshowthetranscendentmercy,clemency,lenity,mildness,andsweetness,whichisinJesusChrist,andtoshowthatheisinfinitelymoreinclinedtotheexerciseofmercy,thanheistotheexerciseofjustice.Itis

true,magistrates,judges,andjusticesshouldbelionsintheexecutionofjustice;anditisastruethattheyshouldbelambsintheexerciseofmercyand clemency, mildness and sweetness. And the more ready andinclinabletheyaretotheexerciseofmercy,wheremercyistobeshowed,themore like to the lambtheyare.Senecahas longsinceobserved thatthecustomofanointingkings,wastoshowthatkingsshouldbeaboveallothermenofthegreatestsweetnessandmildness,theiranointingbeingasign of that kingly sweetness and mildness which should be in them.Nero's speech has great praise, who, when he was to subscribe to thedeathofanycondemnedman,wouldsay,"IwishIdidnotknowhowtowrite."But,

9. Ninthly and lastly,Youmust do justice PROPORTIONATE tothenatureof theoffence.Yourpenalties andpunishmentsmust bealwayssuitable to theoffence.Topunishanyfactmoreseverelythan itdeserves, is always injustice to the offender; for so far innocency itselfsuffers,asanymanispunishedbeyondthedemeritofhisoffence.Andtopunish lessthanthefactdeserves,maybeofdangerousconsequencetothe public. [I have read of theNile river, that if it either exceeds or isdeficient in itsdueover-flowingsof the landofEgypt, itcauses famine:theapplicationiseasy.]TheRomanfasceswereabundleofrodswithanaxe in themidst, tosignify theequityofmagistrates inpunishing someonlywithrods,andotherswiththeaxe.TheRomanshadtheir rods forlesserfaults,andtheiraxeforcapitalcrimes.Justiceislax,whenitspareswhereitoughttopunish;andjusticeisthentoosevere,whenitpunisheswhereitoughttospare.

Extremerightoftenprovesextremewrong.Hewhowillalwaysgototheutmost of what the law allows, will too often do more than the lawrequires.Itisrare,veryrare,toseeamandanceuponthebrinkofthepit,andnottotumblein.Arigidseverityoftenmarsall;equity isstill tobepreferredbeforeextremity.Toinflictgreatpenaltiesandheavycensuresfor light offences, this is to kill a fly upon a man's forehead with ahammer.IntheFrenchhistory,thereismentionmadeofanoldcourtierwhowouldoftendepartthecourt,andretirehimselftoaprivatelife;thekingdesiredhisadviceinsomegeneralrules,whatwasbesttobedoneinthe government of the kingdom. Upon which motion he took a large

paper,andwroteuponthetopoftheleaf,Moderation;andinthemiddleof the leaf, Moderation; and at the bottom of the leaf, Moderation;signifyingtherebythusmuchtotheking,thatthebestwayintheworldtohave his crown set fast, and to keep his kingdom safe, was tomanagethroughout all his affairs with moderation. And there is nothing moreevidentinscriptureandhistorythanthis,thatmanybyscrewingthepegsofgovernmenttoohigh,havebrokeallinpiecesabouttheirears.

Now, my Lords and Gentlemen, there are five things or rules thatwillbeofsingularusetohelpyouinthiscase,tosteersuchacourseasmaybesafeandhonorabletoyou,andasmayrenderyouamercyandablessingtothenation.

1.Andthefirst isthis,Nevermakethosethingstobesins,whichGodnevermade tobesins.Tomake those things to be sinswhichGodhasmadetobenosins,istomakegodsofyourselves;yes,itistoliftupyourselvesaboveGodhimself, as if youweremoreholy,morewise,morejust,andmorerighteousthantheHolyOneofIsraelis.IndeedthePapists,whoarewill-worshipers,andcommonlyhighlyconceitedoftheirown wisdom and worth, they frequently transgress this rule with their"Touchnot,tastenot,handlenot,"Col.2:21-23;whichthingshaveindeedashowofwisdominwill-worship,etc.Butwhyshouldyou,whyshouldyou,who have a higher profession upon you, and amore clear gospel-lightshiningeverydaymorestronglyuponyou?But,

2. Secondly, Never make those things to be absolute andnecessary duties, that God has nowhere declared to be such,Isaiah33:22;James4:12.Suchthingsthatdoneitherfallunderageneralnor a particular command of God, may not be imposed upon theconsciencesofmenasabsoluteandnecessarydutiestobeperformedbythem.Afaithfulobservingofthesetworuleswouldpreventamultitudeofsins,aseaofsorrows,andaworldoftroubles.But,

3. Thirdly, In all your administrations of justice, take theauthority of theword of Godwith you. This will yield youmostcomfort,mostpeace,mostsecurity,andmostboldness, inthegreatdayofyouraccount.But,

4.Fourthly,Neverputoffyourownsoulswithanysuchpleasorargumentsnow, which are not pleadable in the court of conscience,when you shall lie upon yourdying-beds; norwhich are not pleadablebefore the court of heaven, when you shall stand before Christ'sjudgment-seat.But,

5.Fifthlyandlastly,Inallyouradministrationsofjusticeandjudgment,be sure that you act nothing upon the account of any command,commission, or authority under heaven, that you dare not own, plead,and standby before the great authority of heaven,when theKingofkings shall make a narrow inspection into all your judicialproceedings, and accordingly pass judgment upon you.Whatthough this command, and that commission, and the other authority,maybearyououtinthisworld?yetiftheyaretooweaktobearyououtintheotherworld,youwillcursethedaythateveryouwereborn,andwishthat you had rather been lying under a hedge, or a-begging at the richman'sdoor—thanthatyouhadeversatinseatsofjudicature,toactuponsuch grounds as are no ways pleadable before the Lord Jesus Christ,whenheshallcomeinthegloryofhisFather,withallhisholyangels,tojudgeallthekings,princes,nobles,judges,andjusticesoftheearth.

MyLordsandGentlemen,ifthesefivethingsorruleswerebutsincerely,seriously,resolutely,andconstantlyfollowed,noheartcanconceive,norany tongue can express, the heinous sins, the sore troubles, and thedreadfulcalamitiesandwoefulmiseriesthattherebywouldbeprevented.Andthus,myLordsandGentlemen,Iamdonewith thosespecial rulesthatyouarecarefully,diligently, faithfully,andconstantly toobserve inallyourjudicialadministrations;buthowyouwillbeabletoactsuitableand answerable to these rules without a spirit of holiness, without aprinciple of holiness, and without an experience of the powerfuloperations of holiness in your own souls—I am not able to see. And,therefore,howimportantisitforyoutostudyholiness,toloveholiness,to prize holiness, to countenance holiness, to encourage holiness, topromote holiness; and to be restless until you have experienced thepower,andlife,andsweetofholinessinyourownheartsandlives.

And oh, that after all this pains that I have taken upon the account ofyourimmortalsouls,Imaynothavecausetocomplain,asonceMarcus

Antoniusdid:"Alas,"sayshe,"thosegraceswhichthedeitysentdownassomanypillarstopropuphumansocieties,namely,FaithandModesty,JusticeandVerity,theyfoundsuchcoldtreatmentintheworld,thattheyarefledbacktoheaven."Ishallfollowtheseweakendeavorswithmybestprayers,thatyoumayallputonholinessasaroyalrobe,andthatallyourjudicial administrations may savor of a spirit of holiness, and of thepower and prevalence of holiness, that so you may be as high inhappinessaboveothers,asyouarenowinpowerandplaceexaltedaboveothers.

II.Ifthistreatiseshouldfallintoanyoftheirhandswhocallandaccountthemselvesministers of Jesus Christ—but are such as who preach toplease the people—rather than to profit their souls; to tickle the ear—ratherthantoawakentheconscience;whoarebetteratfleecingoftheirflocks—rather than they are at feeding of their flocks; who seek moremen's goods—rather than their good; [Ezekiel 13, Ezekiel 34—read itthroughout;Mat.23:23;Mat.25:1-10.]whosetupmen'straditionsaboveGod's own institutions; who prefer human commands before divinecommands;whoareveryzealousandwarmformint,anise,andcummin—but are very cold, careless, and negligent in the great and weightymatters of the law, namely, judgment,mercy, and faith;who can blessGod in the church, and blaspheme him in the tavern; who preferentertainingmusicinthechurchbeforesingingofhallelujahsinheaven;whopreferafatsalarybeforeaninterestinaheavenlyinheritance;whocankneeldevoutlybehindapillar,andintheirdrunkenfitsrailasstoutlyagainst a post; who pretend a great deal of reverence to the name ofJesus, and yet in their lives do daily crucify the Lord Jesus; who withJudascankissChrist andbetrayChrist inabreath;whopretendmuchkindnesstoChrist,thehead,andyetshownothingbutunkindnesstohisbody—hispeople;whopreachasiftheyhadamindtogotoheaven,andliveasiftheywereresolvedtogotohell;whofeasttheirownbodies—butstarvetheirpeople'ssouls;whothinkitagreatersintoeatfleshinLent,thanitistoliewiththeirneighbor'swife;whospeaktenwordstoelevatethemselves,andhardlytwoforChrist;andwhoinsteadofpreachingupholiness,andpromotingofholiness,andcountenancingandencouragingof holiness—do all they can to discountenance holiness, to browbeatholiness,tokeepdownholiness,tobespatterholiness,toworkmenoutof

love with holiness, and to hinder the growth and increase of holiness."Sonofman,prophesyagainsttheshepherds,theleadersofIsrael.Givethem thismessage from the Sovereign Lord: Destruction is certain foryou shepherds who feed yourselves instead of your flocks. Shouldn'tshepherds feed their sheep? You drink the milk, wear the wool, andbutcherthebestanimals,butyouletyourflocksstarve!"Ezekiel34:2-3

Oh that these men would seriously consider how unlike to the trueministersofJesusChristtheyare!Dobutlookintoascripture-glass,andyoumayeasilysee thathell isnotmoreunlike toheaven,norsinmoreunliketograce,norSatanmoreunliketoGod—thanyouareunliketotheholy, conscientious, laborious, etc., ministers of Jesus Christ. Severalauthors in print havewritten on this at large, and therefore I shall notenlargeupon it; only givemepermission to say, thatGod's holy thingsought to be handledwith fear and reverence, rather thanwithwit anddalliance. Spiritual cuteness is the next degree to unfaithfulness.Ministersmustnotbehotinthepulpit—butcold,carnal,andcarelessintheir lives. Those who stand before princes must be exact in theirbehavior.Godappointedboththeweightsandmeasuresofthesanctuaryto be twice as large as those of the commonwealth; to show that heexpectsmuchmoreofthosewhoservehimthere,thanhedoesofothers.

"Thesoulsofministers,mustbepurerthanthesunbeams,"saysgolden-mouthedChrysostom.Mirthful things in a sermon are only formen togaze upon and admire. What are high strains and flashes of wit, newmintedwordsandphrases—butlikecolorfulweedscomparedtothegoodcorn?

Doctrine is but thedrawingof thebow;application is the hitting ofthemark. Howmany are wise in generals—but vain in their practicalinferences.Ageneraldoctrinenotapplied,isasaswordwithoutanedge,notinitself—buttoothers;orasawholeloafsetbeforechildren,thatwilldothemnogood.Agarmentfittedforallbodies,isfitfornobody;andsothatwhichisspokentoall,istakenasspokentonone.Aaron'sbellsweregoldenbells,soundingpleasantly,andnotassoundingbrassortinklingcymbals,asmanyofthecarnalclergyofthisnationarethisday.

Many there arewhoaccount themselvesministers of JesusChrist,who

arebutlikeemptyorators,whohaveafloodofwords,andbutadropofmatter; of whom we may truly say, "They speak much, and yet saynothing," because they say nothing to the purpose. When theLacedemonian heard how sweetly the nightingale sang, "Oh," said he,"thatIhadthisbird,surely it isararedish!"Butwhenhehadtakenit,andateit,andfoundnothingbutalittlepickingmeat,heconcludedwiththatproverbialsaying,"NowIseethatyouareamerevoiceandnothingelse."Howapplicablethis is tomanypreachers inthesedays,whohavegood lungs—but bad brains, and worse hearts and lives, the prudentreadermayeasilysee.

JohntheBaptistwasaburningandashininglight,aswellasavoice.Hissermonswerestuffedwithdivineandweightymatter,etc.,andnotfilledup with big words or strains of wit. Many there are, who have John'svoiceintheministry,thathavenotthatheatandlifethatJohnhadinhisministry. That great orator—Demosthenes—himself could say, "that therichesofGreecedidnotconsist inwords." It isnot forministerstousegoldensentences, strong lines, frothywit, inwinningofsouls toChrist;for it is iron, and not gold—which kills in the encounter; it is the steelsword, and not the golden sword—which wins the field. Woe to suchpreachers that darken counsel by words without knowledge, Job 38:2,that affect sublime notions, obscure expressions, uncouth phrases,makingplaintruthsdifficult,andeasytruthshard;whoseekabstrusities,andlovetosoaraloftindarkexpressions,andtakepleasuretoshoottheirarrowsovertheirhearers'heads.

The heathenish priests had their mythologies and strange cantingexpressions of their imaginary inaccessible deities to amaze and amusetheir blind superstitious followers, and thereby to hold up their Popishand apish idolatries in greater veneration. And is not this spirit nowrevivedamongmany?Certainlymenofabstractedconceits,andsublimespeculations—arebutwisefools;andcommonlytheyareaserroneousasthey are curious. Such as mind more the humoring of their hearers'fancies, than the saving of their souls, do little consider that saying ofSeneca,"Sickmenarenotbetteredbyphysicians'sugaredwords—butbytheirskillfulhands."TheswordoftheSpiritneverwoundsdeep,until it be plucked out of the gaudy scabbards of human

eloquence.

Mr. Greenham, speaking ofministers, wishes that thismottomight bewrittenontheirstudy-doorswithout,andwallswithin,onalltheirbookstheylookon,onallthebedstheylieon,andonallthetablestheysitat,etc.: "The price of blood, the price of blood, the price of blood!" Apreacher'slifeshouldbeacommentaryuponhisdoctrine;hispractice should be the counterpart of his sermons. Heavenlydoctrinesshouldalwaysbeadornedwithaheavenlylife.

"Preachersaretheglass,theschool,thebook,Wherepeople'seyesdolearn,doread,dolook."

Gentlemen,bytheseshorthintsyoumaysee,asinaglass,ifyouwillnotputacheatuponyourownsouls,howunliketothetrue,holy,andfaithfulministersofJesusChristyouare.Osirs,donotyouknowthattheHolyScriptures, which always speak truth, do clearly evidence that anignorant, profane, scandalous, superstitious, inefficient, andsoul-flattering clergy are the greatest pest, plague, affliction,judgment,etc.,whichcanbefallapeople,asyoumayeasilyseebycomparing these scriptures together—Micah 2:11; Isaiah 30:10-11; Jer.5:31;Lam.2:14; Isaiah9:16;Ezek.3:18;Jer.23:9, 18;Ezek. 13:22;Jer.6:14, and 27:14, 16; 1 Thes. 5:3; Jer. 14:13-16; Isaiah 28:7-8; Ezek. 34throughout; Romans 2:21-24. Other judgments, as war, famine,pestilence, burning fevers, plagues, etc., cannot separate between Godandmen'ssouls;formenmayhaveverysweetandhighcommunionwithGodunderthesorestofthosejudgments.OtherafflictionsandjudgmentsmayspringfromthefatherlyloveofGod,andfromagraciousdesignofgoodtohispeople:Rev.3:19;Proverbs3:11;Heb. 12:5-8;Psalm89:30,35;Job7:17-18;butthisisasadfruitofGod'sjudicialangerandsevereindignationagainstapeople.Otherjudgmentsoftenissueinmen's seeking of the Lord, and in men's returning to the Lord. Isaiah26:16-17;Hosea5:14-15,comparedwithchapter6:1-3,andchapter2:6-7;butthisjudgmentfrequentlyissuesinmen'sforsakingoftheLord,andintheirrunningfromGod,andintheirwalkingcontrarytoGod,andinthehardening of themagainstGod, and in an everlasting shutting of themoutfromthepresenceoftheLord:asyoumayseebycomparingofthesescriptures together—Mat. 15:14; Luke 6:39; 1 Thes. 5:3; 2 Thes. 1:7-10;

Mat.23:13.

Do not you know that where there is no vision, the people perish?Proverbs 29:18: Theword, that is here renderedperish, signifies to bemadenaked,tobemadebareanduncovered.Theyarenakedaspeoplewhoarestrippedoftheirgarments,andexposedtoperishbycoldinthewinter,or tobescorchedorroastedbyheat inthesummer;or theyarenaked, that is, they aremade the objects of shame and contempt to allthat look upon them: or they are made naked, that is, of the grace,blessing, and protection of God: or they are naked, that is, say others,theyareforsakenandcastoff;foreveryoneforsakesandcastsoffpeoplewhowillnotwearclothes,theywillhavenothingtodowiththem,Exod.32:25.Othersthus,"Thepeopleshallbestrippednaked,theyshallbeleftas a city without walls, exposed to the fury of the enemy, as a bodywithout clothes, open to wind and weather." Others thus, "The peopleshallbeunveiled;itwillthenappearwhatiswithin,whethergraceorsin;it will then be discovered what pantings, breathings, hungerings, andlongings there be in souls after God, and Christ, and holiness, andordinances."Pagnine thus, "Thepeoplewill growbarbarous, rebellious,etc.,asexperienceinallageshasfullydemonstrated."Othersthus,"Thepeople shall be of no esteem, of no repute; nobody will prize them,nobodywill value them,nobodywill regard them;mensetnoprice,novalueuponnakedpeople."Others thus, "Thepeople shallbedispersed,scattered, shivered and shattered;" and this in all ages has been tooapparent.Othersthus,"Theyshallbedrawnawaywitherrors:theyshalleitherbestarved,orelsepoisonedwithGod-dishonoring,Christ-denying,scripture-debasing, conscience-destroying, life-polluting, and soul-damningopinions."

It isconcludedonallhands,thatitshallgoill,veryill,withthatpeoplewho lack vision—who lack serious, sincere, faithful, and powerfulpreaching;forwherethereisnovision,noserious,sincere,faithful,andpowerful preaching, there the people perish certainly, undoubtedly,there they go tumbling to hell; and this is evident in the text, "Wherethereisnovision,thepeopleperish."Hedoesnotsaytheymayperish—but they do perish; or they are in danger of perishing—but they docertainly perish. Where there is no serious, conscientious, faithful,

powerfulpreaching,therethepeoplegrowabominablywicked,aswoefulexperiencetellsus:andwhattheoutcomeofthatwillbe,youmayseeinPsalm9:17,"Thewickedshallbeturnedintohell,andallthenationsthatforgetGod;"orastheHebrewhasit,thewickedshallbeturnedintohell,that is, theyshallcertainlybeturnedintohell;yes, theyshallbeturnedintothenethermosthell,intothelowestdungeoninhell.SeePsalm11:6.

Where vision fails, there men perish temporally.When vision, whenpreaching ceased among the Jews, oh the dreadful calamities andmiseriesthatcameuponthatpeople!howsoondidGodburnupalltheiroutward comforts, contentments, and enjoyments on every hand, 2Chron.15:3,5-6,comparedwithchapter13:9-11,andchapter36:15seq.;Mat.23:37-38.TheyshuttheireyesagainstallthatlightthatChristandhis apostles brought among them: and what was the outcome of this?Why, about forty years after Christ's ascension, the Romans came andtook away their city, and sold thirty of them for a penny, as Josephuswrites, etc.; and ever since that time, which is above sixteen hundredyearsago, they have been scattered as dung over the face of thewholeearth.

Where vision fails, theremen perish totally: both the bodies, and thesoulsofmenperish,whereserious,conscientiouspreachingfails;Hosea4:6, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge." The Chaldeerendersit,theyarebesotted,andsofittedfordestruction.ThePapistssaythat ignorance is the mother of devotion; but this text tells us thatignoranceisthemotherofdestruction.TheheathenswereaccustomedtosaythatwhentheirgodJupiterwoulddestroyone—hewouldfirstbesothim. So these people were first besotted, and then destroyed, Romans6:16-19.

Where vision fails, there the people perish insensibly andunexpectedly.TheungodlyflatterthemselvesthatGodismadeupallofmercy, and believe that they shall go to heaven--until they awakewitheverlastingflamesabouttheirears--asyoumayseeinthedestructionofSodomandGomorrah.

Where vision fails, theremen perish suddenly: in a moment they godown to hell, Job 21:13-15. As the travail of a woman comes suddenly

upon her when she least expects it, so everlasting pains and tormentscomesuddenlyuponpoorsinnerswhentheyleastexpectthem,Proverbs24:22;Deut.7:4;1Thes.5:3.AsGodsuddenlyrainedhelloutofheavenuponSodomandGomorrah,Gen.18;andashesuddenlysweptawaytheoldworld,Mat.24:37-39;andasSamuelsuddenlycutoffAgag,whenheconcluded that the bitterness of death was past, 1 Sam. 15:32: so Godsuddenlycasts sinners tohell—hesuddenlysweeps themaway—hecutsthemoffsuddenly;andwhentheysay,"Surelythebitternessofdeathispast, andeverlastingwrath is past, andhell is past, and eternal ruin ispast,"thensuddenlyGodcutsthemoff,andgivesthemtheirportionwithdevilsanddamnedspirits,etc.

Wherevisionfails,theremenperishinevitably,irrecoverably:1Thes.5,Andtheyshallnotescape."Thereforedisasterwillovertakehiminaninstant;hewill suddenlybedestroyed--without remedy."Proverbs6:15.Here is theirdismaldoom:Theyshallnotbeonlybruised—butbroken;yes,theyshallbesuddenlybrokenwhentheyleastlookforit,whentheydonotatalldreamofit,ordreadit,andthiswithoutremedy.Theyshallbesobroken,asthatthereshallnotbesomuchasapossibilityofmakingthemupagain.Ifamanloseshisestate,hisfriend,hischild,thislossmaybemadeupagain;but ifamanonce losehissoul, there isnorepairingnormakingupofthatloss.

Where there is no vision, there men perish everlastingly, there theyperisheternally,2Thes.1:7-9;Jude7.

DonotyouknowthatGodwillrequirethebloodofalltheirsoulsatyourhands, who perish either by your insufficiency, or neglect, or badexamples Ezek. 3:18-20, "You shall surely die," in dying you shall die;that is, you shall certainly die, you shall eternally die. The ancientscommonlyinterpretitofthedeathofthesoul.

Donotyouknowthataministerwerebetterhavethebloodofallthemenintheworlduponhim—thanthebloodofonesouluponhim?Forthereisnoblood thatcriesso loud, thatwill lie soheavy,andwhichwillsinkamansodeepinhell,asthebloodofsouls—Isay,asthebloodofsouls!

Donotyouknowthattherearenomenuponthefaceoftheearthwhoare

byofficesostrictly,sostrongly,souniversally,so indispensably,andsosignallyengagedtoprizeholiness,tocountenanceholiness,toencourageholiness,topromoteholiness,andtopracticeholiness—astheministersofJesusChristare?

Do not you know thatministers are called angels, in respect of theiroffices?Rev. 2.Now angels are spiritual creatures; their communion isspiritual, their food is spiritual, their delights are spiritual, theirmindsare spiritual, their affections are spiritual, and their exercises arespiritual,Psalm104:4;andinalltheserespectsministersshouldbe liketotheangels.Butarenotmanyofthemspiritualmadmeninthesedays?—beingnothinglessthanwhattheyprofesstobe?Theyarespiritualmenin a mockery. So these have no substantial goodness, no substantialholinessatallinthem;whereasinholinesstheyshouldasfarexceedallothermen,astheangelsinholinessdoexceedthem.

Donotyouknow that there isno ranknororderofmenonearth,whohave so enriched hell, who have been such benefactors to hell—as theignorant, insufficient, profane, scandalous, and superstitious clergy? Intimes of Popery letters were written and published as sent from hell,whereinthedevilgavethecarnal,ignorant,insufficient,scandalous,andsuperstitious clergyof those timesgreat thanks for somanymillionsofsoulsasbytheirmeansweredailysenttohell.

Do not you know that all the true faithful prophets, apostles, andministers of Jesus Christ, who are mentioned in the Old and NewTestament,weremenofthegreatestholiness;[2Chron.36:15;Jer.7:25;25:4;35:15;11:7,etc.;2Cor.11,etc.]andmenwhomadeittheirgreatestbusinessandworktokeepdownaspiritofprofanenessandwickedness;andtocountenance,encourage,andpromoteholiness?Oh,howdiligent!oh,howfrequent!oh,howabundant!oh,howconstantweretheyinthework of the Lord—that profane people might be made holy, and thatthosewhowereholymightbemademoreandmoreholy,yes,thattheymightperfectholinessinthefearoftheLord!etc.

Ifamanmighteatthesweetandneversweat,itwouldbeaneasymattertobeapreacher.Buteveryclergyman is,orought tobe,a stewardandoverseer inGod's house; and that is an office of great labor, trust, and

employment. Stewards and overseers commonly eat their bread in thesweat of their brows, and after much beating of their brains; but howunlike to such stewards and overseers the clergy are, who I am nowexpostulatingwith,ImustleavetheChristianreadertojudge.

Ernestus,DukeofLunebury,causedaburninglamptobestampedonhiscoin, with these four letters, A. S. M. C., by which was meant, "AliisServiensMeipsumContero."Thatis—bygivinglighttoothers,Iconsumemyself. And such were the Lord's faithful prophets, apostles, andministersofold:andsuchareallhisfaithful,laborious,andconscientiousministersnow.Buthowunliketotheoneortheothertheyare,thatnowIamreasoningwith,youmayeasilyperceive,bycomparingthemtogether.

Ihave readof thenoblesofPolonia, thatwhen thegospel is read, theyclap their hands upon their swords, and begin to draw them out,intimatingbythatceremonytheirresolutiontodefendthefaith,andtheirwillingness to hazard their lives for the gospel's safety. The faithfulprophets, apostles, and ministers of old, were willing to sacrificethemselves for thegospel's sake:buthowmanyare there in thesedayswhoaremorereadyandwillingtomakeasacrificeofthegospelforprofitsake,andprefermentsake,andhonorsake,andlust'ssake,etc.,thantheyaretomakethemselvesasacrificeforthegospel'ssake!Howunlikethesearetothefaithful,conscientiousministersofJesusChristthathavebeeninallages,Imustleaveyoutojudge.

DonotyouknowthatPharaohhadthattenderregardofhiscattle,asthathe thought none fit to be their ruler, their overseer—but such as wereknownmenofactivity?Gen.47:6-7.Pharaohwouldhavenonetobehiscow-herders but men of activity, men of skill—men who were prudentanddiligent, ingenuousandindustrious.ShallPharaohbesocareful forhis cows—and shall notministers be as careful for souls?Whatman isthere under heaven, who has the use of his reason, his wits, etc., thatwhenheistotravel,wouldtakeafool,anignoramus,forhisguide;andthatwhenhe is sick,would send fora charlatan tobehisphysician;orthatwhenheistorideadangerousway,wouldmakechoiceofacowardtodefendhim;orthatwhenhehasalawsuit,wouldmakeuseofaduncetopleadit;orthatwhenhehasasuitofclothestomake,wouldsendforabunglingtailortomakeit?Surelynone!Andwhythenshouldnotmenbe

aswisefortheirsouls?

Unholy ministers have been the greatest instruments of bringing thegreatest calamities and miseries, and the sorest desolations anddestructions, which ever have been brought upon cities, nations,kingdoms, and countries? Compare these scriptures together, and thenletconsciencespeak.[Jer.26:8-9,11,14,15;Lam.4:11-13;Amos7:10-11;1Kings22;2Chron. 18.]Andwhodoesnotknow that itwas thehigh-priests, scribes, and Pharisees, who brought the innocent blood of ourLordJesusChristuponthatoncegreatandgloriousnationoftheJews,totheir utter destruction and desolation, about forty years after Christ'sascension,whentheRomanscameandtooktheircity,andpracticedthegreatest severity and cruelty imaginable upon them, as Josephus andotherhistoriansshow?

IntheMariandays,andinthemassacreoftheProtestantsinFrance,howgreatahandthissortofmenhad,thatIamnowa-reasoningwith,alltheworldknows.Andsothepaganpriestsstirredupthepaganemperorstobe desperate persecutors of the people of God that were within theirempires; which occasioned Tertullian to give that good counsel toScapula,apaganpersecutor;"God,"sayshe,"willsurelymakeinquisitionforourblood,andthereforeifyouwillnotspareus—yetspareyourself:ifnot yourself—yet spare your country, whichmust be responsible whenGodcomestovisitfortheinnocentsheddingofourblood."

Do not you know that his Majesty has very Christianly, zealously,argumentatively, and smartly declared against drunkenness, lewdness,profaneness,etc.,andthathehasdeclaredthathisresolutionisandshallbe to promote the power of godliness, to encourage the exercises ofreligion, both public and private; and that inefficient, negligent, andscandalousministersbenotpermittedinthechurch?

Do not you know that when the great Shepherd our Lord JesusChristshall appear, that hewill call you to a particular and exact account foreverysoulthathasperishedunderyourcharge—eitherbyreasonofyourignorance,inefficiency,profaneness,looseness,orsuperstition,etc.?andhowwillyouthenbeabletostandinthatday?etc.,1Pet.5:2-4;Ezek.17-19.

Gentlemen, if you say youdon'tunderstand these things, and that theyare riddles and mysteries to you—how dare you say that you are theministers of JesusChrist? But if you shall say that you know verywellthat these things are certainly true, yes, that they are such clear andundeniabletruthsthatnodevilcandeny—andyetshallcontinueinyourignorance, inefficiency, profaneness, looseness, superstition, etc., whatmanonearthisthere,whohasbutreadthescriptures,andthatcanbutwrite his own name, and that would not taken for a fool in folio—willbelieveyoutobethetruefaithfulministersofJesusChrist?

Well,Gentlemen,IhavereadofAlexandertheGreat,howthathehadasoldier by the name of Alexander, who was a coward; which hecommanded him either to fight likeAlexander, or else to lay down thename of Alexander. So say I to you, Gentlemen, either preach as theministers of Jesus Christ ought to preach—namely, plainly, spiritually,powerfully,feelingly,fervently,frequently,etc.,andliveastheministersof Jesus Christ ought to live—namely, heavenly, graciously, holily,humbly, righteously,harmlessly, andexemplarily, etc.,or else laydownyourverynamesofbeingtheministersofJesusChrist,andputnolongera cheat upon yourselves, nor upon the people, bymaking thembelievethatyouareministersofJesusChrist,whenyouhavenothingofthespiritofChrist,noroftheanointingsofChrist,norofthegraceofChrist,norofthelifeofChristinyou.

Gentlemen,ifthiscounselbeseriouslymindedandfaithfullyfollowed,itwillturnmoretoyouraccountsinthegreatdayofourLordJesus,anddoyoumoregoodthen,thanalltheprofits,preferments,andhonorsofthisworld can do you good now. But if you shall slight and despise thiscounselnow,Ishallbefoundatrueprophet—toyourwoeandmiseryinthatgreatday,etc.

III. If this Treatise should fall into the hands of any ladies andgentlewomen, as I suppose itmay,whohavenot yet experienced thesweet and powerful operations of holiness in their own souls, I wouldthensay,

Ladies andGentlewomen, your souls are as precious, and as immortal,and as capable of union and communion with Christ here, and of an

eternalfruitionofChristhereafter,asthesoulsofanymenintheworldare.IhavereadasadstoryofawomannamedBochna,whohadbuttwosonsinalltheworld;andwhileshewaswalkingwiththeonebytheriver,sheheardtheothercryingout,andhasteningtohim,shefoundaknifestickinginhisside,whichkilledhimimmediately.Thenshemadehastebackto the other child—but he in her absencehad fallen into the riveranddrowned—andsoshelostbothhersonsatonce!Now,ladies,thisisyourverycase;everyoneofyouhavetwochildren,asImaysay—asoulandabody—aneternal lifeandatemporal life;andoh,whatadreadfulandunspeakable losswould itbeto loseboththeseatonce!andyet,ascertain as there is a God in heaven, you will lose them both withoutholiness.

Allknow,whoknowanythingofscriptureorhistory,thattherehavebeenmany great ladies and gentlewomen, who have been great lovers ofholiness, and greatdelighters inholiness, and great prizers of holiness,andgreatadmirersofholiness,andgreatcountenancersofholiness,andgreatencouragersofholiness,andgreatpromotersofholiness,andgreatfollowersafterholiness,andgreatexperiencersofthesweetandpowerfuloperationsofholiness in theirownsouls.Andoh that thismightbe allyourhonorandhappiness,tobeinallrespectsasfamousforholiness,asanyofyourgenderhasbeenbeforeyou.

Christ has prayed as much for your souls, as he has for the souls ofothers;andhehaspaidasmuchforyoursouls,ashehasforthesoulsofothers;andhehassweat,andwept,andbledasmuchforyoursouls,ashehasforthesoulsofothers;andhehassuffered,andsatisfiedasmuchforyoursouls,ashehasforthesoulsofothers;andhehaspurchasedandpreparedasgreatandasgloriousthingsforyoursouls,ashehasforthesoulsofothers,ifyouwillbebutaholypeopletohim:andwhatdoesallthis speak out—but an unspeakable readiness and willingness in JesusChristtosanctifyyou,andsaveyou,aswellasothers?

Allknowingmencan tellyou, thatmany ladiesandgentlewomen inallageshavebeenveryfamousforallnatural,moral,spiritual,andacquiredexcellencies;yes,more famousthanmanymenwhohavedoneworthilyintheirgeneration;andbytheirattainmentsyoumayeasilyseewhat ispossible for you to attain unto, both in respect of gifts and grace. [We

mightwrite volumes on this subject: there is somuch said in scriptureand history upon this account; but a touchmust suffice, etc.] Of allthings, gracious examples are most awakening, convincing, andencouraging; for in them you may see that both the attainment ofholiness, and the exercise of holiness, is possible, though difficult. Ineyeingofexamples, it isalwaysbest toeye thehighest, theholiest, andtheworthiestexamples;for,ashewhoshootsatthesun,thoughhefallsshortofhismark—yetwillshoothigherthanhewhoaimsonlyatashrub;sothosewhosetupthehighestexamplesofholinessfortheirmark, fortheir imitation,will certainly attain to greater degrees of holiness, thanthosewhoproposetothemselvesthelowestexamplesofholinessfortheirpatternandimitation.

Well,LadiesandGentlewomen—Doyouthinkthatitisgoodtobegoingto hell—that it is good dwellingwith the devouring fire, that it is gooddwellingwitheverlastingburnings,thatitisgoodforevertobeseparatedfromthegloriouspresenceofGod?Isaiah33:14;2Thes.1:7-10.Doyouthinkthatitisgoodtobeforevertoliea-swelteringunderthewrathofaninfinite just God, and to abide forever and ever under those pains andtormentswhichareendless,easeless,hopeless,andremediless?Doyouthinkthatitisgoodtobeassociated,andfetteredwithdevilsanddamnedspirits to all eternity?Oh no, this cannot be good; for the very seriousthoughtsofthesethingsareenoughtoraiseahellonthissidehell,inourhearts!Oh then, Ladies andGentlewomen, pray that youmay be holy;hearthatyoumaybeholy;readthatyoumaybeholy;andwithallyourmight press after holiness, andpursuehard after holiness—as after theonethingnecessary;forwithoutholinessyouwillascertainlygotohell,as holy people shall certainly go to heaven! And this you will find asclearlyandfullyprovedinthisfollowingtreatise,asheartcanwish.

Ohthatyouwouldforeverrememberthis,thatwithoutallquestion,youshallneverbe saved,unless youare sanctified; you shallneverbe trulyand eternally happy, unless you are really holy—unless God should dofivethings,whicharenotpossibleforhimtodo—namely,

1.Changehispurpose;

2.Makenullandvoidhisdecree;

3.Makeanewgospel;

4.Findoutanewwaytoheaven;and

5.Ungodhimself.

Godmustundohimselfandungodhimself, ifeverhemakesyouhappybeforehehasmadeyouholy;andtherefore,oh,whatinfinitecausehaveyou to read this following treatise, and to study this treatise, and tomeditateonthistreatise,andtoprayoverthistreatise,andtolookuptoheaven for counsel and strength to make such an improvement of themeans,helps,anddirectionswhicharehereprescribedfortheattainingof holiness, as that you may be made really holy, that so you may beeverlastinglyhappy!

IV.If this treatiseshould fall into thehandsofanyfaithful, serious,gracious,conscientious,laboriousministers'hands,asIsupposeit may, I would then say, sirs, let my weak endeavors be a spur, aprovocation to you to lay out your choicest and your chief gifts, parts,strength, time, and opportunities—to promote holiness of life, andholiness in doctrine, worship, discipline, and in all your sacredcommunions. Certainly, had we all eyed holiness more, and preachedholinessmore,andpracticedholinessmore,andcriedupholinessmore,and encouraged holiness more, and countenanced holiness more—thecountenancebothofGodandmanmighthavebeensetmorepleasinglytowardsusthantheyarethisday.Whenoncethepaycheckcomestobemore in ministers' eyes than holiness; and when their studies andendeavorsaremoretomakemenproselytestothisorthatdoctrine,thisorthatform,thisorthatparty—thantomakemenholy—itisnowonderif God writes out "bitter things" against them. I doubt not butprovidentialdispensationshavehadsuchateachingvirtueinthem,astoleadyou to layyour fingersuponseveral such-likesores,and tomournover them, and to justify theHolyOne of Israel, who is holy in all hisways,andrighteousinallhisworks.[Beitrememberedthiswaswrittenatthetimeofthe"Ejection"oftheTwoThousand,ofwhomBrookswasone.—editor]

Truly,brethren,Ihavealwayslookeduponthegreatworkofthe

ministrytolieintwothings:first,inmakingunholymenholy;and, secondly, in making those who are already holy to bemore andmore holy.First to beget holiness, and then to nurse upholiness; first to bring souls to Christ, and then to build up souls inChrist,iswithoutallquestiontheworkofworkswhichshouldbemostineveryminister's eye, andwhich should always lie nearest andwarmestuponeveryminister'sheart,etc.And,throughgrace,Ihavemadethismygrand design in the course of my ministry, and throughout all mywritings;andnow ityieldsme that joy, thatcomfort, thatcontentment,and that satisfaction, that I would not be without for all the world.Besides,Iknowitwillturnmosttomyaccountatthegreatday.

Ohthatallofyouwhoyethaveanyopportunitiesandadvantagesinyourhands to preach the everlasting gospel would make this your greatbusiness, to promote holiness, and to exalt and lift up holiness in theworld!Forasthisgreatprincipleofholinessshallgaingrounduponthehearts,consciences,andlivesofmen;soallthethingsofAntichrist,andallthetradeofAntichrist,andallthosegrandmischiefsandmiseriesthatthreatenthesonsofmen,willfallbeforeit—asDagonfellbeforetheark.

V.IfthistreatiseshouldfallintothehandsofanyofGod'ssanctifiedones,ofwhateverdegreeorranktheyareof,asIsupposeitmayfallintothehandsofmanysuch, Iwould thensay,Dear friends, in this treatiseyouwillfindmanystrongmotivestoprovokeyouto"perfectholinessinthefearof theLord,"andmanyspecialmeanstoenableyouto"perfectholiness inthefearof theLord,"andmanyevidenceswherebyyoumaycertainly and infallibly know whether you have attained to anyconsiderableheightofholinessornot.Andintheopeningofthesethings,youwill findthatgreatdoctrineaboutdegreesofglory inheaven tobeassertedandproved,andtheobjectionsagainstittobefairlydismissed,etc.

VI.Reader,ifyouareonethattothisverydayareinanunsanctifiedestate, and an enemy to holiness, or a scoffer at holiness, or a secretdespiser of holiness, or a desperate opposer of holiness, or a bitterpersecutor of holiness, then I would commend this following treatise,beforeanyIknowextant in theworld, to theserviceofyoursoul.ForIknow of no other treatise which is so calculated and fitted up for that

purpose as this is. Read and judge. This I will assure you, O youunsanctifiedsoul,thatthegranddesignofthisbookisyoursalvation;itistomakeyoureallyholy,thatyoumaybeeternallyhappy.Andofthisyoumaybeconfident—namely,thatIshallfollowthesepoorlaborswithmyearnest prayers, that they may be blessed to the internal and eternalwelfare of your soul, and that they may issue in the conviction,conversion,andsalvationofyoursoul.

I shall send this treatise forth into theworldwith Jacob's blessing andprayerforhissons,"MayGodAlmightysendyoumercyinthesightoftheman," Gen. 43:14, etc., in the sight of the proudman that he may behumbled;andinthesightofthehardenedman—thathemaybesoftened;andinthesightofthecarnalman—thathemaybespiritualized;andinthesightofthepollutedman—thathemaybewashed;andinthesightoftheunsanctifiedman thathemaybe sanctified; and in the sight of theignorant man—that he may be enlightened; and in the sight of thestubborn man—that he may be bowed; and in the sight of theunconvertedman—thathemaybechanged;and in the sightof the lostman—thathemaybesaved.

Christian reader, I supposeby this time that Ihavealmost tiredyou inreading,asIhavemyselfinwriting—andthereforeIshallpresentlydrawtoaclose;only,beforeItakemyleaveofyou,givemeleavetosay,thatitis impossible to find a book printed without errata, even though theprinterhadArgus'eyes.Notwithstandingallthecarethathasbeentaken,youwill findsomemistakesof theprinter. IknowtheChristian reader,whoisdailysensibleoftheerratasofhislife,willdomethecourtesy,andcastamantleofloveovermymistakes.

Reader,Idonotofferyouthatwhichcostmenothing.ThistreatisethatnowIputintoyourhandisthefruitofmuchprayerandseriousstudy.Ifyoufindanyprofitandbenefitbyit—giveChristalltheglory—thecrownofpraisebefitsnoheadbuthis.Onlywhenyouareinthemount—letmelie near your heart. Oh, pray earnestly, pray fervently, pray frequently,andprayunweariedly—that Imayhavemuchof the freshanointingsoftheHolySpirit,thatmycommunionwithaholyGodmayeverydayrisehigher and higher; and that all my transactions, both before God andman;maysavorofsomeheightsofholiness:soyouwillthemorestrongly

obligemetobeyoursoul'sservantinallgospelengagements,ThomasBrooks,1662.

WhatThisHolinessIs?

"Followpeacewithallmen,andholiness,withoutwhichnomanshallseetheLord."Hebrews12:14

Irememberasayingofgolden-mouthedChrysostom,"IfIwere,"saidhe,"the fittest man in the world to preach a sermon to the whole world,gatheredtogetherinonecongregation,andhadsomehighmountainformypulpit, fromwhence Imighthaveaprospect of all theworld inmyview, and were furnished with a voice of brass, a voice as loud as thetrumpet of the archangel, that all the world might hear me; I wouldchoosetopreachonnoothertextthanthatinPsalm4:2,Omortalmen,how long will you love vanity, and pursue a lie?" So I say, had IChrysostom'stongue,head,andheart,andwereIeverywayadvantagedtopreachasermontothewholeworld,Iwouldchoosetopreachonthistext before any other in the Bible, "Follow peace with all men, andholiness,withoutwhichnomanshallseetheLord."

Beloved!thesalvationofsoulsisthatwhichshouldbefirstandmostinaminister's eye, and that which should always lie closest and warmestuponaminister'sheart.Osirs!ourdearLordJesuswasinfinitelytenderofthesoulsofmen.HelefthisFather'sbosomforsouls;hetrodthewine-press of his Father's wrath for souls; he prayed for souls; he paid forsouls;hesweatforsouls;hebledouthisheart'sbloodforsouls;andhemadehimselfanofferingforsouls![Isaiah63:3;John17:22;Luke4:24;1Cor. 6:20; 1 Pet. 1:18-20; Heb. 9:12-15.] Oh, what an encouragementshouldthisbetoallhisfaithfulmessengerstowooforsouls,tomournforsouls,toprayforsouls,tostudyforsouls,andinpreachingtospendandtobe spent for the salvationof souls!Ah, friends, there isnoworknorwisdomonearthcomparedtothatofwinningsouls,"hewhowinssoulsiswise." Proverbs 11:30. There is no art, no industry to that of winningsouls, of "taking" souls, as fowlers take birds, as the Hebrew wordimports.Now,thoughthereisagreatdealofartrequiredtotakebirds—

yetthereistenthousandtimesmorearerequiredtotakesouls.Inaword,toconvertasoulisagreaterworkthantoswayascepter,orthanitistopouroutmillionsintothebasketsofthepoor.

Mydesigninchoosingthistextisthewinningofsouls,itisthesalvationofsouls,itisthebringinginandbuildingupofsouls.IhavereadofLouistheNinth,kingofFrance,thathewasfoundinstructinghispoorkitchen-boyinthewaytoheaven;andbeingaskedthereasonofit,heanswered,"Thepooresthasasoulaspreciousasmyown,andboughtbythesamebloodofChrist."Hewhopaid thepriceof souls,has long since toldusthatasoulismoreworththanaworld,Mat.16:26.ThatImaycatchsomepoor soul or other by a holy craft, 2 Cor. 12:16, and establish andstrengthenothersintheloveandlikingofholiness,andinthepowerandpracticeofholiness,Ihavecastmythoughtsuponthisscripture.

Buttodrawnearertomytext.

Asnomeanshasmorepopulatedhell thanbeautiful faces,sonomeanshasmoreenrichedheaven than thebeautyofholiness.Now that Imaydiscover thenecessity, beauty, rarity, and excellencyof holiness, I havechosenthistext,"Followpeacewithallmen,andholiness,withoutwhichnomanshallseetheLord."Ishallgivea little light intothewords,andthencometothatmainpointIintendtoengagein.

"Followpeacewithallmen."TheGreekwordtranslatedfollow,signifiesto pursue and press after peace, as the persecutor pursues and pressesafterhimhepersecutes.Itnotesanearnest,aneager,anaffectionate,andan incessant pressing and following after peace with all men: Psalm34:14, "Seek peace, and pursue it." [The very name of peace is sweet.]Here the Hebrew word translated seek, signifies to "seek earnestly,"vehemently, studiously, industriously. Thus peacewithGod, and peacewith conscience, and peacewithmenmust be sought. "Seek peace andpursueit."Thewordtranslatedpursue,signifiesan"earnestpursuit."Itisametaphortakenfromtheearnestnessofwildbeasts,orravenousfowl,whichwillrunorflyfastandfar,eagerlyandunweariedly,ratherthanbedisappointedoftheirprey.

Though Christiansmeetwithmany encumbrances and hindrances—yet

peacemustberesolutelypursued.TheSpiritofGodisaSpiritofpeace,andGoddelightstobestyledtheGodofpeace,andChristchoosestobethePrinceofpeace,andKingofSalem,thatis,Kingofpeace.[Gal.5:22;2 Cor. 13:11; Isaiah 9:6, 7; Heb. 1:2.] Where peace is, there is Christ,because Christ is peace. Therefore let all who are interested in Christpursueafterpeace.ButthisisnotthepointthatIhaveinmyeyeatthistime. I shallhasten to it. "Withallmen;" that is,withallorders, ranks,andsortsofmen.

"Andholiness," etc. [Amanmay bemiserable under peace—but neverunderholiness.]Wemustsopursueafterpeaceinsuchaway—asthatwedonotneglectholiness forpeacesake.Better isholinesswithoutpeace,than peace without holiness. Holiness differs nothing fromhappiness but in name. Holiness is happiness in the bud, andhappiness is holiness at the full. Happiness is nothing but thequintessenceofholiness.Amanwerebetterbeholyinhell,thanunholyinheaven.Holinesswouldmakehelltobenohell,asthefirewasnofiretothoseholyworthies,Dan.27.Look!asunholinesswouldmakeheaventobenoheaven, yes, turn a heaven into a very hell, so holinesswouldturn a hell into a veryheaven.What holiness this is in the text, I shalldiscovertoyouintheopeningofthatpointIintendtoengagein.

"Withoutwhichnoman."This expression is exclusive, "noman,"beherichorpoor,highorlow,honorableorbase,youngorold,JeworGentile,bondorfree,underoneformoranother,etc.

"ShallseetheLord."To"see,"intheHebrewphrase,isordinarilyusedto"enjoy:" Psalm 4:6, "Who will show us any good?" The word in theHebrewisfromto"see,""Whowillmakeustoseeanygood?"thatis,toenjoy any good. "Without holiness noman shall see the Lord;" that is,without holiness no man shall ever come to a blessed, to a gloriousfruition and enjoyment of the Lord. There was once a holy man[Chrysostom]whoprofessedthatthelackoftheenjoymentofGodwouldbeafargreaterhell tohimthanthefeelingofanypunishment;andyetthisgreathell,everyoneshallbesuretofeel—wholivesanddieswithoutholiness.TheJewssayofholyMoses,thathediedatthekissesofGod'smouth, and in divine embraces, Psalm 37:37.When aman of holinessdies,heshallbesuretodieindivineembraces,andliveforeverindivine

embraces.

WhenSocrateswastodie,hecomfortedhimselfwiththis—thathewouldgo to a place where he would enjoy Homer and Musaeus, and otherworthieswho livedbeforehim.Butah,whatanunspeakablecomfort isthistoaholymanwhenhecomestodie—toconsiderthatheisgoingtoaplacewhereheshallseetheLord,notasnow,throughaglassdarkly—butin all his heavenly resplendency, and in all his divine embroidery andbespangledglory!1Cor.13:12.Andletthissufficefortheopeningofthewords.

Inmy text you have two things: First, An exhortation to "follow peaceand holiness." Secondly, The reason or argument to enforce the dutypressed,namely,"withoutwhichnomanshallseetheLord."Thewordswillaffordusmanyweightyobservations.Ishallonlynameone,whichIintendtoinsistupon,andthatisthis—namely:

DOCTRINE.Thatrealholinessistheonlywaytohappiness.Allmenmustbeholyonearth,ortheyshallneverseethebeatifical vision,theyshallneverreachtoagloriousfruitionofGodinheaven.

Fortheclearingup,andmakinggoodof thisgreatandglorious truth, Ishallendeavorthesethreethings—

First,toshowyouwhatthisholinessis,"withoutwhichnomanshallseetheLord."

Secondly, I shall, by an induction of particulars, make good theproposition.

Thirdly,Giveyouthereasonsofthepoint.

I.What is this holiness "withoutwhich noman shall see theLord"?Ianswer,thereisasixfoldholiness.

1.First,ThereisaLEGALholiness.Nowalegalholinessconsistsinanexact,perfect,andcompleteconformityinheartandlifetothewholerevealed will of God—and this was the holiness that Adam had in his

innocency;andthisholinesswasimmediatelyderivedfromGod,andwasperfect.AdamknewthewillofGodperfectly,sofarasitwasrevealedtohim, and had a divine principle in him of perfect conformity to thatblessedwill.Adam'sholinesswasasnaturaltohim,asunholinessisnowtous;andhadhestoodfastinthatgloriouscondition,wewouldhaveallbeen as naturally holy from the womb, as now we are sinful. Adam'sholinesswasasnatural,andaspleasing,andasdelightfultohim,asanyway of unholiness can be natural, pleasing, and delightful unto us. Butthisholiness,whichwasAdam'schoicestsparklinggemofbeauty,andhisweightiest crownofglory, isbySatan'spolicy longsince fallenoff fromAdam'shead,Psalm51:5.

Nowifthislegalholinessweretheholinessmeantinthetext,thenwoetoeverymanwhoeverwasborn;forthennomanwouldeverseetheLord,Romans 3:10. For byAdam's fall allmen are gone out of theway, andthereisnonelegallyrighteous,nonotone.Nowifwelookuponmanasfallen from that holiness which was his greatest honor, dignity, andexcellency—he has become a pile of dust, a puff of wind; a dream; ashadow; a puff of smoke; a poor silly flea, a worm, a debased soul, acurious nothing. Yes, man having fallen from his primitive glory, hasbecome altogether vanity, says the prophet: Psalm 39:5, "Truly, everyman at his best state is altogether vanity." "Truly;" this asseveration isonly used inmatters of greatest weight and importance, and notes therealityandcertaintyof thethingsdelivered.Everyman,["allAdam"]oreverysonofAdam;notsomeman—buteverymanathisbeststate,thatis, in his most settled and composed condition, when he is bestconstitutedandunderlaid,whenhestandsa-tiptoe,andis intheheightandperfectionofall creaturecomforts and contentments, is altogether,notinsomemeasure—butaltogether,vanity—allvanity.SincethefallofAdameverynaturalman inhis best estate is vanity; nay, everyman iseveryvanity.Imaginewhatevervanityyouwill,fallenmanisthat.Heisacomprehensivevanity—heisanepitomeofallvanity.

Maninhonor,beforehisfall,wasthebestofcreatures;butsincehisfall,hehasbecome theworst of creatures.Byhis fall he is fallen below theverybeastswhichperish,Isaiah1:3-4;Proverbs6:6;Jer.8:7;Mat.6:26.He who was once the image of God, the glory of paradise, the world's

ruler, and the Lord's darling—has now become a burden to heaven, aburdentohimself,andaslavetoothers,etc.,whichmadeonecryout—

"Oh,whatisman?Ascuttlefulofdust,ameasuredspan,Man'sbreathabubble,andhisdaysaspan;'Tisgloriousmiserytobebornaman."(Quarles)

Byallwhichyoumayeasilyperceivehow farweareoff from that legalholiness that Adam had in innocency. Rabbi Solomonmakes Adam sohigh, that he touched heaven with his head. I shall not dispute thecertaintyofthat;butcertainlythehigherhewasinholiness,thegreaterwashisfall,andoursinhim.ThislegalholinesswassolostinAdam,thatno sonofAdamcould ever find it sinceAdam fell; and if thiswere theholinesswithoutwhichnoman should ever see theLord, then farewellforevertoallthesonsofAdam.Butthislegalholinessisnottheholinessinthetext.

2. Secondly, There is an IMAGINARY holiness, a conceitedholiness, an opinionative holiness. Proverbs 30:12, "There is agenerationwhichispureintheirowneyes—andyet isnotwashedfromtheirfilthiness."Theywereverybad—andyettheyhadagreatopinionoftheirowngoodness.Theywereveryfilthy—andyettheystoodverymuchupontheirownpurity.Theirhandswereblack, theirheartswereblack,theirworkswereblack,andtheirwayswereasblackashell—andyettheywerepure in theirowneye.Theywere filthywithin,and filthywithout;filthyinbody,andfilthyinsoul,andfilthyinspirit.Filthinesshadquiteoverspread them—and yet they thought to cover their filthiness with amask of holiness. The worst men are commonly best conceited ofthemselves.

Ah,friends,therehasbeenneverbeenagenerationwhereintherehasnotbeensuchagenerationofmenwhohavewallowedinsinlikeswineinthemire—andyethavekeptupinthemselvesastrongopinionof theirowngoodness and holiness. This generation had neither their souls norconscienceswashedinthebloodofChrist,norsanctifiedbytheSpiritofChrist—andyet theygloried in theirconceitedpurityandholiness,as ifthey had been purified by Christ. There are many who are shining

Christians,who are pure golden Christians in their own eyes, who areviler than dross, yes, than smoke inGod's eyes: Isaiah 65:5, "Stand byyourself,comenotneartome;forIamholierthanyou:theseareasmokeinmynose,afirethatburnsalltheday."Theywereverylicentious,veryungracious,veryrebellious,verysuperstitious,veryidolatrous,(ver.2-4,)and yet counted themselves very pious. Theywereworse than others—andyetthoughtthemselvesbetterthanothers;theywereverybad—andyetjudgedthemselvesverygood.Theyweremoreimpure,moreprofane,and more polluted than others—and yet they reckon themselves morepure and holier than others; they stand upon their comparativegoodnesses—andyetatthesametimearechargedbyGodofthegreatestwickedness.

And thus their kinsmen the Pharisees stand upon their images,fraudulent appearances and outward dresses of holiness, when at thesametimetheypracticedtheworstofwickedness,Mat.23:5;Luke18:11-12;sothoseinHosea12:8,"Theywillnotfindinmeanyiniquityorsin."Ephraim's iniquities were grown over his head, as may be seenthroughoutthiswholeprophecy—andyetEphraimcannotbearthebeingchargedwith iniquity. Though he was notoriously guilty of the highestcrimes—yethewouldhaveyoutoknowthathewasfreeofsin,andclearof sin. Ephraim could give good words, when his works wereabominable;hecouldpretendmuchtoinnocency,whenhewasguiltyofthegreatest impiety.But thoughEphraimhadhis cloakathand—yet itwastooshorttocoverhissin;forGodsawit,andcondemnedhimforit.

Chrysostom does elegantly set forth the blindness and brutishness ofsuch people. "When they lie in themire," says he, they think they arebesmearedwithsomesweetointments;whentheyarefullofvermin,theyvauntthemselves,asiftheywereadornedwithpreciousstones."AndsotheLaodiceanswereofthesametemperofspirit:Rev.3:17,"Becauseyousay,Iamrich,andincreasedwithgoods,andhaveneedofnothing,andknownotthatyouarewretched,andmiserable,andpoor,andblind,andnaked." They had a great opinion of their own goodness, worth, andexcellent state, having need of nothing, when they had nothing of aChristianinthem.

Yousayyouare"rich;"ay—butyoudobutsayso.Youboastandbragof

yourriches,asmanyproudbeggarsdoofthatwealththeyhavenot.Forallyoudeemyourselfrich—youarebutpoorandbeggarly.Itisman'ssinand judgment, that ever since he ceased to be what he should be, hestrives to seem to be what he is not. You say you are "increased withgoods,andneednothing;"ay—butyoudobutsayso,youdobutdreamitisso: foryouare ignorantofyourownwretchedandlamentableestate.Yousayyouarerich—butIknowyouarepoorandbeggarly.Ifagrainofgracewouldsaveyourlife,yoursoul,yourfamily,nay,thewholeworld—youhaveitnot.

"You say you see"; but you are blind, you are destitute of spiritualeyesight; you see not your own wants, nor Christ's worth; your ownemptiness, nor Christ's fullness; your own sinfulness, nor Christ'sholiness; your own poverty, nor Christ's riches and plenty; your ownmisery, nor Christ's mercy; your own insufficiency, nor Christ's all-sufficiency;yourownvanity,norChrist'sglory,etc.Manyknowmuch—butfewknowthemselves,ortheirowndanger,infelicity,ormisery;andindeednomiserycanbecomparedtothis.

TheChineseusedtosayofthemselves,thatallothernationsoftheworlddidseebutwithoneeye,theyonlywithtwo;andofthisspiritandtemperwere those blind Laodiceans. They thought they knew all things, whentheyknewnothingthattheyshould,norastheyshould.

Byallwhichyoumayseethatthereisanimaginaryholiness,aconceitedholiness,wherethere isnorealholiness;butan imaginaryholinesswillbring amanbut to an imaginary blessedness; a conceited holinesswillbringamanbuttoaconceitedhappiness;hewhodoesbutdreamthatheisholy,hedoesbutdreamthatheshallbehappy.

Bastardsofoldwerenottoinherit—buttobethrustoutfromamongthetrue heirs: Gen. 21:10; Judges 11:1-2, "Now Jephthah of Gilead was agreatwarrior.HewasthesonofGilead,buthismotherwasaprostitute.Gilead'swifealsohadseveralsons,andwhenthesehalfbrothersgrewup,theychasedJephthahoff the land. "Youwillnotgetanyofour father'sinheritance,"theysaid,"foryouarethesonofaprostitute."Ah,sirs,youwho are but bastard Christians, bastard professors, bastard believers,bastardsaints,youshallneverinheritamongtheheirsofglory—butshall

bethrustoutforeverfromthepresenceoftheLord,andthegloryofhispower, and thrust into utter darkness, because you have pleasedyourselves,andsatisfiedyourspirits,andblessedyoursoulsinabastardholiness, in a conceited holiness, 2 Thes. 1:8-9; Mat. 8:12, and 22:13;Deut.23:2,"AbastardshallnotenterintothecongregationoftheLord."HeshallhavenofellowshipnorcommunionwiththepeopleofGod;thedoorofadmissionshallbeshutuponhim.Thefoolishvirginshadbutabastardholiness,aconceitedholiness,anoutwarddressofholiness;andthereforethedooroflife,thedoorofhope,thedoorofhelp,thedoorofgrace, the door of mercy, the door of glory was shut upon them, Mat.25:10-12,7:21-23.WilliamtheConquerorwasmuchslightedandscornedbecausehewasabastard.Godandhispeoplewillslightsuch,andscornsuch,and turn theirbacksat lastuponsuch,whohavenomore thanabastardlyholiness;andthereforethiscannotbetheholinessheremeant.But,

3.Thirdly,There is anoutward,EXTERNAL, visibleholiness,which includes men's freedom from scandalous vices, andtheir ordinary performance of religious duties. Now, in thissense,ZachariasandElizabethwerebothholypeople:forthey"walkedinall thecommandmentsandordinancesofGodblameless." [Luke 1:5,6.Their life was such as none could justly complain of it. It wasirreprehensible;itcouldnotbereprehended.]Andsotheapostles,1Thes.2:10, "For you arewitnesses, andGod also, howholily, and justly, andunblamablywebehavedourselvesamongyouwhobelieve."Answerableto this, is thatof theapostle in2Cor. 1:12, "Nowthis isourboast:Ourconscience testifies thatwehave conductedourselves in theworld, andespeciallyinourrelationswithyou,intheholinessandsinceritythatarefrom God. We have done so not according to worldly wisdom butaccording to God's grace." These precious souls behaved themselvesholily towards God, justly towards the world, and unblamably towardsbelievers.Theywereholy in religiouswork, theywere just in their civilaffairs andcommerce, andunblamably in theirprivatebehavioramongtheirfamiliarandmostbosomfriends.

And this is that holiness which the apostle presses upon Christians inPhil. 2:15, "That youmay be blameless and harmless, the sons ofGod,

without rebuke," (or unblemished,) "in the midst of a crooked andperverse nation, among whom you shine as lights in the world."Christiansmust be the spotless sons of God: theymust have no spotsuponthem,whichareinconsistentwithsonshiporsaintship,Deut.32:5.Now it is certain, without this outward visible holiness there is nohappiness, there isno fruitionofGod in everlastingblessedness.Thosewhopretendtheirheartsareasgoodasthebest,whentheirlivesareasbad as theworst, shall experience this truth at last to their shame andcost, thatwithoutvisibleholinesshere, there canbeno fruitionofGodhereafter.

Yet thismust be granted—that amanmaybe visibly holy—who is notinwardly holy, 2 Tim. 2:5. A man may be outwardly holy—who is notthroughoutholy.Amanmayhaveanoutwarddressofholinessuponhim—whohasnotthespiritandvitalsofholinessinhim.[TheysayofHalifaxnuts, that they are all shells—no kernels. There aremany whomake agloriousshowbeforemen—whoareabominableinthesightofGod,Luke16:15,whoaregoldinman'seyes,dirtinGod'ssight.]AsJudashad,andSimonMagushad,andDemashad,and theScribesandPhariseeshad:Mat.23:25,27,28,"Woeuntoyou,ScribesandPharisees,hypocrites!foryoumakecleantheoutsideofthecupandoftheplatter—butwithintheyare full of extortion and excess.Woe unto you, Scribes and Pharisees,hypocrites!foryouarelikeuntowhitedsepulchers,whichindeedappearbeautiful outward—but are within full of dead men's bones, and of alluncleanness.Evensoyoualsooutwardlyappearrighteousuntomen—butwithin you are full of hypocrisy and iniquity." They were outwardlyreligious—but inwardlywicked;theyhadthesemblanceof sanctity—butinwardlyveryfullofimpurity;theywerefairprofessors—butfoulsinners;theyweregraciouswithout—but impiouswithin.Look!as thoseare theworstofviceswhicharecoveredoverwiththeshowofvirtue;sotheyarethe worst of sinners, who cover over their inward filthiness with thedisguisesofoutwardholiness.

TheEgyptiantempleswerefairwithout—butfoulandfilthywithin.Suchwere the Scribes and Pharisees in Christ's days, and such are manyprofessorsinourdays.It issaidofDionysiusthetyrant,thatthoughhelovednotthephilosophers—yethewouldwraphimselfupintheircloaks,

thatmenmighthavethebetteropinionofhim.Justso, therearemanywhoputonanoutwarddressofholiness,whowrapthemselvesupinthecloakofholiness—sothatothersmaytakethemforholypeople—andyettheylovenotholiness,theyhavenothingofrealholinessinthem."AsheisnotaJewwhichisoneoutwardly,"butnotinwardly,Romans2:28,29,and4:12; sohe isnot aholypersonwho is only so outwardly—butnotinwardly;whohasthenameofholinessuponhim—buthasnoprinciplesofholinessinhim.ThoughwithoutoutwardvisibleholinessnomanshallseetheLord;yetamanmayhaveanoutwardvisibleholiness—whoshallneverseetheLordinhappiness.

"Ihatehimeventohell,"saystheheatheninHomer,"whosaysonethingwithhismouth,andthinksanotherthinginhisheart."SoGodwillatlasthatethatmantohell,yes,casthimintothehottestplaceinhell—whohasa formof godliness uponhim—but nothing of the reality and power ofholiness in him. Outward holiness is good—but it must be throughoutholinesswhichwilldoamangoodtoalleternity.[Mat.23:14;2Tim.3:5;1Cor.7:18;Phil.3:3;Gal.5:6,and6:15.]It isnot theshow ofholiness,but the substance of holiness which will bring a man to everlastinghappiness. Mere outward holiness will certainly leave a man short ofheaven and happiness; but throughout holinesswill certainly lodge thesoulinthebosomofGodforever.

It is true, all men reach not to an outward holiness, which madeAthanasius wish, "Would to God that all were hypocrites!"Without allquestion,it isaverydesirablethingthatallwereoutwardlyholy;yetallwhoreachtothis,mustgofarther,orelsetheywillsitdownonthissidehappiness:Mat.5:20,"ForIsayuntoyou,Thatexceptyourrighteousnessshall exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees, you shallneverenterintothekingdomofheaven."

Nowtheyweremuch inworksofpiety, inworksofcharity, inworksofequity, and inworks of courtesy, bywhichmeans they gained somuchadmirationfromthepeople,thatitwascommonlythoughtamongthem,thatiftherewerebuttwoofalltheworldwhoshouldgotoheaven—theoneshouldbeaScribe,andtheotheraPharisee.Yetyourrighteousnessmust exceed theirs, or the gates of glory will be shut upon you! Theirrighteousnessandholinesswasonlyexternal,notinternal;itwaspartial,

not universal; it was rather circumstantial than substantial—andthereforeheaven'sdoorsweredouble-boltedagainstthem.Heavenisforthatman,andthatman is forheaven, that isnotonlyoutwardlyholy—butthroughoutholy.

4.Fourthly,ThereisaRELATIVEholiness.Nowrelativeholinessis a special relation which people or things have unto God. Relativeholinessincludestwothings—

(1.) First, A SEPARATION of people or things from commonuse. And thus, in the law those things were called holy which wereseparatedfromcommonuseandsetapartfortheworshipandserviceofGod—such as the holy oil, show-bread, first-fruits, incense, altars,vestments; and in this sense the priests and Levites were called holy,because they were separated from others to serve in the tabernacle;[Deut.19:2;1Kings8:35;Ezra8:28,and10:11;Isaiah63:18.]andinthissensethepeopleofIsraelarefrequentlycalledasanctifiedpeople,aholypeople, etc. The Greekword corresponds to the Hebrew word, whichcommonlysignifiesthatwhichisappropriatedtoaholyuse;andthis isthepropernotionofholinessintheOldandNewTestament,asImightshowyououtofsomehundredplacesofscripture.

Now certainly, without this holiness of special separation from thecommonsinfullifestylesoftheworld,thereisnoseeingofGod,noranyfruition of God hereafter: 2 Cor. 6:17-18, "Therefore come out fromamongthem,andbeseparate,saystheLord,andtouchnottheuncleanthing,andIwillreceiveyou,andwillbeaFatheruntoyou,andyoushallbemy sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty." Godwill have nocommunionwithanyinthisworldwhoarenotseparatedfromthesinfulpracticesoftheworld.Godwilllookuponnone,hewillownnone,hewilldelight in none, hewill acknowledge none, hewill receive none for hissons and daughters—but such as are separated from all evil vices andunholylifestyles.

SuitabletothisisIsaiah52:11,"Depart,depart,gooutfromthere!Touchno unclean thing! Come out from it and be pure, you who carry thevessels of theLord."Estrange yourselves from thosewhoare estrangedfromGod; havenothing to dowith thosewhohavenothing to dowith

God;separateyourselvesfromthosewhohaveseparatedthemselvesfromGod; have no delightful converse with those who have no delightfulconversewithGod;havenobosomcommunionwiththosewhohavenobosomcommunionwithGod. [Cicero, thoughheathen,had ratherhavenocompanionthanabadone.]

O sirs, you are to keep yourselves as pure and clean from others'defilements—as you would keep yourselves free from others'punishments. He who will imitate others in their sins—shall certainlyparticipatewithothersintheirsorrows.Itistruewemaylivewithwickedmenintheircities—butitisastrue,thatwemustnotliewithwickedmenin their enormities.There aremanyprofessorswho are, like theplanetMercury, good in conjunction with those who are good, and bad withthose who are bad; but these wound many at once—God, Christ, thegospel, and their own credits and consciences. These put virtue to anopenshame;andthesearedeservedly tobeshamedbyyourseparatingfrom them, and by your renouncing all intimate communion orfellowshipwiththem.But,

(2.) Secondly, As relative holiness takes in a separation of people orthings from common use—so it also takes in a DEDICATION anddevoting of them to a holy use. And thus the Nazarites, Temple,MountZion,theSabbath-day,andotherfestivaldaysaresaidtobeholyunder the law. [SoChrist is said to sanctifyhimself,whenhededicatedhimselftobeasacrificeforthesinsofhispeople,etc.]Inshort,thewholeJewish religiondid lie inholy times,holyplaces, holypeople, andholythings. And certainly without this holiness, without this dedicating ofourselvestoGod—weshallnevercometoagloriousfruitionofGod.HewhodoesnotdedicatehimselfreallytoGod,whollytoGod,onlytoGod,andalwaystoGodonearth—shallnevercometoasightandvisionofGodinheaven.IfwedonotgiveupourselvestoGod,Godwillnevergiveuphimself to us:Hosea 3:3, "Youmust livewithmemany days.Don’t bepromiscuousorbelong toanyman,andIwillact thesameway towardyou."Godwillbeonlytheirswhoarereallyhis—buthewillbealtogethertheirswhoarewhollyhis;hewillonlybeahusbandtothosewhodedicatethemselvestohim,asawifedoestoherhusband.Hewilldevotehimselftothose—whodevotethemselveshim.Hewillavouchhimselftobetheirs

—whoavouch themselves tobehis:Deut. 26:17-19, "Youhavedeclaredtoday that the Lord is your God. You have promised to obey his laws,commands,andregulationsbywalkinginhiswaysanddoingeverythinghetellsyou.TheLordhasdeclaredtodaythatyouarehispeople,hisownspecial treasure, just as he promised, and that you must obey all hiscommands. And if you do, he will make you greater than any othernation. Then youwill receive praise, honor, and renown. Youwill be anationthatisholytotheLordyourGod,justashepromised."

Godwillresignhimselfuptothosewhoresignthemselvesuptohim;hewill give up himself to thosewho have given up their names and theirheartstohim;hewillbestowhimselfasthepearlofgreatestprice,uponthosewhoshallmakeasurrenderof themselves tohim.[That isanaptsayingofTertullian,Thatisagoodtrade,whensomethingispartedwithto gainmore.] There is noway to be higher than others, happier thanothers, more noble and honorable than others, than by making adedication-gift of ourselves to God. He who dedicates himself to God,dedicatesall;hewhodoesnotdedicatehimself,dedicatesnothingatall.What Aeschines once said to Socrates, "Others, said he, give you gold,silver, jewels—but I give you myself," that must a Christian say to hisGod,"Ah,Lord!therearesomewhogiveyoutheirlips—butIgiveyoumyheart;othersgiveyougoodwords,goodexpressions—butIgiveyouthebestofmyaffections;othersgiveyouafewcoldprayers—butIgiveyoumywholesoul;andhadIasmanyheartsinmybodyasIhavehairsonmyhead,Iwouldgivethemalltoyou—foryouareworthy,youaloneareworthy!"

WhatthekingofIsraeloncesaidtothekingofSyria,"Iamyours—andallthatIhave,"1Kings20:4;thatmustaChristiansaytohisChrist,"Iamyours, O Lord—and all that I have." A Christian must cry out withBernardwho cried, "Lord, I have twomites—a soul and a body—and Igive themboth toyou."And thiswas thehonorandcommendationsoftheMacedonians, that theygaveup themselves to theLord,2Cor.8:5.Having no better present at hand, they present themselves to God.Certainlythereisnopresentmorehonorable,delectable,andacceptableto God—than this of giving up ourselves to God, Romans 12:1. Well,rememberthis:thatmanwasneverreallyholythatisnotrelativelyholy;

nor that man will never be really happy—who is not relatively holy.Without relative holiness there will be no vision of God in everlastinghappiness. We must be separated from the corruptions andpollutionsoftheworld,andwemustdedicateourselvestoGod—orweshallnevercometoafuturefruitionofGod.But,

5. Fifthly, There is an IMPUTED holiness—and that is theholiness of Christ imputed to us. [Consult these scriptures, Luke1:35;Mark1:24;Heb.7:26;Romans5:19;Col.1:22;Romans2:3-4;2Cor.5:21-22;Gal.3:13;Jer.23:6.]Topreventmistakes,pleasetotakenoticethatthereisatwofoldholinessinChrist:first,thereishisessentialandpersonal holiness—as he is God. Now this essential holiness of Christcannotbeimpartednorimputedtoanymortalman;itisessentialtohim.Secondly, there is hismediatorialholiness, or that holinesswhich hewrought for us as Mediator. Now the holiness of Christ as Mediatorconsistboth in thehabitualholinessofhisperson, in theabsenceofallsin, and in the rich and plentiful presence of all holy and supernaturalqualities,asalsointheactualholinessofhislifeanddeath.Byhisactiveobedience—that is, by his subjecting of his heart and life to divineprecepts—he perfectly fulfilled the commands of the law. And by hispassiveobedience—thatis,hisvoluntarysufferings—hefullysatisfiedthepenaltiesandcursesofthelaw.NowthismediatorialholinessofChrist'sis ours by imputation, and by virtue ofwhichwe stand justified in thesightofGod:1Cor.1:30,"ButofhimareyouinChristJesus,whoismadeuntouswisdom,andrighteousness,andsanctification,andredemption."ThismediatorialholinessofChrist, reckoneduntoabelievingsinner, isthatwherebyheisconstitutedholy;anduponthisaccounttheyaresaidtobe"allfair,"Cant.4:7;tobe"withoutspotorwrinkle,"Eph.5:25-27;tobe "complete in him," Col. 2:10; and to be "without fault before thethrone of God," Rev. 14:4-5. And certainly, without this mediatorialholinessofChrist—thereisnoappearingbeforeGod,thereisnogloriousvision nor fruition of God. God is a God of such infinite purity andholiness,thatnoholinessbelowtheimputedholinessofChristcanmakeamanstandbeforehim,orbringamantothefruitionofhim,Hab.1:13.

It was a very sweet and excellent saying of Bernard, when in his ownopinionhewasatthepointofdeath:"Iconfess,saidhe,Iamnotworthy,

I have no merits of my own to obtain heaven by: but my Lord had adouble right thereunto; ahereditary right as a Son, and ameritoriousrightasasacrifice.Hewascontentedwiththeonerighthimself;theotherright he has given untome, by the virtue ofwhich gift I do rightly layclaimuntoit,andamnotconfounded.'

Thoughwecannotlayclaimtoheaven,nortoablessedfruitionofGodbyanyinherentholinessinus—itbeingweakandimperfect—yetwemaylayclaim to both—by themediatorial holiness of Christ imputed to us. AsChrist's essential holiness gives him a hereditary right to everlastinghappiness; so his mediatorial holiness gives us a right to everlastingblessedness.ThecostlycloakofAlcisthenes,whichDionysiussoldtotheCarthaginians for a great price, was but a poor and beggarly rag,comparedtothatembroideredroyalrobeofChrist'smediatorialholiness,which is imputed or reckoned to us. And therefore, as ever you wouldcometoavisionofGodinhappiness,youmustlabortobeinterestedbyfaithinChrist'smediatorialholiness.But,

6. Sixthly and lastly, There is an inherent, INTERNAL,qualitativeholiness. [ Holiness is not any single grace alone—but aconjunction, a constellation of all graces together.] Now this inherentholinessliesintwothings.

(1.)First,Intheinfusingofholyprinciples,divinequalities,orsupernaturalgraces intothesoul, suchas theapostlementions inGal. 5:22-23, " But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience,kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." Thesehabitsofgrace,arenothingelsebutthenewnature,or"newman,whichafterGodiscreatedinrighteousnessandtrueholiness,"Eph.4:24.Theseseedsofholiness, thesehabitsof grace, are those sweet ointmentswithwhich allmust be anointed, who shall ever come to a blessed sight orvisionofGod,1John3:9;2Cor.1:21;1John27.YoumayknowmuchofGod, youmayhearmuch ofGod, youmay talkmuch ofGod, and youmay boastmuch of your hopes and saving interest in God—and yetwithoutthesehabitsofholinessyoushallnevercometoablessedfruitionofGodinhappiness;withouttheseseedsofholinessyoushallneverreapacropofblessedness.But,

(2.)Secondly,Thisinherent,thisqualitativeholiness,liesinaholyuseandexerciseofthosesupernaturalgracesinawayofholywalking. [Acts 10:35; 1 John 1:3, 7;Titus2:12;Luke 1:73;2 Pet.1:8;1Pet.1:15-16;Isaiah35:8]Allholyhabitsmustbebroughtforthintoholy acts. All gracious habitsmust be attended with graciousmotions,graciousoperations,andagraciouslife.Outwardworksmustbesuitabletoinwardhabits.Itiswithspiritualhabitsasitiswithnaturalhabits—themore they are acted and exercised, the more they are increased andstrengthened.Holyhabitsaregoldentalentsthatmustbeemployedandimproved.Gracioushabitsare thecandlesof theLordsetup inus;andGodhassetupthosecandlesofheavennottoidleby,nottosleepby—buttoworkby,andtowalkby.Wherethereisholinessofdisposition,theremustbe, nay therewillbe—holiness of conversation.Aholy heart isalwaysattendedwithaholylife.

Youmay separate aman from his friend—but you can never separate,thoughyoumaydistinguish,actsofholinessfromthehabitsofholiness.Nowitiscertain,withoutthisholiness,youshallnevercometoasightorfruitionofGodinhappiness.[Wheretherearetheseedsofholiness,therewill be the flowers of holiness.]And thus I have showedyouwhat thatholinessis,withoutwhichthereisnohope,nopossibilityofeverseeingtheLord.

TheTruthoftheProposition,that"withoutholiness,nomanshallseetheLord"

II. I comenow to the second thing, and that is toprovethetruthoftheproposition—namely,thatwithoutholiness,mencanneverseeGod—andbeeternallyhappy.Withoutholinessonearth,nooneshall ever come toablessedvision and fruitionofGod inheaven.Nowthis great and weighty truth I shall make good by an induction ofparticulars,thus:

1.First,Godhasbyveryplainandclearscripturesboltedandbarred the door of heaven and happiness against all unholyones.Witness1Cor.6:9-11,"Doyounotknowthatthewickedwillnot

inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexuallyimmoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes norhomosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards norslanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that iswhatsomeof youwere.But youwerewashed, youwere sanctified, youwere justified in thenameof theLordJesusChristandby theSpiritofourGod."Heavenisanundefiledinheritance,andnonewhoaredefiledcanenter intothepossessionof it,1Pet.1:4.Whentheangels fell fromtheirrighteousness,heavenrejectedthem;itwouldnolongerholdthem;and will it now accept of the unrighteous? will it now entertain andwelcome them?Surelynot!Suchsinnersmake theveryearth tomournand groan now; and shall they make heaven to mourn and groanhereafter?Surelynot!Whatthoughtheserpentdidwindhimselfintoanearthyparadise—yetnoneoftheseedoftheserpent,soremaining,shalleverbeabletowindthemselvesintoaheavenlyparadise!

WitnessGal. 5:19-21, "The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexualimmorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred,discord, jealousy,fitsofrage,selfishambition,dissensions, factionsandenvy;drunkenness,orgies,andthelike.Iwarnyou,asIdidbefore,thatthosewholivelikethiswillnot inheritthekingdomofGod."Beforethewicked go to hell, God tells them again and again that they shall notinheritthekingdomofGod.BythekingdomofGodwearetounderstandthe kingdom of heaven, the kingdom of glory. Now the kingdom ofheaven,ofglory,iscalledthekingdomofGod—

1.Becausehehaspreparedit.

2.Because it is a royal gift that he confers andbestowsuponhis little,littleflock,Mat.20:23;Luke12:32.Augustus,inhissolemnfeasts,gavetrifles to some, andgold to others. The trifles of this world God oftengivestotheworstandwickedestofmen;but thekingdomofheavenheonlygivestohisbosom-friends,Rev.4:10-11,and20:6;Dan.4:16-17.

3.Becausewithhimtheyshallforeverreigninthefruitionofit.

AndsothatinJohn3,Jesusansweredandsaiduntohim,"Truly,truly,Isayuntoyou,Exceptamanbebornagain,hecannotseethekingdomof

God." To give a little light into the words: "Truly, truly:" the Greek is"amen, amen" [truth, truth, or truly, truly].Thewordamen isHebrew,and in theOldTestament ismostcommonlyusedbywayofwishingorimprecation; but here, and in other places of the New Testament, thesenseofitisalteredfromthewayofwishingtothewayofaffirming.Thisphrase,"Amen,amen,"orTruly,truly,"imports,

[1.] First, The truth and certainty of the things delivered; for theword"amen"doesproperlysignifytruth.

[2.] Secondly, This double asseveration is never used but inmatters ofgreatestweightandimportance:themattersherespokenofareofaverycelestialandsublimenature.

[3.]Thirdly,Thisaffirmation,"Truly,truly," isavehementconfirmationofwhatChristspeaks.

[4.] Fourthly, This affirmation calls aloud for the greatest observationandmostseriousattentionofthesoultowhatChristisa-saying.

"Isayuntoyou:""I,"whoyouhaveconfessedtobea teachersent fromGod;"I,"wholieinthebosomoftheFather,John1:18;"I,"whoamofthecabinet-council of heaven; "I," who know his heart and all his secrets,Rev.3:14;"I,"whoamthefaithfulandtruewitness,andcannot lie;"I,"who am called the Amen," the truth itself; "I," who have the keys ofheavenandhell atmyownbelt,Rev. 1:18; "I,"whoopens andnomanshuts,and"I,"whoshutsandnomanopens;"I,"whoshallbeyourJudgeinthegreatday,"Isayuntoyou,"etc.

"Except aman be born again:" Aman, be he old or young, learned orunlearned,highorlow,richorpoor,knowingorignorant,circumcisedoruncircumcised,underthisformorthat,amemberofthischurchorthat,lethisdispositionbeever sosincere,andhisabilitieseversohigh,andhisoutwardlifeeversoblamelessandharmless;yet,exceptthismanbebornagain,hecannotseethekingdomofGod,Romans2:28-29.

"Bebornagain:"Exceptamanbefirstunmade,andnew-madeupagain;excepthebemadeanewcreature,yes,anewcreationofGod,2Cor.5:17,

thereisnoseeingofthekingdomofGod.Thewholeframeoftheoldmanmustbedissolved,andanewframeerected—elsethereisnoheaventobeenjoyed. The kingdom of God is a divine kingdom, and there is nopossessionofitwithoutadivinenature.Anewheadwithoutanewheart,anewlipwithoutanewlife—willneverbringamantothiskingdomoflight.ThatmanisforthekingdomofGod,andthekingdomofGodisforthatman—whohasgotthekingdomofGodwithinhim.[2Pet.1:4;1Cor.7:19;Gal.5:6;Luke17:21;Romans14:17.] If thekingdomofgracedoesnotenterintoyouhere—youshallneverenterintothekingdomofgloryhereafter.Anewheartisforanewheaven,andanewheavenisforanewheart."Exceptamanbebornagain,"exceptamanbebornfromabove.Generation insomesense is frombelow—butregeneration isonly fromabove,andwithoutthisthereisnofruitionofGodabove.

"Hecannot see the kingdom ofGod." The Scripture speaks of severalcannots.

[1.] First, There is a NATURAL cannot. Now, every son anddaughter ofAdam is bynature bornunder a cannot. They are all bornunderacannotbelieve,acannotrepent,acannotloveGod,acannotwalkwithGod,acannotseeGod,acannotenjoyGod:1Cor.2:14,"ThenaturalmanreceivesnotthethingsoftheSpiritofGod,fortheyarefoolishnessunto him; neither can he know them, because they are spirituallydiscerned." A blind man cannot see colors—nor can a natural mandiscernspiritualthings.Theyaretoohigh,theyaretoosublimeforhim;they aremysteries that he cannot understand, that he cannot unriddle.Thenaturalmancanascendnohigherthannature,asthewatercanrisenohigherthanthespringfromwhenceitcomes.TheScripturesetssuchsadsoulsbelowtheoxandthedonkey,Isaiah1:3.Takehumannature—civilizedandmoralized, refinedand raised, cultured, strengthened, andimproved to the utmost—yet all this cannot enable a man to do asupernaturalactionaboveitself.But,

[2.] Secondly, There is a CONTRACTED and an habituatedcannot; andof this cannot theprophet speaks in Jer. 6:10, "TowhomshallIspeak,andgivewarning,thattheymayhear?behold,theirear isuncircumcised,andtheycannothearken:behold,thewordoftheLordisunto them a reproach: they have no delight in it." They had by their

carnality, impiety, sensuality, security, and obstinacy; contracted upontheir poor souls such deafness, wretchedness, unteachableness, anduntractableness, that they could neither love theword nor like it; theycouldneithertakepleasurenordelightinit;nay,theycouldneitherhearitnorbearit,thoughiteversonearlyconcernedtheinternalandeternalwelfareoftheirsouls.Andofthiscannottheapostlespeaksin2Pet.2:14,"Havingeyes fullof adultery, and that cannot cease fromsin;beguilingunstable souls: a heart they have exercised with covetous practices;cursed children." [… this phrase of having eyes full of the adulteressanswerstothatoftherhetorician,who,describinganunchaste,lasciviousperson,rhetoricallysaidofhimthathehadwhoresinhiseyes.]Bytheirriot and excess, by their lasciviousness and wantonness, by theirlooseness and uncleanness which they had habituated and accustomedthemselves unto—they brought upon themselves a cursed necessity ofsinning,sothattheycouldnotceasefromsin.

Theymournover sin—andyet they cannot cease from sin; they resolveagainstsin—yettheycannotceasetosin;theyprayagainstsin—yettheycannot cease to sin; they make many promises, vows, and covenantsagainstsin—yettheycannotceasefromsin,theirsoulsbeinghabituatedandaccustomedthereunto:Jer2:20,"ForofoldtimeIhavebrokenyouryoke, and burst your bands; and you said I will not transgress"—Iwillnever more play the harlot; but were they as good as their word? no!—"for upon every high hill and under every green tree they wandered,playingtheharlot."

Ihavereadofamanwho,inthetimeofhissickness,wassoterrifiedinhis conscience for his sins, that he made the very bed to shake uponwhichhelay,andcriedoutallnightlong,"Iamdamned,Iamdamned!"andmademanygreatpromisesandprotestationsofamendmentoflife,ifGodwouldbepleasedtorecoverhim.Inalittlewhilehedidrecover,andbeingrecovered,hewasasbaseandvile,aswretchedandwicked,aseverhewasbefore.

Custom in sin takes away all conscience of sin: Jer. 13:23, "Can theEthiopian change his skin or the leopard its spots?Neither can youdogoodwhoareaccustomedtodoingevil."TheEthiopiancannotmakehisblackskinwhite;hecannotchangethehueorthecolorofitbywashing;

toattemptthisisbutlaborinvain.Norcantheleopardchangehisspots.Nomorecanapoorsinnerwhohashabituatedandaccustomedhimselftosin,whoisdesperatelyenthralledtosin—turnfromhissin.Thespotsof the leopard are not in himby accident—but by nature; and they aresuchwhichnoartcancure,norwaterwashoff;becausetheyarenotonlyin the skin—but in the fleshandbones, in the sinewsandmost inwardparts.

Bycustom,sinhasbespottednotonlytheskin,thelife,theoutsideofapoorsinner—butalsotheveryheartandsoulofapoorsinner,soasthathe is never able to wash off these spots. Ambrose reports of oneTheotimus,that,havingadiseaseuponhisbody,hisphysiciantoldhim,thatexcepthedidabstainfromintemperance,drunkenness,uncleanness,etc.,hewaslikelytolosehiseyes.Hisheartbeinghabituatedtosin,andsetuponwickedness,heanswered,"Farewellsweetlightthen."But,

[3.] Thirdly, As there is a contracted cannot, an habituated cannot—sothereisaJUDICIALcannot.TheLordinflictsajudicialcannotuponmanypeopleinjudgment:theycannotreturnfromtheirsins,theycannotwithstandatemptation,theycannotlayholdoneternallife,theycannotmakesureworkfortheirsouls,theycannotleavetheirbosom-lusts,theycannotpreferChristabovealltheworld,theycannotmakeprovisionforeternity, theycannotsee the things thatbelong to theirpeace,etc.;andthiscannottheLordinwrathhasbroughtuponthem!Isaiah6:9-10,"Beever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but neverperceiving.Maketheheartofthispeoplecalloused;maketheirearsdulland close their eyes (or besmear their eyes). Otherwise theymight seewith their eyes, hearwith their ears, understandwith their hearts, andturn and be healed." They would not see—so they shall not see; theywouldnothear—sotheyshallnothear; theywouldnot understand—sotheyshallnotunderstand;theywouldnotbeconverted—sotheyshallnotbeconverted;theywouldnotbehealed—sotheyshallnotbehealed.

Whenmenarestifflyanddesperatelyresolvedupontheirsinfulcourses,whenmengrow stubborn, rebellious, licentious, andwillfullywink andshut their eyes against the light, and stop their ears against the truth—God in his just judgment gives them up to dullness, stupidness,blindness,darkness!Isaiah44:18,"Theyhavenotknownnorunderstood:

forhehas shut theireyes that theycannot see" (orhehasplastereduptheir eyes from seeing); their minds so closed so that they cannotunderstand!"Godinhisrighteousjudgmentcastsajudicialcannotuponthem;hehasplastereduptheireyessothattheycannotsee,andhehasshutuptheirmindssothattheycannotunderstandthegreatconcernsoftheirsouls.

Now while men lie under these sad cannots, they can never see thekingdom of God. These three cannots, like a threefold cord, bind poorsinners, so as that they cannever come to a sightor fruitionofGod ingrace or glory—until they are delivered from these cannots by a newbirth,bybeingbornagain.

"TheycannotseethekingdomofGod;"thatis,theycannotenterinto it,theycannotenjoyit,theycanhavenochild'spartorportioninit—exceptthey are new born, except they pass the pangs of the second birth. Lettheir education be ever so sweet, their illumination ever so great, theirprofession ever so amiable, and their lives ever so unblamably—yetexcepttheyarenewborn,ithadbeengoodforthemthattheyhadneverbeenborn.Andthusyouseebyplainscriptures,thattheLordhasboltedthegatesofgloryagainstallunholypeople.

2. A second argument to prove that without holiness there is nohappiness, etc., is this:Without holiness men are strangers toGod;andtherefore,withoutholinesstheycannotbeadmittedtoacohabitationwithGod.Godlovesnottodwellwithstrangers,nortoassociatehimselfwithstrangers.Nowsuchareallunholypeople:Eph.2:12, "That at that time youwerewithoutChrist, being aliens from thecommonwealthof Israel" (or,being farremoved from the citizenshipofIsrael), "and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope,andwithoutGodintheworld."Herearefive"withouts"inthewords:

1.TheywerewithoutGod,theauthorofhope.

2.TheywerewithoutChrist,thefoundationofhope.

3.Theywerewithoutthechurch,theplaceofhope.

4. They were without the covenants of promise—that is, they werewithoutthepreciouspromises,whichGodinhiscovenanthadmadeandoftentimesrenewedwiththeIsraelites,andthereforecalledcovenantsinthepluralnumber—thegroundandreasonofhope.

5.And,lastly,Theywerewithoutthegraceofhope:theyhadnohopeofcommunionwithChrist,nohopeoffellowshipwiththesaints,nohopeofany interest in the promise, no hope of reconciliation toGodhere,noranyhopeofafruitionofGodhereafter.

AndthusyouseewhatstrangerstheyweretotheLord,andtothegreatconcernsof theirownsouls.Godofoldwouldnothavestrangers comeintohissanctuary;anddoyouthink,then—thathewilleveradmitsuchintoheaven?Surelynot!Ezek.44:6,7,9,"SaytotherebellioushouseofIsrael—This iswhattheSovereignLordsays:Enoughofyourdetestablepractices, O house of Israel! In addition to all your other detestablepractices, you brought foreigners uncircumcised in heart and flesh intomysanctuary,desecratingmytemplewhileyouofferedmefood,fatandblood,andyoubrokemycovenant.ThisiswhattheSovereignLordsays—Noforeigneruncircumcisedinheartandfleshistoentermysanctuary,noteventheforeignerswholiveamongtheIsraelites."

Heavenwouldbenoheavenwerethereanystrangersthere.Suchashadnoholinesswithin,noranyholinesswithout;suchashadnoholinessintheirhearts,noranyholinessintheirlives—Godwouldnothavethemtoenterintohissanctuary;and,therefore,certainlysuchhewillneverallowtoenterintoheaven.[Mat7:21-23,25:11-12,and22:11-13.]IfGodshutsthedoorsofanearthlytabernacleagainstsuchaswerestrangerstohim,tohiscovenant,tohischurch,andtothemselves—willhenotmuchmoreshutthedoorofhisheavenlytabernacleagainstsuchwhoarestrangerstohim,and tohisChrist,and tohisword—yes,whoare strangers to theirown souls, and to all the concerns of another world? And such are allthosewhoareuncircumcisedinheart,anduncircumcisedinflesh.

Princes' palaces are not for strangers—but for sons, friends,acquaintances, favorites; just so, is the palace of heaven. We will notadmit strangers to cohabitwithus; andwillGodadmit such to cohabitwith him, who never had any acquaintance or familiarity with him?

Surelynot!Inhistorywereadofsuchtownsandcitiesaswouldnotadmitstrangers to inhabit among them; and such a city is that above, Exod.33:12,17.Ithasbeenlongsinceconcluded,that—inheaventhereshallbeno strangers: none shall be admitted into that state but such as Godknows by name.What a dishonor and derogationwould that be to theplace!

3. Unholy people have fellowship and familiarity with Satan,and therefore, doubtless, God will have no familiarity norfellowshipwith them. 2 Cor. 6:14-16. As righteousness can have nofellowshipwithunrighteousness,norlightwithdarkness,norChristwithBelial, nor heaven with hell; no more can a holy God have anycommunion or fellowship with unholy souls, for they are Satan'shousehold,Luke11:21;Rev.18:2.Hekeepspossessionofthemasamandoesofhishouse,andhasfamiliaritywiththemasamanhaswiththoseofhishouse:heistheirfather,andtheyarehischildren,John8:44;andlook,what familiaritya fatherhaswithhischildren, thathasanunholydevilwithunholysouls.

A workman cannot bemore familiar with his tools than Satan is withunholy souls; and therefore he is said to work in the children ofdisobedience,asasmithworksinhisforge,orasanartificerworksinhisshop,Eph.2:2.Unholypeoplehavebosom-fellowshipwithSatan:1John5:19, "And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lies inwickedness;"orinthatwickedonethedevil,astheGreekwillbear;theylie,asitwere,inthebosomofSatan,asthechildliesinthebosomofthemother,orasthewifeliesinthebosomofthehusband,orasafriendliesinthebosomofhisfriend.Unholypeoplepartakewithhimathistable;they eat with him, and drink with him, and converse with him: 1 Cor.10:21,"YoucannotdrinkthecupoftheLord,andthecupofdevils:youcannotbepartakersoftheLord'stable,andofthetableofdevils."

Ambrose brings in the devil boasting against Christ, and challengingJudasashisown,thus:"Heisnotyours,Jesus,heismine;histhoughtsbeatforme;heeatswithyou—butisfedbyme;hetakesbreadfromyou—butmoneyfromme;hedrinkswithyou,andsellsyourbloodtome."Byallwhich youmay seewhat fellowship and familiarity there isbetweenSatanandasinner.Nowwhatisthislessthanblasphemy,toassertthataholyGodwill have fellowshipwith thosewho have fellowship with thedevil?GodhasnotcastSatanoutofheaven,onlythathemaymakeroomforSatan'sslavesinheaven.Ifheavenwastooholytoholdunholydevils,itwillbefoundatlasttobetooholytoholdunholysouls.CertainlytheyshallnotlieinthebosomofGod,whohavethedevilfortheirbedfellow.

4.Fourthly,UnholypeoplearefullofcontrarietytoGod; theirnatures, principles, practices, aims,minds, wills, affections, judgments,intentions,andresolutions,arecontrarytoGod,hisname,nature,being,truth,andglory.[Lev.26:21-24,27-28,40,41;Isaiah58:4-6;Jer.44:16-18;2:25,and18:11-2.]Youmayas soonbringeastandwest,northandsouth,lightanddarkness,heavenandhelltogether—asyoushallbringaholyGodandunholysouls together.Antipathieswillnever incorporate;assoonmaymidnightbemarriedtothenoonday,asaholyGodembracean unholy sinner. That unholy people are made up of contrarieties toGod, ismostevident,asyoumaysee inIsaiah22:12-13, "TheLord, theLordAlmighty,calledyoutoweepandmourn.Hetoldyoutoshaveyourheads in sorrow for your sins and towear clothes of sackcloth to showyourremorse.But instead,youdanceandplay;youslaughtersacrificialanimals, feastonmeat,anddrinkwine. 'Let'seat,drink,andbemerry,'you say. 'What's the difference, for tomorrowwe die.'" These sad soulspracticequitecontrarytowhattheLordcallsforattheirhands.Hecallsthem toweeping andmourning—and behold joy and gladness; he callsthemtofasting—andbehold,thereisnothingbutfeasting,carousing,andmakingmerryandjovial—andthatincontemptofGodandhisdreadfuljudgments,Romans8:7;James4:4.

Unholypeopleareliketherainbow:nowtherainbowisneveronthatsideof theworld that the sun is on; butwhensoever it appears, it is still inoppositionagainstthesun.Ifthesunbeintheeast,therainbowisinthewest,etc.Justso,unholysouls,inalltheiractingsandwalkings,willstillbe opposite to God; they will still be cross and contrary to him: John8:38,"IamtellingyouwhatIsawwhenIwaswithmyFather.Butyouare following the advice of your father (the Devil, verse 44)." Unholyheartsarefullofthehigheststrainsofcontrarietyandoppositionagainstthe Lord. I have read of a king, who, having received a blow from thehandofGod, tooka solemnoath tobe revengedonhim; andordainedthatfortenyears'spacenomanshouldpraytohim,speakofhim,nor,solong as he was in authority, to believe in God. Oh the vanity, thecontrariety,andblasphemyofthisprince!

Now, we will not admit such to be about us, who are made up ofcontrarieties to us: andwillGod,willGod?Heaven and earth, fire and

water, thewolfandthe lamb, thewindsandtheseawill sooneraccord,thanaholyGodandanunholyheart.Therecanbenoamitywherethereisaspiritualantipathy.

5. Fifthly, Without holiness no man can have any spiritualcommunionwithGodinthisworld.Hemayhear—buthecanhavenocommunionwithGodinhearingwithoutholiness.Hemaypray—buthecanhavenocommunionwithGodinprayerwithoutholiness.Hemaycometothesacrament—buthecanhavenocommunionwithGodinthesacramentwithoutholiness.Hemaycomeintothecommunionofsaints—buthecanhavenocommunionwithGodinthecommunionofsaintswithout holiness. He may read and meditate—but he can have nocommunionwithGodinreadingandmeditationwithoutholiness.Deut.23:14,"FortheLordyourGodwalksinthemidstofyourcamp,todeliveryou,andtogiveupyourenemiesbeforeyou;thereforeshallyourcampbeholy:thatheseenouncleanthinginyou,andturnawayfromyou.""Keepup holiness among you, and you shall keepme among you," saysGod;"but ifyou turnaway fromholiness, Iwillundoubtedly turnaway fromyou!"

A holy God will keep company with none but those who are holy.Holiness is thebondwhichtiesGodandsouls together.Godwillcleaveclosetothosewhoinholinesscleavefasttohim;butifheseeuncleannessandwickedness among you, he will certainly turn away from you. TheHolySpiritgivesthelietothosewhosaytheyhavefellowshipwithGod—andyetmaintain familiarity and fellowshipwith sin: 1 John 1:6, "Ifwesay we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness—we lie." Theapostle dares give the lie to any man, without fearing the stab, whopretendstocommunionwithGod—andyetwalksindarkness.

Menmaybemuchinordinances—andyet,forlackofholiness,mayhavenocommunionatallwithGodinordinances,Isaiah1:11-18;andthoughcommunionwithGodinordinancesistheverylifeandsoulofordinances—yet multitudes who enjoy ordinances can content and satisfythemselveswithoutthatwhichistheverylife,soul,andquintessenceofordinances. There aremanywho cry out, "The temple of the Lord, thetemple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord," who have no communionwiththeLordofthetempleatall,Jer.7:4-12.Thoughunholypeoplemay

trademuch in ordinances—yet they will nevermake any earnings, anyadvantage by all their trading and stir, because they cannot reach tocommunionwithGodinthem,whichistheonlymeansofbeingenrichedbythem,Isaiah29:13;Ezek.24:21-22,and33:30-32.Asmanymenriseearlyandgotobedlate,andmakeagreatdealofstirandefforttoberichintheworld—andyet, for lackofastock,nothingcomeson it; theyarepoorstill,andbeggarlystill,andlowandpoorintheworldstill:somanyrise early, and go late to ordinances, they exercise themselvesmuch inreligious duties—and yet nothing comes on it; their souls are poor andbeggarly and threadbare still. And no wonder, for they lack a stock ofholinesstotradewith.

Remigius,ajudge,saysthatthedevilinthosepartsdidusetogivemoneytowitcheswhichatfirstdidappeartobegoodandcurrentcoin—butafterawhileitturnedtodryleaves.Ah,sirs,alldutiesandordinancestoamanwho lacks holiness, will be found at last to be but as dry leaves, to besaplessandlifeless,andheartlessandcomfortlesstohim.Nowifwithoutholiness noman can have any spiritual communion or fellowship withGod here, then certainly without holiness noman can have a gloriouscommunionwithGodhereafter.IfwithoutholinessGodwillnottakeusinto his arms on earth—then undoubtedly without holiness God willneverputusintohisbosominheaven.Buttoproceed.

6. Unholy people are fools; and what should such do in thepresenceofGod,who iswisdomitself?The fool and theungodlyman are synonymous words, signifying the same thing, in Scripture:Psalm14:1,"Thefool"(thatis,thewicked,theunholyperson)"hassaidinhisheart,ThereisnoGod.Theyarecorrupt,theyhavedoneabominableworks, there is none that does good;" Jer. 4:22, "For my people arefoolish,theyhavenotknownme;theyaresottishchildren,andtheyhavenounderstanding:theyarewisetodoevil—buttodogoodtheyhavenoknowledge;"Proverbs 1:7, "Fools despisewisdomand instruction;" thatis,wickedandungodlymendespisewisdomandinstruction.Andtoshowthattheworldisfullofsuchfools,heusesthewordinthepluralnolessthansixteentimesinthisbookoftheProverbs.Ishallopenthistruthalittlemore toyou,byproving that theyhaveall thecharacteristicnotesandpropertiesof fools;sothatoneface isnotmore likeanotherthana

foolislikeawickedman,orthanawickedmanislikeafool;

for,

(1.) First, A fool prefers toys and trifles—above things ofgreatestworth.Proverbs1:29.Heprefersashinybrasspenny—aboveapieceofgold;aprettybabydoll—abovearichinheritance;anapplewhichpleaseshiseye—aboveapearlofgreatprice.Justso,wickedandungodlymen,theyprefertheirlustsbeforetheLord.Isaiah65:12,"Iwilldestineyou for the sword, and you will all bend down for the slaughter; for Icalledbutyoudidnotanswer,Ispokebutyoudidnotlisten.Youdidevilinmysightandchosewhatdispleasesme."Uponchoice,theypreferredthehonors, the riches, thebravery, andgloryof theworld—above theirownsoulsandthegreatconcernmentsofanotherworld.[SuchaonewasCardinalBorbonius,whoprofessedhewouldnot leavehispart inParisforaportion inparadise.]SuchfoolswereLabanandNabal, intheOldTestament, (whosenames by inversion of letters are the same, and thelatter signifies a fool,) and such were the two rich fools in the NewTestament,Luke12:16-22,and16:19-31.

IhavereadofthefoolishpeopleofCeylon,whopreferredaconsecratedape's tooth—above an incredible mass of treasure. Such fools are allunholy people,who prefer the toys, the trifles of thisworld—above thepleasuresandtreasureswhichareatGod'srighthand.Theworldisfullofsuchfools.

Saysone—"Ifyoubeholdthelivesofmen,youwilljudgethewholeworldtobeahouseoffools!"Ah,friends!Whatfollycanbecomparedtothatofmen's spending their time, their strength, their lives, their souls—ingetting the great things of this world, and neglecting that one thingnecessary, the salvation of their souls!Oh,what vanity is it to prefer asmokeofhonor,ablastoffame,adreamofpleasure,awedgeofgold,aBabylonishgarment,andsuch like transitory triflesand trash—beforeablessedeternity!

(2.)Secondly,Foolsmakeno improvementofadvantagesandopportunities which are put into their hands. Proverbs 17:16,"Whyisthereapriceinthehandofafooltogetwisdom,seeinghehasno

hearttoit?"[Likegrasshoppers,theysingandsportawaytheirprecioustimeandopportunitiesofmercy,etc.] It is tonopurpose toputapriceinto thehand--if follybeboundup in theheart. If amanhadasmuchwealthaswouldbuyallthegrace,allthepeace,allthecomforts,andallthewisdom in theworld; yet if he has neitherwit norwill tomake animprovementofhiswealth--whatgoodwouldhiswealthdohim?Towhatpurposeisthemarketopen,andalargesumputintothebuyer'shands--ifthebuyerhasneitherwisdomnorhearttobuy?Unholypeoplearesuchspiritual fools: though they have a sum, an opportunity put into theirhands,whichifimprovedmightmakethemforeverhappy;yettheyhaveno heart to make an improvement of the means and advantages thatmightdothemgoodtoalleternity.[Proverbs1:20,seq.;Isaiah53:1;55:1-2;Mat.25:3,6,10;23:37;Luke19:41-42,etc.]

Ah,what opportunities haveunsanctifiedpeople to get changed hearts,renewednatures,purgedconsciences,reformedlives,togetaninterestinChrist, to obtain the favor of God, to procure pardon of sin, to makeprovision for their immortal souls!But theyhavenohearts to improvetheseopportunities--andsobyneglectingof themtheycutthethroatoftheirownsouls.Andthiswillbethewormthatwillliegnawingofthemtoalleternity--that theyhave let slip the opportunities of grace--that theyhavetrifledawaytheseasonsofmercy.Ah,sirs,thereisnofoolcomparedto that fool that has an opportunity put into his hand tomake himselfforeverhappy—andyethasnoheart to improve it.Thehottestplace inhellwillbetheportionofsuchfools,Mat.11:21-22.

Thelittlebee,sosoonasflowersappear,goesabroad,viewsthemirthfulvariouscolors,andthediversityofthefloweryfields--sucksthesweetestof them, carries the load,makes awondroushoney-comb--and soearlyhoardsuphoneyinsummeragainstwinter.Andsothelittlebusyant insummerprovides foodforwinter,Proverbs6:6-8; thestork, the crane,andtheswallowknowtheirseasonsandopportunities,Jer.8:7.Allthesepoor little creatures are not somuch belowman in nature, as they areabove sinful man in worth, wisdom, and work. These improve theirsummer seasons, their harvest hours; and yet such spiritual fools arewickedmen--who letslipsuchseasonsofgraceandmercy--whocannotberedeemedwith ten thousandworlds.Ah,how isman fallen fromhis

primitive nobility and glory--that these little busy creatures arepropoundedasapatternofdiligenceandwisdomuntohim!

The ancients painted Opportunity with a hairy forehead—but baldbehind,tosignifythatwhileamanhasitbeforehim,hemaylayholdonit—butifheletsitslipaway,hecannotpullitbackagain.ThereisagreattruthinwhattheRabbihaslongsincesaid,"Everymanhashishour,andhewhoslipshisseason ,maynevermeetwiththe likeagain."Therearemanythousand spiritual fools inhell,who find this trueby experience,andthereforenowtheybewailtheirfolly—butalltoolate,alltoolate!

(3.)Thirdly,Naturalfoolsareveryinconstant;theyareneverlonginonemind.Nowtheyareforthis--andafterwardsforthat;nowinthismind--andafterwardsinthat.Theirmindsaremorechangeablethanthemoon;theyturnoftenerthantheweathercock,theyareonlyconstantininconstancy.Suchspiritualfoolsareallunholypeople.Fornowtheyareforarighteouscause,andbeforelongtheyareagainstit.NowtheyareforGod,andlatertheyareagainsthim.NowtheyareforChrist,andbyandby they are against him. Now they cry out "Hosanna, Hosanna in thehighest,"Mat. 21:9, 15; but did they hold in thismind long?No! theirmindispresentlychanged,andtheycryout,"Crucifyhim,crucifyhim!"Luke23:21.Nowtheyareforthesaints,andanontheyareagainstthem.Nowtheycryupthegospel,andpresentlytheymakeoppositionagainstthe gospel. Now they kindly embrace the gospel—but as soon as theyfound it restrain their lusts and carnal liberties, they made fierceoppositionagainstthegospel.Thisweektheyareforordinances,andthenext theyareagainstordinances.Thishour theywill forsake their sins,andthenexthourtheywillreturntotheirsinsasthe"dogtohisvomit,andasthesowtoherwallowinginthemire,"2Peter2:20-22.Nowtheyare for thisway,andafterwards for that.Nowtheyare forthisopinion,andshortly for that.Mow theyare for this religion,and tomorrow theyareforanotherreligion,2Kings17:33; likeBaldwinaFrenchlawyer,ofwhomitissaidthateverydayhehadanewreligion—butwasconstantinnone.Thismomentyoushallhearthembless,andthenextmomentyoushallhear themcurse:James3:9-10, "Outof the samemouthproceedsblessingandcursing."

LouistheSecondwouldswear,andthenkisshiscrucifix,andthenswear

againmore confidently, andkisshis crucifix againmore devoutly.Nowbecause thisage is fullof suchswearing fools,andhappilythisTreatisemay fall into some of their hands, givemepermission to say, that it isobservable that the word in the Hebrew which the Scripture uses forswearing, is always used in the passive voice, to note, say some, that amanshouldnotswearbutwhenanoathislaiduponhim,andhedriventoit.Thewordalsohasasignificationofseven,ashavingreference,saysome, to the seven spirits of God before the throne, before whom weswear,andthereforeshouldneverswearbutin"truth,righteousness,andjudgment," Jer. 4:2; Rev. 1:4, and 5:6. One day you shall have thesespiritual fools, these profane fools, crying out, "Oh heaven, heaven,heaven! Oh that wemay go to heaven! and the next day you shall seethemliveasiftherewereneitherheavennorhell!OnedaywithBalaamyou shall have them wish, "Oh that we might die the death of therighteous!"AndthenextdaywithSaulyoushallhavethema-persecutingof the righteous to death!Oneday you shall have them cry out, "Whatshallwedo tobesaved?"and thenextdayyoushall see them liveas iftheywereresolvedtobedamned.Thusthesespiritualfools,likenaturalfools--arealwaysfickleandinconstant.

(4.)Fourthly,Foolsdelighttosportandplaywithsuchthingsasaremosthurtful,pernicious,anddangeroustothem,asyouallknowthathaveobservedanythingofnaturalfools."Thewickedfreelystrut about,whenwhat is vile is honored amongmen." Psalm 12:8. "Afool findspleasure in evil conduct."Proverbs 10:23.Evil conduct is thefool's bauble, the fool's fiddle. Fools take great delight and pleasure indoingevil.Sinandwickednessareasportorrecreationtoa fool.It isagreat pleasure andmerriment to a fool, to do wickedly. Proverbs 14:9,"Foolsmakeamockofsin."Theymakeajeerofsin--whichtheyshouldfearmore thanhell itself!Theymakea sportof sin--whichwillproveamatterofdamnationtothem.Theymakeapastime,agameofsin--whichwillthemmiserabletoalleternity.Theymakeamockofsinonearth--forwhichthedevilwillmockandfloutthemforeverinhell.

JusticewillatlastturnoversuchfoolstoSatan,whowillbesuretoreturnmockformock,jeerforjeer,andfloutforflout.Thosewholovesuchkindofpastimeshallhaveenoughofitinhell.Allunbelieversaresuchfools--

fortheydelightandtakepleasureinsin,whichisthemostcorruptinganddangerousthingintheworld.

Psalm 62:4, "They delight in lies," Proverbs 1:22. Though every liedeservesastabfromGod—yetspiritualfoolsmakebutasportofthem.Itis said of Epaminondas, a heathen, that he abhorred a jesting lie; thisheathen in the greatdaywill put such liars to theblushwhodelight inlies.

"They love to indulge in evil pleasures in broaddaylight." 2Peter2:13."They have chosen their own ways, and their souls delight in theirabominations."Isaiah66:3."Andsothatallwillbecondemnedwhohavenotbelievedthetruthbuthavedelightedinwickedness."2Thessalonians2:12.Notthatthereisanyrealdelightinintemperance;foriftherewere,thenHeliogabalus, an exceeding intemperate person, would have beenmorehappythanAdaminparadise.Apiciuswasthegreatestgluttonthateverwas;atlengthhehangedhimself:suchshallhanginhellatlast,whodelighttoabusemanyatonce;thecreatures,theirCreator,andtheirownsoulsandbodies.Well,sirs!Sinisthepoisonofthesoul,thenakednessofthe soul, the disease of the soul, the burden of the soul—and if God'smercydoesnotpreventit—sinwillprovetheeternalbaneofthesoul.Oh,then,howgreatistheirfolly,whodelightinsin,andwhomakeasportofit!

[5.] Fifthly, Natural fools are taken more with the outwardshine, luster,beauty,andgloryof things—thantheyaretakenwiththeintrinsicvirtue,value,andworthofthem;theyaremoretakenwiththeshineandlusterofgold,jewels,andpreciousstones,thanthey are with the worth and value of them. Just so, unholy hearts aretakenmorewith the formof godliness than they arewith thepower, 2Tim.3:5;theyaretakenmorewithanametolive,withanameofbeingholy,thantheyaretakenwithholinessitself,Rev.3:1-2.Manyhavethename of Christians to their condemnation, not to theirsalvation, Isaiah58:2-6;Mat. 1:21;Zechariah7:4-7;Mat.23.Theyaretakenmorewith theoutward shine and pomp of duties, than they aretakenwiththespiritualnessandholinessofduties; theyaretakenmorewithwhatofmanisinduty,thantheyaretakenwiththatofGodwhichisinaduty; theyare takenmorewith raisednotions, thantheyare taken

with raisedaffections; they are takenmore with somewitty, rhetoricalexpressions in duty, than they are taken with the holy movings andbreathings of the spirit in duty,Ezek. 33:30-32.Allwhich speaks themouttobespiritualfools;andindeednofoolscomparedtothosewhoaretaken more with the shadow of religion—than they are with thesubstanceof religion;whoare takenmorewith theoutsideofgodlinessthantheyarewiththeinsideofgodliness.Forwhatisthisbuttobetakenmore with the outside of the cabinet, than with the treasure that iswithin?ortobetakenmorewiththepursethatholdsthegold,thanwiththe gold that is in the purse? andwithDemocritus the philosopher, toesteemapoorhut—abovetheroyalpalace?

(6.) Sixthly, Natural fools are all for the PRESENT. They onlymindandcareforthethingsofthislife—aswhattheyshalleat,andwhattheyshalldrink,andwhattheyshallputon.Theyareallfortheirbodies,theirbellies, theirbacks.They takenocare, theymakenoprovisionfortheirimmortalsouls.Justso,foolslookonlytotheirbodies;andhavenoconcernfortheirsouls.Suchfoolsareallunsanctifiedpeople; they lookonlyaftertheirbodies,andtheiroutwardconcernments;theylooknotatthe necessities, miseries, and needs of their souls. Such were those inJohn6:26-27,whocrossedtheseasandfollowedafterChristforloaves—butneverlookedforthefoodwhichendurestoeverlastinglife.Andsuchfoolswere those inHosea 7:14, "whohowled upon their beds for grainandwine."Only let themhavebut food for theirbodies—and they carenotwhatbecomesoftheirsouls!AndsuchweretheyinPhil.3:19,"whoseGodwastheirgut."Andsuchwere theLaodiceans inRev.3:14-19,whohadwell-fedbodies—butstarvedsouls;whosehouseswerefullofgoods—buttheirheartsemptyandvoidofChristandgrace;whohadthreadbaresoulsunderalltheirpurplerobes;whowererichintemporals—butverypoorandbeggarlyinspirituals.AndsuchaonewasthatrichfoolinLuke12, who only laid up for his body for this life—but never took care foranotherlife,foreternallife;hemakesmanyyears'provisionforhisbody—andnotaday'sprovision forhis soul;he talksof livingmanyyears—whenhehadnotadaynoranightto live inthisworld.Andbeingthusfoolish inhisreckoning,Christbrandshimfora fool toallgenerations:ver.20-21,"Youfool,thisnightshallyoursoulberequiredofyou!Thenwhowillgetwhatyouhavepreparedforyourself?"Soishewhoheapsup

treasureforhimself—andisnotrichtowardsGod.

Everymanintheworldisafool—whoheapsuptreasuretohimself,whoadds land to land, and house to house, and heap to heap, and bags tobags,andhundredstohundreds,andthousandstothousands—andisnotrich towards God. [Plato seeing one over-indulgent to his body, askedhimwhathemeant,tomakehisprisonsostrong.]Thisageisfullofsuchgolden fools, who pamper their bodies—but starve their souls: whoprimp and trimup their bodieswith gold, silver, and silks—whiletheirsoulsarenaked,andragged,anddestituteofallgraceandgoodness.

TheJewshaveastoryofafoolishwomanwhotooktwochildrentonurse,theoneverymean,deformed,crooked,blind,andnotlikelytolivelong;theotheragoodly, lively, lovely,beautiful child, and likely to live long:now this foolish woman spent all her pains, care, diligence, andattendanceupontheworstchild,neversomuchasmindingorregardingthe best child. This age is full of such foolish men and women, who,havingtwotonurse,theirbodiesandtheirsouls,spendtheirtime,theircare, labor,andpainsinmakingprovisionfortheflesh,inlayingupfortheirbodies, and in themeanwhilenever regard their souls,never lookaftertheirsouls,thoughtheyhavethebeautyofadeityuponthem,andthough they are immortal, and capable of union and communion withGodingrace,andofablessedfruitionofGodinglory.Surelynofoolslikethesefools.

[7.]Seventhly,Thesharpestandseverestcourseyoucantake,cannotseparatebetweenafoolandhisfolly.Notwithstandingallyourfrowns, threats,checks,knocks,etc.—afoolwillnot leavehis folly;nay, you shall sooner beat a fool to death—than you shall beat him offfrom his folly: Proverbs 27:22, "You cannot separate fools from theirfoolishness, even though you grind them like grain with mortar andpestle."[Solomoninthisplacealludestoonekindofgrinding,whichinoldtimethepeoplewereaccustomedto,whichwastoputtheirparchedcornintoamortar,andtobeatituntopowder.]Thehuskdoesnotsticksoclosetothegrainofcorn,asfollydoestotheheartofafool.Thereisapossibilityofseveringthehuskfromtheflourbybeating—butthereisnopossibilityofseveringafoolfromhisfolly.

YouseeitinPharaoh,who,thoughhewasofteninGod'smortar—yethecouldnotbeseveredfromhisfolly;nay,hedidchooserathertobebeatentodeath, and to seehis friends, relations, favorites, followers, subjects,andsoldiers,withtheirfirst-born,beatentodeathbeforehiseyes—ratherthanhewouldleavehisfolly.AndsuchafoolwaskingAhaz,who,whenGodhadhiminthemortar,andthreatenedtobeathimandhispeopletodeath—yettheninhisdistresshesinnedmoreagainsttheLord,2Chron.28:22, and therefore for his obstinacy, obdurateness, andirreclaimableness, he is branded and marked with a black coal by theLordtoallposterity,"ThisisthatkingAhaz."[TheywerelikethosebearsinPliny,thatcouldnotbestirredwiththesharpestprickles.]

And such spiritual fools are all ungodly people; let God frown, chide,strike, reprove, correct—yet they will not turn from the evil of theirdoings: they will rather be consumed and destroyed, than they will beamended or reformed: Jer. 5:3, "O Lord, you have stricken them—buttheyhavenotgrieved;youhaveconsumedthem—buttheyhaverefusedtoreceivecorrection:theyhavemadetheirfacesharderthanarock;theyhaverefusedtoreturn."Nopainnorgrief,nocalamitiesnormiseries,canturn obstinate fools from their impieties: Jer. 6:29, "The bellows blowfiercely. The refining fire grows hotter. But it will never purify andcleanse them because there is no purity in them to refine." [See Ezra22:18;Jer.2:30,31,and19:15;Amos4:4,13;Isaiah26:10-11;2Pet22.]

AllthecostandchargethatGodhasbeenat,allthepainsandlaborthathehastakentoseverthesewickedonesfromtheirwickednesswas lost;theywouldnotberefinednorreformed.AfterGod'sgreatestseverity,aspiritualfoolwillreturntohisiniquity:Proverbs26:11,"Asadogreturnstohisvomit—soafoolreturnstohisfolly,"orrepeatshisfolly.Itistrue,thecomparisonishomely—butgoodenoughforthosefoolstowhomitisapplied. Spiritual fools sometimes vomit up their sins when they areunderterrorsofconscience,orundertheafflictinghandofGod,oruponadyingbed;butstillretainadispositionandpurposetoreturntothemagain: as some say, the serpent vomits up his poison when he goes todrink, and then takes it in again. Foolish souls say to their lusts, asAbrahamtohisservants,Gen.22:5,"Abidehere,andIwillgoyonderandcomeagaintoyou."Whateverbecomesoftheirsouls,theyareresolvedto

keepclosetotheirsins,Isaiah1:5.AndasAesop'sfoolishfishleapedoutofthewarmwaterintotheburningfireforease;sothesepoorfoolswillratheradventureaburninginhell,thantheywillattemptaturningfromtheirfolly.

[8.]Eighthly,Naturalfoolsmakethemoststupidandinjuriousexchanges. Natural fools make the most stupid and injuriousexchanges.Theywillexchangeapearl--forapin;thingsofgreatestworthand value--for a feather, a ribbon, a toy, a trifle. The foolish Indiansprefereverytoyandtrifleabovetheirminesofgold.Allunholypeoplearespiritual fools.Theywill exchangespirituals--forcarnals; andeternals--for temporals. Theywill exchangeGod, Christ, the gospel, heaven, andtheir souls--for a lust, for a little of the world's smiles, pleasures, orprofits.Theywill exchange their eternal soul--for the toysand triflesofthisworld. "What shall aman give in exchange for his soul?"Matthew16:26

Now do you think that God,who haswithin himself all thewisdomofangels, of men, and universal nature—that he who has all glory, alldignity,allriches,alltreasures,allpleasures,allcomforts,alldelights,alljoys,allbeatitudes inhimself—that thatGodwho isa super-substantialsubstance,andunderstandingnottobeunderstood,awordnever tobespoken—that he will have everlasting fellowship and communion withfools? Do you think that a God whose wisdom is infinite andunsearchable,willeverdebasehimselfsoastohavehisroyalpalacefilledwithfools,astomakethosehiscompanionsinheaven,thathecantakenopleasure inonearth?Eccles.5:4, "Hehasnopleasure in fools."ThewiseGodwouldnothavehischildrenkeepcompanywithfools:Proverbs14:7,"Stayawayfromafoolishman;youwillgainnoknowledgefromhisspeech;"andwillGodkeepcompanywiththemhimself?Surelynot!Godhas given it under his ownhand, that such shall not tarry in his sight:Psalm5:5,"Thefoolishshallnotstandinyoursight"[or,astheHebrewhasit,beforeyoureyes]:"youhateallworkersofiniquity."Godwillneveradmitfoolstobehisfavorites:hewillatlastshutthedoorofgloryagainstthem,Mat.25:4-13.

7. A seventh argument to prove that without real holiness there is nohappiness; thatwithout holiness on earth noman shall ever come to a

blessedvisionorfruitionofGodinheaven,isthis—Unholypeopleareto be excluded and shut out from sacred, from specialcommunionand fellowshipwith the saints in thisworld; andtherefore,withoutallquestion,theyshallneverbeadmittedtoeverlasting communion and fellowship with God, Christ,angels,andsaintsinthatotherworld.Thattheyaretobeshutoutfromhavingany special communionwith the saintshere, ismostplainand evident from several scriptures. Take these for a taste: Lev. 10:10,"Andthatyoumayputdifferencebetweenholyandunholy,andbetweenunclean and clean;" Ezek. 44:23, "And they shall teachmy people thedifference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discernbetween the unclean and the clean." And because the priests did notimprove their power and interest to preserve the things of God fromprofaningandpolluting,theLordwasverymuchoffendedandprovoked:Ezek.22:26,"Herpriestshaveviolatedmylaw,andhaveprofanedmineholy things: theyhaveputnodifferencebetween theholy and profane,neitherhavetheyshoweddifferencebetweentheuncleanandtheclean,and have hid their eyes frommy Sabbaths, and I am profaned amongthem." And in chapter 44:7-8,God sadly complains that they "broughtintohis sanctuary strangersuncircumcised inheart, anduncircumcisedin flesh;" and prohibits such from entering into his sanctuary, ver. 9,"Thus says the Lord God, No stranger, uncircumcised in heart, noruncircumcisedinflesh,shallenterintomysanctuary,ofanystrangerthatisamongthechildrenofIsrael."

Godexpectsthatfaithfulteachersshouldputadifferencebetweenpersonand person, between the holy and profane, between the clean and theunclean,inallholyadministrations:Jer.15:19,"ThereforethussaystheLord,Ifyoutakeforththepreciousfromthevile,thenyoushallbeasmymouth: let them returnunto you; but return not you unto them."NowcertainlyifundertheceremoniallawnaturaluncleannessdidexcludeandshutouttheIsraelitesfromaparticipationinholythings,thencertainlymoral uncleanness may justly exclude and shut out Christians from aparticipation in holy things under the gospel: Mat. 7:6, "Give not thatwhich isholyuntodogs,neither cast youyourpearlsbefore swine, lesttheytramplethemundertheirfeet,andturnagainandtearyou."

Holythingsaretooprecioustobespentandspiltuponswinishsinners.Gospelblessingsarepreciouspearls—whichmustnotbegiventoswine.2Cor.6:17,"Thereforecomeoutfromamongthem,andbeseparate,saystheLord,andtouchnottheuncleanthing;andIwillreceiveyou."[Lev.13:46;Num. 5:1-4;Exod. 12:48;Lev. 22:3-7. "As often," said one, "as Ihave been among wicked men, I return home less a man than I wasbefore." Bad company will quench themost burning andmost shiningChristians,asyouseeinJosephandPeter,Psalm106:35;whentheyweremingled among the heathen, they quickly learned their works, Psalm119:115.] Profane, scandalous, blind, and ignorant people are veryunclean things—and from themwemust come out. Aswewould be inwithGod,wemustbeoutwiththem.Wemustrejectthem—ifwewouldhave God to receive us: 2 Tim. 3:5, "Having a form of godliness—butdenying the power thereof—from such turn away." Our Savior Christwent to thewildernessamong thebeasts, and carriedhisdiscipleswithhim,holdingtheirfellowshiptobelesshurtfulanddangerous.Itisbetterto live amongbeasts, than to live amongmenof beastly principles andbeastlypractices.NowtherearetensortsofpeoplethatChristiansmust turn from, that theymust have no intimate, no specialcommunionwithinthisworld.

(1.)First,Unbelievers.2Cor.6:14-16.WeshouldnotclosewiththosewhohavenotclosedwithChrist;norgiveourselvesuptothosewhohavenot given up themselves to Christ. Every unbeliever is a condemnedperson:thelawhascondemnedhim,thegospelhascondemnedhim,andhis own conscience has condemnedhim; andwhat sacred communion,what delightful fellowship can believers have with condemned people?John3:18,36.EveryunbelieverisunderthewrathofthegreatGod;heisunder that wrath which he can neither avoid nor withstand; and whatcommunioncansuchhavewhoareunderGod'slove,withthosewhoareunderGod'swrath?EveryunbelievermakesGodaliar,1John5:10;andwhatchildrenwillhavecommunionwithsuchwhoeverydaygive theirheavenlyfatherthelietohisveryface?Everyunbelieverdoespracticallysay, "Tush! there is no such loveliness or desirability, there is no suchbeautyorglory, there isnosuch fullnessorsweetness, there isno suchgoodnessorgraciousness inJesusasmenwouldmakeusbelieve;"andwhatisthis—buttogiveGodthelie?"Tush!thereisnosuchfavor,there

isnosuchpeace,thereisnosuchpardon,thereisnosuchrighteousness,there isno suchgrace, there isno suchglory tobe reapedbyChrist asGodandmenwouldpersuadeus;" andwhat is this—but to tellGodhelies tohis very teeth?Andwhat sincere child can takepleasure in suchwhoarestilla-spittinginhisheavenlyfather'sface?

Everyunbelieverisadisobedientperson,andthereforewhatcommunioncan obedient children have with those who are disobedient andrebellious? [Num. 14:11; Heb. 11:31, 1 Tim. 5:8; 2 Cor. 6:14, 15; 1 Cor.14:23,seq.;2Tim.3:1,6.]Everyunbelieverisapagan,aheathen,intheScripture dialect; and what communion can those who are of thehouseholdoffaithhavewithpagansandheathens?Everyunbelieverisatraitor; he commits treason daily against the crown and dignity ofheaven; and what loyal subjects will hold communion with traitors?Unbelievers are the greatest robbers; they rob God of his declarativeglory,thoughtheycannotrobhimofhisessentialglory;theyrobhimofthe glory of his truth and faithfulness; as if he would falsify thewordwhichhasgoneoutofhismouth;asifhewereyesandnay;andasifhiswordwassobaseandcontemptible,thathewhoshalltrusttohim,mustneedsbeinhazard.Theyrobhimofthegloryofhisgoodnessandmercy,as if therewereany sins toogreat forhim topardon,oranymercy toogreatforhimtogive,oranywrathtoogreatforhimtodivert,oranydebttoogreatforhimtosatisfy.Theyrobhimofthegloryofhisomnipotencyandall-sufficiency,as if thereweresomething toohard foraGod.Nowwhat communion can the people of God have with robbers, with thegreatest robbers, with the worst of robbers? and yet such are allunbelievers. And therefore let no unbelieversmutter ormurmur whenthedoorofadmissionisshutagainstthem.But,

(2.)Secondly,Suchashaveamere form,apicture,amask, apretenseofgodliness—butdenythepower.2Tim.3:5.

(3.) Thirdly, Such aswalk disorderly—who live either without anemployment, or idly and negligently in their employment; these makereligionodious,bymakingreligionamaskfortheiridlenessandlaziness:2Thes.3:6,"Nowwecommandyou,brethren, in thenameofourLordJesusChrist,thatyouwithdrawyourselvesfromeverybrotherthatwalksdisorderly."Now,whotheyarethatwalkdisorderlyyoumaysee inver.

11,"Forwehearthattherearesomewhichwalkamongyoudisorderly—notworkingatall—butarebusybodies."Suchvagrantprofessorswholiveidly, whowill have an oar in everyman's boat, a sickle in everyman'sharvest,acuriouseyeuponeveryman'swayandwork—aretobeshutoutofthecommunionofChristians,andtobeshunnedasamanwouldshunaserpent,acontagiousdisease,orastheseamanshunsrocks,andsands,and shelves. [Solon made a law, that the son should not be bound torelievehisfatherwhenhewasold,unlesshehadsethiminhisyouthtosomeemployment.]

ItwasagreatvanityinDionysius,whowouldneedsbethebestpoet;andinCaligula,whowouldneedsbethebestorator;andinNero,whowouldneedsbethebestfiddler;andsobecamethethreeworstprinces,mindingmoretheirownamusementsthantheirowncallings.Justso,itisaverygreat vanity in many professors to mind more their own amusementsthantheirowncallings; fromthesocietyofsuch,saintsmustwithdraw.Nomanistoonobletohaveacalling.Ifironhadreason,itwouldchooserathertobeusedinlaborthantogrowrustyinacorner.ByMahomet'slaw the Grand Turk himself was to be of some trade. The hour ofidlenessisthehouroftemptation;anidlepersonisthedevil'stennis-ball,tossedbyhimathispleasure.Godordainedtheneckof the consecrated donkey should be broken—Exod. 13:13—instead ofsacrificing him; perhaps because that creature has ever been thehieroglyphic of sloth and laziness.Among theEgyptians idlenesswas acapital crime.Among theLucans,hewho lentmoney to an idlepersonwas to lose it.Among theCorinthians idlepeopleweredelivered to theprison.BySolon'slawidlepeopleweretosufferdeath.Theancientscallidleness theburialofa livingman.Senecahadratherbe sick than idle.Now shall nature domore thangrace?Shall poorblindheathensbe sosevereagainstidlepeople,andshallChristiansembracethem?Shalltheynot rather turn their backs upon them, and have no communion withthosewhothinkthemselvestoogreatortoogoodtoholdtheplough?"Weurgeyou,brothers,warnthosewhoareidle!"1Thessalonians5:14

(4.)Fourthly,Suchwhosejudgmentsarecorruptandunsoundin foundation-truths.Titus 3:10, "Amanwho is a heretic, after thefirst and second admonition, reject." "A little leaven leavens the whole

lump:"andwhatleavenismoreinfectiousthanthatofheresyanderror?"AnyonewhorunsaheadanddoesnotcontinueintheteachingofChristdoes not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both theFather and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring thisteaching,donottakehimintoyourhouseorwelcomehim.Anyonewhowelcomeshimsharesinhiswickedwork."2John1:9-11.YoumusthavenothingtodowiththosewhohavenothingtodowithGod,1John2:22-25;Col.2:18,19:yourhousemustbetoohottoholdhimwhoholdsnotfasttofoundation-truths,whoholdsnotclosetoChristthehead.

Eusebius reports of John the Evangelist, that he would not allowCerinthus the heretic in the same roomwith him, lest some judgmentshouldabide themboth.Hewhohad the leprosy inhisheadwas tobepronounced utterly unclean, Lev. 13:44. The breath of the erroneous ismoredangerousandinfectiousthanthebreathoflepers:foroneinfectsbut the body—but the other infects the soul, and therefore oughtmorecarefullytobeavoided.

AnerroneousmindisasodioustoGodasawickedlife;andwhyshoulditnotbe so tousalso?Certainlyweshouldshun the societyoferroneouspeopleasweshouldshunaserpent intheway,orpoisoninourfood.1Tim. 6:5, "men whose minds are depraved and deprived of the truth,supposingthatgainisgodliness:fromsuchwithdrawyourself;"or,astheGreekwordsignifies,standoff,keepatadistance,asyouwouldfromonewhohasaninfectiousdisease,orasseamenstandofffromrocksorfroma leeshore. It is recorded by Theodoret, that when Lucius, an Arianbishop,cameandpreachedhiserroneousdoctrines—thepeoplewentoutofthechurch,andwouldnotsomuchaslendaneartohim.Inthesedaystherearemanyolderrors—newlydressed;andoldJezebels,oldharlots—newlypainted.Thebestwayisnotto lendanear to them—but toservethemastheyservedJezebel:theygavehernoquarter—butcastherdownand trod her under foot, 2 Kings 9:10, 30-37. Errors on foundationaltruths are like the Jerusalem artichokes, which overrun all the groundwheretheyareplanted,andchoketheveryheartofit;andthereforetobeabhorred, avoided, and shunned, as amanwould shun hell itself.Whobutafoolormadmanwouldexchangeoneoldpieceofgoldforahundrednewpennies? andwhat then shallwe think of thosewhowillingly and

readily exchangeold tried truths fornew-minted errors?The society ofsuchmustbeshunned.

(5.) Fifthly, Such as cause divisions and discord among thepeople of God. Romans 16:17, "Now I beseech you, brethren, markthose who cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine whichyou have learned; and avoid them." "Mark them;" the Greek wordsignifies such a marking as a watchman uses, who stands on awatchtower to espyanapproaching enemy.Ah!withwhat awary,withwhat awatchful,withwhat a curious,withwhat a jealous,withwhat aserious, with what a diligent eye—does the watchman watch all thenotions,turnings,andwindingsoftheapproachingenemy!Withsuchaneyewe shouldmark thosewho cause divisions. "And avoid them;" theGreekwordsignifiesa studious, carefuldecliningof them.Amanmustdecline and shun them as he would decline and shun such people orthings which are most pernicious, dangerous, or infectious to him.DivisionsareadishonortoChrist,areproachtoChristians,ablotuponprofession,ablockinthewayoftheweak,andaswordinthehandofthewicked; they are Satan's engines, and an inlet to all destruction andconfusion. And therefore the authors of them are to be shunned andavoided. [TheTurkspraydaily that thedivisionsamongChristiansmaybeheightened,thatsotheymaybethesoonerruinedandundone.]

(6.)Sixthly,SuchprofessingChristiansasarescandalousandprofaneintheirlives.1Cor.5:11,"ButnowIamwritingyouthatyoumustnotassociatewithanyonewhocallshimselfabrotherbutissexuallyimmoralorgreedy,anidolateroraslanderer,adrunkardoraswindler.Withsuchamandonoteveneat."[Proverbs9:6;Psalm15:4;Eph.5:7;Psalm 119:115; Proverbs 4:14-15.] Do not to joined, mixed, or mingledwithsuchabrotherwhobelieshisprofession.Withsuchabrotherwhosecourse and life contradicts his profession—wemust not hold Christiancommunion.CertainlyImaynothavefellowshipwithhimattheLord'stable,whomImaynothavefellowshipwithatmyowntable:Eph.5:11,"Have no fellowship with unfruitful works of darkness—but ratherreprovethem;"Acts2:40,"Saveyourselvesfromthiswickedgeneration."Wickedcompanyisverydangerousandinfectious:1Cor.15:33,"Donotbemisled—Bad company corrupts good character."Ashewhowalks in

the sunwill be tanned, andhewho touchespitchwill bedefiled; so hewhoassociateshimselfwiththewickedwillbetaintedandpolluted.

Guiltorgriefisallyoushallgainbybadcompany,2Pet.2:7-8—witnessLot, David, Joseph, and Peter. [Psalm 120:7-8; Gen. 42:15, 16; Mark14:66-72; 1Kings22:8;2Chron.24:17-18.]BybadcompanyChristianscome to lose much of the sweetness, seriousness, goodness, andgraciousnessof theirspirits.Gold, thoughthenoblestmetal, losesof itslusterbybeingcontinuallyworninthesamepursewithsilver.Familiaritywithvainpeoplehasmuchwornoffthespiritualluster,beauty,andglorythathasbeenuponmanyChristians.Badcompanywillproveaverygreathindrance to you in your Christian course: Psalm 119:115, "Away fromme,youwicked,forIwillkeepthecommandmentsofmyGod."IcannotkeepmyGod's commandswhile I keepyour company; I shallnever domy duty until I abandon your society. Divine commands will never liecloseandwarmuponmyheart,solongasIgiveyoumyhand.

Howhardisittokeepthecommandmentoflaboramongtheslothful,orthecommandmentofdiligenceamongthenegligent,orthatofliberalityamongthecovetous,orthatofhumilityamongtheambitious,orthatofloveamongthemalicious,orthatofunionamongthecontentious,orthatof chastity among the lascivious, or that of righteousness among theunrighteous, or that of faithfulness among the unfaithful, or that offruitfulness among the unfruitful, or that of thankfulness among theunthankful,orthatoffaithamongthedoubtful,etc.But,

(7.) Seventhly, A seventh sort of people that Christiansmusthave no intimate, no special communion with—is falseprophets, false teachers. [Mat. 16:6, 11-12; Gal. 1:8; Mat. 7:15, 13;Deut.13:1-3;Titus1:10-11.]Theyarenottogivesuchanyhouse-room,2John 10-11, norheart-room,Mat. 24:23-24, 26.They are to shun themandavoidthem,Romans16:17.ItisnotsafeforaChristiantohearthem,ortohaveanycommunionorfellowshipwiththem.Aristotlewritesofacertainbirdcalled,agoat-sucker,whichsuckedtheirblood—uponwhich,thegoatsgrowblind.Ah,howmanyaseeingmanhasbeenmadeblind,andhowmanyhopeful thrivingChristianshavehadall their springsoflove,oflife,ofsweetnessandgoodnessdriedupinthem—bythesleights,deceits,andinsinuationsoffalseteachers.Falseprophetshavetheirgood

words, and fair speeches, and subtle devices,whereby they blindmanysouls,anddryupallthespiritualmilkandmoisturethatisinthem—andthereforetheyaretobeshunnedandavoided.But,

(8.) Eighthly, You must have no intimate, no specialcommunionwithsuchasareobstinateandrefractory,andwhowillnotsubmittoChrist'srulesandlaws.2Thes.3:14,"Andifanyman obeys not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have nocompanywithhim, thathemaybeashamed." [TheGreekword, isverysignificant,foritdenotessuchaperturbationofthemind,thathewhoisaffectedtherewith,seekswherehemayhidehimselfforshame.]Suchasare obstinate must be noted with a brand of infamy; such must beinfamous in your eye, who look with an eye of contumacy upon anycommandor institutionofChrist.TheGreekwordsignifies tonotehimsoastomakeasign,asitwere,ofhim;ortomarkhimsoastoputhimtothe blush, to put him to shame. The obstinate, the obstinate personshouldbeamarkedperson,youmustsetacrossuponhim,thatallmayknowhimandshunhim.Theassembliesofthesaintsarehonorable—andobstinateprofessorsaretobeshutoutofthem.

"Ifyourbrothersinsagainstyou,goandshowhimhisfault,justbetweenthetwoofyou.Ifhelistenstoyou,youhavewonyourbrotherover.Butifhewillnotlisten,[ifheisobstinate,]takeoneortwoothersalong,sothat'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or threewitnesses.'Ifherefusestolistentothem,tell it tothechurch;andifherefusestolisteneventothechurch,treathimasyouwouldapaganorataxcollector."Matthew18:15-17.Hewhoshallbeobstinateunderprivateand public admonition, is to be shut out from church communion; hewho to small faults shalladdobstinacy, is tobe cutoff from the saints'society.Wemustturnourbacksuponhimwhoturnshisbackuponthechurch.Aswewouldkeepourselvesuntainted,aswewouldpreservethechurch from being infected, as we would not have the name of Godblasphemed,andaswewouldhavetheobstinateprofessorashamedandhumbled—wemusthavenosacredsocietywithhim.

(9.) A ninth sort of people that Christians must have nointimate, no sacred, no special communion with—are fools.Proverbs 9:6, "Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of

understanding."Proverbs14:7, "Go fromthepresenceofa foolishman,when you perceive not in him the lips of knowledge." Proverbs 23:9,"Speaknot in the earsof a fool; forhewilldespise thewisdomof yourwords."[Whowouldhangajewel inaswine'sear,orsowpreciousseedamongcraggyrocks,orputsweetliquorintoamustyvessel?etc.]Thereisnoprofit,nopleasure,nodelighttobehadinthesocietyoffools.Foolsare neither capable of doing good nor of receiving good; and thereforewhatshouldgoodsoulsdoamongsuch?Afoolhasneitheraneartohear,noraneyetosee,norahearttounderstand,noramemorytoretain,norawillto choose, nor affections to embrace—anything that is good.Andtherefore their company is to be shunned and avoided. The society offools is as dangerous as it is vexatious: Proverbs 13:20, "Hewhowalkswithwisemenshallbewise;butacompanionoffoolsshallbedestroyed."The Hebrew word that is here used, signifies to be broken; yes, to bebroken as sometimes an army is broken by some fierce and suddensurprisal;acompanionoffoolsshallbebrokeninhiscredit,inhisestate,in his name, in his reputation; yes, in his very wits, for nothingcontributessomuchtomakeamanafoolasthecompanyoffools.

(10.) The tenth and last sort of people that Christians musthavenofamiliaritynorsocietywith,arescorners.Suchasscornthesaints,andscorntruereligion,andscornpiety;suchwhoscorneverywayofChrist,andeveryinstitutionofChrist:Proverbs9:8,"Reprovenotascorner,lesthehateyou."Wiseandgraciousreproofsarepearls—whichare not to be cast before scorners.Now certainly, if Imay not reprovescorners, then Imay not keep companywith scorners: Proverbs 22:10,"Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yes, strife andreproach shall cease." The scorner must be cast out of your company.Strifeandcontention,shameandreproach,arethescorner'sattendants;and therefore he who would be rid of them must cast out him. TheHebrewwordhere translated "cast out," signifiesnot simply to eject orcast out; but to cast out or drive out, as God did drive Adam out ofparadise,Gen. 3:24, for the word is the same; and this God did, withviolenceanddispleasure.Justso,mustthescornerbecastout,ordrivenout.

Look! as God did drive out the Amorite, and the Canaanite, and the

Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite before hispeople,Exod.34:11; somust the scornerbedrivenoutof thesocietyofthesaints;fortheHebrewwordisthesameinbothplaces.Look!asSarahwould have Abraham to cast out the bond-woman and her son, Gen.21:10;somustthescornerbecastoutof thecompanyof thesaints; theword is still the same. Look! as the sea casts upmire and dirt, Isaiah57:20;soshouldChristianscastoutscornersfromamongthem;thewordbeingstillthesame.

Thescornerconstrueseverythingtotheworst;heenviesthosewhoexcelhim;hedisdainsthosewhoarebelowhim;heisnevercontented,neversatisfied,he isstilla-quarreling,stilla-fretting,andstilla-perplexingofhimself and others; and therefore youmust cast him out with scoffingIshmael,orthehousewillbetoohottoholdyou.Castoutthefirebrand,andthefiregoesout;castoutJonah,andthestormshallcease;castoutthebond-womanandherscornfulson,andallwillbequiet.

David'sblessedmanisdescribedbythis,Psalm1:1,thathe"sitsnotintheseatofthescornful."Scornersarenocompanionsforblessedmen.Ofallmen, theblessedmanwillnever choose the scorner forhis friend.Godhimselfscornsthescorner:Proverbs34,"Surelyhescornsthescorner,"etc.Ofallmen intheworld,Godcasts thegreatestcontemptandscornupon scorners, and therefore why should we make such our bosom-associates?

AndthusyouseetheseveralsortsofpeoplethatGodhasshutoutfromthe communion of his people. Well, Christians, remember this, deadstonesmust not be laid in a living temple. No stones but hewn stoneswere tobebroughtand laid in thebuildingofSolomon's temple,whichwas a type of the church of Christ in gospel-days. [1 Kings 5:15-18; 2Chron.2,and2:2,18;1Pet.2:5.]Certainlysuchstones,suchsouls,asarenothewnbythewordandSpirit,arenotfittobelaidinChrist'sbuilding.InJosiah'sdays,whenthePassoverwaskept,therewereportersateverygateofJerusalem,thatnouncleanoruncircumcisedonesmightenter,2Chron.35.Thatvainpeopleare tobeshutout fromsacredcommunionwiththepeopleofGod—isfurtherevidentbythejudgmentofmanygodlyauthors.As,

Chrysostomsays that"thetableof theLord is thatwhereon thebody islaid,andthatwemustnotallowchatteringblue-jaystocomethereunto;for onlyhigh-flying eagles are to feed thereupon."Thereupon the sameauthor protested "that he had rather give his life to a murderer, thanChrist'sbodytoanunworthyreceiver,andratherallowhisownbloodtobe poured out likewater, than to offerChrist's blessed blood to a baseliver."Andagain,"Church-officers,"sayshe,"aretokeepthesacramentpure, as aman would keep a pleasant spring clean whereat he alwaysdrinks,not letting the feet of filthybeasts and swine to puddle it." Thesame author further says that in the primitive times, whenever thesacramentwas administered, a deacon stood up, and cried in theopenassembly,"Holythingsforholymen,holythingsforholymen!"therebydebarringallotherswhowereunholy,andraisingtheheartsoftheholy.

JustinMartyr,wholivedsomethirtyyearsaftertheapostleJohn,writesthus:"InourassembliesweadmitnonetotheLord'ssupperbutsuchasbeingbaptizedcontinueinprofessingthetruefaith,andinleadingsuchlivesasChristhastaught."Therewerethreethings,saysthisauthor,thatwererequiredofthosewhoweretobereceivedtothesacrament:1.Anewbirth;2.Soundnessinfaith;3.Apromisetolivewell."

Augustinewellobserves,"Thatasmanythinktheeatingofanapplewasbutasmallsin,somanythinkthat theeatingof thesacrament isbutasmall sin.But asmanyhorrid sinswere enraptup in that, so are theremanyenraptupinthis:

1.Hereispride;elsenomaninhiswickednesswouldpresumetocometotheLord'stable.

2.HereisrebellionandtreasonagainstthecrownanddignityofChrist;their hands and lips adore him, as Judas his did—but their hearts andlivesabhorhim,Romans2:22.

3.Hereistheftandsacrilege;nowiftotakeawaythecommunion-cupbesuch a high offence, such horrid sacrilege, what is it then to take thebread and wine, set apart and sanctified for a holy use by the Lordhimself?1Cor.11:27,29.

4.Here ismurder, theworstmurder, thegreatestmurder, the cruellestmurder; you kill yourself, your soul, and asmuch as in you lies,God'sdearestSon.

Nowcertainly,insomerespects,thissinisagreatersinthanAdam'swas,For,

1. Adam's eating was against a Creator—but yours is sinning against aRedeemer:nowitismoretoredeemasoulthantocreateaworld.

2.Hiswas against theword of the Lord; your against the blood of theLord.

3.Hisstruckatthecovenantofworks;youratthecovenantofgrace.

4.Heatebutonce;butyoueatoften."

"Yes,"Aquinassays,"themajestyofchurchdisciplineshouldneverallowthis,toletopenandknownoffenderspresumetocometothetableoftheLord."

ItwasaworthysayingofBilson,agodlyauthor,"Supposeanyman,"sayshe,"beheaprince,ifhewillnotsubmithimselftothepreceptsofChrist—butwillfullymaintaineitherheresyoropenimpurity—theministersareto admonish him what danger from God is at the door; and if heimpenitentlypersists,theymustnotallowhimtopartakeeitherindivineprayer,oranyholymysteriesamongthepeopleofGod;butwhollytobeexcluded the congregation." "Not only the lack of the word andsacraments," says the same author, "but the abuse of either—greatlyhazardsthewelfareofthewholechurch;yes,castingholythingstodogs,etc., procures a dreadful doom as well to consenters as presumers, itbeingthewaytoturnthehouseofGodintoadenofthieves—ifprofaneonesareallowedtodefiletheordinancesandassembliesofthefaithful."

"I," said Calvin, will sooner die than this hand of mine shall give thethingsofGodtothedespisersofGod."

Mr. Rutherford, says "that they are copartners with the wicked—whodispense the bread to those who are knowingly dead in sins." I might

multiplymanyothers;but let thesesuffice.Foraclose, letmeonly say,Howthe fathercanbeguiltlessof thedeathofhischild,whogiveshimpoisontodrink,withthiscaution—thathetellshimitispoison—Icannotsee.Josephusreportsofsomewhoprofanelysearchedthesepulchersofthesaints,supposingtofindsometreasuresthere—butGodmadefiretoriseoutoftheearth,whichsuddenlydevouredthem.NowifGod'swrathlikefirebreaksforthtoconsumesuchaswrongbutthesepulchersofhissaints, etc., oh thenwithwhat flamesof furywillGodburnup suchasabusenotonlythesacramentofhisSon—buthisSonhimself!

ItwasaverygreatwickednessinJuliantothrowhisbloodinthefaceofChrist; but for a wicked communicant to take Christ's own blood as itwere, running fromhisheart,and to throw it into the faceofChrist—ismostabominableanddamnable.Byallthathasbeenspoken,youclearlysee that unholy people are to be shut out of the special communion ofsaints here on earth; and therefore certainly the Lord will never allowsuchtohavecommunionwithhiminheaven.Itwillnot standwith theholinessandpurityofGodtohavefellowshipwithsuchinthekingdomofglory, whom hewould not have his people have fellowshipwith in thekingdomofgrace.

8. The eighth argument to prove that without real holinessthere isnohappiness; thatwithoutholinessonearthnomanshallevercometoablessedvisionorfruitionofGodinheaven,is this—The Scripture, which speaks no falsehood, stylesunholypeoplebeasts,yes,theworstofbeasts;andwhatwouldsuch do in heaven? [Unholy people are, throughout the Scriptures,branded, to their everlasting contempt—with the worst appellations.]Unholypeoplearethemostdangerous,and themostharmfulbeings inthe world, and therefore are emblemized by lions—for they are cruel,Psalm22:21;bybears—for theyare savage, Isaiah11:7;bydragons—forthey are hideous, Ezek. 29:3; by wolves—for they are ravenous, Ezek.22:27;bydogs—fortheyaresnarling,Rev.22:15;byvipersandscorpions—fortheyarestinging,Mat.12:34,Ezek.2:6;byspidersandcockatrices—for they are poisoning, Isaiah 59:5; by swine—for their intemperance,Mat. 7:6. The glutton is depicted as a swine; the fraudulent person isdepictedasafox;thelustfulpersonisdepictedasagoat;thebackbiteris

depicted as a barking cur; the slanderer is depicted as an asp; theoppressorisdepictedasawolf;thepersecutorisdepictedasatiger;theseducerisdepictedasaserpent.CertainlyGodwillnotallowsuchbeastsandtoadsandsnakesandserpentstolivewithHiminheaven!

[It was accustomed to be a trial whether land belonged to England orIreland,byputting intoadsorsnakes,etc., into it; if they livedthere, itwas concluded that the land belonged to England; if they died, toIreland.] Surely God, and Christ, and the Spirit, and angels, and "thespiritsofjustmenmadeperfect,"arenotsoinlovewithdogsandswine,etc.,astoputthemintotheirbosoms,ormakethemtheircompanions.Heaven is a too holy place to admit such vermin to inhabitthere."Nothingimpurewilleverenterit,norwillanyonewhodoeswhatis shamefulordeceitful,butonly thosewhosenamesarewritten in theLamb'sbookoflife."Revelation21:27

WhenCyneas, the ambassador of Pyrrhus, after his return fromRome,was asked by his master what he thought of the city and state, heansweredandsaid,thatitseemedtohimtobeastateofnonebutgreatstatesmen,andacommonwealthofkings.Suchisheaven; it isnootherstatethanaparliamentofemperors,acommonwealthofkings.Thereisnotasoulinheavenunderthedegreeofaking,Rev.1:6,andeverykingtherehasarobeofhonoruponhisback,agoldenscepterinhishand,andagloriouscrownuponhishead.Anddoyouthinkthatitwillstandwiththestateofheaven—toadmitsuchverminasunholypeopleare,tobeofthatholysociety?Surelynot!Godhaslongsinceresolveduponit,thatnounclean beasts shall enter into heaven, that no dirty dogs shall evertrample upon that golden pavement. "Outside are the dogs, those whopracticemagic arts, the sexually immoral, themurderers, the idolatersandeveryonewholovesandpracticesfalsehood."Revelation22:15.

All in heaven are holy: the angels holy, the saints holy--but the LordHimselfaboveall,ismostgloriousinholiness.Nowcertainlyitwouldbea hell to these holy ones to have unholy wretches to be their eternalcompanions! When the holy angels fell from their holiness,heavenwassoholythatitspewedthemout,asonceCanaandiditsunholy inhabitants,Lev. 18:28;and thereforecertainly therewill benoroominheavenforsuchfilthybeastsasunholypeopleare.

Well,rememberthis—thatallthosestingingexpressionsandappellationswhich disgrace and vilify unholy people, they were inspired by a holySpirit,andpennedbyholysecretaries,andenrolledinhisholyword,andpublishedbyhisholymessengers,andallbyhisholyappointment,who,ashe isgreater than thegreatest,andwiser than thewisest, andbetterthanthebest,sohe is toopureandtooholy torevokethewordswhicharegoneoutofhismouth,ortodenyorunsaywhathehasspoken,ornottomaintainthetruththereofagainstallgainsayers.Itisprophesiedthatwhen the church shall be restored to her purity and glory, such beastsshall not be there, Isaiah 35:9; Ezek. 28:24. The majesty of churchdiscipline shall be such as shall keep out all such beasts. "Jerusalemabove"istoogloriousahabitationforbeasts,orformenofbeastlyspirits,orbeastlyprinciples,orbeastlypractices.Thecityof thegreatGodwasnever built for beasts. A wilderness and not a paradise—is fittest forbeasts.

9.Theninthargumenttoprovethetruthofthepropositionisthis,Godwouldnothavehisholyonesinthisworldtobeyokedinmarriagewithunholyones;and thereforecertainlyhewillnever allow such to be yoked tohimself to all eternity. [Exod.23:32; 34:12. If youwould see the greatness anddangerousness of thissin,thenreadEzra10and1Kings11,withExod.34:14-16;Judges3:6-8.When the tyrant Dionysius asked Aristide's permission to marry hisdaughter—saidhe,"Ihadratherseemydaughterdead—thanmarriedtoatyrant!"Theapplicationiseasy.]ThatGodwouldnothavehisrighteouspeopletobeyokedinmarriagewiththeunrighteous,ismostevidentbythese scriptures: Deut. 7:3, 6, "Neither shall you make marriages withthem;yourdaughteryoushallnotgivetohisson,norhisdaughtershallyoutakeuntoyourson:foryouareaholypeopleuntotheLordyourGod.TheLordyourGodhaschosenyou tobeaspecialpeopleuntohimself,aboveallpeoplewhoareuponthefaceoftheearth."

Ezra9:12,"Youtoldusnottoletourdaughtersmarrytheirsons,andnottoletoursonsmarrytheirdaughters,andnottohelpthosenationsinanyway."ButdidtheykeepthiscommandmentoftheLord?No—asyoumaysee in the second verse of that chapter, "For the men of Israel havemarriedwomenfromthesepeopleandhavetakenthemaswivesfortheir

sons. Just so, the holy race has become polluted by these mixedmarriages.Tomakemattersworse,theofficialsandleadersaresomeoftheworstoffender."ButhowdidthisoperateupongoodEzra?Thatyoumayseeinthethirdverse,"WhenIheardthis,Itoremyclothing,pulledhair frommy head and beard, and sat down utterly shocked!" Oh thesorrow, the grief, the perplexity, the holy passion, the indignation, theamazement,theastonishmentthatthisabominationbegotintheheartofgoodEzra!

ThelikeeffectthissinhadupontheheartofgoodNehemiah,asyoumayseeinthatremarkabletext,Neh.13:23-25,comparedwithchapter10:29-30.Justso,in2Cor.6:14-15,"Donotbeyokedtogetherwithunbelievers.For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or whatfellowshipcanlighthavewithdarkness?WhatharmonyistherebetweenChrist and Belial ? What does a believer have in common with anunbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God andidols?"Itisanevilthing,adangerousthing,tobeyokedtoanywhohaveneitherskillnorwilltobeartheyokeofChrist.Underthelawanoxandandonkeymightnotbeyokedorcoupled together,Deut.22:10;and tothis the apostle alludes as some judge—God would not have righteoussoulstobeyokedinmarriagewiththosewhoareunrighteous;agracioussoul were better be married to a dog, than to an ungracious wife. "Avirtuouswifeisacrowntoherhusband,"Proverbs12:4;sheisthelifeoflife. If you are aman of holiness, youmust lookmore for a portion ofgrace in awife—than for a portion ofgoldwith a wife; youmust lookmoreafterrighteousnessthanriches;moreafterpietythanmoney;moreafterwhatinheritanceshehasinheaven,thanwhatpossessionsshehasonearth;moreatwhat interestshehas inChrist, thanatwhat interestshehasincreatures;moreatherbeingnew-born,thanatherbeinghigh-born;moreatherbeinggodly,thanatallherworldlygoods,1Cor.7:39.Ifmoneymakesthematch,andshebegoodenoughthathasbutgoodsenough—youshallbesuretohavehellenoughwithsuchawife!Inyourchoiceofaspouse—toerrbutonceistobeundoneforyourwholelife—atleast as to the comforts and contentments of your life.Once blessed orcursedwithaspouse—youmustbealwaysso!

Bywhat has been said, it ismost evident thatGodwould not have the

holy seed tomingleormarrywith theunholy.Anddoyou think that aholyGodwillmingleandmarrywithsuchinheaven,thathewouldnothavehispeopletomingleormarrywithonearth?Surelynot!Ordoyouthink that God—who would not in the law have an ox and an donkeyplough together—that he will be yoked to such wretches, may I say tosuch donkeys, whose ungodliness has debased them below the very oxanddonkey?Isaiah1:3.Surelynot!

10. The tenth and last argument to prove that without realholinessthereisnohappiness,etc.,isthis—Unholypeopleareadjudged,doomedandsentencedtoanotherplace,namely,tohell. Psalm 9:17, "The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all thenations that forget God." In the Hebrew there are two "intos;" "into,""into"hell, that is, thewicked shall be turned into thenethermosthell,intothe lowest anddarkestdungeonofhell! "They shallbe turned intohell," that is, they shall be certainly turned into hell; they shall bevehemently, forcibly turned into hell. God will, as it were with bothhands, thrust them into hell. [Matt. 11:23, and 23:15, 33. The Hebrewword Sheol has several significations; sometimes it signifies the grave,sometimes itsignifiesextraordinarygreatanguishesanddistresses;andsometimesitsignifieshellortheplaceofthedamned,ashere,andasinJob11:8,andProverbs15:11.]Thewickedshallgofromhelltojudgment,andfromjudgmenttheyshallbeturnedwithawitnessintohell.

Manynow-a-days say there isnohell butwhat aman finds inhis ownconscience.MultitudesthinkthatallthatisspokenofhellinScripture,isfalse andmythical. Theywill not believe that there is a hell, until theycome to feel themselves inhell,until they findeverlasting flamesabouttheir ears. They are sentenced to the fire, to everlasting fire, they aredoomedtofireandbrimstone!"ThenHewillalsosaytothoseontheleft—DepartfromMe,youwhoarecursed,intotheeternalfirepreparedfortheDevilandhisangels!"Matthew25:41

Thisterriblesentencebreathesoutnothingbutfireandbrimstone,terrorandhorror,dreadandwoe!ThelastwordsthateverChristwillspeaktotheungodly,willbethemosttormenting,andhorrifying,themostkillinganddamning,themoststingingandwounding!"DepartfromMe!"Hereisutterrejection—"Pack!Begone!Getoutofmysight!Letmeneversee

yourfaceagain!"

It was a heavy doom that was passed upon Nebuchadnezzar, that hewouldbedrivenfromthesocietyofmen,andinanextremityofasottishmelancholy,spendhistimeamongthebeastsofthefield,Dan.4:25;butthat was nothing to this soul-killing word, "Depart from me;" it wasnothing to men's being cast out of the presence of Christ forever; theremembranceofwhichmadeonetopraythus,"OLord,delivermeatthegreatdayfromthatsoul-killingword,depart."Andwhatsaysanother,

Thisword"depart,"thegoatswithhorrorhears.

Butthisword"come,"thesheeptojoyappears."

"You who are cursed!" There is malediction. "But, Lord, if we mustdepart,oh letusdepartblessed!"No,"departwhoareyoucursed!"Youhave cursed others, and now you shall be cursed yourselves; you havedelighted yourselves in cursing, and now you shall be cursed forever.[Cursingsnowaretheirhymns—butinhelltheyshallbetheirwoes,Rev.16:9,11-21.]Youshallbecursedinyourbodiesandcursedinyoursouls;you shall be cursed ofGod, and cursed of angels, and cursed of saints,andcursedofdevils,andcursedofyourcompanions,yes,youshallcurseyour very selves, your very souls.You lovednotblessing, and thereforeyoushallhavecursingenough:"Departfromme,youwhoarecursed!"allyourcurses,allyourmaledictionsshallatlastrecoiluponyourownsouls.Nowyoucurseeverymanandthingwhichstandsinthewayofyourlusts,andwhichcrossesyourdesigns:butat lastall thecursesofheavenandhellshallmeetintheirfullpowerandforceuponyou!

But,Lord, ifwemustdepart,anddepartcursed,oh letusgo intosomegoodplace!No!"Departintotheeternalfire!"Thereisthevengeanceandeverlastingcontinuanceofit.[Theydobutdream,whothinkandsaythatthedevilanddamnedshallbedeliveredatlast,Psalm11:6.]Youshallgointo fire, into everlasting fire, that will neither consume itself, norconsumeyou!Eternityofextremepunishmentisthehellofhell.ThefireinhellislikethatstoneinArcadia,whichbeingoncekindledcouldneverbequenched.

Ifall thefiresthateverwere intheworldwerecontractedintoonefire,howterriblewoulditbe!Yetsuchafirewouldbebutasa'painted'fire—compared to the fireofhell.Thegreatestand thehottest fires thateverwereonearth—arebuticeincomparisontothefireofhell.Ifitbesosada spectacle to behold amalefactor's flesh consumed by piece-meal in alingeringfire;ah!howsad,howdreadfulwoulditbetoexperiencewhatitis to lie in unquenchable fire, not for a day, a month, or a year, or ahundred, or a thousand years—but forever and ever! "If it were," saysone, "but for a thousand years, I could bear it—but seeing it is foreternity, this astonishes and affrights me!" "I am afraid of hell," saysanother, [Cyril,] "because thewormthereneverdies,and the firenevergoesout!"

Itiscalled"unquenchablefire,"Mat.18:8,and"eternalfire"intheEpistleof Jude, ver. 7. The torments of the damned are very grievous for thebitternessofthem—butmoregrievousforthediversityofthem—butmost of all grievous for the eternity of them. To lie in everlastingtorments,Mat.25:46,goesbeyondalltheboundsofdesperation.Toroarforeverfordisquietnessofheart, torage forever formadnessofsoul, toweep,andgrieve,andgnashtheteethforeverforvexationofspirit—isamiserybeyondallexpression!

SuetoniusreportsofTiberiusCaesar, that,beingpetitionedbyacertainoffendertohastenhispunishment,andtogranthimaspeedydespatch,hemadehimthisanswer,"Staysir,youandIarenotfriendsyet."Justso,if after a damned soul has been in hell a thousand years, he shouldpetition the Lord for a speedy death, the Lord would answer after thesame manner, "Stay soul, you and I are not yet friends!" If afterthousands and millions of thousands of years, the request should berenewed,theanswerwouldstillbethesame,"Stay,youandIarenotyetfriends!"Wrongedjusticecanneverbesatisfied,andthereforethesinnermust be forever tormented. The sinner in hell will sin forever—andtherefore he must be punished forever. It will not stand with theunspottedjusticeandrighteousnessofGodtoceasepunishing,wherethesinnerceasesnotsinning.

One tells us of some devout people, who caused those words of theprophet, Isaiah 33:14, "Who among us shall dwell with the devouring

fire?whoamongusshalldwellwitheverlastingburnings?"tobewrittenin letters of gold upon their chimney-pieces. The fear ofNebuchadnezzar's fieryfurnacemademendoanythingtoavoid it,Dan.3:8;andshallnotthefearofeternalflames,ofeverlastingburnings,workmentobewailtheirsins,tohatealltheirbitter-sweets,andtolayholdoneverlastingstrength—thatitmaygowellwiththemforever?

Ihavereadofachastevirgin,whobeingstronglytemptedandsolicitedby a lewd ruffian touncleanness, after somediscourse, she called for apan of burning coals, requesting him for her sake to hold his finger inthembutonehour;heanswered,that it isanunkindandunreasonablerequest."Thatistrue,"saysshe,"itisso;butyouaskmeamoreunkindandunreasonablerequest,namely—tosatisfyyou ina thing forwhich Ishall not only burn an hour—but burn both body and soul in hell-fireforeverandever!"Andsosheovercamethetemptation.

"But,Lord,ifImustgointofire,intoeverlastingfire,ohletmehavesomegood company inmymisery!" "No! the devil and his demons shall beyourcompanions!"Ah!whocanconceiveorexpressthemiseryoflivingwithdevilsanddamnedspirits!Manyungodlypeoplewouldnotliveinahousehauntedwithevilspiritsonenight forall theworld;andyettheyliveasifitwerenothingtodwellwithhellishfiendsandfuriesforever.Ifthe sightofaghost foramomentbe sucha terrorand torment toyou;whatwillthehorriblesightofdevils,andtheghastlysightofthedamnedbe?IfitwassogreatanafflictiontoJobtobeacompaniontoowls,Job30:29;whatwill it be to you to be a companion to devils? If itwas sogreatagriefandwoetoDavidtosojourninMesech,andtodwellinthetentsofKedar for a time,Psalm 120:5;what awoewill itbe tounholysouls to dwellwith devils and reprobates forever?Ah! howwill Satan'sdeformity, antipathy, and cruelty bewilder you and torment you! Howwillthedamned'swringingofhandsandgnashingofteethabashyouandconfoundyou!Howwillyouroldcompanions'cursingofyou,thesightofyour near relations in misery with you, and devils scornfully insultingover you, and the never-dying worm feeding perpetually upon you—bemanyhellsofhorror toyou!Hadanunholysoulasmanyworlds inhishandtogiveastherebestarsinheaven--hewouldgivethemalltoescapethose pains and torments which will admit of no intermission or

mitigation.

InRevelation21:8youhaveacatalogofthatdamnedcrew,ofthatrabbleofreprobateswhichshallbeyourcompanionsforever:"Butthecowardly,theunbelieving,thevile,themurderers,thesexuallyimmoral,thosewhopracticemagicarts, the idolatersandall liars--theirplacewillbe in thefierylakeofburningsulfur.Thisistheseconddeath."Thesecompanionsare thedevil'swhips; theyarehisscorpionswithwhichhewill tormentandwhippoorsouls forever.Suchcompanionswillmakemanyhells tomeetinone;theywillbethetopofthesoul'storments.

ThusIhavedonewiththoseargumentsthatprovethepoint;namely,thatwithoutholinessthereisnohappiness,etc.

Reasons

III. I comenow to theREASONSof thepoint—WHY is it thatwithoutholiness there is nohappiness; thatwithoutholinessonearth,nomanshallevercometoablessedvisionorfruitionofGodinheaven?Amongotherreasons thatmightberendered,youmaypleasetotakethese—

Reason 1. First, Because God has said it, who is truth andfaithfulness itself, andcannot lie. That he has said it,witness theverytext,andtheproofswhichareproducedtomakegoodthedoctrine.Andhashesaidit,andshall itnotcometopass?Hashespokenit,andwill henot accomplish theword that is gone out of hismouth? [Isaiah46:11, and 48:15; Jer. 32:24; Isaiah 4:11; Zech. 1:6; Dan. 9:12; Psalm119:138.] "God is not aman that he should lie,"Num. 23:19. "Also theStrengthof Israelwillnot lie," 1Sam. 15:29.Godwillmakegoodeveryword that is gone out of hismouth.Men sometimes eat theirwords assoon as they have spoken them; they often say and unsay—but not theHolyOneofIsrael.That firstandsupremebeing,whogivesbeingtoallothers,willcertainlygivebeingtoallhispromisesandthreatenings.Godhimself shall sooner cease to be, than theword that is gone out of hismouthshallbefrustrated.Hewhoisthefaithfulwitnesshassaidit,"that

withoutholinessnomanshallseetheLord.""Andtruly,heavenandearthshallpassawaybeforeonejotoronetittle"(thatis,beforetheleastletterorparticleofaletter)"ofGod'sblessedwordshallpassunfulfilled,"Mat.5:18.

God's "faithfulness is great," Lam. 3:23; It reaches unto the clouds,"Psalm36:5;"Hewillnotallowhisfaithfulnesstofail,"Psalm89:33;"Hisfaithfulness endures through all generations," Psalm 119:90. God willneverallowhisfaithfulnesstobestainedorblotted,andthereforehewillundoubtedlymakegoodthewordwhichisgoneoutofhismouth."Ihadrather," said Plutarch, that men should say there was never any suchperson in the world as Plutarch, than that they should say Plutarch isunfaithful."AmanwerebettersaythereisnoGod,thansaythatGodisunfaithful.Anoble spirit canbetterbearanycharge, than thatofbeingunfaithful;andsocanafaithfulGod.

Reason 2. Secondly, Because real holiness is that greatprinciplewhichfitsandcapacitatessoulsforcommunionwithGod, and for a blessed sight and fruition of God. Mat. 5:8,"Blessedarethepureinheart,fortheyshallseeGod."Withoutaprincipleofpurity,ofsanctity—thereisnovisionofGodinglory.Ifamanbeeverso poor—yet if his heart be pure, God will make a house of his heart,wherein his honor will delight to dwell; let aman's outside be ever sohomely—yet if his inside be but cleanly, God will make it his ownhabitation. God is for thatman, and thatman is for God—who carriesabout with him a pure heart. Heart-purity makes a man a darling ofheaven.Manyaffectpurelanguage,purehouses,purehabits,purehands,pure air, pure food, pure drink, pure gestures, etc.,who yet for lack ofheart-purityshallneverseethefaceofGodinglory.Heart-purityspeaksamaneternallyhappy.

Holinessisthatnobleprinciple,whichfitsamanforthehappiestsightofGod: itmakes amana fit companion forGodbothhereandhereafter.Without this principle no man can have communion with God in thisworld,much less can he have communion with God in heaven—if thispreciousprincipleofholinessbenotseatedinhisheart.ItwillnotstandwiththeholinessofGod,tohaveanythingtodowiththosewhohavenoprinciples of holiness in them. It is a principle of holiness,which fits a

man for the service of God, which fits aman for fellowship with God,which fits a man for walking with God, which fits a man forcorrespondencewithGod, andwhich fits aman for thedelight ofGod,andwhich fits aman for an everlasting fruition of God. And thereforecertainly,withoutholiness—thereisnohappiness;withoutaprincipleofpurity—therecanbenoseeingof the faceofGodinglory. [ThegloryofgloryconsistsinseeingofGod,1Cor.13:12;1John3:2,asthehellofhellliesinthesoul'severlastingseparationfromGod.]

Reason3.Athirdreasonwhywithoutrealholinessthereisnohappiness, etc., is this—Because heaven is a holy place, andthereforenounholy souls can enter there. It is called the "highandholyplace,"Isaiah57:15.Theinheritanceofthesaintsinheavenisaninheritance which is incorruptible and undefiled, 1 Pet. 1:4. Holinessdwellsinheaven,2Pet.3:13,asamandwellsinhishouse.HeavenisthehouseofGod'sholiness,andthereforecertainlywithoutholinessthereisnoenteringintothathouse,Rev.21:27.TheHolyofHoliesinthetemplewasa typeofheaven. [Exod.26:34;Psalm78:69;Heb.9:8, and 12:24.]And as nonemight enter into theHoly ofHolies whowere unholy, sonone can enter intoheaven,which is the trueholy of holies—but thosewhoareholy.Heavenwassoholy, that itcastouttheangelswhentheyfellfromtheirholiness.Paradisewasatypeofheaven,andnosoonerdidAdamlosehisholiness—buthewasshutoutofparadise.

Heavenisacityofholiness:andnonecanenterintothatcitybutsuchasareholy,Rev.22:14.Heaven is soholy that itwouldgroan tobearoneunholysoul.Well,heavenisaholyplace,andtheinhabitantsareallholy,and thework of heaven is holy; andwhat thenwould unholy souls dothere?

Reason4.A fourth reasonwhywithout real holiness there isno happiness, etc., is this—Because unholy people have noheartstogotoheaven.Thoughnowandthentheymaytalkofheaven,andnowand then liftup theireyesandhands toheaven,andnowandthen express a few cold wishes and lazy desires after heaven—it is nodifficultthingtodemonstratethatingoodearnesttheyhavenohearttogotoheaven. ["Heaven isanotherhell to thedamned,"saidone, Isaiah88:3-4.]

For first,HowoftenhasGod set life anddeath,heavenand hell beforethem—andtheyhavechosendeathratherthanlife,andhellratherthanheaven!

2.Doyouthinkthatthatmanhasanyhearttoheaven—whowillnotsomuchaspartwithalustforheaven?

3.Willyousaythatthatmanhasahearttogotoheaven—whohasnotsomuchasahandtolayholdontheopportunitiesofgracethatmightbringhimtoheaven?Luke13:33-34.

4.Will you say that that man has a heart to go to heaven—who dailyhardens his heart against him who is the way to heaven? John 14:6;Isaiah63:10.

5.Willyousaythatthatmanhasahearttogotoheaven—whoisstilla-grieving,vexing,andquenchingthatSpiritofholiness—whoalonecanfit,frame,andformhimforheaven?

6.Will you say that thatman has a heart to go to heaven—who rarelyspendsaseriousthoughtofheaven,andthatlivesinthisworldasiftherewerenoheaven?

7.Will you say that thatmanhasaheart togo toheaven,whose sinfulcoursesspeakhimouttobeoneofthosewhohavemadeacovenantwithdeath,andanagreementwithhell?Isaiah28:15,18.

8.Doyouthinkthatthatmanhasahearttogotoheaven—whodeteststhosemostwhoarethebestwooersforheaven?

9.Do you think that thatmanhas anyheart to go toheaven—whocantakenopleasurenordelightinthosewhoaretravelingtowardsheaven?Romans3:8;1Cor.4:9-10.

10.Willyousaythatthatmanhasahearttogotoheaven—whowilldonothingaffectionatelyforheaven—whowillnothearforheaven,norprayfor heaven, nor trade for heaven, nor look for heaven, nor long forheaven,norstriveforheaven,norwaitforheaven?[Nomaneverwentto

heavensleeping.]

Theheartcommandsall,itcarriesall;iftheheartwerebentforheaven,theheadwouldcontrive forheaven, theeyewould lookout forheaven,and the ear would hear for heaven, and the tongue would speak forheaven,andthefootwouldwalktowardsheaven,andthehandwoulddofor heaven. By allwhich, it ismost evident that unholy people are notcordially willing to go to heaven. It ismost certain that unholy peoplehavenosuchgreatmindtogo toheavenassome imagine.WhenDiveswas inhell,hisdesirewasnot tobewithAbraham inheaven—but thatLazarusmightcomeandgivehimalittleeaseinhell;hepreferredalittleeaseinhellbeforehisbeingwithAbrahaminheaven,Luke16:24,27-29.Neitherdidhedesirethathisfivebrethrenmightgotoheaven—butthattheymightbekeptoutofhell;andthatnotoutoflovetothem—butoutoflove to himself, he knowing that their company would be no smallincreaseofhisowntorments.

Heaven would be a very hell to an unholy heart. If now thepresence of God in his servants, and the presence of God in hisordinances—is such a hell to unholy souls; ah, what a hell would thepresenceofGodinheavenbetounholyhearts!Itistrueanunholyheartmaydesireheaven,as it isaplaceof freedomfromtroubles,afflictions,oppressions,vexations,etc.,andasitisaplaceofpeace,rest,ease,safety,etc.—butthisistheleastandlowestpartofheaven;buttodesireitasitis,aplaceofpurity,ofgrace,ofholiness,ofenjoyingofGod,etc., isabovethe reach of an unholy heart. The companyof heaven are all holy, theemploymentsofheavenareallholy,andtheenjoymentsofheavenareallholy;andthereforeheavencannotbutbeanundesirablethingtounholyhearts. An unholy heart is no way desirous nor ambitious of such aheavenaswillridhimofhisdarlingsins,aswillmakehimconformabletoaholyGod,aswilleverlastinglydivorcehimfromhisoldlusts,andlinkhimforevertothosegracioussoulswhomhehasscorned,despised,andpersecutedinthisworld.Ergo,etc.

Reason 5. Fifthly and lastly—Because without real holinessmen are good for nothing, they are fit for nothing. Withoutholinessmenareneithergoodforchurchnorstate,theyareneitherfittorulenortoberuled;tocommand,nortobecommanded;toguide,norto

be guided, etc.Men void of holiness are in the Scripture resembled tochaff, todust, todirt, tobriarsand thorns—whichare thingswhicharegoodfornothing—whicharefitfornothing.[Psalm1:4;Isaiah41:2;Zeph.1:17;Ezek.2:6; Isaiah9:18, 10:6, 17,and57:27.]Andwhat should suchmendoinheaven,whoaregoodfornothingonearth?Thehorseisgoodtocarry,theoxisgoodtodrawtheplow,thesheepisgoodforcloth,thecowisgoodtogivemilk,thedonkeyisgoodtocarry,andthedogisgoodto protect the house; but what is aman void of holiness good for?Anunholypersonisgoodfornothingbuttobedestroyed,andtomakesomeroomforabetterpersontostandup in thatplacewhichhe takesupintheworld.

As the hog in the Arabic fable tells us that a butcher, carrying threecreaturesuponhishorse—asheep,agoat,andahog—thetwoformerlayveryquiet and still—but thehogkicked, and cried, andwouldnever bequiet.Thereuponthebutchersaid,"Whyareyousoimpatientwhentheothertwoaresoquiet?"Thehoganswered,"Everyoneknowshimself;thesheepknowsthatheisbroughtintothecityforhiswool'ssake,andthegoatknowsthatheisbroughtintothecityforhismilk'ssake,andsotheyneednotfearnorcare;but,alas,IknowverywellthatIhaveneitherwoolnormilk—butthatassoonasIamcomeintothecityImustbekilled—forthat is all I am good for." An unholy person is like a hog—good fornothingbuttobekilled,Mat.7:6.

Certainly heaven-happiness is too great and too glorious a thing to bepossessedbythosewhoaregoodfornothing.Welookuponsuchasarefitfornothing,tobeworthyofbanishmentfromthesocietyofmen.Butoh,howmuchmoreworthyaretheytobebanishedfromthepresenceoftheLord,andthegloryofhispower,andtobeshutoutforeverfromthesocietyofangelsandthespiritsofjustmenmadeperfect—whoarefitfornothingbuttodishonortheLord,undotheirownsouls,andtotreasureupwrathagainstthedayofwrath!2Thes.1:8-9;Heb.12:22-23;Romans2:5.

AndthusIhavegivenyouanaccountofthereasonsofthepoint.

Conviction

WecomenowtothePracticalApplication

Use1.Weshallnowcometomakesomeimprovementofthisgreattruthtoourownsouls.Isitso,thatrealholinessistheonlywaytohappiness,and that without holiness here, no man shall ever come to a blessedvision or fruition ofGodhereafter?Then the first use shall be a use ofCONVICTION.This, then,may serve to convince theworld of severalthings:As,

1.First,Thatthenumberofthosewhoshallbeeternallyhappy,the number of thosewho shall attain to a blessed vision andglorious fruitionofGod inheaven—areveryFEW; for therearebutafewthatreachtothisholinesswithoutwhichthereisnohappiness:Rev.3:4,"YouhaveafewnameseveninSardiswhohavenotdefiledtheirgarments; and they shall walk withme in white: for they are worthy."AmongthemanyinSardistherewerebutafewwhohadholyinsidesandpureoutsides.[Afewnames,thatis,afewpeople:Acts1:15,whoareallknown toChrist byname; ashe said toMoses, "I know you by name,"Exod.33:12,17.Bythesescripturesit isevidentthatfewshallbesaved,Jer. 5:1; Ezek. 22:30, and 9:4, 6-7; Micah 1:13-15; Luke 23:28, seq.;Romans9:21;Mat.22:14;1Cor.1:20.]

Among themultitude whomade a holy profession, there were but fewwhowalkedanswerabletotheirholycalling;andthereforebutafewwhowouldwalkwithChristinwhite.Whiteinancienttimeswasthedressofnobles:towalkwithChristinwhite,istopartakewithChristinhisglory.They, and only they, at last shall be clothednobly, royally, gloriously—whomaintaininwardandoutwardpurity.Theholyseedisa"little,littleflock," Luke 12:32.Here are two diminutives in theGreek, "little, littleflock;"toshowtheexceedinglittlenessofit.Theywerelittleintheirowneyes,andlittleintheirenemies'eyes,andlittleinregardofthatworldofwolvesamongwhomtheywerepreserved,asasparkoffireinthemidstofthewideocean.

When theSyrians cameupagainst Israel in the timeofAhab, it is saidthat "the children of Israel pitched before them like two little flocks of

goats—but theSyrians filledthecountry,"1Kings20:27.Holy soulsarebut liketwolittleflocksofgoats;buttheunholyfill theworld.GracioussoulsarelikethethreehundredmenofGideon;butgracelesssoulsareastheMidianites,thatwerelikegrasshoppersformultitude,Judges7:7,12.

"Small isthegateandnarrowtheroadthat leadsto life,andonlya fewfind it." Mat. 7:14. The way of holiness which leads to happiness, is anarrowway;thereisbutjustroomenoughforaholyGodandaholysoultowalktogether.Andfewthereare,whofindit.Andnowonder;fortherearebutfewwhomindit,wholoveit,wholikeit,orwhoinquireafterit."Thewholeworld lies inwickedness," 1John5:19, andwill die in theirwickedness,John8:21. Ifall theknownpartsof theworldweredividedintothirty-oneparts,therewillbefoundbutfivepartsthatdosomuchasprofesstheknowledgeofourLordJesusChrist:foratthisday,nineteenpartsoftheworldarepossessedbyunholyTurksandJews,whichdonot,nor will not somuch as acknowledge Jesus Christ to be the King andHead of his church; and seven parts of theworld is possessed thisdaymerely by heathens, who worship stocks and stones. And of those fivepartswhicharepossessedbyChristians,howmanyarePapists,atheists,hypocrites, drunkards, swearers, liars, adulterers, idolaters, oppressors!How many are proud, covetous, carnal, formal, lukewarm, indifferent,etc.!Now,shouldallthesesortsofsinnersbeseparated,astheyshallinthegreatday, fromthosewhoare trulygracious andholy,would itnotquicklyappearthattheflockofChristisalittle,littleflock?

Ah, how few among the great ones are found to be gracious! How fewamongthericharefoundtoberichinChrist,richingrace,richingoodworks!Howfewamong thosewhoarehigh-born,canyou findwhoarenew-born! 1Cor. 1:16; 1Tim.6:16-17. Itwas the sayingofLipsius, that"thenamesofallgodlyprincesmayeasilybewritten inasmallring."IhavereadofMr.Buchanan,thatwasKingJames'tutor,wholyinguponhisdyingbed,desiredanoblemanthenwithhimtotellthekingthathisoldmaster,Buchanan,wasgoingtoaplacewherefewkingscome."Kingsareasraremeatinheavenasvenisonisinpoormen'skitchens,"saystheDutchproverb.Andhowfewamongthewisecanyoufindwhoarewiseforheaven,whoarewise for their souls,whoarewiseforeternity!Andhowfewamongthe learned,canyoufindwhohave learnedChrist,and

learnedtheirownhearts,andlearnedtodenythemselves,andlearnedtosavetheirownsouls!Byallwhichitismostevidentthatfewareholy,andthatfewshallbehappy.But,

2.Secondly,andmoreparticularly—Isitsothatrealholinessistheonlywaytohappiness—andthatwithoutholinesshere,noman shall ever come to a blessed vision or fruition of Godhereafter? Then this may serve to convince several sorts ofpeopleoftheirwoefulandmiserableconditions.As,

(1.) First, All PROFANE people, who give up themselves towickedness, who wallow in all ungodliness, and delightthemselvesinallmanneroffilthiness,whocommitwickednesswithgreediness;whodrawiniquityandsinwithcordsofvanity;whoweary themselves to commit iniquity; who are so desperately set uponwickedness, thatneither the rod ofGod, the lashes and checks of theirownconsciences,northeflashesofhellupontheirsouls—canstopthem;whoareresolvedthattheywillgratifytheirlusts,thoughtheydamntheirsouls; andwhowill livewickedly, though they perish eternally;whobycustominsinhavedestroyedall conscienceof sin, andcontractedsuchdesperate hardness upon their own hearts, as neitherGod's smiles norfrowns, promises nor threatenings, life nor death, heaven nor hell,ministrynormisery,miraclenormercy—canpossiblyhinderthem.Thesearegrownfromevil—tobeveryevil;fromveryevil,tobestarkevil;thesesouls are sadly abandoned byGod, andwoefully blinded by Satan, andfullyripenedforruin.[Job21:14;2Pet.2:20-22;Isaiah66:3;Eph.4:19Isaiah5:19;Jer.9:5.]

NowifwithoutholinessnomanshallseetheLord,whatwillbecomeofallprofanewretches,whoaresofarfrombeingholy,thattheyfallshortofcommonhonesty?CertainlyGodwillshutthegatesofgloryuponsuchworkersofiniquity."Allwillbedamnedwhohavenotbelievedthetruthbut have delighted in wickedness." 2 Thessalonians 2:12. Such profaneEsaus shall never beblessedwith a sight ofGod in glory,Mat. 7:22.Awickedman is a sin-lover; he is a sin-maker, he lives in sinupon choice; the Hebrew word that is commonly used for a wickedman, properly signifies a laborious sinner, a practitioner in sin, Psalm11:5;1John3:8.Nowsuchastheseare,Godwillhavenothingtodowith:

Job8:20,"BeholdGodwillnotcastawayaperfectman,neitherwillhehelptheevildoers;"orratherastheHebrewdenotes,"hewillnottaketheungodlybythehand,"thatis,hewillnothaveanyfellowship,anysociety,anyfamiliaritywiththeungodly.TheholyGodwillnotsomuchastakeanunholysoulbythehand;hewillnotintheleastcountenancehimnorrespect him; hewill notwelcomehimnor entertain him, nor show theleast favor tohim.Nowcertainly ifGodwillnot take thewickedby thehand,hewillnevertakethemintoheaven,hewillnevertakethemintohis bosom. God will have no commerce nor communion with those towhomhewill not somuch as lend a hand.Godwillwashhis hands ofthemforever—towhomhewillnotgiveahand.WhichmadeAugustinesay,that"hewouldnotbeawickedmanonehalf-hourforalltheworld,becausehemightdieinthathalf-hour."Godwillwashhishandsofeverymanwholivesanddiesawickedman,Mat.25:11-12.Theheartsandways of wicked men are full of hells; and therefore to fillheavenwithsuch,wouldbetofillheavenwithhells.

(2.)Secondly,ThistruthmayservetoconvincethosewhoareSCOFFERS and mockers at holiness, of their woeful andmiserableestate.2Pet.3:3;Jude18.Holinessissohighandsonobleathing, thatmenshouldratherhonor it thanderide it—reverence it thanreproach it; they should rather set a crown of glory than a crown ofthornsupon theheadof it.Holiness is theglorious imageofGod fairlystampeduponthesoul;andtoderideholiness istoderideGodhimself.God takes all the affronts which are done to his image—as done tohimself;andthisscoffersshallknowatlasttotheireternalwoe.

If it was such a heinous crime in Tiberius' days, to carry the image ofAugustus upon a ring or coin into any sordid place; ah, howheinous acrimeis it thentocastdirtandfilth,scornandreproachuponholiness,whichistheimageoftheinvisibleGod!Thedespiteandcontemptthatisdonetothe imageorcoinofaprince isdonetotheprincehimself,andaccordinglyhewillrevengeit.

InoldRometherewerenearasmanystatuesastherewerelivingpeople,andsomeweremadeofgold,someofsilver,someofbrass,someofivory,and some of polishedmarble; and there was an earl appointed whoseofficeitwascontinuallytowalkupanddowninthenight,attendedwith

manysoldiers,toseethatnooneharmedthestatueswhichweresetupinthecity;andifanysuchwerefoundthathadharmedanyofthestatues,theywereput todeath.Holiness is thestatueofGod,andsuchas shalldaretodefaceitandwrongit—Godwilldestroy.

The old world scoffed and scorned at righteousness—and God sweepsthemawaywith a flood.Hammocked and scoffed at righteousNoah—andwhatdidhegetbyit,butacurse?IshmaelscoffedatholyIsaac—andwhat did he get by his scoffing and mocking, but ejection out ofAbraham's family? Andwhat became of those forty-two young scoffersthat scoffed and mocked at holy Elisha? Were they not cursed in thenameoftheLord,andtorninpiecesbytwoshe-bearswhichweremorefierce and cruel than others? The Jews were given up to scoffing andmockingofthemessengersoftheLord,untiltherewasnoremedy:untiloldandyoungweredestroyedbytheswordoftheChaldeans;untiltheirtemple and city were bured and sacked, and thirty of them sold for apenny, etc., and those who escaped the sword were captivated andenslaved.SennacheribscoffedandmockedatthevirgindaughterofZion—buthisscoffsresultedinthedestructionofhisarmybythehandofanangel, and in his own destruction by the hands of his two sons. [Gen.9:22, 25, and 21:9, 15. The apostle interprets Ishmael's mocking to bepersecution.Gal.4:27;2Kings2:23,24;2Chron.30:10,and36:15,21;2Kings19:20,seq.]

Julian, theemperor,wasagreatmockerandscofferat the Christians—butGodstruckhimwithanarrowfromheaven,whichmadehimcryout"YouGalilean,[meaningourLordJesus,]haveovercomeme!"Felix,foronemaliciousscoff,didnothingdayandnightbutvomitblood,untilhisunhappysoulwasseparatedfromhiswretchedbody.Lucian,forbarkingagainsttruereligionasadog,wasbythejustjudgmentsofGoddevouredof dogs. History tells us of some scoffers that God has stricken withmadness, others with blindness, others with loathsome diseases, andsome God has stricken dead, and others he has left to be their ownexecutioners. Scoffing at holiness is a capital sin—and therefore nowonderifGodexecutesuponscoffers,capitaljudgments.Mockersandscoffersaretheworstofsinners.

AmongthethreesortsofsinnersthatDavidmentions,scornershavethe

chair—thechairofpestilence,astheSeptuaginttranslatesit.Scornersarethepestsofmankind.Theeyeofthescornerisblinded;theheartofthescornerishardened;thejudgmentofthescornerisperverted;thewillofthescornerisenthralled,andtheconscienceofthescornerisseared,andthis makes the scorner fall mad upon scoffing at holy men and holythings.Look!astheyaretheworstofservantsthatwillscoffandmockachild in the family, becausehe is his father's picture—though they takewagesofhisfather,andlivebyhisfather—sotheyaretheworstofsinnerswhoscoffatholiness,whichistheverypictureofGod,thoughtheylivebyhimandcannotlivewithouthim.Yetthisworldisfullofsuchmonsters,whocountitagracetodisgraceholiness,andtoladenholyoneswithallthenamesofscornandcontemptthattheycaninvent,orthatSatancanhelpthemto."Theseareyourholybrethren,thesearefanatics,theseareyourholysect,theseareyourpuresouls,theseareyourstrictprecisians,thesearethesaints,thesearethebrotherhood."Suchscoffingisdevisedbythedevilhimselftoscoffandmockmenoutoftheirholiness.

It has been the common portion of men most eminent in grace andholiness—tobemostscoffedandscornedinallages,Job17:2;Neh.4:1;Isaiah28:22;Luke18:32.WitnessNoah,Isaac,andElishajustnowcited,andwitnessJob,chapter21:3,"BearwithmewhileIspeak;thenafterIhave spoken, you may continue mocking;" chapter 12:4, "I am alaughingstock to my friends, by calling on God, who answers me. Therighteous and upright man is a laughingstock." Just so, David, Psalm35:16,"Theymockmewiththeworstkindofprofanity,andtheysnarlatme." Psalm 44:14, "You make us a joke among the nations, alaughingstock among the peoples." Psalm 79:4, "We have become anobjectofreproachtoourneighbors,asourceofmockeryandridiculetothosearoundus."Psalm109:25,"Ihavebecomeanobjectofridiculetomyaccusers;whentheyseeme,theyshaketheirheadsinscorn."Justso,Jeremiah, chapter 20:7, "I am in derision daily, everyone mocks me."Just so, Paul, Acts 17:18, "What will this babbler say?" Just so, theapostles, Acts 2:13, "But others in the crowd were mocking—They'redrunk, that's all!" Just so, those worthies of whom this world was notworthy,Heb.11:36,"Othershadtrialofcruelmockings."

But,aboveall,howsadly,howfrequently,yes,howfearfullywasourLord

JesusChristscoffedandscornedbyHerodandPilate,andfloutedbytherascallysoldiers!butthevengeanceofhisFatherovertookthemall.[Mat.26:68, and 27:29, 31; Luke 22:63, and 23:11; Mark 15:31. Yes, thephilosophers called Christ a magician, and affirmed that he did all bynecromancy.] And in the primitive times, as Tertullian observes, thesaints were called herds of donkeys, vile fellows, the disciples of acrucifiedman,Galileans,Nazarites,eatersofmen'sflesh,anddrinkersofmen's blood. The heathens painted the God of the Christians with andonkey's head, and a book in his hand; to signify that though theChristians pretended to knowledge—yet they were a company of sillyignorant donkeys. The libertines of old have cast much scorn andcontempt upon all the apostles: they call Matthew a usurer, Peter anapostate, Luke a paltry physician, Paul a broken vessel, and John afoolishyoungman,etc.,bywayofscornandcontempt.ThegodlyCyprianwascalledCoprian,onethatgathersupdung;andsoLuther,Calvin,andalmosteveryonethathasattainedtoanyeminencyinholiness,theyhavebeen commonly accounted as the offscouring and refuse among thepeople,1Cor.4:13-14;Lam.2:15-16,and4:2.

Nowcertainlyifholinessbetheonlywaytohappiness,etc.,thensuchasarescornersandscoffersatholinessareoutoftheverywaytohappiness.Andhowsucharelikelytocometoheaven,whoscorntheverypaththatleadstoheaven—Ishallleaveyoutojudge.Iftheravensofthevalleyshallpickouthiseyes,whomockshisfather,andtheyoungeagleseatouthiseyes,whodespisestheinstructionofhismother,asSolomonspeaks,thenofhowmuchmoresevereapunishmentaretheyguiltyof,whomockandscoff at holiness, which is the very image, picture, and glory of Godhimself! [Proverbs30:17.The first thing that eagles dowhen theyhavefoundacarcass,istopickoutitseyes.]

HolinessissonearakintoGod,thatnomancanderideholiness—buthederidesGodhimself.Ashewho"mocksthepoor,derideshimwhomadehim," Proverbs 17:5, so hewhomocks holy ones derides thatGod thatmade themholy.AndwillGod take this at the scorner'shands?No, hewillretaliate;helovestoretaliatescornuponthescorner:Proverbs3:34,"Surelyhescornsthescorners!"Godwillpaybackscornersintheirowncoin;scornersshallbesuretohavescorningenough.Godsoscorns the

peopleandprayersofscorners,thathewillhavenothingtodowiththem,Proverbs1:24-33;Psalm2:4;Isaiah37:36.Theangelssoscornscorners,that instead of being a life-guard to them, they stand ready engagedtoexecutethevengeanceofGoduponthem.Andsaintsaresofartoscornthem,byadivineprecept,asnottoreprovethem:Proverbs9:8,"Reprovenotascorner,lesthehateyou."Yes,Godinhisjustjudgmentswillmakescorners to be an abomination to all sorts ofmen.Proverbs 24:9,"Thescorner is an abomination to men;" that is, to all sorts of men. Thescornerisanabominationnotonlytoholymen—butalsotoallcivilandmoralhonestmen.Asthescorner'stongueandhandisagainsteveryman—so every man's tongue and hand shall be against him. Now if thescornersofmenbeabominabletomen,thenmuchmorearethescornersofholinessabominabletoGod,andthereforecertainlysuchshallbeshutoutfromagloriousfruitionofGod.

3. Thirdly, If real holiness be the onlyway tohappiness, andthat ifmen arenotholy on earth, they shall never come to ablessed vision or fruition of God in heaven; then, by way ofconviction,this lookssourlyandsadlyuponallFORMALISTSwho have only a form, a show, a profession of holiness—buthavenothingofthereality,spirit,life,orpowerofholinessinthem. "Having a form of godliness but denying its power." 2 Timothy3:5.Theyhaveaface,acloak,amask,ashowofgodliness—buttheyhavenothingofthepith,sap,life,ormarrowofgodliness.Theirdevotion,theirgodliness,liesingoodwords,andinfairshows,andinreligiousgestures,Isaiah58:1-3,andZech.7:4-6. Ifyouhearken to theirvoice, ifyou lookupontheireyes,ifyouobservethemotionoftheirhands,andthebowingoftheirknees,andtheshakingoftheirheads,etc.,youwouldthinkthattheyweremenofmuchreligion,ofmuchgodliness;butifyoulookintotheir hearts and lives, youwill find them to be the greatest renouncersand deniers of religion and godliness in the world. They have thesemblanceofgodliness—butnotthesubstance;theyhavethelineamentsofgodliness—butnotthelife;theyhavethefaceofgodliness—butnottheheart; theyhave the form, the shadowof godliness—butnot thepower.Theyarelikeawell-drawnpicture,whichhasallthelineamentsofaman—butlackslife,lacksaprincipleofmotionandoperation.Mark—

1.Theformofgodlinessiscommon—butthepowerofgodlinessisrare.

2.Theformofgodlinessischeap—butthepowerofgodlinessisdear.

3.Theformofgodlinessiseasy—butthepowerofgodlinessisdifficult.

4. The form of godliness is credited by the world—but the power ofgodlinessisareproach.

5.Theformofgodliness ispleasurableanddelightful—butthepowerofgodliness is displeasing and undelightful to the ignoble part of aChristian.

6.Theformofgodlinessexistswithsecretandwithopenwickedness—asyouseeinSaul,Jehu,Judas,SimonMagus,Demas,andtheScribesandPharisees—but the power of godlinesswill not. The power of godlinesslaystheaxetotheveryrootofallsin,bothsecretandopen.Rachelwasveryfairandbeautifultotheeye—butshewasbarren—andthatmarredall.Justso,theformalist,heisaveryfairandbeautifulprofessortotheeye—butheisbarrenGodwards,andChristwards,andheavenwards;heisfruitless,sapless,andlifeless—andthatmarsall.

Theformalisttakesupaformofgodliness—

1.Toquiethisconscience;

2.Togethimselfaname;

3.Tocloakoverhissins;

4.Toadvancehisworldlyinterest;

5.Toavoidoppositionandpersecutionfromtheworld,theflesh,andthedevil;

6.Andtoconformtooldcustoms.

Whatwould such formalists do in heaven? A formal Christian is but afigure,a flaunt,a flourish,a flash—andallhedoes isbuttheshadowof

whatheshoulddo.Aformalistismorelightthanlife,morenotionthanmotion, more head than heart, more outside than inside, more leavesthanfruit,moreshadowthansubstance.Aformalistisablazingcomet,apaintedtomb,astage-player,awhitedevil,oradevilinanangel'sgarb!What would such devils do in heaven? Certainly if without realholinessnomanshallseetheLord,thentheformalist,whohasonlytheshape, the show, the form of godliness—but nothing of the reality andpowerofit,shallneverbeblessedwithsuchasightofheaven.Aformalistisneitherhotnorcold—heis lukewarm.Ofallsortsofsinnershe is theworst;andGodsoloatheshim,thatheisresolvedhewillridhisstomachof him:Rev. 3:16, "So, because you are lukewarm, andneither hot norcold,IamgoingtovomityououtofMymouth."Certainlyheavenistooholy aplace to lickup that filthwhichGodhas vomitedup.LukewarmwatercannotbesoloathsometoourstomachsasaformalististoGod's.Godisneversorelieved,aswhenhehasvomitedupandvomitedouttheformalChristian.

IhavereadofAnastasiustheemperor,howGodshothimtodeathwithathunderbolt because of his lukewarmness and formality. God has athunderbolt for every formalist, bywhichhewill at last certainly strikethemdown to the lowesthell.A formalist is too loathsomea thing, tooheavyaburden,forheaventobear.

4. Fourthly, If real holiness be the only way to happiness; ifmenmustbeholyonearth,orelsetheyshallneverseethefaceofGod inheaven; then this truth,bywayofconviction, lookssourly and sadly upon all those who please and satisfythemselveswithmereCIVILITYandcommonMORALITY;whoare good negative Christians, who bless themselves that they are notswearers,nordrunkards,norextortioners,noradulterers,etc.; theypayeverymanhisown,theyarejustandrighteousintheirdealings;nomancan say they were wronged by them; their behavior is civil, lovely,harmless,andblameless.[Luke18:10-14;Mat.5:21,and19:20-22.]

"Theymakeafairshowintheflesh,"Gal.6:12,orastheGreekhasit,theysetagoodfaceonit.Butasgoodafaceastheysetonit,Imusttellthemthat civility is not sanctity; civility rested in is but abeautifulabomination—asmoothwaytohellanddestruction.Imaytruly

sayofallcivilmen—whoaredestituteof thatrealholinessthat leadstohappiness—what Erasmus said of Seneca: If you look upon him as aheathen,thenheseemstowriteasifhewereaChristian;butifyoulookuponhimasaChristian,thenheseemstowriteasaheathen.Justso,ifyoulookuponmanycivil,moralmen'slives,youwillfindthemsofullofsincerity, equity, righteousness, sweetness, and justice, that youwill beready to say, Sure these are holy men. But then do but observe howunacquaintedtheyarewithGod,withChrist,withtheScripture,withthewayandworkingoftheSpirit,withthefilthinessofsin,withthedepthsanddevicesofSatan,withtheirownhearts,withthenewbirth,andwiththe great concerns of eternity, and you will judge them to be mereheathens,tobemenvoidofallprinciplesofgraceandholiness,andtobeutter strangers to union and communionwith Christ, and to themoresecretandinwardoperationsandworkingsoftheSpiritofChrist,andtothemostspiritualdutiesandserviceswhicharecommandedbyChrist.

Civility is very often the nurse of impiety, the mother offlattery, and an enemy to real sanctity.A high conceit of civilitykeeps many a man from looking after inward and outward purity.Morality proves to many men a bond of iniquity. [Mat. 5:19, 20; Acts7:54, 13:50, and 17:17-18; Romans 8:7.] There are those who are soblinded with the fair shows of civility, that they can neither see thenecessity nor beauty of sanctity; there are those who now blessthemselves in theircommonmorality,whomat lastGodwill scornandcastoffforlackofrealholinessandpurity,Mat.25:3,11-12.

Many of the heathen were so famous for justice and uprightness, forequity, fidelity,andsobriety, forcivilityandmorality—that itwouldputmany professors to the blush to readwhat iswritten of them! And yettherewassuchatinctureofpopularapplause,ofprideandvainglory,ofhypocrisy and self-flattery, upon their civility and morality, that, foranythingwecan find inScripture to thecontrary, there iscause to fearthat they shall be miserable to all eternity: for all their civility andmorality, they were left in a damnable, I will not say in a damned,condition.

HewhorisestonohigherpitchthancivilityandmoralityshallneverhavecommunionwithGodinglory.Naamanwasagreatman—buthewasa

leper,2Kings5:1;Naamanwasanhonorableman—butaleper;Naamanwas amightyman—but hewasa leper;Naamanwas a victoriousman—but he was a leper; Naaman was in high favor and esteem with hisprince—buthewasaleper.Thisbuthewasaleperstainedallhishonor,andwasablotuponallhisgreatnessandglory,bothatcourtandinthefield,bothinthecityandinthecountry.Justso,itisastain,ablotuponthemostmoralmanintheworldtosay,he isaverycivilhonestman—butChristless;heisaveryjustman—butgraceless;heisamanofmuchmoralrighteousness—buthehasnotagrainofrealholiness,etc.Thisbutisaflyintheboxofointment,thatspoilsall.

Well,sirs,rememberthis,thoughthemoralmanisgoodformanythings—yetheisnotgoodenoughtogotoheaven,heisnotgoodenoughtobemade glorious, Mat. 5:20. Certainly there is nothing in all the world,below real sanctity, which will ever bring a man to the possession ofglory.Andthoughitmaygrieveus—tospeakafterthemannerofmen—toseesweetnatures,toseemanymoralhonestmen,takemanyawearysteptowardsheaven,andtocomeneartoheaven,andtobidfairforheaven—andyetafteralltofallshortofheaven;yetitwillbenowaygrievoustoaholyGod to turnsuchsweetnatures intohell,Psalm9:17.Morality isnotsufficienttokeepamanoutofeternalmisery;allitcandois to help a man to one of the best rooms and easiest bedswhichhellaffords.For,look,asthemoralman'ssinsarenotsogreatasothers,sohispunishmentsshallnotbesogreatasothers.This isallthe comfort that can be afforded to amoralman, that he shall have acooler hell than others have: but this is but cold comfort. Moralitywithoutpietyisasabodywithoutasoul.WillGodeveracceptofsuchastinkingsacrifice?Surelynot!

"ThePhariseestoodupandprayedabouthimself:'God,IthankyouthatIamnot like othermen--robbers, evildoers, adulterers--or even like thistaxcollector.IfasttwiceaweekandgiveatenthofallIget.'Butthetaxcollectorstoodatadistance.Hewouldnoteven lookup toheaven,butbeathisbreastandsaid,'God,havemercyonme,asinner.'Itellyouthatthis man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. Foreveryone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbleshimselfwillbeexalted."Luke18:11-14

5.Fifthly,Ifrealholinessbetheonlywaytohappiness;ifmenmust be holy on earth, or else they shall never come to afruitionofGodinheaven;thenthistruth,bywayofconviction,looks sourly and sadly upon all DOUBLE-MINDEDmen,whodivide their hearts between God and mammon, Mat. 6:19. These haltbetween God and Baal, 1 Kings 18:21; and divide their souls betweenheavenandearth,betweenpietyandtheirlusts,Zeph.1:5.TheyareliketheSamaritans,whobothworshiped theLord, and theAssyrians' idolstoo,2Kings17:32-33,and18:11.Adouble-mindedmanisamonster;hehastwotongues,twominds,andtwosouls:hehasatongueforGod,andatonguefortheworldtoo;helooksuptoGod,andsays,"Certainlyyouaremine!"Helooksdownupontheworld,andsays,"SurelyIamyours!"Hehasamind tobereligious,andamind to savehisownstake in theworldtoo.[James1:8.Adouble-souledman,Mat.19:16,26.]

Hehasasoulreachingafterthehappinessofanotherworld:"Letmediethedeathoftherighteous,andletmylastendbelikehis,"saysBalaam,Num.23:10;andhehasasoulstronglyreachingafterthisevilworldtoo,as ifheavenandhappinesswereenraptup in it.Asyoumaysee in thesameperson,"helovedthewagesofunrighteousness:"heloveditashisportion,heloveditashislife,heloveditashishappiness,heloveditashisall;heloveditashissoul,yes,heloveditabovehisownsoul—forhedamnedhissoultogainit![CallenuceustellsusofanoblemanofNaples,whowasaccustomedprofanelytosaythathehadtwosoulsinhisbody,oneforGod,andanotherforwhoeverwouldbuyit.]It is true,whenhewas under a divine restraint, he professed that hewould not curse thepeopleofGodforahousefullofgold;butwhenhewasfreefromunderthatrestraint,hisheartwassosetupontheunrighteousreward,thathewouldhavecursedthemforahandfulofgold.Thedouble-mindedman,as the Romans paint Erasmus, hangs between heaven and earth; he isneitherfittogotoheaven,noryetworthytoliveonearth.IfMerozwastobecertainlycursed,tobebitterlycursed,tobeuniversallycursed—astheHebrewphrase,"withcursing,curseMeroz,"imports,inJudges5:23—forstandingdouble-mindedwhentheyshouldhavecomeforthtothehelpofthe Lord; do you think that double-minded man in religion shall beblessed? Do you think that ever such shall go to heaven, who areindifferentwhethertheygotoheavenornot?or thateversuchshallbe

happy,whoareindifferentwhethertheyareholyornot?orthateversuchshallseethefaceofChristwithjoy,whoareindifferentwhethertheyhaveaninterestinChristornot?orthateversuchshallbeadmittedintothekingdom of glory, who are indifferent whether they ever have anyentranceintothekingdomofgraceornot?Certainlyheavenistooholytohold any such indifferent, irresolute, double-minded men. [Double-mindedmenaretraitors;theybetrayChristfortheworld'ssake,andtheworldforChrist'ssake;andthemselvesforsinandSatan'ssake.Andwhowillnotrefuseandscorntraitors?]

Godwillrefusethem,becauseheloatheshalting;angelswillrefusethem,because they loathe halving; godlymenwill refuse them, because theyloathe lukewarmness; and bad men will refuse them, because theypretend to goodness, though they live in wickedness. Double-mindedmen in religion, are ignominious disgracers both of the name andprofession of Christians; they are prodigious traitors to the crown ofheaven;theyarethegreatestenemiestothepowerofgodliness;theyaretheveryoffspringofJudas;andinthedayofaccountitwillbefoundthatitwouldhavebeengoodforthemthattheyhadneverbeenborn.

Neutralityisthespiritualadulteryoftheheart.Double-mindedmenarespiritual harlots; they have their hearts divided between God andmammon,betweenChristandotherlovers.Nowharlotsinancienttimeweretobeburnt,Gen.38:24.Certainlyhellisforthedouble-mindedman—andthedouble-mindedmanforhell.Godwillbeassevere,yes,moresevere, in punishing, spiritual whoredom, than evermen have been inpunishingbodilywhoredom.Godlooksuponeverydouble-mindedmanas in armsagainsthim:Mat. 12:30, "Hewho isnotwithme, is againstme;" and, therefore,martial law shallbe executedupon them.Godwillblotouttheirnames,andhangthemupasmonumentsofhisjusticeandvengeance.

Sirs,donotdeceiveyourownsouls;nomanwaseveryetcarriedtogloryinthechariotofneutralityormediocrity.Hewhoisnotthroughoutholy—is not really holy; and he who is not really holy—can never be trulyhappy. It is only thorough holinesswhich entitles aman to everlastinghappiness, 1 Pet. 1:15; 2Pet. 3:11. The truemotherwouldnot havethechilddivided;shewouldhaveallornone;youmustbeforallholiness,or

fornone.Double-mindedmendivideandcutthosethingsasunder,whichGodhascloselyjoinedtogether;butatlastGodwillsuittheirpunishmenttotheirsin,andcutthemasunder,Mat.24:51,andLuke12:46.Nowthedouble-mindedmanchooseshereapiece,andthereapiece;andat lastGod will cut him in pieces, as Samuel did Agag, 1 Sam. 15:33. Well,double-mindedman—youdivide one command fromanother, onedutyfromanother,onepromisefromanother,onethreateningfromanother,oneordinancefromanother,andonewayofGodfromanother.Butthedayisa-comingwhereinGodwilldivideyoursoulsfromyourbodies,andbothfromhimself,hisSon,hissaints,andhisgloryforever!

6.Sixthly,Ifrealholinessbetheonlywaytohappiness;ifmenmustbeholyonearth,ortheyshallnevercometoafruitionofGod in heaven; then this truth, by way of conviction, lookssourly and sadly upon all HYPOCRITES, who have only apretendholiness,afeignedholiness,acounterfeitholiness.Theapostlespeaksofatrueholiness,Eph.4:24—orholinessof truth,astheGreekreadsit—inoppositiontothatfeignedandcounterfeitholinessthatis in the world. Pretended holiness ismost opposite to the holiness ofGod.Hypocriticalholinessisthegreatestunholiness;andasGodhas,socertainlyGodwillstill suit thepunishment to thesin. If itwasdeath inthelawofMoses,tocounterfeitthatceremonialandfigurativeointment,Exod.30:32-33;whatshallitthenbetocounterfeitthespiritoflifeandholiness?

Dissembled sanctity is double iniquity.Hewho professes pietywithoutbeingpious,andgodlinesswithoutbeinggodly;hewhomakescounterfeitholinessacloaktoimpiety,andamidwifetoiniquity;hewhoisaJacobwithout—andanEsauwithin,aDavidwithout—andaSaulwithin,aPeterwithout—and a Judas within, a saint without—and a Satan within, anangelwithout—andadevilwithin, is ripened for theworstof torments!Mat. 24:51, "Hewill cut him to pieces and assignhima placewith thehypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth!"Hypocritesarethefreeholdersofhell;allothersinnersdobutholdunderthem.Nonehavesolargeaportioninhellashypocriteshave.Nomanatlastwillbe foundsomiserableashewhohas thenameofa saintuponhim—butnotthedivinenatureinhim;whohasaprofessionofholiness

upon him—but no principles of holiness in him; who has a form ofgodliness—but not the power; who can cry up godliness, and courtgodliness—but in practice denies it; who is a Jew outwardly—but anatheist,apagan,adevilinwardly.

Whohadagreatername forholiness,andwhomadeagreater showofholiness,andwhodidmoredespiseand insultovermen for the lackofholiness—thantheScribesandPharisees?Andwhosomiserablenow—asthey?Mat.23:14,"Woeuntoyou,ScribesandPharisees,hypocrites! foryou devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayers;therefore you shall receive the greater damnation." Pretended holinesswilldouble-damnsoulsatlast.["Thereisnotamorecruelcreature,moreimpatient and vindictive, than a hypocrite," said he who had theexperienceofitinhisownperson.]

Sirs,donotdeceiveyourownsouls.Apaintedswordshallassoondefendaman,andapaintedmintshallassoonenrichaman,andapaintedfireshallassoonwarmaman,andapainted friendshallassooncounselaman,andapaintedhorseshallassooncarryaman,andapaintedfeastshallas soonsatisfyaman,andapaintedhouseshall as soon shelteraman—asapaintedholinessshallsaveaman!HewhonowthinkstoputoffGodwithapaintedholiness,shallnotfaresowellatlast—astobeputoff with a painted happiness. The lowest, the hottest, and the darkesthabitationinhellwillbehisportion—whosereligionliesallinshowsandshadows.

Well, spiritual counterfeits, remember this—it will not be long beforeChristwillunmaskyou,beforehewilluncloakyou,beforehewilldisrobeyou,beforehewilltakeoffyourmasks,yourcloaks,andturnyourrotteninsidesoutward,toyoureternalshameandreproachbeforealltheworld.Counterfeitdiamondsmaysparkleandglisten,andmakeagreatshowfora time—but their lusterwill soonwearoff.Nothing counterfeitwill lastlong.

Maud,mother toKingHenry theSecond,beingbesieged inWinchesterCastle,pretendedherself tobedead,andsowascarriedout inacoffin,wherebysheescaped;atanothertime,beingbesiegedatOxfordinacoldwinter,bywearingwhiteapparelshegotawayinthesnowundiscovered;

butatlastvengeancedidovertakeher.Justso,thoughhypocritesmayfora timeseemtobedead tosin,anddead to theworld, though theymayclothe themselves with a snow-like purity, and with the white satin ofpretend sanctity—yet God at last will unmask and uncloak them, andvengeance will overtake them, Job 17:8, and 36:13; Isaiah 33:14.Hypocrites are like blazing stars, which, so long as they are fed withvapors, shineas if theywere fixed stars;but let the vaporsdryup, andpresently theyvanishanddisappear.As the joyof thehypocrite, so thegoodnessofthehypocrite—isbutforamoment;itisasamorningcloud,and as the early dew. A hypocrite is a mere comet, a flaunt, a flash.Principles of holiness are lasting—but hypocrisy makes a man onlyconstantininconstancy,Job20:5;Hosea6:4.

7. Seventhly, If real holiness be the onlyway tohappiness; ifmen must be holy on earth, or they shall never come to afruitionofGodinheaven;thenthistruth,bywayofconviction,looks sourly and sadly upon such who please and blessthemselveswithcommongiftsandCOMMONGRACE,withagiftofknowledge,agiftoffaith,agiftofprayer,agiftofutterance,agiftofmemory,etc.,whentheyhavenothingofrealholinessinthem.LikethoseinMat.7:22-23,whohadgreatgifts—butweresofarfromrealsanctity,that theywereworkers of iniquity; they had a flood of gifts—but not adropofgrace;theyhadmanygifts—butnotonesavinggrace:theycouldworkmiracles—butthatmiracleofholinessbeingnotwrought in them,Christ takes an everlasting farewell of them, "Depart from me, youworkersofiniquity."

Just so, those in Heb. 6 had enlightened heads; but where was theirhumbleness and holiness of heart? They had silver tongues; butwherewastheirsanctifiedsouls?Theyhadsometastesandrelishesofheaven'sglory;butwherewastheirinwardandoutwardpurity?Notwithstandingall their extraordinary gifts of speaking with tongues, casting out ofdevils, and opening of prophecies—yet were they not renewed,regenerated,andsanctifiedbytheHolySpirit.[Asnurses'milkisofusetoothers—butofnonetothemselves.]Theirgiftsmightbeofsingularusetotheenlightening,quickening,edifying,comforting,andencouragingofothers—andyetneverhaveany influenceupontheirownhearts—to the

changing,renewing,andsanctifyingofthem.Menofgreatestgiftsarenotalways men of greatest holiness. The Scribes and Pharisees, Judas,Demas,Balaam,andSimonMagus,weremenofgreatgifts—andyettheyhadno real holiness.Theyhad theninety-nine giftswhichChrist looksnotafter—butlackedtheone,namely,realholiness,whichwithChristisallinall.Thedevilhasgreatergiftsthananymanonearth—andyetheisadevilstill.Giftswithoutholinesswillbutmakeamantwicetold the child of hell, Mat. 23:15. [Augustine trembled when heconsideredtheextraordinarygiftsandabilitieswhichwereinhisunsavedchild,tothinkwhatGodmeantingivingsuchraregiftstosuchanimpurecreature.]Themoreofgiftshere,withoutholiness--themoreofhellhereafter.

Thegreatestscholarshaveoftenprovedthegreatestsinners,thestoutestopposers,andtheworstofpersecutors.Therearenonesowickedashewhoiswise—andyetwicked.Thehighestgiftsmanytimesprovebutthesmoothestpathsto thechambersofhell.As thericher theship is ladenwith bars of silver and gold—thedeeper it sinks; just so, the richer thesoulisladenwithsilverpartsandgoldengifts—andyetnotbalancedwithreal holiness, the deeper it sinks under wrath and misery. And nowonder,for—

1.Giftsdobuttickletheear—theydonotcleansetheheart.

2.Theydobutstirtheaffections—theydonotkillcorruptions.

3. They are but ornaments to aman's profession—they have no savinginfluenceuponaman'slife.Theytemptamantotakeupwiththeworld—buttheyneverhelpamantoovercometheworld.

4.Theymakeamanwisetodeceive,andwisetodeludebothhimselfandothers. Rare accomplishments are many times turned into beautifulornamentstoadornthedevilanderrorwith.

5.Thegiftedmancaresnotwho ismostholy—butonly thathemaybemosthonored.Hecaresnotwho ishighest in favorwithGod—butonlythat he may be highest in favor with men. He cares not who is mostserviceable—butonlythathemaybemostacceptable.Hecaresnotwho

getsmost of the eternalworld—butonly thathemayhavemost of thisworld. Andwhatwould such a one do in heaven?Gifts differ asmuchfromrealholiness,asanangelinheavendiffersfromadevilinhell.

6.Giftsmakesamanworkforlife—butholinessmakesamanworkfromlife,Zech.7:5-6.

7.Giftsworkamantosetupforhimself,andtodealandtradeforhimself—butholinessworksamantodealforGod,andtotradeforGodandhisglory,Romans14:6-8.

8. Gifts are concerned with outward civilities and formalities—butholinessisconcernedwiththeHolyOne,Hab.1:12.

9.Giftsonlyrestrainsthesoul—butgracerenewsandchangesthesoul.

10.Giftspuffsupthesoul—butholinesshumblesthesoul.

11.Giftsmakesamanbeautiful, likeRachel—butholinessmakesamanfruitful,likeLeah.

12.Giftsmakesamanmoststudiousand laboriousaboutmendingandreformingothermen'sheartsandlives—butholinessmakesamanmoststudious and industrious inmending and reforming his own heart andlife.

13. Gifts makes all glorious without—but holiness makes all gloriouswithin.

14.Giftsmakesagoodhead—butholinessmakesagoodheart.

15. Gifts envies, lessens, darkens, obscures, and disparages theexcellencies of others; but holiness makes a man rejoice in every sunwhichoutshinesitsown,John4:14.

16.Giftsare fadingandwithering—butholiness isaneverlastingspringthatcanneverbedrawndry,1John3:9.

17.GiftsdrawfromGod—butholinessdrawstoGod,1Cor,13:1,6.

Thoughmenofgiftsmaybidfairforheaven,yes,comesonearastohearthe music of heaven—yet without holiness they shall never enter intoheaven.Whennightcomes,thefatherwillonlytakehisownchildintohishouse,andthoughanotherchildwhichmaybemuchlikehisownshouldattempttocomein—yetthefatherwillkeephimout,andwishhimtogotohisownhome.Just so,when thenightofdeathcomes, theheavenlyFatherwillonlytakeintothefamilyofheavenhisownchild,namely,thechildofholiness;butnowifthechildofgifts,whichissolikethechildofholiness, shouldpressharduponGod to come in, as that childof gifts,Baalam,did,"Letmediethedeathoftherighteous,andletmylastendbelikehis,"Num.23:10,Godwillanswerhim,"No!"Hewillsaytohim,ashedidtothatchildofgifts,Judas,"Gotoyourownplace!"Acts1:25;Mat.8:12.

Inthenightofdeathandjudgment,thechildrenofthekingdom(thatis,of children of the church) shall be cast out. Now the children of thekingdomarechildrenofgifts—andyettherewillcomeadaywhenthesechildrenshallbecastout.AsAbrahamputoffthesonsoftheconcubineswith gifts—but entailed the inheritance upon Isaac, Gen. 25:6, etc.; soGod puts off many men now with gifts—but he entails the heavenlyinheritanceuponholiness:Psalm24:3-4,"Whomayascendthemountainof theLord?Whomaystand inHisholyplace?Theonewhohas cleanhandsandapureheart,whohasnotsethismindonvanity,norsworndeceitfully."Heavenisforthatman,andthatmanisforheaven,whohasclean hands and a pure heart, whose holy life is attended with heartpurification.Apureheartisbetterthanagoldenhead;aheartfullofholyaffectionsisinfinitelybeyondaheadfullofcuriousnotions.Thereisnojewel,thereisnoanointingcomparedtothatofholiness.Hewhohasthathasall,andhewholacksthathasnothingatall.But,

8. Eighthly and lastly, If real holiness be the only way tohappiness; ifmenmust be holy on earth, or they shall nevercome to a blessed fruition ofGod in heaven; then, byway ofconviction, let me say that this truth looks very sourly andangrilyuponthosewhoaresofarfrombeingholythemselves,that they cannot endure holiness in those who are aroundthem. Ah, how many unholy people are there—who cannot endure

holinessintheirministers!Andhowmanyunholyhusbandsarethere—who cannot endure holiness in their wives! And how many unholyparents are there—who cannot endure holiness in their children! Andhowmanyunholymastersarethere—whocannotendureholinessintheirservants!Thepanther,saysome,whenshecannotcomeattheman,sherends and tears his picture in pieces; just so, many unholy husbands,unholyfathers,andunholymasters,whentheycannotrendandteartheirrelations in pieces, ah, how do they do their best to rend and tear theimageofGoduponthem,namely,holiness,inpieces!Theseforlornsoulswillnotbeholythemselves,norallowotherstobeholy;theywillneithergo toheaven themselves,nor allowothers to go therewhoare stronglybiasedthatway,Mat.23:14-15;2Sam.6:16,20.

Somedespisetheirgraciousrelations,becausetheyareholy.Sometimesyoushallhearthemspeakatsucharateasthis:"Well,ourrelationsarewiseandwitty—butsoholy;theyareveryknowingandthriving—butsoprecise; theyhavegoodpartsandsweetnatures—but theyaresostrict;they are so perfect, that they will not endure swearing, a lie, etc., andthereforeIcannotendurethem."Thesearethatmanwhowassofearfullyidle—thathissideswouldachetoseeanotherwork.Justso,thesearesofearfullywicked, that itmakes theirsides, theirheads, their veryheartsache—to see others holy. How far these are in their actings belowheathens, youmay see inRomans 16:10-11. Aristobulus andNarcissus,whoarespokenofinthisscripture,werebothheathens—andyettheyhadin their families thosewhowere in theLord, thosewhowere gracious,etc.Heathensweresosincere,thattheywouldnotdespisethatholinessinothers,whichtheylackedinthemselves;theyweresonoble,thattheywould give holiness house-room, though they knew not how to give itheart-room.Justso,Potiphar,thoughhewasaheathen—yethegaveholyJosephbothhouse-roomandheart-room,Gen.39:1-4.These,andseveralotherheathensofthelikespiritwiththem,willonedayriseinjudgmentagainstmany in thesedayswhichareso far fallenoutwithholiness,asthat theywill not endure it under the roof of their houses, yes, as thattheymakeitthegreatestmatterofscornandderision.

Likethose inLam.2:15-16,"Allwhopassby jeeratyou.TheyscoffandinsultJerusalem,saying—Isthisthecitycalled'MostBeautifulinAllthe

World'and'JoyofAlltheEarth'?Allyourenemiesderideyou.Theyscoffandgrindtheirteethandsay—Wehavedestroyedheratlast!Longhavewe awaited this day, and it is finally here!" etc. Ah, how many suchmonstersarethereinthesedays,whoexpresstheirderision,disdain,andcontempt of holiness and holy people, by all the scornful gestures,postures, and expressions imaginable; who clap their hands, who hiss,whowagtheirhead,whognashtheir teeth,andwhosay,"Lo, theseareyour saints, these are your holy ones, your perfect ones, your beautifulones!"

Itisverysadtolackholiness—butitissaddestofalltoderideholiness,todisdainholiness.OfthisevilspiritSalviancomplainedinhistime,"Whatmadnessisthis—thatifamanisgodly,heisdespisedasifhewereevil!Ifheisevil,heishonoredasifheweregood!"Andasgreatcausehavewetocomplainoftheprevalenceofthesameevilspiritinourtimes.Ifthewifeisholy,howisshedespisedbyherunholyhusbandasifshewerewicked!1Cor.7:16.Ifsheiswicked,howisshehonoredasifshewereholy!Justso,ifthechildisgracious,howishedisdainedasifheweregraceless!ifhe be graceless, how is he admired as if hewere gracious! Just so, if aservantbegodly,howishescornedasifheweregodless!ifhebegodless,howisheapplaudedasifheweregodly!CertainlyGodwillneverenduresuch to stand in his sight—who cannot endure the sight of holiness,Psalm1:5.DoubtlessGodwillnevergivethemanyroominheaven,whowill not somuch as give holiness a little house-room, I say not heart-room,here.Hewhonowdespisesanddisdainsholinessinothers,shallatlastbeeternallydespisedanddisdainedforlackofholinesshimself.

SixteenMarksofaHolyPerson

Isitso,thatrealholinessistheonlywaytohappiness?Mustmenbeholyonearth,orelse theyshallnevercometoablessedvisionor fruition ofGod in heaven?Oh then, what cause has everyone to try and examinewhetherhehas this realholiness,withoutwhich there isnohappiness!Nowbecausethisisapointofgreatimportance,andamistakeheremayundo a man forever; and considering the great averseness and

backwardness ofmen'shearts to thisnoble andnecessarywork, I shallthereforeinthefirstplaceproposesomeconsiderationstoprovokeall your hearts to undertake in good earnest upon this greatpointoftrialandexamination.Nowtothispurposeconsider,

1. First, It is possible for you to knowwhether you have thisrealholinessornot.ItispossibleforyoubythelightoftheSpirit,bythe light of theword, and by the light of your own consciences, to seewhetherholiness,whichistheimageofGod—isstampeduponyoursoulsornot.Thoughitbe impossible foryoutoclimbuptoheaventosearchtherecordsofglory, toseewhetheryournameiswritteninthebookoflife—yetitispossibleforyoutogodownintothechambersofyourownsoul,toenterintothewithdrawing-roomsofyourownheart—andtheretoreadwhatimpressionsofholinessareuponyou.Thoughthisworkbehard and difficult—yet it is noble and possible; though the heart bedeceitful and full of shifts—yet it is possible for aman tomake such aparticular, such a narrow, such a diligent, such a faithful, and such animpartial search into his own soul—as that he may certainly knowwhether he has that real holiness which is the pledge of immortalhappinessornot;itispossibleforhimwhohasthisjewel,thisholiness,toknowit,tofindit,andinthebeautifulfaceofholinesstoreadhisowneverlastinghappiness.

I might call in the experiences of many precious saints—as Abraham,Noah,Jacob,David,Job,Paul,andothers—tobearwitnesstothistruth;butIsupposeitisneedless.Whatgreatandweighty,whathighandhard,what hazardous and dangerous things do many soldiers, sailors, sickpatients,andothers,attemptandundertake,uponthemereaccountofapossibility!Itispossiblethatthesoldiermaywinthefield; it ispossiblethat themarinermaymake ahappy voyage; it is possible that the sickpatientmay recover; it ispossible thathewho strives formasterymayovercome,etc.

Nowuponthisveryaccount,thatitispossible,whatwilltheynotattemptand endeavor to try? And why then should not Christians, upon theaccountofapossibility,makeadiligentsearchafterthatholinesswhichwillat lastenthronethesoul ineverlastinghappiness?Well,Christians,asapossibilityofobtaininggraceandmercyshouldbearupyourhearts

against despair; as a possibility of obtaining a pardon should keep upyour hearts in a seeking and a waiting way; and as a possibility ofsalvation by Christ should be argument sufficient to work a soul toventureitselfuponChrist;soapossibilityofknowingwhetheryouhavethispearl of price, holiness, shouldwork you tomake adiligent searchandinquiryafterit.[Mark10:27,14:36,and9:23;Luke18:27.]

Letnomandomoreupontheaccountofapossibilityforthisworld,thanyouwilldoupontheaccountofapossibilityfortheeternalworld:letnomandomoreupontheaccountofapossibilityforhisbody,thanyouwilldoupontheaccountofapossibility foryoursouls; letnomandomoreupontheaccountofapossibilityfortemporals,thanyouwilldoupontheaccountofapossibilityforeternals.Itispossibleforyoutoknowwhetherthisbabeofgrace,holiness,beformedinyoursoulsornot;andthereforesearchandinquireafterit.

2. Secondly, Consider this, that it is a point of very greatconcerntoyoutoknowwhetheryouhavethisrealholinessornot. Your souls depend upon it, eternity depends upon it, your alldependsuponit!Anerrorheremaymakeamanmiserableforever.Itisgoodforyoutoknowthestateofyourbody,thestateofyourfamily,thestateofyourflock—butitisofinfinitemoreconsequenceforyoutoknowthestateofyourownsoul.Nomanlivessomiserable,nornomandiessosadly—ashewholivesanddiesastrangertohisownsoul.Itisgoodforyoutohaveallaccountsgoodbetweenyourselfandothers—but it is farbettertohaveallaccountsgoodbetweenGodandyourownsoul.Ah,howmany are there who are better known to others—than they are tothemselves!andwhoareabletogiveabetteraccountoftheirlandsandlordships,of their treasuresand trifles, yes;of theirhorses,hawks,andhounds—than they are of the state of their souls! [Luke 12:16-21, and16:19,26.]

Ah,howmanyaretherewhoareveryinquisitivetoknowthingstocome,toknowwhatwillbehereafter,toknowwhethertheyshallbegreatandrichintheworld,Eccles.7:10,toknowwhethertheyshallbeprosperousand successful in their undertakings, to know whether they shall becrownedwithlengthofdays,orwhethertheyshallbecutoffinthefloweroftheirage;toknowthesecretcounselsofprinces,andwhatwillbethe

outcomeofsuchandsuchmutationsandrevolutionsthathavehappenedamongus;andyetarenotatall inquisitiveafterthestateoftheirsouls,nor whether they have this real holiness, without which there is nohappiness![Job21:23-24;Isaiah41:22-23,and43:9-10.

Yet theynever inquirewhatwill becomeof themhereafter!Theyneverinquirewhatstatetheyshallenteruponafterdeath,whetheruponastateofeternalwoeorastateofeverlastingbliss!Ofallacquaintancesinthisworld, there isnonecomparedtothatofaman'sbeingacquaintedwiththe state of his own soul. Amistake aboutmy outward conditionmaytroubleme—butamistakeaboutmyspiritual conditionmaydamnme!There are many ways to make up my mistakes about temporals—butthereisnowaytomakeupmymistakesabouteternals!IfatlastIshallbefoundtobemistakeninthegreatconcernmentsofmysoul—Iamundoneforever! [Theheathensdid admire that saying as an oracle, Know yourownself.]

Well,sirs,youareinastateofnature—orinastateofgrace;youareinastateofdarkness—orinastateoflight;youareinastateoflife—orinastate of death; you are in a state of God's love—or in a state of God'swrath; you are either sheep—orgoats; you are either sonsof God—orslavesofSatan;youareeitherinthebroadwaytodestruction—orinthenarrowwayofsalvation.Thereforewhatcanbeofgreaterconcerninthisworldtoyouthantoknowinwhichofthesetwospiritualestatesyouarein? How can you order aright your prayers, or your praises, or anyreligiousservices,untilyoucometoknowinwhichofthesetwospiritualestatesyoustand?—whetheryouareinastateofnatureorinastateofgrace, in a state of sinor in a state ofholiness: for all religious dutiesmustbeorderedaccordingtomen'sspiritualestates.Ifamanisinastateofnature,hiswork liesoneway; ifhe is inastateofholiness,hisworklies another way; by all which it is most evident that it very dearlyconcerns you to search and trywhether youhave this bird of paradise,holiness,inyourbosomsornot.Andforaclose,letmesay,thatamistakeaboutyourspiritualestatewillatlastbefoundnotonlyunallowableandinexcusable—butveryterribleanddamnable.

3.Thirdly,Considerthatacordialwillingnesstoenterheartilyupon this work of trial, is a hopeful evidence of your real

integrity and sanctity. Unsanctified souls hate the light; they hadrathergotohell inthedark, thancometobeweighedinthebalanceofthe sanctuary, John 3:20. As pure gold fears neither fire nor furnace,neither testnor touchstone,neitheronebalancenoranother—soapureheart,asanctifiedsoul,daresventureitselfupontrial,yes,upontheverytrialofGod.ForheknowsthatGodneverbringsapairofscalestoweighhisgraces—butonlyatouchstonetotrythetruthofhisgraces;heknowsifhisgoldbetrue,thoughitbeeversolittle,itwillpassforcurrentwithGod.[Job31:5-6;Psalm26:2;139:23-24;Mat.12:20.]Asbankruptscarenotforcastinguptheiraccounts,becausetheyknowallisbad,verybad,starkbadwith them; just so,unsanctifiedsoulscarenot tocometo thetrial, to the test,because theyknowthatall isbad,yes,worse thanbadwiththem.Theyhavenomindtocastuptheirspiritualestates,becauseat the footof theaccount theymustbe forced to read theirneck-verse,"Undone,undone,foreverundone!"

And, therefore, as olddeformedwomen cannot endure to look into thelooking-glass,lesttheirwrinklesanddeformityshouldbediscovered;sounsanctified souls cannot endure to look into themirror of the gospel,lest theirdeformities, impieties,andwickednessesshouldbediscoveredanddetected.Ihavereadoftheelephant,howunwillingheistogointothe water—but when he is forced into it, he puddles it, lest by theclearnessof thestreamheshoulddiscernhisowndeformity; sounholypeopleareveryunwillingtolookintotheirownhearts,orintotheclearstreams of Scripture, lest their souls' deformity and ugliness shouldappear,totheirownterrorandamazement.

Andtherefore,asyouwouldhaveahopefulevidenceofyourintegrityandsanctity, enter heartily upon this work of trial. For as it is a hopefulevidencethattheclient'scauseisgood—whenheisreadyandwillingtoenteruponatrial,andasitisahopefulsignthataman'sgoldistruegold—whenheiswillingtobringittothetouchstone,andthatamanthrives—whenheiswillingtocastuphisbooks;justso,itisahopefulevidencethataChristianhasrealholiness—whenheisreadyandwillingtobringhisholinesstothetest,totrywhetheritbetrueornot—whenheiswillingto cast up his books, that hemay see what he is worth for the eternalworld,Gal.6:4-5.

4. Fourthly, Consider that there are very many who deceivethemselvesabout their spiritualestates. It is the easiest thing intheworld for aman todeceivehimself, Job 15:34, andProverbs30:12.There are those who do but think that they stand, (1 Cor. 10:12,) andtheseatlastcometofallfromtheirseemingstandingintoarealhell—yes,from their highest standing into the lowest hell. There are many whothink themselves to be something—when they are nothing, Gal. 6:3.Therearemanywhohaveaformofgodliness—butnoneofthepower,2Tim.3:8.There aremanywhohave aname to live—but aredead,Rev.3:1.Therearemanywhoareveryconfidentoftheirintegrity—andyetarefull of horrible hypocrisy. There are many who carry the lamps ofprofession—whohavenooilofgraceintheirhearts.Therearemanywhotake—agoodnatureforgrace,civilityforsanctity,andagarbofgodlinessforrealholiness—yes,therearethosewhodaresaythattheyexcelothersinholiness,when,intruth,theyexceedmostmeninwickedness[Isaiah9:17,29:13;Jer.7:4,8-11;Rev.3:16-18;Isaiah65:2-5;Mat.25.]

Yes,therearemanynowinhellwhohavehadagreatconfidenceofgoingtoheaven.TherearemanythatcryoutwithAgag,"Surelythebitternessofdeath ispast,"wrath ispast,andhell ispast,anddamnation ispast,where as vengeance is ready to fall on them, andhell stands gaping todevourthem.Theheartofmanisfullofself-love,fullofself-flattery,andfullofhypocrisy,andthereforemanyamanwhoisonlyaJewoutwardly,thinkshimselftobeaJewinwardly,Romans2:28-29.Manyamanthinkshimself tobeasgoodaChristianas thebest,andtobeashappyas thebest,andtobeasfairforheavenasthebest,untilhecomestohearthattormentingword,"Depart,Iknowyounot!"

AsmanyarekeptofffromChristbyaconceitthattheyhavehimalready—justso,manyarekeptoff fromholinessbyaconceit that theyhave italready.Andthereforeitdoesverymuchconcernyoutomakeadiligentinquiry whether you have that holiness without which there is nohappiness,ornot.IhavereadofPlato,thatwhenhewalkedinthestreets,ifhesawanydisorderedinspeech,drunk,orotherwiseoutofframe,hewouldsaytohimself,"AmIsuchaoneasthisis?AmIsuchaswearerasthisis?AmIsuchadrunkardasthisis?AmIsuchapromiscuouspersonasthisis?AmIsuchariotouspersonasthis?"etc.Justso,shouldevery

Christiansaywhenhehearsofanywhothinkthattheystand,"AmIsuchaoneasthisis?"Whenheseesonewhothinkshimselfsomethingwhenheisnothing,heshouldsay,"AmIsuchaoneasthisis?"Whenheseesamantohaveamereformofgodliness—butnopower,heshouldsay,"AmIsuchaoneasthisis?"Whenhehearsofamanwhohasanametolive—butisspirituallydead,heshouldsay,"AmIsuchaoneasthisis?"etc.

Andwhenhehearsorreadsofonewhoisreallyholy,heshouldsay,"AmI such a one as this is?" As youwould not put a cheat upon your ownsouls,ithighlyconcernsyoutotrywhetheryouhaverealholinessornot.Look!asmanyyoungchildrencatchmanyafalloutofastrongconceitoftheirabilitiestogo—justso,manyaman,outofastrongconceitthathehasholinesswhenhehasnone,catchesmanya fall inaneternal fallatlast. The best way to prevent an everlasting miscarriage, is to make aprivysearchafterholinessinyourownheart.

5. Fifthly, Consider that there is a great deal of counterfeitgraceandholinessintheworld.Thereisnotmorecounterfeitcointhis day in the world—than there is counterfeit holiness in the world.Look!asmanycounterfeitgems,dososhineandsparkleliketruejewels,thatifamanisnotverycarefulhemaybeeasilycheated;socounterfeitgrace,counterfeitholiness,doessoshineandsparkle, theydosonearlyresemblerealholiness,andthesanctifyingandsavinggracesoftheSpirit—thatamanmaybeeasilymistaken,ifhedonotmakeacarefulsearch.Doesthegracioussoulabstainfromgrosssins?sodoestheformalistalso.Dosaintsfastandpray?sodoPhariseesalso.DoesPetershedtears?sodoesEsau also.Does Peter repent? so does Judas also.DoesCorneliusgive alms? so do the Pharisees also. Does Zaccheus believe? so doesSimonMagusalso.DoesDavidconfesshis sin?sodoesSaul also.DoesDaviddelightinapproachingtoGod?sodoIsaiah'shypocritesalso.DoesHezekiahhumblehimself?sodoAhabandthekingofNinevehalso.Doesa gracious soul hear the word with joy? so did Herod also. Does agracioussoulreceivethewordwith joy?sodidthestonyground heareralso. Does a gracious soul delight in his teacher? so did Ezekiel'sworldlingsalso.Isagracioussoulinclosetduties?soisthePhariseealso,etc.[Mat.25:1-4;Ezra8;Esther4;Daniel9;Mat.6:16;Luke18:11;Mat.27; Heb. 12; Mat. 6; Acts 10:1-4; Luke 19:11; Acts 21:8; 1 Sam. 15:24;

Isaiah;2Chron.32:26;1Kings22:15;Jonah3;Mark6;Ezek.33:30-33;Luke18:11.]

Whencounterfeitcoinisabroad,youwillnottakeapiecebutyouwilltryit;youwillbringeverypiecetothetouchstone.Ah,thatyouwoulddealsobyyourholiness!Thereisagreatdealofcounterfeitholinessabroad,andtherefore you had need bring yours to the trial. As all is not gold thatglitters—justso,all isnotholiness thatmen take forholiness, thatmencountforholiness.Thechildisnotmorelikethefather,noronebrotherlikeanother.Water in thecistern isnotmore like towater in the river,nor fire in the forgemore like to fire in the chimney, nor milk in thesaucertomilkinthebreasts,thancounterfeitgraceandholinessisliketothatwhichisreal.

Counterfeitfaithdoessonearlyresembletruefaith,andcounterfeitlovetrue love, and counterfeit repentance true repentance, and counterfeitobedience true obedience, and counterfeit knowledge true knowledge,and counterfeitholiness true holiness—that it is not an easy matter todiscover the one from the other. "The Cyprian diamond," says Pliny,"lookssolikethetrueIndiandiamond,thatifamandoesnotlookcloselyat it, he may easily be deceived and cheated." O sirs, true grace andcounterfeitgrace,trueholinessandcounterfeitholiness—looksolikeoneanother, that, without a divine light to guide you, you may be easilycheatedanddeceivedforever.

Inthesedaysofprofessionthereisabundanceoffalsewareputoff.Satanis a subtle merchant; and where profaneness will not pass for currentcoin, there he labors to furnish his customers with the shows andresemblancesofgraceandholiness—sothathemayholdthemthefasteringoldenfetters,andputthemofffromlookingafterthatrealholiness,without which no man can be blessed here, or happy hereafter. Andthereforeitnearlyconcernseverymantosearchandtrywhetherhehasrealholinessornot.

6.Sixthly,Consider,ifupontrialyoushallfindinyourselfthisreal holiness which paves the way to happiness, it will turnexceedinglytoyouraccounts.Youreternalhappinessdependsupontherealbeingofholinessinyou—butyourpresentcomfortdependsupon

your seeing of holiness. Genuine holiness will yield you a heavenhereafter;butgenuineassurancewillyieldyouaheavenhere.Hewhohasholinessandknowsit,shallhavetwoheavens—aheavenofjoy,comfort,peace,contentment,andassurancehere—andaheavenofhappinessandblessedness hereafter. But he who has holiness and does not know it,shallcertainlybesaved—yetsoasbyfire;heshallhaveaheavenatlast—buthemustpasstoitbytheflamingsword,1Cor.3:11,16.

Whenaperson isheir toagreatestate,andknows it;whenapersonissontoaking,andknowsit;whenapersonishighlyinfavor,andknowsit;whenapersonisoutofallhazardanddanger,andknowsit;whenaperson's pardon is sealed, and he knows it—then the spring of joy andcomfortrisesinhim.Justso—whenamanisholy,andknowsit,thenthespring of divine joy and comfort rises in his soul, as the waters rise inEzekiel'ssanctuary,Ezek.47:2-5.

Genuineassurancewillbeaspringofjoyandcomfortinyou.Itwillmakeheavyafflictionslight,longafflictionsshort,andbitterafflictionssweet,2Cor. 4:16-18; 1 Cor. 15:58. Itwillmake you frequent, fervent, constant,andabundantintheworkoftheLord.Itwillstrengthenyourfaith,raiseyourhope, inflameyour love, increaseyourpatience,andbrightenyourzeal. Itwillmakeeverymercy sweet, everyduty sweet, everyordinancesweet,andeveryprovidencesweet.Itwillridyouofallyoursinfulfearsandcares.Itwillgiveyoueaseundereveryburden,anditwillmakedeathmoredesirable than life,Phil. 1:22, 23;2Cor. 5:1, 10. Itwillmake youmore strong to resist temptation,more victorious over opposition, andmoresilentineverydifficultcondition.

Genuine assurance will turn every winter night into a summer's day,everycross intoacrown,andeverywilderness intoaparadise.Genuineassurancewillbeaswordtodefendyou,astafftosupportyou,acordialtostrengthenyou,amedicinetohealyou,andastartoleadyou.

Andoh,who thenwillnot takesomepainswithhisownhearttoknowthegoodnessandholinessofhisownestate?Well,rememberthis,nexttoaman'sbeingholy,itisthegreatestmercyinthisworldtoknowthatheisholy.Butifupontrialamanshallfindthathisestateisbad,andthathisholinessisnotoftherightstamp—yetthiswillbemanywaysamercy

andanadvantage tohim.For theway tobe found, is to seeyourselveslost: the way to infinite mercy is to see your own misery; the way toCanaan is through thewilderness; theway toheaven is by the gates ofhell.Upontheknowledgeofthebadnessandsadnessofyourestate,youwillbeawakenedoutofyoursecurity,andyouwillbealarmedtoloatheyourself,tojudgeyourself,tocondemnyourself,tobesickofsin,tobreakwithSatan,andtoclosewithChrist.

Now the daily language of your soul will be, "Men and brethren, whatshallIdotobesaved?"Acts2:37,42,and16:22,35."Oh,whatshallIdotogetmysinfulnaturechanged,myhardheartsoftened,myblindmindenlightened, my polluted conscience purged, and my poor naked souladornedwith grace and holiness?"Now the daily language of your soulwillbethatof themartyr,"Oh,nonebutChrist!NonebutChrist!""Oh,nonebutChrist topardonme!NonebutChrist to justifyme!NonebutChristtocommandme!NonebutChristtosaveme!NonebutChristtoreignoverme!"

Nowthelanguageofyoursoulwillbethis,"Oh,thoughIhaveformerlythoughtmyself to be wise—yet now I seemyself to be a fool! Oh thatChristwouldbewisdomtome!1Cor.1:30-31.Oh,nowIseemyselftobered with guilt, and black with filth! Oh that Christ would berighteousnesstome!Oh,nowIseemyselftobeunclean,unclean!OhthatChristwouldbesanctificationtome!Oh,nowIseemyselftobeinadamnablecondition!OhthatChristwouldberedemptiontome!Rev.3:16-18.Oh,now I seemyselfnaked!Oh thatChristwouldclotheme!NowIseemyselfpoorandmiserable!OhthatChristwouldenrichme!NowIfeelmyselftobehungry!OhthatChristwouldbebreadof lifetofeedme!Now I perceivemyself to be lost!Oh thatChristwouldseekme!NowIfearthatIamperishing!OhthatChristwouldsaveme!"

Nowthelanguageofyoursoulswillbethatofthelepers,"Ifwestayhere—wedie!"2Kings7:3-6."Ifwestay inourunsanctifiedandunrenewedestate—wedie!Ifwestayinoursins—wedie!Ifwestayonourduties—wedie!Ifwestayonaconceitedorcounterfeitholiness—wedie!Ifwestayonaformofgodliness—wedie!Ifwestayonanametolive—wedie!Ifwestay where the world stays—we die! If we stay in anything a-this sideChristandrealholiness—wedie,weeternallydie!Therefore,letusarise

and make a venture of our souls upon Christ, and pursue after thatholiness,withoutwhichthereisnoeternalhappiness!"But,

7.Seventhlyandlastly,Considerthattherearemanywhoaretrulyholy,whohaverealholinessinthem—andyetforlackofanarrowsearch,diligentinquiryintotheirspiritualestates,theycome to be sorely and sadly afflicted with fears and doubtsabouttheirlackofholiness.As the treasuresof thisworldoften lieobscure and hidden in themidst of the earth—just so, the treasures ofholinessoften lieobscureandhid inmanyagracioussoul, for lackofaprivysearch.Asitisonemercyformetobelieve,andanothermercyformetoknowthatIdobelieve,1John5:13;asitisonemercyformetobebeloved,andanothermercyformetoknowthatIambeloved,Psalm4:6,and51:1-3;asitisonemercyformetobepardonedinthecourtofglory,and anothermercy forme toknowthat I ampardoned in the court ofconscience;asitisonemercyformetohavemynamewritteninthebookof life,andanothermercy forme tobe toldthatmyname iswritten inthat book, Luke 10:20—just so, it is one mercy for me to have realholinessinme,andanothermercyformetoseeitandtoknowit.

Aswemanytimescomplainofthelackofthosethingswhichwehaveinour hands—just so, many dear Christians complain of the lack of thatholinesswhichtheyhaveintheirhearts.Asthewell,thespringofwater,was near to Hagar though she saw it not, Gen. 21:16-19—just so, thespring of holiness is near to many a Christian, yes, it is in many aChristian—and yet he sees it not, he knows it not. As Jacob once said,"TheLordwas in thisplace—andIknew itnot,"Gen.28:16; somanyaprecioussoulmaysay,Ihadrealholinessinmyheart—andIknewitnot.AsthefaceofMosesdidshine—buthesawitnot,heknewitnot,thoughothersdidsee itand takenoticeof it,Exod.34:29-35—just so,holinessshinesinmanyaChristian'sheartandlife—yetcorruptionsraisesuchadustinhissoulthatheseesitnot,heknowsitnot,thoughotherscanseeit,takenoticeofit,andblessandadmiretheLordforit.

As therearesomewhothink theyarerich,whentheyarenot;and thatsaytheyarerich,whentheyarenot,Rev.3:16-17;Proverbs13:7—justso,thereareotherswhoarerich—andyettheywillnotsayit,norbelieveit;sotherearesomewhothinktheyhaveholiness,whentheyhavenot,yes,

whosaytheyhaveholinesswhentheyhavenot,Isaiah65:3-6;Mark8:18.Justso—thereareotherswhohaverealholiness—andyet theydarenotthinkso, theydarenotsayso;yes, theyareapt, intimesof temptation,desertion,soreafflictions,andwhentheyareunderthesensiblestirringsofstrongcorruptions—toconcludethattheyhavenoholiness,nograce—when indeed they have.Witness Job, chapter 13:24, and 19:9; witnessDavid, Psalm 22:1-2; witness Asaph, Psalm 73:2, 11; witness Heman,Psalm88:1,17;witnessJeremiah,Lam.3:18;witness thewholechurch,Isaiah49:15-16;Ezek.37:11-12;andwitnessthedisciples,John14:4,5,7-9,20,compared.

To know ourselves to be holy, is very desirable; but woe is it tomanyprecious Christians—that they are holy and yet not know it—that theyhaveholinessintheirhearts,whenitishiddenfromtheireyes.Look!assparks and coals of fire are often hidden under the ashes, and we seethemnot; andas inwinter the sapand life ishidden in the rootof thetree,andweperceive itnot;andaspreciousflowersarehiddenintheirseeds, and we discern them not; just so—when it is winter with aChristian,hisholinessmaybesohiddenandcoveredunderfears,doubts,sins,etc.,thathemaynotbeabletoseeit,todiscernit,orconcludethathehasit.

As the air is sometimes clear and sometimes cloudy, and the seasometimesebbingandsometimesflowing—sotheholinessofthesaintsissometimessoclouded,andatsolowanebb,thataChristiancanhardlydiscern it, he can hardly say, "Lo, here is my holiness!" The being ofholiness in the soul is one thing, the seeing of holiness in the soul isanotherthing;thebeingofholinessisonething,thefeelingofholinessisanotherthing.AChristianmayassafelyconcludethattherearenostarsintheskyinadarknight,becausehecannotseethem;andthatthereisnotreasure in themine, because he cannot discern it, nor come to thefeeling of it—as hemay conclude that he has no holiness in his heart,becausehecannotseeit,hecannotfeelit.Asthetreasuresofthisworld—so the treasures of holiness oftentimes lie low—a man must dig deepbefore he can come at them, Proverbs 2:3-6. As the babe lives in thewomb—butdoesnotknowit;andasthesunoftenshinesintothehouse,andamandoesnotseeit—sothebabeofgracemaybeformedinthesoul

—andyetaChristiannotknowit;andthesunofholinessmayshineinhissoul—and yet he not see it. Oh, therefore, how greatly does it concernChristians tomake adiligent, anarrow, anda serious search into theirown hearts, whether they have this jewel of glory—holiness—in theirsoulsornot!Andiftheseargumentswillnotprovokeyoutofalluponthisworkoftrial,Iknownotwhatwill.

Butmethinks I hear some of you saying, "O sir,howshallweknowwhetherwehave this real holiness ornot?we see it is our verygreatconcernmenttoknowwhetherGodhassownthisheavenlyseedinour souls or not—but how shall we come to know this?"Now to this Ianswer,thereareseveralwayswherebythismaybediscovered.As,

1.First,Apersonofrealholinessismuchaffectedandtakenupin theadmirationof theholinessofGod.Unholy peoplemay besomewhataffectedandtakenwithotheroftheexcellenciesofGod;butitisonlyholy soulswhoareaffectedand takenwith theholinessofGod:Exod.15:11,"Whoislikeuntoyou,OLord,amongthegods?Whoislikeyou, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?" In thisstately description of God, holyMoses ismost taken up inmagnifyingandadmiring theholinessofGod.Holiness is thatgloryof theCreator,which holy ones most delight to glory in. Just so, holy David: Psalm71:22,"UntoyouwillIsingwiththeharp,OHolyOneofIsrael."Justso,Isaiah12:6,"Cryoutandshout,OinhabitantofZion:forgreatistheHolyOneofIsraelinthemidstofyou."Justso,Psalm78:41,and89:19;Isaiah43:3,and49:7.TheinhabitantsofZionmustshoutandroarout,(astheHebrewwordcarriesit,) intokenof joy,becausehewhoisgreatandinthemidst of them is theHolyOne of Israel. Just so, Psalm 78:41, and89:19;Isaiah43:3,and49:7.

Just so,Hab. 1:12, "Are not you from everlasting, O LordmyGod,myHolyOne?"Amongholyones—thereisnonewhocanbecomparedtotheHolyOne!Yes,themoreholyanyare,themoredeeplyaretheyaffectedand captivatedwith the holiness ofGod: as youmay see in Isaiah 6:3,"And one cried unto another"—or this one cried to that one—and said,"Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty! The whole earth is full of hisglory." The holy seraphim, by trebling the acclamation of his holiness,

"Holy,holy,holy,"denotenotonlythesuperlativeeminency,glory,andexcellency of God's holiness—but also they reveal how greatly, howabundantlytheyareaffectedandcaptivatedwiththeholinessofGod.Totheholyangels,theholinessofGodisthesparklingdiamondintheringofglory.

Butnowunholypeopleareratheraffectedandtakenwithanythingthanwith the holiness of God. The carnally-secure sinner is affected andtaken with the patience, forbearance, and long-suffering of God. "Oh!"sayshe,"whataGodofpatienceisthis,whohaswaitedsomanyyearsformy repentance! that he whomight long since have damnedme—waitsstill tosaveme!thathewhomight longsincehavecastmeintohell—isstillwillingthatIshouldgotoheaven!"

ThepresumptuoussinnerismuchaffectedandtakenwiththemercyandgoodnessofGod. "Well," says thepresumptuoussinner, "thoughIhavesinnedthusandthus—yetGodhasbeenmercifultome;andthoughIdosin daily thus and thus—yet God is still merciful to me; and though Ishouldstillgoontosinsevenfoldmore—yethewouldbemercifultome.(Deut. 29:18-21; Eccles. 8:11.) He does not delight in the death of asinner,norinthedamnationofsouls;oh,whatamercifulGodisGod!"

Theprosperous sinner is taken with the bounty and liberality of God."Oh!"sayshe,"whatabountifulGod,whataliberalGodisthis,whofillsmybarns,whofillsmybags,whoprospersmeathomeandabroad,whohas blessedme with a healthful body, a fair estate, a kind wife, a fulltrade,laboriousservants,andthrivingchildren!"etc.

Butwhere is there a sinner in all theworld,who is affected and takenwiththeholinessofGod?CertainlythereisnothingwhichrendersGodsoformidable and dreadful to unholy people—as his holiness does. Isaiah30:11,"Leavethisway,getoffthispath,andstopconfrontinguswiththeHolyOneofIsrael!""Ohthatyouwouldnotpreachsomuch,nortalksomuchtousoftheHolyOneofIsrael!Ohthatyouwouldforonce,ceasefrommolestingandvexinguswithmessageuponmessagefromtheHolyOne! Why can't you talk and preach to us of themerciful One, thecompassionateOne,theaffectionateOne,thepitifulOne,etc.,asbestilla-talkingtousoftheHolyOne,theHolyOne!Oh,wedonotliketohear

it!Oh,wecannotbearit!"

Nothing strikes the sinner into such a terror as a discourse on theholiness of God; it is as the handwriting upon the wall, Dan. 5:4-6.Nothingmakestheheadandheartofasinnertoachelikeasermonuponthe Holy One. Nothing galls and gripes, nothing stings and terrifiesunsanctifiedones—likealivelysettingforthoftheholinessofGod,Hab.1:13.

But toholy souls, there are no discourses which more suit them andsatisfy them,whichmoredelight and content them,whichmorepleaseandprofit them—than thosedo,whichmost fullyandpowerfullyrevealGodtobegloriousinholiness.

Well,thisisaneverlastingtruth—hewhotrulylovestheholinessofGod,andlovesGodforhisholiness—iscertainlymadepartakerofhisholiness.Ifyouarereallyholy,youaremuchaffectedandtakenwiththeholinessofGod.Souls,whatsayyoutothis?But,

2.Secondly,TrueholinessisDIFFUSIVE.Itextends,diffuses,andspreads itselfallover thesoul; it spreads itselfoverheadandheart, lipand life, inside and outside. Psalm 45:13, "The king's daughter is allgloriouswithin,herclothing isofwroughtgold." Inwardholiness is theinwardgloryof theking'sdaughter.Theking'sdaughter is "allgloriouswithin;" her understanding is hanged with holiness, her mind isadorned with holiness, her will is bowed to holiness, and all heraffectionsaresprinkled,yes,clothedwithholiness.Herloveisholylove,hergriefisholygrief,herjoyisholyjoy,hersorrowisholysorrow,herfear isholy fear,hercare isholycare,herzeal isholy zeal.Andon theoutside, her clothing is of "wrought gold"—that is, her life andconversation,whichisasvisibletoothersastheclothesshewears,isverysparkling and shining in grace and holiness. True sanctification isthroughout, it reaches to soul, body, and spirit, "MayGod himself, theGodofpeace,sanctifyyouthroughandthrough.Mayyourwholespirit,soulandbodybekeptblamelessatthecomingofourLordJesusChrist."1Thessalonians5:23.

True holiness is a divine leaven, which leavens the whole man, Mat.13:33.Look!asleavendiffusesitselfthroughthewholelumpofdough,sotrueholinessdiffuses itself through thewholeman.Look!asAbsalom'sbeautywasspreadalloverhim,even fromthecrownofhisheadtothesoleofhisfoot,2Sam.14:25,sothebeautyofholinessspreadsitselfoverevery member of the body, and every faculty of the soul. Look! asSolomon's temple was glorious both within and without, so holinessmakesallgloriousbothwithinandwithout.Look!asAdam'ssinspreaditselfover thewholeman, so thatholiness thatwehaveby the "secondAdam"spreads itselfoverthewholeman—justso, thatthatmanwhoisnotalloverholy, that isnot throughoutholy, thatmanwasnever trulyholy,1John1:16.Look!asthatholinesswhichwasinChristdiddiffuseandspreaditselfoverallChrist;sothathispersonwasholy,hisnatureswereholy,hisheartwasholy,hislanguagewasholy,andhislifewasholy—justso,realholinessspreadsitselfoverhead,hand,heart,lip,andlife,1Pet.1:15.

ThefruitoftheSpiritisinallgoodness,Eph.5:9;hewhoistrulygood,isall over good; he has goodness engraved upon his understanding, andgoodnessengraveduponhisjudgment,andgoodnessengraveduponhiswill,andgoodnessengraveduponhisaffections,andgoodnessengravedupon his inclination, and goodness engraved upon his disposition, andgoodnessengraveduponhisconversation.Hewhoisnotallovergoodisnotreallygood.Therearethosewhohavenewheadsbutoldhearts,newwords but oldwills, new expressions but old affections, newmemoriesbutoldminds,newnotionsbutoldconversations;andtheseareasfarofffrom true holiness, as the Pope, the Turk, and the devil are from realhappiness.

Ineveryholypersontherearemanydivinemiracles:thereisadeadmanrestoredtolife,adumbmanrestoredtospeech,ablindmanrestoredtosight,adeafmanrestoredtohearing,alamemanrestoredtowalking,amanpossessedwithdevilspossessedwithgrace,aheartofstoneturnedintoaheartofflesh,andalifeofwickednessturnedintoalifeofholiness."Therefore ifanymanbe inChrist,he isanewcreature:old thingsarepassedaway;behold,allthingsarebecomenew."2Corinthians5:17.Ifitbe thuswithyou,Idarewriteyou,andcallyoubothholyandeternally

happy.But,

3.Thirdly,Peopleofrealholinesssetthehighestpriceandthegreatestvalueandesteemuponthosewhoareholy.Theydonot,as the blind world do—value people by their great estates, names,professions, arts, parts, gifts,mirthful clothes, gold chains,honors, andriches—butbytheirholiness.AsaholyGod,soholysouls looknothowrational men are—but how religious; not how notional—but howexperimental;nothowgreat—buthowgracious;nothowhigh—buthowholy; and, accordingly they value them. Psalm 16:3, "But to the saintswho are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is allmy delight."Proverbs12:26,"Therighteousismoreexcellentthanhisneighbor."

Itisholinesswhichdifferencesonemanfromanother,andwhichexaltsonemanaboveanother.Aholymanisabettermanthanhisneighbor,intheeye,account,andesteemofGod,angels,andsaints.Thereisnoman,comparedtotheholyman.Thesundoesnotmoreexcelandoutshinethestars—than does a righteous man excel and outshine his unrighteousneighbor:Proverbs28:6,"Betteristhepoorthatwalksinhisuprightness,thanhewhoisperverseinhisways,thoughheberich."

AmanofholinessprefersaholyJob,thoughupontheash-heap—beforeawickedAhabuponthethrone;hesetsahigherpriceuponaholyLazarus,though clothed with rags, and full of sores—than upon a rich andwretchedDives,who is clothedgloriously, and fares sumptuously everyday.AsKingIngovaluedpoor,raggedChristiansabovehispagannobles,saying,thatwhenhispagannobles,inalltheirpompandglory,shouldbecastdowntohell—thosepoorChristiansshouldbehis fellow-princes inheaven.This blind,madworld rates and valuesmen according to theirworldlyinterest,greatness,glory,andgrandeur;butmenofholinessrateand value men by their holiness, by their inward excellencies, and bywhattheyareworthfortheeternalworld.Theworldjudgeshimthebestmaninthevillage,whoismostrich;butaholymanjudgeshimthebestmaninthevillage,whoismostrighteous.Theworldcountshimthebestmaninthetown,whoisclothedmostgorgeously;butaholymancountshimthebestmaninthetown,whoseinsideandoutside,whoseheartandlife,whosebodyandsoulareclothedwithsanctityandpurity.Theworldreckonshimthebestman in thecitywhosebagsare fullest,andwhose

estate is largest; but a holyman reckons him the bestman in the citywhose heart is fullest of holiness, andwhohasmost to show for a fairestate in the other world. Certainly, to a holy man—there is no wife,compared toaholywife;no child, compared toaholy child;no friend,comparedtoaholyfriend;nomagistrate,comparedtoaholymagistrate;nominister,comparedtoaholyminister;nornoservant,comparedtoaholy servant. Internal excellencies are far more important with a holyman—thanallexternalglories.

TheJewssaythatthoseseventypeoplewhowentwithJacobintoEgyptwere asmuchworth as all the seventy nations in theworld.Doubtlessseventyholypeople, intheesteemandjudgmentof thosewhoareholy,are more worth than a whole world, yes, than seventy worlds, ofunrighteoussouls.[Platocouldsay,thatnogoldorpreciousstonesdoesglistensogloriouslyastheprudentspiritofagodlyman.]

Asoul, trulyholy, sets thehighestpriceupon thosewhoareholy.HolyPaul prized holyOnesimus as his son, Philem. 10, as himself, verse 17,yes, as his own heart, verse 12; 2 Sam. 22:27, "With the pure youwillshowyourselfpure,"or(astheHebrewwillbearit)"withthechoiceyouwill show yourself choice." Pure souls are the choicest souls in all theworld;theyarechoiceineveryeyebuttheirown.Allworldlyexcellencies,inthejudgmentofaholyman,arebutascopper,brass,tin,andlead;butholinessisthetriedsilver,thegoldofOphir,thepearlofgreatprice—inhiseye,whohaspurityinhisheart.Theyonlyrateandvaluemenaright,who rate and value them according to their holiness; and ifmenwerethusratedandvalued,mostmenintheworldwouldbefoundnotworththemoneythatJudassoldhisMasterfor.

Ifyouprizeothersfortheirholiness,youareaholyperson.Nomancantrulyprizeandhighlyvalueholinessinanother—buthewhohasholinessinhisownheart.SomeprizeChristians for theirwit,othersprize themfor their wealth; some prize them for their birth and breeding, othersprize them for their beauty andworldly glory; someprize them for thegreatthingsthathavebeendonebythem,othersprizethemforthegoodthings that they have received from them; some prize them for theireagles'eyes,othersprizethemfortheirsilvertongues;buthewhoistrulyholyprizes them for theirholiness,he values them for theirpurity and

sanctity.But,

4. Fourthly, He who is truly holy will be still a-reaching andstretching himself out after higher degrees of holiness. Yes, amanwhoistrulyholycanneverbeholyenough;hesetsnoboundsnorlimitstohisholiness;theperfectionofholinessisthemarkthathehasinhiseye;hehears,andprays,andmourns,andstudies,andstrives—thathe may come up to the highest pitch of holiness. [Psalm 84:7, and119:106;Col.1:10;2Cor.7:1,seq.]"NotthatIhavealreadyobtainedallthis,orhavealreadybeenmadeperfect,butIpressontotakeholdofthatforwhichChristJesustookholdofme.Brothers,Idonotconsidermyselfyettohavetakenholdofit.ButonethingIdo:Forgettingwhatisbehindandstrainingtowardwhatisahead,Ipressontowardthegoaltowintheprize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."Philippians 3:12-14. [This is a metaphor from runners in a race, whostrainandstretchoutthemselvestotheutmost,thattheymaytakeholdonthemarkorprizethatissetbeforethem.]

Received measures of holiness will not satisfy a holy soul; so muchholinessaswillkeephellandhissoulasunder—willnotsatisfyhim;norwillsomuchholinessaswillbringhimtoeternalhappinesssatisfyhim;hewillbestillreachingandstretchingoutafterthehighestmeasuresofholiness;hisdesiresareformoreholiness,"OnethingIaskoftheLord,thisiswhatIseek:thatImaydwellinthehouseoftheLordallthedaysofmy life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in histemple." Psalm 27:4. The beauties of holiness do so affect him andinflamehim,thathecannotbutdesiretobemoreandmoreholy."Lord,"says the soul, "I desire to bemore holy, that I may glorify your namemore, that Imay honormy professionmore, and that Imay servemygeneration more. Lord, I desire to be more holy, that I may sin lessagainstyou,andthatImayenjoymoreofyou!Iwouldbemoreholy,thatImaybemoreprevalentwithyou,andthatImaybemorevictoriousoverallearthlyvanities."

And as aman of holiness desiresmore holiness, so aman of holinessearnestlyprays formoreholiness,Psalm51:2,7.Hepraysthathemaybefilledwiththefruitsofrighteousness,andthathemaygoonfromfaithto faith,and fromstrength to strength,Job 17:9,andProverbs4:18;he

praysthathissparkofholinessmaybe turned intoa flame,hisdropofholinessintoasea,andhismiteofholinessintoarichtreasury;hepraysthathemay,liketheeagle,flyhigherandhigher,andthathissoulmaybeliketherisingsun,whichshinesbrighterandbrighteruntil itbeperfectday; he prays that he may, like the giant refreshed, rejoice to run hiscourse, and that holiness in his soul, like the waters in Ezekiel'ssanctuary, may still be rising higher and higher. It was Beza's prayer,"Lord, perfect what you have begun in me, that I may not suffershipwreckwhenIamalmostatheaven."

Andasamanofholinessprays formoreholiness,soamanofholinessbelievesformoreholiness.Psalm51:7—intheHebrewthewordsruninthefuturethus:"Youwillpurgemefromsinwithhyssop,andIshallbeclean:youwillwashme,andIshallbewhiterthansnow."Inthesenseofallhissinfulnessandvileness,hebelievesthatGodwillgiveoutgreatermeasuresofpurityandsanctitytohim:"Youwillpurgeme,andIshallbeclean: youwillwashme, and I shall bewhiter than snow." Just so, inPsalm65:3,"Iniquitiesprevailagainstme:asforourtransgressions,youshallpurgethemaway."Thoughforthepresentiniquitydidprevail—yethe had faith enough to believe that God would purge him from histransgressions,andthathewouldmortifyprevailingcorruptions.

Andasamanofholinessbelievesformoreholiness,soamanofholinesshopesformoreholiness,1John3:2-4.Ineveryordinancehehopesformoreholiness,andundereveryprovidencehehopes formoreholiness,andunder everychangeofhis conditionhehopes formoreholiness, 2Pet. 3:14.When he is in prosperity, he hopes that God will make himmorezealous, thankful,cheerful, fruitful,anduseful.Andwhenhe is inadversity,hehopesthatGodwillinflamehislove,andraisehisfaith,andincreasehispatience,andstrengthenhissubmission,andquiethisheartinagraciousresignationofhimselftoGod.

I dare boldly to say, that thatmanwas never truly holy, who does notendeavortogetuptothehighestpitchesofholiness.Trueholinessknowsnorestrictionsnorlimitation.ButnowcounterfeitholinessiseitherlikeHezekiah'ssun,whichwentbackward;orlikeJoshua'ssun,whichstoodstill;orlikeEphraim'smorningcloud,whichsoonpassedaway.Noroundbut the highest round in Jacob's ladder will satisfy a holy soul. True

holinessmakesamandivinelycovetous.Look!asthevictoriousmancannever make enough conquests, nor can the ambitious man ever haveenoughhonor,nor can thevoluptuousmaneverhaveenoughpleasure,nor can theworldling ever have enoughmammon,nor can thewantonever have enough vain embraces—nomore can aman of holiness haveeverhaveenoughholiness.Asthegraveandthebarrenwombareneversatisfied,theyneversay"itisenough,"Proverbs30:15-16—justso,aholyman,whileheisonthissideeternity,heisneversatisfied,hecanneversaythathehasholinessenough.

5.Fifthly,Wherethereisrealholiness,thereisaholyhatred,detestation, and indignation against all ungodliness andwickedness, and that uponholy accounts: [Truehatred is against thewhole kind.] Psalm 119:101, "I have refrained my feet from every evilway."Butwhy?"ThatImaykeepyourword;"verse104,"ThroughyourpreceptsIgetunderstanding:thereforeIhateeveryfalseway."Thegoodthat he got by divine precepts stirred up his hatred against every falseway: verse 128, "Therefore I esteem all your precepts concerning allthingstoberight;andIhateeveryfalseway."Hishighesteemofeverypreceptraisedupinhimaholyindignationagainsteveryevilway.AholymanknowsthatallsinstrikesattheholinessofGod,thegloryofGod,thenatureofGod, thebeingofGod, and the lawofGod;and thereforehisheart rises against all; he looks upon every sin, as the Scribes andPharisees who accused Christ; and as that Judas who betrayed Christ;andthatPilatewhocondemnedChrist;andthosesoldierswhoscourgedChrist;andasthosespearswhichpiercedChrist;andthereforehisheartcriesoutforjusticeuponall.Helooksuponeverysinashavingahandinthe death of his Savior, and therefore he cries out, "Crucify them all,crucifythemall!"

He looks upon every sin as a grieving of the Spirit, as a vexing of theSpirit, andasaquenchingof theSpirit;andsonothingwill satisfyhimbuttheruinofthemall.[Eph.4:30;Isaiah63:10;1Thes.5:19.]HelooksuponeverysinasadishonortoGod,asanenemytoChrist,asawoundtotheSpirit,asareproachtothegospel,andasamothtohisholiness;andthereforehisheartandhishandisagainsteverysin.

Butnow, if youwill but look into theScriptures, you shall find that all

thosewhohave beenbutpretenders to holiness, that their hearts havebeenalwaysengaged tosomeonewayofwickednessoranother, Isaiah58:1,9;Zech.7:4-7.Jehuwasveryzealousagainst idolaters;butyethisheartwasengagedtohisgoldencalves.HerodhearsJohnBaptistgladly,andreformsmanythings,Mark6etc.;butyethisHerodiasmuststilllieinhisbosom.Judaswasasforwardinreligiousservicesasanyothers—butyetmoneydidbearthemasterywithhim,John12:6.ThePhariseesmadelongprayers—butonlythattheymightthebettermakeapreyuponwidows'houses,Mat.23:19,and26:23.Theyoungmanseemedfair forheaven—but yet his possessions had so possessed and locked up hisheart,thatChristcouldgetnoentrance.

ThoughSimonMagusbelieved, andwasbaptized, andwonderedat themiraclesandsignswhichweredonebyPhilip;yetforalltheseshowsofgodliness, hewas a prisoner to his lusts; his condition was dangerous,poisonous, and odious; he was in the gall of bitterness and bond ofiniquity, Acts 8:13-23. Just so, those in Mat. 7:21-23, though theycomplimentedwithChrist,saying,"Lord,Lord;"thoughtheyprophesiedinChrist'sname,andcastoutdevils inChrist'sname; yes, though theydidnot a few—butmanywonderfulworks inChrist'sname; yet all thiswhiletheywereworkersofiniquity,theywereartistsinsin;theyweresoaddictedtosin,thattheymadeatradeofsin.["Hewhoharborsanyonevice,hasallotherwithit,"saysSenecatruly.]

Look!aseverylionhashisden,everydoghiskennel,everyswinehissty,and every crow his nest—just so, every unholy person has one sin oranother, to which his heart is engaged and married; and that sin willundohimforever!

AsLysimachuslosthisearthlykingdombydrinkingonedraughtofwater,somany lose a heavenly kingdom by indulging some one sin or other.Oneflawspoilsthediamond,onetreasonmakesatraitor,oneturnbringsamanquiteoutof theway, one leak sinks the ship, onewoundstrikesGoliathdead, oneDelilahbetraysSamson, onebrokenwheel spoils thewholeclock,andonedead fly spoils thewholeboxofointment.Andasone bastard son destroyed Gideon's seventy sons, Judges 8, so onepredominantsinisenoughtodestroythesoulforever.AsbytakingonenapSamsonlosthisstrength,andbyeatingoneappleAdamlostparadise

—just so,manymen, by favoring one sin—lose God, heaven, and theirsoulsforever.Hewhofavorsanysin,thoughhefrownsuponmany,doesbutasBenhadad,recoverofonediseaseanddieofanother;yes,hetakespainstogotohell.Sinfavored—alwaysendstragically.

Andasnounholyheartrisesagainstallsin,sonounholyheartdisdainssin or rises against sin upon noble accounts, upon holy and heavenlyaccounts.Sometimesyoushallhaveanunholypersonangrywithsin,andfalling out with sin, because it has cracked his credit, or clouded hishonor,orhinderedhisprofit,orembitteredhispleasure,orenragedhisconscience,orexposedhimtoshamehereandhellhereafter:butneverbecause a righteous law is transgressed, a holy God is dishonored, alovingSaviorisafreshcrucified,ortheblessedSpiritgrieved.

Itisbetweenaholyandanunholysoul,asitisbetweentwochildren;onewillnot touch the coalbecause itwill smuthim, and the otherwill nottouchitbecauseitwillburnhim.Aholyheartrisesagainstsinbecauseofitsdefilingnature; but an unholy heart rises against sin because of itsburninganddamningnature.Aholymanismostaffectedandafflictedwith the evil that is in sin; but an unholy heart is most affected andafflictedwiththepunishmentthat isduetosin.Aholypersonhatessinbecause it pollutes his soul; but an unholy person hates it because itdestroys his soul. A holy person loathes sin because it makes againstGod'sholiness;butanunholypersonloathesitbecauseitprovokesGod'sjustice.Aholypersondetestssinbecauseofthehellwhichisinsin;butanunholypersondetestssinbecauseofthehellwhichfollowssin.Aholyheartabhorsallsin;butanunholyheartisstillinleaguewithsomesin,Romans12:9,and7:15,19;Isaiah28:15,18.Nowbecausethisisapointofgreatconcernment,Ishallalittlemoreopenandevidencethetruthofit,inthesethreeparticulars:

(1.)First,TheheartofaholymanrisesagainstSECRET sins,againstsuchasliefurthestofffromtheeyeofman:Psalm119:113,"Ihatevain thoughts—but your law do I love." What more secret than vainthoughts? and yet against these the heart of a holy man rises. WhenJoseph was tempted to be secretly wicked with his mistress, his heartrisesagainstit:Gen.39:9,"HowcanIdothisgreatwickedness,andsinagainst the Lord?"Hezekiah humbled himself for "the pride of his

heart,"2Chron.32:24-26.Heart-sinsliemosthiddenandsecret;andyetforthese,aholymanhumbleshimself.Jobwouldnotallowhisheart,inanidolatrousway,secretlytokisshishand,Job31:26-27.

The heart of a holyman rises againstwickedness in the dark, againstfollyinacorner,againstsininacloset.Justso,Paulwasmuchaffectedandafflictedwith theoperationsof sinwithinhim, "with the law inhismembersrebellingagainst the lawofhismind,"Romans7:23-24.Paul,afterhis conversion,never fell into any scandalous sin. Those sins thatdidmosttroublehimanddistresshimwereofhisownhouse—yes,wereinhisownheart.

A holyman knows that secret sins are sins, aswell as thosewhich areopen,Psalm19:12.Heknowsthatsecretsinsmustberepentedofaswellasothers;heknowsthatGodtakesnoticeofsecretsinsaswellasofopensins: 2 Sam. 12:12, "You did it secretly." He knows that secret sins dooften interpose betweenGod andhis soul: "Youhave set our iniquitiesbeforeyou:oursecretsinsinthelightofyourcountenance,"Psalm90:8.He knows that secret sins will quickly become public, except they arepresently loathedandspeedilymortified,Gen.38:24-27.Heknowsthatsecret sins, like secretdiseases and secretwounds,dooftentimesprovemostdangerousandpernicious;heknowsthatsecretsinsarethepriceofblood,aswellasopensinnings.Heknowsthatsecretsinsareagrief totheSpirit,aswellasthosewhicharemanifest.HeknowsthatsometimesGodpunishessecretsinswithmanifestjudgments,asyoumayseeinthatgreatinstanceofDavid,2Sam.12:10,18.Uponallwhichaccounts,aholyheartrisesinadetestationofsecretsins.But,

(2.)Secondly,TheheartofaholymanrisesagainsttheLEASTsins,aswellasagainstsecretsins,inastrictsense.Iknowthereisno littlesin,because there isno littlehell, no littledamnation,no littlelaw,nornolittleGodtosinagainst;butyetsomesinsmaycomparativelybesaidtobelittle,ifyoucomparethemwiththosewhicharemoregreatand gross, which are more heinous and odious, Mat. 23:24. Now thehatredofaholymanrisesagainst the least:Psalm119:163, "Ihateandabhorlying:butyourlawdoIlove."Ihate,Iabhorwithhorror,Iloathe,Idetest, I abominate lying as I do hell itself—somuch the originalwordimports. David's heart smote him for the cutting off the lap of Saul's

garment;andhisheartsmotehimagainfornumberingofthepeople;andyetneitherofthesesinswereheinousorscandalous,1Sam.24:5,and2Sam.24:10.

Some write, that there is such a native dread and terror of the hawkimplanted in the dove, that it detests and abhors the very sight of theleastfeatherthathasgrownuponthehawk.Certainly,thereissuchaholydreadofsin implantedintheheartofasaint, thathecannotbutdetestand abhor the least sin—yes, the very appearance of sin: his soul risesagainsttheleastmotionsorinclinationstoevil,thoughtheyaresilveredoverwiththemostsophisticatedshows,andmostgloriouspretenses:forheknowsthattheleastsinsarecontrarytoarighteous law,aholyGod,andtohisblessedSavior,andtheSpirit—hisonlyComforter.[1Cor.8:13;Gal.2:3-4;Jude23.]

[1.] First,Aholymanknows that little sins, if not prevented,willbringongreatersins.Davidgiveswaytohiswanderingeye,andthatledhimtothosescandaloussinsforwhichGodbrokehisbones,hidhisface,andwithdrewhisSpirit,2Sam.12:26,seq.

Justso,PeterfirstdenieshisMaster,andthendenieshim,andthenfallsa-cursing and damning of himself, Mat. 26:70-75; as the Greek wordimports, he imprecated thewrath ofGod to fall uponhim, and thathemightbe separated from thepresenceandgloryofGod, ifheknew theman; and then concludeswith amost incredible lie, "I don't know theman!"—though there was hardly a personwho did not know Christ bysight—hebeingveryfamousforthemanymiraclesthathedailywroughtbeforetheireyes.Ah!towhataheightwillsinsuddenlyrise!

Justso,Jacob,firsthetellsthreeliesinabreath,Gen.27:19,20:1.IamEsau; 2.Your firstborn; 3. I havedone accordingas youbademe.AndthenhetakesthenameofGodinvain,byauthoringGodtothatwhichhedid:"TheLordyourGodbrought it tome."Ah,ofwhatanencroachingnatureissin!howinsensiblyandsuddenlydoesitinfiltrateintothesoul![Just so, Austin confesses that his mother Monica, by sipping andsuppingwhenshe filled thecup toothers, cameat last to takea cupofwineexcessivelysometimes.]

Ihavereadofayoungmanwhowastemptedtothreegreatsins,namely,tokillhisfather,toliewithhismother,andtobedrunk.Judgingthelasttobetheleast,heyieldedtoit,andbeingdrunk,hekilledhisfather,andravishedhisownmother.

Lessersinsusuallyareinletstogreatersins—asthelittlethiefletinatthewindow opens the door, andmakes way for the greater; and the littlewedgemakeswayforthegreater.WhenPompeycouldnottakeacitybyforce, he pretended that he would withdraw his army: only he desiredthattheywouldentertainafewofhisweakandwoundedsoldiers,whichaccordingly they did. These soldiers soon recovered their strength, andopenedthegatesofthecity,bywhichmeansPompey'sarmyenteredandsubduedthecitizens.Justso, littlesinsyieldedtosoongather strength,andopen thedoor togreater sins; and soa conquest ismadeupon thesoul. This a holy heart well understands, and therefore it hates andabhorstheleastsin.But,

[2.]Secondly,Aholyheartknowsthatlittlesinshaveexposedboth sinners and saints to very great punishments.A gracioussoulremembersthemanwhowasstonedtodeath—forgatheringofsticksontheSabbath-day.HeremembershowSaullosttwokingdomsatonce,hisownkingdomandthekingdomofheaven—forsparingofAgagandthefatofthecattle.Heremembershowtheunprofitableservant,forthenon-improvement of his talent, was cast into outer darkness. HeremembershowAnaniasandSapphirawere suddenly strickendead fortellinga lie.He remembershowLot'swife, fora lookof curiosity, wasturned into a pillar of salt. He remembers how Adam was cast out ofparadise foreatinganapple; and theangels castoutofheaven fornotkeepingtheirstandings.HeremembersthatJacobsmartedforhislyingtohisdyingday.HeremembershowGodfollowedhimwithsorrowuponsorrow, and breach upon breach, filling up his days with grief andtrouble. He remembers how Moses was shut out of the Holy Land,becausehespokeunadvisedlywithhis lips.[Num.15:30,37-38;1Sam.15:23;Mat.25:25,31;Acts5:3-4;Gen.19:26and3and27.]

He remembers the young prophetwhowas slain by a lion for eating alittlebreadanddrinkingalittlewater,contrarytothecommandofGod,thoughhewasdrawnthereuntobyanoldprophet,underapretenseofa

revelation from heaven, 1 Kings 13. He remembers how Zacharias wasstrickenbothdumbanddeaf,becausehebelievednot the reportof theangelGabriel,Luke1:19-62.HeremembershowUzzahwasstrickendeadforholdingupthearkwhenitwasindangertohavefallen.Yes,hecanneverforgetthefiftythousandmenofBeth-shemeshwhowereslainforlookingintotheark,2Sam.6:7-8;1Sam.6:19-21.Now,ah,howdoestheremembrance of these things stir up the hatred and indignation of agracioussoulagainsttheleastsins!

A grain of poison diffuses itself to all parts, until it strangles the vitalspirits, and separates the soul from the body. A little coal of fire hasturnedmanyastatelybuildingintoashes.Alittleprickwithathorncanaswellkillaman,asacutwithadrawnsword.A little flymayspoilallthe alabaster box of ointment. General Norris having received a slightwound inhis arm in thewars of Ireland,made light of it—buthis armgangrened,andsohelostbotharmandlifetogether.Fabius,asenatorofRome,andchief-justicebesides,wasstrangledbyswallowingasmallhairinadraughtofmilk.AfitofanfevercarriedawayTamerlane,whowastheterrorofhistime.Anacreon,thepoet,waschokedtodeath,withtheskin of a grape.An emperor died by the scratch of a comb.One of thekings of France died miserably by choking on a bite of pork; and hisbrother,beinghitwithatennisball,wasstruckintohisgrave!Andthusyouseelittlethingshavebroughtuponmanygreatmiseries.

And so little sins may expose and make people very liable to greatpunishments: and thereforenowonder if theheart of a holyman risesagainst them. Those sins which are seemingly but small, are veryprovoking to thegreatGod,andveryhurtful to the immortal soul—andthereforetheycannotbutbetheobjectofaChristian'shatred.

[3.] Thirdly, A holy heart knows that a holy God looks andexpectsthattheleastsinsshouldbeshunnedandavoided.Heseesthatthecockatriceshouldbecrushedintheegg.GoddemandsthatBabylon's little ones should be dashed against the stones, Psalm 137:9.Not only great sins—but little ones,must be killed, or theywill kill thesoul.Theviper iskilledby the littleones thatshenourishes inherownbosom—just so,many aman is eternally slain by the little sins that henourishesinhisownbosom.Asalittlestabattheheartkillsaman.

Justso—alittlesin,withoutagreatdealofmercy,willdamnaman.Godexpectsthathischildrenshould"abstainfromallappearanceofevil," 1Thes. 5:22.As youwouldneitherwoundyour consciencenoryour credit, God nor the gospel—you must keep off from the veryappearancesofevil.

AChristianis tohatenotonlytheflesh—butthegarment;andnotonlythe garment which is besmeared—but the very garment which is butbespotted with the flesh, Jude 23. Our first parents were not onlyforbiddentoeatoftheforbiddenfruit—buttheywereforbiddentotouchit,Gen. 3.And certainly hewhowouldnot gape after forbidden fruit—mustnotgazeuponforbiddenfruit;hewhowouldnotlongafterit—mustnotlookuponit;hewhowouldnottasteit—mustnottouchit.

ThepiousNazaritewasnotonly commanded toabstain fromwineandstrongdrink—butalsofromeatinggrapes,whethermoistordry;yes,hewasprohibitedfromeatinganythingthatwasmadeofthevine-tree,fromthekernelseventothehusk,Num.6:3-4,lestbythesweetanddelightofanyofthese,heshouldbetemptedorenticedtodrinkwine,andsoforgetthelaw,andbreakhisvow,andmakeworkforhellorrepentance,orthePhysicianofsouls,Proverbs31:5.

Sin is so hateful a thing, that both the remote occasion, and the leastoccasionthatmightdrawthesoultoit—istobeavoidedandshunned—asamanwouldavoidandshunhellitself.["Amancanhardlydrinkpoisonandlive."Cyprian.]Hewhotrulyhatesthenatureofsin,cannotbuthatetheleastsin,yes,allappearancesofsin.Aholyheartknowsthattheverythoughtof sin, if butdwelton,will break forth intoaction, action intocustom,customintohabit—andthenbodyandsoulareundoneforever.Look! as nothing speaks out more sincerity and real sanctity, thanshunning the very appearances of vanity—just so, nothing speaks outmoreindignationagainstsin,thantheavoidingtheoccasionsofsin.But,

[4.]Fourthly,Aholyheartknowsthattheindulgingoftheleastsin is ground sufficient for anyman to question his integrityandsinceritytowardsGod.Hehasmuchreasontosuspecthimself,andtobesuspectedbyothers—whodaresbreakwithGod,andwithhisownconscience—foratrifle.Hewhowilltransgressforamorselofbread,

willbereadyenoughtosellhissoulforaprice,Proverbs28:21.Hewhowill pervert justice for a few pieces of silver, what will he not do for ahatfulofgold?hewhowillsell thepoorforapairofshoes,willdestroythepoorfortherightprice,Amos2:6.Hewhowillsellsoulsdog-cheap,whowillslaythesoulsthatshouldnotdie,andsparethesoulsalivethatshouldnotlive—forhandfulsofbarleyandpiecesofbread—willmakenobonesofmakingmerchandiseof souls for silver andgold,Ezek. 19.Hewhowill sell his Savior once for thirty pieces of silver—will sell himasoften for a greater sum, Zech. 11:12. He who makes no conscience ofbetrayingChrist into thehandsof sinners for thirty shillings,willmakenoconscienceofbetrayinghisownsoulintothehandsofthedevilatthepriceofanoose.Hewhodareslietosavealittleofhisestate—whatwillnothedotosavehislife?Thesethingsaholyheartwellunderstands,andthe serious remembrance of them stirs up in him a holy indignationagainsttheleasttransgression.But,

[5.] Fifthly and lastly, Takemany things in one: a holy heartknowsthattheleastsincostChristhisdearestblood.Heb.9:22,"Without shedding of blood there was no remission"—no remission ofgreat sins, nor no remission of little sins. He knows that the blood ofChrist is as requisite to cleanse the soul from the least sin, as it is tocleanseitfromthegreatest:1John1:7,"AndthebloodofJesusChristhisSon cleanses us from all our sins." It is not the casting of a little holywateruponus;itisnotthePapists'purgatories,northeirwhippings;norStFrancis'kissingor lickingofoursores;norabishop'sblessing;norafewknocksontheconscience,nora fewtearsdroppingfromoureyes—whichcancleanseusfromtheleastsin.No,itisonlythebloodofChrist,which cleanses us from all our sins. There is not the least spot in aChristian'sheartthatcanbewashedout—butinthebloodoftheLamb.

It is said of Luther, thatwhen hewas dying—that Satan appeared andpresentedtohimalongparchmentscroll—onwhichwerewrittenhissins—hismorewickedwords anddeeds. Luther answered, "All this is true,Satan—butyetthereisonethingmoreforyoutosetdownunderallmysins,andthatisthis—ThebloodofJesusChristhisSoncleansesusfromalloursins."Whereuponthedevilvanished,asbeingvanquished.Bethatasitmay,itiscertainthatthereisnotavainthought,noranidleword,

noranangryword,norawantonwordthatcanbepardonedorcleansed—butbythebloodofJesusChrist;theremembranceofwhichcannotbutstirupaholyindignationinagracioussoulagainsttheleastcorruption.

WhenJuliusCaesartheemperorwasmurdered,Antoniusbroughtforthhis bloody coat, and showed it to the people,which stirred up in themsuchanindignationagainstthemurderers,thattheycriedout,"Slaythemurderers!"andwentandburnttheirhouses,andallwhowereinthem.Justso,whenaholyheartlooksuponhissins,yes,hislittlesins,asthosewhohavemurderedthePrinceofglory,ah,whatan indignationdoes itraiseinthesoulagainstthem!

Aholyheartknowsthatthereisnottheleastsin—butdoesinameasureestrange the soul from God. As little clouds do somewhat interposebetween the sun and us—just so, little sins do somewhat interposebetweenGodandoursouls.Andassometimesalittlematter,amistake,orlendinganear,orawordoutofjoint,oranactofforgetfulness—bringsomecoolnessanddistancebetweendearestfriends,Acts15:36-41—justso, sometimes little sinsbring somecoolnessanddistance between ourdearestGodandoursouls,Proverbs16:28,and17:9.

AholyheartknowsthatChristlooksuponthosesinsasgreat,whichtheblindworldaccountsbut little.Christ accountshatred—murder, 1 John3:15;a lustfuleye—adultery,Mat.5:28;andhe reckons theofficious lieandthemerrylieamongthemostmonstroussins,andcondemnsittothelowest hell, Rev. 21:8. The consideration of all which raises no smallindignationinaholyheartagainsttheleast,thesmallestsin.

But unholy heartsmake nothing of little sins: withAchan they will beslaves for a wedge of gold; with Gehazi they will be servants ofunrighteousnessforapieceofsilverandtwochangesofgarments;withAdamtheywilltransgressforanapple;andwithEsautheywillselltheirbirthrightofgracehere,andofgloryhereafter—forabowlof soup.Theheartsofunholypeoplemayriseagainstgrosssins,suchasarenotonlyagainst the law of God—but against the light and laws of nature andnations. Their souls may rise in arms against those sins which makesthemliabletothelawsofmen,orwhichlaysthemopentoshame,fear,grief, or loss; but as for vain thoughts, idle words, petty oaths, sinful

motions,andfrequentomissions—theylookupontheseastrifles,motesandgnatswhicharenottoberegardedorbewailed.But,

(3.)Thirdly,Asaholyheartrisesagainsttheleastsins—justso,a holy heart rises against BOSOM-sins, against constitution-sins,againstthosesinswhicheitherhiscalling,formercustom,orhispresentinclination or condition—domost dispose him to. It is true, a prodigalpersonmay abhor covetousness, and a covetous personmay condemnprodigality; a furiouspersonmayhate fearfulness, anda fearfulpersonmay detest furiousness. But now the hearts of those who are holy riseagainst their complexion sins, against their darling sins, against thosesinswhichmakeforpresentpleasureandprofit,againstthosesinswhichwereonceasrighthandsandrighteyes.Theyareagainsthosesinswhichwerethattotheirsouls,whichDelilahwastoSamson,HerodiastoHerod,IsaactoAbraham,andJosephtoJacob.

Psalm18:23,"Iwasalsouprightbeforehim;andIkeptmyselffrommyiniquity;"thatis,frommydarlingsin,whereuntoIwasmostinclinedandaddicted.Whatthisbosom-sinwas,whichhekepthimselffrom,ishardtosay.Somesupposehisdarlingsinwaslying,deceit;foritiscertain,heoftenfellintothissin.Otherssupposeittobesomesecretiniquity,whichwas only known to God and his own conscience. Others say it wasuncleanness,andthatthereforeheprayedthat"Godwouldturnawayhiseyesfrombeholdingvanity,"Psalm119:37.Othersjudgeittobethatsinofdisloyalty,whichSaulandhiscourtiersfalselychargeduponhim.Itisenoughforourpurpose,toknowthathisheartdidriseagainstthatverysin, that either by custom or some strong inclination he was mostnaturallyapt,ready,andpronetofallinto.

IdolatrywasthedarlingsinofthepeopleofIsrael;[Jer.44:15,20;Isaiah1:29, and 57:5; Jer. 17:1-2; Hosea 2:8; Isaiah 31:6-7.] they called theiridols delectable, or desirable things, Isaiah 44:9; they did dearly affectanddelight in their idols. ButwhenGodwould come to put a spirit ofholiness upon them—then their hearts would rise in hatred anddetestationoftheiridols,asyoumayseeinIsaiah30:18,25;markverse22,"Thenyouwilldefileyouridolsoverlaidwithsilverandyourimagescoveredwithgold;youwill throwthemawaylikeamenstrualclothandsaytothem—Awaywithyou!"Theyweresodelightedandenamoredwith

their idols, that theywould deck them up in the greatest elegance andfinery; theywouldattire themwith themostrich,costly,pompous,andglorious raiment. Oh—but when a spirit of holiness would rise uponthem,thentheywoulddefile,deface,anddisgracetheiridols—thentheyshouldsohateandabhor them, theyshouldsodetestand loathe them,that inaholy indignation they should cast themaway as amenstruouscloth,andsayuntothem,"Awaywithyou!pack,begone,Iwillneverhaveany more to do with you! God has now made an everlasting divorcebetweenyouandme!"[AfterthereturnoftheJewsoutofBabylon,theysohatedandabhorredidols, that in the timeof theRomans theychoserathertodiethantoallowtheeagle,whichwastheRomanimperialarms,tobesetupintheirtemple.]

And so in Isaiah 20:17 "In that day"— that is, in the day of the Lord'sexaltationinthehearts,lives,andconsciencesofhispeople—"amanshallcasthisidolsofsilver,andhisidolsofgold,whichtheymadeeachoneforhimself toworship—to themoles and to the bats." In the day of God'sexaltation they shall express suchdisdain and indignation against theiridols, that they shall takenotonly thosemadeof treesandstones—buteventheirmostpreciousandcostlyidols,thosewhichweremadeofsilverandgold,andcast themtothemolesandtothebats; that is, theyshallcast them into such blind holes, and into such dark, filthy, nasty, anddustycorners,asmolesmakeunderground,andasbatsroostin!Justso,whenholiness comes tobe exalted in the soul, thenall aman'sdarlingandbosomsins,whicharehisidolsofsilver,andhisidolsofgold—thesearewithaholyindignationcasttothemolesandtothebats;theyaresoloathed,abandoned,andabhorred—thathedesires theymaybe foreverburiedinoblivion,andneverseethelightmore.

Idols were Ephraim's bosom-sin: Hosea 4:17, "Ephraim is joined," orglued,"to idols, lethimalone;"butwhenthedewofgraceandholinessfelluponEphraim,asitdidinchapter14:5-7,"ThensaysEphraim—WhathaveIanymoretodowithidols?"verse8.NowEphraimloatheshisidolsas much or more than before he loved them! He now abandons andabominatesthem,thoughbeforehewasascloselygluedtothem,asthewantonisgluedtohisDelilah,orastheenchanter isgluedto thedevil,fromwhombynomeansheisabletostir.Ephraimbecomingholy,cries

out,"WhathaveIanymoretodowithidols?"Oh,Ihavehadtodowiththem too long and toomuch already! Oh, how doesmy soul now riseagainst them!howdoIdetestandabhor them!surely Iwillneverhavemoretodowiththem.

Butunholyheartsareveryfavorabletobosom-sins;theysayofthem,asLot of Zoar, "Is it not a little one?"Gen. 19:20.And asDavid spoke ofAbsalom,2Sam.18:5,"Dealgentlyformysakewiththeyoungman,evenwithAbsalom.""BewarethatnonetouchtheyoungmanAbsalom,"verse12. "And the king said—Is the youngmanAbsalom safe?" verse 29. Anunholyheartisasfondofhisbosom-sinsasHerodwasofhisHerodias;orasDemetriuswasofhisDiana;orasNaamanwasoftheidolRimmon,whichwastheidoloftheSyrians;orasJudaswasoffilchingthebag;orasthePhariseeswereofhavingtheuppermostseats,andofbeingsalutedinthemarket-placewiththoseglorioustitles,"Rabbi,Rabbi!"

Bosom-sinshaveatleastaseemingsweetnessinthem;andthereforeanunholyheartwillnoteasilyletthemgo.LetGodfrownorsmile,strokeorstrike,liftuporcastdown,promiseorthreaten—yethewillhideandholdfasthisdarlingsins.LetGodwoundhisconscience,blowuponhisestate,leaveablotuponhisname,crackhiscredit,afflicthisbody,writedeathuponhisrelations,andbeaterrortohissoul—yetwillhenotletgoofhisbosom-lusts!HewillratherletGodgo,andChristgo,andgracego,andheavengo,allgo—thanhewillletsomepleasurableorprofitablelustsgo!

Anunholyheartmaysighoverthosesins,andmakewaruponthosesins—whichwaragainsthishonors,profits,orpleasures—andyetatthesametime,maketrucewiththosesinswhichareasrighthandsandrighteyes!Anunholypersonmaysethisswordatthebreastsofsomesins—andyetatthesametimehisheartmaybesecretlycourtingofhisbosom-sins.

ButnowaholyheartrisesmostagainsttheDelilahinhisbosom;againsttheBenjamin,theson,thesin,ofhisrighthand.Andthusyouseehowaholy heart hates and disdains all sins; he abhors small sins as well asgreat sins, secret sins as well as open sins; and bosom-sins as well asotherssinswhichhavenotthatdelightandacceptancewiththesoul.Realholiness will never mix nor mingle itself with any sin, it will neverincorporatewithanycorruption.Wineandwaterwilleasilymix—sothe

wine of gifts and thewater of sin, thewine of civility and thewater ofvanity,thewineofmoralityandthewaterofimpiety—willeasilymix.Butoil andwaterwill notmix, theywill not incorporate—just so, the oil ofgrace,theoilofholiness,willnotmix;itwillnotincorporatewithsin,theoilofholinesswillbeuppermost.

Mark, natural and acquiredhabits and excellencies, as asilver-tonguedwit,aneloquenttongue,astrongbrain,anironmemory,alearnedhead—allthese,withsomehighspeculationsofholiness,andsomeprofessionofholiness,andsomecommendationsofholiness,andsomevisibleactingsof holiness—are consistentwith the love of lusts,with the dominion ofsin!WitnesstheScribesandPharisees,Judas,Demas,andSimonMagus.Buttherealinfusedhabitsoftruegraceandholiness,willneveradmitofthedominionofanysin,whethergreatorlittle,whethersecretoropen.But,

6.Sixthly,Peopleofgenuineholinessaresincerelyaffectedandafflicted, grieved and troubled—about their own vileness andunholiness.Ezek.36:25-26,31.Youmaysee this inholyJob,chapter40:3-4,"ThenJobansweredtheLordandsaid—Behold,Iamvile!WhatshallIansweryou?Iwilllaymyhanduponmymouth."

Justso,holyAgur:Proverbs30:2-3,"SurelyIammorebrutishthananyman,andhavenottheunderstandingofaman.Ineitherlearnedwisdom,nor have the knowledge of the holy." Though all men are brutish—yetholymenaremostsensibleof theirbrutishness,andmostaffectedandafflictedwithit.Wickedmenaremorebrutishthanthebeasts—yettheyseeitnot,theybewailitnot;butholyAgurbothseeshisbrutishness,andbewails it.Holy Agur, looking upon that rare knowledge, that depth ofwisdom,andthoseadmirableexcellenciesthatAdamwasenduedwithinhisintegrityandinnocency,confesseshimselftobebutbrutish,tobeasmuchbelowwhatAdamoncewasasabruteisbelowaman.

Justso,holyDaviddoesnotcry,"Iamundone, Ishallperish!"—but,"Ihave sinned, I have done foolishly!" Psalm 51:3. And so for his beingenvious at the prosperity of the foolish, Psalm 73:2-3, how doesDavidbefool and be-beast himself! Psalm 73:22, "Just so, foolishwas I, andignorant: I was as a beast before you." The Hebrew word Behemoth,

which is here rendered beast, generally comprehends all beasts of thegreatersort.Asanaggravationofhisfolly,heconfessesthathewasasabeast,asagreatbeast,yes,asanepitomeofallgreatbeasts.

Justso, theholyprophetIsaiahcomplainsthathewasundone, thathewascutoff,notuponanyworldlyaccount—butbecausehewasamanauncleanlips,anddweltinthemidstofapeopleofuncleanlips,Isaiah6:5.

Just so, holy Daniel, chapter 9, did not complain that they werereproachedandoppressed—butthattheyhadrebelled.

Justso,Peter,Luke5:8,"Departfromme;forIamasinfulman,OLord!"OrastheGreekhasit,"Iamaman—asinner!""OLorddepartfromme—forIamamixtureandcompoundofallvilenessandsinfulness!"

Justso,holyPauldoesnotcryoutbecauseofhisopposersorpersecutors—but of the law in hismembers rebelling against the law of hismind,Romans7:23-24.Paul'sbodyofdeathwithinhimputhimtomoregriefandsorrowthanallthetroublesandtrialsthateverbefellhim.

A holy heart laments over those sins that he cannot conquer. A holypersonlaborstowashoutallthestainsandspotsthatareinhissoul,inthestreamsofgodlysorrow.Thathissinsmayneverdrownhissoul—hewilldowhathecantodrownhissinsinpenitentialtears.AholypersonlooksuponhissinsasthecrucifiersofhisSavior,andsotheyaffecthim.Helooksuponhissinsasthegreatagitators,andseparatorsbetweenGodand his soul—and so they afflict him, Isaiah 59:1-2.He looks upon hissinsassomanyreproachestohisGod,blemishestohisprofession,andwoundstohiscreditandconscience—andsotheygrieveandtroublehim.Helooksuponhissinsasthatwhichhasmademanyarighteoussoulsad,whomGodwouldnothavesaddened;andthatwhichopensmanyasinfulmouththatGodwouldhavestopped,andthatwhichstrengthensmanyawickedheartthatGodwouldnothavestrengthened;andsohissinsfetchmanyasighfromhisheart,andmanyatearfromhiseyes,Ezek.13:22.

When a holy man sins he looks upwards, and there he sees Godfrowning; he looks downwards, and there he sees Satan insulting; helookswithinhimself,andtherehefindshisconscienceeithera-bleeding,

raging,oraccusing;helooksoutsidehimself,andtherehefindsgraciousmenlamentingandmourning,andgracelessmenderidingandmocking.The realization of all these things do sorely and sadly afflict a gracioussoul.

SomesaythatPeter'seyes,afterhisgreatfalls,werealwaysfulloftears,insomuch that his face was furrowed with continual weeping for hishorrid thoughts, his desperate words, his shameful shifts, and hisdamnabledeeds—whichmadehimlookmorelikeachildofhellthanlikea saint whose name was written in heaven. Some say of Adam, thatwhenever he turned his face towards the garden of Eden, he sadlylamented his great fall. Some say ofMaryMagdalene, that she spentthirty years inweeping forher sins.David'ssinswere ever before him,andthereforenowonderiftears,insteadofgems—weresoconstantlytheornamentsofhisbed.

Wicked Pharaoh cries out, "Oh take away these filthy frogs, take awaythesedreadful judgments!"ButholyDavidcriesout"OLord, takeawaythe iniquity of your servant!" Pharaoh cries out because of hispunishments—butDavid cries out because of his sin! Anselm says thatwithgriefheconsideredthewholecourseofhis life: "I found,"sayshe,"theinfancyofsininthesinsofmyinfancy;theyouthandgrowthofsininthesinsofmyyouthandgrowth;andtheripenessofallsininthesinsofmyripeandmatureage;"andthenhebreaksforthintothispatheticalexpression, "What remains for you,wretchedman—but that you spendyour whole life in bewailing your whole life!" By all which it is mostevident, that holy hearts are very much affected and afflictedwiththeirownunholinessandvileness.

Now certainly those people are as far off from real holiness—as hell isfrom heaven—who take pleasure in unrighteousness, whomake a scoffand mock of sin, who commit wickedness with greediness, who talkwickedly,who livewantonly,who tradedeceitfully,whoswearhorribly,whodrinkstiffly,wholiehideously,andwhodieimpenitently.But,

7.Seventhly,Realholinessnaturalizesholydutiestothesoul;itmakesreligiousservicestobeeasyandpleasanttothesoul.Henceprayeriscalledtheprayeroffaith,becauseholyfaithnaturalizes

aman'sheart toprayer, 1Pet1:2,andJames5:15. It isasnatural foraholymantopray,asitisforhimtobreathe,orasitisforabirdtofly,orfire to ascend, or a stone to descend: and hence it is that obedience iscalledtheobedienceoffaith,becauseholyfaithnaturalizesaman'sheartto obedience, Romans 16:26, and Psalm 119:166. As soon as ever thisplantofrenownwassetintheheartofPaul,hecriesout,"Lord,whatwillyouhavemetodo?"Acts9:6.

Andhenceitisthathearingiscalled"thehearingoffaith,"becausethisholy principle naturalizes a man's heart to hearing God's word. Psalm122:1,"Iwasgladwhentheysaiduntome,LetusgointothehouseoftheLord."AndsoinIsaiah2:3,"Andmanypeopleshallgoandsay—Come,letusgouptothemountainoftheLord,tothehouseoftheGodofJacob.Hewillteachushisways,sothatwemaywalkinhispaths."

And hence patience is called "patience of hope," because this holyprincipleofhopenaturalizesaman'shearttoapatientwaitinguponGod,1Thes.1:3.Romans8:25,"Butifwehopeforthatweseenot,thendowewithpatiencewaitforit."

Justso,holylovenaturalizesthesoultoholyservice;in1Thes.1:3,youreadof"thelaboroflove."Holyloveisverylaborious.NothingmakesaChristianmore industrious,painstaking,anddiligent in the service andwaysofGod—thanholylove.Holylovewillcauseustoprayandtopraise;itwill cause uswait andwork; itwill provoke souls to studyChrist, toadmireChrist,tolivetoChrist,toliftupChrist,tospendandbespentforChrist, and to break through all difficulties that itmay come nearer toChrist,andcleaveclosertoChrist,Rom14:7-8,and2Cor.12:14-16.

AsJeromeoncebravelysaid,"Ifmyfather,"saidhe,"shouldstandbeforeme, my mother should hang upon me, and my brothers should pressaboutme—Iwouldbreakthroughmybrothers,throwdownmymother,treadunderfeetmyfather—thatImightthefastercleaveuntoChristmySavior."Ohthelaboriousnessofholylove!SofarasaChristianisholy,sofar holy services will be delightful and easy to him: Romans 7:22, "IdelightinthelawofGodaftertheinwardman;"verse25,"Sothenwiththe mind I myself serve the law of God;" Psalm 119:16, "I will delightmyselfinyourstatutes:Iwillnotforgetyourword;"verse35,"Makeme

togointhepathofyourcommandments;forthereindoIdelight;"verse47, "And I will delight myself in your commandments which I haveloved;" verse 92, "Unless your law had beenmy delight, I would haveperished inmy affliction;" verse 143, "Trouble and anguish have takenholdonme:yetyourcommandmentsaremydelight."

Sirs,honorisnotmoresuitable,delightful,andpleasingtoanambitiousman,norpleasuretoavoluptuousman,norflatterytoaproudman,norgoldtoacovetousman,noroverindulgencetoanintemperateman,norrevengetoanenviousman,norpardontoacondemnedman—thanpiousdutiesand services are suitable, pleasing, anddelightful to aholyman,Psalm27:8,and81:8-16.

But unholy hearts are very averse to holy duties and services: they areaverse to hearing, averse to praying, averse to reading, averse tomeditating, averse to self-judging, averse to self-examining, averse toholyworship.Amos8:5,"WhenwilltheNewMoonbeoversowemaysellgrain,andtheSabbath,sowemaymarketwheat?"Isaiah26:10-11,andJer.5:1,6.Youmaysoonerdrawacowardtofight,oraguiltycriminaltothe court, or a bear to the stake—than you shall draw unholy hearts toholyservices.[Wickedheartsarehabituallyaversetoallthatisgood,etc.]

Butifatanytime,bythestrongmotionsoftheSpirit,theclosedebatesofconscience,thepowerfulpersuasionsoftheword,theeducationofgodlyparents, the pious example of bosom friends, the rich treasures inpreciouspromises,thedreadfulevilsinterriblethreatenings;orifatanytimebythedispleasureofGod,thesmartingrod,theaffectionsofGod'smercy,thewooingsofGod'slove;orifatanytimebysomeflashesofhell,or glimpses of heaven, or by the heavy sighs, the deep groans, and thebleeding wounds of a dying Savior—their hearts are wrought over topious services—Isaiah 58:1-5—ah, how soon are they weary of them!What littledelightorpleasuredo they take in them! Isaiah43:22, "Butyouhavenotcalleduponme,OJacob"—thatis,youhavenotworshipednor served me sincerely, faithfully, feelingly, heartily, affectionately,humbly, holily, as you should and as you ought—"but you have beenwearyofme,OIsrael;"that is,youhavebeenwearyofmyworshipandservice,andyouhavecounteditratheraburdenthanabenefit,adamagerather than an advantage, a reproach rather than an honor, a disgrace

rather than a favor, a vexation rather than a blessing. And for all yourformal courtings and complimentings of me—you have been secretlywearyofme!

Justso,inMal.1:12,13,"ButyouprofaneitbysayingoftheLord'stable,'It isdefiled,' andof its food, 'It is contemptible.'And you say, 'What aburden!' and you sniff at it contemptuously," says the Lord Almighty.Whenyoubringinjured,crippledordiseasedanimalsandofferthemassacrifices,shouldIacceptthemfromyourhands?"TheydidGodbutlittleservice,andthattheydidwasafter theworstmanner too—andyet theysnuff,andpuff,andblow,andsweat,andswell,andfallintoapompousandexaggerated fume—as if theyhadbeenover-tiredandweariedwiththe burden andweight of those sacrificeswhich they offered up to thegreatGod.

A holy heart thinks that what he does for God, is all too little; but anunholy heart thinks every little thing that he does for God, to be toomuch.Aholyheart,liketheholyangels,lovestodomuch—andmakenonoise;butanunholyheartmakesmostnoisewhenhedoesleastservice.Anunsanctifiedsoulhasatrumpetinhisrighthand,whenhehasbutapennytogiveinhislefthand,ashere.But,

8. Eighthly, Where there is real holiness, there will be theexercise of righteousness towards men from righteousprinciples,anduponpiousaccounts,namely,thehonorofGod,thecommand of God, the will of God, the credit of the gospel, etc.Realholiness towards God is always attended with righteousnesstowardsmen: Eph. 4:21, "And that you put on the newman, whichafterGod is created in righteousness and trueholiness," or, holiness oftruth. Tit. 2:11-12, "For the grace of God that brings salvation hasappeared toallmen, teachingus that,denyingungodlinessandworldlylusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this presentworld."ThesewordscontainthesumofaChristian'sduty;tolivesoberlytowardsourselves,righteouslytowardsourneighbors,andgodlytowardsGod,istruegodlinessindeed,andthewholedutyofman.

Just so, holyAbraham in Gen. 23:16, "Abraham agreed to Ephron'stermsandweighedoutforhimthepricehehadnamedinthehearingof

the Hittites: four hundred shekels of silver, according to the weightcurrent among the merchants." It is recorded to holy Abraham'severlastinghonorandfame,thathepaidforthefieldthatheboughtfromEphronwithcurrentmoney,notcounterfeit;pure,notadulterateshekelsof silver; not shekels of brass silvered over; he paid the price that wasagreed,andhepaiditinsuchcoinaswouldgocurrentinonecountryaswellasanother.

Just so, holy Jacob, in Gen. 43, supposing that the money that wasreturned in the sacks of corn that his sons brought out of Egypt wasthroughsomemistakeoroversight,heveryhonestlyandconscientiouslyorderedthemtocarrythemoneybackagain.Verse12,"Takedoubletheamount of silver with you, for youmust return the silver that was putback into themouths of your sacks. Perhaps it was amistake." A holyheartwillnot,aholyheartdaresnot, takeanadvantage from another'serrortodohimwrong;itisbutjusticetoreturnandrestoretoeverymanhisdue.

Just so, holyMoses, in Num. 16:15, "I have not taken so much as adonkey from them, and I have never hurt a single one of them." Hesought their good, not their goods; he preferred their safety before hisownlife;hedidrighttoeveryman,hedidwrongtonoman;hedideverymansomegood,hedidnomantheleasthurt.

Justso,holySamuel, in 1Sam.12:3-4, "Nowtellmeas I standbeforetheLordandbeforehisanointedone—whoseoxordonkeyhaveIstolen?HaveIevercheatedanyofyou?HaveIeveroppressedyou?HaveIevertakenabribe?TellmeandIwillmakerightwhateverIhavedonewrong.""No,"theyreplied,"youhavenevercheatedoroppressedusinanyway,and you have never taken even a single bribe." He makes a solemnprotestationbeforetheLord,beforehisanointed,andbeforethepeople,thathehad so lived in the exercise of justice and righteousnessamongthem, that theycouldnotaccusehimof the leastunrighteousness, theycouldnotsayblackwashiseye,theycouldnotsaythathehadlessenedthem to greaten himself, or that he had impoverished them to enrichhimself,orthathehadruinedthemtoraisehimself;uponhisappealtheyunanimouslydeclarehisinnocencyandintegrity.

Justso,holyDaniel, inDan.6:4-5,"Thentheotheradministratorsandprinces began searching for some fault in thewayDanielwashandlinghisaffairs,buttheycouldn'tfindanythingtocriticize.Hewasfaithfulandhonest and always responsible. So they concluded—Our only chance offinding grounds for accusing Daniel will be in connection with therequirementsofhisreligion."ThoughENVYis the fatherofcrueltyandmalice, the mother of murder and ambition, the plotter of others'destruction—yetholyDanielwasso justandrighteous, so innocentandprudent,socarefulandfaithfulintheadministrationofhishighoffice—thatnoneofhis envious,malicious, andambitiousenemies could,aftertheir unity in a hellish and cruel conspiracy, charge himwith the leastspot of injustice or of unrighteousness; they narrowly scanned all hisadministrations, and diligently weighed all his actions—and yetthemselves being judges, Daniel is found innocent. They could not somuchaschargehimwithafault.

Just so, Zachariah and Elizabeth, they walked in all thecommandmentsandordinancesof theLordblameless,Luke1:5-6; theywalkednotonlyintheordinances—butalsointhecommandmentsoftheLord,andtheywalkednotonly insomecommandments—but inallthecommandments of the Lord; theywalked in the commandments of thesecondtable,aswellasinthecommandmentsofthefirsttable;theywereaswellforrighteousnesstowardsman,astheywereforholinesstowardsGod.

Justso,theapostles,in2Cor.7:2,"Makeroomforusinyourhearts.Wehavewrongednoone,wehave corruptednoone,wehaveexploitednoone."TheapostlewouldhavetheCorinthianstomakeroomforthemintheirheartsandhouses,astheGreekwordimports,fortheyhadwrongednomaninhisnameorreputation,asthefalseapostleshad;neitherhadthey corrupted any man in his judgment by false doctrines or evilexamples,asthefalseapostleshad;neitherhadtheydefraudedanymaninhisestate,asthefalseapostleshad,whomadeaprizeoftheirfollowersandhearers.

Ofthesameimportisthatoftheapostlein1Thes.2:10,"Youarewitness,andGodalso,howholily, justly, andunblamablywebehavedourselvesamong youwho believe."He takesGod and them towitness, that they

hadlivedholilyinrespectofGod,andrighteouslyinrespectoftheworld,andunblamably inrespectof thosewhobelieve.Byallwhich it ismostevident,thatwherethereisrealholinesstowardsGod,therewillbetheexerciseofrighteousnesstowardsmen.

But now, where there are but the shows and appearances of holiness,there people make no conscience of exercising righteousness towardsmen. Witness the Scribes andPharisees, who, under a pretense ofpraying,madeapreyofwidows'houses;who,underapretenseofpiety,exercised the greatest covetousness, unrighteousness, and cruelty—andthat upon widows, who are usually the greatest objects of pity andcharity; they made no bones of robbing the widow, under pretense ofhonoringofGod,Mat.23:14.

Justso,Judas,whounderapretenseof layingupforthepoor,robbedthe poor, John 12:6; hemade use of counterfeit holiness, as a cloak tocoverallhisthievishvillainies;hepretendedtolayupforthepoor—butheintendedonlytolayupforhimself,andtoprovideagainstarainyday.ItislikehehadnogreatmindtostaylongwithhisLord,andthereforehewasresolvedtomakethebestprofithecouldforhimself;thatsowhenheshouldlaydownhisstewardship,hemighthavesomethingtoliveupon.Judasactedthepartofasaintinhisprofessionanddiscourses,thatsohemightbe the less suspected toact thepart of a thief inhismore secretpractices.Judashadnotbeenlonginoffice,beforeheputconscienceoutofoffice,andconsciencebeingputoutofoffice,Judassetsupforhimself,and,under a cloakofholiness, he practices the greatest unfaithfulness.Thoughtheeaglesoarshigh—yetstillhereye isuponherprey—justso,thoughJudasdidsoarhigh inprofession—yethiseyewasstilluponhisprey, upon his bags, and so he might have it, he cared not who wentwithoutit;sohemightberich,hedidnotcarethoughhisLordandhisretinue grew ever so poor. Judas had Jacob's voice—butGehazi's heartand hands. Under all his shows of sanctity, he had not so much ascommonhonesty inhim.Counterfeitholiness is oftenmade a stalking-horse to theexerciseofmuchunrighteousness.Certainly thatman isasfar fromrealholiness, as thedevil himself is from truehappiness,wholives not in the exercise of righteousness towardsmen, as well as in aprofessionof holiness towardsGod.Well, Christians, remember this, it

werebetter tohavehonestyandmoralitywithoutreligion, thantohavereligionwithouthonestyandmorality.But,

9. Ninthly, He who is truly holy—will labor and endeavor tomakeothersholy.Aholyheartlovesnottogotoheavenalone;itlovesnot to be happy and blessed alone. A man who has experienced thepower,excellency,andsweetnessofholiness,willstriveandstudyhowtomakeothersholy.WhenSamsonhadtastedhoney,hegavehisfatherandmothersomewithhim,Judges14:8-9.Holinessissosweetamorsel,thatasoulcannottasteofitbuthewillbea-commendingofittoothers.["Wethereforelearn—thatwemayteach,"isaproverbamongtheRabbis.Theheathencouldsay,Idothereforelayinandlayup,thatImaydrawforthagainforthegoodofmany.]A

s youmay see in holyMoses, inNum. 11:29, "Are you jealous formysake? Iwish thatall theLord'speoplewereprophetsand that theLordwouldputhisSpiritonthem!"Aholysoulwillnevermakeamonopolyofholiness. The prophets, you know, were men of greatest grace andholiness;nowholyMosesisveryimportunateandearnestwithGodthathe would not only make the two who prophesied—but all the Lord'speople eminent and excellent in grace and holiness. Such was Moses'holiness and humbleness, that he desires that all others might eitherequalhimorexcelhimingiftsandgrace.Ahearteminentlyholyissofarfromenvyingofthegraciousexcellenciesofothers,thatitcanrejoice ineverysunthatoutshineshisown.Everylightthatburnsmoredimthanhis—hedesiresthatitmaybesnuffed,notputout,thatsoitmaygiveaclearerandagreaterlighttoothers.

Just so, holy Paul in Acts 26:29, "I pray to God that both you andeveryonehereinthisaudiencemightbecomethesameasIam,exceptforthesechains."Trueholinessisnochurl;nothingmakesamanmorenobleinhisspiritualdesires,wishes,andactingsforothers,thanholiness.Realholiness, likeoil, is of a diffusive nature; like light, it will spread itselfoverall;likeMary'sboxofointment, itfillsallthehousewiththesweetscent thereof.Areyouaholy father? thenyouwill,withholyAbraham,labortomakeyourchildrenholy,Gen.18:17-19.Aholyheartknowsthatbothbyhisfirstbirth—butespeciallybyhisnewbirth,hestandsobligedto promote holiness in all—but especially in thosewhich are parts and

piecesofhimself.Areyouaholymaster?thenyouwill,withholyJoshua,labortomakeallunderyourchargeholy:Josh.24:15,"Butasforme,andmyhouse,wewillservetheLord."

Trueholinesscannotbeconcealed;itwillbea-stirringanda-provokingofotherstobeholy:asaholymandoesnotlovetobehappyalone,soaholymandoesnotlovetobeholyalone.Aholymasterlovestoseeacrownofholiness set upon everyhead in his family.Holiness is a very beautifulthing,anditmakesthosebeautiful inwhomitexists.Inaholymaster'seye,thereisnoservantsolovelyandbeautifulashewhohasthebeautyofholinessuponhim.

Aholymagistratewill labor tomakebothhisservantsandhis subjectsholy: as holy David, holy Asa, holy Isaiah, and holy Hezekiah did; heknowsthatthesoulsofhisservantsandsubjectsarethechoicesttreasurethat God has committed to his care; he knows that every soul ismoreworththanhiscrownandkingdom;heknowsthathemustonedaygiveupanaccountformoresoulsthanhisown,andthereforeheimproveshispowerandinteresteverywayforthemakingofallholyunderhim.LouistheNinth,kingofFrance,tookpainstoinstructhispoorkitchen-boyintheway to heaven, and being asked the reason of it, he answered, Thepoorest have a soul to save as precious asmy own, and bought by thesamebloodofChrist. It is saidofConstantine that in thishewas trulygreat, thathewouldhavehiswhole court gathered together, andcausetheScriptures tobereadandopenedto them, that theymightbemadeholy courtiers, and so fitted for the court of heaven, into which nouncleanpersonorthingcanenter,Rev.21:27.Itgrievedanemperorthataneighborofhisshoulddiebeforehehaddonehimanygood.Ah, it isthegriefofaholymagistratetoseeothersdiebeforetheyaremadeholy.The great request of a holymagistrate, living and dying, is this, "Lord,makethispeopleaholypeople!Oh,makethispeopleaholypeople!"

Areyouaholykinsman,aholyfriend;thenyouwill labortomakeyourkindredholy,andyourfriendsholy;asholyCorneliusdid,asyoumayseeinActs10:24,"CorneliuswaswaitingforhimandhadcalledtogetherhisrelativesandclosefriendstomeetPeter."Andinverse33,saysCorneliustoPeter,"SoIsentforyouatonce,anditwasgoodofyoutocome.Nowhereweare,waitingbeforeGodtohearthemessagetheLordhasgiven

you."[Justso,inJohn1:39,49,and4:28-30.]DevoutCorneliusgetshiskinsmenandnearfriendstogether, thattheyalsomightbepartakersofthegraceandmercyofGodwithhim.Hehadexperiencedaworkofgraceandholinessuponhisownheart,andheuseshisbestendeavorsthattheymightexperiencethesameontheirs.

AholyChristianislikeamagnet,whichdrawstoitselffirstoneironring,and that another, and that a third. As there is a natural instinct in allcreatures to propagate their own kind, as in beasts, birds, and fish; sothereisaholy,aspiritualinstinctinallgraciousheartstopropagategraceandholinessinwhateverheartstheycan.Look!asfirewillassimilateandturneverythingthatcomesnearitintoitsownnature,sowillaholyheartlabor to make all that comes near him like himself. Look! as onedrunkard labors to make another, and one swearer another, and onewantonanother,andonethiefanother,andoneidlepersonanother,andone fearfulperson another, and onedoubtfulperson another, and oneerroneousperson another, etc.—just so, one holy heart labors tomakeanotherholyheart;onegraciousheart labors tomakeanothergraciousheart.[Itisatruesayinginscience,thatitisthemostnaturalactorworkofeverylivingthingtoproduceanotherlikeuntoitself.]

Hewho ishumblewill labor tomakeothershumble, hewho is sincerewill labor tomakeothers sincere, hewho is faithfulwill labor tomakeotherstobefaithful,hewhoisfruitfulwilllabortomakeothersfruitful,andhewhoiswatchfulwilllabortomakeotherswatchful.Aheartthatistruly holywill labor, by prayers, reproofs, tears, example, counsel, andcommands—tomakeotherslikehimself.Heknowsthatthereisnolove,nowisdom,nocare,nopains—comparedtothatwhichhetakeswithhisownheart,comparedtothatwhichislaidouttomakeunholyheartsholy.And therefore he prays andweeps, andweeps and prays, that holinessmay be written upon all that his name is written upon; he learns andteaches,andheteachesandlearns,andall thathemayteachand learnotherstobeholy;hecountsitnotworthwhiletoliveinthisworld,wereitnotforthegloryofGod,andthegoodofhisownandothers'souls.

But now, what shall we say of those peoplewho are so far frombeingholy,whoare so far fromdrawingothers tobeholy, that theydowhattheycantomakethosewhoareholytobecomeunholy,andwhostrongly

tempt thosewho are unholy to bemore unholy? These are agents andinstruments for hell, and certainly such solicitors shall at last bemostdreadfullyhandledbyhellishtormentors.But,

10. Tenthly,Hewho is really holy—will be holy in the use ofearthly and common things, aswell as in the use of spiritualand heavenly things. Titus 1:15. He will be spiritual in the use ofmundane things; and heavenly in the use of earthly things. There is asilverveinofsanctitywhichrunsthroughallhisworldlyconcernments.Ifyoulookuponhiminhiseatinganddrinking—youshallfindhimholy.1Cor.10:31,"Sowhetheryoueatordrinkorwhateveryoudo,doitallforthegloryofGod."Ifyoulookuponhiminhisbuyingandselling,inhispaying and receiving—you shall find him holy: Isaiah 23:18, "And hermerchandise and her hire shall be holiness to the Lord." Before Tyre'sconversion, she labored toenrichherselfbyhookandbycrook:allwasfishwhichcametoTyre'snet.Tyrecouldsayanything,ordoanything,orbe anything—for gain. Oh—but when Tyre is converted and sanctified,thenallhergettingsandearnings,shallbeholinesstotheLord.Tyrenowshallwriteholinessuponallherwaresandcommodities.Tyreshallbuynothing, nor sell anything, nor exchange anything—but there shall beholinesswritten upon it. And Tyre shall be as well holy in using andimprovingofhermerchandiseandearnings,asshehasbeenholyinthegettingof them; for so it follows in thesameverse, "But in theendherbusinesses will give their profits to the Lord. Her wealth will not behoardedbutwillbeused toprovidegood foodand fineclothing for theLord'spriests."Tyre,beforeherconversion,hoardedupriches,andlaiduphermerchandise to spenduponher lusts, to spenduponher pride,andwantonness, and luxuriousness, etc. But now, being converted, sheusesand improveswhat shehas in the serviceof theLord, and for thecomfort, support, and relief of the poor and needy.When Tyre is oncemadeholy,thenTyrewillbeholyintheuseofallherearthlyenjoyments.

If you lookuponaholymangoing towar, then you shall findholinesswrittenuponthebridlesofhishorses:Zech.14:20-21,"Inthatdayshalltherebeuponthebridles,orbells,ofthehorses,HolinessuntotheLord.Yes,everypotinJerusalemandinJudahshallbeholinessuntotheLordAlmighty." [Calvin renders it, stables of horses, which are the most

stinking and contemptibleplaces; and yet these should be holily used.]Hereisholinesswrittenuponthebridlesofthehorsestheyrideon,andholinesswrittenuponthecupsandpotstheydrinkin.Aholyheartwillbeholyintheuseofthemundanethingswhichareforcommonuse.Everypieceofhislife,shallsavorofsanctity;andinallthepartsofhiscommonlifeyoushallbeabletodiscernsomethingofthepoweroftruereligion.

Heisholyinhiscommerce,andholyinhisconverse.Holinessiswrittenuponhisdealingswithothers,anduponhisbehaviortowardshisfamilyand friends. Whatever he puts his hand to in his home, shall haveholinesswrittenuponit.

AholymanmakesaJacob'sladderofallhisearthlyenjoyments.Allthecomfortsinhishome,areassomanybrightmorningstarstoleadhimoninawayofholiness,andtoleadhimuptoaholyGod.Lookuponaholymaninhisvocation,andyoushallfindhimholy.Lookuponhimintheuseofcommonthings,andyoushallfindhimholy.Lookuponhiminhisrecreations,andyoushallfindhimholy.Thehabitualframeandbentofhisheartistobeholyineveryearthlythingthatheputshishandunto.Aspiritofholinessrunsandshinesinallthecommonactionsofhislife.

Butnow lookupon thosewhohaveonly the showsandappearances ofholiness,andyoushallfindthattheyhavebutaworldlyspiritincommonthings.Takethemoutoftheirreligiousduties,andyoushallfindthemtobehabituallyearthlyintheuseofearthlythings,andcarnalintheuseofcarnalthings,andworldlyintheuseofworldlythings.Alltheirreligion,alltheirholiness,liesinafewreligiousduties;takethemoutofthese,andyoushallfindthemascarnal,asvain,asfoolish,asfilthyandasfrothy,aslightandasslight—asthosewhohavenotsomuchasacloakofholinessuponthem.Buthewhoisreallyholy,willbeholyaswelloutofdutiesasinduties. Ifyou lookcloselyuponhim inallhisworldly concernments,youshallfindsomefootstepsoftheawe,fear,dread,authority,andgloryof God upon his spirit. Look! as an unholy heart is carnal in spiritualthings,andearthlyinheavenlythings,andunholyinholythings—justso,amanwho is truly holy, he is as well holy in the ordinary affairs andactionsofthislife,asheisholyinanyoftheexercisesofpiety.But,

11.Eleventhly,Trueholinessisconformabletotheholinessof

Christ.TheholinessofChrist is that firstandnoblepatternwhichrealholinessmakesus conformable to: 1 John4:17, "Ashe is—so arewe inthis world." There is no grace in Christ—which is not in some degreeformedinaholyheart."WhoeverclaimstoliveinhimmustwalkasJesusdid."1John2:6.AndthereforetheworkofgraceandholinessiscalledaformingofChristinthesoul,Gal.4:19.Holyheartshavetheveryprints,stamps,and impressionsof thegracesofJesusChristupon them:John1:16, "Indeed,wehave all receivedgrace after grace fromHis fullness."Look!as faceanswerstoface,sothegraceswhichare inrealChristianscorrespond to the graces which are in Jesus; there is such love ascorrespondstotheloveofChrist,andsuchlowlinessascorrespondstothe lowliness of Christ, and such heavenly-mindedness ascorrespondstotheheavenly-mindednessofChrist,andsuchmeeknessas corresponds to the meekness of Christ, and such patience ascorrespondstothepatienceofChrist,andsuchfaithas corresponds tothefaithofChrist,andsuchzealascorrespondstothezealofChrist,andsuch fear as corresponds to the fear of Christ—in truth and reality,thoughnotindegreeandquantity.

Look!asingenerationthechildreceivesmemberformember;orasthepaperreceivesfromthepress,letterforletter;orthemirrorreceivesfromtheface,imageforimage;orasthewaxreceivesfromtheseal,stampforstamp—justso,holyheartsreceivefromChristgraceforgrace.Look!aswineinthebottleisconformabletothatinthebutt,andaswaterinthecistern is conformable to that in the river, and as light in the air isconformabletothatinthesun,andasmilkinthesaucerisconformableto milk in the breasts, and as money in the pocket is conformable tomoney in the bag—so the graces which are in a holy Christian, areconformable to the graceswhich are inChrist, 2Cor. 3:17-18.TobeaholypersonistoknowaholyChrist, tobein lovewithaholyChrist,andtoimitatethevirtuesofaholyChrist.

ItwastheheightofCaesar'sglorytowalkinthestepsofAlexander;andof Selymus, a Turkish emperor, to walk in the steps of Caesar; and ofThemistoclestowalkinthestepsofMiltiades—justso,itistheheightof a Christian's glory to tread in the virtuous steps of hisdearestLord.Aholyheartcountsitagreatencouragementtohim—to

somewhatwalkinthestepsofthatholypatternwhichChristhassethim.Look!astheholyprophetdidlayhismouthtotheShunammite'schild'smouth,andhiseyestohiseyes,andhishandstohishands,2Kings4:34—justso,aholyChristianlayshismouthtothemouthofChrist,andhiseyestotheeyesofChrist,andhishandstothehandsofChrist,andhisbreaststothebreastsofChrist,andhishearttotheheartofChrist:thatis, he does in all things labor to resemble Christ, to be like to Christ;especiallyinthoseholyvirtueswhichweremostshiningintheheartandlifeofChrist,1Pet.2:9.

Now certainly they are far from being holywho count it a crime to bevirtuous;andsoaretheywhowalkdirectlycontrarytoJesusChrist.Hewasholy—buttheyareprofane;hewashumble—buttheyareproud;hewasheavenly—buttheyareearthly;hewasspiritual—buttheyarecarnal;he was zealous—but they are lukewarm; he was meek—but they arecontentious;hewascharitable—buttheyarecovetous;hewascourteous—buttheyaremalicious.Willyoucallthesemenholy?Surelynot!But,

12. Twelfthly, He who is truly holy is much affected andafflictedwiththeunholinessofothers.[Josh.7:9;Psalm69:9;Ezra9:3; Neh. 9; Dan. 9;Micah 1:8; Jer. 13:17.] Psalm 119:53, "Horror hastakenholduponme,becauseofthewickedthatforsakeyourlaw;"verse158,"Ibeheldthetransgressors,andwasgrieved,becausetheykeptnotyourword;"verse136,"Riversofwatersrundownmyeyes,becausetheykeepnotyourlaw."Bythishyperbolicalphrasehesetsforththegreatnessofhissorrows,andthatnotbecausehisenemieshadwrongedhim—butbecause theyhaddishonoredhisGod. Itwasagreatgrief tohimtoseeothersa-grievinghisGod.

Justso,Jer.9:1-3,"Ohthatmyheadwerewaters,andmyeyesafountainoftears,thatImightweepdayandnight!ohthatIhadinthewildernessa lodging-placeofwayfaringmen, that Imight leavemypeople,andgofrom them."Butwhydoes theholyprophet thus takeon?whydoeshethus lament? why does he wish himself turned into waters, and into afountainoftears?whydoeshepreferahabitationamongthewildbeasts,beforehishabitationamonghisownpeople?Why,thecauseyouhaveinthe following words, "For they be all adulterers, an assembly oftreacherousmen,andtheybendtheirtonguesliketheirbowforlies:but

theyarenotvaliant for the truthupontheearth; for theyproceed fromeviltoevil,andtheyknownotme,saystheLord."

Justso,Ezek.9:4,"AndtheLordsaiduntohim,Gothroughthemidstofthe city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon theforeheadsofthementhatsigh,andthatcryforalltheabominationsthatbedoneinthemidstthereof."TherewereholyheartsinJerusalem,whodid sigh and cry, and cry and sigh for thewickedness of the times; theabominationsofthetimesdidlieinsuchfullweightuponthem,thattheydidfetchmanyasighfromtheirhearts,andmanyatearfromtheireyes.Holyheartsareabletotellyoumanysadstoriesofthegroans,griefs,andgripes—which other men's sins has cost them. When most were a-sinning,God'smarkedoneswerea-mourning;whenotherswerewithahigh hand a-cursing, blaspheming, and a-rebelling, God'smarked onesweredeeplysorrowing;theymournedsincerely,theysighedgreatly,theygrievedwonderfully, they groaned lamentably, and that not for some—butfor all, for all court sins, and church sins, and city sins, and familysins.

Andso,holyPaulcouldnotwithdryeyesmakementionof thosebelly-godsandearthwormsthatwereinhistime,Phil.3:18.Justso,holyLotwas much affected and afflicted with seeing and hearing of thewickednessofthoseamongwhomhelived,2Pet.2:7-8.TheGreekwordfor vexed, in verse 7, signifies to be oppressed under the wanton andwickedlivesoftheungodlySodomites,asamanwhoisoppressedundera heavy burden which he labors under, and would gladly be deliveredfrom;ortobeoppressed,astheIsraeliteswereundertheircruelEgyptiantaskmasters. Ah, the sins, the wickedness of others—greatly affect theheartsofthesaints!TheIsraelitesdidnotmorelaborandsighandgroanunderalltheirloadsandoppressions,thanmanyholyheartsdolaborandsighandgroanundertheloadofwickedmen'ssins.AndtheGreekwordforvexed,inverse8,signifiestobetortured,tormented,andracked.[Itisametaphor takenfromdeviceswhichthey tormentedpeoplewith.]Oh,theirwickednessdid torment and rackhis righteous soul; he couldnotseenorhearoftheirwickedness—buthissoulwasasuponarack!

Pambusweptwhenhesawaharlottakesomuchpainstodeckanddressherself in splendid and costly apparel—and all to entertain a wanton

lover,andso tomakework forhell!Oh, it cannotbutgrieveagracioussoul—toseewhatpainspoorsinnerstaketogotohell!Aholyheartlooksuponothermen'ssinsasgreatdishonorsdonetohisfather,hisking;andtherefore he cannot but cry outwith Croesus' son, who though hewasborn dumb—yet seeing some going about to kill his father, his tongue-stringsunloosed,andhecriedout,"OhkillnotkingCroesus!Killnotmyfather!"OhkillnotmyGod,andmyKing!"Ohkillnot,ohdishonornotmydearFatherandSavior!"saysaholyheart.Suchistheloveandhighrespect,whichholyheartsbeartotheirheavenlyFather,thattheycannotbutgrieve,andmourn,andcryoutwhen theyseeothers toact treasonagainstthecrownanddignityofheaven.Elijahhadratherdie,thantoseeAhabandJezebeltocastcontemptanddishonoruponhisGod.

[1.]AholyheartmournsforsinASSIN,heweepsovertheverynatureofsin.Hegrievesforsinasitisthebreachofaholylaw,andasitisadishonortoaholyGod,etc.,andthereforehecannotbutmournforothermen'ssinsaswellashisown.[Hewhohatesathiefasathief,willhateathiefinanotherman'shouseaswellasinhisown.Hewhohatesatoadasatoad,willhateatoadinothermen'sbosomsaswellashisown;hewhohatespoisonaspoison,willhatepoisoninanotherman'shandaswellashisown.Justso,hewhohatessinassin,willhateitwhereverhesees it; andhewhomournsover sin as sin, cannotbutmournover sinwhereverheobservesit.

[2.] By other men's sins, a holy man is put in mind of thebadness of his ownheart.Bernardmakesmention of an oldman,who,whenhesawanymansin,weptand lamented forhim;andbeingaskedwhyhegrievedso forothermen's sins,answered, "He fell today,andImayfalltomorrow!"Thefallsofothersputsaholymaninmindoftherootsofsinfulnesswhichareinhimself.Othermen'sactualsinsareassomany glasses, throughwhich a holyman comes to see themanifoldseedsofsinthatareinhisownnature,andsuchasightasthiscannotbutmelthimandbreakhim.

[3.]Aholyheartknowsthatthebestwaytokeephimselfpurefromothermen'ssins,istomournforothermen'ssins.[1Tim.5:22;1Cor.5:1-3;Eph.5:11.]Hewhomakesconscienceofweepingoverother men's sins--will rarely be defiled with other men's sins. He who

mournsnotoverothermen's sins is accessory toothermen's sins: andfirstorlastmayfindthemchargeduponhisaccount.Hewhomournsnotforothermen'ssins,isindangerofbeingensnaredbyothermen'ssins.Andhowthencanaholymanlookuponothermen'ssinswithdryeyes?

[4.]Aholymanlooksuponothermen'ssinsasthecrucifiersofhisSavior.Helooksupontheproudman'spride,asthatwhichsetacrownofthornsuponthesacredheadofChrist—andthismakeshimsigh.Helooksupontheswearer'soathsasthenailswhichnailedhisblessedhandsand feet to thecross—and thismakeshimgrieve.He looksuponscorners as spitting upon Christ, and worldlings as preferringBarabbas before Christ—and this makes him groan. He looks uponhypocrites as kissing and betraying of Christ, and he looks upondrunkardsandwantonsasgivinggallandvinegartoChrist—andthismakeshimmourn.Helooksuponothermen'ssinsashavingahandinallChrist'storments—andthisputshimupontherack,andmakeshisverysoulheavy,eventothedeath.

[5.]Aholyheartknowsthatbymourningforothermen'ssins,hemaybeinstrumentaltokeepoffwrath,Ezek.9:4,6.Howoftendid holy Moses by his tears—quench the wrath of an angry God!However, if wrath should break forth upon a nation—yet those whomournfortheabominationsofthetimes,theyshallbehiddeninthedayofGod's public visitation, Isaiah 26:20.When the house is on fire, thefather has a special care to provide for the safety and security of hischildren.Whenthelumberisonfire,amanwillbesurefirsttosecurehisboxofjewels.Intimesofcommoncalamity,Godwillbesuretolookafterhisjewels,hismourningones.Thoughthelumber,thewicked,beburntup on every hand in the day of God's wrath—yet he will be sure topreservehisjewelsinthemidstoftheflames.[Isaiah43:2-3;Dan.3:17-28.]

Augustine,comingtovisitasickman,foundtheroomfullofmourners;he found the wife sobbing, the children sighing, and the kindredlamenting;whereuponhesuddenlybreathedforththisshort—butsweetejaculatory prayer, "Lord," says he, "what prayers do you hear—if notthese?"Sointimesofcommoncalamity,holyheartsmaylookupandsay,"Ah,Lord,whosesighs,whosegroans,whosetearswillyouhear—ifnot

ours?Whoaremourners inZion,andwhowill you saveandsecure, inthisdayofyourfierceindignation—ifnotwewhohavelaboredtodrownbothourownandothermen'ssinsinpenitentialtears?"

[6.] A holy heart looks upon sinners' sins to contribute verymuchtowardsthebringinginofsoreandsadchangesuponalandandnation, Psalm 107:33-34. He knows that sinners' sinsmayturn rivers into awilderness, andwater-springs intodry ground, and afruitful land into a barrenwilderness.He knows that sinners' sinsmayhave a deep hand in provoking God to rain hell out of heaven upon asinfulnation,ashedidofolduponSodomandGomorrah,andthissetshima-mourning.Ifonesinnerdestroysmuchgood,asSolomonspeaks,Eccles.9:18,"Ah!"sayshe,"whataworldofgoodwillaworldofsinnersdestroy then!" The serious thoughts of this makes him sigh. [WitnessAchan,Manasseh,Jeroboam,Saul,Herod,Ahab,etc.]

[7.] A holy heart looks upon othermen's sins as their bondsandchains,Acts8:23,andthismakeshimmourn.WhenMarcellus,theRomangeneral,sawthemultitudeofcaptivesthatweretakeninthecityof Syracuse, the tears trickled down his cheeks. Ah, how can tears buttrickle down a Christian's cheeks when he seesmultitudes, fast boundwith the cords of their iniquity, trooping tohell?Who can lookuponasinner as a fast-bound prisoner to the prince of darkness, and notbemoanhim?

If holy people thusmourn for thewickedness of others—then certainlythosewhotakepleasureinthewickednessofothers—wholaughandjoy,whocanmakeasportofothermen'ssins—arerathermonstersthanmen!There are none so nearly allied to Satan as these, nor any so resembleSatan asmuch as these! (The devil always joysmost when sinners sinmost!)Toapplaudthem,andtakepleasureinthosewhotakepleasureinsin—isthehighestdegreeofungodliness!

Doubtless are they unholy—who tempt and entice others to be unholy.Neitherare theyholywhoonly talkofothermen'ssins—butneversighforothermen'ssins.Neitheraretheyholywhoinsultovertheiniquitiesofothers—butnevermournfortheiniquitiesofothers.Neitheraretheyholy who can rail, reproach, and revile others for their sins—but have

neitherskillnorwilltolamentoverothers'sins—andyetthisageisfullofsuchwretches!Certainly thatman's holinesswill be found to be of therightstampatlast,whocanevangelicallymournforothermen'ssinsaswellashisown.But,

13.Thirteenthly,Hewhoistrulyholy—helovestheword,andisaffectedandtakenwiththewordforitsholinessandpurity.Psalm119:140,"Yourwordisverypure,thereforeyourservantlovesit."Apureheartembraces theword for itspurity, 1Pet.2:2;Psalm12:6-7,and18:30.Justso,holyPaulinRomans7:12,"Thereforethelawisholy,andthecommandmentholy,and just,andgood."Well,andwhatthen?Why,sayshe,verse22,"IdelightinthelawofGodaftertheinwardman."But is thisall?No,sayshe,verse25,"With themindImyselfserve thelawofGod."HolyPauldelightsinthelawasholy,andservesthelawasholy, just, and good. A holy heart is taken with the word for itsspirituality,divinity,andpurity.Justso,inPsalm19:8-10,"ThestatutesoftheLordareright,rejoicingtheheart:thecommandmentoftheLordispure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of theLord is clean," (that is, thedoctrine which teaches the true fear of God,) "enduring forever: thejudgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether; more to bedesiredare they thangold, yes, thanmuch fine gold: sweeter also thanhoneyand thehoneycomb:"or, as theHebrewhas it—sweeter than thedroppingofhoneycombs. [Theseseveral titles—law,statutes, testimony,commandments, judgments—are used interchangeably for the wholewordofGod.]

ThewholewordofGod,asitisapureword,acleanword,soitrejoicesaholyheart;andsoitissweeterthantheverydroppingsofhoneycombs.Itismore sweet than those dropswhich drop immediately and naturally,without any force or art—which is counted the purest and the sweetesthoney.Thereisnoprofitnorpleasurecomparedtothatwhichthepurityofthewordyieldstoaholyheart.

Butnowunholyheartstheyareaffectedwiththewordasitisdressedupwith fine high notions—which are but mysterious nothings. They aretaken with the word, as it is clothed with arts, parts, and elegance ofphrase.Theyarepleasedwiththeword,as it isappareledwithasprucewit,orwithsilkenexpressions,orwithsomefancyelocution.Augustine

confesses that the delight which he took before his conversion inAmbrose'ssermons,wasmore for theeloquenceof thewords—thanthesubstance of the matter. Just so, many are taken more with the wit,elocution,action,highnotions,andfar-fetchedexpressionsthatare inasermon—than they are takenwith the spirituality, divinity,weight, andholy worth that is in a sermon! These are like those children who aremoretakenwiththefineflowerswhicharestrewedaboutthedish—thantheyarewiththefoodwhichisinthedish;andwhoaremoretakenwiththe prettywild-flowerswhich grow in the field—than they arewith thegoodcornthatgrowsthere.[Ingreatfairsandmarkets,thepeddlerandtheballad-singerwhoselltoysandtrifles,havemanychildrenandfoolshanging upon them; but those who are wise and prudent attend thoseshopswheretherearethebestandrichestcommodities.Youknowhowtoapplyit.]

But now, as the prudent farmer is taken more with a few handfuls ofsoundgrain,thanheiswithallthecolorfulweedswhichareinthefield—justso,aholyheart ismoretakenwithafewsoundtruthsinasermon,thanheistakenwithallthestronglines,andhighstrains,andflourishesofwitwithwhichasermonmaybedeckedup!Somearetakenwiththeword—as the profession of it brings in customers into their shops, andkeepsuptheircreditintheworld.Othersaretakenwiththeword—asitseemstotickletheirearsandpleasetheirfancies.Someareaffectedwithsermons—because of the elegance of the style, eloquence of thewords,smoothnessofthelanguage,andgracefulnessofthedelivery.Andthesedealbysermonsasmanymendobytheirbouquets,whicharemadeupofmany picked sweet flowers, which, after they have smelled to them awhile—cast them into a corner. Just so, these, after they havecommended a sermon, after they have applauded a sermon—they castaway the sermon. They smell to the sermon, and say "It is sweet, it issweet!"Butshortlytheythrowitaway,asabouquetthatiswithered,andofnofurtheruse.

Whenamanwho is sickandunhealthy isata tablewhich is furnishedwithvarietyofwholesomedishes,youknowheeasilyandreadilypassesoverallthemostwholesomeandnourishingdishes,andfallsa-piddlingandpickinghereand thereuponkickshawsandpuff-paste,which have

littleornosubstanceinthem.Justso,unsound,unholyhearts,whenGodhaspreparedhistable,andmadeafeastoffatthingsfortheirsoulsintheministryofhisword—theyeasilyandreadilypassoverthosesound,solid,andsavorytruthswhicharepreparedfortheirstrengthandnourishment,andfalla-piddlingandpickinguponsomenew-coinedphrases,orsomequaintexpressions,orsomeseraphicalnotions!Andnowonder,fortheyare not sound within—their hearts are under a great malady. TheIsraelites would not be satisfied with wholesome diet—but they mustneedshavequailsaspickingmeat;well, theyhad them,andwhile theywere at their picking meat, the wrath of God came upon them. Theapplicationisaseasy,asitisdreadful.

But now a holy heart savors the word, and relishes the word, and isaffectedandtakenwiththeword—asitisaholyword,asubstantialword,a pure word, a clean word, and as it begets holiness, and nourishesholiness,andincreasesholiness,andasitworkstowardsthecompletingandperfectingofholiness.

QUESTION. But howmay a person knowwhether he loves theword,andisaffectedandtakenwiththeword—asitisaholyword,ornot?

ANSWER.

[1.] First, By what has been already said. But because the question isweighty,Ifurtheranswer—

[2.]Inthesecondplace,Hewholovestheword,andwhoisaffectedandtakenwith thewordas it isaholyword—he loves theWHOLEwordofGod, andhe is affected and takenwith onepart of theword aswell asanother. Every law of God is a holy law, and every statute is a holystatute,andeverycommandisaholycommand,andeverypromise isaholy promise, and every threatening is a holy threatening, and everyexhortationisaholyexhortation;and,therefore,hewholovesanypartofthe word as a holy word, he cannot but love every part of the word,becauseeverypartofthewordisholy.[Asthewisephilosopherdelightsin all Aristotle, and the prudent physician in all Galen, and the cleveroratorinallTully,andtheunderstandinglawyerinallJustinian—justso,aholymandelightsinalltheBible.TheJewishRabbiswereaccustomed

to say that "upon every letter of the law there hangs mountains ofprofitablematter."]

Andindeedhelovesnopartofthewordasholy—wholovesnoteverypartofthewordasholy.EverychapterinthebookofGodisaholychapter,andeveryverseisaholyverse,andeverylineinthatbookisaholyline,andeverywordineverylineisaholyword!Hewholovesachapterasitisaholychapter—heloveseveryverseinthatchapterasaholyverse.Andhewho loves everyverseas a holy verse—he loves every line as a holyline.Andhewho lovesevery lineasaholy line—he loveseveryword ineverylineasaholyword.

Uponeasycommandshereadsholiness—andupondifficultcommandshereadsholiness.Uponcomfortablecommandshereadsholiness—anduponlaboriouscommandshereadsholiness.Andthereforehelovesall,andembracesall,andendeavorsaconformitytoall.Aholyheartdaresneithertodisputewiththatword,normakelightofthatword,wherehereadsholinessengraveduponit.Toaholyheart,thereisnocommandofGodwhichisunjustorunreasonable.

But now an unholy heart, though it may for some worldly advantagescourtandcryupsomepartsof theword—yet it is ready,withJudas, tobetrayandcrucifyotherpartsoftheword.ThewholeScriptureisbutoneentire love-letter, despatched from the Lord Christ to his belovedspouse on earth. This love-letter is all written in golden letters, andthereforeaholyheartcannotbutbetakenandaffectedwitheverylineinthis letter. In this love-letter there is somuch to be readof the loveofChrist,theheartofChrist,thekindnessofChrist,thegraceofChrist,andthegloryof Christ—that a holy heart cannot but be affected and takenwithit.ThewholewordofGodisafield—andChrististhetreasurethatis hidden in that field. The whole word of God is a ring of gold—andChrististhediamondinthatring,andthereforeholyheartcannotbutlove, and embrace, and endeavor to conform to every line. Luther wasaccustomedtosaythathewouldnottakealltheworldforoneleafoftheBible.AndRabbiChija,intheJerusalemTalmud,saysthatalltheworldisnotofequalvaluewithonewordoutofthelaw.

[3.]Thirdly,Amanwhoisaffectedandtakenwiththewordasitisaholy

word—he is ALWAYS affected and takenwith it!He loves it and takespleasure in it, aswell inadversityas inprosperity:Psalm119:59, "Yourstatutes have been my songs"—yes, but where?—"in the house of mypilgrimage," or "pilgrimages," as the Hebrew has it. [The saints havecommonly looked upon themselves as pilgrims and strangers in thisworld,Gen.47:9,39;Psalm12:19;Heb.11:9-10,etc.]WhenDavidwasinhisbanishments,beinghuntedSaul,Absalom,andothers—thenthewordofGodwasmusictohim—thenitwasmatterofjoyandrejoicingtohim;hiswholelifewasthelifeofapilgrimandstranger;nowasapilgrimhesojournshere, and at another time as a stranger he sojourns there.Noman could takemore pleasure, joy, and contentment in the rarest andchoicestmusic—thanDavid did in the word of God; and that not onlywhenhewasinhisroyalpalace—butalsowhenhewasinthehouseofhispilgrimage.

Hewholovestheword,andthatdelightsinthewordforitsholinessandpurity—hewillloveitanddelightinitinhealthandsickness;instrengthandweakness;inhonoranddisgrace;inwealthandwant; in lifeandindeath. The holiness of theword is a lasting holiness, and sowill everyman's affections be towards it who loves it, and is takenwith it for itsholinessandpureness.

Somethereare,whocryuptheword,andwhoseemtobemuchaffected,delighted,andravishedwiththeword,(asHerod,Ezekiel'shearers,andthestonygroundwas,Ezek.33:30-33,andMark4and6,etc.)whilethewordiseitheracheapwordtothem,oraprofitableandpleasingwordtothem,orwhileitiscourtedandcountenancedintheworld,orwhileitisthepathtopreferment,orakeytoenlargement,etc.Butwhenthewordgetswithinthem,anddiscoverstheirownsinfulnessandwretchednesstothem;whenitshowsthemhowChristless,andgraceless,andlifeless,andhelpless,andhopelesstheyare;whenitdiscovershowfartheyarefromheaven,andhowneartheyaretohell,Jer.44:15,29;oh,thentheirheartsbegintoriseagainstit,andtocryout,"Awaywith it!Itwasnevergooddays, sincewehavehadsomuchpreaching andhearing!"Orwhen theword comes to be scorned, slighted, disgraced, opposed, or persecuted,oh,thentheyturntheirbacksuponit,andquicklygrowwearyofit.

StrabonotesthattheIassiansdelightedthemselveswiththemusicofan

excellentharpist—untiltheyheardthemarket-bellring;uponwhichtheyallranawaytothemarket!Justso,letthesemenbuthearthemarket-belloflust,orthebellofprofit,orthebellofpleasure,orthebellofapplause,orthebellofhonor,orthebelloferror,orthebellofsuperstitionsoundintheirears—andimmediatelytheywillrunfromthesweetmusicoftheWord—to follow after any of these market-bells. But now a man wholovestheword,andwhoisaffectedandtakenwiththewordasitisaholyword—nobellcanringhimfromtheword!Nodisgrace,noaffliction,noopposition,nopersecution—can takehimoff from loving theword,andfrom taking pleasure in theword. The cause of his love is abiding andlasting,andthereforehislovemustbelastingandcontinuing.

Thisisnottosay,thataholyheartmaynotsometimesbemoreaffectedandtakenwiththewordthanatsometimesthanatothertimes—aswhena man enjoys much communion with God in the word; or when Godspeaksmuch peace and comfort to the soul by theword; orwhenGodassuresamanmoreclearlyandfullyofthegoodnessandhappinessofhiscondition by the word; or when God lets in very much quietness, orquickness, or sweetness, or seriousness, or spiritualness into a man'sspiritbytheword.Oh,thenamanmaymorethanordinarilybeaffectedandtakenwiththeword.

Butnow, thoughaholyChristian isnotatall times in the samedegreeandmeasuretakenwiththeword—yettakesuchaChristianwhenheisatworst,andyoushallfindtwothingsinhim:

(1.)youshallfindinhimaholylovetotheword;

(2.)youshallfindinhimareallovetoholyChristians.

[4.]Fourthly,Hewholovestheword,andwhoisaffectedandtakenwiththewordas it isaholyword—he ismostaffectedand takenwith thoseparts of the word which most incite to holiness, which most promoteholiness,andwhichmostprovoketoholiness."Butnowyoumustbeholyineverythingyoudo, justasGod—whochoseyoutobehischildren—isholy. For he himself has said—Youmust be holy because I amholy." 1Peter1:15-16.(IshallgiveyoulightintothesewordswhenIcometoopentheholinessofGodtoyou.)

Just so, Mat. 5:48, "But you are to be perfect, even as your Father inheaven is perfect." Our summum bonum in this world consists in ourconformity to theheavenlypattern. Inall imitations it isbest tochoosethe most perfect pattern. There is nothing more laudable andcommendable than for a Christian to endeavor more and more toresemble his God in the highest perfections of righteousness andholiness.Justso,Eph.5:15-16, "Sobecarefulhowyou live,notas foolsbutasthosewhoarewise;redeemingthetime,becausethedaysareevil."Christians must walk precisely, wisely, exactly, accurately. As thecarpenterworksby line and rule, so aChristianmustwalk by line andrule;hemustlabortogetuptotheverytopofgodliness;hemustgototheutmostofeverycommand,astheoriginalwordimports.

Justso,Phil.2:15,"Youaretoliveclean,innocentlivesaschildrenofGodinadarkworldfullofcrookedandperversepeople.Letyourlivesshinebrightly before them."God's sons should be spotless sons, that is, theyshould be without all such spots as are inconsistent with sonship orsaintship.

Justso,inCol.2:6,"ThereforeasyouhavereceivedChristJesustheLord—walk inHim."TheyhadreceivedJesusChristas theirLordandLaw-giver,theyhadreceivedChristasarulingChrist,asareigningChrist,andasacommandingChrist;andnowthegreatdutyincumbentuponthemistowalkandliveatsucharateofholinessasmayevidencethattheyhavethusreceivedChrist.

Justso,in1John2:6,"Hewhosaysheabidesinhim,oughthimselfalsotowalkevenashewalked."ChristiansaretosetallChrist'smoralactionsbeforethemasapatternfortheirimitation,John13:15.InChrist'slife—aChristian may behold the picture or lineaments of all virtues—andaccordingly he ought to order his life in this world. To walk as Christwalked is to walk humbly, holily, justly, righteously, meekly, lowly,lovingly,fruitfully,faithfully,uprightly,withan"as"ofqualityorlikeness—butnotwithan"as"ofequality;forthatisimpossibleforanysaintonearth—to walk so purely, so holily, so blamelessly, so unspottedly, sospiritually,soheavenlyasChristwalked;thatis,withan"as"ofequality.TowalkasChristwalkedistoslighttheworld,anddespisetheworld,andmakeafootstooloftheworld,andtoliveabovetheworld,andtotriumph

overtheworldasChristdid;thatis,withan"as"ofquality—butnotwithan"as"ofequality.TowalkasChristwalkedistolovethosewhohateus,toprayforthosewhopersecuteus,toblessthosewhocurseus,andtodogoodtothosewhodoevil tous;butstillwithan"as"ofsimilitude—butnotwithan"as"ofequality,Mat.5:44-47.TowalkasChristwalkedistobe patient, and silent, and submissive, and thankful, under the vilestreproaches, the heaviest afflictions, and the greatest sufferings, 1 Pet.2:20-23;withan"as"ofquality—butnotwithan"as"ofequality.

Now a holy heart that is taken with the holiness of the word—he iscertainly takenmost with those parts of the word which most call forholiness, andwhichmost stronglypress the soul tomakeaprogress inholiness.Ihavegivenyouatasteofsomeofthemostprincipalscripturesthat do incite most to holiness, and I shall leave it to your ownconsciences togive inwitness foryouoragainstyou,accordingtowhatyoufindinyourownspirits.Certainlytoaholymantherearenoprayers,no sermons, no discourses, no conferences, no books, nor no parts ofscripture—which can compare to those which most encourage andprovoketoholiness.But,

[5.]Fifthlyand lastly,Hewho loves theword,andwho isaffectedandtakenwiththewordasitisaholyword—hehighlyprizesandvaluestheholy dispensers of the word for their work's sake, Acts 10:24-26; Gal.4:14.Isaiah52:7,"Howbeautifulonthemountainsarethefeetof thosewhobringgoodnews,whoproclaimpeace,whobringgoodtidings,whoproclaimsalvation,whosaytoZion—YourGodreigns!"Iftheveryfeetofthosewhobroughtgood tidings, though theywere afaroff, and sweaty,dusty, and dirty from traveling upon themountains, were so desirableandamiable,honorableandcomfortable;ohthenwhatweretheirfaces,what were theirmessages! Surely they were much more amiable anddesirable.

Justso,in1Thes.5:12,13,"Andwebeseechyou,brethren,toknowthemwhich labor among you in theLord, and admonish you; and to esteemthemveryhighly"(or,morethanabundantly,astheGreekhasit)"inlovefortheirwork'ssake;andbeatpeaceamongyourselves."TheirworkistobringChristandyoursoulstogether,andtokeepChristandyoursoulstogether.Theirworkistoturnyoufromdarknesstolight,andfromthe

powerofSatantoJesusChrist.[Acts26:16-18.IfaministerhadasmanyeyesasArgustowatch,asmanyheadsasTypheustoplan,andasmanyhandsasBriareustolabor—hemightfindemploymentenoughforthemallinthefaithfuldischargeofhisministerialfunction.]

Theirworkisgradual:first,theyaretobringyoutoasavingacquaintancewithChrist;andthentheyaretobringyoutoaholyacceptanceofChrist;and then they are tobring you to awilling resignation of yourselves toChrist;andthentheyaretobringyoutoasweetandblessedassuranceofyour interest inChrist, andso to fit youandprepareyou foragloriousfruitionofChrist.Thereforecertainly theirwork ishighandhonorable,excellentandeminent,laboriousandglorious;andwhy,then,shouldyounot have a high and honorable esteem of them, even for their work'ssake?

IhavereadofAmbrose,thatbeingabouttoleavethechurchofMilan,thepeopleof theplace flockedabouthim, laidholdofhim,protesting thattheyhadratherlosetheirlivesthanlosetheirpastor,beseechinghimtoremain, and to promote among them the gospel and government ofChrist, professing and promising, for his encouragement, their readysubmissiontoChrist.Chrysostom'shearerswereaccustomedtosay, thatthey had as good be without the sun in the sky, as to be withoutChrysostominthepulpit.SomeoftheancientshavelongsinceconcludedthatHerodmight have kept his oath,Mark 6:23—and yet have sparedJohnBaptist's head, because John's head, John's life, wasmore worththanallHerod'skingdom.Osirs, shallTitusSabinus'dogbring food tothemouthofhisdeadmaster,becausesometimeshegavehimacrustofbread;andwillnotyouhighly love,honor,andesteemof thosepastorswhofeedyoursoulswiththebreadoflife,yes,withthatbreadthatcamedownfromheaven?

Certainlythemoreanymanisaffectedandtakenwiththeholinessoftheword, the more highly they will honor and prize the holy and faithfuldispensers of the word. Holy men know that their place is honorable,their calling honorable, and their work honorable; and therefore theycannotbuthonorthem.Holymenknowthatiftheydonothonorthem,they dishonor him whose ambassadors they are. Holy men know thatChristtakesalltheaffrontswhichareputuponthemasputuponhimself,

andwill accordingly revenge them, as youmay seeby comparing thesescripturestogether.[Luke10:16;Mat.22:4,8,21:33,44,and23:37-39;2Chron.36:14,22;2Sam.a.1,7,comparedwith12:31.]

Ambassadorsareinviolablebythelawofnations.Davidneverretaliatedso harshly, as he did to the Ammonites, who despitefully used hisambassadors that he sent unto them,when they shaved off one half oftheir beards, and cut off their garments in themiddle, etc. I have readthatRomewasdestroyedtothegroundforsomeabusesthatwereofferedto an ambassador that was sent unto it. And the Romans sacked thefamouscityofCorinth,andrazedittotheground,foralittlediscourtesythattheyofferedtotheirambassadors.Nowonderthen, ifGoddealssoseverelywiththosewhoslighthisambassadors,whocomewithmessagesofgraceandfavor fromtheKingofkingsandLordof lords,andwhosegreat work is to make a firm, an everlasting peace between God andsinners' souls, and that all differences between God and themmay beforeverdecided,andafreetradetoheavenfullyopenedandmaintained.Asforsuchasslight,scorn,anddespisetheholyandfaithfuldispensersoftheword,Ithinktheyareasfarfromrealholinessashellisfromtruehappiness.Andso,doubtless,arethosewhogrumbleattheexpenseofapennyforthemaintenanceofthatdivinecandlethatwastesitselftogivelight to them, that will rather die to save charges than spend a littlemoneytosavetheirsouls,2Cor.12:14-16.

14. In the fourteenth place, Amanwho is really holywill beholyamongtheunholy.Hewill retainandkeephisholiness, let thetimesbeeversounholy.Principlesofgraceandholinessarelasting;theyare not like the morning cloud nor the early dew, Psalm 119:112, and106:3;1John3:9-10.HolyAbrahamwasrighteousinChaldea;holyLotwasjustinSodom;holyJobwasupright inthe landofUz,whichwasaplace of much profaneness and superstition; holy Nehemiah wascourageousandzealousinDamascus;andsowasholyDanielinBabylon.The different generations wherein these holy men lived were whollydevotedtowickednessandsuperstition—andyettheseprecioussoulshadwhollydevotedthemselvestogodliness.

Andof thesamespirit,mind,andmetalwasholyDavid.Psalm 119:20,"Mysoulbreaksforthelongingithastoyourjudgmentsatalltimes."Let

thetimesbeeversodangerous, licentious,superstitious,orerroneous—yetDavid'sheartwasstronglycarriedforthtoGod's judgments—that is,tohisword;forunderthistitle,"judgments,"youaretounderstandthewholewordofGod.

Andso thereweresome inSardiswhowereof thesamespiritwiththeworthies above mentioned: Rev. 3:4, "You have a few names even inSardiswhohavenotdefiledtheirgarments,andtheyshallwalkwithmeinwhite, for they areworthy." In polluting times pure heartswill keepthemselvespure.Aholyheartwillkeephimselfundefiled,evenindefilingtimes; when others are besmeared all over, he will keep his garmentswhiteandclean.Let thetimeseversooftenturn,youshall find thathewhoisreallyholywillbeholyundereveryturn.Noturnsshallturnhimoutofawayofholiness:Job17:9,"Therighteousshallholdonhisway,andhewhohascleanhandsshallbestrongerandstronger."

Amanwhoisreallyholy—willbeholyamongtheholy,andhewillbeholyamongtheunholy. Ifyou lookuponhimamongunholy friends, unholychildren,andunholyservants—youshallfindhimholy.Ifyoulookuponhimamongunholyneighbors—youshallfindhimholy.Ifyoulookuponhim among unholy buyersand sellers—you shall find him holy. If youtakehimathistable—youshallfindhimholy.Ifyoutakehiminhisshop,inhiscommerce—youshallfindhimholy.Ifyoutakehiminhisfamily—youshallfindhimholy.Ifyoutakehiminhiscloset—shallfindhimholy.Ifyoutakehiminhis journeyings—youshall findhimholy.If you takehiminhisrecreations—youshallfindhimholy.

TrueholinessislikethatfamousQueenElizabeth,'alwaysthesame'.Thegodlyman is four square. Cast himwhere youwill, like a dice, he fallsalwayssureandsquare.Justso,castaholymanwhereyouwill,andintowhat company you will—yet still he falls sure and square for holiness.True holiness is a part of the divine nature; it is of such a heavenlycomplexion,thatitwillneveralter.Ifthetimesshouldbesosadandbadthat holy people should not be able to hold fast their estates, theirliberties,theirtrades,theirlives,theirreligion—yettheywillstillholdfasttheirholiness.

AholyChristianislikegold.Castgoldintothefire,orintothewater;cast

itupontheash-heap,orintothepleasantgarden;castitamongthepoororamongtherich,amongthereligiousoramongthelicentious;yetstillitis gold, still it retains its purity and excellency. Just so, cast a holyChristian,agoldenChristian,intowhateverconditionyouwill,andintowhat company you will—yet still he will retain his purity, his sanctity!Yes, the worse the times are, the more a holy man studiesholiness, and prefers holiness, and prizes holiness, andpracticesholiness,thathemaykeepupthecreditofholiness,andthecreditofaholyGod,andthecreditofhisholyprofessionintheworld.

Butnow,suchashaveonlyashowofholiness,anappearanceofholiness—these will be religious among the religious, and wicked among thewicked, Isaiah 9:17. They will be righteous among the righteous, andlicentious among the licentious; theywill be as the company is amongwhich theyare cast.With thegood theywillbegood, andwith thebadthey will be bad. With the zealous they will be zealous, and with thesuperstitious theywillbe superstitious.With the lukewarm theywill belukewarm,etc.Theyareforallchangingtimesandtides;theyareforanyturn thatwill serve their turn; foranymode thatwill bringpleasureorprofittothem.TheyarelikeAlcibiades,ofwhomitwassaidthathewasamanforalltimes;forhecouldswaggeritatAthens,andtakeanypainsatThebes; he could livemost sparingly at Lacidaemon, and live riotouslyamongtheThracians,andhuntamongthePersians.Justso,unholymencan accommodate themselves to the times, and comply with them,whatever theyare.WithProteustheywill transformthemselves intoallshapes.Asthetimeschange—sowillthey;whatthetimesfavor—thattheywillfavor;whatthetimescommend—thattheywillcommend;andwhatthetimescryupandadmire—thattheywillcryupandadmire;andwhatthe times frown upon and condemn—that they will frown upon andcondemn.

Look! as curiousandwell-drawnpictures seem to turn their eyes everyway,andtosmileuponeveryonethatlooksuponthem—justso,thesecanturnwith the times; they can lookas the times look, and smileas thetimes smile; they can talk with the times, and sail with the times.Sometimes they can act one part, and sometimes another part—as thetimesrequire.Ifthetimesrequirealargeprofession—theycanmakeit.If

the times require a rigid spirit against such as cannot complywith thetimes—theycanactit.Ifthetimesdemandthemtoleavetheirreligionatthe church door—they can leave it, etc. If the times call upon them toworshipGodaccordingtotheprescriptionsofmen—theycandoit.

Oh—butgivemeamanwhoisreallyholy—andhewillbeholythoughthetimesshouldbeeversounholy!Yes,themorelicentiousthetimesare—themoregracioushewilllabortobe.

15.Inthefifteenthplace—Hewhoisreallyholy,ordinarilyhasholyAIMSandENDSinhisactingsandundertakings.ThegloryofGodisthemark—thebulls-eyewhichholymenhaveintheireyes."Fornoneofuslivestohimselfaloneandnoneofusdiestohimselfalone.Ifwelive,welivetotheLord;andifwedie,wedietotheLord.So,whetherwe liveordie,webelong to theLord."Romans14:7-8.They livenot tothemselves—buttheylivetohimwholivesforever.Theylivenottotheirownwills, lusts, greatness, and glory in thisworld—but they live to hisglory,whosegloryisdearertothemthantheirverylives.[John7:18;Gen.41:16;Dan.2:23;Titus2:10,38;1Cor.10;Rev.12:11.]Theymakedivineglorytheirultimateend.

2Cor.4:5,"Wepreachnotourselves—butChristJesustheLord;"thatis,inourpreachingwewoonotforourselves—butforChrist.[ThatChristiandutiesareesteemedbyGod—notbytheiractsbutbytheirends—ismostcertain.]Wearenokintothosewhospeaktwowordsforthemselves,andhardlyoneforChrist.InallourpreachingweeyethegloryofChrist,wedesign the honor and exaltation of Christ. Real holiness is commonlyattended with a single eye—just as counterfeit holiness is commonlyattendedwithasquinteye;squint-eyedaims,andsquint-eyedends—dousuallywaitupondividedhearts.Takeaholymanintheexerciseofhisgiftsandgracesforthegoodofmen'ssouls,ortakehimintheexerciseofcharity for thegoodofmen'sbodies, and inbothyou shall findhis eyefixed upon the glory ofGod. "If anyone speaks, he should do it as onespeakingtheverywordsofGod.Ifanyoneserves,heshoulddoitwiththestrengthGodprovides,sothatinallthingsGodmaybepraisedthroughJesusChrist.Tohimbethegloryandthepowerforeverandever!Amen."1Peter4:11

Look!asbrightshininggoldenvesselsdonotretainthebeamsofthesunwhich they receive—but reflect themback again upon the sun—just so,thosewhoarereallyholy,theydoreturnandreflectbackagainupontheSun of righteousness—the praise and glory of all the gifts, graces, andvirtues that they have received from him. The daily language of theirsouls is,"Notuntous,Lord,notuntous,Lord—buttoyournamebeallthe glory!" Holy men make conscience of givingmen their dues; howmuchmorethendotheymakeconscienceofgivingGodhisdue?1Chron.29:10, 18.Now,glory isGod'sdue, andGoddesiresnothingmore thanthatwegivehimtheglorydueuntohisname,asyoumaysee inPsalm29:1-2. Just so, in Psalm 96:7-8. There are three "gives" in those twoverses,"GiveuntotheLord,""giveuntotheLord,""giveuntotheLordtheglorythatisdueuntohisname!"GloryisGod'sright,andhedemandshisright;andthisholymenknow,andthereforetheygivehimhisright;theygivehimthehonorandtheglorywhichisdueuntohisname.

"Sowhetheryoueatordrinkorwhateveryoudo—doitallforthegloryofGod." 1 Corinthians 10:31. Holy hearts do habitually eye the glory ofChristinallthings.Whentheyeat—theyeattohisglory;andwhentheydrink—they drink to his glory; and when they sleep—they sleep to hisglory;when they buy—they buy for his glory; andwhen they sell—theysell forhisglory;andwhentheygive—theygiveforhisglory;andwhentheyrecreatethemselves—theyrecreateforhisglory:sowhentheyhearpreaching—theyhearforhisglory;andwhentheypray—theyprayforhisglory; and when they fast—they fast for his glory; andwhen they readScripture—theyreadforhisglory;andwhentheycometotheLord'stable—they come to his glory. In all secular and pious actions—holy heartshaveahabitualeyetodivineglory.

Donotmistakeme;Idonotsaythatsuchasarereallyholydoactuallyeye the glory of Christ in all their actions. Oh no—this is a happinessdesirableonearth—butshallneverbeattaineduntilwecometoheaven.Selfishandbaseendsandaims,willtoooftencreepintotheholiesthearts—but holy hearts sigh and groanunder them; they complain toGodofthem,andtheycryforjustice,justiceuponthem:anditisthestrongandearnestdesiresoftheirsoulstoberidofthem.ButtakeaholyChristianin his ordinary, usual, and habitual course, and hewill have holy aims

andendsinallhisactionsandundertakings.

But now such whose holiness is counterfeit, they never look at divineglory in what they do; sometimes their eye is upon their credit, andsometimestheireyesareuponapplause;sometimestheyhavepleasurein their eyes, and sometimes they have profit in their eyes, andsometimestheyhaveprefermentsintheireyes,etc.,Mat.6:5;John6:26;Zech. 7:5-7. They will be very godly when they can make a gain ofgodliness; they will be very holy when holiness is the way to outwardhappiness;but this religiouswickednesswilldoubledamnthemat last!Thisismostcertain,thatsomecarnalorworldlyconsiderationorother,always acts himwho has not real principles of holiness in him.But hewho is really holy makes the glory of God his center. "To God be theglory!"wasonce,andisstillaholyman'smotto.

QUESTION.But howmay a person know when he makes thegloryofGodhisaim,hisend, in thisor thatservicewhichheperforms?Ishallanswerthisquestionbrieflythus—

ANSWER.

[1.] First, Suchamanasmakes the gloryofGodhis aim,hisend—hewilldodutywhenalloutwardencouragementstodutyfail.Whentheeyeofmen,thefavorofmen,therespectsofmen,andallotherencouragements frommenfail—yet thenaholymanwillholdup,andholdoninhisworkandway!Yes,whenalloutwardencouragementsfromGodshall fail—yet suchapersonwill keepclose tohisduty!Hab.3:17-18, "Even though the fig treeshavenoblossoms, and there arenograpes on the vine; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lieemptyandbarren;eventhoughtheflocksdieinthefields,andthecattlebarnsareempty,yetIwillrejoiceintheLord!IwillbejoyfulintheGodofmysalvation!"Whenallnecessaryanddelightfulmercies fail—yethewillnotfailinhisduty.ThoughGodwithholdshisblessings—yethewillnotwithholdhisservice—inthelackofalivelihoodhewillbelivelyinhisduty;whenhehasnothingtoexistby—yetthenhewillliveuponhisGod.

Though war and poverty come—yet he will not be lacking in his duty.There are three things in a holy heart, which strongly incline it to

perseverewhenalloutwardencouragementsfail.Thefirst isaforcibleprinciple—divine love, 2 Cor. 5:14; the second is amighty aid—theSpirit ofGod,Phil. 4:12-13; the third is ahighaim—the glory ofGod.Butnow, it isotherwisewith thosewhohaveonlyashow of godliness.Letbuttheiroutwardencouragementsfailthem;letbuttheeye,theear,theapplauseofthecreaturefailthem;iftheycannotmakesomegainoftheirgodliness,someprofitof theirprofession,someadvantageof theirreligion—theyareready,withDemas,tothrowupandthrowoffall!Profitandapplauseareusuallythebaitsthatthesemenbiteat;andiftheymissthesebaits,thenfarewellprofession,farewellreligion,farewellall!

Butnowlook—asRuthkeptclosetohermotherinthelackofalloutwardencouragements; just so, souls that eye thegloryofGod induties, theywillkeepclose todutieswhenalloutwardencouragementsfail.Thoughoutward encouragements be sometimes as a side-wind, or as oil, or aschariotwheels—meanstomoveaChristiantogoonmoresweetly,easily,and comfortably in thewaysofGod—yetwhen thiswind shall fail, andthese chariotwheels shall be knockedoff—a realChristianwill holdonhisway,Job.17:9.

[2.]Secondly,WhenamanaimsatthegloryofGodinwhathedoes, then he labors to hide and conceal all his humanexcellencies, whichmay any way tend to obscure, eclipse, ordarkenthegloryofGod."ForIresolvedtoknownothingwhileIwaswith you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you inweakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and mypreaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with ademonstrationoftheSpirit'spower,sothatyourfaithmightnotrestonmen'swisdom,butonGod'spower."1Corinthians2:2-5.

HolyPaulhandledholy things in suchamanner,asmuchofGod—andlittle ornothing ofmancouldbeperceived. In religious exercises, Paulseemstosaytohumaneloquenceandfleshlywisdom,toaffectedrhetoricandflatteringoratory,"Standafaroff—comenotnear!IhavenowtodowithGod, and to dowith souls, and to dowith eternity—andthereforewhathaveItodowithyou?"Paulhadaneyetodivinegloryinallthathedid,andthereforehedarednottiphistongueandstorehisheadwithairynotions,orwith"theenticingwordsofman'swisdom."Ofalltheapostles,

Paulwasmosteminentandexcellentinallhumanarts,abilities,andgifts—and yet in pious exercises he lays them all aside. 1 Cor. 14:18-19, "IthankGodthatIspeakintonguesmorethanallofyou.ButinthechurchI would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than tenthousandwordsinatongue."

ThechurchofCorinthexcelledallotherchurchesingifts—Idonotsayingrace—andmany among them prided themselves up in the exercise oftheirgiftsandtonguesintheirchurchassemblies,thatsotheymightwinthemorecreditandreputetothemselves,ofbeingmenofgreatlearning,reading,andabilities;buttheholyapostlebyhisownexample,laborstowin them to decline all vain ostentation, and to work them to expressthemselves so as might be most for the information, conviction,edification, and salvation of their hearers' souls. Holy Paul had muchlearning—andyet inpiousexercisesheused little. TheCorinthianshadless—andyetmadesuchshowsof it,even in theirpiousduties—as if intheirminds—allthelibrariesintheworldhadbeenlockedup.

ThisputsmeinmindofwhatonceIhavereadconcerningaRabbi,whohadbut little learning,and lessmodestyand ingenuity; forheusurpingall the discourse at table where many were gathered. One commentedconcerning him, "For anything I know hemay be learned; but I neverheard learning make such a noise." The more learning—the less noisemenwillmake;thelesslearning—themorenoisemenwillmake.Thesunshows least when it is at the highest; and those waters aremost deepwhichrunmostsilent.Theyusuallyaremenofthegreatestabilities—whoflaunt them least in pious works. [At one time, when Bernard hadpreachedveryeloquently,andthepeoplemuchadmiredandapplaudedhim—whichmuchsaddenedhim.Thenextdayhepreachedaplainandpowerfulsermonwithoutanyrhetoricaldresses,atwhichmanycurious,itching ears were unsatisfied—but himself and his lower-capacitatedauditorsweremuchpleasedanddelighted.Andbeingaskedthereasonofit,hereturnedthisanswer,"YesterdayIpreachedBernard—buttoday,IpreachedJesusChrist.]

Mr.Dodwasaccustomedtosaythat"somuchGreekandHebrewinasermon—wassomuchfleshlyostentationinasermon!"Thegildinguponthepillmaypleasetheeye—butitprofitsnotthepatient;thepaintupon

thewindow-panemayfeedthefancy—buttheroomisratherthedarkerthan the lighter for it. Painted glass in churches is more glorious—butplain glass is most perspicuous. When men come to church-work, topulpit-work,allplainnessmustbeused.Starchedoratorymayticklethebrain—but it is plain doctrine which informs the judgment, whichconvincestheconscience,whichbowsthewill,andwhichwinstheheart.Thatsermonhasmostlearninginit—whichhasmostplainnessinit.Andthereforeagreatscholarwasaccustomedtosay,"Lord,givemelearningenoughthatImaypreachplainenough."

Silly, ignorant people are very apt to dote upon thatmost, and admirethatmost—whichtheyunderstandleast;butprudentChristiansjudgeofministersnotby their lungs—butby theirbrains;notby their throats—butby their hearts and lives; not by their voices and tones—but by theplainness,spiritualness,suitableness,andusefulnessoftheirmatter.ItisobservablethroughouttheScriptures,thattheprofoundestprophets,andthe greatest apostles, yes, and Christ himself, did commonlyaccommodate themselves to their hearers' capacities. [Holy Mosescoveredhisglisteningfacewithaveilwhenhespoketothepeople.]Theykept in and kept under all those human excellencies, the discovery ofwhichmightanywayclouddivineglory.Menwhohave their eyes upondivine glory—know that the more any acquired abilities, gifts, andexcellencies appear in holy exercises—the more the name, honor, andglory of God is clouded, and the more those who have most of theindwellings of God are dissatisfied and disadvantaged; and thereforethosewhohaverealrespecttodivineglory,theydrawasitwereacurtainbetweenalltheirhumanexcellenciesandpiousexercises.

Thatnonemaythinkthisismyprivateopinion,letmeaddafewsayingsof theirs that have been eminent in acquired excellencies. GregoryNazianzen,aholyandaweightywriter,comparescuriosityandnoveltyofspeech in the things of God unto lascivious dancing, and the arts ofjugglers, whereby they deceive the senses of those who look on; andfurther says that simple, proper, genuine language was in holy thingsaccustomed to be esteemed godliness.Eusebius tells us of some in hisdays, who to win upon theminds ofmen, did amaze themwith fancywords.And itwasaremarkablesayingofgolden-mouthedChrysostom,

assomecallhim,"WhenIfirstbegantopreach,"saidhe,"Iwasachild,anddelightedinrattles—intheapplauseofthepeople;butwhenIwasaman,Ibegantodespisethem."

New phrases and expressions do many times make way for theintroducing of new doctrines—as learned Paraeus observes: "For themostpart,"sayshe,"thosewhoinpointsofdivinitydevisenewtermsandunusual expressions, do hide under them some new and strangedoctrines; they wrap up their error in some intricate words and fancydistinctions."Whenourwords in preachingdiffer from the style of theHolySpirit,thepeoplebeindangerofturningasidetovainjangling,saysDanaeus. Said that incomparableman, PeterRamus: "Let us speakthewordsofscripture,letusmakeuseofthelanguageoftheHolySpirit,andforeverabominatethosewhoprofanelydisdainatthestatelyplainnessofGod's blessed book, and who think to correct the divine wisdom andeloquence,withtheirowninfancyandsophistry."[TheoratorsofAthenswere then suspected, when they began to make excursions with floridexpressions.] Said Seneca, "Sick men are not bettered by physicians'sugaredwords—butbytheirskillfulhands."

Truthismostbeautifulwhenmostnaked.Manymarthesweetnessoftheword, by perfuming it with their human eloquence and oratory. For aclose, remember thatGodhimself, thegreatmasterof speech,whenhespokefromheaven,hemadeuseofthreedifferenttextsinabreath:Mat.17:5, "This ismybelovedSon," Psalm 7; "Inwhom I amwell pleased,"Isaiah 42:1; "Hear him," Deut. 18:15; which you may note against thesqueamishness of such as disdain at the stately plainness of theScriptures.But,

[3.] Thirdly, If you do really and actually aim at the glory ofGodinwhatyoudo, thenthegloryofGodwillswallowupallselfishaimsandendsthatmaythrust themselves inuponthesoul while it is at its work. Look! as Aaron's rod, Exod. 7:10-12,swallowedupthemagicians'rods—sothegloryofGodwillswallowupallcarnalaimsandends.Look!asthesunputsoutthelightofthefire,sothegloryofGodwillputoutandconsumeallotherends.Thisismostcertain—thatwhichisaman'sgreatend—thatwillworkoutallotherends.IfyousetupthegloryofGodasyourchiefend,thatwillbydegreeseatoutall

selfishandbaseends.Look!asPharaoh'sleancows,Gen.41:4,ateupthefat,sothegloryofGodwilleatupallthosefatandworldlyends,whichcrowdinuponthesoulinreligiouswork.ThekeepingupofthegloryofGodasyourgreatend,willbethekeepingdownandthecastingoutofallotherends.

[4.]Fourthly,Hewho really andactually aimsat the gloryofGod in what he does—he will persevere in doing what Godcommands,thoughnothingforthepresentcomesofit.Ifhiseyeis truly fixed upon divine glory, a command ofGod shall be enough tocarryhimoninhiswork.Psalm27:8,"Whenyousaid,Seekmyface,myheartsaiduntoyou,Yourface,Lord,willIseek."WhenthegloryofGodisaman'smark,hisheartwillsweetlyechoandgraciouslycomplywithdivinecommands:Jer.3:22, "Return,Obackslidingchildren,andIwillhealyourbackslidings.Behold,wecomeuntoyou; foryouare theLordour God." God's commands fall with great power and force upon thatman's heart, who has divine glory in his eye. One word fromGodwillcommandsuchasoultoagraciouscompliancewithwhatGodrequires:Psalm119:4-5,"Youhavecommandedustokeepyourpreceptsdiligently.Oh thatmywayswere directed to keep your statutes!"As soon asGodlays a commandupon aChristian—he looks up to heaven for power toturnthatprecept intopractice. "Ohthatmywaysweredirected tokeepyourstatutes!OhthatIwereasholyasGodwouldhavemetobe!OhthatIwereashumbleandlowlyasGodwouldhavemetobe!OhthatIwereasheavenlyandspiritualasGodwouldhavemetobe!OhthatIwereaspureandperfectasGodwouldhavemetobe!"

Justso,verse48,"MyhandswillIliftuptoyourcommandments,whichIhaveloved."Manythereare,whothrustawayyourcommandmentswithall their might—but I lift upmy hands to your commandments.Manythere are, who will strain themselves to take a comfort—but I strainmyself to liftupyourcommandments.Many thereare,whowillstretchouttheirhandstotakeareward—butIstretchoutmyhandstotakeholdon your commandments. To give a little more light into these words:Sometimes the liftingupofhandsbetokensadmiration;whenmen areastonishedandravishedtheyliftuptheirhands:"Iwillliftupmyhandstoyourcommandments,"thatis,Iwilladmirethegoodness,theholiness,

the righteousness, the purity and excellency of your commandments.Again,we lift up our handswhenwebetake ourselves to refuge:God'scommands are the saint's refuge. When they house and shelterthemselvesunderthewingsofGod'scommandstheyaresafe.Again,menliftuptheirhandswhentheytakeholdonathing.NowgracioussoulsdotakeholdonGod'scommandmentstodothem,topracticethem,andtoexpress the life and power of them. Again, men lift up their hands tothosethingswhicharehighandabovethem.

NowthecommandsofGodarehigh—theyaresublime, theyareaboveus.Theyaresublimeandhighinregardoftheiroriginal,theycomedownfromGod.They are sublime andhigh in regard of thematterof them,they are heavenly oracles, they are dictates of divinewisdom. They aresublime and high in regard of the difficulty of keeping of them, theyexceeding all human strength. They are sublime and high in regard oftheir situation, they are situated in heaven: "Your word," says David,"enduresforeverinheaven."Butyetassublimeandashighastheyare,amanwhohashiseyeupondivineglorywillliftuphishandsuntothem;hewilldoallhecantoexpressthepleasurethathetakesinthem,andthereadinessofhissoultoaholycompliancewiththem.

Amanwhohashiseyeupondivineglory,hewillkeepclosetohiswork—to his hearingwork, to his prayingwork, to hismourningwork, to hisrepenting work, to his believing work, to his waiting work; thoughnothingcomeson it, thoughhemakenoearningsof it, thoughcomfortdoesnot come, though joy andpeacedoesnot come, though assurancedoesnot come, thoughenlargementsdonot come, thoughanswersandreturnsfromheavendonotcome,thoughgooddaysdonotcome,thoughdeliverance does not come—yet suchwill keep close to their work thathavetheireyeupondivineglory.

Butnow,suchwhoeyenotthegloryofGodinwhattheydo,theyquicklygrowwearyoftheirwork;iftheycanmakenoearningsoftheirseekingsandfastingsandprayings—theyarepresentlyreadytothrowupall,andtoquarrelwithGodhimself, as ifGodhaddone theman injury, Isaiah58:1-4.[Comparethesescripturestogether:Psalm44:12,20;Cant.3:1-3;Isaiah 26:8, 9, and 59:8-11; Hab. 2:1-3; Micah 7:7-9; Lam. 3:8, 44,comparedwithverse24-26,31-32.40-41,55.]

[5.] Fifthly and lastly, Amanwho really aims at the glory ofGod in this or that duty—he cannot be satisfied or contentedwith the performance of duties, without some enjoyments ofGod in duties. Without some converse and communion with God induties,hissoulcannotbesatisfied;his soul thirstsand longs to see thebeautyandthegloryoftheLordinhissanctuary,andwithoutthissighthecannotbequieted."OGod,youaremyGod,earnestlyIseekyou;mysoulthirstsforyou,mybodylongsforyou,inadryandwearylandwherethereisnowater.Ihaveseenyouinthesanctuaryandbeheldyourpowerandyourglory."Psalms63:1-2

Here is theordinance—butwhere is theGodof the ordinance?Here isprayer—butwhere is theGodofprayer?Here is theduty—butwhere isthe God of duty? Here is enlargements—but where is the God ofenlargements?Herearemeltingsandbreakings of spirit—butwhere istheGodof thesemeltings and breakings? Psalm 84:2, "My soul longs,yes,evenfaintsforthecourtsoftheLord:myheartandmyfleshcriesoutfor the livingGod." The courts of the Lord,without spiritual converseswiththelivingGod,couldnotsatisfyhissoul:"Oh,"sayshe,"herearethecourtsof theLord, thecourtsof theLord—butwhere is the livingGod?where is the livingGod?where is thatGodwhomakesmento live,andwhomakesordinancestobelivingandlivelyordinancestohischildren'ssouls?Oh,thecourtsoftheLordareverydesirable—butthelivingGodismuchmoredesirable!ThecourtsoftheLordarepreciousandglorious—butthe livingGod is infinitelymore precious and glorious!Here is themantleofElijah—butwhere is theGodofElijah?2Kings2:12-14.HerearethecourtsoftheLord—butwhereistheLordofthesecourts?

Itwas the speechofholyMr.Bradford, "thathe couldnot leaveadutyuntilhehadfoundcommunionwithChristintheduty.Hecouldnotgiveoff adutyuntil his heartwas brought into a duty frame.He could notleaveconfessionuntilhehadfoundhishearthumbledandmeltedunderthesenseofhissin.Hecouldnotgiveoverpetitioninguntilhehadfoundhis heart taken with the beauties of the things desired, and stronglycarried out after the enjoyment of them. Neither could he leavethanksgiving until he had found his spirit enlarged, and his soulquickenedinthereturnofpraises."

AndsoitwaswithholyBernard,whowasaccustomedtosay,"OLord,Inevercometoyoubutbyyou;Inevergofromyouwithoutyou."Amanwho has his eye upon the glory of Christ—cannot put off his soulwithanything below communion with Christ, in those pious services anddutiesthatheoffersuptoChrist.Thoughthebreastsofdutyaresweet—yetthosebreastswillnotsatisfythesoul,exceptChristliesbetweenthem,Cant.1:13.

Butnow,menwhohavebase,poor,low,andselfishendsinwhattheydo,theycancomeoffeasilyfromtheirduties;thoughtheyfindnospirit,nolife, nowarmth in duty—yet they can come off with contentment fromduty.Though theyhaveno communion,no converse at allwithGod induty,thoughtheyhavenopledgesofgrace,nopawnsofmercy,notastesof love,norelishesofheaven inaduty—yet theycancomeoff from thedutywithcontentmentandsatisfactionofspirit.Letbutothersapplaudhim,andhisownhearthughim—andhehasenough.

16. In the sixteenth and last place—Amanwho is really holyspeaksaholylanguage.[Psalm45:1-2;Zeph.3:9;Cant.4:3.Comparethesescripturestogether—Proverbs11:30,12:18,and25:11;Mat.7:6,and12:35; Col. 4:6; Eph. 4:29; Acts 26:25; John 6:25; 1 Pet. 4:11.] A holyheartandaholytongueareinseparablecompanions.Iftherebegraceinthe heart—there will be grace in the lips. If the heart is pure—thelanguagewillbepure. Christ says his spouse's lips are like a thread ofscarlet; they areredwith talking of nothing but a crucifiedChrist; andtheyare thin like a thread,not swelledwithother vaindiscourses.Andverse11,hetellsyouthat"thelipsofhisspousedropasthehoneycombs,"ordrophoneycombs; and that "honey andmilk are underher tongue."YouknowthatCanaanwasalandthatflowedwithmilkandhoney.Why?thelanguageofthespousewasthelanguageofCanaan;herlipswerestilldropping such holy, spiritual, and heavenly matter—as was as sweet,pleasant, profitable, desirable, and delectable to men's souls—as everhoneyandmilkwastomen'spalatesorappetites.Andasmanywerefedandnourishedbymilkandhoney,somanywerefedandnourishedbytheholydroppingsofherlips.

Psalm37:30,"Themouthoftherighteousspeakswisdom,andhistongue

talks of judgment." If the heart is holy—the tongue will be a-talkingwisely,fruitfully,feelingly,affectionatelyofthatwhichmayprofitbothaman'sselfandothers.Proverbs10:20,"Thetongueofthejustisaschoicesilver;buttheheartofthewickedislittleworth."Godlymen'swordsareofmoreworththanwickedmen'shearts!Look—aschoicesilverisknownby its tinkling—so holymen are known by their talking. And as choicesilver gives a clear and sweet sound—so the tongue of the just soundssweetly and pleasantly in the ears of others. Look! as choice silver ishighlyprized and valued amongmen, so is the tongueof the righteousamongthosewhoarerighteous.Look!aschoicesilveralluresanddrawsthehearts ofmen to a love and liking of it—just so, the tonguesof therighteous do allure and draw the hearts ofmen to a love and liking ofvirtueandgoodness.

Verse21,"Thelipsoftherighteousfeedmany."Theyfeedmanybytheirexhortations,instructions,admonitions,andcounsels.Themouthsoftherighteousare like thegatesof somehospitablepeople,wheremany arefed.Thelipsoftherighteousareafreeandwell-furnishedtable—atwhichmany are fed andnourishedwith thedainties of heaven to eternal life.Righteousmenkeepopenhouse,theykeepfreehospitalityforallcomersand goers; and if they have not always bread in their hands—yet theyhave always grace in their lips, to feed many. Though they may beoutwardlypoor—yettheyhaveatreasurewithintoenrichmany.

ThetongueistheinstrumentofaChristian'sglory,andissointerestedinthequalityitexpresses,thatintheoriginalitsignifiesbothgloryandthetongue—astherebyintimatingthatthechiefgloryofmanishistongue.

Butnowmenthathaveonlyashowofgodliness,theydopracticallysay,"Ourtonguesareourown,andwhoshallcontrolus?"Theirspeechissofar from administering of grace to their hearers, that it administersusually eithermatterof carnalmirth,orof contempt,orof scorn, or ofsorrowandmourning.Certainly theyhavenoholiness in their hearts—who have so much of hell, and the devil, and lusts in their mouths.[James1:26,27,and3:8,12;Mat.26:73.]

Imaysaytomost,"Youareunholypeople,yourspeechbetraysyou,yourworldliness, your profaneness, your cursing, your swearing, your lying,

your slandering, your reviling, your railing, your deriding, etc., doesplainlyevidencethatyouhavenoholinessinyou."Well!rememberthis—atonguethatissetonfirefromhell,isindangertobesetonfireinhell.Hellisforthatman,andthatmanisforhell—whohassomuchofhellinhismouth.Thedevilisforthatman,andthatmanisforthedevil—whohassomuchof thedevil inhismouth.Damnation is for thatman,andthatmanisfordamnation—whohassomuchofdamnationinhismouth.Theworld is for thatman, and thatman is for theworld—who has somuchoftheworldinhismouth.

Whateverisintheheartwillbreakoutinthelips.Ifwickednessisintheheart—it will break out in the lips. Physicians say that the nature ofdiseases is as well known by the tongue as by the pulse. The spiritualdiseases that are in the heart will quickly discover themselves by thetongue.Whereverholinessisintheheart—itwillbreakforthinthelips.Aholyheartandaholytonguearemarriedtogether,anditisnotinmantoputthemasunder.Youshallsoonerseparatethesoulfromthebody,thanyoushallseparateaholytonguefromaholyheart.

AndthusIhavedonewiththisuseofexamination.TheLordmakeyouwisetolaythesethingstoheart,thatsoyoumayknowhowitislikelytogowithyouintheeternalworld.

FifteenMotivesforUnsanctifiedPeopletoPursueHoliness

First,letmespeaktoUNSANCTIFIEDones.Isitso,thatrealholinessis the onlyway to happiness, and thatwithout holiness on earth—menshall never come to the beatifical vision or blessed fruition of God inheaven?Ohthen,howshouldthisprovokeandstirupallunholypeopletostriveandlabor,asforlife,afterthisrealholiness,withoutwhichtheyshall never come to have anything to do with God in everlastinghappiness!etc.

NowthatImaythebetterprevailwithunsanctifiedsouls,Ishall,

First, propound somemotivesto stir andprovoke theirhearts to lookandlaborafterrealholiness,etc.

Secondly,Ishallproposesomemeansfortheobtainingofholiness.

Thirdly,Ishallendeavortoanswerthoseobjections,andremovethoseimpediments, which hinder and keep men off from laboring after realholiness.

I.Forthefirst,IshallpropoundthesefollowingMOTIVESandCONSIDERATIONS toprovokeallunsanctifiedpeople to seekafterholiness.

1.First,ConsidertheNECESSITYofholiness.Itisimpossiblethatever you should be eternally happy—except you are holy. No holinesshere—no happiness hereafter. The Scripture speaks of three bodilyinhabitantsofheaven—Enoch,beforethelaw;Elijah,underthelaw;andJesusChrist,underthegospel;allthreeeminentinholiness,toteachus,that even in an ordinary course there is no going to heaven withoutholiness. There aremany thousand thousands now in heaven—but notoneunholyoneamongthemall!Thereisnotonesinneramongallthosesaints;notonegoatamongallthosesheep;notoneweedamongallthoseflowers;notone thornorprickleamongall those roses;notonepebbleamong all those glistening diamonds. There is not oneCainamong allthose Abels; nor one Ishmael among all those Isaacs; nor one Esauamongall thoseJacobs inheaven.There isnotoneHamamongall thepatriarchs;notoneSaulamongalltheprophets;noroneJudasamongallthe apostles; nor oneDemasamong all the preachers; nor one SimonMagus amongall theprofessors.Heaven is only for theholyman--andtheholymanalone,isforheaven.Heavenisagarmentofglory—whichisonlysuitedtohimwhoisholy.[Rev.5:11,and7:9;Heb.12:22-23.]God,whoistruthitself,andcannotlie,hassaidit—that"withoutholinessnoman,shallseetheLord."

Mark thatword "noman."Withoutholiness therichman shall not seetheLord.WithoutholinessthepoormanshallnotseetheLord.WithoutholinessthenoblemanshallnotseetheLord—andwithoutholinessthebasemanshallnotseetheLord.Withoutholinesstheprinceshallnotsee

the Lord—and without holiness the peasant shall not see the Lord.Withoutholinesstherulershallnotsee theLord—andwithoutholinesstheruledshallnotseetheLord.Withoutholinessthelearnedmanshallnotsee theLord—andwithout holiness the ignorantman shall not seethe Lord. Without holiness the husband shall not see the Lord—andwithout holiness thewife shall not see the Lord.Without holiness thefathershallnotseetheLord—andwithoutholinessthechildshallnotseethe Lord;. Without holiness the master shall not see the Lord—andwithout holiness the servant shall not see the Lord. "For faithful andstrongistheLordAlmighty,whohasspokenit,"Josh.23:14.

Inthisdaysomecryuponeform—someanother;somecryuponechurchstate—someanother;somecryuponeway—someanother;butcertainlythewayofholinessisthegoodoldway,Jer.6:16;itistheKingofkings'highway to heaven andhappiness: Isaiah 35:8, "And a highwaywill bethere;itwillbecalledtheWayofHoliness.Theuncleanwillnotjourneyonit; itwillbeforthosewhowalkinthatWay;wickedfoolswillnotgoabouton it."Somemensay, "Lo,here is theway!"Othermensay, "Lo,there is the way!" But certainly the way of holiness is the surest, thesafest,theeasiest,thenoblest,andtheshortestwaytohappiness.Amongthe heathens, noman could enter into the temple of honor—but mustfirstenterintothetempleofvirtue.Thereisnoenteringintothetempleof eternal happiness, except you enter into the temple of holiness.Holinessmust firstenter intoyou,beforeyoucanenter intoGod'sholyhill.

AsSamsoncriedout, "Givemewater—orIdie!"orasRachel criedout,"Givemechildren—orIdie!"Soallunsanctifiedsoulsmaywellcryout,"Lord,givemeholiness—orIdie!Givemeholiness—orIeternallydie!"[Psalm 15] If the angels, those princes of glory, fall once from theirholiness, they shall be forever excluded fromeverlasting happiness andblessedness.IfAdaminparadisefallfromhispurity,heshallquicklybedrivenout from thepresenceofdivineglory.Augustinewouldnotbeawickedman,anunholyman,onehourforall theworld,becausehedidnotknowbutthathemightdiethathour:andshouldhedieinanunholyestate,heknewhewouldbe foreverseparated fromthepresenceof theLordandthegloryofhispower.

Osirs,donotdeceiveyourownsouls;holiness isofabsolute necessity;withoutityoushallneverseetheLord!2Thes.1:8-10.Itisnotabsolutelynecessary that you should be great or rich in the world—but it isabsolutely necessary that you should be holy. It is not absolutelynecessarythatyoushouldenjoyhealth,strength,friends,liberty,life—butit is absolutely necessary that you should be holy. Amanmay see theLordwithoutworldlyprosperity—buthecanneverseetheLordexcepthebeholy.Amanmay toheaven, tohappiness,withouthonororworldlyglory—but he can never to heaven, to happiness, without holiness.Withoutholinesshere,noheavenhereafter!Rev.21:27,"Andthereshallin nowise enter into it anything that defiles."Godwill at last shut thegatesofgloryagainsteverypersonwhoiswithoutheart-purity.

Ah,sirs!holinessisaflowerwhichdoesnotgrowinnature'sgarden.Menarenotbornwithholinessintheirhearts,astheyarebornwithtonguesin theirmouths.Holiness is of adivineoffspring—it is apearl ofprice,whichistobefoundinnonaturebutarenewednature—innobosombutasanctifiedbosom.Thereisnottheleastbeamorsparkofholinessinanynaturalmanintheworld:Gen.6:5,"Everyimaginationofthethoughtsofman'sheart is only evil continually." Job25:4, "Howcanmanbe cleanwho is born of a woman?" The interrogation carries in it a strongnegation,"Howcanmanbeclean?"that is,mancannotbecleanwhoisbornofawoman!Manwhoisbornofawoman,isborninsin,andbornbothunderwrathandunderthecurse."Andwhocanbringacleanthingoutofanunclean?"Job14:4.

Isaiah 64:6, "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all ourrighteousnesses are as filthy rags." Romans 3:10-11, "There is nonerighteous,nonotone;thereisnonewhounderstands,thereisnonewhoseeks afterGod."Everymanby nature is a stranger, yes, an enemy toholiness,Romans8:7.Everymanwhocomesintothisworld,comeswithhisfacetowardssinandhell,andwithhisbackuponGodandholiness.Suchisthecorruptionofournature,that,propoundanydivinegoodtoit,itisentertainedasfirebywaterorwetwood—withhissing.Propoundanyevil, then it is like a fire to straw; it is like the foolish satyrwhomadehastetokissthefire;itislikethatunctuousmatterwhich,thenaturalistssay,sucksandsnatchesthefiretoit,withwhichitisconsumed.

Allmenarebornsinners,andthere isnothingbutaninfinitepowerthatcanmakethemsaints.Allmenwouldbehappy—andyetthey naturally loathe to be holy. By all which youmay clearly see thatfood is not more necessary for the preservation of natural life, thanholiness isnecessary for thepreservationandsalvationof the soul. If amanhadthewisdomofSolomon,thestrengthofSamson,thecourageofJoshua, the policy of Ahithophel, the dignities ofHaman, the power ofAhasuerus,and theeloquenceofApollos—yetall thesewithoutholinesswouldneversavehim.

2. Secondly, Consider there is a possibility of obtainingholiness.Holiness is agoldenmine thatmay be obtained—if youwillbut dig, and sweat, and take pains for it, Proverbs 2:2-7.Holiness is aflowerofparadisethatmaybegathered.Holinessisacrownthatmaybeputon.Holiness is apearl of greatprice thatmay be obtained—if youwillbutpartwiththewickedman'strinity—theworld,theflesh,andthedevil—toenjoyit,Romans13:12-14.ThoughsomeoftheattributesofGodbeincommunicable—yet holiness is a communicable attribute; and thisshouldmightilyencourageyoutolookafterholiness.

Well! sinners, remember this—it is possible that thoseproud heartsofyoursmaybehumbled;itispossiblethatthosehardheartsofyoursmaybe softened; it is possible that those unclean hearts of yours may besanctified; it is possible that those blind minds of yours may beenlightened; it is possible that those stubborn wills of yours may betamed; it is possible that those disordered affections of yours may beregulated; it is possible that those drowsy and defiled consciences ofyours may be awakened and purged; it is possible that those vile andpollutednaturesofyoursmaybechangedandpurified.Thereareseveralthingsthatdowitnessthatholinessisattainable;as

[1.]WitnessGod's promise to givehisHOLYSPIRIT to thosewhoask.Luke11:13,"Ifyouthen,beingevil,knowhowtogivegoodgiftsuntoyourchildren:howmuchmoreshallyourheavenlyFathergivetheHolySpirittothosewhoaskhim?"TheHolySpirit isagiftmoreworththanaworld,yes,thanheavenitself—andyet,tomakemenholy,GodiswillingtogivehisHolySpirituponveryeasyterms—theyshallhaveitforasking. The Spirit is a spirit of holiness; he is holy in himself, and the

author of all that holiness that is in man. [John 3:6; Titus 3:5; 1 Cor.6:11.]ItistheHolySpiritwhomostpowerfullymovesandpersuadesmentoholinesswhopresentsholinessinitsbeautyandglorytothesoul.ItistheHolySpiritwhosowsseedsofholinessinthesoul.ItistheHolySpiritwhocausesthoseseedstogrowuptomaturityandripeness.NothingcancomefromtheHolySpiritbutthatwhichisholy.TheHolySpirit is thegreatprincipleofalltheholinessthatisintheworld;andthisHolySpiritGod has engaged himself to give to those who are unholy. "I will alsosprinklecleanwateronyou,andyouwillbeclean.Iwillcleanseyoufromallyourimpuritiesandallyouridols.Iwillgiveyouanewheartandputanewspiritwithinyou; Iwill removeyourheartof stoneandgiveyouaheartof flesh. IwillplaceMySpiritwithinyouandcauseyou to followMystatutesandcarefullyobserveMyordinances."Ezekiel36:25-27.TheHolySpirit isagift—a freegift—anoblegift—apreciousgift—agloriousgift—which God will bestow upon the unclean, upon the unsanctified,that they may be cleansed and sanctified, and so fitted for the Lord'sserviceanduse.Itispossiblethatyoumaybeholy,2Tim.2:21;witness,

[2.]HisholyWORD—whichhehasgivenonpurpose tomakemenholy,andtokeepmenholy.Hiscommandmentsareholy,just,andgood.Histhreateningsareholy,just,andgood.Andallhispromisesareholy, just,andgood. [Deut.4:6-9:Romans7:12:Luke1:70-76.]TheHolyScriptureswerewrittenwithafingerofholiness,soastomoveustoholiness,andtoworkholinessinus.ThewholewordofGodisanentirelove-lettertoprovokeustoholiness,andtopromoteholinessinus.Holycommandsshouldsweetlypersuadeustoholiness;andholythreateningsshoulddivinelyforceustoholiness;andholypromisesshouldeffectuallyallureus—totheloveofholiness,totheembracingofholiness,andtothepractice of holiness. The great design of God, in sending this sacredvolumeingoldenlettersfromheaven,wastoenamormenwiththeloveandbeautyofholiness.Again, it ispossible that youmayattain to trueholiness;witness,

[3.]ThoseholyAMBASSADORSthathehassentonpurposetoturnmenfrom"darknesstolight,andfromthepowerofSatantoJesusChrist." Their great business and work is to treat with youaboutholiness;itistowooyoutomatchwithholiness,andtofollowafter

holiness;itistoremoveallimpedimentsthatmayinanywayhinderyourembracingofholiness;anditistoproposeallmannerofencouragementsthatmaywinyouovertomakeholinessyourgreatall,Acts26:18,and2Cor.5:18-20.Again,itispossiblethatyoumaybeholy;witness,

[4.] The holy EXAMPLES of all the patriarchs, prophets,apostles, and saints which are left on record, on purpose toprovoke you to an imitation of them in holiness. Their holyexamples,assomanyshiningstars,areleftuponrecordtoinfluenceustoholiness. In the holy examples of those who are now triumphant inheaven, youmay run and read that holiness is attainable. In their holyexamples,as insomany looking-glasses,youmaysee thatholiness isajewelwhichmaybeprocured.Bythatholinesswhichothershavereachedto,sinnersmayseethatitispossiblethattheymaybemadesaints.Again,itispossiblethatyoumaybeholy;witness,

[5.]All thoseNOTORIOUSsinners that theScripturedeclareshave been sanctified and made holy. To instance only in a few:ADAM,youknow,wascreatedinanestateof innocency, integrity,andperfectholiness,Gen.1:26;hebeingmadeintheimageofGod,andafterthelikenessandsimilitudeofGod.Itwasagreeduponintheparliamentofheaventhatmanshouldbemadegloriousinholiness;andsohewas,forhewasmadeafterGod'sownimage.Andthistheapostleclearlyandfullyevidencesinthatfamousscripture,Eph.4:22-24.[Inthisscripturehe speaks plainly of the renovation of that knowledge, holiness, andrighteousness thatAdamoncehad—but lost it byhis fall, Psalm8:4-6;Gen.2:20.]

Adamwasinvestedandendowedwithrighteousnessandholinessinhisfirstgloriousestate.Withrighteousness,thathemight livefairly, justly,evenly, and righteously towardsman; andwithholiness, that hemightlivewisely, lovingly, reverentially, and holily towardsGod; and that hemighttakeupinGodashischiefgood,ashisgreatAll.Adam'sfirstestatewas a state of perfect knowledge,wisdom, and understanding; itwas aperfect state of holiness, righteousness, and happiness. There wasnothingwithin him but what was desirable and delectable; there wasnothing outside him but what was amiable and commendable; noranythingabouthimbutwhatwasserviceableandcomfortable.

Andyet, in theheightofallhisglory—Adamfalls toapostasyandopenrebellionagainstGod!HetakespartwithSatanagainstGodhimself;hetransgresses his righteous law, he affronts his justice, he provokes hisanger,hestirsuphiswrathagainsthimselfandhisposterity.ThesinofAdamwasavoluminoussin!Allkindsofnotorioussinswereboundupinit—as backsliding, rebellion, treason, pride, unbelief, blasphemy,contemptofGod,unthankfulness,theft,murder,andidolatry,etc.

The philosopher being asked which was the bestmember of the body,answered, "The tongue; for if it is good, it is thebest trumpet ofGod'sglory."Andbeingaskedagainwhichwastheworstmemberofthebody,answered,"Thetongue;forifitbebad,itistheworstfirebrandofhell."Just so, if any should ask me,Which was the best creature of God? Iwould answer, "Man in honor before his fall." If you should ask me,Whichistheworst?Imustanswer,"Maninhisfall."

Adamwasonce thewonderofallunderstanding, themirrorofwisdomandknowledge,theimageofGod,thedelightofheaven,thegloryofthecreation, theworld'sgreatLord,andtheLord'sgreatdarling!Butbeingfallen,ahhowlow,howpoor,howmiserable,howsottish,howsenseless,howbrutish,yeshowmuchbelowthebeastwhichperishes,washe!AndyetGodpardoned,changed,andsanctifiedhim,andstampedhis imageof holiness afresh upon him, when he made a covenant with him inChrist,Gen.3.

Justso,MANASSEH,hewasanotorioussinner,hewasasinnerofthegreatestmagnitude;hissinsreacheduptoheaven,hissoulwasripeforhell,hehad soldhimself toworkallmannerofwickedness!"Manassehwastwelveyearsoldwhenhebecameking,andhereignedinJerusalemfifty-five years. He did what was evil in the Lord's sight, imitating thedetestablepracticesofthepagannationswhomtheLordhaddrivenfromthe landaheadof the Israelites.He rebuilt thepaganshrineshis fatherHezekiahhaddestroyed.HeconstructedaltarsfortheimagesofBaalandsetupAsherahpoles.Healsobowedbefore all the starsofheavenandworshiped them.Heevenbuiltpaganaltars in theTempleof theLord,theplacewheretheLordhadsaidhisnameshouldbehonoredforever.Manassehevensacrificedhisownsonsinthefireinthevalleyoftheson

of Hinnom. (Here was inhuman superstition, and inhuman cruelty—tooffer his own children in sacrifice to the devil.) He practiced sorcery,divination,andwitchcraft,andheconsultedwithmediumsandpsychics.He did much that was evil in the Lord's sight, arousing his anger.Manasseh even took a carved idol he hadmade and set it up in God'sTemple! Manasseh led the people of Judah and Jerusalem to do evenmoreevilthanthepagannationswhomtheLordhaddestroyedwhentheIsraelitesenteredtheland."2Chronicles33:1-9.

Theactionsofrulersbecomerulesforthecommonpeople'sactions;andtheirexamplepassesascurrentas their coin.Thecommonpeopledarepracticetheveryworstofwickednessthattheyseeactedinascarletrobe;they are like warmwax, easily receiving impressions from the seals ofgreatmen'svices;theymakenobonesofittosinbyprescription,andtodamn themselves with authority. The heathen brings in a young man,whohearingoftheadulteriesandwickednessesofthegods,said,"What,theydo thusand thus—andshall Iabstain from it?"Sosaymost,whengreat ones are greatly wicked, "Why, they do thus and thus—so whyshouldweabstainfromit?"TheEgyptiansesteemeditgraceful,andtheirduty,tohaltonthatlegonwhichtheirkinglimped;mostmenthinkitagrace to imitate the greatest authority in their most graceless actings,whichmadethepoetsay,

"SubjectsandkingdomscommonlydochooseThemannersthattheirprincesdailyuse."

Verse10,"TheLordspoketoManassehandhispeople,buttheyignoredallhiswarnings."Hewassettledinidolatry,andstoppedhisearsagainstallthecounselandadmonitionsoftheprophetswhoweresenttoreclaimhim.Nowwhowouldeverhavethought thatonesoabominablywickedandwretched should ever have obtained such favorwithGod, as to bepardoned, renewed, and sanctified? and yet, verse 12-13, "Butwhile indeepdistress,ManassehsoughttheLordhisGodandcriedouthumblytotheGodofhisancestors.Andwhenheprayed,theLordlistenedtohimandwasmovedbyhisrequestforhelp.SotheLordletManassehreturntoJerusalemandtohiskingdom.ManassehhadfinallyrealizedthattheLordalone isGod!"HenowacknowledgesJehovah tobe the trueGod,andrenouncesallothergods,thathemaycleavetoGodalone.Thereis

noheartsowicked—butgracecanmakeitholy.

Justso,PAULwasoncesogreatasinner, thathadhesteppedbutonestep further, he had fallen into the unpardonable sin against the HolySpirit.

In1Tim.1:13youhaveabriefsurveyofhisgreattransgressions.Hewasablasphemer.HeblasphemedGodandChrist,andhiswaysand truth;hemadeamockandscoffatholiness.HemadenothingofblasphemingthatGodwhomhe should have feared, and of blaspheming thatChristwhomheshouldhavesweetlyembraced,andofblasphemingthosetruthswhichheshouldhavereadilyentertained.Paulwasagreatproficient intheschoolofblasphemy,hemadenothingofbelchingoutblasphemyinthe very face of heaven. And hewas apersecutor too: he persecutedholiness to thedeath,Acts9and26:11;yes,hewasmad inpersecutingthepoorsaintsandservantsofChrist;hedidallhecouldtomaketheirlivesahell,andtoridthemoutofthisworld;hethoughtthemnotworthyto live, though they were such worthies of whom this world was notworthy,Acts8:3.HewasaraveningandanuntiredwolfthatwasneverwearyinworryingChrist'slittleflock,andinsuckingoutthebloodofhislambs.Yes,andhewasaninjuriouspersontoo:hemadenoconscienceofwrongingothers,orofdisregardingthatgoldenrule,"Dotoothersasyouwouldhaveothersdotoyou,"Mat.7:12.Thisroyallaw,thisstandardofequity,heregardednot;hemadenothingofthrowingmenandwomeninto prison, and of compelling them to blaspheme by his cruelty andwickedexample.Hesparednogender—butpracticedthehighestcrueltyupon all who had anything of sanctity in them. He would hazard thetormentsofhell, rather thannotbea tormenterof thesaintshere;andthemoreactiveanywereinholiness,themoreinjuriouswashetothem.

And yet behold this blasphemer, this persecutor, this injurious person,becameasanctifiedChristian,aneminentsaint,apatternofholinesstoallChristiansinallages.

Once more, witness that sad roster of unsanctified people who arementioned in 1Cor. 6:9-10, "Do younot know that thewickedwillnotinherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexuallyimmoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor

homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards norslanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God." Thesemonstrous sinners and prodigious sins were enough to have broughtanotherfloodupontheworld,ortohaveprovokedtheLordtorainhelloutofheavenuponthem,asoncehediduponSodomandGomorrah,ortohavecausedthegroundtoopenandswallowthemup,asonce itdidKorah,Dathan,andAbiram—andyetbeholdsomeof thesearechangedand sanctified! verse 11, "And that is what some of you were! But youwerewashed,youweresanctified,youwere justified in thenameof theLord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." Oh, the infinitegoodness!Oh, the infinite grace!Oh, the infinitewisdomandpower ofGod—whichhaspardoned,washed,sanctified,andcleansedsuchguilty,filthy, andpolluted souls!Theworst of sinners shouldneverdespair ofbeingmadesaints,consideringwhatunholyoneshavebeenmadeholy.[Matthew, Zaccheus,MaryMagdalene, the jailer, and themurderers ofChrist,Acts2areclearinstancesofthistruth.]Itispossiblethatyoumaybemadeholy;witness,

[6.]Allthosesanctifiedonesamongwhomyoulive,whooncewereasunholy,ormoreunholy,itmaybe,thaneveryouwere.The sanctifiedhusband is a clearwitness to theunsanctifiedwife—thatshemaybesanctified,1Cor.7:14,16;1Pet.3:1,6.Thesanctifiedfatherisa witness to the unsanctified child—that he may be sanctified. Thesanctifiedmasterisawitnesstotheunsanctifiedservant—thathemaybesanctified.Thesanctifiedprinceisawitnesstohisunsanctifiedpeople—that theymay be sanctified. The sanctifiedminister is a witness to hisunsanctifiedhearers—that theymay be sanctified. The sameSpirit, thesamegrace,thesamepower,thesamepresencewhichhassanctifiedanyofthese,maysanctifyallofthese.Thereisnoheartsounholy—butaholyGodcanmakeitholy!Thereisnospiritsounclean—butaHolySpiritcanmakeitclean.Well,sinners!therearemanylivingandstandingwitnessesofdivinegraceamongyou,andaroundyou,whichdosufficientlydeclarethat it is possible that you may be sanctified and saved. Again, it ispossiblethatyoumaybesanctifiedandmadeholy;witness,

[7.]TheoathofaholyGod.Ezek.18:31-32,and33:11,"AssurelyasIlive,declares theSovereignLord, I takenopleasure in thedeathof the

wicked, but rather that they turn from theirways and live. Turn! Turnfromyourevilways!Whywillyoudie,OhouseofIsrael?""AssurelyasIlive" is the formof an oath, and ismuch used in the Scripture byGodhimself.Wickedmen are very hardly persuaded to believe that God iswillingthattheyshouldbesanctifiedandsaved;andthereforeGodputshisoathonit—thatheisinfinitelymorewillingthatwickedmenshouldturn from their evil ways and be sanctified and saved, than that theyshouldperishintheirsinsandbedamnedforever.

"AssurelyasI live" isaweightyoath,andimportsthecertaintyof thatwhichfollows:itisabsolute,withoutevasionorrevocation."AssurelyasI live and am God—I have no pleasure in destroying and damning ofsouls—butdesirethattheywouldturnfromtheirevilways,andthattheywouldbesanctifiedandsaved.Letmenotlive,letmebenolongeraGod—if I would not have the wicked to live and be happy forever." Thepossibility of your being holy, God has confirmed by an oath, andthereforeyoumaynolongerquestionit.

TheEgyptians,thoughheathens,sohatedperjury,thatifanymandidbutswearbythelifeoftheking,anddidnotperformhisoath,thatmanwastodie,andnoamountofgoldwas toredeemhis life.Anddoyou thinkthataholyGoddoesnot standmoreuponhisoath thanheathens,yes,thantheworstofheathens?Certainlyhedoes!Lastly, it ispossiblethatyoumaybeholy;witness,

[8.] The great designs and undertakings of Jesus Christ tomake lostmanholy.His great design in leaving his Father's bosomand coming into this world, was the destroying, the dissolving of theworksofthedevil:1John3:8,"ThereasontheSonofGodappearedwasto destroy the devil's work." Sin is Satan's work, and Christ comes todestroy it, and break it all in pieces.Men's sins are Satan's chains, bywhichhelinksthemfasttohimself.ButChristwasthereforemanifestedthat he might loose and knock off these chains. Satan had knit manysinfulknots in our souls—but Christ comes to untie those knots. Satanhad laidmany snares—butChrist comes todiscover and tobreak thosesnares.

ItwasthegreatdesignofChristinthedivestingofhimself,asitwere,of

hisdivinehonor,glory,anddignity,andinhistakingonhimthenatureofman—todestroySatan,andtosanctifythesoulsofmen,Phil.2:6-8,15;Heb. 2:11, 14-15. It was the great design of Jesus Christ in giving ofhimselfforus—ingivinghissoul,hisbody,hislife,tojustice,todeath,towrathforus—thathemightredeemusfromalliniquity,andpurifyuntohimselfapeculiarpeoplezealousofgoodworks,Titus2:14.

The crownofholinesswas fallen fromourheads, andChrist freelyandwillingly uncrowns himself, that oncemore wemight be crownedwithholiness, immortality,andglory.Christwasresolvedthathewould loseall that was near and dear unto him—that he would recover our lostholiness for us. Christ knew that heaven would have been but a poorpurchase—hadhenotpurchasedholinessforus.AsheavenisbutabasethingwithoutGod, soheaven isbutabase thingwithoutholiness. It isholiness,whichisthesparklingdiamondintheringofhappiness;amanwerebetterbeholy inhell thanunholy inheaven; and thereforeChristventureshisallforholiness.

The great design of Christ in redeeming of soulswith the choicest, thepurest,thecostliest,thenoblestbloodwhicheverraninveins—wasthattheyshould"servehiminrighteousnessandholinessallthedaysoftheirlives,"Luke1:74-75.Inaword,Christwouldhavenevertakensogreatajourneyfromheaventoearth—buttomakemenholy.Christwouldhavenevertakenuponhimtheformofaservant—buttomakeustheservantsofthemosthighGod.Christwouldhaveneverlaininamanger,hewouldhave never trod thewine-press of his Father'swrath—but tomake youholy.Heprayed,hesweat,hebled,andhehungonthecross—alltomakeyouholy.Hewasholy inhis birth, andholy inhis life, andholy inhisdeath,andholyinallhissufferings—andalltomakeyouholy.Thegreatdesign of Christ in all he did, and in all he suffered,was tomakemanholy.Andthusyouseebyalltheseargumentsthatholinessisattainable.

3. Thirdly, Consider this—that real holiness is the honorandthe glory of the creature; and therefore the apostle linksholiness and honor together. 2 Cor. 3:18, and Eph. 5:27; 1 Thess.4:3-4, "For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that youshouldabstain fromfornication; thateveryoneofyoushouldknowhowto possess his vessel in sanctification and honor." The vessel is man's

body—whichisthegreatutensilorinstrumentofthesoul,andcontainsitasinavessel.NowthesanctityandchastityofthisvesselisthehonorofaChristian. Even bodily purity is a Christian's glory. He who keeps hisvesselinholiness,keepsitinhonor.Holinessisthegreatestdignitythatmortalmaniscapableof;itisman'shighestpromotion,itishishighestexaltation.Holinessisthetruegrandeurandthetruenobilityofthesoul.

Deut.26:19,"Andtomakeyouhighaboveallnationswhichhehasmade,inpraise,andinname,andinhonor,andthatyoumaybeanholypeopleunto theLordyourGod."There isnothingwhich liftsapeople sohigh,andwhichmakes themso truly famous andglorious—asholinessdoes.Holiness is the praise, the renown, the crown, and glory of a people.Holiness is the diadem, the beauty, and the excellency of a people.Holinessisthestrength,thehonor,andtherichesofapeople.HolinessistheimageofGod,thecharacterofChrist.Holinessisabeamofthedivinenature, a sparkof glory, it is the lifeof your lives, and the soul of yoursouls. It is only holiness,whichmakesmen to excel in honor all otherpeopleintheworld.

Look!asGod'sholinessishisglory,andtheangels'holinessistheirglory,andthechurch'sholinessistheirglory,Exod.15:11;Isaiah6:2,3;Psalm93:5;Eph.5:27—justso,theholinessofanyparticularpersonisthegloryofthatperson.WhywasJabezreputedmorehonorablethanhisbrethren—but because he was more holy than his brethren? 1 Chron. 4:9-10,"Jabez wasmore honorable than his brothers. His mother had namedhimJabez,saying,'Igavebirthtohiminpain.'JabezcriedouttotheGodofIsrael,'Oh,thatyouwouldblessmeandenlargemyterritory!Letyourhandbewithme,andkeepmefromevil,thatitmaynotgrieveme!'AndGodgrantedhisrequest."Holinessisthetruestandthegreatestnobilityandhonorintheworld.

Romanus, themartyr, who was born of noble parentage, entreated hispersecutorsthattheywouldnotfavorhimforhisnobility;"foritisnot,"saidhe,"thebloodofmyancestors—butmyChristianfaith,whichmakesmenoble."Davidthoughtitnotsohappynorsohonorableathingtobeaking inhisownhouse,as tobeadoor-keeper inGod'shouse.SolomondidpreferthetitleofEcclesiastes,thatis,asoulreconciledtothechurch,beforethetitleofthekingofJerusalem.HolyTheodosius, theemperor,

preferredthetitleofamemberofthechurch,beforethatoftheheadoftheempire,professingthathehadratherbeasaintandnoking,thanaking and no saint. And Luther had rather be aChristian dunce than apaganemperor.Theseholymenwellknewthatholinesswasthetopofalltheirhonorandglory.

Well,sinners,rememberthis,thatholinessisthehighandreadywaytothehighesthonor;andtherefore,aseveryouwouldbe trulyhonorable,labortobetrulyholy.Greatswellingtitlesarebutassomanyrattles,oras so many feathers in men's caps, without holiness. He who can becontent to live without holiness, must be contented to see his honorentombedwhilehe lives.Honorwithoutholiness isbutawindthatwillblow a man the sooner to hell. Honor without holiness is but a greatnothing, a glorious illusion. [Acts 25:23, "So the next day Agrippa andBernicearrivedat theauditoriumwithgreatpomp."That is,withgreatphantasyorvainshow.Allthehonor,pomp,andaccoladeofthisworldisbutaphantasy.]

Manyamanhasbeentheworse—butwherelivesthatmanwhohasbeeneverthebetter,forhisworldlyhonor?Amanswelledwithhonor,withoutholiness,islikeamaninadropsy,whosebignessishisdisease.Well,letambitionists, and all others who hunt after the breath of popularapplause, know that that honor which attends holiness is the truesthonor, the highest honor, the greatest honor, the happiest honor, thesuresthonor,thepuresthonor,andthemostlastingandabidinghonor.Mollerus,uponPsalm73:20,concludesthatwickedmen'searthlyhonorsand accolades are but as idle dreams, and their splendid braveries butdreamy fantasies. Adonibezek, a mighty prince, is quickly made to eatscraps from under the table with the dogs, Judges 1:7. AndNebuchadnezzar,amightyconqueror,turneda-grazingamongtheoxen,Dan.4:28.AndHerod is reduced fromaconceitedgod—tobe themostloathsome of men, a living carrion attacked by the vilest of creatures,uponhisaffrontofhisCreator,Acts12:23.AndgreatHamanfeastedwiththekingoneday,andmadea feast forcrows thenext,Esther7:10.Butthat honorwhich accompanies holiness is honor that will abidewith aman, thatwill to the gravewith aman, yes, thatwill to heavenwith aman.

Some heathens have been weary of their honors—but the honor thatattendsholinessisnoburdentoaChristian.Othershaverejectedhonorswhentheyhavebeenofferedtothem,becauseofthetroubleanddangerwhich attends them. High seats are always uneasy, and crowns areusually stuffed with thorns. But the honor which attends holiness is arose without prickles, it is a crown without thorns. That honor whichspringsfromarootofholinessshallbebothsanctifiedandsweetenedbyGod, so as that it shall nothurtnorharma gracious soul.Ah, sinners!sinners!ifyouwillbeambitious,beambitiousofthathonorwhichcomesin with holiness, for there is no honor compared to that honor. TheRomanswereinsatiableintheirdesiresafterworldlyhonor,whichisbutasablast,ashadow,adream.Oh,howmuchmoreinsatiableshouldyoube in your desires and endeavors after that honor that is linked toholiness,andthatissubstantialandlasting!

Tostiryouuptolookafterrealholiness,consider,

4. Fourthly, That holiness is very attractive, drawing, andwinning.Itdrawslove,itdrawsdesire,itdrawsdelight.Holinessislikea precious perfume, whose savor spreads itself, and is pleasing anddelightful to all who come near it: 2 Kings 4:9-10, "She said to herhusband—I am sure thismanwho stops in from time to time is aholymanofGod.Let'smakea little roomforhimontheroofand furnish itwithabed,atable,achair,andalamp.Thenhewillhaveaplacetostaywheneverhecomesby."Theholinessoftheprophet'sspirit,theholinessofhisprinciples,theholinessofhisbehavior,andtheholinessofhislife,did so allure and win upon this great lady, that she becomes animportunate suitor to her husband that he might be lovingly, freely,courteously,andcommodiouslyentertainedandaccommodatedasoftenashecamethatway.[HistorytellsusofmanyinfidelsthathavebeenwontotheChristianfaithbytheholylivesofthesaints,etc.]

Justso,Acts2:46-47,"Everydaytheycontinuedtomeettogetherinthetemple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together withglad and sincere hearts, praisingGod and enjoying the favor of all thepeople.AndtheLordaddedtotheirnumberdailythosewhowerebeingsaved."Thatwhichdidgraceandingratiatetheseholyconverts intothefavorof thepeople,was the exerciseof their graceandholiness. Itwastheirsweetunity,theirnoblecharity,theirholyfamiliarity,theirblessedharmony, their singular sincerity, and their Christian constancy,whichbroughtthemintofavorwithallthepeople.

Visibleholinessisaloadstonewhichwilldraweyesandheartsafterit:1Pet.3:1,"Wives,inthesamewaybesubmissivetoyourhusbandssothat,if any of themdo not believe theword, theymay bewon overwithoutwordsby thebehaviorof theirwives."Aholy life isawinning life,Phil.2:15,and1Cor.7:16.Theholylifeofthewifemaybetheconversionofthehusband;theholy,thewise,thewatchful,thecircumspectlifeofthewifemayissueinthesalvationofthehusband.ManyahusbandhasbeenwontoChristbytheholylifeofthewife;andmanyawifehasbeenwonbytheholylifeofthehusband.Manyaservanthasbeenwonbytheholylifeofthe master; and many a master has been won by the holy life of the

servant.

Sozomenreports,thattheholylifeofapoorcaptiveChristianmaid,madea king and all his family to embrace theChristian faith. I have read ofCecilia, a poormaiden, who, by her holy and gracious behavior in hermartyrdom,wasthemeansofconvertingfourhundredtoChrist.Manyasoulhasbeenwonbythesilentoratoryofaholy life. ["MonicawonherhusbandfrombeinganimpureManichee,notbyforceofargument—butbypurity and chastity of life," saysAugustine.] JustinMartyr confessesthattheconstancyofChristiansintheirpietyandsufferingswasthechiefmotive thatconvertedhimtoChristianity. "For Imyself," sayshe, "wasonceaPlatonist, anddidgladlyhear theChristians reviled: butwhen Isaw they feared not death, nor any of those miseries which did mostfrighten all other men, I began to consider with myself that it wasimpossible for such men to be lovers of pleasure more than lovers ofpiety;andthatmademefirstthinkofturningChristian."

There isnothing thathas that influenceupon the judgmentsofmen topersuade them, upon the consciences of men to awe them, upon themouthsofmentostopthem,upontheheartsofmentoconvincethem,anduponthelivesofmentoreformthem—asholiness,1Pet.2:12,"Livesuchgoodlivesamongthepagansthat,thoughtheyaccuseyouofdoingwrong,theymayseeyourgooddeedsandglorifyGodonthedayhevisitsus."WhatPlatooncesaidofhismoralvirtue—namely,thatifitcouldbeseenwithbodily eyes itwouldbe beloved of all, anddrawall hearts toitself—that ismost trueof this theological grace,holiness.Holinessissobeautifulandsolovelyathing,thatitrendersmenamiableandlovelyintheveryeyesoftheirenemies.Tilligny, forhisrarevirtues,wasrescuedfromdeathbyhisgreatestenemiesatthemassacreofParis.Holinessmakesaman's face toshine,as itdidMoseshis,andStephen's.Nothingpleasestheeyenorwinstheheart,likeholiness.Whatisgoldtogodliness,giftstograce,partstopiety?Aspark,aray,abeamofholiness,willcertainlyhaveaninfluenceuponthespiritsofmen,eithertorestrainthemorchangethem,orallaythemorsweetenthem,orwinthem,oronewayoranothertobetterthem.

Look! as the unholy lives of many professors do occasion some toblasphemeGod,otherstobelieGod,otherstowithstandGod,andothers

toforsakeGod;look,astheloosenessofmanyChristiansdoesworksometoreproachChrist,otherstodenyChrist,otherstorefuseChrist,othersto revile thegoodwaysofChrist, andothers toopposeanddespisethefaithful followersofChrist: asLactantius reports, that the loose livesofmany Christians was made by the heathens the reproach of Christhimself,"Howcanwethinkthemastertobegood,whosedisciplesweseetobesobad?"AndSalvianalsocomplainsthattheloosewalkingofmanyChristians was made by the heathen the reproach of Christ himself,saying, "If Christ had taught holy doctrine, surely his followers wouldleadbetterlives."Andfurther,thesameauthorrelateshowtheheathensdidreproachsomeChristians,whobytheirlewdlivesmadethegospelofChristtobeareproach:"Where,"saidthey,"isthatgoodlawwhichtheybelieve?Wherearethoserulesofgodlinesswhichtheylearn?TheyreadtheholyGospel—andyetareunclean; theyhear theapostles'writings—and yet are drunk; they follow Christ—and yet disobey Christ; theyprofessaholylaw—andyetdoleadimpurelives."

NowIsay, look,astheunholy livesofmanyprofessors isadishonor toGod,areproachtoChrist,ascandaltoreligion,ablottoprofession,andagrief tomanywhomGodwouldnot have grieved,Ezek. 13:22—just so,thepowerofholiness,thepracticeofholiness,isveryinfluentialupontheworstofmen,towinandworkthemtotheLord,andtoaloveandlikingofhisways.Theholy livesof the saintsmade theveryheathens to say,"Surely this is a good God, whose servants are so good." Ambrose'sholinessdidverymuchdrawouttheheartofTheodosius,theemperor,tohim.AndtheholinessofPaphnutiusdidverymuchdrawouttheheartofConstantine theGreat tohim.There isnothingwhichgives aman thatheart-roomandthatheartyroominthesoulsofothers—asholiness.Itistheholymanwhoisamanofathousand.[2Thes.1:3-5,readit.]But,

5.Fifthly,Considerthatrealholiness is theexcellencyofallaman'sexcellencies.AsholinessisthegloryofGod,apartofthedivinenature, a sparkofheaven, a rayof glory—so it is the excellencyof all aman's excellencies. Holiness is the excellency of all our naturalexcellencies,itistheexcellencyofallourmoralexcellencies,anditistheexcellencyof all our intellectualexcellencies. Look! asGod's holiness istheexcellencyofallhisexcellencies,astheangels,whobestknowwhatis

thetopofhisexcellency,doevidencebythatthreefoldrepetition,"Holy,holy,holy,"Isaiah6:3; thesemultipliedacclamationsofholinessdenotethe superlative eminency, excellency, and perfection of God's holiness.BothamongtheHebrewsandamongtheGrecianstheholinessofGodistheexcellencyofhisomnisciency,omnipotency,andomnipresence.It isthe excellency of his eternity, immutability, and fidelity; it is theexcellencyofhiswisdom,love,care,andgoodness.

Psalm111:9, "Holyand reverend ishisname."God'snamecomes tobereverend by holiness. If his name were not holy, it would never bereverend.AndwhyisGodcalledsooften"theholyone,"buttoshowusthatholinessistheverytopofallhisgloryandexcellency.[Exod.15:11.ThatwhichGod accounts his highest honor is his holiness.]God couldnotbegloriousinanythingifhewerenotgloriousinholiness.Thatwhichspeaks hispower to be glorious power, is his holiness; and thatwhichspeakshiswisdomtobegloriouswisdom,ishisholiness;andthatwhichspeakshismercytobegloriousmercy,ishisholiness,etc,WerenotthepowerofGodaholypower,itcouldneverbeagloriouspower;werenotthewisdomofGodaholywisdom,itcouldneverbegloriouswisdom;andwerenotthemercyofGodholymercy,itcouldneverbegloriousmercy,etc.

Justso, theholinessofaman is thegloryandexcellencyof all aman'sexcellencies; it is the perfection of all aman's perfections. In paradise,man'sperfectholinesswashisperfectblessedness;andinheaven,man'sperfectholinesswillbehisperfecthappiness,Heb.12:23.Holinessaddsanexcellencytoallaman'sexcellencies.Thatwhichaddsanexcellencytoaman'swisdomisholiness.Whenaman'swisdomisaholywisdom,thenitisexcellentwisdom.Justso,holycourageisexcellentcourage,andholyzeal is excellent zeal, and holy knowledge is excellent knowledge, andholyfaithisexcellentfaith,andholyloveisexcellentlove,andholyfearis excellent fear. It is the addingofholiness to all these,which rendersthese virtues truly excellent; it is holiness,which is the top of all theseroyalties.

Look!asallcipherssignifynothingexceptyouaddafigurebeforethem—just so,all theexcellencieswhichare inmen,whether theyarenatural,moral,oracquired,theysignifynothingexceptyouaddholinesstothem.

[0000000—thesesignifynothing;butifyoudobutaddafiguretothem,10000000,thentheysignifymuch.]Birthandbreeding,witandwealth,honor and learning—are but the shadows of nobleness and trueexcellency; it is holiness, which is the soul and substance of all; andwithout holiness all other things are of noworth, all other excellencieshavenoexcellencyatallinthem.

Naamanwasgeneraloftheking'sarmy;hewasamaningreatfavorwithhisprince,amanmuchhonoredamongthepeopleforbeingadeliverertothem.Hewasalsoamightymaninvalor—buthewasaleper,2Kings5:1.This"buthewasaleper"wasaclouduponallhisglory;itwasaveiluponall hishonor, greatness, andnobleness. Just so, to say, there is awiseman—butunholy;andthereisagreatman—butunholy;andthereis an sincereman—but unholy; and there is anobleman—but unholy;andthereisavaliantman—butunholy;andthereisagood-naturedman—butunholy;andthere isa learnedman—butunholy,etc.What is this"butunholy,"butacloudofdarknessuponalltheexcellencieswhichareinthesepeople?Butletholinessbebutaddedtoeachofthese,andthentheywillshineassomanysuns.

Holiness is a garment that sets off arts, and parts, and all otherexcellencies that are in man; let but this garment be lacking, and thenakednessofallthingswillquicklyappear.AndthismadeJerometosaythathehadratherhavePaul'sheavenlygraces,thanthepurpleofkingswith their kingdoms. Look! as a precious jewel set in goldmakes thatmuch more glorious which was glorious before—just so, holiness addsbeauty,splendor,andglorytoaman'sparts,birth,honor,andestate,etc.But,

6.Sixthly,Considerthatholiness isnotonlyanhonorandanornamenttothepersonwhohasit—butitisalsoanhonorandanornamentbothtothepeopleandplacestowhomhestandsrelated. [Just so, holy Eliakim was a throne of glory to his father'shouse,Isaiah22:23.]Theholinessofthefatherisanhonorandornamentto the child—just so, was Abraham's to Isaac. And the holiness of thechild isanhonorandanornament to the father—justso,wasIsaac's toAbraham.Theholinessofthehusbandisanhonorandornamenttothewife—justso,wasAbraham'stoSarah.Andtheholinessofthewifeisan

honorandanornamenttothehusband—justso,wasSarah'stoAbraham.Justso,inProverbs12:4,"Avirtuouswomanisacrowntoherhusband."[The Hebrew is, a woman of strength, or a valiant woman; that is, awoman who is made strong and valiant by grace, by holiness, towithstandsin,toconquertemptation,andtotriumphinaffliction,etc.]Acrown is the top of honor, it is the top of royalty and glory; why! avirtuouswife is sucha thing!A sweet, a good-naturedwife is as a goldringuponherhusband'sfinger;agiftedwifeisasagoldchainaboutherhusband'sneck;butaholyvirtuouswifeisasacrownuponherhusband'shead.

Theholiness of theprince is anhonor and an ornament to the people;andtheholinessofthepeopleisanhonorandanornamenttotheprince.Theholinessofthemasterisanhonorandanornamenttotheservant;and the holiness of the servant is an honor and an ornament to themaster.Andtheholinessofonebrotherisanhonortoanotherbrother.Judegloriesinthis—thathewasthebrotherofJames.Jameswasfamousfor his sanctity; for his holiness, he was called James the Just. Hisholinessdidsosparkleandshine,thattheJewsweregenerallyconvincedthat in holiness he was more eminent and excellent than others. NowJude took it for a very high honor to be related to one so eminent inholiness.

Holypeoplereflectacreditandanhonorupontheirrelations.Itwasthespeechofaheathennotablyqualified,thoughbutpoorlybredandborn,to adissolutepersonwell born,upbraidinghimwithhis birth, "I amagracetomyfamily—butyouareablottoyourlineage."Yes,holypeopleareanhonor to theplaceswhere theyhavebeenbornandbred: Psalm87:5-6,"Indeed,ofZionitwillbesaid,'Thisoneandthatonewereborninher,andtheMostHighhimselfwillestablishher.'TheLordwillwriteintheregisterofthepeoples:'ThisonewasborninZion.'"

Godseemstobeverymuchaffectedandtakenwiththeveryplaceswhereholymenareborn;helovestheverygroundthatholymentreadon,andhedelights in theveryair thatholymenbreathe in.Holypeoplereflecthonorupon the veryplaceswhere theywereborn.Theholy patriarchs,prophets, and apostles were the honor and the glory of the ages andplaceswheretheylived.[Someantiquariessaythattheprimitivechurch

hadherpublic tables,wherein thenamesof thepeoplewhoweremostnotedforpietyandholinesswererecorded.]Theywereassomanybrightmorningstars,theywereassomanyrisingsunsintheplaceswheretheywere bred and born.Melanchthonwas called the phoenix ofGermany,andLutherwasthegloryoftheagewhereinhelived.Andsoweremanyoftheancientsbeforethem,andmanysince,whohavebeenburningandshininglightsintheplacesoftheirabode.

Look! as anunholyperson is aplague anda curse to the veryplacehelives in, and hastens down wrath and vengeance upon it, as Bias thephilosopher has long since observed; for he being at sea in a greattempestamongmanyprofanedebauchedfellows,andperceivingthemtocall upon their gods, as the worst ofmen usually do in such cases, hecomestothem,anddesiresthemtoholdtheirpeace,lestthegodsshouldtakenotice that theywere in the ship, and sonotonly themselves—butothersalsoshouldsufferfortheirsakes.

Itwas thewickedness of thewickedwhich brought the sweeping floodupon the old world. And it was the wickedness and filthiness of theSodomiteswhich causedGod to rainhell out of heavenupon the citieswheretheylived.Letmenbeeversohonorable,oreversopotent,oreverso witty, or ever so wealthy, etc.—yet if they are profane, if they arewicked,theywillhastendownthewrathandvengeanceofGodupontheplacesoftheirabode.

Justso,aholypersonisanhonorandablessingtotheveryplacehelivesin, as you may see in Jacob and Joseph, who were choice and nobleblessingstotheveryfamilieswheretheylived.Osirs,aseveryouwouldbeanhonortoyourrelations,toyourcountry,andtotheplacesofyourabode—laborforholiness!Someventurelifeandlimb,andmanyabetterthing, to reflecthonorupon their relations, andupon their country—asmanyoftheRomansdid;andwhythenshouldnotyouventurefar,andventurehighforholiness,whichwillbenotonlyanhonortoyourselves—but also an honor and a glory to all people and placeswhich you haverelationto?

7. Seventhly,Consider thatholiness is the very ear-mark, thevery attire and badge of Christ's servants and subjects. Isaiah

63:8,"Forhesaid,Surelytheyaremypeople,childrenwhowillnotlie:sohe was their Savior;" and verse 18, they are called "the people of hisholiness."God'speoplearetooholytolie;theywillnotliefortheirownworldlygood. [Job 13:7;Romans3:7-8;Rev. 14:5.]Theywill ratherdiethan lie,with thatbravewomanthatJeromewritesof,whobeingupontherack,badeherpersecutorsdotheirworst,forshewasresolvedrathertodiethanlie.Neitherthemerrylie,northejestinglie,northeofficiouslie,northeperniciouslie—willbefoundwiththosewhoarethepeopleofGod'sholiness,orwhoarehisholypeople.SaysGod,"Ihavebeenatsomuchcostandchargeaboutthem,Ihaveactedsokindly,sobountifully,so sweetly, so favorably, so nobly to them; I have been such an all-sufficientSavior,suchamightypreserver,andsuchagloriousdelivererof them—that certainly they will not lie, they will not deceive myexpectation, they will not deny me, they will not deal disloyally norunworthily by me. [It is said of golden-mouthed Chrysostom that henever lied; answerable to this, Isaiah 63:8.] They are of Augustine'sopinion,whohaslongsincetoldus,that"wemustnottellsomuchasasmalllie,thoughitweretosavealltheworld."

Justso,Jer.2:3,"IsraelwasholinessuntotheLord,andthefirstfruitsofhisincrease:allthatdevourhimshalloffend;evilshallcomeuponthem,saystheLord."HolinesstotheLordisthemarkthatGodsetsuponallhispreciousones:Psalm4:3,"KnowthatGodhassetaparthimwhoisgodlyfor himself." God has wonderfully, gloriously, marvelously, yes,miraculously set apart thepious, theholy, themerciful, thegodlyman,thegracioussaint,bysomemarkofdistinctionforhimself,thatis,forhisownhonor,andglory,andservice,anddelight.

Look! as Rahab's house was known by a red rope, Josh. 2; and theEphraimitesbytheirlisping,Judges11;andJehubyhisdriving,2Kings9;andPeterbyhisspeaking,Mat.26—justso,realChristiansareknownby their holiness. Holiness is that by which all Christ's subjects andservants areknownanddifferenced fromall otherpeople in theworld.And in the primitive times, a Christian was known from another manonlybytheholinessofhislife,asTertullianwitnesses.Look!asourLordJesusChrist,bytheSpiritofholinessraisinghimupfromthedead,wasdeclared to be the Son of God, Romans 1:4—just so, it is the spirit of

holiness,itisprinciplesofholiness,itisthelifeandpracticeofholiness—whichdeclaresustobethesonsofGod,2Cor.6:17-18.HolinessisthatgoldencharacterbywhichGoddifferencesanddistinguisheshispeoplefrom all others in the world. Look! as the worshipers of the beast areknown by the mark of the beast that is upon them—just so, theworshipers of Christ, the people of Christ, are known by that mark ofholinessthatChristhassetuponthem.

Thistitle,"saints,"isgiveneightytimestothepeopleofGodinScripture,asifGodtookagreaterdelighttohavehischildrenknownbythisbadgeandtitlethanbyanyother.Asforsuchwhohavethenameofsaintsuponthem—butnothingofthenatureofasaintinthem;whohaveanametobeholy—andyetareunholy;whohaveanametobegracious—andyetaregraceless;whohaveanameto live—andyetaredead; theseGodwill inthat day unmask, when he shall lead them forth with the workers ofiniquity. [Rev. 13:16; 14:9-10,and19:20.Amanwerebetterbeabeast,thantohavethemarkofthebeastuponhim.Thetitleofasaintisbutanemptythingwithoutholiness.]

An unholy saint is a white devil, he is a monster among men. Christsweat, andprayed, anddied, andwas raised tomake sinners saints, tomaketherebelliousreligious,andthelicentiousconscientious.Allhedidandsufferedwas to stamp thesealand impressofholinessupon them.And therefore, as ever you would be owned and honored by Christanotherday,seethattheHolySpiritsetsthesealofholinessuponyou.IftheimpressofholinessisuponyouinthedaythattheLordmakesuphisjewels, he will declare you to be his before all the world. He will say,"These aremy sheep, these aremy sons, I know themby thatmark ofholinessthatIfinduponthem!"But,

8. Eighthly, Consider this—that a man of holiness, or a holyman—isacommongood,acommonblessing. All fare thebetterforaholyman.Allinthefamily,allinthecourt,allinthecity,allinthecountry,farethebetterfortheholyman'ssake.AllinLaban'sfamilydidfare thebetter forJacob's sake; and all in the city of Zoar did fare thebetter forLot'ssake; and all Pharaoh's court, and thewhole country ofEgypt,did fare thebetter forJoseph'ssake. Sodomwas safewhile holyLotwas in it.WhileholyMosesstood in thegap,destroying judgments

were diverted. When holy Phinehas took up his censer, and stoodbetween the living and the dead, the plague was stayed. [Gen. 30:27;19:21-24,and41,etc.;2Kings2:12;Psalm106:23;Num.26:46,49.]

Holy people are public mercies, public blessings: Job 22:30, "He shalldeliver the islandof the innocent:and it isdeliveredbythepurenessofyourhands:"or,assomereadthewords,"theinnocentshalldelivertheisland;"thatis,theinhabitantsoftheisland.[Godwillsometimesdelivera whole country for the sake of the innocent, etc.] The innocent shalldeliverthosewhoarenotinnocent;hadtherebeenbutteninnocent—buttenrighteouspeopleinSodom,Sodommighthavebeenagloriouscitytothisday;hadtherebeenbuttenrighteoussoulsamongthem,Godwouldneverhaverainedhelloutofheavenuponthem;Gen.18:32totheend.Theguiltlessshalldeliver theguilty inan island; theguiltless,by liftingup pure hands to God in prayer, shall stay the hand of God, that itdestroysnottheguilty.

Itistheholyseedthatupholdsthecivilstate.SosaysGod,"itistheholyseedthatbearsupthewholestate,andwere itnot forthem,desolationand destruction would come in as a flood upon you." Proverbs 10:25,"Therighteous isaneverlasting foundation."TheHebrewsense is thus,"Therighteousarethefoundationoftheworld,whichwouldsoonshatterand fall to ruin but for their sakes." The whole world fares the bettereverydayfortherighteous'sake.Ifitwerenotforthisholyseed,thechaffof thisworldwould soonbe set on fire. If the final number of theholyseedwere but called and converted,Godwould quickly turn thewholeworld into flames and ashes! It is thosewho bear up the pillars of theearth:Psalm75:3,"Ibearupthepillarsoftheearth."HolypeoplearethetrueAtlasesbothofchurchandstate;theyarethepillarsonwhomalldorest,thepropsonwhomalldolean;dobutoverturnthesepillars,andallwill fall about your ears, as the house did about the Philistines whenSamson shook it. Let but kingdoms and commonwealths wreck these,andtheyshallquicklybeshipwreckedthemselves.

Thereisnotasinnerintheworldbutenjoyshisestate,hisrelations,hisoutward accommodations, yes, his very life—upon the account of thesaints;andthereforetheymustneedsbebewitched,orfools,ormadmen—whoare still a-lifting anda-thrusting at these verypillarswhich bear

themup.Look!asSamson'sstrengthdidlieinhislocks,sothestrengthandsafetyofthenationlies intheholyseed:theyarethebulwarksandammunitionofthenation;thesafetyandfelicityofthewholeisboundupin them. It is not armies, nor navies, nor walled cities, nor fortifiedcastles, nor golden mines, nor solemn counsels which will secure anation,ifoncethepeopleofGod'sholinessbecastbyasbrokenpitchers.Itistheirpietyandprayerswhichkeepsoffsweepingjudgmentsfromanation,andthatbringsdownvarietyofmerciesuponanation.[Lam.4:1-2,andEstherchapters4and10compared.]

Holypeoplearethecloudswhichwatertheearthasacommonblessing;andtheyaretherisingsunwhichscattersallcloudsanddarkness.Aholymanisapublicdiffusiveblessingintheplacewherehelives.Look!asonesinnerdestroysmuchgood,Eccles.9:18,soonesaintmaysavealand,acountry!Jer.5:1,"RunupanddowneverystreetinJerusalem,"saystheLord. "Look high and low; search throughout the city! If you can findeven one person who is just and honest, I will not destroy the city."ThoughJerusalemwasfarlargerandmorepopulous,IsaynotonlythanSodom—butthanalltheothercitieswhichsinnedandperishedwith it—yetGodmakessolargeandnobleanoffer,thatiftherecouldbefoundinit but one man divinely qualified—but a man of justice, a man offaithfulness,amanofuprightness,amanofholiness—theLordwouldnotdestroyit,norruinit.GodoncemadeanoffertoAbraham,thatiftherewerebuttenrighteoussoulsinSodom,hewouldsaveit;butherehefallssolowastomakeanoffer,thatiftherecouldbebutonerighteoussoulfound in Jerusalem, he would not destroy it. [If among the rabble, ifamongthenoble, ifamongtherich, ifamongthe learned—amancouldhave been found who loved holiness, who was stout for righteousness,andwhopracticeduprightness—GodwouldhavesparedJerusalem.]Onesaint may save a city, yes, a world of sinners, from confusion anddestruction.

Luther, while he lived, by faith and prayer, kept off troubles fromGermany—butsoonafterhewasgonetohisgraveinpeace,oh,thewars,themiseriesandmischiefs,thedistractionsandconfusionsthatcameinlikeaflooduponthem!Possidonius,inhislifeofAugustine,tellsusthatthefamouscityofHippocouldneverbecapturedwhileAugustinelived.

ThefloodcouldnotdrowntheoldworlduntilholyMethuselahwaslaidup inpeace.O sirs! as ever youwouldbeapublic blessing, labor to beholy.But,

9.Ninthly,Considertheantiquityofholiness.Holinessisofthegreatest, highest, andmost ancient antiquity. The first suit thateverwasputuponthebackofman'snature,washoliness.Sinisofalateredition than holiness; holinesswas—when sinwas not,Deut. 32:7, etc."Letusmakeman,"saysGod,"inourownimage."Sinisagainstnature,itis a defect in nature, it came in by a lie, and, by-the-bye, through thesubtlety of the father of lies, Gen. 1:26. God stamped his image ofholinessuponmanbeforeeverSatanassayedtotempthim.Holinessisofthemostancienthouse,ofthegreatestantiquity,John8:44.Sinisbutanupstart, holiness is the firstborn; theway of holiness is the oldestway:Jer.6:16,"Lookfortheold,godlyway,andwalkinit.Travelitspath,andyouwillfindrestforyoursouls."ThewayofholinesswasthatoldwayinwhichAdamat first, and inwhich all theholy patriarchs andprophetswalked.[Pathsofeternity,thepathsofpiety;thepathsofpurityarepathsofeternity,etc.]Inthissenseitismostcertainthattheoldestwayisthebestway;thewayofsanctityisofgreatestantiquity.

LetPapistsandcarnalsuperstitiousProtestantscryuptheirsuperstitiouswaysaswaysofgreatestantiquity—yetwhentheyhavesaidalltheycan,there is no antiquity, compared to that of holiness. The way of will-worship was not the first way of worshiping God in the world. Manycarnalmencryout that theyare for thegoodoldway, theycarenot forthisnewway,theycarenotforthisnewreligion,astheycallit;theysaythatwehaveneverhadgooddayssincetherehasbeensomuchpraying,andsomuchpreaching,andsomuchfasting,andsomuchprinting,andso much ado about close walking with God. It is most certain, that acarnal religion is best pleasing to a carnal heart; and this youmay seeevidently among theTurks,whose religion givesmuch carnal liberty tothe professors of it; and whose religion promises them a paradise ofsensualpleasures in theeternalworld.Andthesame isveryobservableamongthePapists,andallthecarnalProtestantsintheworld,whocryupthat forthebestreligion,andforthetruereligion,andforthegoodoldreligion—whichismostsuitabletotheircarnalreason,andmostpleasing

andindulgingtotheirlusts.

SocratesprescribedformentoworshipGodaccordingtothemannerofthecountrywheretheylived;andwhatwasthisbuttogratifythelustofmen,bysubjectingtheruleofGod'sworshiptothelawsandcustomsofmen?Butfromthebeginningitwasnotso.HolyNoah,holyEnoch,andthe rest of the holy patriarchs, prophets, and apostles, walked only inways of piety and purity. Holy Abraham, holy Isaac, and holy Jacob,neverwalkedinthosewayswhicharenowbyloose, formal,carnal,andsuperstitious people cried up for the good old way—but in ways ofholinessandrighteousness.

IhavereadoftheCretians,thatwhentheycursedtheirenemies,theydidnotwishtheirhousesonfire,noraswordat theirhearts—butthattheymightbedelightedandgivenuptoanevilcustom.Itisoneofthegreatestand bitterest curses and woes to be delighted and given up to evilcustoms; and the older the custom is of evil, the worse it is! Ah, howmanyarefallenunderthesecursesinthesedays,whereinmultitudesareaddicted and givenup to carnal and superstitious customs, and chooserather to follow an evil custom, though it be ever so absurd, irregular,vain,andsuperstitious—thantowalkinawayofpeaceandholiness!

Well, sirs, shall theantiquityofholinessprovokeyou tobeholy?Manywilldomuchforantiquitysake;andwhy,then,shouldnotyoudomuchfor holiness sake? Holiness is God's firstborn; it is as ancient as theancient of days. The way of holiness is gray-headed, and of ancientestinstitution;allotherwaysarebutofyesterday;theyarebutnewwaystothewayofholiness.Ohthatthismightalarmyoutolookafterholiness!TheGibeonitescheatedJoshuawith theiroldworn-outshoes, andwiththeiroldsacks,andoldboots,andoldgarments,Josh.9:4-5;andsodoesRomethisdaycheatanddeludemultitudesofpoor,blind,ignorantsouls,withtheiroldcustoms,andwiththeiroldceremonies,andoldtraditions,andold inventions,underapretenseof thegoodoldway,andthegoodoldreligion.Butcertainlythewayofholiness,thewayofpurity,isofthegreatestantiquity,andtherefore,ohembrace it!oh,walk in it!Look!asthe stamp of antiquity upon some things is a disparagement and adishonor to them—as an old garment that is past wearing, and an oldhousethatispastrepairing,andanoldshipthatispastrigging—justso,

thestampofantiquityuponotherthingsisapraiseandanhonortothem—asoldgold,oldfriends,oldmanuscripts,oldmonuments,oldscars,andold holiness. The stamp of antiquity upon holiness is the praise andhonorofholiness.Look!asitisanhonortoamantobedescendedofanancienthouse—just so, it is anhonor to aman to be allied toholiness;becausesanctityisofgreatestantiquity;andtherefore,aboveallgettings,getholiness.But,

10. Tenthly, Consider, that of all things, holiness will renderyoumostbeautifulandamiable.Asholiness is thebeauty ofGod,andthebeautyofangels—soitisthebeautyandgloryofaChristianalso.[Exod.15:11.PlatocalledGodthehornofplenty,andtheoceanofbeauty,withouttheleastspotofinjustice.Godisbeautyitself,theveryessentialideaandpurefountainofallbeauties.]HolinessisaChristian'sgreatesthonor and ornament. Psalm 93:5, "Holiness is the beauty of Yourhouse"—that is, your church—"O Lord, forever." There is no garmentwhich suits the church, which befits the church, like the garment ofholiness. It is sanctity, which is the church's excellency and glory; it ispurity,whichis thechurch'sornamentandbeauty.Holiness isabeautywhichbeautifies the church; it is the gracefulness and loveliness of thechurch.Holinessissobeautifulathing—thatitputsabeautyonallthingselse.Asholinessisthegreatestornamentofthechurchtriumphant,soitisthegreatestornamentofthechurchmilitant,Eph.5:26-27.

Therednessoftherose,thewhitenessofthelily,andall thebeautiesofthenaturaluniverse,arebutdeformities,comparedtothatbeautywhichholinessputsuponus.Ifallnaturalandartificialbeautywerecontractedintoonebeauty—yetitwouldbebutanobscureandanunlovelybeauty,comparedtothatbeautywhichholinessputsuponus!

Psalm29:2,"GiveuntotheLordtheglorydueuntohisname;worshiptheLordinthebeautyofholiness."Psalm96:9,"OworshiptheLordinthebeautyofholiness."Psalm110:3,"Yourpeopleshallbewillinginthedayofyourpower,inthebeautyofholiness."YouseebeautyandholinessisbyGodhimself, still linked together;and thatwhichGodhassocloselyjoinedtogether—nomanmayputasunder.Thescripture last citeddoesnot only speak out holiness to be a beautiful thing—but it speaks outmanybeautiestobeinholiness.ThoseChristianswhoaredeckedinthe

beauties of holiness, they shall be very beautiful and shining throughholiness.

Holinesscastssuchabeautyuponmanasmakeshimveryamiableanddesirable. The holiness of parents renders them very amiable anddesirable in the eyes of their children; and the holiness of childrenrenders them very amiable and desirable in the eyes of their parents,Isaiah22:21.Whenthatincomparablelady,Cornelia,presentedhersonsto the commonwealth, she said, "These are my jewels; these are myornaments." Holy children are their parents' crown, their parents'ornaments; no glistening gold, no sparkling diamonds, no shining orglitteringapparel—renderschildrensoamiableandlovely intheeyesoftheir parents as holiness does. [Xenophon never prayed that his sonGryllusmightlivelong—butthathemightbeagoodman.]

Theholinessofthehusbandrendershimveryamiableintheeyesofthewife;andtheholinessofthewiferendersherverydesirableintheeyesofherhusband.Theholinessof themasterrendershimvery lovely in theeyesofhisservants;andtheholinessof theservantsrendersthemverylovely in the eyes of their masters, etc. Jewel's holiness, Bradford'sholiness, andBucer's holiness, rendered them very amiable and lovely,notonlyintheeyesoftheirfriends—butalsointheeyesoftheirenemies.There is nothing in this world that will render all sorts and ranks ofpeoplesogloriousandfamousintheeyesofoneanother,asholinesswilldo.Wereallranksandordersofmenmoreholy,theywouldcertainlybemorelovelyintheeyesofoneanother.Ohthatallmenwouldceasefrombeinginjuriousonetoanother,andlabortobemoreholy!andthen,Iamsure,theywouldbemorelovelyinoneanother'seyes.

Holiness is lovely, yes—loveliness itself. Purity is aChristian'ssplendorand glory. There is no beauty compared to that of sanctity; nothingbeautifies and bespangles aman like holiness.Holiness is so attractiveandsolovelyathing,thatitdrawsalleyesandheartstoanadmirationofit. Holiness is so great a beauty, that it puts a beauty upon all otherexcellenciesinaman.Thatholinessisaverybeautifulthing,andthatitmakesall thosebeautifulwhohave it, isa truth thatnodevilcandeny!Therefore,Osirs,aseveryouwouldbeattractiveandlovely—labortobeholy.

ThenaturalbeautyofSarah,Rebekah,Rachel,Joseph,andAbsalom,wasnobeauty,comparedtothatbeauty,luster,andglorywhichholinessputsupon a man. "Demetrius," says Plutarch, "was so lovely of face andcountenance,thatnopainterwasabletodrawhim."Holinessputssorareabeautyuponman, thatnopainter underheaven is able todrawhim.Scipio Africanus was so lovely a person, that the barbarians in Spainstoodamazedathisloveliness.Holinessputssuchaloveliness,andsuchanamiablenessuponaperson—thatmanyadmireit,andstandamazedatit.Osirs,aseveryouwouldbeamiableanddesirable—beholy!Aseveryouwouldbeattractiveandlovely—beholy!Aseveryouwouldbefamousand glorious—beholy!As ever youwould outshine the sun in splendorand glory, labor to be holy. Many have ventured their names, theirestates, their liberties, their lives,yes, theirvery souls, toenjoya lovelyBathsheba, an attractive Helena, a beautiful Diana, a lovely Cleopatra,etc., whose beauties have been but clay, well-colored. Oh, how muchmore, then, should you be provoked to labor and venture your all forholiness, which will imprint upon you that most excellent and mostexquisitebeauty—whichwill go to thegraveand toglorywithyou; yes,whichwillrenderyounotonlyamiableandexcellentintheeyesofmen—butalsolovelyandlovelyintheeyesofGod!

I rememberBernard,writing toanoblemaidenwhowasholy, tellsher"that others were clothed with purple and silk—but their conscienceswerepoorandbeggarly;theyglisteredwiththeir jewels—butwere loosein their manners. But you," says he, "are but poorly clad—but withinshine exceeding beautiful, not to human—but to divine eyes!" Psalm45:13-14. Both in the eyes of God, angels, and men—none shine andglistensogloriouslyas thosewhoareholy,Ezek. 16:1, 12.Unholy soulsarefoulsouls,uglysouls,deformedsouls,witheredsouls,wrinkledsouls;they are altogether unlovely souls. I have read of Acco, an oldwoman,whoseeingherdeformity ina looking-glass,becamecrazy.ShouldGodbut show unholy men their deformity in the looking-glass of theScripture, itwould eithermake them spiritually crazy—or else itwouldmakethemfall in lovewithholiness, thatso theymightbemade lovelyandattractivebybeingmadepureandholy.But,

11. Eleventhly, Consider this to provoke you to be holy—that

holinessisthemostgainfulandthemostthrivingtradeintheworld. Now, when all worldly trading is declining—Oh that everyonewould settle to the trade of holiness! Oh, there is no gain, there is noadvantage, compared to the gain that comes in upon the account ofgodliness! 1 Tim. 6:6, "But godliness with contentment is great gain."Thoughgodlinessitselfbegreatgain—yetgodlinessbringsinagreatdealofgainbesidesitself.[Godlinessisthegreatestriches,thebesttreasure,thehighesthonor,andthemostlastingfame.]Thegodlymanisstillonthegainingside—hispietybringshiminthegreatestplenty:chapter4:8,"Godlinessisprofitabletoallthings."Amanisaswellabletocountthestars of heaven, and to number the hairs of his head—as he is able tocounttheseveralcommodities,ortonumberupthevarietyofblessings,or multitude of mercies—which come flying in upon the wings ofgodliness.

Godlinesshasthepromiseofbothlives,thatis,bothofearthlyfavorsandof eternal blessings also. It is profitable, not for some things—but foreverything;bothtemporal,spiritual,andeternalblessingsdogrowuponthis tree of life—holiness. There is no trade, compared to the trade ofgodliness: Proverbs 22:4, "By humility and the fear of the Lord—areriches,andhonor,andlife."Godlinesshasthepromiseofgold—aswellasof grace;ofhonor—aswell asofheaven;of life andhappinesshere—aswellasofgloryandblessednesshereafter.Thegoodthingsofthislife,aswell as the great things of eternal life, follow hard at heels of holiness.Holiness isnot abarrenbuta fruitfulwomb; it is like that tree inRev.22:2, which bore twelve kinds of fruits, and that yielded fruit everymonth.

What is of greater value among men than riches? and what is moregloriousamongmenthanhonor?andwhat ismore sweetamongmenthanlife?Why,all these fruits,and ten thousandmore,growupon thetreeofholiness.Thebagofriches,therobeofhonorandlife—thatis,thecomfortandsweetofboth—hangsalluponthebackofholiness.ButthatImay themore effectually win upon you, and provoke you to look afterholiness,letmebyaninductionofparticularsfurtherconfirmthetruthofthis last consideration,especiallyconsidering that there isno argumentunderheaventhatissotakingwithallmenasthisofgain.Moneyisthe

baitthatallbiteat;itisthegreatgodoftheworld.Andthereforethus,

(1.)First,ConsiderthatholinessbringsinPRESENTgain;andwhatgainisbetterthanpresentgain?Therearemanywholayoutmuch,andventurefar,andrunthehazardofall—andyetitisalongtimebefore they see returns.Oh—butholiness, thatbrings inpresentprofit!Romans6:22,"Butnowbeingmadefreefromsin,andbecomeservantstoGod,youhaveyour fruituntoholiness,andtheendeverlasting life."Theapostledoesnotsay,youmayhaveyourfruituntoholiness—butyouhaveyourfruituntoholiness.Hedoesnotsay,youshallhaveyourfruituntoholiness—butyouhaveyourfruituntoholiness.Hedoesnotsay,ohthat you had your fruit unto holiness—but you have your fruit untoholiness.

Justso,Psalm19:11,"Inkeepingthemthereisgreatreward."Notonlyforkeeping but also in keeping of his commands there is great reward.Holiness is itsownreward.WhileaChristianis intheveryexerciseofholiness, oh what blessed sights, what sweet tastes, what gloriousincomingsfromheaven,hashe!Ohthesecretvisits,thesecretwhispers,thesecretjoggings,thesecretlove-tokenswhichChristiansmeetwith,intheverypracticeofholiness!

Holiness brings in present comfort and joy: 2 Cor. 1:12, "Ourconscience testifies thatwehave conductedourselves in theworld, andespeciallyinourrelationswithyou,intheholinessandsinceritythatarefrom God." [Seneca, a heathen, has confessed, that the best receipt todrive away sadness—was to live well.] There is no mirth, no joy,compared to thatwhichholinessbrings in.Let aman's loadbe ever soheavy—yet holiness will bring in that joy that will make him bear upbravelyandcheerfullyunderit.

Holiness brings in present peace; hence it is that you read of "thepeaceablefruitsofrighteousness,"Heb.12:10-11.

HolinesswillbringinpresentcommunionwithGod:1John1:7,"Butifwewalkinthelight,asheisinthelight,wehavefellowshiponewithanother:" that is, God and ourselves have fellowship together, as it is

verse3.Now towalk in the light ashe is in the light—what is it but towalkinholiness,towalkinpathsofsanctity?foronlyinsuchpathstheLordwalks.Andthereforeasyoulovepresentgain,laborafterholiness.But,

(2.) Secondly,Asholinessbrings inpresent gain—soholinessbringsintheBESTandGREATESTgain.AndthisIshallevidencethus:

[1.] First, Holiness will make a man rich in the midst ofpoverty.James2:5:Rev.2:9,"Iknowyourpoverty—butyouarerich;"though the church of Smyrna was poor in goods—yet she was rich ingrace, shewas rich in faith,and rich inhope,and rich inpatience,andrich in contentment, etc. She was rich in Christ her head, and rich inpromises,andrichinexperiences.Shehadspiritualrichesinpossession,and glorious riches in reversion. Just so, in 2 Cor. 6:10, "As poor—yetmakingmanyrich;ashavingnothing—andyetpossessingall things."Aholymancannotbeapoorman.Aholyman isalways therichestman.Butthisisariddletheworldcannotunderstand.TherichesofaChristianhavenobottom.Allasaint'sbagsarebottomlessbags.Experiencetellsusthatunholymen's bags, purses, coffers, andmints—maybedrawndry;butthetreasury,therichesofasaint—canneverbeexhausted,forhestillpossessesallthingsinChristandwithChrist.1Cor.3:22-23,"Everythingbelongstoyou,andyoubelongtoChrist!"Thoughhehasnothinginhand—yethehasallthingsinhope;thoughhehasnothinginthecistern—yethehasallthingsinthefountain.

Gen.33:9,Esaucouldsay,"Ihavemuch;"anditwasmuchthatanEsaushouldsayhehadmuch;butsaysholyJacob,verse11,"Ihaveall."Esauhadmuch—butJacobhadall,becausehehadtheGodofall:hehadhimwhowasallinall.IthasbeensaidofthegreatDukeofGuise,thatthoughhewaspoorastohispresentpossessions—yethewastherichestmaninFrance in bills, bonds, and obligations, because he had engaged all thenoblemen inFrance tohimself, by favoring of them.Aholyman is therichestmanintheworldinpromisesandobligations,forhehasthegreatand gloriousGod engaged bymany thousand promises to own him, tobless him, to stand by him, to give grace and glory to him, and towithhold nothing fromhim thatmay be good for him, Psalm84:10-11.

Whenwickedmenbragoftheirlordshipsandmanors,andboastoftheirgreatpossessions,andglory in their thousandsa year, aholymanmaymakehisboastofGod,andsay,"Godismine!Godismine!heismygreatall;heismyallinall;andthereforeIamricherandagreaterpossessorthananywickedmanintheworld,yes,thanallwickedmenintheworldputtogether!"But,

[2.]Secondly,Byholinessyouwillgainagoodreport,agoodreputation. Heb. 11:39, "And these all having obtained a good reportthrough faith, received not the promise."Nothing raises aman's nameand fame in the world—like holiness. The seven deacons which thechurchchosewereholymen,Acts6:5;andtheyweremenofgoodreport,verse3;theyweremenwellwitnessedunto,welltestifiedof,astheGreekwordimports.Corneliuswasaholyman,Acts10:1-4;andhewasamanofgoodreportamongallthenationoftheJews,verse22.Ananiaswasaholyman,Acts9:10,20;andhewasamanofagoodreport.Acts22:12,GaiusandDemetriuswere both holymen, and theyweremen of goodreport;witness that third epistle of John. Thepatriarchsand prophetswereholymen,andtheyweremenofagoodreport:Heb.11:1-2,"Forbyittheeldersobtainedagoodreport;"theirholinessdideternalizethem.Theapostleswereholymen,1Thes.2:10;andtheyweremenofagoodreport,2Cor.6:8.Nowcertainly it isnoneof the leastofmercies tobewellreputedandreportedof.

Next to a good conscience, a good report is the noblest blessing. Goodfaredoesnotmorerejoiceandstrengthentheoutwardman,the ignoblepartofman, thanagoodreportdoesrejoiceandstrengthenthe inwardman—thenoblepartofman:Proverbs15:30, "Agoodreportmakes thebonesfat."Yes,andImayadd,itmakestheheartfattoo.It isnosmallpleasure to aman to know that others are pleasedwith him. Beautifulobjects do not more delight the eyes—than a good report delights theears.Osirs,aseveryouwouldobtainagoodreport,youmustlaborafterholiness. Youmay obtain a great report without holiness—but you cannever obtain a good report without holiness. There is no such way toperpetuateyournames—astolaborafterholiness.Holinesswillembalmyour names, it will make them immortal: Psalm 112:6, "The righteousshallbeineverlastingremembrance."

Proverbs10:7, "Thememoryof the just isblessed—but thenameof thewickedshallrot."Wickedmenmanytimesoutlivetheirnames—butthenames of justmen outlive them.When a holyman dies, he leaves hisname as a sweet and as a lasting scent behind him; his fame shall livewhenheisdead.[HolyAbelhasbeendeadabovethisfivethousandyears—andyethisnameisasfreshandfragrantasarosetothisveryday,Heb.11:4.] According to the Hebrew, the words may be read thus, "Thememoryofthejustshallbeforablessing."Theveryrememberingofthejust shall bring a blessing upon those who remember them.While thejust, the holy man lived—he was a blessing to those among whom helived;andwhenheisdead—hismemoryisablessingtoposterity.Butthenameofthewickedshallrot.Whileawickedmanlives,helayshisnameunder disdain and disgrace, and when he dies, he leaves it under anodious stench.Wickedness corrupts not only the heart—but the name.Andlook,aswickednessmakesaman'ssoulstinkinthenostrilsofGod,sowickednessmakesaman'snamestinkinthenostrilsofmen.Look!asawickedman'sbody,whenheisdead,stinksunderground,sohisnamestinksaboveground.Hisverynamecastsforthsostinkingastench,thatall the perfumes in the world, and all the spicery of hell, can neversweetenit.

Well, oncemore remember that these words, "the name of the wickedshallrot,"areametaphoricalspeechtakenfromatree,which,thoughfora time itgrowsgreenand flourishes—yetat length itgrowsrotten—justso,thoughwickedmenmayflourishandbegreenandgloriousforatime—yet at last they shall rot, theirnames shall rot on earth, theirbodiesshallrotinthegrave,andtheirsoulsshallrotinhell!

But thememoryof the just shallbeblessed.Next toaholyman's soul,thereisnothingsonearanddeartohimashisname;andthisGodwillsoperfumeasthatthefragrancyofitshalllastforever.Thenameofaholyman shall be always as an ointment poured forth; but the name of awickedman shall be always as a stench. O sirs, what a deal of stir domanymenmaketogetaname—togetanametobewise,anametobeknowing,anametobelearned,anametobeskillful,anametoberich,anametobegreat,anametobemighty,andanametobevaliant,etc.,asNimrod,Cain,Absalom,Alexander,Pompey,Adrian,etc.Andwhy then

should you not labor after holiness, that so youmay get a good name,which is rather to be chosen than riches, Proverbs 22:1, and which isbetter than precious ointment? Eccles. 7:1. O sirs, shall many Romansand others run the hazard of damning their souls to immortalize theirnames,andwillnotyoulaborafterholinesstoeternalizeyours?Thereisnowaytoagoodname,toagoodreport—butbygettingofholiness.

[3.]Thirdly,Byholinessyouwillgainahiding-place,ashelter,a refuge in stormy and tempestuous times. Proverbs 11:6, "Therighteousnessoftheuprightdeliversthem,buttheunfaithfularetrappedbyevil desires."Let aholyman's enemies,dangers, snares,hazards,beeversomany—yethisrighteousnessshallshelterhimagainstall, Isaiah3:10,and26:20-21.Inthemidstoftrouble,holinesswillkeepamanfromtrouble; and in the midst of dangers, holiness will keep a man fromdangers, Isaiah 43:2-4; John 14:1.Holiness is themost sovereignantidoteintheworldagainstallthetroublesofthislife.Noah's'sanctitywasNoah'ssafetyinthemidstofadeluge.Lot'spietywasLot'ssecurity in the day of Sodom's ruin and misery. The three Hebrewchildren'sinnocencywasawalloffireabouttheminthemidstofthefieryfurnace:[Theywalkedupanddowninthefieryfurnace,asamanwalksup and down in a pleasant garden.]David's integrity was a shield andbuckleragainstSaul'srageandcruelty.

Justso,inProverbs13:6,"Righteousnesskeepshimwhoisuprightintheway: but wickedness overthrows the sinner." There is no guard, noprotection against troubles and dangers, compared to that ofrighteousness. Righteousness and holiness is the most powerful army,andthestrongesttowerofdefenseagainstallhazardsandenemies.TheHebrew word that is here rendered keeps, signifies to keep with thegreatestcare,diligence,andvigilancethatcanbe;itsignifiestopreserveandkeep,asamanwouldpreserveandkeepthepupilofhiseye,whichisthechiefandthetenderestpieceofthetenderestpart,Deut.32:14.Anditsignifies tokeep,asamanwouldkeepammunitionandprovision fromfire,or fromtreacheroushands,whenapowerfulandenragedenemyisdrawingnear,Nah.2:1. "Why," sayshe, "lookhowcareful anddiligent,etc.,menaretokeepandpreservethosethingswhicharemostnearanddearuntothem,andwhicharemosthighlyprizedandvaluedbythem."

Justso,willrighteousnessandholinesspreserveandkeeptherighteousmanintimesoftroubleanddanger.

Just so, inEzek. 14:14,20, "even if these threemen--Noah,Daniel andJob--were in it, theycould saveonly themselvesby theirrighteousness,declares the Sovereign Lord. As surely as I live, declares the SovereignLord,evenifNoah,DanielandJobwereinit,theycouldsaveneithersonnordaughter.Theywouldsaveonly themselvesby theirrighteousness."[Saintsmay prevailwithGod for themselves,when they cannot prevailwithhimforothers.]Thesethree,Noah,Daniel,andJob,wereveryholymen, theyhadgreat interest inGod,andwereveryprevalentwithGod.But the decree being gone forth, they could not prevail with God forothers;yet their righteousnessshouldbe theirownpreservation,safety,andsecurity,indaysofcalamityandmisery.

Justso,inIsaiah33:15-16,"Hewhowalksrighteouslyandspeakswhatisright,whorejectsgainfromextortionandkeepshishandfromacceptingbribes, who stops his ears against plots of murder and shuts his eyesagainstcontemplatingevil—thisisthemanwhowilldwellontheheights,whose refugewill be themountain fortress.His breadwill be supplied,and water will not fail him" Let us dive a little into this admirablepromise:"Heshalldwellontheheights."Iftheholymanwereamonghisenemies, hemight be in danger—but he shall dwell on the heights, onmanyheights, andmany ascents, he shall be out of harm'sway, outofgunshot,heshallbeabovethereachofdanger.Oh!buthisenemiesmayraiseupmounts,andsogetashighasheis.Well,grantthat—butyettheyshallnothurthim;forheisinaplaceofrefuge.Oh!butthoughhebeinaplaceofrefuge—yethisrefugeisnotsostrongbutitmaybebrokendownanddestroyed.No,notso, forhisplaceofrefugeshallbe themountainfortress;manyrocks,andmanymunitionsofrocks,shallbetheplaceofhisdefense;andthereforehisdefenseisimpregnableandinvincible.Oh!but though his defense be the mountain fortress—yet he may befamished,hemaybestarvedout,forrocksarebarrenplaces,andthereisno ploughing and sowing upon rocks. No, he shall not be starved norfamishedoutofhisstrongplaceofrefuge;forbreadshallbegivenhim,Godwillspreadatableforhim.Oh!butthoughhehasbread—yethemayperishforlackofwater;forhehasnofaith,skill,norpowertofetchwater

outof a rock:Moseshadnot, andhehasnot, and thereforehemaybeforcedtodeliveruphisplaceofrefugeforwatertoquenchhisthirst,asking Lysimachus and others have done. No, not so, for he shall havewatertoo.Oh!buthiswatermaybespent,hiswaterwillnotalwayslast,hiswell,aswellasHagar'sbottle,maybedry,hispipesmaybecutoff,orthewaterthatnowsupplieshimmaybeturnedanotherway.No,notso,forhiswaterwillnotfailhim.Ohthesafetyandsecurityofholymen!

Plutarch,inthelifeofAlexander,tellsus,thatwhenhecametobesiegethe Sogdians, a people who dwelt upon a mountain fortress for theirdefense—theyjeeredhim,andaskedhimwhetherhissoldiershadwingsornot;for,saidthey,exceptyoursoldierscanflyintheair,wefearyounot. Such is the safety of God's holy ones, that they need not to fear.Therearenoladderslongenoughtoscaletheirplaceofdefense,nornoartilleryorenginestrongenoughtobatterdowntheirmountainfortress.

Thereisafablehowthedovemoanedtoherfellow-birdsofthetyrannyofthehawk;onecounselshertokeepbelow;butsaysanother,thehawkcanstoopforhisprey;anotheradvisedhertosoaraloft;butsaysanother,thehawkcanmountashighasshe;anotherwishedhertoshroudherselfinthewoods,fortheresheshouldbesecure;butsaysanother,alas!thereisthe hawk's dominion; another bids her to stay in the town; but saysanother, that is to become a prey toman; but at last one bids her restherselfintheholesoftherock,andtheresheshouldcertainlybesafe,forviolenceitselfcouldnotsurpriseherthere,andthereshewassafe.

Dove-like saints have their mountain fortress to fly to, and there theyshallbesafe.Osirs!thereisnobreastplatetothatofrighteousness,thereis no armor, nomountain fortress, to that of holiness.Noah's holinesswasanarktosavehim,whenNimrod'sTowerofBabel,whichwasraisedfive thousand one hundred forty-six paces high, could not secure him.And therefore as you tender your own safety and security in times oftroubleandcalamity—oh,labortobeholy!

[4.]Fourthly,Byholinessyouwillgaindeliverancefromdeathin death. Proverbs 11:4, "Riches profit not in the day of wrath; butrighteousness delivers from death;" and chapter 10:2, "Treasures ofwickednessprofitnothing—butrighteousnessdeliversfromdeath."Many

treasuriesofthemostpreciousjewelsthatareintheworldcannotwardoffablow,adisease,asicknessinthedayofGod'swrath.Acrownofgoldcannotcureaheadache.Agoldensceptercannotcurethepalsiedhand.Anecklaceofpearlcannotcure theachingteeth.Ahonorable title cannotease the gout. A purple robe cannot chase away the burning fever. Avelvetslippercannotheal thebruisedheel.Norcantreasuresofgoldorsilver deliver from wrath, or help in a day of death. Oh—butrighteousness,thatdeliversfromdeath.

Look!whatthesword,theshield,thehelmet,thebreastplate,thecoatofarmor,istothesoldierintheheatofbattle,that,allthat,andmorethanthat, is righteousness to the righteous in the day of death. [Nugas theScythian king despised the rich presents and ornaments thatwere sentuntohimbytheEmperorofConstantinople,becausetheycouldnotwardoffsorrow,sickness,diseases,death.]Righteousness,orholinessofheart,of action, of life—delivers fromspiritual death, and frometernal death,yes, itdelivers fromtheevil, thehurt, thehorror, the terror, thedread,andthestingoftemporaldeath.Pietydeliversnotonlyfromtheseconddeath—butalsofromall theevilsandmiseriesof the firstdeath too.Astherighteousnessoftherighteouswillbearoyalprotectiontohim,bothagainst the day of wrath, and the wrath of the day—just so, therighteousness of the righteous will be a royal protection to him, bothagainstdeath,andagainstall theevilsofdeath.Righteousnessunstingsdeath, it takes away the venom, the poison and bitterness of death; itturnsthatcurseintoablessing,thatpunishmentintoabenefit,thatnightofdarkness intoadayof light, thatwilderness intoaparadise, thathellintoaheaven!

Proverbs 12:28, "In the way of righteousness is life, and in the paththereofthere isnodeath.""Inthewayofrighteousness is lives"—sotheHebrewhasit.Inthewayofrighteousnesstherearemanylives: inthatway there isspiritual life, andeternal life, andnatural life, and all thecomforts, and sweets, andblessings, andhappinessof that life,withoutwhichman'slifewouldbebutalingering,alanguishingdeath;yes,ahellrather than a heaven unto him. "And in the path thereof there is nodeath."Thereisnospiritualdeath,thereisnoeternaldeath,yes,thereisnocorporal,notemporaldeathtohurtorharmthem,tostingorterrify

them,todamageordisadvantagethem.

Fordeathisanoutletandaninlettoaholyman.Itisaneternaloutlettoallsins,toallsorrow,toallshame,toallsufferings,toallafflictions,toalltemptations, to all oppressions, to all confusions, and to all vexations.Anditisaneternalinletintotheclear,full,andconstantfruitionofGodand Christ; and an inlet to the sweetest pleasures, the purest joys, thehighest delights, the strongest comforts, and the most satisfyingcontentments.Deathisthefuneralofallaholyman'ssinsandmiseries--and the perfection of all his joys, his graces, and spiritual excellencies.Death isnot thedeathof theman--but thedeath of his sin!Death is aChristian'sdischargefromalltroubleandmisery!Deathtoaholymanisnothingbutthechangingofhisgraceintoglory,hisfaithintovision,hishopeintofruition,andhisloveintoeternalrapture.

ThePersianshadacertainday intheyear inwhichtheyused tokillallserpentsandvenomouscreatures:suchadayasthatwillthedayofdeathbe to a holy man. Sin was the midwife which brought death into theworld, and death shall be the bearer which shall carry sin out of theworld. When Samson died, the Philistines died together with him: sowhenaholymandies,hissinsdiewithhim.Deathcameinbysin,andsingoesoutbydeath.Asthewormkillstheplantwhichbredit—justso,deathkillssinwhichbredit.Deathcuresalldiseases,theachingheadandtheunbelievingheart:thediseasedbodyandthedefiledsoul.

AtStratfordBowwereburnedinQueenMary'sdays,a lamemanandablindman;afterthelamemanwaschained,castingawayhiscrutch,hebade theblindmanbeofgoodcomfort; for, sayshe,deathwill cureusboth;itwillcureyouofyourblindnessandmeofmylameness.Deathwillcure the holyman of all natural and spiritual distempers.Death is theholyman's jubilee, it ishisgreatestadvantage, itputshimintoabetterestatethaneverhehadbefore.ItisGod'sgentleman-ushertoconductustoheaven;itwillblowthebudofgraceintotheflowerofglory.Oh,whowould not go through hell to heaven! who would not go through atemporary death to an eternal life! who would not willingly marchthroughmortality to immortality and glory! [Death is but an entranceinto life. Miserable unbelievers call it death—but to faithful believers,whatisitbutaPassover—butajubilee?—Bernard.]

O sirs! holiness will make you look upon death as a welcome guest, ahappyfriend,ajoyfulmessenger.Itwillmakeyoukissitandembraceit,asFavinustheItalianmartyrkissedandembracedhisexecutioner:itwillmakeyoudesireit,andlongafteritwithtears,asholyBradforddid.Byallthisyouseethatholinesswilldeliveryoufromdeathindeath."Whenthe perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and themortalwith immortality, then the saying that iswrittenwill come true—Deathhasbeenswallowedupinvictory!"1Corinthians15:54.

[5.] Fifthly and lastly, By holiness you shall gain the greatestboldnessinthedayofjudgment.Job19:25.Nothingwillemboldenaman in that greatday likeholiness;holinesswill thenmake the face toshineindeed.1John4:17,"Hereinisourlovemadeperfect,thatwemayhaveboldnessinthedayofjudgment;becauseasheis,soareweinthisworld." That which will make Christ's last appearance delightful toChristians,willbetheirlikenesstoChristinholiness.Inbothnatureandgrace, likenessbegetsthegreatestboldness.Asthereisnochildsoboldwiththefather—ashewhoismostlikethefather;sothereisnoChristiansoboldwithChrist—ashewhoismostlikeChrist.AholyChristismostfamiliarwithaholyChristian;andaholyChristian ismostboldwithaholyChrist.ThemoreaChristian is likeChrist inholinessofheartandlife—themore divinely bold and familiar will thatman be with Christ,both in thisworldand in thegreatdayofaccount.WhenhewhowasabratofSatan's ismadea saint;whenhewhowas likehell ismade likeheaven;whenhewhowasmostuglyandunlovelyismadelikehimwhoisthe holy of holies; this is that which gives boldness both here andhereafter!Osirs,itisnotwitnorwealth—butholiness;itisnotracenorplace—but holiness; it is not power nor policy—but holiness; it is nothonornorriches—butholiness;itisnotnaturalexcellenciesnoracquiredabilities—but holiness, which will give boldness in the day of Christ'sappearing!

1Pet.1:5-7,"Awell-triedfaith,"whichisbutabranchofholiness,"shallbe found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of JesusChrist." At the coming of Christ, holiness shall be a man's praise andhonorandglory.Inthatgreatdaywhenshameandeverlastingcontemptshall be poured forth upon the greatmonarchs of theworld,who have

made the earth to tremble, "when the kings of the earth, and thegreatmen,andtherichmen,andthechiefcaptains,andthemightymen,etc.,shallcryout to themountainsandrocks to falluponthem,andtohidethemfromthefaceofhimwhositsonthethrone,andfromthewrathoftheLamb,"Rev. 6:15-17—then, I say, "then shall the righteous shine asthesunintheskies!"Dan.12:1-3.

In lifeanddeath,and in thedayofaccount,a righteousmanwillbeasboldasalion,Proverbs28:1.Realholinesswillmakeamandeath-proof,andhell-proof,andjudgment-proof.Thedayofjudgmentwillbetoaholymanamarriage-day,adayofredemption,adayofcoronation,adayofexultation—andthereforehemaywellliftuphisheadandrejoice.Look!as theIsraeliteswhohad thebloodof thePassover lambon theirdoor-posts, though thedestroyerwasabroad,andadreadfulcrywasalloverEgypt—yettheywerenotslain,notstricken,Exod.12:7,11;theydidnotfearnortremble—butdressedfortravel,andwalkingsticksintheirhands—boldlyandcheerfullyexpectingwhenthehappyandjoyfulhouroftheirredemptionwould come,Heb. 9:14. Just so, thosewho have the door-posts of their hearts and consciences sprinkled with holiness, in thisdreadfuldayoftheLord,theyshallwithboldnessandcheerfulnessliftuptheirfaces,becausethedayoftheirredemptionhascome.AndthismadeLuthersaythathe"hadrathernevertohavebeenborn,thannottobeinhopeofthisday."ThisdaytoGod'sholyoneswillbelikemusicintheear,andajubileeintheheart.

It is true, theungodlyshallnot stand in judgment,Psalm 1:5; 2Thes.2:7-10. Stand they must to be arraigned, sentenced, and condemned.Standtheyshall—butnotwithanyboldnessorcheerfulness,comfortorcontentment. Stand they shall—but not to be approved, acquitted, orabsolved. Chaff and stubble cannot stand before that God, who is aconsumingfire,Heb.12:29.WhenBelshazzarsawthehandwritinguponthewall,oh,howhisfaceturnedpalewithfear.Suchterrorgrippedhimthat his knees knocked together and his legs gave way beneath him!Daniel5:5-6.Oh,howdomanyungodlymennowtrembleatathunder-crackintheclouds,andataflashoflightningintheair!buthowwilltheytrembleandquakewhenthewholeframeofheavenandearthshallbreakin pieces, and be set in a flame about their ears! Oh, what trouble of

mind,whathorrorand terrorof conscience,whatweepingandwailing,what crying and roaring,whatwringing of hands,what tearing of hair,andwhatgnashingofteeth—willtherebeamongtheungodlyinthisday,when they shall see their sins charged on them on the one side, anddivine justice terrifying them on the other side! when they shall lookupward, and there see an angry God frowning upon them, and lookdownward, and there see hell gaping ready to receive them, and lookinward,andtherefindconscienceaccusingandgnawingofthem!whenthey shall look on their right hands, and there behold the good angelsstandingwithsomanyflamingswordstokeepthemoutofheaven,andlookontheirlefthands,andtherebeholdthedevilandhisdemonsreadytodragthemdowntothelowesthell!Oh,nowhowwilltheywishfortherockstofalluponthem,andthemountainstocoverthem!Howwilltheywishthattheyhadneverbeenborn,orthattheymightnowbeunborn!Howwill theynowwish that their immortal soulsweremortal; or thattheymightbeturnedintobeasts,birds,stones,trees,orair--oranythingrather thanwhat theyare!Alas!whatheart isable toconceive,orwhattongueisabletoexpress—thefearanddread,thehorrorandterror, theastonishmentandamazement,whichwillfalluponallungodlypeopleinthisday!

And yet even nowGod's holy ones shall lift up their heads and hearts:they shall be bold and steadfast, they shall be far from fear, shame, ortrembling. "For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receivesalvationthroughourLordJesusChrist."1Thessalonians5:9.

Andthusyouseethatgodliness,thatholiness—isthemostgainfultrade.And therefore, sirs, asyou lovegain,asyoudesireyourownprofit andadvantage,labortobeholy.But,

12.Twelfthly,Considerthis—thatholinesswillputthegreatestsplendor and majesty upon people that can possibly be putuponthem.Job29:8-11;Proverbs12:26.Thereisnothingthatimprintssuch a reverence and majesty upon man as holiness does. There isnothing that is suchagrace toman—asgrace. It isholinesswhichputsthegreatestexcellencyandmajestyuponman.

Psalm16:3,"Buttothesaintswhoareintheearth,andtotheexcellent,in

whomisallmydelight."Saintsarethemostexcellentones.TheHebrewwordwhichishererenderedexcellent,signifiesthemagnificentones,orthenoble,glorious,orwonderfulones.Saintsorholypeoplearethemostexcellent,magnificent,noble,andgloriousones!Daniel8:24"Themightymen and the holy people." The holy people are called mighty, becausetherearenopeopleupontheearthwhohavemightandmajestystampeduponthemastheyhave.

Cant.6:10,"Whoisshewholooksforthasthemorning,fairasthemoon,clearasthesun—andterribleasanarmywithbanners." [Someby themoon understand inherent righteousness, and by the sun theyunderstandimputedrighteousness.]Thelight,grace,glory,andholinessof the church rises by degrees: and this makes her terrible to all herenemies.Everydegreeofholinessisterribletotheunholy;butthehigherthe church rises in holiness, themore terrible andmajestical it grows.Holinessputssuchasplendorandgracefulmajestyuponallpeoplewhohaveit,asevendazzlestheeyessometimesofwickedmen,andbegetsinthemanaweandreverence;as it isevident inSaul:1Sam.24:17,"AndSaul said toDavid, You aremore righteous than I." Just so, Herod: inMark6:20,itissaidthathe"fearedJohn,knowingthathewasajustmanand holy, and observed him."Holiness is verymajestical. The greatestmonarchsfalldownbeforeit.HerodreverencesJohn,notforhisbirthorbreeding—but for his holiness; not for his arts or parts—but for hisholiness;notforhisscholarshiporgreatness—butforhisholiness.

Just so, thatgreatmonarchkingJoash felldownbefore theholinessofJehoiadawhilehelived,2Kings11:1-2,etc.Andsodidtheholinessofthethree Hebrew children command respect and honor from that greatmonarchNebuchadnezzar.AndsodidtheholinessofDanielcausekingDariustoreverencehim,andtocastafavorableaspectuponhim,Dan3.AndsodidtheholinessthatwaswrittenuponJudasthehighpriestcauseAlexandertheemperortoreverencehim,andtofalldownbeforehim.Inholinessthereissuchasparklingluster,thatnonecanbeholditbutmustadmireit,andbowbeforethegracefulmajestyofit.Itisnotgreatnessbutgrace, it is not riches but righteousness, it is not outward pomp orsplendor—butholiness,thatcanoverawethevainspiritsofmen.Aholylife is the upbraiding of thatwhich is corrupt:Wisdom2:15, 12, "He is

grievousuntous,eventobeholdhim;forhislifeisnotlikeothermen's,hisways are of another fashion, he upbraids uswith our offending thelaw."

Grace will make a man majestical among those who have no grace.Bradford was esteemed in so great reverence and admiration for hisholiness, that a multitude that never knew him but by fame, greatlylamentedhisdeath,yes,andanumberofPapistsalsowishedheartilyhislife. Holy men have a daunting presence and majesty with them, asAthanasius had, and Basil had; for when Valens the emperor came tosurprisehim,hebeinginholyexercises,suchasplendorandmajestywasuponhim,thatitstrucksuchaterrorintotheemperorthathereeled,andwouldhavefallenbackward,hadhenotbeenupheldbythosewhowerewith him. Henry the Second, king of France, being present at themartyrdomofacertaintailor,whowasburntbyhimforhisreligion,andso terrified by the boldness of his countenance, and by his holy andgraciousbehavior inhissufferings, thathesworeathisgoingawaythathewouldnevermorebepresentatsuchasight.

Itisveryobservable,thatthemoralvirtuesoftheheathendidputagreatdealofsplendorandmajestyuponthem—toinstanceonlyinCato.Catowasamanofmuchjusticeandintegrity;hewasamanofanunspottedlifeandofhighreputationamongtheRomans.Nowhismoralityputsucha splendor andmajesty upon him, that when he was present, the veryworstoftheworstdarednotinspeechorgesturediscoveranyimpietyorimmodesty, any wantonness or wickedness. Now certainly ifmoralityputssuchasplendorandmajestyuponmen,truesanctitywillputmuchmoreuponthem.Andtherefore,sirs,aseveryouwouldhaveasplendorandmajestyuponyou,labortobeholy.Maximiliantheemperorhadsucha presence and majesty with him, that a stranger who never saw himbefore, pointedhimout among thirty great people.O sirs, it is not thegraybeard,northepurplerobe,northegrimlook—whichmakesamansomuchamanofpresenceandmajesty—asholinessdoes.Thereforeasyouwouldindeedbemenofpresence,menofmajesty,labortobeholy.But,

13.Thirteenthly,Considerthatthetimesandseasonswhereinwelivecallaloudforholiness.Manysaythetimesarebad,verybad,

extremelybad!Butoh,letmetellyouthatyourheartsandlivesarebad,verybad,extremelybad.Anditisyourheartsandliveswhichhavemadethe times so bad, so very bad, so extremely bad. It is in vain to talk ofbettertimes,orwishforbettertimes—untilyoumendyourlives,andgetbetterhearts.Thetimeswouldquicklymend,ifeverymanwouldbut ingood earnest labor tomend himself. If your hearts and lives were butmore holy, the times would quickly bemore happy. You say you shallnever have peace and prosperity until all be brought to uniformity inreligion; but I say you shall never have any lasting peace, felicity, orprosperityuntilyoucometobeholy.

2Kings9:22,"Anditcametopass,whenJoramsawJehu,thathesaid,Isitpeace,Jehu?Andheanswered,Whatpeace,solongasthewhoredomsof your mother Jezebel and her witchcrafts are so many?" Theinterrogation carries with it a strong negation, "What peace?" that is,there isnopeace tosuchawickedwretchasyouare:youmaywishforpeace,anddreamofpeace,and long forpeace,and look forpeace, andpursueafterpeace—andyetyou shallbe faroff frompeace.What Jehusaid to Joram, I may say to all unholy people. What peace and whatprosperitycanyouexpectwhileyourdrunkenness,anduncleanness,andworldliness,andlukewarmness,anddead-heartedness,andwantonness,andwickednessremains?Whatgooddays,whathappyyearcanyoulookfor,whileyourformality,andindifference,andhypocrisy,andinfidelity—bearwitnessagainstyou?

Justso,whenIsraelwasverysuperstitiousandvaininherworship,then"therewasnopeacetohimwhowentout,nortohimwhocamein—butgreatvexationswereuponalltheinhabitantsofthecountries.Andnationwasdestroyed"(orbeateninpieces)"ofnation,andcityofcity;forGoddid vex them with all adversity," 2 Chron. 15:5-6. [Verse 3 doubtlessrelates to Jeroboam's and the ten tribes' first revolt from the house ofDavid,andfromthehouseofGod,andfromallhisordinances;andthiswasaverywickedandunholy time,as is evident in several scriptures.]When men are unholy—God will vex them; he will vex them withadversity,hewillvexthemwithalladversity.Whennationsareungodly—Godwilldestroythem;hewillbeattheminpieces,hewillbeattheminpiecesoneagainstanother.Whenthereisnoholinessinhimwhocomes

in, nor in himwho goes out—then there shall be no peace to himwhogoes in, or tohimwhogoesout.Whenall is said that canbe said, andwhenallisdonethatcanbedone,wickedmenwillstillbeasunquietastheragingandfoamingsea,Isaiah57:20-21.

Godwillonedayoranotherbestillatwarwiththatmanwhoisatpeacewithhissin.Itissaidofthelocuststhatcameoutofthebottomlesspit,inRev.9:7-9,that"Ontheirheadstheyworesomethinglikecrownsofgold,andtheirfacesresembledhumanfaces.Theirhairwaslikewomen'shair,and their teeth were like lions' teeth. They had breastplates likebreastplatesofiron,andthesoundoftheirwingswaslikethethunderingof many horses and chariots rushing into battle." etc. Here are quasihorses,quasicrownsofgold,quasifacesofmen,quasihairofawoman,andquasiteethoflions,etc.Nowjustsuchthingsareallthecomfortsandcontentments of unholy people: their gold and silver—is but as it weregold and silver; and their prosperity and plenty—is but as it wereprosperityandplenty;theirpeaceandtranquility—isbutasitwerepeaceand tranquility; and their victories and triumphs—are but as it werevictoriesandtriumphs;andtheir joysandrejoicings—arebutas itwerejoysandrejoicings.

Butmark,when theholy evangelist comes to setdownadescriptionofthelocusts'tails,hedoesnotsaythattherewereasitwerestingsintheirtails—butinplain,positive,downrighttermshetellsyouthat"therewerestings in their tails;" verse 10, he tells you that their stings were truestings,realstings,certainstings.Andsowhilemenremainunholy,therearesureandcertainstingsinthetailsofalltheircomforts,contentments,andenjoyments.Thebestwayonearthtohaveasure,asound,asolid,alasting peace with God, with ourselves, and with others, is to put onholinessasarobeuponus,Job29:14,andtoputalliniquityfarfromus,Job11:13,20.

Osirs,theworserthetimesare,thebettershouldeverymanlabortobe.Manycomplainofburdens, taxes,oppressions,andvexations; and theysay with those, that "judgment is turned backward, and that justicestands afar off, and that truth is fallen in the street, and that equitycannot enter, and that hewhodeparts fromevilmakeshimself a prey;thatwewait for light—butbeholdobscurity; forbrightness—butbehold

darkness;thatwegropeforthewallliketheblind,thatwegropeasifwehad no eyes, that we stumble at noonday, that we roar like bears, andmourn like doves; that we look for justice—but there is none; and forsalvation—butitisfarofffromus,"Isaiah59:9-11,14-15.

These and a thousandmore such complaintsmay be found among us.Thisscripturelastcited,putsmeinmindofastrange—butyetofaverytrue saying, namely, that there ismore justice and equity in hell, thanthereis inFrance:forinhelltheoppressorisoppressed;inhellhewhowouldnotgiveacrumbofbread,shallnothaveadropofwater.Inhellsuch as shed innocent blood, have blood to drink; in hell there are nobribes;inhellthereisnonetopleadanunrighteouscause;inhellthereisnorespectofpeople;inhelleverymanhasaccordingtohisdeserts:butin France it is otherwise, etc. And do not the strong cries, tears, sighs,groans,andcomplaintsofthepoorandneedy,ofhirelings,orphans,andwidows, etc., in most nations strongly demonstrate that there is morejusticeandequityinhell,thanthereisinmostofthenationsoftheearth?

Butnow,whatisthechoicestsalveforallthesesores?Certainlyholiness.What is themostsovereignremedyagainstall thesemaladies?Nothingbut holiness. O sirs, themore holiness rises in a nation, themore willrighteousness rundownasmighty streams, and themore thehearts ofthepoorandneedywillleapandsingforjoy.Thereisnowaytomakeanationhappy—butbymakingofitholy.Osirsasyouaremen,asyouareEnglishmen, as you love your country, as you honor your king andcountry, and as you desire the peace, prosperity, and felicity of yourcountry—labortobeholy!OEngland,England,itisholiness,whichwillbeawalloffireaboutyou,andagloryinthemidstofyou:itisholiness,whichwillmakeyouhappyathome,andprosperousabroad.AmongallEnglishmen,thereisnomancomparedtotheholyman.Certainlythatmanwho ismostbusyaboutmendinghisownheartand life,contributesmosttothemendingofthetimes.

Therearemanyactiveyoungmenwhowill talkstiffly for their country,and that say that they will stand stoutly for their country—and yet bytheir daily ungodliness they undo their country. Thesemen destroy bytheir liveswhat they seem to buildwith their hands. And therefore, aseveryouwouldhaveallthingswhichareoutoforderinorder,laborfora

well-ordered heart, and a well-ordered life. Holiness of life is the bestmeansunderheaventopreventconfusionanddesolation.

Again, if you will look upon the present times as times wherein thejudgments of God are abroad in theworld—I say, if youwill thus lookuponthem,then,Isay,thetimescallalouduponyouforholiness.Isaiah26:9,"Whenyour judgmentsareabroad intheearth, the inhabitantsoftheworldwill learnrighteousness."Osirs!whengarmentsarerolled inblood,when the sworddevours the flesh of the slain,when justice laysheap upon heap, when pestilence and famine destroys all on the righthandandonthe left,oh theneveryonewill say, "Come, letusbreakoffoursins, letus turn to theLord, letusmendourways,andreformourlives,andgetholinessintoourhearts!"

We behold many sorer, heavier, and worse judgments than these areuponusthisday,ifwehadbuteyestobeholdthem.Oh,thathardnessofheart,thatbarrennessofsoul,thatblindnessofmind,thatsearednessofconscience, that perverseness of spirit, that superstitious will-worship,andthatloosenessoflife—whichmultitudesaregivenuptothisday!Oh,thoseGod-dishonoring,thoseChrist-denying,thoseordinance-despising,thoseconscience-wasting,thoselife-corrupting,andthosesoul-damningopinions, principles, blasphemies, and practices—which multitudes aregivenuptothisday!Oh,thespiritualdecays,thespiritualwitherings,thespiritualslumberings,thespiritualfaintings,thespiritual languishings—whicharetobefoundamongaprofessingpeoplethisday![Psalm78and81:12.ThatwhichwasaccustomedtobesaidofAfrica,thatitwasevera-producingsomenewmonsterorother,maybesaidoftheage,yes,ofthelandwhereinwelive,2Thes.1:8-9;Amos8:11-12.]

Nowcertainly,therearenojudgmentscomparedtospiritual judgments;nonereachthesoul likethese,noneseparatebetweenGodandthesoullike these, none lay men open to temporal and eternal judgments likethese. Spiritual judgments are themost insensible judgments, they arethe most dreadful judgments, they are the most incurable judgments,they are the most damning judgments of all judgments. Spiritualjudgmentshavemostofwrath,andmostofhorror,andmostofhell inthem.Ohthatnowtheseterriblejudgmentsareabroadintheearth,youwouldlearnrighteousness,thatyouwouldlearntobeholy!Forasthere

isnosuchsenseagainst temporal judgmentsasholiness, so there is nosuch sense against spiritual judgments as holiness. Oh, the spiritualstrokes, the spiritual arrows, the spiritual diseases, the spiritualsicknesses,thespiritualplagues—whichareabroadintheworld!Andoh,thatthedreadandsenseofthesemightprovokeyouandprevailwithyouto laborafterrealholiness, to laborafterthepowerofgodliness—whichwillbeyourgreatestsecurityagainst thesemostdeadlyand soul-killingmaladies!

Again,thedaysandtimeswhereinwelivecallaloudforholiness.Ifyoulook upon them as days and times of grace, what greater and higherengagementstoholinesswereeverputuponapeople,thanthosewhichGodhasputuponus,whoenjoysomanyways,means,andhelpstomakeusholy?Oh,thepains,thecare,thecost,thecharge—whichGodhasbeenat,andwhichGodisdailyat—tomakeusholy![Jer.7:13,25;25:3-4;and35:14-15; Isaiah 49:4-5; 2 Cor. 12:14-15; Romans 13:11-14.]Has he notsent,anddoeshenotstillsendhismessengers,risingupearly,andgoingtobed late—andall toprovokeyou tobeholy?Havenotmanyof themspenttheirtime,andspenttheirstrength,andspenttheirspirits,andspituptheirlungs,andspenttheirverylives—tomakeyouholy?

Osirs!whatdoholyordinancescallfor—butholyheartsandholylives?Whatdodaysoflightcallfor—butwalkinginthelight,andcastingoffthedeedsofdarkness?Whatisthevoiceofallthemeansofgrace—butthis,"Oh,labortobegracious!"AndwhatisthevoiceoftheHolySpirit—butthis, "Oh, labor tobeholy!"Andwhat is thevoiceofall themiraclesofmercywhichGodhaswroughtinthemidstofyou—butthis,"Beholy,beholy!"

Osirs,whatcouldtheLordhavedone,whichhehasnotdone—tomakeyouholy?Hashenotliftedyouuptoheaveninrespectofholyhelps?Hashe not to this very day followed you close with holy offers, and holyentreaties,andholycounsels,andholyencouragements—andalltomakeyouholy?Andwillyoube lustfulstill,andproudstill,andworldlystill,andmalicious still, and envious still, and contentious still, and unholystill?Oh,whatisthis—buttoprovoketheLordtoputoutallthelightsofheaven, to drive your godly teachers into corners, to remove yourcandlesticks,andtosendhiseverlastinggospeltoapeoplewhowillmore

highly prize it, and dearly love it, and stoutly defend it, andconscientiously practice it—than you have done to this very day? Rev.2:4-5;Isaiah32:25.

Bywhathasbeensaid,Isupposethereisnothingmoreevidentthanthatthetimesandseasonswhereinwelivecallsalouduponeveryonetolookafterholiness,andtolaborforholiness;nevercomplainofthetimes—butceasetodoevil,andlabortodowell,andallwillbewell.Getbutbetterheartsandbetterlives,andyouwillquicklyseebettertimes,Isaiah1:16-19.

14.Fourteenthly,Consider thatholinesswill renderyoumostlike a holy God, a holy Christ, and to holy angels. GOD isfrequently called theHoly One in Scripture; he is called theHoly OneabovethirtytimesintheOldTestament.Angelsareholy,andsaintsareholy—but it is God alone that is theHoly One. [Gold being the mostpreciousmetal,youlayitoverthosethingsthataremostprecioustoyou—just so, does God lay holiness over all those things which are mostprecious tohim.]Hisperson isholy, Isaiah6:3;hisname isholy,Luke1:49; hisworks are holy, Psalm 45:17; his judgments are holy, Psalm22:1-3;hishabitationisholy,Isaiah57:15;histempleisholy,1Cor.3:17;hiskingdom is holy, Rev. 21:27; hisword is holy, Psalm 19:7; and hisSabbathsare holy, Exod. 16:23. Now this is God's own argument, "Beholy—forIamholy,"Lev.19:2;1Pet.1:15-16.ConcerningtheholinessofGod,Ishallspeakatlarge,bydivineassistance,whenIcometopressyouupon perfecting of holiness; and therefore let this touch suffice for thepresent. Sirs, you cannot be like toGod inmanyother things—but youmay be like to God in this one thing, in this noble thing, in thismostnecessarything—holiness;andthereforelaborafterit.

Again,asholinesswillrenderyoumost likeaholyGod,soholinesswillrender you most like a holy CHRIST. The apostle calls him "the HolyOne," 1 John2:20.Christ isessentiallyholy,he is infinitelyholy, he isoriginallyholy,heissingularlyholy,heiseminentlyholy,heisperfectlyholy,heistranscendentlyholy,andheisimmutablyholy.Andsomuchthedevilhimselfconfesses,inMark1:24,"Iknowyouwhoyouare—theHolyOneofGod,"orratherastheGreekhasit,thatHolyOne,bywayofexcellencyandeminency—alluding, as some think, toExod.28:36.Yes,

Christ takes delight to characterize himself by this title: in Rev. 3:7,"These things says hewho is holy;" and inDan. 9:25, he is called "themostholy;"oras theHebrewhas it, "theholinessofholinesses."Theseabstractsspeakoutthevigorandstrength,theeminencyandexcellencyofChrist'sholiness.Christisholinessitself,yes,holinesses;andwhatdotheseabstractsspeakout—butthatperfectandcompleteholinesswhichis inChrist?The angels, in Isaiah6:3, do three times iterate or repeat,"holy, holy, holy." Now though some do conceive that this threefoldrepetition has reference to all the three persons of the Trinity—holyFather,holySon,andholySpirit—yetthosewhowillbutcomparethetextwithJohn12:37-41,shallplainlyseethatitrelatesonlytoourLordJesusChrist; and so the threefold repetition denotes only the superlativeeminencyofChrist'sholiness.

Christ is holy in his natures, in his offices, in his purposes, in hiscounsels,inhisword,andinhisworks.Hisconceptionwasholy,hislifewasholy,hisconversewasholy,etc.,Acts4:23;Luke1:35;Eph.4;Gal.2:20. Holiness is the image of Christ, it is the picture of Christ, theperfection of Christ, it makes a man conformable to the life of Christ.Christ's holiness is that noble copy afterwhichwe should allendeavortowrite.Subjectsmaywithouttreasonoroffenceattempttobeliketheirprince—inwisdom,goodness,righteousness,holiness,peace,piety, mercy, and sanctity; though they cannot without rebellion anddisobedienceendeavortobelikehiminpower,greatness,might,majesty,splendor,andglory.Justso—wemaysafelyandhonorablyattempttobeliketoJesusChristinwisdom,righteousness,andholiness,etc.;thoughwemaynotattempttobelikehiminhismiracles,signs,andwonders.[ItisChrist'sparticularhonortobeimitatedinallmoralsabsolutely.]

Osirs!somehavecountedittheirgreatesthonorandgloryinthisworld,thattheyhavebeenlikesuchandsuch,whohavebeenhighandgloriousintheworld;andwhy,then,shouldnotyoureckonityourgreatestgloryandhappinesstobeliketoChristinholiness,thoughnotinmeasureorquantity—yet in truthand reality?As youwould resembleChrist to thelife—labortobeholy.InotherthingsyoucannotbeliketoChrist—butinholinessyoumay.YoucannotbeliketoChristinhisgreatness,majesty,orglory,noryetinhisomnipotency,omnisciency,noromnipresence,nor

yetinhisgeneralorspecialprovidence,norinathousandotherthings—but youmay be like to Christ in his holiness. Look! as face answers toface,asSolomonspeaks,soyoumayreachtothatholinessthatinrealitymaycorrespondtotheveryholinessofChrist;andthisisyouronlywaytobeliketoChrist.

Again,asholinesswillrenderyoumostliketoaholyChrist,soholinesswillrenderyoumostliketotheblessedANGELS.Theblessedangelsareholy in theirnature, andholy in theiroffices, andholy in theiractings.[Allangels, in respectof theirnature, arealike;butwhat theparticulardifferences are between angels, archangels, principalities, and powers,andwhattheirdistinctofficesare,Iconfess,withAustin,"Iunderstandnot,neitherisitmydutytoknow,normydangertobeignorantofthesethings."]Theyarecalledholyangels:Mat.25:31,"WhentheSonofmanshallcomeinhisglory,andallhisholyangelswithhim;"andsoinRev.14:9-10,"Andhewhoworshipsthebeast,orthatreceiveshismarkinhisforehead,orinhishand,heshallbetormentedwithfireandbrimstoneinthepresenceof theholy angels, and in thepresenceof theLamb."Theangels'holiness is their conformity to theoriginalpatternofpurityandexcellency. The crown of holiness was set upon the heads of angels attheir creation.Thoseprinces of glorywere crownedwithholiness, as itwere,inthecradle.Theangelsareholyintheirpraises,andholyintheirwaitings,andholyintheiroperations,andholyinalltheirministrations.

WhenthatsorcererBalaamwenttocursethepeopleofGod,aholyangelstoodintheway,drewhissworduponhim,andjostledhisbonesagainstthe wall, and all to prevent the execution of his wicked and cursedintentions,Num.22:22.Oh,howmuchmore,then,dotheystandintheway of the saints, to prevent thoseweaknesses andmiscarriageswhichSatan and their own corruptions would otherwise carry them to! Anddoubtless as they have a hand to restrain the saints from evil, so theyhaveaneyeandaninfluenceuponthemforgood:1Tim.5:21,"IchargeyoubeforeGod,andourLordJesusChrist,andtheelectangels,"etc.Theholy angels have their eyes and their influences upon us; they are ourobserversandoverseers; theyarecalledwatchers inDan.4:17, for theywatchourwords, and theywatchourworks, and theywatchourways;theywatchusbeforeduties,andtheywatchusinduties,andtheywatch

usafterduties.Theywatchusbeforeduties,toseehowweprepareandfitourselvestomeetwithGod;andtheywatchusinduties,toseehowourgraces are acted upon God, and how our hearts and affections arerunningoutafterGod;andtheywatchusafterduties,toseewhetherwewalk worthy of God, and worthy of our duties, and worthy of ourprofession,andworthyofourhighcalling.[1Cor.11:10;Heb.1:14;Rev.22:9.]

Theangelswatchyouinallplaces,cases,andconditions,etc.Intimesofhealth, strength, peace, prosperity, etc., they watch to see how wisely,holily, humbly, fruitfully, cheerfully, and thankfully we will walk withGod. In times of adversity, they watch to see how believingly, howcontentedly, how self-denyingly, and how patiently we will submit toGod,etc.;allwhichspeaksouttheholinessoftheangels.

Osirs,youcannotinthisworldbeliketotheangelsinpower,strength,might,norinagility,activity,splendor,beauty,orglory;butyetyoumaybeliketotheminpurityandsanctity.Sirs,donotdeceiveyourselves.Youshallneverbeliketotheangelsinglory,ifyouwillnotareliketothemnowingrace.Ifyouwillnotwiththemnowputontherobeofholiness,youshallnotwiththemhereafterputonthecrownofhappiness.

Wearetofollowtheexamplesofthebestmen—notaninchfurtherthantheywerefollowersofChrist,1Cor.11:1."Christians,"saysLatimer,"arenot bound to be the saints' apes, they are not to imitate them ineverything."Wheretheirexamplesweregood,itisgoodtoimitatethem,andwhere theywere bad, it is duty to decline them.The fairest copiesthat ever werewritten by saints have their blots, their blurs, and theirerratas;andtherefore it isbest, it issafest, it isnoblest, toset themostexact,themostperfect,andthemostexcellentcopyoftheangelsbeforeus,who, as theyexcel in strength, so they excel inholiness also:Psalm103:20, "Praise the Lord, you angels of his, youmighty creatures whocarry out his plans, listening for each of his commands."The angelsobey divine commands readily, cheerfully, faithfully,universally, reverentially, humbly, affectionately, andunweariedly.Osirs,suchobedience,suchholinesswillbeyourhonorhere,andyourhappinesshereafter.

Togatherupall,aseveryouwouldbe liketoaholyGod,aholyChrist,andtheholyangels—labortobeholy.Inholinessyoumaybelikethem,inotherthingsyoucannotresemblethem.But,

15.Inthefifteenthandlastplace,Toprovokeyoutolaborafterholiness,considerthestingingargumentinthetext,namely—thatwithoutholinessnomanshallseetheLord.Theexpressionisexclusive. Now to "see" is a Hebraism, and implies both vision andfruition. Now without holiness, no man, be he high or low, noble orignoble,richorpoor,etc.,shallevercometoablessedacquaintancewithGodhere,ortoagloriousfruitionofGodhereafter.Ofriends,ifitweresogreat a misery to Adam to be cast out of paradise, and so great apunishment toCain tobecastoutofhis father's family—whichwas theonly visible church of God on earth—and such a sore affliction for thelepersunder the lawtobeshutout fromall conversewithmen,andsogreatatroubleandtormenttoAbsalomtobebanishedhisfather'scourt,andsogreatahelltoJonahtobeseeminglycastoutofGod'ssight,andsogreat a tribulation to John to be confined to the isle of Patmos; [Gen.3:and4:13;Lev.14;2Sam.14:13,14;Jonah2;Rev.1:9.]oh,howgreatamisery, how great a punishment, how great an affliction, how great atroubleandtorment,howgreatatribulation,howgreatahell,will itbeforallunholypeopleforeverandevertobebanishedthecourtofheaven,andtobeshutoutfromthepresenceoftheLord,andfromthegloryofhispower!2Thes.1:7,11.

If it were such an unspeakable grief and misery to the primitiveChristians,asindeeditwas,tobedebarredofoneanother'ssocietyandcompany,bybeingexiledtoislands,orshutupinprisons;oh,then,whatan unspeakable grief and misery will it be to all unholy people to beforeverdebarredoftheblessedsocietyofGod,Christ,angels,andsaints—andtobeeverlastinglyconfinedto theprisonofhell,and to thesocietyand company of that damned crew who will be still a-cursing and a-blasphemingofGod,andaddingtooneanother'storments!

O sirs, it is the sight of God in heaven wherein man's happiness andblessednessdoesconsist;itisthefruitionofGodinheavenwhichisthelife, thehonor, the crown, andgloryof angels and saints.Heaven itselfwouldbebutapoorthing,yes, itwouldbebutagreatnothing,without

the sight and fruition of God there. Now without holiness there is noseeing of God, there is no possessing or enjoying of God, there is nopossibilityofeverobtainingapartorportioninGod.Ah,friends!withoutholinessallislost.Yoursoulislost,yourChristis lost,yourGodis lost,yourcrownislost,yourheavenislost,yourgloryislost;andwhatareallotherlosses,comparedtotheselosses?

Demorrathussaid,"theylostthechiefpartoftheirlives'happiness,whodid not seeAlexander sit on the throne ofDarius." Butwhatwas theirloss, compared to that unconceivable and unexpressible loss which allunholypeoplemustsustain,whoshallneverseetheKingofkingsinhisbeauty,whoshallneverbeholdtheLordonthethroneofhisglory?Well,sirs, if none of these arguments can prevail with you to labor afterholiness,Imustconcludethatdivinejusticehashardenedyou,andthatSatanhasblindedyou, and that your lustshavebesotted you, and thatthis world has bewitched you, and that it had been ten thousandthousandtimesbetterforyouthatyouhadneverbeenborn—thantolivewithout holiness, and to die without holiness, and to be everlastinglydamnedforlackofholiness!

Andthusmuchforthemotivesforholiness.

SixteenCounsels

I come now to lay down some means and helps to holiness.Supposingthatthelanguageofsomeofyoursoulsmaybethis:"Oh,whatshallwedotobeholy!Oh,whatcourse,whatway,whatmeansmustweuse thatwemayobtain thisholiness,withoutwhichwenowclearly seethat we shall never come to a fruition of happiness!" Methinks I hearsomeofyoucryingout,"Oh,nothingbutholiness,nothingbutholiness!"as thatmartyr once cried out, "Oh, none but Christ, none but Christ!"Methinks I hear you crying out, "Oh, give me holiness--or I die!" asSamsononcecriedout,"Givemewater—orIdie;"orasRacheloncecriedout, "Give me children—or I die." Just so, you cry out, "Oh, give usholiness—orwedie!Giveusholiness,orweeternallydie!Oh,whatshallwe do to be holy!We seewe are undonewithout holiness,we shall be

damned without holiness. Oh, that we were but made holy—thathereafterwemaybeassuredlyhappy!"

Well, then, if youare ingoodearnest resolved tobeholy, Iwould thusadviseandcounselyouinthesesixteenparticulars:

First,takeheedofsomethings.Therearesixthingsyoumustavoidandshun.

Secondly,Labortoputinpracticethesetenthings.

I.Thesixthingsthatyouaretoavoidandshun,evenasyouwouldshun poison in your food, or a serpent in yourway, yes, as youwouldshunthedevilhimself,orhellitself,arethese:

1.First,Takeheedofmistakingsomeparticularscriptures,asthatofEzek.14:6;18:30-32,and33:11,14,16,19.Fromtheseandsuchlike scriptures, many unholy hearts are apt to conclude that they canrepentwhentheyplease,andthatthoughtheydodefertheirrepentance—yetitisnosuchdifficultthingtoconfesstheirsinsatthelastmomentof life,and tobesorry for their sinsat the lastmoment, and to forsaketheirsinsatthelastmoment,andtobegthepardonoftheirsinsatatthelastmoment.Andthatiftheydoso,theyimaginethatGodhasgivenhiswordforit,hehasgivenitunderhisownhand—thathewillpardontheirsins,andsave theirsouls.Nowtoprevent these soul-undoingmistakes,youmustknow,Osinner,

[1.]First,Thatyoucanaswellwashablackmanwhiteatpleasure—asyoucanrepentatpleasure!Youcanaswellraisethedeadatpleasure—asyoucanrepentatpleasure!Youcanaswellmakeaworldatpleasure—asyoucanrepentatpleasure!Youcanaswellstopthecourseofthesunatpleasure—asyoucanrepentatpleasure!Youcanaswellputtheseainacockle-shellatpleasure—andmeasuretheearthwitharuleratpleasure—as you can repent at pleasure.Witness the proofs in the margin. [Jer.13:23, and 31:18; Lam. 5:21; Acts 5:31; Eph. 1:17-19; 2 Tim. 2:25; Acts11:18.]

Iconfessthatiftorepentweretohangdowntheheadlikeabulrushfora

day,or towhinewithSaul foranhour,or toputonsackclothandwalksoftly with Ahab for a short space, or to confess with Judas, "I havesinned," or to saywith SimonMagus, "Pray to the Lord forme," or totremblewithFelixforamoment—Isay,ifthisweretorepent,doubtlessyoumightrepentatpleasure;butalas!friends,torepentisanotherthing,torepentisthehardestandmostdifficultworkintheworld;andthatwillappearinthenextparticular.Andtherefore,

[2.]Secondly,Torepentistoturnaheartofflintintoaheartofflesh;itis to turndarkness into light; it is to turnhell intoheaven—and is thiseasy?Torepent is tomakeallclean: insideclean,andoutsideclean.Torepentistomakeacleanheadandacleanheart;acleanlipandacleanlife—and is this easy? [Ezek.36:25,26;Acts26:18;Ezek. 16:61-63, and29:43; 2 Cor. 7:10-11.] True repentance includes a true sense of sin, adeep sorrow for sin, a hearty loathing of sin, and a holy shame andblushingforsin—andisthiseasy?Torepentisforamantoloathehimselfaswellashissin—andis thiseasy forman,who issogreataself-lover,andsogreataself-exalter,andsogreataself-admirer,tobecomeaself-loather?To repent is to cross sinful self, it is towalk contrary to sinfulself,yes, it istorevengeaman'sselfuponhimself—andisthiseasy?Torepentistopluckoutrighteyes,andtocutoffrighthands,andofferuponly Isaacs—and is this easy?True repentance is a daily turning of thesoulfurtherandfurtherfromsin,andadailyturningof thesoulnearerand nearer to God. It is a repentance not to be repented of; it is arepentancefromsin,aswellasarepentanceforsin.SinhascastthesoulatsuchadistancefromGod,thatthoughthesoulbeeverydaya-turningnearerandnearertoGod—yetitcannever,inthislife,getsonearhimasonceitwas,andasinheavenitshallbe.Andnowtellme,Osoul,isthissuchaneasything,tobeeverydaya-turningyourbackuponsin,anda-turningyourfacenearerandnearertoGod?Surelynot!Truerepentanceliesinadailydyingtosin,andinadailylivingtohimwholivesforever.Theverylifeofrepentanceistherepentanceofthelife:andisthiseasy?But,

[3.]Thirdly,Truerepentanceisaturning,notfromsomesin—butfromeverysin.Ezek.18:30,"Repent!Turnaway fromallyouroffenses; thensinwill not be your downfall." Every sin strikes at the law of God, the

honorofGod,thebeingofGod,andthegloryofGod;andthereforethepenitent must strike at all. Every sin fetches blood from the heart ofChrist, and every sin is a grief and vexation to the Holy Spirit; andtherefore the penitentmust set upon crucifying of all. [Ezek. 18:21, 31,and20:43.Hewhohadthespotofleprosyinanyonepartofhisbodywasaccountedaleper,althoughalltherestofhisbodyweresoundandwhole,Lev. 13. Just so, he who has but one spot, one sin which he does notendeavor to wash out in the blood of Christ, and in the tears of truerepentance,heisaleperintheaccountofGod.]

Everysinisanenemytoaman'speace,andtoaman'scomfort,andtoaman'sconfidence,andtoaman'sassurance,andtoaman'scommunionwithGod;andthereforehemustsetuponforsakingofall.Ifeveryouaresaved, O man, you must repent of your Achans—as well as yourAbsaloms. You must repent of your Rimmons—as well as yourMammons.YoumustrepentofyourDavids—aswellasofyourGoliaths.Youmustrepentofyoursecretsins—aswellasyouropensins.Youmustrepent of your loved sins—aswell aswell as of your loathed lusts. Youmust repent of your babe-transgressions—as well as of your giant-likeprovocations. If your repentance is not universal, it will never beeffectual. If a ship springs three leaks, and only two are stopped—thethirdwillcertainlysinktheship.Orifamanhastwomortalwoundsinhisbody, and takesonly the remedy for the cureof one—theotherwillundoubtedlykillhim.Orifamanhastwomortaldiseasesuponhim,andwill onlydealwith thephysician for a remedyagainst theone—hewill,withoutallquestion,perishbytheprevalenceoftheother.

Herod turned frommany sins—but not fromhisDelilah, hisHerodias,whichwashisruin.Judas,youknow,wasadevilinanangel'sdress;heseemedtobeturnedfromeverysin—buthewasasecret thief,he lovedthe bag; and that golden devil, covetousness, choked him, and hangedhimatlast.Saulforatimeturnedfromseveralevils—buthissparingone,Agag,costhimhissoulandhiskingdomatonce.

Ihavereadastoryofadevoutman,whoamongothergiftshadthegiftofhealing,andmanypeopleresortedtohimforcure.Amongtherest,oneChromatius,whobeingsick, sent forhim,and toldhimofhis sickness,anddesiredthathemighthavethebenefitofcure,asothershadbefore

him.Thedevoutmanreplied,"Icannotdoituntilyouhavebeatenalltheidolsinyourhousetopieces.""Oh,thatshallbedone,"saidChromatius."Here,takemykeys,andwhereyoufindanyidols,breaktheminpieces;"whichaccordinglywasdone.Uponthisthedevoutmanwenttoprayer—butnocurewaswrought;whereuponthesickmancriedout,"Oh,Iamassickasever!oh,Iamveryweakandsickstill!""Itcannotbeotherwise,"repliedthedevoutperson,"neithercanIhelpit,forthereisdoubtlessoneidol yet in your house undiscovered, and that must be defaced too.""True,"saysChromatius,"itissoindeed,itisallofbeatengold,itcostafortune. Iwouldgladlyhavesaved it—buthere takemykeysagain,youshall find it fast locked up inmy chest, break it also in pieces;" whichbeingdone,thedevoutmanprayed,andChromatiuswashealed.

Themoralof it isgood—thesin-sicksoulmustbreak,notsome—butallitsidolsinpieces,beforeacurewillfollow.Itmustdefaceitsgoldenidols,itsmost costly idols, itsmost darling idols! The returning sinnermustmakeheadwayagainstallhissins,andtrampleuponallhislusts—orelsehewilldieandbeundoneforever;andthoughthisbeasdifficultasitisnoble—yet it is nomore thanwhat God has engaged to do, and to seedone,asyoumayseebycomparingEzek.36:25-27withIsaiah30:21-22."Then you will defile your idols overlaid with silver and your imagescoveredwithgold;youwillthrowthemawaylikeamenstrualclothandsaytothem—Awaywithyou!"Isaiah30:22

Nowisthisaneasything,toturnfromeverysin,toloatheeverysin,andtoabandoneverysin,withan"Awaywithyou—forwhathaveImoretodo with you!" Surely not! "Ephraim shall say—What have I to do anymorewith idols?"Hosea14:8.AsNehemiahcastoutTobiahandallhishousehold stuff, in Neh. 13:6-8—just so, true repentance, it casts outSatanandall his retinue.AsMoseswouldnot leave somuchas ahoofbehindhim,Exod.10:26—justso,truerepentancewillnotleavesomuchasalustbehind.Adispensatoryconscienceisalwaysanevilconscience;he who can dispense with one sin, will, when opportunity presents,commit any sin. And as the flood made clean work, it swept away allNoah's friends, and drowned all his servants—just so, the flood ofpenitent tears makes clean work, it sweeps away every lust, it drownsevery corruption—in respect of love and dominion. And as conquerors

willnotgivesomuchasoneoftheirenemiesquarter,sotruerepentancewillnotgiveonelustquarter;itfallsheavilyuponthebonesofeverysin,andnothingbutthebloodanddeathofsinwillsatisfythepenitentsoul.

ThetruepenitentisforthemortifyingofeverylustwhichhashadahandincrucifyingofhisdearestSavior.Itwasworthilyandwittilysaidbyone,that"truerepentancestripsusstarknakedofallthegarmentsoftheoldAdam,andleavesnotsomuchastheshirtbehind."Well,sirs,rememberthis, torepentof sin—and yet to live in sin—is a contradiction. "If yourepentwithacontradiction,"saysTertullian,"Godwillpardonyouwithacontradiction.Yourepentandyetcontinueinyoursin,Godwillpardonyou—andyet send you tohell.There is apardonwith a contradiction."Again,

[4.]Fourthly, If repentance be such an easy work as you suppose, Ibeseech you to tellme—why domanymen lie under such horrors andterrors of conscience as they do, for not repenting, when repentancewouldquicklygivethemease,andturntheirhellintoaheaven?Iwaslastwinter with a young man, who upon his dying bed for several hourstogether,being inadreadfulagony, laycryingout,"Iamdamned!Iamdamned! I am damned! I am damned!" Ah, how soonwould this poorwretchhavegottenoutofthishell,ifithadbeensoeasyathingtohaverepented, as you imagine it is! and how many, when they have beenpressed to repent, have professed, that if they might have a thousandworldstorepent,theycouldnotrepent!Andwillyousaythatrepentanceis easy?Howmanyhave sought repentancewith tears, andwouldhavebought repentancewith the price of their dearest blood—but could notobtainit!andwillyousaythatrepentanceiseasy?Osirs,isitgoodtobedamned?Isitgoodtogotohell?Isitgoodtodwellwithadevouringfire,and to live in everlasting burnings? Is it good to have your eternaldwelling place among devils and damned spirits? Is it good to bebanished the court of heaven, and to be separated forever from theglorious presence of God, and the sweet enjoyments of Christ, and theblessedsocietyofangelsandsaints,andthefruitionofallthehappinessthatheavenaffords?Ohno!ohno!Oh,whythendonotmenpreventallthisbyrepentance,ifitbesuchaneasythingtorepent!But,

[5.]Lastly,Ifrepentancebesuchaneasywork,whythendoyourhearts

so rise both against the doctrine of repentance, and against thosewhopreach it and press it?Of allwords, is not theword of repentance thehardestwordtoread?John6:60.Andofallsayingsandsermons,isnotthatofrepentancethe hardest to hear and bear? Luther confesses thatbeforehisconversionhemetnotwithamoredispleasingwordinalltheScripture,norinallhisstudyofdivinity,thanthatwordrepent.Oman!ifrepentancebesoeasy,whydoesyourspiritrage,andwhydoesyourheartso swell and rise against thosewhopreach repentance unto life?Ofallpreachers,therearenonewhosodispleaseandmoveyou,whosocutandgallyou—asthosewhoarestilla-cryingout,"Repent,forthekingdomofheavenisathand!"Mat.3:2.

Repentanceisthevomitofthesoul;andah,howdosinners'heartsriseagainstthatremedy—andthosewhobringit!Youlovethosewhopreachpleasing things, who tickle your ears—though they never touch yourhearts! You love those who please your fancies—though they nevermeddle with your consciences; and you prefer one sermon of mercy—beforeathousandsermonsofrepentance.[Isaiah30:10;Jer.5:30,31;14:14,and23:11totheend.]Nowcertainlyifrepentanceweresoeasytoyou,thedoctrineofrepentancewouldbemorepleasingtoyou.

Foraclose,knowthat thatwhitedevilwhonowpresents repentance toyouastheeasiestthingintheworld,hewillatlast—workyoutodespair,andtocutthethroatofyoursoul—bypresentingrepentancenotonlyasahardanddifficultwork—butasanimpossiblework.Oh,thatthesethingsmaybesoblesseduntoyou,astopreserveyoufrombeingdeceivedanddeludedwithaconceitthatrepentanceiseasy,andsobythismeanskeepyoufromlaboringtobeholy!

Now as to that part of the plea, from the scriptures formerly cited—namely, thatHEREAFTERwillbetimeenough torepent—Ishallthusreply:

1.First,CertainlythepresentcallofGod,theuncertaintyoftheSpirit'smotion,andthedangerofdelay—callsuponyouforpresentrepentance.It is a dangerous thing to deal with God, as ill debtors do by theircreditors; first theyputthemoffoneweek,andthenanotherweek,andthena thirdweek, etc.,until at last theyprovoke their creditors to cast

themintoprison,andtopracticeallseverityuponthem.ThosewhothusdealwithGodshallbeasseverelydealtwithbyGod,asyoumaysee inProverbs1:24-32.

Theancientwarriorswouldnotreceiveanoldmanintotheirarmy;anddo you think, O vain man! that after you have spent your time, andwasted your strength, and exhausted your spirits in the work of Satan,andintheserviceofyourlusts—thatGodwillreceiveyoutohisgraceandfavor? If youdo thus flatter yourself, it is ten thousand toonebut thatyouwilldeceiveyourself!Thoughtruerepentanceisnevertoolate—yet late repentance is seldom true.Ah, how many millions arenow in hell,whohave thought, and resolved, and said that theywouldrepent hereafter—but that hereafter never came! You say "Tomorrow,tomorrowIwillrepent,"whenyouknownotwhatatomorrowwillbringforth. Alas! how many thousand ways may death surprise you beforetomorrowcomes!Thoughthereisbutonewaytocomeintotheworld—yetthereareathousandthousandwaystobesentoutoftheworld.Oh,thediseases, thehazards, thedangers, theaccidents, thedeaths—whichdaily—whichhourlyattendthelifeofman!

AJewishRabbi, pressing thepractice of repentanceupon his disciples,exhortedthemtobesuretorepentthedaybeforetheydied;towhichoneof them replied, that "the day of aman's deathwas very uncertain;! towhichtheRabbinmadeanswer,!Repent,therefore,everyday,andthenyoushallbesuretorepentthedaybeforeyoudie.!Osirs,unlessyoudorepenttoday,youcannottellthatyoushallrepentthedaybeforeyoudie;forwhoknowstoday—butthathemaydietomorrow?

ItwasonceaskedofAugustine,whathewouldsayofawickedmanwhohadlivedlooselyallhislife—butdiedpenitently,etc.Towhomhereplied,"Whatwould you haveme to say?That he is damned? Iwill not, for Ihavenothingtodotojudgehim.ShallIsaythatheissaved?Idarenot,forIwouldnotdeceiveyou.Whatthen?Why,this,"Ifyounowrepent—youaresafe,whateverhasbecomeofhim."

Ah, friends, you arenever safe until you repent; it is repentancewhichputsyououtofalldangerofmiscarryingforever.Shallthefarmertakehispresentseasonsforsowingandreaping?shallthegoodtenantrepairhis

housewhiletheweatherisfair?shallthecarefulpilottakehisadvantageofwindandtide,andsoputouttosea?shallthetravelermendhispacewhen he sees the night comes on? and shall the smith strikewhen theironishot?—andshallnotwetakethepresentopportunityofrepentingandturningtotheLord,rememberingthattherewillbeatimewhentimeshallbenomore;andwhenthereshallbenoplacefoundforrepentance,though it should be sought carefully with tears, Heb. 12:17; andrememberingthattherewillbeatimewhenyourhour-glasswillbeout,andwhenthedoorwillbeshut,andwhentherewillbenoentranceatall,Luke13:24,27;andrememberingthat it isasafercourse,withprudentPrometheus, to foresee a danger and shun it, than, with foolishEpimetheus,togoonunadvisedlyandbepunished?

Ahfriends!itisadangerousthingtomakerepentance,whichshouldbethepracticeofallyourdays,tobethetaskofoldage.Doesnotcommonexperience tellus that the longer theship leaks—theharderitistobeemptied;andthatthelongerthehousegoestodecay—theworseitistorepair;andthatthefurtherthenailisdriven—theharderit will be to get out? And so certainly the longer any man defers hisrepentance,themoredifficult itwillbeforhimtorepent;hisheartwillevery day grow more and more hard, and his will more and moreperverse,andhisjudgmentmoreandmorecorrupted,andhisaffectionsmoreandmoredisordered,andhisconsciencemoreandmorebenumbedor enraged, and hiswhole lifemore andmore defiled and debauched."Letmediethedeathof therighteous,andmaymyendbe like theirs!"Numbers23:10

Friends, do not deceive yourselves, old age is but a sad, a sandy, atottering and sinking foundation for you to build your hopes andhappinessupon—foryoutobuildyoureverlastingcondition,youreternalmakingormarringupon.Arethedog-daysofoldage,arethetremblinghands,thewrinkledface,thefailingeyes,thegaspinglungs,thefaintingheart, the feebleknees, and thebrokendown legs—are thesea sacrificeworthyofamajesticGod?Isabodyfullofsores,aches,anddiseases,andasoul full of sin—an offering befitting amajesticGod? Surely not!Oh,whatmadness,whatwickedness is this—to serveSatan, your lusts, andthisworldwithfulldishes—andtoputoffGodwithscraps!toservethese

intheflower,intheprimeandprimroseofyourdays—andtoputoffGodwiththedregsofoldage!

Certainlyrepentanceisratheraworkforyouththanoldage.Itisaworkrather forstrength thanweakness,and forhealth thansickness.Oh,donotletSatandeceiveyou,donotletyourownheartsdeludeyou—butfallupontheworkofrepentancepresently,knowingthatasyouhaveonedaymoretorepentof,soyouhaveonedaylesstorepentin.Whatapieceofvanityisit—thatwhiletheshipissound,thetacklingsure,thepilotwell,the sailors strong, provisions laid in, and the wind favorable—that themariners and passengers should lie in the harbor—playing cards,drinking, dicing, dancing, and idling! And when the ship is leaky, thepilotsick,themarinersfaint,provisionsspent,andthewindsboisterous—thentohoistupsail,tomakeavoyageintoafarcountry!

Andyetsuch is thevanityofmostmen,who in thedaysof theiryouth,health, and strength, who when their memories are strong, and theirmindsquick,andtheirreasonripe,etc.,dosinaway,andfoolaway,andtrifleawaythedayofgrace,theoffersofmercy,themotionsoftheSpirit,andtheentreatiesofChrist!Andwhenoldagecomes,whentheirwitsarecracked, their souls distracted, their senses stupified, their heartsastonished, their minds darkened, and their bodies diseased anddistempered—oh,thentheythinktoleapintoheaven,witha"Lordhavemercyuponme"intheirmouths!Eventhoughtheyhavelivedlikedevils—yettheyhopetheyshalldielikesaints;andthoughtheynevertooknocareofGod'shonor—yettheyhopethatGodwilltakecareoftheirsouls;butwhenthethreadoftheirlivesiscut,thenextnewsthateveryoushallhearoftheseis—thattheyaregonetohell.

Ihavereadofayoungman,whobeingadmonishedoftheevilofhiswayandcourse,andbeingpressed to leavehiswickedness,andtobreakoffhissinsbyrepentance,upontheconsiderationofjudgment,eternity,anddeath a-coming; he answered, "What do you tellme of these things? Iguaranteeyou, that Iwilldowell enough, forwhendeath comes, Iwillspeakbut threewords—and thatwillhelpall.Andsohewenton inhiswickedness. But one day, on coming to a bridge over deep waters, thehorse stumbled, and he let go the bridle, and gave up himself and hishorsetothewaters;andwasheardtosaythesethreewords,"Deviltake

all!"Herewerethreewordswithawitness!Andohthatallthatthinktorepentatlast,witha"Lordhavemercyuponme,"wouldlaythisinstancetoheart!The lightofyour lifemaybeputoutbeforeyoucanonce say,"Lordbemercifultomeasinner!"

Oh,takeheedofdelayingyourrepentance,forthemoreyoudelayit,themore will your account be increased, your debt augmented, Satanstrengthened, your body enfeebled, your lusts emboldened, your soulendangered, and all the difficulties of conversion more and moremultiplied. By delaying of your repentance you gratify Satan, deceiveyourself,losetheopportunitiesofgrace,anddamnyoursoulforeverandever.Well,rememberthis,ifyouwillnotrepenttoday,Godmayswearinhiswrathtomorrow,thatyoushallnotenterintohisrest!Andthenwoetoyou—thateveryouwereborn!

And thus much for the preventing of these sad mistakes aboutrepentance, which mistakes keep off many a man from looking andlaboringafterthatholinesswithoutwhichthereisnohappiness.

2.Secondly, If ever youwouldbeholy—oh, then takeheedofthewitch—takeheedoftheworld!Theworldoftenswellstheheartwith pride; itmakesmen forget God, neglect Christ, slight ordinances,and despise holiness, Deut. 32:15, 22. Ah, the time, the thoughts, thestrength, the energies—which this enticing world has made many tospendandconsume,whiletheirsoulshave laina-bleeding,andeternityhas been hastening upon them! Oh, the deadness, the barrenness, thelistlessness,theheartlessnesstoanythingwhichisholy—whichattendsaworldlytemper!Manymenaresobewitchedwiththeprofits,pleasures,and honors of the world, that theymind not holiness, they regard notholiness,theycarenotforholiness,northemeansthatleadtoholiness:Phil.3:18-19,"Formanywalk,ofwhomIhavetoldyouoften,andnowItell you evenweeping, that they are the enemies of the cross ofChrist;whose end is destruction, whoseGod is their belly, andwhose glory istheir shame,whomind earthly things." [That cardinalwaswretched aswellasrich,whowouldnotleavehispartinParisforapartinparadise.]Whowerethosewhowalkeddisorderly?why,thosewhomindedearthlythings.Whowerethosewhofetchedtears fromtheapostle'seyes?why,

thosewhomindedearthlythings.Whowerethosewhowereenemiestothe cross of Christ? why, those whominded earthly things.Who werethosewhoseend isdestruction?why, thosewhomindedearthly things.Who were those whose God was their belly? why, those who mindedearthlythings.Whowerethosewhoseglorywastheirshame?why,thosewhomindedearthlythings.

Sicilyissofullofsweetflowers,thatdogscannothuntthere;andwhatdoallthesweetcontentmentsanddelightsofthisworld—butmakemenlosethescentofheavenandholiness?Theworldprovessilkenhalterstosome,andgoldenfetterstoothers.Alltheflowersofthisworld,aresurroundedwithmanybriers. Theworld is all shadow and vanity; it islike Jonah's gourd—man may sit under its shadow for a while—but itsoondecaysanddies.Hewhoshallbutweighman'spainswithhispay,hismiserieswithhispleasures,hissorrowswithhisjoys,hiscrosseswithhis comforts, his needs with his enjoyments, etc., may well cry out,"Vanityofvanity,andallisvanity."Thewholeworldiscircular,theheartofman is triangular, andweknowa circle cannot fill a triangle. [If thewhole earth were changed into a globe of gold, it could not fill yourheart.]

Osirs,ifyourheartsarenotfilledwithholiness—theywillbefilledwiththeworld,theflesh,andthedevil.EitherholinessorSatanmustpossessyou.

Somethereare,whohavemuchholiness,andmuchoftheworldtoo;asAbraham,Isaac,Jacob,Joseph,Job,David,Hezekiah,Daniel,etc.

And others there are,whohave no holiness, nor anything of theworldeither.Thesemenarefairfortwohells—ahellofmiseryhere,andahelloftormenthereafter.

Some have much of the world—but not a spark of holiness; as Saul,Haman,Dives,Herod,etc.,whohadaworldofwealth—butnotagrainofgrace.

Andothershaveagreatdealofholiness,whohavebutlittleornothingoftheworld;astheapostlesandLazarus,etc.,James2:5;Mat.11:5.

Is it not infinitely better to have holiness without the world,and so be happy forever—than to have much of the worldwithoutholiness,andsobedamnedforever?

A man bewitched with the world will lose many preciousopportunitiesofgrace,whicharemoreworth thanaworld:witnessrichFelix,whohadnoleisuretohearpoorPaul,thoughthehearingofasermonmighthavesavedhissoul,Acts24:24,seq.Amanbewitchedwiththeworld has his sinning times, and his eating times, and his sleepingtimes, and his trading times, and his feasting times, and his sportingtimes,etc.;buthehasnothishearing times,norhispraying times,norhisreadingtimes,norhismourningtimes,norhisrepentingtimes,norhisreformingtimes,etc.Hecanhavetime,yes,andhewillhavetime,foreverything—buttohonorhisGod,andtomakehimselfhappyforever.

A man bewitched with the world will, when it is put to hischoice, rather part with Christ to enjoy the world, than partwiththeworldtoenjoyChrist:witnesstheyoungmanintheGospel,who preferred a drop before a sea, a crumb before a crown, and histreasureonearth before eternal treasure in heaven,Mat. 19:16, 23.Hewould not leave that on earth which he could not long keep, for theenjoymentof that inheavenwhichheshouldnever lose;ratherthanhewouldlethispossessionsgo,hewouldletGodandChristgo,andheavengo,andallgo,etc.Ifheavencanbehadatnocheaperaratethanpartingwithhispossessions,"Christmaykeephisheaventohimself,"sayshe,forhe'llhavenothaveheavenuponthoseterms.

Again, a man bewitched with the world will prefer the mostbaseandcontemptiblethingsbeforetheLordJesusChrist;hewill, with the Gergesenes, prefer his very swine before a Savior, Mat.8:28,seq.;whentheysawwhatasadmarkettheirhogswerebroughtto,theydesiredChrist todepart out of their country; theseGergesiteshadrather loseChrist than losetheirporkers; theyhadrather that thedevilshould possess their souls than that he should drown their pigs; theyprefertheirswinebeforetheirsalvation,andpresentawretchedpetitionfortheirowndamnation;theybesoughthimthathewoulddepartoutoftheircoasts;thoughtherebenomisery,noplague,nocurse,nowrath,nohell--compared toChrist'sdeparture fromapeople—yetmenbewitched

withtheworldwilldesire this. "Then thewhole townwentout tomeetJesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave theirregion."Matthew8:34

MenbewitchedwiththeworldwillpreferaBarabbasbeforeaJesus. They will with Judas betray Christ, and with Pilate condemnChrist,andwiththeScribesandPhariseestheywillcryout,"Crucifyhimcrucify him!Awaywith this Jesus!Awaywith this Jesus! LetBarabbaslive—butletJesusdie!LetBarabbasbesaved—butletChristbehanged!"Ah,what incarnatedevilswill suchmenprove,whoarebewitchedwiththisworld!

A man bewitched with the world will gain no good by theministry of the word. Witness Ezekiel's hearers, "So they comepretending to be sincere and sit before you listening.But they have nointentionofdoingwhatItellthem.Theyexpresslovewiththeirmouths,buttheirheartsseekonlyaftermoney.Youareveryentertainingtothem,like someone who sings love songs with a beautiful voice or plays finemusiconan instrument.Theyhearwhatyousay,but theydon'tdo it!"Ezekiel 33:31-32. Witness the stony ground hearer, Mat. 13:22; andwitnessChrist'sfollowers,John6.

Somewriterssay thatnothingwillgrowwheregoldgrows.Bethatas itmay,certainlywheretheloveofthisworldgrows—therenothingholywillgrow.Aheartfilledeitherwiththeloveoftheworld,ortheprofitsoftheworld,or thepleasuresof theworld,or thehonorsof theworld,or thecaresoftheworld,orthebusinessesoftheworld—isaheartincapacitatedtoreceiveanydivinecounselorcomfort.ItisaheartshutupagainstGodandholiness, it isaheartpossessedwithmanydevils;andthereforenowonder if suchaheart loathes thehoneycombofholiness!Yes, it isnowonder to see suchaheart toderideandscornholinessas thegreatestfoolishness, "The Pharisees, who dearly loved their money, naturallyscoffedatallthis."Luke16:14

ThemythtellsofLycaonbeingturnedintoawolf;butwhenaworldlingismadeholy,thereisawolfturnedintoaman!Yes,adevilisturnedintoasaint!ThereforetheHolySpirit,speakingofZaccheus,whohadlongbeenbewitchedbytheworld,bringshiminwithan"Behold!"—asif itwerea

wonderofwondersthateversuchaworldlingshouldbemadeholy.

Aman bewitched with the world will venture the loss of hissoultoenjoytheworld,Mat.16:26;asthatpopethatsoldhissoultothedevilfortheenjoymentofthepopedomsixyears.WehatetheTurksforsellingofChristiansasslaves;butah,howmanyarethereamongus,whocallthemselvesChristians,whoyetsellthemselvesandtheirsoulstothe slaves of the devil for a penny! Look! as Shimei, by seeking hisservant, lost his life—just so,many, by seeking of the world, have losttheirsouls.Nowthoughofalllossesthelossofthesoulisthegreatest,thesaddest,thesorest,theheaviest,andthemostintolerable,inconceivable,andirrecoverableloss—yetamanbewitchedwiththeworldwillrunthehazardoflosingit,ofdamningit,toenjoytheworld.

You know the Reubenites in Joshua 22 preferred the country that wascommodious for the feeding of their cattle, though it was far from thetemple,wheretheymighthavefedtheirsouls,andhavegotheavenandholinessfortheirsouls—beforetheirinterestinthelandofpromise.Well,somenwhoarebewitchedwiththisworldinthesedays,oh,howdotheyprefertheirsensualdelights,theirbrutishcontentments,andtheircarnalenjoyments—before the heavenly Canaan, and before the beauties ofholiness,andbeforethetempleofGod'sholiness,whereholinesssparklesand shines in all its bravery and glory, andwhere their soulsmight beabundantlysatisfiedanddelightedwiththemostravishingjoys,themostsurpassing delights, and themost transcendent pleasures which are atGod'srighthand!

Todraw to a close, theArabicproverb says that theworld is a carcass,and those who hunt after it are dogs. If this proverb is true, what amultitude of professorswill be found to be dogs—whohuntmore afterearththanheaven;whohuntmoreafterterrestrialthancelestial things;whohuntmoreafternothingnessesandemptinesses, thantheydoafterthose fullnesses and sweetnesseswhichare inGod,Christ,heaven, andholiness!

Well,friends,aseveryouwouldobtainthatrealholiness,withoutwhichthereisnohappiness—takeheedofawitch—takeheedofthisworld!Andto that purpose, oh that youwould always lookupon the things of this

world—asyouwill lookupon themwhenyoucometodie!Oh, thatyouwouldnowlookuponallthepomp,state,bravery,andgloryoftheworld—asyouwilllookuponitwhenyoursoulsshallsituponyourtremblinglips!Oh,withwhatadisdainfuleye,withwhataweanedheart,domenlook upon those things then! Do so now, and I dare assure you, thatthoughtheworldmaytroubleyou—yetitshallneverbewitchyou.

Ihavereadofamanwho, lying inaburning fever,professed that ifhehadall theworldathisdispose,hewouldgive it all foronedraughtofbeer;atsolowaratedomenvaluetheworldatsuchatimeasthatis.Ifmenwere sowise to value theworld atnohigher a rate inhealth thanthey do in sickness; in life than they do at the time of their death—itwould never bewitch them, it would never be as a wall of separationbetweenholinessandthem.Aseveryouwouldbeholyhere,andhappyhereafter,takeheedofthiswitch!Andbelieveittobeawitchbeforeithasbewitchedyou—orelseyoumaybelieveittoolate.

3. Thirdly, If ever you would be holy, then take heed ofcomparingyourselveswiththosewhoare,atleastsupposedly,worse than yourselves. Many there are, who by comparingthemselves with those who are bad, very bad—think themselves to begood, very good; yes, to be too good to go tohell. Such a onewas thatproudPhariseeinLuke18,whothoughthimselfafarbettermanthanthepoorpublican—andyet hewas not half so honest, nor half so just, norhalf so righteous, nor half so good as he was. The poor publican wasashamed of himself; he loathed himself, he abased himself, he judgedhimself, and he condemned himself. He acknowledged God, he adoredGod, he dreaded God, he admired God, and he justified God; in all ofwhich,heexceededtheproudPharisee.Andyet,ohhowscornfullydoesthis proud Pharisee look upon him! and how disdainfully anddisgracefullydoeshespeakofhim!Andthiswas thegeneral frameandtemper of the Scribes and Pharisees, who thought no man's penny sogoodcoin,as theirown;who thought themselvesbetter than thebest—when theywere the veryworst of theworst. For publicans and harlotsbelievedandrepented,andenteredintothekingdomofGodbeforethem,Mat.21:31-32.

Andlikewise,thoseinIsaiah65werebad,verybad,yes,starkbad;they

werethebasestamongthebase,theywerethevilestamongthevile,theywere the most rebellious among the rebellious, and the mostsuperstitious among the superstitious. "I opened my arms to my ownpeople all day long, but they have rebelled. They follow their own evilpathsandthoughts.Alldaylongtheyinsultmetomyfacebyworshipingidolsintheirsacredgardens.Theyburnincenseontherooftopsoftheirhomes. At night they go out among the graves and secret places toworshipevilspirits.Theyalsoeatporkandotherforbiddenfoods.Isaiah65:2-4.Andyet,ohhowdotheystrokethemselves,andblessthemselves,andcommendthemselves,andcryup themselves,andexalt themselvesastheonlyholyones."Yettheysaytoeachother—Don'tcometoocloseoryouwilldefileme! I amholier thanyou!" Isaiah65:5.They coulddeifythemselves—and yet damn and devilify others, though they were suchmonsters as God abhorred, 'They are a stench inmy nostrils, an acridsmellthatnevergoesaway.'Isaiah65:5.

Ah! howmanybe therewho, by comparing themselveswith thosewhoareworsethanthemselves—dojudgethemselvestobegoodenough,andholyenough!TheyaregoodnegativeChristians—and they think that isenoughtobringthemtoheaven.TheyblessthemselvesthattheyarenoNabals for drunkenness, nor any Sodomites for filthiness, nor anyHamansforhaughtiness,noranyAmnonsforlustfulness,noranyoftheold world for idleness, nor any Zaccheuses for covetousness, nor anyLaodiceansforlukewarmness,etc.TheyblessthemselvesthattheyarenoGehazis for lying, nor any Shimeis for cursing, nor any Joabs forswearing,noranyRabshakehsforrailing,noranyDoegsforcruelty,noranyJudasesfortreachery,noranyDemasesforapostasy,etc.

And thus they cheat themselves, and find out fine ways to delude anddamntheirownsouls; theythinkitgraceenough,andholinessenough,that they have attained to this—namely, not to be so bad as theworst,thoughtheyfall infinitelyshortofcomingnearuntothebest.Well,sirs,remember this, if you are not so great sinners as others—your horrors,yourterrors,yourtorments,yourhellshallnotbesogreat,norsohotasothers—butwithoutholinessyoushallbeascertainlydamnedasothers!Andwhatacoldcomfort isthis,tohaveacooleranda lighterhell thanothers;andyetthisisallthecomfortthatcanbehandedtounholyhearts.

But,

4.Fourthly,Takeheedofflatterers.Ah!howgoodmightmanymenhave been, who are yet exceeding bad, had they not sold their ears toflatterers!Flatterersaresoul-murderers;theyaresoul-undoers;theyarelike incompetent physicians, who skin over the wound—but kill thepatient! Flattery is the verymother of folly, and the verynurseryof allimpiety. Flatterers will cry up those for pious men—who are onlysuperstitious; and those forwisemen—who are foolish; and those forknowingmen—whoare ignorant; and those for virtuousmen—whoarewicked;andthoseforholymen—whoatbestarebutcivil;andthoseforhappymen—whoarecertainlymiserable.Flatterersdarecalltheproud—happy;andbless thosewhomGodhascursed.Theydarecallevilgood,and good evil. They dare call darkness light, and light darkness. Theydare say that thatman has grace—who has none. Yes, they dare swearthatsuchandsuchshallbesaved—thoughforthepresenttheyliveas iftheywereresolvedtobedamned.Theydaretakeuponthemtotellyouthatsuchandsuchmen'snamesarewritteninheaven,andthatsuchandsuchbelongtotheelectionofgrace—thoughtheirlivesspeakthemouttobevoidofallgrace.

Ah!howmanyamanhasbeenkeptofffromthethoughtsofholiness,andfrom thewaysofholiness, and from the loveand likingofholiness—byflattererswhohaveflatteredthem—thatdoubtlesstheyareinthefavorofGod—andthatcertainlyGoddidnotmakementodamnthem—andthatwithoutallquestiontheyhaveasavinginterestinChrist—andthatthereisnoquestionbutthattheirheartsareasgoodasthebest—andthattheireternal conditions are good, and their souls happy. Yes, they are soconfidentoftheirhappiness,thattheydareventurea-goingtohell,ifeversuch should go to hell whom they fondly flatter; they dare pawn theirsouls and their salvation on it, that such shall never miscarry; and bytheseflatteriestheyhardenmeninsin,andarmthemagainstholiness.

Flattery is that sweet poison that has destroyed many a soul. WitnessRehoboam,Ahab,Herod,Nero,Alexander,etc.Justso,trueisthatofthewiseman:Proverbs26:28,"Alyingtonguehatesthosewhoareafflictedbyit,andaflatteringmouthworksruin."[TheHebrewwordsignifiestothrowdown,todriveonforwardsuntilamanfallsintodestruction;none

drivesofuriouslytotheruinanddestructionofsouls—asflatterersdo.]Aflatteringmouthruinsname,fame,estate, life,bodyandsoul; itruinsamanbothtemporallyandeternally;itoftenundoesamaninbothworlds;it makes a man miserable both here and hereafter. Flatterers aredevouring caterpillars. Flatterers' tongues do more mischief thanpersecutors'swords,fortheirswordscanbutdestroythebodiesofmen—butflatterers'tonguesdestroythesoulsofmen.Flatterersarethegreatestsoul-cheaters and soul-undoers in theworld. Flatterers dare call vice—virtue; they dare call pride—civility; covetousness—good economy;drunkenness—good company; prodigality—liberality; wantonness—afoible of youth; passion—zeal; revenge—courage, etc. They dare callenormities—infirmities; and wickednesses—weaknesses. They dare callgreat sins—little sins; little sins—no sins. They gild over all theirpoisonous pillswith gold. They draw the fairest glove upon the foulesthand.Theylaytheirneatestcolorsuponthefilthiestsores.Theyputtheirbest paint upon the worst faces, and the richest robes upon the mostdiseasedbodies.Andbythesedevices theyentanglemanyto theirutterruin.

Proverbs 29:5, "Aman who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for hisfeet."TheHebrewwordwhichishererenderedflatterer,signifiesasoft,butter-spoken man; because flatterers, the better to deceive—oil theirtongues and to butter their lips, so that by their smooth, soft speechestheymaythemoreinsinuatethemselvesintomen'sminds,andsomakewayfortheirdestruction.Flatterershavetheirsilkennetstoensnareandentanglepoorsoulstotheireternalruin.Look!asfowlersstrewcornandlay baits to draw birds into their nets; or look, as hunters spread theirnets,thattheymaycapturebeastsandpreyuponthem,ormakeapreyofthem—justso,flatterersspreadtheirnetsthattheymaycatchpoorsouls,andeitherpreyuponthem,orelsemakeapreyofthem.

Flatteryisthedevil'sinvisiblenet;andhappyisthatsoulwhoescapesit.Theflatterer'snet isworsethanhissword—forhisswordmaybethemoreeasily seen, feared,andavoided, thanhisnet.Ofallweapons, theflatterer's net is the most perilous and dangerous, both to the lives,estates,andsoulsofmen.Itweretenthousandtimesbettertotrampleaflattererunderaman'sfeet,thanforamantoallowhisfeettobetakenin

theflatterer'snet.Aflattererisafoulenemyinthedressofafriend;heisawolfinsheep'sclothing;heisadeviltransformedintoanangeloflight!Whatpunishmentcanbetoogreatforsuch?

Theseverityofmanyheathenprincesandemperorshasbeenverygreatagainst flatterers. Take one instance for all: Alexander SeveruscommandedoneTurinus,agreatflatterer,tobetiedtoastakeandstifledwithsmoke,withaheraldstandingby,andproclaimingtoallthepeople,thatitwasbutjustthathewholivedbythesmokeofflatteryshoulddiebysmoke.[Manygreatemperorsweregreatenemiestoflatterers.]

NowwhatashamefulthingisitthatsuchasarecalledChristiansshoulddesire to be flattered—when heathens have so severely punishedflatterers.Well, sirs, as ever youwould beholy, takeheed of flatterers,and takeheedof flattery!LetSolomon's counselbealways in your eye,and let it always lie warm upon your hearts: Proverbs 20:19, "Do notmeddlewithhimwho flatterswithhis lips."Amanwho loveshis soul,and would be happy in the eternal world, should shun flatterers as heshouldshunathief,aserpent,awolf,alion,adevil.Untilyoustopyourearsagainstaspiritof flattery,thereis littlehopesthateveryouwillbeholy.

5. Fifthly, If ever you would be holy, oh! then take heed ofputtingthedayofdeathfarfromyou.Manisacreaturenaturallypronetolookupondeathatadistance,tolookupondeathafaroff,andtosaywith those inEzekiel, "Behold, thepeople of Israel are saying—Thevisionheseesisformanyyearsfromnow,andheprophesiesaboutthedistantfuture."Ezek.12:27.Justso,therichmanintheGospelreckoneduponmanyyears,whenhehadnotmanymonths,nonotmanyweeks,no not many days, no not many hours—to live in this world! UnholypeopleareveryapttosaytodeathasPharaohsaidtoMoses,"Getoutofmysight!Makesure youdonot appearbeforemeagain!"Exod. 10:28.Whendeathknocksatthepoorman'sdoorhesendsittotherichman'sgate,andtherichmantranslatesittothescholar,andthescholarpostsitaway to the courtier, and the courtier to his lady, and his lady to hermaid; and so death is posted away, as it were, from one to another,everyonecryingouttodeath,"Oh,letmenotseeyourface!Oh,letmenotseeyourface!"

Itisadeathtomanykingsandrulers—justtothinkofdeath,ortohearofdeath; and therefore they strictly charge all their servants about them,thatwhentheysawthemsick,theyshouldneverdaretonamethatbitterword 'death' intheirears.AndPashurcannotcasthiseyeupondeath—butheispresentlyaMagor-missabib,aterrortohimself,Jer.20:3.AndSaul,thoughhewasavaliantking—yetatthenewsofdeathhefallsonhisface,1Sam.28:20.AndsoBelshazzar,thoughhewasamightyemperor,Dan.5:1-7—yeta lettertohim, fromhimwhomBildadcalls thekingofterrors,Job18:14,ah,howdoes itamaze,astonish,affright,and terrifyhim! and howmany are there who, withMaecenas, had rather live inmanydiseasesthandie;and,withthemostfamousheathens,preferthepoorestlifeonearth,aboveallthehopestheyhaveoftheeternalworld;likeAchilles,whohadratherbeaservant toapoorcountrydownhere,than tobeaking toall thesoulsdeparted;or likeWithipoll,a richandwretchedman,who,whenhewas indangerofdeath, earnestlydesiredthathemightlivefivehundredyears,thoughitwerebutintheshapeofatoad. Vitellius, when facing death, made himself drunk to drown thethoughtsof it.Awomanbeing ill—oneofherneighbors coming tovisither,toldherthatifshediedshewouldgotoheavenandbewithGodandJesusChrist,andwithangelsandsaints;thesickwomananswered,thatshehadnoacquaintancethere,sheknewnobodythere,andthereforeshehadratherlivewithherneighborshereonearth,thantogotheretoliveamongstrangers.

And thus you see how apt people are to shrug at death, which is acommonlot,andtosaytoit,asEphraimdidtohisidols,"Getawayfromme,whathavewemore todowith you?"But this is andmustbe foralamentation,thatmenputoffthethoughtsoftheirlatterendtothelatterendoftheirthoughts.Mannaturallyisagreatlife-lover,andthereforehewillbleed,sweat,vomit,purge,partwithanestate,yes,witha limb,ay,limbs—to preserve his life. Like him who cried out, "Oh, give me anydeformity,anytorment,anymisery,justsothatyousparemylife!"Anduponthisaccountitis,thathedesiresthatsuchaguestasdeathmaynotknockathisdoor.Butah!thatallsuchvainmenwouldconsider,thatbyputting thedayof theirdeath far fromthem, theydobut gratifySatan,strengthentheirsins,provoketheLord,andmaketheworkoffaithand

holinessmorehardanddifficult,andso layadeep foundationfortheirowneternaldestruction!

Well,sirs,rememberthis,theseriousthoughtsandmeditationsofdeath,ifanything,willworkyoutobreakoffyoursins,tomendyourlives,andto look to the salvationof your souls.There isnothing thatwill soonerworkamantoaholyfearofoffendingGodinanything,andtoaholycareof pleasing God in everything—than the serious meditation of death.Though that text, "Remember your latter end, and you shall never doamiss," isapocryphal—yet the truthasserted is canonical. Ihave readastoryofonewhogaveayoungprodigalaringwithadeath's-head,onthiscondition—that he should one hour in a day, for seven days together,thinkandmeditateupondeath,whichaccordinglyhedid,anditbredagreatchangeandalterationinhisthinkingandlife.

Oman!youdonotknowbutthattheseriousthoughtsofdeathmayworkthat desirable thing in you, namely, holiness, which yet has not beenwrought in you by all the holy counsels, the gracious examples, theferventprayers,and thesorrowful tearsofyourdearest friends.Youdonotknowbutthattheseriousmeditationofdeathmaydoyoumoregoodthanallthesermonsthatyouhaveeverheard;orthanallthebooksthatyouhaveeverread;orthanalltheprayersthatyouhaveevermade;orthanallthesighsorgroansthatyouhaveeverpouredout;andwhythenshouldyouputthethoughtsofdeathfarfromyou?Certainlyasheisandeep-rooted sinner,who dares look death in the face and yet sin; whodares steal a purse when the judge looks on—just so, he is a monsterrather than a man, who dares look death in the face—and yet satisfyhimself to livewithoutholiness;whodares lookdeath in the face—andyet say "I'll drink and be drunk, I'll swear and swagger, I'll roar andwhore,I'llcheatandcozen,I'llhateandoppose,I'llquarrelandkill,andmyhandsshallbeasbloodyasmyheart—letdeathdoherworst!"Ifsucha person is not in the ready way of being miserable forever, I knownothing.

1.Firstly,Well,sirs,rememberthesethreethings:

[1.]First,Thatthere isnothingmoreCERTAINthandeath. Thatstatute law of heaven, "Dust you are, and unto dust you shall return,"

Gen. 3:19,will takehold of all the sons ofmen. "There is nomanwholivesandshallnotseedeath,"Psalm89:48.ThoughJacobwrestledwithanangelandprevailed—yetdeathwastoohardforhim,Gen.32.ThoughAsahelwasaslightoffootasawildroe—yethecouldnotoutrundeath,andAbsalomcouldnotoutrideit,norPharaohoutdrive it.ThoughSauland Jonathanwere as swift as eagles, and as strong as lions—yetwerethey slain among themighty. It was not Solomon'swisdom that coulddeliverhim,norSamson'sstrengthwhichcouldrescuehim,norHaman'shonorwhichcouldsecurehim,norGoliath'sswordwhichcoulddefendhim, nor Dives's riches which could ransom him from the grave; andthereforewhyshouldmenputthisdaysofarfromthem?But,

[2.]Secondly,As there isnothingmorecertain thandeath, so there isnothing more SUDDEN than death. When the old world, whenSodom,whenPharaoh,whenHagar,whenAmalek,whenHaman,whenNebuchadnezzar,whenBelshazzar,whenDives,whentherich fool, andwhenHerod—wereallintheirprimeandpride,whentheywere intheirmostflourishingestate,whentheywereattheverytopoftheirglory—ah,how suddenly, how sadly, how strangely, how unexpectedly, and howastonishinglyweretheybroughtdowntothegrave,yes, tohell!Oh,thethousand thousands of crosses, losses, diseases, sicknesses, calamities,dangers,anddeaths—whichattendsthe lifeofman—andbythe leastofwhichhemaybesuddenlysurprisedandcarriedintotheeternalworld!Andtherefore,whyshouldmancryout"Tomorrow,tomorrow!"whenhedoesnotknowwhetherheshallhaveatomorrow,whenhedoesnotknowbutthathemaydiebeforehehasbeguntolive?

Waldus,arichmerchantofFrance,seeingonesuddenlydropdowndeadin the streets, went home, repented, changed his life, studied theScriptures, and became a worthy teacher, father, and founder of theChristianscalledtheWaldenses.Andohthattheseriousthoughtsof thesuddennessofdeathmighthavethathappyeffectuponyoursouls,astoworkyoutobreakyourleaguewithsin,andtofrightenyou,asitwere—intoaloveofholiness,andintoalifeofholiness!

Oswearer,whatdoyouknowbutthatdeathmayseizeonyouwhiletheoath is in yourmouth? Andwhat do you know, Odrunkard—but thatdeathmaystep inbetween thecupand the lip,as itdid toBelshazzar?

Andwhatdoyouknow,Oadulterer—butthatapoisoneddartmaystrikethroughyour liverwhileyouare in thevery flagrancyofyour lust, as itdidthroughZimri'sandCozbi's?Andwhatdoyouknow,OproudHaman—butthatyouwhoarethusnoblyfeastedoneday,maybeafeastforthecrows the next day? And what do you know who are so crafty, OAhithophel—butthatifyoursubtlecounselisrejectedonehour,youmayhangyourselfthenexthour?Andwhatdoyouknow,OyouopposingandmurmuringKorah—but that the earthmay suddenly open and swallowyouup?Andthereforewhyshouldyouputthatdaysofarfromyou,thatmaysosuddenlyovertakeyou?

Berline, inGermany,while inthepulpit,saidthattheScriptureswerealie—andwassuddenlysmittenwithanapoplexy,andfelldowndeadonthespot.Andwhatdoyouknow,whoaresoapttochargetheScriptureswithlying—butthatGodmaystrikeyoubothdumbanddeadwhilethelieis inyourmouth?Bibulus,aRomangeneral,whileriding intriumphinallhisglory—atilefellofffromahouseinthestreetandknockedouthisbrains.Andwhatdoyouknow,Ovain-gloriousman—butthatwhileyouare triumphing inyourworld-glory,by someunexpectedblowyoumaybesentintotheeternalworld?

LepidusandAufidiusbothstumbledat thevery thresholdof thesenateanddied;theblowcameinacloudfromheaven.Godbyaninvisibleblowmaysendyououtofthisvisibleworld.

Sophocles died suddenly by excessive joy, and Homer died byimmoderategrief;excessivejoyorexcessivegriefmaysuddenlybringyoutoyourlonghome.OlympustheArianheretic,speakingagainsttheHolyTrinity as he was a-bathing himself, was struck dead by a threefoldthunderbolt.Wemay runand read somemen's sins in the very face oftheir punishments.Mr. Perkins speaks of onewho,when it thundered,scoffingly said, "it was nothing but Tom Tumbrel a-hooping his tubs,etc.," and immediately he was struck dead with a thunderbolt fromheaven.Therewouldbenoendofrecountingthemanyjudgmentswhichhave suddenly surprised all sorts of sinners. Let these few instancessufficetostirupeveryunholyhearttotakeheedofputtingfaroffthedayofdeath.But,

[3.] Thirdly, As there is nothingmore sudden than death, so there isnothingmoreshortthanlife;andwhythenshouldyouputthedayofyourdeathsofarfromyou?[Job8:9;Psalm102:11,73:20,and90:5;Job20:8,and7:7.]Ifyouconsiderthelifeofmanabsolutely,itisbutshort—itisbutasaspan,ashadow,adream,abubble,ablast,apuffofwind,apileofdust,afadingleaf,oratalethatistold,etc.Thelifeofmanisasadreamthatvanisheswhenoneawakes; it isawindthat goes away andcomesnotagain;itisasacloudthatissoondispersedwiththewind;itisasavaporthatappears fora time,and thenvanishesaway; it isasthegrassthat soonwithers; it is as the flowerthat soon fades; it is as thecandlethateverylightpuffofwindblowsout.

The lifeofmanisrathermadeupofdaysthanyears.Psalm90:12,"Soteachustonumberourdays,thatwemayapplyourheartstowisdom."Moses does not say, Lord, teach us to number our years—but "Lord,teach us to number ourdays." Fallenman is apt tomisreckon, and tocomputedaysforyears;andthereforethisholyprophetdesiresthatGodwould teach them this divine arithmetic, of numbering their days—itbeingalessonthatnonebutaGodcanteach.Justso,Job14:1-2,"Manbornofwoman is of fewdaysand full of trouble.He springs up like aflowerandwithersaway;likeafleetingshadow,hedoesnotendure."Hespeaksnotofanage,norofyears,norofmanydays—butofafewdays.Man'sdaysareshortinthemselves,andshorterinrespectofthetroubleswhich attend this present life. Man's life is so short, Austin doubtswhethertocallitadyinglife,oralivingdeath.

Nowthesefewdaysofman'slifeareuponthewing,hasteningandflyingfromusastheeaglehastenstohisprey;andthereforemanhadneedsetagreaterpriceuponeverymomentandminuteoftime,thanhedoesuponalltheworld,andaccordinglyimproveit.

2.Secondly,IfyouconsiderthelifeofmanCOMPARATIVELY,itisbutshort,andthatwillappearbrieflythus:

[1.] First, If you compare the life ofman towhatmanmighthave reached to had he continued in his primitive glory. Hadmanstoodfastininnocency,hewouldhaveneverknownwhatdeathandmiseryhadmeant.Deathisafallthatcameinbyafall.Hadmankeptsin

out of theworld, hewouldhave keptdeathout of theworld.Hadmankeptfasthisholinessandpurity,hewouldhaveretainedhisimmortalitytothisday;deathcouldneverhavecarriedmanoutoftheworld,hadnotmanfirstletsinintotheworld,Romans5:12,seq.

[2.]Secondly,Ifyoucomparethelifeofmantothelonglivesofthe patriarchs before the flood—then the life of man is butshort.Threescoreyearsandten, isman'sage,Psalm90:10.Andwhereonemanlivestothisage,howmanythousandsdiebeforetheycometoit!Butwhatisthisseventyyears,comparedtotheagethatmenlivedto informer times?Enoch livedasmanyyears as therearedays in theyear,and Adam lived nine hundred and thirty years, and Methuselah livedninehundredsixty-nineyears,Gen.5.Nowwhatareourlives—comparedtothe long livesof thepatriarchs?Asmen'swickednessdoesmoreandmore increase—so their days do more and more decrease. The morewickedanygenerationis—theshorterlivedthatgenerationshallbe.Godwillquicklydespatchthemoutoftheworld—whomakequickdespatchesinwaysofwickedness.

[3.]Thirdly,The lifeofman isbutshort, if youcompare it towhatitshallbeafterthemorningoftheresurrection.Oh,thenman's days shall reach to eternity! Eternity is that one perpetual daywhichshallneverhaveanend.Whenmenaftertheresurrectionbegintolive—they shall never die after that day. Every man shall live ineverlasting bliss or in everlasting woe! When the last trumpet hassounded,manshallliveforeverandever!

[4.] Fourthly, The life ofman is but short, if you compare itwiththedaysofGod.Psalm39:5,"Myageisnothingbeforehim;"alltimeisnothing,comparedtoeternity.Man'slifeisbutaminute,itisbutapointoftime,comparedtothedaysofeternity.Whathead,whatheartcanconceiveorreckonupthedurationofGod,whoeverwas,whostillis,andwhoeverwillbe!Everychildandeveryfoolcantellyoutheirage—butwhatmanonearthorwhatangelinheavencantellyoutheyearsoftheMostHigh?Surelynone!

[5.] Fifthly and lastly, The life of man is but short, if youcompare it with the lives of other creatures. Some say that the

eaglewill liveuntilsheisahundredyearsold.Andsomeelephants livethreehundredyears;bywhichyouseethebrevityofman'slife.Andwhythenshouldmanbesofoolish,sovain—toputthedayofhisdeathsofarfromhim?IhavereadofthebirdsofNorway,thattheyflyfasterthanthefowlsofanyothercountry;theyknowing,byaninstinctthatGodhasputintothem,thatthedaysinthatclimateareveryshort—dothereforemakethemorehastetotheirnests.Andohthatallwhohearmethisdaywouldlearnby thesebirds ofNorway—tomakehaste tobelieve, and tomakehastetorepent,andtomakehastetoloveGod,andtomakehastetobeholy,etc.,seeingtheirdayof life issoshort,andtheirnightofdeath ishasteningtowardsthem.

Andasthelifeofmanisveryshort,so it isverysignificant—thataverysmallmatter, a very little thing—may quickly put an end toman's life.When the emperor threatened the philosopher with death, he replied,"Whatmoreisyourthreat—thanaSpanishflymaydo?"Anordinaryfly,zooming into the mouth of the proud Pope Adrian, choked him.Tamerlane,aScythiancaptain,theterrorofhistime,diedsuddenlywithafever.Anacreonthepoetwaschokedwiththeseedofagrape.Aeschyluswaskilledbythefallofaturtle,whichfellfromaneagle'stalonsuponhishead.ThedukeofBrittanywasstifledtodeathinathrongofpeople.Anemperordiedbythescratchofacomb.OneofthekingsofFrancediedbychokingonhisfood.Onewhowasplayingattennis,receivedablowwithaballalittleabovetherightear,whichstruckhimintohisgrave.Thereisnothingsosmall,but itmaybeaman'sbane.Thetrippingofa toe, thecuttingofacorn, thescratchofanail, theprickofapin,a fish-bone,ahair,adropofwater,acrumbofbread,badair—maybringamantohislonghome!Yes,alittlesmokemaysoonsuffocatehim,orhisownspittlemaysuddenlychokehim.

Andoh,thatallIhavespokenuponthisaccountmightbesoblessedastoworkyoutotakeheedofputtingthedayofyourdeathsofarawayfromyou! The evil servant, when he thought his master was gone afar off,beginsoppressing theotherservants,partying,andgettingdrunk,Luke12:45. And just so, the lewd woman in the Proverbs, chapter 7:19-20,whenthehusbandwasgonealongjourney,whenhewasfarfromhome—thenshegrewpromiscuous,vain,andsecure.Justso,whenmenputafar

off the day of their death, then they grow more loose, profane, andunholy.Whereasaseriousandfrequenteyeingandmindingofdeathasathand,asataman'selbow—wouldalarmamantobreakoffhissinsbyrepentance,andtolaborforholiness,asamanwouldlaborforlifeitself.Ihavereadof thewomenonacertain island—thatthefirstgarmenttheymakeistheirshroud,withwhichtheyusuallygirdthemselveswhentheygo abroad, to show that they are still mindful of their mortality. Ah,friends,aconstantmindingofyourmortalitywouldcontributeverymuchtowardsthemakingofyouholy.Hewhodailylooksupondeath—willbedailya-lookingafterholiness.Theofteneranymanlooksintothegrave—theoftenerthatmanwillbelookinguptoheaven,anda-beggingthatGodwouldmakehimholyevenasheisholy.But,

6.Sixthlyandlastly,Takeheedofsettlingyourselvesunderanunholyminister--ofonewhoselifegivesthelietohisdoctrine.Anunholypreacheristhegreatestdestroyerofthesoulsofmen!Hewhopreacheswell--butlivesbad--doeswhathecan,tomurderallhishearersatonce!Thereisnogreaterbartoholiness,thanministers'unholy lives.Anunholy lifemarsthesoundestandthesweetestdoctrine.Thesinsofteachersaretheteachersofsins!"Theleadersofthepeoplehaveledthemdownthepathofdestruction."Isaiah9:16.

Anunholyministeristhegreatestpest,theworstplague,andthegreatestmischief--that can be to a people; for his enormities, hiswickednesses,willhavethestrongestinfluencesuponthesoulsand

livesofmen--tomakethemeternallymiserable.Hisfallswillbethefallandruinofmany;forpeoplearemorepronetolivemorebyexamples--thanbyprecepts;mindmorewhattheministerdoes--thanwhathesays;eyemorehowhewalks--thanhowhetalks."Watchyourlifeanddoctrineclosely."1Timothy4:16. "Setanexample for thebelievers inspeech, inlife, in love, in faith and in purity." 1 Timothy 4:12. "In everything setthemanexamplebydoingwhatisgood."Titus2:7.

Itwassaidofone—thatwasanexcellentpreacher—butaverybadliver;thatwhenhewasinthepulpit—itwaspityheshouldevercomeoutofit,hepreachedsowell;andwhenhewasoutofthepulpit—itwaspitythateverheshouldgo into it,he livedsobadly.Certainly it ispitythatever

suchshouldgointoapulpitwhopreachwellbutlivebad;whohavemuchofGodintheirmouths,andmuchofthedevilintheirlives;whohavetheearthasmuchattheirfingers'endastheyhaveheavenattheirtongue'send;whoselivesputstheirwordstoablush;whohavemuchofheavenintheir expressions, andnothingofheaven in their lives;whohavemuchholiness in their looks—but none in their hearts; andmuch holiness intheir lips—but none in their lives. The unholy lives of such preacherscausespeopletoslightandabhortheholythingsofGod,1Sam.2:17;yes,theirbad livesoften raisedoubts in theirhearers'heartswhether thosethings that theypreach are true or not.Hearerswill be ready to objectandsay,"Ifthesethingsaretruethattheministersays,whydoeshenotpracticewhathepreaches?whydoeshenotdoaswellassay?"

Andwithwhatfaceorconfidencecanheappearagainstthatinthepulpit,which he countenances and patronizes in his life?Whowill credit thatman'sdoctrine,whohasJacob'svoice—butEsau'shands;whoisasaint,yes, an angel, in the pulpit—but a debauched sinner, yes, an incarnatedevil,outofit?

Ihavereadofawomanwho, living inprofesseddoubtof theGodhead,after better illumination and repentance, did often protest that thewicked life of a great minister, under whose ministry she lived, didconjure up those damnable doubts in her soul. There is nothing thatbrings holy truths so much into question as the unholy lives of suchpreachers;neitheristhereanythingthatexposesaminister'spersonandofficetosomuchscornandcontemptasanunholylife.Letaministerbeeversolearned,solid,quaint,elegant,zealous,judicious,sententious,etc.—yet if he is carnal, covetous, worldly, vain, and loose in his life andconversation,hishearerswillratherderidehisdoctrine—thanreformbyhisdoctrine; theywill ratherdespise it—than studyhow toprofit by it;thereforehesaidright,whosaid—

"Untoateacherit'snosmalldisgraceWhenhisownfaultsreprovehimtohisface."

Thereisnothinginall theworldthat ismorepowerfulandprevalenttocorrupt and mislead unholy men, and to harden, strengthen, andencouragetheminwaysofwickedness—thantheloosenessoftheir lives

whose office binds them to look to the salvation of their souls, Ezek.13:22, and Jer. 33:15:Mal. 2:8, "You are departed out of theway; youhavecausedmanytostumbleatthelaw."Whenthepreacherdepartsoutof the way of holiness, the people will quickly stumble at the law ofholiness; when ministers are as wandering stars, no wonder if theirhearers wander from all that is good. He whose life is not a standingreprooftosin,will,byhislife,encouragesinnersmoreandmoreinawayofsin.

Thereisnothingwhichkeepsmensoofffromagoodopinionofholiness,and from the love of holiness, and the liking of holiness, and from thepursuing after holiness—than the unholy lives of their teachers.Therefore,aseveryouwouldbeholy, fly their tents,andabandon theircompany and society. Ministers whose lives are unholy, though theirabilitiesmay be high, are like a stone gutter, that conveyswater into agarden—butreceivesnobenefit itself thereby;or likeaharpthatmakesmelody for others—but hears nothing itself. They are like thosecarpenters who built the ark to save others, and were drownedthemselves; or like porters at greatmen's gates, that let in others—butlodgewithoutthemselves;orlikesea-marks,thatrotthemselves—andyetgiveotherswarningtoavoidshipwreck;orlikeCaesar'ssoldier,thatdugafountainforCaesar,andperishedhimselfforlackofwater.

Oh, the folly andmadnessof suchministers,whogive light toothers—andyetwalkindarknessthemselves;whofeastothers'souls—butstarvetheir own; who rescue others from a devouring enemy—and yet allowthemselvestobedevoured;whoforewarnothersofthehorriblepit—andyetfallintoitthemselves;whogivegoodcounseltoothers—andyetcan'ttake good counsel themselves; who study and strive to bring others toheaven—andyethavenomindtogotherethemselves!

Certainlysocietyandcompanywithsuch,can'tbutbeamightyhindrancetoholiness.Hewhoisingoodearnestresolvedtobeholy,mustresolutelyberesolvedtohavenothingtodowithsuchunholypeople.Andthusyousee the several things that youmustdecline, if everyouwouldbeholy.But,

II.Secondly,Astherearesixthingsthatyoumustdeclineifeveryou

wouldobtainthatrealholinesswithoutwhichthereisnohappiness—justso, there are ten thingswhich you are toDO--which you are toput inPRACTICE,withoutwhichyouwillneverbeholyhere,norhappyhereafter.

Question.Butwhatarethey?

Answer.Theyarethese:

(1.) First, Greatly lament and mourn over your ownunholiness,overyourownwickedness.Thefirststeptoholiness,ismeltingandmourningoveraman'sownunholiness.Go to your closet,andfalldownbeforethemosthighandholyGod,andmournbitterlyoverthe unholiness of your nature, the unholiness of your heart, theunholiness of your affections, the unholiness of your intentions, theunholiness of your resolutions, theunholiness of your expressions, andtheunholinessofyourlife:Joel2:12,"TurntotheLordwithweepingandwithmourning."Thefoundationofathoroughreformationmustbelaidinadeephumiliation.Thebestwaytobeholyistoaccuse,indict,arraign,and condemn yourself for your unholiness. [Ezra 6:2; Jer. 50:4; Psalm51:5.]

Youshallassoonespouselightanddarkness,andmarrymidnighttothenoonday—as you shall espouse or marry a holy God to an unhumbledsinner.Oh,whocanlookuponsinasanoffenceagainstaholyGod,asthebreachofaholylaw,asthewoundingandcrucifyingofaholySavior,asthegrievingandsaddeningofaholySanctifier,andasaneternallossandundoing of his own soul—and not mourn over it? Oh, who can cast aserious eyeupon thenature of sin, or upon the exceeding sinfulnessofsin,orupontheaggravationsofsin—andnothavehishearthumbled,hissoulgrieved,andhisspiritmeltedforsin?Oh,whocanlookuponsinasitstrikesatthehonorofGod,thenameofGod,thebeingofGod,thegloryofGod,andthedesignofGod—andnothavehismouthfullofpenitentialconfessions, his eyes full of penitential tears, and his heart full ofpenitentialsorrow?

Some,astheysayofwitches,cannotweepforsin;butthosewhoweepnotforsinhere,wheretherearehandkerchiefsinthehandsofChristtowipe

off their tears—shallweepout theireyes inhellhereafter. It isbetter toweepbitterlyforyoursinsonearth,thantoweepeternallyforyourfollyinhell.Ah,howhardis thatheart thatcansadly lamentandbewail thelossofagroat,achicken,achild,asheep,aship,afriend,etc.—andyetcan'tletfallateartosavealostsoul!

JacobweepsandprevailswithGod,Hosea12:4;histearsmadeahappyconquestuponGod.JacobweepsandprevailswithGodforhislife;andwhatdoyouknowbutthatbyyourpenitentialtearsyoumayprevailwithGod for your soul?HeweepsandprevailswithGod for temporals;andwhymaynotyoubyweepingprevailwithGodforeternals?HeweepsandprevailswithGodforsomeoutwardhappiness;andwhymaynotyoubyweepingprevailwithGod for inwardholiness? It is anoldobservation,thatthetearsofrepentingsinnersarethewineofangels.CertainlyGodhimselfcansmiletoseeasinnergrieveforhissins,andtoseehimgrievethathecangrievenomore,forthathehassinnedagainstaGodsogreat,sogracious,sobountiful,somerciful,etc.,Psalm51:17.

ThoughGodisdispleasedwithasinner'ssins—yetheisverywellpleasedwithasinner'stears,andthereforeashehasabagfortheone,sohehasabottle for theother. Itcannotbutbeapleasure toGod—toseea sinnerdrown his sins in a deluge of penitential tears. Though tears ofindignation,aswasEsau's;andtearsofdissimulation,aswasIshmael's;andtearsofdesperation,aswasJudas';areabominabletoGod—yettearsofgodly compunctionandcontritionareacceptableanddelightful untoGod. A sinner never looks so sweetly, as when he weeps mostpenitentially:witnessMaryMagdalene,Manasseh,andthosemurderersofChrist,Acts2.Asinner's facenevershinessobeautiful,aswhen it isbedewedwithpenitentialtears.Tearshaveavoice,"TheLordhasheardthesoundofmyweeping"Psalm6:8.AndGodhasaneyeaswelluponaman's tearsasuponhisprayers.Penitent tearsaredivineambassadors,which never return from the throne of gracewithout answers of grace,Isaiah38:5,"Ihaveheardyourprayer;Ihaveseenyourtears."Petersaidnothing—but went out and wept bitterly—and obtained mercy, Mat.26:75.Tearsareakindofsilentprayers,thatwillatlastprevailformercy.NaamantheSyrianwascleansedofhisleprosybythewatersofJordan;penitentialtearsmaydomuchtowardsthecleansingofyourleproussoul

fromsin.

Hewhoreallygrievesthathecannotgrieveforsin—isgrievedforsin.Hewhoistrulysorrythathecannotbesorryforsin,isinameasuresorryforsin.Hewhotrulydesirestodrownhissinsinhistears,hehasindivineaccountdrownedhis sins inhis tears.Themaid inScaliger swoonedatthesightofalily.Oh,howmuchmoreshouldyouswoonatthesightofyourunholiness!Basilweptwhenhesawtherose,becauseitbroughttohismindthefirstsinfromwhenceithadtheprickles.Oh,howshouldasinnerfalla-weepingwhenhelooksuponthegreatnessofhiswickednessandhislackofholiness!Aseveryouwouldbeholy,mournoveryourownunholiness.But,

(2.) Secondly, If ever you would be holy, you must seek theHOLYSPIRIT.TheSpiritistheefficientcauseofalltheholinesswhichisintheworld.TheSpiritofGodisaspiritofholiness,Romans1:4;heisfrequentlycalledtheHolySpirit:"Castmenotawayfromyourpresence;andtakenotyourHolySpiritfromme,"Psalm51:11;"Buttheyrebelled,andvexedhisHolySpirit,"Isaiah63:10;"AndgrievenottheHolySpiritofGod,wherebyyouaresealeduntothedayofredemption,"Eph.4:30;"God,whohasalsogivenuntoushisHolySpirit,"1Thes.4:8;"Inwhomalso, after that you believed, you were sealed by the Holy Spirit ofpromise,"Eph.1:13.

Tomakeamanholy—isgreater than tocreateaworld; it isawork toohighandtoohardforangelsormen; itcanbedonebynonebutbytheHolySpirit.SanctificationismadetheSpirit'spersonaloperation,2Thes.2:13, 1 Pet. 1:2. It is the great work of the Spirit—to shape, form, andfashionthenewcreatureholiness,inallthevesselsofglory.TheSpiritisthe rootof all holiness; and therefore the several parts of holiness arecalledthefruitsoftheSpirit,Gal.5:22.Itistrue,Godpurposesholinesstohispeople,andChristhaspurchasedholinessforhispeople;but it isonly the Spirit that is the efficient cause orworker of holiness in hispeople. Though the Father, Son, and Spirit has designed to re-imprintholiness uponman's heart—yet the Spirit has the greatest hand in thatwork.Whenmanwas inhisprimitiveglory,holinesswashis lovelinessandhislikenesstoGod;butbeingnowfallen,thatimageissobrokenandmarred,thatnohandcanrepairitorrestoreitbutthehandoftheSpirit.

The great principle of holiness which was in Christ, as to his humannature, was the Holy Spirit, which he had above measure; for he wasanointedwith the unction of the Spirit above his fellows. Just so, that,lookwhichwayyouwill,theSpiritstillappearstobethegreatprincipleofholiness.HolinessistheverypictureofGod,andcertainlynohandcancarve thatexcellentpicturebut theSpiritofGod.Holiness is thedivinenature,andnonecanimpartthattomanbuttheSpirit.

"WhenHecomes,Hewillconvicttheworldaboutsin."John16:8.Amannevercomes to seehis sins,nor tobe sickofhis sins,nor to loathehissins,nortoarraignhissins,nortocondemnhissins,nortojudgehimselffor his sins, evangelically—until he comes to be possessed of the HolySpirit.Amannevercomestospitoutthesweetmorselsofsin,henevercomes tomake a sacrifice of his only Isaac, and to hack his tremblingAgag in pieces, and to strangle his Delilah, and in good earnest to setuponanutterextirpationofthosesinsthathisconstitution, inclination,custom,calling,andinterestdoesmostinclinehimto—untiltheSpiritofholinesscomesuponhim.Until theHolySpirit fallsupon theheartsofsinners, theywill never be fired out of their pride, formality, carnality,sensuality,andsecurity.

WhentheHolySpiritcomesasaspiritofgloryandpowertochangeyourheart, todestroyyour sins, to reformyourways, and tosaveyoursoul,etc., oh, then cry out, "Let him still go on conquering and to conquer,untilallhisenemiesaremadehisfootstool.Oh,lethimcutoffeveryrighthand,andpluckouteveryrighteye,etc.,whichoffends!Oh, lethimdojusticeuponeverysin—uponeveryopensin,uponeverysecretsin,uponeverybosomsin,uponeverypleasingsin,anduponeverygainfulsin!"

Oh,setyourselvesunder thecelestial influencesandsweetdistillingsofthe Holy Spirit! Oh, prize his motions! Oh, welcome hismotions! Oh,complywithhismotions!Oh,followhismotions,sothatyoumaybeholyandhappyforever.WhenDavidaskedcounselofGod,whetherheshouldgoupagainstthePhilistinesornot,hereceivedthisanswer:"Whenyouheara sound likemarching feet in the topsof thebalsam trees, attack!That will be the signal that the Lord is moving ahead of you to strikedown the Philistines," 2 Sam. 5:24. Just so, should everyone wisely

observe, when the Spirit sweetly and strongly moves them to mindholiness, to fall in lovewith holiness, to press after holiness;when theSpirit moves them to leave off their sins, to turn to God, to embraceChrist, to tremble at threatenings, and to embrace promises; oh,makemuch of these holy motions! Oh, cherish these divine breathings! Oh,don'tquenchtheseheavenlysparks,lesttheSpiritnevermoremovesyou,norevermorestriveswithyou,Gen.6:3.

Oh, when you hear a voice within you, or a voice behind you, saying,"ComewithmefromLebanon,mysister,myspouse,"etc.,Isaiah30:21,andCant.4:8,"Comeawayfromyourcups—youdrunkenwretch!ComeawayfromyourwantonDelilahs—youuncleanwretch!Comeawayfromyour sinful pleasures—you voluptuous wretch! Come away from yourmoney bags—you worldly wretch! Come away from your honors—youambitious wretch! Come away from your fraud—you cheating wretch!"Ohhearkentothisvoice!ohobeythisvoice,thatitmaygowellwithyoursoulforever!Ifnowyoustrikewhiletheironishot, ifnowyouhoistupsailwhilethewindisfair—youmaybemadehappyforever.

In John 5:4, there were certain times when the angel came down andtroubled the waters, and whoever did then step in, was healed ofwhatever disease he had. Just so, there are certain times and seasonswherein theSpirit of holiness stirs theheart and affections, andmovesandbreathesuponthesoul.Nowifmenwerewisetoobservethesetimesandseasons,theymightbehappyforever.ThetimeoftheSpirit'smovingistheacceptabletime;ifyouobserveityouaremade,ifyouneglectityouaremarred.AllthemovingsandmotionsoftheSpiritareinordertoaneternityoffelicityandglory.Oh,thereforedon'tgrievetheSpirit!Don'tcrosstheSpirit!Don'tvextheSpirit!Don'ttempttheSpirit!Don'tquenchthe Spirit! Don't oppose the Spirit! Don't resist the Spirit! Don't dealharshly or unkindly with the Spirit—by sinning against illumination,conviction,resolutionsandpromisesofreformation.

Oh,bemoretenderofthegraciousmotionsoftheSpirit,thanyouareofyour name, your estate, your liberty, your life; for he designs yourinternalgood in thisworld,andyoureternalgood in theeternalworld;and thereforedon't affronthim,norbehaveunworthily towardshim. Ifyou should, it may be at the cost of your life and your soul! If aman

missestheopportunityofafavorablegale,hisshipwillliestill.WhentheSpiritmovessalvation,andallthegloryofheavenstandswaitingatyourdoor, ifnowyouwillbutopen,theKingofglorywillenter in,andblessyouforever.Saul,byneglectinghisopportunity,lostanearthlykingdom.Takeheedlestyou,byslightingthemotionsoftheSpirit,cometoloseaheavenlykingdom.ThelettingsliponeseasonwhentheSpiritmovesmayundoamaninbothworlds—asFelix found itso.Well, sirs,aseveryouwould be holy, you must labor for a spirit of holiness; and for yourencouragement remember this, that though theHoly Spirit is the greatjewelofglory—yetGod ismoreready togiveHim, thanyouare toask;witnessthat11thofLuke,fromthe9thtothe14thverse.But,

(3.) Thirdly, If ever you would be holy, then you must waitupontheWORD.ThewordofGodfaithfullypreached,istheordinarymeansbywhichholinessiswroughtinsinners'hearts.Thewordis thattriumphant chariot of the Spirit, wherein he rides conquering and toconquer the souls ofmen. The holy word is designed by God to begetholiness in sinners' hearts—and to countenance, cherish, nourish, andstrengthen holiness where it is begotten. John 17:17, "Sanctify themthrough your truth: your word is truth." And for their sakes, etc., "Isanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth,"verse 19. Just so, chapter 15:3, "Now you are clean through the wordwhichIhavespokentoyou."Theordinarywayofmakinguncleansoulsclean,unholysoulsholy—istheministryoftheword,Phil.5:26.Asthereis a cleansing virtue in the blood of Christ, 1 John 1:7, so there is acleansingvirtueinthewordofChrist.

Psalm 119:9, "How shall a youngman cleanse hisway? by taking heedthereto according to yourword."Of allmen, the youngman is usuallymostwildandwicked,mostlicentiousandrebellious;andyetthewordofGod is the power of God to his conviction and conversion, to hissanctificationandsalvation.Thoughthecleansingofayoungman'sheartbe one of thehardestworks in theworld—yet thismaybedoneby theword.Therearenolustssostrongbutthewordcancastthemdown,norno stains so deep but the word can wash them out. Three thousandsinnersweremade saints by one sermon, Acts 2:41; and five thousandmore were converted and sanctified by another sermon, chapter 4:4.

Herewere eight thousandmen cleansed, sanctified, and saved—by twosermons,anddoubtlessmostofthemwereyoung.

Osirs,aseveryouwouldhaveholyprincipleslaidinyoursouls,andholyaffectionsraisedinyoursouls,andholyendsaimedatbyyoursouls,hearthewordinseasonandoutofseason.Ohattendit!ohwaitonit!Itwillbesoaptocleanseyou,andfiretopurgeyou,andwatertowashyou,andawindtoturnyoufromdarknesstolight,andfromthepowerofSatantoJesusChrist,Acts26:16-24.Thegospelpreached,hasbeenthepowerofGodtothesalvationofmultitudesofsouls,Romans1:16.Thewordisthatimmortal seed by which holiness—which is not only a grace but theconjunctionofallgraces—isformedinthesoul,1Pet.1:23.Itisthewordwhich gives a spiritual birth and being to men, Gal. 4:19. The wordenlightenstheeye,Psalm119:105.Thewordsoftenstheheart,Deut.32:2.Thewordpurgestheconscience,anditconvertsthesoul,Psalm19:7.TheworddethronesSatan,itcastsdownstrongholds,2Cor.10:4-5.Thewordquickensthedull,Psalm119:50.Thewordraisesthedead,John5:24-25.Oh, therefore,hear it, andwait on it, and come to it—that youmay bemadeholybyit.

Manycometohearthewordtocensureit,otherstomockatit,otherstoenrichtheircuriousnotionsbyit,andotherscometocatchtheministeratit.Youmustcometoit,thatyoumaybemadeholybyit,anddoubtlesssooner or later you shall obtain your end. Yes, it is good for aman tocometotheword,thoughhisdesignincomingisbad;itisgoodforamantositunderthatgreatordinanceoftheword,thoughhesitsuponthorns,asitwere,allthewhileheisthere.Thosewhocometoseewhohasgotthenewest fashions—mayhave theirhearts fashioned intoaconformitywiththeword.Theycametocatch—butwerecaughtthemselves,"Finallythe temple guards went back to the chief priests and Pharisees, whoaskedthem,"Whydidn'tyoubringhimin?""Nooneeverspokethewaythis man does," the guards declared." John 7:45-46. Austin coming toAmbrose to have his ears tickled, had his heart touched and turned."Come,"saysoldLatimer,inasermonbeforekingEdwardtheSixth,"tothepublicmeeting, thoughyou come to sleep, itmaybeGodmay takeyounapping."

Whenyoucome,thoughitbebuttotastetheminister'sspirit—yetthen

Godmaytakeholdonyourspirit,andsaveitinthedayofhispoweruponyoursoul.ThoughyoucomewithaheartfullofprejudicesagainstChrist—yetby thewordyoumaybebrought toa loveofChrist, toa likingofChrist,andtoachoiceofChrist,andtoablessedcloseandresignationofyourselftoChrist.ThosewhocametosurpriseChrist,weresotakenwithChrist,thatbeingfilledwithadmirationtheycouldnotbutproclaimhisdivineexcellencies;"Nooneeverspokethewaythismandoes!"Thewordis the word of the Lord—let the handbe what it will, which brings it.Whengold isoffered,mencarenothownobleor ignoble,howgreatorhowbaseheis,whooffersit.Justso,menshouldnotlooksomuchatthehandwhichbringstheword,asattheworditself.ThewordoftheLordwasasmuchthewordoftheLordinthehandandmouthofAmos—whowasaprophetfromamongtheherdsmenofTekoa—asitwasthewordofthe Lord in the hand andmouth of Isaiah—who, as some think,was aprophetofroyalblood.

AmbroseobservesofthewomanofSamaria,John4:7,thatshecametoJesusatJacob'swellasasinner—butshewentawayanevangelist.Osirs,letnothinghinderyoufromcomingto theword!Ohcome to theword!thoughyoucomeassinners—yetcome,forthoughyoudocomesinners—yet youmay go away saints. Though the dew of heaven has richly andsweetlyfallenuponyourhearts—andyet,likeGideon'sfleece,youarestilldry—yetcometothewordstill,forwhocantellbutthatattheverynextsermonGodmaymakeyoursoullikeawateredgarden,andlikeaspringofwater"whosewatersfailnot,"Isaiah58:11.

ItisreportedofyoungkingEdwardtheSixth,thatbeingabouttolayholdonsomethingthatwasabovethereachofhisshortarm,onewhostoodbyespyinga largeembossedBible lyingonthetable,offered to lay thatunder his feet to heighten him—but the good young king disliked themotion,andinsteadoftreadingitunderhisfeethelaidittohisheart.Ohcometotheword—butcomenottotrampleuponit,comenottoscofformockat it,comenottodespise itortorevile it—butcomeand lay it toyourhearts,anditmaydoyougoodforever!Thereisnobetterwaytomakeyouholythantoattendontheholyword.But,

(4.) Fourthly, If ever you would be holy—then associateyourselveswiththosewhoareholy.Look!ashewhowalkswiththe

wise shall be wise, so he who walks with the holy shall certainly bepressedandprovokedtobeholy,Proverbs13:20.AsSocratesmadeithisbusiness to better others by his company—just so,will a holymanwillmake it his business to make others holy by his counsel, prayers, andexample. He knows that it is one of the most noble and divineemployments in the world to make others holy, and therefore he setsuponthatworkwithallhismight.

Look!asthereisnogreaterahindrancetoholinessthanthesocietyofthewicked—sothereisnogreaterahelptoholinessthanthesocietyofthosewho are godly, Psalm 119:115, and 1:1. Look! as the beginning ofungodlinessistokeepcompanywiththosewhoareareungodly—sothebeginningofholinessistokeepcompanywiththosewhoareholy.Look!asonedrunkardmakes another, and one swearermakes another, andoneproudpersonmakesanother,andoneworldlingmakesanother,andoneformalistmakesanother—sooneholymanmakesanother.Look!asonesobermanmakesanother,andoneprudentmanmakesanother,andoneresolutemanmakesanother,andonezealousmanmakes another,andoneheavenly-mindedmanmakesanother—sooneholymanmakesanother.

Ah,sinners!sinners!therearenocompanionsintheworld—whowillpityyouasthese;whowillweepandmournoveryouasthese;whowillstriveandwrestlewithGodforyouasthese,Romans10:1.Therearenonewhowillbesoconcernedforyoursalvationasthese;noranywhowilllaborsomuchforyourconversionasthese;noranywhowillsospendthemselvestopreventyourdamnationas these,2Cor. 12:15.Osirs,upon trial youwillfindthattherearenonesoabletocounselyou,noranysofaithfultoreproveyou,noranysoreadytohelpyou,noranysocompassionatetosympathize with you, nor any so strong to support you, nor any soadvantagedtoconvertyou—asthosewhoareholy!Whythenwillyounotlabortobeoneofthissociety?

O sirs, of all fellowships, the fellowshipof saints is themostnoble, themost honorable, the most pleasant, the most amiable, the mostdesirable, themost profitable, and themost commendable fellowship!Whythenwillyoustilllivestrangers,yes,enemies,tothisfellowship?Ahsirs,holymenwillstillbeawakeningandalarmingofyourdrowsyspirits,

theywillbestilla-knockingatthedoorofyourhearts,andaskingofyouwhether itbegoodgoingtohell; theywillstillbe inquiringofyouwhatprovisionyouhavemadefortheeternalworld,andhowallthingsstandwithin;theywillstillbejoggingatyourelbows—thatyoumaynotdieinyour sins; and theywill still bewhispering in your ear—that your soulsmayliveforever.

The Jews have a proverb, that "two dry sticks put to a green one willkindleit."Oh,thereisnothinginalltheworldwhichcontributessomuchto thekindling, to the firing, and to the inflamingofmen'sheartsafterholiness—asthesocietyofthosewhoareholy.Algerius,anItalianmartyr,"hadratherbeinprisonwithCato,thantolivewithCaesarinthesenate-house."Oh,itistenthousandtimesbettertolivewiththosewhoareholy—though in a dark prison; than to live among thosewho are unholy—thoughinaroyalpalace.UrbanusRegius,havingoneday'sconversewithLuther,tellsus,"thatitwasoneofthesweetestdaysthateverhehadinallhislife."

Osinners,didyoubutexperienceforonedaythesweetandhappinessofthecommunionofsaints,youwouldthencryout,"Oh,thereisnosociety,comparedto thesocietyofGod'sholyones."Andtherefore,aseveryouwouldbeholy,letholymenhavemoreheart-roomandhouse-roomwithyou.But,

(5.)Fifthly, Ifeveryouwouldbeholy—thendwellmuchuponthosesolemnvowsandcovenantsthatyouhaveformerlymadeinthedaysofyourdistress.Ah,howoftenhaveyou—inthedaysofyour calamity and misery, and in the days when sicknesses andweaknessesdidhanguponyou,andwhentheterrorsofdeathwereuponyou—how frequently in those days did you solemnly vow and promisethat,bythestrengthandassistanceoftheLord—youwouldbreakoffyoursinsby repentance, and that youwouldmake it yourgreatest care, andyourgreatestbusinessandwork in thisworld, tomindholiness, and topress after holiness, and to give your souls no rest until you hadexperiencedthepower,excellency,andsweetnessofholiness!

David by an oath bound himself to keep God's righteous judgments:Psalm119:106,"Ihavesworn,andIwillperformit—thatIwillkeepyour

righteous judgments." A religious vow is nothing else but a solemnpromiseoroath,wherebyamanengageshimselftothegreatGod—thathe will decline such ways,means, andmethods as lead to wickedness;andthathewillsetingoodearnestuponthepracticeofallthewaysandmeansofholiness—bythestrengthandassistanceofdivinegrace.

Soyouhavebymanyvowsandpromisesengagedyourselves"tocastofftheworksofdarkness,andtoputonthearmorof light,"suitabletotheapostle's exhortation, Romans 13:12. And as the people in Nehemiah'stimedid enter into a solemnoath towalk inGod's law, and to observeanddoallhiscommandments,Neh.10:29—justso,youhaveinthetimesofyouroutwardandinwarddistressesvowedtotheLord,thatyouwouldobserve all his statutes, and walk in all his holy ways, and do all hisrighteouscommandments.Joboncemadeacovenantwithhiseyes—thathewouldnot lustfully lookupon a girl, Job31:1-2; buthow often haveyoumade a covenantwith your thoughts—that youwould not think ofvanity;andwithyoureyes—thatyouwouldnotbeholdvanity;andwithyourears—thatyouwouldnothearvanity;andwithyourtongues—thatyouwouldnot speak vanity; andwith yourhearts—that youwould notcontrivevanity;andwithyourhands—thatyouwouldnotactvanity.

Nowyourvowsandyourcovenantsareuponyou,ohthatyouwouldnot,withtheimmoralwomanintheProverbs,chapter17,forgetthecovenantofyourGod!Oh,itisbettertenthousandtimesnottovow,thantovowandnot topay,Eccles.5:5.Godcan takenopleasure insuchasareoffand onwith him, nor in such who are forward to vow—but make noconsciencetopaytheirvows.Thesearefoolsinfolio,andthereforeGodcannotbutdetestthem,andturnhisbackuponthem.

IfgoodJacob,whoiscalled"thefatherofvows,"wassobackwardtopayhisvows,thatGodwasforced,notonlytotellhimagainandagainwitha"gouptoBethel,andtherebuildmeachapel,"butalsoseverelytopunishhisdelays,bothintherapeofhisdaughter,andinthecrueltyofhissons,etc.,Gen.35;ah,howseverelythenmayGoddealwithsuchwhonotonlydelay thepayingof their vows—butwho livealso in thedailybreachoftheir vows! Most men have need of that counsel which one gaveSigismundtheemperor,whoaskedhimwhatheshoulddotobehappy;"Live," saidhe, "as youpromisedandvowed todo,whenyouwere last

sickofthestoneandgout."Ah,thatallmenwouldmakemoreconscienceoflivingout,andof livinguptothecovenants,vows,andpromisesthattheyhavemadetoGodinthedayswhenthehandoftheLordhasgoneoutmanywaysagainstthem,andwhenterrorsofconsciencehavebeenstronguponthem!Oh,whatrepentance!oh,whatreformation!oh,whatamendmenthave theypromised in thosedays!Andyetno soonerhavetheseoutwardandinwardstormsbeenover—buttheyhavebeenasvainandlooseandbaseasever.

InthetimeofthegreatplagueinkingEdward'sdays,aslongastheheatoftheplaguelasted,ohhowdideveryonecryout,"Ihavesinned,Ihavesinned! Mercy, Lord! Oh mercy! mercy, good Lord!" Then lords andladies, and people of all sorts, cried out to theministers, "Tell uswhatshallwedotoavoidthewrathoftheLord?whatshallwedotobesafeinthisevilday?Ohtakethesebagsofmoney,andpaysomuchtosuchaonewhomIhavedeceived!andrestoresomuchtosuchaonewhomIhaveinbargaining overreached!Oh give somuch to the poor, and somuch toother pious uses!" etc. But after the sickness was over, they "returnedwiththedogtothevomit,andwiththesowtothewallowinginthemireagain;andsotheirlatterendwasworsethantheirformer."

There was a very great sinner, who in the time of his sickness was sosorelyterrifiedinhisconscienceforhismanyheinoussins,thathemadetheverybedtoshakeuponwhichhelay,andcriedoutallnightlong,"Iamdamned!Iamdamned!Iamdamned!"etc.;andinthishissicknesshemademanygreatprotestationsofamendmentoflife,ifGodwouldbutbepleasedtorecoverhim,andpreventhisgoingdowntothegraveatthistime.Well, inashort timeafterhedidrecover,andbeingrecoveredhewasasbase,wretched,andwickedaseverhewasbefore.

ButthosewhoarenowliketoSataninsin,mayhereafterbeliketohimintorment.Suchwhonowoutlivetheirvows,shall,whentheydie,havehellenough. You count it a very shameful thing to break a promise orcovenantwithmen;but is itnot farmore shameful tobreak apromisewithGod?TheEgyptians,thoughheathens,sohatedperjury,thatifanymandidbutswearbythelifeoftheking,anddidnotperformhisoath—that man was to die, and no gold was to redeem his life. When theRomansmadecovenants,theytookstonesintheirhands,andsaid,"IfImake this covenant seriously and faithfully, then let the great Jupiterblessme;ifnot,soletmebecastawayfromthefaceofthegodsasIcastaway this stone." Covenant-breaking was a sin greatly detested andabhorredamongtheveryheathens;andshallChristiansmakenothingofbreakingtheirvows,promises,andcovenantswiththegreatGod?Well,sirs, remember this—those sins that you have vowed against must bedeserted, and that holiness which you have vowed to follow must bepursued—or a worse thing than the curse of Merozmust be expected;

Judges5:23comparedwiththatJohn5:14.But,

(6.)Sixthly, Ifeveryouwouldbeholy, thendwellmuchupontheworthandpreciousnessofyourSOULS.Christ,whoalonepaidthe price of souls, has told us that one soul ismoreworth than all theworld, Mat. 16:26. Christ left his Father's bosom, and all the glory ofheaven, for the good of souls; he assumed the nature of man for thehappinessofthesoulofman;hetrodthewine-pressofhisFather'swrathforsouls;hewept forsouls,hesweat forsouls,heprayed for souls, hepaidforsouls,andhebledouthisheart-bloodforsouls.

Thesoul is thebreathofGod, thebeautyofman, thewonderofangels,andtheenvyofdevils;itisofanangelicalnature,itisaheavenlyspark,acelestialplant,andofadivineoffspring.Thesoulisaspiritualsubstance,capable of the knowledge of God, and of union with God, and ofcommunionwithGod,andofaneternalfruitionofGod.ThereisnothingthatcansuitthesoulbelowGod,noranything thatcansatisfythe soulwithoutGod.Thesoulissohighandsonobleapiece,thatitscornsalltheworld in point of acceptance, justification, satisfaction, and salvation.What are all the riches of the East or West Indies? what are rocks ofdiamonds,ormountainsofgold—comparedto theprice thatChrist laiddownforsouls?1Pet.1:18-19.Christmadehimselfanofferingforsin—that soulsmight not be undone by sin; the Lord died—that slavesmaylive; the Son dies—that servants may live; the natural Son dies—thatadopted sons may live; the only-begotten Son dies—that bastards maylive;yes,theJudgedies—thatmalefactorsmaylive.

Ah,friends,astherewasneversorrowlikeChrist'ssorrow—sotherewasneverlovelikeChrist'slove;andofallhislove,nonecancomparetohislove for souls. In aword, the spiritualenemieswhich dailywar againstthe soul, the glorious angels which hourly guard the soul, and thepreciousordinanceswhichGodhasappointedasmeansbothtoconvertandtofeedthesoul—doallspeakoutthepreciousnessandexcellencyofthesoul.

Manylayclaimtothesoulofman—sinlaysclaimtoit,andtheworldlaysclaimtoit,andSatanlaysclaimtoit,andChristandholinesslayclaimtoit. Oh, that Christ and holinessmight have it before all others! O sirs,

thereisnowisdomnorpolicytothatofsecuringourprecioussouls—fortheyarejewelsofmoreworththanall theworld!All thehonors,riches,greatness,andgloryofthisworldarebutsticksandstones,comparedtothese glorious gems. Therefore, before all and above all other things—makesureworkforyoursouls.Iftheyaresafeallissafe—butiftheyarelostallislost.

Otherthingscannotbemadesure.Richescannot, forastheyare lyingvanities, so they are flying vanities—they make themselves wings, andtheyflyaway.

Honors cannot:Haman is feastedwith the king one day, andmade afeastforcrowsthenext.Herodisonehourcriedupasagod,andthenexthourheiseatenofworms.Princelycourtsareveryslippery:amanmayquicklygetafallthere,thatmayeasilybreakbothbackandneck,asmanyinallageshaveexperienced.

Theapplauseandfavorofcreaturescannot,formanymen's favorsaregotwithanapple,and lostwithanut.Judas'heartwashardlywarmedwiththehigh-priest'sfavor,beforetheyshuttheirdoorsuponhim,witha"whatisthattous?lookyoutothat,"Mat.27:4-5.Mostmen'sfavorsareas light as a feather, and so tossed up and down with every breath ofwindyvanity.Themoondoesnotsooftenvaryandchange,astheesteemofmostmendovaryandchange.Howmanymenhavehadtheirnameswritten in golden charactersone year—and in letters of blood thenext!Whatisthefavorofmanbutablast,asunshine-hour,apuffofwind,agreatnothing?andwhothenwouldspendanhour'stimetosecureit?

Nearanddearrelationscannot,forthedelightofEzekiel'seyesistakenawaywithastroke,Ezek.24:16;andallJob'schildrenaresnatchedawayinaday,Job1:10.Allournearestanddearestrelationsarelikeabouquet,whichtheoftenerwesmelltoit,thesooneritwithers.

Butholinessmay bemade sure:witness the spirits of justmenmadeperfect in heaven, Heb. 12:23. And witness the many thousands ofChristiansthisdayintheworld,whoexperiencetheprinciplesofholinessintheirhearts,andwhoevidencethepowerofholiness intheir lives.Osirs, if the serious consideration of the preciousness andworth of your

soulswill not draw youout to studyholiness, to love holiness, to prizeholiness,andtopressafterholiness—whatwill?Osirs,itisonlyholiness,whichisthehappinessofthesoul,thesafetyandsecurityofthesoul,theprosperityand felicityof thesoul,andthe lusterandgloryof the soul.Therefore why should you not labor, as for life, after this inestimablejewel,holiness?

Oh,lettheremembranceofthepreciousnessofyoursoulsbeaneffectualmeanstodrawyoutohear—thatyoumaybeholy,andtopray—thatyoumaybeholy,andtoread—thatyoumaybeholy,andtomourn—thatyoumaybeholy;andtosighandgroanafterholiness,asafterthatwhichisthe soul's only happiness. O sirs, there is nothing below heaven aspreciousandnobleasyoursouls!Oh,donotpoisonyourprecioussoulsby gross enormities! Oh, do not starve your souls by the omission ofpiousduties!Oh, donotmurderand damn your souls by turning yourbacksuponholyordinances!

Ihavereadofawoman,who,whenherhousewasonfire,somindedthesavingofhergoods,thatsheforgotheronlychild,andleftitburninginthefire;at last,beingmindedofit,shecriesout,"Oh,mychild!oh,mypoorchild!"butalltoolate,alltoolate.Justso,therearemanymennowsomadupontheworld,andsobewitchedwiththeworld,thattheynevermind, theynever regard their poor souls, until they come to fall undereverlastingburnings,andthentheycryout,"Oh,oursouls!oh,ourpoorsouls! Oh, that we had been wise for our souls! Oh, that we had gotholinessforoursoulsOh,thatwehadmadesureworkforoursouls!Butall too late, all too late!" The Lord make you wise to prevent soul-burnings at last. If he is rather amonster than aman—who feasts hisslavebut starveshiswife;what shallwesayof thosewhopamper theirbodiesbutstarve theirsouls;andwhohave threadbaresoulsundersilkandsatinclothes;andwhopleasethemselveswithdeformedsoulsunderbeautiful faces?Surely itwouldhavebeengoodforthese, thattheyhadneverbeenborn!

I have read of a Scythian captain, who, having for a drink of water—yieldedupthecity,criedout, "WhathaveI lost!whathaveIbetrayed!"Just so, all unholy people will at last cry out, "We have betrayed ourimmortal souls, we have lost a precious Father, we have lost a dear

Redeemer,wehavelostthecompanyofgloriousangels,wehavelost thesocietyof the spiritsof justmenmadeperfect, andwehave lost all thepleasures and joys and delights that are at the right hand of theMostHigh!Wehave lost these,wehave lostall these,andwehave lost themforeverandever!Surelythereisnohellcomparedtothishell!"

For a closeof thisdirection, remember this—that as the soul is the lifeandexcellencyof thebody—soholiness is the life andexcellencyof thesoul. And as the body without the soul is dead—so the soul withoutholinessisdead."Thismysonwasdead,andisalive."Ifyougetholinessinto your souls, your souls shall live forever—but if you die withoutholiness,yoursoulsshalldieforeverandever.Ihavereadthattherewasa timewhen theRomanswore jewels on their shoes.Oh, that in thesedaysmostmendidnotdoworse!ohthattheydidnottrampleunderfeetthatmatchlessjewel—theirprecioussouls!But,

(7.) Seventhly, If ever you would be holy, then set in goodearnestuponreadingof theHolySCRIPTURE.Manyamanhasbeenmade holy by reading of the holy word. The Bible is the book ofbooks—it is the only book—all other books in the world are but wastepapercomparedtoit.Augustinecriesout,"Awaywithourwritings,thatroommaybemadeforthebookofGod!"Notwithstandingthegreatnessandmultiplicityoftheaffairsofprinces—yettheywerediligentlytoreadtheword:Deut.17:19,"Anditshallbewithhim,andheshallreadthereinallthedaysofhislife,thathemaylearntofeartheLordhisGod,tokeepallthewordsofthislawandthesestatutes,todothem."Godlooksthatthe greatest princes on earth should make use of this library. ThoughDavidwasagreatprince,andhadamultitudeofweightybusinessesuponhis hand—yet hewas somuch in reading andmeditating on theword,thathemadeithiscounselors.ThewordwasDavid'slearnedcounselor,Psalm119:24,towhichheresortedforcounsel,advice,andcomfort,inallhisnecessitiesandmiseries.

Alphonsus, king of Arragon, has been highly extolled for reading theScriptures fourteen times over, with expositions, notwithstanding hisgreatpublicemployments.AndAlphonsus,kingofNaples,readovertheBiblefortytimes,notwithstandingmanygreataffairswereuponhishand.Theodosiustheemperor,andConstantinetheGreat,weremuchtakenup

inreadingoftheScriptures.Justso,QueenElizabeth,whenshepassedintriumphthroughthestreetsofLondonafterhercoronation,andhadtheBiblepresentedtoher—shereceivedthesamewithbothherhands,and,kissingit,laidittoherbreasts,saying,that"thebiblehadeverbeenherchief delight, and should be the rule whereby she meant to frame hergovernment."

It is very observable, that the eunuch was reading the Scripture whenPhilip was commanded, by commission from the Holy Spirit, to joinhimself tohis chariot, and to instructhim in theknowledgeofChrist—which proved his conversion and salvation, Acts 8:26, 40. And Juniuswas converted by the reading of that first chapter of John, "In thebeginningwastheWord,"etc.,beingamazedwiththestrangemajestyofthe style, and theprofoundmysteries therein contained.Augustinewasstrangelyconvertedbyhearingavoice fromheaven, saying, "Tolle lege,tolle lege!"—Takeand read, takeand read!and takingup theBible, thefirst passage of Scripture that he cast his eyes upon was that Romans13:13-14, "Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies anddrunkenness,notinsexualimmoralityanddebauchery,notindissensionandjealousy.Rather,clotheyourselveswiththeLordJesusChrist,anddonot thinkabouthow togratify thedesiresof the sinfulnature."Andnosoonerhadhereadtheverses,buttheworkofconversionwasfinished,and pious resolutions for a thorough reformation of life was settled inhim.

Thegospelread is sometimes thepowerofGod to salvation,aswellasthegospelheard,Romans1:16.Cyprianconfessesthathewasconvertedfrom idolatry and necromancy by hearing the history of the prophetJonahreadandexpounded.AndLutherconfessesthathewasconvertedbyreadingScripture.Ihavereadofascandalousministerwhowasstruckat theheartandconverted inreadingRomans2:21-22,"You,then,whoteachothers,doyounotteachyourself?Youwhopreachagainststealing,do you steal?Youwho say that people shouldnot commit adultery, doyoucommitadultery?Youwhoabhoridols,doyourobtemples?"Thereis a scholarnowalive,whobeingpersuadedby anhonest poorman toleavereadingofpoetry,andtofalluponreadingoftheBible,didso;andbefore he had read out Genesis his heart was changed, and he was

converted.

O sirs, as you prize your conversion, your salvation, make moreconscienceofreadingtheScripturethaneveryouhavedone.Beofteninwhettingofthesescripturesuponyourhearts,Deut.6:6-9,and31:11,12;Jer. 36:6-7; John 5:39. In these scriptures God requires all sorts ofpeople, both men, women, children, and strangers, both learned andunlearned—to read the Scriptures, and to search after the heavenlytreasureswhicharelaidupinthem,asmensearchforgoldandsilverintheore.AndPaulchargesTimothythathegiveattendancetoreading,1Tim.4:13."Andblessedishe,"saysJohn,"whohearsandreadsthewordsofthisbook,"Rev.1:3.Yes,ChristhimselfhashighlyhonoredthereadingofScripture,withhisownexample;forcomingtoNazareth,ashiscustomwas,hestooduptoreadtheScriptures,Luke4:16,21.

The Bereans, for reading and searching of the Scriptures, are styled"morenoblethantheJewsofThessalonica,"orastheGreekhasit,"theywereofamorenobleandsinceredisposition," though theybelonged tothecountrytownofBerea,thantheThessalonianswere,whodweltintherichandstatelycityofThessalonica,Acts17:11.Sometimesthereismoretrue nobility and sincerity under a ragged coat—than there is under asatinsuit.TheHolySpiritgivesavery largeandhighcommendationoftheScripturesin2Tim.3:15,"AndthatfromachildyouhaveknowntheholyScriptures,whichareabletomakeyouwiseuntosalvation,throughfaithwhich is inChrist Jesus." It is observable that in thesewords youhave not simply holy Scriptures—but the holy Scriptures. The articlethere isveryemphatical,andit isusedbytheHolySpirit todistinguishthesesacredwritingsfromallprofanewritings,andtonotetheeminencyand excellency of the holy Scriptures above all other men's writingswhatever.NowtheScriptureshavethisadjunct,thisepithet"holy"giventheminfiverespects.

[1.]Inrespectoftheirauthorandorigin—namely,aholyGod.

[2.]Theyareholyinrespectofthepenmen—whowereholymenofGod,2Pet.1:21.

[3.]Theyareholyinrespectoftheirmatter—theytreatoftheholythings

of God; a vein of holiness runs through every line of Scripture. TheScripture calls forholyhearts andholy lives; it calls forholyprinciplesandholypractices,holywordsandholyworks,holyaffectionsandholylives,1Pet.1:15.

[4.]Theyareholyinrespectoftheireffectsandoperations—theyareameanstoeffectandworkholiness,andtheyareameanstocompleteandperfectholiness,Job17:17.Thewordisnotonlyapureword—butalsoapurifyingword; it is not only a cleanword—but also a cleansingword,Psalm19:8-9.

[5.] They are called holy byway ofdistinction, and in opposition notonly to all humanandprofanewritings—but also to thewritingsof thebest andchoicestmenwhoeverwrote; for theyhavehad their failings,weaknesses,and infirmities,and thereforemusthave theirmanygrainsofallowance;buttheholyScripture ismostperfectandcomplete.Now,sirs, if ever you would be holy, it is imperative that you make moreconscience of reading the holy Scriptures than ever yet you have done.ManyamanhasbeenmadeholybyreadingtheholyScriptures;andwhymay not you also be made holy by reading of the same holy word?Certainlyalltheangelsinheaven,andallthemenonearth,can'ttelltothecontrary—butthatyoumaybemadeholyevenbyreadingoftheholyword.

TheHolySpiritisasovereignagent,andhecanaswellworkholinessinyour heart by readingas by hearing—and therefore set yourself aboutthis noble and necessary work. Ah, friends, the Scriptures are God'sepistle;theyareGod'slove-lettertomen;andwhythenwillyounotreadthem? Anhalt, that princely preacher, was accustomed to say that theScriptures were Christ's swaddling-bands, the child Jesus being to befoundalmostineverypage,ineveryverse,andineveryline.Oh,beofteninlookingupon,andhandlingoftheseswaddling-bands!Osirs,therearenohistorieswhicharecomparabletothehistoriesoftheScripture.

[1.] First, For antiquity. Moses is found more ancient than all thosewhom theGreciansmakemost ancient, asHomer,Hesiod, andJupiterhimself,whomtheGreekshaveseatedinthetopoftheirdivinity.

[2.]Secondly,Forrarity.

[3.] Thirdly, Forbrevity. Here you have much wrapped up in a littlespace:hereyouhaveHomer's"Iliads"comprisedinanutshell.

[4.] Fourthly, For perspicuity. The foundations of true religion andhappinessaresoplainandclear,thateveryonemayrunandreadthem.ItwasatruesayingofAugustine,"ThatGodhasboweddowntheScripturestothecapacitiesevenofbabesandsucklings."

[5.]Fifthly,Forharmony.Though theremay seem tobe a contrarietybetweenscriptureandscripture—yetthereisablessedharmonybetweenallthepartsofScripture;thecontrarietyisseeming,notreal.Aswhenamanisdrawingwateroutofawellwithtwovesselsofadifferentmetal,thewateratthefirstseemstobeofadifferentcolor—butwhenhedrawsupthevesselsnearertohim,thediversityofcolorsvanish,andthewaterappearstobeofoneandthesamecolor;andwhenhetastesthem,theyhave one and the same relish. Just so, though at first sight theremayseemtobesomecontradictionsintheScriptures—yetwhenwelookmorenearlyandnarrowlyintothem,andcompareoneplacewithanother,weshall find no contrariety, no differences in them at all—but a perfectharmony,andafullandsweetconsentandagreementbetweenoneplaceandanother,betweentextandtext,scriptureandscripture.

[6.]Sixthly,Forverity.TheScripturesaremostsureandcertain;heavenand earth shall pass away before one jot or tittle of the Scripture shallpassunfulfilled.

[7.] Seventhly, Forvariety. There are no varieties, compared to thosewhicharetobefoundinScripture.AsinNoah'sarkallsortsofcreaturesweretobefound—sointhisheavenlyark,theScriptures,allvarietiesaretobefound.Hereyoumayfindaremedyforeverydisease,andbalmforeverywound,andaplasterforeverysore.Herethelambmaywade—andheretheelephantmayswim.Hereismilkforbabes—andhereismeatforstrong men. Here is comfort for the afflicted, and support for thetempted,andsolaceforthedistressed,andeaseforthewearied.Hereisastafftosupportthefeeble—andaswordtodefendtheweak.ThatwhichaPapistreportslyinglyoftheirsacramentofthemass—namely,thatthere

are asmanymysteries in it as there are drops in the sea, dust on theearth,angelsinheaven,starsinthesky,atomsinthesunbeams,orsandsonthesea-shore,etc.—maybetrulyassertedoftheholyScriptures;thereare many thousand thousand varieties in this garden of paradise, theScripture.

[8.] Eighthly, For fullness. The Scriptures are full of light; and full oflife;and fullof love;and fullof righteousness;and fullofholiness;andfull of all goodness. It was a weighty saying of Tertullian, "I adore thefullnessoftheScripture."

Manymentalkmuchofthephilosopher'sstone—thatitturnscopperintogold; andofcornucopia—that it had all thingsnecessary for food in it;andoftheherbpanaces—thatitwasgoodforalldiseases;andofthedrugcatholicon—thatitcancureanything;andofVulcan'sarmor—thatitwasfull armor against all thrusts and blows. But that which they vainlyattribute to these things for bodily good—may safely and honorably beattributedtotheblessedScripturesinaspiritualmanner.TheScripturesturnsheartsofcopperintoheartsofgold;itisaparadisethatisfullofthetreesoflife,andthesetreesoflifearebothforfoodandhealing;hereisallmanneroffruittofeedyouandfillyou,todelightyouandsatisfyyou,andtheveryleavesofthesetreesaresingularmedicinestohealyouandcureyou,Rev.22:2.TheScriptureprescribes thechoicestdrugs tohealyou,namely,repentanceandthebloodofChrist.Andit is theScripturewhich furnishes you with the best armor against all principalities andpowers,andagainstall spiritualwickednesses inhighplaces,Eph.6:11,18.

Oh,howshouldtheconsiderationofallthesethingsworkyoutobemuchinreadingoftheholyScriptures!Ifyouwillbutmaketrial,youshouldbesure to find in them, stories more true, more various, more pleasant,more profitable, and more comfortable than any you will find in allancientormodernwriters.Ah,friends,ifyouwouldbutingoodearnestsetupon readingof theholyScriptures, youmay find in themsomanyhappinessesascannotbenumbered,andsogreathappinessesascannotbemeasured,andsocopioushappinessesascannotbedefined,andsuchprecioushappinessesas cannotbevalued!If all thiswon't draw you toreadtheholyScripturesconscientiouslyandfrequently—Iknownotwhat

will.

ItissaidofMary,thatshespentthethirdpartofhertimeinreadingoftheword.Caecilia, aRomanmaidenofnobleparentage, carriedalwaysabouthertheNewTestament,andspentmuchtimeinreadingit.Alfred,oncekingofEngland, compiledpsalmsandprayers intoonebook, andcalled itaManual,whichhealwayscarriedabouthim,and spentmuchtimeintheperusalofit.AugustinecausedDavid'spenitentialpsalmstobewrittenuponthewallsofhisbedchamber,thathemightreadthemashelayinhisbed;hereadandwept,andweptandread.

Well, if all this will not prevail with you to bemuch in reading of theScriptures, consider that Agesilaus, an excellent king of Sparta, wouldnevergotobed,norriseup,beforehehadlookedintoHomer,whomhecalledhissweetheart;butwhatwasHomer'sbookstoGod'sbook,whichisthebookofbooks,asCharlestheGreatdidsignifywhenhecrowneditwithhisowncrown.ScipioAfricanususuallyhadinhishandsthebooksofXenophon.Butoh,howmuchmorecommendablewillitbeforyoutohavealwaysinyourhandsthebookofGod!AlphonsushadalwaysinhisbosomtheCommentariesofCaesar,andhewassomuchdelightedwiththehistoryofTitusLivius, thatheonce commanded certainmusicians,thatwereveryskillful in thatart, todeparthispresence, sayingthathecould read a more pleasant story out of Livius. Alas! what are Livius'stories, compared to the blessed stories that are in theBible! O sirs, ifLipsius,whenhedidbut readSeneca, thought thathewasevenon thetopofOlympus,abovemortalityandhumanthings;andifJuliusScaligerthoughttwelveversesinLucanbetterthantheGermanempire—oh,then,ofwhatinfiniteworthandvalueistheblessedScripture!Shallheathenstake such pleasure in reading of the works of heathens, and shall notChristians take as much pleasure in reading of the holy Scriptures,whereinthereissomuchoftheSpirit,hand,andheartofGod?Shalltheysetsohighapriceuponthebooksofheathens,andshallwesoslightandundervalue the book of God as not to think it worth a-opening once aday?Truly,Iamafraid,Iamafraid,thattherearesomeamongus,whohardlyopentheirBiblesonceaweek,andothers,whohardlyopentheirBiblesonceamonth,andnotafewwhohardlyopentheirBiblesonceaquarter, etc. Certainly as the rustiness of some men's gold will be a

witness against them in the great day of the Lord, so themustiness ofsomemen'sBibleswillbeawitnessagainsttheminthatgreatday!James5:1-3.

Question. But is it not lawful for aman to read othermen'sbooks,toreadothermen'sholyworks?etc.

Answer.Doubtlessitislawful;andthat,

[1.]First,Becauseothermen'sholyworks,sofarastheyareholy—arebutthefruits,products,andoperationsoftheHolySpirit,etc.

[2.] Secondly, Because their holy labors are of singular use for theclearingupofmanyhard,difficult,andmysteriousscriptures,etc.

[3.] Thirdly, Because they have been the means of many men'sconversion.WhileVergeriusreadLuther'sbookswithanintenttoconfutethem—hehimselfwasconvertedbythem.Idoubtnotbutthattherearemany now in heaven, and multitudes now on earth, who have beenconvertedbythebooksandwritingsofholymen;andthereforeitcannotbutbelawfultoreadsuchbooks,etc.

[4.]Fourthly,Though it is lawful toreadothermen'sholywritings—yettheholyScripturesmuststillhavethepre-eminence;theymustbefirstly,chiefly, andmostly read. All other books in comparison of the book ofGod,must be cast aside; it is God's book which is indeed the book ofbooks.

Cumanus, a governor of Judea, though he was but a heathen, and awickedman—yethecausedasoldiertobebeheadedfortearingacopyofthebookofMoses's law,whichhe foundat the sackingof a town.Andvenerableinallagesandamongallnationshavebeenthebookswhereinthe laws either of their beliefs or polity have been contained; as theTalmud among the Jews, and the laws of the twelve tables among theRomans,and theAlcoranamong theTurks.Yes,allpaganshavehighlyvaluedthe lawsof their legislators;andshallnotChristiansmuchmoresetahighesteemupontheholyScriptures,whicharethemapofGod'smercy,andman'smisery, thetouchstoneof truth, theshopofremedies

againstallmaladies,thehammerofvices,andthetreasuryofvirtues,theexposerofallsensualandworldlyvanities,thebalanceofequity,andthemostperfectruleofalljusticeandhonesty?

WhatChrysostomsaidofoldtohishearers—namely,"GetyouBibles,fortheyareyoursouls'remedies"—thatIsaytoyouall,Oh,getyouBibles,fortheyareyoursouls'remedies,yoursouls'food,yoursouls'happiness.Ah, friends, no book befits your hands like the Bible. It was this bookwhichmadeDavidwiserthanhisteachers;thisisthebookwhichmakesthebestpreachers;andthisisthebookwhichisthebestpreacher.Thisbook,thispreacherwillpreachtoyouinyourshops,inyourchambers,inyour closets, yes, in your own bosoms. This bookwill preach to you athomeandabroad,itwillpreachtoyouinallcompanies,whethertheyaregoodorbad,anditwillpreachtoyouinallconditions,whethertheyareprosperousorafflictive.Bythisbookyoushallbesaved,orbythisbookyoushallbedamned!Bythisbookyoumustlive,bythisbookyoumustdie, andby thisbookyoushallbe judged in the great day! John 12:48.Oh,therefore, lovethisbookaboveallotherbooks,andprizethis bookaboveallotherbooks,andbuythisbookbeforeallotherbooks.

InKingHenry theEighth's time, and inQueenMary's days, ChristianswouldhavegivencartloadsofhayandcornforafewchaptersintheNewTestament; and will not you part with three or four shillings to buy aBible,thatmaysaveyoursouls,thatmaymakeyouholyhereandhappyhereafter?Andreadthisbookbeforeallotherbooks,andstudythisbookmore than all other books; for he who reads much and understandsnothing, is like himwho huntsmuch and caches nothing. And let thissufficeforthisseventhdirection.

(8.) Eighthly, If ever you would be holy, then be much inPRAYER. Prayer is the most prevalent orator at the throne of grace.Manywhohavegonetothatthronewithtearsintheireyes—havecomeawaywithpraises in their hearts!Manywho have gone to that thronewith hearts full of sin—have returned with hearts full of grace! Jacobweptandprayed, andprayedandwept—and in the end, as a princeheprevailed with God, Hosea 14:4. Just so, many a sinner has wept andprayed, and prayed and wept—and in the end, as a prince he hasprevailedwithGod.Ah,sirs,itmaybethattherearebutafewweeks,nay,

a few days, nay, perhaps but a few hours—between your souls andeternity, between your souls and everlasting burnings, between yoursoulsandadevouringfire,betweenyoursoulsanddamnation!Willyounotthenprayandmourn,andmournandpray,forthatholiness,withoutwhichthereisnohappiness,yes,withoutwhichhellanddestructionwillbe foreveryourportion?Oh, take thatblessedpromise,Ezek. 36:25-27,andurgeGodwithit;oh,tellhimthathehassaidthat"hewillsprinklecleanwateruponyou,andthatyoushallbecleanfromallyourfilthiness,andthatfromallyouridolshewillcleanseyou",etc.Oh,tellhim,

First,ThathestandsengagedbypromisetogivehisHolySpirittothosewhoaskit,Luke11:13.

Secondly,Oh, tellhim thatnonecanmakeanunholyheartholy—butaholyGod.

Thirdly,TellhimthatsurelyitisnosintobegholinessfromaholyGod.

Fourthly, Tell him that he hasmade such whowere once notorious inwickedness, to become eminent in holiness: witness Manasseh, MaryMagdalene,Paul, themurderersofChrist, and thosevileCorinthians, 1Cor.5:6,9-11.

Fifthly,Tellhimthathehasgivenholinesstothosewhohavenotsoughtit,andhowthencanitstandwithhishonortodenyittothosewhoseekit?Surelyifhehasbeen"foundbythosewhosoughthimnot,"hewillnothidehimself"fromthosewhoseekhim,"Isaiah65:1-2.

Sixthly,Tellhimthatyouhadrather thatheshoulddenyyouanything,than thathe shoulddenyyouholiness.Say tohim, "Lord,health is theprinceofoutwardmercies;andwealthisthespringofmanymercies;andwife, children, and friends are the pinnacle of mercies, the cream ofmercies—and thatmercy is the sweetener of all yourmercies"—and yettellhimthatyouhadratherthatheshouldstripyouofanyofthese,nay,that he should deny you all of these—than that he should deny youholiness.

Seventhly, Tell him that you did never read of any man who did ever

make a hearty request for holiness—but his request was granted. Theleperwouldsincerelybeclean,andChrist'sansweris,"Iwill—beclean!"Mat.8:2-3.Christdoesneitherdelayhimnordenyhim.Thepoor lepercouldnosoonerdesiretobeclean—butChristcommandshimtobeclean—"Iwill—beclean."Hisprayerwasshortandsweet—andhisanswerwassuddenandgracious.

Eighthly,Tellhimthatyouareunwillingtobemiserableforever,tellhimthatyoucannotbear the thoughtsofaneternal separation fromhim—andyetthismustbeyourportion,excepthewillglorifytherichesofhisgraceinbestowingofthatpearlofprice,holiness,uponyou!Oh,tellhimthatyourlackofholinessisnowyourgreatesthell!tellhimthatyouarenow fully resolved togivehimno restuntilhehas changedyourheart,andmadeyouinsomemeasuretobewhathewouldhaveyoutobe,etc.

Itisobservableamongtheworstofmen,theTurks,yes,amongtheworstofTurks,theMoors—whobytheirlawitisausualcustomwiththemtoprayfordaybeforethedaybreak,andwhenitisdaytheygivethanksfordaylight,andatnoontheygivethanks toGod thathalf theday ispast,andthenatlasttheypraythattheymayhaveagoodnightaftertheirday.Ah, sinners, sinners, shall not theseTurks riseuponeday in judgmentagainstyouwhothinknotholinesswortha-prayingfor?

OBJECTION.Buttheprayersof thewickedareanabominationtotheLord, Proverbs 15:8, and 28:9; and he casts their sacrifices as dung intheir faces, Isaiah 11-16, and 58:1-7; their very prayers are sinful, andthereforetheywerebetterneglectprayeruntilGodshallworkgraciouslyandsavinglyuponthem,thantopray,andsotosinasoftenastheypray,etc.TothisIanswer,

(1.)First,Theprayersofthewickedmaybemateriallygood,whentheyare not formallygood; yes, when they are theologically evil, 2 Chron.25:2.Amaziahdidthatwhichwasperfect in thesightof theLord,as tothematter—butnotwithaperfectorsincereheart.Hefailednot inthematter—butinthemanner.Hedidnotdothatgoodwhichhedid,fromprinciples of faith, love, etc., nor to a right end—divine glory. Manyunsanctifiedpeoplemayhavethegiftofprayer—whohavenotthespiritofprayer,northegraceofprayer,Mat.7:21,and23:14.[Psalm78:36-37;

Proverbs1:27-28;Isaiah58:1-4.]

NowcertainlywhereGodgivessuchagift,herequirestheuseofit.Thegiftofprayer is fromtheSpirit,aswellas thegraceofprayer;andwhocantellbutthatupontheuseofthegiftofprayer,theSpiritmaygivethegraceofprayer?However, it isdangerous toneglect agift.The slothfulservantwasnotcastintoutterdarknessforriotingouthistalent—butfornotimprovingofhistalent,Mat.25:30.Thattheprayersofawickedmanarenotformallygood,mustbegranted,yes,thattheyareabominableandineffectual,cannotbedenied;theyare likethepreciousstoneDiacletes,whichthoughithasmanyexcellentpowersinit—yetitlosesthemallifitbeputinadeadman'smouth.Justso,prayer,thoughithasmanyvirtuesandexcellenciesinit—yetitlosesthemallwhenitisperformedbyamanwhoisspirituallydead—thatis,deadGod-wards,andChrist-wards,andheaven-wards, and holiness-wards; but if you consider thematter of awickedman'sprayers,sotheymaybegood,yes,sogoodasthattheymayprevail with a good God formuch temporal good, as I shall show youbeforeIcloseupallmyanswerstothisobjection.But,

(2.)Secondly,Itisalesssinforanunholypersontodoareligiousduty,thanitistoomitit.Nowoftwosins,whereupon,notGod—butaman'sselfhas inevitablyputhim to commitoneof them,hemust choose theleast,hemust choose rather to sin in themanner, innotdoingof it sowellasheshould,thantofailinthematter,andsoquiteneglectthedutyitself.Forthisismostcertain,whenGodcommandsadutyabsolutelytobedone,itisagreatersinnottodoitatall,thantodoitamiss,andthereason is evident, because our disobedience is total in not doing at all,andbut onlypartial indoing it otherwise thanweought.As for amanwillfully and peremptorily to refuse to hear the word, is a greater andfouler fault than to hear it with a forgetful or disobedient heart, therebeingmorehopeofthelatterthanoftheformer;forsomethathavecometocatch,havebeencaughtbytheword,John7:46."Andthereforecome,"saysLatimer,"totheword;thoughyoucometosleep,itmaybeGodmaytakeyounapping."

When Mr. Henry Sulphen was preacher at Bremen, several RomanCatholicssenttheirchaplainstotraphiminhiswords;butthepowerofGodwas sowonderfully seen inhispreaching, that the greatestpart of

those who came to ensnare him, were converted by him. It is good tocometotheword,thoughamancomeswithanillintent;tocome,thoughhe should come with a purpose to catch, for in so coming he may becatched,asAugustinewasbyAmbrose.

Without doubt there is no disobedience like thatwhich is total. Partialdisobedience is no disobedience, compared to that which is total. Thatwife who totally disobeys her husband, and that child who totallydisobeysthe father,andthatservantwhototallydisobeyshismaster, ismuchmore toblame, anddomuchmoreprovoke—than thosewho areonlypartialintheirdisobedience.AndsoitisbetweenGodandsinners,etc.

(3.)Thirdly,If therewereanystrengthinthisobjection, itwould lieasstrongagainstawickedman'scivilactions,asitdoesagainsthisreligiousactions:Proverbs21:4,"Theplowingsofthewickedissin;"notonlytheprayers of thewicked—but also theplowings of thewicked are sin, notonly thespiritualbutalso thenaturalandcivilactionsofawickedmanaresin;andtherefore,accordingtotheirarguing,awickedmanmustnotexercise himself in his calling, in his plowing and sowing, etc., becausethat his civil actions are sinful as well as his religious; and it is asimpossibleforhimtopleaseGodintheone,asitistopleasehimintheother. Surely allmenwho are in theirwits,will either sigh or laugh atsuchkindofreasonings.But,

(4.)Fourthly,Thisobjectionliesasstrongagainstwickedmen'snaturalactions—namely, their eating, drinking, and sleeping, etc.—as it doesagainst their praying. When a wicked man eats, he is to eat to divineglory,andwhenhedrinks,heistodrinktodivineglory,1Cor.10:31;andwhenherecreateshimself,he is torecreatehimself todivineglory;andwhen he sleeps, he is to sleep to divine glory. In all these natural andcommonactions,heistomakethegloryofGodhissupremescope.Nowthereisnotawickedmanonearthwhodoesorcaneatordrink,etc.,todivineglory;hedoesnot—andhecannotsetup thegloryofGodas thechiefandultimateendofhisnaturalandcommonactions.Nowwhobutfools in foliowill reason thus:wickedmenare toeat anddrink, etc., todivine glory—but this they cannot do, Titus 1:15; and therefore wickedmenmustneithereatnordrink,etc.But,

(5.)Fifthly,Theforceandspiritofthisobjection,iftherewereanyinit,lies as flatly and fully against all other pious duties—as it does againstprayer. It liesasstrongagainsthearing, reading,andmeditatingon theword,etc.,asitdoesagainstprayer.Andwhobutsuchwhoaresadlyleftof God, and woefully blinded by Satan, will be so wretched as to say,wickedmenmustneitherheartheword,norreadtheword,normeditateon the word—because they cannot do these actions in faith, "andwhateverisnotoffaithissin,"Romans14:23.But,

(6.) Sixthly, There are those who can say by experience, that the firstspecialwork ofGod that ever they perceived on their own hearts—waswhiletheywerepleadingwithGodatthethroneofgrace.Therearethosewhohavebroughtproudheartstothethroneofgrace—buthavereturnedwithheartshumbled;andwhohavebroughthardhearts—buthavegoneawaywithhearts graciouslybrokenandmelted; andwhohavebroughtcarnalhearts—butreturnedwithspiritualhearts;andwhohavebroughtworldlyhearts—butreturnedwithheavenlyhearts.Godsometimeshearsprayersforhisownsake,andforhisSon'ssake,andforhisglory'ssake,andforhispromisesake—whenhewillnothearprayersforthesinner'ssake.But,

(7.) Seventhly, Sinful omissions lead to sinful commissions, yes,sometimes they lead to ruin! As youmay see in theangels—which fellfrom the highest heaven to the lowest hell; and inAdam—who fell inparadisefromthehighestpinnacleofglorytotheloweststepofsinandmisery.Thosereprobatesinthat25thofMatthewdidnotrobthesaints—but only omitted the relieving of them, and this proved a damning tothem.RichDivesdidnotrobthepoor—buthisnotrelievingofthemwashisruin,Luke16.MoabandAmmonwerebanishedthesanctuarytothetenthgeneration for amereomission,because theydidnotmeetGod'sIsraelinthewildernesswithbreadandwater,Deut.23:3,4,6.

Look!astheomissionofhealthydietbreedsnaturaldiseasesinthebody,sodoestheomissionofgooddutiesbreedspiritualdiseases inthesoul.Allsinfulomissionsmakeworkforhell—orforthephysicianofsouls.Oman! you do not know what deadly sin, what deadly temptation—mayfollow upon a mere single omission. Origen, going to comfort and

encourageamartyrwhowastosuffer,wasapprehendedbytheofficers,andconstrainedeithertooffertotheidolsortobetortured.Beingthushardputtoit,tosavehislife,hebowedtotheidols;butafterwards,whenhecametohimself,hesadlybewailshissin,andconfessesthathewentforth thatmorningwithoutmaking his prayers untoGod, which sinfulomission God did so severely punish, by leaving of him to fall into sogreatasin,whichpiercedhissoulthroughwithmanysorrows.

Iamapttothinkthatmanyasin,manyasnare,andmanyafallmighthave been prevented—if such and such pious duties had not beenomitted. Sinful omissions prepare the way to sinful commissions, andbothprepare theway to a fataldestruction. I believemanymenwouldneverhavebeensoabominablewicked—iftheyhadnotfirstcastoffpiousduties.Hewholivesintheneglectofprayer,temptsmoredevilsthanone—toensnarehissoul,yes,todestroyhissoul,etc.But,

(8.)Eighthlyandlastly,ThereareseveralweightyargumentsthatmaybeproducedtoprovethatitistheDUTYofwickedandunconvertedmentoperform religious duties, as to pray and seek the Lord, etc. Among themanythatmaybebroughtforth,Ishallonlygiveyouthesesix:

[1.]First,Thisisevidentfromdivinecommands,asyoumayclearlyseeby comparing of these scriptures together, Isaiah 55:6-7; Acts 8:21-23;Psalm 65:21. 1 Thes. 5:17, "Pray without ceasing," is an indefiniteinjunction; and who are you, Oman, who dares to prohibit what Godcommands?Arenothiscommandsobliging?andmaynotdisobedienceto the least of them cost you your life, your soul, your all? God'scommands are neither to be slighted, censured, norneglected.Woe tohim who looks upon great commands as little commands—and littlecommands as no commands,Mat. 23:23.O sirs, it is a very dangerousthingtoactorruncounter-crosstoGod'sexpresscommand;itmaycostamandear,asyoumayseeinthatsadstory,1Kings13:24.

The heathens, indeed, would frequently run cross to their gods'commands,forwhentheirgodscommandedthemtoofferupaman,theywouldofferupacandle;andsoHercules,whenhewastoofferupalivingman,heofferedupapaintedman.ButdoesitbefitChristianstodealthuswith the great God, with the living God, with the God of gods—as the

heathensdidbytheirgods?Surelynot!God'scommandsarenotlikeuntothe commands of the heathens—which might be contradicted andchanged—buttheyareliketothecommandsoftheMedes—whichcannotbereversednorchanged;theymustbeevangelicallyobeyed,oryouwillbeeternallydestroyed.TheRechabiteswereveryrigidobserversoftheirfather's commands; andwill youmake slight ofGod's commands? Jer.35:2, 5-7. "The angelswho excel in strength do his commandments,"Psalm103:20;andwillyoudespisethem?Whyshouldthepeasantscornthatworkinwhichtheprincehimselfisengaged?But,

[2.] Secondly, Prayer is a natural worship, and is incumbent upon allmen,as theyarecreatedbyGod.Prayer isadutywhichthevery lawofnature,aswellasthelawoftheword,laysuponmen.Andthisyoumaysee in those pagans, Jonah 1:5, "The mariners cried every man to hisgod." That there is a God, and that this God is to be called upon—arelessonswhicharetaughtinnature'sschool:Isaiah45:20,"Theypraytoagodwhichcannotsave."Foranymantosayawickedmanoughtnottopray—istosayawickedmanoughtnottoworshipGod,noracknowledgehimtobehismaker;andwhobutsuchwhoareeitherblindormaddarespeak such language? Certainly thosewho live in the neglect of prayerunder thegospel—sinagainstadouble light, the lightofnatureandthelightof thegospel,andthereforetheyshallbedouble-damned.There isnohellcomparedtothesemen'shell—whosinagainstadoublelight,etc.But,

[3.]Thirdly,Theneglectofprayerischargeduponwickedpeopleastheirsin; as you may see by comparing of these scriptures together, Psalm14:2, 4, and 10:4; Jer. 10:21;Hosea 7:7; Zeph. 1:6. Now doubtless if itwerenotadutyforunregeneratepeopletopray,itcouldneverstandwiththeholiness,justice,andrighteousnessofGod,tochargetheomissionofprayer upon them as a sin, and therefore, without question, it is theirdutytopray.But,

[4.] Fourthly, Wicked and unregenerate people are again and againimprecatedagainstfornotcallingupontheLord:Psalm79:6,"Pouroutyourwrathonthenationsthatdonotacknowledgeyou,onthekingdomsthatdonotcallonyourname."Jer.10:25,"Pouroutyourwrathonthenationsthatdonotacknowledgeyou,onthepeopleswhodonotcallon

your name." Now certainly, if prayer were not a duty incumbent uponwicked men, they would never be thus imprecated against for theomission of it. To imprecate that vials, that full vials, that full vials ofwrath and fury should be poured forth, suddenly and plentifully, uponthosekingdomsandpeopleswhodonotcalluponthenameoftheLord,is so dreadful a thing, that it would have never beenmentioned in theScripture, had it not been to alarm the worst of men to the work ofprayer.But,

[5.]Fifthly, If absolutepromises, orpreciouspromisesof special graceandmercy—aremadetosinners,assinners—thensinnersmayinprayerpleadoutthosepromises,andurgeGoduponmakinggoodhispromises.Butabsolutepromises,orpromisesofspecialgraceandfavor,aremadeover to sinners, as sinners, consequently, that such promises aremadeover topoorsinners,assinners, isevident,"Iwasenragedbyhis sinfulcovetousness;Ipunishedhim,andhidmyfaceinanger,yethekeptoninhiswillfulways.Ihaveseenhisways,butIwillhealhim;Iwillguidehimandrestorecomforttohim,creatingpraiseonthelipsofthemournersinIsrael.Peace,peace,tothosefarandnear.AndIwillheal them."Isaiah57:17-19. These words drop nothing but myrrh and mercy. If Enniuscouldpickgoldoutofaash-heap,oh,whatgold,whatcomfort,maybepickedoutofthesegoldenpromises!Inthesewords,letusconsidertwothings:first,thepreciouspromiseswhichareheremade;secondly,thepeople to whom they aremade. In the words you have four preciouspromisesofspecialgraceandfavor;theyareassomanystreamsofgraceflowingfromthecovenantofgrace.

I.ThepreciousPROMISESwhichareheremade.

First, You have here a promise ofhealing: verse 18, "I have seen hisways,butIwillhealhim,"or,asyoumayreadthewords,thoughIhaveseen his ways and courses, and well observed how unworthily, howexasperating, and how obstinately he has behaved, "yet I will healhim,"—"I will heal his backsliding nature." Though his disease isdangerous,thoughitisverydangerous—yettoanalmightyphysiciannodisease is incurable. I will heal his inside by pardoning his sin andpurging his conscience; and I will heal his outside by removing ofjudgments and calamities from him; and all this I will do upon the

accountofmypromiseandcovenant:Hosea14:4;Jer.32:38,and40:2,compared;Psalm103:3;Jer.3:22;Mal.4:2.

Secondly, You have in the words a promise of guiding; "I will guidehim,"or,astheHebrewhasit,"andIwillguidehim,Iwillconducthiminsafetytohisowncountry."Sosomesenseit—butyoumayunderstandit,doubtless,ofaspiritual,aswellasofaprovidential leading. "Iwill leadhimbymyword,andIwillleadhimbymySpirit,andIwillleadhimbymy counsel, suitable unto many precious promises of grace which arescatteredupanddownintheScripture."

Thirdly, In the words you have a promise of comfort; "I will restorecomforts tohim,"not comfort—butcomforts; that is, in the roomofallthose discomforts, sorrows, calamities, and miseries brought uponhimself—Iwill, saysGod, lay inabundanceof comfort, yes, Iwill ladenhim with all sorts of comforts, both temporal, spiritual, and eternal,suitabletothatwordofgracethatyouhaveinIsaiah40:1-2.

Fourthly, In the words you have a promise ofpeace: verse 19, "I willcreatepraiseonthelipsofthemournersinIsrael.Peace,peace,tothosefarandnear,"saystheLord.Therepetitionoftheword'Shalom,shalom','peace,peace', importsa largeextentofpeace; itnotes truepeace, firmpeace, sure peace, great peace, abundance of peace, yes, constant andlastingpeace.UnderthenameoftheHebrewword'peace'inisdenotedallmannerofprosperity, and the repetitionof thewordalwaysnotesalargemeasureoftranquility,plenty,prosperity,andfelicity.Osirs,peacewithGod,andpeacewithconscience,andpeacewiththecreatures—arealltheproductsofGod'screatingpowerandgrace,Eph.2:16-18,andsomustbereferredtothecovenantofgrace.

Letusconsider,

II.ThePEOPLEtowhomthesepreciouspromisesaremade;andIhereletusobservethesethreethings.

First, Their sin; and this you have in verse 17, "I was enraged by hissinfulcovetousness."Thesinthatischargeduponhimisaverygreatandgrievous,itisaveryvileandheinoussin;itiscallednotonlygreed—but

the sinful greed, to show the height and transcendency of this theirwickedness!

"Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of covetousness; aman's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." Luke12:15. Covetousness is—a very great and grievous sin—amother-sin—abreedingsin—asinwhichhasallsininitswomb—averyvileandheinoussin—the root of all evil. Covetousness makes the soul earthly—whichshouldbecelestial.Covetousnessisanevilwhichsubjects

mentothebasestandvilestevils.

Covetousnessmakesamanafool!"Youfool!Thisverynightyourlifewillbe demanded fromyou.Thenwhowill getwhat youhave preparedforyourself?"Luke12:20.

Covetousness robs a man of all true peace, comfort, contentment andquiet. Covetousness bringsmen into snareswhich drown their souls inperdition.Covetousnessrendersmenunsatisfiedunderalltheiroutwardenjoyments. Though a covetouswretch has enough to sink him--yet hecanneverhaveenoughtosatisfyhim.Firsthewishesforabagfull,andthenachestfull,andthenaroomfull,andthenahousefull,etc.

Theplague of unsatisfiedness, is the great plaguewhich covetousmenareunder.Certainlyyoushallas soon fill a trianglewitha circle, andachestwithgrace--asyoushallbeabletofillandsatisfyacovetousmindwithmoney.

Acovetousmanislikeaswine--whichisgoodfornothingwhileit lives.Thehorseisgoodtocarry,theoxisgoodtodraw,thesheep isgoodforcloth, the cow is good to give milk, and the dog is good to guard thehouse--butthehogisgoodfornothingwhilehelives!Justso,acovetousmanisonlyserviceablewhenheisdead.Thatscriptureoftenprovestrue,"therichesofasinnerarelaidupforthejust,"Job27:17.

Nosinlaysmenundergreaterwoes!"Peoplewhowanttogetrichfallintotemptation and a trap and intomany foolish and harmful desires thatplungemenintoruinanddestruction.Fortheloveofmoneyisarootof

allkindsofevil.Somepeople,eagerformoney,havewanderedfromthefaithandpiercedthemselveswithmanygriefs."1Timothy6:9-10.

Secondly, They grew worse under the afflicting hand of God; "I wasenragedbyhissinfulgreed;Ipunishedhim,andhidmyfaceinanger,yethe kept on in his willful ways." They were like peevish, self-willed,stubbornchildren—whichgrowmorecross,crooked,andperverseunderall thechasteningsof their father.Andthiswasnosmallaggravationoftheirsin—thattheygrewworseundertherod!Plutarchwrites that it isthequalityoftigers,thatifdrumssoundaboutthem,theywillgrowmad,andripandteartheirownfleshinpieces;andsoitwaswiththesesinnersin the text.Oh, howdid they fret and fume, and tear—when theywereundertherebukesofGod!But,

Thirdly,Theyperseveredandwentonagainstallwarnings;"Ihaveseenhisways,"thatis,Ihaveseenhisobstinacyandincorrigibilityinsin."Ah,poorcreature!"saysGod,"heseesnothispresentmiseryandslavery;hetakesnonoticeofhisownfollyandvanity—ofhisownperversenessandpeevishness; he scorns to bend or bow under my mighty hand; he isresolvedtostanditouttothedeath;hewillpersistoninhisownways,thoughheeternallyperishes—thoughhellstandsattheendofhisways—yetonhewillgo!"

Well!what is theoutcomeofall this?Godsays,"Ihaveseenhisways—andIwillhealhim."Itisnot,"Ihaveseenhisways—andwillcursehim!"No,but"Ihaveseenhisways—andIwillhealhim."Itisnot,"Ihaveseenhisways—andwillneverhaveanymoretodowithhim!"No,but"Ihaveseenhisways—andwillhealhim!"It isnot,"Ihaveseenhisways—andwilldamnhim!"No,but"Ihaveseenhisways—andwillhealhim."

Ohthefreeness!Ohtheunsearchableness!OhtherichesofGod'sgrace!

Andthusyouseethatthepreciouspromiseslastcitedarepromiseswhicharemadeovertosinnersassinners.

And this is further evident in Isaiah43:22-25. "Yet youhavenot calleduponme,OJacob,youhavenotweariedyourselvesforme,OIsrael.Youhavenotbroughtmesheepforburntofferings,norhonoredmewithyour

sacrifices.Ihavenotburdenedyouwithgrainofferingsnorweariedyouwithdemandsforincense.Youhavenotboughtanyfragrantcalamusforme,or lavishedonmethefatofyoursacrifices.Butyouhaveburdenedmewith your sins andweariedmewith youroffenses. I, even I, amhewhoblotsoutyourtransgressions,formyownsake,andremembersyoursinsnomore!"

Forsinsofomissionandsinsofcommission,whatcanbemorechargeduponasinfulpeoplethanhereischargeduponthem?Theywerenotonlynegligent of his worship and service—but they were also weary of hisworshipandservice,andcounteditratheraburdenthanabenefit,ratheratoilthanapleasure.InalltheiroutwardobservancestheydidbutcourttheLord,theydidbutcomplimentGod;forwhiletheywereinhisservice,their hearts were secretly weary of his service; and by their sinfulcommissions,oh,howdidtheygrieve,vex,oppress,andburdentheHolyOne of Israel! And yet, in verse 25, God does passionately andemphaticallyproclaimtheirfreepardon,"I,evenI,amhewhoblotsoutyour transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins nomore!"

Themetaphoristakenfrommen'sblottingoutofdebtsoutoftheirdebt-book.Nowwhenadebtisblottedoutofthedebt-book,itisnevermorechargeduponthedebtor;itisnevermoreregardednorremembered.Justso,whenGod proclaims the sinner's pardon,when he forgives himhistransgressions—heblotsout,heerases,hecrosseshisbooks,andcancelsall debts—so that he will never count his sins against him, and nevercharge his sins upon him! Being once forgiven—they shall be foreverforgotten,theyshallnevermorecomeintohisremembrance!

Andallthishewilldoforhisname'ssake,andforthepraiseandgloryofhisownfreegrace.

Just so, in Ezek. 36:26-29. "Iwill give you a newheart and put a newspirit inyou;Iwillremovefromyouyourheartofstoneandgiveyouaheartofflesh.AndIwillputmySpiritinyouandmoveyoutofollowmydecreesandbecareful tokeepmy laws.Youwill live in the land Igaveyourforefathers;youwillbemypeople,andIwillbeyourGod.Iwillsaveyoufromallyouruncleanness!"

Nowbyallthesescripturesitismostplainandevidentthatthepreciouspromisesofspecialgraceandmercyaremadeovertosinnersassinners;and if so, then doubtless sinnersmay lawfully put these promises intosuit.Osirs,don'tyouknowthatdesireis thesoulofprayer?andwho—butsuchasarewitlessandgraceless—willsaythatawickedmanmaynotdesiretheaccomplishmentofGod'sgraciouspromises—whowill sayanunregenerate man may not desire to be pardoned, sanctified, andrenewed;andthattheLordwouldbestowhisSpirituponhim,andthat,bythefingerofthesameSpirit,thelawoftheLordmaybewritteninhisheart, thathemayobservehis statutes, anddo them?Theseare thingsthat God has engaged himself to do for poor sinners, and thereforecertainlysinnersmayputGodinmindofhisengagements.But,

[6.]Sixthlyandlastly,Godwouldneverhaveencouragedandrewardedwithtemporalfavorswickedandunregeneratemen'sreligiousdutiesandservices as he has done—if he would not have had them exercisethemselves in pious duties. Now that he has thus encouraged andrewardedwickedandunregeneratemen, isevident in these instances,1Kings 21:19; Jonah 3:4, seq.; 2 Chron. 26:5.Uzziah sought God in thedays of Zechariah; and when he sought the Lord, God made him toprosper.Hadhebeenreallygodly,hadhehadtherootof thematter inhim,hadhebeenasincere,athroughoutChristian,hewouldhavesoughttheLordallhisdays,hewouldhaveheldonandheldoutinwell-doing;but being carnal, hypocritical, and unregenerate, his religion dies withZechariah. Another instance you have of this is in the book of Jonah,amongthesailors,whousuallyaretheworstofsinners,Psalm107:23-30.And another instance you have in that known case of Jehu. From allwhich we may well conclude, that God expects and looks that wickedmen,thatunregeneratemen,shouldbefoundintheexerciseofreligiousduties.

It is an excellent observation of Calvin upon God's rewarding theRechabites' obedience: Jer. 35:19, "God," sayshe, "oft recompenses theshadows and seeming appearances of virtue—to show that delight hetakesintheamplerewardshehasreservedfortrueandsincerepiety."Toconclude, it was as easy for Boaz to have givenRuth asmuch grain atonce, and so have sent her homewithout anymore ado—but hewould

not,beingresolvedthatsheshoulduseherendeavortogatherandgleanit,andbeatitouttoowhenshehadgleanedit.Justso,itisaseasyathingfor God to give his Christ, to give his Spirit, and to give his graceimmediately to poor sinners without their using of the means—but hewon't,being resolved that theyshalluse themeansofhearing, reading,praying,andconference,etc.,andwhentheyhavedone,leavetheissueofalltheirlaborsandendeavorstohisgood-willandpleasure.Ihavetakenthe more pains fully and clearly to answer this objection, that it maynevermorehavearesurrectioninanyofyoursouls.

(9.) Ninthly, If ever youwould be holy, then,when you havedone all—WAIT. Oh,hear and wait—and wait and hear; pray andwait—andwaitandpray;readandwait—andwaitandread;conferandwait—andwaitandconfer;watchandwait—andwaitandwatch.Osirs,shallthefarmerwaitforagoodharvest?andthemerchantwaitforgoodreturns? James 5:7-8; and thewatchmanwait for the dawning of theday?andthepatientwaitforahappycure?andthepoorclientwaitforaday of hearing? etc.; andwill not youwait for Christ, andwait for theSpirit,andwaitforpardon,andwaitforgrace,andwaitforglory?etc.Osinners,sinners,rememberyouareattherightdoor—andthereforewait.Oh,rememberthatwhileyouarewaitingformercy,Godispreparingofmercy.Oh,rememberthatitismercythatyoumaywaitformercy.Devilsanddamnedspiritscan'twaitformercy.Waittheymust;but,oh,itisformorewrath,anger,andfieryindignation.

Oh, rememberyourconditionbespeakswaiting—foryou are poor, halt,lame, blind, and miserable creatures. Oh, remember that mercy issweetest when it comes after a patientwaiting:Deut. 32:13, "Hemadehimtosuckhoneyoutoftherock,andoiloutoftheflintyrock;"thatis,hemadehimtosuckwaterthatwasassweetashoneyoutoftherock,outof the flinty rock.Oh, remember thatapatientwaiting formercy is theonly way to greaten yourmercy. "The longer," said the emperor's son,"the cooks are a-preparing the food, the better the meal will be." Hismeaningwas,thelongerhewaitedfortheempire,thegreateritwouldbe.Justso,thelongerasoulwaitsformercy,thegreaterandthebetteritwillbewhen it comes; as youmay see in that famous instance of the poorman who lay thirty-eight years at the pool of Bethesda, John 5:2, 16.

Famous was the patience of Elijah's servant, who, in obedience to hismaster'scommand,wentsevenseveraltimesupanddownsteepCarmel,1Kings18:8,whichcouldnotbewithoutdangeranddifficulty,andalltobringnewsofnothing,untilhis last journey,whichmadearecompenseforalltherest,withthetidingsofacloudarising.Oh,sodobutpatientlywaitupontheLord—andthatgrace,thatfavor, thatmercy,willcomeatlast,whichwillfullyrecompenseyouforallyourwaitings.

RememberthatthemerciesofGodarenotstyledtheswift—butthesuremercies of David, Isaiah 55:3. Mercy may be sure, though it be notpresentlyupon thewing flying towardsus.And the same prophet says,"Thegloryof theLordshallbeyourreward," Isaiah58:8.Nowthis,weknow, comes up last, to secure and make good all the rest, for wheregraceleadsthefront,gloryatlastwillbeintherear.Oh,dobutpatientlywait, andhewho shall come,will come, andwillnot tarry,Heb. 10:37;notayear,notaquarter,notamonth,notaweek,notaday,no,notanhourbeyondtheprefixedtimethathehassetofshowingmercytopoorsinners.

Oh,howsadwasitthatSaulshouldlosehiskingdomfor lackof twoorthreehourspatience!Butoh,howmuchmoresadwillitbeifyoushouldlose all theprayers that you havemade, and all the sermons that youhaveheard,andallthetearsthatyouhaveshed,andallotherpainsthatyou have taken—and all for lack of a little more patience! yes, howwoefully-sad would it be if you should lose your God, and lose yourChrist,andloseyoursoul,andloseaneternityofglory,andallforlackofalittlepatiencetowaittheLord'stime!Oh,thereforeresolvetoholdonwaitingtothedeath,andifyoumustperish,toperishinawaitingway—which if you should, you would be the first that ever so perished. Oh,rememberthatifGodshouldcome,andmercycome,andpardoncome,andgracecome—whenyoursunisnearsetting,whenyourhour-glassisalmostout,andwhenthereisbutashortstepbetweenyouandeternity—itwill infinitelyrecompenseyouforallyourwaiting;andthereforewaitstill.

Andtokeepupyourspirits,andtoupholdyoursoulinawaitingway,ohthatyouwouldmakethesefollowingpromisesyourdailyfood,yourdailyfriends, your daily companions: Psalm 27:14, "Wait on the Lord: be of

good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on theLord."Proverbs20:22,"WaitontheLord,andheshallsaveyou."Isaiah30:18, "Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show youcompassion.FortheLordisaGodofjustice.Blessedareallwhowaitforhim!"Isaiah40:31,"ButthosewhowaitupontheLordshallrenewtheirstrength:theyshallmountupwithwingsaseagles,theyshallrunandnotbeweary, and they shallwalkandnot faint!" Isaiah49:23, "Thosewhowaitformewillneverbeputtoshame."Isaiah64:4,"Sinceancienttimesnoonehasheard,noearhasperceived,noeyehasseenanyGodbesidesyou, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him!" Proverbs 8:34,"Blessedisthemanwhohearsme,watchingdailyatmygates,waitingatthe posts of my doors." Oh, how should these precious promisesencourageyourheartstowaitontheLord!Oh,howshouldtheylengthenanddrawoutyourpatiencetotheutmost!But,

(10.) Tenthly and lastly—Dwell much upon the memorablejudgmentsofGod,thateveninthislifehavefallenuponunholypeople."RememberLot'swife!"Luke17:32.Oh,rememberhersinandpunishment—sothat fearingher sin, youmay learn to takeheedofherpunishment. Isaiah 26:9, "When your judgments are in the earth, theinhabitants of the world will learn righteousness;" that is, they shouldlearnrighteousness—forsothewordsmayberead—theyshouldlearntofearyou,andlearntoturnuntoyou,andlearntoforsaketheirsinsandamend their lives. When your judgments, your memorable judgments,are abroad in theworld, it highly concerns all the sons ofmen to lookafterholythoughts,holyaffections,andholylives—sothatitmaygowellwith them in thedayof theLord'swrath.Others sense thewords thus:Whenyourjudgmentsareontheearth,theinhabitantsoftheworld,thatis, sinnersaswellassaints,shall learnrighteousness, that is, they shalllearntofearyouupontheaccountofyourrighteousjudgment;suitabletoJob37:23-24,"WecannotimaginethepoweroftheAlmighty,yetheissojust and merciful that he does not oppress us. No wonder peopleeverywhere fear him. People who are truly wise show him reverence."Rev. 15:4, "Whowill not fear,O Lord, and glorify your name? For youalone are holy. All nationswill come andworship before you, for yourrighteous deeds have been revealed." The judgments of God uponAntichrist shall so awaken, alarm, and dismay the nations—that they

shall castoffall falsewaysofworship,andworship theLord inamorepure,spiritual,high,andnoblewaythaneveryettheyhavedone.

God is a sovereign agent, and he can make sinners saints, as well byjudgments as bymercies.Waldus, (fromwhom theWaldenses derivedtheir name), when many worldlings were met together to be merry,seeing one among them suddenly fall down dead—it so struck to hisheart, that hewent home a penitent, and proved to be a very preciousholyman.Pharaohwasnotapinthebetterforalltheplagueswhichcameupon him; but Jethro, taking notice of God's heavy judgments uponPharaoh,andlikewiseupontheAmalekites,wastherebyconverted,andbecameaproselyte,assomeobserve.Osirs,whocantellbutthatafixedeyeupontheremarkablejudgmentsofGod,thathavebeeninflicteduponnotorious sinners—may be ameans to change you and turn you to theLord?

DonotforgettheplagueswhichcameuponbloodyPharaoh.RememberhowcraftyAhithophel,andproudHaman,andcovetousJudas—allcameto the halter. Do not forget how the earth opened her mouth andswallowed upKorah and his companions. Do not forget the Samuel'ssword which cut Agag in pieces; nor the stately oak tree, on whichAbsalomwashanged;northejavelinwhichPhinehas,inhiszealforGod,thrustthroughZimriandCozbi.RememberhowAnaniasandSapphirawerestruckdeadwithalieintheirmouths.RememberhowGodrainedhell out of heaven upon Sodom and Gomorrah. Remember howsuddenly,howunexpectedly,andhowinevitablythefloodcameupontheoldworld;andrememberhowtheangelsthatkeptnottheirfirststationofholiness—arenowinchainsundereverlastingdarkness.Oh,whocanseriouslydwellupontheseverejudgmentsofGoduponthesepeople,andnotresolveuponbreakingoffhissins,andpursuingafter thatholiness,withoutwhichthereisnohappiness!

Oh, remember thatGod is asholyaGod as ever, and as justaGod asever,andasjealousofhisgloryasever;andthereforeturnfromtheevilofyourdoings,thatyoursoulsmaylive.Oh,thatthedreadfuljudgmentsofGod thathavebeen executeduponothersmight so alarmall unholyhearts—thattheymaywithalltheirmightcastofftheworksofdarkness,andputonthearmorof light,sothattheymaybechildrenof the light,

andtheirsoulsmayliveforever!Andthusmuchforthemeanswherebymenmayreachtothatholiness,withoutwhichthereisnohappiness.

SevenObjections

I come now, in the next place, to answer thoseOBJECTIONSwhichusuallyaremadeagainstmen'spursuingafterholiness.As,

Objection1.First,Wehavenopowertomakeourselvesholy.Weareaswellabletomakeaworld,tocommandthewinds,andtoraisethedead—asweareabletocleanseourownhearts,orchangeourownnatures,orsanctify our own souls. Therefore, to what purpose should we be sostronglypressedtodo thatwhichwehavenopower todo?NowtothisobjectionIshallgivethesefollowinganswers:

1.First,Thatyouhavenopowertoperformanysupernaturalact—suchas tobelieveor loveGod,or repent,or tochangeyourownheart, or tosanctifyormakeyourselfholy—mustbegranted.Thatbynatureyouaredead in trespasses and sins, and have lost all your spiritual senses ofseeing, hearing, tasting, and feeling—can't be denied, Eph. 2:1. It iscertain that your nature is so corrupted that you can not think a goodthought,norspeakagoodword,nordoagoodwork;youarenotsick—butdead,God-wards,andChrist-wards,andheaven-wards,andholiness-wards,etc.[2Cor.3:5;Mat12:34;John6:44;1Cor.2:14.]

Ihavereadofthelioness—thatshebringsforthherwhelpsdead,andsothey remain, until, by her roaring loudly over them, they come to live.Certainlyallunholyheartsarespirituallydead,anduntilChrist,thelionofthetribeofJudah,comestoroaroverthem,byutteringhisvoiceinthegospel, they cannot live, John5:25. Since the creation of theworld, nodeadmanevermadehimselfalive.ItisGodalone,whocanquickenthedead.Sin indominion is theplagueof theheart, 1 Kings 8:38.Now asthereisnodiseasesodeadlyastheplague,sothereisnoplaguesodeadlyastheplagueoftheheart.Oh,thisisadiseasethatnonecancurebuthewhoisthephysicianofsouls.Anunsanctifiedpersonisnothalf-dead,asthePelagians,Arminians,andPapistssay;butastospiritualsheisstark

dead,Col.2:13.

Anunsanctifiedsoulisdead.

[1.] In respect ofworking, and therefore his works are called deadworks,Heb.9:14.Thereisdeathwrittenuponallhedoes.

[2.]Heisdeadinrespectofhonor;heisdeadtoallprivileges,heisnotfit to inheritmercy.Whowill set the crown of life upon a deadman'shead?ThecrownoflifeisfortheholyChristian,andtheholyChristianisforthecrownoflife,Rev.2:10;2Tim.4:8.WhenheinPlutarch,hadtriedallmannerofwaystoraiseadeadman,andtomakehimstanduponhisfeet, and saw he could not do it, then he cried out, "There must besomethingwithin, theremustbesomethingwithin!"Justso,whenmenhavesaidanddoneall theycan—theremustbesomethingwithin, theremustbesomethingofthepowerandspiritofChristwithin—whichmustraiseupspirituallifeinthosewhoarespirituallydead.But,

2.Secondly,Ianswer,ThatGodgaveyouabilityandpower inAdamtoobeyhiminallhiscommands,andthoughbyAdam's fallyouhave lostyour power to obey—yet God has not lost his right and power tocommandyoutoobey.[Gen.1:26;Eccles.7:29;Psalm8:4,seq.]Supposeafathershouldfurnishachildwithmoneysandallothernecessariestogoa journey, andhe shouldbedrawn inby some strong temptation tospendhismoney,histime,andhisstrength,soasthatnowheisnotabletogohisjourney;whosefaultisthis?Willyounowsaythatthefatherhaslosthispowertocommand,becausehissonhaslosthispowertoobey?Surelynot!It isnoiniquity inGodtorequirethatofus—whichoncehegaveuntous.Itisnoinjusticeinthecreditortocallforhisdebt,whenthedebtorisfallenintoextremepovertythroughhisowndefault.But,

3. Thirdly, I answer, Though an unsanctified person is not able toperformanyholyorspiritualaction—suchastobelieveorrepent,etc.—yetheisabletoperformallnaturalactions—suchastoeat,drink,work,walk, etc., and he is able to perform all social actions also—such as totrade, bargain, buy, sell, plant, and build, etc. The soul even in anunsanctifiedpersonisnotdead—butalivingprinciple;andthereforeitisable to understand, will, desire, discourse, reason, and to attend the

meansofgrace.Thoughheisnotabletoworkgraceinhisownheart—yetheisabletoattendonthemeansofgrace.Anunsanctifiedpersonmayaswellgotoasermon—astoatavern;hemayaswellreadtheScriptures—asreadnovelsandnewspapers;hemayaswellassociatehimselfwiththosewhofearanoath—ashedoeswiththosewhodelighttoblasphemethatnamethatallshouldtrembleat,etc.Man'sspiritualimpotencyliesinhisobstinacy.Manpretendshecannotbelieve,norcometoChrist,norrepent, etc.,when he is resolved that he willnotbelieve, nor come toChrist,norrepent,etc.[Mat.23:37;Luke13:34;John5:40;Acts7:5.]

Christ in the gospel comes and offers pardon and peace andreconciliation—butyouturnyourbackuponhim.Hewoosandentreatsandbeseechesyoubyhisambassadors—butyouwillnothear,etc.Hesetslifeand death, heaven and hell,mercy andmisery before you—but youslightall,2Cor.5:18-20.Christbringsacordialinonehandtostrengthenyou,andaremedyintheotherhandtocureyou—butyoudespiseboth.Christoffers tried gold to enrich you, andwhite raiment to clothe you,andpreciouseye-salvetoenlightenyou,Rev.3:18—butyoushutupyourheartagainstallhisoffers!Well,sirs!rememberthis,inthegreatdayofjudgement,allunsanctifiedpeoplewillbedamned,not forcannots butforwill-nots!It isneithermennordevils—it isneither thegreatnessofyoursins,northenumberlessnumberofyoursins,whichcandamnyou,wereitnotforyourwilfulnessinsin,Hosea13:9.

Osinners,sinners,ifyouarebutheartilywillingtoforsakeyoursins,andtoacceptofChristasyourLordandKing,andtoresignupyourselvestohimtobereallyhis,tobewhollyhis,tobeonlyhis,andtobeeternallyhis—hewillcertainlychangeyou,andsanctifyyou,andsaveyou!But ifyouwillnotbeholy,ifyouwillnotbehappy,ifyouwillnotbesanctified,if youwill not be saved, if youwill not go to heaven—but are resolvedupongoingtohell,whatcanbemorejustwithGodthanthatyoushouldbeSatan'sbond-slaves,andfirebrandsofhell,andvesselsofwrathtoalleternity?[Proverbs28:13;1John1:9;Luke19:41-42.]But,

4.Fourthly,Ianswer,Ifyoudobutstirupyourselftoobeythecommandaswellasyoucan—youdonotknowbutthatapowermaygoforthwiththe command, thatmay enable you to act suitable to the command. InthatMat.9:1-9,Christbidthepalsiedman"riseandwalk, takeupyour

bed, and go unto your house." The palsied man might have objected,"Alas!Iamcarriedbyfourstrongmen!Iamnotabletostiralimb,muchlesstorise—butleastofalltotakeupmybedandwalk!"etc.Oh!butheputs forthhimselfaswellashecould,andapowerwent forthwiththecommand,whichenabledhimtodowhatwascommanded.

Justso,inMatthew12:10-14,therewasapoormanwhohadawitheredhand,andChristcommandshimtostretchforthhishand.Hemighthaveobjected,"Myhandiswithered,andifImighthaveathousandworldstostretchitforth,Icouldnotstretchitforth!Yes,ifmylife,ifmysalvationdid lie upon stretching forth my withered arm, I could not stretch itforth!" Oh but he throws by all objections, and complies as well as hecould,andapowerwentforthandhealedhishand.

GodcommandedMosestogoanddeliverhispeopleoutofEgypt.Mosesmighthaveobjectedhisoldage,thegreatpowerofPharaoh,andhislackof an army to force their way, etc. But he turns his back upon theseobjections,andaddresseshimselftothework,andsuchamightypowerwentalongwithhim,asdideffectit.

GodcommandedtheIsraelitestotakerams'horns,andwiththemtogoand blow down the walls of Jericho, Joshua 6. They might have said,"Lord, these are weak and contemptible means, yes, Lord, if we mayspeak after themanner ofmen, they are such ridiculousmeans aswillexpose us to scorn and laughter!" But they pass over these things, andapply themselves to those weak and despicable means which God hadappointed, and such a divine and glorious power went along with themeansasmade thewallsofJerichonotonly to tremble—but to tumbledownbeforethem!

Christ commanded Lazarus to come out of the grave, and there wentdivinepowerandvirtuewiththatcallofChrist,whichmadehimtorise!

Themeansare the Spirit's triumphing chariot, inwhich he pleases toride conquering and to conquer the souls of men, 2 Cor. 2:14. "WhilePeteryetspoke,theHolySpiritfellonallthosewhoheardtheword,"Acts10:44.Oman,youcannottellbutthatwhileyouareintheuseofdivinehelps,asecretpoweroftheSpiritmaybreakinuponyou,andmakethe

meanseffectualtoyourconversionandsalvation.Manythousandshavefounditso—thereforeaddressyourselftotheuseofthemeans,andwaitatthepool;youcannottellhowsoontheSpiritmaycomeandmoveuponyoursoul;itmaybethisday,thishour,yes,thisverymomentwhereinamthusspeakingtoyou!But,

5.Fifthly, I answer,That the sense of your own inability, insufficiency,andimpotency,shouldprovokeyoutoruntoChrist,andto layholdonhiseverlastingstrength,andtostormthethroneofgrace,andtogiveGodno rest—until he has renewed and sanctified your soul, until he haseffectually turnedyou from"darkness to light,"Acts26:18,until hehasbespangledyoursoulwithgrace,andfilledyouwithhisSpirit,andmadeyou partakers of his holiness, Heb. 12:10. It was a good saying ofAugustine,"Givewhatyoucommand,andcommandwhatyouwill."

Oh, go to God, and tell him that what he has commanded in somescriptures,hehaspromised togive in other scriptures.Therefore presshimtomakegoodhispromises,sothatyoumayobeyhisprecepts.Oh,tell him that if hewill but "sprinkle cleanwater upon you, and put hisSpirit within you, and give a new heart unto you," according to hispromise,thatthen"youwillwalkinhisstatutes,andkeephisjudgments,anddothem,"Ezek.36:25-28.Oh,tellhimthatifhewillbut"puthisfearinto your heart," according to his promise, that then "you will neverdepartfromhim,"Jer.32:40.Oh,tellhimthathehascommandedyouto"believe,"andthathehasalsopromisedtogiveyoufaith,andthereforeifhewillbutmakegoodhispromise,youshallbesuretoobeyhisprecepts,Phil. 1:29; James 5:17.Oh, tell him that he has frequently commandedyou to "repent," Acts 5:31, and that he has also graciously promised togive "repentance,"2Tim.2:25, and therefore ifhewill butperformhispromise,youshallnotfailtoobeyhisprecepts,etc.

Oh, tell him that you have no mind to be damned! Tell him that youtrembleat the thoughtsofhell!Tellhim thatyouarehorrified think of"dwellingwith a devouring fire, of dwellingwith everlasting burnings!"Isaiah 33:14; 2 Thes. 7-10. Oh, tell him that you dread an eternalseparationfromhim—andthereforeearnestlybeseechhim,forhisSon'ssake,andforhisglorysake,andhispromisesake,andyoursoul'ssake—thathewouldrenewyournature,andsanctifyyoursoul,sothatyoumay

notperishtoalleternity.But,

6. Sixthly and lastly, What insincerity, yes, what injustice andunrighteousness is this—that you should lie complaining of the lack ofpower,whenyoudonotuseand improve thepoweryouhave.Withoutthe power and assistance of special grace—you have power to attendChristiandutiesandservices;youhavepowertoturnyourbackupontheinfectious anddangerous societyofwickedandungodlymen;youhavepowertokeepatadistancefromthe"harlot'sdoor;"youhavepowertokeepyourmouthofblasphemyshut;youhavepowertokeepyourhandsfromstealing, andyour feet "frombeing swift to shed innocentblood;"youhavepowertobringyourbodytoChristianduties,thoughyouhavenotpowertobringyoursoultoChristianduties.[James3:10;Eph.4:28;Romans3:15.]

ThenobleBereansbroughttheirbodiestothesermon,andtheytooktheheadsof the apostle's sermon, and compared Paul's teachingswith theScripture—and yet theywere in an unrenewed and unsanctified estate,Acts17:11-12.Osirs,youhavepowertocometoChristianduties,andtoset yourselves under the droppings of a gospel powerful ministry; youhavepowertolieatthepoolofBethesda,andtheretowaituntilthecureiswrought.Butwhereistheunsanctifiedsoulwhoimprovesthepowerhehas? Tell me, O vain man—why should God trust you with a greaterpower,whenyoumakenoconscienceofimprovingthatpoweryouhave?WhyshouldGod trustyouwith ten talents—whenyouhavenoheart toimprovethetwowhichhehasalreadytrustedyouwith?Whatwisefatherormasterwill trustthatchildorservantwiththousands,whomakesnoconscience of improving far lesser sums to thehonor and advantage ofthefatherorthemaster?

How do you know,Oman—but that upon the faithful improvement ofthatpowerwhichyouhave,Godmayaddagreaterpowertoyou?Ifyouwillbutgothosetwostepswhichyoucan—Godmaystrike inwithyou,andenableyoutogoten.Itisadangerousthingtoneglectthedoingofthatwhichyoucando,becausethatyoucannotdoeverythingthatyoushoulddo.Supposeafatheroramastershouldsaytohissonorservant,"Takesuchandsuchwares,andcarrythemtosuchandsuchplaces."Andthe son or servant should say, "Well, though there be some small light

burdensthatIcanwellenoughcarry—yettherearemanyheavyburdensthat I cannot carry, and therefore Iwill carrynoneat all."Maynot thefatherofsuchason,orthemasterofsuchaservant,inmuchjusticeandrighteousnessseverelypunishsuchasonorservant?Doubtlessyes.

Why,thisistheverycaseofallunsanctifiedsouls.Godcommandsthemtobelieveandrepent,andtolovehimwithalltheirhearts,andtosethimup as the object of their fear, and to give him the pre-eminence in allthings,etc.—butthesearesupernaturalacts,beyondtheirpower.Buthealso commands them to attend on the means of grace, and to wait atwisdom'sdoor,andtoapplythemselvestopublicordinances,andtokeepup pious duties, and to turn their backs upon such and such wickedsocieties, etc.—and these are things theycando.And yet because theycannotdotheformer—theywillfullyandwickedlyrefusetodothelatter;becausetheycannotbeartheheaviestburden—theyareresolvedtheywillbearnoneat all; and because they cannot do everything they should—theywilldonothingat all—except it be to complain thatGod is ahardmaster, and expects to reapwherehedoesnot sow.Nowhow just andrighteousathingitiswithGodtodealseverelywithsuch,Iwillleaveyoutojudge.Andletthissufficeforanswertothefirstobjection.

Objection2.HEREAFTERmaybetimeenoughtolookafterholiness.Imay yet pursue after the pleasures and profits of the world; Imay yetspend some years in gratifyingmy own lusts, and in walking after thecourseof theworld; Ihave timeenoughbeforeme,and thereforesomefuture years may be time enough to look after holiness. Now to thisobjectionIshallgivetheseanswers:

1.First,Youwillnotsaythatyoucanbesavedtoosoon,norhappytoosoon,norblessedtoo soon,norpardonedtoo soon,nor in the favor ofGod too soon, nor out of the danger of wrath, hell, and everlastingburningstoosoon.Andifso,thencertainlyyoucannotbeholytoosoon—foryoucanneverbetrulyhappyuntilyouaretrulyholy.Nomanwillbeso foolishandmadas tosayhemayberichtoosoon,andgreat toosoon, and high andhonorable in theworld too soon, and in favor andesteemwithmen,especiallywithgreatmen,toosoon.Whythenshouldyoubesomadandfoolish,aspracticallytosaythatyoucanbeholytoosoon?Yetthisisexactlywhatyouproclaimuponthehouse-top,whenyou

cryout,"Hereafter,hereafterwillbetimeenoughtoseekafterholiness."But,

2.Secondly, Ianswer,That it isyourwisdomandyourwork tosetone"perhaps" against another. You say, "Perhaps hereafter may be timeenough to look after holiness." Eccles. 7:14. Oh, set another perhapsagainst this perhaps, and say, "If I now neglect this season of grace—perhaps I shall never have another!" Isaiah 55:6 "If I now slight theoffersofmercy—perhapsIshallneverhaveanothersuchoffer!IfInowdespise this day of salvation—perhaps I shall never have another suchday! If I nowwithstand the offers of Christ—perhaps Christ will neveragain make an offer to me! If I now resist the strivings of the Spirit—perhapstheSpiritwillneverstrivewithmysoulagain!Andthen—woe,woe tome that ever I was born!" [Proverbs 1:20-33; Heb. 2:1-3; Luke19:41-45;Gen.6:3.]

Oh,don'tputoffGod,don'tputoffyoursoul,don'tputoffthethoughtsofholiness, don't put off eternity with a perhaps—lest "the Lord shouldswearinhiswrath,thatyoushallneverenterintohisrest."Heb.3:18—and seeing that youwill not allowholiness to enter into you, you shallnever enter into yourmaster's joy.Oh,why should you treat your poorsoul—as youwould not have God to treat it? Youwould not have Godtreat your soul with a perhaps; as with "Perhaps I will pardon you;perhaps Iwill lift up the light ofmy countenanceupon you;perhaps Iwill changeyournatureandsaveyour soul;perhaps Iwill fill youwithmySpiritandadornyouwithmygrace;perhaps Iwillbringyou tomykingdomandglory.Oh,youwouldnothaveGodtoputyouoffwithsuchaperhaps.Whythenshouldyoudealmoreharshlyandcruellywithyourownsoul—thanyouwouldhaveGodtodealwithyou?But,

3. Thirdly, I answer, It is a clear argument that you are not truly northroughlysensibleofyourpresentconditionanddanger,whothusobject.WereyoubuttrulysensibleofyourlostandundoneestateoutofChrist;didyoubut indeedknowwhat it is to liveonehour inaChristlessandgracelesscondition;didyoubutseethatwraththathangsoveryourhead;did you but read the curseswhich are pronounced in the book ofGodagainstyou;didyoubutbeholdhowhellgapestodevouryou;didyoubutseehowfaroffyouarefromGod,Christ,thecovenant,andalltheglory

andhappinessoftheeternalworld;ah,howwouldyoueverydaycryout,GivemeholinessorIdie,givemeholinessorIeternallydie!Acts2:39;Eph.2:12.

The patient that is truly sensible of his mortal disease will not say,"Hereafterwill be time enough to send for the physician."Norwill themortallywoundedmansay, "Hereafterwillbe timeenough to fetch thesurgeon."Norwill thecondemnedmansaysay, "Hereafterwillbe timeenough toplead for apardon."Norwill theneedyman say, "Hereafterwill be time enough to look for relief." Nor will the fallen man say,"Hereafterwillbetimeenoughtoliftmeup."Norwillthedrowningmansay,"Hereafterwillbetimeenoughtobringaboattosavemylife."Nowthisistheverycaseofallunsanctifiedpeopleintheworld;andwhythenshouldtheycryout,"Hereafter,hereafterwillbetimeenoughtobeholy!"

Theboarinthefable,beingquestionedwhyhestoodsharpeninghisteethso,when nobodywas near to hurt him,wisely answered, that itwouldthenbetoolatetosharpenthemwhenhewastousethem,andthereforehe sharpened them before danger that he might have them ready indanger.Ah, sirs, there isnothingmoredangerous than for you to haveyourholinesstoseek—whentemporal,spiritual,andeternaldangersareat your heels. There is no wisdom, compared to that which leadsmenforthtoapresentpursuitafterholiness!Noristhereanyhellcomparedtothathell—foramantohavehisholinesstoseekwhenheshoulduseit.

4. Fourthly, I answer, That the brevity, shortness, and preciousness ofTIME—callsalouduponyoutopursueafterholinesswithoutdelay.Timepast is irrecoverable; time future is uncertain; the present time is theonly time—and on thismoment of time depends eternity! This presentdayisadayofgrace;ohthatyouhadbutgracetotakenoticeofit.Thispresenttimeisanacceptabletime;ohthatyouhadbutahearttorealizeit,andto improve it.Hewhohasagreatway togo,andagreatdealofworktodo ina littletime—hadnotneedto trifleawayhis time!This isthecaseofeveryunsanctified soul.Oh, thesinsthat such a soul has torepentof!oh,thegracesthatsuchasoulhastoseek!oh, theevidencesforheaventhatsuchasoulhastosecure!oh,themiseriesthatsuchasoulhas to escape! oh, themercies that such a soul has to press after, etc.Therefore of all men in the world, it is incumbent upon unsanctified

people—towellutilizeandimprovetheirpresenttime.

Oh,itisadangerousthingtoputoffthatworktoanotherdaywhichmustbedone today,or else youmaybeeternallyundone tomorrow.Theoldsayingwas,"Nowornever!"Ifnotnowdone,itmaybeneverdone,andifso,thenyouareundoneforever!Manypeoplearenowinhell,whowhentheywereonearthwereaccustomedtoputoffthemotionsoftheSpiritby crying out, "Tomorrow, tomorrow!"Time is soprecious a thing thatmountains of gold and rocks of pearl cannot redeemone lostmoment;whichQueenElizabethwellunderstood,whenonherdeath-bedshecriedout, "Call time again, call time again! Aworld ofwealth for an inch oftime!"

Ah,whatapreciouscommoditywouldtimebeinhell,whereforonedaytorepent,yes,foronehourtoseekafterholiness—amanwouldgivetenthousandworlds,weretheyinhishandstodisposeof.

Timeissocostlya jewel that fewknowhowtovalue itandprize itatadue rate. Witness that sad and frequent complaint among many, "Oh,whatshallwedotodriveawaythetime?come,let'sgotocardstodriveawaythetime!orlet'sgotogamingtablestodriveawaythetime!orlet'sgotothetavern,andtakeapintandapipetodriveawaythetime!orlet'sgoandtakeawalk inthe fields todriveawaythetime!"etc.Thusmostare lavishly and profusely prodigal of that precious timewhich is theirgreatest interest to redeem! Time is a precious talent, and the non-improvement of it God will charge upon men at last, as he did uponJezebel, Rev. 2:20-21, especially upon such who trifleaway, who playaway,whoidleaway,yes,whogrosslysinawaytheirprecioustime!Howmanyaretherelikechildren,whoplayuntiltheircandlebeout,andthentheygotobedinthedark!Justso,theseplayandfoolawaytheirprecioustime,untilthecandleoflifebeout,andthentheygototheirbeds,theygototheirgravesinsorrow,yes,theygotohellinthedark!

I have read of a young man who, living vainly and loosely, was veryfearful of being in the dark,who after falling sick and could not sleep,criedout,"Oh, if thisdarknessbesoterrible,what iseternaldarkness!"Hewhomakesnoconscienceoftriflingawayhisprecioustime,shallonedayexperiencetheterriblenessofeternaldarkness.Thepoetspainttime

withwings,toshowtherapidityandswiftnessofit.Osirs,ifthesenseofthe brevity, shortness, and preciousness of time did but lie in its fullweightuponyour spirits, itwould certainlyput youuponaspeedyandearnestpursuitafterholiness!Oh,thenyouwouldneversay,"Hereafter,hereafter will be time enough to seek after holiness." But you wouldaddressyourselvestoaferventandaconstantpressingafterholinessastheonethingnecessary,andberestlessinyourownspirits,untilyouhadexperiencedthepowerandsweetnesswhichisinholiness!But,

5.Fifthlyandlastly,Ianswer,ThatitisthegreatestfollyandmadnessintheworldforyoutoputoffthegreatGodandthegreatconcernmentsofyoursoul—asyoudarenotputoffyoursuperiors.Whereisthesubjectorservant,who dares put off a lawful duty urged upon himby his princewitha "Perhaps Iwilldo it."or "Later Iwilldo it."Where is the lovingchildwhodaresputoffapresentdutypresseduponhimbyhisparentswith a "Perhaps I will do it." or "Later I will do it." Where is theaffectionatewifewhodares put off the just desires and requests of herhusbandwitha"PerhapsIwilldoit."or"LaterIwillansweryourdesires,orhereafterIwillansweryourrequests?"Osirs,youdarenotputoffyoursuperiorswitha'perhaps',orwith'laters'—andhowthendoyoudaretoputofftheKingofkingsandtheLordoflords,witha 'perhaps',orwith'later'Iwilllookafterholiness,itmaybeIwillstudyholiness,itmaybeIwill prizeholiness, orhereafter Iwill press after holiness, Iwill pursueafterholiness,hereafter Iwill followhardafterholiness.Oh, rememberthat as there is nothing that doesmore incense, enrage, and provoke aprinceagainsthissubjects,amasteragainsthisservants,afatheragainsthis child, and a husband against his wife, than the putting off of theirservices and commands with a 'perhaps', or with 'laters'—so there isnothingthatdoesmoreincense,inflame,andprovokethegreatGod,thanto put him off with a 'perhaps', or with 'laters' as you may see bycomparingthesescripturestogether.[Psalm95:6,totheend.Heb.3:7,tothe end.] And oh that for time to come youwould tremble at the verythoughtsofa'perhaps',andattheverymentioningofa'later',sothatyoumayneverputoffthecommandsofGod,topursueafterholinesswitha'perhaps',orwith'later'anymore.Andletthissufficeforanswertothissecondobjection.

Objection 3. Thirdly—but if we should thus press and pursue afterholiness—then wemust take our farewell of all joy and comfort, of alldelightandpleasure,andnevermoreexpecttoenjoyanothermerryday—forweobservethattherearenopeopleunderheavenwholive suchamelancholy, sad, sorrowful, pensive life, as thosewho pressmost afterholiness,andwhomakemoststirandnoiseaboutholiness,andthereforeifweshouldresolvetofollowafterholiness,wemustresolvetospendourdaysinsorrowandsadness,insighingandmourning,etc.

Nowtothisgrandobjection,Ishallgivetheseeightanswers:

1.First,Itmaybeyoulookonlyonthedarksideofthecloud—andnotonthebrightside.Youlookonlyonyour lefthand,wherethemourners inZion stand—butdid youbut cast an eye on your righthand, there youwouldseemanyoftheprecioussonsanddaughtersofZionrejoicingandtriumphing.[Isaiah61:1-3,10-11,and35:10.]Nowthustolook,whatisitbut to look for a straw to thrust out your own eyes with. O sirs, it isneitherwisdomnorrighteousnesstolookonlyuponthosewhomourn—and not upon those who rejoice; upon those who sigh—but not uponthosewhosing,Isaiah52:8-9;Jer.31:7,12.

BeforeyoupassajudgmentuponthepeopleofGod,orthegoodwaysofGod—lookonbothsides! I sayagain, lookonbothsides—and thenyouwillbesuretoseesomesaintsintheirweddingattire,aswellasothersintheirmourning garments. Noman in his wits will argue thus, becausesuch and such men of such a calling or trade are in their mourninggarments,thereforeallmenofthatcallingortradeareintheirmourninggarments;andyetsowitlessaremanymenasthustoargueagainstthepeopleofGod,andthewaysofGod.But,

2.Secondly,Ianswer,Astherearetearsofsorrow—sotherearetearsofjoy.[Comparethesescripturestogether;Gen.43:30,45:2,and46:29-30;1 Sam. 1:13-20.] Jacob weeps over Joseph—but it was with tears ofexceeding joy.The sweetest joy is from the sourest tears. Tears are thebreedersofspiritualjoy.Aholyman'sheartisusuallyfullestofjoy—whenhiseyesarefullestoftears.WhenHannahhadwept,shewentawayandwasnomoresad.Thebeegathers thebesthoneyof thebitterestherbs.Christmade the bestwine ofwater: the best, the purest, the strongest,

and the sweetest joys are made of the distilled waters of evangelicalrepentance.Gospelmourningisfullyconsistentwithholyjoy.

Though it must be granted that the love of sin and true joy areinconsistent; and that the reign and dominion of sin and true joy areinconsistent—yetitmustbeconfessedthatmourningforsinandholyjoyare consistent in one and the same heart; and though legal terror andevangelical joy are inconsistent—yet evangelical sorrow and evangelicaljoyareconsistentinoneandthesamesoul.Thesameeyeoffaithwhichdrops tearsofsorrow—alsodrops tearsof joy,Zech.12:10;1Pet.1:8.Aclearsightoffreegrace,ofpardoningmercy,andofableedingdyingSavior—willfillthesoulbothwithsorrowandjoyatthesame time, as the experiences of a thousand Christians can testify. AChristianalwaysjoysmost,andmournsmost—whenheismostunderthesenseofdivinelove,theinfluencesandincomesofheaven,thehopesofglory,thereportsofmercy,andtheprecioussealingsoftheblessedSpirit."Assorrowful,yetalwaysrejoicing."2Corinthians6:10

Look!asmedicineisthewaytohealth,sogodlysorrowisthewaytoholyjoy.Andlook,asawickedman'sjoyendsinsorrow,Proverbs14:13,soagodlyman's sorrowends in joy: Isaiah61:3, "Toprovide for thosewhogrieveinZion--tobestowonthemacrownofbeautyinsteadofashes,theoilofgladnessinsteadofmourning,andagarmentofpraiseinsteadofaspiritofdespair.Theywillbecalledoaksofrighteousness,aplantingoftheLordforthedisplayofhissplendor."Godlysorrowistheparentof holy joy; a godly man's mourning time is his most joyfultime. I have read of a godlymanwho, lying upon his dying bed, andbeingaskedwhichwasthemostjoyfultimethateverhehadinallhislife,cried out, "Oh, give me my mourning days again, oh, give me mymourningdaysagain, for theywere the joyfullestdays thatever Ihad!"ThemoreaChristian"sowsintears,"thegreater,eveninthisworld,shallbehis"harvestof joy;"hismerrydaysshallbealwaysanswerabletohismourningdays,Psalm126:6.But,

3.Thirdly,Ianswer,Thatthisisafalsecharge,amereslander,anunjustcalumnythatSatanandhisbond-slaveshavecastuponholiness,andthewaysofholiness—onpurposetohindermenfrompursuingandfollowingafter holiness. The language of the objection is quite contrary to the

languageoftheholyScripture;witnessPsalm138:5,"Yes,theyshallsinginthewaysoftheLord;forgreatisthegloryoftheLord."Whenthekingsof theearthshallbegenerallyconvertedandsanctified,as it is inversethe4th, "thentheyshall sing in thewaysof theLord."Whentheyshallcome to experience and taste the power, excellency, and sweetness ofholiness, then they shall sing in the ways of the Lord. Conversion andsanctificationadministerthehighestgroundsofjoyandrejoicing:2Cor.1:12, "For our rejoicing is this, the testimonyof our conscience, that insimplicityandgodlysincerity,notwithfleshlywisdom—butbythegraceofGod,wehavehadourlifeintheworld,andmoreabundantlytoyou-wards."

A holy life affords the greatest ground of rejoicing. There is no joycompared to that which springs from the testimony of a sanctifiedconscience. God has given it under his own hand, that "the ways ofwisdom"(whicharealwayswaysofholiness)"arewaysofpleasantness,and all her paths are peace," Proverbs 3:17. There is no pleasure norfelicity compared to that which flows from the ways of sanctity. Thesweetestroses,thestrongestcomforts,andthegreatestpleasantness—istobefoundinthewaysofholiness.Ohthejoy,thepeace,thetranquility,the serenity which attends the ways of purity. I might call in manymillionsofsaints,whofromtheirownexperiencesareabletogivethelietothisobjection, and further to tell you—that theyhavemetwithmorecomforts, sweetness, and pleasantness in one hour's communion withGod,inonehour'swalkingwithGod—thanevertheyhavefoundinallthewaysofungodliness andwickedness,wherein theyhavewandered.Oh,theyareabletotellyou,thatwhentheywalkedinwaysofimpiety,theyfound by experience that God hadmade a separation between sin andpeace,betweensinandjoy,betweensinandassurance,betweensinandthe lightofhiscountenance,etc., Isaiah57:20-21;and theyareable totell you fromwhat theyhave found, that there is no fear, no terror, nohorror, no gripes, no grief, no stings, nohells—compared to thosewhoattend the ways of ungodliness; and this were enough to blow off thisobjection,Romans6:21.But,

4.Fourthly,Ianswer,Thatthejoyofthesaintsischieflyandmainly—aninwardjoy,aspiritualjoy,ajoywhichliesremotefromacarnaleye.The

joyofaChristianliesdeep,itcannotbeexpressed,itcannotbepainted.Look! as no man can paint the sweetness of the honeycomb, nor thesweetnessofaclusterofgrapes,northefragrancyoftheroseofSharon—just so, no man can paint out the sweetness and spiritualness of aChristian'sjoy,itliessodeepandlowinagraciousheart.Andlook,asthelifeofaChristianishidwithChristinGod,"Col.3:3—justso,thejoyofaChristianis"hidwithChristinGod."Astheirlifeisahiddenlife,sotheirjoy is a hidden joy. The joy of a Christian is "hiddenmanna," it is the"newname andwhite stone, that none knows but hewho has it,"Rev.2:20;Proverbs14:10,"Theheartknowshisownbitterness,andastrangerdoesnotintermeddlewithhisjoy."Thejoyofasaintisajewelwhichfallsnotunderastranger'seye.Look!asthegreatestterrorsandtormentsofthewickedareinward,sothegreatestjoysandcomfortsofthesaintsareinward; and look, as theheartofman isdeep, soholy joy is a treasurethatliesdeep,anditisnoteverymanwhohasagoldenkeytosearchintothistreasury,Jer.17:9-10.

Asamanstandingonthesea-shoreseesagreatheapofwaters,onewaveridinguponthebackofanother,andmakingadreadfulnoise—butallthiswhile,thoughheseesthewaterrolling,andhearsitragingandroaring—yetheseesnotthewealth,thegold,thesilver,thejewels,andincredibletreasureswhichlieburiedthere.Justso,wickedmentheyseetheneedsofthesaints—butnottheirwealth;theyseetheirpoverty—butnottheirriches; they see their miseries—but not their mercies; they see theirconflicts—but not their comforts; they see their sorrows—but not theirjoys,1Cor.2:14.Oh,theblindworldcannotseethejoysandrejoicings,the comforts and consolations of the saints—which lie at the bottomoftheirsouls.Their joysare inwardandspiritual—andsomust theeyebethatdiscernsthem.

The joy of the saints is like "a garden enclosed, a spring shut up, afountain sealed," Cant. 4:12; and as thegloryof the church is inward,Psalm45:13,sothejoyofthechurchisinward.Thewatersofconsolationliedeepinthewellsofsalvation,Isaiah12:3.Therichestveinsofgoldliedeepestunderground;andsodoesthestrongestandthechoicestjoysofthe saints liedeep.Themoon isoftendark to theworld,whenyet thatpartwhich faces the sun isvery lightsome,beautiful,andglorious.Just

so,manytimes,ifyoulookupontheoutsideofaChristian,whichishisdark side, you may see his countenance clouded, and his bearing andbehaviorastotheworldeitherdampedorobscured;butifyoucouldbutnowlookuponhisinside,whichishisbestside,andwhichfacestheSunof righteousness, oh, then you would see the light of joy and comfortsweetlyandgloriouslyshiningforth.

Osirs,look,astherearemanyrichmenintheworld,whomakenoshowof itby theirgarb,or table,orattendance,etc.—justso, therearemanyChristianswhoare rich indivineconsolations,whoyetdon't show it insuchorsuchanoutwardcarnalwayas themenof theworlddousuallyexpresstheirjoyin.Manyawickedmanhasheavinessinhisheartwhenhe has laughter in his face, as the wisest of princes has long sinceobserved,inProverbs14:13,"Eveninlaughtertheheartissorrowful,andthe end of that mirth is heaviness." The heart often weeps when themouthlaughs.Everylaughterisnothearty,forlaughterbeingbutasignofjoy,thesignmaybewherethesubstanceisnot.Manywickedmenareinwardlysadwhentheyareoutwardlyglad,2Cor.5:12.Thefalseapostlesput on a joyful face—but had not joy in the heart; they seemed to bemerry—andyetalltheirsmileswerebutcounterfeitsmiles,alltheirjoyswere but skin deep; the joy which was in their faces was nothingcompared to the terrors, horrors, and torments which were in theirhearts.Justso,thegodlymanytimesrejoiceinheart,whensadnessandblackness seems to cover their faces: 2 Cor. 6:10, "As sorrowful—yetalwaysrejoicing,"etc.

It is very observable that the apostle brings in the sorrow of the godlywith a quasi, as it were sorrow, not that it is sorrow indeed—but "assorrowful,"asiftheirsorrowhadbeenratherapaintedsorrowthanarealsorrow;butwhenhespeaksoftheirjoy,thereisnoquasi—buttrue joy;hedoesnotsay"asrejoicing,"but"alwaysrejoicing."Theirjoywasarealjoy—but theirsorrowwasbutaseemingsorrow.WhenaChristian isatworst,astotheeyeoftheworld,hemaysayofhisjoy,asChristspeaksofhismeat, etc.,whenhe said, "Ihave food to eat that youknownotof,"John4:33—justso,hemaysay,Ihavejoy,Ihavegreatjoy,thattheworldknowsnotof.

Look!asthereislifeandsapandjuiceintherootofthetree,eveninthe

winterseason,whenthere isno leaves,norblossoms,nor fruithangingonthetree—justso,thereisjoyandcomfortandpeaceintheheartofasaint,whentherearenooutwardvisiblediscoveriesof it toothers!Youmayasrationallyconcludethatthereisnolife,sap,andjuiceintherootofthetree,becausethetreehasnoleaves,blossoms,orfruitonit—asyoumayconcludethatthesaintshavenojoyintheirhearts,becausetheydonotexpressitinsuchoutwardvisibleactsasmayconvincetheworldthattheyhaveit,etc.But,

5.Fifthly,Ianswer,That it ishorrid injustice tomaketheheartsof therighteous sad, whom God would not have saddened, by your pride,profaneness, looseness, wickedness, worldliness, lukewarmness,filthiness,carnalness,etc.,andthentocryoutagainstthem,thattheyarethe saddest andmost comfortable people in theworld, Ezek. 13:22-23.Whatisthisbut,withNero,tosetthecityofRomeonfire,andthentolaytheblameofitupontheChristians,andpunishthemforit?Whatisthisbuttodealbythesaintsasthedevildealsbythem?Heloadsthemandfollows themwithmost sad, grievous,blasphemous,horrid, and hellishtemptations, on purpose to make them walk heavily, mournfully, anduncomfortably; and when he has accomplished his design, then heaccuses them sometimes to God, sometimes to themselves, andsometimes to others, for their heavy and uncomfortable walking, Rev.12:10.

Oh, what inhumanity, cruelty, and vanity was it in the Egyptians todouble the Israelites' sum of bricks, and to take away their straw, andthen to cry out "that they were lazy," Exod. 5:8, 17. Just so, oh whatinhumanityandcruelty is this inunsanctifiedpeople, tosadden,grieve,and afflict the people of Godwith their drunkenness, wantonness, andlewdness, and with their cursing, swearing, and lying, and with theirscorningandscoffingatgodliness,andwiththeirslanderingoftheLord,his people and ways, and with their resisting and quenching of theblessed motions of the Spirit, and with their shifting off the gloriousoffersofgraceandmercy,andwiththeirtreasuringupofwrathagainstthe day of wrath, etc., [Psalm 119:136, 158; Jer. 9:1-2; 2 Pet. 2:2:7-8;Romans2:4-5.]andthentocryout,"Oh,howsadly,oh,howmournfully,dothesemenwalk!Oh,whatuncomfortablelivesdothesemenlive!Oh,

whatsorrowandpensivenessattendsthem!"Butisthisjust?isthisfair?

Supposeahusbandshoulddoallhecould toafflictandgrievehiswife,andafatherhischild,andamasterhisservant,andafriendhis friend,etc., and when they had done, then fall a-complaining that there werenonesomelancholy,noranysosadandsorrowfulasthey.Oh,whatfolly,what madness, and what injustice would this be! And yet, this is thecommon dealing of unsanctified people with the people of God, Dan.4:27.

Ah,sinners,sinners,ifyouwouldbutbreakoffyoursinsbyrepentance,andceasefromdoingevil,andturntotheLordwithallyourhearts,andbelieveon theLordJesusChrist, and fall inwith thewaysofGod, andtrampleuponthiswickedworld,andseekafterthethingsofabetterlife—oh,howsoonwouldthesaints'sighingbeturnedintosinging,andtheirmourningintorejoicing!Oh,themusic,themirth,themelody,thatyourlife would make, both in their hearts and in their ears! It is veryobservable thatAbrahammade a feast at theweaningof his son Isaac,Gen.21:8.Hedidnotmakeafeastonthedayofhisnativity,norontheday of his circumcision, but on that day when he was taken from hismother'sbosom.Osirs,ifyouwerebutonceweanedfromyourlusts,andfrom the vanities of this world, if you were but once weaned from oldcorrupt customs, and from following after your sinful lovers—oh, howwouldallGod'sfaithfulAbrahamsrejoice!1Pet.1:18-19;Hosea6:7.Oh,whatafeastoffatthingsoh,whataheavenlybanquetwouldthismakeinalltheirhearts!

About three hundred years after the apostles' time, Caius MariusVictorius,anoldpagan,wasconvertedfromhispaganism,infidelity,andimpiety,andbroughtovertotheChristianfaith;which,whenthepeopleofGodsaw,therewaswonderfulrejoicing,andshouting,anddancingforgladness,andpsalmsweresungineverychurch,"CaiusMariusVictoriushasbecomeaChristian!CaiusMariusVictoriushasbecomeaChristian!"Thiswaswrittenasawonder,andsungasawonder,thatthisoldpagan,this gray-headed pagan, should become a gracious Christian, that heshouldinhisoldageberenewedandsanctified.

Ah,friends,ifyouwerebutonceconvertedandchanged,ifyouwerebut

once turned from darkness to light, if you were but once brought toChrist, if thepeopleofGodcouldbutonce see thatyouhadpassedthepangsofthenewbirth,andthatChristandholinesswereformedinyoursouls—ah, how would their hearts be filled with joy, and theirmouthswith laughter! Oh, what songs of salvation would they sing! Oh, howwouldthehighpraisesofGodbeintheirmouths!

Yousay,"Ohtherearenonesosadandsorrowful,etc.,assuchandsuchChristians."Butwhat is thecauseof theirsorrowandsadness? is itnotyour wickedness and ungodliness? is it not your unconverted andunsanctifiedestate?Surelyyes.Oh,thatyouwouldthereforeceasefromcomplaining against them, and fall amending of your own heart andways!Andthenalltearswillbequicklywipedawayfromtheireyes.But,

6. Sixthly, I answer, That all the joys, delights, and pleasures thatholinessdebarsmenof—aresinfuljoys,delights,andpleasures.[Romans1:32;2Thes.2:12;Amos6:13;Zeph.3:11;2Pet.2:13.]Unsanctifiedsoulstake pleasure in unrighteousness; they rejoice to do evil; they make asport of sin; they delight to dishonor their God, and damn their ownimmortalsouls.Proverbs2:14,"Theydelightindoingwrongandrejoicein theperversenessof evil."And this isbrought inasanaggravationofJerusalem'ssin:Jer.11:15,"Whenyoudoevil,thenyourejoice."Ah,howmadly-merryarethosewhocantakedelightinthatwhichistheirshameandmisery!Ah,howhasmanfallenfromhisprimitiveglory—thathecannowrejoice in thatwhich is—adishonortoGod,areproachtoChrist,agrieftotheSpirit,aprovocationtodivinewrath,ablotuponhisname,acurseuponhisestate,awounduponhisconscience,andaplagueuponhis soul!Nowwhatamercymust itbe tobe takenoff from that carnalmirthwhichendsinmourning,andfromthosevaindelightswhichendinunspeakable torments, and from that foolish jollity which leads toeverlastingmisery!Rev.18:17.

IhavereadofkingLysimachus,thatwhenheandhisarmywerebesiegedinoneofhiscities,andingreatdangerofperishingbythirst,foracupofcoldwaterhedeliveredupthekeysof thecitytohisenemy,whichcoldcomforthehadnosoonertasted,buthistonguebewrayedthegriefofhisheart,saying,"Oh,thatforsomomentaryapleasure,Ishouldbebroughtdownfromasovereignaservant, fromakingacaptive!"Ah,what folly

andmadness is it formen to run the hazard of losing the kingdomofheaven,andthepleasureswhichareatGod'srighthand,Psalm16:11,forthose short-lived pleasures which are but like a blaze, or like thelightning, or like amorning cloud, or the early dewwhich soon passesaway!Ah,whowouldendureanoceanof tortureforadropofsensual pleasure, or for a few bitter-sweets? And thereforedoubtless,Godcan'tdothesoulagreaterpleasurethantotakeitofffromsuch vanishing pleasures. All sensual pleasures defile the soul, theydebasethesoul,yes,theydebauchthesoul;theytakeofftheheartfromGod,andtheydeadenthehearttowardsGod.Thewidowwhileshelivedinpleasureisreckoneddead,1Tim.5:6.Thatis,sheisdeadGod-wards,and dead Christ-wards, and dead duty-wards, and dead heaven-wards,anddeadholiness-wards,etc.

Aristotle writes of a parcel of ground in Sicily that sends forth such astrong,suchasweetsmellof fragrant flowers, thatnohoundscanhuntthere.Justso,thecarnalpleasuresofthisworlddosendforthsostrongascent, that unsanctified people cannot hunt after God, nor Christ, norholiness,northegreatconcernmentsoftheeternalworld;andthereforeitisratherman'sfelicitythanhismisery—tobetakenofffromsuchvainpleasures.Sensualpleasuresanddelightscannotsatisfythesoulofman;theyarebutfrothyandflashy,theyonlywetthemouth,theyneverwarmtheheart.Amanmaysoonerbreakhisneck thansatisfyhisheartwithsensualpleasures.They seemsubstantial in thepursuit—butare cloudsintheenjoyment.

Xerxesbeingwearyofhis sensualpleasures,promisedgreat rewards tothosewhowouldinventnewpleasures;andwhentheyhadinventednewpleasuresanddelights—yetthenhecouldnotbesatisfiednorcontented;hewouldgladlyhavehadonepleasuretohavetakenoffthewearinessofanother—but it could not be. There is nothing in carnal delights, butimagination and expectation; for they can neither fill the heart norsatisfytheheart.

O sirs, there is no real pleasure in sin. All the pleasures of sin arecounterfeitpleasures; theyarebut theshapesandshadowsofpleasure.They are the seeds of future grief; they are but a pledge laid down forsorroworruin.Itisobservedbythemythologiststhat'pleasure'wenton

occasion to bathe herself, and having stripped off her clothes by thewater-side, 'sorrow' having hid herself close at hand, steals the clothesaway,putsthemon,andsodeparts.Justso,carnalpleasuresarenothingbut sorrow in pleasure's clothes. Certainly if there were the least realdelightinsin—hellcouldneverbehell.Yes,thenitwouldfollowthathellwouldbethegreatestplaceofpleasure—fordoubtlesshellisthegreatestplaceofsin.

Oh, don't deceive your own souls! there can be no real joy in sensualpleasures. What real delight or pleasure can there be in fooling andstaggering in an ale-house or tavern; in swaggering and swearing; indicing and carding; in dancing, partying, and whoring; in slighting ofSabbaths, in scoffing at saints, in despising of ordinances, and inpursuing after lying vanities? Surely none! And as for those seemingpleasureswhichattendthewaysofsin,ah,howsoondotheyvanishandleaveastingbehindthem!

Nowallthepleasuresthatholinessdeprivesyouof,areonlysuchthatyoumaybettertenthousandtimeslack,thanenjoy.Look!asallthepleasureswhich manhood takes a person off from, are babyish and toyishpleasures; suchas fromdelighting ina rattle,a toy,a feather,ahobby-horse,awoodensword,etc.Justso,allthepleasuresanddelightswhichholinesstakesamanofffrom—theyarebabyishandfoolish;yes,theyarebase,dangerous,anddevilish!Therefore itmustneedsberatherahighfelicitythanamisery—forGodtotakeyouofffromsuchsinfulpleasuresanddelights,bylayingprinciplesofholinessintoyourheart.

Oh! remember thatholinesswillbeno lossuntoyou; itwill be only anexchange of sinful delights—for those which are holy; and of carnaldelights—forthosewhicharespiritual;andofearthlydelights—forthosewhichareheavenly. Isaacwasnot tobesacrificed—but theram.All thedelightsthatholinesswillputyouupontosacrifice,arebuttherammishand foul delights of sin and the world, whichmay better be sacrificedthan spared. Holiness will secure your Isaac—that is, your spirituallaughter, your spiritual joy, and your heavenly delights and pleasure.Well,foraclose,rememberthis—thatsensualpleasuresarebelowaman.WitnessTully,who says that "he isnotworthyof thenameof aman—who would entirely spend one whole day in pleasures." And witness

Julian theapostate,whoprofessed that "thepleasuresof thebodywerefarbelowagreatspirit."Hewhodelightsinsensualpleasuresshallfind at last—that his greatest pleasures will become hisbitterestpains.Allthatholinesswilldoisbuttoeaseyouofyourpains,and therefore youhavemore cause topursueafter it than to turnyourbackuponit.But,

7.Seventhly,Ianswer,Itmaybe,thattheirpresentcaseandcondition,bespeaksrathertheexerciseandevidenceofsorrowandofgrief,thanofgladness,joy,andtriumph.

[1.]Forfirst,Itmaybe,thatsomewoundorguiltatpresentmayliehardupontheirconsciences,asonceitdidonDavid's,Psalm51.Andwhothenis able to rejoice when under a wounded conscience, or a guiltyconscience?As long asAdam remainedholy inparadise, he stood fast;but having oncewounded his conscience by eating the forbidden fruit,thoughhe tarriedawhile inparadise—yethe could takenodelightnorcontentmentinparadise.Itistruethesundidshineasbrightasever,andtheriversranasclearasever,andthebirdssangassweetlyasever,andthe animals played as pleasantly as ever, and the flowers smelled asfragrantlyasever,andallthetreesandfruitsofthegardendidflourishasgreatly as ever, etc. Ah—but now Adam had contracted guilt upon hisconscience,andthismarshisjoy,andspoilshisdelight,andunparadisesparadise tohim!His fall hadmade sodeep awound inhis conscience,thathecouldtakenodelightinanyofthedelightsofparadise.Guiltasanarrowdidsticksofastinhisconscience,thatinsteadofsuckingsweetnessfromthefairestfruits—herunstohidehimselfunderthebroadestleaves,Gen.3:10.GuiltmakesamanaMagor-missabib,Jer.20:3—aterrortohimself.

Put ever such stately robesuponawoundedman—heminds themnot;set ever suchdainty farebeforeawoundedman—he relishes itnot; layhimoneversosoftabed—yet itpleaseshimnot;andlethimheareversuch sweet music—yet it delights him not; the smart and sense of hiswoundtakesoffthesweetofall.Justso,doesawoundintheconsciencetakeoff thesweetofallaman'senjoymentsandcontentments.Aguiltyconscience,likePrometheus'vulture,liesevergnawing.Whatthewould-be disciple said to our Savior—namely, "Master, I will follow you

wherever you go," Mat. 8:19—that a guilty conscience says to a fallensinner: "Ifyou fastIwill follow you, and fill yourmindwith black anddismalapprehensionsofGod,ofjustice,ofhell;ifyoufeastIwill followyou, and show you the handwriting on the wall that shall make yourcountenancetochange,yourthoughtstobetroubled,andyourjointstobeloosed,andyourkneestoknockoneagainstanother,Dan.5:5;whenyougoforthIwillfollowyouwithterrors,andwhenyoureturnhomeIwillfollowyouwithhorrors;whenyougotoboardIwillfollowyouwithstinging accusations, and when you go to bed I will follow you withterrifyingandaffrightingdreams,Job7:14.Nowwhatjoycanbeinsuchaman'sheart?Whatgladnesscanbeinsuchaman'sface?Surelynone!

IrememberasayingofLuther,"Onedropofanevilconscienceswallowsupthewholeseaofworldlyjoy."[ItwasguiltwhichmadethatdespairingPopesaythatthecrosscoulddohimnogood,hehadsooftensoldit]Oh,itisbetterwithEvagriustoliesecureonabedofstraw,thantoliewithaguiltyconscienceonabedofdown,havingthecurtainsembroideredwithgold,andthefringesbespangledwithpearls.Sinbringssuchastainandsuchastingwithit,asspoilsallaman'sjoysanddelights.Andifthisbethepresent caseof aChristian, as itmaybe—thenneverwonder toseehimhangdownhishead,andtowalkmournfullybeforehisGod.Or,

[2.]Secondly, Thismay arise from some great andheavy affliction,which for thepresentmaysadlydistressandoppressasaint's spirit;asJob's did his, or as Hezekiah's did his, or as Jacob's did his, etc. [Job3:38;Isaiah9:16;Gen.37:30,totheend.]Thediseasemaybesoviolent,themedicinemaybe so strong, thewoundmaybe sodeep, theplastermaybesocorroding,themeltingpotmaybesohot,theironchainsmaybe soheavy, the gall andwormwoodmaybe sobitter—that aChristianmaybesofarfromjoyandrejoicing,asthathemayforthepresentbesoshutupunder troubleandamazement, andunder sorrowandgrief—asthathemaynotbeable,ifyouwouldgivehimalltheworld,toopenhiscaseuntoyou;hiseyesmay insomesort tellwhathis tonguecan innosortutter,Psalm77:4.

Usually they are the smallest miseries, when he who has them canpresentlytellalltheworldofthem.Thegreatestsorrowhasforthemostpart thedeepest silenceattendingon it.WhatChristianeverhad joy in

hisheartorgladnessinhisface,whenGodwasdisciplininghimharshlyandroughly?Or,

[3.]Thirdly, Itmay be they aredeserted; perhaps God is withdrawnfromthem,andhewhoshouldcomfortthemstandsafaroff.[Lam.1:16;Gen.31:2,5;Psalm30:7;readthe77thandthe88thPsalms;Isaiah8:17;Micah 7:7-9, 17; Psalm 4:6, and 42:5, 11, etc.] Ah, what Christian canrejoicewhenthecountenanceofGodisnotkindlytowardshimasofold?whocanbepleasantwhenGod isdispleased?whocansmilewhenGodfrowns?whocansingwhenGodsighs?whocanbemerrywhenGod iswithdrawn?Surelynonewhohaveeverexperiencedwhattheshiningsofhisfacemeans!Osirs,theproperworkofadesertedsoulliesnotinjoyandrejoicing—butinmourningandwaiting,andinseekingandsuingatthethroneofgrace—thatGodwouldliftupthelightofhiscountenance,andcausehisfacetoshine,andhisfavortobreakforth—thatthebonesthathehasbrokenmayrejoice.JustasHudsonthemartyr,whenhewasdesertedat the stake, prayed earnestly, hewas comforted immediately,andsufferedvaliantly.

Look!aswhenSamson's lockswerecutoff,his strengthwasgone—justso,whenGodisgone,aChristian'slocksarecutoff,hisstrengthisgone,hisstrengthtojoyandrejoiceinGodisgone,hisstrengthtodelightandtotakepleasureinGodisgone;andasSamson,whenhislockswerecutoff,andhisstrengthwasgone,felltoprayer,Judges16:28,"AndSamsoncalledunto theLord, and said,OLordGod, rememberme, I pray you,onlythisonce,OGod,thatImaybeatonceavengedofthePhilistinesformytwoeyes!"SowhenGodisgone,theworkofaChristianliesmoreinprayingthanitdoesinrejoicing.ThoughJoseph'sheartwasasfulloflovetohisbrethrenasitcouldhold,Gen.42:7-25—yetwhenhelookedsourlyupon them, and spoke roughly to them, they were much afflicted anddistressed. Just so, though the heart of Jesus be as full of love to hispeople as it canhold—yetwhenhe looks sourly, and speaks roughly tothem—theycan'tbutbegrievedandsaddened.But,

[4.]Fourthly,ItmaybetheyaresadlytemptedandstrangelybuffetedbySatan,asPaulwas—andfromthencetheirpresentsadnessmayarise,2Cor. 12:8-10.Tempted souls can tell you that it is one of the hardestworksintheworldtorejoiceintheschooloftemptation,andtobemerry

whenSatan'sfierydartsstickfastinthesoul.Adam'stempting-timewasnothisrejoicing-time—buthissinning-time;andDavid'stempting-timewas not his rejoicing-time—but hismiscarrying-time, 1 Chron. 21; andJob's tempting-time was not his rejoicing-time—but his complaining-time, Job 3; andPeter's tempting-timewas not his rejoicing-time—buthis cursing and blaspheming-time, Mat. 26; and Paul's tempting-timewasnothis rejoicing-time—buthishumbling-time,2Cor. 12:7-8. ["Ourwholelife,"saysAustin,"isnothingbutacontinuedtemptation."]

Thebestmenaremost tempted;andoftentimes theyare followedwiththe saddest, darkest, vilest, basest, and most amazing, affrighting,tormenting,andastonishingtemptations.Andhowisitpossiblethattheyshould be able to rejoice and be glad, when such dreadful storms beatuponthem!CertainlytheworkofaChristianinthedayoftemptationliesinhisputtingon thewholearmorofGod,Eph.6:10-11, 16-18,and inaprudenthandling theswordof theSpiritand the shieldof faith,and inearnestprayingandvigilantwatching,andastoutresistingofallSatan'sfierydarts; forhewho thinks,bydisputingandreasoning, toputSatanoff,doesbutshootwithhiminhisownbow,andwillfindtohiscostthatSatanwillbetoohardforhim.Itisopendefiance,itisdownrightblowswhichmakesSatan fly,andwhichsecures thevictory,James4:7;1Pet.5:9.Nowjoyandrejoicingattendsnotthecombat—buttheconquest.TheRomansneverused toride in triumph—butafterconquestsobtained.AChristian's triumphing time is his conquering time. Joy is mostseasonable and suitable when a Christian has beaten Satan out of thefield.TheroosterintheArabicfablebegantocrowandclaphiswings,asif he had obtained a perfect conquest—but, behold, suddenly a vulturecomes,andsnatchesthisgreatconqueroraway.ThosewhotriumphandrejoiceoverSatanbeforetheyhaveovercomehim,areinnosmalldangerofbeingbeatenbyhim.But,

[5.]Fifthlyandlastly,Togatherupmanythingstogether.Isaythattheirpresentsorrowandsadnessmayarisefromtheirgoingastrayintosomeby-pathofvanityandfolly,whereintheyhavegotafall,orbrokeabone,orputtheirsoulsoutofjoint.Aschildrensometimesgetafall,andthentheycomehomebyweepingcross—justso,Christianstoooftengoastrayandgetafall,andthentheyarefaintoweepitout.Whenmenkeepnotin

theking'shighway,theyareoftenrobbedoftheirmoney,andstrippedoftheirclothes,andwoundedtoo,ashewasintheGospelwhofellamongthieves—justso,whenChristianskeepnotintheKingofkings'highways,whicharewaysofrighteousnessandholiness,thentheyareoftenrobbedoftheircomfort,andjoy,andpeace,andassurance,andcommunionwithGod, etc., and sorelywoundedandbruised, and then it isnowonder iftheyarebroughthomewithtearsintheireyes.

Or itmaybe their evidences forheavenare soblottedandblurred thattheycannotreadtheirtitletoheaven—andthenitisnowonderiftheyareperplexedandgrieved.Oritmaybetheycallinquestionformergrantsoffavorandgrace.Oritmaybeadeepersenseofmisspenttimeliesharderthaneveruponthem.Orelsethelittlenessandsmallnessoftheirgracesunder such soul-enriching opportunities and advantages do sorelyoppress them.Or else the lateness of their conversionmay sadly afflictthem,etc.[Luke10:30;Isaiah35:8;Psalm119:176.]

Now how absurd and unreasonable a thing is it for anymen to arguethus, that surely godly men have no joy, no delight, no pleasure, etc.,becausetherearesomeparticularcasesandconditionswhereintheymaybe cast which rather bespeaks sorrow than joy, grief than gladness,mourningthanmirth!Certainlyyoumayasrationallyandasrighteouslyexpect mirth, joy, and gladness from carnal, worldly, and ungodlywretches when they are under burning fevers, loathsome diseases, orviolentpainsofthestoneorgout,etc.,asyoumayexpectuponarationalor religious account, joy and gladness, etc., in the saints in the fore-mentionedcaseswhichareincidenttothem.Itwasaveryunreasonablerequest that theymade to the people ofGod in Psalm 137:1-4, "By therivers of Babylon—there we sat down and wept when we rememberedZion. There we hung up our lyres on the poplar trees, for our captorsthereaskedusforsongs,andourtormentors,forrejoicing:"SingusoneofthesongsofZion."HowcanwesingtheLord’ssongonforeignsoil?"AnditisasunreasonabletoexpectorlookthatthepeopleofGodshouldsing and be merry, rejoice and be glad, when they are under souldistresses,andunderthesorerebukesofGod,andpouredfromvesseltovessel, etc. Music in times of mourning is as unreasonable as it isunseasonableandunsavory,Jer.48:11,Proverbs25:20,"Singingcheerful

songs to a personwhoseheart is heavy is as bad as stealing someone'sjacketincoldweatherorrubbingsaltinawound."Musicandmourning,singing and sorrow, agree like harp and harrow. There is such acontrarietybetweensingingandsorrow,thathewhosingsdoesbutaddweighttohissorrowthatcannotsing.

Osirs,as there isa time forrejoicing, so there isa time formourning,Eccles.3:4;asthereisatimetolaugh,sothereisatimetoweep;andaswemust rejoice with those who rejoice, so wemustmournwith thosewho mourn, and weep with those who weep, Romans 12:15. TheconditionofGod'speopleinthislifeisamixedcondition.Inthislifetheyhave their rejoicing times and their mourning times, their laughingtimesandtheirweepingtimes, theirsingingtimesandtheirsorrowingtimes,etc.Itistrue,inheaventhereisalljoyandnosorrow,allgladnessandnosadness;andinhellthereisallsorrowandnojoy,allgriefandnogladness, all howling andno singing, allmadness andnomirth.But inthis present life it is otherwise, for if there should be nothing but joy,manywouldlookfornootherheaven;andifthereshouldbenothingbutsorrow,mostwould look fornootherhell. Ifmen shouldhavenothingbut joy, how sadly would they be puffed up! And if they should havenothingbutsorrow,howeasilywouldtheybecastdown!Butnow,byadivinehand,oursorrowsbeingmixedwithour joys,ourheartscometobethemoreeffectuallyweanedfromthevanitiesofthislife,andtolongmoreearnestlyafterthepureandunmixedjoysofabetterlife,etc.But,

8.Eighthly, I answer, That it is possible that the sadness, sorrow, andgrief of those particular saints that you have your eye uponmay arisefrom the natural temper and constitution of their bodies. [The cure ofmelancholybelongsrather to thephysicianthanto thedivine, toGalenthan to Paul.] Many saints are often cast into a melancholy mold; forthough grace changes the disposition of the soul—yet it alters not theconstitutionofthebody.Nowthereisnogreaterenemytoholy joyandgladnessthanmelancholy,forthispestilenthumorwillraisesuchstrangepassionsandimaginations,itwillraisesuchgroundlessgriefs,andfears,and frights, and such senseless surmises and jealousies, as will easilydampaChristian's joy, andmightily vex,perplex, trouble, and turmoil,daunt, and discourage a Christian's spirit. Amelancholy constitution is

Satan's anvil, upon which he forms many black, dark, and dismaltemptations, which do exceedingly tend to the keeping down of divineconsolation fromrisinghigh in thesoul.Thisblack,dark,duskyhumordisturbs both soul and body; it tempts Satan to tempt the soul, and itdisables the soul to resist the temptation; yes, it prepares the soul tohearkentothetemptation,andtocloseandfallinwiththetemptation,astheexperiencesofallmelancholyChristianscantestify.

Look!ascoloredglassmakestheverybeamsofthesunseemtobeallofthesamecolorwithitself—iftheglassisblue,thebeamsofthesunseemstobeblue;iftheglassisred,thebeamsofthesunseemtobered;oriftheglass be green, the beams of the sun seem to be green—so this blackmelancholyhumorrepresentsallthingstotheeyeofthesoulasduskishanddark,andasfullofhorrorandterror,yes,manytimesitrepresentsthe bright beams of divine love, and the shinings of the Sun ofrighteousness, and the gracious whispers of the blessed Spirit—asdelusions,andassleightsofSatan,todeludethesoul.

I have readof a foolishmelancholybirdwhich stands always but upononeleg,forfearherownweight,thoughsheisverysmall,shouldsinkherintothecenteroftheearth,andholdingherotherlegoverherhead,lesttheheavens should fall uponher and crushher. I shall notdispute thecredibleness of the relation; but certainly there is nothing that fills aChristiansofulloffearsandfrightsasamelancholyhumordoes.Thereare no greater adversaries to joy and gladness, than such fears andfrights. Now how absurd and unreasonable is it to father that uponholiness, or upon all holy people—which proceeds from the specialconstitution of some particular saints! And yet this is the trade thatunsanctified souls drive. And let thus much suffice for answer to thisgrandobjection;andohthatthisobjectionmayneverhavearesurrectioninanyofyourheartsmoreBut,

Objection4.Somemayobject,andsay,Wesee thatnopeopleonearth are exposed to such troubles, dangers, afflictions, andpersecutions,asthoseareexposedtowhomindholiness,whofollow after holiness. These are days wherein men labor to frownholinessoutoftheworld,andtoscornandkickholinessoutoftheworld;and do you think that we are foolish enough to pursue after holiness?

Nowtothisgreatandsoreobjection,Ishallgivethesefollowinganswers

1.ItmustbegrantedthatafflictionsandpersecutionshasbeenthecommonlotandportionofthepeopleofGodinthisworld.AbelwaspersecutedbyCain, (1John3:12), and Isaacby Ishmael, (Gal4:29).Thatseemstobeastandinglaw,"AllwhowilllivegodlyinChristJesusmustsufferpersecution,"(2Tim3:12).Amanmayhavemanyfaintwishesandcolddesiresaftergodliness,andyetescapepersecution;yes,he may make some initial endeavors and attempts as if he would begodly,andyetescapepersecution.Butwhenamanisthoroughlyresolvedtobegodly,andsetshimselfingoodearnestuponpursuingafterholinessandlivingalifeofgodliness,thenhemustexpecttomeetwithafflictionsand persecutions. It is neither a Christian's gifts nor his graces, it isneither his duties nor his services which can secure him frompersecution. Whoever escapes, the godly man shall not escapepersecutioninonekindoranother,inonedegreeoranother.Hewhowilllive up to holy rules, and live out holy principles, must prepare forsufferings.Alltherosesofholinessaresurroundedwithprickingbriers.

Thehistoryofthetenpersecutions,andFoxe'sbookofmartyrs,the11thof the Hebrews, with many other treatises which are existent, doabundantly evidence that from age to age, and from one generation toanother,thosewhohavebeenbornafterthefleshhavepersecutedthosewhohavebeenbornaftertheSpirit,(Gal4:20),andthattheseedoftheserpent have been still a-multiplying of troubles upon the seed of thewoman.

Wouldanymantakethechurch'spicture,saysLuther,thenlethimpainta poor helpless maid sitting in a wilderness, compassed about withhungrylions,wolves,boars,andbears,andwithallkindsofothercruel,hurtfulbeasts,andinthemidstofagreatmanyfuriousmenassaultinghereverymomentandminute—forthisisherconditionintheworld.Ascertain as the night follows the day, so certain will that black angel,persecution, follow holiness wherever it goes. In the last of the tenpersecutions,seventeenthousandholymartyrswereslaininthespaceofonemonth.AndinQueenMary'sdays,or,ifyouwill,intheMariandays,notofblessed—butofmostabhorredmemory,thePopishprelatesinlessthanfouryearssacrificedthe livesofeighthundredinnocentChristians

totheiridols!Andohthatthatpreciousinnocentblooddidnotstillcrytoheavenforvengeanceagainstthisnation!But,

2. Christ and his apostles has long since foretold us thatafflictions and persecutions will attend us in this world. TheLordhas long since forewarnedus, thatwemaybe forearmed,andnotsurprised on a sudden when they come. Christ has shot off many awarningpieceinhisword,andsentmanyawarningandharbinger,thatsowemay stand upon our guard, and not be surprised nor astonishedwhenafflictionsandpersecutionsovertakeus:Matthew10:22,"Andyoushallbehatedofallmenformyname'ssake:buthewhoendurestotheend,thesameshallbesaved."Chapter16:24,"ThensaidJesusuntohisdisciples,Ifanymanwillcomeafterme, lethimdenyhimself,andtakeuphiscross,andfollowme."Luke21:12,"Butbeforeallthese,theyshalllay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to thesynagogues,and intoprisons,beingbroughtbeforekingsandrulers formyname'ssake."John15:20,"RememberthewordthatIsaiduntoyou,TheservantisnotgreaterthantheLord.Iftheyhavepersecutedme,theywillalsopersecuteyou;iftheyhavekeptmysaying,theywillkeepyoursalso."

AhChristians,sincetheyhavecrownedChrist'sheadwiththorns,thereisno reason why you should expect to be crowned with rosebuds! John16:33,"ThesethingsIhavespokenuntoyou,thatinmeyoumighthavepeace. In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; Ihaveovercometheworld."Acts14:21,22,"Andwhentheyhadpreachedthe gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again toLystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, confirming the souls of thedisciples,andexhortingthemtocontinueinthefaith,andthatwemustthroughmuchtribulationenter into thekingdomofGod."As therewasnowaytoparadisebutbytheflamingsword,noranywaytoCanaanbutthroughawilderness; so there is noway to heaven but by the gates ofhell, there is no way to a glorious exaltation but through a sea oftribulation.Theydobutdreamanddeceivetheirownsoulswhothinktogo to heavenuponbeds of down, or in a soft anddelicateway, or thatthink to be attended to glorywithmirth andmusic, orwith singing ordancing.Thewaytoeternalhappinessisnotstrewedwithroses

—butfullofthornsandbriers,asthoseofwhomthisworldwasnotworthyhaveexperienced.

Ecclesiastical histories tell us that all the apostles died violent deaths.Christwascrucifiedwithhisheadupwards—butPeterthoughtthiswastoogreatanhonor forhimtobecrucifiedashisLord,andthereforehechose to be crucifiedwith his heels upward.Andrewwas crucified byEgeus, king of Odessa.James the son of Zebedee was slain byHerodwith the sword, (Act 12:2).Philipwas crucified at Hierapolis in Asia.While Bartholomew was preaching the glad tidings of salvation,multitudes fell upon him and beat him down with staves, and thencrucifiedhim,andafterallthis,hisskinwasflayedoff,andhebeheaded.ThomaswasslainwithalanceatCaluminainIndia.Matthewwasrunthrough with a sword.James the son of Alpheus, who was called theJust,wasthrowndownfromoffapinnacleofthetemple,andyethavingsomelifeleftinhim,hisheadwasbashedwithaclub.Lebbeuswasslainby Agbarus, king of Edessa.Paulwas beheaded at Rome under Nero.SimontheCanaanitewascrucifiedinEgypt,saysome,otherssaythatheandJudewereslain ina tumultof thepeople.Matthiaswasstonedtodeath. Johnwas banished into Patmos, (Rev 1:9), and afterwards, assomehistories tell us, hewas by that cruel tyrantDomitian cast into alargebarrelofscaldinglead,andyetdeliveredbyamiracle.Thusalltheseprecious servants of God, except John, died violent deaths, and sothroughsufferingsenteredintoglory;theyfoundintheirownexperiencethe truth of what Christ had foretold concerning their sufferings andpersecutions.

WhenMr.Bradfordwastoldthathischainwasbeingbought,andthathemustbeburnt,helifteduphiseyestoheavenandsaid,"IthankGodforit;Ihavelookedforwardtothisalongtime;itcomesnottomesuddenly—butasathingwaitedforeveryday,yes,everyhourintheday;theLordmakemeworthythereof."IfuponGod'swarningyouwillbutprepareforsufferings, youwill never fear nor faint under sufferings, yes, then youwillbeableunderthegreatestpersecutionstobearupbravely,andwithholyBradfordblesstheLordthathascalledyoutosohighanhonorastocountyouworthytosufferforhisname.But,

3.Ianswer,Thatallthetroubles,afflictions,andpersecutions

thatdobefallyou forholiness' sake,shallneverhurtyounorharm you, they shall never prejudice you, nor wrong you inyourmain and great concerns: Exodus 3:2, "And the angel of theLordappeareduntohiminaflameoffireoutofthemidstofabush;andhelooked,and,behold,thebushburnedwithfire,andthebushwasnotconsumed."Hereyouhaveabush,adrybush,abramble-bushallonfire,andyetnotconsumed.Thisburningbushwasanexcellentemblemofthechurchinthefireoftribulationandpersecution.Thoughthechurchmayseemtobeallonfirebyreasonofafflictionsandpersecutions—yetitshallbepreserved,itshallnotbedestroyed.Godwouldnotallowhisanointedones,hissanctifiedones,somuchas tobetouched,hurt,orharmedbythosewhohadmaliceenoughintheirhearts,andpowerenoughintheirhands, not only to hurt them—but even to destroy them. Sanctifiedpeoplearesacredpeople,and thosewho touch themtouch theappleofGod'seye,andwhoevershallbesobold to touchtheappleofGod'seyeshalldearlysmartforit.

Itwasnosmallafflictiontohavenosettledhabitation.Toflyfromplaceto place, from kingdom to kingdom, and from nation to nation, wascertainlyanafflictedcondition.Doubtlessmanyfearsandfrights,manyhazards and dangers did attend them, when they considered that theywereasliliesamongthethorns,andasafewsheepamongamultitudeofwolves.InthelandofCanaanthereweresevenmightynations(Deu7:1).NowforthepeopleofGod,whoweresofewinnumber, tosojournandwanderamongthese,couldnotbutbeverydangerousandperilous;andyetsuchwastheloveofGodtothem,andthecareofGodoverthem,thatheallowednoman,whetherhewashighorlow,honorableorbase,richorpoor,civilorprofane,tohurtorharmthem.

Daniel3:25,27,"Andthekingansweredandsaid,'Look!Iseefourmenwalkingaroundinthefire,unboundandunharmed,andthefourthlookslike a son of the gods!' They saw that the fire had not harmed theirbodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were notscorched, and there was no smell of fire on them." Though these holymenwerecastintoafurnace,intoafieryfurnace,intothemidstofahotfieryfurnace—yetGodwillworkamiracle,yes,agloriousmiracle,ratherthanthefireshallintheleasthurtorharmthem.Godgivesacommission

tothefiretoburnthosemightymenwhomadethefire,andwhocasthischildren into the fire, andwhom thekingwouldhave tobe sparedandsaved;andhelaysalawofrestraintuponthefire,thatitshouldnothurtnorharmthemwhomthekingwouldhavedestroyed.

Those,whomtheKingofkingswillnothavehurt, shallnotbehurt, letkingsandprincesdotheirworst;thatfirewhichburnttheirbondshadnopowertoburn,nonortotouch,theirbodies.Godwouldnotallowthefiretosingeahairoftheirheads,nortochangethecoloroftheircoats,nortoleave so much as a smoky smell upon his people, that those heathenprincesmightseehowtenderhewasofthem,andhowwillinghewastoputforthhisalmightypowerratherthanhewouldseethemwrongedorharmed.

Daniel6:21-24, "Daniel answered, 'Long live theking!MyGodsenthisangeltoshutthelions'mouthssothattheywouldnothurtme,forIhavebeen found innocent in his sight. And I have not wronged you, YourMajesty.'ThekingwasoverjoyedandorderedthatDanielbeliftedfromtheden.Nota scratchwas foundonhimbecausehehad trusted inhisGod.Then the king gave orders to arrest themenwhohadmaliciouslyaccusedDaniel.Hehadthemthrownintothelions'den,alongwiththeirwivesandchildren.Thelionsleapedonthemandtorethemapartbeforetheyevenhittheflooroftheden."

Holiness,innocency,andintegritywillpreserveamanevenamonglions.DanielpreferredtheworshipofhisGodbeforehislife.Hemadenogreatreckoningofhislifewhenitstoodincompetitionwithdivineglory,andtherefore,ratherthanDanielshallbehurt,Godwillbyamiraclepreservehim,hewillstopthemouthsofthehungrylions,andhewilltametheirrage, and overmaster their cruelty, rather than a hair of Daniel's headshallperish.WhenDanielwastakenoutoftheden,therewasnohurt,nowound,nosore,nobruisefounduponhim.Danielwasaharmlessman,andGodkeepshimfromharmsinthemidstofharms.

Acts 18:9, 10, "Onenight theLordspoke toPaul inavision:Donotbeafraid;keeponspeaking,donotbesilent.ForIamwithyou,andnooneisgoingtoattackandharmyou,becauseIhavemanypeopleinthiscity."Paulmetwithmanytrialsandtroubles,bondsandprisons,oppositions

and persecutions, and yet none of all these hurt him—but Godmiraculouslypreservedhimeventooldage(Act20:23).Allthetroubles,afflictions, and persecutions which attend holiness, can never reach aChristian's soul, they can never diminish a Christian's treasure; theyreachtheshell—not thekernel; theyreach thecase—not the jewel; theyreach the lumber—not the goods; they reach the barn—not the palace;theyreachtheribboninthehat—notthegoldinthepurse.Themostfierytrials and persecutions can never deprive a Christian of the specialpresenceofGod,norofthelightofhiscountenance,norofthetestimonyofagoodconscience,norofthejoysoftheSpirit,norofthepardonofsin,noroffellowshipwithChrist,noroftheexerciseofgrace,norofthehopesofglory(Psalm23:4;2Co1:8,9,12);andthereforecertainlytheycan'thurta Christian, they can't wrong a Christian in his greatest and chiefconcerns.

O Christian, let persecutors do their worst, they can't reachyoursoul,yourGod,yourcomfort,yourcrown,yourparadise,&c.; and therefore let noman be kept off from pursuing after holinessbecauseof afflictions or persecutions, seeing none of these can reach aChristian'sgreatconcernments.But,

4.Ianswer,Thattheconditionofpersecutors,ofallconditionsunder heaven, is themost sad and deplorable condition; andthiswillappearbytheconsiderationofthesefivethings:

[1.]By theprayersand indictments that thesaintshaveofferedagainsttheminthehighestcourtofjustice,Imeanintheparliamentofheaven:"Liftupyourspearandjavelinandblockthewayofmyenemies.Letmehearyousay,"Iamyoursalvation!"Humiliateanddisgracethosetryingtokillme;turnthembackinconfusion.Blowthemawaylikechaffinthewind—awind sent by the angel of the Lord.Make their path dark andslippery,withtheangeloftheLordpursuingthem.AlthoughIdidthemnowrong, they laid a trap forme.Although Idid themnowrong, theydugapitforme.Soletsuddenruinovertakethem!Letthembecaughtinthesnaretheysetforme!Letthemfalltodestructioninthepittheydugforme.ThenIwillrejoiceintheLord.Iwillbegladbecauseherescuesme."Psalm35:3-9

Lamentations3:61-65,"Lord,youhaveheardthevilenamestheycallme.You know all about the plans they have made—the plots my enemieswhisper andmutter againstme all day long. Look at them! In all theiractivities, they constantly mock me with their songs. Pay them back,Lord,foralltheeviltheyhavedone.Givethemhardandstubbornhearts,andthenletyourcursefalluponthem!"2Timothy4:14,"Alexanderthemetalworker didme a great deal of harm.TheLordwill repay him forwhathehasdone."Thusyouseehowtheheartsofthesaintshavebeendrawnoutagainsttheirpersecutors.Prayersarethearmsthatintimesofpersecutionthesaintshavestillhadrecourseto.But,

[2.] Persecutions do but raise, whet, and stir up a more earnest andvehement spirit of prayer among the persecuted saints:Revelation 6:9,10, "When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls ofthosewhohadbeenslainbecauseofthewordofGodandthetestimonythey had maintained. They called out in a loud voice—How long,SovereignLord,holyandtrue,untilyoujudgetheinhabitantsoftheearthand avenge our blood?" The blood of the persecuted cries aloud forvengeanceuponthepersecutors.

Thereisnobloodwhichcriessoloud,andwhichmakessogreatanoisein heaven, as the blood of the martyrs, as the blood of butcheredpersecuted saints. Persecutors, like these Roman emperors, in all ageshavecauselesslyandcruellydestroyedthepeopleofGod;theydelightinthebloodofsaints, they love towallow in thebloodofsaints, they takepleasure in glutting themselves with the blood of saints, theymake noconscience of watering the earth, nor of coloring the sea, nor ofquenchingtheflameswiththebloodofthesaints,yes,ifitwerepossible,theywouldwillingly swim toheaven through theirhearts'blood,whomChristhaspurchasedwithhisownmostpreciousblood.

Persecution puts an edge, yes, a sharp edge, upon the prayers of thesaints: Acts 12:5, "So Peter was kept in prison, but the church wasearnestlyprayingtoGodforhim."TheGreekwordsignifiesearnestandstretched-out prayer.When Peter was in prison, sleeping between twosoldiers,andboundwithtwochains,andthekeepersstandingbeforetheprisondoor,oh,howearnest!Oh,howinstant!Oh,howfervent!Oh,howvehement! Oh, how constant were the saints in their prayers for his

deliverance! Oh, their hearts, their souls, their spirits were in theirprayers!Oh, their prayerswere no cold prayers, no formal prayers, nolukewarmprayers,nodullordrowsyprayers—buttheirprayerswerefullof life, and full ofwarmth, and full of heat. They knewHerod's bloodyintentiontodestroy thisholyapostlebyhis imprisoningofhim,andbythechainsthatwereputonhim,andbythestrongguardsthatweresetupon him, and by his bathing of his sword in the innocent blood ofJames,thathishandmightbethemoreaptandreadyforfurtheractsofmurder and cruelty; and oh, how did the consideration of these thingswhetandprovoketheirspiritstoprayer!Oh,nowtheywilltakenodenial,now they will give God no rest—until he has overturned the tyrant'scounselanddesigns,andsenthisangeltoopentheprisondoors,andtoknockoffPeter's chains, and todeliverhim from thewrathand furyofHerod;andtheirprayersweresuccessful,asisevidentinthe12thverse,"Whenthishaddawnedonhim,hewenttothehouseofMarythemotherof John, also calledMark, wheremany people had gathered and werepraying,"orrather,astheoriginalhasit,"wheremanythrongedtogetherto pray." The violence and rage of their persecutors did so raise, whet,andencourage themtoprayer, that they throng together, they crowdedtogether topray,yes,whenotherswerea-sleeping theywerea-praying,and their prayers were no sleepy prayers, they were no lazy dronishprayers, nor they were no book-prayers—but they were powerful andprevalent prayers; for as somany Jacobs, or as somany princes, theyprevailedwithGod. They prayed andwept, andwept and prayed; theycalledandcried,andcriedandcalled;theybeggedandbounced,andtheybouncedandbegged;andtheyneverleftknockingatheaven'sgatesuntilPeter's chains were knocked off, and Peter given into their arms, yes,their bosoms, as an answer of prayer. Oh the power and force of jointprayer,whenChristiansdonotonlybeseechGod—butbesiegehim,andbeset him too, and when they will not let him go until he has blessedthem,andansweredtheirprayersandthedesiresoftheirsouls!

IhavereadthatMaryQueenofScotswasaccustomedtosaythatshewasmore afraid ofMr. Knox's prayers, and the prayers of those Christiansthatwalkedwithhim,thanshewasofafiercearmyoftenthousandmen.But,

[3.]Thirdly,Itwillappearthattheconditionofpersecutorsisthemostsadanddeplorableconditionofall conditionsunderheaven, if youwillbut seriously consider and lay to heart the sore judgments which arethreatened,andthathavebeenexecuteduponthem:Deuteronomy30:7,"AndtheLordyourGodwillputallthesecursesuponyourenemies,andonthosewhohateyou,whopersecutedyou;"Nehemiah9:9-11,"YousawthesufferingsandsorrowsofourancestorsinEgypt,andyouheardtheircries from beside the Red Sea. You displayed miraculous signs andwondersagainstPharaoh,hisservants,andallhispeople, foryouknewhow arrogantly the Egyptians were treating them. You have a gloriousreputation that has never been forgotten. You divided the sea for yourpeoplesotheycouldwalkthroughondryland!Andthenyouhurledtheirenemies into the depths of the sea. They sank like stones beneath themightywaters!"

Pharaoh and his princes and people were very great oppressors andpersecutors of God's Israel, and therefore God visited them with tendreadful plagues, one after another; but when, after all these plagues,God saw that their enmity against his people was as great, or rathergreater than ever, and that they were still set upon persecuting of hispeople,thenGodtakesupPharaohandhismightyhost,andthrowsthemasastoneintothemightywaters!(Exo15:10).

God whets before he strikes, he bends his bow before he shoots, heprepares instrumentsofdeathbeforehebringsmendownto thegrave,hishandtakesholdonjudgmentbeforehisjudgmentstakeholdofmen;butifallthesewarningswillnotservetheirturns,Godwilloverturnthemwithawitness."Heordainshisarrowsagainstthepersecutors,"orastheHebrew has it, "against the hot burning persecutors." God has his hotburning arrows for hot burningpersecutors. Let persecutors be ever sohotagainstthesaints—Godwillbeashotagainstthem;andletthembeeversomuch inflamedagainst thepeopleofGod—Godwillbeasmuchinflamedagainstthem.

Whenmaliciousandmischievouspersecutorshavedoneall they can tovexandfret,todauntandaffright,todismayanddiscouragethepeopleof God, then Godwill terrify themost terrible among them, and "theyshallnotprevailnorprosper,yes, theyshallstumbleandfall, theyshall

be ashamed and confounded."When the time is expired that God haspre-fixed for his people's sufferings, then God will retaliate upon theirpersecutors. Then those who plundered his people shall be plundered;andthosewhodealtharshlyandtreacherouslywiththem,shallbedealtharshly and treacherously with. 2 Thessalonians 1:6, "Seeing it is arighteousthingwithGodtorecompensetribulationtothosewhotroubleyou."ItisbutjusticethatGodshouldtroublethosewhoarethetroublersofhispeople.

AndGodhaseveninthislifebeenaswiftwitnessagainstthepersecutorsof his people.Cainwas a persecutor, and his brother's blood pursuedhimtohell.Pharaohwasagreatoppressorandpersecutorofhispeople,and God followed him with plague upon plague, and judgment uponjudgment, until he had overthrown him in the Red Sea. Saul was apersecutor,andfallsbyhisownsword.Hamanwasagreatpersecutorofthesaints,andhewasfeastedwiththekingoneday,andmadeafeastforcrows the next!Pashurwas a great persecutor, he smote the prophetJeremiah,andputhiminthestocks,andGodthreatenedtomakehimaterrortohimselfandtoallhisfriends,Jeremiah20:1-3.Zedekiahwasapersecutor,hesmotetheprophetMicaiahonthecheekfordealingplainlyand faithfullywith the kings, and in the day of trouble and distress hegoesfromchambertochambertohidehimself(1Ki22).Jezebelwasagreatpersecutor,sheslewtheprophetsofGod,andshewasthrownoutofa window, and eaten up by dogs, (1Ki 18:4-13; 2Ki 9:30).Herod theGreat,whocausedthebabesofBethlehemtobeslain,hopingtherebytodestroy Christ, shortly after was plagued by God with an incurabledisease, having a slow and relentless fever continually tormenting hisinward parts; he had a vehement and greedy desire to eat, and yetnothingwouldsatisfyhim;his inwardpartsrotted,hisbreathwashavyandstinking,someofhismembersrotted,andinallhismembershehadsoviolent a cramp, thatnaturewasnot able tobear it; and so growingmadwithpain,hediedmiserably.But,

[4.] Itwill appear that persecutors are in themost sad and deplorablecondition, if you do but consider that there is a day a-comingwhereinGod will fully reckon with all persecutors, for their persecuting of hissaints:Psalm9:12,"Whenhemakesinquisitionforblood,heremembers

them;he forgetsnot the cryof thehumble."There is a timewhenGodwillmakeinquisitionforinnocentblood.TheHebrewwordwhichishererenderedinquisition,signifiesnotbarelytoseek,tosearch—buttoseek,search,andinquirewithalldiligenceandcareimaginable.Oh,thereisatime a-coming, when the Lord will make a very diligent and carefulsearch and inquiry after all the innocent blood of his afflicted andpersecuted people, which persecutors and tyrants have spilt as waterupon theground;andwoe topersecutorswhenGodshallmakeamorestrict,critical,andcarefulinquiryafterthebloodofhispeople,thaneverwasmadeintheInquisitionofSpain,whereallthingsaredonewiththegreatestdiligence,scrutiny,secrecy,andseverity.

O persecutors, there is a time acoming, when God will make a strictinquiryafterthebloodofHooper,Bradford,Latimer,Taylor,Ridley,etc.There is a time a-coming, wherein God will inquire who silenced andsuspendedsuchandsuchministers,andwhostoppedthemouthsofsuchandsuch,andwhoimprisoned,confined,andbanishedsuchandsuch—whowereonceburningandshininglights,andwhowerewillingtospendand be spent, that sinner might be saved, and that Christ might beglorified.ThereisatimewhentheLordwillmakeaverycarefulinquiryintoalltheactionsandpracticesofecclesiasticalcourts,highcommittees,etc.,anddealwithpersecutorsastheyhavedealtwithhispeople.

Psalm12:5,"Becauseof theoppressionof theweakandthegroaningofthe needy, Iwill now arise. Iwill protect them from thosewhomalignthem."WhenoppressorsandpersecutorsdosnuffandpuffatthepeopleofGod,when theydefy them, and scorn them, and think that they canwith a blast of their breath blow them away—then God will arise tojudgment!Atthatverynickoftimewhenallseemstobelost,andwhenthepooroppressedandafflictedpeopleofGodcandonothingbutsighandweep,andweepandsigh,thentheLordwillariseandeasethemoftheir oppressions, and make their day of extremity, a gloriousopportunitytoworkforhisownglory,andhispeople'sgood.

Alas, all the sorrows, troubles, afflictions, vexations, torments, andpunishmentsthatbefallthepersecutorsofthesaintsinthislife,theyarebutfairy-tales,asitwere;theyarebutthebeginningsofsorrows,theyarebuttypesandfiguresofthoseeaseless,endless,andremedilesstorments

andpunishmentsthatwillatlastinevitablyfalluponallthepersecutorsofthesaints.But,

[5.]Fifthlyandlastly,Persecutorsatpresentareunderanevidenttokenof perdition and destruction; they have the marks and signs of divinedispleasure upon them: Philippians 1:28, "And in nothing terrified byyouradversaries,whichistothemanevidenttokenofperdition—buttoyouofsalvation,andthatofGod."PersecutedChristiansoughtnottobedisheartenedordiscouraged—butrathertotakeheartandcourage,byallthe persecutionswhich are raised against them, because they aremostcertain witnesses and evidences from God himself, both of their ownsalvation,andoftheirpersecutors'perditionanddestruction.

And thus you see by these five things, that there is no condition underheaven that is so sad and deplorable a condition, as the condition ofpersecutorsis.But,

5.Ianswer,ThatGodwillbearhispeoplecompanyinalltheirafflictionsandpersecutions. If thebush, the church,beall on fire,the angel of the covenantwill be in themidst of it. Isaiah 43:1-3, "Butnow,O Israel, the Lordwho created you says: "Do not be afraid, for Ihaveransomedyou.Ihavecalledyoubyname;youaremine.Whenyougothroughdeepwatersandgreattrouble,Iwillbewithyou.Whenyougo through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walkthroughthefireofoppression,youwillnotbeburnedup;theflameswillnotconsumeyou.ForIamtheLord,yourGod, theHolyOneof Israel,your Savior." Both in the waters of affliction, and in the fire ofpersecution,Godwill bear his people company. So in thatDaniel 3:24,25, "Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement andaskedhisadvisers,"Weren't there threemen thatwe tiedupand threwintothefire?"Theyreplied,"Certainly,Oking."Hesaid,"Look!Iseefourmenwalkingaroundinthefire,unboundandunharmed,andthefourthlookslikeuntotheSonofGod."Christisneversoneartohispeopleaswhentheyareintheirfierytrials;andthehotterthefurnaceis, themoreeminentlypresentwillChristbewithhispeople.Saints never enjoy somuch of the supporting, emboldening,comforting,andencouragingpresenceoftheLord,astheydowhenthesunofpersecutionshineshottestuponthem.

2Corinthians4:8,9,"Wearetroubledoneveryside—yetnotdestroyed;weareperplexed—butnotindespair;persecuted—butnotforsaken;castdown—but not destroyed."Divine help is nearest when a saint'sdangerisgreatest.Itisthederidingquestionwhichpersecutorsputtothe saints in the time of their trials and troubles,Where is now yourGod?(Psalm42:10); but theymay return abold and confident answer,"OurGodishere,"ourGodisnearuntous,ourGodisroundaboutus,ourGodisinthemidstofus,ourGodhasgivenushispromise"thathewillnever,neverleaveus,norforsakeus,"(Heb13:5);ineverytrouble,ineverydanger, ineverydeath, theLordwillbesuretokeepuscompany.God will bear his children company, not only while they are in adelightfulparadise—butalsowhentheyareinahowlingwilderness,(Hos2:14).

OChristians,inallyoursufferingstheangelofGod'spresencewillbearyoucompany,andhewillsweetenthemostcrueltorments,andwipeoffallthesweat,andtakeawayallthepain,yes,hewillturnyourpainsintopleasure, (Isa63:9). If Joseph is cast intoprison, theLordwill bewithhimthere,(Gen39:20,21).IfJeremiahisthrownintothedungeon,theLordwill be with him there, (Jer 36:6-14). If Davidwalks through thevalleyofdeath,God'srodandhisstaffshallcomforthim,(Psalm23:4,5).Ifthethreechildrenarecastintoafieryfurnace,thepresenceoftheSonofGodshallpreservethem.IfDanielmustgotothelions'den,Godwillkeephimcompanythere,andchainupthelions'nature,andsewupthelions'mouths,and laya lawof restraintupon the lions'paws, that theyshallnothave somuchasadisposition to touchhim,or in the least tohurthimorharmhim. IfPaul isbroughtbeforeNero 's judgment-seat,Godwill stand by him, though allmen forsake him, and bring him offwith credit and triumph, (2Ti 4:16-18). Thus you see that in all theafflictionsandpersecutionsthatdobefallthepeopleofGod,Godwillnotfailtokeepthemcompany;andthereforeletnottroublestroubleyou,letnotafflictionsafflictyou,norletnotpersecutionsdiscourageyou.But,

6. I answer,Thathe shall be sure to suffer fromChrist—whorefusestosuffer,orthatisafraidtosuffer,forChrist'ssake,orholiness'sake,orthegospel'ssake.NomancansuffersomuchforChristasheshallbesuretosufferfromChrist,ifhedisdainsandrefuses

tosufferforChrist:Mark8:35,"Forwhoeverwillsavehislife,shallloseit;butwhoevershalllosehislifeformysake,andthegospel's,thesameshallsaveit."Hewhoshallattempttosavehislifebyshiftingoffoftruth,orbyforsakingofChrist—shallloseit.Hewhothinkstoshunsufferingbysinning,shallbesuretosufferwithawitness.Itisagainfullosstosufferforthetruth,itisalossfulgain,bytime-servingandbasecomplyingwiththelustsandhumoursofmen,toprovideforourpresentsafety,security,plenty,peace,andease,&c.,eitherbydenyingthetruth,orbybetrayingthetruth,orbyexchangingthetruth,orbyforsakingthetruth.

So verse 38, "Whoever, therefore, shall be ashamed of me, and of mywords,inthisadulterousandsinfulgeneration,ofhimalsoshalltheSonofmanbeashamedwhenhe comes in thegloryofhisFather,with theholyangels."Ah,friends,whatareprisonsanddungeons,andracksandflames—compared toChrist'sbeingashamedofaman in thegreatday,whenheshallbeattendedwith troopsof saintsandmillionsof angels?When, in the face of the court of heaven,when all the princes of gloryshall sit upon their thrones, Christ shall disdain a man, and scorn somuchas to lookuponhim,or takeanynoticeofhim,orshowthe leastrespect or favor towards him. Oh, what a sea of sorrow and a hell ofhorrorwillthisraiseinhim!

IhavereadthatwhenSapor,kingofPersia,raisedaviolentpersecutionagainst the Christians, Usthazares, an old nobleman, and one of kingSapor'seunuchsandcourtiers,beingaChristian,wassoterrifiedthatheleftoffhisprofession,andsittingatthecourtgatewhenSimeon,anagedholy bishop, was led to prison, and rising up to salute him, the goodbishop frowned upon him, and turned his face with indignation fromhim,asdisdaining to lookuponamanwhohaddenied the faith;uponthisUsthazaresfella-weeping,andwentintohischamber,andputoffhiscourtlygarments,andthenbrokeoutintotheselikewords,Ah,howshallI appear before that God that I have denied?With what face shall IbeholdthatGodofwhomIhavebeenashamed,whenSimeon,myoldfamiliaracquaintance,willnotenduretolookuponme—butdisdainstobestow a civil salute upon me? If he frowns now, oh, how will GodbeholdmewhenIshallstandbeforehistribunalseat!Andthisphysicsowrought with him, that he recovered his spiritual strength, and went

boldlyandprofessedhimselfaChristian,anddiedagloriousmartyr.Theapplicationiseasy.

Well,sirs,rememberthis,itisinfinitelybettertosufferforGod,thantosufferfromGod:1Peter3:17,"Foritisbetter,ifthewillofGodbeso,thatyousufferforwelldoing,thanforevildoing."Itisbettertosufferforwelldoingfrommen,thantosufferforilldoingfromGod.But,

7.Ianswer,Thatgreataretheadvantageswhichwillredoundto you by all the troubles, afflictions, and persecutions thatshallbefallyou,forrighteousness'sake,forholiness'sake,Luke21:13.PersecutionsaretheworkmenthatwillfityouandsquareyouforGod'sbuildings;theyaretherodswhichwillbeatoffthedustfromyoursouls;andthescullions[akitchenservantwhocleanspotsanddoesothermenialtasks]thatwillscourofftherustfromyoursouls;theyarethefirewhichwillpurgeyou fromyourdross,andthewaterwhichwillcleanseyou from your filthiness. Physicians, you know, apply horse-leeches totheir disordered patients. Now the horse-leech intends nothing but tosatiate and fill himself with the blood of the sick patient—but thephysicianhasamorenobleaim,eventhedrawingawayofthatputrifiedand corrupt blood that endangers the life of his patient; so thoughpersecutorsaimatnothingmorethantodrawouttheheartbloodofGod'speople, that they may satiate and fill themselves with it—yet God hasother thoughts and other aims, even the drawing away of thatcorruptblood,thatpride, thatself-love, thatworldliness,thatcarnalness, and that lukewarmness, that otherwise wouldendangerthelife,thehealth,andwelfareoftheirsouls.Butthisgreat truth I shall make more evident by an induction of particulars.Thus,

[1.]Herebyyouwillgiveanevidentproofofthesoundnessanduprightnessofyourownhearts,Philippians1:27-29.Afflictionsandpersecutionswill discoverwhatmetalmen aremade of. All is not goldthatglistens.Therearemanywhoglisten,andlooklikegoldenChristians—butwhen they come to the fire, they prove but dross.He is a goldenChristianindeed,whoremainsgoldwhenunderfierytrials.

The stony ground hearer did glisten and shine very gloriously, for it

received thewordwith joy fora time—butwhen thesunofpersecutionrose upon it, it fell away, (Mat 13:20, 21).Men who now embrace theword,will,intimesofpersecution,distastetheword,ifitisnotrootedintheirunderstandings,judgments,wills,affections,andconsciences.Menmay court theword, and compliment theword, and applaud theword,andseeminglyrejoiceintheword—buttheywillneversufferpersecutionfortheword,ifitbeonlyreceivedintotheirheads,andnotrootedintheirhearts.

Thehousebuiltuponthesandwasaslovely,asgoodly,andasgloriousahousetolookuponasthatwhichwasbuiltupontherock;butwhentherainofafflictiondescended,and the floodsof tribulationcame,and thewindsofpersecutionblewandbeatuponthathouse, it fellwithagreatcrash! (Mat7:26,27).Noprofessorswillbeable to endure inallwindsand weathers—but such as are built upon a rock. All others will sink,shatter, and fall when the wind of persecution blows upon them, (Mal3:2);assureastherainwillfall,thefloodsflow,andthewindsblow,sosurewillanunsoundheartgiveoutwhentrialscome.

Nothing speaks out more soundness and uprightness, than a pursuingafter holiness, even then when holiness ismost afflicted, pursued, andpersecuted in theworld.Tostand fast in fiery trials,arguesmuchgraceandintegritywithin.But,

[2.] All the troubles and persecutions which Satan or hisinstrumentsraiseagainstthesaintsoftheMostHighshallnotdiminishtheirnumber—butratherincreasethem.ThekingdomofChristissetforthbyalittlestonecutoutofamountainwithouthands(Dan2:34,35);andthoughinallagestherehasbeenmanyhammersatworktobreakthislittlestoneinpieces—yettheyhavenotbeenabletodoit—but this little stonehasproved a growing stone, and, in spite of thedevilandapersecutingworld,willgrowmoreandmore,untilitcomestobeagreatmountain,andfillsthewholeearth.Inthe8thchapteroftheActsyoureadofagreatpersecution,andthestormbeatsoharduponthechurches,thatitdispersedandscatteredthemupanddown;andthiswasso far from lessening of the number of believers, that it did mightilyincreasetheirnumber;witnessverses4-6,8,"Thereforethosewhowerescatteredabroadwenteverywherepreachingtheword.ThenPhilipwent

down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. And thepeoplewithoneaccordgaveheeduntothosethingswhichPhilipspoke,hearingandseeingthemiracleswhichhedid.Andtherewasgreatjoyinthatcity."Samariawasaverywicked,corruptplace,andbewitchedbythesorceries of Simon Magus—yet God had his people there, and by theministryofPhilip—notPhiliptheapostle—butPhilipthedeaconwhowasapersecutedbrother,he called themhome tobepartakersofhisSpiritand grace, verses 14-17. And thus the scattering of the church was thegreatadvantageandincreaseofthechurch.

The persecution of one church may be the gathering, edifying,multiplying, and erecting of many churches. Such ministers who havebeenbypersecutiondrivenfromtheirownchurcheshavebeeneminentlyinstrumentalintheplantingofmanyotherchurches.Thoughthegospel,and the faithful preachers and professors of it—were by the Scribes,Pharisees,highpriests,elders,andgreatCouncilexploded,blasphemed,and persecuted at Jerusalem, which was once the holy city—yet it waswithjoyreceivedinthepolluted,bewitched,scorned,anddespisedcityofSamaria. Oh, the freeness! Oh, the riches of grace! Persecution is themultiplicationofthepeopleofGod;inallagesthemorethesaintshavebeenafflicted,oppressed,andpersecuted,themoretheyhaveincreased.

TheremovingofthesevenchurchesinAsiabroughtthegospeltoEuropeandAfrica.During the ten cruel persecutions of theheathen emperors,theChristianfaithwasspreadthroughallplacesof theempire;becausethe oftener they were mown down, the more they grew, as Tertullianwitnesses; and themorewe are cut downby the sword of persecution,says the same author, themore still we increase. Persecuted saints arelike camomile,which grows and spreads by being trod upon; themorepersecutorstreaduponthepeopleofGod,themoretheywillspreadandgrow.But,

[3.]Thetroubles,afflictions,andpersecutionswhichbefallyouinthepursuitafterholiness,may issue in theconversionandsalvation of others; as is evident in Acts 8, which chapter Irecommend toyourmost seriousperusal.So in that2Timothy2:9, 10,"WhereinIsuffertroubleasanevildoer,evenuntobonds—butthewordofGodisnotbound,"(thoughPaulwasfettered—yetthewordwasfree,)

"therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may alsoobtainthesalvationwhichisinChristJesus,witheternalglory."

Paul,forpreachingofthegospelclearlyandfaithfully,wasimprisonedatRome and handled as if he had been a malefactor, all which he wascontented to suffer upon these very grounds—that the elect might becalled,converted,saved,andglorified.It isveryobservable,thatthoughPaulwas aprisoner—yethepreached; thoughhewas in chains—yethepreached;andthoughhewasaccountedasanevil-doer—yethepreached,thattheelectmightbesanctifiedandsaved.Thoughhispersecutorsdidlay ironsuponhis legs—yet theycouldnot laya lawofsilenceuponhislips;andthoughtheyshuthimupfromgoingtoothers—yettheydidnotshutoutothersfromcomingtohearhim;foreveninprisonheexercisedhisministerial office. As cruel as his persecutors were, they would notshut the prison doors upon those who waited on his ministry. SoPhilemonwasconvertedbyPaulwhenhewasinbonds:Philemon10,"IbeseechyouformysonOnesimus,whomIhavebegotteninmybonds."God made Paul's prison to be a paradise to Onesimus; Paul by hispreaching,patience,andcheerfulnessinsuffering,convertsOnesimustothefaith.

Prisons in these timeswere turned into churches; and so theywere inQueenMary'sdays,forasbloodyasherreignwas,mostoftheprisonsinEnglandwereturnedintoChristianschoolsandchurches,saysMr.Foxe:so that there was no greater comfort than for Christians to resort toprisons,andtohearthemartyrstoprayandpreach,andtobeholdtheirholy, humble, heavenly, gracious conversation. So the afflictions andpersecutionsofthesaintsintheprimitivetimesissuedintheconversionandsalvationofmanysouls.

We read that Cecilia, a poor virgin, by her gracious behavior in hermartyrdom, was the means of converting four hundred to Christ.Adrianus,byseeingthemartyrssuffersopatientlyandcheerfully,wasconvertedtothefaith,andafterwardssealedtothetruthwithhisblood.Justin Martyr was also converted in the same way. In the thirdpersecution,FaustusandJobitasufferedmartyrdomwithsuchinvinciblepatience, courage, and cheerfulness, that Calocerius cried out, Truly,great is theGodof theChristians.Uponwhichwordshewaspresently

apprehended, and so suffered martyrdom with them. And that was aremarkable saying of Luther,The church converts thewholeworld bybloodandprayer.

Nowifbyyourtroubles,afflictions,andpersecutions,andtheexerciseofgraceunderthem,youshallbeinstrumentaltoconvertandsaveasoulorsoulsfromwrathtocome,itwillturnwonderfullytoyouradvantage,andyou shall "shine as the stars forever and ever" (Dan 12:3). That samepower, presence, wisdom, and grace, that converted others by thesufferingsofformersaints,isabletoaccomplishthesamegloriouseffectsby the sufferingsof the saintsof thisgeneration;and thereforebear upbravely,andneitherfearnorfaintunderyourpresentsufferings.But,

[4.] The troubles, afflictions, and persecutions whichChristians meet with in their pursuit after holiness, willfurthertheincreaseandgrowthoftheirgrace.Graceneverrisestosogreataheightasitdoesintimesofpersecution.SufferingtimesareaChristian's harvest times (Psalm 69:7-9, 12). Letme instance in thatgrace of zeal: I remember Moulin speaking of the French Protestants,says,"WhenPapistsburnusforreadingtheScriptures,weburnwithzealtobereadingofthem;butnowpersecutionisover,ourBiblesarelikeoldalmanacs,"&c.Allthereproaches,frowns,threatenings,oppositions,andpersecutions thataChristianmeetswith in away of holiness, does butraisehiszealandcouragetoagreaterheight.

In times of greatest affliction and persecution for holiness' sake, aChristian has, first, a good captain to lead and encourage him;secondly,arighteouscause to prompt and emboldenhim; thirdly,agraciousGodtorelieveandsupporthim;fourthly,agloriousheaventoreceiveandrewardhim;andcertainlythesethingscannotbutmightilyraise him and inflame him, under the greatest opposition andpersecution.These thingswillkeephimfromfearing, fawning, fainting,sinking,orflyinginastormyday;yes,thesethingswillmakehisfacelikethe face of an adamant, asGodpromised tomakeEzekiel's, (Eze 3:7-9andJob41:24).

Nowanadamantisthehardestofstones,itisharderthanaflint,yes,itis harder than the nether-millstone. The naturalists observe, that thehardness of this stone is unspeakable: the fire cannot burn it, nor somuchasheatitthrough,northehammercannotbreakit,northewatercannotdissolve it; and therefore theGreeks call it an adamant from itsunbreakableness;andinallstormstheadamantshrinksnot,itfearsnot,itchangesnotitshue;letthetimesbewhattheywill,theadamantisstillthesame.Intimesofpersecution,agoodcause,agoodGod,andagoodconscience will make a Christian like an adamant; it will make himinvincibleandunchangeable.But,

[5.] Persecuting times are uniting times. Oh! the discord, thedivision,thewrangling,bitingandquarrelingthatistobefoundamongprofessors in times of peace and prosperity! But when affliction and

persecution comes upon them, this unites them together. Though thesheepinsunshinedaysfeedatadistance,andwanderonefromanother;yetwhenastormcomes,or thewolfcomes—thentheyrunall together;and so it is with Christians. Some religious leaders who could by nomeans agree when they had their freedom and liberty—yet could wellenoughagreewhen theywere in prison together. Though children in afamily may fall out among themselves—yet they quickly unite when acommonenemyassaultsthem.PersecutingtimesuniteChristiansclosertogetherintheiraffections,resolutions,andprayers.Theywhoformerlycould hardly be brought to eat together, or trade together, or livetogether,orwalktogether—inpersecutingtimeswillbebrought toheartogether, and pray together, and fast together, and communicateexperiences together, and stand together, and fall together, and risetogether,&c.,(Psalm83:3-9).But,

[6.] As persecuting times are uniting times, so persecutingtimesaretruth-advancingtimes.Truththrivesmostwhenitismostopposedandpersecuted:Philippians1:12-14,"NowIwantyoutoknow,brothers,thatwhathashappenedtomehasreallyservedtoadvancethegospel.Asaresult,ithasbecomeclearthroughoutthewholepalaceguardandtoeveryoneelsethatIaminchainsforChrist.Becauseofmychains,mostofthebrothersintheLordhavebeenencouragedtospeakthewordof Godmore courageously and fearlessly." Court, city, and country didringofPaul'sbonds,andthecausethereof.Paul'sironchainmademorenoise,andwasmoreglorious,andwroughtmoreblessedeffects,thanallthegoldenchains inNero's court; forbyhisbondsandchainsmanyofthe brethren were mightily emboldened and encouraged to preach thewordwithoutfear.Thebrethren,whentheysawthatPaulpreached,andkept up the exercise of hisministry, though a prisoner, and though hewas inbondsandchains—couldnotbutreasonthuswith themselves: ifPaulaprisonerholdsupandholdsoninpreachingtheword,thoughheisinbondsandchains;ah,howmuchmoreoughtwewhoareatlibertytoholdupandholdoninpreachingthetruth,andadvancingthetruth,and in spreading of the truth.Now, by what has been said, it ismostevidentthatpersecutingtimesaretruth-advancingtimes.But,

[7.]Lastly,Aspersecutingtimesaretruth-advancingtimes:so

persecutingtimesareaChristian'srejoicingtimes.AChristian'sheartisneversofullofjoy,asitiswhenheisundersufferings:Acts5:41,"Andtheydepartedfromthepresenceofthecouncil,rejoicingthattheywerecountedworthy tosuffershameforhisname."TheycounteditanhonortobedishonoredforChrist;theytookitasagracetobedisgracedfor Jesus. Stephen found the joys of heaven in his heart as the stonescameclatteringabouthisears(Act7:55,56).SoPaulandSilas,whentheywereinprison,theirheartsweresofullofjoythattheycouldnotholditin—butatmidnightwhenotherswerea-sleeping,theymustfalla-singingoutthepraisesoftheMostHigh(Act16:25).Theyfoundmorepleasurethan pain,more joy than sorrow,more comfort than torment—in theirbonds.Therodswithwhichtheywerewhippedwereasrodsmadeupallof rosemary branches. Divine consolations rise so high in their souls—thattheirprisonwasturnedintoapalace,yes,intoaparadise!

Eusebius tellsusofAlgerius theItalianmartyr,howthat,writing tohisfriend from a stinking dungeon, he writs his letter "frommy pleasantorchard;"suchwerehisdivineconsolations,thattheyturnedhisdungeoninto a pleasant orchard. "I with my fellows," says Mr. Philpot, "werecarriedtothecoal-house,wherewelieinfilthinthestraw,ascheerfully,wethankGod,asothersdointheirbedsofdown."Mr.Bradfordtookoffhiscap,andthankedtheLord,whenhiskeeper'swifebroughthimwordthathewas tobeburnedthenextday.Mr.Taylordidadancewhenhewascomeneartotheplacewherehewastobemartyred.Mr.Rogers,thefirstwhowasburned inQueenMary'sdays—sang in the flames. IfmendidbutknowbyexperiencethesweetthatisinsufferingforChrist,theywoulddesirewithChrysostom,ifitwereputtotheirchoice,rathertobePaulaprisonerofJesusChrist,thanPaulenraptupinthethirdheaven.

Godreserves thebestandstrongestwineofconsolation for adayofpersecution; suitable to that 2 Corinthians 1:3-5, "Praise be to theGodandFatherofourLordJesusChrist, theFatherof compassion and theGodof all comfort,who comfortsus in all our troubles, so thatwe cancomfortthoseinanytroublewiththecomfortweourselveshavereceivedfromGod.ForjustasthesufferingsofChristflowoverintoourlives,soalso through Christ our comfort overflows." Oh, the sweet looks, thesweetwords,thesweethints,thesweetin-comes,thesweetjoggings,the

sweet embraces, the sweet influences, the sweet discoveries, the sweetlove-letters,thesweetlove-tokens,andthesweetcomfortsthatChristiansexperienceintheirsufferingsforChrist!Andthusyouseethegreatandglorious advantages thatwill redound to the people ofGod by all theirafflictionsandpersecutions.But,

8.Thattosufferafflictionandpersecutionforholiness'sake,isthegreatestandhighesthonor thatyouarecapableof in thisworld. The crown of a martyrdom is a crown that the angels, thoseprincesofglory,arenotcapableofwinningorwearing;andoh,whoareyou!What are you,Oman! ThatGod should set this crownupon yourhead!1Peter4:13-14,"ButrejoicethatyouparticipateinthesufferingsofChrist,sothatyoumaybeoverjoyedwhenhisgloryisrevealed.IfyouareinsultedbecauseofthenameofChrist,youareblessed,fortheSpiritofgloryandofGodrestsonyou."TheverysufferingconditionofthepeopleofGodisatthepresentagloriouscondition,for"theSpiritofgloryandofGodrestsonthem,"andtheymustneedsbeglorious,yes,veryglorious,uponwhomtheSpiritofglorydwells.

Thesufferingsof"thethreechildren,"(Dan3),tendedverymuchtotheirhonor and advancement, even in this world; and had those vessels ofhonorslippedtheiropportunityofsuffering,theyhadlosttheirglory.TheapostlesallalongcountedtheirsufferingsforChristtheirhighesthonor.AndthatisaremarkablescripturethatyouhaveinthatHebrews11:36-38, "Some faced jeers and flogging,while still otherswere chained andputinprison.Theywerestoned;theyweresawedintwo;theywereputtodeath by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins,destitute,persecutedandmistreated—theworldwasnotworthyofthem.Theywanderedindesertsandmountains,andincavesandholes intheground."Oh! but thesewere surely themost sad,miserable, wretched,andforlorncreaturesinalltheworld.Ohno!andthatismostevidentifthetestimonyandjudgmentoftheHolySpiritmaybereceived;for,verse38,"Theyweresuchofwhomtheworldwasnotworthy."Thepersecutingworld was not worthy of their love, nor worthy of their prayers, norworthy of their presence, norworthy of their fellowship; and thereforeGodcalledthemhome,andsetthemdownuponthronesbyhimself.

Andtomeitisveryobservable,thatwhenthatgreatapostlePaulwould

gloryinthatwhichheaccountedhishonor,glory,andexcellency;hedoesnotgloryinhishighoffice,norinhisbeingenraptupinthethirdheaven,norintheinterestthathehadintheheartsofthesaints,norinhisartsorparts, etc.; but he glories in his sufferings, in that 2 Corinthians11:23-27, "Ihaveworkedmuchharder,been inprisonmorefrequently,beenfloggedmoreseverely,andbeenexposedtodeathagainandagain.Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashesminus one. Threetimes I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I wasshipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have beenconstantlyonthemove.Ihavebeenindangerfromrivers,indangerfrombandits,indangerfrommyowncountrymen,indangerfromGentiles;indanger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and indangerfromfalsebrothers.Ihavelaboredandtoiledandhaveoftengonewithout sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gonewithoutfood;Ihavebeencoldandnaked."Thusyouseethatthisblessedapostlelooksuponhissufferingsashisgreatestglory.

"TosufferforChrististhegreatesthonorandpromotionthatGodgivesinthisworld,"saidoldLatimer.JohnNoyestookupafaggotfromthefireandkissedit,saying,"BlessedbethetimethateverIwasborn:tocometothispromotion."AftertheyhadfastenedAliceDriverwithachaintothestaketobeburned,"Never,"saidshe,"didanecklacesowellpleaseme--asthischain."Balilusthemartyr,whenhewastodie,requestedthisfavorfromhispersecutors,namely,thathemighthavehischainsburiedwithhim,astheensignsofhishonor.WhenIgnatiuswastosuffer,"Itisbetterforme,"sayshe, "tobeamartyr, than tobeamonarch."Sufferings forChristaretheensignsofheavenlynobility.

ItwasanotablesayingofaFrenchmartyr,whenthenoosewasaroundhiscomrade'sneck,"Giveme,"saidhe,"thatgoldenchain,anddubmeknightofthatnobleorder.""Iamthemostunfitmanforthishighofficeof suffering for Christ, who ever was appointed to it," said blessedSanders. I shall with that excellent saying of Prudentius: "Their nameswhich are written in red letters of blood in the church's calendar, arewritten in golden letters inChrist's register, thebookof life."And thusyou seeonall hands, that suffering forChrist is thehighesthonor thatyouarecapableofinthisworld:and,therefore,thereislittlereasonwhy

aChristianshouldshrinkorshrugatsufferings.But,

9. That the afflictions, persecutions, and sufferings whichattendChristians in these days, are nothing compared to thefierytrialswhichthesaintsandmartyrsofoldhavemetwith.Forsevenfoldhardermeasurehasbeenmeasuredforthtothem,thanisthisdaymeasuredforthtous.Oursufferingsarehardlytobenamedincomparison to those sore andheavy things arementioned,which thoseprecious and famous worthies of old have suffered. I may say tomostChristians,astheapostledidtotheHebrews,"Youhavenotyetresistedunto blood, striving against sin" (Heb 12:4).Many have—butyou havenot; you have only met with hard words, when others have met withblows and wounds; you have been only a-contending with men, whenothershavebeena-contendingwithbeasts;youhavebeenonlywhippedwithrosemarybranches,whenothershavebeenwhippedwithscorpions;you have been only bound with silken bands, when others have beenbound with iron chains. Will you be so favorable to yourselves as tocompareyoursufferingswiththesufferingsofformersaints;andthatyoumay,letmegiveyoualittleabridgmentoftheirsufferings"ofwhomtheworldwasnotworthy."

Historytellsus,thatinthetenprimitivepersecutions,theyexercisedallmanner of cruelty and torments that could be devised against theChristians:

1. In the reign of Hadrian the emperor, there were ten thousandChristians crownedwith a crowns of thorns, thrust into the sides withsharplances,andthencrucified.

2.Othersweresowhipped,thattheirentrailswereseen,andafterwardsthey were thrown upon sharp shells, and then upon sharp nails andthorns.Andafterall this cruelty, theywere thrown towildbeasts tobedevoured.

3.Multitudeswerebanished.

4.Otherswerepulledapartwithwildhorses.

5.Somewerebeatenandrackedwithbarsofiron.

6.Otherswerecastintoloathsomedungeons.

7.Somewereburntinthefire.

8.Otherswereknockeddownandhadtheirbrainsbeatenoutwithstavesandclubs.

9.Somewereprickedintheirfacesandeyeswithsharpreeds.

10.Otherswerestonedtodeathwithstones,asStephenwas.

11.Someweredashedinpiecesagainstmillstones.

12. Others had their teeth dashed out of their jaws, and their jointsbroken.

13.Somewerecastdownfromveryhighplaces.

14.Otherswerebeheaded.

15.Someweretormentedwithrazors.

16.Otherswereslainwiththesword.

17.Somewererunthroughwithpikes.

18.Othersweredrivenintothewilderness,wheretheywanderedupanddown, suffering hunger and cold, and where they were exposed to thefurybothofwildbeasts,andalsototherageofthebarbarousArabians.

19. Some fled into caves, which their persecutors crammed up withstones,andtheretheydied.

20.Othersweretroddentodeathbythepeople.

21.Somewerehangedongibbetswithaslowfireunderthem.

22.Otherswerecastintotheseaanddrowned.

23.Somewereslainbybeingthrowninmines.

24.Otherswerehangedbythefeet,andchokedwiththesmokeofasmallfire,theirlegsbeingfirstbroken.

25.Somewerecoveredwithoil,andthenroastedwithasoftfire.

26. Others were hung by one hand, that theymight feel the weight oftheirwholebodiesscorchingandbroilingoverburningcoals.

27. Some were shot through with arrows, and afterwards thrown intostinkingprisons.

28. Others were stripped stark naked, and thrown out in cold, frostynights;andburntthenextday.

29.InSyria,acompanyofChristianvirginswerestrippedstarknakedtobe scorned by themultitude, then shaved, and then torn in pieces anddevouredbybeasts.

30. Lastly, many women had the joints of their bodies pulled fromanother,andtheirfleshandsidesclawedwithtalonsofwildbeaststothebones,andtheirbreastssearedwithtorchesuntiltheydied.

And thus you have an account of thirty different ways by which theprecious sons and daughters of Zion have formerly been afflicted,tormented, and destroyed!What heart of stone can read over this listwithdryeyes?Andnowtellme,sirs,whetheryoursufferingsareworthanaming in that day, wherein the sufferings of the precious servants ofGodintheprimitivetimesarespokenof?Oh,no!Wellthen,takeheedofmakingmolehillsmountains, andof cryingout, "Is thereany sorrow tooursorrow,oranysufferingstooursufferings?"

10. I answer, That unholy people have suffered as great andgrievous things for thesatisfyingof their lustsandpleasures,and for the compassing of some worldly good—as you havesuffered, or are likely to suffer for your pursuing afterholiness.Oh thehazards, thedangers, thedeaths thatmanyhave runthrough to gratify their lusts! PetrusBlesensis has long since observed,

thatthecourtiersofhistimesufferedasmanyvexations,withwearinessand painfulness, with hunger and thirst, and with all the catalogue ofPaul's afflictions that is reckoned up in that 2 Corinthians 11, as goodChristiansdidforthetruth.IhavereadofaRomanservant,whoknowinghismasterwassought forbyofficers tobeput todeath,he, to savehismaster'slife,puthimselfintohismaster'sclothesthathemightbetakenforhim,andaccordinglyhewastakenandputtodeathforhim,andallthisoutofvainglory.Ahwhatcutting,what lancing,whatbleeding,andwhat searching will many men endure upon the advice of theirphysicians, and all for a little health, a little strength, or to preserve awretched life for a few days, yes, for a few hours sometimes. And whythen should Christians think so much of suffering afflictions andpersecutionsforholiness'sake,theleastgrainofwhichbeingmoreworththana thousand thousandof those things, forwhich theyhavesufferedsuchexquisitepainsandtorments?

Ah! what great things, what hard things do many men daily suffer togratify theirown lusts, and to satisfy the lustsof others!Oh the hell ofhorrorsandterrors,whichareworsethanathousanddeaths,thatmanyasinnerdailywadesthroughtoenjoyhissin!Andwhythenshouldyoubestartled in your pursuit after holiness, because of afflictions andpersecutions thatmayattendyou?When theyarenothingcompared towhatmanysufferfromwithinandwithout,toenjoythatwhichwillundothemtoalleternity,&c.But,

11. I answer, Though persecutionsmay attend the pursuit ofholiness—yet God has a thousand thousandways to preservehis people, from being ruined and destroyed by persecutinghands. Several afflictions and persecutions befell Paul at Antioch, atIconium, at Lystra, "but out of them all the Lord delivered him." As arighteouscauseledhimintosufferings,soarighteousGodledhimoutofsufferings.BothJewsandGentiles,barbariansandGrecians,princesandpeople,wereasmadlysetuponpersecutingofhim,ashewasoncemadlyset upon persecuting of the saints—but God delivered him from everyhandofviolence.Divinepowerandwisdomwroughtgloriouslyforhim;both insix troublesand inseven itbroughthimclearlyoff,andbravelyout,notofsome—butoutofallhisdangersanddistresses,afflictionsand

persecutions,etc.Now,

[1.]Godsometimespreserveshispeoplefrombeingruinedanddestroyed,bylayingalawofrestraintuponthespiritsoftheirpersecutors, as he did upon Laban's and Esau's, that they could nothurt him; yes, instead of kicking and killing, behold kissing andembracing.Godtiedupthosecurseddogs,andlaidsucharestraintupontheirwrath,rage,andmalice—thattheycouldnotsomuchastouchahairofJacob'shead.Godstoppedtheirmouthsandboundtheirhands, thattheywerenotabletoactanythingtothehurtofJacob.ThatGodwholaidarestraintuponthe fiercewildcreatures inNoah'sark, that theymightnot prey upon the tamer animals, and who chained up the lions frompreying upon Daniel—that God chained up these two lions, that theycouldnotmakeapreyofinnocentJacob.But,

[2.] God does this sometimes by setting persecutors oneagainst another. When the Moabites were confederated with theAmmonitesandthoseofmountSeiragainstJudah,Godmadethemturntheirswordsagainstoneanother,andsotheymutuallybecametheirownexecutioners, and by this means poor Judah escaped. God sometimessaveshislambsbysettingthewolfandthedogagainsteachother.WhenthatwolfSaulwasevenready todevourDavid the lamb,God lets loosethose dogs the Philistines upon Saul, and so by thismeans David waspreserved and secured (1Sa 23:27). And so Paul, by setting thepersecuting Pharisees against the persecuting scribes, he escapedpersecution(Act23:6-8).But

[3.]Goddoessometimessaveshispeoplefrompersecutionsbypassingasentenceofdeathupontheirpersecutors:andthusbyhis sudden and fearful judgment uponHerodhe gave rest, liberty,andquiet to his people (Act 12:23, 24). And so by his vengeance onpersecuting emperors he gave rest to his people. And by givingAhithophelropeenough,hepreservedDavidfromperishing.But,

[4.]Goddoesthissometimesbyalteringandchangingtheveryhearts and natures of their persecutors. And thus by changingPaul'snature,byturningthatwolfintoalamb,thatdevilintoasaint,hegave the churches rest throughout all Judea,Galilee, and Samaria (Act

9:31);andthisisoneofthemostdesirablethingsintheworld,thatGodwould save his people from outward ruin by ruining their persecutors'sins,andbychangingtheirheartsandsavingtheirsouls.But,

[5.]Goddoesthissometimesbytakingpersecutors'feetinthesame snares that they have laid for others: Psalm 9:16, "Thewicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah."Higgaion selah signifies matter of great admiration, and of deepmeditation; that the wicked should be snared in the work of his ownhandsismatterofperpetualadmiration,andofmostseriousmeditation.WhowillnotadmirethatGoliathshouldbeslainwithhisownsword,andthatproudHamanshouldholdMordecai'sstirrup,andbe theheraldofhishonor:Psalm7:15,16,"Hewhodigsaholeandscoopsitoutfallsintothepithehasmade.Thetroublehecausesrecoilsonhimself;hisviolencecomesdownonhisownhead."

It isusualwithGodtotakepersecutors in thesnaresandpitsthattheyhave laid for his people, as many thousands in this nation haveexperienced;andthoughRomeandherconfederatesarethisdaya-layingof snares and traps, and a-digging of pits for the righteous, who willratherburnthanbowtotheirBaal—yetdobutwaitandweep,andweepandwaitalittle,andyoushallseethattheLordwilltakethemintheverysnaresandpitsthattheyhavelaidanddugforhispeople.But,

[6.] God sometimes preserves his people from persecutinghands, by providing cities of refuge to shelter them, and byprovidinghiding-places tohide them in:Matthew 10:23, "If theypersecuteyouinonecity,fleetoanother."Godhasalwaysfoundonecityof refuge or another to shelter his persecuted people in. And so whenbloodypersecutingJezebelhadcutoffmanyoftheLord'sprophets,GodprovidedanObadiahtohideahundredoftheminacave(1Ki18:4,13).God never lacks a chamber of presence, a chamber of providence, achamberofprotection,achamberofsalvationtohidehispeople in(Isa26:20).Ihavereadofonethat,inthetimeofthemassacreatParis,creptintoaholetohidehimself,andassoonashewasintherecameaspiderandweavedawebbeforethehole;thenextmorningthemurdererscametosearchforhim,Searchinthathole,saidone,andseeifheisnotthere!Ono,saidanother,hecan'tbethere, forthere isacobwebatthehole's

mouth;uponwhichtheydidnotsuspecthisbeingthere,bywhichmeanshewaspreservedfromtherageandfuryofthosemenofblood.But,

12. Lastly, I answer, That all the persecutions that youmeetwithonearthshalladvanceyourgloryinheaven.Themoresaintsarepersecutedonearth, thegreater shallbe their reward inheaven;aspersecutions do increase a Christian's grace, so they do advance aChristian'sglory:Matthew5:10-12,"Blessedarethosewhoarepersecutedbecause of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdomof heaven. "Blessedareyouwhenpeopleinsultyou,persecuteyouandfalselysayallkindsofevilagainstyoubecauseofme.Rejoiceandbeglad,becausegreatisyourrewardinheaven!"Luke6:22,23,"Blessedareyouwhenmenhateyou,when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil,becauseoftheSonofMan.Rejoiceinthatdayandleapforjoy,becausegreatisyourrewardinheaven!"

Those who are now opposed and persecuted by men, shall at last beowned and crowned by God; yes, and the more afflictions andpersecutionsaremultipliedupontheminthisworld—thegreatershallbetheir recompense in the eternalworld. The originalwords, inMatthewandinLuke,signifiesexceedinggreatjoy,suchasmenusuallyexpressbyskippinganddancing; let yourhearts leap, and let yourbodies leap forjoy, for great is your reward in heaven. Look, as young cattle in thespring, do leap and skip for joy; so says Christ, do you leap and skipunder all the afflictions and persecutions which befall you forrighteousness'sake,forgreatisyourrewardinheaven.

OChristians,allyoursufferingswillcertainlyincreaseyourfutureglory;every affliction, every persecution will be put into the scale of yourheavenlyglory,tomakeitmoreweightyinthatday,whereinhewillrichlyreward you for every tear, for every sigh, for every groan, for everyhazard,andforeveryhardshipthatyouhavemetwith inthepursuitofholiness,etc.Forlightafflictionsyoushallhaveaweightofglory;andfora few afflictions you shall have as many joys, pleasures, delights, andcontentmentsastherearestarsinheavenorsandsonthesea-shore;andformomentaryafflictionsyoushallhaveaneternalcrownofglory(2Co4:16-18).

IfyouhavesufferedforChristonearth,youshallhaveglorywithChristinheaven.AhChristians,yourpresentsufferingsarebuttheseedsofyourfuture glory, and the more plentifully you sow in tears, the moreabundantwillbeyourharvestofglory.AhChristians!Shallnotthehopesof thatgreatrewardwhichattendssufferingsaintsbearyouupbravely,andcarryyououtsweetlyunderall thestorms thatmaybeatuponyouwhileyouaresailingheavenwardsandholiness-wards?Surelyyes.Ihopenone of you will think that I have been too long in answering thisobjection,consideringthepresenttimes.

Objection5.Fifthly,Othersmayobjectandsay,Wewould laborafterthisholiness,withoutwhichthereisnohappiness,etc.Butifweshould—thenwemustresolvetobepoor,andbase,andbeggarlyintheworld.Wemust then resolve ourselves to fare hard, and lie hard, and labor hard,andlivepoorintheworld—forweshallneverraiseanestatetoourselvesbyholinessandstrictness,weshallnevergrowrichandgreatintheworldby godliness. Nay, by driving this trade of holiness—we shall lose ourtrades, our customers, and those estateswe now have, and quickly fallintodirepoverty,etc.Nowto fenceandarmyouagainst thisobjection,givemepermissiontoproposethesesixfollowingconsiderations:

[1.]First,Considerthatitisnotabsolutelynecessarythatyoushouldberich,orhigh,orgreatinthisworld;butitisabsolutelynecessarythatyoushouldbeholy.The lackof richescanonly troubleyou—but the lackofholinesswillcertainlydamnyou.Youmaybehappyintheeternalworld,thoughyouarenothigh in thisworld.Manyamanhasgone toheavenwithoutapennyinhispurse,orgoodclothesonhisback.Doubtlessitisinfinitely betterwith ragged, naked Lazarus to go to heaven—than it iswithDivestogorichandwell-cladtohell,Luke16:19-31.Itisbettertogoto heaven poor, and halt, andmaimed—than to go to hell healthy andrich. Poverty and outward misery with salvation, is far better thanworldlyprosperity and felicitywith everlastingperdition.Holiness, andnotriches, is theone thingnecessary. Ifyouhaveholiness,nothingcanmake you miserable; but if you lack holiness, nothing can make youhappy.

Outward blessings are no infallible evidences of a blessed estate. WasAbrahamrich?sowasAbimelechtoo.WasJacobrich?sowasLabantoo.

WasDavidaking?sowasSaultoo.WasConstantineanemperor?sowasJuliantoo.It isonlyholinesswhichsetsthecrownofhappinessuponaChristian'shead.But,

[2.] Secondly, Consider that it is not sanctity—but impiety; it is notholiness—butwickedness,whichexposesmentothegreatestpovertyandmisery!

Proverbs6:26,"Forbythemeansofawhorishwomanamanisbroughttoapieceofbread."Whoredomisaverycostlysin,Proverbs24:33-34,and 28:19, 22; the prodigal had quickly spent his portion among hisharlots, Luke 15.Whoredom cannot be a greaterparadise to the flesh,thanitisapurgatorytothepurse—asmanygreatoneshavefounditso.Herod, that old fornicator, was so inflamed and bewitched with theimmodestwantondancingofthedamsel,thathesworehewouldgivehertothehalfofhiskingdom,Mark6:23-24.Anditisveryobservable, thatwhileSolomon, inhis youngerdays, keptholy, chaste, andpure—silverandgoldwasasplenteousatJerusalemandatcourtasthestonesofthestreet; butwhenSolomonhadgivenhimselfup tohis concubines, theyquicklyexhaustedhistreasuries,andbroughthimtosolowanebb,thathewasforcedtooppresshissubjectswithsuchheavytaxes,burdens,andtributes,whichoccasionedtherevoltofthetentribes.[Kings10:27-28;2Chron.1:15-17;1Kings12:1-20.]

Josephus,inhisAntiquities,tellsusofDeciusMundus,whogaveagreatamounttosatisfyhislustsonenightwithawhore—andyetdidnotobtainsatisfaction. There is no sinwhich has broughtmoremen, and greatermen, to beggary and misery than this has. It is a great misery to bebrought to a piece of bread, to a scrap, a little bit of bread; but to bebroughtintosolowaconditionbyharlots,doublesthemisery;forhewhois by a whorish woman brought to a piece of bread on earth, shall bebroughttobegadropofwaterinhell,excepttherebefoundrepentanceonhisside,andpardoningmercyonGod's.

TakeanotherinstanceinthatProverbs23:20-21,"Donotjointhosewhodrinktoomuchwineorgorgethemselvesonmeat,fordrunkardsandgluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags." [Theglutton and the drunkard were to be stoned to death, Deut. 21:20-21.

Basilcallsdrunkennessaself-chosendevil.WhenEschines commendedPhilip king of Macedon for a jovial man who would drink freely,Demosthenes,beingby,toldhimthatwasagoodqualityinasponge—butnotinaprince.]Manydukes,earls,lords,andgentlemenofgreatestates,havesadlyexperiencedthetruthofthisscripture.

Luxuriouscompanyhasbroughtmanyamantoextremepoverty.Thefullcupmakesanemptypurse;andthefatdishmakesaleanmoney-bag.Hewhofillsyouwinewithonehand,andsetsbeforeyoudaintydisheswiththeotherhand,willbesure topickyourpocketswithbothhands! ThisCaligula, the Roman emperor, found by experience; for his gluttonybroughthimtoincrediblepoverty.Diogenes,hearingthatthehouseofacertain prodigal was offered to sale, said, "I knew that house was soaccustomedtosurfeitinganddrunkenness,thatbeforelongitwouldspewoutthemaster."

TherewasastreetinRomecalledvicussobrius,thesoberstreet,becausetherewasneveranale-houseinit;butthis,Ithink,ishardtosayofanystreetinLondon,yes,ofanystreetinEngland.Excessivedrinkingisnowso great in our land. Ah, sirs! what is more evident than this, thatdrunkenness flows in England!Oh, what a deal of ground has this sinmade within this few months upon English hearts! There was a timewhendrunkardswereasrareinEnglandaswolves—butnowtheyareascommonasswine.Ah,whatstaggering,reeling,andshamefulspewingisto be found, both among the great ones, thepriests, andpeople of thisnation!

TheprophetHoseacomplained inhis time, that theprinces,upontheirking'sday,madehimsickwithbottlesofwine,Hosea7:5"Onthedayofthefestivalofourking,theprincesbecomeinflamedwithwine."Thisdayof their kingwas either his birthday, or his coronation day; or the daywhereintheirkingJeroboamsetuphisgoldencalvesatDanandBethel,as some others conceive. Now in this day of their king there was suchcarnal triumphing, and such pampering of the flesh, and such roaring,carousing, and drinking of bottles of wine, that the princes drankthemselves sick,drowning theirbodies and souls inbottles andkegsofwine. Memorable is the king's late proclamation against all suchdebauchedpeople,who,pretending todrink tohishealth,destroy their

ownbyashamefulabusingofthepreciouscreaturesofGod.

IftheprophetHoseawerenowaliveinthisnation,ah,whatcausewouldhehavetocomplainthatbothhighandlow,menandwomen,youngandoldhavegiventhemselvestothisbeastlysin,whichunmansaman,andwhichbesotsthesoul,andwhichdestroysthebody,andwhichprovesacankerwormtomen'sestates!Whataremostale-houses,buthell-houses—but the devil's houses, in which the name of God is notoriouslyblasphemed,piety scorned, the saints derided, young ones impoisoned,andoldoneshardened,andmanythousandfamiliesimpoverished?Andwhy,then,shoulditbealmostaseasyatasktoconquertheWestIndies,toovercometheTurk,andtobringdownthePope—asitistobringdownsuch wretched ale-houses, as are the very nurseries of all sin, and thesynagoguesofincarnatedevils,andtheverysinksofallmisery,poverty,andbeggary.Bytheseinstancesitismostclearthatitisnotholiness—butwickednessthatexposesmentothegreatestpovertyandmisery.But,

[3.]Thirdly,ConsiderthatGodcanmakealittlewithholiness,goagreatway.[Mr.Foxespeaksofapoorwoman,whobeingthreatenedthatshewould have but a little bread one day, and a little water on the next,replied,"Ifyoutakeawaymyfood,IhopeGodwilltakeawaymyhunger,and then itwillbeall oneas if Ihad food."]A littlewithholinessshallserve the turn, and then enough is as good as a feast.God canmake ahandfulofmealinthebarrel,andalittleoilinthecruse,holdoutalongwhile,IKings17:10-17.Justso,Deut.8:4,"Yourclothesdidnotwearoutand your feet did not swell during these forty years." Chapter 29:5,"DuringthefortyyearsthatIledyouthroughthedesert,yourclothesdidnot wear out, nor did the sandals on your feet." Their clothes in fortyyears'timewasnottheworseforwearing,theirgarmentswerenotwornoutwithwearing,inallthattimetheywerenotgrownoldandsounfittowear.Ohno;buttheywereasfreshandstrong,andfitforuseatthelast,astheywerewhentheyfirstcameintothewilderness,andthiswasbyadivinepowerthatpreservedthemfromdecay.GodsuppliedallthebacksandbelliesoftheIsraelitesinsuchstate,asifeveryIsraelitehadbeenaprince.WhenGodbringshispeople intoawildernesscondition,hewillmaketheirmercieslastandholdoutaslongastheirwildernessconditioncontinues.

Justso,inthatProverbs15:16-17,"BetteralittlewiththefearoftheLordthangreatwealthwithturmoil.Betteramealofvegetableswherethereislove, than a fattened calf with hatred." [Sheep can live upon barecommons,where fat oxenwouldbe quickly starved, etc.]Chapter 16:8,"Betterisalittlewithrighteousness,thangreatrevenueswithoutright."Chapter 17:1, "Better is a dry morsel and quietness therewith, than ahousefullofsacrificeswithstrife."Psalm37:16,"Alittlethatarighteousmanhas,isbetterthantherichesofmanywicked."WherethereisaholyGod,andaholyheart—a littleof theworldwillgo far.A littlewillbeasufficiencytohim,whowithitenjoysthatHolyOnewhoisall-sufficiencyitself, Phil. 4:11-20. Though a whole world will never fill norsatisfy an unsanctified heart; yet a little, a very little of theworldwill satisfyandcontentaholyheart.Thereare two thingsthat anunholyheart cannever find, it cannever findany sweetness inspirituals,noritcanneverfindanysatisfactionintemporals.Butaholyheart always finds the greatest sweetness in spirituals, and is as easilysatisfied with the least and poorest of temporals, Esther. 5:9-14. Gen.28:20-21,"ThenJacobmadeavow,saying—IfGodwillbewithmeandwillwatchovermeonthis journeyIamtakingandwillgivemefoodtoeatandclothestowearsothatIreturnsafelytomyfather'shouse,thentheLordwillbemyGod."HolyJacobdoesnotindentwithGodforcostlyapparel, or delicate fare; he does not make a bargain with God to behoused in luxury, and fed daintily, and clothed gorgeously, and lodgedeasily, andwaited onnobly. ["Bread andwaterwith the gospel is goodenough,"saidholyGreenham.]Ohno;breadtoeatandclothestowearisasmuchasholyJacoblooksafter.

Ah friends,a littlewill serve nature, and lesswill serve grace,though nothing will serve or satisfy an unsanctified man'slusts.Osirs,theverybreadwhichaholymaneats,relishesbetterthanall the glutton's delicious fare; and the very sheep-skins and goat-skinswhichhewears,wearsofterandfinerthanallthepurpleandsoftraimentthatisinprinces'houses;andtheveryholes,andcaves,anddenswhereinholymenlive,aremorepleasantanddelightfulthanthestatelypalacesofthegreatonesoftheworld.["Itisgreatrichesnottodesireriches,andhehasmost,whocovets least."Socrates.]Godlinessandcontentmentdoessosweetenandso lengthenoutallaChristian'smercies, thathecannot

but reckonhimself ahappyman, thoughhemaybe thepoorest amongmanymen.Letmeconcludethisthirdanswerthus—

Thisworld'swealththatmensomuchdesire,Maywellbelikenedtoaburningfire;Whereofalittlecandolittleharm,Butprofitmuchourbodieswelltowarm:Buttaketoomuch,andsurelyyoushallburn;Sotoomuchwealthtotoomuchwoedoesturn.

But,

[4.] Fourthly, Consider thatworldly riches and holiness do oftenmeettogether. A man may be a very holy man—and yet a rich man too.AbrahamandLotwere aswealthymen asmost in their time—and yetbehind none for faith and holiness. David, and Solomon, andJehoshaphat, andHezekiahhad crowns on their heads and scepters intheirhands,andverygreatrevenuesattheircommands,andinallthesegrace and greatness sweetly meet. [Isaiah 41:2. Abraham is called therighteousman.]Jobwasaveryholyman—andyetaveryrichman,Job1:3,8.IfyoucastyoureyeuponthefirstofJob,andsurveyhisestate,youshallfindthathehadseventhousandsheep,threethousandcamels,fivehundredyokeofoxen,fivehundredshe-donkeys,andaverylargefamily;but ifyouwill look intothe lastofJob,andsurveyhisestate, thereyoushallfinditdoubled.Joseph,Nehemiah,Mordecai,Daniel,andthethreeHebrewchildren,wereverygracious—andyetveryhighandgreatintheworld.Aseverywickedmanisnotarichman—justso,everyholymanisnotapoorman.Ifyouwillbutsetthegraciousagainstthegraceless,theholyagainsttheprofane,Idoubtnot,butforoneholymanwhoseestateislowandpoor,youwillfindthousandsofwickedmenwhoseconditionsarebeggarlyand low in thisworld.Godmany timesdelights to confutethe devil's proverb—namely, that "plain dealing is a jewel—but hewhousesitshalldieabeggar."NowGodbyheapinguprichesandhonorandgreatnessupontherighteous,givesthedevilthelie,andletstheworldseethatholinessmanytimesisthereadywaytoworldlygreatness.

It isobservable, thatwhenall thesonsofJacobreturnedwithcornandmoneyintheirsacksfromEgypt,Benjaminhadnotonlycornandmoney

inhissack—buthehadoverandabovethesilvercupputintothemouthofhis sack, as a singular pledgeof his brother Joseph's favor,Gen.44.Just so, Godmany times gives to his Benjamins, the sons of his righthand,notonlyasmuchoftheworldashedoestoothers—butmoreoftheworldthanhedoestoothers;hedoesnotonlygivethemcornandmoneyincommonwithothers—buthealsogivesthemthesilvercup,thegracecup; he puts in some singular temporal blessings into their sacksmorethanintoothermen's; forhe is thegreatLordofall,andthereforemaydisposeofhisownashepleases.But,

[5.]Fifthly,Consider thatmostmenarebest ina lowcondition.Davidwasneverbetterthanwhenhewasinawildernesscondition,fordegreesofgrace,andfortheexerciseofgrace,andforcommunionwiththeGodofgrace.ItwasbestwithDavidwhenhisconditionwaslowintheworld,Psalm63:1-4. ItwasneverbetterwithJacobthanwhenhepassedoverJordanwithastaffinhishand,Gen.32:10.Job'sgracesnevershinedsogloriouslyaswhenhesatuponaash-heap,andcouldblessatakingGodaswellasagivingGod,Job1.ThoughJohntheBaptistwaspoorintheworld—yet theHoly Spirit tells us that he was the greatest,Mat. 11:11.Paulwas but a poor tent-maker—and yet his life was in heaven, Phil.3:20.ThechurchofSmyrnawasthepoorestchurch—butyetthebestofallthesevenchurchesinAsia,Rev.2:8-9.

Christknewverywellthathisdiscipleswouldbebestinalowcondition,andthereforehefedthembutfromhandtomouth.Hewhocouldhaveturned stones into bread, could as easily have turned stones into gold,andsohavemadehisdisciplesrichandgreatintheworld—buthewouldnot. Christ could easily have changed their rags into robes, and theircottagesintostatelypalaces,andtheirbarleyloavesintocostlybanquets—butheknewthat theirheartswouldbebestwhentheirconditionwaslowest;andthereforehemakesthemliveuponcommonfare.

AstherewasnonesoholyasChrist—justso, therewasnonesopoorasChrist,Mat.8:20-21.Christlivedpooranddiedpoor,forashewasborninanotherman'shouse—just so,hewasburied inanotherman's tomb.Austinhaslongsinceobserved,thatwhenChristdiedhemadenowill;hehadnocrown lands;allhehadwasacoat,and that thesoldierspartedamongthem.Hadtherebeenanytruehappinessorblessedness ingold

andsilver,mirthfulclothes,statelymansions,gorgeousattendants,orinwell-furnished tables, etc.,Christ,whowas, and still is, theLordof all,would certainly have been so favorable to himself, and so kind to hisdisciples,asnottohavedeprivedhimselforhisfamilyofthathappinessand blessednesswhich theymight have enjoyed, by enjoying the costlythings of this world; but he very well knew that true happiness andblessednesswastoogreatandtoogloriousathingtobefoundinanysuchworldly enjoyments, and upon that ground, was willing to be withoutthemhimself.Andinhiswiseprovidencehesoorderedtheaffairsofhisown house, that those whom he loved best should have least of thosethingswhereintherewasnotruehappiness.

Lazarus was very poor—but very holy; he was houseless—but notLordless;hisbodywasclothedwithrags—buthissoulwasadornedwithgrace;hehadnobreadtoeat—andyethehadbreadtoeatthattheworldknewnotof.Whilehelived,thedogs,beingmorekindthantheirmaster,lickedhissores—butwhenhedied,theangelscarriedhimintoAbraham'sbosom. Inall ages thishasbeenanexperienced truth, thatmostmenarebestinalowcondition.PopeMartinreportsofhimself,thatwhilehe was a monk, and lived in the cloister, he had some evidences forheaven—butwhen he was a cardinal, then he began to fear and doubtwhethereverheshouldgotoheaven;butafterwards,whenhecametobepope,heutterlydespairedofevergoingthere.

Ah, how holy, how humble, how heavenly, how gracious, how serious,how zealous, how prudent, how vigilant, and how diligent have manymenbeenwhiletheirconditionwaslow,andpoorintheworld!butwhenundervariouschangestheychangedtheirbrass intosilver, theircopperintogold,theircottagesintopalaces,theirshopsintolordships,andtheirsheep-skins into scarlet, etc., ah,howproud,howworldly,howearthly,how carnal, how careless, how cold, how formal, how lukewarm, howindifferent,howlight,howslight,howvain,howloose—didtheygenerallygrow!

Ihavereadofthepine-tree,thatifyoupulloffthebarkitwilllastalongtime;butifthebarkremainson,itwillrotthetree.Ah,howhasthebarkofhonor,thebarkofriches,thebarkofpleasure,thebarkofsuccess,thebark of applause, and the bark of preferment, etc., has rotted, and

corrupted,andworsenedmanygloriousprofessorsinthesedays!Andohthat,nowtheirbarkistakenoff,theymaywiththepine-treegrowbetterandbetter!Oh,thatnowtheymaygrowmoreholythanever,andmorehumblethanever,andmoreheavenlythanever,andmorespiritualthanever, and morewatchful than ever, and more faithful than ever, andmorefriendlythanever,andmoreunitedthanever!etc.

Nowifmostmenarebestinalowcondition,thenthereisnoreasonwhyanyman should turnhis backuponholinessbecauseof poverty,whichoften treads uponholiness' heels. The cypress-tree is high—butbarren;andtheolive-treeislow—butfruitful.Ah,Christians,itisinfinitelybettertobeanolive-tree,lowandfruitful,tobelowintheworld,andfullofthefruits of righteousness and holiness; than to be a cypress-tree, high inhonors,riches,andworldlygreatness,etc.,andtobebarrenofallgraceandgoodness.But,

[6.]Sixthlyandlastly,Considerthatspiritualriches,whicharethebestofriches,docommonlyattendthepoorestsaints.Usuallytherearenoneso rich in spirituals, as those who are poorest in temporals; there arenonewhohavesomuchtoshowfortheeternalworldasthosewhohaveleast to show of this earthly world: James 2:5, "Hearken, my belovedbrethren,Has notGod chosen the poor of thisworld rich in faith, andheirs of the kingdom which he has promised to those who love him?"Thoughtheyhaveneverapennyintheirpurses,norneveraragtohangon their backs, nor ever a bit to put in their bellies—yet they are richheirs, and their heads aredestined for thediadem.Usually thepoorestsaints are the richest Christians in comforts, in graces, in promises, inexperiences,andinspiritualenjoyments,etc.,2Cor.8:1-5;Romans5:3.Theholy souldrives the freest and thegreatest tradeheavenwards;theholy soulmay sail to any port that lies in God's dominions, and tradefreely—andwhat enrichesmen like a free and a full trade?Thereareinfinite treasures laid up in precious promises, and all thesetreasurieslieopentotheholysoul.AChristianmayladenhissoulasdeepashepleaseswiththepreciouscommoditiesofheaven.

IhavereadofTiberiustheemperor, in577,who,seeingacrossset inamarblestonelyingintheground,commandedittobedugup;andwhenitwasdugrip,hefoundarichtreasureunderthecross.Osirs,underthe

crossofpovertytherearetreasures,spiritualtreasures,lastingtreasures,and satisfying treasures to be found. Thoughholinessmay be attendedwith cross upon cross, loss upon loss, and misery upon misery, andcalamity upon calamity, and sorrow upon sorrow, and vexation uponvexation,etc.—yetundereverycrossandeveryloss,etc.,aChristianshallbe sure to find such spiritual and heavenly treasure, that for weight,worth,use,delight,andduration,allthetreasuresoftheworldarenottobecomparedtoit.

Osirs,what isacupofpleasantwinetoacondemnedman?Oraship'sladingofgoldtoadrowningman?Orasumptuousfeasttoasickman?orroyalrobestoadiseasedman?etc.Nomorearealltherichesortreasuresof thisworld,comparedto thosespiritualrichesandheavenly treasureswhich attends the poorest saints. Austin has long since told us that,"Earthly riches are full of poverty." They cannot enrich the soul, foroftentimeswherethepurseisfullofgold,theheartisemptyofgrace;andunder many silken coats there are threadbare souls to be found. Nowwhat are all the riches of this world, compared to those riches ofconsolation, and richesof sanctification,and richesof justification,andrichesofsalvation,andrichesofglorification—whichattendsthepoorestsaints? Suppose that poverty should break in upon you like an armedmanwhileyouare inthepursuitofholiness—yet if thebestofriches, ifspiritual riches, shall attend your poverty, as certainly they shall, whatcausehaveyoutobediscouraged?Surelynone!Andletthusmuchsufficeforanswertothisfifthobjection.

Objection6.Butsixthly,Somemayfurtherobject,andsay,"Shouldwepursue after holiness, it would be a disgrace, a disparagement, anddishonor touswhoarehigh, andgreat, and rich, andhonorable in theearth.Wearegentlemen,wearewell-bredandhigh-born,andholinessseemstobetoopoorandtoolowathingforsuchaswearetolookafter,etc."

Nowtofenceandarmyouagainstthisobjection,givemepermissiontopropose to your most serious thoughts these following considerations,etc.:

[1.]First,Thatholinessisman'sgreatesthonorandexcellency—andthis

Ihavemadeevidentatlargeinthethirdmotivetoholiness.Yes,holinessisthecrown,excellency,andgloryofallaman'sexcellenciesandglories—as has been fully proved in the fifth motive to holiness. Yes, and thatwhich is yetmore, holiness reflects honor, not only upon aman's ownperson—butitreflectshonoralsouponaman'snearanddearrelations,yes,upontheverycountry,city,ortownwherehewasborn—asismadegoodatlargeinthesixthmotivetoholiness,towhichIreferyouformorefullandcompletesatisfactiontothisobjection.[IntheothermotivesyouwillfindholinesstobethehonorofGod,Christ,andangels,etc.]But,

[2.]Secondly,Ah,howismanfallenfromhisprimitiveglory,thatlooksnowuponholinessashisdisgrace,ashisdiscreditanddishonor,whichininnocencywasthetopandcrownofallhisgloryandfelicity!Ah,howhassinblinded,bebeasted, andbesotted the sonsofmen—that they shouldlookupon that tobe their reproachwhich is theirhighesthonor in thisworld;andtolookuponthattobetheirdisgracewhichaloneputsagraceupon them; and to look upon that to be their discreditwhich can onlybring them into credit with God, angels, and godly men! Augustineconfesses that itwas just thus sometimeswithhim, forhewas strickenwithsuchblindness,thathethought itashameuntohimtobe lessvileandwickedthanhiscompanions,whomheheardboastoftheirlewdness,and boast somuch themore, by howmuch theywere themore filthy."Therefore," says he, "lest I should be of no account, I was the morewicked, andwhen I couldnot otherwisematchothers, Iwouldpretendthat I had done those things which I never did, lest I should seem somuch themore abject by howmuch I was the more innocent, and somuchthemorevilebyhowmuchIwasthemorechaste."

Ah, what will not a soul blinded by sin say and do, when the work ofholiness is not formed in him! Sin has certainly cast that sinner into awoefullethargy,whoisthefatherofthisobjection.Now,itisobservedofthose who are fallen into a lethargy, that their bodies are subject to acontinualdrowsiness,and theirmemoriesare soweak that theycannotrememberanythingthattheyspeakordo;nay,itdoessofardebasethemthattheyforgettheverynecessaryactionsoflife.Andjustsohassindealtwith these objectors' souls, it has cast them under such a spiritualdrowsiness,yes,ithascastthemintosuchadeadlyandfearfulsleep,that

itmakesthemforgettheonethingnecessary—namely,holiness.

Souls under a spiritual lethargy forget their lost and lamentablecondition,theyforgethowfarofftheyarefromGod,Christ,heaven,andsalvation,andtheyforgethowneartheyaretohell,toruin,toeverlastingburnings, and toutterperditionanddestruction. It isobservableof theblacksmith's dog, that neither the noise of hammers by him, nor thesparksof fire flyingabouthim,nor thosewhich landuponhim,doanywhitawakenhim—buthesnortsandsleepsonsecurelyinthemidstofall.Just so, sin has cast the sinner into so deep a sleep, that though thesparksofhell-fireinthethreateningsflyabouthim,andthehammersofGod'sjudgmentsmakeanoiseonallsidesofhim—yetheissostupefiedandbenumbedthatnothingwillawakenhimtobeholdhisspiritualandeternalhazard—buthesleepsonsecurely,andsowillcontinue,ifinfinitegrace and mercy does not prevent, until he awakes with everlastingflamesabouthisears.

Whenamanisinadeeplethargy,ifyoupinchhimwithpincers,orprickhimwithneedles,he feels itnot; ifyouscourgehimhecriesnot, ifyouthreatenhimhefearsnot,etc.Nowthisistheconditionofsuchwhoareinaspirituallethargy;letthejudgmentsofGodbedenounced,andlettheterrorsofthelawbepreached,theytremblenot;lettheflamesofhell-fireflashupontheirsouls,theyregarditnot,fortheyaresermon-proof,andjudgment-proof,andhell-proof.Nowthisisyourverycase,Osinner!whocryoutthatthepursuitofholinesswillturntoyourdisgraceanddiscreditintheworld;forwereyoureyesbutopentoseethenecessity,beauty,andexcellencyofholiness, oh, then youwould call forholiness, and cry forholiness,andsearchforholiness,andpressforholiness,asthatwhichisthechiefornament,andtheonlyhonorandgloryofthecreature.But,

[3.]Thirdly, I answer,That it isnotholiness—butwickedness, it isnotgodliness—butimpiety,whichisthereproach,thedishonor,thedisgrace,and disparagement of man. Proverbs 14:34, "Righteousness exalts anation;butsinisareproachtoanypeople,"orastheHebrewhasit,"tonations." The world usually accounts either beggarliness of estate, orbadnessofsituation,orcrudenessofbehavior,orchangesingovernment,or dullness of invention, or some suchlike imperfections, to be thereproach of nations. But the Holy Spirit tells us that it is sin, it is sin

whichisthereproachofnations,whichistheshameofnations,whichisthe contempt and scorn of nations, and which blots and blurs all theexcellencies and glories of nations. Impious people makes the nationsinfamous;andthemoreimpiousanynation,city,orpersonis—themoreinfamousthatnation,city,orpersonis.

Proverbs 6:32, 33, "But a man who commits adultery lacks judgment;whoeverdoessodestroyshimself.Blowsanddisgracearehislot,andhisshamewill neverbewipedaway." [What an indelibleblotwas this stilluponDavid—namely, thathisheartwasupright inall things—except inthematterofUriah.]Thereisnothingthatissuchablemishandsuchawoundtoaman'shonor—assin.Sinleavessuchablot,suchablur,andsuchareproachuponaman'sname, fame,andreputation—thatnoart,nopainsshalleverbeabletowipeitout.Allthewaterintheseacannotwash away, nor all the rubbing in the world cannot wipe away—thedisgrace, disdain, and contempt, that enormities, which wickednesseslaysapeopleunder.Jer.24:9,"Iwillmakethemanobjectofhorrorandeviltoeverynationonearth.Theywillbedisgracedandmocked,tauntedand cursed, wherever I send them." It was not for their holiness, theirgodliness—but for their wickedness and ungodliness, that God wasresolvedtomakethemdisgracedandmocked,tauntedandcursed.

Proverbs 10:7, "Thememoryof the just is blessed;but thenameof thewickedshallrot."Thewickednessofthewickedheapssomuchdisgrace,disparagement,anddishonoruponthem,thatitmakestheirverynamestorotandstinkabove-ground.Theircarcassesdonotmorerotandstinkunder-ground,thantheirverynamesdorotandstinkabove-ground.Thewickednessof thewickedwillmaketheirverynamessuchadetestationandsuchanabhorring,thattheyshalleithernotberememberedatall,oriftheyare,theyshallbeonlyrememberedasarotten,stinking,putrifiedthing.AsthecurseofGodfollowsthesoulofawickedmantohell—justso,thecurseofGodfollowsthenameofawickedmanonearth—sothatitbecomesmostnoisomeandloathsomeamongthesonsofmen.

Sin does so debase and bebeast the great ones of the world, that theprophets use to set forth wicked kings by the names of beasts—as thegoat, the ram, the leopard, the bear—to note the beastliness of theirconditions, and because they commonly maintain and exercise their

governmentbybrutishviolenceandtyranny,Dan.7:3-7;Proverbs28:15-16.AndChristhimself,whoneverspoketreasonnorsedition,termskingHerodafoxinLuke13:32,"Andhesaiduntothem,Goyouandtellthatfox."Herodwasascraftyandassubtleasa fox,hewasascruelandasfradulentasa fox, and thereforehe is very fitly termedbyChrist a fox.AndsoPauldescribesNerobythenameofalion.2Tim.4:17,"AndIwasdeliveredoutofthemouthofthelion"—thatis,outofthemouthofNero,whoforhispowerandcrueltywaslikealion,forhewasamostcruelanddesperate persecutor of the Christians, andmade a bloody decree, that"whoever confessed himself a Christian, should immediately be put todeathas a convicted enemy ofmankind."Now, bywhat has been said,youseethatitisnotholinessbutwickednessthatisthegreatestdisgrace,dishonor, and disparagement imaginable to the sons of men; andtherefore there is no reason why the great ones of the world shoulddisdaintopursueafterholinessupontheaccountofthisobjection.But,

[4.] Fourthly, I answer, That this objection savors strongly of cursedpride,andofhellishloftinessandarroganceofspirit;forwhoareyou,Ogreat man! or what are you, O mighty man—but that you may bedishonored and disparaged for holiness' sake? What are your greatswellinghonorsandtitles—butassomanybaby-rattles?Andwhatisallyourworldlygreatness—butawindthatmayblowyouthesoonertohell?What is all your glory, but a glorious fantasy, a greatnothing; and thisHaman andHerod found by experience, and so did Julius Caesar andAugustusCaesar.Bajazet,whowasoneofthegreatestcommandersintheworld,wascarriedaboutinanirongratetobeafootstooltoaninsultingconqueror.AndBelisarius,themostfamousgeneralthatthelatterageoftheRomanempireknew,andingreatestfavorwithJustinianhisprince,wasreducedtothatgreatpovertythathewasgladtobeghisbread.Andthus in all ages men have quickly fallen from the highest pinnacle ofhonor,tositwithJobupontheash-heap.

Oyougreatpieceofvanity—whomakesthisobjection—yourtruehonordoesnotlieinyourcoatofarms,norinyourgreattitles,norinyourgreatlordshipsandmanors,norinyourhighbirth,etc.—butinyourinterestinChrist, inyournewbirth, inyourbeinganheirofthepromises, inyourtitletoheaven,andinyourpursuitafterholiness.Truly,ifyoushouldlive

anddiewithoutthesethings,ithadbeententhousandtimesbetterthatyouhadbeenbroughtupinacave,thanthatyouhadbeenbroughtupatcourt;andthatyouhadallyourdays lainunderahedge, than thatyouhavesitsolonguponseatsofhonor;andthatyouhadbeggedyourbreadfromdoortodoor,thanthatyouhavehadyourfullcupsandfulltables;andthatyouhadbeenclothedwithrags,thanthatyouhaveputoncostlyrobes—for the great things of this world does but laymen themore open to great temptations, and to great provocations,eventocommitthegreatestabominations.

O sirs, suppose a criminal,who is led to execution, should engrave hiscoatofarmsupontheprisongate,wouldhenotbeaccountedvainandmad? and yet such is themadness and vanity of the great ones of thisworld,thattheyendeavorwiththegreatestindustrytoleavemonumentsof their dignity in the prison of this world—but take no care to makeprovisionfortheeternalworld,Psalm49:10-15;andallthisisoutofthehorrid pride and loftiness of their spirits. Psalm 10:4, "Inhis pride thewickeddoesnotseekGod;inallhisthoughtsthereisnoroomforGod."ThereisnothingwhichhindersamanfromseekingafteraholyGod,andfrom pursuing after holiness, like pride. A proud heart is too stout tothink of holiness, or tomind holiness, or to prize holiness, or to pressafter holiness. "Who is the Lord," says proud Pharaoh, "that I shouldservehim?"Exod.5:2.Just so, says theproudheart, "What isholiness,thatIshouldseek it,andpresssohardafter it?"Asthere isnosinthatfortifiestheheartagainstholinesslikepride—justso,thereisnosinthatweakensanddisenablesthehearttopursueafterholinesslikepride.

O you proud and lofty ones of theworld,who look upon holiness as apoor,low,contemptiblething;tellme,whatareallyournoblebirths,andgreat estates, etc.—but trifleswhichGod bestows upon the worst andbasestofmen?"ThewholeTurkishempire,"saysLuther,"isbutacrustwhichGodcaststoadog."Tellmewhethertheflyandtheworm,yes,themost contemptible creature—was not man's elder brother at his firstcreation; and if so, why then should vain man be proud? Oh, tell mewhetheryouhaveeverlaidtoheartthatsoul-abasingandsoul-humblingtext,Psalm39:5,"Trulyeverymanathisbestestateisaltogethervanity.Selah.""Truly"letsthatin,and"Selah"shutsthatup;"trulyeveryman"—

notsomeman—but"everyman;"allmenareallvanity,or"everymanisevery vanity."Everyman is a comprehensive vanity—every richman iseveryvanity,andeverygreatmaniseveryvanity,andeverymightymaniseveryvanity,andeverynoblemaniseveryvanity.Yes,andthatwhichis yet more, "every man at his best estate," not in his childhood ordecrepitoldage—but inhisbestestate,whenhe isbestconstitutedandmatured,whenheismostfirmlyfixedandsettledonhisbestbottom—yeteventhenheisvanity.Theoriginalrunsthus,"everymanstanding,"thatis, as some understand it, standing a-tiptoe in all his gallantry andbravery,inallhisbeautyandglory,andinallhispompandmajesty—isvanity,yes,everyvanity.

Well sirs, remember this, that asglow-wormsmakea glorious show inthenight—butwhenthedayappearstheyappeartobepoor,despicable,basecreatures—justso,thoughnowthehigh,thegreat,andmightyonesoftheearthshineandgloriouslysparkle inthedarknessof thisworld—yet in thatdaywhen theSunof righteousness shall arise, andmanifestthesecretsofallheartstotheworld,andstripthegreatonesofall theirtitlesofhonor,andtheirnobleparentage,andtheirrichandroyalrobes,andtheirtroopsandtrains,andtheircrownsandchains—thentheywillappear tobebutbaseanddespicable creatures.Then theirpovertyandmisery,theirnakednessandvilenesswillappeartoalltheworld;thentheworld shall see that richeswithout righteousness, powerwithout piety,andgreatnesswithoutholiness,willdo thegreat onesof thisworldnogood. Oh, that you had now a heart to weep over that pride of heart,whichkeepsyoufrompursuingafterholiness—sothatyoumaynotweeptoalleternityinutterdarkness!But,

[5.]Fifthlyandlastly,Ianswer,Thattherearenopeopleunderheaven,whostand somuchobliged to lookafterholiness, and topresswith alltheirmighttoobtainholiness—astherich,thegreat,themighty,andthehonorableoftheearth.

For, first, why hasGodmade them greater than others—but that theyshould labor to be holier than others? They are therefore higher thanothers, that they may be holier than others. The greatness of theiroutwardglorycallsalouduponthemtoexcelinsanctity;andwoetothosewhoareresolvedtobeworsethanothers,becauseGodhasdonemorefor

themthanhehasforothers.

Secondly, Theyof allmenhavemore time, leisure, and advantages tohearmuch that theymay be holy, and to readmuch that theymay beholy,andtopraymuchthattheymaybeholy,andtoconfermuchwithall sorts and ranks of men, that they may be holy; and therefore itconcerns themaboveall othermen in theworld tobeholy.Othermenhaveneither the timenor theadvantages togainholinessas thesemenhave.

Butthirdly, Their examples aremost powerful and prevalentwith thepeople, either for much good, or for much evil, Proverbs 29:12. If themountains overflow with waters, the valleys are the better; and if thehead is full of disease, the whole body fares the worse. The actions ofrulers are most commonly rules for the people's actions, and theirexamplespassascurrentastheircoin.[Esther.1:10-11,15-18.Itisnotedin King Alphonsus's sayings, that "a greatman cannot commit a smallsin."] If their examples are evil, there are none so dangerous as theirs.JeroboamthesonofNebatisnevermentionedintheScripture,noreverreadof in the chronicles of Israel—buthedraws a tail afterhim, like ablazingstar,"whomadeIsraeltosin."

A sick head disorders all the other parts, and a dark eye benights thewholebody.Theevilexamplesofgreatmencorruptstheairroundabout.Thecommonpeoplearelikesoftwax,easilyreceivingimpressionsfromthesealsofgreatmen'svices.Ifapeasantmeetswithluxuryinascarletrobe,hedaresbe likesuch,havingso fairacloak for it. If thecommonpeoplemeetwithdrunkennessofagreatpublicperson,theydarebesuchthemselves; they make no bones to sin by prescription, and to damnthemselves with authority. Austin brings in some excusing theircompliances with the sinful customs of those times thus, "Greatpersonagesurgedit,anditwasattheking'sbanquet."Theythoughtitasufficientexcusetopleadtheexamplesofgreatmen.

Andiftheexamplesofgreatmenarevirtuous,therearenonesowinninganddrawingas theirs. [Carus theRomanemperorusedtosay, "A goodleader makes a good follower."] Men who are high and eminent inauthority,power,anddignity,andeminentalso ingraceandholiness—

theycarry the inferior people by their examples to a likingof holiness,andtoa loveofholiness,andtoapursuitafterholiness.As thebiggeststarsintheskiesarealwaysthebrightest,andgivethegreatestlustertothose of a lesser magnitude—just so, those who, in respect both ofgreatness and grace, are so many shining stars—they give the greatestlightandlustertoothersbytheirshininglives.Oh,whataworldofgoodwillthegraciousexampleofagoodprinceprovokeothersunto!ItwasthesayingofTrajanus,"Subjectsprovegoodbyagoodking'sexample."

Stories tells us of somewho could not sleep when they thought of thetrophiesofotherworthieswhowentbeforethem.Thegraciousexamplesof great men are very awakening, quickening, and provoking to thatwhichisgood,asismostevidentinallthosekingdoms,countries,cities,andvillageswheresuchmenlive.Andthereforegreatmenarethemoreobligedtobegodlymen,andhonorablementobeholymen.

But, fourthly, of all men under heaven, you will have the greatestaccountstomakeupwithGod;andthereforeyouhavethemorecausetoseekafterholiness.WhereGodgivesmuchtherehelooksformuch,Luke48. [It was excellent counsel that the heathen orator gave his hearers—"Letussoliveasthosewhomustgiveanaccountofallatlast."]Osirs,Godwillbringyoutoanaccountforthattalentofhonor,andthattalentofwealth, and that talent of birth, and that talent of power, and thattalent ofauthority, and that talent of interest, and that talent of time,etc.,thathehasentrustedyouwith!Howwillyoubeabletostandinthedayofaccountwithoutholinessinyourhearts?

King Philip the Third of Spain, whose life was free from gross evils,professed that he would rather lose all his kingdoms than offend Godwillingly; yet, being in the agony of death, and considering morethoroughlyofhisaccountthathewastogivetoGod,fearstruckintohim,andthesewordsbrokefromhim:"Oh,wouldtoGodIhadneverreigned!Oh,thatthoseyearsIhavespentinmykingdomIhadlivedaprivatelifeinthewilderness!Oh,thatIhadlivedasolitarylifewithGod!Howmuchmore securely should I have now died! How much more confidentlyshouldIhavegonetothethroneofGod!Whatdoesallmygloryprofitme—butthatIhavesomuchthemoretormentinmydeath!"

Well,gentlemen,thereisadaya-comingwhereintheLordwillcallyoutoa strict account, both for the principal, and also for the interest of allthose talents of honor, riches, and greatness, etc., that he has put intoyourhands!Howwillyoubeeverabletoholdupyourheadsinthisdayofaccount,unlessyouexperienceprinciplesofholinessinyourhearts,andhold forth the power of godliness in your lives? IfSaulwas astonishedwhen he heard Jesus ofNazareth but calling upon him,Acts 22:7-8; ifHerodwasaffrightedwhenhethoughtthatJohnBaptistwasrisenfromthedead,Mark6:16;ifthePhilistineswereafraidwhentheysawDavid'ssword,1Sam.21:9;iftheIsraeliteswereappalledwhentheysawAaron'srod,Num.7:10;ifJudahwasashamedwhenhesawThamar'ssignetringandstaff,Gen.38:25-26;andifBelshazzarwasamazedwhenhesawthehandwritingon thewall,Dan.5:9—oh,howastonished,howaffrighted,howashamed,andhowamazedwillthegreatonesoftheworldbe—wholiveanddiewithoutholiness,whenGodshallbringthemtothejudgmentbar,andcommandthemtogiveanaccountofallthetalentsthathehasputintotheirhands!

If theCarthaginianswere troubledwhen they sawScipio's sepulcher; ifthe Saxonswere terrifiedwhen they sawCadwallon's image; and if theRomanswere astonishedwhen they sawCaesar's bloody robe; ah! howwill all the great unholy ones of the earth be troubled, terrified, andastonished in the great day of their accounts! There are nonewhowillhave such large accounts to give—as the great ones of the world, andtherefore there are none who stand so strongly engaged to look afterholinessastheydo.

But,fifthly,thegreateranymenareonearth,iftheyliveanddiewithoutholiness, the greater will be their torments in hell! All their greatness,glory,andgallantrywillbutsinkthemthelowerinhell.TheScribesandPhariseeswere the rich, thehigh, and the great onesof the times—andtheseChristlaysunderthegreaterdamnation,Mat.23:14.TheGermanshavethisproverb,"Thepavementofhell,ismadeofthebareskullsofthepriests, and the glorious crests of gallants." Theirmeaning is, that themore eminent any are in church or state, and do not employ theireminency,power,andauthorityinwaysofpietyandsanctity—the lowertheyshalllieinhell—yes,thesemen,ofallothers,shalllielowestinhell!

Rev.18:7,"Asmuchassheglorifiedherselfandlivedluxuriously,giveherthatmuchtormentandgrief!"Isaiah47:8.Babylon'stormentandsorrowmust be suitable to her sin. Babylon excelled all others in pride,haughtiness, luxury,andblasphemy,etc.,andherpunishmentsmustbeanswerable.Justso,thegreat,therich,thehigh,andthemightymenofthe world—they usually exceed all others in pride, drunkenness,uncleanness,filthiness,oppression,vainglory,gluttony,andtyranny,etc.,andaccordingtotheirsins,willbetheirtormentsandtheirpunishmentsinhell!

Isaiah30:33,"Tophethhas longbeenprepared; ithasbeenmadereadyfortheking.Itsfirepithasbeenmadedeepandwide,withanabundanceoffireandwood;thebreathoftheLord,likeastreamofburningsulfur,sets itablaze." [Tophet is thenameofaplace in thevalley lyingon thesouthsideofJerusalem,Joshua18:16.NowinthisvalleystoodTophet,whereintheidolatrousJewsusedtoburntheirchildreninsacrificetotheidolMoloch,and ithad thatname fromthedrumsor tabretsthattheiridolatrous priests used to beat upon at the time of their detestableservices, todrown thehideousshrieksand lamentablecriesof thepoorsacrificed children!] Alas! the brick-kilns of Egypt, and the furnace ofBabylon, were but as a blaze of straw, compared to this tormentingTophet,whichhas longbeenprepared for thegreatandmightyonesoftheearth!

Oh,howdreadfulmust that firebe—which ispreparedbyGodhimself,andwhichiskindledbythebreathoftheLord,andwhichshallneverbequenched! Such is the fire which is prepared for the great andmightyones of the world! Oh, the easeless, the endless, the remediless, theinevitable torments which are prepared for those who are great andgraceless! In hell their wanton eyes shall be tormented with ugly andfearful sights of ghastly spirits! In hell their ears, which used to bedelightedwithalldelightfulmusic, shallnowbe filledwith thehideouscries, howlings, and yellings of devils and damned spirits! In hell theirtonguesof blasphemy shall nowbe tormentedwithdrought and thirst;and thoughwith the rich glutton, they cry out for a drop to cool theirtongues—yet justice will deny them drops, who have denied otherscrumbs!Inhelltheirhandsofbribery,cruelty,andtyrannyshallnowbe

boundwith everlasting chains, and so shall their feet, whichwere onceswifttoshedinnocentblood.Inaword,theirtormentsshallbeuniversal,theyshallextendtoeverymemberofthebody,andtoeveryfacultyofthesoul.

Ah, sirs fire, sword, famine, prisons, racks, and all other torments thatmen can invent, are but as flea-bitings, compared to those scorpions!Theyarebutasdrops,comparedtothosevialsofwrath!Theyarebutassparks, compared to those eternal flames that all unsanctified peopleshalllieunder.

Look!astheleastjoyinheaveninfinitelysurpassesthegreatestcomfortson earth, so the least torments in hell do infinitely exceed the greatestthatcanbedevisedhereonearth.

Foraclose,rememberthis—astherearedegreesofgloryinheaven—justso, there are degrees of torment in hell; and as those who are mosteminentingraceandholinessshallhavethegreatestdegreesofglory inheaven—justso,thosewhoaremostvileandwickedonearthshallhavethe greatest degrees of torments and punishments in hell. [Mat. 10:15,and11:22;Luke12:47-48.]

Now common experience tells us that the rich, the great, the high, thehonorable, and the mighty ones of the world—are usually the mostexcelling in all wickedness and ungodliness; and therefore theircondemnationwillbe thegreater, theyshallhaveahotterandadarkerhellthanothers—unlesstheylaborafterthisholiness,whichwillbetheironlyfenceagainsthell,andtheirsurepathtoheaven.

But,sixthlyandlastly,ofallmenonearth—therich, thegreat,andthehonorablewillbefoundmostinexcusable.Thepoorandthelowlyonesofthe earth will plead their lack of time, and lack of means, and lack ofopportunities; theywillbereadytosay,"Lord,wehaverisenearly, andgone to bed late, Psalm 127:1-2, we have labored, and sweat, anddrudged,andalllittleenoughtogetbreadtoeat,andclothestowear,andtokeepthepolicefromthedoor,andtopayeverymanhisown.Hadwehad but the time, the means, the advantages that such and suchgentlemenhavehad,and that suchandsuchnobleshavehad,and that

such and such princes have had, etc., oh, how we would havemindedholiness,andstudiedholiness, andpressedafterholiness!But seeing ithasbeenotherwisewithus,wehope,Lord,wemaybeexcused."

Butwhatexcusewillyoubeabletomake,Oyougreatonesoftheearth,whohavehadtime,andopportunities,andalladvantagesimaginable—tomakeyourselvesholyandhappy forever—andyetyouhave trifled awayyour golden seasons, and forgotten the one thing necessary, and givenyourselves up to the lusts and vanities of this world—as if you wereresolvedtobedamned?

LetmealittlealludetoJohn15:22:"IfIhadnotcomeandspokenuntothem, they had not had sin; but now they have no cloak or excuse fortheir sin."Just so,willGodoneday say to thegreatonesof theworld:"Had I not given you riches, and greatness, and honor, etc., to haveencouragedyoutolookafterholiness,andthatyoumighthavetime,andleisure,andopportunity to seekholinessandpursue it, youmighthavehadsomecloak,someexcuseforyourneglectingsogreat,soglorious,sonoble,andsonecessaryawork.Oh!butnowyouhavenocloak,noexcuseatall for your sin.Now you can showno reason under heavenwhy aneternaldoomshouldnotbepasseduponyou."Ahhowsilent,howmute,howspeechless, andhow self-condemned,will all the great ones of theworld be, when God shall thus expostulate with them! Oh, that suchwouldseriouslylaytoheartMat.22:11-12:"Andwhenthekingcameintoseetheguests,hesawthereamanwhichhadnotonaweddinggarment:and he says unto him, Friend, how did you get in here—not having aweddinggarment?Andhewasspeechless."Bytheweddinggarmentthelearned understand holiness of heart and life. Now when the kingquestionshimabout the lackof thisweddinggarment,he isspeechless,orastheGreekwordimports,"hewasmuzzledorhalteredup,"thatis,heheldhispeace,asthoughhehadabridleorahalterinhismouth;hewasnot able to speak aword for himself, his own conscience had passed asecretsentenceofcondemnationuponhim,andhesatsilentunderthatsentence, ashavingnothingunderheaven to saywhyhe should not becastintoutterdarkness.Andthiswillbetheverycaseofalltherich,thegreat,andthemightyonesoftheworld,whoshallbefoundwithoutthegarmentofholiness,whentheLordshallenterintojudgmentwiththem.

Andthusyouseebythesesixarguments,thattherearenopeopleunderheavenwhoaresoeminentlyengagedtolookafterholiness—astherich,thegreat,andthemightyonesoftheearth.But,

Objection 7. Seventhly and lastly, Others may object and say, "If weshould we pursue after holiness—we shall be sure to be reviled,slandered,andreproachedonallhands;everyonewillhootandhissatus,weshallbecomeascornandabywordtoall that live inthefamilywithus,andtoallourneighborsroundaboutus;everyonewillscornus,andhateus,andweshallbetheir table-talk,andtheirsong,andthebuttoftheirridicule,etc.

Now that youmaybe sufficiently armedagainst this objection, I desireyouseriouslytoconsiderofthesefivefollowinganswers:

[1.]First,Thatthosewhorevileandreproachholiness,aresuchthathaveneverknownthenecessitynortheexcellencyofholiness;theyhaveneverexperienced thepowernor the sweetnessofholiness; theyspeakevilofthingstheyknownot,ofthingstheyunderstandnot,Jude10;1Tim.1:7.Not to know is man'smisery—but to speak evil of that which a manunderstands not is the height of folly; and this these revilers do. "Hadtheyknown,"saystheapostle,"theywouldnothavecrucifiedtheLordofglory,"1Cor.2:8—justso, Isay,hadtheserevilersknownthesplendor,the beauty, and the glory of holiness—theywould never have reviled itandscornedit.HadtheJewsknowntheGodheadofChrist,thedivinityofChrist,thegloryofChrist,theywouldneverhaveaskedforBarabbas,andhaverailedonJesusastheydid.Justso,hadtheserailersbutknownthe worth and the weight of holiness, they would never have cried upwickedness,anddecriedholinessastheydo.

Now,ohwhatshame,what folly,whatvanity is it foraman to turnhisbackuponholinessbecausesuchrevileitandscornit—whoneverknewfeelingly,norexperimentally,whatholinesswas!Wouldnotamaneithersighor laughathimwhowould turnhisbackuponriches,honors,andpreferments, etc., because the blind, poor, and beggarly sort of people,who never experienced what these things mean, casts dirt, scorn andreproachuponthem?andisnotthisthepresentcase?Surelyyes!

Thefoxinthefable,whenhecouldnotgetatthegrapes,criedout,that"theyweresour, theyweresour!"Justso,menwhocannotreachtotheriches,thehonors,andthegreatthingsoftheworld,oh,howdotheycryoutagainstthesethings!oh,whatdisgrace,scorn,andcontemptdotheycastuponthesethings!andallbecausetheycannotreachthem,becausetheycannotgraspthem.Theapplicationiseasy.Itismen'signoranceofholiness, which makes them cry out so much against holiness. Thatheathen, Aristotle, hit the mark when he cried out, "Ignorance is thesourceofallsin;theverywell-springfromwhenceallwickednessflows."For ignorance enslaves the soul to Satan, it lets in sins by troops, andthen locks them up in the heart, and it shuts out all the means ofrecovery,etc.Andwhothenwillwondertoseeignorantpeopleletflyatholiness?Supposeageometricianshouldbedrawingoflinesandfigures,and there should come in some silly, ignorant fellow, who seeing him,should laughathim.Would thegeometrician leaveoffhis employmentbecauseofthisderision?Surelynot—forheknowsthathislaughterisbutthefruitofhisignorance—asnotknowinghisscience—andthereforehekeepsondrawing,thoughthesillyfellowshouldkeeponinhislaughing.Osirs,thoughignorantpeoplederideholiness,andlaughatholiness—yetbenot ashamedof holiness—but hold on, andhold out in your pursuitafterholiness,fortheyunderstandnottherulesandprinciplesbywhichyouareactuated;andthatiswhytheythrowdirtinthefaceofholiness.But it will be your wisdom to wipe that off, and somuch themore topursueafterholiness,byhowmuchthemorethesillyonesoftheworldslightholiness,andlaughatholiness.But,

[2.]Secondly,Thereisnofenceagainstaneviltongue.Amanmayfencehimselfagainstanevileye,andagainstanevilhand,andagainstanevilhead,etc.—butthereisnofenceagainstaneviltongue.Aneviltongueissuchanunruly,suchamischievous,suchadangerous,suchakilling,andsuchadestroyingmember—thatthereisnofenceagainstit.Amanmayfenceoffthestrokeofasword,thethrustofarapier,andtheshotofanarrow—buthecanneverfenceoffthereproachandtherevilingofaneviltongue. If the heart is sanctified, the tongue is the bestmember in thebody;iftheheartisunsanctifieditistheworst.

Aesopbeingbyhismastersenttobuyupallthebestmeathecouldgetin

themarket,boughtupallthetongues;andbeingsentagaintobuyupalltheworstmeathecouldgetinthemarket,heboughtupall thetonguesagain.Whenhewasaskedwhyhedidso,heanswered,"thattherewasnofleshbetterthanagoodtongue,noranyfleshworserthanabadtongue."Which theapostleconfirms fully in thatJames3:2-12. [Bias,oneof thesevenwisemen,toldAmasiskingofEgypt,that"thetonguewasthebestorworstmemberofthebody.""Thewholelifeofmanismadeupofthesinsofthetongue."Basil.]

Aneviltongueiswilderthanthewildestbeast.Thehorse,thedonkey,thecamel, the elephant, yes, the lion, the leopard, the bear, and all otherbeasts,havebeentamedbyman!Butthetongue,noman,nomonarch,onearthhaveeverbeenabletotame.Aneviltongue,insomerespect, isworsethanthedevil;forthedevilmaybeshunnedandavoided—butaneviltonguenomancanshun;andifyouresistthedevilhewillflyfromyou—butthemoreyouresistaneviltonguethemoreitwillflyuponyou.

Proverbs16:27, "Anungodlymandigsupevil;and inhis lipsthere isaburningfire."Anungodlyman,oramanofBelial,astheoriginalhasit,"digsupevil."Sucholdevilsthathavebeenlongsinceburiedinthegraveof oblivion and forgetfulness, he digs up to cast in the saints' faces, toreproachthemwith.Theteethofmalicewillbestilla-diggingtofindoutsomethingagainstthepeopleofGod,andiftheycanpickupanythingoutoftheash-heapoffalsereportstoobjectagainstthem,theirlipspresentlyareassomanyburningbeaconstodiscoverittoalltheworld.Nowtheirtongues will be set on fire by hell, and now they will labor to fire theheartsandtonguesofothersagainstthepeopleofGod.

David, who fell oftener under the sad lashes of evil tongues, comparesrevilingtonguestothreefatalweapons:arazor,asword,andanarrow.

1.ToarazorinPsalm52:2.Nowyouknowarazormeetswitheverylittlehair,andmanytimesinsteadofshavingthehairitslashestheflesh;andsometimes by missing the beard it endangers the throat. And so therevilingtonguewilltaketheleastadvantageimaginabletoslashandcutthe names and reputations of those who fear the Lord, in a thousandpieces.

2.Toasword,Psalm57:4,thatcutsandwoundsdeep;andsodoesthereviler's tongue cut deeply into the names, fames, and credits of thepeopleofGod;and,

3.Toanarrow,Psalm64:3.Theswordonlycutswhenwearenear—butthearrowhitsatadistance.Theswordcannotcutexceptweareathand—but the arrowmayhit uswhenwe are afar off.The reviler caneasilyshoothisarrowsofreproachagreatwayoff;hecanshootthemfromonetowntoanother,fromonecitytoanother,fromonekingdomtoanother,yes,fromoneendoftheearthtotheother,Psalm73:9.Whenthehandsaremanacled,andthefeetfetteredandstocked—thetonguetravelsfreelyall theworldover,and loadsthenamesofmenwithwhatreproaches itpleases.

The tongue is the great interpreter of the heart; the tongue is the keywhich unlocks those treasures of wickedness that are in the heart; thecorruptions of men's hearts commonly breaks forth at their lips, Mat.12:34.Look!asapimpledfaceisasymptomofadistemperedliver,andasastinkingbreathisasymptomofcorruptedlungs—justso,arevilingtongue is a symptom of a base rotten heart. [Thatman has commonlymostofthedevilinhisheart—whohasmostofthedevilinhismouth.]

Whenthepumpworks,youmayquicklyknowwhetherthewaterwhichisinthefountainorwell,isclearormuddy,sweetorstinking;andwhentheclapperstrikesyoumaysoonguessofwhatmetalthebellismadeof;andsobymen's tonguesyoumayeasilyguesswhat is in theirhearts.If thetongueisvile—theheartisso;ifthetongueisbloody—theheartisso;ifthetongueisadulterous—theheart isso; if thetongueismalicious—theheartisso;ifthetongueiscovetous—theheartisso;andifthetongueiscruel—theheartisso,etc.

Men'smindsareknownbytheirmouths.Ifthemouthisbad—themindisnotgood.Hewhoisrotteninhistalk—iscommonlyrottenintheheart.OfallthemembersofthebodythereisnonesoserviceabletoSatanasanevil tongue; and thereforewhen all the body is full of sores, Satanwillkeepthetonguefromblisters,sothatamanmaythemorefreelyandfullycurse God and die. And this was the reason why Satan spared Job'stongue,whenhesadlypainedallothermembersofhisbody,sothathis

granddesign,whichwastoprovokeJobbothtocurseGodandtochargehim foolishly,might take place; but Job's tonguewas oiledwith grace,andprovedhisgloryinhistryinghour;andinsteadofcursing,heblessesatakingGod—anangryGod.

Osirs,theworldisasfullofeviltongues,astheNileisofcrocodiles,orasSodom of sulphur, or as Egypt of lice; and there is no fence, no guardagainst these evil tongues; and therefore why should any man bediscouragedfrompursuingafterholiness,becauseoftherevilingsofeviltongues?MunsterwritesofmeninIndiawhichspeaknotlikemen—butbark like dogs; andwho regards suchmen?nomore shouldwe regardsuchfoul-mouthedpeoplewhoare still barking againstholiness, as thedogsbarkagainstthemoon;butasthemoonrunsherraceandholdshercourse,thoughallthedogsinthetownbarkeversomuchatit—justso,should you pursue after holiness, though all the tongues in the townshouldbebarkingandscoffingatyou.But,

[3.]Thirdly,Considerthatthosewhonowreproachholinesswillbeforelongbeofanothermind;thosewhonowrevileandreproachholinesswillinashorttimechangetheirmindsandtheirtunes.Whentheseverymenwho revile holiness shall come to fall under terrors and horrors ofconscience,andwhentheyshallcometolieupontheirdyingbeds,andtohavetheirimmortalsoulssittremblingandquakingupontheirpalelips,and when they shall appear before the great God, and awake witheverlastingflamesabouttheirears—oh,howwilltheythenwishthattheyhadneverreviledholiness!Howwilltheythenwishthattheyhadprizedholiness, and that they had spent their all in pursuing after holiness!Num. 23:10. Oh, how will they then charge themselves, and censurethemselves,andarraignandcondemnthemselves,fortheirscorningandcondemningofholiness!Oh,howwilltheythenwishthattheyhadneverheardofholiness,norreadofholiness,northoughtofholiness!Oh,howwill they thenwish that theirmothers'wombshadproved their tombs,andthattheyhadratherlivedanddiedinalandofdarkness—thanthustoliveanddiewithoutholiness!

Now, oh,what folly andmadness is it for you to neglect the pursuit ofholiness, because such and such revile it, who perhaps before the nextyear, thenextmonth,yes itmaybe thenextSabbathcomesabout,will

wishtenthousandtimesoverandoverthattheyhadpursuedafterit,andthattheyhadmadeittheirgreatestworkinthisworldtoobtainit!But,

[4.] Fourthly, Such people who are revilers, deriders, and haters ofholiness,shouldratherbedivinelydespised,scorned,andslighted—thananyways gratified, encouraged, pleased, and strengthened in their evilways by your neglect of holiness, and by your non-pursuance afterholiness. Oh, how may your neglect of holiness upon the account ofrevilingsand scornings, strengthen thehandsand theheartsof revilersand scorners! etc., Ezek. 13:19, seq.; and therefore it is much betterdivinely to slight and disdain them, than by sinful omissions to gratifyandpleasethem.

SeehowslightingElishacarries it towickedJehoram, thoughhewas aking:2Kings3:13-14,"ElishasaidtothekingofIsrael,"Whatdowehavetodowitheachother?Gototheprophetsofyourfatherandtheprophetsof your mother." [The prophets here spoken of were the remainingprophetsofBaal,oftheidolatrousgroves,andofthecalvesofJeroboam]"No,"thekingofIsraelanswered,"becauseitwastheLordwhocalledusthreekingstogethertohandusovertoMoab."Elishasaid,"AssurelyastheLordAlmighty lives,whomI serve, if Ididnothave respect forthepresenceofJehoshaphatkingofJudah,Iwouldnotlookatyouorevennotice you." Itwasnot the greatdistress anddanger that theywere in,being likely toperish for lackofwater,nor thedignityofkings,nor thenumber of three—but the goodness, the graciousness, and holiness ofJehoshaphat,whichwroughtuponElisha toworkamiracle topreservethemand their people alive.Had it not been for Jehoshaphat, the holyprophetwouldnothavehonoredJehoramwithalook,no,notwithacastofhiseye.Thesewords,"Iwouldnotlookatyouorevennoticeyou,"arewordsofaveryhighstrain,andspeakoutagreatdealofholy loftiness,stateliness,andcontempttowardskingJehoram.

AndthesamespiritwasworkinginMordecaitowardswickedHaman,asyoumayseeinEsther3:2,"Alltheroyalofficialsattheking'sgatekneltdown and paid honor to Haman, for the king had commanded thisconcerninghim.ButMordecaiwouldnotkneeldownorpayhimhonor."[ThePersians'mannerwastokneeldownandreverencetheirkings,andsuchasheappointedinchiefauthority,whichMordecaiwouldnotdoto

thisproud, ambitious,wickedHaman, thoughall the courtiers, and theking'slife-guard,andallwhoattendedthecourtdid.]ThePersiankings,asmanyotherheathenishkings,werereverencedbytheirsubjectswithakindofdivinehonororservice;andsuchreverenceandhonor thekingcommanded should be showed to his great favorite Haman; but thisrenownedMordecai refused to do.Hewas so divinely noble and stout,thathewouldnot reverence such awickedwretch inhis heart, nor yetyieldtohimwhooutwardworshipthatwasrequiredbytheking,itbeingmore thanwasdue toaman.Someof theRabbis say, thatHamanhadthe image of some false God about him, and that therefore Mordecaiwould not bow before him, lest hemight seem to bow to the idol thatHaman carried about him: others of the Rabbis say, that Haman didmakehimself a god, and required suchworship aswasdue only to thetrueGod,andthatthereforeMordecaiwouldnotreverencehim,norbowbefore him. And other expositors say that it wasmore honor than didbelong toaman that theygave toHaman;and that thereforeMordecairefusedtobowtohim.Anditisveryremarkablethatsomeofthewisestand best of heathens have forborne to come into their king's presence,becausetherewasexpectedgreaterhonorandworshiptobedonetotheirkings thanwas fit to be done to amortalman. But thatwhich ismostconsiderable,andmostprobable,isthis,thatthereforeMordecairefusedto reverence Haman, and to bow unto him, because he was a wickedAmalekite, andabitter enemy to thepeopleofGod, andof thatnationandofthatstockwhoseremembranceGodwouldhaveblottedoutunderheaven, Exod. 17:14; Deut. 25:19; and with whom the Lord had swornthat hewould havewar from generation to generation, until theywereutterly wasted and destroyed, Exod. 17:16, compared with that 1 Sam.15:3.

IthasbeenusualwiththesaintstoslightsuchwhohavebeenslightersofChristandholiness. ["Ishall lookuponAuxentiusnootherwise thanasupon a devil, so long as he is an Arian," said holy Hilary.] WhenAmphilochiusthebishopcameintothepresenceoftheemperorArcadiusand his son, who was then partner with his father in the empire, hesalutedtheemperorwithallreverence—butslightedhisson,whereupontheemperorwasverymuchdispleased,anddemanding thereasonwhyhesoslightedhisson?thebishopanswered,becausehehadslightedand

neglectedtheeternalSonofGod,hebeingatthattimeaprofessedArian;whereupon the emperor received the bishop again into favor, andbanished all Arians out of his dominions. I have read of one Maris, agodly bishop of Chalcedon,who, being blind, and Julian, that apostateemperor, giving him some opprobrious words, calling him blind fool,because he had rebuked him for his apostasy, the goodman answeredthus,"IblessGodthatIhavenotmysight,toseesuchanungraciousfaceasyouris."

WhenagreatLordofthisland,whowasasgracelessashewasgreat,metMr.FoxinLondonstreets,andaskedhimhowhedid,Mr.Foxsaidlittleornothingtohim;whereuponsaysthisgreatLord,"Sir,doyounotknowme?" "No,not I" saidMr.Fox.Says theLord, "I amsuchaone.""Sir,"said Mr. Fox, "I desire to know nothing but Jesus Christ, and himcrucified."PolycarpusmeetingatacertaintimewithMarciontheheretic:saysMarcion,"Don'tyouknowme?""Yes,"saidPolycarpus,"Iknowyouto be the first-begotten child of the devil." And indeed,why shouldwepreferhimbeforeapieceofcopper,thatprefersapieceofgoldbeforehisGod, yes, that prefers his lusts and every toy and trifle before JesusChrist, his immortal soul, and the great concernments of the eternalworld? God commanded in the old law that whatever did go with itsbreastsupontheground,shouldbeanabominationtous.Oh,howmuchmoreshouldweabominatethatmanwhoseheartandsoulisglueduntoapiece of earth, or to this or that defiling and destroying lust: Proverbs29:27, "An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he who isuprightinthewayisanabominationtothewicked."

Thequarrelbetweentheseedofthewomanandtheseedoftheserpentisalmostsixthousandyearsold,Gen.3:15.Lightanddarkness,heavenandhell,arenotmoreoppositeandcontraryone toanother, than thesearecontrary one to another. That seed of enmity thatwas at first betweenthemisnowgrownuponbothsidestoanabomination,andanabhorringofeachother.[Theantipathieswhichareinnaturebetweentheelephantand the boar, the lion and the rooster, etc., is nothing to thatwhich isbetweenthejustandtheunjust.]Thejustmansays,"WhathaveItodowithyou,yousonofBelial?"Andtheunjustmansays,"WhathaveItodowithyou,yousonofDavid?"

Theoriginalinthetextlastcitedisobservable,thejustabhorsthemanofiniquity,thatis,themanwhoismadeupofiniquity,thatis,nothingbutiniquity.Now, this shows that it is iniquity in themanwhomakes theman tobeanabomination to the just;butnowwickedmen they abhortheuprightfortheirveryuprightness,theyabhorhimwhoisupright intheway,andcouldwishhimquiteoutoftheway,andwilldowhattheycantodoawaywithhim.Theuprightnessoftheuprightissuchaterrortothewickedthattheycannotbutabominateandabhortheupright;andtherefore,nowonderiftheuprightabominatethem;andindeed,whocanlook uponwickedmen, as enemies toGod, as adversaries to Christ, asmurderers of their own souls, as fighters against the church, aschampionsforSatan,andaspestsandplagueofanation—andnotabhorthem,andnotabominatethem?

Osirs,nottodespisethewicked,isanargumentthatyouyourselvesarewicked; and not to despise the wicked is ameans tomake themmorewicked;nottodespisethewickedistoencourageandtemptthewickedtobe sevenfoldmorewicked; yes, not to despise thewicked,who despiseGod,Christ,heaven,andholiness,etc., istodespiseGodhimself.Asforsuchwhoadvance thewicked,whomagnify thewicked,who flatter thewicked,who strengthen thehandsof thewicked,whoaremost inwiththewicked,who joyandglory in theprosperityof thewicked,andwhosighandmournatthedownfallofthewicked;thesearecertainlywicked,yes,theyareeminentlywicked,andthereforethemoretobeslightedandscornedbymenofintegrityandsanctity.But,

[5.]Fifthlyandlastly,Toneglectthepursuitofholinessupontheaccountofthisobjection,istodebasethegreatGod,andtoovervaluevainman,asifthereweremorepower,ability,policy,andmalice,etc.,inworthlessmantohurtandharmyou,thanthereispower,all-sufficiency,wisdom,goodness, and graciousness inGod to defend you, and secure you, andarmyouagainstall the reproachesand revilingsof slanderous tongues.Nowwhoareyou,andwhatareyou,Ovainman!thatyoushoulddaretolessenGod—andgreatenman;todebaseGod—andexaltman;yes,tosetupman aboveGodhimself, and to ungodhim asmuch as as you can?Andyetallthisyoudowhenyouturnyourbackuponholiness,becauseoftherevilingsandreproachesofwickedmen.

But I shall say no more to this objection, because I have spoken verylargely to this objection in my former books. If you desire furthersatisfactiontothisobjection,turntothattreatisecalled"ApplesofGold,"etc.,andyouwillfindsevenmoredistinctanswerstoit.Andseealsomy"Mute Christian under the Smarting Rod," and you will find eightanswersmoreto thisobjection.Iconfessseveralotherobjectionsmightbemadeagainstyourpursuingafterholiness—butbecauseIhavespokentothematlargeinmyformerwritings,thereforeIshallnottroubleyouwiththemhere;andtherefore let thusmuchsuffice foranswerto thoseobjectionsthatusuallymenmakewhentheyarepressedhometofollowafterholiness.

Sixevidencesoftherealityandpowerofholiness

AndsoIshallcomenowtothesecondpartoftheexhortation,andthatrelates to God's holy ones—to his sanctified ones—to those who haveobtained holiness—to those who have experienced the principles, thepower, the life, and the sweetness of holiness. And here letme exhortsuch, to express, declare, evidence, and hold forth both the reality andpowerofholiness;andthat,

[1.]First,Evidenceanddeclarethetruthandrealityofyourholiness—bykeeping yourselves free from gross enormities, from scandalouswickednesses,Romans 2:23-25.Oh, remember that one scandalous sinwillobscureandcloudallyourgracesandspiritualexcellencies.[Ifasowdoesbutwallowinonemiryordirtyhole,sheisfilthy,etc.]Look!asonespot in the face spoils all the beauty, and one blot upon the copyobliteratesthewholecopy,andasonedropofinkcolorsawholeglassofclearwater—justso,onescandaloussinwillblotandblurallformeractsofpietyandholiness, itwill stainallaman'sdutiesandservices, itwilldefaceall aman's contentmentsandenjoyments, itwilldashanderaseoutall thosegoldencharactersofrighteousnessandgoodnessthathavebeenstampeduponthesoul.TheBabyloniansbeholdingtheenormitiesoftheJews,criedout,"ThesearethepeopleoftheLord,thesearecomeout of the Lord's land," Ezek. 36:20. David's one act of folly withBathsheba made the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme. When one

commended Alexander for his many noble acts, another objected thusagainst him, "Yes—but he killed Calisthenes. He was valiant andsuccessful in the wars; ay—but he killed Calisthenes. He overcame thegreatDarius;ay—buthekilledCalisthenes."Hismeaningwas, that thisone unjust and unrighteous action clouded and darkened all his mostnobledeeds.AChristiancannotafterhisconversionfallintoascandaloussin—butitwillbeobjectedagainsthimbyeveryone,tothedefacinganddarkeningofallhisspiritualglory.

WhenNaamantheSyrianwascured,andassomethinkconverted,bytheprophet Elisha, he offers gold and rich garments—but he bows in thehouseofRimmon.Heseemstobeverydevoutandreligious—buthebowsinthehouseofRimmon.HepromisestooffertononebuttheLord—butyet he bows in the house ofRimmon. ThisRimmon, like the fly in thealabasterbox,spoiledallhisbestintentionsandhighestresolutions;andthus one scandalous vice disgraces all the noble virtueswhich are in aChristian,2Kings5:1.[Oneflawinadiamondtakesawaythelusterandthepriceofit.Ifwefallbutonceintoapuddle,itwilldefileus,andmakeeveryonepointatus.]

"Oh,suchaman isaveryholyman—but . . ."Andsuchaone isaverygracious,experienceddisciple—but..."Andsuchaoneisaverywiseandunderstandingman—but . . ." And such a one is a very active, stirringsaint—but—etc., This "but" mars all. If there be but one crack in thehoney-glass, there the wasp will be buzzing; and if there be but onescandaloussinthataChristianfallsintoinallhislife,howwillthewickedbestilla-buzzingofthatabout,bothincityandcountry!Osirs,therearenosinswhichopensomanymouths,andwhichsaddenssomanyhearts,and which swell so many eyes, and that endangers so many souls—asscandaloussinsdo!Thereforeaboveallkeeping—keepofffromthem.

O sirs, as you would not harden sinners, as you would not encouragesinners, as you would not tempt sinners, as you would not stumblesinners,yes,asyouwouldnothaveahandinthedamnationofsinners—take heed of scandalous sins, Romans 14:13. O sirs, as you would notprovokethegreatGod,1Kings11:9,asyouwouldnotcrucifyafreshtheLordofglory,andputhimtoanopenshame,asyouwouldnot set theComforter a-mourning, who alone can comfort you, as you would not

raise a hell in your own consciences, and as youwould not darken thechurch'sglory—flyfromscandaloussinsasyouwouldflyfromhellitself.

IhavereadofholyPolycarp,thatreligiousmartyrandbishopofSmyrna,how that in the timeof the fourthpersecution,underMarcusAntoniusVerres, when he was commanded to swear but one oath, made thisanswer, "Eighty-six years have I endeavored to doGod service, and allthiswhileheneverhurtme,andhowthenshallIspeakevilofsogoodaLord andmaster,whohas thus longpreservedme?"Andbeing furtherurged to swear by the pro-consul, he answered, "I am a Christian andcannotdoit;letheathensandinfidelssweariftheywill,Icannotdoit—even if it were to the saving of my life." This holy man would rathersacrifice his life than fall into a scandalous sin. O Christians, pray andwatch,andwatchandpray,thatyoumayneverbelefttostainyourownhonor,orthehonorofyourprofession,byfallingintoscandaloussins!

Well, friends! remember this, it is not infirmities—but enormities, it isnot weaknesses—but wickednesses, which will cast the crown from offyourheads,andwhichwillstripyouofallyourglory!Therefore,asyouwould hold fast your crown, keep at an everlasting distance fromscandaloussins,etc.But,

[2.]Secondly,Evidenceanddeclarethetruthandrealityofyourholiness—by your cordial thankfulness for so rare a jewel, and for so great amercy.[Psalm103:1-5,or,astheoriginalwillbear,"bowtheknee,Omysoul."]Osirs,onedrop,onesparkofholinessismoreworththanheavenand earth, and how then can you but be thankful for it? Will you bethankfultothatGodthatmadeyouaman?andwillyounotbethankfultothesameGodthatmadeyouasaint?Willyoublesshimwhomadeyouacreature?andwillyounotblessthesameGodwhohasmadeyouanewcreature? Will you praise him for the heavens which are but theworkmanship of his hands? and will you not praise him for holiness,whichistheworkmanshipofhisheart?Psalm8.Tellme,OChristian,isnotholinessasoul-mercy?andwhatmercieswillyoubethankful for, ifnotforsoul-mercies?

Tellme,OChristian, isnotholinessofallmercies themostnecessarymercy?The lackof othermerciesmighthave troubled you, ay—but the

lackofholinesswouldhavedamnedyou;andwillyounotbethankfulforholiness,which is theone thingnecessary?Tellme,OChristian, is notholinessanincomparablemercy?Whatisyourhealth,yourwealth,yourwit,comparedtoholiness?Dareyoumentionyourbirth,yourbreeding,yourarts,yourparts,yourhonor,yourgreatness,oryouradvancementintheworld,inthatdaywhereinholinessisspokenof?Surelynot!Andwillyounotthenbethankfulforsuchanincomparablemercyasholinessis?

Tellme,OChristian,isnotholinessaspecialmercy,apeculiartreasurewhich God entrusts but few men with? Does not the world lie inwickedness? 1 John 5:19. Are not themultitude in all places strangers,yes, enemies to holiness? And how then can you but be thankful forholiness?

Yes, once more tell me, O Christian, is not holiness a mercy-sweeteningmercy?Isitnotthebeautyofholiness,whichputsabeautyupon all your mercies? Is it not holiness, which bespangles all yourcomfortsandcontentments?Oh,howsourwouldallyourmerciestaste,and how pale and ashen would all your mercies look—were it not forholiness!Itisthelackofholinesswhichmakesallaman'smercieslookasill-favoredasPharaoh'sleancows,anditisthefruitionofholinesswhichmakes all a man's mercies look as well-favored as Pharaoh's fat cows,Gen.41:2-4;itisholinessthatbothputsacoloruponallourmercies,andthatgivesatasteandarelishtothem.

All ourmercies,without holiness,will be but as thewaters ofMarah—bitter,Exod.15:23-25;itisonlyholiness,whichisthetreethatwillmakeeverybittersweet,andeverysweetmoresweet.Sohowthencanyoubutbethankfulforholiness?Oh,rememberhowfaroffyouwerefromGod,andChrist,andthepromise,andheaven,andhappiness—whenyouwerewithoutholinessinthisworld,Eph.2:12.Oh,rememberwhatachildofwrath,whatabond-slavetoSatan,whatanenemytoGod,andwhatanheirtohellyouwere—whenyouwereanopposerofholiness,andasecretdespiserofholiness—andthenbeunthankfulforholinessifyoucan!

Oh,rememberthatnowbyholiness,ofaslaveyouaremadeason;andofanheir ofwrath youaremadeanheir ofheaven.And insteadofbeingSatan'sbondman,youarenowmadeChrist's freeman;your ironchains

arenowknockedoff,assometimesJoseph'swere,andthegoldenchainofholiness isnowputuponyou,John8:36.Andwhatdoesall thiscallaloudfor,butthankfulness?

Thales, a heathen, gave thanks toGod for three things: 1. That he hadmadehimaman,andnotabeast;2.Thathehadmadehimaman,andnotawoman;3.ThathewasbornaGreek,andnotabarbarian.And,ohthen,what causeof thankfulnesshave you for your supernaturalbeing,andforall thosenobleprinciplesofholiness that theLordhasstampeduponyoursoul!etc.Shallthefarmerbethankfulforaplentifulharvest,andthemerchant for largereturns,andtheshopkeeper fora full trade,and the mariner for a good voyage—and will not you be much morethankful for holiness? Shall the beggarbe thankful for a crust to feedhim,andshalltheblindbethankfulforadogtoleadhim,andshallthenakedbethankful forragstocoverhim,andshall theagedbethankfulforastafftosupporthim,andshallthediseasedbethankfulforacordialto raise him—and will not you be thankful for holiness, yes, for thatholinesswhichisbreadtostrengthenyou,andaguideto leadyou,andraiment to clothe you, and a staff to support you, and a cordial tocomfortyou?Oh,rememberthatingratitudeisamonster innature,afaux-pasinmanners,andaparadoxingrace—dammingupthecourseofalldonations,bothdivineandhuman.

Lycurgus,asMusculusobserves,amongallhis laws,madenoneagainsttheungrateful,becauseingratitudewasthoughtathingsovile,asnottobe committed by man. The Persians and Athenians condemned theungrateful to death. Ah, unthankful Christians, how can you think oftheseheathens,andnotblush!ShalltheyblessGodforcrumbs—andwillnotyoublessGodforcrowns?ShalltheyblessGodforthegiftsofnature,and will not you bless God for the gifts of grace? etc. Next to a holyChrist,holinessisthegreatestgiftwhichGodcangive,andthereforebethankfulforit,etc.But,

[3.]Thirdly,Evidenceanddeclarethetruthandrealityofyourholiness—bytherealityofyourconstantpursuitafterholiness—byyourholdingupandholding on in away of holiness—by yourperseverance inholiness.This exhortation, "Pursuewith allmen, and holiness,"Heb. 12:14, wasgivenforthtosuchashadaspiritofholiness,andprinciplesofholiness

inthem;andthesearethemenwhotheholyapostlepressestopressafterholiness. [Hosea6:3;1Thes.3:12-13;2Pet. 1:5-10;Phil.3:14-16;2Pet.3:17-18.]"Finally,dearbrothersandsisters,weurgeyouinthenameoftheLordJesustoliveinawaythatpleasesGod,aswehavetaughtyou.You are doing this already, and we encourage you to do so more andmore."1Thessalonians4:1

That holiness will do us no good, which is not made good byperseverance.Osirs,shalltheambitiouspersonpursueafterhishonors,andthevoluptuouspersonafterhispleasures,andtheworldlingpursueafterhisgain,andthewantonpursueafterhisharlots,andthedrunkardpursue after his full cups, etc.; and shall not Christians much morepursue after holiness?Not to go forward is to gobackward; andnot togrowbetteristogrowworse;andnottogrowmoreholy is togrowlessholy. The crown, thenewname, and thewhite stone—is for him whoholdsout,andwhoholdson inhispursuitafterholiness. [Rev.2:10,17;Jude20;1Cor.9:24;Heb.12:1,4.]

Progress in holiness is fitly compared to a building, to a race, to themorning light, and to the increasingmoon.Now,youknow,housesareraised fromthe foundations to thewalls,and fromthewalls to the firststory,andthentothesecondstory,andthentothethird,andsohigherandhigher,untilyoucomeuptotheroof.Andinarace,youknow,menrunonuntiltheycometothegoal.Andthemorninglightshinesbrighterandbrighteruntilitbecomesperfectday.Andthemoon increasesmoreand more until it comes to the full moon. Just so, must Christianspersevereandholdon inaddinggrace tograce.OChristians!youmustnotbeliketoamorningcloud,nortotheearlydew;youmustnotstandstillinthewaysofholiness,asthesunstoodstillinGibeon,Josh.10:13;muchlessareyoutogoback, likethesunonAhaz'sdial,1Kings10:11;butasabridegroomwhichcomesoutofhis chamber,andrejoicesasastrongmantorunhisrace,Psalm19:5.Justso,mustyoudelighttorunthe ways of God's commands, Psalm 119:32; you must maintain yourprogressinpiety,whatevercomesofit.

"Herwaysarepleasantways,andallherpathsarepeace."Proverbs3:17.Osirs,thewayofholinessisthesafestway,thenoblestway,thesweetestway, the cleanestway, thepleasantestway, and thehappiestway; and

thereforeholdon,andholdupinthatway, thoughtheworld, theflesh,andthedevilshouldcryout,"Thereisalionintheway,thereisalionintheway,"Proverbs26:13.

It is said of Hannibal, that notwithstanding the rough rocks, and thecraggycliffsoftheAlps—yetheproceededonwardinhisdesignforItaly,withthisresolution,thathewouldeitherfindawayormakeaway.Justso,mustChristiansholdoninawayofholiness,notwithstandingalltherocksandobstaclesanddifficultiesthattheymeetwithinthatway.

Itisanobservationofsomeofthelearned,thatthosewhoweremarkedtobepreserved inJerusalem,weremarkedwiththe letter tau,whichisthelastofalltheHebrewletters,tosignifythattheymustruntheraceofholinesseventothelast,Psalm44:17-22;Ezek.9:4.Osirs,inthefaceofallyoursinsandunworthiness,Godholdson inwaysofmercytowardsyou; andwhy then shouldnot youhold on inways of sanctity towardshim? Shall Satan persevere in his enmity against holiness? and shallwicked men persevere in their opposition to holiness? and shallformalists persevere in their neglect of holiness? and will not youpersevereinyourpursuitofholiness?

Agoodfarmerwillnotgiveoversowinguntilhehassowedallhisland;norwillagoodphysiciangiveoverhispatientuntilhehascuredhim;norwillagoodworkmangiveoverhisworkuntilhehasfinishedit;nomoreshouldagoodChristiangiveoverhispursuitofholiness,untilheiscomeuptothehighestperfectionofholiness.Look!asGodcarriedontheworkofcreationfromdaytodayuntilhehadfinishedit,andasChristcarriedontheworkofourredemptionfromdaytodayuntilhehadcompletedit—just so, Christians should look to a daily carrying on of the work ofholiness in their hearts and lives, until that work be perfected andcompleted.

Thephilosopherbeingaskedinhisoldage,whyhedidnotgiveoverhispractice, and takehis ease?answered, "Whenaman is to runa raceofforty furlongs,wouldyouhavehimsitdownat the thirty-ninth, and solose all his pains, and the prize for which he runs? Surely not! OChristians,youareracers,andyoumustruntotheendofyourrace,Heb.12:1; [What had it availed Peter to have escaped the first and second

watch,ifhehadstuckattheirongate,andhadnotpassedthroughthatalso?]Itisnotenoughtobeginwell,andtorunwellforatime—butyoumustholdoutinrunninguntilyoucometothegoal,orelseyouwillloseallthepainsandlaborthateveryouhavetakeninreligion,youwilllosealltheprayersthateveryouhavemade,andyouwillloseallthesermonsthateveryouhaveheard,andyouwillloseallthefaststhateveryouhaveobserved,andyouwillloseallthetearsthateveryouhaveshed,andyouwillloseallthealmsthateveryouhavegiven—ifyoudonotholdouttotheend.Ifyoudonotpersevereinwell-doing,youwill loseyourcrown,and be undone forever after all your doings. A progress in holiness isrequisite not only to your consolation—but also to your salvation,Mat.24:13.But,

[4.]Fourthly,Evidenceanddeclarethetruthandrealityofyourholiness—by a resolute standing up for purity of religion, and for purity ofworship and ordinances, in opposition to all mixtures and corruptionswhatever.Osirs,thegreatGodisconcernedaboutnothingmoreinalltheworld,thanuponpurityinhisworship,James1:27.ThereisnothingthatdoessoprovokeandexasperateGodagainstapeople,asmixturesinhisworshipand service,Mat.21:12-13; John2:15-17. Pollutions inworshipdo sadly reflect upon thenameofGod, thehonorofGod, the truthofGod,andthewisdomofGod;andthereforehisheartrisesagainstthem.Thevery spirit, life, and soulof the secondcommandment lies in thesewords, "You shall not make to yourself any engraved image," etc. InmattersofdivineworshipGodabhors thatmenshouldmix theirwaterwithhiswine, theirdrosswithhis gold, their chaffwith hiswheat, etc.When oncemen come to be so bold as to defile hisworshipwith theirmixtures,thenGodisresolvedtobeaswiftandaterriblewitnessagainstthem, as you may clearly see by comparing these notable places ofScripture. [Lev. 10:1-2;Ezek.5:11-12,and23:38-39;Jer.7:29-30;Ezek.8:17-18;Rev.22-23;Deut.4:2,and12:32.]

There isnosinwhichdoesso incenseandprovokeGodto jealousyandwrath against a people, as mixtures in worship. God can bear withdefilementsanywhere,butinhisworshipandservice—andthat,

First, Because mixtures in worship are cross to God's expresscommands.Whoareyou,Oman!whodaresruncrosstohiscommands—

whocancommandyouintothedust,yes,intohell,athispleasure?etc.

Secondly, Because this is to accuse the blessed Scripture ofinsufficiency. If the Scripture are a sufficient rule to order, guide, anddirectusinallmattersofworship—thenhowdoyou,Oman!detractfromthe sufficiency of the Scripture, whomingles your own or othermen'sinventionswith divine institutions, and set up yourworship along sideGod'sworship?O sirs, the Scriptures are sufficient to direct us fully ineverythingthatbelongstotheworshipandserviceofGod.Weneednotdependuponthewisdom,prudence,care,orauthorityofanymenunderheaventodirectusinmattersofworship.

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking,correctingandtraininginrighteousness,sothatthemanofGodmaybethoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17. TheScripturesaresufficienttoinformtheignorant,toconfutetheerroneous,toreformthewicked,andtoguideanddirect,supportandcomfortthosewho are gracious.Here a lambmaywade, and an elephantmay swim.Here ismilk for babes, andmeat for strongmen, and comfort for theafflicted,andsupportforthetempted,andeaseforthetroubled,andlightfortheclouded,andenlargementforthestraitened,etc.Oh,howfulloflight,howfullof life,howfullof love,howfullofsweetness,howfullofgoodness,how full of righteousnessandholiness, etc., is every chapter,andeveryverseineverychapter,yes,andeverylineineveryverse!

TheScripturesaresufficienttodirectusastoallthepartsofworship.As,

1.publicprayer.

2.readingandexpounding.

3.preaching.

4.singing.

5.thesealsbothofbaptismandthesupperoftheLord.

The Rabbis say that a mountain of matter hangs upon every word ofScripture,yes,uponeverytittleofScripture.Godneversendshispeople

totheshopofmen'straditionsandinventions—buthestillsendsthemtotheScripture: Isaiah8:20, "To the lawand to the testimony! If theydonotspeakaccordingtothisword,theyhavenolightofdawn."AndintheNew Testament Christ sends his hearers to the Scriptures: John 5:39,"SearchtheScriptures, for in themyou thinkyouhaveeternal life, andtheyaretheywhichtestifyofme."TheGreekwordthatishererenderedsearch,signifiesastrict,narrow,curious,diligentsearch.Wemustsearchthe Scripture aswewould search for gold, or for some precious stoneswhich we would gladly find; wemust search the Scriptures as huntersseekandsearchouttheirgame.AndsotheapostlesendshishearerstotheScriptures,2Pet.1:19-22,astoasurerwordthanthatofrevelation.All which speaks out the sufficiency of the Scripture to direct us in allmattersthatconcernourinternaloreternalwelfare.Oh,thatyouwouldforeverrememberthesetwothings:

(1.)First,ThatthatwhichbredthePopishreligion,superstition,idolatry,and pompous worship—was men's departing from the word, and notcleaving to thewordasa sufficient rule todirect them inallmattersofworship.And,

(2.) Secondly, That that which has occasioned all those discords,divisions,heats,heart-burnings,animosities,andcontentions,etc.,aboutceremonies, liturgy, forms, gestures, etc., has been men's not keepingclosetotheblessedwordofGod.WhenmenforsakethisperfectruleofScripture,wherewon't they run? andwhatwon't theydo?Ah,whoareyou,Ovainman—whoaccusestheholyScripturesofinsufficiency—howwillyoublush,andbeashamedandconfounded,when in thegreatdaythe Lord shall plead the excellency, and vindicate the sufficiency andauthorityofhisblessedbook, inoppositiontoall themixturesofmen'straditionswithdivineinstitutions?

Thirdly, God won't nor can't bear with mixtures in his worship andservice, because to bring them in is to accuse and charge God withweakness and folly, as if God were not careful enough, nor faithfulenough,Heb.3:4-6,normindfulenough,norwiseenough,norprudentnorunderstandingenough, toorder,direct,andguidehispeople inthemattersofhisworship—butmustbebeholdingtothewisdom,prudence,andcareofman,John4:23-24,of vainman,of sinfulman,of vile and

unworthyman,ofweakandfoolishman—tocomplete,perfect,andmakeup something thatwas lacking in hisworship and service, Psalm 39:5,etc.

Fourthly, God won't bear with mixtures in his worship and service,becauseallmixturesdebasestheworshipandserviceofGod,andmakesthe worship a vain worship, Isaiah 29:13-14; Mat. 15:3, 6, 8-9. As themixingofwaterwithwineisthedebasingofthewine,andthemixingoftinwithsilver,orbrasswithgold,isthedebasingofthesilverandgold—just so, formen tomixandmingle their traditionsand inventionswithGod's institutions, is to debase theworship and service of God, and todetractfromtheexcellencyandgloryofit.Thekingsandprincesofthisworld havemost severely punished such, who, by their basemixtures,have counterfeited their coin; and there is a day a-comingwherein theKingofkingswillmostseverelypunishallsuchwhohavecounterfeitedhisworshipandservicebymixingtheirRomishtraditionswithhisholyinstitutions.

Rev. 22:18, "For I testify unto every man who hears the words of theprophecyofthisbook—Ifanymanshalladduntothesethings,Godshalladd unto him the plagues which are written in this book." And nowonder!Forwhathorriblepride,presumption, stoutness, andbasenessofspiritisitinfoolishmantobesoboldwiththegreatGod,astodaretomixanythingofhisownwithhisworshipandservice,which,accordingtodivineinstitution,issoperfectandcomplete!Godwillnevertolerateit—to seemen lay theirdirtuponhisgold, and to put their ragsupon hisroyalrobes.

Ah,Christians,Christians,evidenceyourholinessbystandingupforholyordinances and pure worship—in opposition to all mixtures whatever.Oh,don'tyoutouchapollutedworship,don'tyoupleadandcontendforapollutedworship—but letBaalplead forBaal.And thoughall theworldshould wander after the beast—yet you must not follow them! Andthougheveryforeheadshouldhavethemarkofthebeastuponit—yetyoumustabhorhismark,andwhateverelseitis,whichbutsmellsandsavorsofthebeast.

It isobservable that inkings' courts, thatchildren, fools, and the crude

rabble, are much impressed with fine pictures, and rich shows, andglistening gaudy clothes, etc. But such as are wise, serious, gravestatesmen—they have no regard for such poor things, they look uponthose things as things which are much below the nobleness and thegreatnessoftheirspirits,whohavehonorableobjects,andthegreatandweightyaffairsofthestatetobusythemselvesabout.Justso,thoughthechildren, the fools, and the rabble of the world aremuch affected andimpressed with such pollutions and mixtures as makes up a gloriouspompousworship—yetyouwhohaveaspiritofholiness,andprinciplesof holiness in you, oh, how should you slight such things, and pass bysuchthingsasthingsbelowyou,asthingsnotworthyofyou—whohaveaholyGod,aholyChrist, aholygospel, andaholyworship tobusyyourthoughts,yourminds,yourheads,andyourheartsabout.But,

[5.]Fifthly,Evidenceanddeclarethetruthandrealityofyourholiness—bybewailingandlamentingthelossofholiness.Ah,howisthiscrownofholinessfallenfromourheads!Lam.5:16.Ohthe leannessofsouls!Ohthespiritualwitheringsanddecaysingraceandholiness,whicharetobefound among many Christians this day! Some complain of the loss oftrade, and others complain of the loss of estate; some complain of thelossofcredit,andotherscomplainofthelossoffriends.Butwhatareallthese losses to the loss of holiness? And yet how few are there, whocomplainof the lossofholiness.Holiness is fallen inourhearts, inourfamilies,inourstreets,andinourchurches;andyethowfewaretheretobefound,wholamentthefallofholiness.

O sirs, will you lament such as are fallen from riches to poverty, fromhonor into disgrace, and from the highest pitch of prosperity to theloweststepofbeggaryandmisery;andwillyounotlamentsuchwhoarefallen from thehighest round to the lowest round in Jacob's ladder?Osirs,will youmournoveradecayed estate?will youweepoverdecayedfriends?andwillyousighandsoboveradecayedbody?andwillyounotmuchmore lament andmourn over decayed souls? etc. Ah, howmanyhave lost that love, that life, that heat, that zeal, that readiness, thatforwardness, and that resoluteness that once they had for God andgodliness!Rev.2:4-5.

Somehavefallenfromtheirholinessbygivingthemselveselbow-roomto

sin against the checks and lashes of conscience, Psalm 51.Others havedecayedinholinessbytheirsecretresistingandsmotheringthegraciousmotionsoftheSpirit,Acts7:51.Somehavefallenfromholiness,eitherbytheir neglect of preciousmeans, or else by their heartless using of themeans,1Thes.5:20.Othershavefallenfromtheirholiness,eitherbytheallurementsandenticementsofa temptingworld,orelseby the frownsand threateningsof apersecutingworld, 2Tim.4:10. Somehave fallenfrom holiness by their non-exercise of grace. Others have fallen fromholinessbynotdiscerningtheirfirstdecaysingrace.Justso,that,uponone account or another,multitudes in these days have fallen from thatholinesswhichwasoncetheirglory.

If you look into families, there you shall findmasters complaining thattheir servants are so careless, foolish, frothy, light, slight, slothful,unfaithful,proud,and lofty—that theyarenot tobe trusted.And if youlook again into the same families, there you shall find servantscomplainingthattheirmastersandmistressesaresoexceedingfroward,peevish, passionate, worldly, neglective of duties, and careless of theirsouls—thatitisevenahelltoservantstolivewiththem.Now,howdoyouaccountforallthesesadcomplaints—buteitheratotallackofholiness,orelse a very great decay of holiness? And if you look among all otherrelations,ashusbandsandwives,parentsandchildren,magistratesandpeople, ministers and Christians, oh, what sad divisions, what fierycontentions, and what fearful jars are there to be found! oh, whatslightings,whatrevilings,whatunder-valuings,whatheart-risings,whatheart-swellings, andwhatheart-burnings are to be found among them!And what do all these things declare—but that the glory of God hasdepartedfromIsrael,andthatholinessisfallentoaverylowebb?

Ah friends, were there but more holiness among you, there would bemoreunityamongyou,andmore loveamongyou,andmoresweetnessandtendernessamongyou,andmore forbearanceandpatienceamongyou.Oh,thenyouwouldneverbesnarlingoneatanother,norbitingoneof another, nor plotting one against another, nor devouring one ofanotheranymore.

Again, ifyou lookamongmenwhoseabilitiesaregreat,whosegifts arehigh, whose profession is glorious, andwhose expressions and notions

areveryseraphical,ah,whatalittleholinesswillyoufind!

Osirs,shallthemenofthisworldvexandfret,shalltheyweepandwail,andshalltheir lamentationandmourningbelikethatofHadadrimmonin the valley ofMegiddo, 2 Chron. 35:24-25, and that for the loss of alittlewealth,orforapunctilioofhonor,oradayofpleasure,orthesmilesof a prince, etc.? And will not you lament and mourn for the loss ofholiness, which is the choicest jewel in a Christian's crown? Tears,insteadofgems—weretheornamentsofDavid'sbedwhenhewasfallenfrom his holiness, Ps, 51. And though the Persian kings would haveneithermourning,normourningapparelwornintheirpresence—yettheKingofkingslovestoseehispeoplea-mourningforthefallsofholiness,aswellasfortheheightsofwickedness.

WhennewswasbroughttoXenophonofhisson'sdeath,hetookoffhiscrownfromhishead,andwept.Omybrethren,whocanhearofthedeathofholiness,andbeholdthedeathofholiness inmen'shearts, lives, andfamilies—and not take off his crown, and weep; and not take off hisornaments,andweepuntilhecanweepnomore?etc.But,

[6.]Sixthly,Evidenceanddeclarethetruthandrealityofyourholiness—bypursuing,pressing,andfollowingafterthehighestdegreesofholiness.Oh, do not sit down satisfiedwith somedropsor sipsof holiness—butlaboraftertheperfectionofholiness.Oh,don'tcontentyourselveswithsomuchholinessaswillbringyoutohappiness,orwithsomuchholinessaswillkeepwrathandyoursoulsasunder,orhellandyoursoulsasunder,oreternalruinandyoursoulsasunder.Theexhortationinthetext,"Followpeacewithallmen,andholiness,"Heb.12:14,isanexhortationthatwasgiven out to saints whowere holy before, and the life and force of theexhortationliesinthis—thatthosewhowereholyshouldlabortobemoreandmoreholy, theyshouldstillbeaddingofgracetograce,holinesstoholiness, they should still be a-going on from faith to faith, and fromstrengthtostrength.[2Pet.1:5-13;Romans1:17;Psalm84:7.]

Asholinesshas itsconception,birth,and infancy—justso, ithas its fullgrowth, and after the highest degrees of holiness, all Christians muststrive.HolinessisnotliketoJonah'sgourd,whichshotupinanight—butit is likeplantsandtreeswhichgrowupbydegrees,(Psalm92:14,) and

afterthehighestdegreeswemustendeavor.[Onlymushroomsgrowuptoperfection in one night.] After the prophet Elijah had traveled a day'sjourney in the wilderness, he sat down and slept under a juniper-tree,andthereGodcallsuponhim,"Getupandeat,"1Kings19:4-5;andwhenhefoundhimthesecondtimehecallsagainuponhim,"Getupandeat,becauseyouhaveagreatjourneytogo,"verse7.OChristians,youhaveahowlingwildernesstotravelthrough,youhaveagreatjourneytogo,youhavemanyamountaintowalkover,andmanyanenemytovanquish—even theworld, the flesh, and thedevil, andmanya cross to bear, andmanyamercytoimprove,etc.,andthereforeyouhaveverygreatcausetoupandeat.Isay,getupandeat,that is—growstrongerandstrongerinholiness,andtowalkfromgracetograce,andfromvirtuetovirtue,andtocomeofffromyourmilk,andtofeeduponstrongmeat,Heb.5:12-14,thatyoumayholdout to theendofyour journey,andneither faintnorfallshortofthatgreatsalvationwhichattendsperfectionofholiness.

Thisprogressinholinessisthatmainthingthattheapostlepressesuponthe believing Corinthians in that 2 Cor. 7:1, "Having therefore thesepromises,dearlybeloved,letuscleanseourselvesfromallfilthinessoftheflesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." The apostlehavingintheformerchapterarmedthebelievingCorinthianswithmanystrong arguments against all communion and fellowshipwith idolaters,hecomesatlasttotouchuponthosegreatandgloriouspromiseswhich,upontheaccountoftheirhighandholycalling,theywere interestedin,verse 16-18. He presents them as singular motives, and as choice andpreciousencouragements,tomovethemtoperfectholinessinthefearofGod. There is no work on earth that so well befits the heirs of suchpreciouspromisesas thatof cleansing themselves fromall filthinessontheonehand, and that of perfectingholiness in the fear ofGodon theotherhand.

Now thisbeingapointof thehighest concernment, andof the greatestimportance imaginable to the saints, I shall therefore endeavor thesethreethings:

I.First,TolaydownsomemotivestoprovokeyoutoperfectholinessinthefearofGod,etc.

II.Secondly, I shallpropoundsomemeans, somedirections, thatmayhelpyoutomakeaprogressinholiness,etc.

III. Thirdly, I shall show you how you may know whether you haveattainedtosuchaperfectionofholinessaswearealltostriveafter,etc.

SixteenProvocationstoIncreasedHoliness

(1.)The firstmotive towhet and stir up your spirits to laboraftergreaterdegreesandhighermeasuresofholinessthanyetyou have attained to—consider that notwithstanding all themeans, and all the advantages, and all the opportunities thatyouhaveenjoyedtoworkyoutoperfectholinessinthefearofGod—yet you have obtained but to very small measures ofholiness. You are rather babes thanmen in holiness; you are rathershrubs than cedars in grace; you are rather dwarfs than giants ingodliness to thisveryday.Thissadcharge I shallbrieflychargeagainstyoubyaninductionofeightparticulars,thus:

[1.] First, The strength, the power, the activity, and theprevalenceofSINinyoutothisdaydoeswitnesstoyourfacesthat you have yet obtained but small measures of holiness.Romans 7:22-24; Isaiah 59:12. O my brethren, are not many of yourcorruptionsaspowerfulandasstrongastheywerefive,ten,yes,twentyyearsago—notwithstandingall theprayersthatyouhavemade,andallthesermonsthat youhaveheard, andall the tearsthat you have shed,andalltheresolutionsthatyouhavetaken,andallthepromisesthatyouhavemade,andall theconflictsthatyouhavehad?Andwhatdoes thisspeakoutbutthatholiness isata lowebbinyoursouls?Osirs,werebut holiness risen to a greater height in your souls—howreadilywouldyoutrampleuponyourlusts!

As the house of David grew stronger and stronger—the house of Saulgrew weaker and weaker, 2 Sam. 3:1. As holiness rises in the soul by

degrees—sindies in thesoulbydegrees.Themoreanymanabounds inholiness—themoreheaboundsinhisspiritualconquestsovertheworld,theflesh,andthedevil,Gal.8:14.Osirs,yourpridetestifiestoyourfaces,andyourself-lovetestifiestoyourfaces,andyourworldlinesstestifiestoyour faces, and your passion testifies to your faces, and yourmeagerfaithtestifiestoyourfaces,andyourhypocrisytestifiestoyourfaces,andyour carnality testifies to your faces, etc., that yet you are not got upmanyroundsinJacob'sladder,Hosea5:5,and7:10.But,

[2.]Secondly,Youhavenotattainedtomuchholiness;witnessthathighprice thatyousetupon the toys, the trifles,and thevanitiesof thisworld, as Jonahdid uponhis gourd,Gen. 24:30-31.Ah,atwhataratedomenvaluetheemptyhonors,thefadingriches,andthe fleeting pleasures of this world! Did not Peter prefer an earthlytabernacle (Matthew17)abovea celestialpalace, notmadewithhands,andeternalintheheavens?ButwhatdoItalkofPeter,whenthisdiseasehadagainandagainandagainoverspreadtheheartsofallthedisciples,as youmayevidently seeby comparing these scriptures together. [Mat.17:4; 2Cor. 5:1-2;Mat. 18:1-2;Mark 9:33-36; Luke 9:46-47, and 22 to28.]Theyhaddisputeupondispute—whichofthemshouldbeaccountedgreatest.Theyhadoftensharpcontestsamongthemselves,whichofthemshouldhavethegreatesthonor, thebestoffice,and thehighestplace inChrist'searthlykingdom!Indeedtheirthoughts,heads,andheartswereso taken up about an outward kingdom, a worldly kingdom, that theylittle minded either the spiritual kingdom of God within them, or thegloriouskingdomofGodabovethem.

As the foolish Indians prefer every toy and trifle before theirmines ofgold—justso,manyChristians,whoarelowinholiness,preferthetriflingvanitiesofthisworldbeforetheglorioustreasuresandendlesspleasureswhich are at God's right hand, Psalm 16:11. Oh—but where holiness isrisentoanyconsiderableheight,theremenwillmakeaveryfootstoolofearthly crowns, for Christ to get up and ride in triumph. There all theglory and glitter of this world will be but as dross and dung, "ButwhateverwastomyprofitInowconsiderlossforthesakeofChrist.Whatis more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassinggreatnessofknowingChristJesusmyLord,forwhosesakeIhavelostall

things.Iconsiderthemrubbish,thatImaygainChrist."Philippians3:7-8. There men would, like the woman, the church, in the Revelation,"trample the moon," that is, all the things of this world, which are aschangeable as the moon, "under their feet," Rev. 12:1. Were there butmoreholiness in yourhearts, all themirthful andgallant things of thisworld would be more contemptible in your eyes. O sirs, if Midas wascondemned to wear ass's ears, because he preferred Pan's pipe beforeApollo's lute, that is, human policy before divine providence—howseverely are they to be censured, who prefer the poor, low, emptynothingsof thisworld before all the glory andhappiness of the eternalworld!etc.But,

[3.] Thirdly, You have attained to but little holiness; witnessyourfearsandfaintingsinadayofadversity.Thoughthereareasmany fearnots,astherebe fears inScripture—yet inadayofcalamity,how easily and frequently does your fearsget above your faith! Isaiah51:12-13,and41:10, 14.What fainting-fitsdo thenattendyou!Proverbs24:10,"Ifyoufaintinthedayofadversity—yourstrengthissmall."Look!as bodily faintness discovers bodily weakness—just so, soul faintnessdiscoverssoulweakness.Itistroubles,whicharethetrialsofaChristian'sstrength.Afflictionswilltestwhatsapandlifewehavewithinus.Asthemanis forholiness—justso, ishisstrengthundertrials.Hewhohasnoholiness—hasnostrength;andhewhohasbutalittleholiness—hasbutalittle strength. He who has much holiness—has much strength; andaccordinglywillbearupbravelyinadayoftrial;hisbow,withJoseph's,willthenabideinstrength,Gen.49:23-24.ThoughNoahinthebuildingofhisarkmetwithmanyasoretrial,andmanyasadaffront,andmanyabroad jest, and many a bitter scoff; and though the people generallylaughedatthegoodoldman,thinkingthathedidonlydreamofrain;yetNoah,beingeminentinholiness,hisbowabodeinstrength,andheheldon building of the ark, until he had finished the work that God hadcommanded.

But oh the sadness, the weakness, the faintness—which attends mostpeopleinthedayoftheiradversity!Jer.8:18,21,"WhenIwouldcomfortmyself against sorrow, my heart is faint in me. For the hurt of thedaughter ofmy people am I hurt; am I black; astonishment has taken

holdonme."Chapter45:3,"Youdidsay,Woeismenow!fortheLordhasaddedgrief tomy sorrow; I fainted inmy sighings, and I findno rest."Lam.1:22,"Formysighsaremany,andmyheartisfaint."Chapter5:17,"Forthisourheart isfaint, forthesethingsoureyesaredim."Nowthisfaintnessinthedayofadversityspeaksoutmuchspiritualweakness;forwhere holiness is risen to a noble height, there men will bear upcourageously,eveninadayofcalamity.

Theeagle is thekingofbirds,and therefore theRomans,whowere thegreatestpotentatesonearth,stillboretheeagleintheirstandards.Nowthenaturalistobservesconcerningthisroyalbird,thatwhereasallotherbirdsmake a noisewhen they are hungry, this princely birdmakes nonoiseatall,thoughhebeeversohungry,forsuchisthegreatnessandthenobleness of his spirit, that whatever befalls him, he won't cry, andwhine,and repine,asotherbirdswilldowhen they lack their food;hisprincely spirit carries him above all hunger, thirst, or danger. Just so,menwhoareeminentinholiness,aremenofsuchnoble,princelyspirits—that they won't faint, nor vex, nor fret, nor complain—nor whine,whatever theirneeds, trials,orstraitsmaybe.Suchafflictionsaswouldbreakothermen'shearts,cannotsomuchasbreaktheirsleep;theystillhold on their way, and whatever they meet with, they will be still a-mounting nearer and nearer to heaven. But where there is but a littleholiness, there men will be like the common fowls of the air, still a-makinganoise, theywill still be a-crying,whining, and repiningundereverytrialandtroubletheymeetwith.But,

[4.]Fourthly,Youhavebutalittleholiness;witnessyoureasy,yourready,andyourfrequentfallingsbeforetemptationsandmotionstosin.Osirs,whenthe temptationdoesbut touchandtake;when you are no sooner tempted but you are conquered; no soonerassaultedbutyouarevanquished;certainlyholinessisataverylowebbinyoursouls.Thatgarrison,withoutallquestion,isveryweak—whichistakenatthefirstassault;andthatsoldierisbutslightlyarmed,thatisrunthroughat the first thrust.Justso, thatChristianhasbut littlespiritualstrength in him, who is worsted and vanquished upon the firstappearance of a temptation. When men's understandings are easilycorruptedwith error, or their judgmentswith levity, or theirwillswith

frowardness,ortheiraffectionswithdisorderedness,ortheirconscienceswithunrighteousness—it isaverygreatargument that there isbut littleholinesswithin.Osirs,meneminentinholiness,intheirordinarycourse,have been always eminent in the resisting and withstanding oftemptations, as is evident in Joseph, Job, Daniel, the three Hebrewchildren,etc.[Gen.39;Job1;Dan.3and6.]

Austin thanks theLord that his heart and the temptation did notmeettogether. The devil tempting Bonaventure, told him that he was areprobate,andthereforepersuadedhimtodrinkinthepresentpleasuresofthislife,for,saysSatan,youareexcludedfromthefuturejoyswithGodin heaven; towhomhe answered, "No, not so, Satan, for if Imust notenjoyGodafterthislife,IwilllabortoenjoyhimasmuchasIcanwhileIlive."Whenoneofthemartyrswasofferedrichesandhonorsifhewouldrecant,hegavethisexcellentanswer,"Dobutoffermesomethingthatisbetter thanmy Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall seewhat I will say toyou."Andtheyoungconvertwhenhewastempted,answered,"IamnotthemanthatIwas!"WhenValenstheemperorofferedlargeprefermentsto Basil, and told him what a great man he would make him, heanswered, "Offer these things tochildren,andnot toChristians."WhenBernardwastempted,"Tellmenot,Satan,"saidhe,"whatIhavebeen—but what I am, and will be—through grace." And so when Beza wastempted in the like case, he answered, "Whatever I was, I am now inChristanewcreature, and that is itwhich troubles you,Satan; Imighthavecontinuedinmysinslongenoughbeforeyouwouldhavevexedatit—but now I see you do envy me the grace of my Savior." And whenAugustine was sadly reviled by theDonatists for thewickedness of hisyouth,heanswered,"Themoredesperatemydiseasewas—justsomuchthemore,Iadmirethephysician."

Thus men eminently holy have stood their ground in the face of alltemptationsandmotionstosin.But,alasinthesetimeshoweasily,howreadily, andhow frequently domultitudes fall before every temptation!AssoonasAchanhadbutcasthiseyeupontheBabylonishgarmentandshekelsofsilverandwedgeofgold—hisfingers itchedtobehandlingofthem,Josh.7:21.Justso,manyinthesedays,assoonastheydobutseethewaytohonororpreferment,oragreatplace,orahighoffice,etc.,oh,

howdotheirfingersitch,howdotheirsoulslongafterthesethings!andthough theysavorandsmelleversostrongofBabylonorofRome—yethavethemtheymust.Suchpeoplemaydowelltoremember,thatAchan'sBabylonish garment was but a shroud to shroud him, and his goldenwedgewasbutawedgetocleavehim,andhisshekelsofsilverwerebutshekelstoholdhimthefaster,bothunderthewrathofGodandman.

Suchascanturnwitheverywind,andclosewitheveryworship,andbowtoevery idol thatmansetsup—haveeithernoholiness,orelsebutverylittle holiness, in their hearts. Such as easily and readily fall beforetemptations from within or without, have never attained to any greatmeasuresofholiness.But,

[5.]Fifthly,Youhavebuta littleholiness;witnessthe strangebehaviorandcarriageofyoursouls,whentheLordsmitesyouinsomenearanddearenjoyment.IftheLorddoesbutfrownuponyourJoseph,ortouchesyourIsaac,orcallsforyourBenjamin,orwithersyour gourd—oh, now with Rachel you will not be comforted, or withJacobyouwillgomourningintothegrave,orwithDavidyouwillcryout,"O Absalom,my son,my son! would God I had died for you!" or withJonah you will tell God to his face that you do well to be angry. [Jer.31:15;Gen.37:35;2Sam.18:33;Jonah4:9.]Oh,nowyoucan't lookupandtrustinGod,youcan'tlookupanddelightinGod,youcan'tlookupand hope in God, you can't look up and solace yourselves in God, youcan'tlookupandliedowninthegoodpleasureofGod,youcan'tlookupandjustifyGod,youcan'tlookupandsayGodisyourGod,etc.

Oh,nowthatGodhastouchedyouinyourfirst-born,youcanneithereat,nordrink,norsleep.Nowyoucantastenosweet,nortakeanycomfort,nor findany contentment in anyof all your enjoyments.Now thatGodhastouchedtheappleofyoureye,youcanneitherthinkwellofGod,norspeakwell of God, nor behavewell towardsGod.Oh, now nobody canpleaseyou,norcananythingsatisfyyou.Nowyouthinkthatthereisnosorrowcompared toyoursorrow;nocrosscompared toyourcross;noranylosscomparedtoyourloss,etc.Noweverysweetisbitter,andeverycomfort is a cross; and accordingly you behave both towards God andtowardsman,Lam.1:12,18;allwhichspeaksoutholinesstobeataverylowebbinyoursouls.

Osirs,wereholinessbutrisentosomeconsiderableheightinyoursouls,youwouldwithJob,whowaseminentinholiness,blessatakingGod,aswell as a givingGod, Job 1:21; and you behave sweetly and sincerelytowardsGod,aswellwhenhewritesbitterthingsagainstyouaswhenheisa-multiplyingoffavorsandkindnessesuponyou.Butifwhentherodsmarts—youkick, and fling, and fret, and fume, andvex, and tear yourcomforts inpieces,andyoursouls inpieces,andyourGod inpieces,asmuch as in you lies, certainly the streams of holiness run low in yoursouls.But,

[6.] Sixthly, You have but little holiness; witness the ebbingsand the flowings of your spirits according to the working ofsecondarycauses.Assecondarycauseswork—soyouareupanddown,highandlow.Nowyouarefullofhopes—andatanothertimeyouarefulloffears.Nowyoubelieve—andlaterondespair.Nowyouaresteadfast—and afterwards you are wavering. Now you say, "surely God will oncemore own us,"—andmomentary you say, "truly God has forsaken us."Nowyousayyouseethecloudsbegintoscatter—andlateronyousayyouseethecloudsgrowdarkerandthicker.Nowyousaythewinter ispast,andthesingingofbirdshascome—andafterwardsyousayyourwinterislikely to be longer than ever. [Cant. 2:11-12; Jer. 8:22, 46:11, and 2:8.]Nowyousay there isbalminGilead—andatanother timeyousayyourwoundisincurable.Nowyousayalliswell—andshortlyyouarereadytogiveupallaslost,etc.Andthusyourheartsriseandfallaccordingtotheworkingofsecondcauses.

When you have full purses, and powerful armies, andwise counselors,and great allies—then you are ready to say, "Surely our mountain isstrong,andweshallneverbemoved!"Psalm30:6-8.Butwhenyourbagsare empty, and your forces broken, and your counsels dissipated, andyouralliesfallenoff—thenyouarereadytocryout,"Oh,nowthereisnohope,thereisnohelp!"

Oh—but were you eminent in holiness, then, under the saddest andcrossest workings of second causes, you would say with Asa, "O Lord,thereisnoonelikeyoutohelpthepowerlessagainstthemighty.Helpus,O Lord our God, for we rely on you," 2 Chron. 14:11; andwith Elisha,

"Thosewhoarewithusaremorethanthosewhoarewiththem,"2Kings6:16-17;andwithMoses,"StandstillandseethesalvationofGod,"Exod.14:13;andwithDavid,"TheLordisonmyside,Iwillnotfearwhatmancandountome,"Psalm118:6.Holiness inanyconsiderableheight,willsetthepowerofGodinoppositiontoallthepoweroftheworld,andthendivinelytriumphoverthem,Psalm65:6-11.

Pompey once gloried in this—that with one stamp of his foot he couldraiseallItalyupinarms;butthegreatGodwithonestampofhisfoot,orwith one word of his mouth, can raise not only Italy—but also all theangelsinheaven,andallthemenonearth,inarmsathispleasure.AndinthepowerofthisGod,eminentholinesswillenableamantogloryallthedaylong.Whereholinessisweak,theremenstandandfallassecondcauseswork—butwhereholinessiseminent,theremenwillliveuponthefirstcause;and,howeversecondcausesmaywheelabout—yetsuchamanwill live upon him, and look up to him who has a wheel within everywheel,Ezek.1:15-22.But,

[7.]Seventhly,Youhavebut littleholiness;witness that soul-leanness,barrenness,andunfruitfulnessthatisamongyouatthisveryday.Ah,howmaymostcryoutwiththeprophetIsaiah,"Ohmy leanness,my leanness!" Isaiah 24:16, and 10:16. "Oh our leanness,our leanness, ourbarrenness!" etc.ThoughGodhaswaitedmanyyearsforfruit—yetbeholdnothingbutleaves.IhavereadoftheIndianfig-tree--that its leavesare exceedingly broad--but its fruit is no bigger than abean.Ah,howmanyChristians are there in thesedayswhose leaves ofprofessionareverybroad—buttheirfruitsofrighteousnessandholinessareverysmall.AndastheIndianfig-tree,thoughitbeoffairandgoodlydimensions—yetitwastesall itssapandjuice into leavesandblossoms.Just so, many in these days, who, though they look fair, and make agoodlyshow—yettheywastealltheirspiritualsapandlife—intothemereleavesandblossomsofanemptyprofession.

Ah, how aremany of our hearts like to the isle of Patmos,which is sobarren thatnothing goodwill growon it; all the good things thatgrowthereisfromtheearththatisbroughtfromotherplaces.

Look!asacompanyofantsareverybusyaboutamolehill,runningtoand

fro,andwearyingthemselvesintheirseveralmovingsandturnings,thiswayand that—andyetnevergrowgreat; forafter all theirmotions andstirring, they are still the same as to the slender proportion of theirbodies: just so,manyChristians in these days run to and fro, they runfromonedutytoanother,andfromoneordinancetoanother,andfromoneopiniontoanother,andfromoneprincipletoanother,andfromoneministertoanother,andfromonechurchtoanother,andfromonewayto another, and from one notion to another—and yet they make littleprogressinholiness,theygrowbutlittleinthelove,thelife,thelikeness,and the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 Pet. 3:18. They are likethosesillywomenwhoTimothyspeaksof,whowereever learning—andyetneverabletocometotheknowledgeof thetruth,2Tim.3:6-7.Andthey are like the country of Ozizala, which abounded with mirthfulflowers—but was barren of nourishing grain. Just so, these abound inmirthful notions, and flourishing parts--but are barren of grace andholiness.

Senecahaslongsinceobservedthatasthephilosophersinhistimegrewmore andmore learned—just so, they grew less and lessmoral; and isthereanythingmoreevidentinthesedaysthanthis,namely,thatasmengrowmore andmore in empty airynotions, and in apompous religionandprofession—justso,theygrowlessandlesszealousandpious.

Thereason,saysome,whyChristcursedthefig-tree,thoughthetimeofbearing fruit was not come,was because itmade a glorious showwithleaves,andpromisedmuch—butbroughtforthnothing.Whatisabarrentree,abarrenground,orabarrenwomb—comparedtoabarrenheart?Manyinourdaysarelikethecypress-tree,which,themoreitiswatered—themore it is withered. Just so, the more many are watered with themeansofgrace—themoretheywither;themorethedewsofheavenfallsupon them, and themore heavenlymanna is daily rained round aboutthem—themorelean,fruitless,andbarrentheygrow.Suchsoulsmaydowelltorememberthatthosetreeswhicharenotforfruit—areforthefire!John15:6;Heb.6:8.

Foraclose,letmetellyouthatIfear,withAugustine—thatmanygrievemoreforthebarrennessoftheir lands—thantheydoforthebarrennessoftheirlives;andforthebarrennessoftheirtrees—thantheydoforthe

barrennessoftheirsouls;andforthelossoftheircattle—thantheydoforthelossofGod'scountenance.But,

[8.] Eighthly and lastly, You have but little holiness; witnessthatgreatindifferenceandficklenessthatistobefoundamongyou.Ah,howmanyChristiansarethereinthesedaysofgospellightwhoare indifferentwho they hear, orwhat they hear; who are indifferentwhether they pray or not, or walk in gospel order or not, or maintainclosetcommunionwithGodornot,orenjoytheLord'ssupperornot,etc.Oh,what inconstancy is to be found amongmany in these days!Manypeople are only constant in inconstancy. [Lord Paulet kept both greatfavor and places under Henry the Eighth, a Papist, and under KingEdward the Sixth, a Protestant, and under QueenMary, a Papist, andunderQueenElizabeth, aProtestant; andbeingaskedhowhe coulddoso,heansweredthathealwaysimitatedthewillowandnottheoak.]

Nowtheyareforordinances—andatanothertimetheyareagainstthem.Now ordinances are precious and glorious things—and afterwards theyarepoor lowthings.Nowtheycryupthisandthat forglorioustruths—andshortlytheycrydownthesamethingsasdangerousandperniciouserrors.NowtheycryupPaulandcrydownApollos—andafterwardstheycry up Apollos and cry down Paul. Now they are for this form—andmomentarily they are for that form. Now they are very zealous—andshortly they are very lukewarm. Now they are for worshiping of Godaccording to Scripture rule—and afterwards they are for worshiping ofGodaccordingtotheprescriptionsofmen.Nowtheyhavetheirgalesofdevotion—andbeforelongtheyarequitebecalmed.Nowtheyarefulloflife—andinashortwhiletheyareverylumpish.Nowtheystandfast—andafterwards they arewavering.Now they are confident allwill bewell—andbeforelongtheygiveupallaslost.NowtheywilllaydowntheirlivesforChrist—andatanothertimetheyareafraidtoownChrist,etc.

Nowwhatdoesthisindifferenceandinconstancyspeakout—buteitheratotal lackofholiness,orelse thatholiness isatavery lowebb in thesemen'ssouls?Nowtheseeightargumentsdoclearlyevidencethatmany,oh that I couldnotsay thatmost,Christianshaveattainedbut to smallmeasuresanddegreesofholiness.But,

(2.)Secondly,Toprovokeyoutolaborafterhigherdegreesofholiness,considerthatitispossibleforyoutoattaintogreatermeasures of holiness, than any you have yet reached unto.Thoughtheworkishard—yetitispossible;andwhatgreatthingswon'tmenattemptupontheaccountofapossibility.Nowthatitispossiblethatyoumayattaintoagreaterperfectionofholiness,Ishallevidencethesefiveways:

[1.]First,BymanypreciousPROMISESwhicharescatteredupanddownintheblessedScriptures;asthatJob17:9,"Therighteousshallholdonhisway,andhewhohascleanhandsshallbestrongerandstronger;" or as theHebrew has it, "he shall add strength," that is, heshallgoonfromonedegreeofspiritualstrengthtoanother,heshallgoonfromalesserdegreetoagreaterdegreeofspiritualstrength,andfromalowerdegreetoahigherdegreeofspiritualstrength.Aholymanshallnotonlyhavehisspiritualstrengthmaintained—but increased;heshallnot only retain that spiritual strength he has—but he shall be still a-adding of strength to strength, Psalm 84:7. They go from strength tostrength, or from power to power; or as the word may be read, fromcompanytocompany,orfromtrooptotroop—inallusiontothecustomoftheJews,whenallthemaleswentupthriceayeartoJerusalem;nowwhentheywentuptoJerusalem,theywentupwiththeir flocks,and introops.Nowthosewhowerelively,active,andstrong—theyovertookthiscompanyand that, and this troop and that—and so theywent on, theirpowerandstrengthincreasingdailymoreandmore,untiltheyappearedbeforeGodinZion.Look!asthebeegoesfromflowertoflowertogatherhoney—justso,thosewhohadaprincipleofgraceandholinessinthem,they went from one good company to another, from one troop ofChristianstoanother—stillgatheringupheavenlyhoneyastheywent.

Osirs, there isnosuchwaytoperfectholiness,as tobestilla-goingonfrom duty to duty, and from ordinance to ordinance; from praying tohearing,and fromhearingtopraying; fromreadingtomeditating, andfrommeditatingtoreading;frompublicdutiestoclosetduties,andfromcloset duties to public duties, etc. Psalm 92:12-14, "But the godly willflourishlikepalmtreesandgrowstronglikethecedarsofLebanon.Forthey are transplanted into the Lord's own house. They flourish in the

courtsofourGod.Eveninoldagetheywillstillproducefruit; theywillremainvitalandgreen."Thepromiseof flourishing isrepeated intheseverses—to note themore than ordinary flourishing estate of the saints,evenintheiroldage.

I have read of an old Christian, who being asked whether he grew ingoodness or not, answered, "I believe I do, because the Lord haspromisedthathispeopleshallbringforthfruitinoldage."Pliny,writingof the crocodile, tells us that she grows to her dying day—just so,ChristianswhoarerootedinChrist,andplantedinthehouseoftheLord,theywillbestillgrowingupingraceandholinesseventotheirdyingday.ItiswithrealChristiansasitiswithwine—theolderthebetter;orasitiswiththesun—whichshinesmostgloriouslyandamiablywhenit isnearsetting.Gracioussoulsarelikeanevergreentree,whoseleavesarealwaysgreen,notonlyinthesummerofyouth—butalsointhewinterofoldage.Thepalm-tree isalwaysgreen, itnever loses its leaves or fruit, and themore it is loaded the deeper it is rooted; and so it shall be withthroughoutChristians.

Just so, in Isaiah 46:3-4, God has promised to carry us on to old age,"Listentome,allyouwhoareleftinIsrael.IcreatedyouandIhavecaredforyousincebeforeyouwereborn. IwillbeyourGodthroughoutyourlifetime—untilyourhairiswhitewithage.Imadeyou,andIwillcareforyou.Iwillcarryyoualongandsaveyou."ThatGodwhobeginsaworkofgraceandholinessinhispeople'shearts—thatGodwillperfectandcarryon that work.Mothers express their tender care, love, and delight, bycarrying their babes in their arms until they can walk alone. But Godsurpassestheminhislove,care,tenderness,anddivinefondness—forhewillcarrythemeventooldage.Thisword"I,"whichissixtimesrepeatedin the fourth verse, is doubtless of very great importance, and signifiesnotonlyGod'seternalessence,andthathewillbeeverlikehimself—butalsohisunchangeablenessinregardofus;forwhateverourthoughtsmaybeconcerningGod—yetwe shall always findhimoneand the same;hewillbeasgoodtohispeopleatlastashewasatfirst,eventooldagehewillcarrythem.

Justso,inProverbs4:18,"Thepathoftherighteousislikethefirstgleamof dawn, shining ever brighter until the full light of day." A holy man

proceedsfromgracetograce,fromvirtuetovirtue;hegoesfromfaithtofaith,andfromstrengthtostrength—untilatlengthheshinesasthesuninhisstrength!

Just so, inHosea 14:5-7, "Iwill be to Israel like a refreshingdew fromheaven. Itwillblossom like the lily; itwill sendrootsdeep into thesoillike the cedars in Lebanon. Its branches will spread out like those ofbeautiful olive trees, as fragrant as the cedar forests of Lebanon. Mypeoplewillreturnagaintothesafetyoftheirland.Theywillflourishlikegrainandblossomlikegrapevines.TheywillbeasfragrantasthewinesofLebanon."The growth, the fruitfulness, and the flourishing estate ofthesaints ingraceandholiness, is set forthbyasevenfoldmetaphor inthesewords.Thesimilesareallplainandeasy,andyoumayeasilydilateupontheminyourownthoughts;andthereforeIshallpassthem.

I shall conclude with that precious promise, John 4:14, "But whoeverdrinksofthewaterthatIshallgivehim,shallneverthirst:butthewaterthat I shall give him, shall be in him awell ofwater springing up intoeverlastinglife."TheSpirit initsgraciousoperationsshallbeaconstantspringinbelievers'hearts,anditshalleverydayrisehigherandhigher,likethewaterinEzekiel,untilgraceisswallowedupinglory!Ezek.47:1-7.Andthusyouseebythesechoicepromises,thatitispossibleforyoutoattaintoagreatermeasureofholiness.But,

[2.]Secondly,ThePRAYERS thathavebeenputupupon thisveryaccount,doclearlyevidence that it ispossible foryou toattaintoagreatermeasureofholiness.CertainlythepeopleofGodwouldneverhaveprayedforhigherdegreesofgraceandholiness,iftheyhadnotbeenattainable.Nowitisveryobservablethatthespiritsofthesaintshaverunoutmuchthisway,asisevidentintheseinstances,Phil.1:9-11,"Andthisismyprayer:thatyourlovemayaboundmoreandmorein knowledge and depth of insight, so that youmay be able to discernwhatisbestandmaybepureandblamelessuntilthedayofChrist,filledwith the fruit of righteousness that comes through JesusChrist--to thegloryandpraiseofGod."

Colossians 1:9 "For this reason, since the day we heard about you, wehave not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the

knowledgeofhiswill throughall spiritualwisdomandunderstanding."Colossians 4:12, "Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of ChristJesus,sendsgreetings.Heisalwayswrestlinginprayerforyou,thatyoumay stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured." TheGreekwordisametaphorfromaship,whosesailsarefilledwithwind.EpaphraswasahumblepetitionerthatthesoulsoftheColossiansmightbefilledwiththehighestdegreesofgraceandholiness,asthesailsofaship are filled with wind. 1 Thes. 3:12, "And the Lord make you toincreaseandaboundin loveonetowardsanother,andtowardsallmen,evenaswedotowardsyou."Theapostle,bydoublinghisword,increaseandabound,discovershimselftobeanimportunatesuitor,thatadoubleportionofgraceandholinessmightbegivenouttotheThessalonians.

Justso,inHebrews13:20-21,"NowtheGodofpeace,thatbroughtagainfromthedeadourLordJesus,thatgreatshepherdofthesheep,throughthe blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every goodworktodohiswill,workinginyouthatwhichiswell-pleasinginhissight,through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen." Theapostle cannot beg anything for these believing Hebrews belowperfection. And the apostle Peter puts up the same requests for thoseblessed converts who were scattered throughout "Pontius, Galatia,Cappadocia,Asia,andBithynia."

1Peter5:10,"ButtheGodofallgrace,whohascalledusintohiseternalglory by Christ Jesus, after that you have suffered a while, make youperfect, establish, strengthen, settle you." God is called "the God of allgrace,"becauseheisthegiverofallkindsofgrace,andofalldegreesofgrace.Nothing below perfectionwill satisfy this great apostle,when hecomestopleadforthesesaints.Thoughtheyhadasmuchgraceaswouldbring them to heaven—yet he begs such aperfectionof grace asmightraise themhigh inheaven.And thus it appears by the prayers of theseholymen,thatsaintsmaystillberisingingraceandholiness.But,

[3.] Thirdly, The EXPERIENCE of other saints does clearlyevidencethis,thatyoumayattainuntohigherdegreesofgraceandholinessthanthosewhichyetyouhaveattainedunto.

Genesis 6:9, "Noahwas a justman andperfect in his generation, andNoah walked with God." Noah was not only perfect with perfection ofparts; nor only perfect in respect of desires, endeavors, and aims; noronly perfect in respect of his justification before God by imputedrighteousness; nor only perfect in respect of God's approbation,acceptance,anddelight;noronlyperfect inrespectofGod'sdesignandintentionstomakehimsointheeternalworld;noronlyperfectinrespectofthosegiftsandgraceswithwhichhewasadornedandfurnishedforthedischargeofhisplace,office,andworktowhichtheLordhadcalledhim;nor only comparatively perfect, in regard of that profane,ungodly, anddebauched generation amongwhom he lived; but also he is said to beperfectinrespectofaneminentprogressthathehadmadeingraceandholiness.Hehadattainedtoconsiderabledegreesandmeasuresofgrace

and holiness; and though his proficiency in the exercise of grace andpractice of piety fell short of complete perfection—yet it rose to such aheightthatGodcouldnotbutcrownhimandchroniclehimforaperfectman. [Psalm 37:37; Phil. 3:11-16; Cant. 4:7; Eph. 5:26-27; Rev. 14:4-5;Proverbs2:21,and11:5;2Tim.3:16-17.]Inallagesoftheworld,therehasbeen fourdifferent levels ofChristians—namely, babes, children, youngmen,andoldmen.[1Pet.2:2;1John2:12-14;Heb.5:12-14.]Noahwasnotababe,norachild,norayoungman—butanoldmaningraceandholiness;andthereforeheissaidtobeperfect.Thereareseveralgradesin Christ's school—some higher, some lower. Now he who is in thehighestgrademaybesaidtobeperfect, inregardof thosewhoare inalowerorinthelowestgrade.NowNoahwasinthehighestgradeofgraceandgodliness,thereforeheissaidtobeperfect.

Andinthissense,Isuppose,Jobissaidtobeaperfectman:Job1:1,8,"TherewasamaninthelandofUz,whosenamewasJob;andthatmanwasperfectandupright,andonewhofearedGod,andeschewedevil.AndtheLordsaiduntoSatan,HaveyouconsideredmyservantJob,thatthereisnone likehimin theearth,aperfectanduprightman,onewho fearsGod, and eschews evil?" Jobwas a very considerable person; hewas amanofachoicespirit,hewastalleringoodness,andheadandshouldershigher in grace and godliness—than any of the saints in that age andcorneroftheworldwherehelived.Jobwasamanofthegreatestweightandworthforholiness,inalltheworld.Jobwasaparagon;noChristianscouldcomenearhim.Ashewasthegreatest—justso,hewasthebestofthe best of all the saints—for heights of grace and holiness. He was agiant,andalltheChristiansroundabouthimwerebutassomanydwarfs.Hewastheparagonofhistime;forpietyandsanctitynonecouldparallelhim,nonecouldmatchhim.

In this senseweare tounderstand the apostle, both in 1Cor. 2:6, "Wespeakwisdomamong thosewho areperfect," and in Phil. 3:15, "Let asmanyasbeperfectbethusminded."Hespeaksherenotofanabsoluteperfection,forsuchaperfectionhimselfdisclaimsinverse12,"NotthatIhavealreadyobtainedall this,orhavealreadybeenmadeperfect,but IpressontotakeholdofthatforwhichChristJesustookholdofme."Bytheforceoftheoriginalword,thatishererenderedpresson,[Ipersecute,

I follow with as hot and as eager a spirit after perfection, just aspersecutors do follow after those they persecute.] the apostle declaresthathehadperfection in chase, as itwere, and thathis spiritwaswithmuch heat and eagerness carried out in pursuing after it, and resolvednottorestuntilhehadattainedtoit.

An absolute perfection is very desirable on earth—but shall never beobtaineduntilwecometoheaven.Absoluteperfectionisnottheprivilegeofsaintsmilitant—butofsaintstriumphant;andthereforetheperfectionthatthebelievingCorinthiansandholyPhilippianshadattainedto—wasnot an absolute but a comparative perfection; they were perfect incomparisonofthosewhowerebutbabesandshrubsanddwarfsinChrist.

It is a very high and honorable report which the apostle gives of theCorinthiansinthat2Cor.8:7,"Therefore,asyouabound ineverything,in faith, in utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in yourlovetous;seethatyouaboundinthisgracealso."Andit isaverylargetestimony that the same apostle gives of the Romans in that Romans15:14,"AndImyselfalsoampersuadedofyou,mybrethren,thatyouarealsofullofgoodness,filledwithallknowledge,ablealsotoadmonishoneanother."Nowthefullnesstheapostlespeaksofisnotafullnessofparts,for the weakest believer as well as the strongest is at first conversionrenewed and sanctified in every part, though it be but in part andimperfect.Butofthisfullnesstheapostledoesnotspeak.Butthenthereisafullnessofdegrees.Theapostleistobeunderstoodofacomparativefullness. The Romans were full of all goodness and knowledge—incomparisonofthoseinwhomChristwasbutnewlyformed,andinwhomthe work of grace was but newly erected. And they were full of allgoodnessandknowledgenow, incomparisonofwhattheywereat theirfirst acquaintance with Christ, and first acceptance of Christ, and firstresignationofthemselvestoChrist,andattheirfirstmarriageunionandcommunionwithChrist.

Andthusyousee,bytheexperiencesofothersaints,thatitispossibleforyoutoattaintohigherdegreesofgraceandholinessthananythatyetyouhaveattainedto.But,

[4.]Fourthly,It ispossibleforyoutoattaintohigherdegrees

and pitches in holiness than any that yet you have attainedunto; witness the PRAISES and THANKSGIVINGS that havebeenoffereduptoGodupontheiraccountswhohaveattainedtoaverygreatheightofholiness.TakeafewScriptureinstancesfortheclearingupofthisparticular:

1Cor. 1:4-5,7, "I thankmyGodalwaysonyourbehalf, for thegraceofGod which is given you by Jesus Christ; that in everything you areenrichedbyhim,inallutteranceandinallknowledge;sothatyoucomebehindinnogoodgift."

Eph.1:3,7-8,"Blessedbe theGodandFatherofourLordJesusChrist,who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places inChrist;whoaccordingtotherichesofhisgrace,hasaboundedtowardsusinallwisdomandprudence."[Though injuriesshouldbewritten in thedust—yetspiritualmerciesshouldbewrittenonmarble, thatourheartsmaybethebetterprovoked to thankfulness for them.]Here theapostletrumpetsoutthehighpraisesofGod, for thathehadblessed themandenriched them, though not with grain, or oil, or wine, or with gold orsilver,whichisbutredandwhiteclay,thatyethehadblessedthemwithallspiritualblessings—whicharethechoicest,thechief,andthesweetestof blessings. Spiritual blessings are right-handed blessings, they arepeculiar blessings, they are blessings-sweetening blessings, for theysweeten all the blessingsman enjoys. And they are blessings-begettingblessings, for they beget and bring forth many other blessings, to theenriching and adorning of a Christian's soul. And they are blessings-sanctifyingblessings, theyareblessings thatsanctifyallotherblessings.And theyareblessings-preservingblessings, theyareblessings thatwillpreserveallourotherblessings.Spiritualblessingsarepeculiarblessings,theyarecostlyblessings, theyareblessings that reach to theveryspiritand soul of a Christian, they are blessings that raise the spirit of aChristian,andthatennoblethespiritofaChristian,andthatcheerupthespirit of a Christian, and that a thousand ways betters the spirit of aChristian! Therefore it is no wonder that the apostle's heart was soaffectedwith spiritual blessings, and that hismouth was so filled withspiritualpraises,asindeeditwas.

1Tim.1:12,14,"AndIthankChristJesusourLord,becausethegraceof

ourLordwaspouredoutonmeabundantly,alongwiththefaithandlovethatareinChristJesus."

And thusyou seebyothers' thanksgivings, that it ispossible for you toattaintofarhigherdegreesofholinessthanwhatforthepresentyouareraised to. The stork is said to leave one of her young ones where shehatchesthem;andtheelephanttoturnupthefirstsprigtowardsheavenwhenhecomes to feed,andbothoutof some instinctofgratitude;andshallnotadivineinstinctenableChristianstodomuchmoreinawayofgratitude, both upon the account of their own graces, and upon theaccount of those eminent measures of grace, which other saints areblessed and crowned with? Though Seiarus did dare to sacrifice tohimself—yetaChristianmustnotdaretosacrificetohimself,nortohisduties, nor to his graces, etc.; the sacrifice of praise in regard ofgracereceived,isacrownofglorywhichisduetononebuttheGodofgrace.

All the rivers return to the sea fromwhence they had their beginning.Godwillgiveyouhiscovenant,andhewillgiveyouhisordinances,andhewillgivehisheaven,andhewillgiveyouhisSon,yes,hewillgiveyouhimself; but his glory, his glory—he will not give unto another, Isaiah42:8.Whateverhepartswith,heisresolvedthatneitherangelsnormenshallsharewithhiminthegloryofhisgrace.Ihavereadofastorkwhichcastapearlintothebosomofamaidwhichhadhealedherofawound.Osirs!whenGodcomestohealyouofyourspiritualwoundsanddiseases,and not only so—but shall also richly bespangle and adorn your soulswith his precious graces, what can you do less than cast that pearl ofpraiseintothebosomofGod?asDaviddidinthatPsalm103:1-6.

Thebestmeanstogetmoregrace,istobethankfulforthatgracewhichyou have, for God loves to sow much where he reaps much. If yourreturnsareanswerabletoyourreceipts,youwillstillbeonthereceivinghand.ThankfulnessisGod'spaymentforallhisblessings,andthosewhotrulyanddulypaysthispayment,shallbesuretoaboundinthebestofblessings. Thankfulness for one blessing always draws on anotherblessing, as saints by experience daily find. And thus you see, by thesearguments,thatitispossibleforyoutoattainhigherdegreesofholinessthananyyetyouhavereachedunto.But,

[5.]Fifthlyandlastly,It ispossibleforyoutoattaintohigherdegreesofholiness,etc.;witness thosechoice, thoserareandsingular gifts that Christ has bestowed upon many of hisservantsforthisverypurpose—namely,thattheymayhelponagrowthandanincreaseofholinessinyourhearts.

"Itwashewhogavesometobeapostles,sometobeprophets,sometobeevangelists,andsometobepastorsandteachers,toprepareGod'speopleforworksofservice,sothatthebodyofChristmaybebuiltupuntilweallreach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God andbecomemature,attainingtothewholemeasureofthefullnessofChrist."Ephesians4:11-13

OnemainendofChrist'sgivingsucheminentgiftstohischurchleaders—isthathispeoplemaybemadeeminentinholiness.Itisnotonlytobringthemin—butalso tobuild themup; it isnotonly to convert them—butalsotoedifythem;itisnotonlytobeginaworkofholiness—butalsotoperfectandcarryon awork of holiness.And therefore theword is notonlycomparedtoseedwhichbegetsholinessinmen'shearts—butalsotowineandmilk and strong meat, which helps forward the growth andincreaseofholinessinmen'shearts.

And so the great end of the Lord's supper is not to work spiritual lifewhereitisnot—buttoincreaseitwhereitis;itisnottochangetheheart—butmoreandmoretosanctifytheheart;itisnottobeginholiness—buttoperfectholinessinthefearoftheLord;itisnottosowtheseedofgraceinthesoul—butit istocausethatseedtogrowandflourishinthesoul.Themartyrsintheprimitivechurch,whentheyweretoappearbeforethecruel tyrants, they were accustomed, as Cyprian shows, to receive theLord'ssupper,andtherebytheywerefiredwithzealandfervor,andfilledwithfaithandfortitude,etc.Chrysostomsays,that"bythesacramentofthe Lord's supperwe are so armed against Satan's temptations that heflees from us, as if we were so many lions that spit fire." The Lord'ssupper is a cabinet of spiritual jewels; and oh, then,howunmanly andinappropriateathing it is, tohangthiscabinetof jewels,which ismoreworth than thegoldofOphir, ina swine's snout!Andhow thatmothercan be guiltless of the death of her child, who gives him poison in agoldencup,withthiscaution,thatshetellshimitispoison,Iknownot;

nomore do I knowhow thatminister can be guiltless of the body andbloodofourLord,whodispensesthebreadoflifetothosewhoareknowntobewithout spiritual life—yes,who are known tobedead in sins andtrespasses.

And thusyousee,by these fivearguments, that it ispossible foryou toattain to greater measures of holiness than any yet you have reachedunto;andsomuchforthesecondmotive.

(3.) Thirdly, To provoke you to labor after higher degrees ofholiness, consider that themore holy you are—themore youwill be the delight of God, and themore dear you will be toGod, and the more beloved you will be by God. For the rightunderstandingof thisargument youmust carefullydistinguishbetweenGod'sloveofgoodwill,andhisloveofdelight.

God'sloveofGOODWILLisequaltoallhissaints,whethertheyarerichorpoor,highorlow,bondorfree;orwhethertheyhaveaseaofgrace—orbut a drop of grace. God's love of goodwill runs as much out to theweakestChristian,asitdoestothestrongest;asmuchtoababeingraceastoagiantingrace.

AllsaintsareequallyELECTED.Godneverchoseonemantobeavesselofglorymore thananother; theweakest saint isasmuchelectedasthestrongest,Romans11:17.

And as all saints are equally elected—just so, all saints are equallyREDEEMED by Jesus Christ. Christ bled as much for one saint asanother,andhesweatasmuch foronesaintasanother,andhesighedandgroanedasmuch for one saint as another, and he trod the wine-pressofhisFather'swrathasmuchforonesaintasanother,Isaiah53:3-12.Christpaidasgreatapriceforhislambs—asforhissheep,1Cor.6:19-20.ChristpaidasgreatapriceforLazarusinhisrags—asforDavidinhisroyalrobes.

And as all saints are equally redeemed—just so, all saints are equallyEFFECTUALLYCALLED;onesaintisasmuchcalledoutofthekingdomofdarknessasanother,andonesaintisasmuchcalledtoJesusChristas

another,1Pet.2:9.Ineffectualcalling,Godlookswithasfavorableaneyeupononeashedoesuponanother.

And as all saints are equally called—just so, all saints are equallyJUSTIFIED, 2 Cor. 5:19-20; though one saint may be more sanctifiedthan another—yet no saint ismore justified than another. The weakestbeliever is asmuch justified andpardonedbefore the throneofGodasthestrongestis;thatpure,perfect,matchless,andspotlessrighteousnessofChristisasmuchimputedtoonesaintasitistoanother,1Cor.1:30.

And as all saints are equally justified—just so, all saints are equallyADOPTED,Gal.4:4-6;theweakestbelieverisasmuchanadoptedsonofGod,asthestrongestbelieverintheworldis.Godisnomoreafathertoone thanhe is to another. Inhuman families, thebabe in themother'sarms is asmuch a son—as hewho is of riper years. Thus you see thatGod'sloveofgoodwillisequalinallhissaints."ThoseHepredestined,Healsocalled;andthoseHecalled,Healsojustified;andthoseHejustified,Healsoglorified."Romans8:30.

ButGod'sloveofDELIGHTrunsoutmoretosomesaintsthanitdoestoothers; for thosewhohavemuchholiness aremuchbeloved—but thosewhohavemostholinessaremostbeloved,John14:21-23.Thegreateryouareinholiness,thegreaterwillyoubebelovedofGod."ODaniel,youaregreatlybeloved,"Dan.9:23.AndwhydoesGod lovemore, anddelightmoreinChrist,thanhedoesinalltheangelsandsaintsinheaven,andinall theupright oneswhoare on earth?BecauseChrist ismore eminentand glorious in holiness than all created beings are; he is more theexpress imageofhisFather'sperson,and thebrightnessofhisFather'sglorythanothers,andthereforeheismorebelovedthanothers.

Itwas an excellent observation of one of the fathers, namely, thatGodlovedthehumanityofChristmorethananyman,becausehewasfullerofgrace and truth than anyman.Now for the further clearing up of thisgreatargument,Consider—

First,thatthemoreholyanypersonis—themoreexcellentthatpersonis.Allimpuritiesarediminutionsofexcellency.Themoremixedanything is—themore abased it is. Themore youmix yourwinewith

water—themoreyouabaseyourwine;andthemoreyoumixyourgoldwithtin—themoreyouabaseyourgold.Butthepureryourwineis—thericherandthebetteryourwine is;andthepureryourgold is, themoregloriousandexcellentitis.Justso,thepurerandholieranypersonis,themore excellent and glorious that person is. Now the more divinelyexcellentandgloriousanypersonis,themoreheisbelovedofGod,andthemoreheisthedelightofGod.But,

Secondly, themoreholy anyperson is—themore thatpersonpleasestheLord.Heb.11:5.FruitfulnessinholinessfillsGodwithjoy.Thefarmerisnotsomuchpleasedwiththefruitfulnessofhisfields,northe wife with the fruitfulness of her womb, nor the father with thethrivingofhischild—asGodispleasedwiththefruitfulnessandthrivingof his children in grace and holiness! Now certainly the more God ispleasedwith any person, themore he loves that person, and themorepleasureanddelighthe takes in such a person. IfGod ismost pleasedwith holiness—he cannot but bemost delighted in thosewho aremostholy.But,

Thirdly,themoreholyanypersonis—themorelikeGodheis,andthemoreliketoGodheis,doubtless,themoreheisbelovedofGod.It is likeness both in nature and grace that always draws the strongestlove.Thougheverychild in the family is the fathermultiplied,asecondeditionof the father—yet the father loveshimbest,anddelights inhimmost—whoismostlikehim,andwhoinfeature,spirit,andaction,doesmostresemblehimtothelife.AndsodoestheFatherofspiritsalso,healwayslovesthosebest,whoinholinessresemblehimmost.

TherearefourremarkablethingsinthebeloveddiscipleJohn,abovealltherestofthedisciples:[John13:23,18:16,and19:26-27.]

1.ThathelaynearesttoChrist'sbosomatthetable.

2.ThathefollowedChristclosesttothehighpriest'spalace.

3.ThathestoodclosetoChristwhenhewasonthecross,thoughothershadbaselydesertedhim,andturnedtheirbacksuponhim.

4.ThatChristcommendedthecareofhisvirginmothertohim.

NowwhydidChrist'sdesire, love, anddelight—runoutwitha strongerandafullertidetowardsJohn,thantotherestofthedisciples?Doubtlessit was because John did more resemble Christ than the rest; it wasbecause John was a more exact picture and lively representation ofChrist,thantheotherswere.But,

Fourthly,themoreholyanymanis,themorecommunionandfamiliaritythatmanshallhavewithGod;asyoumayseeinMoses.Moseswas a paragon formeekness andholiness:Num. 12:3, "Now themanMoseswasverymeek,aboveallthemenwhichwereuponthefaceofthe earth." There was no man so slighted, wronged, provoked, teased,perplexed, and troubled by that wicked, unthankful, unbelieving, andmurmuring generation—as Moses was! And yet he did neither rail atthemnorrevilethem;hedidneitherstormnorrage,hedidneitherfretnorfling!And thoughhehadaswordof justice inhishand,andmighteasilyhaveavengedhimselfonthem—yethewouldnot—butexercisedallpatience, tenderness, goodness, and sweetness towards them. Oh thelowliness, the meekness, the holiness of this man Moses! And oh thefreeness, thefriendliness, theopenness,and the familiarityofGodwithMoses!

Deut.34:10,"Therehasneverbeenanotherprophet likeMoses,whomtheLordknew face to face."To give you a little light into thesewords:someoftheRabbisobservethatMosessurpassedalltheotherprophets,notonlyinsublimityofprophecies—butalsoinexcellencyandnumberofmiracles; forMoseswithinoneagewrought seventy-sixmiracles,whenalltherestoftheprophetsfromthebeginningoftheworldquitedowntothe ruin of the first temple, wrought only seventy-four. As for thosewords, "whom the Lord knew face to face," you arenot to understandthemthus,thatGodhasafaceasmanhas,northatMoseshadaviewoftheessenceofGod,whichisinvisible;forinthissensenomanhasseenGodatanytime,John1:18;andindeedtheleastbeamofGod'sessentialgloryandmajestywouldhaveswallowedupMosesalive,1Tim.6:16.Butthesewords,"whomtheLordknewfacetoface,"aretobeunderstoodofGod's speaking toMoses ina free, friendly, familiar,andplainmanner.God did speak to Moses by a clear articulate voice, even as one man

speakstoanotherwhentheyspeakfacetoface.

AndsowhenAaronandMiriamwereswelledwithprideandenvy, andbegantobespatterMoses,andtopickaholeinhiscoat;andattempttocloud,eclipse,anddiminishhisglory,seeatwhatahighandnoblerateGod speaks of Moses; see how God magnifies and exalts and lifts upMoses!"AtoncetheLordsaidtoMoses,AaronandMiriam,'ComeouttotheTentofMeeting,allthreeofyou.'Sothethreeofthemcameout.ThentheLordcamedowninapillarofcloud;hestoodattheentrancetotheTent and summoned Aaron and Miriam. When both of them steppedforward, he said, 'Listen tomy words—When a prophet of the Lord isamongyou,Irevealmyself tohiminvisions,Ispeaktohimindreams.But this isnot trueofmyservantMoses;he is faithful inallmyhouse.WithhimIspeakfacetoface,clearlyandnotinriddles;heseestheformof theLord.Why thenwereyounotafraid to speakagainstmyservantMoses?'Theangerof theLordburnedagainst them,andhe left them."Numbers12:4-9.

NowhereyouseehowGodownsMoses,andstandsup forMoses,andpleads forMoses,and tellsAaronandMiriamto their faces thatMoseswashis greatest favorite, and thathehad far greater respect forMosesthanhehadforthem,andthattherewasnotamaninalltheworldwhomwassointimatewithhimasMoses,andwhohadsomuchofhisearandheart asMoses had. God did appear to other prophets in dreams andvisions,whichwere transient—butwithMosesGodwill speakmouth tomouth, God will speak to himwithout an interpreter, he will speak toMosesmore familiarly and frequently than he did to others by visions,andmoreclearly,plainly,andassuredlythanhedidtoothersbydreams.God here engages himself to hold amore close, familiar, friendly, andconstant fellowship and correspondence with Moses, than with anyothersintheworld.Moseswasblessedwithasclear,andwithasfull,andwithasapparentsightofGod,andcommunionwithGod—ashewasabletobearandcomprehend.

Someofthelearnedareofopinion,thatChristconversedwithMosesinahumanshape,ashehaddonewithAbrahambefore;theyconjecturethatthe Lord Jesus did very friendly and familiarly show himself toMoseswiththatverysamefaceandformofhumannature,whichheafterwards

assumed,[Gen.18and32:30,etc.]butthisIdarenotpressuponyouasan article of your faith. And whether Moses had one hundred andseventy-threefamiliarconferenceswithGod,whichnoneoftheprophetshad,liesuponthoseRabbiswhoassertit,toprove;butthisisgrantedonall hands, that Moses was a special favorite, and a man in highcommunion with God, and one who had very clear and eminentdiscoveriesandmanifestationsofGod.

AndsoAbrahamwasamanofgreatholiness,andamaneminentinhiscommunion with God. God owned him as a friend, as an honorablefriend,asaneminentfriend,asabosomfriend,asapeculiarfriend,andas a faithful friend, Isaiah 41:8; and therefore hemade him one of hisprivycouncil,andopenedhisheartandhissecretstohim:"AndtheLordsaid, shall I hide from Abraham the thing which I do?" Gen. 18:17.Abraham is styled the friendofGod in a specialway.ThoughGod hadmany friends—yet it was Abraham, who was his singular friend, hisdarlingfriend,hisrare friend,etc.,andaccordinglyGodwasmost free,and full, and rich in the communications of his favors and secrets toAbraham. Itwasnot enough forAbraham to be ofGod's court—buthemustbealsoofhiscabinetcouncil.

It was always a social principle—that sweet and intimate friendshipcannotbeextendedtomany.Friendsusuallygobypairs.Andthusyouseethatthemoreholyanymanis—themorecommunionthatmanshallhavewithGod—and themore communion anyman haswithGod—themorebelovedofGodshallthatmanbe.Thehighestcommunionisalwaysattendedwiththehighestlove.But,

Fifthlyandlastly,themoreholyanymanis—themoreactuallyripeandfitforheaventhatmanis.AChristianatfirstconversionisbutroughcast—butasholinessisincreased—justso,hecomesmoreandmoreeverydaytobeprepared,polished,squared,andfittedforafullandgloriousfruitionofGodinheaven,Job5:26.Thoughtheleastdegreeofgrace and holiness puts a man into a habitual preparedness andfittedness forheaven—yet it is only an eminency in grace and holiness,whichputsamanintoanactualpreparednessandfittednessforheaven.Thericheringrace—theriperforglory!Thehigheryouareinholiness—thefitteryouaretoenterintothejoyofyourLord!Thoughtheleastdrop

orgrainofholinessisenoughtokeepamanfromdroppingintohell—yetitisonlymaturedholiness,whichactuallypreparesandfitsamantogotoheaven,Mat.25:19-24.

Now,doubtless,themoreactuallyripeandreadyanymanisforheaven—themorepleasureanddelightGodtakesinhim.Themorethevesselsofgracearefittedforglory—themoredelightGodtakesinthem.WhenGodset himself upon the creation of the world, in the close of every day'swork,exceptthesecond,Godsethisseal,"thatitwasgood;"butwhenhehadperfectedandcompletedthewholecreation,andcastaneyeuponalltogether, thenhe concludes, "that itwasverygood." "AndGod saw allthathehadmade,and"beholditwasverygood,"or"extremelygood,"sosome,or"verypleasantanddelightful."

Theworkofcreationwassocuriouslyandgloriouslyframed,andsofullofadmirableraritiesandvarieties, that it raiseddelightandpleasure inGod himself. Whereupon Augustine observes that even to every grace,yes,oftheleastdegreeofgrace,hesaysitis"good;"butwhenhebeholdsthe graces of his saints fresh and flourishing, your faith acted andstrengthened, your repentance daily renewed, your humility increased,etc.,thenheconcludesthatallis"verygood."

O sirs, if the Lord Jesus Christ is so ravishedwith one of his spouse'seyes,andwithonechainofherneck,Cant.4:9;with the leastdropsorsipsofgrace,orwiththeleastgrainsofgraceandholiness;oh,howmuchmorewillgreatmeasuresofgraceandholinessenthrallhimand ravishhim!

Well!foracloseofthisargument,rememberthis,thatasthesunshineshotter on some climates than it doesuponothers, andas thedew fallsmore upon one place than another, and as thewater overflows somepasturesmore than others—just so, God's love of delight and pleasureshines hotter and brighter upon some Christians than it does uponothers; and these Ihave showedyou tobe suchwhoaremost eminentandexcellentingraceandholiness.Andthusmuchforthisthirdmotive.

(4.)Fourthly,Toprovokeyouto laborafterhigherdegreesofholiness, consider that themore your holiness is increased—

themorethegreatGodwillbehonoredandglorified.Mat.5:16,"Letyourlightshinebeforemen,thattheymayseeyourgooddeedsandpraiseyourFatherinheaven."Fruitfulnessinholinesssetstheweightiestcrownof gloryupon theheadofGod: John 15:8, "Herein ismyFatherglorified—thatyoubearmuchfruit."Themoreeminentanypersonis inholiness, themoreclearlyandconvincinglyheproclaimsGodbeforealltheworld tobearichGod,a fullGod,abountifulGod, anoverflowingGod. There is nothing thatworksmen to admireGod somuch, and toexaltGodsohigh—asaChristian'sfruitfulnessinholiness."Oh,howgoodmust that God be, whose servants are so good," said the heathen! Oh,howgloriousinholinessmustthatGodbe,whosepeoplearesoholy!

Look!asthethrivingchildisacredittothemother,andtherichservantisanhonortohismaster,andaplentifulcropisthepraiseofthefarmer—justso,thatChristianwhothrivesingrace,whogrowsrichinholiness—isthegreatestcredit,andthehighesthonor,andthesweetestpraisetoGod in the world! The tree in Alcinous's garden had always blossoms,buds, and ripe fruits, one under another. O sirs, those trees ofrighteousnessthathavenotonlytheblossomsandbudsofholinessuponthem—butalsotheripefruitsofholinessoneunderanother—theyarethegreatesthonorandglorytoGodintheworld!

Isaiah61:3,"Theywillbecalledoaksofrighteousness,aplantingof theLordforthedisplayofhissplendor."Whatwillmensaywhentheyshallbeholdyoureminencyinsanctity?Willtheynotsay,"CertainlyGodisnohardmaster—harvestingwherehehavenotsownandgatheringwherehehasnotscatteredseed,Mat.25:24.Certainlyhekeepsanoblehouse—histables are richly spread, his cups overflow, he feeds, yes, he feasts hisservants with the choicest rarities and varieties which heaven affords:witnesstheirthrivingandflourishingestate ingraceandholiness."Andthusyouseethatthemoreyourholinessisincreased,themorehighlytheGodofheavenwillbeexaltedandmagnified.But,

(5.)Fifthly,Toprovokeyoutoendeavorafterhigherdegreesofholiness,consider that themoreholinessyouhave—themorehewillgiveyou.At firstGodgivesholinesswhere there isnone;andwherethisholinessisimproved—thereGodwillbestillaugmentingandincreasingofit.Doyoubutmakeityourbusinessto"perfectholinessin

thefearoftheLord,"Heb.6:7,andtheLordwillnotfailtomakenewandfreshadditionsofmoregraceandholinesstothatyouhave!Psalm84:11,"TheLordwillgivegraceandglory,andnogood thingwillhewithholdfrom thosewhowalk uprightly."Mark those words, namely, that "theLordwillgivegraceandglory," that is,graceuntoglory,hewillstillbeaddingmoregracetowhatyouhave,untilthebudofgraceisturnedintothe flower of glory! Until your grace on earth commences to glory inheaven!

Themoreholinessanymanhas—themorestillGodwillgivehim:Mat.13:12, "Forwhoeverhas, tohim shall be given, andhe shallhavemoreabundance." He who has principles of grace and holiness laid into hissoul—he shall find a plentiful increase of those sanctifying and savingprinciples; he shall have more abundance; his spark of holiness shallgrowintoaflame;hisdropsofholinessshallbeturnedintoasea;andhismiteofholinessshallbemultipliedintomillions!

The greater harvest of holiness a Christian brings forth—the greaterincrease of holiness shall he experience; every exercise of grace andholinessisalwaysattendedwithnewincreaseofgraceandholiness,Mat.25:29.

Look! as that arm is greatest and strongest, which is most used andexercised—so that particular gracewhich ismost exercised and used ismoststrengthenedandgreatened.

Look!asearthlyparents,whentheyseetheirchildrentoimprovealittlestocktogreatadvantage,thentheyaddtotheirstock,theyincreasetheirstock,theydoubletheirstock.Justso,whentheFatherofspiritsseeshischildren to improve a little stock of grace and holiness to the greatadvantageoftheirsouls,thenhewillincreasetheirspiritualstock,hewillbestilla-addingtotheirstock,yes,hewilldoubletheirstock!John15:2,"Everybranchthatbearsfruitheprunesit—thatitmaybringforthmorefruit."Suchasare fruitful—shallbemademore fruitful.Christwill takemost pains to make them better—who are already very good. Of allChristians in the world, there are none who have so much grace ashumbleChristianshave—andyetGoddelightstopouringraceintotheirsouls,asmenpourliquorintoemptyvessels,James4:6.Humilityisboth

agrace,andavesseltoreceivemoregrace.Andthusmuchforthisfifthargument.But,

(6.) Sixthly, To provoke you to labor after higher degrees ofholiness, consider that the more holiness you attain to—thegreaterwillbeyourheavenof joyandcomfort inthispresentworld.Thoughtheleastsparkoftrueholinesswillcertainlybringamantoheaven—yetitisonlyaneminencyinholinesswhichwillmakeamanwalkcomfortablytoheaven.

Themoreholinessanymanhas—themoreheshallenjoyGod,inwhosepresenceisfullnessofjoy,Psalm16:11;andthemoreanymanenjoysthepresenceofGod—thegreaterwillbehisheavenofjoyinthisworld.Look!asalittlestaryieldsbutalittlelight—justso,alittleholinessyieldsbutalittlecomfort;andlook,asthegreateststarsyieldsthegreatestlight—justso,thegreatestmeasuresofholinessalwaysyieldsthegreatestcomforts.Divinejoyebbsandflows—asholinessebbsandflows.

Soulcomfortrisesandfalls—asholinessrisesandfalls.Greatmeasuresof holiness carries with them, the greatest evidence of the reality ofholiness. The more clearly and evidently the reality and sincerity of aman'sholinessrise—thehigherwillthespringsofjoyandcomfortariseinhis soul. Great measures of holiness carry with them the greatestevidence of a man's union and communion with God; and the moreevident aman's union and communion iswithGod, themorewill thatman'ssoulbefilledwiththat joythat isunspeakableandfullofglory,1Pet.1:8.

Ingreatmeasuresofholiness,amanmayseeandreadmostoftheloveofGod,thefaceofGod,thefavorofGod,andtheheartofGod,Acts9:31;andthemoreamanisblessedwithsuchasightasthisis,themorewillthatbabeofgrace,divinejoy,springinhissoul.Thegreatermeasuresofholinessandsanctificationanymanattains to—theclearerandbrighterwill theevidencesofhis justificationbe.Now the clearer evidencesanymanhasofhisjustification,thestrongerwillbehisconsolation,Romans5:1-3,and8:30,33-35;andindeedthestrongestwatersofconsolationdoalwaysflowfromaclearsightandatruesenseofaman'sjustification.Noman lives so comfortably, no man bears the cross so sweetly, no man

resists the devil and the world so stoutly, nor no man will die socheerfully,ashewholivesanddiesinaclearsightofhisjustification.

The more holiness any man attains to, the more his fears will bescattered,hisdoubts resolved,andall those impediments removed thatcommonlybarout joyandcomfort;andwhatwillbethehappyissueofthesethings—butthebringinginofaseaofjoyandcomfortintothesoul!Itisnotriches,norhonors,norapplause,norlearning,norfriends,noragreat name in theworld—but an eminency in holiness, that can highlyraisethespringsofdivinejoyinaChristian'ssoul.Thoughthewindowsof the temple were broad without but narrow within—yet the joy andcomfortofaChristianthatiseminentinholinessisbroadandfullwithin,though it be narrow and contractedwithout.O sirs, as ever youwouldhave your joy full—labor for a heart filledwithholiness. Your comfortswillbealwaysfewandlow—ifyourholinessbelow.Whyhavetheangelsalwaysharpsintheirhands,andhallelujahsintheirmouths—butbecausetheyhaveattainedtoafullnessofholiness?But,

(7.)Seventhly,Toprovokeyoutolaborafterhigherdegreesofholiness,considerthatthemoreholyanypersonis—themorethe Lordwill reveal andmanifest himself, and hismind andwill, unto him. John 14:21-23; Hosea 6:3. Ezekiel was a man ofeminent holiness, and a man who had glorious visions, and deepmysteries,andrarediscoveriesofGod,andofthegreatthingsthatshouldbebroughtaboutinthelatterdays,reavealedtohim.AndDanielwasamanofverygreatholiness:andoh,whatsecretsandmysteriesdidGodrevealtohim![See2,4,6,8-12chaptersofDaniel.]Manyofthosegreatand glorious things which concern the destruction of the four lastmonarchies, and the growth, increase, exaltation, flourishing, durable,invincible,andunconquerableestateofhisownkingdom,wasrevealedtohim.

Amongalltheapostles,Paulwasamanofthegreatestholiness,andofalltheapostlesPaulhadthemostgloriousrevelationsanddiscoveriesofGodmanifestedtohim,2Cor.12:2,4.Witnessthosegloriousrevelationsthathehadwhenhewascaughtupintothethirdheaven,intoparadise,andheardunspeakablewords,orwordlesswords—such aswordsweretooweak to utter, such aswas not possible forman to utter, and that,

either because they transcended man's capacity in this life, or elsebecause theapostlewas forbiddentoutter them;theybeingrevealedtohim, not for the public use of the church—but only for his particularencouragement, so thathemightbe thebetterable toencounterall thehardships,difficulties,dangers,anddeathsthatwouldattendhimintheconscientiousdischargeofhisministerialwork.

Someof theancientsareofopinion thathe sawGod's essence; for, saythey,otherthingsinheavenmighthavebeenuttered—buttheessenceofGodissogreatandsogloriousathing,thatnomanorangelcanutteritordeclareit.ButhereImustcravepermissiontoentermydissentagainstthem,fortheScriptureisexpressinthis,thatnomanhasthuseverseentheLordatanytime,John1:18;1Tim.6:16;1John4:12;andthatnomancanthusseetheLordandlive.AndasgreatafavoriteofheavenasMoseswas—yethecouldonlysee thebackpartsofGod,hecouldonlybeholdsomelowerrepresentationsofGod.

Others say, that he heard the heavenly singing of angels and blessedspirits,whichwassosweet,soexcellentandglorious,thatnomortalmanwasabletoutterit,andthisofthetwoismostprobable;butnomanisboundtomakethisopinionanarticleofhisfaith.

This, I think,wemay safely conclude—that in this rapture, besides thecontemplationofcelestialmysteries,hefeltsuchunspeakabledelightandpleasure,thatwaseitherlikethat,orexceedingthat,whichAdamhadinthe terrestrial paradise. Doubtless, the apostle did see and hear suchexcellent and glorious things, as was impossible for the tongue of anymortalmantoexpressorutter.

AndsoJohnwasamanofmostrareholiness,andChristrevealstohimthegeneralstateofhischurch,andallthatshouldbefallhispeople—fromJohn's time unto his second coming. Christ gives John a truerepresentation of all the troubles, trials, changes, mercies, and gloriesthat inall times, and inall agesandplaces, shouldattendhis church—untilhecomesinallhisglory.AboutsixtyyearsafterChrist'sascension,Christ comes toJohnandopenshisheart, andunbosomshis soul, andmakes known to him all that care, that love, that tenderness, thatkindness, and that sweetness, which he would exercise towards his

church,fromthatverytimetotheendoftheworld.ChristtellsJohn,thatthough he had been absent and seemingly silent for about threescoreyears, that yethewasnot so takenupwith thedelights,pleasures, andglory of heaven, as that he did not carewhat became of his church onearth. Oh, no! And therefore he opens his choicest secrets, andmakesknownthemosthiddenandgloriousmysteriestoJohn,whicheverweremade known to anyman. As there was none who had somuch of theheartofChristasJohn—justso,therewasnonewhohadsomuchoftheearofChristasJohn.ChristsinglesouthisservantJohnfromallthemenintheworld,andmakesknowntohimallthehappyprovidences,andallthesadoccurrencesthatweretocomeuponthefollowersoftheLamb,sothattheymightknowwhattoprayfor,andwhattoexpect,andwhattowait for.HealsodeclarestoJohnall thatwrathandvengeance,all thatdesolation anddestruction,which should comeupon the false prophet,and the beast, and upon all that followed after them, and who wereworshipers of them, and who had received theirmarks, either in theirforeheadsorintheirhands.

WereadofholyPolycarp,thatashelayinhisbedhesawinavisionthebed set on fire under his head; and thus God did forewarn him, andmanifesttohim,whatmannerofdeathhewoulddie,andaccordingly ithappened,forhewasburntforthecauseofChrist,andrejoicinglysealedthetruthwithhisblood.

JohnHusswasamaneminentinholiness—hewasborninPrague,andwaspastorofthechurchofBethlehem.Hisname,Huss,intheBohemianlanguage,signifiesagoose;athismartyrdom,hetoldthem,that if theyroasted him in the fire, out of the ashes of the goose, a hundred yearsafter,GodwouldraiseupaswaninGermany,whowouldcarrythecauseon for which he suffered, and whose singings would affright all thosevultures—which was exactly fulfilled in Luther—whose name in theBohemianlanguagesignifiesaswan—forGodraisedhimupasafamousinstrument inhishand,whocarriedon thatgloriouscausewithmightysuccess.

Lutherwas a man of great holiness, and being one time more thanordinarilyearnestwithGodinprayer,hecamedowntohisfriends,andtold them with a very great confidence, that it should go well with

Germanyallhisdays;heknewwhatwasdoneinheaven—bythatwhichGod had done in his own heart, and accordingly it happened. The lastmartyrwhowasburntinSmithfield,toldthepeoplethattheyshouldbeof good comfort, for he was fully persuaded that he was the last whowouldsufferunderQueenMary,andsohewas.

Thus you see that men of greatest holiness have had the clearest andchoicestmanifestations and discoveries ofGod, and of hismind,madeknowntothem.SuitabletothatchoicepromisethatyouhaveinJer.33:3,"Calluntome,andIwillansweryou,andshowyougreatandmighty"—orhidden—"things," [hidden, as bunches of grapes are hidden under theleavesofthevines.]"whichyouknownot."Godwillmakeknowntohisholyones themosthiddenandabstruse things;andthemoreholy theyare,themoretheyshallknowofthemostsecretandmysteriousthingsofGod. John 7:17, "If any man will do his will, he shall know of thedoctrine." Christ will bemost open to those who aremost obedient tohim; they shall know most of the doctrine of Christ who are mostcomplyingwiththewillofChrist.

David was a man of great holiness, as is evident by that glorioustestimony that God has given of him in that Acts 13:22, "I have foundDavidthesonofJesse,amanaftermyownheart,whoshallfulfillallmywill"—"allmywills;" to note the eminency, transcendency, universality,andsincerityofhisobedience.Nowifyouwillbutlookintothat2Sam.7:27,thereyoushallseehowtheLorddeclaresandmakesknownhimselfand his intentions towards him; "O Lord Almighty, God of Israel, youhave revealed this to your servant." But the Hebrew is more full andexcellent;intheoriginalitrunsthus,"Lord,youhaverevealedthistotheearofyourservant."Nowtheemphasisliesinthosewords,"totheearofyour servant." When God makes known himself and his intentions tosuchasareeminentinholiness,hedoesitintheirear.GodtellsDavidinhis ear, that "he will build a house for him," that is, that he wouldcontinue his kingdom to him, and to his posterity after him. This wasblessednews,andthisGodtellsinhisear.

Suchasareourspecialfriendsandfavorites—weoftenwhispertothemin the ear. When we would acquaint them with our most secret andweightypurposes,intentions,andresolutions,wegivethemawhisperin

theear.Suchpeoplewhoareeminentinholiness,arethegreatfavoritesofheaven,andGodtellsthemintheearofmanyararesecret,whichallothersarekeptignorantof.

Well,sirs, foraclose,rememberthis—thattherearenopeopleonearthwho are so prepared and fitted for the clearest, fullest, and highestmanifestations of God—as those who are eminent in holiness! Nor arethereanywhosetsohighapriceuponthemanifestationsofGod—asmenwhoareeminent inholiness!Norarethereanywhoaresoable tobeartherevelationsofhiswill—asmenwhoareeminentinholiness!Norarethereanywhowillmakesuchahumble,faithful,constant,andthoroughimprovementofallthatGodshallmakeknowntothem—asmenwhoarefamous for holiness. Therefore, as ever you would have God in aneminentwaytomanifestandrevealhimselfandhisminduntoyou—oh,laborafteragreatermeasureofholiness!But,

(8.)Eighthly,Toprovokeyou to laborafterhigherdegreesofholiness, consider that the more holy a man is—the moresingular delight and pleasure God will take in all his piousduties and services. [Generally it was the custom of the Easterncountriestowashbeforeworship.Theveryheathengodswouldbeservedinwhite—theveryemblemofpurity.]Holinessputsadivinesavoruponallaman'sservices.Therearenodutiessosweetasthosewhohavemostholinessinthem

Mal.3:3-4,"Hewillsitandjudgelikearefinerofsilver,watchingcloselyasthedrossisburnedaway.HewillpurifytheLevites,refiningthemlikegoldor silver, so that theymayonceagainofferacceptablesacrifices totheLord.Thenoncemore theLordwill accept theofferingsbrought tohimby thepeopleofJudahandJerusalem,ashedid in former times."AftertheLordJesusChristhasbeentohispeopleasarefiner'sfire,andas fuller's soap, that is, after he has refined, scoured, and purged hispeople from their drossiness, filthiness, earthliness, selfishness, andsensualness,etc.,then"theymayonceagainofferacceptablesacrificestotheLord."

Look!as lightmakesall thingspleasant anddelightful toman—just so,holinessmakesallaman'sdutiesandservicespleasantanddelightfulto

the Lord: Zech. 13:9, "This third I will bring into the fire; I will refinethemlikesilverandtestthemlikegold.TheywillcallonmynameandIwillanswerthem;Iwillsay,'Theyaremypeople,'andtheywillsay,'TheLordisourGod.'"WhenGodhasrefinedhispeopleassilver is refined,thenhewillbowhisear,andopenhishand,andgrantthemthedesiresoftheirhearts.OhthepleasureanddelightwhichGodtakesintheprayers,tears,hearings, readings,meltings,mournings, and repentings—of suchwhoareeminentlypurgedandsanctified!

The more holiness any man has, the less of the flesh, pollution, andcorruptionthereisinallhisdutiesandservices;andthelessthereisoftheoldman in all our holy offerings—themore they are the delight ofGod.Themoreholinessanyonehas,thelesstherewillbeofman,andthemoretherewillbeofChristandtheSpirit inallhisdutiesandservices;anddoubtless,thelessthereisofman,andthemorethereisofChristinduties—themorepleasantanddelightfultheywillbeuntotheLord.

Themore holy anyman is, themore there will be of hisheart in hisduties,andthemoreaman'sheartisinhisduties,themorepleasantanddelightful theywill be toGod.God is a Spirit, John 4:23-24, and he isonlydelightedwiththosedutieswhereinthespiritofamanis.Theheartisthepresence-chamberoftheKingofheaven!Itishisbedofspices;itishisroyalthrone—onwhichhedelightstositandrule.AsanctifiedheartindutiesshallprevailwithGodforcrowns;whenasilvertongueshallnotprevailwithGodforcrumbs.

Themoreholyanymanis,themoredelightandpleasurehewilltakeinpiousdutiesandservices.Themoreaman'snaturalstrengthis,themoreeasilyhewalks,andthemoredelightfullyheworks.Thefullerthewingsareoffeathers,withthemoreeaseandpleasurethebirdflies—justso,thefullerthesoulisofholiness,themoreeasily,themorepleasantly,andthemore delightfullywill itwalk, yes, run, yes, fly in all theways ofGod'scommands!EveryyokeofChristiseasy,andeverycommandofChristisjoyous to amanwho is eminent in holiness. [Psalm 40:8, and 119:32;Mat.11:29;1John5:3.]

Nowthemoreanymandelightsand takespleasure inpiousdutiesandservices—themore God delights and takes pleasure in his pious duties

andservices.ThemoreaChristian'sheart isaffectedwith thedutiesofpiety,themoretheheartofGodwillbeaffectedwiththoseduties.Look!as there isnodutywhich affects theheart ofGod,whichdoesnot firstaffectourown—just so, all thosedutiesand serviceswhichare divinelypleasing and delightful to our noble part, they are also pleasing anddelightful to God himself. The very heathen, as several authors report,had their pots of water set at the doors of their temples, where theywashed before they went to sacrifice, having this notion and opinionamong them—that their godsdidbest accept andmostdelight in thosesacrifices that were offered by those who had washed themselves pureandclean.SureIam—thatthegreatGod,whoistheGodofgods,ismostpleasedanddelightedwiththosesacrificesofprayersandpraiseswhichare offered upwith the purest hands, andwith the cleanest heart; andtherefore, as ever you would have God to take singular pleasure anddelight in all your duties and services—labor after an eminency inholiness.But,

(9.) Ninthly, To provoke you to labor after higher degrees ofholiness,considerthatmanywhohavebeenwonovertoChristafteryou—donowinholinessmuchexcelyou.AretherenotmanychildrenwhohavebeeninChristbutyesterday,asitwere—andyethowdotheyoutstriptheirparents,notonlyinabilities—butinpiety,whohavebeeninChristmanyyearsbeforethem?Andaretherenotmanyservantstobe foundwhohavenotbeen inChristsevenyears,whoyetaremoreholy, more humble, more heavenly, more spiritual, more serious, andeverywaymoregraciousthantheirmasters,whohavebeeninChristlongbefore them? And are there not many poor, neglected, despised, andscorned Christians, who have been converted and sanctified but a fewyears—whoyetaremorefearfulofsinningagainstGod,andmorecarefulofpleasingGod,andmorestudiousofglorifyingofGod,andmorewise,and watchful, and circumspect in their walking with God, and morelaboriousanddiligentintheuseofallholymeanswherebyGodmaybeexaltedandliftedupintheworld—thanmanygreatandrichChristiansintheworld,whoyethavebeeninChristverymanyyearsbeforethem?

PaulhadsomekinsmenwhowereinChristbeforehim,asyoumayseeinthatRomans 16:5, 7, "Greetmydear friendEpaenetus,who is the first

converttoChristfromAsia.GreetAndronicusandJunia—theywerealsoinChristbeforeme."Andyetingraceandholinessheexcelledthemall.[2Cor.1:12,and11:22-30;1Thes.2:2-13.]Youknowmanymeninridinga journey do often set out after their neighbors—and yet they not onlyovertakethem—butalsogetintotheirinnsmanyhoursbeforethem.Andamongseamen, is thereanythingmorecommonthan for thosewhosetsailsomedaysafterothers—yettogetintotheirportsbeforethem?Justso, there are many Christians who have set out heavenwards andholinesswardsafterothers—andyettheyhavenotonlyovertakenthem—butalsoingraceandholinessgonefarbeforethem.

AsChrist,inhisyouth,excelledallthedoctorsinthetemple,Luke2:46-48—justso,manyChristians,evenintheiryouth,asImaysay,doexcelotherChristians,who,inrespectoftheiryearsandopportunities,mighthavebeendoctorsinChristianity.[JeromewritesofPaulinus,thatinthefirstpartofhis lifeheexcelledothers,and inhis latterpartheexcelledhimself.] In this great city you have very many who have begun trademany years after others—and yet they are grown far greater and richerthanthoseoftheirsametrade,whohavebegunmanyyearsbeforethem;anddoubtlessthereareverymanyinthiscitywhohavebegunthetradeof Christianity, the trade of godliness, long after others, who yet aregrowngreaterandricher ingraceandholinessthanthosewhohaveforverymanyyearsdriventhattrade.Andoh,howshouldthisalarmallsuchtodoubletheirdiligence,andtostriveandlaborasforlifetobeeminentinholiness,yes,toperfectholinessinthefearoftheLord!But,

(10.)Tenthly,Toprovokeyouto laborafterhigherdegreesofholiness,considerthattherearenopeopleunderheavenwhoaresostronglyobligedandengagedtoperfectholiness in thefearoftheLordasyouare,foryouaretheonlypeopleonearthwhoaremadepartakersofthedivinenature;andwhohaveamoreexcellentspirit in you than the men of this world have; and who have moreexcellent principles in you—as knowledge, wisdom, faith, love, self-denial, humility, etc., to help on the advance and increase of holiness,thanothershave,whosesoulsarestrangers,yes,enemies,tothosenobleanddivineprinciples.[2Pet.1:4;Dan.6:3;1Cor.2:12.]

You are the only people on earth upon whom all exhortations and

commands togrow in holiness, to increase in holiness, and to perfectholiness in the fear of theLord—doesmost immediately,mostdirectly,mosteminently,mostroundly,andmostfullyfall,asyoumayeasilyseebycomparingthesescripturestogether.[Pet.3:18;2Cor.7:1,and13:11;Col.2:7;Heb.6:1; 1Cor. 15:58;Jude10.]Osirs,howgloriously shouldthathousebeadornedwithholiness,whichisofGod'sownbuilding!Andhowfruitfulshouldthosevineyardsandgardensbe,whichareofGod'sownplanting!Andhowfullshouldthosewellsbe,whichareofGod'sowndigging!Andhowsweetshouldthoseflowersbe,whichareofGod'sownplanting!Andhow ripe should those fruitsbe,which are ofGod's owngrafting!

Osirs,shalltheeagleflyhigherandhigher;shallthesunshinebrighterand brighter; and shall the giant refreshed with wine run swifter andswifter;andshallthewomanwhoiswithchildgrowfullerandfuller,andgreater and greater? And shall not you who are the people of God'sholiness—fly higher and higher in holiness, and shine brighter andbrighterinholiness,andrunswifterandswifterinthewaysofholiness,and grow fuller and fuller, and greater and greater in the births ofholiness?

Osirs,holinessinaChristianisnotlikeastarinthesky,norastoneintheearth,norabulletinagun,whichisalwaysthesame.Butholinessislike to the seed, which, being sown in the furrows of the earth—firstspringsup intoablade, and then into anear, and then intoripe corn,Mat. 13:23; Mark 4:28. Holiness is like to the waters in Ezekiel'ssanctuary,whichrisebydegrees,Ezek.47:3-4.First,itrosetotheankles,thentotheknees,thentotheloins,andthentoamightyriverthatcouldnot be passed over.Holiness is like to the house ofDavid,which grewstronger and stronger, 2 Sam. 3:1; and like to the cedars of Lebanon,whichgrowgreaterandgreater,Hosea14:6-7.

OChristians, therearenonewhoare so stronglyobliged to go on fromfaith to faith, and from strength to strength, and from holiness toholiness—asyouare,Romans1:17.Oh!youmustlabortobefilleduptothebrimwithholiness,Col.1:13,and2:7.Oh!youmuststrivetoequalizethefirstthreeofDavid'sworthies,1Chron.11:21.Oh!youmustendeavortobelikethebrethrenofGideon,everyoneresemblingthechildrenofa

king,Judges8:18.Oh,thatyoucouldallsayasElihuoncedid,"ForIamfull of words, and the spirit within me compels me; inside I am likebottled-upwine,likenewwineskinsreadytoburst,"Job32:18-19.Omybrethren—tobeasfullofholinessasnewbottlesarefullofwine,orasthemoonisfulloflight,orastheblackcloudsarefullofrain,orasmother'sbreastsarefullofmilk—isthegreatesthappinessinthisworld.

O sirs! there are no people on earthwho are engaged to love the Lordwithsuchavehementloveasyou,nortotrustintheLordwithsuchaninflamedfaithasyou,nortohopeintheLordwithsucharaisedhopeasyou,nortodelightintheLordwithsuchravishingdelightsasyou,nortolongaftertheLordwithsuchearnestlongingsasyou,nortofearbeforetheLordwithsogreata tremblingasyou,nor tobesozealous forGodwithsuchaburningzealasyou,nor tomournoversinbefore theLordwithsogreatamourningasyou,nortohateallthingswhicharecontraryto the nature of God, the being of God, the command of God, and thegloryofGod—withsuchadeadlyhatredasyou.

Well, remember this, namely—it is no little sin for any Christian to sitdownsatisfiedundera littlemeasureofholiness, considering themanyand the great obligationswhich lie uponhim to perfect holiness in thefearoftheLord.But,

(11.)Eleventhly,Toprovokeyou to laborafterhigherdegreesofholiness,considerthatthemoreholinessanymanattainsto—themorebold,courageous,resolute,manly,andheroicthatmanwillbeforGodandgodliness.2Cor.1:8-12.Holinessennoblestheheart,itraisestheheart;andthehigherthespringsofholinessrisesin the heart—the higher it raises the heart, and the more it steels theheart forGodandgodliness.Themoreholinessanymanhas, themoreresolutely hewill set himself against sin, and themore divinely hewillscorn the world, and the more courageously he will trample upontemptations,andthemoreheroichewillbeunderallhisafflictions.Menof greatest holiness have been men of greatest boldness; witnessNehemiah,thethreeHebrewchildren,Daniel,andall theholyprophetsandapostles.Proverbs28:1,"Thewickedfleewhennomanpursues—buttherighteousareasboldasa lion,"yes,asayoung lion,astheHebrewhasit,whichisinhishotbloodandfearsnothing.

GreatholinessmadeDanielnotonlyasboldasalion—butalsotodauntthelionswithhisboldness.

Luther was a man of great holiness, and a man of great boldness:witnesshisstandingoutagainstalltheworld.WhentheemperorsentforhimtotrialatWorms,andhisfriendsdissuadedhimfromgoing,hesaid,"Iwillsurelygo,inthenameofourLordJesusChrist;yes,thoughIknewthattherewereasmanydevilsinWormstoresistme,astherebetilestocover thehouses—yet Iwouldgo!"AndwhenLutherandhisassociateswerethreatenedwithmanydangersfromopposersonallhands,he letsfall this heroic and magnanimous speech, "Come let us sing the 46thPsalm—andthenletthemdotheirworst."

Latimer was a man of much holiness, counting the darkness andprofanenessofthosetimeswhereinhelived,andamanofmuchcourageand boldness;witness his presenting to the adulterousKingHenry theEighth,foraNewYear'sgift,aNewTestamentwiththismottowrappedaroundit,"WhoremongersandadulterersGodwilljudge!"

Taylor,themartyr,wasaveryholyman,andbeingpersuadedbysomeof his friends not to appear before Stephen Gardiner, bishop ofWinchester—but to flee. "You flee," said he, "and do according to yourconsciences—butasformyselfIamfullydetermined,byGod'sgrace, togotothebishop,andtotellhimtohisbeardthathedoesevil."

Colonus,theDutchmartyr,calledtothejudgewhohadsentencedhimtodeath—askedthejudgetolayhishanduponhisheart,andthenaskedhim whose heart beat faster, his or the judge's. Here was a man of aheroicspiritindeed.

Basilwas a man of great holiness, and a man of a most manly andcourageous spirit. When the emperor sent to him to subscribe to theArian heresy, and to engage him, promised him great preferment, towhich Basil replied, "Alas, your speeches are fit to catch little childrenwith—whomind such things—butwewho arenourished and taught bytheholyScripturesarereadiertosufferathousanddeathsthantoallowone syllable or tittle of the Scripture to be altered!" And when the

emperorthreatenedhimwithimprisonment,banishment,anddeath,heanswered,"Lethimthreatenchildrenwithsuchthings;asformypart,Iam resolved thatneither threateningsnor flatteries shall silenceme, ordrawmetobetrayagoodcause,oragoodconscience."

CharlestheNinth,kingofFrance,whohadadeephandinthatbarbarousand bloodymassacre of many thousands of the saints in France; soonafter thathorrid tragic andperfidious slaughterwasover, he called thePrinceofConde,andproposedtohimthesethreethings,"Eithertogotomass; or to die immediately; or to suffer perpetual imprisonment." Towhichhereturnedthisnoble,bold,andheroicanswer,namely,"ThatbyGod'shelphewouldneverchoosethefirst,andforeitheroftheothertwohelefttotheking'spleasureandGod'sprovidence."

John,DukeofSaxony,waseminentinChristianity,andhedidheroicallyassert and maintain the cause of God against all opposition in threeimperialassemblies.WhenitwastoldhimthathewouldlosethefavorofthePope,andtheemperor,andalltheworldbesides,ifhestucksofasttotheLutherancause;hegavethisnobleanswer,"Herearetwoways,"saidhe,"ImustserveGodortheworld,andwhichofthesedoyouthinkisthebetter?"andsoputthemoffwiththispleasantindignation.AndwhentheStatesoftheempireforbidallLutheransermons,hepresentlypreparedtobegone,andprofessedboldly,thathewouldnotstaytherewherehemightnothavelibertytoserveGod.

Andthusyouseebyallthesefamousinstancesthatthemoreeminentanypeople are in holiness, themore bold, resolute, courageous, and heroictheywillbeforGod,andforthethingsofGod;andtherefore,aseveryouwouldbemenofhighcourageandresolutionforGod,labortobehighinholiness.Suchmenwho inallageshavebeeneminent inholinesshavebeenlikeShammah,oneofDavid'sworthies,whostoodanddefendedthefieldwhenalltherestfled.But,

(12.)Twelfthly,Toprovokeyoutolaborafterhigherdegreesofholiness,considerthatthemoreholinessanymanattainsto—themore serviceable and useful hewill be in his generation.Davidwasamaneminentinholiness,andaseminentlyserviceableinhisgeneration: Acts 13:36, "For David after he had served his own

generationbythewillofGod,fellasleep."Menwhohavebutalittlestockofholiness—will bebut a little serviceable in their generation;butmenwho have a great stock of holiness—will be greatly serviceable in theirgeneration.Men who have but little farms, and little stocks—are but alittle serviceable to their country; but men who have great farms, andlargestocks,andrichrevenues—aregreatlyserviceabletotheircountry.Whataworldofgoodsometimesdoesonerichmandoinatown,acity,acountry!Justso,onesaintwhoisrichingraceandholiness!Oh,whataworldofgooddoeshedotoallwhoareroundabouthim!

Merchantswhohavegreatstocks,tradetotheEastandWestIndies,andso enrich their country; whereas those who have but weak estates canonlybarterwiththeirneighborsathome,andsoareinstrumentsbutoflittlepublicgood.Acandleenlightenstheroom—butthesunenlightensthewholeworld.Themoreholinessanymanhas,themorefitforpublicusethatmanwillbe,2Tim.2:21.AstherewasnonesoholyasChrist—just so, therewas none of so public a spirit as Christ; he went up anddown doing good, Acts 10:38; he laid out himself, and he laid downhimselfforpublicgood;hehealedothers—butwashurthimself;hefilledothers—butwashungryhimself.Amanwhoiseminentinholiness,willbe of his mind—who was rather willing to beautify Italy than his ownhouse.

Moseswasamanofgreatholiness,andoffamoususeinhisgeneration,Num. 14:11-14, 19-20. Ah, how often did he turn away the fierce angerandindignationofGodfromsinfulIsrael!Deut.9:14;andohthefamousdeliverancesandglorioussalvationsthatGodbroughtaboutbyhishand!Psalm106:23.Nehemiahwas a veryholyman, and he laid out himselfand his great estate for public service, Neh. 5:14, seq.Mordecaiwas averypiousman,andamanfamouslyserviceableinhisgeneration,Esther4. Esther 10:3, "Mordecai the Jewwas second in rank to King Xerxes,preeminentamongtheJews,andheldinhighesteembyhismanyfellowJews,becauseheworkedforthegoodofhispeopleandspokeupforthewelfare of all the Jews." King Jehoshaphat and Joshua, were men ofeminentholiness,andofsingularuseandserviceintheirgeneration.

Menwhohavenoholiness,andothersthathavebutalittleholiness,willbestilla-carryingonaprivateinterestofhonor,orprofit,or friends,or

relations—and thiswehaveseenevidentamongus in these latterdays;and therefore, as ever you would be eminently serviceable in yourgeneration,laborafteraneminencyinholiness.But,

(13.)Thirteenthly,Toprovokeyoutolaborafterhigherdegreesofholiness, consider that thegreatestdegreesofholinessareusually attended with the highest degrees of honor. Grace iscalledglory,and thegreatestmeasuresofgracearecommonlycrownedwith the greatest degrees of glory, 2 Cor. 3:18. Abraham was a maneminent in grace and holiness, and he was highly in honor among thepeople: Gen. 23:6, "You are an honored prince among us;" or as theHebrew has it, you are a prince of God among us, that is, you are anotableprince,youareanexcellentprince.

Jobwasamanwhohadattained toaveryhighdegreeofholiness, Job1:1-2;andhewashighlyhonoredamongthepeople:Job29:25,"Ichosethe way for them and sat as their chief; I dwelt as a king among histroops."InallweightymattersJobwastheonlyman,hewaschosenbyall, and advanced by all above all, in all assemblies and places ofjudicature, etc.Whoeverwas of the committee, Jobwas still chairman;whoeverwasofthecouncil—Jobwasstillpresident;andwhoeverwasofthecourt—Jobwasstillking,yes,hedweltasakinginthearmy.Jobwasguardedasaking in thearmy,andhonoredasaking in thearmy, andbelovedandadmiredasakinginthearmy,andobeyedandservedasaking in the army, and fearedand reverencedas a king in the army. Imight give you further instances of this in Joseph, Moses, Nehemiah,Mordecai,thethreeHebrewchildren,andDaniel—butIshallforbear.

Faith is but a piece, a part, a branch of holiness; and yet, oh,what anhonorablementiondoesPaulmakeoftheRomans'faith,inRomans1:8,"First,IthankmyGodthroughJesusChristforyouall,thatyourfaithisspokenofthroughouttheworld."TheRomanChristianshadattainedtoan eminency in faith, and the report thereof sounded throughout theRomanempire,yes,throughouttheworld,fortherebeingagreatresorttoRome fromallpartsof theworld,andbyeveryone'sdiscoursingandadmiring of the Romans' faith, their faith came to be spread abroadamongallthechurchesalltheworldover.

Look!asChrist'sfullnessofgracewashishighestgloryinthisworld—justso, a Christian's fullness of holiness is his highest honor in this world,Psalm 45:1-2. O sirs, there is no such way to be high in honor andrenown,both in the consciencesof sinnersand saints—as tobehigh inholiness.Jewelwasamaneminentinholiness,andhisholinesssethimhigh in thevery judgmentsandconsciencesof thePapists.Thedeanofthecollege,thoughaPapist—yetspeaksthusofhim:"InyourfaithIholdyouaheretic—butsurely inyourlifeyouareanangel."Amongtheveryheathens,thoseweremosthighlyhonored,whoweremostexcellentandeminentinmoralvirtues.AristideswassofamousamongtheAtheniansforhisjustice,thathewascalledAristidestheJust,etc.,

O Christians, it is your highest honor and glory in thisworld, to be soeminent and famous for holiness, thatmenmay point at you, and say,"theregoessuchaonethewise,and theregoessuchaone thehumble,and theregoes suchaone theheavenly,and there goes sucha one themeek,andtheregoessuchaonethepatient,andtheregoessuchaonethecontented,andtheregoessuchaonethejust,andtheregoessuchaonethemerciful,andtheregoessuchaonethezealous,andtheregoessucha one thecourageous, and there goes suchaone the sincere, andtheregoessuchaonethefaithful,etc."

Well, foraclose, remember this, that thoughgreatplaces, greatoffices,greatrevenues,andgreathonors,etc.,mayexaltyouandsetyouhighintheuppermostseatsandroomsamongmen—yetitisonlyaneminencyinholiness which will exalt you and set you high in the consciences ofsinnersandsaints.But,

(14.) Fourteenthly, To provoke you to labor after higherdegreesofholiness, consider that the timeswhereinyou live,calls for this at yourhand. Jer. 51:5, "The landwas filled with sinagainsttheHolyOneofIsrael."Ah,howisthis landfilledwithsin,yes,with theworstof sins,against theHolyOneof Israel!Hell seems tobebrokenloose,andmenstrivetoexceedandexceloneanotherinallkindsofwickedness.Ohthescarletsinswhicharenowtobefoundundermanyscarlet robes! Oh the black transgressions which are now to be foundundermanyblackrobesofministers!Ohthenew-foundoaths,thehellishblasphemies, the horrid filthiness, and the abominable debaucheries

whicharecommitteddailyinthefaceofthesun!Ahhowshameless,howsenselessaresinnersgrowninthesedays!Jer.3:3,"Youhaveawhore'sforehead,andrefusetobeashamed."Sineverywherenowappearswithawhore'sforehead.

Ah, what open opposition does Christ meet with in his gospel offices,members,ways,worship,andworks!Mat.24:12;ahhowdoesalliniquityabound,andhowboldandresolutearemultitudesnowindishonoringofGod, in polluting his ordinances, in destroying their own souls, and intreasuringupofwrathagainstthedayofwrath!etc.,Romans2:5.

Now theworser the timesare—thebetter everyChristianmust labor tobe;themoreprofanetheageiswhereinwelive—themoreholywemustendeavortobe.Osirs,howelsewillyourecompensethegreatGod, ifImay so speak, for all the dishonors which are cast upon him by thematchless loosenessandwickednessof thepresent times?howelsewillyoushineas lights inthemidstofacrookedandperversenation?"Youaretoliveclean,innocentlivesaschildrenofGodinadarkworldfullofcrookedandperversepeople.Letyourlivesshinebrightlybeforethem."Philippians2:15.Howelsewillyouconvincetheconsciences,andstoporbuttonupthemouthsofwickedandunreasonablemen?1Pet.2:15.Howelsewill you be the Lord's witnesses against this sinful and adulterousgeneration?Isaiah43:10,12,and44:8.Howelsewillyoumanifestyourgreat love to Christ, and your exceeding tenderness of the honor andglory of Christ?How elsewill you give an undeniable testimony of thegloriousoperationsof theSpirit in you?Psalm 18:20-25.How elsewillyousatisfyyourownconsciencesthatyourheartsareuprightwithGod?AndhowelsewillyouwithNoahcondemnawickedworld?Heb.11:7.

Well,Christians, remember this, it ismore than time foryou toperfectholinessinthefearoftheLord,whensomanythousandslabordayandnighttoperfectwickednessindespiteoftheLord;itistimeforyoutobeangels in holiness, when multitudes strive to exceed the very devil inwickedness.SinceChristwasonearth,therehasbeennotimesthathavecalledlouderfortheperfectingofholinessthanthepresenttimeswhereinwelive.But,

(15.)Fifteenthly,Toprovokeyoutolaborafterhigherdegrees

ofholiness,considerhowthemenoftheworldstudyandstrivetoaboundandincreaseinworldlyblessings.Oh,whatadoisthereamong worldlings to lay house to house, and field to field, to make ahundredintoathousand,andathousandintotenthousand,etc.,Isaiah5:8.Manymenriseearlyandgotobed late,yes, theycrossandwoundtheir consciences, and decline their principles, and endanger theirimmortalsouls—andalltoaddtotheirworldlystores,Psalm127:1-2.ThisageisfullofsuchAhabs,whocovettheirneighbors'vineyards,yes,theywillwadethroughNaboth'sbloodtoprocurethem,1Kings21.Andhowmanyrichfoolsarethereamongus,whoinsteadofmindingtheirsouls,andprovidingforeternity,mindnothing,nortalkofnothing—butpullingdown their barns, and building of greater ones! Luke 12:16-21. Whatstruggling is there forplacesofhonor;whatdesperateventures for richcommodities;andwhathighattemptsthereareforlargepossessions!Ohthe time, the strength, the energy— which many spend in an eagerpursuitafterearthlythings!Psalm4:6.

Oh,howsad it is toconsider thatSatanshallhavemoreservice fromaworldling foranounceofgold, thanGodshallhave for thekingdomofheaven! though the world in all its bravery is no better than the citieswhichSolomongavetoHiram,whichhecalledCabul,thatis,displeasingordirty,1Kings9:13;yet,oh,howmadaremenuponit!Thoughallthegreat, the mirthful, and the glorious things of the world may fitly beresembled to the fruit which undid us all, which was fair to the sight,smoothinhandling,sweetintaste—butdeadlyinoperation!Yet,oh,howfondaremenofthesethings!andhowdomostlongtobetouchingandtastingofthem,thoughatouch,ataste,mayexcludethemoutofparadiseforever!Osirs,whatfoolsinfolioarethey,whodarehazardthelossofaparadise for a wilderness; of a crown for a crumb; of a kingdom for acottage; and of pearls for trifles! and yet such fools are all those whospend themselves in multiplying and increasing of their earthlyenjoyments.

InGen.13:2itissaid,that"Abrahamwasveryrichincattle,insilver,andingold;"but according to theHebrew it runs thus, "Abrahamwasveryheavy,incattle,insilver,andingold,"toshowthatriches,thatgoldandsilver,which is the great god of theworld, are but heavy burdens, and

ratherahindrancethanahelptoheavenandhappiness.Goldandsilver,whicharebuttheyellowandwhitegutsandgarbageoftheearth,isfitlycalledby theprophet, "thick clay,"Hab. 2:6,whichwill sooner break aman'sbackthansatisfyhisheart;andoh,whatfollyandmadnessisitforamantobestilla-loadingofhimselfwiththeclayofthisworld!

Thoughthehorseisloadedwithrichtreasureallthedaylong—yetwhennight comes he is turned into the dark stinking stable, with an emptybelly,andwithhisback fullofgalls, sores,andbruises.Just so, thoughvainmenmaybeloadedwiththetreasuresofthisworldduringthedayoftheir life—yetwhen thenightofdeathcomes, then theyshallbeturnedintoadarkstinkinghell,withconsciencesfullofguiltandgalls,andwithsoulsfullofsoresandbruises;andthenwhatgoodwillalltheirtreasuresdothem?

ThoughtherichmanintheGospellivedsumptuously—yetwhenhediedhewenttohell,Luke16.Thoughmammon,asAretiusandmanyothersobserve, is a Syriac word, and signifies wealth, riches; yet Irenaeusderives mammon of mum—which signifies a spot, and hon—whichsignifies riches, to show that riches have their spots; and yet, oh, howunweariedaremenintheiraddingofspotstospots!Men,intheirpursuitafterthingsofthisworld,seemtoactbyanuntiredpower,theyareneverwearyofheapingupbagsuponbags,norofenlargingtheirtents,norofincreasingtheirrevenues,etc.

Now, oh, how should this provoke every gracious soul to be adding ofgracetograce,andholinesstoholiness!Oh,letnotthemenoftheworldoutdoyou,letthemnotout-actyou!Oh,letnotnatureexcelgrace!Oh,letthemuckworms of this world know that divine principles are too highandnobletobematched,ortobeout-actedbyanythingthattheycando!Osirs,shallchildrengrowinyourfamilies,andoxengrowinyourstalls,andfishgrowinyourponds,andgrassgrowinyourfields,andflowersgrow in your gardens, etc., and shall not holiness grow in yourhearts?Well, friends, remember this, it is infinitely better to be poormen andrichChristians,thantoberichmenandpoorChristians.But,

(16.)Sixteenthly,Toprovokeyoutolaborafterhigherdegreesof holiness, consider that themore holiness you attain to in

thisworld—themoreweightyandheavy, themorebrightandgloriouswillbeyourfaithfulministers'crown.Osirs,asyourisehigherandhigherinholiness—justso,thespringsofjoyriseshigherandhigherinyourministers'souls,2John4.OChristians,itisneitheryourseraphicnotions, nor your pompous profession; it is neither your goodwords, nor your sweet looks; it is neither your civilities, nor yourcourtesies,whichraisejoyinyourministers'hearts,orwhichwilladdtoyourministers'crown—butanincreaseofholinesswilldoboth,Romans15:14.

TheThessalonianswererareChristians,theywereveryeminentandhighinholiness,asyoumaysee in1Thes.1:5-8,andtheyweretheapostle's"joy and crown of rejoicing," as you may see in chapter 2:19-20, "Forwhat isourhope,or joy,orcrownofrejoicing?Arenotevenyou in thepresenceofourLordJesusChrist athis coming?Foryouareourgloryand joy." The apostle tells these raised, these renowned Thessalonians,thatastheywerenowhishope,hisglory,andjoy—soatthecomingofourLordJesusChristtheywouldbehisjoy,andcrownofrejoicing.

Look! as Christ has his thousand shekels of silver—just so, his faithfullaborious ministers have their two hundred shekels of silver, and thatindeed is a great reward: Cant. 8:12, "Butmy own vineyard ismine togive;thethousandshekelsareforyou,OSolomon,andtwohundredareforthosewhotenditsfruit."Oh,whatanhonorisitforfaithfulministerstohaveafifthpartofthatrewardthatChristhashimself!

In this 12th verse Christ compares his vineyard, his church, to that ofSolomon's, which is mentioned in verse 11, and though doubtlessSolomon's vineyard was one of the rarest, choicest, and fruitfullestvineyardsinallJudea—yetitwasveryinferiortoChrist'svineyard.Andthat partly because Christ's vineyard cost him a dearer and a greaterprice,eventhepriceofhisblood,1Pet.1:18-19,thaneverSolomon'scosthim.

Andpartlybecausehisvineyardservestomorespiritual,high,honorable,andnobleends, thaneverSolomon'sdid,1Tim.3:15,namely, thegloryandexaltationofGod,thepropagatingoftruth,thebringingforthofthefruitsoftheSpirit—love,joy,peace,long-suffering,gentleness,goodness,

faith,meekness,temperance,thebringinginofsinners,andthebuildingupofsaints,Gal.5:22-23;andpartlybecausehiseyeisstilluponit,andhisprotectionisstilloverit,andhispresenceisstillwithit,Psalm121:3-8.Isaiah27:2-3,"Singaboutafruitfulvineyard:I,theLord,watchoverit;Iwateritcontinually.Iguarditdayandnightsothatnoonemayharmit."ButSolomon'seyewasnotalwaysuponhisvineyard,neitherwashishandofprotectionalwaysoverit,neitherwashiskinglypresencealwayswithit.

And partly because all Christ's treasure is laid up in his vineyard, hischurch. His treasures of grace, his treasures ofmercy, his treasures ofcomfort,histreasuresofgoodness,etc.,Eph.3:10,17-20,isalllaidupinhischurch;butSolomon,asrichandasgloriousakingashewas—yethehadnosuch treasures laidup inhisvineyard.Solomonnevermadehisvineyardhistreasury.

And partly because his vineyard was given to him forever, as aneverlasting inheritance;butSolomon'swasbut temporaryandmutable,Psalm2:7;John6:39,and17:6,8,12.

Now all those who are painstaking and faithful laborers in Christ'svineyard, shall receive anoble, a liberal compensation and recompensefor their labors. Noman shall shut a door nor open a door in Christ'svineyardfornothing;nomanshalllaboranhourtherewithoutareward.All faithful ministers are fellow-laborers with Christ in the spiritualhusbandry; they dig with Christ, and they plant with Christ, and theyprune with Christ, and they water with Christ, and they watch withChrist,1Cor.3:8-9;andthereforeChristwillallowthemafifthpartofthegloryandrewardwithhimself.Ashehashisthousandpiecesofsilver—justso,hewillseeto it thattheyshallhavetheirtwohundredpiecesofsilver.Athousandisthenumberofperfection,andhereitmaynotethatfullnessofglorythatChristshouldhave.Andthetwohundredmaynotethatverygreatproportionofheavenlyglorythatallthefaithful laborersinChrist'svineyardshallhave,whohavehelpedforwardtheflourishingestateofthatvineyard,Mat.19:27-29.

Look!asthethrivingofthechildaddstothecomfortandthecreditofthenurse,andthefruitfulnessofthefieldaddstothepleasureanddelightof

the farmer,andthehealthand increaseof the flockaddstothe joyandrewardoftheshepherd—justso,theincreaseofholiness,thethriving,thefruitfulness of souls in holiness, adds to the credit and comfort, to thepleasure and delight, to the joy and reward of faithful painstakingministers,whoarenurses,farmers,andshepherds,inthelanguageoftheHolyScriptures.ThoughitistruethatfaithfulministersareasweetsavortoGod,bothinthosewhoaresaved,andinthosewhoperish,2Cor.2:15,though their labor, whether it hits ormisses, is accepted, and shall berewarded by the Lord, as the physician has his fee, though the patientdies, and thenursehasherwages, though the childdoesn't thrive, andthevine-dresserhashishire,thoughthevinesdoesn'tbearfruit—yetthemoretheywinmentoheaven,andthemorebytheirmeanstheworkofholinessiscarriedonintheheartsandlivesofmen—theweightierwillbetheircrownofglory,andthegreaterwillbetheirjoyandrejoicinginthegreatdayofourLord,Isaiah49:15.

O sirs, did you but see your faithfulministers' tears, did you but heartheirheavysighsandgroans,wereyoubutacquaintedwiththeirferventand frequentprayersonyourbehalf,didyoubutbelievehow theybeattheirbrains,andhowwillingtheyarenotonlytospendthemselves—buteventospitouttheirvery lungsintheserviceofyoursouls,howwouldyou call upon your own souls to add holiness to holiness—yes, chargeyourownsoulstoperfectholinessinthefearoftheLord!Well,friends,aseveryouwouldaddtoyourfaithfulministers'comforthere,andtotheirjoyand crownat the comingofourLord—laborafterhigherdegreesofholiness.

DegreesofGlory

Lastly, To provoke you to labor after higher degrees ofholiness, consider that themore holiness you have here—themore happiness you shall have hereafter. The more grace youhave on earth—themoreglory you shall have in heaven.Nowbefore Icome to make good this argument—namely, that some saints shallpartakeofmoregloryinheaventhanothersshall—givemepermissiontopremisethesefewthingstopreventmistakes.

First,Thattheobjectoftheirhappiness,whichistheeternalblessedGod—willbeoneandthesametoallsaints.AllglorifiedsaintsshallhavebutoneGodamongthemall.Godshallbenomoreonesaint'sGodthanheshallbeeverysaint'sGodinheaven,etc.

Secondly,That thebeatificalvisionshallbeseenbyall thesaints,andcommunicated toall the saints; they shall allhaveahappyandblessedfruitionandpossessionofGod.All thevesselsofglory shallbe filled tothebrimwithaclearsightofGod,andwithafullenjoymentofGod;andyetdoubtless,forallthis,somesaintsshallapprehendmoreofGodthanothers,andcomprehendmoreofGodthanothers,andenjoymoreofGodthanothers.Though all shall be filledwith those everlasting springs ofpleasureanddelightthatareatGod'srighthand,Psalm16:11—yetsomeshallbeable to take inmoreof thosepleasuresofparadise thanothersshall.Thoughallthewidow'svesselswerefilledtothebrimwithoil—yet,doubtless, some being greater and larger than others, they accordinglycontainedmoreoilthanothers,2Kings4:3-8;andsoitwillbewiththesaintswhentheycometoheaven.Thereshallbenolackofglorytoanyofthe saints in glory. All the saints shall be filled with glory—according to their capacity. If you bring a thousand vessels ofdifferentsizestothesea,theseafillsthemall.Thoughtheirsizesdiffer,andsomearebigger,andotherslesser—yetallarefilled,everylittlevesselhasitsfillaswellasthegreater—justso,everysaintshallhavehisfillofglorywhenhecomes toglory; the felicityofeverysaintshallbeperfectGodwillbeallinalltoallsaints,Psalm17:15.

Thirdly, All saints shall be freed from all evils alike; they shall all befreedfromtheachinghead,andfromtheunbelievingheart;theyshallallalike be free from the evil of sin, and from the evil of sufferings; thereshall not be a saint in glory that shall ever feel a pricking brier or agrieving thorn,Ezek. 28:24; there all sorrow shall be removed fromalltheirhearts,andalltearsshallbewipedfromalltheireyes,Rev.7:17.

Fourthlyandlastly,Thedegreesofglorythatsaintsshallhaveinheavenshallnotbe given out to themupon the account of theirmerits, or thedignityof theirpersons,or theworthinessof theirworks—butupontheaccountofGod'smeremercyandgrace,whointhedayofretributionwilldelighttocrownhisowngifts,notourmerits.Andwhereheshallfindthe

greatestmeasures of grace and holiness, there he will, of his own freemercy,bestowthegreatestmeasureof glory. [WhenGodcrownsus,hedoesbutcrownhisowngiftsinus.Augustine.]

Well, friends, remember this, you must always carefully distinguishbetween the essenceand substance of glory, and between degrees andmeasures of glory. Now the essence and substance of glory, whichconsists in the saints' full communion with God, and in their perfectconformitytoGod,andintheiruniversalsubjectiontoGod,andintheireverlasting fruitionofGod—is common toall the saints, so thatno onesaintshallhavemoreoftheessenceandsubstanceofglorythananotherhas—yet thedegreesandmeasuresofgloryshallbedistributedtosomemore,tosomeless.Nowthatthereshallbedifferentdegreesofglory inheaven,answerabletothedifferentdegreesofgraceandholinessthatthesaints reach to here on earth, and that God will at last proportion hisrewards according to the different degrees of labor, service, andsufferingsofhispeopleinthisworld,maybemadeevident,1.Byclearscriptures;2.Byarguments.

Now there are severalSCRIPTURES that speaks out this truth. Taketheseforataste:

[1.]First,1Cor.3:8,"Nowhewhoplants andhewhowaters areone:and every man shall receive his own reward according to his ownlabor."TheapostlehavingcomparedhisownandApollos'worktogether,adds, "Thatbothshouldreceive theirrewardaccordingto theirwork"—thatis,astheirworkdiffered—justso,shouldtheirrewarddiffer.Thoughtheybothpreachedoneandthesamedoctrine,andhadbothoneandthesamedesignandpurpose,namely,tobringinsoulstoChrist,andtobuildupsoulstoChrist—yetaccordingtotheirdifferentdegreesoflabor—justso, shouldbe their different degrees of reward.Thoughnoman shouldwork in God's vineyard for nothing—yet he who was most faithful,diligent, and laborious in planting or in watering God's husbandry,should have the greatest reward. Paul and Apollos shall at last receivetheirdifferentrewardaccordingtotheirdifferentlabor;ortheyshalleachofthemreceive,accordingtotheirproperwork.

[2.] A second scripture is 1Cor. 15:41-42, "The sun has one kind ofglory,while themoon and stars each have another kind. And even thestarsdifferfromeachotherintheirbeautyandbrightness.Itisthesameway for the resurrection of the dead." It is very observable that thecomparisonrunsbetweentheglorifiedconditionofsomesaintsthatshallrise,andothersomethatshallriseinthegreatday.Justso,thatlook,asonestardiffersfromanotherstaringlory—justso,onesaintshalldifferfromanothersaintingloryattheresurrectionofthedead.Thougheverystar is bright, shining, and glorious—yet some stars are more bright,shining, and glorious than others are. Just so, though every saint willshine gloriously in heaven—yet some saints shall have a greater luster,glory and shine upon them than others shall. Look! as some heavenlybodies are more glorious than others—just so, in the morning of theresurrectionsomesaintsshallbemoregloriousthanothers,etc.

[3.] A third scripture is 2 Cor. 9:6, "But this I say, He who sowssparingly shall reap sparingly; and he who sows bountifully shall reapbountifully."Asparingliberalityshallbeattendedwithasparingreward,and a bounteous liberality shall be attended with a bounteous reward.Look!astheharvestanswers themeasureof seed that is sown—justso,thathewhosowsbutlittlereapsbutlittle,andhewhosowsmuchreapsmuch—just so, saints' reapingat lastwillbeanswerable to their sowinghere.Allmen'scharities shallat lastbe rewardedproportionable to theseveraldegreesof it.Hewhogivesapoundshallhaveagreater rewardthanhewhogivesapenny.Hewhosowsthousandsshallreapmorethanhewhosowshundreds.Heshallhavethemostplentifulcropinheaven,who has sowedmost seed here on earth, etc. They shall have interestuponinterestinheaven,whosowmuchonthissideheaven.

[4.]AfourthscriptureisLuke19:12-20.NowinthisparableyouhaveagreatLordgoingintoafarcountry;butbeforehegoeshegivestenminastotenofhisservantstotradewithuntilhisreturn.Nowuponhisreturn,he who had increased his mina to tenminas wasmade ruler over tencities,verse17;andhewhomadefivefromhisoneminawasmaderuleroverfivecities,verse19.Herehewhoimprovedtheirminamost,receivedthe greatest reward. The nobleman in this parable is our Lord JesusChrist,who is truly and highly noble, he being co-eternal and co-equal

withhisFather, in respectofhisdeity;hewasbornaking, and isnowKingofkings,andLordoflords,andPrinceofthekingsoftheearth.Thefarcountrythatheisgonetoisheaven,fortherehewentathisascension.Nowwhenheshallreturnfromheaventojudgethelivingandthedead,he will then bring men to an account, to a reckoning about theirimprovementofallthegiftsandgracesthathehasentrustedthemwith;and,accordingtothedifferentimprovementthatmenshallmakeoftheirtalents—justso,shallbetheirreward.

Hewhomakes thegreatest improvementofhismina,heshallhavethegreatestreward,heshallberulerovertencities,thatis,heshallbeveryhighlyhonoredandexalted.Andhewhomakesalesserimprovement,heshallhavealesserreward,heshallberuleroverfivecities.Hewhomakesagreatimprovementofalittle,heshall,ifImaysospeak,sitatChrist'sright hand; but he who makes a lesser improvement, he must becontented to sit at Christ's left hand. God will proportion out men'srewardatlastanswerabletotheirimprovementofthattreasurewhichhehas put into their hands. Yet this does not infermeritofworks—but agraciousdisposition inGod to encouragehis servants in awayofwell-doing,etc.

[5.]A fifth scripture isDaniel12:3, "Thosewhoarewisewill shineasbrightas thesky, and thosewho turnmany to righteousnesswill shinelike stars forever." [From this very text, your English commentatorsconclude that there are degrees of glory in heaven, etc.] The glory ofheaven is here laid out in shining terms, for look how gloriously theshining of stars does excel the shining of the sky. Just so, some saintsshallasfaroutshineothersinglory,asthestarsdonowoutshinethesky.Look!asthestarsareamorebeautifulandgloriouspartoftheorbthanthesky is—justso,somesaintsshallhaveagreatdealmorebeautyandglory upon them than others shall. And look, as there are differentdegreesof glorybetween the gloryof the sky and the gloryof the starsnow—just so, there shall be different degrees of glory between oneglorioussaintandanotheratlast.Allthesaintsshallatlastshineasthesky—butthosewhobytheirdoctrine,instruction,andlife,turnmanytorighteousness,theseshallshineasthestars,foreverandever.Someofthehighestseatsingloryshallbeforsuch"whoturnsinnersfromdarkness

tolight,andfromthepowerofSatantoJesusChrist,"Acts26:18.

Itisveryobservable,thatastheapostleswereveryeminentinthiswork—justso,Christhasgiven itunderhisownhand, that theyshall situpontwelvethrones,assomanykings,judgingthetwelvetribesofIsrael,Mat.19:28;Luke22:28-29.TheyhaddoneandsufferedmoreforChristthanothers,andthereforeChristwillputagreatergloryuponthemthanuponothers.Thoughmanylearnedmendifferabouttheinterpretationofthosewords,"youalsoshallsitupontwelvethrones, judgingthetwelvetribesof Israel"—therefore Idarenotperemptorilyconclude thisor that tobethesenseofthem.Yetthisismostplainandevidentinthetext,thattheapostlesareunderapromiseofsomepeculiarandmoreeminentdegreeofhonor,glory,anddignity,thanothersareunder.

Look!astheirservicetoChristwasaspecialandeminentservice—justso,Christpromisesthemaspecialandeminentreward.Everymanofthemshall have his particular throne, and everyone of them shall have thehonoranddignityofjudging—thatis,ofgoverningandrulingthetwelvetribes of Israel. Look! as ambassadors and chief counselors andpresidentshave thehighestandchief seats in thekinglyassembly—justso, theapostlesshallhavethehighestandthechiefseats inthegeneralassembly and church of the first-born in heaven, Heb. 12:22-23. Theyshallsit,asitwere,onthethrone,oronthebench,withChrist—sohighlyandgreatlyshalltheybeexalted.

Ifwecannothitupontheexactmeaningsoftherewardherepromised—yetwemaysafelyandeasilygatherfromthedescriptionof it thatthereshall be different degrees of glory in Christ's kingdom of glory. Theapostles followed Christ through great tribulations and afflictions, andtheycontinuedwithhiminallhistemptations;theyforsookall,tofollowhim; and after they had faithfully, laboriously, successfully, and veryeminently served him—theymade themselves an offering for him, as Ihave formerly showed you, and therefore Christ will at last in a moreeminentwayexaltthem,andglorifythem,thanhewillotherswhohaveneverseenthatofChrist,norreceivedthatfromChrist,nordonethatforChrist,norsufferedthatforChrist—astheyhavedone.

Degrees ofglory shall at last be proportioned out answerable to those

degreesofservicewhichinthislifemenhavebeendrawnoutto.SuchathingasthistheapostlePauldoesmorethanhint, ifImistakenot, in1Thes.2:19-20, "Forwhat isourhope,or joy,or crownof rejoicing?ArenotevenyouinthepresenceofourLordJesusChristathiscoming?Foryouareourgloryandjoy."ThecrownthatPaulspeaksofhereisnotthatcommon crown of righteousness, nor that common crown of life andimmortality,northatcommoncrownofglorywhichallthesaintsshallbecrownedwithatlast;[2Tim.4:8;James1:12;Rev.2:10;1Pet.5:4.]Buthe speakshere of an apostolic crown, of a special, peculiar crown, thatshould accrue to him upon the account of his serviceableness to theirsouls;andofthiscrownhespeaksagaininthatPhil.4:1,"Therefore,mybrethren,mydearlybelovedandlongedfor,myjoyandcrown,sostandfastintheLord,mydearlybeloved."HecallsthePhilippianshiscrown,and that partly because their spiritual growth, constancy, andperseverance was now his glory among other churches—but mainlybecausetheyshouldbehisparticularcrownofrejoicinginthegreatdayof our Lord Jesus. He knew that the Philippians' profit would be hiscrown and his advantage another day. The apostle alludes here to thecustomoftheRomans,who,astheyhadtheircommoncrownsofivyandlaurel, etc.—and these were such that their horses which won the racewereoftencrownedwith,whichoccasionedTheocritustosay,"Seewhatpoorthings theworldglories in; for,as their conquerorsarecrowned—just so, are their horses!" Just so, they had their peculiar, their specialcrowns,whichweretherewardsoftheirconquerorsthathaddonespecialservicefortheircountry.

Justso,therearecommoncrownsthatbelongtoallthesaints,assaints—asthecrownofrighteousness,thecrownoflife,andthecrownofglory.And as there are these common crowns—just so, there are special andpeculiar crowns, that they shall be crownedwith, who are exercised inmorehighandexcellentservicesthanothershavebeenemployedin;andthisisthecrownthatheretheapostlespeaksof.Heknewverywellthathisrewardshouldbeanswerabletohiswork,forthoughGodneverdid,noreverwill,rewardmenfortheirworks,asiftheywerethemeritoriouscause of the reward—yet hewill for degrees reward themaccording totheir works. There are peculiar crowns, special crowns, for those whohavedonepeculiarandspecialservicesforChristonearth.

[6.] A sixth scripture isMat. 5:11-12, "Blessed are you when peopleinsult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against youbecause of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward inheaven." Suffering saints, persecuted saints, shall be sure of greatrewards.Godwillrewardhispeople,notonlytheirinnocence,integrity,patience, and courage under their sufferings—but the more theirsufferings, revilings, and persecutions aremultiplied in this world, themore shall their recompense and reward be multiplied in the eternalworld. It is true,Christ hasmany lovers of his crown—but fewbearersofhiscross.Allwouldreignwithhim—butfewcaretosufferfor him.But yet it is as true on the one hand—namely, that thosewhobearmostofhiscrossshallbegreatestsharers inhiscrown; thosewhosuffermostforhimonearthshallbemostblessedandrewardedbyhimwhentheycometoheaven.

Look! as the consolation of the saints rises higher and higher in thisworld,evenas theirsufferingsrisehigherandhigher,2Cor.1:4-5—justso,thegloryofthesaintsshallrisehigherandhigherintheeternalworld,astheirsufferingsrisehigherandhigherinthisworld.TertullianwritesofthepersecutedChristianswhocryout,"Yourcrueltyisourglory,andtheharderweareput to it, thegreater shallbeour reward inheaven!"Onespeakingofthemartyrssaid,"lookhowmanysufferingstheyhave—justsomanycrownstheyshallhave!"Foreverysuffering—Godshallsetacrownontheirheads."Byhowmuchmen'ssufferingshavebeengreater,"saysChrysostom,"bysomuchthemoretheircrownshallbebrightandresplendent!"

"The greater conflicts and buffetings which any saint has endured, thegreatershallbehisreward,andthemoreampleshallbehisglory,"saysAustin. As Christ has many crowns upon his head, suitable to themultitudeofhissufferingsandvictories—justso,Christiansat lastshallhavecrownssuitabletothemultitudeoftheirsufferings,andsuitabletothosefamousvictorieswhichtheyhavegainedoveratemptingdevilandapersecutingworld,Rev. 19:7.Certainly itwillbebut justice, that theyshouldreceive theweightiestcrownwhohavebore theheaviest cross, 1John5:4,and2:13-14.

[7.] The seventh and last scripture that I shall produce isMat. 10:41,

"He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet, shall receive aprophet'sreward;"thatis,saysome,theyshallbepartakersofthesamerewardwhichislaidupfortheprophets.Withoutallquestion,thesetwothingsliefairinthetext:

First,Thatthereissomespecialandeminentdegreesofrewarddueuntoaprophetaboveothermen.And,

Secondly,Thathewhoshallentertainaprophet,andperformanyofficesofloveandfavortohimunderthatnameandnotion,heshallbepartakerofthatreward.Hewhoreceivesaprophet,asheisGod'smessenger,andemployed in his service, and sent about his errand, and not upon anycarnalorworldlyrespects—heshallreceiveaprophet'sreward;thatis,heshallreceiveeithersucharewardastheprophethimselfshallreceiveatlast,orheshallreceivesuchalarge,ample,andnoblerecompenseasisfitforonetoreceive,whoreceivedaprophetascomingfromtheLord.

Look! as such who give an honorable reception to the ambassadors ofkings or princes, dohighly raise themselves in the favor and esteem ofthosekingsorprinceswhohadsentthem—justso,thosewhoreceivethefaithful prophets of theLord, as the ambassadors ofGod, they shall behighlyinterestedinthefavorofGod,andasnoblyberewardedbyGod.

Imightproduceseveralotherscripturesthatechotothesamepurposeasthesesevendo—butenoughisasgoodasafeast;asthatMark6:20;John14:2;Mat.20:20-24.

Ishall, therefore, in thesecondplacecometo theREASONSthatmayfurtherevidenceandconfirmthisgreattruth—namely,thatthereshallbedifferent degrees of glory in heaven. Among many other reasons thatmightbegiven,Ishallonlygiveyouthesefive.

[1.]First,Therearediversitiesofdegreesofangelsinheaven.Therearecherubimandseraphim,andthereareangelsandarchangels.Now the cherubimand seraphimare a lower rank and orderof angels,andthearchangelsareahigherrankandorderofangels.Andtheapostlespeaks clearly of several ranks and orders of invisible creatures in thatCol. 1:16. Here you have an enumeration of thrones, dominions,

principalities, and powers. And so in Eph. 1:21, "Far above allprincipalities, and powers, and might, and dominion." TheseprincipalitiesandpowersaretheblessedangelswhoministerbeforetheLord, and who are subordinate unto one another; and here they arereckonedupbyascending:powerisaboveprincipality,andmightabovepower,anddominionabovemight.TodefinethoseordersanddegreesofangelswithwhichGodisenvironed,isaworktoohighandhardforme,and though the Papists and several schoolmen are so bold as to definetheirparticularofficesandorders—yetIdarenotbewiseabovewhat iswritten.Where the Scripture is silent—I love to be silent; andwhere theScripturehasno tongue—there Idesire tohavenoears.[Mat.9:34, and 12:34;Mark 3:22. The very supposition of ordersupposesinequalityanddisproportion.]

ThereisanorderinHELL,anorderamongthedevils,andthereforeyouread in three scriptures of the princeof devils, and so much also thatexpression imports thatyouhave in thatMat.25:41, "Thedevilandhisangels," which intimates a prince among those unclean and damnedspirits.Nowshall therebeorder inhellandconfusion inheaven?Shalltherebeorderamongtheevilangels,andshalltherenotmuchmorebeorderamongthegoodangels?CertainlythatGodwhoistheGodoforder,andwhohasmadeallthingsinorder,andwhotothisdaykeepsallthingsinorderherebelow—willneverallowtheleastdisorderandconfusiontobe among those princes of glorywho stand continually before him.Hewho denies order in heaven, denies heaven to be heaven; and he whograntsorderinheaven,grantsdegreesofgloryinheaven.Thoughthereisno difference between the angels innature—the angelical nature beingalikeinall—yetinoffice,thereisagreatdealofdifferenceinthegloryofthe angels, for God employs some of the heavenly host in more high,noble,andexcellentservicesthanothers,andanswerablethereuntoshalltheir rewardbe.Thoughallangelsshall sharealike in theessentialandsubstantialgloryofheaven—yetthereisanadditionalglory,anoverplusof glory, which shall be conferred upon the angels, answerable to theseveralandvariousservicesthattheyhavemanagedandengagedin.

Now the Scripture tells us plainly that "in heaven we shall be like theangels,"Mat.22:30;andthereforeiftherebedegreesofangels,andifthe

angelsinheavenshallhaveadifferentgloryandreward,accordingtothework inwhich theyhavebeenemployed, then thegloryof the saints inrespectofdegreesshallbedifferentalso.But,

[2.] Secondly, There are degrees of torments in hell, andtherefore, by the rule of contraries, there shall be degrees ofgloryinheaven.Nowthattherearedegreesoftormentsinhellismostevident fromseveralplain scriptures, as fromMat. 10:14-15, "If anyonewillnotwelcomeyouorlistentoyourwords,shakethedustoffyourfeetwhenyouleavethathouseortown.Iassureyou:Itwillbemoretolerableon the day of judgment for the land of Sodom andGomorrah than forthat town." Sodom and Gomorrah shall have an easier and cooler hellthansuchcitiesshallhave,whichhavedespisedtheoffersofgrace,andthe offers ofmercy. [Contempt of Christ and his gospel, is worse thansodomy.]Itisveryobservable,thatthepunishmentsthatGodinthislifehas inflicted upon the Jews for their contempt of Christ, and hiseverlasting gospel, have beenmore terrible than his raining hell out ofheavenuponSodomandGomorrah:forsuddenly,andinamoment,Godconsumed them, and burnt SodomandGomorrah up.ButGodhas forabovethissixteenhundredyearsbeena-raininghelloutofheavenupontheJews;hehasforalongtimevexedthemwithallmannerofadversity,andtothisverydayhehasmadethem,alltheworldover,aspectacleofhis dreadful severity. But all those plagues and punishments that theJewshavebeenandstillareunder,arebutflea-bitingsandscratchesonthehand—comparedtothosedreadfulandastonishingjudgmentswhichGod,inthegreatdayofaccount,willinflictuponallChristrefusersandgospel-despisers! "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, butwhoeverrejectstheSonwillnotseelife,forGod'swrathremainsonhim."John3:36

And so chapter 11:20-23, "Then Jesus began to denounce the cities inwhichmost of his miracles had been performed, because they did notrepent."Woetoyou,Korazin!Woetoyou,Bethsaida!Ifthemiraclesthatwere performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, theywouldhaverepentedlongagoinsackclothandashes.ButItellyou,itwillbemore tolerable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than foryou.Andyou,Capernaum,willyoubelifteduptotheskies?No,youwill

godown to thedepths. If themiracles thatwereperformed in youhadbeenperformedinSodom,itwouldhaveremainedtothisday!"Themoremercy has been upon the bare knee entreating sinners to repent, themoreearnesttheLordJesushasbeeninwooingsinnerstobelieveonhimandtoresignupthemselveswhollyandonlytohim,themoreclearlyandsweetlytheeverlastinggospelhassoundedinsinners'ears,andthemorenear,andthemoreoftenheavenhasbeenbroughttosinners'doors—andyettheyhavebiddefiancetoall,andhardenedthemselvesintheirsins—with the greater violence and with the more dreadful vengeance shallsuchbeplungedintothelowesthell.

AndsoinMat.23:14,"Woeuntoyou,scribes,Pharisees,andhypocrites,for you devour widows' houses, and for a pretensemake long prayers;therefore you shall receive thegreaterdamnation."Hypocrites shall bedoubledamned;thehottestandthedarkestplace inhell is reserved forthem. "Give him his portion with hypocrites;" for number and weight,there are no torments in hell, compared to the torments of hypocrites.Counterfeitsanctityisdoubleiniquity,andthereforeitisbutjusticethatthehypocriteshouldhavedoubletorment.

AndsoinLuke12:47,48,"Thatservantwhoknowshismaster'swillanddoesnotgetreadyordoesnotdowhathismasterwants,willbebeatenwith many blows. But the one who does not know and does thingsdeservingpunishmentwillbebeatenwithfewblows.Fromeveryonewhohasbeengivenmuch,muchwillbedemanded;andfromtheonewhohasbeenentrustedwithmuch,muchmorewillbeasked."Sinsagainst lightand knowledge are sins against the noblest remedy. They waste andwound the conscience most, they most open sinners' mouths toblasphemeagainstGod,andtheymosthardensinners'heartsinsinningagainstGod;andeverywaytheydareGodmost,andprovokeGodmost—tostrikewithanironrod,andtowhiptheknowingtransgressor,notwithrods,butwithscorpions.

Itisveryobservable,thatthemorelightandknowledgemensinagainstinthisworld—thegreater judgmentsGodgivesthemupto,eveninthislife,Romans1:21-23.Oh,howmuchmore,then,willGodinthegreatdaygivethemuptothegreatestjudgments,whohavegiventhemselvesuptothe greatest sins! Certainly the professors of this age, yes, of this city,

whethertheygotoheavenorhell,willbethegreatestdebtorsthatshallbeineitherplace—theonetothefreegraceofGod,andtheothertohisjustice.That thosewhohavemostofhell in theirmouths, andmost of hell in their hearts, andmost of hell in their lives—shouldhavemostofhellintheirsoulsatlast,isbutjustice.

IshallconcludethissecondargumentwithasayingofAugustine,"Look!"sayshe,"asinheavenoneismoregloriousthananother—justso,inhellone shall bemoremiserable than another."Now if there be degrees oftorments in hell, which I suppose the scriptures but now cited doesundeniably prove, then, doubtless, there will be degrees of glory inheaven.

[3.] Thirdly,God in this life dispenses the gifts and gracesofhis Spirit unequally among his saints; to some he gives twotalents,toothersfive,andtoothersten.Henceitisyoureadbothofaweakfaith,andofastrongfaith."Whyareyouafraid,Oyouoflittlefaith?"and,"Owoman,greatisyourfaith;"and,"Truly,Ihavenotfoundsogreatfaith,no,notinIsrael."[Mat.25,8:10,26,and15:28.]

And hence it is that you read both ofweak Christians, and of strongChristians. "Hewho isweak in the faithreceive;" "anotherwho isweakeats herbs;" "and to theweak, I became asweak, that Imightwin theweak;""wethenwhoarestrongoughttobeartheinfirmitiesoftheweak,and not to please ourselves;" "when I am weak, then am I strong."[Romans14:1-2; 1Cor.9:22;2Cor. 12:10;Heb.5:13-14; 1Pet.2:2, and5:1.]

And hence it is that you read of babes, and of children, and of youngmen, and ofoldmen, in the Scripture. Saints are of different growths.Somearebutbabesingiftsandgrace,othersarechildren,othersyoungmen,andothersoldmen.Goddistributes thegood thingsof thisworldunequally among the sons ofmen, as to somemore, to others less; tosomegreat things, toothers little things; tosomehigh things, tootherslow things. God unequally distributes spiritual blessings among hisdearestchildren; to somehe givesmore light, to others less; to someagreatermeasureoflove,toothersaless;tosomeagreaterdegreeofjoy,toothersaless,etc.Somesaintsshineingraceandholinessastheskies,

andothersshineingraceandholinessasthestars;someshineingraceandholinessasthemoon,andothersshineingraceandholinessasthesun; and all this springs from those different measures of grace andholinesswhichGodbestowsuponhispeople.

Nowdoubtlessmenmayaswellpleadforequaldegreesofgrace—astheymayforequaldegreesofglory;theymayaswellpleadforanequalshareinthegoodthingsofthisworld—astheymaypleadforanequalshareinthe happiness and blessedness of the eternal world. Doubtless as Goddispenses his gifts and graces unequally in this life—just so, he willdispensehisrewardsunequallyinthenextlife.Asmen'sgiftsandgracesare different here on earth—just so, their glory shall be different whenthey come to heaven.Without all question, they shall have the whitestandthelargestrobesofhonor,andtheheaviestandthebrightestcrownsofglory—whosesoulsaremostrichlyadornedwithgrace,andwhoselivesaremosteminentlybespangledwithholiness.

Themoregraceandholinessanysainthashere,themoreheispreparedandfitted forglory;andthemoreanysaint is fitted forglory, themorethatsaintshallatlastbefilledwithglory.Thegreatestmeasuresofgraceandholinessdomostenlargethesoul,andwidenthesoul,andcapacitatethe soul—to take in the greatest measures of glory; and therefore themore grace, the more glory, the more holiness, the more happiness, asaintshallhaveatlast.CertainlyGodwillcrownhisowngraciousworksin his children proportionable to what they are—but they are differentandunequallyinallhischildreninrespectofmeasuresanddegrees;andtherefore God will set different crowns of glory upon the heads of hischildrenatlast.But,

[4.] Fourthly, Thosewho havemore grace and holiness thanothers,theyaremorelikeGodthanothers.Theybearhisgloriousimage in a greater print, they have a brighter character of God uponthem,andtheyarethemostlivelypictureofGodinalltheworld.

Nowweknow,thoughparentslovetheirchildrenwell,andwishalltheirchildrenwell,andprovideforalltheirchildrenwell—yetcommonlytheylove themmost, and provide for them best, who resemble themmost.Parentscannotbut lovethosechildrenmost,and layupforthemmost,

whohavemostofthemselvesinthem;andIcannotseehowGodcandootherwise than love themmost, and provide for them best, who mostresemblehimtothelife.ThenatureofGodisaholynature,andsotherelies a holy necessity on his nature to love themmost, who have mostgraceandholinessinthem,Psalm45:7.

Look!as it isnaturaltoGodtohatewickedness—justso,it isnaturaltoGodtoloveholiness;andasthehighermenriseinwickedness,themoreaholyGodhatesthem—justso,thehighermenriseinholiness,themoreaholyGodlovesthem.NowthemoreanyarelikeGod,andthemoretheyarebelovedbyGod,thehigherdoubtlessingloryshalltheybeadvancedbyGod.Thebestandthe largestportion is laidup for thatchildthat ismost like his father. Themore anyman in holiness resembles God onearth, the greater and the larger portion of glory that man shall havewhenhecomestoheaven.But,

[5.]Fifthlyandlastly,Todenydegreesofgloryinheaven,andto say thatGodwill not suitmen'swages to theirworks, northeir rewards to their services, nor crown the highestimprovementsofgracewiththehighestdegreesofglory, istorenderuselessmanygloriousexhortationswhicharescatteredupanddownintheScripture.1Cor.15:58,"Therefore,mybelovedbrethren,besteadfast,unmoveable,alwaysaboundingintheworkoftheLord,forasmuchasyouknowthatyourlaborisnotinvainintheLord."IfthiswerenotatruththatIhavebeenallthiswhileasserting,whythen,whenmenmeetwiththisexhortation,theymaysay,"Why,itisnogreatmatterwhetherwearesteadfast,unmoveable,andalwaysaboundinginthework of the Lordor not; for if we are,we shall never advance ourreward in heaven,we shall never add pearls to our glorious crown,weshallneveraddonemitetoourhappinessandblessedness;andifwearenot, we shall be as high in heaven, and our reward as great, and ourcrownasweighty,astheirsshallbewhoaresteadfast,unmoveable,andalwaysabounding in theworkof theLord." [2Cor. 7:1, and9:6; 2Pet.3:18;John15:8;2Pet.1:5-7.]

Andsothedenialofdegreesofgloryinheavenwilltakeoffalsotheedgeofallthoseotherexhortationsofperfectingholiness,ofsowingliberally,ofgrowingingrace,ofbringingforthmuchfruit,andofaddingvirtue

tovirtue,etc.Yes,thiswillcutthethroatofalldivineendeavors;forwhowilllabortoberichingrace,andtobemuchinservice,andtoaboundinallthefruitsofrighteousnessandholiness,whennoneofallthiswillturntoaman'sadvantageintheeternalworld?Ifhewhosowslittleshallhaveasgreataharvestashewhosowsmuch;ifhewhoisdullandnegligentintheworkoftheLordshallhaveasgreatarewardashewhoisactiveandabundant in theworkof theLord; if those treesof righteousnesswhichbring forth much fruit shall have no greater a recompense than thosetrees of righteousnesswhich bring forthmany leaves of profession butlittle fruit, etc., who would sow much, and who would be active andabundantintheworkoftheLord,andwhowouldbringforthmuchfruit?trulybutfew,ifany.

ThetruththatIhavebeenlaboringtomakegood,namely,thatthereshallbe different degrees of glory in heaven, and that God will proportionmen'srewardtotheirwork,andthathewillmeasureouthappinessandblessednesstothematlast,accordingtothedifferentmeasuresofgracebestowed upon his people, and according to the work, service, andfaithfulnessofhispeopleinthisworld;thistruth,Isay,heldforthinitsluster and glory, is a marvelous encouragement, and a mightyprovocationtoallsincereChristians—tolaborafterthehighestpitchesinChristianity,andtobeveryeminentingraceandholiness;forwhatmanis there,whowill not reason thus, "themore grace themore glory; themoreholinessthemorehappiness; themoreworkthemorewages;andthe greater my service shall be here, the greater shall be my rewardhereafter. Therefore, O my soul! grow in grace, perfect holiness, andaboundintheworkandserviceoftheLord,knowingthatyourlaborshallnotbe invain in theLord."And thus Ihavegivenyou thereasons thatprovethatthereshallbedegreesofgloryinheaven.

NowIhavenothingfurthertodouponthispoint—buttogiveafewbriefanswers to suchOBJECTIONS as are commonly raised against thistruth,thatIhaveassertedandproved.

Objection1.First,Someobjectandsay,ThatoneChristboughtusall,and that all our portions are bought by theprecious blood of our LordJesus Christ, and that therefore all believers shall share alike in theinheritanceofthesaintsinlight.NowtothisobjectionIshallanswer,

[1.]First,That all saints shall be equal sharers in the substantial andessential glory of heaven, etc. But of this I have spoken before; and,therefore,

[2.] Secondly, Though a father buys a rich inheritance for all hischildren—yetthislaysnonecessitynorobligationatalluponhimtoallotto everyone of his children an equal portion. Just so, though our LordJesus Christ has by his blood purchased a rich inheritance for hischildren—yetthislaysnonecessitynorobligationatalluponJesusChristtodividethisrichinheritancebyequalportionsamonghischildren.ItistruethatChristhaspurchasedallwithhisblood;anditisastruethathemay divide his purchase among his people as he pleases. If everymanmaydowithhisownashepleases,whymaynotChrist?Mustheneedsbebound,whenothersarefree?

[3.]Thirdlyand lastly, Ianswer,Thatas it is true that themeritsandsatisfaction of Christ is the ground and foundation of our reward, andthatalonewhichmakesourworks capableof a reward—just so, it is astruethatourworksarethesubjecttoreward,andthisismostagreeableto the compact that was made between Christ and his Father—thateverlasting happiness and blessedness, that eternal glory and felicity,should be measured out to the saints according to their differentmeasures of grace, anddifferentdegrees of service that theyhave beenengaged in this world, and all this upon the credit of Christ's blood.Certainly there is nothing under heaven, below the blood of our LordJesusChrist,thatcanmakedifferingworkscapableofadifferentreward.

ThePapists aremost sadlywrong, for they are so blind and bold as toaffirmthatthemoregraceanymanhas,themoregloryhemeritsbyhisgrace. These men make degrees of grace, and not the blood of JesusChrist,tobethemeritoriouscauseofdegreesofglory;andthereforeofallmen I think theyare furthest fromglory.Certainly this is thebeliever'sglory,andhiscrownofrejoicing,thatallrecompensesandrewardsshallflow in upon him, not upon the account of his merits—but upon theaccountofChrist'sblood;andthusmuchshallsufficetohavespokenbywayofanswertothisobjection.

Objection2.Butnow,inthesecondplace,Ishallcometoanswertheirgrandandmainobjection;andthatistakenfromthatparableinthe20thchapter of Matthew, where the kingdom of heaven is compared to avineyard. Now in this parable there is mentionmade of a farmer thatcalledseverallaborersintohisvineyard,atseveralhoursintheday;somehecalledat thefirsthour,andsomehecalledat the third,andsomeattheninth,andsomeattheeleventh.Nowwhentheyallcametoreceivetheirwages, the story tells us thathe gave everymanapenny,he gaveeverymananequalreward.Thosewholaboredfromthefirsthour,andthosewholaboredfromthethirdhour,andthosewholaboredfromthesixthhouroftheday—hadnogreaterarecompensethanhewhocameinat the eleventhhour, and sohad laboredbut onehour in thevineyard,and bore but little if any of the heat of the day. From whence theobjectorsconcludethattherearenodegreesofgloryinheaven—butthatall shall have glory alike, happiness and blessedness alike; every manshallhavehispenny,everymanshallhaveanequalreward,andnoman'spennyinheavenshallbebrighterorbiggerthananother's.

Now,bywayofanswertothisobjection,givemepermissiontopremisethesethreethings:

First, That this parable of the householder, in giving to every man apenny, has no reference at all to heaven, nor to the reward, nor to theglory that shallbeconferredupon theelect, and this I shall clearlyandfullyprovebythesefourfollowingarguments:

[1.] First, This inferential particle, "for," in verse 1, shows that thisparable is inserted toexpound the formerconclusion,namely,"thatthefirstshallbelast,andthelastshallbefirst,"andthereforetheendoftheparable isconcludedwith therepetitionof thesamesentence,verse16,"the lastshallbe first,andthe first shallbe last."Christby thisparablewouldteachhishearers,thatthere isnoreasonwhythosewhoarefirstcalledinrespectoftimeshouldboastortriumphoverothers,becausehecaneasilycalltheuncalledatpleasure,andeithermakethemequalwiththem,orelsepreferthembeforethosewhoarefirst.ThescopeofChristinthisparableisnottosetforththeequalityofcelestialglory,itisnottoprovethatthehappinessandblessednessof thesaintsshallbeequal inheaven—buttheverydriftof theparable is toshow, that thosewhoare

firstcalledandconvertedhavenocauseatalltodespisetheuncalledandunconverted,ortotrampleuponthemwiththefootofpride,consideringthat they who are yet in their sins, and in an unconverted andunsanctifiedestate—mayyetbecalled,andeithermadeequaltothem,orpreferredbeforethem.But,

[2.]Secondly,Interpretersdogenerallyagreeinthis,thatbythefarmerwearetounderstandGodhimself,andbythelaborers—menuponearth,andbythevineyard—thechurchofGod;andseveralofthemsay,thatbythefivehoursintheparablewearetounderstandthefiveagesofman.

First,Bythosewhowerecalledinthemorningandsentintothevineyard,we are to understand those who in their childhood are called andconverted; they are suchwho begin to seek the Lord, and to serve theLord, even as soon as they are capable of theuse of reason; as Samueldid,andasJosiahdid,andasTimothydid.

Secondly,Bythosewhoarecalledatthethirdhour,wearetounderstandthose who are converted and turned to the Lord in their youth, in theprime,thespringandmorningoftheirdays.

Thirdly,Bythosewhowerecalledatthesixthhour,wearetounderstandthosewhoareturnedtotheLordintheirstrength,andintheirfullandperfectage.

Fourthly, By those who were called at the ninth hour, we are tounderstand those who are converted and turned to the Lord in theirdecliningage.

And fifthly, By those who were called at the eleventh hour, we are tounderstand those who are converted and turned to the Lord in theirdecrepitoldage,whentheyhaveonefootinthegrave,andthereisbutashort step between them and eternity, when, with the thief upon thecross,theyareevenreadytobeturnedoffoftheladderoflife.

Now the vineyard being the church, all that this parable proves is nomore but this, that whether men are called into the vineyard of thechurcheithersoonerorlater—eitheratthefirsthour,orattheninth,or

eleventhhour:yetthisshallneithergreatennorlessentheirreward;foriftheyarecalledatthefirsthour,theirrecompenseshallbeeverthegreateruponthataccount,oriftheyarecalledattheeleventhhour,theirrewardshall be ever the lesser upon that account; the reward shall not bedifferent according to the different times of men's being called andconverted,andthatthisparableproves;buttherewardshallbedifferentaccording to thediversity of ourworks, and thatmy former argumentsprove.

[3.]Thirdly,Ifthepennythateveryonehadintheparablebemeantofglory, then it will roundly follow, that murmurers shall be saved andglorifiedaswellasothers,forthemurmurershadtheirpennyaswellastherest:verse10-12,"Butwhenthe firstcame, theysupposed that theyshould have received more, and they likewise received every man apenny.Andwhentheyhadreceivedit, theymurmuredagainstthegoodmanofthehouse,saying,Theselasthavewroughtbutonehour,andyouhavemadethemequaluntous,whichhavebornetheburdenandheatoftheday."TheGreekwordwhichishererenderedmurmured,signifiestogruntasswinegrunt.Theygrumbledandgrunted,andtheygruntedandgrumbled;andpraytellmewhatshouldsuchswineasmurmurersaredogrunting and grumbling in heaven? doubtless the crown of glory is toobright, toonoble, too glorious, and tooweighty a crown tobe set uponmurmurers' heads. Heaven would be no heaven if there were but onegruntlerormurmurerthere.

Inheavenallthevesselsofgloryshallbefull,andthereshallnotbetheleast shadow of envy or repining there. In the streets of that newJerusalemabove,noneshallevercomplainthatothershavetoomuch,orthat they themselveshave too little.Every glorified saint shall sit downfully satisfied and contented with his portion there. Now should weunderstand the penny to be a glorified estate and condition, then thiswouldunavoidablyfollow,thatmanyshallbebroughttoastateofglorywhicharenotelected,norsanctified,norpreparedforglory;butthiscannever,normustneverbegranted;andthereforewithoutallquestionthisparabledoesnowayholdoutthatstateofgloryandfelicitywhichallthecalledandchosenofGodshallhaveatChrist'scomingtojudgethequickandthedead.But,

[4.]Fourthly,Thepennythatisherementionedinthisparablecannot,normay not, be interpreted so as to signify an equality of glory, or anequality of happiness and blessedness, that the saints shall have inheaven,becausesuchaninterpretation,suchanexposition,iscrossandcontrary to the common and received rules of interpreting andexpounding of Scripture. Now, among other rules which are to beobservedintheinterpretingandexpoundingofScripture,therearethesetwo:

FIRST,YoumustsointerpretandexpoundonetextofScripture,thatyoudo not set it at strife and variance with another text of Scripture; forthoughthereisaseemingcontradictionbetweenscriptureandscripture—yetthereisablessedharmonyandagloriousagreementbetweenallthepartsofScripture.ItisaverydangerousthingsotointerpretScriptureasto raise contestsandoppositionbetween scripturesand scriptures; it isan evil thing to raiseup scripture against scripture, and so to interpretoneastomakeitaffrontanother.Woetohimwhobyhisinterpretationsof Scripture proclaims the scriptures to be at open war amongthemselves.Now to interpret thepenny in theparable so as tomake itsignifyanequalityofgloryandhappinessamongthesaintsinheaven,istosetthisscriptureatvarianceandstrifewithallthosescripturesthatIhaveproduced toprovean inequality in theglory andhappinessof thesaints in heaven, and therefore such an interpretation is rather to beabhorredthantobereceived.But,

SECONDLY, Another rule that is to be observed in the interpreting ofScripture is this—we must always interpret those scriptures which aremoredarkandmysterious,bythosescriptureswhicharemoreplainandclear; and not interpret those scriptures which are plain and clear bythosewho are dark andmysterious, for thiswere to darken counsel bywordswithoutknowledge,Job38:2.

Those who interpret the penny in the parable to signify an equality ofglory among the saints in heaven, they transgress this second rule; fortheymust then interpretall thoseclearandplainscriptures that Ihavebroughttoprovedegreesofgloryinheavenbythisdarkandmysteriousparable,whereastheyshouldinterpretthisdarkandmysteriousparable,if Imay so say, by those plain and clear scriptures that I have already

cited;andthereforetheirinterpretationmustberejected.

Itistrue,ofsomeparableswemaysayasGregorydoes,namely,thattheyrather require a practicer than an interpreter, Psalm 49:4, and 97:2;John16:29.Anditisastruethatotherparablesaresodark,obscure,andmysterious,thatweshallneverunderstandthemwithoutthesweatofourbrowsandthebeatingofourbrains,andsuchaparablethisseemstobe,and therefore we must interpret the parts of it rather by other clearscriptures, than tomake clear and plain scriptures bow to this—whichseemstohaveaveiluponit.Andthusyouseebythesearguments,thatthe penny in the parable has no reference at all to heaven, nor to anyequalityofglorythatshallbeamongthesaintsthere.

Secondly,Chrysostom'scounselonthetextshouldbeeyedandfollowed.Says he, "We should not strain every particular of a parable—but onlyconsider the scope of Christ in the propounding of it, and accordinglyapplyit."Welooknotoneveryparticularcolorinawell-drawnpicture—but on thewhole piece. Just so,whenwe come to view a parable, it isenough thatwe castoureyeprincipallyupon thegeneral intention andscopeof it.Hewho isveryexactandcurious toviewandobserve everyparticularcircumstanceaboutparables,mayeasilydrawblood,insteadofmilk,outof thebreastsofparables.Parablesare like to the srollwhichEzekielsawinavisionspreadbeforehim,whichwaswrittenwithinandwithout; without the history was written, and within the mystery waswritten,Ezek.2:10.Nowthoughtheoutside,thehistory,ofaparablebelike the goldenpot—yet the inside, themystery, of a parable is like themannathatwashiddentherein,anditisthemanna,themanna,thatwemustseekafter.Itisourwisdomtocastaspecialeyeupontheinsideofparables, upon the mystical reference that parables have, than to lieporingupontheoutsideofparables.

Therefore, the scope of this parable is not to prove that there is anequality of glory inheaven—but to reprove the Jews,who, being calledinto the Lord's vineyard early in themorning, repined andmurmuredthattheGentiles,whowerecalledinatthelatterendoftheday,whowerecalled in some thousandyearsafter them, that they should throughtherichesofgracehaveanequalsharewith themin thereward,andstandupon as good and as noble termswithGod as themselves,who had so

longboretheheatoftheday.God,toshowthathisgifts,hisgrace,andhis rewards are free, will give his pennies as well to those who havelaboredbuta little—as to thosewhohave laboredmuch;and this isnoprejudiceatalltohistruthandjustice,thathisgraceisfree.But,

Thirdly and lastly, That by the penny we cannot, nor we may not,understand everlasting happiness and blessedness—but some otherreward that hypocrites may attain to as well as sincere-heartedChristians;and thereason isobvious: forhewhowassentaway forhisenviousgrumblingandgrunting,wassentawayalsowithhispenny,"takeyourpennyandbepacking."[Somebythepennydounderstandworldlyhonor,andtheestimationandapprobationofmen.]Bythepennysomepiousinterpretersdounderstandsomecompetentgiftorother,whateveritwere,whichmightbewellmanagedand improved to advantage.Thevineyardisthechurch,andeveryonethatiscalledtolaborinthevineyardis called to labor in the use and improvement of ordinances. Noweveryone that is laborious in the use of ordinances shall be sure to getsomething;nomanshallkindleafireonGod'saltarfornothing.Andyetit many times comes to pass that those who have been called andconverted long before others, do yet make no greater, nor any betterearningson it than thosedo,whohave been called and converted longafter them.Hewho is called at the first hour sometimes gets nomorethan he who is called at the eleventh hour. It is in the trade ofChristianity,asit is inothertrades.Nowyouknowthatmanymenwhohavebeensetupinthisorthattradeten,naytwenty,yearsbeforeothers—yet they many times make no more earnings, no more advantage oftheirtrade,thanthosewhohavesetupbuttheotherday,aswesay.

Why, so many who have been called long to the trade of Christianitybefore others—yet theymake nomore earnings, nomore advantage ofthattrade,thanthosewhohavebeencalledtoitbutyesterday,asImayspeak.His gifts, his gain, his earnings,who is called in at the eleventhhouroftheday,ismanytimesequaltohisthatwascalledinatthefirsthourof theday.Yes, Ihave formerlyproved that sometimesmanywhoarecalledlaterthanothers,doyetingiftsandgraceexcelthosewhowerecalledlongbeforethem.

Nowtheseobjectionsbeinganswered,thattruthstandsfirm,likemount

Zion,namely,thatthemoreholinessyouhavehere,themorehappinessyoushallhavehereafter;themoregraceyouhavehereonearth,themoregloryyoushallhavewhenyoucometoheaven.

EightMeans,Helps,andDirectionsforProgressinHoliness

AndsoIcometothenextthingproposed,namely—toacquaintyouwithsomemeans,helps,anddirectionswhichmayenableyoutomakeaprogress inholiness, and toperfectholiness in the fearof theLord.And,

[1.]First,Ifeveryouwouldperfectholiness, ifeveryouwouldattaintohigherdegreesofholinessthananyyetyouhaveattainedto,thenlaborto be more and more sensible of your spiritual needs anddeficienciesofgraceandholiness.AhChristians!youmustbeoftenin casting up your accounts, and in looking over the defects of yourholiness.Hewhohasmostholiness—yetlacksmuchmorethanwhathehas attained to.Witness the prevalence of his corruptions, witness hiseasyfallingbeforetemptation,witnesshisaptness to faint in thedayofaffliction, witness his staggering in the day of opposition, witness hisshifts in theday of persecution, andwitness his actual unpreparednessand unfitness for the day of his death. The more any Christian seeshimselfdefectiveinholiness,themorehewilllaborafterholiness.

Psalm119:59-60,"Ithoughtonmyways—andturnedmyfeetuntoyourtestimonies: I made haste, and delayed not to keep yourcommandments." The Hebrew word which is here used for thinking,signifies to think on a man's ways accurately, advisedly, seriously,studiously,minutely.ThisholymanofGodthoughtexactlyandminutelyonallhispurposesandpractices,onallhisdoingsandsayings,onallhiswordsandworks,andfindingtoomanyof themtobeshortoftherule,yes,tobeagainsttherule—heturnshisfeettoGod'stestimonies;havingfound out his errors, upon a diligent search, a strict scrutiny, he turnsoveranewleaf,andframeshiscoursemoreexactlybyrule.

O Christians! youmust look as well to your spiritual needs as to your

spiritualenjoyments.Youmustlookaswelltoyourlayingsoutastoyourlayings up. You must look as well forward to what you should be—asbackwardtowhatyouare.CertainlythatChristianwillneverbeeminentinholiness,whoneverhasaneyetobeholdhislittleholiness.Hewhoismoreaffectedwith that little holinesshehas, thanhe is afflicted aboutthosegreatmeasuresofholinessthathelacks,willeverbeapunydwarfin holiness. The more sensible we are of our own weakness andemptiness, the more pleasure God will take to fill us with his ownfullness,andtoperfectinustheworkofholiness.But,

[2.]Secondly,Ifeveryouwouldperfectholiness,ifeveryouwouldattaintohigherdegreesofholiness,thensettheLordalwaysbeforeyoureyes,setyourselvesalwaysasinhispresence.Psalm41:12;1Sam.2:1,3.Davidwasamanwhowasveryhighandeminentinholiness;buthowcamehe to so great aheight?whyhe tells youhow, in thatPsalm16:8, "I have set the Lord always beforeme: because he is atmy righthand,Ishallnotbemoved."[Athenodorus,aheathen,couldsaythatallmen ought to be careful in the actions of their lives, because God waseverywhere,andbeheldallthatwasdone.1Kings20:39;Psalm39:1;Jer.20:10;Job10:12.]DaviddidnotbyfitsandstartssettheLordbeforehim;"but healways set the Lord before him in his course."He had his eyeupontheLord,andsomuchtheHebrewwordimports:IhaveequallysettheLordbeforeme;thatistheforceoftheoriginalword,thatis,Ihaveset the Lord before me, at one time as well as another, without anyirregularaffectionsorpassions,etc.Ineveryplace,ineverycondition,ineverycompany,ineveryemployment,andineveryenjoyment,IhavesettheLordequallybeforeme;and this raisedhim,and thiswill raiseanyChristian,bydegrees,toaverygreatheightofholiness.

Psalm 119:168, "I obey Your precepts and decrees, for allmyways arebefore You." The Hebrew word that is here rendered kept, signifies tokeepcarefully,diligently,studiously,exactly. Itsignifies tokeepasmenkeepprisoners,andtokeepasawatchmankeepsthecityorthegarrison,yes, tokeepasamanwouldkeephisvery life.ButnowmarkwhatwasthereasonthatDavidkeptthepreceptsandthetestimoniesoftheLordsocarefully,sosincerely,sodiligently,sostudiously,andsoexactly.Why,the reasonyouhave in the latterpartof theverse, "forallmywaysare

beforeyou."Osirs! it isasnecessary forhimwhowouldbeeminent inholiness—tosettheLordalwaysbeforehim,asitisnecessaryforhimtobreathe.

Inthat31stchapterofJob,youhaveaverylargenarrativeofthatheightand perfection of holiness which Job had attained to, and the greatreasonthathegivesyouforthisisinthe4thverse,"doesnotheseemywaysandcountallmysteps?"TheeyeofGodhadsostronganinfluenceupon his heart and life, that itwrought himup to a very high pitch ofholiness.Thescholarwritesmostexactlywhilehisteacher'seyeisuponhim;andthechildwalksmostexactlywhilehisfather'seyeisuponhim;andtheservantworksmostexactlywhilehismaster'seye isuponhim;andsocertainlyall thesonsandservantsof themosthighGoddohearmostexactly, andpraymostexactly,andwalkmostexactly—when theysetthemselvesmostasinthepresenceofthegreatGod,whoisallsight,whoisalleye!

Ah friends! as ever youwould be high in holiness, possess your heartswithaseriousapprehensionofGod'spresence,setyourselvesdailyasinhissight,asunderhiseye;andremember,thoughamanmayeasilybafflehisconscience,andputouthislight;anddeceivetheworld—yetheshallneverbeabletobaffleordeceivetheeyeofGod'somniscience.Youshallassoongetoutofthereachofhishand,asyoushallgetfromundertheviewofhiseye.Godhashiswindowsinallourbosoms,andexactlyandnarrowlyobservesallthatisdonewithinus,andallthatisdonebyus!Ifthe serious consideration of his all-seeing eye will not influence us tolaborafterthehighestdegreesofholiness,Iknownotwhatwill.

ItwasSeneca'sadvicetohisfriendJuciliusthatwhateverhewasdoingheshouldimaginethatCatodidbeholdhim.Butmyadvicetoyoushallbethis,uponeveryoccasion,ineverycondition,andineveryaction,"settheLordalwaysbeforeyou."Ifthesharpandsevereeyeofaholyman,orofaholyfriend,orofaholyrelationwillsooveraweyou,andsoexceedinglyinfluence you to the best of actions; then certainly the sharp, piercing,andall-seeingeyeofGodwilldomuchmore;andthereforelettheLordbealwaysinyoursight.But,

[3.]Thirdly,Ifeveryouwouldattaintohigherdegreesofholiness,then

fixandsettleyourselvesunderaholyministry;resignandgiveupyourselvestohisministry,whomakesithisgreatbusinessand work to preach holiness, to promote holiness, tocountenanceholiness,toencourageholiness,toexaltholiness,and to remove all obstructions that may anyway hinder theprogressofholiness.Someministersspendtheirtimerathertopleasethantoprofit,andtotickletheirhearers'earsthantotouchtheirhearts,Isaiah30:11.Fromthese turnaside!Someministersmake it theirworkrather todestroy churches than tobuild themup in faith andholiness.Fromtheseturnaside!Gal.1:23.Someministersmakeittheirbusinesstodeludeanddeceivethesimple,byventingandsettingforththedevicesoftheirownheads,andthedeceitsandvisionsoftheirownhearts,Phil.4:14;Jer.14:14.Howmanyarethereinthesedayswhosegloriousvisionsarebutgoldendelusions,andwhoseseraphicphrasesarebutbrain-sickphantasies, andwhose newnotionsare butnewnothings. From theseturnaside!

Someministers, after theyhadbeen seeminglywashed, returnwith thedogtohisvomit,andwiththesowtoherwallowinginthemire,Gal.2:18;2Pet.2:20-22.Theysaythatiftamefoxesbreaklooseandturnwild,theydo more mischief than any. Julian was once a professor—but turningback toheathenism,hedrewmore from the faithbyhis fraud thanhispredecessorsdidbyforce.Fromtheseturnaside!

Some ministers cry up the commandments of men above thecommandments of God; and set up the ordinances of men above theordinances of God; and prefer human institutions before divineinstitutions.Fromtheseturnaside!Mat.15:1-7;Mark7:1-14.

Someministers have a vein of scorning and reproaching, of disdainingthereputationsofthosefaithfulministersofChristwhouponallaccountsexcel them, and whom upon a dying bed, and before a judgment-seat,theywillwishthattheyhadimitatedandnotenvied,2Cor.10:10.Theselabor to darken and obscure others—that their own sunmay shine thebrighter. These labor to lessen others' reputation, hoping thereby togreaten their own. These admire themselves and despise others. Theselookuponthemselvesasthegreatestdoctors,anduponallothersastheworstofdunces.Fromtheseturnaside!

Some ministers spend their time and their strength in studying andpreaching of dry and sapless controversies, which are so far frombetteringofmen'shearts, and fromreformingofmen's lives—that theyleavemenasmuch, andmany timesmore,under thepowerof sinanddominionofSatanthantheywerebefore.Fromtheseturnaside!

Some ministers stand most upon easy things, and little things, uponthingsofleastworthandweight,andinthesetheywillbeveryincessantandprecise—andyet readilypassover thegreatand theweightythingsboth of the law and of the gospel, 1 Tim. 1:5-7;Mat. 23:23, and 6:3-5.They standmore upon circumstantials than upon substantials; upon asaint'sdaythanuponaSabbath-day;uponanEasterofferingthanuponofferingupofthemselvestotheLord;uponapipe,avesture,agesture—thanuponsavingofimmortalsouls.Fromtheseturnaside!

SomeministersspeaktwowordsforChristandtenforthemselves.Theyareveryzealoustofleecetheirflocks—buthavenoheartordesiretofeedtheirflocks,2Pet.2:1-4;Rev.18:11-13.Theymindmen'sgoodsmorethantheirgood.Theyaremorefortheservingofthemselvesthanthesavingofsouls.Justsothattheymaybecladattractively,anddinedeliciously,andlive lazily—they care not thoughmillions of souls go to hell yearly! Topickyourpursestheywillflatteryourconsciences!Soitmaygowellwiththem in this world, they care not what becomes of you in the eternalworld.Fromtheseturnaside!Ezek.34.

Someministers takemore pains tomake proselytes than tomakemenholy,Mat. 23:15; theymake it their great business towin overmen totheir opinions, when they should be a-winning of men over to JesusChrist; theymake itmore theirwork toconvertmen to theirway, thantheymakeittheirworktobettermen'shearts,ormendtheirlives,orsavetheir souls. They will compass sea and land to make men one withthemselves—and yet think all that time and pains lost that is spent inendeavoring tomakemen onewithChrist. These are ripe for hell, andresemble theprinceofdarkness to the life, forashe—just so, they,willsparenopainstogainproselytes.Fromtheseturnaside!

Giveupyourselves to their labors,whomake it thetopof theirglory to

preachholiness,toadvanceholiness,tomagnifyholiness,andtopracticeholiness; and thiswill be an excellentmeans to raise you up to higherdegreesofholiness.But,

[4.]Fourthly,Bemostinwiththosewhoaremosteminentandexcellentinholiness.Letthedelightandjoyofyourheartsrunmostout to thosewhoare still adding to their stockof holiness.Thus itwaswiththatprincelyprophet,inPsalm16:3,"Asfortheholypeoplewhoarein the land, they are the noble ones in whom is all my delight." Thedisciples,bydiscoursingwithChrist,hadaholyflameraisedupinthem:Luke 24:32, "And they said one to another, Did not our hearts burnwithin us while he talked with us by the way, and opened to us theScriptures?"AndwhenPaulmetSilasandTimothy,heburnedinspirit,Acts 18:5. These two men were eminent in holiness, and by theircompanyandcommunion,thezealandcourageof theapostlePaulwasverymuchheatedandraised.

Look!asoneflamingfaggotmaykindleathousand—justso,oneprecioussaint,inwhomgraceisstrong,andholinessishigh,may,byadivineandsecretoperation,conveyheatandlife,powerandvigor,intoallwhotouchhim,orcomenearuntohim;evenastheloadstonebyasecretoperationconveys power and vigor into iron. The prayers, the conferences, thecounsels, and all the examples of a man eminent in holiness—willmightilyhelpontheworkofholinessintheirhearts,wherethestreamsofholinessrunsbutlow.

Look!as richandcostlybanquetsdo refresh,and raise, and strengthenthespiritsofthosewhoareweakandfaint—justso,menwhoarerichingraceandholinesswillraiseandstrengthenthespiritsof thosewhoareweakingrace,andwho,forlackofgreatermeasuresofholiness,areapttofaint.Look!asyoungplantswillnotthriveunderdroppingtrees—justso, such as are weak in holiness will never thrive so long as they onlyassociatethemselveswiththosewhoareweak.Look!asmanytimesonerichmanmakesmanypoormenrich—justso,manytimesonemanrichin holinessmakesmany rich in holiness. Therefore, as ever youwouldabound in holiness, look not somuch atgiftsas atgrace; look not somuch at saints' outsidesas at their insides; look not so much at theirexternal garb as at their internal worth; and always make them your

choicest and your chief companions, who most excel in grace andholiness. Their tongues, their lips, their lives, will still be a-droppingdivinemarrowandfatness,andthereforebesuretokeepmostcompanywiththem.But,

[5.]Fifthly,Ifeveryouwouldattaintohigherdegreesofholiness, thenbemuchintheexerciseandactingsofthatholinessyouhave.All thehonor andglory thatGodhas fromus in thisworld is from theexercise of holiness. Look! as the frequent actings of sin is thestrengthening of sin—just so, the frequent actings of holiness is thestrengthening of holiness. Look! as the non-exercise of holiness bringsuponthesouladecayofholiness—justso,theexerciseofholinessbreedsin the soul an increase of holiness. Holiness is alwaysmademore andmoreperfectbyexercisingit.

Look!aswellsare thesweeter fordrawing,and fountains thebetter foroverflowing—justso,holinessissweetestandbestwhenit isdrawnintoaction.Look!astherunningwateristhebestandsweetestwater—justso,the active Christian is the best and sweetest Christian. That musicalinstrument which is most frequently used, always makes the sweetestmelody;andsodoesthatChristianthatismostfrequentintheexerciseofgrace and holiness.We get nothing by dead and useless habits; talentshidden in a napkin gather rust; the noblest faculties wither, when notimproved in exercise; and therefore theapostle exhorts Timothy to stirup the gift of Godwhich was in him, in 2 Tim. 1:6. The words are anallusion to the fire in the temple,whichwasalways tobekeptburning.PaulwouldhaveTimothytobealwaysa-blowinghissparkintoaflame.[The Greek word signifies to rekindle, or revive. When the world, theflesh, and the devil go about to put out that divine fire that should bealwaysflaminginourhearts,wemustdoallwecantofosteritandkeepitburning.]

Look!asfireispreservedandmaintainedbyblowingandstirringofitup—just so, holiness is preserved and maintained in the soul by beingstirredandblownupinthesoul.Thehabitsofgraceandholinessarelikedullcoal-fires,which,iftheyarenotnowandthenblownandstirredup,willcertainlydieandgoout.

OSirs!itisnotthehaving,butthehusbandingofholiness,whichbringsglory toGod. For aman to have holiness of heart, andnot to put it inpractice,isthesameasforamantohaveatalent,andtowrapitupinanapkin.Ifthegraceandholinessinthesaintsarenotbroughtforthintoexercise,intoaction,itisjustasiftheyhadnosuchgraceandholinessatall. Holiness without of action is like a candle under a bushel, whichyieldsnowarmthtoaman,noranylighttoothers.Thoughgoldbegoldin themine,and though itbe themostpreciousanddesirablemetal intheworld—yetsolongasitisonlyintheminewhatprofitoradvantagehaveweby it?butnow,when it isdugoutof themine,andbecomesatreasureinmen'shands,andisfittedforuseandservice—thenitbringsprofitandadvantagetomen,andthenthelusterandgloryofitappears.Justso,thoughgraceandholinessaretrulyintheheart,inthemine—yetwhat profit or advantage is there in grace and holiness, until they arebrought forth into action, into exercise? Until then, all the luster andgloryofgraceandholinesslieshiddenandobscure.Themoreholinessisbroughtintoaction,themoreholinesswillbeaugmentedandincreased;andtherefore,aboveall,looktothefrequentexercisesandactingsofthatholiness you have; and this will be a ready way to turn your drop ofholiness into a sea; and your sparkof holiness into a flame; and yourpennyofholinessintoavasttreasure.But,

[6.]Sixthly,Ifeveryouwouldattaintohigherdegreesofholiness;ifeveryou would perfect holiness in the fear of the Lord, thenbemuch insecretprayer,bemuchinclosetduties.Mat.6:5,9.Christtakesagreatdealofpleasuretohearandtoseehispeoplepourouttheirsoulsbeforehiminsecret.Cant.2:14,"Omydove!whoareinthecleftsoftherock,inthesecretplacesofthestairs,letmeseeyourcountenance,letmehearyourvoice;forsweetisyourvoice,andyourcountenanceislovely."

Look! as secretmeals are very fattening—just so, secretduties are verysoul-enriching.Secretprayersarethepillarsofsmoke,wherebythesoulascendstoGodoutofthewildernessofthisworld.Secretprayersarethewingsofthesoul,wherebyitfliestoGodinamorestillandsilentwayfortheincreaseandaugmentationofholiness.Thetenderdewwhichfallsinthesilentnight,willabundantlymorecausesweetherbstoflourishandgrow, than great showers of rainwhich fall in the stormy day. Just so,

secretprayerwill abundantlymore cause the sweet herbs of grace andholinesstogrowandflourish,thanallthosemoreopenandvisibledutiesofreligion,whichtootoooftenaremingledandmixedwiththesunandwindofprideandhypocrisy.

Osirs!SecretprayerisJacob'sladder,whereyouhaveGodinhisfullnessandholinessdescendingdownintothesoul.Secretprayeristhatladderwhereby the soulascends to thehighestpitchof communionwithGod.Witness Ambrose, who was accustomed to say, "I am never less alonethanwhen I amall alone, for then I canenjoy thepresenceofmyGodmost freely, fully, and sweetly, without interruption." And witness thatheaven-born lady [Lady Brooke, the great friend of Sibbes, and of thePuritansgenerally.—G.]who spentmostofher time in secretduties, inclosetcommunionwithGod;andwhenpeopleofgreatimportancecametovisither,shewouldsoentertainthemasshewouldbesurenottoomithersettimesforsecretprayer.Shewouldratherrudelytakeherleaveofthem,assomecalledit, thanomitherclosetcommunionwithGod.Shehadfoundsuchrareadvantagesbyclosetduties,thatshewouldnotuponanytermsneglectthem,orintheleastturnherbackuponthem.

It was a most sweet and divine saying of Bernard; "O saint! Yourhusband,Christ,isbashful,andwillnotbeintimateincompany.Retire,therefore,bymeditationintoyourcloset,orthefields,andthereyoushallhaveChrist'sembraces."Osirs!itisanexperiencedtruth,thatthereisnosuchwaytoberichingrace,andtobehighinholiness—asbydrivingandmaintainingasecrettradewithGod,Cant.1:11-12.WhendidPeterhavethatgloriousvisionandmanifestationofgrace—butwhenhewasalone,andonthehousetopa-praying?Acts10:11-12.Andwhenwas thatsoul-ravishing, that soul-cheering, and that soul-strengthening messagedespatchedbytheangeltoDaniel,namely,thathewasgreatlybelovedofGod—but when he was alone a-praying? Dan. 9:20-23. And doubtless,many thousand saints have had their hearts melted, their corruptionsweakened, their fears scattered, their doubts resolved, their holinessraised,andtheirassurancesealed,whiletheyhavebeeninclosetduties.

Look!asmenmanytimesgivestheirbest,theirchoicest,andtheirrichestgiftsinsecret—justso,doesGodmanytimesgivethechoicestdiscoveriesof his love, and the sweetest dainties and delicacies of glory, and the

richestmeasuresofgraceandholinesstohispeopleinsecret.[Comparethese scriptures together,Mat. 14:23;Mark 6:46; Luke 5:16, and 6:12;Mat.26:26,36,39,42,44;Luke22:32,44,45;John17:17.]

Look!as therewerenonesoholyasChrist—justso, therewerenonesomuchinsecretprayerasChrist.

Look!asmanymeninthisfamouscity,bydrivingasecrettrade,aprivatetrade, gain very great estates, beyond what many do who drive morepublictrades—justso,manyChristianswhodriveasecrettrade,aprivatetradewithGodintheirclosets;theygrowabundantlymorerichingrace,in holiness, in communion with God, and in all gracious experiences,thanmanyotherChristianswhomakeagreatdealofbustleintheworld,andwhoaremuchinthepublictradeofChristianity,namely,hearingtheword,meetings,familyduties,etc.—butveryrarelyshallyoufindthemintheir closets. As ever you would be eminent and excellent in holiness,keepup your private tradewithGod,maintain your closet communionwiththeHolyOneofIsrael.But,

[7.] Seventhly, If ever you would attain to higher degrees of holiness,thenfallwithallyourmight,uponsubduingandcrucifyingyourmostragingcorruptions,andyourmostdaringlusts."Therefore,puttodeathwhateverinyouisworldly:sexualimmorality,impurity,lust,evildesire,andgreed,whichisidolatry."Colossians3:5.Ohdonotdefer!Ohdonotdelaytheworkofspiritualmortification!Ohdonotthinkthatyoucanboth fightandovercome, fight and triumph inoneday!Ohdonot think that your golden and your silver idols will lay down theirweapons, and yield the field, and lie at your feet, and let you tramplethem to deathwithout striking a blow! Isaiah 2:20.Oh remember thatbesetting-sinswilldoalltheycantokeeptheirground,andthereforeyoumust arise with all your strength against them, and crush them topowder, andburn them toashes!Ohdealwith themas theydealtwiththe Levite's concubine—force them to death, and cut them to pieces!Judges 19. Oh leave not the palm, or the skull of this cursed Jezebelundevoured,undestroyed!2Kings9.

OhdealwithyourmostenragedlustsasthePhilistinesdealtwithSamson—pluck out their eyes, and force them to grind in the mill of

mortification,untiltheirstrengthisutterlyconsumedandwasted.WhileSaul livedandkeptthethrone,andwasinhisstrength, littleDavidwaskept exceedingweak and low; butwhen Saulwas dethroned and slain,littleDavidquicklygrewstrongerandstronger,2Sam.3:1.Justso,allthewhile a darling sin lives and keeps the throne in the heart, grace andholinesswillbekeptexceedingweakandlow;butwhenyourdarlingsinisdethronedandslainbythepowerandtheswordoftheSpirit,graceandholiness will quickly grow stronger and stronger, and rise higher andhigher,Romans8:10,13.

Whenmenwouldhavea rough field fitted for theplough,and fitted tobringforthfruit,willtheynotfirstfallwithalltheirstrength,andwithalltheirmight,upongrubbingupby the roots the strongest trees, and thesturdiestoaks,knowingthatwhenthesearegrubbedup,weakertreeswilleasilyfall?Justso,aseveryouwouldhaveyourheartsandlivesfullofthefruitsofrighteousnessandholiness—fallwithallyourstrength,andwithall yourmight, upon grubbing up by the very roots your beloved sins,yourstrongestlusts—andthentherestofyourcorruptionswilleasilyfall.When Goliath was slain, the Philistines fled, and were easily broughtundercontrol.Whenageneralinanarmyiscutoff,thecommonsoldiersare quickly routed. Down but with your darling sins! and then theconquestofothersinswillbeeasy.

Whenamanhaseatenpoison,nothingwillmakehimthrive,untilhehasvomitedupthepoisonwhichhehaseaten.Itisnotthemostwholesomefood, thechoicestdainties,nor the richest cordials—whichwill increasethehealthandstrengthinsuchaperson;untilhispoisonisvomitedout.Beloved sins—they are the poison of the soul, and until these arevomitedup,andcastoutbysoundrepentance,andtheexerciseoffaithinthebloodofChrist, thesoulwillnever thrive ingraceandholiness!Allthe wholesome food of the gospel, and all the dainties and cordials ofheaven,willneverbegetdivinehealthorstrengthintheirsouls—whowillnot part with their darling sins! And therefore, as ever you would bestronginthegraceoftheLord,drawupallthestrengththateveryouareable tomake,andwith thegreatestcourage, fallonuponyourbosoms-sins, and never cease until in the strength of Christ you have got acompletevictoryandconquestoverthem.

In the law itwas thebloodof thesacrifice,and theoil—which cleansedthe leper; and these are tokens of the blood of Christ and the Spirit ofgrace.Ahfriends!aseveryouwouldbecleansedfromyourdarlingsins,which do so exceedingly hinder the increase of holiness—be often inlooking upon a crucified Christ, and in the application of his blood toyourownsouls.

I have read of fivemen, who being askedwhat was the bestmeans tomortifysin,gavetheseanswers.Saysthefirst,"Thebestmeanstomortifysin is to meditate of death." Says the second, "The best means is tomeditateon the judgment-day."Says the third, "Thebestmeans is tomeditateonthejoysofheaven."Saysthefourth,"Thebestmeansistomeditateonthetormentsofhell."Butsaysthefifth,"ThebestmeansistomeditateonthedeathandsufferingsofChrist."Doubtlessthelastmanhit the nail on the head! The daily sight of a bleeding, groaning, dyingSavior—istheonlythingwhichwillsubdueandmortifydarlingsins!

"Education," says Lactantius, "may cover vices—but it never cuts offvices; itmay hide a lust—but it can never quench a lust. Just as blackpatchesmaycoversomedeformities innature—but theycannevercurethem."Ahsirs!ifyoudonotkillyourdarlingsins,theywillkillyourprecioussouls!WhenSennacherib's armywasdestroyedby anangel, Isaiah 37, and he returned homewith a hook in his nose and abridle inhis lips,he inquiredofone,whathe thought thereasonmightbe, whyGod so favored the Jews; towhich he replied, "That Abrahamtheir father, was willing to sacrifice his beloved son to death at thecommandofGod;andthateversincethattimeGodfavoredthatpeople.""Well",saidSennacherib,"ifthatisit,Ihavetwobelovedsons,andIwillsacrificethembothtodeath,ifthatwillprocuretheirGodtofavorme."Which when his two sons heard, they (as the story goes,) slew theirfather,beingmorewillingtokill thanbekilled,Isaiah37:38.Ofriends!youmustkillorbekilled!Ifyourbelovedsinsarenotmortified,theywillprove thedeathandruinofyour immortalsouls!Thereforenever leavelooking up to a crucified Christ, until virtue flows from Him to thecrucifying of those special besetting sins which do most obstruct andhinderthegrowthandincreaseofholiness.But,

[8.]Eighthly and lastly, If ever you would attain to higher degrees of

holiness,thendwellmuchupontheholinessofGod.Oh,bestilla-musing,bestilla-ponderingupontheholinessofGod.Certainly,ifthereareanymeansunderheaventoraiseyouuptohigherdegreesofholiness,itisthis;andthereforekeepalwaysafixedeyeupontheinfiniteandmostglorious holiness of God. Now that this directionmay the better work,premisewithmetheseeightthingsconcerningtheholinessofGod:

First,Premisethiswithme,thatGodisESSENTIALLYholy,andinthissense,noneisholybuthimself.[Mat.19:17,ThereisnonegoodbutGod,that is, there isnoneessentiallygoodbutGod,etc.]Nowessentialholiness is all one with God himself. God's essential holiness is God'sconformitytohimself.HolinessisnotaqualityinGod—buthisessence.WhateverisinGod,isGod.Holinessinangelsandsaintsisbutaquality—butinGoditishisessence.Thefallenangelskeeptheirnatures,thoughtheyhavelosttheirholiness;forthatholinessinthemwasaquality,andnot their essence. Look! as created holiness is the conformity of thereasonablecreaturetotherule—justso,theuncreatedholinessofGodisGod'sconformityuntohimself.God'sholinessandhisnaturearenottwothings,theyarebutone.God'sholinessishisnature,andGod'snatureishisholiness.ItisGod'sroyalprerogativetobeessentiallyholy.

Themostglorious creatures inheaven,and thechoicest soulsonearth,are only holy by participation: 1 Sam. 2:2, "There is none holy as theLord."God'sholinessissoessentialandco-naturaltohim,thathecanassoonceasetobe,asceasetobeholy.HolinessinGodisasubstance—butinangels andmen it is only aquality.The essenceof the creaturemayremainwhentheholinessofthecreatureislost,asyoumayseeinAdam,andthefallenangels;butGod'sessenceandhisholinessarealwaysthesame.Hisverynatureisholy,andthereforeitisthatheiscalledJehovah,and"Iam,"becausewhatheisreally,thatheisessentially,Exod.3:14.

Thoughmen, forour information,dodistinguishbetweentheattributesofGodandthenatureofGod—yetinhimtheyarethesame.Look!asthewisdomofGodisthewiseGod,andthetruthofGodthetrueGod,andthepowerofGodthepowerfulGod,andthejusticeofGodthejustGod,andthemercyofGod themercifulGod,and themightinessofGod themighty God, and the righteousnessof God the righteous God, and thegraciousnessofGodthegraciousGod—justso,theholinessofGodistheholy God. God's nature and his name are one and the same. God isessentiallyholy,andthatistheepitomeofallhisglory.But,

Secondly, As God is essentially holy—just so,God isUNMIXEDLYholy.TheholinessofGodisapureholiness,itisanunmixedholiness:1John1:5, "God is light, and inhim isnodarkness at all." There arenomixtures inGod.God isamost clear,bright-shining light;yes,he isalllight,andinhimisnodarknessatall.Themoon,indeed,whenitshinesbrightest,hasherdark spotsandspecks—butGod isa light that shinesgloriouslywithout the least spot or speck. [Plato calls God the horn ofplenty,andtheoceanofbeauty,withouttheleastspotofinjustice,etc.]

Now, look,as thatdarknesswhichhasnot the least lightattending it isthe grossest, the thickest, Egyptian, darkness that can be—just so, thatlight that has not the least cloud of darkness attending itmust be themost clear, splendid light that possible can be; and such a light is theHoly One of Israel. It is very observable, the apostle, to illustrate theperfectpurityandsanctityofGod,addsanegativetohisaffirmative,"Inhimisnodarknessatall,"thatis,Godissopure,thatnottheleastspot,thesmallestspeck,cancleavetohim;heissoholy,thatnoiniquitycanbe

foundinhim;thereisnodefectnordefaultinthenatureofGod.HeisaGod of truth, andwithout iniquity; just and righteous is he. AsMosesspoke in thatDeut.32:4,God isapure,amostpurebeing,without theleastpotentiality,defectability,ormutability,andthereforeinthehighestsensehe is inGod;noevilcandwellwithhim,orcomenearuntohim.Godstandsatsuchadistancefrominiquity,yes,hesoabhorsit,thatheneverdid,noreverwill,bestowagoodlookuponit:Hab.1:13,"Youareofpurereyesthantobeholdevil,andcannotlookoniniquity."

TherearefourthingsthatGodcannotdo:

1.Hecannotlie;

2.Hecannotdie;

3.Hecannotdenyhimself;

4.Hecannotlookwithafavorableeyeuponiniquity.

Goddoesindeedlookuponiniquitywithahatefuleye,withanangryeye,with a revengeful eye, andwith avindictive eye—but he never did norwill look upon iniquity with an eye of delight, or with an eye ofapprobation.Witnesshishurlingthefallenangelsoutofheaven,andhisbanishingofsinningAdamoutofparadise.

By all this you see that the holiness of God is a pure holiness, it is aholiness without mixture. But all the holiness that is in the best andchoicestsaintsintheworldisbutadreggyholiness,amixedholiness,aweakandimperfectholiness;theirunholinessisalwaysmorethantheirholiness.Ah,whatadealofprideismixedwithalittlehumility,andwhata deal of unbelief is mixed with a little faith, and what a deal ofpeevishness is mixed with a little meekness, and what a deal ofearthliness is mixed with a little heavenliness, and what a deal ofcarnalness is mixed with a little spiritualness, and what a deal ofharshnessismixedwithalittletenderness!

Oh, but the holiness of God is a pure holiness, it is a holinesswithoutmixture, there is not the least drop nor the least dreg of unholiness in

God. It is true the gods of the heathenwere such as had been impure,beastly,filthymen,andthereforeseveralwritershavetakenagreatdealof pains to convince heathens of their impiety and folly in worshipingsuch for gods, upon whom they fastened many horrid, ridiculous,lascivious, and impious actions, and therefore they conclude againstthem,thattheyarenogods.ItismostcertainthatthetrueGod,thathewhoistheHighandtheHolyOne,cannotbechargedwithanyiniquity,no,norwiththeleastshoworshadowofvanity.

In God there is wisdom without folly, truth without falsehood, lightwithoutdarkness,andholinesswithoutsinfulness.But,

Thirdly, AsGod is unmixedly holy—just so,God isUNIVERSALLYholy.Heisholyinallhisways,andholyinallhisworks;hispreceptsareholyprecepts,andhispromisesareholypromises,andhisthreateningsareholythreatenings,hisloveisaholylove,andhisangerisaholyanger,andhishatredisaholyhatred,etc.Hisnatureisholy,hisattributesareholy, and all his actions are holy; he is holy in punishing, and holy insparing,heisholyinjustifyingofsome,andheisholyincondemningofothers,heisholyinbringingsometoheaven,andholyinthrowingotherstohell;God isholy inallhis sayings, andGod isholy inallhisdoings,Godisholyinwhateverheputshishandto,andheisholyinwhateverhesetshisheartto;hisfrownsareholy,andhissmilesareholy,hisliftingsupareholy,andhiscastingsdownareholy;whenhegives,hisgivingsareholy giving; andwhen he takes away, his takings are holy takings, etc.But,

Fourthly,AsGodisuniversallyholy—justso,Godiseminentlyholy.He is transcendently holy, he is superlatively holy, and therefore he issaidtobeglorious inholiness, "Lord,who is likeYouamong thegods?Who is like You, glorious in holiness, reveredwith praises, performingwonders?"Exodus 15:11. There is no fathoming, there is nomeasuring,there isnocomprehending, there isnosearching,of that infinite seaofholinesswhich is in God. As neither men nor angels can set banks orboundstoGod'sholiness—justso,neithermennorangelscansoundtothebottomofGod'sholiness.Allthatholinessthatisinangelsandmenisbutaspark—comparedtoGod'sflame;itisbutadrop—comparedtohissea;itisbutaflicker—comparedtohissun;itisbutamite—comparedto

hismillions,etc.Osirs!youshallassoonstopthesuninitscourse,andchange the day into night, and raise the dead, andmake a world, andcountthestarsofheaven,andemptytheseawithacockle-shell—asyoushall be able either to conceive or express that transcendent holinesswhichisinGod.

Thisgloriousnameor title, the"HolyOneof Israel," isascribed toGodaboutthirtytimesintheOldTestament,andalltoshowthatheismostexcellent and transcendent in holiness; and the seraphim which stoodbefore the throne cried out three times, "Holy, holy, holy, is the LordAlmighty," Isaiah 6:3, to show that God is most eminently andsuperlativelyholy;forsothriceholyinsomelanguagesismostholy.Forholiness,Godisaincomparable;therearenonetobecomparedwithhim,neither are there any among angels or amongmen, yes, or among thegods,whoarelikeuntohim."Lord,whoislikeYouamongthegods?Whois like You, glorious in holiness, revered with praises, performingwonders?"Exodus15:11.God'sholinessisinfinite,itissosuper-eminentand so super-excellent that it can neither be limited, nor lessened, norincreased.

Ifmen should blaspheme or reproach the Lord, hewould be never theworse, hewould benever the less holier thanhe is; and ifmenshouldbless him and worship him, he would be never the better, never theholier.Untoperfectiontherecanbenoaddition.Adroptakenoutofthesea can no ways diminish the sea, Neh. 9:5. He is exalted above allblessing and praise! All the angels in heaven and all themen on earthcannot add one ray, one beam of glory to the essence of God, to theholinessofGod.

AsGodisgoodnessintheveryabstract,andjusticeintheveryabstract,andmercy in the very abstract, and righteousness in the very abstract,and loving-kindness in the very abstract—just so, he is holiness in theveryabstract,sothatnomancanflatterhimoradduntohim;andhenceit is that God glories in the attribute of his holinessmore than in anyother attribute, "For thus says the high and lofty One who inhabitseternity,whosenameisHoly,"Isaiah57:15.

WhenGodwould liftuphimself inallhisglory,hedoes itbydeclaring

that his name is holy; and so when God would swear by himself, heswears by his holiness: Amos 4:2, "The Lord God has sworn by hisholiness."Look!as thegreatmenof theworldareaccustomedtoswearupontheirhonorwhentheywouldgiveusthegreatestassuranceofwhatthey will do, because such oaths are looked upon as most sacred andinviolable—just so, the great God swears by him holiness, because hisholiness is his greatest honor, and because he has no greater, nor nobetter, nor no choicer, nor no sweeter, nor nomore precious things toswearby."Letme,"saysGod,"beneverownedasaGod,norhonoredasaGod,nortrustedasaGod,norfearedasaGod,norvaluedasaGod—ifIdo not inviolably keep my promises, and make good my threatenings,havingswornthereuntobymyholiness."

Nowyouknowthescripturesays,"WhenGodcouldswearbynogreater,he swore by himself," Heb. 6:13—just so, I may say, when God couldswearbynogreaterattribute,bynogreaterexcellency,heswearsbyhisholiness,thatbeingtheepitomeandthegloryofall.

Look!asall thewisdomof thecreatures, comparedwith thewisdomofGod—isbutfolly;andasallthegoodnessofthecreatures,comparedwiththe goodness of God—is but wickedness; and as all the fullness of thecreature,comparedwiththefullnessofGod—isbutemptiness;andasallthe power of the creature, compared with the power of God—is butweakness;andasalltherighteousnessofthecreature,comparedwiththerighteousnessofGod—isbutunrighteousness—justso,alltheholinessofthecreature,comparedwiththeholinessofGod—isbutunholiness.

Man'shighestpurityisbutimpurity,whenitiscomparedtothepurityofGod,yes,theveryholinessofangels,comparedwiththeholinessofGod,is chargeable with folly, Job 4:18. That fullness of holiness that is inangels or saints is only the fullness of the vessel—but that fullness ofholiness that is in God is the fullness of the fountain. That fullness ofholinessthatisinangelsorsaintsisbutthefullnessofthebranches—butthat fullness of holiness that is inGod is the fullness of the root. Thatfullness of holiness that is in angels or saints is but the fullness ofsufficiency—butthatfullnessofholinessthat is inGodisthefullnessofredundancy.But,

Fifthly,AsGodisinfinitelyholy,transcendentlyholy,superlativelyholy—just so, God is originally, radically, and FUNDAMENTALLYholy. The divine nature is the root, original, and spring of all holinessandpurity.AllthatholinesswhichisinangelsandmenflowsfromGod,as the streams from the fountain, as the beams from the sun, as thebranches from the root, and as the effect from the cause. There is noholinesstobehad,butfromtheHolyOne.Heistheauthorandoriginalofall theholinessthateverwas,orthat is thisday intheworld.All theseedsofholiness,andall therootsofholinesswhichare tobe found inangelsormen,areoftheLord'ssowingandplanting,Phil.1:11.All thatholiness that theangelshad inheaven,andall thatholiness thatAdamhad in paradise, and all that holiness that Christ had in his humannature,andallthatholinessthateveranysaintshavehad,wasfromGod;and all that holiness that any saints nowhave is fromGod. The divinenature is the first root and original fountain of all sanctity and purity,James1:17.

Ministersmaypraythattheirpeoplemaybeholy,andparentsmaypraythattheirchildrenmaybeholy,andmastersmaypraythattheirservantsmaybeholy,andhusbandsmaypraythat theirwivesmaybeholy,andwivesmaypraythat theirhusbandsmaybeholy;butnoneof thesecangive holiness, none of these can communicate holiness to their nearestand dearest relations. God alone is the giver and the author of allholiness. If holy people could convey holiness into others' souls, theywould never allow them to go to hell for lack of holiness. To hand outholiness to others is a work too high for angels, and too hard for allmortals; it is only the Holy One who can cause holiness to flow intosinners'hearts;itisonlyhewhocanform,andframe,andinfuseholinessintothesoulsofmen.

Amanshallsoonermakeaman,yes,makeaworld,andunmakehimself,thanheshallmakeanotherholy.ItisonlyaholyGod,whocanenlightenthemind,andbowthewill,andmelttheheart,andraisetheaffections,and purge the conscience, and reform the life, and put the wholemanintoaholygraciousframeandtemper.But,

Sixthly,AsGodisoriginally,radically,andfundamentallyholy—justso,GodisINDEPENDENTLYholy,Isaiah44:24;Rev.1:18.Theholiness

ofGoddependsuponnothingbelowGod.GodistheAlpha,thefountainfromwhenceallholinesssprings,andheistheOmega,theseatowhichall glory runs.As all ourholiness is fromGod—just so, all ourholinessmust terminate in the honor and glory ofGod. It is God alone,who isindependently holy. All that holiness that is in angels and men is adependentholiness;itdependsupontheholinessofGod,asthestreamsdependupon the fountain, thebeamsupon thesun, thebranchesupontheroot,and themembersupon thehead.God isOnebeginning,uponwhomall thingsdepend.Godhashisbeingonlyofhimself,and it ishealonewho gives beingunto all other things.God is the first cause, andwithoutallcauseshimself.Theverybeingswhichangelsandmenhave,theyhavebyderivationfromGod.Anditisthefirstcausethatgivesuntoallcausestheirproperoperations:Isaiah44:6,"Iamthefirst,andIamthelast;andbesidesmethereisnoGod."

Godneverhadacauseofhisbeing,asallothercreatureshave.He isagloriousbeing,aholybeing,withoutallcauses,eitherefficient,orformal,ormaterial,orfinal;andthereforehemustneedsbeindependentlyholy.

Look!asthepowerofGodisanindependentpower,andthewisdomofGodan independentwisdom,and thegoodnessofGodan independentgoodness,andtherighteousnessofGodanindependentrighteousness—just so, theholinessofGod isan independentholiness.Andas it is theglory of his power—that his power is an independent power, and theglory of hisgoodness—that his goodness is an independent goodness—justso,itisthegloryofhisholiness—thathisholinessisanindependentholiness. And look, as all that power which angels and men have,dependsuponthepowerofGod;andasallthatwisdomwhichangelsandmenhave, depends upon thewisdom ofGod; and as all thatgoodnesswhichangelsandmenhave,dependsuponthegoodnessofGod—justso,allthatholinessthatangelsandmenhavedependsupontheholinessofGod,etc.PhilocouldsaythatGodissuchafountainthathebreaksforthwith the streams of his goodness upon all things—but receives nothingback again from any to better himself therewith. There are none inheaven, nor any on earth, who are absolutely independent—but Godalone.

Seventhly, As God is independently holy—just so, God is

CONSTANTLY holy, he is UNCHANGEABLY holy. He was holyyesterday, and he is holy today, and he will be holy forever. What isnaturalisconstantandlasting.NowGod'sholinessisnaturaltohim;itisasnaturalforGodtobeholy,asitisforustobreathe,yes,asitisforustobeunholy.Godcanaswellandassoonceasetobe,ashecanceasetobeholy. Holiness is his nature as well as his name; and therefore hisholiness cannot decay, though oursmay.Whateverwemay lose of ourholiness—yet it is certain that God can never lose one grain of thatholinessthatisinhim.

Hereourholinessebbsandflows—buttheholinessofGodneverebbs—butisalwaysa-flowingandoverflowing,thereisstillafulltideofholinessinGod.Thoughthesaintscannotfallfromthatseedofholiness,whichissownintheirhearts,1John3:9—yettheymayfallfromsomedegreesofholiness that they have formerly attained to. Thosewho have been oldmen inholiness,may fall frombeingoldmen—tobebutyoungmen inholiness;andthosewhohavebeenyoungmeninholinessmayfallfrombeingyoungmentobebutchildreninholiness;andthosewhohavebeenchildren in holiness may fall from being children to be but babes inholiness,1John2:12-14;2Pet.2:1-3.ButthatholinesswhichisinGodisneversubjecttoanydecayings,abatings,orlanguishing.Thatspring,thatsea of holiness that is in God, is incapable of diminution or ofaugmentation.

Plato could say thatGod is one and the same, and always like himself.And itwasa customamong theTurks to cryouteverymorning fromahigh tower, God always was, and always will be; and so salute theirMahomet.Osirs,Godhasbeenalwaysholy,andGodwillbealwaysholy.Whatevermenmay lose—yetGod is resolved thathewillnever losehishonornorhisholiness.But,

Eighthly and lastly, As God is continually holy—just so, God isexemplarilyholy.[Lev.20:26.Rememberthis—youandImustanswerforexamplesaswellasprecepts.]Heistherule,pattern,andexampleofholiness:1Pet.1:15, "Beholy,as Iamholy."God'sholiness is thegreatexampleandpatternofall thatholinesswhichis inthecreatures.God'sholiness is thecopy thatwemustalwayshave inoureye,andendeavormost exactly to write after. Carnal friends, and this blind world, and

Antichrist,andsuchaslovetolorditovertheconsciencesofothers,willbe still a-presenting to you other examples andpatterns—but it is yourwisdomandyourworktocastthemallbehindyourbacks,andtotramplethemunderyourfeet,andtofollowthatformandpatternthattheLordhassetbeforeyou;andthatis,tobeholyasheisholy.Allourholinessistobebrought to the touchstoneof theholinessofGod,as the standardandmeasure of it; and therefore, oh what cause have we to be still a-perfectingholinessinthefearoftheLord!

AndthusIhavedonewiththesecondthing,namely—meansto increaseholiness, and to raise you up to the highest pitches and degrees ofholiness.

TwelveEvidencesofHighDegreesofHoliness

Andso Icometo thenext thingproposed,and thatwas—tolaydowntwelve SIGNS or EVIDENCES whereby people may knowwhether they have attained to any high pitch or eminentdegreesofholinessornot.Now,sirs,ifyoudesireingoodearnesttoknowwhether youhave attained to any high degree of holiness or not,then seriouslyweigh these following particulars, and test yourselves bythem.

[1.] First, The more a man can warm his heart at thePROMISES, and cleave to the promises, and rest upon thepromises,andsuckmarrowand fatnessandsweetnessoutofthebreastsofthepromises—whendivineprovidencesseemtoruncrosstodivinepromises—thegreatermeasureofholinessthat man has attained to. Where there are but little measures ofholiness—thereeveryseemingcontrarietytothepromisetroublesaman,andeverylittlecloudthathangsoverthepromisewillmightilyperplexaman,etc.Butwhereholiness is raised toanyconsiderableheight, therethatmanwillsuckhoneyoutoftheflint,hewillsucksweetnessoutofthepromise—eventhenwhenprovidencelookssourlyuponthepromise;yes,whenprovidenceseemstobiddefiancetothepromise.

WitnessJacob, inGen. 32:6-8, comparedwith verse 9,11,12, "And themessengers returned to Jacob, saying—We came to your brotherEsau,andalsohe comes tomeetyou,and fourhundredmenwithhim.ThenJacobwas greatly afraid and distressed. And Jacob said—OGod ofmyfatherAbraham,andGodofmyfatherIsaac,theLordwhichsaiduntome—Returnuntoyourcountry,andtoyourkindred,andIwilldealwellwithyou.Deliverme,Iprayyou,fromthehandofmybrother,fromthehandofEsau:forIfearhim,lesthewillcomeandsmiteme.Andyousaid—Iwillsurelydoyougood,andmakeyourseedasthesandofthesea,whichcannotbenumberedformultitude."NowhereyouseeholyJacob,inthemidstofallhisfearsandfrights,inthemidstofallhisperilsanddangers,in themidst of all hisdampsanddreads, and in themidst of all cross,astonishingprovidences,he turnshimself to thebreastsof thepromise,and sucks marrow and sweetness out of those breasts. Jacob puts thepromise into suit, he pleads with God upon his own promises, and sobearsupsweetlyunderdarkanddismalprovidences.

AndsodidMoses inNum. 10:29, "AndMoses saiduntohis father-in-law,WearejourneyinguntotheplaceofwhichtheLordsaid,Iwillgiveittoyou.Comewithus,andwewilldoyougood:fortheLordhasspokengoodconcerning Israel."Moseshadbeenalmostnow forty years in thewilderness,andmanythousandswerefallenonhisrighthand,andonhisleft; yet says he to his father-in-law, in the face of all those dismalprovidences, "comealongwithus,"andbeaseyesuntous,andwewillcertainly do you good, verse 31. But his father-in-law might haveobjected,"Alas!whatgoodcanIexpectinawildernesscondition,wheresomany are weak, and so many are sick, and so many thousands arefallenasleep;andwhereall thepeopleareeverydaysurroundedwithathousanddangers,difficulties,anddeaths?""Well,"saysMoses,"thoughallthisistrue—yetgoalongwithus,andbeserviceableandusefultous,and we will do you good; for the Lord has spoken good concerningIsrael."Here thisholymanMoses turnshimself to thepromise,and inthe face of all sad providences, he draws comfort and encouragementfromthepromise.

AndsodidJehoshaphat,in2Chron.20.WhenthechildrenofAmmon,andMoab,andmountSeircameagainsthimtobattle,heturnshimselfto

thepromise,verse7-9,andgatherslifeandspiritfromthence.

AndsodidDavid,inPsalm60.Inthe1st,2d,and3dverses,youhaveanarrativeofmanycrossanddreadfulprovidences—andyetinthefaceofthem all, holyDavid sucks strong consolation out of the breasts of thepromise, verse 6, "God has spoken in his holiness, I will rejoice: I willdivideShechem,andmeteoutthevalleyofSuccoth."Godhaspromisedinhisholiness, thatDavidwouldbe king over all Israel, and therefore,notwithstandingallstrangeprovidences,Davidtriumphsinthepromise,and looks upon himself as master of all those strongholds which arementionedinverse7-9.

And soAbraham, he wanted a son, andGod promised him an Isaac.Now in the face of all his own deadness, and natural inabilities as togeneration, and Sarah's deadness and barrenness, Romans 4:17-21, heturns about to the promise; and his faith and holiness being high, hedraws sweetnessand satisfaction from thence.Notwithstanding presentprovidences,thenakedpromisewasawelloflifeandsalvationtohim.

O sirs! it is an argument of a very great measure of holiness, whentroubles and difficulties vanish upon the sight of a promise; when allthingsworkquitecrossandcontrarytosenseandfeeling.Nowforamantoembraceapromise, tohugapromise, tokissapromise,andtodrawcontentment and satisfaction from a promise—argues a great degree ofholiness.Itisaveryhardanddifficultthingforamanexactlytotakethepictureofdivineprovidenceatanytime;formanyarethevoicesandthefacesofprovidence,andthereareasgreatdeepsinprovidences,asthereareinprophecies.Andmanytextsofprovidenceareashard,asdark,andasdifficulttobeunderstood,asmanytextsofScriptureare.ItisashardtoreconciletheworksofGod,asitistoreconcilethewordofGod,Psalm36:6;Romans11:33; foras in thewordofGod therearemanyseemingcontradictions. Just so, in the works of God there are many seemingcontradictions;forhereoneprovidencesmiles,andthereanotherfrowns;here providence lifts up, and there providence casts down; hereprovidencestrokes, and thereprovidence strikes;hereprovidence leadstowards Canaan, there providence leads towards a wilderness; hereprovidence leads towards Zion, and there providence leads towardsBabylon;hereprovidence looksvery fair, and thereprovidence severely

threatens;hereprovidence isbrightand lovely, and thereprovidence isdarkanddreadful.

Nowunderall suchprovidences, foraman to run toapromise, and todraw out life, and strength, and sweetness from a promise—is a clearevidenceofaveryhighpitchofholinessthatsuchapersonhasattainedto. Ihavereadofanemperor thatputonanewsuiteveryday.O, sirs!whenthegreatGodshalleverydayapparelhimselfinstrangechangeableprovidences,nowforamantohanguponthebreastsofapromise,andtosuckmilkoutofapromise,arguesaverygreatincreaseofholiness.But,

[2.] Secondly, Themore aman can overcome evil with gooduponholyandgraciousaccounts—asupontheaccountofGod'scommand, God's honor, the credit of the gospel, and theconviction, conversion, and salvation of souls—the greatermeasure of holiness such a person has attained to. To returnreproachforreproach,revilingforreviling,andcursingforcursing,andscorning for scorning,anddefaming fordefaming—isexceedingnaturaltous.But to love thosewhohateus, tobless thosewhocurseus, todogoodtothosewhoabhorus,andtoprayforthosewhopersecuteus,andwhodespitefullyuseus—accordingtoChrist'sexpresscommandinMat.5:44—are things exceeding contrary to nature, and exceedingly abovenature.[Austinsaysthat"Christmadeapulpitofthecross,andthegreatlessonhetaughtChristianswastolovetheirenemies."]

The power of grace and holiness appears in nothing more than inbringingthehearttoasweetandreadysubjectiontosuchcommandsasaremostcross,andcontrarytofleshandblood.AsthoseareinRomans12:17-21,"Donotrepayanyoneevilforevil.Becarefultodowhatisrightintheeyesofeverybody.Ifitispossible,asfarasitdependsonyou,liveatpeacewitheveryone.Donottakerevenge,myfriends,butleaveroomforGod'swrath,foritiswritten:"Itisminetoavenge;Iwillrepay,"saystheLord.On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feedhim; if he isthirsty,givehimsomethingtodrink.Indoingthis,youwillheapburningcoalsonhishead."Donotbeovercomebyevil, but overcome evilwithgood."Andsoin1Thes.5:15,"Makesurethatnobodypaysbackwrongforwrong,butalwaystrytobekindtoeachotherandtoeveryoneelse."Toreturngoodforevil,andkindnessesforinjuries, tobehaveourselves

courteously, humbly, meekly, tenderly, and sweetly towards those whobehave themselves discourteously, proudly, passionately, harshly, andsourlytowardsus,arguesaverygreatdegreeofholiness.

Davidwas a man eminent in holiness, and he was good at this goodwork,asyoumayseeinthat2Sam.1:24,"OdaughtersofIsrael,weepforSaul,whoclothedyouinscarletandfinery,whoadornedyourgarmentswith ornaments of gold." He does not envy against Saul, nor insult orrejoiceoverSaul'sdeath,asmanycarnalandunsanctifiedheartswouldhave done, nor he does provoke or stir up the daughters of Israel torejoice in the death and destruction of such a tyrant—who had huntedhimupanddownasapartridge, andwhohadoftendesigned his ruin,andwhohadalwaysreturnedhimevilforgood,andwhohadbathedhissword in the blood of Abimelech the high-priest, and in the blood ofeightymoreof thepriestsof theLord,andwhohad forsaken theLord,andgonetoawitch,yes,tothedevil,forhelpinhisneed.

Ohno!Davidconcealswhatwasbad,andrememberswhatwasgood;hepassesoverthosethingsthatwerecondemnable,andheinstancesonlyinthose things that might make his memory most acceptable,commendable, anddelightful among theweaker gender, namely, Saul'sclothing them in scarlet and finery, and adorning their garments withornamentsofgold.

Andjustso,Josephwasamaneminentinholiness,andhewasgoodatthishardwork;asyoumayseeinGen.50:16-23.AndMoseswasamanofgreatholiness,andhewasgoodatthisdifficultwork;asyoumayseeinPsalm106:16,23,33,comparedtogether.AndStephenwasamanfulloftheHolySpirit,andhewasgoodatprayingforthosewhomadeapreyofhim,Acts7:60.AndPaulwasamanofthesamemindandmettle,asyoumay see by comparing the 2 Cor. 11:24, with the Romans 9:1-3. AndEusebius affirms that when Paul was beheaded, under Diocletian theemperor, he prayed both for Jews and Gentiles, for the multitudeassembled,andalsoforthe judgeandexecutioner, thathisdeathmightnotonedaybelaiduntotheircharge.

Calvinwasamanofgreatholiness,and therefore thoughLuther (whowas a man of a most violent, bitter, passionate spirit) had woefully

wrongedhim,andreviledhim—yet,sayshe,"letLutherhateme,andinhiswrathcallmeathousandtimesadevil—yetIwilllovehim,andhonorhim,andacknowledgehimachoiceandpreciousservantofGod."

Mr.Foxe,whowrotethe"BookofMartyrs,"wassofamousinthepracticeof thishardpieceofChristianity, that itbecameaproverb: "IfanymanwouldhaveMr.Foxedohimagoodturn,lethimdohimaninjury,andhewillbesuretodohimagoodturnforit."

"Sendmetomytoadsagain,inthedungeon,whereImayprayforyourlordship's conversion," said Mr. Sanders the martyr, to the bishop ofWinchester.

Thusyouseethatthemoreeminentanypeopleareinholiness,themoretheyovercomeevilwithgood;themoregoodtheywilldothosewhodoeviltothem;andthustodo,isbuttoconformtoChristyourhead,forheshed tears for thosewhowere to shedhisblood, andhe gave themhisbloodtodrink,whogavehimgalltodrinkandvinegartodrink.Thatmanisalmostgotuptotheveryepitomeofholiness,whosesoulishabituatedtoovercomeevilwithgood,uponholyandpreciousaccounts.

Well, Christians, themore you can overcome evil with good, themorecertainlyyourheartsarefilledwithgood.Thatman'sheart is fullof thefruitsof righteousness andholiness, that,upondivine considerations isaccustomed,nottobeovercomeofevil—buttoovercomeevilwithgood.But,

[3.]Thirdly,Whenmeninthemain—Isay,inthemain—areasholy out of piousduties, as they are inpiousduties;when inthe main of their lives they are as spiritual, as heavenly, ashumble, as gracious, as serious, as watchful, as circumspect,etc.,astheyareintheirmostpiousperformancesandduties;this argues not only the truth of holiness—but a very highdegreeofholiness.Moses'facedidshineasgloriouslywhenhecameoff from themount, as ever it did shinewhenhewasuponthemount,Exod.34:29-30,33,35.Osirs! ifwhenyoucomeoff fromthemountofduties, there remains some raysand shiningsofGoduponyou, it is anargumentthatthewatersofsanctityarerisentoaconsiderableheightin

yoursouls,Ezek.47:2-6.Ah,how lively,howwarm,howenlarged,howholy, how humble, how heavenly, how spiritual, how serious, howzealous,howpious,howgraciousaremanyinpiousduties,inordinances;butah!howdead,howcold,howstraitened,howunholy,howproud,howworldly,howcarnal,howslight,andhowirreligiousaretheyoutofpiousduties,outofordinances.Now,certainly,thesehaveeithernoholinessatall,orelsetheyhaveattainedtobutaverylittlemeasureofholiness.Butnow,whenamaninthemain,whenamaninhiscourseisthesameoutof duties, out of ordinances—that he is induties, in ordinances—it is averygreatandgloriousargumentthatsuchapersonhas inaverygreatmeasureperfectedholinessinthefearoftheLord.But,

[4.] Fourthly, The more a man can divinely joy and rejoiceunder tribulations and afflictions—the greater measure ofholiness he has attained to. It is a mercy not to grumble, not tomutter,not tomurmur,not to fret,not to faint,not todespond,not todespair. It is much to be silent under afflictions, and to be quiet andpatient under tribulations. Oh—but to divinely joy and rejoice underafflictions, under tribulations—argues a very great height of holiness,Romans 5:3-4, "And not only so—but we glory in tribulations also,because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance,character;andcharacter,hope."Thatgloryingandrejoicingareboththesame in the New Testament, is sufficiently known; they differ only indegrees, glorying being a step above rejoicing. It is much to rejoice intribulations—butitismoretogloryintribulations;yes,togloryinthemasanoldsoldierglories inall thosemarksandscarsofhonorwhichhehasmetwithintheserviceofhiskingandcountry;andyettothisheight,thebelievingRomanswereraised—whicharguesaverygreatmeasureofholinessinthem.

Andsoin2Cor.7:4,"Iamfilledwithcomfort,Iamexceedingjoyfulinallourtribulation,"orastheGreekruns,Idoover-aboundexceedinglywithjoy,Ihaveasuperabundanceofjoyinallourtribulation;andsoinchap12:9-10,"MostgladlythereforewillIrathergloryinmyinfirmities,thatthe power of Christ might rest upon me: therefore I take pleasure ininfirmities,inreproaches,innecessities,inpersecutions,indistressesforChrist'ssake: forwhenIamweak, thenamIstrong."Paul rejoicesand

gloriesmoreinhisheavyafflictions,andinhisvarioustribulations,thanhe did in his glorious and mysterious revelations. The more he wasafflictedanddistressed,themorehehadofthevisiblepresenceofChrist,andthemorehehadofthegloriousassistanceofChrist,andthemorehehadofsweetcommunionandfellowshipwithChrist,andthemorehehadofthechoicesupportsandsingularcomfortsofChrist—andthereforehetakespleasureinallthepressureswhichwereuponhim.

And so in James 1:2, "My brethren, count itall joy when you fall intovariousafflictions."Osirs!tobedivinelymerryinmisery,torejoiceinthecrossasmenrejoiceinacrown,torejoiceinadversityasothersrejoiceinprosperity,torejoiceinastinkingprisonasothersrejoiceintheirstatelypalaces, to rejoice in shackles as others rejoice in liberty, to rejoice inneedsasothersrejoice inabundance, to rejoice in reproachesasothersrejoiceintheirhonors,etc.,isverymuch;buttobejoyfulinsuchcases,notwithalittlejoy—butwithexceedinggreatjoy—ismore."Alljoy"isaHebraism, and it signifies great joy, full joy, exceeding joy, perfect joy.Oh!thustorejoice,andthatnotonlywhenyoufallintosomeafflictions—butwhenyou fall intodiversafflictions,arguesaverygreatmeasureofholiness.

Butah!howrare is it to findsuchsouls in thesedays,whocannotonlybear the cross—but also rejoice in the cross; who cannot only bearreproaches—butalsowearreproachesastheircrownandglory.But,

[5.]Fifthly,Themoreextensiveaman'sobedienceistodivinecommands—the greater measure of holiness that man hasattained to.Calebhad a very greatmeasure of the spirit of holinessupon him; and he is said to have followed the Lord fully; that is—hisobediencewasfull,universal,resolute,andconstanttotheend.

ThecontraryisaffirmedofSolomonin1Kings11:6,"AndSolomondidevil in the sight of the Lord, and went not fully after the Lord, as didDavidhisfather,"thatis—hisobediencewasnotsofull,souniversal,sosincere,soresolute,andsoconstantasDavidhisfather'swas.ZachariasandElizabethwere people of great holiness, and their obediencewasveryextensive;fortheywalkedblamelessnotonlyinsome—butinallthecommandments,andnotonly inall thecommandments—butalso inall

the ordinances of the Lord, Luke 1:5-6. Their obedience was of such auniversal extent and latitude, that it comprehended and took in all thedutiesbothoftheirgeneralandparticularcallings;theyhadaneyetothedutiesofthesecondtable,aswellastheyhadaneyetothedutiesofthefirst; and they subjected themselves to the duties of their particularcalling,aswellastothedutiesoftheirgeneralcalling.Astheyhadaneyetomint, anise, and cumin,Mat. 23:23, that is, to the lesser and lowerdutiesof religion—just so, theyhadan eye to the greater andweightierdutiesofreligion,namely,judgment,mercy,andfaith,etc.

Butsomeattheir firstconversion,andwhiletheyremainweakingraceandholiness—theirobedience ismore strait andnarrow; for commonlytheyspendmuch, ifnotmost,of their time inpraying, fasting,hearing,reading, Christian conference, etc., and neglect a hundred other dutieswhichareincumbentuponthem;theyareveryforwardandwarminthedutiesof theirgeneralcalling—butverycoldandremiss inthedutiesoftheirparticularcalling;theyareveryfrequentandferventinsomeduties,and very rare in other duties. But the more they grow in grace andholiness, themoreextensivewill theirobediencebe,andthemoretheirheartswillbedilatedandextendedtoallthedutiesbothofthefirstandsecondtable.But,

[6.] Sixthly, The more a man conflicts with heart sins, withspiritual sins, with invisible sins, with sins which lie mosthiddenandobscurefromtheeyesoftheworld—andthemorespiritualvictoriesandconquestsamanobtainsoverthem—thegreatermeasureofholinessthatpersonhascertainlyattainedto.When the heart rises with all its strength andmight against secretpride,secretself-love,secretbubblingsoflusts,secretcarnalconfidence,secret murmuring, secret hypocrisy, secret envy, secret self-applause,secretmalice,secrethatred,secretsnares,secrettemptations,etc.,itisanevidencethatholinesshasgrownuptosomeconsiderableheightthere.[2Chron.32:26;Psalm119:80;2Cor.12:7-9;Psalm30:6-7;Romans7:23-24;2Cor.7:1.]

Alittlegrace,alittleholiness,willworkamantoconflictwithgrosssins,withoutwardsins,withbodilysins,withopensins,whicheveryonemaysettheireyeson.Yes,wherethereisnograce,noholinessatall,thelight

ofnature,thecommonconvictionsoftheSpirit,thelawsofmen,theeyesofmen, the threats ofmen, the examples ofmen, a smarting rod, andgoodeducation,mayworkmentoconflictwithsuchsins.Oh,butwhenallthestrengthandmightofthesoulisengagedagainstthoseverysinsthatlienotwithinthesightorreachofthemostsharpandpiercingmenintheworld—butintheheart,andabouttheheart,andareonlyobvioustoGod'somniscienteye,thisarguesagreatdegreeofholiness.

AndthereforeAugustinehitthemarkwhenhesaidthatitisthehardestthing for a man to fight with his lusts—especially his heart lusts, hisspiritualwickedness.Andhehas long since complained thatwe do nottame"thebeastsinourownbosoms".Oh,itisaneasierthingtotameallthebeastsintheworldthanitistotamethebeastinthebosom.Allthebeastsintheworldmaybetameandbroughtundercontrol,byahumanpower, James 3:7—but no power below that powerwhich raisedChristfromthegrave,cantamethebeaststhatareinourbosoms.[Heraclius'smottowas,"ItisGodwhogivesvictory!"]

Now look, asconflictswith heart sins,with spiritual sins, etc., arguessome eminency in holiness—just so, victory over heart sins, overspiritual sins, over those sins which lie most remote from the eyes ofothers,arguesaverygreatdegreeofholiness.WhenaChristiandoesnotonlyresistheartsins—butvanquishesheartsins;whenhedoesnotonlycombatwithheartsins—butconquersheartsins;whenhedoesnotonlyfightwithheart sins—butalsoovercomesheart sins;when he does notonlywrestlewithheartsins—butalsooverthrowsheartsins—thisspeaksoutholinessinitsgrowth.ItwasagoodsayingofCyprian:"Thereisnogreater pleasure—than to have overcome a sinful pleasure; neither isthereanygreaterconquest—thantoconquerone'sowncorruptions."AnditwasanexcellentsayingofEusebiusEmesenus:"Ourfathersovercamethetormentsoftheflames;letusovercomethefierydartsofourvices."And indeed it is an easier thing to overcome fiery flames, than it is toovercome those flaming lusts and corruptions which are in our ownhearts.

Philosophy may teach us to endure hardships, as it did Calanus inCurtius,whowillinglyofferedhisbodytothefire,totheflames;butitisonlygrace, it isonlyholiness, thatcanenableus toovercomeour lusts,

ourheart lusts.We read ofmanywho, out of greatness of spirit, couldofferviolencetonature—butwereatalosswhentheycametodealwiththeircorruptions.

I rememberanotablesayingofAmbrose,speakingofSamson.Sayshe,hebrokethebondsofhisenemies—buthecouldnotbreakthebondsofhisownlusts;hechokedthelion—buthecouldnotchokehisownwantonlove;hesetonfiretheharvestofstrangers,andhimselfbeingsetonfirewiththesparkofoneimmoralwoman,losttheharvestofhisvirtue.AndthissayingofAmbroseputsmeinmindofagreatRomancaptain,who,ashewas riding inhis triumphant chariot throughRome,hadhiseyesconstantlyonaharlotwhowalkedalongthestreet,whichmadeonesay,"Behold how this noble captain, who conquered such potent armies, ishimselfconqueredbyonesillywoman!"

Oh,itisnotphilosophy,normorality,norcivility,etc.—butholiness,butsanctity—which will make the soul victorious over iniquity. The morevictoriesandconquestsamanmakesuponheartsins,uponspiritualsins,upon secret sins—the greater measures of holiness that person hascertainlyattainedto.But,

[7.]Seventhly,Themoreamanisexercisedandbusiedinthemost internal and spiritual duties of religion—the greatermeasuresofholiness thatmanhas attained to. You know thereareexternal duties of religion, and there are internal duties of religion.Thereareexternaldutiesofreligion—suchaspublicpreaching,hearingthe word, reading the word, fasting, singing of psalms, Christianconference,communionofsaints,andreceivingtheLord'ssupper,Mat.6and23.NowsuchChristianswhohavebutsmallmeasuresofgraceandholiness,andhypocritesandformalistswhohavenottheleastmeasureoftruegraceandholiness—thesearemostcommonlyexercisedandbusiedabouttheexternaldutiesandservicesofreligion;butveryseldom,veryrare, shall you find them in the more inward and spiritual duties ofreligion,Isaiah1:11-19,and58:1-5;Zech.7:4-7.

But then, as there are external duties—just so, there are internalandspiritualduties—suchasself-examination,self-resignationtoGod,self-loathing, self-judging, divine meditation, praying in the Spirit,

watchfulness over the heart, and making application of the blood ofChrist,thedeathofChrist,thegraceofChrist,theloveofChrist,andthewordofChristtoaman'sownsoul.

NowthemoreanyChristianisexercisedandemployedintheseinternal,spiritual, and evangelical duties and services, the greater heights anddegreesofholinessthatChristianisgrownto:Phil.3:3,"Forwearethetrue circumcision,whoworshipGod in the spirit, and rejoice in ChristJesus, and have no confidence in the flesh." These Philippians wereeminent in grace and holiness, as youmay see in chapter 1. And theyplace no confidence in circumcision, nor in any such outwardperformances or services—but theyweremuch in the exercise of grace,andinworshipingofGodinthespirit,andinrejoicing inthepersonofChrist, the natures of Christ, the offices of Christ, the discoveries ofChrist, the communicationsofChrist, the gloriousoperationsofChrist,the precious promises of Christ, and in the heart-warming and heart-cheeringbloodofChrist.

Nowtobemuchexercisedinthemostinternal,spiritual,andevangelicaldutiesofreligion—arguesaverygreatheightofholiness.But,

[8.] Eighthly, The more spiritual, internal, and intrinsicprinciples,motives,andconsiderations,carriesapersononinpiousdutiesandservices—themoreholythatpersonis.Whenamaniscarriedoninthedutiesofreligion,fromasenseofdivinelove,orfroma senseof the specialpresenceofChristwithhisheart, or fromasenseoftheexcellencyandsweetnessofcommunionandfellowshipwithGod,or froma senseof thegraciousnessandgoodnessofGod towardshim,orfromasenseofsingularinfluencesandvisitsfromGod,orfromasenseofthechoiceandpreciousdiscoveriesofGod,orfromasenseofthebeauty and glory of God, etc.—this argues a very great measure ofholiness,thatsuchapersonhasattainedto.[Psalm119:1-3;1John1:1-4;Isaiah38:16-17,19-20;Psalm63:1-3.]

ThemorethesweetlooksofChrist,thesecretvisitsofChrist,theprivatewhispersofChrist,thedivinejoggingsofChrist,theblessedlove-tokensofChrist,andtheholykissesandgloriousembracesofChrist—doesinciteandprovokeapersontopiousduties,thegreaterdegreesofholinessthat

personhasreachedto.Butitisanargumentthatthestreamsofholinessrunsbutlow,whenexternalmotivesandconsiderationshavethegreatesthandincarryingapersononinpiousduties.Themorebarecustom,theeyeofthecreature,thefavorofthecreature,theexampleofthecreature,theapplauseofthecreature,therewardsofthecreature,orthekeepingupofaman'sabilities,or thekeepingupofaman'sname,esteem,andreputationintheworlddoesinfluenceaChristian'shearttopiousduties—thelessholinessthatChristianhas.

Yes,itisconsiderable,thatoutwardmotivesandnaturalprincipleshavecarriedmanyheathentodomanygreatandgloriousthingsintheworld.DidnotSiseradoasgreat thingsasGideon? thedifferencedidonly liehere,thatthegreatthingswhichGideondid,hedidfrommorespiritualprinciples and raised considerations thananySiserawas actedby.AnddidnotDiogenestrampleunderhisfeetthegreatandgloriousthingsofthisworld,aswellasMoses?thedifferencedidonlylieinthis,thatMosestrampledunderhisfeetthemirthfulandgallantthingsofthisworldfrominward,holyprinciples, and fromhigh andglorious considerations andmotives;whereasDiogenesdidonly trampleupon themfrompoor, lowprinciples,andfromcarnalandexternalconsiderations.

I have read of one Cosmus Medici, a rich citizen of Florence, that heconfessed to a near friend of his that he built so many magnificentstructures,andspentsomuchonscholarsandlibraries—notforanylovetolearning—buttoraiseuptohimselfthetrophiesoffameandrenown.Andmanyof theRomanshavedone very great and glorious things fortheir country—but all from natural principles, and from carnal andexternalmotivesandconsiderations,asforagreatname,apuffofhonor,alittleapplause,etc.,andthereforetheirmostgloriousactionshavebeenbutshiningsins,Jer.32:23.Godalwayswritesanothinguponallthoseserviceswhereinmen'sprinciplesandtheirendsareselfishorwickedorbase.

ItwasanotablesayingofLuther,"OneworkofaChristian,"sayshe,"ismoreprecious thanheaven and earth, and if Imighthavemydesire, IwouldratherchoosethelowestworkofacountryChristian,orpoormaid,thanallthevictoriesandtriumphsofAlexandertheGreatandofJuliusCaesar,becausewhateverasaintdoes,thoughitbeeversosmall—yetitis

greatandglorious,becausehedoesallinfaithandbytheword."Andsaysthesameauthor further,"Letourworksbeeversosmall, servile—yet ifdoneoutof lovetotheLord—theywillbeallglorious,yes,suchasshallremaintoalleternity."Osirs,allourworksandservicesmustbewroughtfromGod, forGod, inGod,andaccordingtoGod—or else theywill bebut splendida peccata—splendid sins!Well, the more spiritual andinternal the principles, motives, and considerations are, which carry aChristian on in pious duties, the greater measure of holiness has thatChristianarrivedto.But,

[9.] Ninthly, The more solid, precise, exact, and accurate aChristianis inpiousdutiesandservices—thegreatermeasureof holiness that Christian has attained to. And the more anyChristiangrowsinholiness,themorespiritual,themoresavory,themoreexact and accurate he will grow in all his pious services andperformances.ThemoreaChristian'sheart isendearedtopiousduties,and the more his heart is affected with the heavenly nature of piousduties, and the more easily, the more holily, the more freely, and themore spiritually he performs pious duties—themore he is thriving andgrowninholiness.

Ayoungcarpentergivesmoreblows,andmakesmorenoiseandchipsthan an old experienced workman does—but the old experiencedworkmandoeshisworkmoresolidly,moreexactly,andmoreaccuratelythantheyoungcarpenterdoes.Justso,manyyoungChristians,whoarebutnewly entered into the tradeofChristianity, andwhoare raisedupbut to a very small degree of sanctity, thesemaymultiply duties uponduties,thesemayaboundinpiousperformances,thesemaybemuchinaddingofservicetoservice;butyettheagedandexperiencedChristianingraceandholinessdoespiousdutiesmoresolidly,morespiritually,moreexactly,andmoreaccuratelythantheyoungChristiandoes.

We must never judge of an eminency in holiness by the number ormultitude of our duties—but by the seriousness, the graciousness, thesolidness, the spiritualness, the holiness, the heavenliness, and theaccuratenessofourheartsinduties.

Ayoungmusicianmayplaylongerandmorequickandnimbleuponan

instrumentthananoldmusiciancan—butyettheoldmusicianplayswithmoreart,accurateness,skill,judgment,andunderstandingthanayoungmusiciandoes.Justso,youngChristiansingraceandholinessmayholdoutlonger,andbequickerandnimblerinpiousduties,thanotherswhoaremoreagedingraceandholiness;butyetthosewhoareagedingraceand holiness perform pious duties with more spiritual art andaccurateness,andwithmoredivineskill, judgment,andunderstanding,thantheydo,inwhomthespringofholinessrunslow.

Ayoungscholarmaywritemorepaper,andmakemorelettersthanhismaster does—but yet his master writes more understandingly, exactly,andaccuratelythantheyoungscholar.Justso,manyyoungconvertsmayrun over more duties than others—and yet others may perform dutiesmoreunderstandingly,andmoreexactly,andmoreaccuratelythantheydo.

Letthedutybeeversoshort—yetifthereismuchspiritualness,holiness,brokenness,seriousness,andaccuratenessinit—itwillcarryallbeforeit—itwillwintheblessingandobtainthecrown;whenthelongestduties,whereinthereisnosuchframenortemperofspirit,shallnotprevailwithGodat all,Zech. 7:4-6; Isaiah58:1-6. It arguesaverygreatmeasureofholinesswhenthesoulishabituallycarriedoninpiousdutieswithmuchsolidness,seriousness,spiritualness,exactness,andaccurateness.But,

[10.] Tenthly, Themore anymanmakes it his great businessand work, in all his duties, ways, and walkings—to approvehimself to God, and to be acceptable with God—the greaterheightofholinessthatmanhasattainedto.Jer.12:3;Psalm17:2.

Davidwasamanofgreatholiness;andhowstudiousandindustrioushewas to approve his heart to the Lord youmay see in Psalm 139:23-24,"Searchme,OGod,andknowmyheart:trymeandknowmythoughts;and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the wayeverlasting." [The Hebrew word signifies a very strict, careful, diligentsearchandinquisition,etc.]ThepsalmistknewthatGodhadaneyeuponhim,bothathomeandabroad,bothatbedandatboard,bothinpublicandinprivate,bothinhisfamilyandinhiscloset;heknewthatGodhadaneyeineverycornerofhishouse,andineverycornerofhisheart,and

thereforehe appeals toGod, andhe openshis heart toGod, andnoblyventuresuponthetrialofGod,"Searchme,OGod,andknowmyheart,"etc.Thisfrequentrepetitionanddoublingofwords,"Searchme,OGod,andknowmyheart,trymeandknowmythoughts,"etc.,doesnotonlynotetheearnestnessandseriousnessofDavid'sspiritinprayer—butalsothesoundness,theuprightness,theplainness,andthesincerityofDavid'sheart—in that he was very willing and ready to submit himself to thesearch,trial,examination,andapprobationofGod.

AndsoPeter,thatgreatapostleoftheJews,makesithisgreatbusinesstoopenhimselftoChristthricetogether,"Lord,youknowthatIloveyou,Lord;youknowthatIloveyou,Lord;youwhoknowallthings,youknowthatIloveyou,"John21:15-17.Christbestknewtherealityandsincerityof Peter's love, and therefore Peter appeals to him, as to a judge whowouldbesuretojudgerighteousjudgment,"YouknowthatIloveyou."

And so the apostlePaul, speaking in the name of his fellow-apostles,says, "Therefore we labor, that, whether present or absent, wemay beaccepted of him," 2 Cor. 5:9. The Greek word which is here renderedlabor,isaveryemphaticword.Itsignifiestolaborandendeavorwithallearnestnessandmight,toendeavorwithahighandholyambition,tobeapproved of by God, and to be accepted of God, judging it to be thegreatest honor and themost desirable happiness in all theworld to begraciously owned, approved, and accepted of the Lord. As ambitious,industrious,andlaboriousasHamanwastobehighlyacceptedwithkingAhasuerus—yethewasnotmoreambitioustobeacceptedwiththeking,thantheapostleswereambitioustobeacceptedoftheKingofkings.

Osirs,when ineverysermonyouhear, and ineveryprayer youmake,andineveryfastyoukeep,andineveryactionyoudo,andineverywaythatyouwalk,andineverymercythatyouenjoy,andineverycrossthatyou bear, etc.—you make it your great business and work to approveyourselvestotheLord—andthatthoughtheworldshoulddiscountenanceyou, and friendshate you, andnear anddear relations reject you—thatyetyoumayfindblessedacceptancewithGod—thisarguesholinesstobeuponthethrone.WheninallyourdealingsandtradingswithGod—youmakeityourheaventoapproveyourselvestoGod;andwheninallyourtransactions with men—you make it your happiness to approve

yourselves to God—it is an argument that the springs of holiness haverisenhighinyoursouls.But,

[11.]Eleventhly,Themoreamanlivesbytheruleofwhetheranactionisspirituallybeneficial—thegreatermeasureofholinessthatpersonhasattained to. John 16:7; 2 Cor. 8:10.Weak holinesshasonlyaneyeupontheruleoflawfulness—thatis,whetheranactionislawfulornot.Butraisedholinesshasoneeyeupontheruleoflawfulness,and the other upon whether the action is spiritually beneficial. Weakholinesssays,"Oh,thisislawful,andthatispermissible!"Oh,butraisedholiness says, "Is this spiritually beneficial? is it beneficial as well aslawful?"

Thatangelicalapostle,Paul,alwayshadhiseyeuponwhetheranactionwas spiritually beneficial ornot: 1Cor. 6:12, "Everything ispermissibleforme—butnoteverythingisbeneficial.Everythingispermissibleforme—but I will not be mastered by anything." And so chapter 10:23,"Everythingispermissible—butnoteverythingisbeneficial.Everythingispermissible—butnoteverythingisconstructive."

Manythingsmaybelawful,whichyetmaybeunnecessaryorunwiseforourplace,state,calling,andconditionintheworld.Itwaslawfulfortheapostletoeatmeat—butitwasnotbeneficial forhimtoeatmeat;whenhis eating of meat would make his weak brother to sin, or grieve, orstumble, or fall, Romans 14:21. And therefore he resolves that, ratherthanhewilleatmeat—thathewillnevereatmeatwhiletheworldstands,1Cor.8:13.

Themoreunchangeablyresolvedanypersonistolivebyjudgingwhetheranactionisspirituallybeneficialornot—thegreatermeasureofholinessthatpersonhascertainlyattainedto.Thestreamsofholinessrunslowinthat Christian's heart—who only lives by the rule of lawfulness—andneverlivesbyjudgingwhetheranactionisspirituallybeneficialornot.Itargues a very great height of holiness for a man to make as muchconscience of living by the rule of whether an action is spirituallybeneficialornot,ashedoesoflivingbytheruleoflawfulness.Foramantobeoftena-lookingoverhisnaturalactions,hismoralactions,andhispiousactions, and to be still a-putting this question to himself, "Omy

soul!doyoueyewhat ismost spiritually beneficial?"Sucha frameandtemperofspiritspeaksoutmuchofChristandholinesswithin.

Oh the sins! oh the sorrows! oh the shame! oh the reproach! oh thetroubles! oh the travails! oh the trials, etc., which might have beenprevented—had we more minded and followed whether an action isspirituallybeneficialornot.But,

[12.]Twelfthlyandlastly,Themoreamancandenyhimself—when he has an opportunity, power, and authority to raisehimself, to greaten himself, to seek himself, and to lift uphimself—thegreatermeasureofholinessthatmanhasattainedto.ProvidenceputmanyarareandfairopportunityintoMoses'hand,wherebyhemighthaveraisedhimself,andhavegreatenedhimselfintheworld—andyetthen,eventhen,hedenieshimself."ByfaithMoses,whenhehadgrownup,refusedtobeknownasthesonofPharaoh'sdaughter.He chose to bemistreated alongwith thepeople ofGod rather than toenjoythepleasuresofsinforashorttime.HeregardeddisgraceforthesakeofChristasofgreatervaluethanthetreasuresofEgypt,becausehewas lookingahead tohis reward.By faithhe leftEgypt,not fearing theking's anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible."Hebrews11:24-27.[Exod.32:9-15;Deut.9:13-14,18-20]

Nehemiahwasamanofthesamemindandmettle.Hestoodupontheadvantage ground to have greatened himself, and to have lifted uphimself as others had done before him. But instead of this, he lessenshimself, he denies himself, he degrades himself, and being of a verynoble, generous, public spirit, he turns his back upon his own worldlyinterest,andkeepsaveryfreeandbountifultable,uponhisownexpense,andnotupontheaccountofapublicpurse."IwouldliketomentionthatfortheentiretwelveyearsthatIwasgovernorofJudah—neitherInormyofficialsdrewonourofficialfoodallowance.Thiswasquiteacontrasttothe former governors who had laid heavy burdens on the people,demanding a daily ration of food and wine, besides a pound of silver.Eventheirassistantstookadvantageofthepeople.ButbecauseofmyfearofGod, Ididnot act thatway. Idevotedmyself toworkingon thewallandrefusedtoacquireanyland.AndIrequiredallmyofficialstospendtimeworkingonthewall.Iaskedfornothing,eventhoughIregularlyfed

150Jewishofficialsatmytable,besidesallthevisitorsfromotherlands!Theprovisionsrequiredatmyexpenseforeachdaywereoneox,six fatsheep, and a large number of domestic fowl. And every ten days weneeded a large supply of all kinds of wine. Yet I refused to claim thegovernor's food allowance because the people were already having adifficulttime."Nehemiah5.

AndsoDanielwasoneinspiritwiththeformer:Dan.1:8-11,WhenGodhad brought him into high favor with the prince of the eunuchs, andgivenhimagreatdealofheart-roomthere—yetuponnotermswouldhedefile himself with the king's food, or comply with the requests of theprince.Itarguesagreatdealofholinessforamantodenyhistemporalself, todethronehis temporal self—whenhestandsupon theadvantagegroundtoadvancehistemporalself,andtoenthronehistemporalselfintheworld,Rev.4:10-11.

I have read of Trajan the emperor, howhe sent Eustochius, one of hischief captains against the barbarians, who having vanquished them,returnedhome.Theemperorbeingveryjoyfulatthisgoodnewsgoestomeethim,andbringshimgloriouslyintothecity.NowEustochiusbeinghighintheemperor'sfavor,itwasbutaskandhave,speakandspeed;buton this verydayofpomp, triumph,andglory,he chose rather to sufferthemartyrdomofhimself,hiswife,andchildren—thantooffersacrificeto Apollo; and so denies himself, and all his present pomp and glory,when he might greatly have enriched himself and advanced himself.Nothingspeaksoutgreatermeasuresofholiness,thanforamantodenyhimself—whenhemayseekhimself,andexalthimself.

I have read of a godlyman,whowasmuch in pious duties;who beingsorelytemptedbySatan,andtowhomSatansaid,"Whydoyoutakesuchpains? youwatch, and fast, and pray, and abstain from the sins of thetimes. But, O man! what do you do, more than I do? Are you nodrunkard?—neither am I!Are youno adulterer?—neither am I!Do youwatch?why,letmetellyou,Ineversleep!Doyoufast?why,Inevereatnordrink.Whatdoyoudo,morethanIdo?""Why,Iwilltellyou,Satan,"saidtheholyman,"Ipray,IservetheLord,nay,morethanallthis,Idenymyself!""Nay,then,"saysSatan,"yougobeyondme,forIamproud,andIexaltmyself."Andsohevanished.

Ohtheexcellencyofself-denial!andohtheholinessandthehappinessofthatmanwhocandenyhimself,whocandebasehimself,whocaneventrampleuponhimself—whenhehaspowerandauthorityinhisownhandto greaten himself and to exalt himself! Power and authority will trywhatmettlemenaremadeof.Ah,howmanyhavetherebeenamongus,who,whentheyhavehadnopowernorauthority intheirhandstohelpthemselves,haveseemedtobegreatdeniersofthemselves;butnosoonerhadtheypowerandauthorityintheirhands—butah,whatself-love,whatself-interest, what self-seeking, and what self-exalting was to be foundamongthem!Oh,howhavemanyamongthem,insteadoflovingGodtothe contempt of themselves—have loved themselves to the contempt ofGod!Andwho,insteadofdebasingthemselvesthattheymightexaltGod—havedebasedGodthattheymightexaltthemselves!Andwho, insteadof losing themselves that theymight findGod—have lostGod thattheymightfindthemselves!

These put me in mind of the abbot, who lived strictly, and lookeddemurely,andwalkedhumbly—solongashewasbutamonk.Butwhen,by his seeming sanctity and humility, he had got to beabbot, he grewmost intolerableproudandinsolent,etc.Andbeingaskedthereasonofit, he confessed that his former humble demeanorwas but to see if hecould find the keys of the abbey.Howmany such abbots we have hadamongus—youallknow!Ah,howrareisittofindamantodenyhimself,whenhe is advantaged to seekhimself. Such aman isworthgold—butthisironageaffordsfewsuchgoldenmen.Wherethisframeofspiritis—therethestreamsofholinessrunsdeep.

Andthusmuchforthisuseoftrialandexamination.

TwelveConsolationstoAllwhoHaveRealHoliness

And so I come now to the last use of this doctrine, and that is forcomfortandconsolationtoallthosewhohavethisgenuineholiness,withoutwhich there is no happiness. O sirs! openwide the everlastingdoorsofyoursouls, thatnotariver—butaseaof joy and comfortmay

flowinuponyou.For,

[1.]First,Knowforyourcomfort—thatgenuineholinessisthesealofyoureternalelection.Someareelectedtogloriousoffices inthisworld,othersareelectedtoeternalgloryintheheavenlyworld.Judaswas chosen to be an apostle on earth—but not to be a saint in heaven,John6:70;buttheThessalonianswereelectedtoeternalgloryinheaven,thoughtheywerenotchosentoanygloriousofficeshereonearth,1Thes.1:4.Itmaybeyouareapoorcreature,whoneverwas,noreverarelikelytobe,electedtoanynobleorhonorableemployments,eitherinchurchorstate.

Oh,butifyouareaholyperson,thenknowforyoureverlastingcomfort,thatyourgenuineholinessisagenuinesealofyoureternalelection.Itisthe counterpart as it were, of all that gracious love, grace, and eternalfavor which God bears unto you: Eph. 1:4, "He has chosen us in himbeforethefoundationoftheworld—thatweshouldbeholy."Goddidnotchooseuseitherbecausewewereholy,orbecauseheforesawthatintimewewould beholy—but he chose us to that very end thatwe should beholy. Look! asEstherwas first chosen out among the virgins,Esther 1,and then purified and decked with rich and royal ornaments andgarments,beforeshewasbrought into thepresenceof theking:soGodfirst choosespoor sinners, and thenhepurifies them,andadorns themwiththerichandgloriousgarmentsofgraceandholiness,Psalm45:13,sothattheymaybefittoenterintohisroyalpresence!

1Thes.1:4,"Knowing,brethrenbeloved,yourelectionofGod."Verse5,"Forourgospelcamenotuntoyouinwordonly;butalsoinpower,andintheHolySpirit."Verse9,"AndhowyouturnedtoGodfromidolstoservethe living and true God."When the gospel comes in power and in theHolySpirit, and turnspeople from idols to serve the livingGod—it isaclearandevident signof their election.Genuine sanctification is a sureevidence,afaircopyofaman'selection.Look!astheoriginalisknownbythe picture, and the cause by the effect—just so, election is known bygenuinesanctification.

AChristianneedneverputhimself to thechargeofmaking a ladder toclimb up to heaven, to search the records of glory, to see whether his

nameiswritteninthebookoflife,inthebookofelectionornot.Rather,he should make a strict and diligent inquiry whether he is really andthoroughly sanctified or not; for where there is genuine sanctification,there the glorious image of God's election is in the golden charactersstamped upon the soul. A man may have his name set down in thechronicles—yet lost;engraved indurablemarble—yetperish;setuponamonument equal to a Colossus—yet be ignominious; inscribed on thehospitalgates—yetgotohell;writteninthefrontofhisownhouse—yetanothercometopossessit.Allthesearebutwritingsinthedust,oruponthewaters—wherethecharactersperishassoonastheyaremade;theynomoreproveamaneternallyhappy,thanthefoolcouldprovePontiusPilate eternally happy because his name was written in the Apostlescreed.Butingenuinesanctification,amanmayseehisnamesoclearlywritteninthebookofGod'selection,asthatitshallremainlegibletoalleternity.But,

[2.]Secondly,Ifyouareaholyperson,ifyouhavethatgenuineholiness, without which there is no eternal happiness, thenknowforyourcomfort—thattheLordtakessingularpleasure,delight,anddelight,bothinyourholinessandinyourperson.Psalm 149:4-5, "For the Lord delights in his people; he crowns thehumblewith salvation. Let the faithful rejoice in this honor. Let themsing for joy as they lie on their beds." The Hebrew word signifiespleasure, delight, enjoyment, contentment, etc. Oh! God takes singularpleasure,singulardelight,singularenjoyment,andsingularcontentmentinallhissaints,inallhissanctifiedones!HolinessistheexpressimageofGod,andthereforehecannotbuttakepleasureinit,andinallthosewhobearit!

Zeph. 3:13, "Thepeople of Israelwho survivewill donowrong to eachother,nevertellingliesordeceivingoneanother.Theywill livepeacefullives, lying down to sleep in safety; therewill be no one tomake themafraid." Well! here are glorious characters of their holiness; but whatpleasure, what delight, etc., does God take in these holy ones? Why,certainlyverymuch,asyoumaysee inverse17, "TheLordyourGod iswithyou,he ismightytosave.Hewill takegreatdelight inyou,hewillquietyouwithhislove,hewillrejoiceoveryouwithsinging!"Look!asa

bridegroomrejoicesoverhisbride, Isaiah62:4-5—just so,will theLordrejoice over his holy ones! Look, that delight, enjoyment, andcontentment which the bridegroom takes in his bride—the same, yes,greater,God takes in all his sanctified ones. Yes, look, as a fond fatherjoysoverhisdearchild thathecarries inhisarms,ordandlesuponhiskneewith singing: soGodwill joy over all hisholy ones,which arehisfondlings, with singing; such is the singular delight, satisfaction, andenjoymentwhichhetakesinthem.

Look!asthefarmerdelightsmuchinthatgroundwhichwasoncebarren—butisnowfruitful;andasthecaptaintakesagreatdealofpleasureinthatsoldierwhooncedeserted—butisnowreturned,andfightsvaliantlyand resolutely against all opposers and adversaries; and as the fathertakes a great deal of joy, contentment, and satisfaction in the return,reformation, and amendment of his prodigal son, Luke 15—even so, aholy God is wonderfully delighted, pleased, enamored, and evenoverjoyed,whensuchasbroughtforthnothingbutthethornsandbriersof wickedness, Heb. 6:7-8—does now bring forth the pleasant fruits ofrighteousnessandholiness,Heb.2:10;andwhensuchashaverunfromChrist thecaptainof theirsalvation,andrunfromtheirprofession,andrunfromtheirprinciples,andrunalmostfromeverythingthatisgood—shall now return to the captain of their salvation, and fight it outmostvaliantly and resolutely against theworld, the flesh, and the devil; andwhensuchashaveprovedprodigals,andspentall thatportion,all thatstock,andallthattreasurethattheyhavebeenentrustedwith—shallnowbreakofftheirsins,andhumblethemselves,andreformtheir lives,andmendtheirways!Godissoinfinitelypleasedanddelightedinthese,thathe records their names in heaven: "However, do not rejoice that thespiritssubmittoyou,butrejoicethatyournamesarewritteninheaven!"Luke10:20.Itismatterofthegreatestjoyintheworld,foramantohavehisnameenrolledinheaven.Look!asitisthesinner'shellthathisnameisengravedinthebookofdamnation—justso,itisthebeliever'sheaventhat his name is engraved in the book of election. "And anyone whosenamewasnotfoundrecordedintheBookofLifewasthrownintothelakeoffire!"Revelation20:15.

I have read of a senatorwho, relating to his son the great honors that

were assigned to some soldiers whose nameswerewritten in a certainbook, whereupon the son was very importunate to see that book. Hisfather shows him the outside, and he earnestly desired him to open it."No,"saysthefather,"bynomeans,foritissealedbythecouncil."Thensays the son, "Please tell me if my name is written there!" His fatherreplies,"No!becauseall thenamesof thosesoldierswerekeptsecret inthe breasts of the senators." The son, studying howhemight get somesatisfaction,desiredhis father to acquainthimwith themeritsof thosesoldierswhosenameswerewritteninthatbook.Thefatherrelatestohimtheirnobleachievements,andworthyactsofvalor,wherewith theyhadeternalized their names. "Such honorable people are written in thisbook," said he, "and none but such must be written in this book."Whereupon theson, consultingwithhisownheart thathehadnosuchtrophiestoshow—buthadspenthistimeincourtingofladies,ratherthanin encountering of knights, and that hewas better adapted for a dancethanforamarch,andthatheknewnowardrum—butonlytheviolin,norhad he any courage—but to be drunk and rant.Hereupon he presentlyretiredhimself,repented,enteredintoacombatwithhisownlusts,andsubduedthem,andbecametemperate,brave,valiant,andvirtuous.Now,when the soldiers came to receive their wreaths, their crowns, theirhonors,etc.,hestepsinanddemandsawreath,acrownforhimself.Butbeingaskeduponwhatgroundshisdemandwasgrounded,heanswered,"Ifhonorsbegiventoconquerors,thentheymustbegiventometoo,forIhavegottenthenoblestconquestofall."Anditbeingaskedtoexplain,he answered, "These other soldiers have subdued strange foes, andconquered their outward enemies—but I have subdued myself, I haveconqueredtheenemieswhichwereinmyownbosom!"

Osirs,therearenomen'snameswritteninthebookoflifebuttheirs who by grace and holiness have subdued and broughtunder their sinful selves, and who have conquered thecorruptionswhichareintheirownbosoms,thatis,inrespectof theirdominion.There aremanywho are exceeding inquisitive toknowwhether theirnamesarewritten inheavenornot. Iwould say tosuch, there isnosuchway toknowthis—asbyyourholiness.Haveyoubrokenoffyoursinsbysoundrepentance?Hasthegospelchangedyourinsideandyouroutside?Hasitmadeyouanewcreature,andturnedyou

fromdarknesstolight,andfromthepowerofSatantoJesusChrist?etc.Then,withoutallquestion,yournameiswritteninheaven,andyouarethepersonwhohasthegreatestcauseintheworldtorejoice![Phil.4:3;Heb.11:38.]

Again,theholyChristianisthebestmanintheworld,nay,heissuchaone"ofwhomthisworldisnotworthy,"andthereforeGodcannotbut take singularpleasureanddelight inhim.Many thereare,whoareaccounted deep scholars, great linguists, profound philosophers, goodgrammarians, excellent mathematicians, sharp logicians, cunningpoliticians,finerhetoricians,sweetmusicians,etc..Butthetruthis,heisthebestgrammarian,whohaslearnedtospeakthetruthfromhisheart;andheisthebestastronomer,whohashisthoughtsinheaven;andheisthebestmusician,whohas learnedpracticallytosingoutthepraisesofGod; and he is the best arithmetician,who knows how to number hisdays; and he is the best philosopher,who every day grows holier andholier;andheisthebestskilledineconomics,whotrainsuphisfamilyinthefearoftheLord;andheisthebestpolitician,whoisasgoodattakingandgivingScripturalcounsel;andheisthebestlinguist,whospeaksthelanguage of Canaan; and therefore God cannot but take the greatestcontentmentandsatisfactioninsuch.

Again, the holy Christian is the onlyman forwhomGod haswroughtthegreatestmiracles.Hecantellyouthathewasblind—butnowGodhas givenhim eyes to see sin to be the greatest evil, andChristtobethechoicestgood.Hecantellyouthatoncehewassodeaf—that thoughGodcalledveryoftenandvery louduponhim,byhiswordandbyhisworks,byhisrodsathomeandbyhisjudgmentsabroad,andby his Spirit and conscience thatwere still a-preaching in his bosom—sometimeslife,sometimesdeath,sometimesheaven,andsometimeshell—yethecouldnothear!ButnowGodhasgivenhimahearingear,sothatnowhecanwithdelighthearthesweetmusicofthepromisesontheonehand;andwithaholytremblinglistentothevoiceofdivinethreateningsontheotherhand.Hecantellyouthatoncehewassodumb—thatifhemighthavehadthewholeworld,hecouldnothavespokeagoodwordforGod,norforhisways,norforhispeople,norforhisordinances,norforanyofhisconcernments in theworld.Oh!butnowhis tongue isas the

penofareadywriter,Psalm45:1,andheisneverbetterthanwhenheisa-speaking either of God, or for God and his concerns. Now he cancontendforthefaith,andspeakforsaints,andpleadforordinances;andthough in some cases hemay lack power toact for God—yet he neverlacksatonguetospeakforGod.Thespouse's lipsdrophoneycombs, inCanticles 4:11; "And the tongue of the just is as choice silver," in thatProverbs 10:20. Yes, his tongue is a tree of life, whose leaves aremedicinal, in that Proverbs 12:18.He can tell you that once he was solame—that he was not able to move one foot heavenwards or Christ-wards,orholiness-wards,etc.Butnowhis feetdelight,notonly togo—buttoruninallthewaysofGod'scommands,Psalm119:32.Yes,hecantellyouthatoncehewasdead—astoallhissoul-concerns—butnowheisalive,andthelifethatheleadsintheflesh,isbyfaithintheSonofGod,whohaslovedhimandgivenhimselfforhim,Gal.2:20.

ItwasbyamiraclethattheriverJordanwasdrivenback;anditisnolessamiracletoseeasinnerthatwasaccustomedtodoevil,habituatednowtodogood.Thatthetideofsin,whichbeforedidrunsostrong,shouldbesoeasilyturned,thatthesinnerwho,alittlebeforewassailinghellward,and lacked neither wind nor tide to carry him there—should nowsuddenlyalterhis course, and tackabout forheaven—whatamiracle isthis! To see the earthly man become heavenly, a carnal man becomespiritual, a loosemanbecomeprecise, a proudmanbecomehumble, acovetousmanbecomeliberal,andaharshmanbecomemeek,etc., istobeholdnolessthanmiracles.Toseeavilesinner,begintolivecrossandcontrary to himself in the ways of Christ and holiness, should be asastonishing inour eyes—as to see the sungobackward—or thedead toraisethemselves!NowhowcanGodbuttakeinfinitedelightandpleasureinhisholyones,consideringthemanymiraclesthathehaswroughtbothinthemandforthem?

Again, there are no people under heaven, who take any realpleasure, delight, contentment and satisfaction in God—butthosewhoaregenuinelyholy."IdelightgreatlyintheLord;mysoulrejoicesinmyGod.Forhehasclothedmewithgarmentsofsalvationandarrayedmeinarobeofrighteousness,asabridegroomadornshisheadlikeapriest,andasabrideadornsherselfwithherjewels."Isaiah61:10

The covetous man takes pleasure and delight in his money-bags. Theambitious man takes pleasure and delight in his honors. Thevoluptuousmantakespleasureanddelightinhislusts.Themaliciousmantakespleasureanddelight inhisrevenge.Theenviousman takespleasure and delight in the harmswhich befall others. Thedrunkardtakespleasureanddelightinhiscups.Theadulterertakespleasureanddelight in his harlots. Thegamester takes pleasure and delight in hisshifts and tricks. The worldling takes pleasure and delight in hisfopperiesandfooleries.It isonlytheholymanwhotakespleasureanddelight inGod.Todelightandtakepleasure inGod, isaworktoohigh,too hard, too spiritual, and too noble--for any but holy people! [Job22:25-26;Cant.2:3,and7:6;Pa.33:2,and48:11;Isaiah41:16;Joel2:23;Hab.3:18;Zech.10:7.]TodelightandtakepleasureinGod,isaworktoohigh, too hard, too spiritual, and too noble—for any but holy people.There are none headed, nor hearted, nor spirited, nor anointed, norprincipled,fortakingpleasureinGod—butholyones.

Abraham did not take more pleasure in his Isaac, nor did Jacob takemoredelight inhis Joseph,nordidDavid takemore satisfaction inhisAbsalom,nordidJonahtakemorecontentmentinhisgourd—thanaholyman—when he is himself—takes pleasure, delight, satisfaction, andcontentment inGod; and thereforehowcanGodbut takepleasureanddelightinhim?Shallthechildtakedelightinthefather,andshallnotthefather delight again in the child? and shall the wife take pleasure andsatisfactioninthehusband,andshallnotthehusbandtakepleasureandsatisfactionagaininher?

Look! as God hates those who hate him—just so, he takes pleasure inthosewhotakepleasureinhim.Nowwhatasingularcordialandcomfortis this to allGod's holy ones, thatGod takes singular pleasure, delight,satisfaction,andcontentmentinthem!Whatthoughtheworldhatesyou,andscornsyou,anddespisesyou,andpreferseveryBarabbasandJudasbefore you—yet cheer up your spirits with this cordial, andwarm yourhearts at this fire—thatGod takes singularpleasureanddelight inyou!Whatdoesthechildcare—thoughothersslighthim—solongashisfatherathomedelightsinhim?Whatdoesthewifecare—thoughothersdespiseher—as longasherhusbandathomehonorsher,and takespleasure in

herhim?Whatdoestheinnocentpersoncare—thoughthemalefactoratthebarrailsuponhim—aslongasthejudgeuponthebenchacquitshimhim?What should aChristian care—though all theworld should abhorhim—aslongastheLordtakessingularpleasureanddelightinhim?But,

[3.]Thirdly,ifyouareaholyperson,ifyouhavethatgenuineholiness,withoutwhich there isnohappiness, thenknow foryour comfort—that your genuine holiness is a substantialevidenceofyourgenuineunionwithChrist.Alltrueholinessistheimmediate fruit of our genuine unionwith Christ. [John 17:20-21, and15:5;Eph.4:16;1Pet.2:4-6;Eph.5:25,totheend.]UponourunionwithChrist,Christismadenotonlywisdom,righteousness,andredemption—but he is alsomade sanctification to us, 1 Cor. 1:30. Christ and a holypersonareone,asfatherandsonareone,andtheyareone,asthevineand thebranches are one, and they are one, as head andmembers areone;and theyareone, as the foundationand thebuildingareone; andtheyareoneashusbandandwifeareone,andthatwhichspeaksouttheironeness, their union, is their holiness. He who is in Christ is a newcreature,2Cor.5:17.HewhoisingraftedintoChrist,hewhoisinitiatedintoChrist,hewhoisuniteduntoChrist,he isanewcreature;hehasanewhead,anewheart,anewlip,anewlife,anewspirit,newprinciples,andnewends;hecantrulysaywiththatconvert,"IamnotthemanthatIwas!Iwasalion,holinesshasmademealamb!Iwasawolf,holinesshasmademeasheep!Iwasaraven,holinesshasmademeadove!"etc.Andwhat does all this speak out but a man's being in Christ—but a man'sunionwithChrist?Renovation speaksoutunion, andunion speaksoutrenovation.RenewingbyChristspeaksoutthesoul's in-being inChrist,andthesoul'sin-beinginChristspeaksoutthesoul'srenewingbyChrist.Look!astherecouldbenodepravationbutfromourunionwiththefirstAdam—just so, there can be no renovation but through our unionwiththesecondAdam,Col.3:10.But,

[4.]Fourthly,Ifyouareaholyperson,ifyouhavethatgenuineholiness,withoutwhich there isnohappiness, thenknow foryourcomfort—thatGodwillcertainlyblessallyourblessingstoyou,andhewillblesseveryestateandconditiontoyou.Psalm34:12-14.Mostmenhavemanyblessings—butitisonlytheholymanwho

hashisblessingsblesseduntohim:Gen.22:17,"InblessingIwillblessyou,"saysGodtoholyAbraham,thatis,Iwillblessyourblessingstoyou.The holy person is in covenant with a holy God, and therefore all theblessingsofthecovenantarehis.Allthosewhopartakeoftheholinessofthecovenant,theyshallcertainlypartakeoftheblessingsofthecovenant.[Psalm 50:5, and 105:42; Ezek. 36:25-26; Zech. 3:3-4; Psalm 84:11;Proverbs12:21,etc.]Nowthisisoneoftheblessingsofthecovenant,thatallourblessingsshallbeblesseduntous.

OChristian!allyourrighthandblessingsshallbeblesseduntoyou,andallyourlefthandblessingsshallbeblesseduntoyou;alltheblessingsoftheupperspringsshallbeblesseduntoyou,andall theblessingsof thelower springs shall be blessed unto you; and all the blessings of thethrone shall be blessed unto you, and all the blessings of the footstoolshallbeblesseduntoyou.[Alittle,blessedbyGod,isbetterthanaworldenjoyed. If you are a holy man, the God of all mercies—and all themerciesofGod,theGodofallcomforts—andallthecomfortsofGod,areyours,andwhatwouldyouhavemore?]

Andasallyourblessingsshallbeblesseduntoyou—justso,everyestateandeveryconditionshallbeblesseduntoyou; you shall beblessed inhealth—and blessed in sickness; blessed in strength—and blessed inweakness; blessed inwealth—and blessed inwant; blessed inhonor—andblessedindishonor;blessedin life—andblessedindeath;youshallbeblessedathome—andblessedabroad;blessedatboard—andblessedatbed;blessed lying down—and blessed rising up; blessed in liberty—andblessedinbonds.

Look!asalltheblessingsofawickedmanarecurseduntohim;andasalltherelationsofawickedmanarecurseduntohim,andasallestatesandconditionswhichareincidenttoawickedmanarecurseduntohim—justso, all the blessings of a holy man are blessed unto him, and all therelations of a holy man are blessed unto him, and all estates andconditions which are incident to a holy man are blessed unto him.[Proverbs3:33;Mal.2:1-3;Lev.26;Deut.28.]Isaactillstheground,andsowshisseed,andGodblesseshimwithahundredfold,Gen.26:12;andCaintillstheground,andsowshisseed—buttheearthiscursedtohim,andcommandednottoyieldtohimherstrength,Gen.4:12.But,

[5.]Fifthly,Ifyouareaholyperson,ifyouareonewhohasthatgenuine holiness, without which there is no happiness, thenknowforyourcomfort—thatyourholinessisagloriouswitnessandevidence of your effectual calling. 1 Pet. 1:15, "But now youmustbeholyineverythingyoudo,justasGod—whochoseyoutobehischildren—is holy." Many are externally called who are not internallycalled;andmanyareineffectuallycalledwhoarenoteffectuallycalled,1Pet.2:9.Butnow,genuineholiness—thatspeaksoutaninternalcall,aneffectualcall—a call out of darkness intomarvelous light; it speaks outsuch a call as makes sinners saints, slaves sons, enemies friends, andstrangers favorites.As Joseph, a stranger,was called out of a prison, adungeon,andmadeaverygreatfavoriteinPharaoh'scourt,Gen.41—justso, genuine holiness is a glorious witness and evidence that you areeffectuallycalledoutoftheprisonofsin,andthedungeonofwrath,andmadeafavoritetotheKingofglory!2Tim.1:9;1Pet.5:10;Gal.4:6.

TheauthorofthiscallisaholyGod.Ourholycallingdependsuponthepurpose ofGod, the power ofGod, and the grace andgoodpleasureofGod.ThemeansofourholycallingaretheSpiritofGodandthewordofGod.Theendsofour callingareholinessand thegloryofGod.Osirs,youarenotcalledupontheaccountofyourparents'faithornobility,norupontheaccountofanyintrinsicvirtuesinyou,norupontheaccountofany extrinsic services done by you—but upon the account of God'speculiar electionandparticular calling; and therefore byholinessmakegoodthehonorofyourhighcalling.

Andifanyshouldobjectagainstyou—thebasenessofyourbirthandpooroutwardstate,put them inmindofyourhighandholycalling, andaskthemwhattheythinkofLazarus,whoisnowasleepinAbraham'sbosom.Andifothersshouldobjectagainstyouyourformerwickedness,andcastyoursinsasdirtanddunginyourfaces,letthemknowthatPaulcantellthemfromheaven,thatthoughoncehewasawretchedblasphemer,andabloodypersecutor,thatyetnowheisaglorioussaintinheaven.But,

[6.] Sixthly, If you are a holy person, if you are onewhohasthis genuine holiness, without which there is no happiness,then know for your comfort—that your holiness is a blessed

evidenceofyouradoptionandsonship.John1:12;Romans8:17.Ifyou are a holy person, then from a child ofwrath—you have become achildofGod,achildoflove;andfromanheirofhell—youhavebecomeanheirofheaven;andfromaslaveofSatan—youhavebecomeasonofGod.Gal. 4:4-5, 7, "Butwhen the fullness of timewas come,God sentforthhisSon,madeof awoman,madeunder the law, to redeem thosewho were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons,thereforeyouarenomorea servant—but a son."Romans8:14, "For asmanyasareledbytheSpiritofGodarethesonsofGod."TheleadingsoftheSpirit are allholy leadings, and therearenonewhoare the sonsofGodbut such as are under the holy leadings of the Spirit ofGod: Phil.2:15,"Thatyoumaybeblamelessandharmless,thesonsofGod,withoutrebuke,inthemidstofacrookedandperversenation,amongwhomyoushineaslightsintheworld."Therearenoneworthyofthistitleofhonor—namely, thesonsofGod—butsuchwho in themainof their livesandconversationsareblamelessandharmless,withoutrebuke,andwhoareasshininglightsintheworld.

Thereare twowayswherebywemayknow firetobe real fire, and thatdifferencesrealfirefrompaintedfire,orfromimaginaryfire;thefirstisby the heat of it, and the other is by the flame of it. Now, thoughsometimes it so happens, that the fire does not flame—yet at that verytimeyoumayknowittoberealfirebytheheatitgives.Justso,therearetwowaysofknowingouradoption;thefirst isbythespiritofadoption,crying "Abba! Father! in our hearts," Gal. 4:6; and the other is by oursanctificationandholiness,Romans8:16.Now,thoughsometimesitmayso fall out that the flame, thewitness of the spirit of adoption,may belacking—yettheheatofsanctificationandholinessremains,andwemayhave recourse to this fire, and warm our hearts at it, and sit downsatisfiedandassuredofouradoption.Forasfiremaybeknowntobefirebyitsheat,thoughitlackaflame—justso,thoughthespiritofadoptiondonotwitnessouradoptiontous—yetwemayknowouradoptionbyourgenuinesanctificationandholiness.

Everyholypersonisahigh-bornperson,forashisdivinebirth—justso,hisdivineadoptionishigh,veryhigh,exceedinghigh,yesevenashighasheaven itself,John3:5,8,and1:12-13. It isaveryhighhonor tobe the

sonofaking,yestobetheson-in-lawofaking,forsoDavidreckonedit:1Sam.18:23-24,"Isitalightthingtoyoutobeaking'sson-in-law,seeingthatIamvileandlightlyesteemed?"OhthenwhatanhonoritistobethesonofGod,tobethesonoftheKingofkings,andLordoflords!Rev.1:6.ItisaveryhighhonortobeGod'sservant,andsoDavidaccountedit,asyoumaysee in2Sam.7:5,8.AndsodidTheodosius theemperor, andConstantine the Great, and many others account it. Oh then what anhonormustitbetobeGod'sson!

The blessed apostle cannot speak of this high privilege but with greatadmiration; as you may see in 1 John 3:1, "How great is the love theFatherhaslavishedonus,thatweshouldbecalledchildrenofGod!"ItisaninfinitecondescensioninGod,tohonoruswiththetitleofsons,andthereforeweshouldneverthinkofit,noreverspeakofit—butwithmuchadmiration.Osirs!whatmatterofadmirationisthis—thatthegreatandgloriousGod,whohasmanymillionsofgloriousangelsattendingHim—thatHeshould lookuponallholypeopleasHis sons,and lovethemasHissons,anddelightinthemasHissons,andclothethemasHissons,and feedthemasHissons,andprotectthemasHissons,andstandbythemasHissons,andlayupforthemasHissons,andlayoutHimselfforthemasHissons!Osirs!whatmatterofadmirationisthis—thatthosewhohavenotdeservedasmilefromGod,agoodwordfromGod,abitofbread fromGod,oragood look fromGod—shouldbemade thesonsofGod!

What manner of love is this—that those who have so highly provokedGod,walkedsocrossandcontrarytoGod,weresoexceedingunlikeGod,preferredevery lust, andevery toyandvanitybeforeGod, foughtmanyyearsunderSatan'sbanneragainstGod, refusedall the offers ofmercywhich have been made by God--that those who have deserved to bereprobatedbyGod,damnedbyGod,and tobe throwntohellbyGod—that these should bemade the sons ofGod!Oh stand andwonder!OhstandandadmirethefreenessofHisgrace,andattherichesofHisgrace!But,

[7.]Seventhly,Ifyouareaholyperson,ifyouareonewhohasthat genuine holiness, without which there is no happiness,thenknowforyourcomfort—thatyouareanundoubtedheirof

everlastingglory.[Romans8:16-18;James2:5;2Tim.4:7-8]Romans8:29-30,"ForthoseGod foreknewhealsopredestined tobeconformedto the likeness of his Son," (that is, in holiness,) "And those hepredestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those hejustified, he also glorified."Holiness is a most sure pledge of glory: 2Thes.2:13,"GodhaschosenyoutosalvationthroughsanctificationoftheSpirit;"Mat.5:8,"Blessedarethepureinheart,fortheyshallseeGod;"1John3:2-3,"Whenheshallappear,weshallbelikehim"(thatis,inglory)"forweshallseehimasheis.Andeverymanwhohasthishopeinhim,purifieshimself,evenasheispure."

Hewhohasagenuinehope,alivelyhope,ofbeingliketoChristinglory,andofreigningwithChristinheaven—willsetseriouslyupontheworkofself-purifying.There isnohope, compared to thathopewhich runsoutinto holiness, and which leads the soul on to the highest degrees ofpurification, and which enables a man to set up Christ's purity as themost perfect pattern and exact copy forhis imitation. Titus 3:4-7, "ButwhenthekindnessandloveofGodourSaviorappeared,hesavedus,notbecauseof righteous thingswehaddone,butbecauseofhismercy.HesavedusthroughthewashingofrebirthandrenewalbytheHolySpirit,whomhepouredoutonusgenerouslythroughJesusChristourSavior,sothat,havingbeenjustifiedbyhisgrace,wemightbecomeheirshavingthehopeofeternallife."

Holiness is an infallible forerunner of glory; it is the first fruits of thateternalhappinessandblessedness,whichGodhaslaidupforhischildrenin the highest heavens.And oh,what cause of joy and gladness shouldthisbetoeveryholyheart!What thoughyoushouldnevermorehaveagooddayonearth;whatthoughallthespringsofcomfortshouldbedriedupon your righthandandon your lefthand;what thoughGod shouldnevermoresmileonyouinthisworld;whatthoughtheremainingpartofyourlifeshouldbefilledupwithcrosses,losses,troubles,andtrials;whatthoughGodshould letSatan loose to temptyou,andwickedmengrowstrongtooppressyou,andfriendsturnenemiestogrieveyou;yes,whatifyoushouldgotoyourgravewithtears inyoureyes,andwithsorrowinyourheart;yetaslongasyouaresurethatyouareanheirofglory,andthatallthehappinessofheavenisyours,andthatyourcrownissafe,and

that you shall be forever filled and satisfied with those everlastingpleasures and delightswhich are atGod's right hand, Psalm 16:11; youhave cause to joy and rejoice in the midst of all your sorrows andsufferings,yes, togloryand triumph in thehopesandexpectationsofakingdomwhichshakesnot,ofacrownwhichwithersnot,ofricheswhichcorruptnot,andofaninheritancethatfadesnotaway.[Heb.12:28;1Pet.1:3-4.Seemy"StringofPearls"onthatverytext.]

Osirs! it isnotallthesilksofPersia,norallthespicesofEgypt,norallthegoldofOphir,norallthetreasuresofbothIndies,norallthecrownsandsceptersintheworld,no,noreventheworthoftenthousandworlds—which can be comparedwith that glory which is treasured up for allGod'sholyones.Theyhavean inheritancereserved inheavenforthem,whichcannotbemoth-eaten,norspoiledbyhostileinvasion,norwrungfromthembyforce,norwonfromthembylaw,normortgagedfordebt,nor impairedbypubliccalamity,norplunderedby thievesand robbers,norchangedbykingsorparliaments,no,norrobbedbydeathitself;andtherefore,what infinitecauseof joyandrejoicinghaveall suchwhoareinterested in such an inheritance, and in such a perfect happiness andcompleteblessednesswhichisreservedinheavenforallGod'sholyones?

Oh,whatasingularcomfortmustthisbetoaChristian,inthemidstofallhismiseriesanddistresses,whenhe isable to lookuponGod,and say,"ThisGodismyGodforeverandever,andheshallbemyguidetoglory,"Psalm73:24;andwhenheisabletolookuptoheavenandsay,"Thisismy inheritance!" Yes, when he is able to look upon all the glory andhappinessoftheeternalworld,andtosay,"Allthisgloryandhappinessismine,forIhavethatholinessthatisthepledgeofit,andthefirstfruitsofit inmyownsoul.ItwasanobservablesayingofMacarius;"Thosewhoareanointedwiththespiritualoilofgladness,"sayshe,"havereceivedasign of that incorruptible kingdom, namely, God's Spirit, for a pledge,theyarethesecretariesoftheheavenlyking,andrelyingconfidentlyupontheAlmighty,theyenterintohispalace,wheretheangelsandthespiritsofholymenare,althoughtheybeyetinthisworld;foralthoughtheyarenotyetcometotheentireinheritance,whichispreparedfortheminthatworld—yettheyaremostsureofitbythatpledgewhichtheyhavenewlyreceived,assureasiftheywerealreadycrowned,andhadthekeyofthe

kingdomintheirownpossession!"

Itwasaverysweetandcomfortablespeechwhichtheemperortoldtosoninhischildhood,whenhe tookhimby thechinandsaid, "Youmyson,shallonedaysituponathrone!"Justso,itisverysweetandcomfortableforthesaintstoconsider,thathoweverlowandcontemptibletheymaybeintheeyesoftheworld,thatyetthereisadaya-comingwhentheyshallsituponathrone,andbecrownedwithglory,andreignwithChristtoalleternity.But,

[8.]Eighthly,Ifyouareaholyperson,ifyouhavethatgenuineholiness,withoutwhich there isnohappiness, thenknow foryour comfort—thatall things shallbe sanctifieduntoyou.Tit.1:15,"Untothepureall thingsarepure—butuntothosewhoaredefiledandunbelieving isnothingpure;buteven theirmindandconscience isdefiled." When a man's heart is once sanctified, then all things aresanctifiedtohim;whenaman'sspiritandwayarecleanandpure,thenallthingsarecleanandpuretohim.Osirs!thisissogreatandsogloriousaprivilege,tohaveallthingssanctifiedtous,thatitismoreworththanaworld, yes, than many worlds. Next to a man's interest in Christ, hecannotbegagreatermercythanthis—thatallthingsmaybesanctifiedtohim—thatis,thatallthingsmaysoworkastomakehimmoreandmoreholy:thateverycrossmaymakehimmoreholy,andthateverycomfortmaymakehimmoreholy; that everymercymaymake himmore holy,and that everymiserymaymake himmore holy; that every ordinancemay make him more holy, and that every providencemay make himmoreholy; thateveryafflictionathomemaymakehimmoreholy, andthateveryjudgmentabroadmaymakehimmoreholy.Everyconditionissweetwhenitissanctifiedtous;sicknessisassweetashealthwhenitissanctifiedtous:weaknessisassweetasstrengthwhenitissanctifiedtous; and poverty is as sweet as richeswhen it is sanctified to us; anddisgraceisassweetashonorwhenitissanctifiedtous;andbondsareassweetaslibertywhentheyaresanctifiedtous;anddeath isassweetaslifewhen it is sanctified to us. Look! as no condition can be a happyconditionwhichisnotasanctifiedcondition—justso,noconditioncanbeamiserable condition,which is a sanctified condition.Now this is onlytheholyman'sprivilege,theholyman'smercy,tohaveeveryestateand

every condition sanctified unto him; and this indeed is the cream andcrownofallourmercies tohave themsanctifieduntous, ay, andeverybitterwillbesweet,yesverysweet,whenitissanctifieduntous.

What though yourmercies, O Christian, are fewer than others', andlesserthanothers',andleanerthanothers',andshorterthanothers'—yetyouhaveno reason to complain, as long as yourmerciesare sanctifiedmercies.What though though your trialsare greater than others', andyour burden is heavier than others', and your sorrows are deeper thanothers', and your crosses comes thicker than others'—yet you have nocausetocomplain,aslongastheyaresanctified.Areyouaholyperson?Oh then remember for your comfort—that every bit of bread you eat issanctified, and every draught you drink is sanctified, and every suit ofclothesyouwearissanctified;thebedsyoulieonaresanctified,andthestools you sit on are sanctified; the very air youbreath in is sanctified,andtheverygroundyoutreadonissanctified;everypennyinyourpurseis sanctified, and every dollar in your shop is sanctified; whatever youhaveathome is sanctified, andwhatever youhaveabroad is sanctified.Andoh!howshouldthesenseofthesethingssweetenallyourbitters,andturnyourhell intoheaven, andwipeall tears fromyour eyes, and turnyour sighing into singing, and your mourning into rejoicing, etc. "WeknowthatGodcauseseverythingtoworktogetherforthegoodof thosewho loveGod and are called according toHis purpose." Romans 8:28.But,

[9.]Ninthly,Ifyouareaholyperson,ifyouhavethatgenuineholiness,withoutwhich there isnohappiness, thenknow foryour comfort—that you are a person very high in favor withGod,youareoneofhisspecialtreasuredpeople.Deut.14:2,"YouhavebeensetapartasholytotheLordyourGod,andhehaschosenyoutobehisownspecialtreasurefromallthenationsoftheearth.""HegaveHimself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse forHimselfaspecialpeople,eagertodogoodworks."AllGod'sholyonesarehistreasuredones,Godhas a peculiar respect for theirpersons:Dan.9:23, "O Daniel! you are greatly beloved," or as the Hebrew word,signifies,youareamanofdesires.NowDanieliscalledamanofdesires,because the desires ofGod run out strongly after him, as onewhowas

singularlybelovedofhim,andasonewhowashighlyinfavorwithhim.

And as God has a peculiar respect for their persons—just so, he has apeculiar respect for their duties and services: Proverbs 15:8, "Thesacrificeof thewickedisanabominationto theLord—but theprayeroftheuprightishisdelight."Godtakesmoredelighttoheartheprayersofthe upright, and to grant the prayers of the upright, than the uprighttakes delight to pray. However burdensome and troublesome theirprayersmaybetoothers—yettheyarestilldelightfultoGod;butmoreofthisinthenextparticular.

And as God has a peculiar respect for their services—just so, he has apeculiar respect for theirtears, forheputs them intohisbottle,Psalm56:8.Andashehas apeculiar respect for their tears—just so,hehas apeculiar respect for theirnames, for hewrites them in his book, Luke10:20.Andashehasapeculiarrespectfortheirnames—justso,hehasapeculiar respect for theirblood, Psalm 116:15; and this Cain found bywoefulexperience,fromthecryofhisbrother'sblood.

O sirs!Godbymaking of youholy, hasmade you like himself, like hisSon, like his Spirit, and like his most glorious angels, which excel instrength; and what does this speak out but God's special favor? Godmakes many rich, and many great, and many honorable, and manymighty,andmanywise,andmanynoble,andmanybeautiful,andmanysuccessful, whom he will nevermake holy. But inmaking of you holy,Godhasmadeyouspirituallygreat,rich,honorable,wise,andbeautiful,etc.,Eph. 1:3, and this speaksyouout tobehighly in the favorofGod.Holiness is a singular fruit of God's special favor and love. God has acommon favor and love for allmen, yes, for theworst ofmen;witnessthat common preservation, and common protection, and commonprovision,whichhegrantstothem.ButGodhasaspecialloveandfavor,andthisrunsoutonly tohisholyones,Eph.2:4-5.Holiness isadivinebeam,aheavenlydrop,achoicepledgeofGod'sspecialfavorandlove.Osirs!thoughtheworldmayslightyou,andenemiesrevileyou,andfriendsdisfavoryou—yet let this support you, let this rejoice you—that you areGod'streasuredpossession!"ForyouareapeopleholytotheLordyourGod.TheLordyourGodhaschosenyououtofallthepeoplesonthefaceoftheearthtobehispeople,histreasuredpossession."Deuteronomy7:6.

But,

[10.]Tenthly,Ifyouareaholyperson,ifyouareonewhohasthat genuine holiness, without which there is no happiness,thenknowforyourcomfort—thatallyourdutiesandservicesare very pleasing, delightful, and acceptable to the Lord.Acts10:4;Mal.3:3;2Tim.2:21;andthisroundlyfollowsupontheformer,forwhenever aman'sperson comes to be accepted of God, and to be infavor with God—then all his services and sacrifices comes to beacceptabletoGod;Gen.4:5,"AndAbel,healsobroughtofthefirstlingsofhisflock,andofthefatthereof,andtheLordhadrespectuntoAbel--andtohisoffering."GodhadfirstarespecttohispersoninChrist,andthentohisoffering;andsohissacrificewasacceptedfortheman,andnottheman for the sacrifice: Heb. 11:4, "By faith Abel offered God a bettersacrificethanCaindid.Byfaithhewascommendedasarighteousman,whenGodspokewellofhisofferings.Andby faithhestill speaks,eventhoughheisdead."

Godwill always welcome the holyman into his presence, and he shallalwayshavehisearatcommand,Isaiah45:11;Godwillstillbea-warminghis heart, and a-cheering up his spirit, and a-satisfying of his soul, inmeetingofhiminallholymeans,andingivinggraciousanswerstoallhisrequests: Isaiah66:5,"Youwelcomethosewhocheerfullydogood,whofollowgodlyways."Proverbs21:8, "Theguiltywalka crookedpath; theinnocenttravelastraightroad."

WhenGodhascleansedaman'sheart,andsanctifiedhisnature,thenhiswork,hispiouswork,isright;itisthenrightintheeyeofGod,andintheaccountofGod,andinestimationofGod;andthereforehispetitionsareas soon granted as they are offered, (Isaiah 65:24,) and his requestsperformed as soon as they are mentioned. Psalm 32:5, "I said, I willconfessmytransgressionsuntotheLord,andyouforgavetheiniquityofmysin,Selah."[Selahhereisaspecialnoteofobservation,toworkustoaseriousmarkingofthethingswhicharementioned,asthingswhichareofspecial weight, and of highest concernment to us.] Holy David had aninwardpurposeandresolutiontoconfesshissin—butbeforehecoulddoitGodthrowshimhispardon:"youforgavetheiniquityofmysin."Godloves tobebeforehandwithhispeople inactsofgraceandfavor.God's

eyeandhisearwasinDavid'sheart—beforeDavid'sconfessioncouldbeinhistongue.

Oh thedelight ofGod!Oh thepleasedness ofGod,with the duties andservices of his holy ones! Psalm 4:3, "But know that the Lord has setaparthimwhoisgodlyforhimself:theLordwillhear,whenIcalluponhim," that is, the Lordwill approve ofmy prayer, hewill accept ofmyprayer,hewilldelightinmyprayer,andhewillanswermyprayerwhenIcall unto him; and what more can the godly man desire? Psalm 61:1,"Hearmy cry,OGod, attenduntomyprayer."Aquinas says that somereadthewordsthus,"Attenduntomysongs"—andsothewordsmaybesafelyreadfromtheHebrewword,whichsignifiestoshoutorshrilloutforjoy—tonotethattheprayersofthesaintsarelikepleasantsongsanddelightful strains in the ears of God. No mirth, no music can be sopleasing to us—as the prayers of the saints are pleasing to God, Cant.2:14: Psalm 141:2, "Letmyprayer comebefore you as incense, and theliftingupofmyhandsastheeveningsacrifice."Whatismoresweet,whatis more pleasing, and what is more perfuming than incense? why, theprayersofthesaints,astheyareinthehandsofamediator,areassweetand pleasing to God—as incense that is made up of the choicest andsweetestspicesaresweetandpleasinguntous,Rev.5:8,and8:3-4.

1Pet.12,"FortheeyesoftheLordareovertherighteous,andhisearsareopenunto theirprayers;"or rather,as theGreekhas it, "hisearsare totheirprayers,"thatis,whentheirprayersaresofaintandweakthattheycannotreachtoGod,thattheycannottravelasfarasheaven—thenGodwillcomedowntothem,andlayhisears,asitwere,untotheirprayers!Oh,whatmatterofjoyandcomfortisthistoalltheholyseed,thatGodwillgraciouslybowhisearstotheirprayers,whenheturnshisbackwiththegreatestdisdainandindignationuponthemostcostlysacrificesofthewicked!

OprecioussonsofZion!whoaredailylamentingandmourningovertheweaknesseswhich cleaves to yourbest services—know for your comfortand joy, that thoughwithMoses you canbut stammerout a prayer, orwithHannahweepoutaprayer,orwithHezekiahchatteroutaprayer,orwith Paul sigh and groan out a prayer—yet the Lord will own yourprayers,andacceptyourprayers,anddelightinyourprayers.[Godonce

acceptedofahandfulofmealforasacrifice,andofabitofgoat'shairforan oblation. Artaxerxes, the Persianmonarch, acceptedwith a cheerfulcountenancealittlewater,asapresentfromthehandofapoorlaborer,etc.]

Oh,whatararecomfortisthisforaChristian,toconsider,thatwhenheisunderoutwardneedsandinwarddistresses;thatwhenhehassicknessuponhisbody,andreproachuponhisname,anddeathknockingathisdoor—thatinallthesecases,andinallothercases,hemayruntoGodastoafather,andtellGodhowitiswithhim,andwhenhehasdonethat,hemaysitdownsatisfiedandassuredofaudienceandacceptanceinheaven!O sirs! this is a privilege of more worth than a thousand worlds! Hadunsanctifiedpeopleasmanykingdomstogiveastheyhavehairsontheirheads, they would give them all for an interest in this privilege, whenguilt andwrath is upon their consciences, andwhen the arrows of theAlmighty stick fast in them, and when the terrors of death are roundaboutthem,andwhenthedreadfuldayoftheiraccountiseverymomentrememberedbythem.Oh! if it issogreata favortohavetheearsofanearthlykingatourpleasure,whatatranscendentfavormustitbetohavehisearatourpleasure—whoisKingofkingsandLordof lords!andyetthisfavorhasallhissaints.But,

[11.] Eleventhly, If you are a holy person, if you are onewhohasthatgenuineholiness,withoutwhichthereisnohappiness,then know for your comfort—that Jesus Christ will certainlypreserve your holiness. Next to Christ, holiness is a Christian'schoicest jewel, and this holiness, Christ will be sure to preserve. Self-preservation is natural to all creatures. Holiness is Christ's creature,Christ'simage;andthereforehewillcertainlypreserveitandmaintainit.Christ cannot neglect himself, he cannot be lacking to himself. Nowholiness ishimself;andtherefore if there isbutasparkofholiness inadunghill of corruption, Christ will certainly own it, nourish it, andpreserveit.Hewhoisoncereallyholyshallbeforeverholy.Lettheworld,theflesh,andthedevil,dowhattheycan,theholyseedshallstillremaininallGod'ssanctifiedones.[Phil.1:6;Heb.12:2;1Thes.5:23,and3:12-13;Eph.5:25-27;1John3:9.]

Thoughaholymanmayfallsadly,lamentably,frequently,foully—yethe

shall never fall totally, he shall never fall finally, because that holinesswhich is in him, is a lasting, yes, an everlasting and abiding principle,which can never be destroyed or extirpated. A wicked person may beturned into a holy man—but a holy man can never be turned into aprofanepersonagain.Achangeintoholiness,isanunchangeablechange;thestateofholinessisanunchangeablestate.

Itistrue,thefallenangelsquicklylostthatstockofholinessthatGodhadput into theirhands;andAdam lostall his holiness upon the turn of ahand.He broke and proved a bankrupt almost as soon asGod had sethimupinparadise.Butthestateandconditionofallthesaintsisabetterand a safer state and condition than either the angels' or than Adam'swas;andthatpartlybecausetheirstatewasmutablethoughperfect—butthe state of the saints is an unchangeable state, though it be for thepresent an imperfect state. And partly because God put that stock ofholinesswhichtheangelsandAdamhadintotheirownhands—butnowthesaints'holinessisnotastockputintheirownhands—butinChrist'shands!Fornotonlytheirpersons,buttheirholinessis"keptbythepowerofGodthroughfaithuntosalvation,"1Pet.1:5.AsChrististomanageoursalvation forus—justso,he is tomanageourgraceandholiness forus;and therefore, as hewillmost certainlymake sure the one—just so, hewillascertainlypreservetheother.OnceasonofGod--foreverasonofGod!Thoughtheservantmaybeturnedoutofdoors—yetthesonabidesin the house forever, as Christ speaks, John 8:35. He who is oncesanctifiedshallbeforeverblessed.

Holiness is an abiding seed, an immortal seed. It is a royal gift, whichbeingoncegiven,shallneverbetakenawayfromhimwhohasit.Ireadilygrantthatthestrengthofholiness,andthe lusterandshineofholiness,andthesenseandfeelingofholiness,andthecomfortandsweetnessofholiness, and the lively stirrings and operations of holiness, may besomewhatabatedandlessenedinthesoul;buttheseedofholiness, thesubstanceofholiness,alwaysremainsinaconvertedsoul,Romans11:29,"God’sgraciousgiftsandcallingareirrevocable."Thereisalwaysadivinefire—though sometimes itmay lie under the ashes; there is always lifeandsapintheroot—thoughtheremaybeneitherleavesnorblossomsonthetree.Itistrue,thebestofsaintsmayhavetheirspiritualwinters.And

itisastrue,thataftertheirwinter,therewillcertainlyfollowaspringofholiness.

Itismostcertain,thatthetruthandprincipleofholinessremains—underall a Christian's infirmities, darknesses, weaknesses, eclipses, clouds,failings,waverings, andwanderings; and the reasons are clear, becausethat great and glorious principle of holiness flows from God'sunchangeable love, and is a fruit of the everlasting covenant, and thepriceofChrist'sblood, anddependsandhangsuponaperpetualunionand communion with Christ, and is a sure pledge of a man's eternalenjoyment of Christ, and is always maintained and upheld by theeverlastingarmsofChrist,Deut.33:26-27;Gen.49:22-24.

Tosaythatthesaintsmayfalltotallyandfinallyfromallthatgraceandholinesstheyhave,istosay,

(1.) That the surety of the new covenant is grown very poor andweak,whichisverylittle lessthanblasphemy,andquitecontrarytothatHeb.7:21-22.

(2.)Itistosaythatthepromisesareyesandnay,quitecontrarytowhattheapostleaffirmsinthat2Cor.1:20.

(3.) It is to say that the power of God is grown exceeding weak andcontemptible,yes,itistomakesinandSatanstrongerthanGod,whichisquitecontrarytothecurrentofScripture,1Pet.1:5;John10:27-31.

(4.) It is to say that the decree of God is mutable, which is cross andcontrarytotheapostleinthat2Tim.2:19.

(5.)It istosaythatGod'sfree,eternal,andeverlastinglovehasbecomechangeableandinconstant,whichisexpresslycrosstothatJer.31:3;Mal.3:6; John 13:1, with many other scriptures. Therefore that Arminianprinciple,whichstates that thesaintsmay fall totallyand finally fromgraceandholiness—istobeforeverdetestedandabhorred.But,

[12.]Twelfthly and lastly, If youare aholyperson, if youareonewhohas that genuineholinesswithoutwhich there isno

happiness, then know for your comfort—that all things shallworktogetherforyourgood.Romans8:28, "Andweknow thatallthingswork together for good to thosewho loveGod, to thosewhoarecalled according to his purpose." All the afflictions, and all thetemptations,andall thedesertions,andall theoppressions, andall theoppositions, and all the persecutions,which befall a godly man, shallwork forhisgood,Rev.2:10.Everycross,every loss,andeverydisease,which befall the holyman shall work for his good. Every device, everysnare,everymethod,everydepth,everystratagem,andeveryenterpriseofSatanagainsttheholymanshallworkforhisgood.Theyshallallhelptomake himmore humble, more holy, more heavenly, more spiritual,morefaithful,morefruitful,andmorewatchful,2Cor.12:9-10.Everydayofprosperity,andeverynightofadversityshallworkfortheholyman'sgood. Every storm and every calm, every bitter and every sweet, everycrossandeverycomfort,shallworkfortheholyman'sgood.Hosea2:5-7.

WhenGod gives amercy, that shall work for his good; and when Godtakes away amercy, that shallwork forhis good.WhenGod gives himlargetemporalgoods,thatshallworkforhisgood;andwhenGodcutshistemporalgoodsshort, thatshallworkforhisgood.Yes,all thefallsandall thesinsof thesaintsshallwork for theirgood. "As Igethurtbymygraces—just so, I get good bymy sins," said famousMr. Foxe. Oh thecare, the fear, thewatchfulness, the tenderness, the zeal, the revenge—whichGodraisesinthesoulsofhissaintsbytheirveryfalls!2Cor.7:8-13.Ohthehatred,theindignation,andthedetestation—whichGodraisesintheheartsofhischildrenagainstsin,bytheirveryfallingintosin!Ohwhat love to Christ, what thankfulness for Christ, what admiration ofChrist,whatcleavingtoChrist,whatexaltingofChrist,andwhatdrawingfrom Christ--are saints led to by their very falls! Oh what exercise ofgrace,whatincreaseofgrace,whatmagnifyingofgrace,whatliftingsupofdivinepower,andwhatahighpriceareholymenledtosetuponthepreciousbloodofChrist—andallbytheirfalls!

It is thegloryofGod'sholiness—thathecanturnspiritualdiseases intoholyremedies!Hecan turnsoulpoisons intoheavenlycordials!Hecanpreventsinbysin,andcurefallingbyfalling!

OnecallsRomans8:28"theholyblindman'spromise."AndImaycallit

theholy lameman'spromise,andtheholydeafman'spromise,andtheholy dumbman's promise, and the holy needyman's promise, and theholy sickman's, and the holy languishingman's promise, and the holydyingman'spromise.Ohthecomfort,ohthesweet,ohthecontentment,oh thesatisfaction,which thispromisehasaffordedtomanyaprecioussaint,whenotherpromiseshavenotbeenathand!

O Christian, what though friends and relations frown upon you, whatthough enemies are plotting and conspiring against you, what thoughneeds,likeanarmedman,arereadytobreakinuponyou,whatthoughmenrageanddevilsroaragainstyou,whatthoughsicknessragesinyourfamily,anddeathstandseverydayatyourelbow—yetthereisnoreasonforyoutofearorfaint,becauseallthesethingsshallworkforyourgood!Yes,thereiswonderfulcauseofjoyandrejoicinginalltheafflictionsandtribulationswhichcomeuponyou,consideringthattheyshallallworkforyourgood.

OChristians!Iamafraid,Iamafraid,thatyoudonotrunsooftenasyoushould, to the breasts of this promise, nor draw that sweetness andcomfort from it—that it would yield, and that your several cases mayrequire.

And thus I amdonewith this use ofcomfortandconsolation to allGod's holy ones. You see what comfort, what consolation, yes, whatstrongconsolation,waitsuponallGod'ssanctifiedones.Ihavebeenthelongeruponthisuse—becausethetimesrequire it,and theconditionofGod's people calls for the strongest cordials, and the choicest and thesweetestcomforts.

SevenPositionsConcerningHoliness

And now I have nothing to do, but to lay down seven positionsconcerningholiness,whichmaybeofsingularuseforthepreventingof some objections and mistakes, and for the giving of satisfaction,especiallytosuchinwhomthestreamsofholinessrunslow,andwhoarestilla-lamentingandmourningundertheimperfectionsoftheirholiness,

etc.

1.Wherevergenuineholinessis—itwillappear,itwilldiscoveritself, itwill show itself.Eph.4:15-16. It is the verynatureof graceandholinesstomanifestitself,andthereforeitissetforthinScripturebythenamesoflight,whichshinesabroad;Mat.5:16,andofointmentandperfume, which cannot be hidden; Proverbs 27:9; Cant. 3:6; of leavenandsalt,whichpermeatesitsownnatureandrelishuponawholelump.And it is very observable, thatwhen theHoly Spirit was given, hewasgivenintongues,fierytongues,andwitharushingofamightywind,allofwhichhaveaqualityofself-manifestation,andnotifyingofthemselvestoothers,Acts2:1-5.

Take a river that is dammed and stoppedup—yet if the course of it benatural,and if itcommonlyrunsdownward, itwillat lengthbeardownall, and ride and run triumphantly over all that is in its way. Just so,thoughgenuineholinessinadayoftemptation,desertion,andaffliction,etc.,mayseemtobedammedandstoppedup—yetatlengthitwillmakeits way through all, and over all, and show itself in its native colors.Thoughfireforatimemayliehiddenundertheashes—yetatlastitwillflame forth, and show itself to be fire. Holiness is a divine fire, andthoughinsomecasesitmayforatimeseemtobehidden,itwillatlengthbreak forth, and show itself to be holiness. I have not faith enough tobelieve that that man was ever genuinely holy, whose holiness is stillhiddenunderabushel,orinadarklantern.Look!asnaturallifecannotbesohidden,butthatitwilldiscoveritselfahundredhundredways—justso,holiness,whichisaChristian'sspirituallife,cannotbesohidden,butitwilldiscoveritahundredhundredways.

2.Holiness rises by degrees; it rises gradually in the souls of thesaints.ThoughthefirstAdamwasmadeaman,aholyman,yes,amanperfectlyholy,andallatonce—yettheholinessofallwhoareinterestedinthesecondAdamrisesbydegrees.[Job17:9;P.92:12;Mal.4:2;Hosea14:5-7.]Itistrue,inthecreationoftheworldallthecreaturesweremadein their full and perfect growth and strength at once; but in the newcreation,holiness,whichisGod'sowncreature,iscarriedonbydegrees,Luke2:52.Look!asChrist increased inwisdomand in stature, and infavorwithGodandmanbydegrees—justso,thatbabeofgrace,holiness,

increasesinthesoulbydegrees.Look!astheseedwhichissowninthefurrowsoftheearthfirstspringsintoablade,andthenintoanear,andthenintoripegrain,Mat.13:23;Mark4:28—justso,thatimmortalseed,holiness,whichissowninthefurrowsofaChristian'ssoul,springsandgrowsbydegrees.Look!asthewaters inthesanctuaryrise first to theankles,thentotheknees,thentotheloins,thentothechin,andthentoariver thatwas not passable, Ezek. 47:3-5—just so, holiness rises higherandhigherinthesoulbydegrees.

Look!asthemorninglightshinesmoreandmoreuntotheperfectday,Proverbs4:18—justso,thelightofholinessshinesmoreandmoreclear,and more and more bright, until all darkness and imperfection beswallowed up in perfection. Look! as the body of a man grows andincreases by degrees in stature and strength, until it comes to its fullgrowth andperfection,Eph. 4:16—just so, grace andholinesswillgrowandincreasebydegrees,untilgraceisturnedintoglory,untilholinessbeturnedintoeverlastinghappiness.

Though theocean is full—yet thebottlecannotbe filledbutbydegrees.Wearepoornarrow-mouthedbottles, and thereforewhatwe take inofholinessmustbebydegrees.Ourincapacityissogreat,thatatpresentweare in noway able to take in a fullness of holiness; and thereforeGoddropsinnowadropandthenadrop,nowalittleandthenalittle—asweareabletotakeitin.

Indeed,todifferencethestateofgracefromthestateofglory, thestateofholiness from the state of everlasting happiness, it is necessary thatholinessshouldbecommunicatedtousbydegrees.Anabsolutefullnessof holiness will make an absolute fullness of happiness. When ourholiness is perfect, our happiness shall be perfect; and if this wereattainableonearth,therewouldbebutlittlereasonformentolongtobeinheaven.

3.There is a greatdeal ofpreciousness in the leastdegreeofholiness.For,

[1.]It isthespecialworkoftheHolySpirit;andthisIhaveshowedyoualreadyatlarge;andthereforeitmustneedsbeprecious.

[2.]Itisapartofthedivinenature;itisabeamofGod,asparkofglory,andthereforeitmustneedsbeprecious.

[3.]Therearemanychoiceandspecialpromiseswhicharemadeovertothe least degrees of holiness, as you may see by comparing thesescriptures together; [2Pet. 1:4;Mat. 12:20; Isaiah40:10-11, and60:22;Isaiah 35:3-4; Joel 3:10; Mat. 5:3-6; Romans 14:1, and 15:7.] andthereforetheleastdegreeofholinessisveryprecious.

[4.]Itgivesamanaright topreciousprivileges,andtoall thepreciousordinancesofChrist'shouse.Ergo,etc.

[5.]ItisafruitofthespecialloveandfavorofGod.Amanmayreadmoreof the heart ofGod, and of the special love ofGod towards him in theleastsparkofholiness,thanhecaninhishighestworldlyenjoyments.Amanmayreadthatspecialgraceintheleastdegreeofholiness,whichhecan never read in the honors, profits, pleasures, delights, andcontentmentsofthisworld.Ergo,etc.

[6.]Theleastdegreesofholinessgivesamanasgreataright,andasgoodatitletoeverlastinghappinessandblessedness,asthegreatestdegreesofholinessdoes;[Thelittlehandofachildmayholdapearl,aswellasthehandofthegreatestgiantintheworld.]andthereasonisclear,becausethepromiseofhappinessandblessednessisnotmadeovertodegreesofholiness—buttothetruthandrealityofholiness;andthereforehewhohasbuttheleastsparkoftrueholinessmaypleadthepromise,andapplythepromise,andsuckmarrowandsweetnessoutofthepromise—aswellas he who has the greatest measures of holiness in the world. Thepromisesofsalvationarenotmadeovertothestrengthof faith—but tothetruthandrealityof faith,John6:35.It isnowheresaidthatonlyhewhobelieveswiththefaithofanAbrahamshallbesaved—butitisoftensaid, "He who believes shall be saved;" that is, he who believes truly,thoughhedoesnotbelievestrongly,shallbesaved.Ergo,etc.

[7.]Whenunholypeopleareunderterrorsofconscience,andupontheirdyingbeds,andwhentheyshallstandbeforea judgment-seat,hadtheyasmanyworldstogiveastherebestarsinheaven,andastherearesandsinthesea,theywouldgivethemallfortheleastsparkoftrueholiness;[A

little holiness is like a diamond, very little in bulk—but of a very highpriceandvalue,etc.]andtherefore,withoutallquestion,theleastdegreeofholinessmustbe veryprecious, consideringwhat apricemenwouldgiveforit,wereitintheirpowertopurchase.

[8.] The least degree of holiness shall at last be blessed with a happytriumphoverthestrongestcorruptions.TheleastdegreeofholinesswillleadthesoultoChrist;itwillbringthesoulintocommunionwithChrist;itwillworkthesoultoleanuponChrist,andbydegreestodrawthatlife,thatvirtue,andthatvigorfromChrist,whichwillenableaChristiannotonly to combat,but to conquer evenGoliathhimself; and therefore theleastdegreeofholinessisdoubtlessveryprecious.

[9.]TheleastdegreeofholinesswillrenderaChristianinsomemeasureserviceableandusefultotheturningsawayofthewrathandjudgmentsofGod from a people or nation, and for the bringing down of favors andblessing upon a land, [Gen. 18. The least finger is of use to the wholebody.]whenallthepower,authority,greatness,grandeur,andglorythatwicked men have in their hands, can do just nothing—either to thediverting of wrath, or the obtaining of mercy; and therefore the leastdegreeofholinessisprecious.But,

[10.]Tenthlyandlastly,Theleastdegreeofholinessisasurepledgeandpawnofgreaterdegreesofholiness,whichintimeyoushallattainto.Thetallest oakwas once an acorn; thewisest doctorwas once inhisA-B-Cbook;andthegreatestgiantwasonceachild.Yourspark intime—shallbeblowedupintoaflame;yourdropintime—shallbeturnedintoasea;andyourpennyintime—shallbemultipliedintodollars,andyourdollarsintohundreds, and your hundreds into thousands, and your thousandsintomillions!

Andnowtellme,Christians,whetherthesetenthingsdonotsufficientlyprove that there is a great deal of preciousness in the least degrees ofholiness.Oh, that youwho have but a little holinesswould be often a-warmingofyourheartsatthisheavenlyfire!Andoh,thatyouwhohaveagreat deal of holiness would not despise those who have but a littleholiness!Oh,thatyouwhobringforthahundredfold,wouldnotdespisethose who bring forth but thirtyfold! And oh, that you who have ten

talents would not despise those who have but two talents, consideringthatthereisagreatdealofpreciousnessintheleastdegreeofholiness.

4.Allsaintsarenotalikeholy.Somearemoreholy,andothersarelessholy; in somesaints the springsofholiness runs low, inothers thespringsofholinessriseveryhigh.Holinessthrivesnotalikeinallsaints.In the parable some brought forth thirty, some sixty, and others ahundredfold—and yet all was good ground,Mat. 13:8, 23. And in thatother parable, everyone had not ten talents—some had but five, otherstwo,othersbutone,Mat.25:14-15;Luke19:12-21.Godneverdistributesholinessaliketoall.Tosomehegivesmore, toothers less,accordingtothegoodpleasureofhisgrace.Godneverintendedthatallshouldthrivealikeinholiness.ThoughthereweremanywhofearedGodinNehemiah'stime—yethe tells you thathis brotherHanani fearedGod abovemany,Neh.7:2.AndthoughJob'sthreefriendscametovisithiminthedaysofhissorrows,namely,Eliphaz,Zophar,andBildad,weredoubtlessallholymen,Job1:8—yettheyfellverymuchshortofJobingraceandholiness,as is evident not only by that high testimony that God himself givesconcerningJob,"Thattherewasnonelikehimupontheearth,aperfectand upright man, one who feared God, and eschewed evil;" but alsothroughoutthatwholebookofJob.

It is true, all saints are equally justified, and equally pardoned, andequally reconciled, and equally accepted—but all saints are not equallysanctified.All saints arenot of equal standing in the house ofGod. Allsaints have not been partakers of equalmeans, all saints have not hadequalgalesoftheSpirit,allsaintshavenotalikeactedthatholinesstheyhave; and, therefore, nowonder if all saints are not alike holy.David'sworthieswerenotallofequalstrength,norallthestonesinthebuildingarenotofequalproportion,norallthemembersinthenaturalbodyarenotofequalmagnitude;andsoitisalsointhemysticalbodyofChrist.InGod's house there are vessels of gold, and vessels of silver, 1 Cor. 3:12Tim.2:20,thatis,therearesomewhoaremoreeminentlysanctifiedandpurifiedthanothersare.

You read in Scripture of babes—aswell as of strongmen; of lambs—aswellasofsheep;ofplants—aswellasoftrees.Besides,youreadofalittlefaith, and of smoking flax, and of a bruised reed, and of a grain of

mustard-seed. And what does all this evidence—but that God givesdifferent measures and degrees of grace and holiness to his people?Christ has notworkalike for all saints to do, norburdensalike for allsaintstobear,normerciesalikeforallsaintstoimprove,nortemptationsalikeforallsaintstoresist,nordifficultiesalikeforsaintstograpplewith,nordangersalikeforallsaintstoencounterwith,etc.,andthereforehegivesnota likemeasureofholiness toall—but tosomemore, toothersless,accordingastheirconditionrequires;somesaintsstandinneedofagreatdealmoregraceandholiness thanothersdo.Theirplace, calling,condition,andemployments in theworld, calls for a greater stock thanothersneed.

Onemanmaybetterkeephousewithahundredayear,thananotherwhohasagreatfamilyandgreatresorttohishouse,candowithathousandayear;andso it ishere.A littlemayservea little farm—but itmustbeagreat stock thatmust serve a great farm. A little stock of holiness willservesomeChristians—butitmustbeagreatstockofholinessthatmustserve to supply the necessities and the lacks of other Christians; andthereforeGodgivesdifferentmeasuresanddegreesofholinessamonghispeopleastheirneedsrequire.

Look! as one sinner excels another in wickedness—just so, one saintexcels another in holiness; and therefore let not those who havemuchholinessdespisethosewhohavebutlittle;norletnotthosewhohavebuta little holiness censure or judge those who have more holiness thanthemselves.All thatholinesswhichanymanhas,whether it is little, orwhether it ismuch—is all of grace, it is all of free-grace. Therefore leteverymanimproveit,bethankfulforit,andwalkhumblyunderit.[Readthe77thand the88thPsalms.And indeedmostof thepsalmsofDavidareafullproofofthisposition,asallmayseethatwillbutreadthemwithaspiritualeye,andwithanunderstandingheart.]

5.AChristianmaybemoreeminentlyholyatonetimethanatanother; hemay thrive and increasemore in holiness at oneseason than at another. Two men do not more differ one fromanother, than the self-same Christian at several times differs fromhimself!Now,the spring-tideofholiness is risenhigh,veryhigh;yetatanothertime,thestreamsofholinessrunsexceedinglow.Now,heisfully

freightedwithhighthoughtsofGod,withhonorable thoughtsofChrist,withpreciousthoughtsofthesaints,withpiousthoughtsoftheScripture,with delightful thoughts of ordinances, with serious thoughts ofprovidences,andwithravishingthoughtsofeternity;yetatanothertimeyou shall have him filled with such hard thoughts of God, with suchdishonorable thoughts of Christ, with such low thoughts of the saints,with such slight thoughts of the Scripture, with such undelightfulthoughtsofordinances,andwithsuchconfusedthoughtsofprovidences,andwithsuchmuddy,dark,andunpleasingthoughtsofeternity—asifhewere really another man. [Besides the examples of Abraham, Jacob,Joseph,Job,andPeter,withtheexperiencesofallothersaintsinallages,speaksoutthistruth.]

Nowheisverylivelyandquick,verycheerfulandthankful,veryfruitfulandfaithful.NowheisveryfearfulofoffendingGod,andverycarefulofpleasing God, and very circumspect and watchful in his walking withGod, as if hewere aman fully resolved instantly tomove frompresentholinesstoeternalhappiness;butnow,ifyoupleasetolookonthismanatanothertime,whenheiseitherdesertedofGod,ortemptedbySatan,orworstedby theworld, or enthralledbyhis lusts, and ah,howunlikehimselfwillyoufindhim?Fornowheisspirituallyflat,anddull,anddry,thoughnotquitedead;nowheismuchspirituallystraitenedandshutup;nowhecanneitherjoyinGod,nordelightinChrist,norfindsweetnessinordinances, nor any taste or relish in any of his mercies. Now hisapprehensions are dark, his thoughts are dismal, his meditations areconfused,hiswordsareunadvised,andhiswaysarecrooked.

Nowhesays,"TheLordismyportion,"andatanothertimehesays,"Willthe Lord cast off forever, and will he be favorable no more?" Now hebelieves, before long he doubts. This hour he hopes, the next he fears;todayheisuponthemount,joyingandtriumphing,tomorrowyoushallhavehiminthevalleys,mourningandsighing.Thus,manyclouds,manyeclipses,manyvarieties,andmanychanges,passuponGod'sholyonesinthislife.

Achild,atree,aplant,shootsupsometimesmoreinamonththantheydo inmanymonths. Just so,doesmanya childofGod:manya treeofrighteousness,andmanyaplantofrenown,shootupmoreinholinessin

amonthsometimesthantheydoinmanymonthsatanothertime;theythriveandflourishinholinessmoreinayearsometimesthantheydoinmanyyearsatanother time.Look!asmanyamangetsmoremoney inoneyearthanhedoesafterwardsgetinseven—justso,manyaChristiangets more grace and holiness sometimes in one year than he getsafterwardsinseven.

NosaintshaveatalltimesalikethesameblessedgalesoftheSpirit.Itisjustwithaholysoulasitiswithaship;sometimestheshiphasaveryfairand fresh gale of wind, and then she cuts her way through the proudwaves of the sea, and the passengers sail very speedily and merrilytowards their desired port; but in a shortwhile, thewind is slack, andveersabouttoanotherpointofthecompass,andthenthepassengersarealldejected,orfrightened—andtheysailbutslowlyandheavilytowardstheirdesiredharbor.Andsoitiswithaholyheart:sometimesthegalesofthe Spirit blow very fair and sweet, very strong and powerful, upon agracioussoul—andthenaChristiansailsmostsweetly,mostspeedily,andmost successfully on in a way of holiness, and towards his port ofhappiness.Butinashortwhile,theSpiritiseitherresisted,orgrieved,orneglected, or quenched, or vexed, or disobeyed; and then his gales, hisinfluences,hisbreathings,areslacked,andthenapoorChristiansailsbutveryslowoninawayofholiness,thenhedoesbutevencreeptowardstheharborofeverlastingblessedness.

Again, no saints have at all times alike the same external helps,advantages,andopportunitiesofbeingholy,andofthriving inholiness.Itmaybetheyhavenotthewordsoclearly,sopowerfully,sosweetly,sofaithfully,norsofrequentlypreachedtothemasformerlytheyhavehad.Or it may be they have not other ordinances so lively, so purely, sospiritually,soevangelicallydispensedtothemasformerlytheyhavehad.Itmay be they have had stones instead of bread, and bones instead offlesh,andchaffinsteadofwheat,andmuddywaterinsteadofchoicewine—andthennowonderiftheydonotthriveinholinessastheydidwhenGodrainedmannaeverydayabout their tents,andwhen theywere fedwith the best of the best that their heavenlyFather's table,wine-cellar,andhousedidafford.

Whenchildrenhavenotasgoodfood,andasgoodexcercise,astheyhave

formerlyhad,nowonderiftheythrivenotasatothertimes.Andsoitishere:look,asnomenhavealwaysthesamehelps,thesameadvantages,thesameopportunitiestogrowgreat,andrich,andhigh,andhonorablein the world, that sometimes they have had—just so, no Christian hasalways the samehelps, advantages, and opportunities to grow rich andhigh in holiness, as sometimes he has had. It may be he has not thatcommunionandfellowshipwiththepeopleofGodthatoncehehad,orifhehas—yetitmaybetheircommunionisnotsopure,soholy,solively,soheart-warming,sosoul-enriching,asonceithasbeen.Oritmaybehehasnotasgoodcounselasformerly,norasgoodexamplesasformerly,norasgoodencouragementashehasformerlyhadtobeholy.Oritmaybe their calling, employment, and outward condition is so altered andchanged fromwhat once itwas, that they have not that time for closetduties,andtowaitonpublicordinances,thatoncetheyhad.Oritmaybebodily infirmities, weaknesses, diseases, aches, and ailments are soincreased and multiplied upon them, that they cannot make thatimprovement that once they did of those very advantages andopportunities,thatyet,byahandofgrace,iscontinuedamongthem.

NowthesecasesbeingincidenttothepeopleofGod,thereisnoreasontowonder,ifatsometimessaintsaremoreholythantheyareatothers;andifatsomeseasonstheyshootupmoreinholinessthantheydoatothers.The seriousweighing of this positionmay serve to preventmany fearsandscruples,manydebatesanddisputes,thatoftenriseintheheartsofChristiansupontheoftenebbingsandflowingsofholinessintheirsouls.

6.Therewillcomeatimewheninthisworld,holinessshallbemoregeneral, andmoreeminent, thanever ithasbeen sinceAdamfellinparadise.TheScripturespeaksclearly,roundly,andfullytothis:Deut.30:5,6,8,"TheLordyourGodwillbringyouintoyourownland,andtheLordyourGodwillcircumciseyourheart,andtheheartofyourseed,tolovetheLordyourGodwithallyourheart,andwithallyoursoul—andyoushallreturnandobeythevoiceoftheLord,anddoallhiscommandments."ThisgraciouspromisewasmadetotheJewsovertwothousandyearsago—andyettothisverydayithasnotbeenfulfilled;andthereforetherewillcertainlycomeatimewhereinGodwillmakeitgood.Isaiah11:6,"Thewolfshalldwellwiththe lamb,etc.,andthey shallnot

hurt,etc.,fortheearthshallbefulloftheknowledgeoftheLord,asthewaterscoverthesea."Thisgloriouspromisehasnotbeenmadegoodtothisday—butthereisatimea-comingwhereinitshallbeaccomplished.Isaiah 35:8, "There shall be a highway, and it shall be called a way ofholiness; the unclean shall not pass over it." Isaiah 59:21, "This is mycovenant,myword andmy spirit shall never depart fromyouforever."Isaiah60:21, "Yourpeople shall be all righteous." Jer. 32:40-41, "Iwillmakeaneverlastingcovenantwiththem,thatIwillnotturnawayfromthemtodothemgood;butIwillputmyfearintotheirhearts, thattheyshallnotdepartfromme.Yes,Iwillrejoiceoverthemtodothemgood,andwillplanttheminthislandassuredlywithmywholeheartandwholesoul."Justso,Ezek.36:23-30;Mal.4:1-2;2Pet.3:13.

AndsotheprophetEzekiel,speakingofthegloriousstateofthechurchinthe last days, Ezek. 44:7, 9, adds, "Thus says the Lord, no strangeruncircumcised in heart shall enter into my sanctuary." Zeph. 13, "Theremnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall adeceitful tongue be found in their mouths." Now the context clearlyshowsthatthesewordsrelatetothegloriousstateofthechurchonearth,andtheyhaveneveryetreceivedtheiraccomplishment—butshallinthelastdays, forhe is faithfulwhohasspokenit:Zech.14:20-21,"UponallshallbeholinesstotheLord."Ihaveopenedthistextprettyfullytoyoualready inmy formerdiscoursesonholiness,and thereforeshallpass itby now. Rev. 21 verse the first and verse the last, "And I saw a newheaven,andanewearth,andIsawtheholycityNewJerusalemcomingdownfromGodoutofheaven.BeholdthetabernacleofGodiswithmen,etc.,andthereshallinnowiseenterintoitanythingthatdefiles,etc.—butthose who are written in the Lamb's book." I have formerly proved byseveralarguments,thatthischaptercannotbeunderstoodofheaven—butmustnecessarily, andbeyondalldispute,beunderstoodof the gloriousstate of the saints on earth,which they shall certainly enjoy in the lastdays.Byallthesescripturesitismostevidentthattherewillcomeatimewhenholinessshallbemoregeneral,andatafullerheightthaneveryetithasbeensincemanfellfromhisoriginalholiness;andthereforeprayandwait, and wait and pray, look and long, and long and look—for thebreakingforthofthisdayofgloryupontheworld.

[7.]ThoughthepeopleofGodoughttobeholyatalltimes—yetthere are some special times and seasons wherein God callsaloudforholiness,morethanhedoesatothertimes,andwhereinhelooks, and expects that his people should be eminently holy, aswell asgenuinelyholy.

Question.ButwhatarethosespecialtimesandseasonswhereinGodcallsloudestforholinessandmostforholiness?

Ianswer,theyarethese:

[1.]First,AftergreatandsoreFALLS.Oh,nowGodcallsaloudforholiness.Davidafterhisgreat falls,greatlyhumbleshimselfbefore theLord, Psalm 51. Job after his bitter cursing and heavy complaining,abhorshimselfindustandashes,Job3and42:4-5.Hezekiah,afterhisgreatmiscarriage, did chatter like a crane andmourn as a dove. Isaiah38:14.Peter after his hellish cursing, his desperate swearing, and hishideouslying—goesoutandweepsbitterly,Mat.26.Justso,Origen,afterhehaddeniedthetruth,andsacrificedtoanidol,hecametoJerusalem,and being desired to preach, and having opened his Bible, the firstscripture that his eye was fixed upon was that Psalm 50:16-17, "Whathaveyoutodoto takemyword intoyourmouth,seeingyouhate tobereformed?"whereuponheshuthisbook,satdown,andfellintoapassionofweeping,andsocameoutof thepulpit,asnotbeingabletospeaktothepeople.

After great fallsGod expects and looks that his people should bemorefearfulofsinthanever,andmorecarefulofpleasingandhonoringofhimthan ever, andmore resolute in resistingof temptations thanever, andmore constant and abundant in a way of duty than ever, and morethankfulandfruitfulundermerciesthanever,andmorequietandsilentunderafflictionsthanever,andmorestoutandcourageousinthefaceofalloppositionthanever,andmorewiseandcircumspectintheirwalkingsthanever,andmorevigilantanddiligenttopreventandavoidfuturefallsthanever.Howelsewill thehonorofGodberepaired,and thegloryofreligion be vindicated, and the credit of the gospel be raised, and thegrieved saints be rejoiced, and young beginners in religion be afreshencouraged,andsecuresinnersbeawakened,convinced,andconverted?

But,

[2.]Secondly,WhenGodshowssingularMERCYtohispeople,andwhenhedoesgreatthingsforhispeople—thenheexpectsandlooksthathispeopleshouldbeaholypeople,andthenhecallsloudestforholiness.Exod.19:3-5,"ThenMoseswentuptoGod,andtheLordcalledtohimfromthemountainandsaid,"Thisiswhatyouare to say to the house of Jacob andwhat you are to tell thepeople ofIsrael: 'YouyourselveshaveseenwhatIdidtoEgypt,andhowIcarriedyouoneagles'wingsandbroughtyoutomyself.Nowifyouobeymefullyandkeepmycovenant, thenoutofallnationsyouwillbemy treasuredpossession.Althoughthewholeearthismine."HereMosesmakesuseofaveryelegantexpression,toshowthesingularlove,care,kindness,andgoodnessofGodtowardshispeople,"Hecarriedyouuponeagles'wings."Theeagleisaveryprincely,noblebird,shefearsnobirdsfromabovetohurt her young ones, and because she fears the arrow from beneath,thereforeshecarriesheryoungonesuponherwings—justso,thatthereis no hurting, nor harming, nor no killing of them—but by shootingthroughthebodyofthemothereagle.Otherbirdscarrytheiryoungonesintheirtalons,andsoexposethemtodanger—buttheeaglecarrieshersuponherwings, that theymaybe safeandsecure.Moses, to showhowchoiceandwatchfulGodwasofIsrael,andhowmuchhestoodupontheirsafetyandsecurity,tellsthemthathecarriedthemuponeagles'wings;sothat none of their enemies might ruin or destroy them, yes, that theymightnotsomuchasintheleasthurtorharmthem.Hecarriedthemoutof Egypt, and he carried them through the Red Sea sweetly, swiftly,strongly,andtenderly,astheeaglecarriesheryoungoneswhendangerisathand.

Now God having expressed such love, such care, such affections, suchtenderness, such sweetness, and such kindness to his people, he looksandexpectsthattheyshouldbeaholypeople,andthereforehestronglyurgesthemtoobeyhisvoiceindeed,andtokeephiscovenant.NowwhatisitforamantoobeyGod'svoiceindeed,andtokeephiscovenant—buttobereallyholy,yes,tobeeminentlyholy?Justso,inthat10thchapterofDeuteronomy,whereMoseshadmadealargenarrativeofthesingularfavors and mercies of God to Israel in the eleven first verses of that

chapter,hefallsinthe12thand13thversesuponpressingofthemtobeaholypeople."AndnowIsrael,whatdoestheLordyourGodrequireofyou—buttofeartheLordyourGod,towalkinallhisways,andtolovehim,and to serve the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all yoursoul?TokeepthecommandmentsoftheLord,andhisstatutes,whichIcommand you this day." The word in the 12th verse rendered require,signifiestoask,torequest,orpetitionaperson.NowhereMosesbringsinGod,asking,requesting,andpetitioningofIsraelthattheywouldfearhimandwalkinhisways,etc.,andwhatisthatbutthattheywouldbeaholy people to him, that had done such great and glorious things forthem? The word in the 13th verse rendered keep, signifies to keepcarefully, diligently, faithfully to keep, Job 12:12; 1 Kings 20:39, aswatchmenkeepthecity,orassoldierskeeptheirgarrisons,oras jailerskeep their prisoners.NowGodwould have his people thus to keep hiscommandmentsandhisstatutes,andthisGodwouldhavethemtodoso,upontheaccountofthosehighactsoffavorandgracethathehadshoweduntothem;andthustokeephiscommandmentsandhisstatutes,whatisitbuttobeaholypeople,yes,tobeaveryholypeopleuntotheLord?

AndsoinEzra9:13-14,"Whathashappenedtousisaresultofourevildeeds andour great guilt, and yet, ourGod, youhavepunished us lessthanoursinshavedeservedandhavegivenusaremnantlikethis.Shallwe again break your commands and intermarry with the peoples whocommitsuchdetestablepractices?Wouldyounotbeangryenoughwithus to destroy us, leaving us no remnant or survivor?"Freeand richmercycallshardestandmostsincereduty.ThemoremercifulGodhasbeen tohis people, themore fearful they shouldbe of offending ofhim, and the more careful they should be in pleasing of him. DivineblessingsshouldbethegreatestobligationsintheworlduponaChristianto keep at a distance from sin, and to keep close to a holy God. Thegreater themercy is, and themoremiraculous the deliverance and thesalvation is, which God crowns his people with, the greater are theengagementsthatGodhasputuponthemtobeaholypeopletohim.

Justso,inthat116thPsalm,Davidgivesinabillofparticularsintheeightfirst verses; he gives you a choice narrative of the singular favors andblessingsofGod,bothinrespectofhisinwardandhisoutwardman.God

hadbeengoodtohissoul,andhehadbeenkindtohisbody;hetellsyouof God's sparing mercy, and of his preventing mercy, and of hispreservingmercy, and of his deliveringmercy, and of his supportingmercy, and of hismultiplyingmercy, and of his pardoningmercy; hetells you that God has heard his prayers, and wiped off his tears, andpreservedhisfeetfromfalling,andhissoulfromdeath.Andtheninthefollowingwordshetellsyouwhathisresolutionisuponthewhole:"IwillwalkbeforetheLordinthelandoftheliving,"verse9th,orrather,astheHebrewhasit,"IwillwalkbeforethefaceoftheLord."TheHebrewwordthatishererenderedwalk,signifiesacontinuedaction,orthereiterationofanaction.DavidresolvesthathewillnotonlytakeasteportwowithGod,orwalkaprettywaywithGod, asOrpahdidwithRuth, andthentakehis leaveofGod,asOrpahdidofhermother,Ruth1:10-15;butheresolves,whatever comes on it, that hewillwalk constantly, resolutely,andperpetuallybeforeGod,orbeforethefaceoftheLord.

ThiswalkingbeforethefaceoftheLordimpliesaveryexact,circumspect,accurate,andprecisewalkingbeforeGod;andindeednootherwalkingiseithersuitableorpleasingtotheeyeofGod.Butisthisallthathewilldouponthereceiptofsuchamazingmercies?Ohno!forheresolvestotakethecupofsalvation,andtocalluponthenameoftheLord,andtoofferthesacrificeofthanksgiving,vers.13,17.Butisthisallthathewilldo?Ohno!forheresolvesthathewillpresentlypayhisvowsuntotheLordinthepresenceofallhispeople,vers.14,18.Butisthisallthathewilldo?Ohno!forheresolvesthathewill love theLordbetter thaneverandmorethanever,vers.1-2.HelovedGodbeforewithagenuinelove—buthavingnowreceivedsuchraremerciesfromGod,heisresolvedtoloveGodwitha more raised love, and with a more inflamed love, and with a moreactiveandstirring love, andwith amoregrowingand increasing lovethanever.

And so the apostle in that Romans 12:1-2, "Therefore, I urge you,brothers,inviewofGod'smercies,toofferyourbodiesaslivingsacrifices,holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship.Do notconformany longer to thepatternof thisworld,butbe transformedbythe renewing of yourmind. Then you will be able to test and approvewhatGod'swill is--hisgood,pleasingandperfectwill."Whenthisgreat

apostlewouldworkuptheRomanstoafullresignationofthemselvestoGodandtohisservice,andwouldfenceandarmthemagainstthesinfulfashions,customs,examples,dispositions,andpracticesofacorruptandwickedworld—hesetsthemerciesofGodbeforethem.Theapostleverywell knew that there was no such spur to holiness, nor any suchpreservativeagainstwickedness,as thiswas.Theapostlecouldhavesetthreateningsbeforethem,andthecursebeforethem,andwrathbeforethem, and former and latter judgments before them, and hell beforethem;andyethepassesoverallthesethings,andpresentsthemerciesofGod before them, as themost effectualmeans under heaven to engagethem to holiness, and to fortify them against all sinful conformity andworldlyvanity.

Osirs!youareallunderseveralamazingmerciesthisday.Youareoutofhell, and is not that an amazing mercy? You have many mercies thatothers lack, and is not that an amazingmercy? Yes, God rainsmannaeverydayaboutyourtentswhenotherswanderseveralmiles,andaretoooften put off with stones instead of bread, and is not that an amazingmercy? That wicked men's hearts should be so full of wrath, rage,revenge,envy,andmalice,andyoucastat their feetandyetnottrodtodeath,isanamazingmercy.Thatyoushouldstandwhenothersfall,thatyoushouldbe faithfulwhenothers are false, that you shouldperseverewhenothersbackslide,thatyoushouldbeforGodwhensomanyareforBaal, and that you should be followers of the Lamb when so manythousands are dancing after Antichrist's pipes, are all very rare andamazing mercies; and calls aloud upon you to be holy, yes, to beeminentlyholy,etc.But,

[3.] Times of personal AFFLICTIONS are times wherein Godcallsaloudforholiness.When the rodofGod isuponourbacks, ithighlyconcernsus to look thatourwordsare fullofgrace,and thatallourwaysandworksarefullofholiness.NowGodlooksthathispeopleshould be divinely fearful of offending him, and divinely careful inpleasingofhim,anddivinelywillingtoresignupthemselvestohim,anddivinelypatientinwaitingonhim,anddivinelyhumbleinsubmittingtohim, and divinely wise in justifying of him, and divinely resolute inservingofhim.Heb.12:10,"Godafflictsusforourprofit, thatwemight

bemadepartakers ofhisholiness."Why, theywerebefore partakers ofhisholiness,thatistrue;andthesewordsdeclarethatthegreatreachanddesignofGod, inall theafflictionsthathebringsuponhispeople, is tomakethemmoreandmoreholy;andthereforeforChristianstobeproudundertherod,andcarnalundertherod,andworldlyundertherod,andfrowardundertherod,andstupidundertherod,andwantonundertherod,andwickedundertherod—istocrossandfrustratethegreatdesignof God in afflicting of them. In afflictions God looks that his peopleshouldshinebrighterandbrighter,andgrowbetterandbetter,andholierandholier.Oh,thereisnothingwhichpleasesGodmore,whichdelightsGodmore,whichaffectsGodmore,orthatwinsuponGodmore—thantoseehispeopleaholypeopleinthedaysoftheirafflictions!

Jer.2:2-3, "Go,andcry in theearsofJerusalem,saying—Thus says theLord—Irememberthedevotionofyouryouth,howasabrideyoulovedmeandfollowedmethroughthedesert,throughalandnotsown.IsraelwasholytotheLord,thefirstfruitsofhisharvest;allwhodevouredherwere held guilty, and disaster overtook them." God was wonderfullyaffectedandtakenwiththe loveofhispeople,andwith thekindnessofhispeople,andwiththeholinessofhispeople—whentheywere intheirwildernesscondition.Look!asstarsshinebrightestinthedarkestnights,and as torches are the better for beating, and spices the sweeter forpounding,andyoungtreesthe fasterrooted forshakings,andvinesthemorefruitfulforbleeding,andgoldthemoreglitteringforscouring;justso, God looks that his children's graces should shine brightest in thedarkest nights of afflictions, he looks that his children should be thebetterforhisfatherlybeating,andthesweeterforbeingpoundedinthemortar of affliction, and the faster rooted in grace and holiness, by alldivineshakings,[Wellwatersarehottestinwinter.]etc.

In times of affliction God looks that his children should be truesalamanders,whichlivebestinthefire.Whereafflictionshangheaviest,he looks that there corruptions should hang loosest; he looks that thatgrace and holinesswhich lies hidden in nature, as sweetwater does inroseleaves,shouldthenbemostfragrant,whenthefireofafflictionisputunder,todistillitout,etc.But,

[4.] When people who are under a great profession, or in

church communion, shall fall presumptuously andscandalously,whentheyshallnotonlydoweakly—butwickedly,whennot only infirmities—but enormities may be justly and righteouslychargeduponthem;whensuchpeoplewalksoloosely,andvainly,asthattheyoccasionthenameofGodtobeblasphemed,religiontobescorned,the gospel to be despised, profession to be abhorred, the saints to bereviled, and new believers to be discouraged, and the ungodly in theirwickednesstobehardenedandconfirmed;oh,thisisatimewhereinGodcalls aloud upon his people to be holy! Oh, now God expects anextraordinarymeasureofholiness inhispeople!Oh,nowhe looks thathis people should rather walk like angels, than live like saints, so thattheymayinsomemeasurerepairandmakeupthesadbreachesthathavebeenmadeuponhishonor,andthecreditofreligion;andthattheymaylive profession into honor and esteem once more in the world. Suchblessedeffectsasthese,thehorridsinoftheincestuouspersondidworkintheheartsandlivesof theCorinthians,asyoumayseebycomparingthesescripturestogether.[1Cor.5:1-3;2Cor.2:4-8,and7:11.]

O sirs! in these days are there not many who have made a very highprofession,whohaveshinedasthestarsintheskies—whoarenowfallenfromtheirprofession,fromtheirprinciples,andfromallthingswhicharegodly? How many now do build the things that they have destroyed?WhatbetrayingofChrist,whatbetrayingoftruth,andwhatbetrayingofsaints is there this day amongmanywho have pretended very high toreligion!Howmanynowapproveofthosethingswhichbeforetheywouldneverown;andwho justify those thingsnow,which theyhaveformerlycondemned;andwhocomplywiththosethingsnow,whichformerlytheyhave abhorred; yes, who contend for those things now, for which theyhaveformerlysuffered?And,therefore,certainlythesearetheverytimeswhereinGodcallsalouduponhispeopletobeholy,yes,tobeeminentlyholy,etc.But,

[5.] In all our approaches, addresses, and drawings near toGod—God calls aloud for holiness. Lev. 10:3, "Among those whoapproachmeIwillshowmyselfholy;inthesightofallthepeopleIwillbehonored."ThereisnothingmoreevidentthanthisthroughouttheOldTestament, that the people of God were always to sanctify themselves

whentheywere todrawnear toGod.John4:23-24.God isaholyGod,andthereisnodrawingneartohimwithoutholiness;theworshipwhichGodstandsmostupon,andwhichismostpleasinganddelightfultohim—isspiritualworship,andnonecanofferthisbutaholypeople.SuchasdrawneartoGodwithoutholinessmay,iftheywerenotdeaf,hearGodsayingtothem,"Whathaveyoutodototakemynameintoyourmouths,seeing youhate tobeholy?Who required these things at yourhands?"Psalm50:16-17;Isaiah1:12.

ThePersianseverymorningworshiptherisingsun,andtheTurkstheirMahomet,andthePapiststheirimages,andsomeoftheIndiansworshipthe first thing that theymeetwith in themorning, and others of themworship a red rag, and others of themworship the devil. [TheRomanstaught thatamanmightbesaved inanyreligion. Isaiah29:13-14;Mat.15:8-9.]TheRomansusedtoworshipJupiter,ahurtfulgodamongthem,not because they loved him—but because they would not be hurt orharmedbyhim.AndPraxitelesthepaintermadethesillypeopleworshipthe image of his strumpet, under the title and pretense of Venus. AndtrulyalltheworshipthatyouoffertoGodislittlebetter,ifyoudrawneartohimwithyourbody,withoutholinessinyoursoul.

O sirs, remember that in all your public duties God calls aloud forholiness,andinallyourfamilydutiesGodcallsaloudforholiness,andinallyourclosetdutiesGodcallsaloudforholiness.TimesofdrawingneartoGod,shouldbealwaystimesofmuchholiness.Youmaycometoaduty—butyouwillnevercometoGod inaduty—withoutholiness.Youmaycometoanordinance—butyouwillnevercometoGodinanordinance—without holiness; and therefore, in all your drawings near to God,rememberthatGodcallsforholinessinaspecialmannerthen.But,

[6.] When God eminently appears in the execution of hisJUDGMENTSuponwickedandungodlymen—oh,thatisatimethatGodcallsaloudforholiness.Whenhe is a-raininghell outofheaven upon unholy people, God now looks that his people should beholy,yes,eminentlyholy.Just so, in thatExod. 19:4,5, "Youhaveseenwhat I did unto the Egyptians," you have been eyewitnesses of mydealingswith them in Egypt, you have seen how I have followed themwith plague upon plague, because they did so sorely oppress you, and

wouldnot letyougo toworshipmeandservemeaccording tomyownprescriptions, Exod. 24. Andwhen they were judgment-proof, you sawme drown them in the Red Sea before your eyes; and upon this verygroundheurgesthemtoobeyhisvoice,andtokeephiscovenant,verse5.

AndjustsoinRev.15:1-4,"Isawinheavenanothergreatandmarveloussign: seven angelswith the seven last plagues--last, becausewith themGod'swrathiscompleted.AndIsawwhatlookedlikeaseaofglassmixedwithfireand,standingbesidethesea,thosewhohadbeenvictoriousoverthe beast and his image and over the number of his name. They heldharpsgiventhembyGodandsangthesongofMosestheservantofGodand the song of the Lamb: "Great andmarvelous are your deeds, LordGodAlmighty.Justandtrueareyourways,Kingoftheages.Whowillnotfearyou,OLord,andbringglorytoyourname?Foryoualoneareholy.All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous actshave been revealed." In this and the following chapters the utteroverthrow of Antichrist is described. In this chapter you have a newvision of the gospel's restoring, and of Antichrist's ruin. By the sea ofglass mingled with fire, we are to understand the fiery trials, anddreadfulpersecutionsbyfireandfaggot,whichAntichristwillinflictuponsincere and faithful Christians. The allusion is to the Red Sea, andPharaoh's persecuting of Israel; but the addition of fire is plainly todistinguish the Pope's persecution fromPharaoh's; for thoughPharaohdid sorely oppress the people of God both in their liberties andconsciences,and thoughhehadplotted and contrived away todestroytheirmalechildren—yethewasneversocruel,hewasneversobloody,astoburnthepeopleofGodwithfireandfaggot,asAntichristhasdoneinallages.

Butnowmark,whenthevialsofthewrathofGodcometobepouredoutupon Antichrist, yes, upon whatever smells of Antichrist, or looks likeAntichrist—whythen,thepeopleofGodwillinaveryeminentwayliftupGodasthegreatobjectoftheirfear,andthenthegeneralityofthenationsshall be so deeply affectedwith the dreadful, amazing, and astonishingjudgmentsofGoduponAntichrist, that theyshall repent,worshiphim,andgiveglorytohim!Osirs!whenGodstrikesslaves—thesonsshouldtremble. Great judgments upon sinners speaks out a great deal of the

justiceandholinessofGod;andthemorethejusticeandholinessofGodappears, themoreholyhispeopleshouldgrow.Ah,Christians!hadyougrown more holy by those severe judgments of God that has beeninflicted upon others before your eyes, you had not been under thosesmartrebukesofGodthatnowyouareunderthisday!But,

[7.]Whenmen are called forth toWAR by God. Oh! that is aspecialtimeandseasonwhereinGodcallsaloudforholiness.Themanofwar must have holiness written upon the bridles of the horses, Zech.14:20. When men carry their lives in their hands, they had need ofholiness in theirhearts;when ineveryencounteramanmustexpecttoenter upon a state of eternity, he had need be very holy, so that if heshouldfall intheencounter,hemaybesuretobeeternallyhappy.[TheRomans lived more orderly in time of war than in the times of theirgreatestpeace.]

Deut. 23:9, 14, "When the army goes forth against your enemies, thenkeepfromeverywickedthing.FortheLordyourGodwalksinthemidstof your camp, to deliver you, and to give up your enemies before you:thereforeshallyourcampbeholy,thatheseesnouncleanthinginyou,andturnawayfromyou."Whenthesworddevoursonbothhands,wheniteatsthefleshofnobles,anddrinksthebloodofnobles;whenit feedsuponthefleshofthepoor,anddrinksthebloodoftheneedy—theneverysoldierhadneedbeasaint.Whenaneternityofgloryormiseryiseverymomentbeforeeverysoldier,everysoldierhadneedwalkveryaccurately,hehadneedliveveryholily.

Mark, though the people of God were to keep themselves from everywicked thing at all other times—yet when they went out against theirenemies, then in a special manner it highly concerned them to keepthemselves not from some—but from every evil thing, or rather, as theHebrewhasit,fromeveryevilword.Hewhoisindangerofdeatheverystep he takes, and who carries his very soul in his hand, had needprecisely to abstainnot only fromevery evilwork—but also fromeveryevilword, as hereGod expressly charges Israel to do.WhenGod findsholiness inIsrael'scamp,thenGodwillquicklygiveupIsrael'senemiesinto Israel'shands;butwhen thecampbecomesadenof iniquity, thenGodwilldepartfromthecamp.AndwhenGod,whoisthebulwarkofa

camp,hasdeparted—alltheworldcannotpreservethatcampfrombeingdestroyed.

TheLamblooksthatallthosebraveheartsthatengagewithhimagainstAntichrist,shouldbecalled,andchosen,andfaithful,Rev.17:14.Thereisno armor compared to that of holiness. Let a man be ever so wellmounted, clothed, armed,weaponed—yet if he is unholy, he lies nakedandopentoalldisasters,calamities,andmiseries.Osirs!itisoneofthemostdreadfulthingsintheworld,tohearsucha-cursing,swearing,lying,and damning of themselves, and to see such a-giving up themselves toworkallmannerofwickednesswithgreediness—whocarrytheir lives intheirhandseveryhourintheday!Yes,atwhoseelbowsdamnationstandseverymoment! O sirs! whenGod gives the sword a commission to eatflesh, and drink blood, to slay both old and young, to spare nonewhocome before it, and to pity none who come near unto it—it highlyconcerns allmen tobeholy.This is a special seasonwhereinGod callsaloudforholiness.

IconfessIamforpeaceandtruth,forpeaceandrighteousness,forpeaceandholiness; and am against all war; butwhenever the Lord shall callforth his people to fight his battles against Antichrist, and to smiteDaniel's image in pieces—it concerns them very much—to be a holypeople,yes,tobeeminentlyholy,astheywouldhavethepresenceofGodwith them, and the power of God engaged for them, and themercy,goodness,andblessingofGodfollowingandprosperingofthem,1Sam.25:28;Dan.2:31,etseq.Thoughhewhogoestowarhadneedcarryhispursewithhim—yethemustbesuretoleavehissinsbehindhim,orelsehissinswilldohimmoremischiefthanallhisenemies,fortheywillsetGodagainsthim;andhowcanstrawandstubblepossiblystandbeforeaconsumingfire?

IhavereadofXerxes,who,viewingalmostaninnumerablearmyofmen,hefella-weeping,saying,"Wherewillallthesemenbewithinahundredyears?" He wept to think that all that mighty army would be in theirgraveswithinahundredyears.Ah,whatcauseofweepingisthere,whenwe behold the multitudes in the world, considering that within a fewyears,yes,months,foranythingweknow—mostofthemmaybeinhell—exceptthereisfoundrepentanceontheirsides,andpardoningmercyon

God's side—they are so abominable, debauched, and wicked. "As Heapproachedandsawthecity,Heweptoverit."Luke19:41.But,

[8.]WhenGodhasseparatedandseveredhispeoplefromthecorrupt and sinful customs and manners of the world, andbrought them into fellowship with himself, and into gospel-communionwith one another—oh, then, in a specialmannerhecallsalouduponthemtobeholy.Lev.20:23-24,26,"DonotlivebythecustomsofthepeoplewhomIwillexpelbeforeyou.Itisbecausethey do these terrible things that I detest them so much. But I havepromised that youwill inherit their land, a land flowingwithmilk andhoney. I, the Lord, am yourGod,whohas set you apart fromall otherpeople. Youmust be holy because I, the Lord, am holy. I have set youapartfromallotherpeopletobemyveryown."

Distinguishingmerciesshouldbreedandnourishdistinguishing lives.Osirs, it isnot for youwhoare separatedand severed from theworldbyGod—to be proud, and carnal, and formal, and distrustful, andhypocritical,andearthly,and froward,etc.,as theworld is! it isnot foryoutodenyyourprinciples,todebauchyourconsciences,tochangeyournotes,toturnyourcoats,todefileyoursouls,toblotyournames,andtoscandalizeyourprofession!Osirs, ifGodhascalledyou,andseparatedyou,andseveredyoufromtheworld—ithighlyconcernsyounottothinkastheworldthinks,nortospeakastheworldspeaks,nortojudgeastheworldjudges,nortowalkastheworldwalks,nortoworshipastheworldworships—butsotothink,speak,judge,walk,andworshipasmaymakemostforthehonorofGod,thegloryofthegospel,andasbestbefitsthosewhohavehadthehonorandthehappinessofbeingcalled,andseparatedandseveredbyGodfromtheworld.But,

[9.]When thedayof theLorddrawsnear,andwhenwe lookfor the accomplishment of great things—oh, then, God callsalouduponhispeopletobeholy."ButthedayoftheLordwillcomelikeathief.Theheavenswilldisappearwitharoar;theelementswillbedestroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.Sinceeverythingwillbedestroyedinthisway,whatkindofpeopleoughtyoutobe?Yououghttoliveholyandgodlylivesasyoulookforwardtothe day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the

destructionoftheheavensbyfire,andtheelementswillmeltintheheat.Butinkeepingwithhispromisewearelookingforwardtoanewheavenandanewearth,thehomeofrighteousness.Sothen,dearfriends,sinceyouare looking forward to this,makeeveryeffort tobe foundspotless,blamelessandatpeacewithhim."2Peter3:10-14

The nearer the day of Christ is to us, and themore great and gloriousthings we expect fromGod, themore holy, themore spotless, and themoreblamelesswemust labor tobe, Isaiah65:17-20. I know there aremanywho look fornewheavensandanewearth, that is, foragloriouschurch-state here on earth, wherein shall dwell righteousness. It iscertain that the highest heavens,whereGod keeps his royal court,wasnever without righteousness. Righteousness has been always thehabitation of his throne; righteousness has always dwelt in the highestheavens;and,indeed,heavenwouldbenoheaven,yes,itwouldratherbeahellthanaheaven—ifrighteousnessdidnotalwaysdwellthere.

The palace of the great King will be always new, fresh, shining, andgloriousness;but,indeed,theearthinallages,havebeenfullofinjustice,unrighteousness,wickedness, tyranny, cruelty, andoppressions; so thatrighteousnessseems tohavebeenbanishedoutof theworld,eversinceAdamfellfromhisprimitiverighteousnessandholiness.Oh—butthereisagloriousdaya-coming,whereintheearthshallbefullofrighteousnessandholiness,asIhaveformerlyprovedatlargefromotherScriptures.

Now,Christians,themoregreatandgloriousthingsyouexpectfromGod,asthedownfallofantichrist,theconversionoftheJews,theconquestofthenations toChrist, thebreakingoffofall yokes, thenewJerusalem'scomingdownfromabove,theextraordinarypouringoutoftheSpirit,anda more general union among all saints, the more holy, yes, the moreeminentlyholyinallyourwaysandactingsitbefitsyoutobe.Manythereare,whowilltalkhigh,andspeakbigwords,andtellyoustoriesofgreatthingsthattheyexpectandlookforinthesedays,whicharethelastofthelasttimes;andyetifyoulookintotheir lives,youshallfindthemloose,andvain,andwhatnot?Oh,thatthesewouldforeverremember,thatthemore great and glorious things we expect and look for from God—themore holinessGod expects and looks for from us; and therefore aswewouldnothaveGodfailourexpectation,letusnotfrustratehis,andthe

higheryourexpectationrises,thehigheralwaysletyourholinessrise—forthere is nothing that will hasten that desirable day of glory upon theworldlikethis.But,

[10.]Lastly,Whenyoudrawnearyourend,whentherearebuta few steps between you and the grave, between you andeternity;whenyouhavebuta little time to live,whendeathstandsatyourback,andtreadsonyourheels,andknocksatyourdoor;whentheeyes begin to grow dark, when the grinders begin to cease, when thekeepers of the house—the hands and the arms—begin to tremble, andwhenthestrongmen—thelegsandthighs—begintobowandstagger,andtotter,asbeingtooweaktobearthebody'sburden,Eccl.12:2-5.Ohthen!whataholypeopleshouldyoube!

This very consideration had a very great influence upon that greatapostle'sspirit,"SoIwillalwaysremindyouofthesethings,eventhoughyouknow themandare firmlyestablished in the truthyounowhave. IthinkitisrighttorefreshyourmemoryaslongasIliveinthetentofthisbody, because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord JesusChristhasmadecleartome.AndIwillmakeeveryefforttoseethataftermydepartureyouwillalwaysbeabletorememberthesethings."2Peter1:12-15 [There is a sinful sluggishness and drowsiness that often hangsupon the best ofmen, and therefore they stand inmuchneed of beingawakened and roused up, to look after their spiritual and eternalconcernments.]

The apostle having the sentence of death in himself, oh, how does hebestirhimself, andhowdoeshe stir up all that grace andholiness thatwasinhisheart,yes,inallhisministerialandapostolicalgifts,andalltobetter himself, and to make those who were genuinely holy, to beeminentlyholy!Peterbeingverysensibleofthenearapproachesofdeath,didveryearnestlydesire,andgreatlyendeavorsotoacthispartbeforehewentoffthestageoflife,thatwhenhisheadwasinthedust,andhissoulinheaven—thosesaintsthatshouldsurvivehimmightbeveryfamousingraceandholiness.

Osirs!whenoncethegrayhairsofholinessandrighteousnessareuponyou, it highly concerns you to shun the very shows andappearancesof

evil,so thatyoumaynotspotnorstainthehonorofyourwhitehead.IhavereadofJoshua,thatvaliantsoldier,thatwhenhewasayoungman,and in the prime and flower of his days, when his "bones were full ofmarrow,"asJobspeaks,thatthenhewasleastinvigorandvalorforGod,and how that sometimes in cases of imminent danger he would hidehimself; but when he grew older, and found the strength of naturedeclininganddecaying,thenhebestirredhimselfexceedinglyforGod.

Osirs!whenyouhaveonefootinthegrave,GodcallsalouduponyoutobestiryourselvesexceedinglyforHishonorandglory,andforyourowninternal and eternal welfare! Solon was not ashamed to say that helearnedmuchinhisoldage.AndJulianius,thelawyer,wasaccustomedtosaythatwhenhehadonefootinthegrave,hewouldhavetheotherintheschool.Osirs!shallnaturedomorethangrace?Shallmoralityexcelgenuine piety? It was the glorious commendation of the church ofThyatirathatherlastworksweregreaterthanherfirst,Rev.2:19,"Iknowyour works—your love, faithfulness, service, and endurance. Your lastworksaregreater than the first."Oh, thehappinessof thatmanwho isbest at last—who brings forth most of the fruits of righteousness andholinessinoldage.Oh,theblessednessofthatmanwhosefaithismorestrongatlastthanatfirst;andwhoseloveismoreinflamedatlastthanatfirst;andwhosehopesaremoreraisedandelevatedat lastthanatfirst;andwhoseknowledgeismoreclearatlastthanatfirst;andwhosezealiswarmeratlastthanatfirst;andwhosethoughtsaremoreheavenlyatlastthanat first;andwhoseheart ismorespiritualat last thanat first;andwhosecommunionwithGodismorehighatlastthanatfirst;andwhoselifeismoreholyatlastthanatfirst!

Iftherebeanymanintheworldthatisripeforheaven,andthatenjoysaheaveninhisownsoulonthissideheaven,thisisthemanwhosegraces,andwhosegraciousworks,aremoreatlastthanatfirst.Well,Christians,forever remember this, the nearer deathmakes her approaches to you,thelouderGodcallsuponyoutobeholy.

Andthus,byahandofgrace,whichhasbeeninme,uponme,andwithme—I have showed you what those special times and seasons are,wherein God calls loudest for holiness, and so, according to my weakmeasure, I have given out all that the Lord has graciously given in,

concerningthatmostnecessary,thatmostnoble,thatmostglorious,andthatmostusefulpointofpointsofholiness;andthereforeIhavenothingmoretodobutearnestlytopraythatwhathasbeenspokenandwrittenmaybesoblessedfromonhigh,thatitmayworkmightilytotheinternaland eternal welfare both of writer, reader, and hearer—so that, whentheir race is run, and their work done here on earth, they may beeverlastinglyblessedwithahappysightofthebeatificalvisionofGodinheaven!Amen.

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Holiness, theOnlyWay toHappiness by Thomas Brooks, Copyright©2016

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