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holiness。 When the dog is kept out of doors he howls to be let in
again。〃〃Contraries meeting； such as fire and water； conflict one with
another。When Satan findeth a sanctified heart； he tempteth with much
importunity。 Where there is much of God and of Christ； there are strong
injections and firebrands cast in at the windows； so that some of much
faith have been tempted to doubt。〃Rutherford's Trial of Faith； p。
403。
＇7＇ 〃There is no imagination wherewith man is besotted； more foolish；
none so pernicious； as this；that persons not purified； not
sanctified； not made holy in their life； should afterwards be taken
into that state of blessedness which consists in the enjoyment of God。
Neither can such persons enjoy God； nor would God be a reward to
them。Holiness indeed is perfected in heaven： but the beginning of it
is invariably confined to this world。〃Owen on Holy Spirit； p。 575。
Goold's edition。
＇8＇ 〃Christ in the Gospel is proposed to us as our pattern and example
of holiness； and as it is a cursed imagination that this was the whole
end of his life and death： namely； to exemplify and confirm the
doctrine of holiness which He taughtso to neglect His being our
example； in considering Him by faith to that end； and labouring after
conformity to Him； is evil and pernicious。 Wherefore let us be much in
the contemplation of what He was； and what He did； and how in all
duties and trials He carried Himself； until an image or idea of His
perfect holiness is implanted in our minds； and we are made like unto
Him thereby。〃Owen on the Holy Ghost； p。 513。 Goold's edition。
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III。
HOLINESS
〃Holiness； without which no man shall see the Lord。〃Heb。 xii。 14。
The text which heads this page opens up a subject of deep importance。
That subject is practical holiness。 It suggests a question which
demands the attention of all professing ChristiansAre we holy？ Shall
we see the Lord？
That question can never be out of season。 The wise man tells us； 〃There
is a time to weep； and a time to laugha time to keep silence； and a
time to speak〃 （Eccles。 iii。 4； 7）； but there is no time； no； not a
day； in which a man ought not to be holy。 Are we？
That question concerns all ranks and conditions of men。 Some are rich
and some are poorsome learned and some unlearnedsome masters； and
some servants； but there is no rank or condition in life in which a man
ought not to be holy。 Are we？
I ask to be heard to…day about this question。 How stands the account
between our souls and God？ In this hurrying； bustling world； let us
stand still for a few minutes and consider the matter of holiness。 I
believe I might have chosen a subject more popular and pleasant。 I am
sure I might have found one more easy to handle。 But I feel deeply I
could not have chosen one more seasonable and more profitable to our
souls。 It is a solemn thing to hear the Word of God saying； 〃Without
holiness no man shall see the Lord。〃 （Heb。 xii。 14。）
I shall endeavour； by God's help； to examine what true holiness is； and
the reason why it is so needful。 In conclusion； I shall try to point
out the only way in which holiness can be attained。 I have already； in
the second paper in this volume； approached this subject from a
doctrinal side。 Let me now try to present it to my readers in a more
plain and practical point of view。
I。 First； then； let me try to show what true practical holiness
iswhat sort of persons are those whom God calls holy。
A man may go great lengths； and yet never reach true holiness。 It is
not knowledgeBalaam had that： nor great professionJudas Iscariot
had that： nor doing many thingsHerod had that： nor zeal for certain
matters in religionJehu had that： nor morality and outward
respectability of conductthe young ruler had that： nor taking
pleasure in hearing preachersthe Jews in Ezekiel's time had that： nor
keeping pany with godly peopleJoab and Gehazi and Demas had that。
Yet none of these was holy！ These things alone are not holiness。 A man
may have any one of them； and yet never see the Lord。
What then is true practical holiness？ It is a hard question to answer。
I do not mean that there is any want of Scriptural matter on the
subject。 But I fear lest I should give a defective view of holiness；
and not say all that ought to be said； or lest I should say things
about it that ought not to be said； and so do harm。 Let me； however；
try to draw a picture of holiness； that we may see it clearly before
the eyes of our minds。 Only let it never be forgotten； when I have said
all； that my account is but a poor imperfect outline at the best。
（a） Holiness is the habit of being of one mind with God； according as
we find His mind described in Scripture。 It is the habit of agreeing in
God's judgmenthating what He hatesloving what He lovesand
measuring everything in this world by the standard of His Word。 He who
most entirely agrees with God； he is the most holy man。
（b） A holy man will endeavour to shun every known sin； and to keep
every known mandment。 He will have a decided bent of mind toward
God； a hearty desire to do His willa greater fear of displeasing Him
than of displeasing the world； and a love to all His ways。 He will feel
what Paul felt when he said；〃I delight in the law of God after the
inward man〃 （Rom。 vii。 22）； and what David felt when he said； 〃I esteem
all Thy precepts concerning all things to be right； and I hate every
false way。〃 （Psalm cxix。 128。）
（c） A holy man will strive to be like our Lord Jesus Christ。 He will
not only live the life of faith in Him； and draw from Him all his daily
peace and strength； but he will also labour to have the mind that was
in Him； and to be 〃conformed to His image。〃 （Rom。 viii。 29。） It will be
his aim to bear with and forgive others； even as Christ forgave usto
be unselfish； even as Christ pleased not Himselfto walk in love； even
as Christ loved usto be lowly…minded and humble； even as Christ made
Himself of no reputation and humbled Himself。 He will remember that
Christ was a faithful witness for the truththat He came not to do His
own willthat it was His meat and drink to do His Father's willthat
He would continually deny Himself in order to minister to othersthat
He was meek and patient under undeserved insultsthat He thought more
of godly poor men than of kingsthat He was full of love and
passion to sinnersthat He was bold and unpromising in
denouncing sinthat He sought not the praise of men； when He might
have had itthat He went about doing goodthat He was separate from
worldly peoplethat He continued instant in prayerthat He would not
let even His nearest relations stand in His way when God's work was to
be done。 These things a holy man will try to remember。 By them he will
endeavour to shape his course in life。 He will lay to heart the saying