more harm done by unholy and inconsistent Christians than we are aware
of。 Such men are among Satan's best allies。 They pull down by their
lives what ministers build with their lips。 They cause the chariot
wheels of the Gospel to drive heavily。 They supply the children of this
world with a never ending excuse for remaining as they are。〃I cannot
see the use of so much religion；〃 said an irreligious tradesman not
long ago； 〃I observe that some of my customers are always talking about
the Gospel； and faith； and election； and the blessed promises； and so
forth； and yet these very people think nothing of cheating me of pence
and half…pence； when they have an opportunity。 Now； if religious
persons can do such things； I do not see what good there is in
religion。〃I grieve to be obliged to write such things； but I fear
that Christ's name is too often blasphemed because of the lives of
Christians。 Let us take heed lest the blood of souls should be required
at our hands。 From murder of souls by inconsistency and loose walking；
good Lord； deliver us！ Oh； for the sake of others； if for no other
reason； let us strive to be holy！
（g） We must be holy； because our present fort depends much upon it。
We cannot be too often reminded of this。 We are sadly apt to forget
that there is a close connection between sin and sorrow； holiness and
happiness； sanctification and consolation。 God has so wisely ordered
it； that our well…being and our well…doing are linked together。 He has
mercifully provided that even in this world it shall be man's interest
to be holy。 Our justification is not by worksour calling and election
are not according to our worksbut it is vain for anyone to suppose
that he will have a lively sense of his justification； or an assurance
of his calling； so long as he neglects good works； or does not strive
to live a holy life。 〃Hereby we do know that we know Him； if we keep
His mandments。〃〃Hereby we know that we are of the truth； and shall
assure our hearts。〃 （1 John ii。 3； iii。 19。） A believer may as soon
expect to feel the sun's rays upon a dark and cloudy day； as to feel
strong consolation in Christ while he does not follow Him fully。 When
the disciples forsook the Lord and fled； they escaped danger； but they
were miserable and sad。 When； shortly after； they confessed Him boldly
before men； they were cast into prison and beaten； but we are told
〃they rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His
name。〃 （Acts v。 41。） Oh； for our own sakes； if there were no other
reason； let us strive to be holy！ He that follows Jesus most fully will
always follow Him most fortably。
（h） Lastly； we must be holy； because without holiness on earth we shall
never be prepared to enjoy heaven。 Heaven is a holy place。 The Lord of
heaven is a holy Being。 The angels are holy creatures。 Holiness is
written on everything in heaven。 The book of Revelation says expressly；
〃There shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth； neither
whatsoever worketh abomination； or maketh a lie。〃 （Rev。 xxi。 27。）
I appeal solemnly to everyone who reads these pages； How shall we ever
be at home and happy in heaven； if we die unholy？ Death works no
change。 The grave makes no alteration。 Each will rise again with the
same character in which he breathed his last。 Where will our place be
if we are strangers to holiness now？
Suppose for a moment that you were allowed to enter heaven without
holiness。 What would you do？ What possible enjoyment could you feel
there？ To which of all the saints would you join yourself； and by whose
side would you sit down？ Their pleasures are not your pleasures； their
tastes not your tastes； their character not your character。 How could
you possibly be happy； if you had not been holy on earth？
Now perhaps you love the pany of the light and the careless； the
worldly…minded and the covetous； the reveller and the pleasure…seeker；
the ungodly and the profane。 There will be none such in heaven。
Now perhaps you think the saints of God too strict and particular； and
serious。 You rather avoid them。 You have no delight in their society。
There will be no other pany in heaven。
Now perhaps you think praying； and Scripture…reading； and hymn singing；
dull and melancholy； and stupid worka thing to be tolerated now and
then； but not enjoyed。 You reckon the Sabbath a burden and a weariness；
you could not possibly spend more than a small part of it in
worshipping God。 But remember； heaven is a never…ending Sabbath。 The
inhabitants thereof rest not day or night； saying； 〃Holy； holy； holy；
Lord God Almighty〃 and singing the praise of the Lamb。 How could an
unholy man find pleasure in occupation such as this？
Think you that such an one would delight to meet David； and Paul； and
John； after a life spent in doing the very things they spoke against？
Would he take sweet counsel with them； and find that he and they had
much in mon？Think you； above all； that he would rejoice to meet
Jesus； the Crucified One； face to face； after cleaving to the sins for
which He died； after loving His enemies and despising His friends？
Would he stand before Him with confidence； and join in the cry； 〃This
is our God； we have waited for Him； we will be glad and rejoice in His
salvation〃？ （Isa。 xxv。 9。） Think you not rather that the tongue of an
unholy man would cleave to the roof of his mouth with shame； and his
only desire would be to be cast out！ He would feel a stranger in a land
he knew not； a black sheep amidst Christ's holy flock。 The voice of
Cherubim and Seraphim； the song of Angels and Archangels and all the
pany of heaven； would be a language he could not understand。 The
very air would seem an air he could not breathe。 I know not what others
may think； but to me it does seem clear that heaven would be a
miserable place to an unholy man。 It cannot be otherwise。 People may
say； in a vague way； 〃they hope to go to heaven；〃 but they do not
consider what they say。 There must be a certain 〃meetness for the
inheritance of the saints in light。〃 Our hearts must be somewhat in
tune。 To reach the holiday of glory； we must pass through the training
school of grace。 We must be heavenly…minded； and have heavenly tastes；
in the life that now is； or else we shall never find ourselves in
heaven； in the life to e。
And now； before I go any further； let me say a few words by way of
application。
（1） For one thing； let me ask everyone who may read these pages； Are
you holy？ Listen； I pray you； to the question I put to you this day。 Do
you know anything of the holiness of which I have been speaking？
I do not ask whether you attend your church regularlywhether you have
been baptized； and received the Lord's Supperwhether you have the
name of ChristianI ask something more than all this： Are you holy； or
are you not？
I do not ask whether you approve of holiness in otherswhether you
like to read the lives of holy people； and to talk of holy things； and
to have on your table holy bookswhether you mean to be holy； and hope
you will be holy some dayI ask something further： Are you yourself
holy this very day； or are you not？
And why do I ask so straitly； and press the question so strongly？ I do
it because the Scripture says； 〃Without holiness no man shall see the
Lord。〃 It is written； it is not my fancyit is the Bible； not my
private opinionit is the word of God； not of man〃Without holiness
no man shall see the Lord。〃 （Heb。 xii。 14。）
Alas； what searching； sifting words are these！ What thoughts e
across my mind； as I write them down！ I look at the world； and see the
greater part of it lying in wickedness。 I look at professing
Christians； and see the vast majority having nothing of Christianity
but the name。 I turn to the Bible； and I hear the Spirit saying；
〃Without holiness no man shall see the Lord。〃
Surel