THE EXAMPLE OF THE LORD TO BE IMITATED. 135 that never tires, the love that never cools, the patience that never wearies, the benevolence that never slackens: yet, such were his ideas of the exalted nature of gospel holiness, that after these long years of labour, of suffering, and of ripening piety, he still pressed on, and aimed at something higher than all the heights he yet had reached. Nor do the Scriptures represent this labouring after holiness, as something peculiar to the great apostle; for the Holy Spirit directed him to add, "Brethren, be ye followers together of me, and mark them which walk so, as ye have us for an ensample."" 115 § 3. But in the pursuit of Christian holiness, the word of God directs us to an infinitely higher pattern for imitation, than that now contemplated. "Be ye followers of God, as dear children." "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." As the blessed God is proposed as a pattern for imitation, in the exercise of benevolent affections; the holy Jesus is set before us, as an example we are called to copy, in the general conduct of life. Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps." "He that saith he abideth in him, ought himself also so to walk EVEN AS HE WALKED." "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.' A nobler example of spotless holiness cannot be proposed, than that of the holy Jesus. Even infidels have admired his unblemished life, and on it passed eulogiums. But his disciples are called upon to imitate, as well as to admire; to follow, as well as to applaud. Cherish the spirit, that burning with desires for a closer resemblance to the blessed Saviour, and for the diffusion of his glory, thinks nothing gained while any thing remains ungained, nothing done while any thing remains undone. Except when you acknowledge what God has done for you, to cherish gratitude for grace enjoyed, forget all that you have gained, and reach at more. It is an apostolic lesson, FORGET the things behind, and reach at those before. § 4. Christian holiness must be progressive. Whatever attainments in the divine life you may have reached, much is yet unattained. In eminent Christians, how low, how weak, are Christian graces, compared with what they ought to be! (n) Phil. iii. 17. (0) Eph. iv. 32; v. 1. (p) Matt. v. 45-48. (s) John x. 27. 136 CHRISTIAN HOLINESS PROGRESSIVE. but in many of the followers of the Lamb, how much lower! how much weaker! The commands given in the sacred Scriptures expressly require advancement in Christian holiness. Giving all diligence, add to your faith, virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance, patience; and to patience, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, charity. Give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things ye shall never fall." "Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ."" The reality and importance of advancement in Christian holiness, are also inculcated strongly in the prayers of the inspired writers for their fellow disciples. What is thus the subject of divine commands, and of inspired prayers, is also represented by the blessed Saviour, as receiving his peculiar approbation. When he commends the church at Thyatira, and says, "I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works," he adds, “AND THE LAST TO BE MORE THAN THE FIRST. The experience of all Christians who have honoured their profession by consistent holiness, bears testimony to the correctness of these statements. Their humility has deepened; their faith has strengthened; their hopes have become more bright; their love has assumed, not the brightness of a flash or momentary blaze, but of a steady flame. Their devotedness to God has become more entire. Their reliance on Christ more pure, and unmingled with other dependence. The depravity of their own nature has been more clearly seen, and been viewed with more abhorrence. Its corruptions have been opposed, and in many instances so conquered, that their power has hardly been felt. It is said of Isaac Watts, that he was by nature quick of resentment; but by habitual practice, gentle, modest, and inoffensive. I remember once having some knowledge of a person, a number of years ago, whose natural disposition seemed covetous; but who had followed the precepts of the gospel, till liberality was no longer a difficult duty; and it appeared to him almost or quite as easy to give as to receive. In the earlier stage of his Christian pro (t) 2 Pet. i. 5-8, 10. (u) 2 Pet. iii. 18. 1 Tim. vi. 11, 12. Phil. iv. 8. (v) 1 Pet. v. 10. Heb. xiii. 20, 21. 1 Thess. v. 23. (w) Rev. ii. 19. LIFE THE SEASON FOR CHRISTIAN GRACES. 137 gress, it seemed to him much to give away a religious book that had cost a few pence; when more advanced, he gave scores of much more expensive books away; and I have understood, even sold part of his own library, to enable him to pursue this mode of promoting religion. If then you would adorn the holy gospel, and walk worthy the character of a child of the holy God, let it ever be impressed on your heart, that it is not merely holiness, but ripening, advancing holiness, which you are to follow. § 5. Many are the weighty motives that urge upon the Christian the incessant pursuit of perfect holiness. You should pursue holiness with all the energy of your soul; because this life is the only season in which some Christian graces can be exercised. It is now that we can serve the Lord, who redeemed us by his blood. Now, in sorrow we may practise resignation to the will of God: the Christian cannot in heaven: there are no sorrows there. Now must we learn lessons of forgiveness: the blessed will find no enemies to forgive beyond the grave. Now must we prove our faithfulness in the scenes of the Christian warfare; for only this world is the field of conflict: no spiritual foes disturb the peace of heaven. Now should our tempers, amidst ruffling, disturbing things, acquire the serenity of Christ's: there is nothing to ruffle in the realms above. Now must we feed the hungry and clothe the naked : "In heaven are found no sons of need." Now must we visit the sick and afflicted, or never ; for above, the inhabitant shall never say, I am sick. Now must we instruct the illiterate and spread the gospel, or never and as we sow, we shall hereafter reap. And would you not wish, in these respects, to copy him who went about doing good. The time for these will soon be passed; and once gone, is gone for ever.x § 6. Follow holiness; because thus you may glorify God, and recommend religion to man. Doubtless, in many instances, the calm but powerful eloquence of a holy life, has awakened the thoughtless to attention to their best interests, and taught even scoffers wisdom. Thus enforced, "Truth from the lips has come with double sway. (x) Eccles. ix. 10. 138 HOLINESS HONOURS GOD The meek forbearance, that resents no injury; the calm submission, that never utters a murmur; the expansive love, that pities and blesses friends and foes; and all the unostentatious charms of Christian piety; these, even when they shine like the stars in solemn silence, yet like them utter a voice, "The hand that form'd us is divine." These impress hearts that no arguments would reach, no reasonings convince; and lead even some that know not God, to acknowledge that there is a power in religion to which they are strangers, a reality of which they have no conception.* The eloquence of a holy life speaks in any land. After Mr. Peter had laboured for a length of time at Balasore, a young Brahmin, named Jugunnat'ha, embraced the gospel. Soon after, the brother of a native magistrate said to him, "Do you believe this from your heart?' Jugunnat'ha said, 'Yes.' Well,' said the other, we are watching; you are making an experiment: if you live a holy life we shall know that this gospel is true. Padree-saheb has been preaching for three or four years; but we have our doubts, and cannot believe; none of the Ooriyas till now have embraced this religion if you bear good fruit, many will follow your example.' : Well indeed said the blessed Saviour, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." And do you not wish to promote this double object-the glory of God, and the eternal welfare of man? This double object occupied on earth a Saviour's hands, and in heaven engages that Saviour's at Of the effects of consistent piety, the following pleasing anecdote furnishes one illustration out of many : "In a family in the north of Ireland, a pious young woman was engaged as a servant. The poor girl was much ridiculed for her religion by the young ladies, but did not render evil for evil; on the contrary, she would allow them to laugh at her, and then mildly reason with them. She made it her study to be attentive and useful to them; took opportunities to speak to them about religion; and would offer to read the sacred Scriptures to them when they went to bed. They commonly fell asleep, and that in a little time, under the sound; but she was not discouraged.-Having exemplified Christianity in her life, Providence sent a fever to remove her to a better state. The young ladies were not permitted to see her during her illness; but they heard of her behaviour, which did not lessen the impression which her previous conduct had made upon them. Soon after, the two elder began to make a profession of real religion: the little leaven spread; and now all the nine young ladies appear truly pious. Nor is religion, in this highly-favoured family, confined to them: other means were employed by God in producing this great change; but one of the two who first became serious, informed me, that she chiefly ascribed it to the life and death of the servant-maid." AND BENEFITS MAN. 139 tention; this double object is the aim of those ministering spirits, which are sent forth to minister to the heirs of salvation, to diffuse happiness and holiness among beings destined to immortality, and to advance the honour of that God whom all the hosts of heaven adore. This is indeed a pursuit, in which an archangel might delight to consume myriads of ages; and this in your sphere you may advance, by the silent lessons of a holy example. In the epistle to the Philippians, this subject is placed in a most important and striking light. Holding forth the word of life." Preach the gospel in your lives; preach it by your conduct, and thus hold forth the word of life to an undone world, as a light-house displays its light, at the entrance of a harbour. A building of that description is designed to warn mariners of rocks or quicksands, and to show them a safe passage out of a stormy sea into a peaceful haven. Thus every Christian should stand, like a light-house on the edge of the ocean, to show all around him how they may escape the storm of eternal wrath, and where they may find a haven of repose; in other words, by a blameless life to teach mankind, that this is happiness, holiness, and life eternal, to know the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom he has sent. Important situation! Who that feels one spark of love to God, or love to man, but must be anxious to accomplish heaven's benevolent design? and, saved himself, to be the means of saving others? Indeed, so powerful, so effective is Christian example, that it seems reasonable to believe, if individuals and nations, that have professed the gospel, had universally adorned the gospel, the whole world must long since have been brought to bow to the sceptre of the cross. 7. The motives hitherto adduced for a devout attention to holiness have been chiefly of a pleasing description; but there are others of another kind, which ought not to be entirely unnoticed. If holiness is not your pursuit, you have no evidence that you enjoy God's grace: you have evidence, that in your present state, you cannot enter his kingdom"Without holiness no man shall see the Lord." However fair your profession, however splendid your gifts, however extensive your knowledge, without holiness you are like a lifeless corpse, that has the human form, but wants the soul; (y) Phil. ii. 16. ་ |