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believers。 A man might really think it was a dangerous subject to
handle； so cautiously is it touched！ Yet surely when we have exalted
Christ as 〃the way； the truth； and the life；〃 we cannot err in speaking
strongly about what should be the character of His people。 Well says
Rutherford； 〃The way that crieth down duties and sanctification； is not
the way of grace。 Believing and doing are blood…friends。〃
I would say it with all reverence； but say it I mustI sometimes fear
if Christ were on earth now； there are not a few who would think His
preaching legal； and if Paul were writing his Epistles； there are those
who would think he had better not write the latter part of most of them
as he did。 But let us remember that the Lord Jesus did speak the Sermon
on the Mount； and that the Epistle to the Ephesians contains six
chapters and not four。 I grieve to feel obliged to speak in this way；
but I am sure there is a cause。
That great divine； John Owen； the Dean of Christ Church； used to say；
more than two hundred years ago； that there were people whose whole
religion seemed to consist in going about plaining of their own
corruptions； and telling everyone that they could do nothing of
themselves。 I am afraid that after two centuries the same thing might
be said with truth of some of Christ's professing people in this day。 I
know there are texts in Scripture which warrant such plaints。 I do
not object to them when they e from men who walk in the steps of the
Apostle Paul； and fight a good fight； as he did； against sin； the
devil； and the world。 But I never like such plaints when I see
ground for suspecting； as I often do； that they are only a cloak to
cover spiritual laziness； and an excuse for spiritual sloth。 If we say
with Paul； 〃O wretched man that I am；〃 let us also be able to say with
him； 〃I press toward the mark。〃 Let us not quote his example in one
thing； while we do not follow him in another。 （Rom。 vii。 24； Philip。
iii。 14。）
I do not set up myself to be better than other people； and if anyone
asks； 〃What are you； that you write in this way？〃 I answer； 〃I am a
very poor creature indeed。〃 But I say that I cannot read the Bible
without desiring to see many believers more spiritual； more holy； more
single…eyed； more heavenly…minded； more whole…hearted than they are in
the nineteenth century。 I want to see among believers more of a pilgrim
spirit； a more decided separation from the world； a conversation more
evidently in heaven； a closer walk with Godand therefore I have
written as I have。
Is it not true that we need a higher standard of personal holiness in
this day？ Where is out patience？ Where is our zeal？ Where is our love？
Where are our works？ Where is the power of religion to be seen； as it
was in times gone by？ Where is that unmistakable tone which used to
distinguish the saints of old； and shake the world？ Verily our silver
has bee dross； our wine mixed with water； and our salt has very
little savour。 We are all more than half asleep。 The night is far
spent； and the day is at hand。 Let us awake； and sleep no more。 Let us
open our eyes more widely than we have done hitherto。 〃Let us lay aside
every weight； and the sin that doth so easily beset us。〃〃Let us
cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit； and perfect
holiness in the fear of God。〃（Heb。 xii。 i； 2 Cor。 vii。 1。） 〃Did
Christ die；〃 says Owen； 〃and shall sin live？ Was He crucified in the
world； and shall our affections to the world be quick and lively？ Oh；
where is the spirit of him； who by the cross of Christ was crucified to
the world； and the world to him！〃
III。 Let me； in the last place； offer a word of advice to all who
desire to be holy。
Would you be holy？ Would you bee a new creature？ Then you must begin
with Christ。 You will do just nothing at all； and make no progress till
you feel your sin and weakness； and flee to Him。 He is the root and
beginning of all holiness； and the way to be holy is to e to Him by
faith and be joined to Him。 Christ is not wisdom and righteousness only
to His people； but sanctification also。 Men sometimes try to make
themselves holy first of all； and sad work they make of it。 They toil
and labour； and turn over new leaves； and make many changes； and yet；
like the woman with the issue of blood； before she came to Christ； they
feel 〃nothing bettered； but rather worse。〃 （Mark v。 26。） They run in
vain； and labour in vain； and little wonder； for they are beginning at
the wrong end。 They are building up a wall of sand； their work runs
down as fast as they throw it up。 They are baling water out of a leaky
vessel： the leak gains on them； not they on the leak。 Other foundation
of 〃holiness〃 can no man lay than that which Paul laid； even Christ
Jesus。 〃Without Christ we can do nothing。〃 （John xv。 5。） It is a strong
but true saying of Traill's； 〃Wisdom out of Christ is damning
follyrighteousness out of Christ is guilt and
condemnationsanctification out of Christ is filth and sinredemption
out of Christ is bondage and slavery。〃
Do you want to attain holiness？ Do you feel this day a real hearty
desire to be holy？ Would you be a partaker of the Divine nature？ Then
go to Christ。 Wait for nothing。 Wait for nobody。 Linger not。 Think not
to make yourself ready。 Go and say to Him； in the words of that
beautiful hymn
Nothing in my hand I bring；
Simply to Thy cross I cling；
Naked； flee to Thee for dress；
Helpless； look to Thee for grace。〃
There is not a brick nor a stone laid in the work of our sanctification
till we go to Christ。 Holiness is His special gift to His believing
people。 Holiness is the work He carries on in their hearts； by the
Spirit whom He puts within them。 He is appointed a 〃Prince and a
Saviour； to give repentance〃 as well as remission of sins。〃To as many
as receive Him； He gives power to bee sons of God。〃 （Acts v。 31；
John i。 12； 13。） Ho