Part 112 HOLINESS, the Only Way to Happiness
Back to Part 111 HOLINESS, the Only Way to Happiness
Part 113 HOLINESS, the Only Way to Happiness
Back to HOLINESS, the Only Way to Happiness
[5.] Fifthly, If ever you would attain to higher degrees of holiness, then be much in the exercise and actings of that holiness you have. All the honor and glory that God has from us in this world is from the exercise of holiness. Look! as the frequent actings of sin is the strengthening of sin—just so, the frequent actings of holiness is the strengthening of holiness. Look! as the non-exercise of holiness brings upon the soul a decay of holiness—just so, the exercise of holiness breeds in the soul an increase of holiness. Holiness is always made more and more perfect by exercising it.
Look! as wells are the sweeter for drawing, and fountains the better for overflowing—just so, holiness is sweetest and best when it is drawn into action. Look! as the running water is the best and sweetest water—just so, the active Christian is the best and sweetest Christian. That musical instrument which is most frequently used, always makes the sweetest melody; and so does that Christian that is most frequent in the exercise of grace and holiness. We get nothing by dead and useless habits; talents hidden in a napkin gather rust; the noblest faculties wither, when not improved in exercise; and therefore the apostle exhorts Timothy to stir up the gift of God which was in him, in 2 Tim. 1:6. The words are an allusion to the fire in the temple, which was always to be kept burning. Paul would have Timothy to be always a-blowing his spark into a flame. [The Greek word signifies to rekindle, or revive. When the world, the flesh, and the devil go about to put out that divine fire that should be always flaming in our hearts, we must do all we can to foster it and keep it burning.]
Look! as fire is preserved and maintained by blowing and stirring of it up—just so, holiness is preserved and maintained in the soul by being stirred and blown up in the soul. The habits of grace and holiness are like dull coal-fires, which, if they are not now and then blown and stirred up, will certainly die and go out.
O Sirs! it is not the having, but the husbanding of holiness, which brings glory to God. For a man to have holiness of heart, and not to put it in practice, is the same as for a man to have a talent, and to wrap it up in a napkin. If the grace and holiness in the saints are not brought forth into exercise, into action, it is just as if they had no such grace and holiness at all. Holiness without of action is like a candle under a bushel, which yields no warmth to a man, nor any light to others. Though gold be gold in the mine, and though it be the most precious and desirable metal in the world—yet so long as it is only in the mine what profit or advantage have we by it? but now, when it is dug out of the mine, and becomes a treasure in men's hands, and is fitted for use and service—then it brings profit and advantage to men, and then the luster and glory of it appears. Just so, though grace and holiness are truly in the heart, in the mine—yet what profit or advantage is there in grace and holiness, until they are brought forth into action, into exercise? Until then, all the luster and glory of grace and holiness lies hidden and obscure. The more holiness is brought into action, the more holiness will be augmented and increased; and therefore, above all, look to the frequent exercises and actings of that holiness you have; and this will be a ready way to turn your drop of holiness into a sea; and your spark of holiness into a flame; and your penny of holiness into a vast treasure. But,