Part 128 HOLINESS, the Only Way to Happiness
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Part 129 HOLINESS, the Only Way to Happiness
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[6.] Sixthly, The more a man conflicts with heart sins, with spiritual sins, with invisible sins, with sins which lie most hidden and obscure from the eyes of the world—and the more spiritual victories and conquests a man obtains over them—the greater measure of holiness that person has certainly attained to. When the heart rises with all its strength and might against secret pride, secret self-love, secret bubblings of lusts, secret carnal confidence, secret murmuring, secret hypocrisy, secret envy, secret self-applause, secret malice, secret hatred, secret snares, secret temptations, etc., it is an evidence that holiness has grown up to some considerable height there. [2 Chron. 32:26; Psalm 119:80; 2 Cor. 12:7-9; Psalm 30:6-7; Romans 7:23-24; 2 Cor. 7:1.]
A little grace, a little holiness, will work a man to conflict with gross sins, with outward sins, with bodily sins, with open sins, which everyone may set their eyes on. Yes, where there isno grace, no holiness at all, the light of nature, the common convictions of the Spirit, the laws of men, the eyes of men, the threats of men, the examples of men, a smarting rod, and good education, may work men to conflict with such sins. Oh, but when all the strength and might of the soul is engaged against those very sins that lie not within the sight or reach of the most sharp and piercing men in the world—but in the heart, and about the heart, and are only obvious to God's omniscient eye, this argues a great degree of holiness.
And therefore Augustine hit the mark when he said that it is the hardest thing for a man to fight with his lusts—especially his heart lusts, his spiritual wickedness. And he has long since complained that we do not tame "the beasts in our own bosoms". Oh, it is an easier thing to tame all the beasts in the world than it is to tame the beast in the bosom. All the beasts in the world may be tame and brought under control, by a human power, James 3:7—but no power below that power which raised Christ from the grave, can tame the beasts that are in our bosoms. [Heraclius's motto was, "It is God who gives victory!"]
Now look, as conflicts with heart sins, with spiritual sins, etc., argues some eminency in holiness—just so, victory over heart sins, over spiritual sins, over those sins which lie most remote from the eyes of others, argues a very great degree of holiness. When a Christian does not only resist heart sins—but vanquishes heart sins; when he does not only combatwith heart sins—but conquers heart sins; when he does not only fight with heart sins—but also overcomes heart sins; when he does not only wrestle with heart sins—but alsooverthrows heart sins—this speaks out holiness in its growth. It was a good saying of Cyprian: "There is no greater pleasure—than to have overcome a sinful pleasure; neither is there any greater conquest—than to conquer one's own corruptions." And it was an excellent saying of Eusebius Emesenus: "Our fathers overcame the torments of the flames; let us overcome the fiery darts of our vices." And indeed it is an easier thing to overcome fiery flames, than it is to overcome those flaming lusts and corruptions which are in our own hearts.
Philosophy may teach us to endure hardships, as it did Calanus in Curtius, who willingly offered his body to the fire, to the flames; but it is only grace, it is only holiness, that can enable us to overcome our lusts, our heart lusts. We read of many who, out of greatness of spirit, could offer violence to nature—but were at a loss when they came to deal with their corruptions.
I remember a notable saying of Ambrose, speaking of Samson. Says he, he broke the bonds of his enemies—but he could not break the bonds of his own lusts; he choked the lion—but he could not choke his own wanton love; he set on fire the harvest of strangers, and himself being set on fire with the spark of one immoral woman, lost the harvest of his virtue. And this saying of Ambrose puts me in mind of a great Roman captain, who, as he was riding in his triumphant chariot through Rome, had his eyes constantly on a harlot who walked along the street, which made one say, "Behold how this noble captain, who conquered such potent armies, is himself conquered by one silly woman!"
Oh, it is not philosophy, nor morality, nor civility, etc.—but holiness, but sanctity—which will make the soul victorious over iniquity. The more victories and conquests a man makes upon heart sins, upon spiritual sins, upon secret sins—the greater measures of holiness that person has certainly attained to. But,
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Part 129 HOLINESS, the Only Way to Happiness
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