Part 150 HOLINESS, the Only Way to Happiness
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Part 151 HOLINESS, the Only Way to Happiness
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3. There is a great deal of preciousness in the least degree of holiness. For,
[1.] It is the special work of the Holy Spirit; and this I have showed you already at large; and therefore it must needs be precious.
[2.] It is a part of the divine nature; it is a beam of God, a spark of glory, and therefore it must needs be precious.
[3.] There are many choice and special promises which are made over to the least degrees of holiness, as you may see by comparing these scriptures together; [2 Pet. 1:4; Mat. 12:20; Isaiah 40:10-11, and 60:22; Isaiah 35:3-4; Joel 3:10; Mat. 5:3-6; Romans 14:1, and 15:7.] and therefore the least degree of holiness is very precious.
[4.] It gives a man a right to precious privileges, and to all the precious ordinances of Christ's house. Ergo, etc.
[5.] It is a fruit of the special love and favor of God. A man may read more of the heart of God, and of the special love of God towards him in the least spark of holiness, than he can in his highest worldly enjoyments. A man may read that special grace in the least degree of holiness, which he can never read in the honors, profits, pleasures, delights, and contentments of this world. Ergo, etc.
[6.] The least degrees of holiness gives a man as great a right, and as good a title to everlasting happiness and blessedness, as the greatest degrees of holiness does; [The little hand of a child may hold a pearl, as well as the hand of the greatest giant in the world.] and the reason is clear, because the promise of happiness and blessedness is not made over to degrees of holiness—but to the truth and reality of holiness; and therefore he who has but the least spark of true holiness may plead the promise, and apply the promise, and suck marrow and sweetness out of the promise—as well as he who has the greatest measures of holiness in the world. The promises of salvation are not made over to the strength of faith—but to thetruth and reality of faith, John 6:35. It is nowhere said that only he who believes with the faith of an Abraham shall be saved—but it is often said, "He who believes shall be saved;" that is, he who believes truly, though he does not believe strongly, shall be saved. Ergo, etc.
[7.] When unholy people are under terrors of conscience, and upon their dying beds, and when they shall stand before a judgment-seat, had they as many worlds to give as there be stars in heaven, and as there are sands in the sea, they would give them all for the least spark of true holiness; [A little holiness is like a diamond, very little in bulk—but of a very high price and value, etc.] and therefore, without all question, the least degree of holiness must be very precious, considering what a price men would give for it, were it in their power to purchase.
[8.] The least degree of holiness shall at last be blessed with a happy triumph over the strongest corruptions. The least degree of holiness will lead the soul to Christ; it will bring the soul into communion with Christ; it will work the soul to lean upon Christ, and by degrees to draw that life, that virtue, and that vigor from Christ, which will enable a Christian not only to combat, but to conquer even Goliath himself; and therefore the least degree of holiness is doubtless very precious.
[9.] The least degree of holiness will render a Christian in some measure serviceable and useful to the turnings away of the wrath and judgments of God from a people or nation, and for the bringing down of favors and blessing upon a land, [Gen. 18. The least finger is of use to the whole body.] when all the power, authority, greatness, grandeur, and glory that wicked men have in their hands, can do just nothing—either to the diverting of wrath, or the obtaining of mercy; and therefore the least degree of holiness is precious. But,
[10.] Tenthly and lastly, The least degree of holiness is a sure pledge and pawn of greater degrees of holiness, which in time you shall attain to. The tallest oak was once an acorn; the wisest doctor was once in his A-B-C book; and the greatest giant was once a child. Your spark in time—shall be blowed up into a flame; your drop in time—shall be turned into asea; and your penny in time—shall be multiplied into dollars, and your dollars into hundreds, and your hundreds into thousands, and your thousands into millions!
And now tell me, Christians, whether these ten things do not sufficiently prove that there is a great deal of preciousness in the least degrees of holiness. Oh, that you who have but a little holiness would be often a-warming of your hearts at this heavenly fire! And oh, that you who have a great deal of holiness would not despise those who have but a little holiness! Oh, that you who bring forth a hundredfold, would not despise those who bring forth but thirtyfold! And oh, that you who have ten talents would not despise those who have but two talents, considering that there is a great deal of preciousness in the least degree of holiness.
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