Part 71 HOLINESS, the Only Way to Happiness
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Part 72 HOLINESS, the Only Way to Happiness
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Six evidences of the reality and power of holiness
And so I shall come now to the second part of the exhortation, and that relates to God's holy ones—to his sanctified ones—to those who have obtained holiness—to those who have experienced the principles, the power, the life, and the sweetness of holiness. And here let me exhort such, to express, declare, evidence, and hold forth both the reality and power of holiness; and that,
[1.] First, Evidence and declare the truth and reality of your holiness—by keeping yourselves free from gross enormities, from scandalous wickednesses, Romans 2:23-25. Oh, remember that one scandalous sin will obscure and cloud all your graces and spiritual excellencies. [If a sow does but wallow in one miry or dirty hole, she is filthy, etc.] Look! as one spot in the face spoils all the beauty, and one blot upon the copy obliterates the whole copy, and as one drop of ink colors a whole glass of clear water—just so, one scandalous sin will blot and blur all former acts of piety and holiness, it will stain all a man's duties and services, it will deface all a man's contentments and enjoyments, it will dash and erase out all those golden characters of righteousness and goodness that have been stamped upon the soul. The Babylonians beholding the enormities of the Jews, cried out, "These are the people of the Lord, these are come out of the Lord's land," Ezek. 36:20. David's one act of folly with Bathsheba made the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme. When one commended Alexander for his many noble acts, another objected thus against him, "Yes—but he killed Calisthenes. He was valiant and successful in the wars; ay—but he killed Calisthenes. He overcame the great Darius; ay—but he killed Calisthenes." His meaning was, that this one unjust and unrighteous action clouded and darkened all his most noble deeds. A Christian cannot after his conversion fall into a scandalous sin—but it will be objected against him by everyone, to the defacing and darkening of all his spiritual glory.
When Naaman the Syrian was cured, and as some think converted, by the prophet Elisha, he offers gold and rich garments—but he bows in the house of Rimmon. He seems to be very devout and religious—but he bows in the house of Rimmon. He promises to offer to none but the Lord—but yet he bows in the house of Rimmon. This Rimmon, like the fly in the alabaster box, spoiled all his best intentions and highest resolutions; and thus one scandalous vice disgraces all the noble virtues which are in a Christian, 2 Kings 5:1. [One flaw in a diamond takes away the luster and the price of it. If we fall but once into a puddle, it will defile us, and make everyone point at us.]
"Oh, such a man is a very holy man—but . . ." And such a one is a very gracious, experienced disciple—but . . ." And such a one is a very wise and understanding man—but . . ." And such a one is a very active, stirring saint—but—etc., This "but" mars all. If there be but one crack in the honey-glass, there the wasp will be buzzing; and if there be but one scandalous sin that a Christian falls into in all his life, how will the wicked be still a-buzzing of that about, both in city and country! O sirs, there are no sins which open so many mouths, and which saddens so many hearts, and which swell so many eyes, and that endangers so many souls—as scandalous sins do! Therefore above all keeping—keep off from them.
O sirs, as you would not harden sinners, as you would not encourage sinners, as you would not tempt sinners, as you would not stumble sinners, yes, as you would not have a hand in the damnation of sinners—take heed of scandalous sins, Romans 14:13. O sirs, as you would not provoke the great God, 1 Kings 11:9, as you would not crucify afresh the Lord of glory, and put him to an open shame, as you would not set the Comforter a-mourning, who alone can comfort you, as you would not raise a hell in your own consciences, and as you would not darken the church's glory—fly from scandalous sins as you would fly from hell itself.
I have read of holy Polycarp, that religious martyr and bishop of Smyrna, how that in the time of the fourth persecution, under Marcus Antonius Verres, when he was commanded to swear but one oath, made this answer, "Eighty-six years have I endeavored to do God service, and all this while he never hurt me, and how then shall I speak evil of so good a Lord and master, who has thus long preserved me?" And being further urged to swear by the pro-consul, he answered, "I am a Christian and cannot do it; let heathens and infidels swear if they will, I cannot do it—even if it were to the saving of my life." This holy man would rather sacrifice his life than fall into a scandalous sin. O Christians, pray and watch, and watch and pray, that you may never be left to stain your own honor, or the honor of your profession, by falling into scandalous sins!
Well, friends! remember this, it is not infirmities—but enormities, it is not weaknesses—but wickednesses, which will cast the crown from off your heads, and which will strip you of all your glory! Therefore, as you would hold fast your crown, keep at an everlasting distance from scandalous sins, etc. But,
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