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An Omnipotent hand is at your command. Go forward. The greater the hinderance, the greater the triumph, and the more glorious the reward. Be animated to effort, and may you prevail! Remember in whom is your strength, and doubt not.

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CHAPTER IX.

MOTIVES то HOLINESS.

A FEW observations in the opening chapter upon the importance of the subject, indicate some of the motives which, in connexion with a few others, we propose now more fully to unfold.

We do not forget that we are addressing our instructions to Christian readers; but few others, it is presumed, will be sufficiently interested to give our subject a serious attention The considerations we shall offer, therefore, will be such as are supposed to be suitable to affect Christians particularly. Others may not feel them at all. Christians will not fail to feel them deeply, pungently; the more pungently, in proportion as they are interested in the great work of personal salvation, and the advancement of the Redeemer's kingdom among their fellow men. We are so constituted, that though we may act against the strongest possible motives, yet we generally act under the influence of motive: well were it for us if we always, or even generally, acted from the stronger or better motive.

Motives to holiness.

them?

Where shall we not go to find

What direction shall we take to elude them? Are they not everywhere? Do they not come down from the heavens, and spring up from the earth? Do we not feel them within, and behold them without us? Is there anything that has a voice that does not preach it? Nay, do not even mute and dumb things urge it, with silent but persuasive eloquence? What is heaven, but an eternal monument of its glory? What is hell, but a terrible and endless

declaration of its necessity? The happiness of the former and the anguish of the latter, equally impress it upon the hearts of thoughtless mortals. Indeed, turn where we will, whether to time or eternity, to the throne or the abyss, a million arguments commend it to us, a million voices urge upon us.

it

If the constitution of the universe and the history of Providence unite, to impress a single great lesson upon mankind, it is that which is considered in these pages-the beauty and utility of holiness; if they combine to constitute one great motive, it is a motive to holiness. But for the deep-seated perversity of our fallen nature, nothing more would be requisite; the sermon of a ceaselessly-preaching universe would prove effectual; Providence would not teach in vain. The voices that come from above and beneath, from within and without, as from the grave and the judgment, from heaven and hell, and from all regions, and from all beings, admonishing us in solemn language, “Be ye holy," would sink deep into our hearts. Alas for us that it is not so! We have no ear for such tremendous, such awfully solemn discourses; we turn away: the great sermon proceeds; we heed it not. God preaches in all nature, in all providence; we hear him not.

Death, and judgment, and prolong the discourse; but

eternity, and heaven, and hell, we close our ears against them. Our own hearts take up the theme, and every throb enforces it; but we smother the voice, and will not hearken.

But, reader, turning away from these general reflections, let us invite your attention to a few, a very few, of the motives we desire particularly to bring to your consideration.

1. What ought to be an irresistible motive to holiness is

found in its own essential nature, its intrinsic excellence

and glory.

Are single virtues, separate and alone, worthy of love— entitled to the homage of our hearts, as fidelity, charity, filial affection? Do we yield to these an involuntary admiration wherever found? How much more shall we esteem the constellation of all the virtues in a single heart! If we pause to contemplate with delight a solitary grace, blooming alone amid a desert waste, with what greater delight shall we behold an oasis, where all the graces bloom in perfection of beauty together, shedding their blending fragrance over one lovely spirit!

What would you not give if that spirit were yours? If it might be purchased, would worlds, were they in your possession, be too great a price? You attach value to wealth, beauty, learning, good name, happiness. It is well. These are all desirable; but how less than dust in the balance are they, compared with conscious, inviolable virtue! Would you not prefer to be the hero of a single virtue, rather than conqueror of the world?—a martyred Paul, shining in radiant vestments, rather than a bloody Alexander, dazzling with the splendours of conquest? Why do you attach the idea of beauty and glory to angels? Is it not because they are holy,-because they love with a perfect love, adore with a perfect adoration, and glow with a perfect fervour? If they sing sweetly, is it not because they feel purely? Is it not holiness which spreads joy over all the celestial regions? which causes the gush and rapture of the skies? which kindles the lustre and awakens the song of heaven? which suffuses the very spirit of Jehovah with his ineffable glory, and the spirits of all his holy worshippers with inexpressible and everlasting bliss? Surely,

if this be so, we are correct, when we assume that there is, in the very nature of holiness, an infinite motive to its gain. Rubies are not so precious, and nothing that can be desired can be compared unto it.

Holiness always begets happiness. Would you possess the one?-you must not fail to gain the other. How great was your bliss, when you heard the voice of pardon, when you felt the upspringing of purity within! How the tumult of your heart was hushed into calm; and fear, and sorrow, and remorse, gave place to quietness and assurance! Can you ever forget it? But this was only a prelude-a foretaste of that deeper, sweeter, ever-increasing joy of the heart all filled with God. Would you possess your soul in peace? Would you bear in your bosom a constant heaven? It is for you. Take in the up-welling fountain, you shall have the stream. Here, Christian, is the panacea, the cure for all your griefs, for all sins. Take holiness into your bosoms, and grief, and sorrow, and sin, will flee from them. You will find rest-a rest, O how sweet, how deep, how lasting! The heavenly guest stands beseeching admittance. Why will you not give him a cordial welcome? Receive him, and with him you receive all things.

2. But if holiness is urged upon us from a consideration of its own intrinsic excellence, much more is it, from the fact that God requires it. Let us pause here, for one moment, and take in the impression of this truth. God not only prefers that we, his creatures, should be holy, but he requires it; his authority commands it. Who ever resisted his command and prospered? Reader, know you that God is now speaking to you? Will you hearken? What does he say? Hear him, and ponder: "Be ye holy, for I the Lord your God am holy." Is this God's speech? What

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