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with rare exceptions； men die just as they have lived。 The only safe
evidence that we are one with Christ； and Christ in us； is holy life。
They that live unto the Lord are generally the only people who die in
the Lord。 If we would die the death of the righteous； let us not rest
in slothful desires only； let us seek to live His life。 It is a true
saying of Traill's； 〃That man's state is naught； and his faith unsound；
that find not his hopes of glory purifying to his heart and life。〃
（d） We must be holy； because this is the only proof that we love the
Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity。 This is a point on which He has spoken
most plainly； in the fourteenth and fifteenth chapters of John。 〃If ye
love Me； keep my mandments。〃〃He that hath my mandments and
keepeth them； he it is that loveth Me。〃〃If a man love Me he will keep
my words。〃〃Ye are my friends if ye do whatsoever I mand you。〃
（John xiv。 15； 21； 23； xv。 14。）Plainer words than these it would be
difficult to find； and woe to those who neglect them！ Surely that man
must be in an unhealthy state of soul who can think of all that Jesus
suffered； and yet cling to those sins for which that suffering was
undergone It was sin that wove the crown of thornsit was sin that
pierced our Lord's hands； and feet； and sideit was sin that brought
Him to Gethsemane and Calvary； to the cross and to the grave。 Cold must
our hearts be if we do not hate sin and labour to get rid of it； though
we may have to cut off the right hand and pluck out the right eye in
doing it。
（e） We must be holy； because this is the only sound evidence that we
are true children of God。 Children in this world are generally like
their parents。 Some； doubtless； are more so； and some lessbut it is
seldom indeed that you cannot trace a kind of family likeness。 And it
is much the same with the children of God。 The Lord Jesus says； 〃If ye
were Abraham's children ye would do the works of Abraham。〃〃If God
were your Father ye would love Me。〃 （John viii。 39； 42。） If men have no
likeness to the Father in heaven； it is vain to talk of their being His
〃sons。〃 If we know nothing of holiness we may flatter ourselves as we
please； but we have not got the Holy Spirit dwelling in us： we are
dead； and must be brought to life againwe are lost； and must be
found。 〃As many as are led by the Spirit of God； they；〃 and they only；
〃are the sons of God。〃 （Rom。 viii。 14。） We must show by our lives the
family we belong to。We must let men see by our good conversation that
we are indeed the children of the Holy One； or our son…ship is but an
empty name。 〃Say not；〃 says Gurnall； 〃that thou hast royal blood in thy
veins； and art born of God； except thou canst prove thy pedigree by
daring to be holy。〃
（f） We must be holy； because this is the most likely way to do good to
others。 We cannot live to ourselves only in this world。 Our lives will
always be doing either good or harm to those who see them。 They are a
silent sermon which all can read。 It is sad indeed when they are a
sermon for the devil's cause； and not for God's。 I believe that far
more is done for Christ's kingdom by the holy living of believers than
we are at all aware of。 There is a reality about such living which
makes men feel； and obliges them to think。 It carries a weight and
influence with it which nothing else can give。 It makes religion
beautiful； and draws men to consider it； like a lighthouse seen afar
off。 The day of judgment will prove that many besides husbands have
been won 〃without the word〃 by a holy life； （1 Pet。 iii。 1。） You may
talk to persons about the doctrines of the Gospels； and few will
listen； and still fewer understand。 But your life is an argument that
none can escape。 There is a meaning about holiness which not even the
most unlearned can help taking in。 They may not understand
justification； but they can understand charity。 I believe there is far
more harm done by unholy and inconsistent Christians than we are aware
of。 Such men are among Satan's best allies。 They pull down by their
lives what ministers build with their lips。 They cause the chariot
wheels of the Gospel to drive heavily。 They supply the children of this
world with a never ending excuse for remaining as they are。〃I cannot
see the use of so much religion；〃 said an irreligious tradesman not
long ago； 〃I observe that some of my customers are always talking about
the Gospel； and faith； and election； and the blessed promises； and so
forth； and yet these very people think nothing of cheating me of pence
and half…pence； when they have an opportunity。 Now； if religious
persons can do such things； I do not see what good there is in
religion。〃I grieve to be obliged to write such things； but I fear
that Christ's name is too often blasphemed because of the lives of
Christians。 Let us take heed lest the blood of souls should be required
at our hands。 From murder of souls by inconsistency and loose walking；
good Lord； deliver us！ Oh； for the sake of others； if for no other
reason； let us strive to be holy！
（g） We must be holy； because our present fort depends much upon it。
We cannot be too often reminded of this。 We are sadly apt to forget
that there is a close connection between sin and sorrow； holiness and
happiness； sanctification and consolation。 God has so wisely ordered
it； that our well…being and our well…doing are linked together。 He has
mercifully provided that even in this world it shall be man's interest
to be holy。 Our justification is not by worksour calling and election
are not according to our worksbut it is vain for anyone to suppose
that he will have a lively sense of his justification； or an assurance
of his calling； so long as he neglects good works； or does not strive
to live a holy life。 〃Hereby we do know that we know Him； if we keep
His mandments。〃〃Hereby we know that we are of the truth； and shall
assure our hearts。〃 （1 John ii。 3； iii。 19。）