The Way of Holiness
DAY FOUR
PONDER THIS ENGRAVING
MEDITATE ON THESE VERSES
Hebrews 7:14 | Psalm 26:1 | Proverbs 2:20 | Proverbs 10:9 | Revelations 16:15 | 1 Timothy 5:22 | Ephesians 5:13 | 1 Peter 1:15
And an highway shall be there, and a way; and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it. Isiah 35:8
POETIC REFLECTION
There is a place, a Holy place above,
Where Angels hope dwell, in light and love;
There is a God, a Holy God, who reigns,
And holy empire over all maintains;
There is a way, a holy way, whose road
The holy Pilgrim brings to heaven and God:
See! on the way the holy Pilgrim lies
Nor doubts at last’t will send him to the skies.
With robes entire and garments clean and white,
He walks with joy along the plains of light.
See! one has left the holy way divine,
His clothes are soiled, he wallows now with swine;
Alone, the Pilgrim on his path way speeds,
And leaves the apostate to his worldy deeds.
DEVOTION OF INTERPRETATION
See where the way of Holiness stands cast up. It is strongly built and conspicuous to all beholders; a pilgrim is seen walking thereon triumphantly and secure; his garments are unsullied an un-torn. Down off the way is one wallowing in the mire; see how he grubs up the filthy lucre. His garments are rent and soiled; the beastly wine are his chosen companions.
This is an emblem of Holiness, and of its professors. The upright conduct of the pious is called a “way,” a “highway,” and “The Way of Holiness.” It is a way of safety, “No lion shall be there,” and “the wayfaring man, though a feel [illiterate], shall not err therein.” The Pilgrim pursuing this journey, with his garments unsullied and un-torn, denotes the Christian '“walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.” “The fine linen, clean and white, is the righteousness of the saints.” The man among the swine signifies an Apostate from God and Holiness; he has “left off to do good;” the love of the world has again taken possession of him; “he has turned as the dog to his vomit again, and as the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.”
Holiness in man consists in obedience to the divine commands–in loving God supremely–in loving our neighbor as ourselves. Man, by nature and by practice, is sinful, and sin is superlatively selfish. A selfishness pervades the heart, which is enmity against God. It is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be, consequently the love of God dwelt not in the selfish heart.
Selfishness is the prolific source of every vice, giving birth to oppression falsehood, injustice, and covetousness, producing outbreaks of the basest passions, such as envy, wrath, malice, pride, revenge, which end in crimes of deepest guilt.
On the other hand, Holiness is boundlessly benevolent; it embraces God, it embraces the world. It gives to God the sincere worship of an undivided heart.
It gives to man the generous activities of a useful life. The man of holiness is the almoner of a world. The Law of Jehovah is the proper standard of holiness; the Almighty himself the only proper model for study and imitation; therefore, of the man of Holiness it is said, “The law of God is in his heart, none of his steps shall slide.” And hence it is written, “Be ye holy, for I am holy.” Hence we may learn that the subject is one of great importance, since whatever we may possess beside, without holiness, no one shall see the Lord; it is the wedding-garment which renders the guest welcome at the marriage supper of the Lamb; it is the fine lines, clean and white, which is the righteousness of the saints. This is signifies a preparation for eternal glory.
Holiness and happiness are divine sisters; twines, always seen together. God has stamped the seal of his approbation on every thing approaching to innocence and purity; it is seen in nature–the roar of the lion, the fierce howling of the wolf is the language of disquietude and of blood, striking terror into the boldest heart; while the cooing of the turtle-dove, the bleating of the fleecy lamb. speak the language of innocence and peace. We may visit the mansions of the rich , the castles of the powerful, or the palaces of kings, yet if holiness be wanting, in vain do we search for happiness. It is not there.
We may visit the abodes of the poor, the cottage fo the afflicted, the hovel of the dying. If we find the inmates in possession of holiness, there also we find happiness; poverty does not expel her, affliction does not drive her away, death even can not pronounce a divorce; united are they in life, undivided in death, inseparable to all eternity.
Barber, John Warner, 1798-1885. Bible Looking Glass: Reflector, Companion and Guide to the Great Truths of the Sacred Scriptures, and Illustrating the Diversities of Human Character, and the Qualities of the Human Heart.
Philadelphia, Bradley, Garretson & Co., 1861