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A HOLY LIFE

CHAPTER 4
Reasons Why All Christian Professors Should Be Holy

I come now to another observation with which I present you, and that is this, namely, "that EVERY ONE THAT IN A WAY OF PROFESSION AND RELIGION NAMES THE NAME OF CHRIST, SHOULD DEPART FROM INIQUITY." I say, that every one that in a way of profession and religion, nameth the name of Christ, should depart from iniquity. This truth needs more practice than proof. For I think there are none that have either Scripture or reason by them, but will freely consent to this.

Nor is there any thing ambiguous in the observation that we need now to stand upon the explaining of. For,

What iniquity is, who knows not?

That is cleaves to the beset, who knows not?

That it is disgraceful to profession, who knows not? And, therefore, that it ought to be departed from, who knows not?

But because the motives in particular may not be so much considered as they ought, and because it is Satan’s design to tempt us to be unholy, and to keep iniquity and the professing man together; therefore I will in this place spend some arguments upon you that profess, and in a way of profession do name the name of Christ, that you depart from iniquity; both in the inward thought, and in the outward practice of it. And those arguments shall be of four sorts, some respecting Christ, some his Father, some ourselves, and some the world.

I. ARGUMENTS THAT RESPECT CHRIST.

First, The Christ, whom you profess, whose name you name, and whose disciples you pretend to be, is holy. Hebrews 7:26. "Be ye holy, for I am holy." This is natural to our discourse: for if Christ be holy, and if we profess him, and in professing him, declare that we are his disciples, we ought therefore to depart from iniquity, that we may show the truth of our profession to the world.

Secondly, They that thus name the name of Christ, should depart from iniquity, because this Christ, whose name we name, is loving. Those that have a loving master, a master that is continually extending his love unto his servants, should be forward in doing his will, that thereby they may show their sense, and acception of the love of their master. Why this is his will, "that we depart from iniquity," that we throw sin away; that we fly "every appearance of evil." 1 Thessalonians 5:22.

Thirdly, They that thus name the name of Christ should depart from iniquity, because of the honor and reputation of the Lord. It is a disparagement to Christ, that any of his servants, and that any that name his name, should yet abide by, and continue with iniquity.

"A son honoreth his father, and a servant his master; if then I be a Father, where is mine honor? and if I be a Master, where is my fear? said the Lord of Hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name; and ye say, wherein have we despised thy name?" Malachi 1:6.

Fourthly, They that name the name of Christ, should depart from iniquity, because of his name, that his name may not be evil spoken of by men. For our holiness puts a lustre and a beauty upon the name of Christ, and our not departing from iniquity draws a cloud upon it. Wherefore we ought to depart from iniquity, that the name of the Lord Jesus may be glorified, and not reproached through us.

Fifthly, They that name the name of Christ should depart from iniquity, because of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. That the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, which they profess, may not be evil spoken of by our neighbors. The gospel is called holy, therefore let them be holy that profess it. 2 Peter 2:21. The which they can by no means be, if they depart not from iniquity. Men cannot serve the designs of the gospel, and their own worldly and fleshly designs. But they that profess the name of Christ, should be tender of his gospel, that they keep that in good esteem and reputation in the world. The which they can by no means do, unless they depart from iniquity.

Sixthly, They that name the name of Christ should depart from iniquity, because the very profession of that name is holy. The profession, is an holy profession. "Be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord:" the vessels, that is, the profession, for by that, is as it were, carried about the name, and gospel of Jesus Christ. We must therefore lay aside all iniquity, and superfluity of naughtiness, and do as persons professing godliness, as professing a profession, of which Christ is the priest, the High-priest. 1 Timothy 2:10; Hebrews 3:1. It is a reproach to any man to be but a bungler at his profession, to be but a sloven in his profession. And it is the honor of a man to be excellent in the managing of his profession. Christians should be excellent in the management of their profession, and should make that which is good in itself, good to the church and to the world, by a sweet and cleanly managing of it.

Seventhly, They that profess the name of Christ, or that name it religiously, should to their utmost depart from iniquity, because of the Church of Christ which is holy. He that religiously professeth the name of Christ, has put himself into the Church of Christ, though not into a particular one, yet into the universal one. Now, that is holy. "What agreement then hath the temple of God with idols?" aye, or any pillar, or post, or pin, or member of that temple. 2 Corinthians 6:16. One black sheep is quickly espied among five hundred white ones, and one mangey one will soon infect many. One also among the saints, that is not clean, is a blemish to the rest, and, as Solomon says, "one sinner destroyeth much good." Ecclesiastes 9:18.

Eighthly, They that profess the name of Christ, or that name that name religiously, should depart from iniquity, because of the ordinances of Christ, for they are holy. Men of old before they went in to meddle with holy things, were to wash their hands and their feet in a vessel prepared for that purpose. Exodus 30:17-21. Now since they that name that name religiously do also meddle with Christ’s appointments, they must also wash and be clean. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners, if you mean to meddle with Christ in his appointments; wash, lest God cut you off for you not departing from iniquity.

Ninthly, They that name the name of Christ religiously, should depart from iniquity, because of Christ’s observers. There are many that keep their eye upon Christ, and that watch for an opportunity to speak against him, even through the sides of those that profess him.

"Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel: and for a sign that shall be spoken against." Luke 2:34.

Some take occasion to speak against him because of the meanness of his person; here some again speak against him, because of the plainness of his doctrine; also some speak against him, because of the meanness of his followers; and some speak against him, because of the evil deeds of some that profess him. But if he that gives just occasion of offense to the least of saints had better be drowned in the sea with a mill-stone about his neck: what think you, shall his judgment be, who, through his mingling his profession of Christ’s name with a wicked life, shall tempt or provoke men to speak against Christ?