The Way of Holiness (Reading) — Jonathan Edwards

Isaiah’s Prophecy of the Way of Holiness

The way of holiness a sermon by Jonathan Edwards. Isaiah chapter 35 verse 8. And An highway shall be there and away and it shall be called the way of holiness. The unclean shall not pass over it. This book of Isaiah speaks so much of Christ gives such a particular account of the birth life Miracles and passion and of the gospel state that it has been called a fifth gospel in this chapter is contained a glorious prophecy of the evangelical state.

The Flourishing State of Christ’s Kingdom

One. We have a description of the flourishing state of Christ's kingdom in the first two verses in The conversion and enlightening of the heathen here compared to a wilderness and a desert solitary place.

The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them and the desert shall rejoice and Blossom as the rose it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice even with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon.

Shall be given unto it the excellency of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the Lord and the excellency of our God. To the great privileges and precious advantages of the gospel in the five following verses wherein the strength the courage the reward the salvation the light and Understanding comforts and joys that are conferred thereby are very aptly described and set forth.

Strength, Courage, and Salvation in the Gospel

Strengthen ye the weak hands and confirm the feeble knees say to them that are of a fearful heart. Be strong fear not behold. Your God will come with vengeance. Even God with a recompense he will come and save you.

Healing and Renewal in the Wilderness

Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an heart and the tongue of the dumb sing. For in the wilderness shall waters break out and Streams in the desert and the parched ground shall become a pool and the thirsty land Springs of water in the habitation of dragons where each lay shall be grass with wreaths and rushes.

The Holy and Joyful Nature of the Gospel

Three the nature of the gospel and way of salvation therein brought to light. First the holy nature of it in the eighth and ninth verses and. And highway shall be there and it shall be called the way of holiness.

The unclean shall not pass over it. But it shall be for those the wayfaring men though fools shall not err therein. No lion shall be there nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon. It shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall walk there.

Second the joyful nature of it and The ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness and sorrow and sighing shuffling away.

One Highway to Heaven

Verse 10. The first observation is to observe in our text the subject spoken that is the way to salvation and highway shall be there and Away this highway is the common and only way to heaven for the way to heaven is but one.

There is none ever to get to heaven except they walk in this way. Some men don't get to heaven one way and others another. But it is one highway that is always traveled by those that obtain heaven. It is the same narrow way that Christ tells us of.

Some don't go to heaven in a broad way and others in a narrow. Some in an easy and others in a difficult way some in a way of self-denial and mortification. And others in a way of enjoyment of their lusts and sinful pleasures.

Some uphill and others down. But the way to heaven is the same and it is the highway here spoken of. There is only one highway or common road and no by paths. That some few go to heaven in as exceptions from the rest.

If we seek never so diligently We shall never find out an easier way to heaven than that which Christ has revealed to us. We cannot find a broader way. But if we go to heaven the way is so narrow that we must rub hard to get along and press forward.

Striving to Enter Through the Narrow Way

The kingdom of heaven must suffer violence. It must be taken by force or else it never will be taken at all. If we don't go by the footsteps of the flock We shall never find the place where Christ feeds and where he makes his flock to rest at noon.

It appears that the way here spoken of is the way of salvation. By the last verse of the chapter when speaking of this way It is said the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion, etc. Zion is the common appellation by which in the Old Testament the church both militant and triumphant is signified.

Holiness as the Mark of Those on the Way

The second observation in the words. Observe the holy nature of this way described first by the name. By which it is called the way of holiness and it shall be called the way of holiness. Secondly the holiness of those that travel in it and its purity from those that are unclean or Unholy the unclean shall not pass over it.

No, wicked person shall ever travel in this way of holiness to the same purpose is the next verse. No, lion shall be there nor any ravenous beast shall go up there on it shall not be found there. That is none of the wicked men of this world Which are like lions or ravenous beasts more than like men in their eager raging and lustful appetites and evil afflictions or by their insatiable covetousness are like hungry wolves are violently set upon the world and will have it whether by right or by wrong or make themselves like ravenous beasts by their proud invidious malicious dispositions Which is directly contrary to a Christian spirit and temper they are more like wild beasts than Christians that are wrongful and injurious are all for themselves and the satisfying of their own appetites and care nothing for the welfare of others their Fellow men that are of the same blood make a god of their bellies and therein resemble tigers and wolves.

Now says the Prophet none such shall go upon this highway to Zion such unclean and ravenous beasts shall not Be found there. No, but the redeemed shall walk there and the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion.

This way is a way of holiness and not to be defiled by wicked persons that in Revelation Chapter 21 verse 27 will serve well for an explication of these words. And there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth neither whatsoever Worketh abomination or maketh a lie, but they which are written in the Lamb's Book of Life.

Holiness Is Necessary for Salvation

The doctrine is this. Those only that are holy are in the way to heaven. Many are not sensible enough of the necessity of holiness in order to salvation. Everyone hopes for heaven. But if everyone that hoped for heaven ever got there heaven by this time would have been full of murderers adulterers common swearers drunkards thieves robbers and Licentious debauchers it would have been full of all manner of wickedness and wicked men Such as the earth abounds with at this day.

There would have been those there that are no better than wild beasts howling wolves and poisonous serpents yay devils incarnate as Judas was. What a wretched place with the highest heavens have been by this time if it were so That pure undefiled light and glorious place the heavenly temple would be as the temple of Jerusalem Was in Christ's time a den of thieves and the royal palace of the Most High the holy Metropolis of the creation would be turned into a mere hell.

There would be no happiness there for those that are holy. What a horrible dreadful confusion there would be if the glorious presence of God the Father the glorified Lamb of God and the heavenly dove Spirit of all grace and original of all holiness the spotless glorified saints the holy angels and Wicked men beasts and devils were all mixed up together.

Therefore it behooves us all to be sensible of the necessity of holiness in order to salvation of the necessity of real hearty and sincere inward and spiritual holiness. Such as will stand by us forever and will not leave us at death.

That sinners may not be so foolish as to entertain hopes of heaven. Except they intend forthwith to set about repentance and reformation of heart and life. Wherefore this is what we are now upon to show the necessity of holiness.

The Threefold Explanation of Holiness

And This we shall do in these three things. One show what holiness is to that those that have it not are not in the way to heaven. Three the reasons why it must needs be so. One what is holiness? I shall answer to this question in three things which fully comprehend the nature of holiness.

Which are not in themselves distinct as so many parts of holiness. But the same thing in three different lights to give us the fuller understanding of it. First holiness is a conformity of the heart and the life unto God.

Conformity of Heart and Life to God

Whatever outward appearance men may make by their external actions as if they were holy. Yet if it proceeds not from a most inward hearty and sincere holiness within it is nothing. Amaziah did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, but not with a perfect heart.

Second Kings chapter 14 verses 1 through 20 all that he did was not acceptable to God who searcheth the hearts and Trieth the reins of the children of men and must be worshiped in spirit and in truth.

And Whatever holiness they may pretend to have in their hearts whatever Hypocritical pangs of affection they may have had it is all to no purpose. Except it manifest itself in the holiness of their lives and conversations.

Faith Demonstrated by Works

James chapter 1 verses 26 and 27. If any man among you seem to be religious and bridle if not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart this man's religion is vain pure religion and Undefiled before God and the Father is this to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

And in the second chapter 18th verse Yea, a man may say thou hast faith and I have works. Show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works. And in the 19th and 20th verses Thou believest that there is one God thou doest well the devils also believe and tremble.

Holiness as the Image of God

But wilt thou know o vain man that faith without works is dead so that there must be a conformity of both heart and Life to God in order to true holiness. Holiness is the image of God his likeness in him that is holy by being conformed unto God is not meant a conformity to him in his eternity or infinity or infinite power.

These are God's inimitable and incommunicatable attributes but a conformity to his will whereby he wills things that are just right and Truly excellent and lovely whereby he wills real perfection and goodness and perfectly abhors everything that is really evil unjust and unreasonable.

And It is not only a willing as God wills but also a doing as he doeth in acting holily and justly and wisely and mercifully like Him. It must become natural thus to be and thus to act. It must be the constant inclination and New nature of the soul.

Conformity to Jesus Christ

And then the man is holy and not before. Second it is a conformity to Jesus Christ. Christ Jesus is perfectly conformed unto God for he is God. He is his express image. Now Christ is nearer to us in some respects than God the father for he is our mediator and is more Immediately conversant with us.

John chapter 1 verse 18. No, man hath seen God at any time the only begotten Son who is in the bosom of the father. He hath declared him Jesus Christ. He has been with us in the flesh and as one of us he appeared in the form of a servant and we have seen His holiness brightly shining forth in all his actions.

We have seen his holy life. We have a copy drawn and an example set for us. Now holiness is a conformity unto this copy. He that copies after Jesus Christ after that copy which he has set us and Which is delivered to us by the evangelists is holy.

He that diligently observes the life of Christ in the New Testament. Need not be at a loss to know what holiness is. Christ commands us to follow his example. Matthew chapter 11 verse 29. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me for I am meek and lowly in heart and Ye shall find rest unto your souls.

Have you ever read the four Gospels and did you not observe in the life of Christ? Wonderful instances of humility. Love to God. Love to religion. Wonderful instances of zeal for God's glory. Steadfastness and resisting temptations.

Entire trust and reliance on God. Strict adherence to all his commands. Astonishing instances of condescension. Humility meekness lowliness. Love to men. Love to his enemies. Charity and patience. Why this is holiness?

Conformity to God’s Laws and Commands

When we imitate Christ in these things then we are holy and not till then. Holiness is a conformity to God's laws and commands. When all God's laws without exception are written in our hearts Then we are holy if you can go along with David in Psalm 119 Where he speaks of his love and delight in God's law in your own experience.

When a man feels in some good measure what David declares concerning himself towards the law of God. Then may God's law be said to be written in his heart. By God's law. I mean all his precepts and commands.

Especially as they are delivered to us in the gospel Which is the fulfillment of the law of God if you feel Christ's sermon upon the mount Engraven on the fleshly tables of your hearts. You are truly sanctified.

The New Covenant Written on the Heart

The New Covenant is written in the hearts of those that are sanctified of which the Prophet Jeremiah speaks chapter 31 verses 31 and 33. Behold the days come saith the Lord that I will make a new covenant With the house of Israel and with the house of Judah.

This shall be my covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days saith the Lord I will put my law in their inward parts and Write it in their hearts and I will be their God and they shall be my people.

The commands and precepts which God has given us are all pure perfect and holy. They are the holiness of God in writing and When the soul is conformed to them they have holiness of God upon their hearts.

2nd Corinthians chapter 3 verse 3. For as much as you are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us. Written not with ink but with the spirit of the Living God not in tables of stone.

Those Without Holiness Are Not on the Way to Heaven

But in the fleshly tables of the heart. When the soul is molded and fashioned according to the image of God the example of Christ and the rules of the gospel then it is holy and not else. To those that have not this holiness are not in the way to heaven.

Those that are not thus conformed to God to Christ and God's commands are not in the way to heaven and happiness. And are not traveling that road the road. They are in will never bring them there. Whatever hopes and expectations they may have they will never reach heaven to eternity.

Except they alter their course turn about and steer towards another point. For the way is a way of holiness and the unclean shall not pass over it. Christ said that it was easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle Than for a rich man to enter into heaven, but yet he left it absolutely possible with God that it might be.

But he said positively and without exception that except a man be born again He cannot see the kingdom of God. None, but those that are holy are in the way to heaven whatever profession. They may make whatever church.

They may be in for in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. Whatever external acts of religion they may perform. However, they may be constant attendance on the public or family worship and live outwardly more lives.

Love as the Essence of Christian Holiness

Yeah, what is more if they speak with the tongues of men and angels though? They could prophesy and understand all mysteries and all knowledge and though they have faith that they can remove Mountains though they bestow all their goods to feed the poor and though they give their very bodies to be burnt.

Yet if they have not charity or holiness. Which is the same thing for charity is intended love to God as well as man. Though they have and do all these things. Yet they are nothing and are as a sounding brass or a tinkling symbol.

Why the Unholy Cannot Enter Heaven

See first Corinthians chapter 13. It is good that we should be thoroughly convinced of the most. Absolutely an indispensable necessity of a real spiritual active and vital. Yay immortal holiness. Three we shall now in the third place give the reasons why none that are not holy Can be in the way to heaven and why those who never are so can never obtain the happiness thereof.

First is contrary to God's justice to make a wicked man eternally happy. God is a God of infinite justice and his justice to speak after the manner of men Obliges him to punish sin eternally. Sin must be punished.

The sins of all men must be punished if the sinner retains his sin, and it is not washed off by the blood of Christ and He purified and sanctified and made holy it must be punished upon him. If he is sanctified his sin has been already punished in the passion of Christ.

But if not it still remains to be punished in his eternal ruin and misery. For God has said that he is a holy and Jealous God and will by no means clear the guilty it is reckoned amongst the rest of God's attributes.

Which he proclaims in exodus chapter 34 verse 7 and numbers chapter 14 verse 18. Second it is impossible by reason of God's holiness that Anything should be united to God and brought to the enjoyment of him, which is not holy.

Now is it possible that a God of infinite holiness that is perfect and hates sin with a perfect hatred that is infinitely lovely and excellent should embrace in his arms a filthy abominable creature a hideous Detestable monster more hateful than a toad and more poisonous than a viper.

But so hateful base and abominable is every unsanctified man even the best hypocrite and most painted sepulchers of them all. How Impossible it is that this should be that such loathsome beings the picture of the devil should be united to God.

Should be a member of Christ a child of God be made happy in the enjoyment of his love and the Smiles of his countenance should be in God and God in them. It is therefore as impossible for an unholy thing to be admitted Unto the happiness of heaven as it is for God not to be or to be turned to nothing.

For it is as impossible that God should love sin as it is for him to cease to be and it is as impossible for him to love a wicked man that has not had his sin purified and It is as impossible for him to enjoy the happiness of heaven.

Heaven’s Holiness and the Happiness of the Saints

Except God love him for the happiness of heaven consists in the enjoyment of God's love. Third it would defile heaven and Interrupt the happiness of the Saints and angels. It would defile that holy place the holy of holies and would fright and Terrify the sanctified spirits and obstruct them in their delightful ecstasies of devotion and his praise would quite confound the heavenly society.

Sin’s Misery and the Need for Sanctification

How would one unsanctified person? Interrupt their happiness and fill those regions all over with the loathsome stench of his sin and filthiness. Fourth the nature of sin necessarily implies misery. That soul that remains sinful must of a necessity of nature remain miserable for it is impossible.

There should be any happiness where such a hateful thing as sin reigns and bears rule. Sin is the most cruel tyrant that ever ruled seeks nothing, but the misery of his subjects as In the very keeping of God's commands there is great reward so in the very breaking of them There is great punishment.

Sin is a woeful confusion and dreadful disorder in the soul whereby Everything is put out of place reason trampled underfoot and passion advanced in the room of it conscience dethroned and abominable lusts reigning as long as it is so there will Unavoidably be a dreadful confusion and perturbation in the mind.

The soul will be full of worry perplexities uneasiness storms and frights and thus it must Necessarily be to all eternity except the Spirit of God puts all to rights. So that if it were possible that God should desire to make a wicked man happy while he is wicked.

The nature of the thing would not allow of it, but it would be simply and absolutely impossible. Thus I have given some reasons of the doctrine why it must needs be that those that are not holy Cannot be in the way to heaven.

Many more reasons might be offered which the time will not allow to take notice of at this time. But these alone would have been enough to certify us that none. But those who are holy ever attained to a crown of glory if God had not expressly said That without holiness no man should see the Lord.

Applying the Doctrine Through Inference, Examination, and Exhortation

Wherefore the application. We shall apply this doctrine in three uses first of inference second of trial or self-examination and third of exhortation. One the use of inference if it be so that none. But those that are holy are in the way to heaven.

How many poor creatures are there that think they are in the way to heaven who are not? There are many that think they are Undoubtedly in the way to heaven and without question shall enter there at last.

That have not the least grain of true holiness that manifest none in their lives and conversations of whom we may be. Certain that either they have no holiness at all or that which they have is a dormant inactive sort.

Which is in effect to be certain that there is none. There are a great many others that are not so distinctly and plainly perceived that have nothing. But what is external the shell without the kernel vast multitude are of these two kinds.

What a pitiable miserable condition are they in to step out of this world into an uncertain? Eternity with an expectation of finding themselves exceeding happy and blessed in the highest heaven and all at once Find themselves deceived and are undeceived finding themselves sinking in the bottomless pit.

Self-Examination: Which Way Are You Going?

The use of trial if None are in the way to heaven. But those that are holy let us try and examine ourselves by this doctrine to see whereabouts We are and see whether or no we are in the way to heaven to know which way we are going.

Whether towards Canaan or Egypt whether towards heaven or hell. For if we think ourselves in the road to heaven and are going to the place of torment all the while and continue deceived. Without doubt fire and brimstone will undeceive us if we find ourselves in the broad way to destruction.

First Test: Delight in the Holiness of God

How dare we stir a step further if we would know whether we are holy or no. Let us try ourselves by these five following things first. Meditate on the holiness of God and see if you cannot see a conformity a likeness in your mind.

There is no likeness or comparison in degree. We speak not of that, but yet there is a likeness in nature between God and the soul of the believer. The Holy Soul when it thinks and meditates upon God's nature Finds a pleasure and delight because there is an agreeableness in his new nature to the divine Perfections if those that think themselves in the way to heaven that are unholy in the meantime in their hearts Would compare themselves and their nature to the holy nature of God such a glorious light as the holiness of God would quickly discover their rottenness and Unsoundness.

Second Test: Resemblance to the Life of Christ

See if you can see any resemblance in your life to the life of Christ. It is not supposed that ever any copy comes nearer to this original nor ever will but yet They may perceive whether the same spirit the same temper and disposition in a lesser degree be in them.

Third Test: Love for God’s Word and Commands

That was manifested by the life and conversation of Jesus Christ. Third is there an agreeableness between your souls and the Word of God? The Bible is the epistle of Christ that he has written to us. Now if the same epistle is also written in our hearts that is written in the scriptures.

It may be found out by comparing. Have you love to all God's commands and a respect to them in your actions? Is it your delight to obey and hearken to the will of God? Do you obey them of choice. Is it what you would choose to do if God had not threatened to punish the breach of them?

Fourth Test: Resemblance to the Saints of Scripture

Fourth do you find by a Comparison a likeness and agreeableness Between your hearts and lives and the hearts and lives of those holy men that we are assured were such by the Word of God. Do you walk with God as Enoch did or distinguish yourselves by your piety in the midst of wicked?

Examples as Noah did. And When you read the lives of Abraham Isaac Jacob Moses and the prophets wherein holiness is drawn to the life. You may viewing so exact a picture. Discover whether you have not the root of the matter in you though it be much obscurer in you than in them.

When we read the Psalms of David we may clearly see what David's holiness was by that spirit that is breathed there. When we read the epistles of the Apostles we may know what is a truly Evangelical spirit and whether such a spirit reigns in our souls.

Fifth Test: Imitating the Saints and Angels in Heaven

Fifth do you in a measure? Imitate the Saints and angels in heaven they spend their duration to the glory of God. They love him above all things are delighted with the beauties of Jesus Christ. Entirely love one another and hate sin.

Exhortation to Pursue the Beauty of Holiness

All those that are holy on earth have also a resemblance and imitation of them. They are of an heavenly temper of heavenly lives and conversations. Three the use of exhortation. Exhort all to holiness.

You have heard what holiness is and of the necessity of it the absolute necessity in order to escaping hell. What we must have or die forever must be forever forsaken. Now nothing is so necessary to us as holiness.

Other things may be necessary to discover this life and things that are necessary men will strive for with all their might. If there is a probability of obtaining of them. How much more is that to be sought after without which we shall fare infinitely worse than die?

10 ,000 deaths. This is motive enough without any other for what can be a greater motive than necessity. But besides that if it were not necessary the amiable and Excellent nature of it is enough to make it worthy the most earnest seeking after.

Holiness is a most beautiful lovely thing. Men are apt to drink in strange notions of holiness from their childhood as if it were a melancholy morose sour and Unpleasant thing but there is nothing in it.

But what is sweet and ravishingly lovely tis the highest beauty and amiableness. Vastly above all other beauties tis a divine beauty makes the soul heavenly and far purer than Anything here on earth. This world is like mire and filth and defilement.

Compared to that soul which is sanctified tis of a sweet lovely delightful Serene calm and still nature tis almost too high a beauty for any creature to be adorned with. It makes the soul a little amiable and delightful image of the blessed Jehovah.

How may angels stand with pleased? Delighted and charmed eyes and look and look with smiles of pleasure upon that soul that is holy. Christian holiness is above all the heathen virtue of a more bright and pure nature more serene calm peaceful and Delightsome.

What a sweet calmness. What a calm ecstasy doth it bring to the soul of? What a meek and humble nature is true holiness. How peaceful and quiet? How doth it change the soul and make it more pure more bright and more?

Excellent than other beings. Amen.