莱尔主教holiness-第29章
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are able to bear。 He can be touched with the feeling of our
infirmities； for He suffered Himself being tempted。 He knows what
battles and conflicts are； for He Himself was assaulted by the Prince
of this world。 Having such a High Priest； Jesus the Son of God； let us
hold fast our profession。 （Heb。 iv。 14。）
Let us remember that thousands of soldiers before us have fought the
same battle that we are fighting； and e off more than conquerors
through Him that loved them。 They overcame by the blood of the Lamb；
and so also may we。 Christ's arm is quite as strong as ever； and
Christ's heart is just as loving as ever。 He that saved men and women
before us is one who never changes。 He is 〃able to save to the
uttermost all who e unto God by Him。〃 Then let us cast doubts and
fears away。 Let us 〃follow them who through faith and patience inherit
the promises；〃 and are waiting for us to join them。 （Heb。 vii。 25； vi。
12。）
Finally； let us remember that the time is short； and the ing of the
Lord draweth nigh。 A few more battles and the last trumpet shall sound；
and the Prince of Peace shall e to reign on a renewed earth。 A few
more struggles and conflicts； and then we shall bid an eternal good…bye
to warfare； and to sin； to sorrow； and to death。 Then let us fight on
to the last； and never surrender。 Thus saith the Captain of our
salvation〃He that overeth shall inherit all things； and I will be
his God； and he shall be my son。〃 （Rev。 xxi。 7。）
Let me conclude all with the words of John Bunyan； in one of the most
beautiful parts of Pilgrim's Progress。 He is describing the end of one
of his best and holiest pilgrims：
〃After this it was noised abroad that Mr。 Valiant…for…truth was sent
for by a summons； by the same party as the others。 And he had this word
for a token that the summons was true； The pitcher was broken at the
fountain。' （Eccl。 xii。 6。） When he understood it； he called for his
friends； and told them of it。 Then said he； I am going to my Father's
house； and though with great difficulty I have got hither； yet now I do
not repent me of all the troubles I have been at to arrive where I am。
My sword I give to him that shall succeed me in my pilgrimage； and my
courage and skill to him that can get it。 My marks and scars I carry
with me； to be a witness for me that I have fought His battles； who
will now be my rewarder。' When the day that he must go home was e；
many acpanied him to the river…side； into which； as he went down； he
said； O death where is thy sting？' And as he went down deeper； he
cried； O grave； where is thy victory？' So he passed over； and all the
trumpets sounded for him on the other side。〃
May our end be like this！ May we never forget that without fighting
there can be no holiness while we live； and no crown of glory when we
die！
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V。
THE COST
〃Which of you； intending to build a house； sitteth not down first and
couneth the cost？〃Luke xiv。 28。
THE text which heads this page is one of great importance。 Few are the
people who are not often obliged to ask themselves〃What does it
cost？〃
In buying property； in building houses； in furnishing rooms； in forming
plans； in changing dwellings； in educating children； it is wise and
prudent to look forward and consider。 Many would save themselves much
sorrow and trouble if they would only remember the question〃What does
it cost？〃
But there is one subject on which it is specially important to 〃count
the cost。〃 That subject is the salvation of our souls。 What does it
cost to be a true Christian？ What does it cost to be a really holy man？
This； after all； is the grand question。 For want of thought about this；
thousands； after seeming to begin well； turn away from the road to
heaven； and are lost for ever in hell。 Let me try to say a few words
which may throw light on the subject。
I。 I will show； firstly； what it costs to be a true Christian。
II。 I will explain； secondly； why it is of such great importance to
count the cost。
III。 I will give； in the last place； some hints which may help men to
count the cost rightly。
We are living in strange times。 Events are hurrying on with singular
rapidity。 We never know 〃what a day may bring forth〃； how much less do
we know what may happen in a year！We live in a day of great religious
profession。 Scores of professing Christians in every part of the land
are expressing a desire for more holiness and a higher degree of
spiritual life。 Yet nothing is more mon than to see people receiving
the Word with joy； and then after two or three years falling away； and
going back to their sins。 They had not considered 〃what it costs〃 to be
a really consistent believer and holy Christian。 Surely these are times
when we ought often to sit down and 〃count the cost；〃 and to consider
the state of our souls。 We must mind what we are about。 If we desire to
be truly holy； it is a good sign。 We may thank God for putting the
desire into our hearts。 But still the cost ought to be counted。 No
doubt Christ's way to eternal life is a way of pleasantness。 But it is
folly to shut our eyes to the fact that His way is narrow； and the
cross es before the crown。
I。 I have； first； to show what it costs to be a true Christian。
Let there be no mistake about my meaning。 I am not examining what it
costs to save a Christian's soul。 I know well that it costs nothing
less than the blood of the Son of God to provide an atonement； and to
redeem man from hell。 The price paid for our redemption was nothing
less than the death of Jesus Christ on Calvary。 We 〃are bought with a
price。〃 〃Christ gave Himself a ransom for all。〃 （1 Cor。 vi。 20； 1 Tim。
ii。 6。） But all this is wide of the question。 The point I want to
consider is another one altogether。 It is what a man must be ready to
give up if he wishes to be saved。 It is the amount of sacrifice a man
must submit to if he intends to serve Christ。 It is in this sense that
I raise the question； 〃What does it cost？〃 And I believe firmly that it
is a most important one。
I grant freely that it costs little to be a mere outward Christian。 A
man has only got to attend a place of worship twice on Sunday； and to
be tolerably moral during the week； and he has gone as far as thousands
around him ever go in religion。 All this is cheap and easy work： it
entails no self…denial or self…sacrifice。 If this is saving
Christianity； and will take us to heaven when we die； we must alter the
description of the way of life； and write； 〃Wide is the gate and broad
is the way that leads to heaven！〃
But it does cost something to be a real Christian； according to the
standard of the Bible。 There are enemies to be overe； battles to be
fought； sacrifices to be made； an Egypt to be forsaken； a wilderness to
be passed through； a cross to be carried； a race to be run。 Conversion
is not putting a man in an arm…chair and taking him easily to heaven。
It is the beginning of a mighty conflict； in which it costs much to win
the victory。 Hence arises the unspeakable importance of 〃counting the
cost。〃
Let me try to show precisely and particularly what it costs to be a
true Christian。 Let us suppose that a man is disposed to take service
with Christ； and feels drawn and inclined to follow Him。 Let us suppose
that some affliction； or some sudden death； or an awakening sermon； has
stirred his conscience； and made him feel the value of his soul and
desire to be a true Christian。 No doubt there is everything to
encourage him。 His sins may be freely forgiven； however many and great。
His heart may be pletely changed； however cold and hard。 Christ and
the Holy Spirit； mercy and grace； are all ready for him。 But still he
should count the cost。 Let us see particularly； one by one； the things
that his religion will cost him。
