A Persuasive to a Holy Life

What Is Holiness? (Excerpts by John Ray) Perfect and sinless Holiness is not attainable by mortal Men in this present Life, and therefore God is pleased to accept of sincerity of Obedience instead of Perfection; and so we may define Holiness, so far as it is attainable in this imperfect state, to be a sincere and constant desire and endeavour to obey God in all his Commands. More than this, we cannot perform, and less than this God will not accept. 1. This Obedience must be universal, without reserve or exception of any Command. Whatsoever we shall be convinced to be God's Will, and our Duty, we must set about it, and do it, be it never so uneasy to Flesh and Blood: Whatsoever we shall be convinced to be contrary thereto, though never so pleasing, never so customary to us, we must resolutely shun and avoid it. God must have the whole Heart; he admits no rival; Zeal for one Commandment will not compensate for the breach of another. We must with the Psalmist, Psal. 119. 128. Esteem all his precepts concerning all things to be right, and hate every false way. 2. This desire and endeavour must be sincere and hearty; we must not harbour or entertain any secret inclination to any evil way. We must withdraw all degrees of Affection from whatever is sinful, or unlawful, or prohibited by God. The love or liking of any sin, or even wishing it were lawful, cannot consist with the love of God, which is the spring and source of sincere Obedience.