ersation', has a much broader meaning in old English than the
sense attached to our common use of it, generally limiting the word to
mean intercourse between each other by speech. Here it really means the
whole manner of living.

To me it is a matter of unspeakable joy to think that there is no right
association, no duty, and no proper relationship in life that cannot be
wholly sanctified and have God's smile upon it. Your eatings and
drinkings, your speakings, your workings, your dressings, your
courtings and marriages, also many other things, such as business and
recreation, can all be sanctified, and the functions performed in
harmony with the profession of Holiness and the maintenance of a clean
heart.

But do not miss _the true inwardness of this command_: 'Be ye holy, for
I am holy'. It is this--we cannot live up to the true standard, we
cannot fulfil life's obligation, without a sanctified heart.

The General very frequently says, with reference to the failures of
certain classes of people who call themselves Christians, that they
make the mistake of supposing that they can keep the holy law of God
with an unholy heart. The thing is absolutely impossible, and I should
only be deluding you if I told you otherwise.

We sometimes say that in Heaven there is, and ever will be, an
unwavering fulfilment of the highest will of God. But what secures that
condition in Heaven? Do you think it is the absence of a personal
Devil? Not only that--although the hope of it counts for a good deal
with some of us. Do you think it is the absence of wicked surroundings
and temptations from evil men and women? Not only that. Do you think it
is the possession of things that produce unfailing pleasure and
satisfaction? Not only that. It is just the fact that every heart is
confirmed in its perfect acceptance of the Father's will, and is in the
fullest conformity with the holy law of a holy God. There are many
other things that go to make up Heaven, but without that there can be
no Heaven at all.

Did you repeat the Lord's Prayer this morning? If so, you came to that
little sentence, 'Thy will be done on earth as it is done in Heaven'.
Now, I ask you, do you really mean that? Do you honestly want that for
yourselves? Because, unless you can put yourselves in line with that
petition, unless there is a compliance with these words of Peter's, 'Be
ye holy, for I am holy', you can never get that prayer answered.

II

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