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consideration。 Some of them may be disputed and contradicted； but I
doubt whether any of them can be overthrown or proved untrue。 I only
ask for them a fair and impartial hearing。 I believe in my conscience
that they are likely to assist men in attaining clear views of
sanctification。
II。 I now proceed to take up the second point which I proposed to
consider。 That point is the visible evidence of sanctification。 In a
word； what are the visible marks of a sanctified man？ What may we
expect to see in him？
This is a very wide and difficult department of our subject。 It is
wide； because it necessitates the mention of many details which cannot
be handled fully in the limits of a paper like this。 It is difficult；
because it cannot possibly be treated without giving offence。 But at
any risk truth ought to be spoken； and there is some kind of truth
which especially requires to be spoken in the present day。
（1） True sanctification then does not consist in talk about religion。
This is a point which ought never to be forgotten。 The vast increase of
education and preaching in these latter days makes it absolutely
necessary to raise a warning voice。 People hear so much of Gospel truth
that they contract an unholy familiarity with its words and phrases；
and sometimes talk so fluently about its doctrines that you might think
them true Christians。 In fact it is sickening and disgusting to hear
the cool and flippant language which many pour out about
〃conversionthe Saviourthe Gospelfinding peacefree grace；〃 and
the like； while they are notoriously serving sin or living for the
world。 Can we doubt that such talk is abominable in God's sight； and is
little better than cursing； swearing； and taking God's name in vain？
The tongue is not the only member that Christ bids us give to His
service。 God does not want His people to be mere empty tubs； sounding
brass and tinkling cymbals。 We must be sanctified； not only 〃in word
and in tongue； but in deed and truth。〃 （1 John iii。 18。）
（2） True sanctification does not consist in temporary religious
feelings。 This again is a point about which a warning is greatly
needed。 Mission services and revival meetings are attracting great
attention in every part of the land； and producing a great sensation。
The Church of England seems to have taken a new lease of life； and
exhibits a new activity； and we ought to thank God for it。 But these
things have their attendant dangers as well as their advantages。
Wherever wheat is sown the devil is sure to sow tares。 Many； it may be
feared； appear moved and touched and roused under the preaching of the
Gospel； while in reality their hearts are not changed at all。 A kind of
animal excitement from the contagion of seeing others weeping；
rejoicing； or affected； is the true account of their case。 Their wounds
are only skin deep； and the peace they profess to feel is skin deep
also。 Like the stony…ground hearers； they 〃receive the Word with joy〃
（Matt。 xiii。 20）； but after a little they fall away； go back to the
world； and are harder and worse than before。 Like Jonah's gourd； they
e up suddenly in a night and perish in a night。 Let these things not
be forgotten。 Let us beware in this day of healing wounds slightly； and
crying； Peace； peace； when there is no peace。 Let us urge on every one
who exhibits new interest in religion to be content with nothing short
of the deep； solid； sanctifying work of the Holy Ghost。 Reaction； after
false religious excitement； is a most deadly disease of soul。 When the
devil is only temporarily cast out of a man in the heat of a revival；
and by and by returns to his house； the last state bees worse than
the first。 Better a thousand times begin more slowly； and then
〃continue in the word〃 steadfastly； than begin in a hurry； without
counting the cost； and by and by look back； with Lot's wife； and return
to the world。 I declare I know no state of soul more dangerous than to
imagine we are born again and sanctified by the Holy Ghost； because we
have picked up a few religious feelings。
（3） True sanctification does not consist in outward formalism and
external devoutness。 This is an enormous delusion； but unhappily a very
mon one。 Thousands appear to imagine that true holiness is to be
seen in an excessive quantity of bodily religionin constant
attendance on Church services； reception of the Lord's Supper； and
observance of fasts and saints' daysin multiplied bowings and
turnings and gestures and postures during public worshipin
self…imposed austerities and petty self…denialsin wearing peculiar
dresses； and the use of pictures and crosses。 I freely admit that some
people take up these things from conscientious motives； and actually
believe that they help their souls。 But I am afraid that in many cases
this external religiousness is made a substitute for inward holiness；
and I am quite certain that it falls utterly short of sanctification of
heart。 Above all； when I see that many followers of this outward；
sensuous； and formal style of Christianity are absorbed in worldliness；
and plunge headlong into its pomps and vanities； without shame； I feel
that there is need of very plain speaking on the subject。 There may be
an immense amount of 〃bodily service；〃 while there is not a jot of real
sanctification。
（4） Sanctification does not consist in retirement from our place in
life； and the renunciation of our social duties。 In every age k has
been a snare with many to take up this line in the pursuit of holiness。
Hundreds of hermits have buried themselves in some wilderness； and
thousands of men and women have shut themselves up within the walls of
monasteries and convents； under the vain idea that by so doing they
would escape sin and bee eminently holy。 They have forgotten that no
bolts and bars can keep out the devil； and that； wherever we go； we
carry that root of all evil； our own hearts。 To bee a monk； or a
nun； or to join a House of of Mercy； is not the high road to
sanctification。 True holiness does not make a Christian evade
difficulties； but face and overe them。 Christ would have His people
show that His grace is not a mere hot…house plant； which can only
thrive under shelter； but a strong； hardy thing which can flourish in
every relation of life。 It is doing our duty in that state to which God
has called uslike salt in the midst of corruption； and light in the
midst of darknesswhich is a primary element in sanctification。 It is
not the man who hides himself in a cave； but the man who glorifies God
as master or servant； parent or child； in the family and in the street；
in business and in trade； who is the Scriptural type of a sanctified
man。 Our Master Himself said in His last prayer； 〃I pray not that Thou
shouldest take them out of the world； but that Thou shouldest keep them
from the evil。〃 （John xvii。 15。）
（5） Sanctification does not co