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genuine； we shall only rise again to be condemned。 I can find no
evidence that will be admitted In that day； except sanctification。 The
question will not be how we talked and what we professed； but how we
lived and what we did。 Let no man deceive himself on this point。 If
anything is certain about the future； it is certain that there will be
a judgment； and if anything is certain about judgment； it is certain
that men's 〃works〃 and 〃doings〃 will be considered and examined in it。
（John v。 29； 2 Cor。 v。 10； Rev。 xx。 13。） He that supposes works are of
no importance； because they cannot justify us； is a very ignorant
Christian。 Unless he opens his eyes； he will find to his cost that if
he es to the bar of God without some evidence of grace； he had
better never have been born。
（12） Sanctification； in the last place； is absolutely necessary in
order to train and prepare us for heaven。 Most men hope to go to heaven
when they die； but few； it may be feared； take the trouble to consider
whether they would enjoy heaven if they got there。 Heaven is
essentially a holy place； its inhabitants are all holy； its occupations
are all holy。 To be really happy in heaven； it is clear and plain that
we must be somewhat trained and made ready for heaven while we are on
earth。 The notion of a purgatory after death； which shall turn sinners
into saints； is a lying invention of man； and is nowhere taught in the
Bible。 We must be saints before we die； if we are to be saints
afterwards in glory。 The favourite idea of many； that dying men need
nothing except absolution and forgiveness of sins to fit them for their
great change； is a profound delusion。 We need the work of the Holy
Spirit as well as the work of Christ； we need renewal of the heart as
well as the atoning blood； we need to be sanctified as well as to be
justified。 It is mon to hear people saying on their death…beds； 〃I
only want the Lord to forgive me my sins； and take me to rest。〃 But
those who say such things forget that the rest of heaven would be
utterly useless if we had no heart to enjoy it！ What could an
unsanctified man do in heaven； if by any chance he got there？ Let that
question be fairly looked in the face； and fairly answered。 No man can
possibly be happy in a place where he is not in his element； and where
all around him is not congenial to his tastes； habits； and character。
When an eagle is happy in an iron cage； when a sheep is happy in the
water； when an owl is happy in the blaze of noonday sun； when a fish is
happy on the dry landthen； and not till then； will I admit that the
unsanctified man could be happy in heaven。 ＇7＇
I lay down these twelve propositions about sanctification with a firm
persuasion that they are true； and I ask all who read these pages to
ponder them well。 Each of them would admit of being expanded and
handled more fully； and all of them deserve private thought and
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 fa