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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 consist in the occasional performance of
right actions。 It is the habitual working of a new heavenly principle
within； which runs through all a man's daily conduct； both in great
things and in small。 Its seat is in the heart； and like the heart in
the body； it has a regular influence on every part of the character。 It
is not like a pump； which only sends forth water when worked upon from
without； but like a perpetual fountain； from which a stream is ever
flowing spontaneously and naturally。 Even Herod； when he heard John the
Baptist； 〃did many things；〃 while his heart was utterly wrong in the
sight of God。 （Mark vi。 20。） Just so there are scores of people in the
present day who seem to have spasmodical fits of 〃goodness；〃 as it is
called； and do many right things under the influence of sickness；
affliction； death in the family； public calamities； or a sudden qualm
of conscience。 Yet all the time any intelligent observer can see
plainly that they are not converted； and that they know nothing of
〃sanctification。〃 A true saint； like Hezekiah； will be whole…hearted。
He will 〃count God's mandments concerning all things to be right；
and hate every false way。〃 （2 Chron。 xxxi。 21； Psalm cxix。 104。）
（6） Genuine sanctification will show itself in habitual respect to
God's law； and habitual effort to live in obedience to it as the rule
of life。 There is no greater mistake than to suppose that a Christian
has nothing to do with the law and the Ten mandments； because he
cannot be justified by keeping them。 The same Holy Ghost who convinces
the believer of sin by the law； and leads him to Christ for
justification； will always lead him to a spiritual use of the law； as a
friendly guide； in the pursuit of sanctification。 Our Lord Jesus Christ
never made light of the Ten mandments； on the contrary； in His first
public discourse； the Sermon on the Mount； He expounded them； and
showed the searching nature of