JUSTIFICATION NOT SANCTIFICATION.
By JOS. CLARKE
It is only within a few years that I have fully believed in the Scripture doctrine of complete sanctification. It was thoroughly wrought into my education that perfection of holiness was unattainable in this life; and the examples of some pretended perfectionists of the Oberlin stamp gave me a disgust for the name. Under the instruction of Spiritual Gifts and Testimonies, I see the doctrine practically and clearly exemplified: Justification is an instantaneous work of the Spirit of God; it is pardon and acceptance. Sanctification is a gradual work, often reaching through years, or a lifetime, of growth in grace; during which the Christian is tried, tempted, proved, tested, and every day repairs to the mercy-seat for fresh pardon and renewed evidence of justification; and by continued effort, becomes strong and victorious, and when he overcomes any sin, is so far sanctified; when he overcomes the last besetment, is sanctified fully. Now the mistake of these nominal perfectionists lies, I think, here: They mistake justification for sanctification. The anxious one comes to God in prayer, receives the blessing of full pardon, and acceptance (which is justification), and being ignorant of the fact that this pardon is conditional, straightway infers that he is a subject of complete sanctification, and believing this, often settles down into a soothing, flattering, complacent mood, often ending in ruin and shipwreck of what might be a good hope, if rightly understood. Justification is once or often experienced, with great joy. Sanctification is wrought out with labor and pain, trials and suffering, often ripening under circumstances adverse and afflictive. Justification is the work of a moment. Sanctification is a growth, continued, and gradual, often most rapid when the person is most cast down and tried; because then he is most laborious and patient. Justification is experienced as often as a fresh pardon is granted. Sanctification is rather wrought out than experienced; just as an education is gained by various means. Justification is always the same. It is the answer of a conscience cleared of condemnation; but it is liable to be clouded in a moment, by a sinful thought, desire, word, or act. It is gained by repentance, prayer, humble confession of sin, a settling down of the will into the will of God, and subjugation of the carnal heart, for the time. It is to sanctification what rain and sunshine are to the growth of the tree. Many such experiences are necessary to sanctification; many experiences of pain and trial, many of joy and praise, many of grief and suffering, before the work of sanctification will be complete. Do not, then, point us to a time when you were sanctified. The tree of a century would not say to us, At such a point of time, I grew to be a lofty oak; but, By these means, I have gradually become what you see me to be. Do not mistake the means for the end, lest you confound terms, and make shipwreck of your soul.