"This spotless robe the same appears, When ruined nature sinks in years: No age can change its constant hue; Thy Blood preserves it ever new. "Oh let the dead now hear Thy voice; Now bid Thy banished ones rejoice! Their beauty this, their glorious dress, Jesus, Thy Blood and Righteousness." CHAPTER XXII. SANCTIFICATION. In the last chapter we showed that the doctrine of justification deals with the sinner's change of relation, or change of state. We also learned that faith is the instrumental or applying cause of justification. In another place we showed that true faith presupposes penitence, and this again presupposes a sense and knowledge of sin. Again we showed that penitence and faith are the two essential elements of conversion; that where these elements are found there is a change of heart, and the beginning of a new life. This new life is, however, only in its germ. These are the _beginnings_ of new views, new affections, new actions, a new _life_. They are of a germinal or seed character. Now it belongs to the very nature of life to develop, increase, and make progress. And it is this development or growth of the new life that we wish now to consider. It is called _sanctification_, or growth of the soul into the image of a holy God. It is closely related to justification, and yet clearly distinct from it. In justification, God _imputes_ or _counts over_ to the sinner the righteousness of Christ. In sanctification, God _imparts_ the righteousness of the new life. Justification is what God does _for_ the believer; sanctification is what His Spirit does _in_ him. Justification being purely an act of God, is _instantaneous_ and complete; sanctification being a work in which man has a share, is _progressive_. Justification takes away the _guilt_ of sin; sanctification gradually takes away its _power_. Sanctification begins with justification. So soon as the sinner believes he is justified; but just so soon as he believes, he also has the beginnings of a new life.