"Learn hence the great mistake of those writers and clergy, who, notwithstanding they talk of sanctification and inward holiness, as indeed sometimes they do, though in a very loose and superficial manner, yet they generally make it the cause, whereas they should consider it as the effect, of our justification...For Christ's righteousness, or that which Christ has done in our stead without us, is the sole cause of our acceptance in the sight of God, and of all holiness wrought in us: to this, and not to the light within, should poor sinners seek for justification in the sight of God: for the sake of Christ alone, and not anything wrought in us, does God look favourably upon us; our sanctification at best, in this life, is not complete: though we be delivered from the power, we are not freed from the in-being of sin; but not only the dominion, but the in-being of sin is forbidden: for it is not said, thou shalt not give way to lust, but 'thou shalt not lust'. So that whilst the principle of lust remains in the least degree in our hearts, though we are otherwise never so holy, yet we cannot, on account of that, hope for acceptance with God. We must first, therefore, look for a righteousness without us, even the righteousness of our Lord Jesus Christ...And whosoever teacheth any other doctrine, doth not preach the truth as it is in Jesus."
George Whitefield
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