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Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
cause_n	justification_n	justify_v	sanctification_n	1,666	5	10.7958	5	false

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A86549	Salvation from sinne by Jesus Christ: or, The doctrine of sanctification (which is the greater part of our salvation) founded upon Christ, who is both the meritorious, and and efficient cause of sanctifying grace, purchasing it for, working & perfecting it in his people. Applied (as it was specially intended) for the better information of our judgements, and quickning of our affections in holiness, wherein our everlasting our everlasting happiness chiefly consisteth. / Preached in the weekly lecture at Evesham in the county of Worcester, by George Hopkins, M.A. minister of the Gospel there.; Salvation from sinne by Jesus Christ	Hopkins, George, 1620-1666.	1655 (1655)	Wing H2743; Thomason E1608_1; ESTC R208454	135,124	325

the washing of regeneration and renuing of the holy Ghost which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour In which he shews first what was our misery to wit a state of foolishnesse disobedience c. ver 3. Secondly he declares the moving cause of our salvation to wit not our works but his mercy according to his mercy he saved us to wit from the forementioned misery and that is done by the washing of Regeneration and renuing of the holy Ghost c. ver 5 6. And herein the kindnesse and love of God our Saviour towards man appeareth ver 4. Justifying grace is afterwards mentioned v. 7. In the third fourth and fifth chapters of the Epistle to the Romans and the third to the Galatians the Apostle speaks chiefly and almost wholly of justifying grace But the reason of that is because he there disputed the question of justification with those that sought it by a legal righteousness of their own therefore in this case it was necessary for him first to keep to the question in hand yet in the following chapters he shews the vertues of Christs death for the killing of sinne and of his resurrection for our arising to newnesse of life Rom. 6. And that they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts Gal. 5.24 But where no controversie lies in his way but the doctrine of salvation is intirely to be handled he states salvation mainly in the sanctification of the soul as appeares in the foregoing instances And when Paul accounts all but losse and dung that he might win Christ Phil 3.8 it was not meerly that he might be found in the righteousness which is through faith in Christ but also that he might know Christ and the power of his resurrestion and the fellowship of his suffering being made conformable to his death And towards the full attainment of this it is that he presseth forwards ver 12.13 Not as though I had already attained either were already perfect but I follow after c. When Paul wrote to Timothy to direct him what to teach as the most necessary doctrine and what he should see others teach also he directs him to teach the practice of godlinesse 1 Tim. 4.7 8. But refuse profane and old wives fables and exercise thy self rather unto godlinesse For bodily exercise profiteth little but godlinesse is profitable unto all things having promise of the life that now is and that which is to come He addes ver 9. This is a faithfull saying worthy of all acceptation And backing it with a further argument ver 10. he addes again ver 11. These things command and teach And in the fifth chap. with the former part of the sixt having directed him how to teach the duties of persons in their severall relations he addes These things teach and exhort ver 2. And if any man teach otherwise and consent not to wholsome words even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ and to the doctrine which is according to godlinesse he is proud knowing nothing but doting about questions c. The Doctrines that are now vented against the power of godlinesse are but the fruit of the proud dotage of the times wherein we live for the mysterie of the Gospel is called the mysterie of godlinesse 1 Tim. 3.16 And without controversie great is the mysterie of godlinesse God manifest in the flesh c. Let it be further considered that when Paul professedly handleth the doctrine of Gods speciall distinguishing grace he opposeth saving grace as I formerly observed to hardning in sin rather than perishing for sin Ro. 9.18 He will have mercy upon whom he will have mercy and whom he will he hardneth I might give you divers other Scriptures but these may suffice being thus opened to help you in the better understanding of the doctrine of Saving grace Consider well of these and see wherein thy salvation lies and labour in the use of all the meanes that God affords thee for the saving of thy soul from sin Hear diligently pray earnestly watch narrowly work out thy salvation with fear and trembling and strive in good earnest if thou meanst to be crowned Obj. But methink I heare some already whispering what must we be saved by our graces and duties What kinde of Popish doctrine is this To which I answer Answ This is the great Objection whereby Sathan that grand Deceiver hath hardned many against the most pressing arguments of the most serious Ambassadors of Christ to holinesse of life Upon this one slender cavil many for fear of Popery are become Antinomians I may better say professed Libertines And for fear of being their own Saviours have refused to be saved by the purifying blood and spirit of Jesus Christ But to speak more particularly and satisfactorily to this point consider with me these few propositions following Prop. 1. Mans Misery consists of two parts 1. Sin 2. Condemnation for Sin 2. Mans Salvation consists of two parts opposite to those two evils 1. Sanctification which is his Salvation fron Sin 2. Pardon of Sin and Justification whereby he is delivered from Guilt and Condemnation And both these are essentially necessary to mans Salvation 3. Justification and Sanctification are both concomitant and inseparable twins of unspeakable Mercy and Free-grace proceeding from the tender bowels of Jesus Christ 4. As no mans Justification is the cause of his Sanctification so no mans Sanctification is the cause of his Justification but both are alike the proper fruits of the forementioned grace of Jesus Christ 5. As no man is saved from wrath and condemnation but by being pardoned and justified so no man is saved from sin but by being sanctified And thus salvation depends upon sanctification And what danger is in this Doctrine I am sure the ruine of the soule depends upon the contrary 6. Justification is a relative change wrought without us Sanctification is a reall work wrought upon us Christ is the Author but Man is the Subject of Sanctification Or to speak to the meanest capacity it is Christ that sanctifeth it is Man that is sanctified 7. By this sanctifying grace of Christ those that were dead in trespasses and sins have a principle of spiritual life put within them and maintained whereby they are enabl'd to live the life of grace to the glory and honour of God Now must we be afraid of setting forth in the strength of grace communicated lest we dishonour the work of Christ Is Christ dishonoured by our walking running striving pressing forward in the waies of his Commandements When Christ raised Lazarus from the Grave he wrought a reall miracle in causing his soule to return into his body whereby he received life again Here Christ was the Author of this Miracle and Lazarus was the Subject upon whom it was wrought It was Christ that gave life by causing the soul to return into the body it was Lazarus that received life and his soul that

this age be expired This sore evil is both our great sin and heavy judgement And for thi● and by this justly may the Kingdome of God be taken from us given to a Nation bringing forth the fruits thereof O that God would both pardon and remove this devouring evil and create peace in the hearts and Churches of his Saints Then should I hope to see holinesse in a thriving condition in the midst of contention it must needs be languishing For where envying and strife is there is confusion and every evil work Jam. 3.16 And 't is not without cause that peace and holinesse are linked together Heb. 12.14 Reader thou wilt find in this small piece little of Controversie but something of the mysterie of godlinesse 1 Tim. 3.16 which I hope is without Controversie with thee The Antinomian and Libertine which are scarcely two but rather one are the chiefest Adversaries that I oppose which every Minister of the Gospel must do that will preach practicall Divinity Yea which every man must really confute that will be a serious Christian and if thou art such a one thy self though but of small gifts it is probable thou hast besides thy Bible divers better Treatises than this written by some such men as Preston Sibbs Bolton Ball c. which I shall not desire thee to lay aside for the reading of this But if thou hast spare time to reade variety thou hadst better read this than many of the swarming Pamphlets that flie abroad in these times Thou wilt find cause enough I am confident to approve the subject although if thou art judicious thou maist have reason to blame me for handling it no better Here are I hope but few 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 things hard to be understood for 't is my usuall course in preaching to run with Ahimaaz the way of the plain that so I may the sooner bring good tidings to the soule Such as it is I leave it to thy candid perusall at thy leisure It was first preached to the people of my own Charge and since published specially for their sakes And now that others also may reap some spirituall advantage by it is the unfeigned desire and earnest prayer of Thy Servant and Fellow-servant in the Work of our Lord Geo Hopkins The Contents CHAP. I. WHy fallen Angels are left to perish and Man redeemed p. 1 The Analysis of the chap. Mat. 1. and Explication of the Text ver 21. p 4 Doct. The great work of Christ our Saviour is the saving of his people from their sins even from sin it self p. 7 Explained in 5. Propositions p. 8 Proved by Scripture p. 9 Four Arguments confirming the Doct. 1. Hereby God is most honoured p. 10 2. Hereby Man is delivered from the greatest Evil. Sinne proved to be so p. 12 3. Hereby Man is restored to the chiefest good that he is capable of Holinesse proved to be so p. 15 4. Arguments drawn from the current of Scripture which treats most of the Doctrine of Sanctification p. 25 Obj. from Gal. 3.13 and Luke 1.71 72. answered p. 27 CHAP. II. How Christ saveth his people from their Sinnes I. As the Meritorious cause purchasing Sanctification for them p. 29 II. As the Efficient cause working sanctifying Grace in them He is 1. The Procreating cause p. 34 Obj. The Holy Ghost is in a speciall manner called our Sanctifier Answer'd p. 37 2. The Conserving cause p. 40 3. The Perfecting cause working perfection of Grace in his people 1. Comparative 2. Absolute p. 44 Qu. Why are we not perfectly sanctified at our first Conversion Answered p. 49 The Instrumentall causes of our Sanctification 1. Whereby Grace is first wrought p. 51 2. Whereby it is preserved and increased p. 55 The subject of this Salvation the Elect by nature children of wrath p. 57 The power by which they are saved is an Almighty power And why necessary so to be p 60 Six Propositions for the further clearing of it p. 62 Obj. If man be meerely passive in the work of Conversion to what purpose should a carnall person use the meanes of Grace Answered p. 65 Obj. Against outward teaching from Jer. 31.33 34. and Heb. 8.10 11. Answered ibid. CHAP. III. The Uses of Information 1. Inf. How from this Doctrine to answer a Popish Argument 1. Against Justification by Faith in Christ alone 2. Against Assurance of Salvation p. 70 2. No wonder if the godly want assurance of their Salvation when they fall foully p. 74 3. We may and must avoid evil and do good to this end that we may escape Hell and obtain Heaven p. 76 4. Christ hath not died and done alike for all men p. 79 5. The difference between saving Faith and the Faith of carnall persons p. 83 6. Those that preach the Doctrine of Sanctification as well as Justification are the best Gospel-preachers p. 84 7. Those that have most grace are the best Christians not they that have the greatest Gifts Gifts and Grace compared p. 93 8. A Soule given up to a state of sin is in a most sad condition worse than those that fall under the worst of Judgements p. 101 CHAP. IV. The Uses of Reproof I. To such as hinder the salvation of their own soules p. 105 II. To such as hinder the salvation of others 1. Such as teach corrupt Doctrine p. 110 2. Such as are enemies to Church-reformation p. 118 3. Church-dividers p. 119 Their sin aggravated by eight Considerations p. 126 The sin not the lesse because many godly persons are guilty of it p. 132 4. Such as give bad Example p. 134 Bad example the more dangerous 1. In Ministers 2. In Magistrates and other Persons of note 3. In Superiours of neere Relation as Parents Masters 4. In eminent Professors p. 135 5. Such as intice counsell or perswade others to sin p. 143 6. Persecutors p. 148 CHAP. V. The Uses of Exhortation I. In Generall To get the heart deeply possessed with a serious consideration of this Truth That the great work of Christ our Saviour is the saving of his people from their sins The not understanding or not considering this is the cause of divers evils p. 153 For the better understanding of this it is shewed how the Sanctifying work of Christ is specially held forth as well as his Justifying work Of the Old Test 1. In the Sacraments and Types p. 159 2. In the Promises p 162 3. In the Prophesies ibid. 4. In the Sacraments of the New T. p. 164 5. In the Gospel-invitations and other Scriptures p. 165 The Exhortation further prosecuted 173 Obj. Must we be saved by our Graces and Duties Answered in seven Propositions p. 174 II. The Exhortation Particularly directed 1. To such as are carnall p. 177 Obj. A naturall man hath not power to convert himself Answered p. 178 Carnall Persons left without excuse for 1. God is willing of their salvation p. 179 2. Christ is willing of their salvation p. 179 Five

doe good Secondly the threats are to deter us from disobedience Thirdly the Promises most of them are of the rewards of grace n i. e. Gracious rewards or rewards not for grace in us but from grace in God for our encouragement to all holy obedience Fourthly the Examples are 1. Of wicked men in the wayes of wickednesse and the judgement of God upon them for it that we may beware of partaking in their sins lest we be also partakers of their plagues 2. Examples of godly men in the wayes of holinesse and of the blessing of God upon them in their wayes that we may be excited to tread in their steps And thus we see that the Scripture which is the Word of life and salvation by Christ is the doctrine of holinesse leading us all along in the wayes of Sanctification Yea Christs owne Sermons if we doe but observe them are most upon this subject But doth not Paul say Object that Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law being made a curse for us Gal. 3.13 And are we not said to be saved and delivered by Christ out of the hand of our enemies Luk. 1.71 74. How then is the great work of Christ the saving of his people from sin it selfe That Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law is true Answ and 't is a great work yet it doth not follow that this is his main work but the contrary hath been proved already viz. our redemption from sin is the greater Is not our own corrupt flesh the worst enemy we have Is not that one Enemy within us worse than all our Enemies without us What hurt could all the rest doe were it not for our own in-bred corruption Satan and the world were as great yea greater enemies to Christ but could not prevail upon him because they found no evil in him Sinne is the very chains o Nam vinctos nos tenebat 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Oecum apud Dav. in Col. c. 2. v. 15. and fetters wherein Satan binds the soule and leads it away captive Thou art in the gall of bitternesse and bond of iniquity said Peter to Simon Magus Act. 8.23 The Devils snares are baited with alluring temptations to sin and those that resist the temptation escape the snare And although by reason of our corruption we are lyable to be tormented by Satan and Satan as Gods Executioner hath committed unto him the power of death Heb. 2.14 yet that power whereby he leads us captive into sin at his will is far worse 3. It is said in the fore-mentioned Text Luk. 1.74 75. that we are delivered out of the hands of our enemies that we might serve the Lord in holiness and righteousness In which words it appears that our being rescued out of the hands of our enemies refers as a means to our serving God in holinesse and righteousnesse as the end If a Servant should be imprisoned for some wrong done and his Master desirous of his service ransometh and enlargeth him the servants enlargement is first procured but his Masters service is chiefly intended Having thus by Scripture and Argument proved That the great work of Christ is the saving his people from their sins I shall in the next place shew you how it is that he accomplisheth for his people this great salvation CHAP. II. CHRIST saves his people from their sins 1. As the meritorious cause purchasing Sanctification for them 2. As the Efficient cause working sanctifying grace in them 1. I. Christ the meritorious cause of our sanctification As the meritorious p Confiderandae hic sunt causae cur Servator noster appellatus sit Jesus item Christus Ac Jesus quidem nomine Hebraico quod Latinè est Servator appellatus est quia servavit etiamnum servat populum suum id est electos à peccatis infra v. 21. Servat autem duobus modis merito efficaciā Merito quiae morte sua meritus est electis apud Deum remissionem peccatorum ac donationem Spiritus Sancti vitae eternae Efficaci â vero quia per Spiritum S. praedicationem Evangelii efficit in illis fidem quae meritum in promissione Evangelii amplectuntur et ex fide studium serviendi Deo secundùm sancta ipsius mandata Piscat Observat in Mat. c. 1. v. 16. cause by his death and resurrection purchasing for them the mortification of sin and spirituall resurrection to newnesse of life This he doth by vertue of his Priestly office Thus saith the Prophet Isa 53. 10 11. When thou shalt make his soule an offering for Sinne he shall see his seed he shall prolong his dayes he shall see the travails of his soule 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he shall see seed so 't is in the Hebrew and whether we read it indefinitely a seed or his seed it matters not But a plentifull increase of spirituall seed is here understood to which that of our Saviour Christ may allude Io. 12.24 Except Corn or Wheat fall and dye it abideth alone but if it dye it bringeth forth much fruit As the sown seed by dying bringeth forth a plentifull increase So Christ by his death bringeth many sons to glory which is begun in the work of grace wherein those that were dead in trespasses and sins are raised up to spirituall life which is eternall Or as from Abraham and Sarah as a dead stock from Isaac destinated to the slaughter and received from the dead in a figure there arose a seed as the stars of heaven for multitude So from Christ the Anti-type sacrificed and dead there springs a numerous off-spring who derive life from him as may be intimated in the next words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he shall prolong dayes the word his is not in the Hebrew our translation supplyes it and so some understand it of Christ himselfe being raised again to dye no more Others read it he shall prolong their dayes understanding it of his seed being to continue here successively to the end of the world and then to live with him for evermore I conceive it will be no inconvenience to understand it of Christ mysticall and to include both the former interpretations for Christ raised up himselfe to life and his seed have life in and through him As saith Christ himselfe Iohn 14.19 Because I live ye shall live also And saith Paul Col. 3 3. Our life is hid with Christ as the fountain or root And Gal. 2.20 I am crucified with Christ neverthelesse I live yet not I but Christ liveth in me He shall see the travel of his soul i. e. the fruit of his travell and be satisfied Though his pangs were as a woman travelling with child and farre more sharp yet he shall not be as those that travelled in paine and brought forth winde Isa 26.8 Nor as those that brought children to the birth and had no strength to bring forth Isa 37.3 Nor as those that bring

forth abortives or untimely fruit But as a woman in travaile that hath sorrow because her houre is come but as soon as she is delivered of the Child she remembreth no more the anguish for joy that a man is born into the world So Christ was in exceeding sorrow and heavinesse at the approach as I may say of a hard bargain when his houre drew nigh Mat. 26.38 But how abundantly was he satisfied when he saw that he had purchased a gratious and a numerous seed as the fruit of his body by those intolerable throwes that tormented his soul Thus likewise Paul having enumerated many grosse sorts of sinners 1 Cor. 6.9 10. addes ver 11. Such were some of you but ye are washed but ye are sanctified in the name of the Lord Jesus q Nam sanguis Christi purgationis nostrae materia est ex ejus morte et resurrerectione justitia et sanctificatio nobis contigit Calv. in loc Hoc adjecit ut Mediatorem etredemptorem in memoriam redigat per quem nobis tot bona provenerunt Pet. Mart. in loc and by the Spirit of our God What is here wrought by the Spirit was purchased by Christ and is wrought upon his account or in his name for there is no other name given under Heaven whereby we should be saved from our sins This is the fountaine mentioned Zach. 13.1 that is opened to the house of David and to the Inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleannesse that they may be purified therein This is signified in baptism under the Gospell Titus 3.5 Which is called the laver of regeneration For as the washing of water puts away the filthinesse of the flesh so the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin 1 Joh. 1.7 This also was typisied by the ceremoniall washings under the Law if we look back unto them which in themselves were ineffectuall as is plainly expressed at large Heb. 9. take more speciall notice of ver 12.13.14 Neither by the blood of Goats and calves but by his own blood he entred into the holy place having obtained eternall redemption for us For if the blood of Bulls and of Goats and the ashes of an Heifer sprinkling the unclean sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh How much more shall the blood of Christ who through the eternall spirit offered himselfe without spot to God purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God As likewise Heb. 10. The Apostle shews the insufficiency of the legall rites in the beginning of the Chapter and therefore the Sacrifice of Christ must take place according to Scripture which saith Lo I come to doe thy will O God by which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all And ver 14. by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified according to the tenour of the new Covenant wherein saith the Lord I will put my Lawes into their hearts and in their mindes will I write them as you may read ver 16. see more in the following verses Multitudes of texts to this purpose might be quoted as those that are produced to confirme the Doctrine which I will not stand to repeate and many others I shall summe up all in a word Whatsoever is promised in Scripture concerning our Sanctification is purchased and ratified by Christ Jesus For all the promises of God in him are yea and in him amen unto the glory of God by us 2 Cor. 1.20 Christ the Efficient cause of sanctifying grace Christ the procreating cause of sanctification Christ saves his people as the Efficient cause working Sanctifying grace in them And he is 1. The Procreating 2. The Conserving 3. The Perfecting cause of it For in and by him Grace is begun continued increased and perfected Christ is the procreting or principall efficient cause of Sanctification He is therefore said to be made unto us of God-Sanctification 1 Cor. 2.30 Heb. 2.11 For both he that Sanctifieth and they who are sanctified c. And him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour for to give repentance to Israel Act. 5.31 And he is called Jesus the Author and finisher of our Faith Heb. 12.2 And what is said of Repentance and Faith may be said of every Grace for he is the fountaine of Grace and doth willingly communicate and readily distribute to the necessities of his people It pleased the Father that in him should all fulnesse dwell Col. 1.19 And in him are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge Col. 2.3 Hid not from but for his people for saith John c. 1.16 of his fulnesse we all receive and grace for grace Christs sanctifying work consists of two parts 1. r Not that these are two really distinct parts or works but one worke in distinct respects or considerations The rooting out of sinne 2. The implanting of Grace Sinne is called the old man the flesh the body of sinne and our old man is said to be crucified with Christ that the body of sinne might be destroyed that henceforth we should not serve sinne Rom. 6.6 And they that are Christs are said to have crucified the Flesh with the Affections and Lusts Gal. 5.24 Grace is called the new man Eph. 4.24 the new creature Gal. 6.15 the first resurrection Rev. 20.6 and the faithfull are risen with Christ Col. 3.1 And we are said to be dead unto sin and alive unto God through Jesus Christ Rom. 6.11 In all which we see that the two parts of the worke referre to the death and resurrection of Christ not meerly because Christs death and resurrection purchased it for us but also because by the same power that he raised up himselfe from the dead he actually mortifies our sins and raiseth us againe to newnesse of life The Faithfull have an interest in Christs Death and Resurrection by way of communion with him he communicates unto them the vertue of his Death and Resurrection makes them therein conformable to himselfe Thus saith Paul Phil. 3.10 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That I may know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship or communion of his sufferings being made conformable unto his death Obj. Is not the holy Ghost our Sanctifier as Christ is our Redeemer and the Father our Creator in a speciall manner Why then doe you attribute that to Christ as the speciall Efficient which belongs to the Holy Ghost Answ 1. It is true that these works are in some speciall manner attributed to the three persons severally and the holy Ghost is specially called by Divines our Sanctifier as may also be proved from severall texts of Scripture Yet withall we must remember that the workes of the Trinity that are termed workes ad extra are undivided thus God the Father created Eph. 3.9 The Son created John 1.3 All things were made by him and without him was not any thing made that was

inquit scimus ex parte prophetamus cum dutem venerit id quod perfectum est quod ex parte est evacuabitur Deinde ut quomodo possee aliqua similitudine ostendere quantum ab illa quae fatura est distet haec vita non qualiumcunque hominum verum etiam qui praecipua hîc sanctitate suut praediti Cum essem inquit parvus quasi parvulus sapiebam c. Aug. de Civ Dei lib. 22. cap. 29. and upon the whole man at the great resurrection then shall the whole man be wholly perfect perfect Soul and perfect Body united together and when they are brought to the heavenly Canaan the Canaanites shall be no more in the land as thornes in their eyes and goads in their sides no more arising of sinne in the Soule no more imperfections cleaving to their Seraphicall Hallelujahs nothing wanting that may be further desired to the compleating of their happinesse Thus Christ is not like a foolish builder that laid a foundation and was not able to finish it but he layes the foundation and carrieth on the building of grace here which he compleatly perfects and beautifully adornes in glory hereafter In this great work of saving his people from their sins Christ is all and in all He is all Meritoriously purchasing grace for them He is all Efficiently working grace in them He infuseth grace preserveth grace increaseth grace and perfecteth grace He is not like unto Moses that brought the children of Issrael out of Egypt and died when he came neere to the borders of Canaan Nor like unto Joshua that brought them into Canaan but began the work where Moses left But both of them together will more fitly typifie the work of Christ our Saviour a Ipse Christus is propriè est qui nos vocat fide vesipiscentia donat ac credentes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 justificat regenerat vivificet servitque in vitam aeternam Z●nch de dispens salutis per Christum Thes 17. who brings his people out of bondage from under their hard taskmasters leads them safe through the wildernesse of this world and peaceably setleth them in their everlasting rest having subdued all their enemies under their feet Quest But why are we not perfectly saved from sin by being wholy Sanctified at once even at our first conversion Answ 1. Some say this is done for the greater exaltation of Gods free Grace to make us the more sensible of what he hath done for us that we may have no cause of glorying in our selves but may give all the glory unto God But this Answer seemes to me to be of no great force For had we bin Sanctified wholly at once the work would have been no lesse of grace then now it is there would have bin nothing of our merit in it If a Physitian should undertake freely and upon his own care and charge to heal a poor sick person who is not able to give him a Fee is it not as free if he thought it fit to cure him perfectly in a day as if he take seaven yeares to perfect the cure Neither should we have bin lesse sensible of what the Lord had done or have gloried the more in our selves or the less in God Yea had we bin perfectly Sanctified all at once should we not have bin the more sensible of so weighty and suddaine a change and have gloried less in our selves and more in God in that state of perfect Sanctification then now we are able to doe in a state of imperfection We set up our own and diminish the due praises of God our Saviour till we come to a state of perfect holinesse 2. Neither dare I adventure to say with some that this is done to keep us humble and low in our owne eyes 'T is true I know that our daily imperfections are matters of humiliation and the consideration of them should make us the more humble But were we perfectly sanctified we should be perfectly humble and there would be no room for pride Neither doe I apprehend any great weight in what other particular reasons I have seen given for it For I doe not remember any speciall reason given in Scripture It is sufficient that God hath revealed it his will to have it so and we are abundantly bound to be thankfull for our deliverance whether it be sooner or later compleated We lost our stock of grace sodainly and are long in recovering our losse We were wounded in a moment but are not so soon healed Our Chirurgion was able to have wrought the cure in as little time as we made the wound But let us waite the Lords leisure for the healing of our Souls in his own order without too curiously prying into the reason of his method Though the work of Salvation from sin be wholly the work of Christ Instrumentall causes of Sanctification both in Purchase and application as hath been already shewed yet he is pleased to fit and make use of instruments for bringing in and leading on his people in the waies of holinesse The instrument that Christ makes use of in the first Sanctification of grown persons for infants such in whom Grace is wrought are sanctified without meanes is his Word or Gospel Rom. 10.17 Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God And the Gospel is called the power of God unto Salvation Rom. 1.16 Our Saviour Jesus Christ hath abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel 2 Tim. 1.10 which is termed the word of reconciliation 2 Cor. 5.18 19. And the word which is able to save our Soules James 1.21 And saith Paul to the Thessalonians 2 Ep. 2.13 14. God hath from the beginning chosen you to Salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and beliefe of the truth whereunto he called you by our Gospel to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ The word discovers our sin and misery Rom. 7. James 2.9 Rev. 3.17 And directs us to the Fountaine of Grace for healing and help Isa 55.1 2 3. Zach. 13.1 Mat. 11.28 29. Ioh. 17.37 38. The Word being but an Instrument workes not without the spirit of Christ which is the Principall Efficient b Instrumentum non movet nisi moveatur as we say The instrument moves not unlesse it be moved As a Sword cuts not without some hand to weild it so the Word though it be sharper then a two-edged sword slayeth not corruption nor converteth the Soule but as it is set home by the power of the Spirit and this may be one reason why the Word of God is called the word of the Spirit Eph. 6.17 Dr. Gouge upon the place gives two reasons why the Word of God is called the Sword of the Spirit 1. In regard of the Author of it 2 Pet. 1.21 2. In regard of the nature or kind of it for it is spirituall and so opposed to a materiall sword made of mettall which may be