whence and in whom all your springs and supplies are against the guilt punishment dominion and filth of sin viz. in your Mediatour Christ Jesus 2. Holinesse is most excellent most excellent in Col. 1. 19. 1. It s Authour 2. It s Nature 3. It s End 1. T is excellent in its Authour it hath a divine Origination The High and lofty One that Isa 57. 15. Ephes 2. 10. inhabiteth Eternity his Name is Holy he that is the Creatour and former of all things is the former and Creatour of the new Birth 2. 'T is excellent in its Nature more precious than Rubies than the Topaz of Aethiopia than the Treasures of the Indies or any sublunary excellency whatsoever it hath the Image and Life of the Authour in it it hath the Name and Glory of God upon it 't is divine Nature Therefore 2 Pet. 1. 4. most excellent because divinely Excellent 3. 'T is excellent in its end salvation We use 1 Pet. 1. 9. Finis Coronat opus to say that is well which ends well for the end Crowns the work If Holiness be implanted in ye it will not only march about the world with ye in all conditions and estates of Life and be your Companion in labours but it will also follow ye yea go along out of the World with ye and be your Companion in Glory as Samuel Revel 14. 13. 1 Sam. 16. 13. annointed Saul aforehand for the Kingdome so the Holy Oyl of Grace sets ye apart aforehand for the fruition of Glory it never leaves ye till it hath placed ye on Thrones arrayed ye with Robes put Palmes into your hands and incircled your heads with a Crown of Life and immortality The perfection of Grace is Glory 3. The Doctrine of Sanctification or Holiness is very Comfortable There are two Rivers of joy springing or having their Well-head in the precious side and heart of Christ 1. The Blood for Justification 2. The Water for Sanctification Both streaming from one Fountain equally cheering refreshing and making glad the City of Psalm 46. God and nourishing up the Believer to eternal life Amongst my Acquaintance I have observed two sorts of dejected souls as also two sorts of Causes of their dejection and two sorts of means or helps for their Cure and recovery 1. Some trembling hearts do much despond and droop for want of the sense of pardon their justification is dark unto them they know not whether God hath pardoned them The children of Light may sometime walk in darkness And then they would give millions of worlds did they Isa 50. 10. possess them for God the fathers face to shine upon them and for the holy Spirit the Comforter to pronounce peace and proclaim pardon to them 2. Other deserted souls mourn sore like Doves for want of holinesse Comparing their hearts with the perfect nature of God and their lives with the pure shining Law of God they are alwayes complaining for their defects and decays of Grace for the strength and prevalence of corruption and for the manifold spots and staines of their conversations Wherefore they are afraid their spot is not the spot of Gods Children Deut 32. 5. and that such deadness dulnesse vanity of thought and disorders of spirit and life cannot be consistent with saving grace And hereupon they wander in Meanders of perplexities and disquietments The Indies if they had them they would freely part with for the plentifull effusion and influence of Christs Unction and to see him clearly to be made of God sanctification to them But O yee Bruised reeds and smoaking flax the Captain of your Salvation will bring forth judgement unto Victory and perfect your Grace in Glory There is Balm in Gilead there is a Physitian there Christ is a Saviour and a Sanctifier to the uttermost The Plaister is as Heb. 7. 25. broad as the soar the blood of Christ is both 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the price of our Redemption and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Laver of Regeneration also 1. Let the first sort Trust in the Name of Isa 50. 10. See Dr. Goodwins Childe of Light the Lord and stay themselves upon their God Trust in the name of the Lord that is the infinite mercy of God through the merit of Christ God is rich in Mercy Plenteous in Redemption abundant in goodnesse and Truth the mercy of God is the Name of God yea the very first letter of his Name Mercy leads the Exod. 34. 6 chorum in that Catalogue of the Divine Attributes Exo. 34. 6. 2. Trust in the infinite Merit and Righteousnesse of Jesus Christ for this is his Name the Lord our Righteousnesse Let Faith drive Jer. 23. 6. thee quite out of self and thy own righteousnesse and lay fast hold on Christs Righteousnesse Know that Christ is the end of the Law for righteousnesse Phil. 3. 8 9 to every one that believeth Consider him that hath satisfied Justice fulfilled all righteousness Rom. 10. 4. in his own Person and brought in everlasting righteousnesse for thee who loved thee Dan. 9. 24. and gave himself for thee And so let faith grow up unto Assurance for this Righteousnesse is Gal. 2. 20. revealed from Faith to Faith called the Righteousnesse of God because 't is the righteousnesse Rom. 1. 17. of God as well as man and which God appointeth and accepteth for thy justification This divine Righteousness thou must live upon as thy daily food and bread of life 2. Let the second sort of disconsolate souls consider these Particulars 1. That an enlightned soul that communes with his own heart seeth more vileness filthiness and contrariety in himself to the holy nature and Law of God than such as are in a state of gross darkness who are strangers to God and in this sense perfect strangers to their own hearts 2. Let such consider a Christian state in this world is militant there must be warring and wrastling not only with flesh and blood but also with Eph. 6. 12. Principalities and Powers i. e. with the Devils of hell and the corruptions of the world every day Shall any say because I fight I am a Coward because I finde a law in my members warring against the law of my minde a double interest flesh and spirit lusting in the same soul yea in the Luke 11 21 self-same faculty therefore I am no Christian this very warring evinceth the clean contrary for when the strong man armed keeps the house all things are in peace thy very sensibility of sin and Gal. 5. 17. groaning under the burden and bondage of it thy strugling with it and sincere endeavours to subdue it are evident signs of sanctification begun in thee 3. Consider Grace begun destroyes not sin utterly nor carries away a compleat Victory presently thou must be trained and exercised a long time in Christs School and endure hardness like a good Souldier of Christ
chosen to the Sanctification of the Spirit 2 Thes 2. 14. Meere morality hath something of Majesty in it in the eye of nature Those abominable Bruits at Rome could not practice their filthy lascivious pranks while grave Cato was on the Theatâ—e the most carnal men have some inward respect for holiness for all their quarrelling with it and dislike of it Now should not Gods chosen be an holy People and live holily they would be a dishonour to his Name a scandal to his Gospel a cloud to his Glory God therefore chiefly aims at our holiness in all his dispensations I shall instance in these three 1. God Chuseth us 2. Calleth us 3. Correcteth us that we might be holy 1. God Chuseth us the chosen Generation are to be an holy Nation and to shew forth Gods vertues God chuseth us that we should be of a choice Spirit he loved us 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 virtutes 1 Pet. 2. 9 with a singular love that we should be persons of singular lives to him 2 God calleth us that wee may be holy that hee may put the honour of holiness upon us in the eye of the whole world Be ye holy in all manner of conversations as he is holy Let your light so shine before men that they seeing your 1 Pet. 1. 15 Mat. 5. 16 La demum est vera religio imitari Deum quem Colis Lactan. good works c. That is true Religion when we imitate God whom we worship 'T is impossible God should set his love upon a person altogether unlike himself similitude is the ground of Fellowship can two walk together except they are agreed for what communion hath light with darkness or Christ with Belial Surely none at all 3. Why doth the Lord many times correct his people but that they might be holy this is the sweet fruit that grows upon the sowre tree of affliction this is all the fruit to take away their sin Isa 27 9. and more expresly Heb. 12. 10. To make them partakers of his Holiness We are Threshed that ouâ— husks may fly off Winnowed that we may be purged Tried in the Fuâ—nace that our Graces may be brightned and our dross our lusts consumed God never afflicts his people but for their profit Though we may not yet God many times seeth we have great need of affliction because 1 Pet. 1. 6 we have need of sanctification many times the Saints get such deep spots in their Consciences and stains in their Garments that nothing but the Salt and Vinegar of afflition will rub them out God had rather see his people in a suffering than in a sinful state he had rather hear them cry than see them filthy and better a thousandfold to be preserved in Brine than to rot in Honey 2. Sanctification is absolutely needful for the honour of God the Son least his members should be deformed and polluted head and members must be proportionate like to one another it were monstruous that Christ should have such Dan. 2. 3â— 32 33 a strange body as Nebuchadnezars Image which he saw in his Dream the head of Gold the arms and breasts of Silver the thighs of Brasse the feet of Iron and Clay so strange and odd it is that Christ should have such a mis-shapen Body altogether unlike himself 't is not for Christs honour to be the head either of a monstrous or ulcerous body by how much we retain of sin by so much we dishonour our Redeemer and put him to shame therefore all Christs aim is to make us holy Christ pitched on Sanctification as the fittest blessing to bestow upon us to make us holy and so to make us in and with himself honourable Every distinct society must have some distinct honour now Christ hath set apart his Church as a distinct society to himself He bestows not on her worldly pomp or splendour other societies have enough of that but he beautifies her with holiness the best Ornament For holiness becometh thine House O Lord for ever Psal 93. 5. This is a farre greater gift than any outward greatness for moral excellencies do far transcend civil or natural God is said to be rich in Rom. 10. 12 Eph. 2. 4 Rom. 11. 33 Exod. 24. 6 Mercy plentious in Redemption aboundant in Goodness and Truth infinite in Power unsearchable in Counsel but he is glorious in Holiness Exod. 15. 11. Gods Goodness is his Treasure but his Holiness is his Glory Again Christ in giving us Sanctification did not onely respect its Excellency but also out want of it Christ came into the world to repair and make up the ruines of the Fall in the Fall we lost not onely Gods Love but also Gods Image therefore that the Plaister might be as broad as the fore he died not onely to reconcile us but also to sanctifie us that he might sanctifie the people with his own blood he suffered without the Gate Heb. 13. 12. His blood was Exod. 30. 17 18 19 20 21 not only 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Price but also 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Laver wherein to wash us and make us clean as under the Law there was both a Laver and an Altar to shew that we must bee sanctified as well as justified Christ came into the world not only to abolish the guilt of sin which makes against The Son of God appeared 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ut dissolvat opera Diaboli Si hodie quoque in Helvetiis Thermae Tabericâ—ses c. vatetudinarios restituunt id quidem divina tribuendum est bâ—nignitati nam nuste res Terrenae vim in se habent saluâ—arem hominibus nisi essicaces reddâ—ntur per poâ—entiam omnipotentis Buling in Joh. 5. 4 Numb 35 6 25. our Interest Peace and Comfort but also to destroy the power of sin and cleanse us of the filth of sin which makes against Christs Glory Christ dyed that the Gospel and all the precious Ordinances and Promises of the â—ame might be under a blessing and conduce to the advancement of holiness Ephes 5. 26. That he might Sanctifie us by the washing of water through the Word Christ hath procured a Treasure of Grace to be conveyed to the Church by the spiritual use of Ordâ—nances John 17. 19. I Sanctifie my self for their sakes saith Christ that they might be Sanctified through the Truth That prophane Wretch Celsus decries Christianity as though it were a Nursery of wickedness and a Seminary of all looseness such abominable thoughts he had of the Doctrine of Free-Grace Origen wisely answers him The Gospel is not an Invitation of a Thief to debauch men but the Invitation of a Physitian to cure men of their enormities 'T is an Hospital to heal them of their Diseases a Fountain to cleanse them of their Filthiness When ever ye come to hear the Word or to the use of any Ordinance expect then to reap the fruits of Christs purchase look upon the Ordinances as sprinkled
their behalf with a commendation of them and his hearty desire for them carried on from the first to the tenth verse The second is a Proposition Dehortatory that 2 Propositio Dehortatoria they cherish not Schismes among themselves least Viper-like they eat out their own bowels whence he had information and what their Schismes or Divisions were he explains in ver 10 11 12. The third is a Confirmation of his Dehortatory 3. Confirmatio Proposition many of his Arguments are taken ab absurdo as they call it 1. Because to cherish Schismes is as it were to divide or tear Christ in pieces v. 13. 2. Because none of their Teachers was crucified for them v. 13. 3. Because they were not baptized in the name of any of their Teachers v. 13. Neque Baptizando nec praediâ—ando Par. Non cum dicendi peritiá Beza 4. Because the Apostle had given them no occasion of abusing his name to Schismes neither by baptizing for he baptized but few of them v. 14 15 16. nor by his Preaching for he preached not with ostentation 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not in the wisdome of speech not in quaint terms not with Rhetorical flourishes or Visus autem fuisset Christi crucifixi Spiritus nihil agere si humanae facundiae vi homines ad Christianismum essent adducti Beza 1 Ab effectu contrarii humane Eloquence lest the Cross of Christ should be made of none effect v. 17. that is lest the Doctrine of Christ crucified should become fruitless for as a learned Author well observes The Spirit of Christ crucified would have seemed to have done nothing if men should have been brought to Christianity by the force of Humane Eloquence 1. This is the first reason and 't is drawn ab effectu contrarii from the effect of the contrary Now least any should think that plainness of speech did render the Doctrine of the Cross contemptible a tacit Objection is answered in v. 18. by a distinction Though the Doctrine of the Cross be foolishness to the Reprobates yet 't is the Power of God to such as shall be saved 2. From the miserable condition of worldly 2. A conditione mundanae sapientiae wisdome it is an Enemy to God and God an Enemy to it and threatens to destroy it I will destroy the wisdome of the wise ver 19. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 tollam â— medio The Prophet Isa 29. 14. from whence these words are taken there useth a Verb Neuter which the Greeks have turned into a Verb Active 3. From the good pleasure of God willing to 3 A Beneplacito Dei save by the foolishness of Preaching them that believe and though the obstinate Jews and Philosophical Greeks reputed the Gospel foolishness for how can blind men distinguish colours yet 't is in very deed and truth infinitely wiser than humane wisdome and infinitely stronger than humane power for 't is the Wisdome and Power of God himself ver Psa 110. 2 The Lord shall send the Rod of thy strength out of Zion Rule thou in the midst of thine Enemies Here vocatio pro vocatis metonymicè ponatur sicut passim circumcisio pro circumcisis praeputium pro incircumcisis Beza in loc Marl. in loc to the same purpose A Fine ultima 21 22 23 24 25. The Publication of the Gospel is the Scepter by which the Lord Reigns the Rod of Christs strength by which he doth and shall rule in the midst of his Enemies 4. From the blessed effect of Gods good pleasure exprest in calling Not many wise not many Mighty not many Noble though some few of these in all Ages have been called but rather the poor the foolish persons and things that in the eye of the carnal world are contemptible and counted of no account meer nothings ver 26 27. Ye see your calling Brethren that is what way oâ— manner the Lord hath taken in calling you or rather quinam ex vobis sint vocati who or what kind of men among you are called not the wise and Mighty but commonly and generally the foolish and weak for the poor receive the Gospel as Christ speaks 5. From the ultimate or last end That no flesh should glory in his presence but in the Lord himself of whom we are in Christ Jesus who of God is made unto us Wisdome Righteousness Sanctification and Redemption Thus by this Clue of five Threads I mean the five last Heads I have brought you to the Text. 1 Cor. 1. 30. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus who of God is made unto us Wisdome and Righteousness and Sanctification and Redemption THe Sacred Scriptures do hold forth our Lord Jesus Christ to be both the Treasurer and the Treasury of all our blessedness both in this and in the other world all our Treasures are in him as well as from him 2 Col. 3. In him are hid all the treasures of wisdome and knowledge He is our life and our life is hid with Christ in God Col. 3. 3 4. The beloved Apostle that leaned upon Jesus his bosome tells us 1 Joh. 5. 11 12. This is the Record that God hath given to us eternal life and this life is in his Son Could we ever have wisht it in a surer or sweeter place than in the bosome of our blessed Saviour the Son of God and Prince of Life And farther He that hath the Son hath life and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life c. Our life of righteousness our life of holiness our life of glory or our eternal life our spiritual life in these three considerations is wrapt or bound up in Jesus Christ the bundle of life As sin and death came by Adam so righteousness and life came by Jesus Christ according to that of the Apostle Rom. 5. 21. That as sin hath reigned unto death even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. This pregnant Text which I am now discoursing from more rich than Hermes Table bespangled with Emeraules presents ye with these four most Orient Jewels the Jewels of Heaven the choice blessings of the Covenant viz Wisdome Righteousness Sanctification and Redemption and that which is the glory of all this Text acquaints ye with to your inexpressible comfort that Christ Jesus is all these in himself and by himself to ye and for ye God the Father hath made him your All in All Col. 3. 11. Christ is all in all all in all in Illumination all in all in Justification all in all in Reconciliation all in all in Adoption all in all in Sanctification all in all in Redemption all in all 2 Tim 4. 10. in preservation to his heavenly Kingdome And though it be said of the Saints enjoyment of God in heaven that God i. e. God the Father is all in all 1 Cor. 15. 28. yet certainly as God the Father is pleased to communicate himself in the
Christ hath given the hand of Faith doth put it forth make application of the Merits and mediation of Jesus Christ for his Purification and doth in truth draw in vertue by that application 1 Joh. 3. 3. He that hath this hope doth purifie himself even as he is pure Faith exerts the office of all the senses and of all the members 't is the eye the hand the mouth the foot of the Soul c. as might be proved easily if I should exspatiate As Christ is all in all to the soul in the sanctification of it so Faith of all graces is all in all in the out-going of the soul to Christ and in the Incomes of grace from him 2. As Faith is the Instrumental so the Causa Administra Evangelium est medium ceu instrumentum quo Spiritus sanâ—tus efficaciam suam exerit sidem conversionem operatâ—r Syntag Polan Word is the ministring cause or medium of sanctification Psa 19. 7. The Law of the Lord is perfect converting the Soul the Law in all its Exhortations Commands Consolations Prohibitions Comminations and Promises is a perfect Law serving as a perfect means for conversion But the Promissory and Consolatory part thereof is principally more purifying Having these promises let us cleanse our selves c. 2 Cor. 7. 1. 2 Pet. 1. 4. The Goâ—pel or Law of Faith is vehiculum spiritus the Chariot in which the spirit rides to give your souls a gracious visit Gal. 3. 2. Received ye the spirit by the works of the Law or by the hearing of faith Fides quae creditur He that makes the Clouds his Chariots makes also his Word his Ordinances and his Ministers his Chariots wherein he â—ides down into these lower parts to give the world a meeting Mr. Allens Heaven Opened p. 172. i. e. by the hearing of the Gospel which is the doctrine of faith The sanctifying spirit accompanying the holy Word then the Word is sanctifying Joh. 17. 17. Sanctifie them by thy truth thy Word is truth When the Gospel is spoken and heard in the evidence and demonstration of the Spirit and of Power then is the Arm of the Lord revealed Isa 53. 1. then the Word of God works and grows mightily for sanctification and salvation then the blind eyes are opened then are the captives released then are the dead raised then are the lepers cleansed then are the devils dispossessed then are filthy souls washed unholy souls sanctified 7. Causa Exemplaris The Exemplar or Pattern to which our Sanctification in the two parts of it viz. our mortification and vivification is conformable is the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ by vertue of the force and energy whereof through the operation and application of the spirit of faith our sanctification is effected The Apostle Paul holds forth a clear Analogy or proportion between our dying to sin and Christs dying for sin and between our newness of life or vivification and Christs Resurrection Rom. 6. 4. 5. 6 7 8. where ye may see at large the parallel between them And the Apostle Peter tells us We are begotten again unto a lively hope by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead 8â—y and lastly The glory of Gods Grace in the Conservation and Salvation of a sinful creature is the supreme end or final cause of our Sanctification there is a mutual intimate coherence and relation of these three to oâ—e another 1. The glory of Gods Grace is the Supreme end as of our Election in Christ so of our Sanctification by him All the Acts of Gods love in Christ whether immanent or transient they are all for the praise of the glory of his grace both in this and in the other world Eph. 1. 4. 6. And specifically Sanctification hath a direct tendency unto and termination in the glory of God When we keep our bodies and spirits chaste and holy we are then said to glorifie God 1 Cor. 6. 20. Glorifie God in your bodies and in your spirits which are Gods 2. Consecration This is finis qui the end for which quoad nos we are sanctified and necessary necessitate medii to our Salvaâ—ion Jam. 1. 18. We are begotten by the Will of God â—hat we might be a kind of the first fruits of his creatures that is as Beza Polanus and others observe that we might be consecrated and devoted to the Lord separated from the common lump of mankind as an holy offering as the first fruits under the Law were presented to the Lord as an holy Offering as the Lords own portion 3. Salvation This is our ultimate end the Apostle Peter acquaints us 1 Pet. 1. 3. We are begotten again unto a lively hope by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ c. What is that lively hâ—pe we are begotten and born to in Regeneration he tells ye in ver 4. Even to an inheritance incorruptible undâ—filed that fadeth not away reserved in heaven for you This incomparable Inheritance dignified with all these transcendent Epithets See Dr. Owens Death of Death p. 119 120 121 122 c. is comprehended in one word Salvation 2 Thes 2. 13 14. God hath from the beginning chosen us to Salvation that is the end through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth that is the way and means Thus having cleared our way now we come to the plain and full definition of Sanctification Sanctification in the sense of the Text and of this Tract is a new inward habitual frame of grace infused by the power of the Eternal Spirit into the heart of a justified person united to Christ whereby he is renewed after the Image of Christ in knowledge righteousness and true holiness and thereby enabled to die to sin and to live to God for the praise of Gods glorious grace in his Consecration and Salvation This definition is the sum of the former discourse every part and branch of this description hath been already proved in the aforegoing particulars therefore I shall not actum agere do over the same things again only give me leave to acquaint you our Sanctification Holiness is not any single grace alone but a Constellation â— conjunction of all graces together in the Soul or Inherent Holiness consists in these two things 1. In the infusing of holy principles divine qualities or supernatural graces into the soul such as the Apostle mentions in Gal. 5. 22 23. But the fruit of the spirit is love joy peace long-suffering gentleness goodness faith meekness temperance against such there is no Law These habits of grace which are severally distinguished by the names of faith love hope meekness patience temperance c. are nothing else but the new nature the new creature the new man which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness Ephes 4. 24. These seeds 1 Joh. 3. 9 2 Cor. 1. 21. 1 Joh. 2. 27. of holiness these habits of grace are those sweet oyntments where with all must be
sanctified is now made Membra sunt Arma ready for every good work to which before sanctification it was altogether reprobate Beloved Friends are your souls thus well and healthy are they recovered to their right temper are ye sound in the faith are ye sincere at heart is the habitual frame of your hearts right with God and for God or not deal impartially with your own souls 'T is true a man that is generally lively and healthy may now and then by accident get colds and surfets have fits of weakness and for some time labour under some infirmities but a strong Constitution will â—ub along wear off and cast out the disease at last so an holy a spiritually healthy man through humane frailty and strong temptation may for a time decay in grace yea languish very much hee may get cold his love to God his zeal for God may chil and cool his faith may weaken his hope may almost fail his patience may tire c. And through the immoderate cares of this life and inordinate affection to the Creature he may get a Surfet he may fall into sin yea fowly fall into great sins and labour Nemo esse sine delicto potest quamdiù indumento carni oneratus est Lactant. de vero cultu under the sense of a wounded spirit a long time Notwithstanding all this the immortal seed of God in him of which he is begotten by the supplyes of the Spirit of Life will revive and conoborate the man again The divine Nature in him will get head exert its influence and repair the man again Grace like Leaven will ferment the whole lump the whole soul and work out the disease of sin in a word the withering stock of Grace within like a Psalm 1. 3. Rev. 22. 1. Tree planted by the River of Life will spring and flourish scent and bud again 8. Blessed effect or Priviledge If thou art sanctified or regenerated thou hast a true and undoubted Title to the Kingdome 3 Joh. 3. 5. Except ye are born again ye cannot see ye cannot enter into the Kingdome of God This Negative is inclusive of the Affirmative If ye are born again ye shall both see and enter into Gods Kingdome This Kingdome of God if born again is thy Inheritance If thou hast the sanctification of the Spirit thou art begotten again unto a lively hope this lively is also a most glorious hope here hope is put for the object hoped for and what is that the 3d. v. informs ye an inheritance incorruptible undefiled which fadeth not away reserved in hea-for ye The children of Regeneration are most certainly and unquestionably the children of the Kingdome Sanctification is the Genuine and Evangelical Title to salvation see 2 Thes 2. 14. When ye are born from above ye are at that instant born for above ye are born children of God brethren of Christ Companions with Angels and heirs of Glory Nay let me tell ye more Sanctification is the very entrance into the Kingdome Sanctificatio est Ingreslus in Regnum Dei Caâ—v Phil 3. 20. of God Holinesse is not only the way to Heaven but it is Heaven it self A sanctified person lives the life of Heaven * his conversation is in Heaven he lives the Life of God whilst his body is here on earth it is life eternal in the present tense in specie and in primitiis in the kind and first-fruits of it to know God in Christ John 17. 3. When ye begin to be holy ye then begin to enter into the white cloud of Glory Ah then seeing every one would be happy who would not be holy Holinesse becometh thine House O Lord for ever Without holinesse no man shall see the Lord that is with joy hereâ—ftâ—r Heb. 12. 14. No nor any enjoyment of the favour and fellowship with God here An unsanctified person is very miserable he misseth heaven in both Worlds he hath nether holiness nor happiness he hath neither the seed nor the flower neither the first-fruits nor the Vintage he hath not a grain of saving Grace no sweet dews falling from heaven on him not a drop of the water of Life to comfort him But his soul is like the Heath in the Desart and shall not see when good cometh but shall inhabit the dry and parched places in the wildernesse in a salt land and not inhabited Jer. 17. 6. A most dismal state saltness and barrenness is his doom here fire and brimstone is his portion for ever Certainly an unholy man must needs be very miserable Lastly True sanctification is an abiding flourishing progressive Principle 1. It is an abiding Principle it lives and abides in it self and it also quickens the soul Semen manenâ— in the life and keeps the soul in the love of God for ever 1 Pet. 1. 23. A man externally sanctified may fall away and come to nothing like a barren Tree he may lose in time both leaves and fruit but a man internally sanctified can never fall away neither totally nor finally for the Name and Nature of God the Mark and Seal of God the Image and Seed of God is in him And this is incorruptible and immortal * 1 Pet 4. 14. the spirit of Glory and of God rests upon him the spâ—rit of Holiness dwels and abides in his soul for ever the Father Son and Spirit according to their omnipotency faithfulness and immutability will never suffer their seed seal nature image to be lost Though Hymenâ—â—â— and Philetus hypocrites and hereticks may err concerning the truth overthrow the faith of some and throw themselves and others down to Hell Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure having this seal the Lord knoweth who are his 2 Tim. 2. 17 18 19. The love of God in Election and in Vocation or Sanctification is like himself unchangeable The Gifts and Calling of God are without Repentance Joh. 13. 1. Rom. 11. 29. There may be partial and gradual Apostacy in some of the Saints of God they may backslide in their apprehensions in their affections and in their conversations as is too too manifest by the Scripture-evidence and by sad experience but to backslide totally from all the truths of God and from all the profession of the Gospel and with the mind and will with the consent of the whole soul and finally to fall away bid an eternal farewell or depart from God for ever This cannot shall not be Among others consult these Texts Heb. 12. 6 2. He that is the Author will also be the Finisher of our faith 1 Phil. 6. Hee that hath begun the good work in ye will also perfect it And Jer. 32. 40. And I will make saith God an everlasting Covenant with them that I will not turn away from them to do them good but I will put my fear in their hearts and they shall not depart from me Here God in the Riches of his Grace through Christ undertakes both for himself and his
Sanctification and give distinct glory to each Person 1. Consider the love of the Father in Election 'T is from the love of the Father that we are blessed with all Spiritual blessings c. that Eph. 1. 3 4. we are chosen in Christ that we might be holy c. Christ himself was a gift of the Fathers love for God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son c. this was unutterable John 3. 16 and unconceivable love indeed wherefore give due praise to the Father 2. Consider the wonderful love and merit of the Son his love was transcendent his merit was Infinite wherefore to him that hath loved Rev. 1. 5 6 us and washed us from our sins in his own blood â—nd hath made us Kings and Priests unto God and his Father to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever Amen It was superlative love in Christ to lay down his precious life to spill his precious blood for you Gal. 2. 20. Christ by the merit of his blood the price of your Sanctification hath impetrated and obtained of the Father the holy Spirit with all the gifts and graces of the same for your sanctification and salvation see John 16. 7 13. John 14. 16 17. 3. Consider the infinite power and efficacy of the Spirit The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead called the Spirit of Holiness Rom. 1. 4. quickens the Saints to a new life and dwelleth in them Rom. 8. 11. This new life of holiness which is in Christ Jesus is by the Spirit of life imparted to you Rom. 8. 2. For the Law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus Rom. 8. 2 hath made me free from the law of sin and death Holiness in us is the fruit of Christs Purchase the product of his merit the sprinkling of his Unction a parcel of his Fulness and a measure of his Spirit we have as great need of his Spirit to sanctifie us as of his blood to â—â—stifie us yea the Eternal Spirit was indispensibly needful to sanctifie and dignifie the blessed Sacrifice of Christs Humane Nature upon the Cross or else I must profess my Ignorance of that Text Heb. 9. 14. 'T is not only the power but the exceeding greatness of the Spirits power to raise up a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Supoâ—eminens magnitudo virtutis ejus So Montanus person morally dead to an estate of newness of life 't is a work proportionate to that power God wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead and set him at his own right hand in the Heavenly places Eph. 1. 19 20. Notwithstanding the Fathers Election and the Sons Redemption yet without the Spirits Efficacy we had all at this day lain rotting like stinking Carrion in the Grave of sin and death Gods Mercy Christs Merit and the Spirits efficacy must have their distinct glory The Father is said to sanctifie the Son to Sanctifie It is very oâ—servable that all the three Persons challenge an equal share in the working of holiness in the creature it being such a part of Gods Gâ—orie Mr. Burroughs Saints Treasury p. 16. the Spirit to sanctifie but with their distinct Idioms or Characters our sanctification is from the Father in the Son and by the Spirit the Inchoation is from the Father he is the prime original the Dispensation is by the Son he is the way of Communication the Application and Consummation is by the Spirit he receives of the Father and the Son and shows it unto us that is he works grace or holiness in us Thus all the persons work jointly and yet distinctly the love of the Father makes way for the Mediatorship of the Son and the Mediatorship of the Son for the Officâ— of the Spirit The Sanctification of the Spirâ—t is as necessary as the blood of Jesus you may see 1 Pet. 1. 2. how all the persons have their distinct operations Communion with the Spirit is as sweet and choice a priviledge as the Grace of our Lord Jesus or the Love of God the Father 2 Cor. 13. 14. Thus sanctifie the Name of God give Glory to the Father Son and Spirit to the Triuni Deo the three one God three in Persons one in Essence and Nature for your Sanctification Use 2 It Jesus Christ be made of God Sanctification to us the Procuring Meritorious and Moral cause of our Sanctification then primarily and principally let your thoughts ascend to God the Father as the supreme original of your Sanctification let not your thoughts stop or stay till they center in him 'T is the Father who of his own will hath begotten us by the Word of Truth 't is God the Father of Jam. 1. 18. our Lord Jesus who of his aboundant Mercy hath 1 Pet. 1. 3 begotten us again c. Therefore we ought to bless and exalt his aboundant Mercy as the Apostle doth 'T is the Father the Heavenly John 15. 1 2. Husbandman that purgeth the Branches that they might bring forth fruit As we ought to believe in Christ the Mediatour so in God as the first Fountain and Authour of Grace and as the ultimate end of our happiness 1. As the Fountain of all Grace John 3. 16. God so loved the world that he gave c. Ephes 2. 4 5. God who is rich in mercy for his great love wherewith he loved us when we were dead in sins hath quickened us together with Ephes 2. 4 5. Rom. 4. 24 Christ We must believe in him that raised our Lord Jesus from the dead He that believeth in me believeth not in me but in him that sent me there not is not negative but corrective not So Dr. Manton Expounds it in his Commentary on Jude only in me but his thoughts must ascend to the Father also who manifests himself in me for God was in Christ reconcâ—ling the World to himself c. 2 Cor. 5. 19. 2. You must believe in God as the ultimate end of your happiness Christ suffered for sins the just for the unjust that he might bring us Pet. 3. 18 to God When the Mediatour brings the Soul into peace with God by Justification and into the likeness and fellowship of God by Sanctification he hath attained he utmost end of his Mediatourship and the Soul hath attained its chiefest good and utmost hâ—pâ—iness therefore is it said that the Saints by Christ do believe in God c. Pet. 1. 21 I would not wittingly or willingly speak a word for a world to detract any thing from the honour of my blessed Saviour or from the glory of the sacred Comforter but to rectifie your understandings and to heighten your apprehensions of the Fathers love because many Christians carry all things in the Name of Christ and of the Spirit being more apprehensive of the Sons love and of the Spirit 's grace than of the Fathers aboundant mercy Give me therefore leave to subjoin these
with that Cooling-Card 2 Pet. 2. 19. While they promise them liberty they themselves are the servants of Corruption for of whom a man is overcome of the same is he brought in bondage They are the slaves of Satan in the bonds of lust I wish that all Prodigals and presumptuous sinners would seriously mind that Text But my Brethren I trust that ye have otherwise learned Christ If so be ye have heard him and have been taught by him as the truth is in Jesus then ye do put off concerning the former conversation the old man c. ye do put on the new man which after 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in sanctitate veritatis vulg God is created in righteousness and true holiness or holiness of Truth Ephes 4. 22. 23 24. I trust the Lord hath given ye an understanding to know things that are excellent and to approve them that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ as the Apostles prays for the Phillippians Phil. 1. 9 10. Many excellent Gifts the Father of Lights bestows upon his Children indeed every good and perfect gift comes from him Christ himself is the Jam. 1. 17. first Best Gift of God A Gift of Gifts and sanctification in or by Christ Jesus I take to Joh. 1. 10. be the next Best Now you that are righteous with this inherent Righteousness hold on 1 Cor. 1. 2. your way and prosper the Lord be with ye The Angel of his presence save ye The Spirit of Jesus guide ye to the Hill of holiness and help you to perfect holiness in the fear of God You are under the vertue of sure and sweet promises for your great encouragement in Heavens way The Righteous shall hold on his way and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger Job 17. 9. The Lord strengthen your hearts and quicken your See these Texts Isa 40. 2 last verses Phil. 1. 6. Heb. 12. 2. Ezek. 36. 27. speed by these powerful and precious Promises and give ye a prosperous arrival at the fair Havens of rest and peace Amen We come now to close the whole with these two uses 1. By way of Conviction 2. By way of Caution Though I know the Rules of Method and the exigence of the Subject Command me yet I shall not proceed directly by way of Examination because that hath been already done from that Text Rom. 1. 7. To all that be at Rome beloved of God called to be Saints from whence the doctrine of calling hath been discussed the nature of Saintship and the signs and tryals of Sanctification have been largely shewn We shall therefore God willing proceed to the next in order viz. the Use of Conviction Use 8. This Doctrine of Sanctification we have so long insisted on serveth for Conviction If those that are Gods and Christs are sanctified in Christ Jesus if God the Father hath given them Christ his Son for their sanctification to make them holy Then this Point brings doleful news sad tidings in the mouth of it to three sorts of Persons To the Prophane To the Persecutors To the Scorners 1. The profane who mock at sin and slight holiness are hereby convicted and condemned 1. The prophane God hath no Birthright for such profane Esaus The people who are the Lords portion are an holy Nation washed from their filthinesse If ye are converted ye are washed and sanctified in the name and by the spirit of the Lord Jesus 1 Cor. 6. 11. but prophane ones have â— spot upon them which is not the spot of Gods Children Deut. 32. 5. see what St. John speaketh of such kinde of persons as wallow in their filthiness 1 John 3. 8. He that committeth sin is of the Devil for the Devil sinneth from the beginning he that tradeth in sin and maketh 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 qui operam dat peccato So Beza sin his constant businesse work or practise as a workman doth his calling and followeth the same daily and deliberately A godly man may slip into sin through humane frailty and in the hurry of temptation may be overtaken with a fault But it is the profane man that is a trader in sin and a constant worker of iniquity Though such men may presume that they belong to God yet our Saviour expresly speaks they are the Devils Children John 8. 44. Ye are of your father the Devil for his works ye do c. These men have not the least pretence of a claim to Heaven they come exceeding short of Hypocrites who pretend to holiness and seem to be so but the prophane are neither civil nor moral Such gross sinners are called Dogs and Swine They are welâ—â—ing in the gall of bitterness and bound fast with the bond of iniquity as Peter told Simon Magus Acts 8. 23. All that such kinde of sinners have to say for the most part for themselves is this 1. That God is merciful 2. That their hearts are better than their lives To the first I answer that God is holy and just as well as mercifull and gracious The Lamb will turn a Lion the Saviour of the world will come as a terrible Judge in flaming fire to render vengeance to the ignorant and disobediext 2 Thes 1. 8. And if the righteous scarcely be saved where shall the wicked and ungodly appear 1 Pet. 4. 18. They shall appear indeed but like as chaffe before the Whirl-wind and as stubble before the flames Sinners do little All the Attributes of God aâ— justice mercy c. do run in the channel of his Holiness think that Gods mercy is an holy mercy which in a saving manner he will dispence to none out of Christ Sinners do err exceedingly to think that God is prodigal either of his own mercy or of his Sons Blood 't is only the sanctified in Christ Jesus exclusively who shall be the objects of his saving mercy the mercy of God and the merit of Christ are most sacred and precious things 1 Pet. 1. 18. The former is bestowed on none the latter is spilt for none but an holy and a peculiar people Justice must be satisfied else mercy can be never 1 Pet. 2. 9. dispensed if the merit of Christ be thine then the mercy of the Father is thine otherwise though the Ocean of Gods pardoning mercy be boundless and bottomless thou shalt not taste one drop of it Well then wouldst thou know that God will be mercifull to thy soul at the last day it highly concerns thee to know Christ in the power of his Resurrection and in the fellowship of his sufferings in this thy Phil. 3. 10. Day 2. To the other Plea That their hearts are better than their lives I answer This is to appeal to a witness that cannot be found to a witness that is as to us invisible 't is as if a man should lay claim to another mans Land and pretend he hath lost the evidences the