THE
PROLEGOMENA TO THE Ensuing Discourse.
ALl I have to say in the Proem to the Text, I shall reduce to these Heads following.
I shall endeavour to shew
- 1.
By whom this Epistle was written.
- 2.
To whom it was written.
- 3.
Ʋpon what occasion the Apostle wrote this Epistle.
- 4.
What is the Argument of this Epistle.
- 5.
At what time, and where this Epistle was written.
1.
By whom this Epistle was written.
The Apostle
Paul, a
Act. 9. 15.
chosen Ʋessel of God, was the Author of this Epistle, a man that was caught up to the third heaven, (where he heard
[...]; which
Montanus and the Vulgar translate,
arcana verba: But
Beza, ineffabilia verba, unspeakable words; as our English Translators do well render; such words
[...];
id est, quae fando explicari à quoquam homine non possint. Beza. which no man can explain by speaking.) A man inspired with the Spirit of God,
[Page 4] as he testifies of himself in this Epistle, 1
Cor. 7. 40. Therefore by the inspiration of the Spirit of God he wrote this Epistle.
Paul, and all other holy men of old that wrote the
Canonical and Divine Scriptures, were but
Amanuenses Penmen, or Secretaries to the Spirit, the Spirit was the immediate Author, Inditer, and Composer of the Scriptures: All Scripture is of
Divine Inspiration,
[...]. 2
Tim. 3. 16. 1
Pet. 1. 21. For the Prophesie came not in old time, or rather
[...]
aliquando, at any time, by the will of man, but holy men of God spake as they were
[...],
acti, inspirati; acted or moved by the Holy Ghost.
D.
Owen expounding this Text in his Divine Original of the Scripture, p. 25. One of our Worthies hath an excellent gloss upon this Text.
When the Word came, or rather was brought
[...]
to the holy men that wrote the Scriptures, it was not left to their understandings, wisdomes, minds, memories; to order, dispose, and give it out; but they were born, acted, carried out by the Holy Ghost, to speak, deliver, and write all that, and nothing but that, to every tittle that was so brought to them; they invented not words themselves, suited to the things they had learned, but only expressed the words that they received. And a little after he saith,
Not only the Doctrine they taught was the Word of Truth, Truth its self, Joh. 17. 17.
but the words whereby they taught it, were words of truth from God himself, &c. Thus this Epistle, and other sacred Scriptures, being of
Divine Authority, and thereupon of
uncontroulable Soveraignty, and of
Eternal Verity, ought to be received and entertained of us with holy respect and
reverence, to be heard and read as
the Oracles of God.
2.
To whom this Epistle was written, together with a Description of Corinth.
This Epistle was written to the men of
Corinth, but more specifically, the Apostle himself tells ye, 1
Cor. 1. 2.
Unto the Church of God which is at Corinth,
to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be Saints, with all that in every place call upon the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours.
The Corinthians were Achaians.
Corinth
Corinthii Achaici
fuerunt. was a famous and rich City of
Achaia, not only one of the chief, but the Metropolitan, or chiefest of that Region; it was a City placed in an
Isthmus, or narrow streight, going into
Peloponnesus, now called
Morea; and being scituate between
Both Poets and Geographers use to call her
Corinthus Bi-maris, Corinthus Achaiae, Metropolis olim erat, ob portuum commoditatem Emporium totius Asiae,
tum celeberrimum, tum opulentissimum. Marl. two Seas, the
Aegean, and
Ionian, having fair Havens towards these two Seas, a great concourse of people from many Countries resorted thither, whereupon it was called
Nobilissimum Emporium, opibus abundans, a most Noble
Mart-Town, overflowing with a confluence of wealth and worldly prosperity; yea, so famous and flourishing was this City, that the Romans themselves began to suspect her greatness; but the Corinthians were as insolent as the Romans were suspitious, for they uncivilly abused the Roman Embassadors, and cast Urine upon their heads as they passed through the
So
Cicero relates it. City. Upon this disgrace the Romans sent
Lucius Mummius, then Consul, who burnt the City, and made it level with the ground: In the burning of it, so many rich and costly Images of sundry sorts of mettal were melted, that thereof was found
[Page 6] a very precious Brass called
Aes Corinthium, more esteemed than Silver among the Romans. At last it was (say some) re-edified by
Julius Caesar; (say others) by
Augustus Caesar: because of the excellent fitness and scituation of the place, it quickly encreased to its former wealth and splendour. It was a place famous for the profession of Christianity, but of late it fell into the hands of Turks and Infidels, and by them it is at this day called
Corinto
Anno Ch. 1451. and
Coranto.
To this City the Apostle
Paul came from
Athens, where he converted to the Faith of Christ
Act. 18. 1.
Crispus and
Sosthenes, two chief Rulers of the Jewish Synagogue, and many of the Corinthians
Act. 18. 8. 17. hearing believed, and were baptized, for the Lord had by a Vision in the night told him, he had much people in that City; and withall, for his encouragement, to preach there uncessantly, and to abide there patiently. The Lord bids him
be not afraid, but speak,
Act. 18. 9.
and hold not thy peace. These words were Pillars of Support, and Cordials of Comfort to his fainting heart: Gods words are not empty or a
[...]ery Dictates, like
Vox & praeterea nihil. mans, a voice, and no more; but creating, corroborating, comforting, soul-renewing, and soul-quickning, and soul-restoring, and reviving precepts, where, when, and in whom he pleaseth; for his word
He upholdeth all things by the Word of his Power. Heb. 1. 3. is the word of his power, and therefore a word with power:
The words that I speak (saith Christ)
they are spirit, and they are life, Joh. 6. 63.
Again, the Lord promiseth to be with
[Page 7]
Paul, for I am with thee, and no man shall
Act. 18. 10 set on thee to hurt thee,
&c. God did not only promise the assistance of his Spirit to
his Ministry, (though that is rather implied than expressed) but God also promiseth his
Protecting Presence to his person, that no man should set on him to hurt him. How valiantly and chearfully may a soul fight after such a Leader, and under such Ensigns? under the promise of the
faithful God, and in the presence of the
Mighty God. He to whom God is a
Sun of influence, and a
Shield of defence, (as he hath promised)
Psa. 84. 11. may go on in the face of the greatest difficulty with courage and success, and fear no colours, because one single God is eminently and infinitely more, more for strength, support and succour, than all the enemies are for fear and terror.
When the snares of death prevent thee, and
Psa. 18. 4, 5. the floods of the ungodly make thee afraid, call upon God, cry to the Lord in thy distress, as
David did,
Psa. 18. 6. Act faith on God by the Warrant of his own precious Promises; these among others are ver
[...]
[...]rtment and pregnant, Isa. 41. 10, 11.
Fear thou not, for I am with thee, &c. Isa. 43. 2.
When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee, &c. Isa. 8. 12, 13, 14.
Neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid, but sanctifie the Lord of Hosts himself, and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. This is Gods Precept, and your Duty;
v. 14.
And he shall be for a Sanctuary. This is Gods Promise, and your Priviledge.
But to return; the Apostle hereby animated,
[Page 8] continued at
Corinth a year and six moneths,
Act. 18. 11. teaching the Word of God among them; during which space of time, by the blessing of God upon his Ministry, (or in his own phrase)
by the grace of God which was with him, 1
Cor. 15. 10. he had gathered and planted a most flourishing Church at
Corinth, to whom he gives many
Encomiums, or Titles of praise, in the beginning of this Epistle,
Chap. 1. 5, 6, 7. God had indeed much people in this City, whom
he sanctified in Christ Jesus, and called to be Saints. A
Quis, Quaeso Electos multos in perversissima c
[...]vitate quaesivisset? Deus tamen noverat quos
[...]iegisset, & qui sui essent. Pareus. German Divine admiring at Gods goodness, and
Paul's success, cryes out,
Who (I pray) would have sought for many Elect in a most perverse City? But God knew whom he had elected, and who were his. No place is so prophane (saith the same Author)
in which God hath not his. This passage puts me in mind of an excellent note of a
M.
Caryl in his Exposition upon the three first Chapters of
Job, p. 23.
[...]
In cor
[...]tissima &
[...]. Worthy Divine of ours, where he observes;
God hath his servants in all places, in the worst of places: There was never any air so bad, but that a servant of God may breathe in it. God had a choice piece even in the Land of Uz,
a place of prophaneness; here was Bethel
in Bethaven,
an House of God in a Land of wickedness; and so he goes on excellently. There were Saints in
Caesars (wicked
Neroes) houshold; so there were Saints, many Saints, at leastwise many, which the Lord did intend actually to call and sanctifie by
Paul's Ministry, and consequently to save and glorifie, that were Inhabitants even in
Corinth, in that most *
corrupt and
most perverse City, infamous for luxury, effeminateness, and many other vices, as a good Author doth observe.
3.
Upon what occasion this Epistle was written.
The occasion was twofold.
First was, Those grievous and great scandals and vices which crept in, and invaded the Church of
Corinth after the departure of the Apostle; of which, throughout the whole Epistle, we hear at large.
The Apostle having planted a great Church there, went forward in his
Ministerial Circuit, (according to his
Commission) from thence to preach the Gospel in other Cities of
Asia, and after a considerable time, being now at
Ephesus, as may be gathered from 1
Cor. 16. 8. he understood there from some of the
A Cloes
familiaribus Apostolus edoctus esset. Par. This
Cloe seems to have been an honest Matron, and of esteem among the Church of
Corinth. So the Dutch Annotat.
houshold of Cloe, that there were divisions among them; wherefore because he could not come himself in person at present to apply healing plaisters to their sores, he sends them this Epistle, wherein he doth gravely advertise them, put them in mind of their duty; he shews them their fall and folly, and directs them to the right cure and recovery; and that the cure might be wrought effectually, he labours to effect it several wayes, if possibly he
might take them with honest guile.
1. Sometimes he praiseth, commendeth, and speaks them fair, as a
Father.
2. Sometimes he speaks roughly, and reproves sharply, with Power and Authority, as an
Apostle.
3. Sometimes he prayes, entreats, and gently instructs them, as a
Brother, and all to make them sensible of their sinful
malady, and receptive of a spiritual
remedy.
2. The other occasion was the Epistle sent to him from the
Corinthians, as appears from 1
Cor. 7. 1. wherein they asked the Apostles advice and counsel touching divers matters; as
Cum primis de Matrimonialibus de Idolothytis, de Spiritualibus charismatis, de modo Prophetandi, de collecta denique faci
[...]ad
[...], touching Matrimonials, or the affairs that have reference to Marriage, of Meat dedicated or offered up to Idols, of
Spiritual Gifts, of the manner of
Prophecying: Lastly, touching a collection to be made for the poor Saints at
Jerusalem, as is evident from 1
Cor. 16. 3.
As this last from this Text, so all the former are very clear and manifest to every eye that reads, and to every
serious mind that notes the
Series of this Epistle.
4.
What is the Argument of this Epistle.
The whole Argument of this Epistle is corrective
[...]. and hortatory, consisting of
Hujus Epistolae variae est ac multiplex utilitas: multos enim insignes locos conti
[...]e
[...]. Calv. divers parts, as that Church did labour under divers distempers: All may be reduced to these eight Heads.
1. In the four first Chapters, the Apostle reproves the factious spirits and courses of the
Corinthians, whereby they had rent themselves into
Sects and
Parties, and exhorts them to concord and unity: he also excuseth the
plainness, simplicity, and purity of his Doctrine; and on the contrary, nips and sharply checks the vanity of the false Apostles in the ostentation of their
Grandiloquence, i. e. their lofty and stately Eloquence; by which
Artifice, they thought to bring the Apostle into contempt among the people, as though he had been (in comparison of them) a very illiterate and rude Preacher.
[Page 11] 2. In the fifth and sixth Chapters he chargeeth them with three vices.
1. In that they continued the incestuous person in their company and communion, who ought rather to have been delivered over unto Satan, and ejected out of the Society of the Church.
2. In that they went to Law, and contended
De
[...],
de secularibus, aut ad hanc vitam pertinentibus.
[...]. Plenty begets strife. one with another even before the Heathen Judges, about things pertaining to this life:
This (saith the Apostle)
I speak to your shame, 1
Cor. 6. 4, 5. For indeed this contentious practise of theirs, brought an
odium and shame upon the
Christian Religion, and made that pure and peaceable profession to stink in the Nostrils of the Heathen. There were indeed at
Corinth many Merchants, who are (as one observes)
Hominum genus delicatum, quaestuosum, habendi cupidissimum, injuria impatientissimum. &c.
a delicate kind of men, very desirous of gain, most greedy of having, and most impatient of injury and loosing. This scandal he reproves, and labours to remove.
3. He reprehends them, for that they took
fornication for an indifferent thing, or for a matter of no great moment; against which filthy sin, as well dishonourable to their bodies (which ought to be the
Members of Christ, and the
Temple of the Holy Ghost) as
damnable to their souls, he inveighs severely, and presseth them by many cogent reasons to
Chastity, and Sanctimony.
3. In the seventh Chap. he comes to answer their Epistle, and delivers many
Apostolical Precepts, as to divers
Matrimonial cases, and as to the private condition of every individual.
The Questions which the
Corinthians by their
Corinthiorum
dubia de Matrimonialibus. Letter desired a
Solution of, seem (to me) to be these:
- 1.
Whether a Christian might marry?
- 2.
Whether Christian yoke-fellows ought to render to one another due benevolence?
- 3.
Whether it be lawful for a married person to leave or withdraw from his yoke-fellow?
- 4.
Whether a single life be not better than a married state?
- 5.
Whether Divorces are lawful?
- 6.
Whether it be lawful for a believer to dwell with an unbeliever?
- 7.
Whether a Believer being forsaken by the unbeliever, may be held in bondage?
- 8.
Whether it were the best or wisest course for Virgins to marry?
Lastly, whether second Marriages are lawful for Widdows?
4. In the eighth, ninth and tenth Chapters, he reprehends those, who by pretence of Christian liberty, did very scandalously, and to the offence of others, communicate with the Gentiles in things offered up to Idols; from which unlawful and unchristian communion he doth strongly dehort them, and that he doth two wayes.
1. By his own example, shewing, that sometimes we ought to abstain from things that are in themselves lawful,
(in case of scandal) much more from things unlawful, as he himself forbore to receive any stipend salary, or
wages for preaching to them; to avoid thereby the least colour of calumny; for he knew, the
[Page 13] false Teachers were ready to catch at any thing that might defame his Person, or traduce his Doctrine, being filled with
rancour and emulation.
2. He dehorts them from communion with the Idols, and meats offered to them, by a most convincing Argument, that they could not, nor should not, be partakers of the
Lords Table, and
of the Table of Devils; for to
have fellowship with Idols, was to have fellowship with Devils; for the things the Gentiles sacrificed, were sacrificed to Devils, and not to God, 1
Cor. 10. 19. 20, 21.
5. In the eleventh Chapter he reproves and corrects two abuses.
1. One about seemly behaviour in the Church, which both women and men did violate,
Circa decorum Ecclesiasticum. and thereby both created scandals: The women praying and prophecying with their
heads uncovered in the Congregation, acted against modesty, and became allurements to the men: And the men praying and prophecying in the Church with their
heads covered, acted against Reverence, and against the Light of Nature; both was uncomely.
2. The other was about the Supper of the
Circa coenam Dominicam. Lord, which the richer sort did mingle with prophane feasts, eating and drinking even to
excess and
luxury; the poorer sort, in the mean time, being shamed, despised, and left hungry.
6. In the twelfth, thirteenth, and fourteenth Chapters, the Apostle layes down several
Precepts, both concerning the difference, and use
[Page 14] of
Spiritual Gifts, and declares by the
Allegory of the members of a natural body, that all things are to be referr'd to
unity, and
edification of the whole: Having spoken much of the variety and excellency of
gifts, he concludes, that all
gifts are nothing without the
Grace of Love, in the praises whereof he makes a pathetical and sweet digression: of all
gifts, he seems both to commend and exhort unto the
gift of Prophecy; as also, that a convenient and due order should be kept in Prophecying.
Mulieres à Muniis Ecclesiasticis arcet. Lastly, he
bars women from medling with Ecclesiastical Offices or Functions.
7. In the fifteenth Chapter, he corrects the prophane error of some in denying the
Resurrection
Resurrectio carnis, spes nostra. Tertul. of the flesh, and
confirms and
fortifies the contrary truth, an Article of our Faith, with most weighty and grave Arguments; and excellently shews in many things the specifical differences, between the body now
vile, and the body
glorious then; and how this Doctrine of the Resurrection may very profitably and practically be accommodated to the
Consolation of the Saints.
8. In the sixteenth Chapter, he minds them of a
contribution for the poor Saints and Brethren at
Jerusalem, which he enforceth by the example of the Churches of
Galatia, and after several godly Exhortations, he closeth the
Epistle with
Salutations, and with a
Benediction.
5.
At what time, and where, or at what place was this Epistle written?
Although by reason of the defect of History, it cannot be positively known at what time, or in what order the Epistles of
Paul were written; yet
relation being had unto,
Epistolarum Paulinarum
ordo. and
collation of them being made with the Apostles
Race or
Circuit described in the
Acts, affords some probable guesses or conjectures.
First and foremost. The first of all the Epistles written by
Paul, seems to be the first Epistle to the
Thessalonians.
The next, the second Epistle to the
Thessalonians, sent from
Athens.
The third in order is reputed the first Epistle to
Timothy, sent from
Laodicea.
The fourth is deemed to be this first Epistle to the
Corinthians, before his passage through
Macedonia, 1
Cor. 16. 5. The Greek Copies relate it to be written from
Philippi, but many hold it was written at
Ephesus before
Pentecost: For he saith, 1
Cor. 16. 8. I will tarry at
Ephesus until
Pentecost, which happened in the year of Christ 64. and of
Nero 9. in which year coming to
Jerusalem, he was cast into prison. Of this Opinion, (of the Ancient) is
Athanasius and
Chrysostome; (of the Modern)
Dionysius, Sixtus Senensis, Martyr, Illyricus, Stapleton, &c.
Thus much (if not too much) for the
Prolegomena: Palliate (good Reader) my imbecillity and prolixity, with thy
Humanity and Christian candor; though the
Porch of Entrance may seem too large, yet (I trust) thy
[Page 16] passage may be more
lightsome into the body of this choice Epistle, and more
facile into the bowels of the discourse at hand.
The first Chapter of the first Epistle to the Corinthians,
may be divided into three Parts.
The first is the
Proem, containing the
inscription,
1
Pro
[...] mium.
subscription, and
salutation; as also a
Gratulation or Thanksgiving to God on 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 praedi
[...]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
[Page 17] 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 'tis 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 'tis 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
[...] 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 'tis in very deed and truth infinitely wiser than
humane wisdome, and infinitely stronger than
humane power; for
[Page 18] 'tis
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 o
[...] 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
[Page 20] 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 riches of his grace through the Son to his Saints here, so he will everlastingly communicate himself in the treasures of his glory through the Son to his Saints in heaven; as Christ is the
Medium of your spiritual union with God here, so he will continue the eternal
Medium of your glorious communion with God hereafter;
in his light ye shall see light. The Soul-ravishing Vision of
Jesus the Mediator
Heb. 12. 24.
[...]omine fecistinos pro te, & cor irrequic
[...]um est, donec veniat ad te. Aug.
of the New Covenant, and the
Beatifical Vision of ever-blessed and glorious Deity in and through the Mediator, is no small part or portion of the Saints Coelestial happiness: God indeed is
the Essence of the Soul, the
Eternal Entity of our happiness, the Father of Spirits, is the only rest and centre of our immortal
[Page 21] Spirits; for 1
Pet. 3. 18.
Christ once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God; (our approximation or drawing nigh to God being the ultimate end (as to us) of Christs passion) yet the
seeing of Christ as he is, when he shall
appear in his Fathers glory, when he shall come in
power and great glory, to see
him as he is in his greatest glory and fullest Majesty, sitting at the right hand of the Father, and to see our humane nature in him as far exalted above, so far more glorious than those glittering
morning stars, the Angels, will be no small part or measure of our blessedness, (though not the quintessence, compendium or complement thereof) 1
Joh. 3. 2.
Beloved, now are we the Sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: But we know, that when he shall appear, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.
But to return;
Our Lord Christ is
[...] by way of Eminency called, that
one Pearl of great price, Mat. 13. 46. which the wise
Merchant-man sold all that he had and bought. This Pearl
eminently and
virtually contains all other Pearls in it, is comprehensive of all excellent and Soveraign good, which our souls stand in need of, infinitely more precious and excellent than the rest, and infinitely to be prized and preferred above the rest: Christ not only hath, but is wisdome to the simple, rayment to the naked, riches to the poor, rest to the weary, bread of life to the hungry, water of life to the thirsty, righteousness to the guilty, sanctification to
[Page 22] the filthy, redemption to the captive, peace and reconciliation to the enemy, power to the faint, a rock and refuge to the afflicted, a shineing Sun to the disconsolate, a saving shield to the assaulted; in a word, a full
fons of living water, of rich supply to those that labour under any distress or misery, whether inward perplexity, or outward calamity.
Philosophers brag much of their
Elixir, Naturalists boast much of their
Panaecea and
Catholicon, and they would bear the world in hand, as though these were Soveraign remedies against all maladies, good against all diseases; but these, and all other, whether natural, artificial, or moral excellencies, are less than Cyphers to Jesus Christ; compared with him, they are less than nothing, and vanity,
Isa. 40. 17. 1. As Christ is God, the worlds were made by him, and for him, by his power, and for his glory,
Heb. 1. 2.
Col. 1. 16. 2. As Christ is Mediator God-man, so he is Heir of all things,
Heb. 1. 2.
whom he, that is, the Father,
hath appointed heir of all things; by whom also he made the worlds: Now can he want light that lives in the midst of the Sun? Can he want air that lives upon the top of the highest Mountain? Can he want water that lives at the Well head? No more can he want light, life, grace, strength, comfort, or any good thing that lives in union and communion with Jesus Christ,
in whom dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily, Col. 2. 9.
Qui habet habentem omnia, habet o
[...] nia, He that hath him that owneth and possesseth all things, hath all things: 'Tis an old and true saying,
Si Christum noscis, nihil est, si caetera nescis,
Si Christum nescis, nihil est, si caetera noscis.
Hath the Father given us the Son, the Son of his eternal love, of his eternal bosome? then we may safely make (with the Apostle) this sweet inference,
How shall he not with him freely give us all things, Rom. 8. 32.
All things pertaining to life and godliness, as the Apostle expresseth and explaineth it elsewhere, 1
Cor. 3. 21, 22, 23. presents ye with a Christians Inventory, and with a Christians tenure.
1. A Christians Inventory: All things. A Christian hath a large dominion, a great possession;
all things are yours,
[...],
for all things are yours: Descend from generals to particulars, then
all things must be referred to, or subdivided by persons, and things. All persons are yours, that is, for your good and benefit, whether
Paul, or
Apollo, or
Cephas, whether Ecclesiastical or secular persons, whether godly, or ungodly, whether spiritual men, or carnal men; therefore
v. 22. he adds the world, the wicked world, or rather the wicked of the world, (who ere long shall be judged by the Saints, as Assessors with Jesus Christ the Supreme Judge) 1
Cor. 6. 2. shall be subservient to Gods glory, and to the Saints good. Those Slaves and Scullions that rub off the rust, and scoure and cleanse the Vessels of Honor, by temptations, afflictions, imprisonments, persecutions,
&c. though not intentionally, as to them) yet accidentally and eventually
[Page 24] (by the blessing of God) shall really promote and carry on their spiritual and eternal interest.
2. As all persons, so all things are theirs,
whether life, or death, or things present, or things to come, all are yours, ver. 22. What can a soul either have or wish for more? for a man not only to enjoy the comforts of life, but also to find sweetness
in death; to find meat in this
Eater, to find honey in this
Lyon, to live in the midst of
death, to lie down in peace in the
arms, or rather
Jaws of the
King of Terrors, for this deadly Enemy,
by the death of Christ, to be made one of our best friends.
Again, For a man to be rich in possession, and rich in reversion too, for a man to have an interest in all things present, and an interest in all things future also; to have Territories as broad as the earth, and a treasure as high as heaven, and returns of glory coming in unto him, and upon him, to all eternity; this is an incomparable rich person, and an incomparable blessed estate indeed.
2. Note the
Tenure: Ye hold all in
Caepite, in and by union with him who is Gods
Heir, and your Head,
Ephes. 1. last; and ye are Christs, and Christ is Gods,
v. 23. Ye are the Bride, Christ is the Bridegroom; ye are the Body, Christ is the Head; as the Head of Christ is God, so the Head of the Church is Christ.
The Father in an ineffable manner communicated (as of old, the Divine Essence and Nature) so at his
Incarnation, an unmeasurable
[Page 25] measure, an overflowing fulness of the Spirit and Grace to the Son; yea,
it pleased the Father, that in him should all fulness dwell, even as Mediator,
Col. 1. 19. And the Son by the Ordination and appointment of the Father, communicates, derives, and by his Spirit imparts unto his Saints, all those
spiritual
Eph. 1. 3. Eph. 3. 8.
blessings, all those
unsearchable riches, all those riches of glory, or glorious riches,
Ephes. 3. 16. which he hath received of his Father for them. Some of which
heavenly and choicest treasures we find lying in the field, or rather
Mine of this Text, (viz.)
Wisdome, Righteousness, Sanctification, and Redemption.
I shall now
(Deo juvante) consider the Text it self, open the sense of the words, and draw some practical conclusions from the whole.
The Apostle having humbled and dejected the
Corinthians, ver. 26, 27. of this Chap. in calling upon them to see or consider their
calling, (for ye see your calling Brethren, &c.) where
calling is put
metonymically for the persons called, that is, what manner of men they themselves were, and generally are, which God calls by the Gospel; not
the wise after the flesh, not the
Mighty, not the
Noble, but commonly the
foolish, weak, and
base, for the
poor receive the Gospel. Now in this verse the Apostle comforts and cheers them, and lifts up their heads
Quos antea dejecerat, nunc supra omnes mortales evehit, sed ita ut omnem ipsorum dignitatem doceat, non ab ipsis, sed à Christo emanare, idque à Deo, id est, Dei unius vi, ac beneficio. Beza
in loc. above all other mortals, by informing them of their
Origination from God, their
Ʋnion
[Page 26] with Christ, their
spiritual descent from him in Christ Jesus.
But of him are ye in Christ Jesus. Here the Apostle shews them the true rise of true honour, and of divine dignity,
Corinthiorum animos dejecerat revo
[...]ando eos ad intuendam suam ipsorum vocationem: quod fuit propemodum acsi dixisset, eos insipientes, ignobiles, infirmos omnes fuisse, & quasi non essent, quum ad Christum vocarentur. Quare nunc illos erigit, & pulchrè consolatur, dicens, licèt ex vobis ipsis tales fueritis ut modò estis à me descripti; Attamen jam ex Deo estis. P. Martyr
in loc. not springing from
noble birth, or
liberal breeding; not from any natural, moral, or secular accomplishments or considerations whatsoever.
But from the special grace of God, the Father in Christ Jesus, manifested and put forth in a double act of
divine love.
- 1.
In Election.
- 2.
In Regeneration.
1.
In Election. God the Father did chuse all believers in Christ
before the foundation of the world, Ephes. 1. 4. in that
eternal compact, or
Foederal transactions between the Father and the Son, commonly called the
Covenant of Redemption: Ye are
of God in Christ Jesus; (viz.)
Emphasis est in verbo estis. q. d. à Deo vobis est principium qui ea quae non sunt, vo
[...]at in Christo verò subsistentia, &c. Calvin. by vertue of the Eternal
Purpose and
Decree of God: The gracious purpose of God the Father in Christ, is the beginning of the wayes of God; the Original and highest Well-head of all our holiness and happiness, as appears 2
Tim. 1. 9. where ye shall find, that both our
Salvation and
Calling are no other than the
genuine efflux and products of
Gods purpose and grace given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.
[Page 27] So
Tit. 1. 2.
In hope of eternal life, which God that cannot lie, promised before the world began.
D.
Jacomb in his Sermon upon Isa. 55. 10. How was this life
promised before the world began, but in this everlasting Covenant, wherein the Father promised unto Christ eternal life for all his Seed?
Though the Decrees of God are
immanent,
Decreta Dei nihil ponunt in Actu. and not
transient acts, abiding (with reverence) in the Mind or Breast of God, and not actually passing upon the creature, yet
Gods eternal purpose in electing us in Christ is the
primum mobile, the
great wheel that sets all the other inferiour wheels at work, that animates, quickens, and actually moves and influenceth, and constantly carries on and perfects all other intermediate acts of grace in order to our Salvation.
Gods blessing us with all
spiritual blessings in
heavenly things and places, is said to be in relation unto, in correspondence with, in pursuance of his
electing us in Christ,
according as he hath chosen us in Christ, Ephes. 1. 3, 4. They are all
Emanations from this Fountain.
Thus in the first place, (and I think not improperly) we may be said to be of
God in Christ
Neque hoc intelligit quoad creationem, sed ait de eo, quod per gratiam & Regenerationem consequuti erant. P. Martyr.
Jesus, viz.) of God, originally and primarily, in Christ Jesus, vertually and radically, by vertue of Gods electing love to us in Christ before the world began.
2. More principally, according to the purport of this place;
we are of God in Christ Jesus by the grace of
Regeneration; we are Gods
workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, Ephes. 2. 10. Believers are
of God, i. e.
[Page 28] born of
God in Christ Jesus; for the
Father of our Lord Jesus, as our
Spiritual Father, is said to
have begotten us again unto a lively hope, by the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead, 1 Pet. 1. 3.
Eadem sententia est cum illa, qui non ex sanguinibus neque ex voluntate carnis, &c. Pomeran. By vertue of his
Will we are
elected; and by the Power of the same Will we are
called and
regenerated, Jam. 1. 18. Of his own will begat he us by the word of truth,
&c. One saith, This sentence is the same with that
Joh. 1. 13. which were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
Let it not grieve the Saints in that they are not born of Nobles, nor descended of the blood of Princes, but rather rejoyce and raise up their spirits in the midst of all reproaches and sufferings, in that they are the
Sons of God by faith in Christ Jesus, a
Divine Off-spring, of an
heavenly Extraction; rejoyce in this, that
your names are written in heaven: Ye are wise, noble, honourable, every way
glorious creatures in Christ Jesus; in Christ Jesus, that is, by
Eph 1. 6.
In Christo Jesu; id est, per Christum Jesum, propter Christum Jesum, nam per Christum, & propter Christum, accepti & grati sumus Patri. Christ Jesus, and for Christ Jesus; for indeed we can be no way amiable or acceptable to the Father but in the
beloved. We are said not only to be Elect in Christ Jesus, but also to be
sanctified in Christ Jesus, 1
Cor. 1. 2. For indeed all our good the Father hath laid up in him, and daily dispenseth the same to us by him, and through him.
Thus I have considered the former clause of the Text
in haec verba, But of him are ye in Christ Jesus.
Now the latter fall under an
Analytical Examen,
[Page 29] in these words,
Who of God is made unto us wisdome, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.
For the better explaining whereof, I shall briefly speak to these four.
- 1.
Quis.
- 2.
Quid.
- 3.
A Quo, or
unde.
- 4.
Quomodo.
1. The
Quis: Who is made of God unto us Wisdome;
who, or what is the Antecedent to this relative;
who? why Christ Jesus:
Of him are ye in Christ Jesus; who, or which Christ Jesus is made of God unto us wisdome,
&c.
Valde observandus est hic locus, in quo, ad quatuor praecipua capita revocantur omnia quae in Christo adipiscimur beneficia. Beza.
2. The
Quid: What is Christ Jesus made to the Saints; he is made indeed in effect
all in all, and all things to the Saints; specifically in this Text these four,
wisdome, righteousness, sanctification, and
redemption; to which four chief Heads all the benefits, dignities and priviledges we obtain by Christ, may be reduced, as a learned Writer well observes.
Though the believing
Corinthians, and all other truly
sanctified in Christ Jesus, as men, are as
vile as the
dung, and as
low as the
dust, yet
Factus est nobis à Deo sapientia, &c. i. e. ut sapientes & justi, & sancti, & liberi simus. Theohylact.
in loc. as
Christians they shine as
the stars, and are exalted as high as heaven.
1. Their understandings are enlightened by the Spirit of Wisdome and Revelation, their darkness is scattered, their ignorance healed by Jesus Christ their Wisdome; and they (in their measure) like the
Angels of God for wisdome, though they are foolish both in the worlds matters, and in the worlds accompt;
[Page 30] for commonly
the children of this world are wiser in their Generation than the children of light yet they are wise with the
wisdome of Christ, the highest and purest wisdome; they are wise for
heaven, wise for
eternity, wise unto
salvation. This is the first excellency.
2. They are freed from the guilt and punishment of sin, both from the dominion of sin and
condemnation, and reputed righteous in
foro coeli, in the Court of heaven, justified, acquitted, and
accepted as Heirs of eternal life and glory by Jesus Christ their righteousness,
The Lord their righteousness, Jer. 23. 6.
3. They are delivered from the power of sin, and cleansed from the filth of sin, decked with grace, endued with inward holiness, beautified with this purest glory by Jesus Christ their Sanctification.
4. They are
delivered from the power of darkness, from the
bondage of corruption, from all the pollutions of this world, from the slavish fears of death and hell, redeemed, or (at leastwise) ere long actually shall be from all the sins, sorrows, sufferings, and miseries attendant upon, or contingent unto this mortal and frail life; and lastly,
saved from all their enemies, and
from the hands of all that hate them, Luke 1. 71. by Jesus Christ their
Redemption.
These are the
special dignities the Saints are advanced to, and the
spiritual Royalties the Saints by Christ Jesus are invested with;
who of God is made unto us wisdome, righteousness, &c.
Here is Christ displayed in all his glory, a
[Page 31] Mine discovered in all its Treasures, a Fountain opened in all its fulness, our Mediator revealed in all his Offices; our illumination, or wisdome, belongs to the Office of Christ, as Prophet; both our Justification and Sanctification belong to the Office of Christ as
High-Priest, and great
Apostle of our profession, Heb. 3. 1. our Redemption externally from all Enemies, and internally from all sins and sorrows, respect the Office of Christ as Lord and King; for our Saviour must be a
Princely Saviour, a Saviour, and a Prince,
Acts 5. 31. And the Father hath made him both
Lord and Christ, Lord over the
dead and
living; 'tis he that delivers us
from the power of darkness, and translates us into his own Kingdome, Col. 1. 13.
3.
A Quo, or
unde: By whom is Christ made unto us wisdome, righteousness? &c. I answer, by God the Father,
who of God is made unto us, &c.
Christ the
Son, in the Oeconomy or Dispensation of the Mediatorship, must be considered as Gods servant; he is so called,
Isa. 42. 1.
Behold my servant whom I uphold.
The Father broke the business to him of our Salvation; 'twas the Father that sent him into the world, and annointed him,
Isa. 61. 1. He had both his Mission and Commission from his Father, him
hath God the Father sealed; 'twas the Father that gave him the
Spirit without measure, that filled him with an overflowing fulness of all good to us, and for us; therefore we have this phrase here,
who of God is made unto us wisdome, &c.
[Page 32] 4.
Quomodo. How is Jesus Christ, or may
Neque enim Christus creatus aut factus est quoad essentiam divinam: sed ordinatus & donatus nobis ad haec bona conferenda; ergo dicitur factus nobis. Par. Jesus Christ be said to be made unto us wisdome,
&c. who is made to us,
non creatione, sed ordinatione; not by Creation, but by appointment; he is constituted, ordained, or appointed by the Father to be our Wisdome, (that is) to be our Prophet, to open our ears to Discipline, and teach us wisdome; to be our Righteousness, that is, to be our Justifier, our High-Priest, to reconcile us to God, and make an attonement for us; to be our Sanctification, that is, to be our Sanctifier, (for whom he justifies by his
Merit, them he sanctifies by his
Spirit) to restore our souls for us, to renew us in the Spirit of our minds by the Spirit of holiness; to be our Redemption,
Postremo dicetur nobis factus Redemtio quod ita per cum justificati, & sanctificati certam Redemtionem tandem assequa
[...]ur. Beza. that is, to be a perfect and compleat Redeemer to us; by being all this before, he will be Redemption in the abstract, a glorious Redeemer or Saviour to the uttermost at the last,
Heb. 7. 25.
Factus est nobis à Deo, &c. id est, qui da
[...]us est nobis à Deo; who is made to us of God, that is, who is given to us of God,
&c. to be our Wisdome,
&c. Christ is not here given of the Father to us empty or scanty, but he comes to us laden and fully fraught with the blessings of heaven, and treasures of the Gospel.
[...].
Christ
[...]s sidelibus non est datus va
[...]us,
[...]ed ad eos cum amplissimis is the sauris venit. P. M▪
Christ is not given as an ordinary, but as a supereminent and transcendent gift,
Joh. 4. 10. He is that gift of God; he the Peerless Pearl, and personal Gift, came down from the Father of Lights, and brought all other good and perfect gifts, real, spiritual, divine,
[Page 33] immortal excellencies from heaven along with him,
Jam. 1. 17.
Joh. 1. 16, 17, 18.
Christ doth not give
[...],
giftless gifts, as commonly the men of the world give, but gifts of the highest nature, and of the greatest moment:
As the Father gives the Son, so the Son gives himself, Tit. 2. 16.
He gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purifie unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works: And with himself he gives us the most suitable, the most profitable, the most permanent, the most magnificent and noble gifts; in a word, all spiritual blessings in heavenly things and places,
Ephes. 1. 3.
Thus have ye the Analysis of the Text; the Propositions most obvious from the Text, are these:
- 1.
That Christians are of a Divine Origination, they are of God in Christ Jesus.
- 2.
That Christ Jesus is given of God the Father in all his fulness to true Christians.
- 3.
That Christ Jesus is given of God the Father for our wisdome, for our illumination.
- 4.
That Christ Jesus is given of God the Father for our justification or righteousness.
- 5.
That Christ Jesus is given of God the Father for our sanctification or holiness.
- 6.
That Christ Jesus is given of God the Father for our redemption, or for our deliverance from all our enemies and miseries.
To all these Propositions I have in some measure (so far as I have received) spoken: But the Argument I intend (God assisting) at
[Page 34] this time, and in this Tract to dilate upon, is contained in the fifth Proposition,
(That Christ Jesus is made, i. e.
is ordained, is given of God the Father for our sanctification.) Reserving the rest for another Treatise, if these poor labours shall find acceptance with the Saints.
—Who of God is made unto us—Sanctification.—
Doct.
Christ Jesus is given of God the Father for our sanctification.
In the prosecution of this precious point, I shall observe this method.
- 1. I shall prove the point.
- 2. Endeavour to shew how, or in what sense Jesus Christ is our sanctification.
- 3. Shew what sanctification is.
- 4. The difference between justification and sanctification.
- 5. The transcendent excellencies of sanctification.
- 6. The blessed fruits of sanctification.
- 7ly and lastly, Make application of the whole.
1. For the proof of the point, this Text is plain and clear enough;
Christ is made of God unto us sanctification. I need call in but two or three more Scriptures for farther confirmation,
That out of the mouth of two or three witnesses every word might be established.
The Testimonies I shall alledge, are these;
Tit. 2. 14.
Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purifie unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works; concerning which Text we may say, as one hath
Hen in
[...].
Com. in loc. done before us,
Singula verba singularem emphasin
[Page 35]
habent; every word hath a special emphasis: The particulars herein may be reduced to these four
Principals.
- 1. The
Donum or
Donativum.
- 2. The
Donans.
- 3. The
Donati.
- 4.
Finis Donationis.
1. The
Donum or
Donativum; the gift here said to be given is
the great God, and that is here, even our
Saviour Jesus Christ. The Particle
[...] here, is not to be construed
disjunctively, but
exegetically.
2. The
Donans; the giver or restorer of that gift is also Christ himself,
who gave himself.
3. The
Donati; the persons on whom this gift is bestowed; i. e.
us, who gave himself for us.
4.
Finis Donationis; the end wherefore this gift was given, is here expressed to be twofold.
For Redemption.
For Purification.
- 1. For Redemption:
That he might redeem us from all iniquity.
- 2. For our Purification:
And purifie unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Where Christ is a Redeemer, he is also a Purifier; whom he justifies by his Merit and Blood from the guilt and punishment of sin, those he sanctifies by his Spirit and Word, from the contagion and filth of sin: And this he doth two wayes.
[Page 36] 1.
Sacramentally: By instituting divers kinds of offerings and washings, and other ceremonial observances in the daies of old; of these the Apostle tells us, that they sanctified to the purifying of the flesh,
Heb. 9. 13. making such as used them externally and Ecclesiastically
In foro Ecclesiae. pure and holy. And thus Christians may be said to be purified in and by the Ordinances of Baptisme, under the Gospel now.
2.
Really: By inward, real and spiritual washing and purifying of the inner man, which consisteth in two things:
In washing away the Guilt and Filth of sin.
The one is done away in Justification, the other in Sanctification.
1. In Justification. The blood of Christ
[...] cleanseth us from all sin, 1
Joh. 1.
[...]. So
Heb. 1. 3. Christ
by himself purged our sins,
[...]; having made a purgation, or purification, that is, by making satisfaction to
Divine Justice by the sacrifice of himself.
2. In Sanctification. Christ takes away the filth of sin; sin is called, but never out of its own name,
pollution, uncleanness, superfluity
of naughtiness, the scum of filthiness; and in order to our purification from it, the Blood and Spirit, Word and Ordinances of our Lord Jesus are called and compared to water, to cleanse us from all filthiness of flesh and spirit; and as God hath given us many promises to act faith upon, through Christ, for our purification; as
Ezek. 36. 25.
F
[...]om all your filthiness, and from all
[Page 37]
your Idols will I cleanse you; and in v. 29.
I will save you from all your uncleanness: So Jesus Christ hath undertaken (by Gods appointment) to see these
purifying promises performed in his Saints, in whom they are all
Yea and
Amen; and to bless and sanctifie his Word and Ordinances for his peoples
purification, according to the
Commandment he hath received from his Father.
Again,
Ephes. 5. 25, 26, 27.
Who loved his Church, and gave himself for it, that he might sanctifie and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word, that he might present it to himself a glorious Church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing, that it should be holy, and without blemish. Christ gave himself, that is, to death, (by the will of God, as 'tis expressed,
Gal. 1. 4.) that he might sanctifie it, that is, (say the Dutch Annotations) that he might separate her from all worldly men, and appropriate her to himself, and
cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word; that is, by his Blood and Spirit, whereof the washing of water in Baptisme is a sign and seal, and withall, the means whereby the Spirit of Christ doth more and more strengthen this cleansing. The sum whereof is this; Christ
by the will of God, and
our Father gave himself to death for his Church. The Blood of Christ is the meritorious cause, the Spirit of Christ is the efficient cause, the
Instrume
[...] ta in divinis operantu
[...] acsi non operant
[...]r. Word and Ordinances are as subservient causes; they work as Instruments in the hands of Christ for the Churches sanctification; all the vertue that is in them, or flows out to the
[Page 38] Saints from them, they receive from the efficiency of Jesus Christ.
These Pipes receive the Golden Oyl from this Candlestick.
Lastly, the end of all is this, that he
might present her to himself a glorious Church without spot, or wrinkle, &c. Thus the Church must be prepared by the
Bridegrooms grace, and so fitted for the
Bridegrooms glory.
As the Virgins in
Esther were to be purified with
Oyl of Myrrhe, and
sweet Odours, before
Esther 2. 12. they entred into the
Kings Palace, or stood in the
Kings presence: So all the
Ʋirgins and
followers of the Lamb are to be purified and refined by the Spirit and grace of the Lamb, and perfectly sanctified, compleatly glorified at the
Marriage Supper of the Lamb,
Rev. 19. 7. 9. Christians, your blessed Saviour is made of God, both righteousness and sanctification to ye; he hath both a
glorious Robe of justification to impute, and a
glorious Robe of sanctification to impart to all believers; and this, without controversie, is the
white Linnen of the Saints, which render them truly glorious, which commends them to God, to good men, to the holy Angels, which garment of
glory and beauty they shall wear for ever in their Fathers presence.
The believing Corinthians,
called to be Saints, are said to be sanctified in Christ Jesus, 1
Cor. 1, 2.
The Church considered in her Inherent Grace, is but
fair as the Moon, hath many spots in her, but in her Relation to Christ; so she is clear as the Sun,
&c. Wherefore, though the Church in her self may be said to be poor, forlorn, deformed, needy. yet by Union with
[Page 39] Christ, being implanted into him,
Ecclesia omnem suam sanctitatem venustatem & pulchritudinem, omnia sua bona in ge
[...]ere à Christo Jesu sponso suo accipore & habere dicitur. P. Mart. she is rich with her Husbands
riches, holy with his
holiness, comely with his
comeliness, illustrious with his
glory, replenisht with his
fulness: He that is
in Christ is a new creature, 2
Cor. 5. 17. When by faith unfeigned we are united, ingrafted into Christ the
true Vine, we really partake of
spiritual life and sensation from him; we are
sanctified in him, and by him: Wherefore speaks a worthy
Sanctificamur ergo, dum in Christi corpus inserimur, extra quod non nisi pollutio est: nec aliundè etitiamnobis confertur spiritus, quam à Christo, per quem Deo adharemus, & in quo simus nova creaturae. Calv. Author, we are then
sanctified, when we are
ingrafted into
Christs body, out of which, instead of
sanctification, there is nothing else but
pollution, and no other way but from and by Christ is the Spirit of Holiness conferr'd upon us,
&c.
Christ in his most heavenly prayer, solemnly confesseth, that his Father
sent him into the world for the sake of true believers.
Joh. 17. 18. and that for their sakes he did
sanctifie himself, i. e. dedicate and give up himself for an
holy Sacrifice, that they
(viz.) believers might be
sanctified by the truth, (that is, as most render it) might receive
remission of sins, and
sanctification of the Spirit; and in fine, the
salvation of their souls, as evidently appears from
Heb. 10. 10.
Through the which will we are sanctified, through the offering of the Body of Jesus Christ once for all: And v. 14.
For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
All which Scriptures seem to a judicious ear to joyn in
Consort, and speak one voice and
[Page 40] language with the Text and point in hand;
That Jesus Christ is given of God the Father for our Sanctification.
Thus much for the first thing promised, (viz.)
the proof of the point.
We come to the second general.
2.
How, or in what sense Jesus Christ may be said to be our Sanctification; or made, ordained, constituted, or given of God to be our Sanctification?
I conceive Christ may be said to be our Sanctification in Scripture sense, these four wayes.
- 1.
By Imputation.
- 2.
By Ʋnion.
- 3.
By Assimilation.
- 4.
By Influence and Communication.
1.
By Imputation. 'Tis the saying of a Reverend man (now with God,)
That the perfect purity of Christs Humane Nature is reckoned unto
M.
Wilson in his Christian Dictionary
believers by free imputation of faith: Christ is made unto us Sanctification; this is, (saith he)
Sanctification imputed.
Jesus Christ being consecrated, and set apart of God to be the Messiah and Mediator for mankind, and having for that purpose all the bounty and fulness of the Father poured on him, being truly
God, and truly
Man; and as
Man, being
conceived of the Holy Ghost without sin, ordained to be a
Sacrifice for sin, and to sanctifie and make his people holy, is worthily in Scripture called,
That Holy One, Psa. 16. 10.
Act. 3. 14.
Joh. 1. 2. 20. Also he is termed the
Holy of Holies, or most Holy, Dan. 9. 24.
And to annoint the most Holy.
The poor imperfect Church of Christ, notwithstanding all her blots and spots, blains and
Uxor illucescit radiis mariti. Qui justificantur sanctificantur, hae gratiae individuo nexu cohaerent. Calv. blemishes contracted by
original and
actual sins, is reputed
as a glorious Church without spot or wrinkle, or any such thing, as she shines by the rayes of the
Sun of righteousness, through the sanctification or perfect holiness of her Bridegroom Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is a believers
righteousness for Justification, and his
holiness for sanctification also: These two are Twins inseparable.
The Lamb of God without spot was slain, 1
Pet. 1. 18. to purge us from the guilt of sin, for without shedding of blood there could be no remission,
Heb. 9. 22. And it must be a Lamb without spot and blemish, and offered up to God by the Eternal Spirit: This Lamb must be
[...], God-man, or else your pollutions had never been removed, your Natures never sanctified, your
consciences never purged from dead works, Heb. 9. 14. But Christ by the
Hypostatical union is eminently qualified, to be both vertually and efficiently your sanctification.
As the benefits of
Redemption accrue to us by the Kingly Office of Christ, so the benefits of
Justification and
Sanctification do accrue to us by the Priestly Office of Christ, as
Pareus notes:
Such an High-Priest it became us, who is holy, harmless, separate from sinners, Heb. 7. 26.
And such an one is Christ: He did not only satisfie
divine Justice, pacific the Fathers wrath, make
reconciliation for the sins of the people; but also, as the
High-Priest of old, he did, and doth still
appear before the Lord in
garments
[Page 42]
of glory and beauty. See
Exod. 28. 2, 3, 4, 5. Those garments of gold,
blew, purple, scarlet &c. did consecrate
Aaron to his Priestly Office: Those glorious garments, without controversie, did typifie the pure
habitual and
actual holiness of our
great High-Priest Jesus Christ, expressed by his
annointing, Isa. 61. 1. and receiving the
Spirit without measure, Joh. 3. 34.
That unction and unmeasurable effusion of the Spirit upon him, did
consecrate and sanctifie him to all his Offices, he was annointed for us, to be a
Prophet to us, to be a
King in us, to be a
Priest for us; which
fulness of the
Spirit of grace in our Head Christ, is reputed to every one
sanctified in Christ Jesus for their sanctification or holiness, which doth also expiate and purge out of the sight of God, all their impurity or unholiness: This holy person described by his glorious titles, (viz.)
the Son of God, the Heir of all things, the Maker of the worlds, the brightness of his Fathers glory, the express Image of his person, the upholder of all things by the Word of his Power, is said by himself to have purged our sins, Heb. 1. 1, 2, 3. As by the merit of his
passive righteousness to purge us from the
guilt of sin, so by the
influential efficacy of his
sanctity, or
inherent righteousness, to purge us from the filth of sin, and take down the power of it.
God accepts of believers in themselves impure and imperfect, as
perfect and compleat in him, who is our
Head and
fulness.
Thus Christ is our Sanctification, by way of Imputation.
2. Jesus Christ is our sanctification by way of Union: Union with him is the ground or Basis both of our
Justification and
Sanctification by him:
He that hath the Son, hath life, Joh. 1. 5.
Dulcius ex ipso fonte. 12.
With him is the fountain of life, Psa. 36. 9. by Faith (through the spirit) a believer hath union with Christs person, and so communion with his life:
He that believeth on the Son, hath everlasting life, Joh. 3.
ult. Whereupon Jesus Christ is called the life,
Joh. 14. 6. and our life,
Col. 3. 4. our life of
righteousness, our life of
holiness, our life of glory, or
happiness; and this life is in his Son, 1
Ioh. 5. 11.
By believing we are united to Christ, who is our
Head, Fountain, and
Principle of spiritual life, or holiness, as the Head is the
Principle and
Fountain of sense and motion,
Ephes. 4. 15, 16. From him, the Head, the Apostle tells us,
the whole body is fitly joyned and compacted together, and so maketh encrease to the edifying of it self in love. All the grace that is in us is but a
measure or overflowing of his
fulness. Christ is—principle of holiness, by which it is wrought, and also the rule unto which it is proportioned.
Dr.
Reynolds in his life of Christ. Heb. 12. 2. Christ is the
Author and finisher of our faith; he is the
first and the last, the
Alpha and
Omega, both the beginner of our sanctification here on earth, and the perfecter thereof in heaven.
As the members by
nerves and ligaments are firmly knit to the Head, the superstructure to the foundation, the branches to the Vine, the Wife to the Husband by the Marriage-knot, so are the Saints of God firmly and closely united to Jesus Christ in the spirit, 1
Cor. 6. 17.
[Page 44] By vertue of which union they cannot but derive and draw down continual supplies of spiritual life from him;
for he is the life, and he is their life.
Consider a little the nature of this wonderful Union, I shall but touch it in
transitu.
1. It is an Union of Nature; we are members of his
body, of his flesh, and of his bones, Heb. 2. 14.
because the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same: Christ condescended to assume our Humane Nature, that we might partake of his
Divine Nature; he took upon him our
rag of flesh, that he might cloath us with his
robe of glory.
2. It is an union of and in the spirit, 1
Cor. 6. 17. He that is joyned to the Lord is one spirit; as man and wife united make one flesh, so Christ and believers united in and by the spirit, make up one
spiritual Christ.
3. It is an union of relations, and that of the neerest and sweetest: Christ is the everlasting Father,
Isa 9. 6. and begets children to God in his own likeness. Christ is the Son of God, believers are the Sons of God, but Christ is the Son of Gods Nature, but we are the Sons of Gods will; he by eternal Generation, but we by the grace of Regeneration, to conformity to whose Image we are predestinated,
Rom. 8. 29.
He is the first-born among many Brethren, and is not ashamed to call us Brethren, Heb. 2. which relation also bespeaks likeness, for
brethren for the most part resemble
brethren.
Lastly, Christ is our redeeming
Kinsman,
[Page 45] and
Husband, and we are his redeemed
Kindred and
Spouse: These
relations also import
similitude, and
proportion between Christ and us: Christ as our Redeemer came to deliver us,
&c. that we might be like him, and serve him in holiness and righteousness,
Luke 1. 74, 75. he came not only
to justifie, but also to
sanctifie, Tit. 2. 16. he came as Redeemer, not only to save from hell, but also to save from sin,
Mat. 1. 21. not only to deliver us from
eternal condemnation, but also from our
vain conversation, 1
Pet. 1. 18. not only to
proclaim liberty to the
Isa. 61. 1, 2, 3.
Captives, and the opening of the prisons to them that are bound, but also to pull off their
rotten rags, their nasty
prison garments, and to cloath
Zech. 3. 3, 4. them with
change of rayment; to cleanse and wash them from the
pollution of sin, and put upon them a
robe of righteousness, and renew them with
inward holiness, and so to present them as
beautiful and glorious, without spot or wrinkle, &c.
To shew consent, I shall take the boldness
M.
Jeremy Burroughs in his Saints Treasury. p. 46. to transcribe the words of a Famous man (now in heaven:)
Our Sanctification (saith he)
is not only from Christ meritoriously, but efficiently, and in a kind materially too; he doth not only merit it, and work it by his spirit, but through our union with him, there is a kind of flowing of Sanctification from him into us, as the principle of our life; as from the liver there flows blood into all the parts of the body, so through our union with Christ, he having the fulness of the Godhead in him, from him, as from a Fountain, sanctification flows into the souls of Saints; their sanctification
[Page 46]
comes not so much from their strugling, and endeavours,
I wish all disconsolate souls, desponding for want of holiness, would (in the strength of the Lord) take his counsel.
vows, and resolutions, as it comes flowing to them, from their closing with Christ, and union with him: There may be (saith he)
a great de
[...] of striving and endeavouring that may be utterly ineffectual for want of having recourse to Christ, as the Spring and Well-head of all grace and holiness.
Thus Jesus Christ is our Sanctification; by union with him, we are sanctified in him, and daily receive supplies of grace from him.
3. Jesus Christ may be said to be our Sanctification, and to be given of God for our Sanctification, in regard of Assimilation.
1. As Christ is the
Author, so Christ is the
1 Christ is the pattern of our Sanctification.
Rule and Pattern of our
Sanctification; formal and compleat Sanctification consists in a souls conformity to Jesus Christ, as the Exemplar or Pattern of his obedience,
Heb. 12. 3.
Consider him that endured, &c. i. e. consider him as the
Pattern and President of your
obedience, both
active and
passive: Wherefore ye shall find that Christ propounds his own example, as the pattern of our obedience,
Ioh. 13. 15.
I have given you an example, i. e. of meekness and humility, that you should do as I have done to you. So
Mat. 11. 29.
Learn of me, for I am meek and lowly. Again,
Phil. 2. 5.
Let the same mind be in you as was in Christ; i. e. the same opinion, judgement, affections, compassions. Once more, 1
Pet. 1. 15.
As he who hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation. Christ throughout his whole life was a
standing rule, a
walking Bible, a
visible Commentary on
[Page 47]
Gods Law, whose ordinary communicable works and duties, are recorded for our imitation.
2.
Holiness is the
Image of Christ: Now as
2. Holiness is the Image of Christ. the
face is both the
fountain of that
Image or
Species which is shed upon the
glass, and likewise it is the exact
pattern and
example of it too; so Jesus Christ is both the
principle of holiness, by whom it is wrought, and the
pattern to which it is
conforme. Now in an Image there are two things.
- 1.
Proportion.
- 2.
Deduction.
1.
Proportion. A similitude of one thing to another.
2.
Deduction. A derivation, or impression of similitude upon the one from the other, and with relation thereunto.
Now our Renovation is after the Image of Christ, 1
Cor. 15. 49. As we have born the Image of the earthly, so we shall bear the Image of the heavenly
Adam, begat a Son in his own likeness,
i. e. his Son was like him in corruption and mortality; so in the Regeneration, Christ begets children to himself in his own likeness,
i. e. like him in grace and holiness, in spirituality and immortality, for the seed of which we are begotten is incorruptible. When man had lost that
glorious Image
1
Pet. 1. 23 of God wherein he was
created, he became an
ugly and a
miserable creature presently;
ugly, because he had lost his
holiness; miserable, because full of
guilt and
horror; he durst no more draw neer to the most holy
inaccessible Majesty,
[Page 48] than
stubble before the
flames: No man can see his face, and live: We all by sin are
come
[...]
deficiuntur.
short of Gods glory, Rom. 3. 23. both of the
glory of his
Image, and of the
glory of his
Kingdome. Now unless the Lord be pleased to exhibit this
Image to us through some
glass or
veil, we must be for ever both
desolate and
destitute. And this the Lord hath graciously been pleased to do by the
veil of
Christs flesh; he is God manifest in the flesh, 1
Tim. 3. 16.
The glory of God now shines in upon us, and before us, in and from the
face of Iesus Christ, 2
Cor. 4. 6. Christ is the
Image of
Col. 1. 15.
the invisible God, and he that hath seen him, hath seen the Father: So that now by the
Incarnation of the
Son, there is a Vision of
Gods glory, and a restauration of
Gods Image, Ioh. 1. 18.
No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, who is in the bosome of the Father, he hath declared him.
The glittering beamings of the Invisible and Eternal Glory, did and do shine most resplendently through the
transparent medium of Christs
Humane Nature, which seen, and taken in by the eye of
Faith, do strangely irradiate and enlighten, beautifie and glorifie the soul of man▪
and renew it according to the Image
Ephes. 4. 23, 24.
of God, in righteousness and true holiness.
4ly and lastly, Jesus Christ is our Sanctification, by way of
influence and
communication: This is more general, and hath some
connexion with, and
dependance upon the former:
Ye have received an Ʋnction from the Holy One, i. e. Christ,
&c. Ioh. 1. 2. 20. This
Unction is like that
oyntment that ran down from the head
[Page 49] of
Aaron unto the skirts of his
garments, to note the
plentiful effusion of the Spirit on Christ, and from
Christ, unto his
lowest members.
1. The Spirit of holiness was Christs right
jure proprio, by vertue of the
personal union; so that Christ had a plenitude or fulness of the spirit in him, like the fulness of a fountain; but to us the spirit belongs by an inferiour union
So Bishop
Down
[...]m in his Justification. through Christ our Head, by way of influence from Christ our Head: from the grace of the Spirit is derived in such proportion, as Christ is pleased to communicate, yet 'tis the same holiness for truth and substance: As it is the same light which breaketh forth in the
dawning
Simile. of the
day, with that which inhereth in the
body of the Sun, shining in his strength; 'tis in Christ in
fulness, in us in
measure: The Apostle tells us, 2
Cor. 3. 18.
We are changed into the same likeness with Christ by the Spirit of the Lord.
2. Of this fulness of the Spirit which is in Christ, believers do receive, and
grace for grace, Ioh. 1. 16. As the Child receives member for member from the Father, and as the paper receiveth letter for letter from the Press,
&c. so a
sanctified soul receives
grace for grace, i. e. all manner of grace, exactly and proportionably from Jesus Christ. The glorious Image of Gods holiness in Christ, fashioneth and produceth it self in the hearts of the faithful; as
Simile. an Image or species of light shining on a glass, doth from thence fashion it self upon a wall by reflexion: As the head communicates real influences to the body, so Iesus Christ, who is
[Page 50] both an head of
eminence and of
influence, communicates his spirit, grace, light, life, comfort to his
Body the Church; for he that
sanctifieth and they that are sanctified, are both of one: As they are one in Nature, so one in Spirit, and in spiritual likeness also.
For the farther explication and illustration of this deep and illustrious truth,
(viz.) The Jesus Christ is our Sanctification. Before I come to the definition of Sanctification, I shall subjoyn these particulars.
Causa
[...]
Causa
[...]
quae & meritoria.
1. The Will of God is the principal internal
1 The principal moving cause. moving cause of our Sanctification,
Heb. 10. 9, 10.
Then, said he,
[...]o I come to do thy wi
[...] O God: He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second; that is, he taketh away the first
[Page 51] sort of Sacrifices and Propitiations, which was the blood of Bulls and Goats,
&c. and establish the second standing Sacrifice, (which is) the
offering up of the body of Jesus Christ once for all, by the which will we are sanctified, v. 10.
[...].
i. e. it was the good pleasure of the Fathers will, to appoint and accept this precious Sacrifice for our Justification, Sanctification, and compleat Salvation.
This is the will of God, even our Sanctification, 1
Thes. 4. 3. This is the will of his
Precept, that Christ Jesus should be our Sanctification; this is also the will of his
Purpose, and Eternal Counsel: Why did God chuse us in Christ before the foundation of the world? the Apostle tells us, that we should be holy,
Ephes. 1. 4. The principal moving cause of our Regeneration, is the will of God;
Of his own will begat he us, &c. 1
Jam. 18. What more clear?
2 The meritorious cause.
Omne donum gratiae Dei in Christo est. Ambr.
in Ephes. 1.
Causa efficiens interna propter quam Deu
[...] nos regenerat, est meritum, justi
[...]ia obedientia Christi. Polan.
2. The blood of Christ is the moral and meritorious cause of our Sanctification; all blessings and graces come down from the
Father of Lights through the
Sun of Righteousness; both grace and glory, holiness and happiness, flow in to us through the Channel of Christs blood: The blood of Christ is both
[...], and
[...]; both the
Price of our Redemption, and the
Laver of Regeneration also; as is evident by these Scriptures,
Heb. 9. 14.
How much more shall the blood of Christ, who by the Eternal Spirit offer'd up himself without spot to God, purge your consciences from dead works, &c. 1
Joh. 1. 7.
The blood of Christ cleanseth from all sin, f
[...]om the guilt and filth of sin.
Heb. 1. 3.
[Page 52]
He by himself hath purged our sins; Heb. 13. 12.
And that he might sanctifie the people with his own blood, he suffered without the gate. As a price is said to do that, which a man doth by that power the price purchaseth, so the blood of Christ is said to cleanse us, because the Office or Power whereby he sanctified us, was conferr'd upon him
sub intuitu pretii, under the condition of suffering; for it was necessary, that Remission and Purification should be
Morte sua Christus est meritus, resurrectione efficaciter regenerations in nobis applicat. Syntag. Polan.
p. 467. both by blood,
Heb. 9. 22, 23. Christ by his bloody death merited, impetrated, and obtained of his Father the spirit of holiness, faith, the word, promises, and all spiritual blessings, in order to his peoples sanctification,
Ephes. 1. 3, 4.
Phil. 1. 29. Had it not been for this moral and meritorious cause, (the blood of Christ) which is the sole foundation of the Spirits efficiency, of the Faiths existence and instrumentality, of the Word and Promises operation and efficacy, we should never have felt the efficiency of the Spirit, nor the working of Faith, nor the effectual operation of the Word and Promises in the Purification of our Natures, or in the conversion of our souls to God.
This purifying vertue of the blood of Christ was typically held forth by divers kinds of offerings, and washings, oblations, and ablutions under the Law, and other ceremonia observances, which the Apostle hath reference to,
Heb. 9. 13.
The blood of Bulls and Goats, an
[...] the ashes of an Heifer, sprinkling the unclean sanctified to the purifying of the flesh; that is,
[Page 53] legally and carnally sanctified them, and made them externally pure and holy, as to the Church, into which they were incorporated: But that which was legally and carnally in the
Type, was really, substantially, and spiritually effected in the
Antitype, the sacrifice of Christs body, typified by that bloody sacrifice of beasts; as
ver. 14. following asserteth;
How much more (saith he)
shall the blood of Christ, &c.
Thus 'tis clear, that the blood of Christ is the moral and meritorious cause of our Sanctification; yea, and the procuring cause of all other blessings, causes, helps, and means, which by divine order and appointment concur to, co-operate in the production and progress of our Sanctification.
3.
What is the material cause of our Sanctification?
I answer. As the
Filiation or Sonship of
3 The material cause. Christ is the material cause of our Adoption, and as the full satisfaction of Christ to the Justice of God, is the material cause of our Reconciliation; and as the perfect righteousness of Christ, as God-man; is the material cause of our justification, so (I humbly suppose) the perfect purity of Christs Humane Nature, by the Hypostatical Union, united to the divine in one pers
[...]n, and the unmeasurable fulness of the spirit in him, is the material cause of our Sanctification; all the holiness that is in us, is but the beaming forth of his holiness, a ray of his glory, a measure of his spirit, a sprinkling of his Unction, an over-flowing
[Page 54] of his fulness,
for of his fulness we receive, and grace for grace, Joh. 1. 16. In a word, 'tis the communication of the
Divine Nature, 2
Pet. 1.
[...].
Divine consortes naturae. So
Montanus. 4. The Saints are there said to be partakers of the Divine Nature: But how? not that we are
Christed into
Christ, or
Godded into
God, as some of late daies have most absurdly (if not blasphemously) imagined. We cannot be partakers of Gods
Substance, or
Essence, for that is incommunicable to any creature, but believers partake
(per Christ) of the communicable divine qualities and perfections, as
wisdome, knowledge, righteousness, holiness, &c. Col. 3. 10.
Ephes. 4. 24. This glorious Image of God we lost in the
first, and have it restored in the
second Adam.
Christ
received the spirit above measure, we have but some drops or drams of it; he was
Joh. 3. 34.
annointed with the Oyl of gladness above his fellows, yet for his fellows, whole Christ was given to us,
Isa. 9. 6.
To us a Child is born, to us a Son is given: His sanctification also must needs be for us, for our good and benefit;
For their sakes I sanctifie my self, (saith Christ)
that they might be sanctified by the truth, Joh. 17. 19. Holiness in Christ is as the light in the Sun ever shining, and as water in a living fountain never failing, ever running: He is both an everflowing,
Simile. and an over-flowing fountain of grace to us; as 'tis endless and boundless in Christ, so it is diffusive and communicative to his members: Jesus Christ is the
Candlestick, from whence the
Golden Pipes do empty the golden oyl through themselves, Zech. 4. 11, 12.
[Page 55] Christ is this Candlestick; the two Olive-trees
See the Dutch Annotat. on the place. signifie his Kingly and Priestly Offices; the Golden Oyl, signifieth the gifts and graces of the Spirit: It must needs be so, because it is the pleasure of the Father, that in him should all fulness dwell,
Col. 1. 19. What is this fulness? It is all the fulness of the Godhead
[...] bodily,
i. e. personally, substantially; for as the
Hebrews put souls for persons, as so many
souls went down into Egypt, &c. so the
Greeks put bodies for persons. Our Lord Jesus is his Fathers
Gazophylacium, the great Magazine of infinite riches and treasures. Note here a
Climax, yea three gradations, the Godhead, the fulness of the Godhead; yea, all the fulness of the Godhead dwells in Christ bodily. Now our holiness is a stream derived from this Fountain, a part or parcel of this fulness.
4.
What is the formal cause of our Sanctification?
4 The formal cause.
I answer, 'Tis the infusion of the habits of grace into us, (as the School-men call them) 'tis the endowment of the soul with inward holiness: So Mr.
Perkins, 'Tis the infusion of or communion with the spirit: So D.
Reynolds, 'Tis the operation of the spirit dwelling in us, as a spirit of sanctification,
Luke 11. 13.
Joh. 14. 16, 17. 'Tis the deriving or drawing down the holiness that is in Christ our Head, by the spirit of holiness, who is the
Bond of union and communion between him and us; 'tis the spirits transforming of us into the likeness of our Lord Jesus, or the delineation of the
[Page 56] Picture of Christ, by the spirit of Christ in the
The spirit looks directly upon the glorious Image of Christ represented in the Gospel, and draws exactly the picture thereof in a Saints heart. Mr.
Rich. Vines in
[...]oc. Zech. 13. 1. soul of man, 2
Cor. 3. 18. Its Synonima's in Scripture are very emphatical, 'tis called a
quickning, Ephes. 2. 1. a
birth, Joh. 3. 3. a
forming of Christ, Gal. 4. 19. a
Regeneration, or begetting again, 1
Pet. 1. 3. a
new heart, and a new spirit, Ezek. 36. 26. a
renewing of the mind, Rom. 12. 2. a
new creature, 2
Cor. 5. 17. the
new man, Ephes. 4. 24. the
renewing of the Holy Ghost, Tit. 3. 5. And the Divine Nature, and the Image or likeness of Christ, in respect of its Divine original and transcendent excellency.
The Father sends the Son into the world to work out eternal Redemption for us; and to that end, to open a fountain in his side and heart for our purification; he furnisht him with an instrumental fulness and fitness, to be the Lord our righteousness, and our Fountain of grace and holiness; the Son finisheth his
Joh. 17. 4. Eph 4. 8. work, ascends up on high, receiveth gifts for men, sends the holy spirit, the sanctifier and comforter, as his Vice-Roy, to dwell in us, and abide with us for ever; and not only to dwell in us, as our heavenly companion and comforter, but also to work in us as our
Sanctifier,
Joh 14 16 17. and therefore called,
The Spirit of holiness, Rom. 1. 4. He receives from the Son wisdome, righteousness, holiness, all gifts and graces wherewith
Joh. 16. 14. He shall glorifie me (saith Christ) for he shal receive of mine. Christ was annointed, and bestows them upon the Saints, annoints them with this Unction, implants in them these gifts and graces, imprints upon them the Divine Nature, and therewith sanctifies them; which very impression of the Divine Nature (or likeness of
[Page 57] Christ) on the soul of man, by the energy of the spirit, I conceive to be the very formality of sanctification.
For the better explication and dilucidation of this Argument, give me leave to shew what it is to sanctifie.
The word
Sanctifie hath many acceptions, the most famous are these two:
- 1.
To set apart.
- 2.
To cleanse.
In each of which we suppose something privative, and something positive.
1. When it signifies
to set apart, we must conceive, not only a setting a thing or a person apart from a common or prophane use, but also its or his actual dedication to holy uses, or setting apart for God, which is the proper notion of it.
2. When it signifies
to cleanse, you must not only conceive a purgation from filthiness, but also a plantation of the
seed of grace, called the seed of God. The
abolition of natural corruption is the privative part; the
renovation of Gods Image is the positive part of Sanctification.
1. To sanctifie, is to set apart, and dedicate. Thus Gods people are set apart, and dedicated by God, and for God.
- 1.
Before time.
- 2.
In time.
1.
Before time. They are set apart by Gods Decree to be an holy seed to himself in and by Christ, separate from the reprobate and perishing world, to be Vessels of Honor; whereas
[Page 58] the Reprobates are called Vessels of wrath, and dishonour,
Psa. 1. 4.
Him that is godly, God
M.
Burroughs in his Saints Treasury.
hath set apart for himself; i. e. as a good man saith, Not only actually set apart in vocation, but vertually set apart by God from eternity in Election,
Ephes. 1. 4.
Having chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, &c.
2.
In time. They are regenerated, called, or actually sanctified, or set apart
to be Vessels of Honour, sanctified, and meet for the Masters service, 2
Tim. 2. 21. Sanctification is an actual
W
[...]llebius in his Body of Divinity. Election, by which we are set apart from the miserable and vain world, to act for God by Jesus Christ, and to seek the things that make for his glory. Thus by Regeneration we are called his First-fruits, which under the Law were the Lords portion,
Jam. 1. 18. Of his own will begat he us, by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of the first fruits of his new creatures; as they are born
from above,
Joh. 3. 3.
[...]. so they are born
for above; they have heavenly affections, and heavenly conversations, and shall have heavenly Mansions. The Saints of
Joh. 14 2. God, among other Titles, are called an
holy Nation, a
Royal Priesthood, and a
Peculiar People, 1
Pet. 2. 9. The Priests of old were men consecrated to Minister in Gods presence. Now
1. This Consecration infers an holy preciseness, and peculiar singularity in the Saints, to keep themselves unspotted from the world,
Jam. 1. 28.
2. As God doth consecrate the Saints, so they themselves having received grace from above,
[Page 59] do willingly dedicate and consecrate themselves to God. They present their bodies,
i. e. their persons, (the body being put Synechdochically for the whole man) as an holy and living sacrifice,
Rom. 12. 1. And for this dedication, the Lord calls, when he saith,
My Son, give me thine heart, &c. he is pleased to call it by the name of a gift, when 'tis his due debt; and because our free consent is a necessary fruit of his free grace, every gracious soul doth voluntarily surrender or give up it self to God, (as the
Macedonians did) 2
Cor. 8. 5. Thus in the first place, to sanctifie is to set apart, and dedicate to an holy use.
2. To sanctifie, is to cleanse, together with its positive act, to renew, endow, or adorn with grace: The
privative part is
cleansing, the
positive part is
adorning.
First, I shall consider the privative part of Sanctification, as it is a cleansing work.
As the word Sanctifie signifies to separate, so there is a difference between the Saints, and others; but as it signifies to cleanse, so there is a difference between the Saints, and themselves.
1. They differ from others, because they are a people set apart to live and act for God, whether they eat or drink, buy or sell, they do all for God, that is, with respect to his glory, 1
Cor. 10. 31. and so they are distinct from the men of the world, who are meerly by assed by their own principles, swayed by their own interests, and act for Carnal Self in all they do.
[Page 60] 2. Sanctification makes a difference between them and themselves,
inter them unregenerate, and themselves regenerate; they were filthy before, but washen now; impure before, but holy now; Lyons before, Lambs now; Swine before, but Doves now: May not we say to, and of, the best of Saints that are extant, as the Apostle speaks of the converted
Corinthians? 1
Cor. 6. 11. Such were some of you;
i. e. some of you had been Idolaters, Adulterers, Drunkards, Covetous,
&c. but now ye are washed, justified, and sanctified in the Name, and by the Spirit of our Lord Jesus; that is, ye are not the same men and women that ye were before, the grace of God having changed both their relations, and their qualities. As a man, lately converted, answered his old Companions, when sollicited to excess of Riot.
Now I am not I: As sin
Ego non sam Ego. Eras. makes a wonderful cursed change in and upon the soul, from good to bad, yea, to stark naught; so grace makes a wonderful blessed change in and upon the soul, from the worst, to the best relation and condition that the rational creature can attain unto. The deep and ingrained pollution of our nature is purged and done away.
1. Inchoatively, and generally, at our grand bathing in Regeneration, or first conversion,
Tit. 3. 5. when the soul doth begin at first to wash it self in the Fountain of Christs blood, that
Fountain opened for sin, and for uncleanness;
Zech 13. 1. that is the first cleansing, then the Leprosie begins to be abated, and the soul to be made
[Page 61] white in the blood of the Lamb; then sin hath its mortal blow.
2. Gradually, and progressively, by degrees; the
Image of Christ is drawn
brighter and
brighter, goes on from
glory to glory in the soul of man, by the Pourtraicture of the spirit, 2
Cor. 3. 18. and as the righteousness of Justification, so the righteousness of Sanctification also is revealed, and carried on from faith to faith:
The path of the just is a shining light,
Pro. 4. 18.
that shineth more and more unto the perfect day: As
Naaman by the Prophets order went
2 Kin. 5. 10. 14. down, and washt himself
seven times in the streams of
Jordan; so the sinful soul of man must go down believingly, and wash it self in the blood of Christ, and in the water of the spirit, in the stream of this
Jordan, if ever it will be clean. Christ washt his Disciples feet,
Joh. 13. 11, 12. alluding to the custome of the
Jews, who wearing
Sandals, and dirtying their feet daily, were wont to wash their feet daily: So every day, while we converse in and with the world, we contract dirt and filth daily, we must be therefore washing off the dirt, by the renewed acts of faith and repentance daily; we ought to make recourse daily to the blood, spirit, word, and promises of Christ for our Justification, and thereby cleanse our selves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit, 2
Cor. 7. 1.
3. Totally, or wholly, that is at our
dissolution, when we shall be glorified, when the body of flesh shall lie in the dust of death, then the body of sin shall lie down with it, then
[Page 62] the souls of the Saints shall be
presented glorious, without spot, or wrinkle, be pure from sin and
perfect in holiness. Now through grace, the Saints are freed from the
guilt and dominion of sin, but at death they are perfectly free from the being of it: As a worthy man well observes,
That as sin brought death into the world
D.
Manton in M.
Loves Funeral Sermon.
with it, so death, by way of revenge, carries out sin: 'Tis probable, the time will be in the very moment of
expiring, (saith the same Author.) As the soul in the moment of its conjunction with the body, became sinful; so the soul in the moment of its disjunction from the body, becomes
perfectly sanctified, and is presented perfect by Christ to God; for no unclean thing shall enter into the New Jerusalem,
Rev. 21. 27. Thus much for the privative part of
Sanctification, as it is a cleansing work.
2. Something (very briefly) of the positive work of Sanctification, as it is a decking or adorning the soul with grace; under the Law, as there was an
Altar for
Oblation, so there was a
Laver for
Ablution; and the Priests were commanded to wash in the
great Laver, before they came to minister at the
Altar, Exod. 30. 18, 19, 20. As the Oblation, or Offering, did note
Justification, so the ablution, or washing, did note our
Sanctification. And moreover, the legal Priests were to be adorned with
gorgeous attire, with
glorious garments, when they appeared before the Lord; which
garments of glory and beauty, without controversie, did
Exod. 28. figure out, the glorious graces of Christ, and all true Christians; for as Christ is their
King
[Page 63] and
Priest, so they (through the riches of grace) have Communion with him in his Offices, and therefore called a
Royal Priesthood, 1
Pet. 2. 9. To be sanctified, is more than to be purified; for besides the expulsion of sin in
Sanctification, there is an infusion of grace, a new disposition and frame of soul, called a
new heart, and a
new spirit, Ezek. 36. 25, 26, 27.
(i. e.) a new mind, new apprehensions, a new will, new desires, new affections, from whence there follows newness of life and conversation.
1. There is a new heart, that is conformity to Gods Nature, when the heart of man is like the heart of God, as
David is said to be a man after Gods own heart:
Conformity to the
2 Pet. 1. 4.
Divine Nature, is this new heart: The
Nature of God, is the
pattern of that
Sanctification which is wrought in the heart of man.
2. There is a
new life, that is, our conformity to Gods Law, or revealed Will, whose will is our Sanctification, 1
Thes. 4. 3. An holy heart breathes and breaks out into an heavenly conversation,
Phil. 3. 20. Our conversation is in heaven: The first is our
habitual holiness, the second is our
actual. The sum is this, our
habitual conformity to the
Nature or
Image of God, and our
actual conformity to the Will of God, (thereon depending) is formally our
Sanctification. Thus I have shewed what it is to sanctifie, and have opened the more eminent acceptations of it: We come now to the fifth thing propounded.
5.
The Spirit of Christ is the efficient cause of our Sanctification.
The work of
Creation is commonly ascribed to God the Father, the work of
Redemption to God the Son, and the work of
Sanctification to God the Holy Spirit; yet
Sanctification being a work
ad extra, is common to all the persons.
1. It is ascribed to God the Father,
Jude 1. to them which are called and sanctified of God the Father. 1
Pet. 1. 3.
Blessed be God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy, hath begotten us again unto a lively hope, &c.
2. Christ is said to sanctifie us;
He is made of God to us Sanctification, 1
Cor. 1. 2.
To the Church of God which is at Corinth,
to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, Heb. 13. 12. Wherefore Jesus, that he might
sanctifie the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.
3. The Spirit is said to
sanctifie: Hence these phrases,
the sanctification of the Spirit, 1
Pet. 1. 2. 2
Thes. 2. 13, 14. and the
spirit of holiness, Rom. 1. 4. The
Sanctification of the Spirit, is as necessary as the
mercy of the Father, or the
sprinkling of the blood of Jesus.
Christ by the
redundancy of his Merit hath
impetrated, and obtained the
Spirit of the Father, to
sanctifie those whom he means to save, to
purifie, and make them meet for glory, whom he died for, and justified by his blood,
The
Inchoation is from the Father, the
Dispensation is by the Son, the
Consummation by the Spirit: 'Tis from the love of the
Father, and by vertue of the
Merit of the Son, that we are
sanctified; but 'tis properly the
Office, and the
[Page 65] distinct
personal operation of the spirit of holiness to sanctifie; and it must be the
mighty power of the
eternal spirit, that converts or sanctifies, because 'tis such a power as is
commensurate and proportionate to the raising of the dead,
Ephes. 1. 19, 20. called the exceeding
[...],
Supereminens magnitudo. Montan. greatness of his power,
&c. We are not sanctified or converted, as the Papists and
Arminians say, by a moral suasion, or by the bare improvement of our own free will, nor by the accession of some additional help to Nature, but by the most
strong, and yet most
sweet efficacy of the Almighty Spirit,
Psa. 110. 3. Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power; or as some render it, in the day of thy Armies; 'tis therefore called a
Regeneration, a begetting
In die Copiarum. So M.
Ainsworth. a soul again, 'tis a
new Creation, 'tis a
Vivification, or
quickning a man before dead in sins and trespasses, not languishing and declining, but in a moral sense stark dead; nay, 'tis a
Resurrection, a rising out of the grave of sin and death: All these works of wonder, or rather this one mysterious work of Sanctification, illustrated by these Metaphors, bespeaks no less than the Almighty power of a God,
who is able to subdue all things to himself.
Phil. 3. 2
[...]
1. 'Tis a
Regeneration, or a begetting again, 1
Pet. 1. 3.
Jam. 1. 18.
2. 'Tis a
Creation, Ephes. 2. 10.
We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to good works: 2
Cor. 5. 17.
He that is in Christ is a new creature: Behold, (saith Christ)
I make all things new.
3. 'Tis a
vivification, or quickning,
Eph. 2. 1.
You hath he quickned, who were dead in sins and
[Page 66]
trespasses. A natural man is both
legally an
morally dead, till the
Spirit of Life breaths upon him, and quickens him,
Joh. 5. 25.
That promise is still in fulfilling now, that the dead shall hea
[...] the voice of the Son of God, and they that hea
[...] shall live.
4. 'Tis a Resurrection,
Col. 3. 1.
If ye then
[...] risen with Christ, seek the things that are above yea, 'tis more, a kind of con-session, or sitting together with Christ,
Eph. 2. 6.
And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. If we live to God we live the life of heaven: Now to
regenerate to
create, to make all things
new, to
revive a m
[...] dead, to raise up a man out of the grave (
[...]
Lazarus) both dead and buried; all these ar
[...] the Acts of Omnipotency, the works of
[...] God, and all those works are done in this o
[...] work, by the invincible efficiency of the Spirit.
6. The word and faith are the Ministring are Instrumental causes of our Sanctification
The Spirit is called the Spirit of Faith.
Aristotle calls the hand
[...], the instrument of instruments. Faith being the gift of God, and wrought by the operation of the Spirit, unites the soul to Christ, the Fountain of Holiness, and Hea
[...] of
Influence, and having united the soul
[...] him, continually receives supplies from him 'Tis the hand of the soul, that useful instrument, whereby we apprehend Christ, and whereby we draw down vertue from Christ Hence, as an Organ or Instrument, it is said to purifie,
Acts 15. 9.
Having purified their heart by faith. As Faith hath the Noblest Objects so Faith for its use and
[...]ffice here, is the Noblest
[Page 67] grace; Faith indeed infused and created in us by the Spirit, is commonly called the
See Dr.
Owens death of death,
p. 126.
Simile.
Mother grace, and is it self formally a great part of our sanctification. As the woman sick of the
Bloody Issue put forth her hand, and touching the Hem of Christs garment, drew vertue from him, and was healed: So that soul to whom 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, 'tis 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
outgoing 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 san
[...]tus efficaciam suam exerit, & sidem, & conversionem operat
[...]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 Go
[...]pel, or Law of Faith, is
vehiculum spiritus, the Chariot in which the spirit rides to give your souls
[Page 68] 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
[...]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.
8
[...]y and lastly. The glory of Gods Grace in the
Conservation and
Salvation of a sinful creature,
[Page 69] is the
supreme end, or
final cause of our Sanctification; there is a mutual intimate coherence, and relation of these three to o
[...]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 Salva
[...]ion,
Jam. 1. 18.
We are begotten by the Will of God,
[...]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 h
[...]pe we are begotten and born to in Regeneration? he tells ye in ver. 4.
Even to an inheritance incorruptible, und
[...]filed, that fadeth not away, reserved
[Page 70]
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,
[...] 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,
[Page 71] 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 annointed that ever expect to be glorified: Though men may talk much of God, and brag much of their Interest in heaven and happiness, yet without these habits and seeds of holiness (I am sure) they shall never reap a crop of blessedness.
2. Holiness lies in the use and lively exercise of those supernatural graces, or holy habits in the soul: Holy habits must be brought forth into holy acts, gracious habits are, and and must be attended with gracious motions, gracious operations, and a gracious Conversation;
Act. 10. 35. 1 Joh. 1. 3. 7. 2 Pet. 1. 8. Tit. 2. 12.
[...].
Eth c. 1. outward works must be suitable to inward habits; as the Phylosophers speak concerning the
summum bonum, it consists (say they)
neque in Idearum contemplatione, neque in virtutis habitu, neither in the contemplation of Idea's, nor in the habit of vertue: But the
summum bonum, or chief good, (say they) is the operation or action of the reasonable soul, according to the best and most perfect vertue in a perfect life.
I am sure, Sanctification, which is the true felicity and beauty of the soul of man, consists in both
(viz.) in internal holy
principles, and in external holy
practises. Holy habits are
golden Talents that must be imployed and improved;
[Page 72] they are the Candles of the Lord set up in us, not to idle by, but to work and
Where there are the seeds, there will appear the Flowers of Holiness. and walk by: Where is holiness of disposition? there is, and will be holiness of Conversation: An holy heart expresseth it self in an holy life.
In the next place I shall endeavour, (as I promised) to shew the difference between Justification and Sanctification, and then the transcendent excellencies of Sanctification, as appears by the honourable and excellent title
[...] the Scriptures put upon it, and cloathe it with them, as its proper Robes, and due Ornaments. And then something as to the Concomitants, adjuncts, and fruits of sanctification. And then lastly, Close all with Application.
1. Wherein Justification and Sanctification differs.
How Justification and Sanctification differ.
- 1. They differ in their kind.
- 2. In order of Nature.
- 3. In the manner, or form,
- 4. They differ in degrees.
1. They differ in their kind. The righteousness
1
[...]n genere. of Justification is in the
Category of Relation; the righteousness of Sanctification is in the predicament of quality: Justification is a change of a mans Relation and estate, not a change of a mans person; 'tis a change without a man, or upon a man, not a change within a man: But Sanctification is not properly a Relative, but a real inherent change; not a change without a man, but a change within a man; 'tis the expulsion of sin, and the infusion
[Page 73] of grace or holiness into the soul of Man.
2. They differ in the order of nature; in order
2
In ordine Naturae. of
nature (Divines hold) justification precedes sanctification, though in order of
time, they are both wrought together. In the description of the order of causes,
Rom. 8. 30. the Link of Justification is set before Glorification in that
golden Chain: The best Expositors I
Beza, Polanus, M.
Jeremy Burroughs, cum multis aliis, &c. have met withall, (and many I have read upon the place) do generally conclude, that sanctification is essentially (though not gradually) the same with Glorification, and must of necessity be included in it, because sanctification is the seed, glorification is the flower; sanctification is the first fruits, glorification is the full crop or vintage; sanctification is the New-born Babe, Glorification is the perfect
Eph. 4. 13. man arrived to the
measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.
Sanctification is like the dawning of the day, like the early glittering and guilding of
Cum sol medium superaverat axim. the Mountains by the Sun-beams; but Glorification is the Sun shining in the Meridian, in his greatest strength and splendour: The difference between Glorification and Sanctification is not
specifical, but
gradual: We are justified by the Merit of Christ from the guilt, and punishment of sin, in order of Nature, before we are sanctified by the spirit from the pollution and filth of sin, and endowed with inward holiness, though in order of time,
Qui justificantur sanctificantur.
Hae gratiae individuo nexu cohaerent, as
Calvin speaks, they are wrought together, as the most
[Page 74] precious effects of the free grace of God through the blood of Christ.
3. They differ in their form. Take three
3
Modo ceu forma. Notes.
1. In Justification, a believer by the hand of Faith receives Christ, and layes hold upon him
as the Lord his righteousness, and inwrappeth his soul with this
glorious Robe, and
Garment of Salvation; but in Sanctification Faith is considered as a new quality, formally a part of our holiness, and as the root and beginning of good works. In Justification Faith is considered as an useful instrument, in Sanctification as a special grace, or new quality.
2. In Justification sin is taken away, in respect of guilt, and condemnation, that it be
Ne imputetur. not imputed; but in Sanctification sin is taken away, as to the dominion, or reigning
Ne regnet. power of it, that it may not reign; as in glorification, (which is the perfection of sanctification) sin, all the remainders of it shall be quite taken away, that it shall not exist, or have any
Ne restet. being left.
3. In Justification Christs righteousness is imputed to us; in Sanctification, a new inherent righteousness is implanted in us; in the first our sins are pardoned, our persons absolved, acquitted, and accepted, through the imputation of Christs righteousness,
Rom. 4. 6, 7. By the second our souls are renewed, our Natures changed, decked and adorned with the graces of the Spirit,
Eph. 4. 23, 24. by the participation of Christs holiness. Thus Justification and Sanctification do differ in their form.
[Page 75] 4. Justification and Sanctification do differ
4
In gradibus. in degrees. 1. Justification is one individual perfect act, contingent to all the godly: Some of our best Divines do hold, that Justification is transacted in our first union and incorporation into Christ, when the pardon of sin is sealed to a believer at once: How
at once? I answer with Reverend
Downam, at once, as excluding
Bishop
Downam on Justification.
Burgess upon Justification. degrees; our justification is perfect at first as well as at last: Or as Learned
Burgess, at once, as connoting a state we are put into, upon our believing; And indeed thereupon, some godly learned persons take Justification for one continued act, from our vocation to our glorification, and in that sense we are justified but once.
A justified person is
rectus in curia, acquitted by God the Judge of all, in
foro coeli, he hath shot the
Gulph, he is gone beyond the
Gun-shot of
condemnation,
[...],
Rom. 8. 1. to him there is not one
condemnation: But Sanctification is an inchoate and successive act, carried on by degrees, and compared with Justification; 'tis but imperfect, (though it be an immortal principle, an incorruptible seed, growing up and tending to perfection) for here
we know but in part, we see but in part, we see as
1 Cor. 13. 9, 10, 11, 12.
in a glass darkly. Now the dust is in our eyes, much blindness and darkness in the eyes of the most enlightned, our understandings are partly light, and partly darkness; our wills are partly flesh, and partly spirit: we find, do we not? a contrary Principle working, a contrary Law rebelling, that when we
would do good,
[Page 76]
evil is present with us, Rom. 7. 21.
There is a Law in the members, and a Law of the mind;
Rom. 7. 23 There is a double Enemy carrying on a double interest in one soul; there is a
Jacob and an
Esau, strugling and striving for Mastery in one heart; there remains the being of sin, concupiscence, evil lusting and motions, many sins of ignorance, negligence, and of invincible infirmity in the Saints; for whilest they abide in earthly, they abide in sinful Tabernacles: The bitter moans, groans, complaints, tears, together with the sad
lapses of the Saints, do sadly evidence the truth of this, besides the
1 Kin. 8. 46. Jam. 3. 2. 1 Ioh. 1. 8. Eccl. 7. 20. As a child, as soon as born, is a
true man, though not a
perfect man, he hath all the parts of a man, not the strength and stature. ample testification of many Scriptures: The Saints that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, are in a sense perfect, and in a sense imperfect, they are perfect as to perfection of parts, every part and faculty of soul and body is sanctified, and yet they are in a sense imperfect,
(i. e.) as to perfection of degrees: thus the word perfect is differently to be understood,
Phil. 3. 12. 15. In the 12th ver. it notes the fullest measure, or highest
Achme of perfection attainable by a Christian: In the 15th ver. it notes sincerity or integrity, which is a Christians Evangelical perfection. God (according to the tenour of the New Covenant) accepting his person in Christ as perfect,
(viz.) in and through Christs perfect righteousness and intercession; and thereupon a believers gracious desires and endeavours for performances, his will for the deed, and his sincerity for perfection.
Perfection of degrees being too great a priviledge for a Militant estate, is reserved as one
[Page 77] of the peculiar Flowers or Jewels of the Triumphant Crown for the Saints to wear in
[...]. A precious jewel which nothing can defile, or dull its shining; so is the state above. their Fathers Kingdome: wherefore among the
singular distinguishing
Epithetes given by the Spirit of God to our inheritance, this is one, an inheritance undefiled, 1
Pet. 1. 4.
By our Justification now we have peace with God,
Rom. 5. 1. all our sins past and present are actually pardoned, and this favour received, is a pledge of assurance, that for the future, by applying our selves to Christ, we shall receive remission of daily sins; and that at the last day we shall be for ever free from all accusations and condemnation. Our Justification is perfect now; (though the most solemn pronunciation of it in a magnificent manner, is the work of the great day) but our Sanctification is inchoate, imperfect and progressive here; by the supplies of the Spirit of Grace, there must be a going on from
faith to faith, from strength to strength; but it shall be most compleat and perfect at Christs appearing: the Picture of Christ will be gloriously drawn, even to the life then;
We know, that when he shall
Phil. 1. 6.
appear, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.
2. The righteousness of justification is equally perfect, and equally impured to all believers; my meaning is, all believers are alike justified, one as well and as much as another, the weak as much as the strong, the new-born Babes so much as the old Fathers, the feeblest Lambs as much as the Hee-goats of the Flock; he that hath the least, as well
[Page 78] as he that hath the greatest measure of the Spirit: A Giant holdeth a jewel, and so doth
Gemmam amplectitur Gigas, & puerulus; licet Gigas fortiùs eam amplectitur, quàm puerulus, tamen manet gemma aequè preciosa. Luther a Child; the jewel is the same, though the Giant holdeth it with a stronger hand: So here the righteousness of justification is the same though the faith of believers is not the same some being weak, and others strong in faith: As to inherent righteousness, there is much difference; but as to imputed righteousness, all the Saints are equal, none have purer linnen than the rest. A believer, of the lowest form in Christs School, of the meanest stature or growth in Christ, of the weakest and dullest capacity in the mysteries of the Kingdome of Christ, is in point of justification, equal with
So M.
Burroughs on the Beatitudes, Matth. 5.
Abraham, Isaac, and
Jacob, Moses, Samuel, and
David, equal with all the most glorious Patriarchs, Prophets, Martyrs, and eminent Saints that are. Thou (if a believer) art as much acquitted from sin, and as much accepted as righteous in the sight of God, and as undoubted an Heir of, and hast as true a title to the Inheritance of heaven, as the most famous Saints that are. But there is a great deal of difference among the Saints themselves, as to sanctification; some Saints are children, some are strong men, some are fathers; one star
1 Cor. 15. 41. excelleth another star in glory: There are
stellae primae & secundae magnitudinis, &c. Some Saints are more sluggish and dull of hearing, more dull and dark in understanding, others are more acute and quick; some are
younglings, weaklings, and have need of
milk, (viz.) the
principles of the
Oracles of God; others are
[Page 79]
strong men, and have need of
meat, can dive into, and digest the deepest mysteries revealed in the Gospel, God having given them senses
Heb. 5. 12, 13, 14. exercised to discern both good and evil: Some are more dead to duty, and in duty, others are more vigorous, more
fervent in spirit, and lively; some walk more
humbly with God, more
holily before God, more exactly and
venerably before the world, than others do.
Some do much fully and stain their garments, others (comparatively)
walk in white, and keep their garments clean, and also
keep themselves unspotted from the world, Jam. 1.
ult.
Thus great is the difference between Saint and Saint in sanctification, as great is the
Cant. 5. 10 My beloved is
white and
ruddy, white in the glory of his Deity, ruddy in the preciousness of his Humanity, and white in the beauty of his purity, and ruddy in the blood of his Oblation.
Owens Communion. p. 52, 53. difference between man and man in growth and stature; but in justification, the infant of daies, and man of grey hairs, the shrub, and the Cedar, the smaller, and greater stars, the Saints of all dimensions and denominations, of all ages and statures, are equally perfect, and shine equally bright and glorious, because the glory of that righteousness is not inherent in them, as the light is inherent in the body of the Sun; but this robe of righteousness (so 'tis called,
Isai. 61. 10.) is imputed to them, and put upon them by
the Sun of righteousness, their Elder Brother, who wove this garment of Sunbeams for them out of his own Mediatorial holiness, both in life and death.
Thus you have had some representation or Adumbration, something shadowed out, of the difference between Justification and Sanctification: Our knowledge of these mysteries
[Page 80] ought to be distinct, and clear, and not intricate and confused, for the clearer our knowledge is, the stronger and greater will our comfort be. The great Apostle handles these two great Doctrines,
(viz.) Justification and Sanctification, distinctly, and in order. First he begins with Justification, and treats on that Argument throughout the 3, 4, and 5th Chap. to the
Romans. Then he falls upon the Doctrine of Sanctification, and insists on that necessary argument, throughout the 6, 7, and 8th Chap. to the
Romans, as a
German Divine
Pareus. well observes. And in this method, since I have pitcht upon this Text, I have endeavoured, or made an Essay to handle them, beginning with Justification first, expressed by its
Synonima, in the Text righteousness, and then proceeded to sanctification afterwards.
Let thus much suffice for the critical differences between Justification and Sanctification.
We now come in the next place, to the next general propounded to be spoken to,
(viz.) to the
excellency of Sanctification, illustrated by the high and Honourable
Encomiums, wherewith we find it dignified in the Scriptures, in which, (as in a glass or Mirror) you may behold the incomparable beauty and worth of holiness.
1. Holiness is the Name of God,
Isa. 57. 15.
Thus saith the High and lofty One, that inhabiteth Eternity, whose name is Holy, I dwell in the high and holy place, &c. Gods Name is holy,
Psa. 111. 9.
Holy and Reverend is his Name, How
[Page 81] often is he called Holy One, and the Holy One of
Israel in the Scriptures? His holi
[...]ss is himself, when he swears by his Holiness; (as
Psa. 89. 35. Once have I sworn by my holiness, that I will not lie unto
David) he swears by himself; for whatsoever is in God, is God:
Quicquid est
[...]n D
[...]o, Deus est. God is essentially, infinitely, and primitively holy, the Saints only by participation of his holiness, they are called godly from God, Christians from Christ, and Saints from the sanctification of the Holy Spirit: The chosen Generation are an holy Nation, 1
Pet. 2. 9. they partake of Gods Name (Holiness.)
2. It is called the Seed of God, 1
Joh. 3. 9.
[...],
peccatum non operatur, or,
peccato non dat operam. As
Beza (i. e.) doth not make sin his work and business. 1 Pet. 1. 3. whosoever is born of God, doth not commit sin, for his seed remaineth in him,
&c. And this seed,
(viz.) the Word of God,
(i. e.) of which we are begotten and born again, is incorruptible or immortal, 1
Pet. 1. 23.
Jam. 1. 18. Sanctification by these Texts, and elsewhere, is held out by the Metaphor of Generation. God the Father of Spirits, is the Spiritual Father that begets a soul to himself in Christ, the
Word is the
Seed of God, of which the soul is begotten again, the Ordinances are the Bed wherein the soul is begotten,
Can. 1. 16. also our Bed is green,
(viz.) flourishing Ordinances. Holiness is a Divine Seed.
3. Holiness is the Will and Word of God, or rather the Will of God revealed in his Word: The word of God is the signification of his will, and 'tis the Royal Mandatory will of God, that we should be holy, 1
Thes. 4. 3.
This is the will of God, even your sanctification,
[Page 82] 1
Pet. 1. 15, 16. As he
which hath called you a
[...] holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; for it is written, be ye holy, because I am holy. 'Twas the great Honour of King
David, tha
[...] he served his Generation, according to the will of God,
Acts 13. 22. yea, he fulfilled all
[...];
qui faciet omnes voluntates meas. Gods wills, for the Greek is plural. So 'tis the highest honour of any creature, as well as duty, whether of Angel or man, to fulfill the wills of God, the whole pleasure of his will especially his main design, and great command, in being holy.
4. Holiness is the work of God: All Gods works (as in Creation and Providence) are like himself, honorable and glorious, so the Psalmist cals them,
Ps. 111. 2, 3. and 'tis our bounden duty to consider, and admire them: But here that old rule holds good, the work is like unto the
Operari sequitur esse. worker; next to the highest of all Gods works,
viz. the Incarnation of the Son of God, the second person in the Trinity, the work of sanctification, without controversie, is the most great and glorious, as appears by these Scriptures, 2
Cor. 5. 5.
He that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing, is God. This is called by way of eminency,
Gods workmanship, Ephes. 2. 10.
We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, &c. Holiness is the special, peculiar work of the holy God.
5. Holiness is the very
Image of God, and this is more than all the former: The soul a
[...] a spirit may be said (in a sense) to be the Image of God; but the soul, as qualified with grace or adorned with knowledge, wisdome, righteousness,
[Page 83] holiness, (in which the Image of God
Col. 3. 10. Eph 4. 24.
[...]onsisteth) is the most lively likeness, and Image of God in the world: By these graces we
should shew forth Gods vertues, 1
Pet 2. 9. 'Tis in the Greek vertues, and not praises. Now note: An Image represents a thing in its
[...],
virtutes. highest excellency; an Image doth not represent the legs, feet, or inferiour parts of a man, but his countenance, head, face, breast, the most Noble parts: So our sanctification, or inherent righteousness, represents God in his chiefest excellency, as he is glorious in holiness,
Exod. 15. 11. In the works of Creation, and Providence, we see the
footsteps, at most, the
back-parts of the Almighty; but in the Saints we see his
face or
Image, though not perfectly drawn, and to the life. An holy soul represents God in the most lively way, as the
Simile. Image of a man in his child is more lively seen than in a piece of wood, or stone; so the Image of God is more lively seen, and more gloriously drawn in the hearts of his Saints (next to Christ, who is the Image of the Invisible
Col. 1. 15. Heb. 1. 3. God,)
&c. than in all the creatures in the world besides.
6. Holiness is the life of God, and this is more, a man may see his Image, but no man can see his life. Grace is called the life of God,
Ephes. 4. 18.
Being alienated from the life of God. Now what is Gods life? and what is a Saints life? Gods life consists in this, in willing himself the chiefest and highest good, and in acting for his own glory, as the ultimate end, and
Vita est in se reflexio in ordering all things to this blessed end; this is
[Page 84] the excellency of the life of God; and a Saint (through grace) lives this life, he propounds God to be his
chiefest good, and the glory of God, as the
utmost end of all his actings, and the w
[...]ll of God revealed in the
Word, he makes his
Rule, and drives on all his designs to this end: And this is the excellency of the life of Sanctification which a Saint (in his measure) lives; he acts from right principles by a right line, to a right end; the perfection of which life the blessed spirits live in heaven.
7. Sanctification or holiness is
the Nature of God; we are said to be
[...], partakers, or Communicants of the Divine Nature, a very
2 P
[...]t. 1. 4. high expression. This place I have already opened, and cleared it of absurdities: By Divine Nature, in a word is meant, the
Divine qualities, &c. Grace is nothing else but the
reflexion, or the sparkling forth of the Divine Nature that is in God himself; 'tis a ray from his glory, a beam from his Sun; every Saint is a
Diamond of Christs own
pointing, shining with light and lustre (in some measure) like himself: One spark of this
Divine Nature is of greater worth and value, than
rubies, than the
Topaz of Ethiopia (in a word) than all the
treasures of the earth; nil, to be compared to it.
8. Sanctification is
the Glory of God in the soul of man, which is higher yet than all the former,
Rom. 3. 23.
all have sinned, and are come shor
[...]
[...],
deficiuntur.
of the glory of God, (i. e.) of the glorious estate of holiness, in which we were created; and also of the glorious estate of happiness.
Adam was planted in a glorious place, Paradise, & adorned
[Page 85] with a glorious Ornament
(viz.) holiness, the Image and Glory of God, but through sin he fel from both. Now holiness the glory of man, and the glory of God (as to man) lieth in the dust, but when in
sanctification the Image of God is renewed in, and restored to the soul, the glory of God and man returns again. Holiness is Gods great Title of Honour,
Exod. 15. 11.
Who is like unto thee among the Gods, glorious in holiness? &c. God is said in Scripture to be
rich in mercy, plenteous in redemption, great in
Eph. 2. 4. Psa. 130. 7. Psa. 147. 5. Exod. 15. 11
power, infinite in understanding, but glorious in holiness. 'Tis the glory of all his works,
Psal. 145. 17. The Lord is righteous in all his wa
[...]es, and holy in all his works; his holiness shines forth in all his
Providences: 'Tis the glory of all his
Attributes; his blessed Attributes are, as it were, enamelled with holiness; else his
Soveraignty would look like
Tyranny, else his
patience would look like
indulgence of sin, else his
Justice would look like cruelty, else his
special distinguishing
mercy would look like respecting of persons, or partiality: All the Attributes of God run in the
Channel of his holiness, and partake of its tincture: This glorious Attribute is the ground of the Songs of praise, which are sung to his glory by the
Seraphins, Isa. 6. 2, 3.
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Hosts, the whole earth is full of his glory, which is repeated,
Rev. 4. 8.
Holy, holy, holy Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. Why is Gods day honourable, but that 'tis
holy? Why is Christs Spouse beautiful, but that she is
holy? Why are the Angels of God such
[Page 86] glorious creatures, but that they are
holy? take away holiness, and they would soon turn devils of darkness: As sin is the basest filth, dishonor, and shame, so
è contrario, holiness is the highest honour, the greatest glory, in or upon any rational soul. Upon all these considerations, how glorious is Holiness? But to proceed.
9. Sanctification exalts a Saint above his Neighbour, it lifts him up above the
Sphere and
Region of other men,
Prov. 12. 26.
The righteous is more excellent than his Neighbour. Perhaps a Saint is a poor mean man in the world, and his Neighbour a rich man, a great man, a Knight or Lord, worth several hundreds or thousands a year; but yet the righteous, a person vested with the righteousness of Sanctification, is far more excellent in the esteem of God, than the
graceless great ones of the earth, for all their Lands and Lordships, for all their their Noble Parentage, for all their
Eschutcheons, Ensigns, and Titles of Honour, the
Saints are the excellent in the earth: The Saints, in regard
Psa. 16. 3. of Saintship, are Gods
peculiar treasure, his choice
Jewels; all others God reckons but
Mal. 3. 17. as Luggage and Lumber: The vast difference between man and man, lies in this; one in all his glory, is but a branch of the old stock, and hath but the Image of the earthly; but the other is transplanted into a new stock, the
tree of life, and hath the
Image of the heavenly engraven
1 Cor. 15. 49. in his soul.
10. Sanctification must needs be excellent, because 'tis one great end, and precious attainment
[Page 87] of the death of Christ,
Tit. 2. 14.
Christ gave himself for us, not only to redeem us, but also to purifie us. Again, Christ came into the world, and was incarnate, not only to save us
from our enemies, and from the hands of all that hate us, which implies
Redemption; but also, that we might serve
him without fear in holiness, and righteousnesse all the dayes of our life, and this takes in Sanctification. Further, the Apostle
John tels us, that for this purpose the Son of God (
[...])
appeared, that he
might unloose,
[...].
Dissolvere opera Diaboli. Montan. See the
Dutch Annot on the place.
or dissolve the works of the Devil, 1 Joh. 3. 8. What are these works of the Devil, which Christ came to dissolve? they are lusts, and sins: Christ dissolves these works two wayes:
1. By suffering the punishment of them in his own person,
Heb. 2. 14. 15.
2. By regenerating his people by his Spirit, and thereby delivering them from the dominion and slavery of sin. The Apostle
Paul tels us, that
Christ gave himself for his Church that he might sanctifie it, and present it a glorious Church, without spot or wrinkle, &c.
Ephes. 5. 25, 26. And without controversie, Sanctification is as honourable and glorious Attainment, as any of the Benefits that accrue to the
Heb. 12. 14. Saints by the death of Christ; for, (in short) there is no seeing the Face of God without it:
without holinesse
[...]o man shall see the Lord.
11. The excellency of Sanctification consists in this, in that it is a
principle of union, and
communion with God; None but the sanctified
1 Joh. 1. 3. in Christ Jesus can have
fellowship with the Father, and his Son Jesus Christ. Whilst a person
[Page 88] is prophane, unsanctified, what communion can be between Light and Darkness, between Christ and Belial? between an holy God, an
[...]
It was an old saying,
[...] an impure sinner? God is Light in the abstract, 1
Joh. 1. 5. and an impure sinner is darkness in the abstract,
Ephes. 5. Holinesse is th
[...] principle of Union and Communion between God and man;
Ephes. 2. 13. when we are converted, sanctified, the soul is made
nigh to God
1 Cor 6. 17
He that is joined to the Lord is one Spirit. (who before was afar off) and is now
joine
[...] to the Lord in the Spirit.
As a man cannot have communion with the Beasts, because they live not the same life, no
[...] the Beasts with the Plants, because they live a contrary life, no more can a natural man have communion with God, because he lives not the s
[...]me life; but the Saints, through sanctification of the Spirit, live a spiritual life,
the life of God, and are therefore fitted for Communion with him, and for the communications of his goodnesse to them.
12. Sanctification turns moral Vertues into Graces: Some persons are naturally meek, patient, sober, temperate,
&c. Some natural
As 'twas said of
Augustus Caesar; He turned brick into Marble. persons are morally just and righteous in their dealing and Conversation in the World, honest Dealers, good Pay-masters, make their word their deed. All this a man may be, and do, & yet perish for ever: but when once Wisdom: enters into thy heart, whence once Sanctification in the power of it, comes into thy soul▪ there is a great change wrought. The new soul acts and works in natural and motal Actions, from inward renewed principles. The
[Page 89] principle of Grace (the true
Elixir) turns moral Vertues into Graces, and dignifies a mans natural Endowments, and moral actions with a tincture of holinesse, which makes a sweet perfume in Gods Nostrils: hee now acts from God, and for God in all he doth; whether he eats, or drinks, or buys, or sels, all
1 Cor. 10. 31. is for the glory of God. As carnal hearts are alwayes carnal in spiritual performances, (for the streams never run higher than the Head): so on the contrary, gracious hearts are spiritual in natural and moral actions: The reason is, the
new man hath a new principle to act from, and a new End to act for, and aim at, but before he was sanctified, he had neither.
13. Another excellency of Sanctification, is this, That the righteousnesse of Sanctification, next to the righteousnesse of Christ for justification, will be of the greatest worth, and value, support and comfort at death and judgment.
At Death and Judgment, the rich mans Riches, the wise mans wisdome, the ambitious mans honours, the voluptuous mans pleasures, the hypocrites formality, the civil mans civility, and the moral mans morality: These Lying Idols and rotten sticks which unholy persons have made their hope, their stay, and the Rock of their Confidence, shall then all fail them, and sink quite under them: but then shall
the pure in heart see God, Mat. 5. 8. then shall the Righteous lift up
their heads like
Mat. 13. 43.
Princes, and
shine as the Sun in the presence of their Father; a dram of saving Grace will
[Page 90] be then more valuable and more comfortable▪ than mountains of Gold, than millions of Worlds. This was a River of comfort flowing in upon
Ezekiahs heart, as he lay upon his sick-bed (for ought he then knew) upon his death-bed,
(viz.) the review of his sanctified heart & life:
Remember, O Lord, how I have walked
Isa. 38. 3.
before thee in truth, and with a perfect heart, &c.
Beloved, There will be a great
Cry at midnight, the
Bridegroom comes, go
forth to meet him, Matth. 25. 6. The coming of Christ to Judgment will be very sudden, and very terrible to secure sinners: if you, with the foolish Virgins, have only oyl in your Lamps, a blaze of profession without: and not with the wise, oyl in your Vessels, the true stock, and treasure of grace in your hearts, you will cry
Mat. 25. 12. Mat. 7. 22. 23. Read those words, and Tremble. most dolefully, and shrick most dreadfully at that day; but Christ will not hear you, hee will take no notice of you; The King of glory will enter his Presence-chamber with all his Saints: and shut the door against you,
ver. 10.
And the door was shut, then knock never so hard, cry never so loud, the door is shut, there's no hope of entrance, the Lord will Answer,
I
Grace is the Bridegrooms favour, by which they are admitted into his Chamber of Glory.
know you not, vers. 12. Then your sop will be sorrow; weeping and wailing, and gnashing of teeth, for madnesse and anguish will be your portion; no grace, no glory. Wherefore Sirs, for the Lords sake, and for your own souls-sake, look about you,
the coming of the Lord draweth nigh; If ever ye hope in earnest to be saved, be sure you are truly and throughly sanctified, for there is no hope of salvation
[Page 91]
without sanctification of the Spirit, and belief of the Truth, 2 Thes. 2. 13, 14.
14. And lastly, To name no more: Sanctification is the early dawning of Salvation, the very beginning of Heaven. In that golden
Chain, Rom. 8. 30. there is mention made of
Calling, Justification, and of
Glorification, but nothing of Sanctification, to note, that sanctification is Heaven begun already: it is not only the way to Heaven, but 'tis Heaven it self, the more holy thou art, the more thou dost live the life of God; and the more thou dost anticipate the life of Heaven, that Glorious life, which the
Angels of God, and the blessed
spirits of just men made perfect, live there.
Heb. 11. 22. 23.
Thus through the assistance of God, wee have hinted something of the transcendent excellency of Sanctification, which we have in, by, and from our Lord Jesus,
who is made of God, (or given of the Father to be)
our Sanctification.
Holinesse is the Name of God, the Seed of God, the Will and Word of God; it is the Work of God, 'tis the very Image of God, it is the Life of God, 'tis the Nature of God, 'tis the Glory of God.
Again, Sanctification renders one man far more excellentthan another: 'tis one grand Attainment of the death of Christ, 'tis the principal of Union and Communion with God, Sanctification turns moral Vertues into Graces: 'Tis the second best Cordial of Comfort at Death and Judgment. Lastly, 'tis the dawning of Salvation, the
Aurora of Glory.
THat Christ is given of the Father to be
our Sanctification, we have proved: how Christ may be said to be
our Sanctification we have shewed: what are the several Causes concurring to our
Sanctification, we have explained: The definition of
Sanctification wee have given: Something of its glory and excellency we shadowed forth in the last Discourse: and now are arrived at the last Stage, the last General, in the doctrinal part propounded, (viz.) what are the sweet streams that issue from this Fountain? What are the precious Fruits that grow upon this Tree of Sanctification.
They may also serve for Tryals of your estate. You may also call them the inseparable Concomitants, and Adjuncts of Sanctification (if you please.)
1. If you have received the spirit of Sanctification, ye have also received the spirit of Supplication,
Zech. 12. 10. The Spirit is entitled both the
spirit of Grace, and
the spirit of Supplication, where he is the former, there he is the other also; where he dwels as the
spirit of holinesse, there he dwels as the
spirit of prayer. Every sanctified heart is an
Harp or
Cymbal, to found forth Gods
praises: an habitation of God through the Spirit, Ephes. 2.
ult. and
the Temple of the Holy Ghost. The
Temple of old was an holy place, a place of relative and Typical holiness, and
an house of Prayer. Every gracious
[Page 93] heart (like Gods Altar) offers up to God the sweet sacrifice and incense of praises and Prayers. Every new-born Babe, (for the most part) comes into the world crying. I am sure every spiritual
new-born Babe cryes
The word
Abba, signifieth
Father, in the
Syriack tongue, which the Apostle here reteineth, which also young Children retein almost in all Languages.
Annotat.
Abba Father, Rom. 8. 15. Gal. 4. 6. And because
ye are sons, God hath sent the spirit of his Son into your hearts,
crying Abba Father.
Now, if ye are Prayer-less persons, ye are graceless persons: persons without Prayer, are
'Twas the saying of an old Disciple,
A man of much prayer, is a man of much Grace. persons without Holiness: or though ye pray, yet if ye pray not in the Spirit, (according to the caution)
Ephes. 6. 18.
(i. e.) in Faith, in fervency, with the vigor and intension of the Spirit, or
inner-man, if it be not
Jam. 5. 16.
[...]. If ye have not Commun
[...]on rav
[...]sh
[...]ng, have yee Communion sanctifying? an in-wrought prayer (as the phrase is) if yee wrestle not with God in the strength of God, (as
Jacob did) if ye have no holy boldness, or Confidence at Gods Throne; if ye never feel the sweet melting, quickening, warming, moving, breathings of the Spiri in your souls; In a word, if ye find no growing conformity in your hearts to the
divine Nature by Duty, no sweet sanctifying, refreshing communion with God in Duty: 'tis an evident sign to me, the Spirit of holiness dwels not in yee; and consequently,
if ye have not the spirit of Christ, ye are none of his, Rom. 8. 9. But as for such as pray in the Spirit, as make conscience of this Duty, and of the spiritual performance of it, and find the rellish of God, and Heaven
[Page 94] in private prayer, 'tis one happy sign and symptome of their translation from death to life, from a state of Nature to a state o
[...] Grace.
Secondly, If the spirit of Sanctification dwel
[...] in thee, the same Spirit, as a spirit of Illumination
There are diversities of Gifts, but the same Spirit. 1 Cor. 12. 4. dwels in thee. If Jesus Christ be thy
sanctification, he is thy
wisdome also; as thy
holiness to sanctifie thee, so thy
wisdome to instruct thee. It is the godly or holy man that feels the vertue and influence of that blessed Promise,
I will instruct then, and teach thee in the way that thou shouldst go, I will guide thee by mine eye, Psalm. 32. 6, 8.
verses compared together.
That Text is famous for this purpose,
Non acumine proprii sensus rectè sapere homines sed illuminatione Spiritus. Buling. in loc. What Unction is?
per unctionem, Gratiam Sp. S. intelligit. Beza in loc. 1
Jo
[...]. 2. 20.
Ye have received an Unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.
By this
Unction (or
annointing) is meant, the gracious operation of the holy Spiri
[...], whereby they that are regenerate or sanctified, are also enlightened with the saving Knowledge of Christ. This is compared to the pouring ou
[...] of
costly Ointment, Psalm 45. 8. and 137. 2.
Unction properly signifies the
separation and
consecration of a person to the Lord, together with the gifts of Wisdome, Knowledge, Faith, Love,
&c. Wherefore it must follow, that a person annointed, consecrated unto God, is also illuminated by God, if his person be sanctified, his eyes are opened, annointed with Eye-salve; if annointed with Grace, then instructed in Knowledge; if a Vessel full of
2 Cor. 1.
[...]1. Rev. 3. 18.
Grace, then a Vessel full of
oyl: a
burning lamp,
[Page 95] and
shining light; For in
Ʋnction, sanctification and illumination are both together inseparably and indivisibly, as light and heat in the Sun-beams. The holy
oyl of Grace casts a sweet perfume, and splendid light in the hearts and lives of the
annointed. By vertue of this
Unction, Darkness is now in a great measure scattered, and the man is made
light in the Lord, Ephes. 5. 8. An enlightned soul admires, how foolish he was, and ignorant, even
bruitish in
his knowledge before Conversion, he neither knew God, nor himself, he neither knew his present danger, nor his future misery. he neither saw sin as a vicious, or as a Penal evil, neither the evil in it, nor the evil after it; but went on like a Fool to the stocks, like an Oxe to the slaughter, and ran like a mad man toward the Gulf of Ruine. Before sanctification, he neither saw his
want of Christ, nor knew the
worth of Christ. The glory of Christs Person, the beauty of his wayes, the merits of his Blood, the benefits of his Offices, the comforts of his Spirit, the sweetness of his Fellowship, the savour of his Ointments, the blessings of his Kingdome: All these (before Conversion) were hid from his eyes,
for the God of this world had blinded him, 2
Cor. 4. 4. Besides the natural Veil of darkness he brought into the world with him; he is blinded by another,
(viz.) a diabolical: but in and by Conversion, comes in illumination, in
turning from Satan to
God, his
eyes are opened, and his understanding turns
from darknesse to light, Acts 26. 18. Now the eyes
[Page 96] of his understanding being enlightned by the
spirit of Wisdome and Revelation, Ephes. 1. 17, 18. He comes to know, what
is the hope of his Calling, and the riches of the glory of his Inheritance in the Saints. Every word is a word of weight: he hath now a
visive faculty, an
understanding given him to know things that
1 John 5. 20. Phil. 1. 9, 10. are excellent: he hath now a new spiritual, clear affectionate knowledge of, and a more distinct piercing knowledge in the Mysteries of the Gospel, than ever he had bef
[...]r
[...]. An
enlightned head, and a
sanctified heart go both together. This is the second effect, or rather sweet Concomitant of
Sanctification; (viz.)
Illumination.
3. The third Effect, or rather Concomitant, or Adjunct of our Sanctification is
Faith; hee
[...],
id est. eandem fidem ex ejusdem spiritus afflatu & dono. Beza. that hath the spirit of Holiness, hath also the spirit of Faith: 2
Cor. 4. 13.
wee having the same spirit of Faith; the spirit of Sanctification is also the Author of Faith, for Faith is formally a special part of Sanctification, 1
Joh. 5. 1.
Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ. is born of God; that is, our faith in Christ, is a certain sign and evidence of our Regeneration.
He that believeth that Jesus is the Christ, i. e. the promised
Messiah, is born of God. The learned
Blasphemia, & pessima Haeresis erat apud Judaeos Consiteri Iesum Mariae filium esse Christum. upon the place observe, that there was a great Controversie in the Apostle
Johns days, whether Jesus the Son of
Mary, was the Christ the promised Messiah, or not? And the blasphemous and blinded
Jewes counted it the worst of Heresies, to confess Jesus the Son of
Mary to be Christ.
The
Jews were many wayes offended in him, offended in the vileness of his Appearance, in the humility of his Conversation, in the ignobleness of his Parentage, in the sharpness and Authority of his Doctrine, in the knowledge of his Countrey, (as I might demonstrate easily);
when Christ shall come (say they)
we know not whence hee is, but we know, whence this man is, i. e. of what Parentage, and of what Countrey,
John 7. 27. The Scriptures had fore-told, that the promised Messiah, when he came should redeem
Israel, restore all things, pardon sins, seek and save that which was lost, proclaim liberty to the Captives, Comfort, those that mourn, bind up the broken-hearted, bring in everlasting Righteousness,
and save his people with an everlasting salvation. But the obstinate and heretical
Jewes would not grant all this to the son of
Mary; They denyed Christ to be the true Messiah; They Traduced the Son of God, and blasphemously in thought and word reputed him an Impostor. Therefore 'tis said, 1
John 11. 12, 13.
verses: He came to his own, and his own received him not; Hee came to his own creature man, and generally the generation of mankind did not receive him, but refuse him, so some expound it: but others, as
Calvin give a better sense; Thus,
he came to his own, (i. e.) to his own Country men the
Jewes (of whom
according to the flesh he came, who is over all, God blessed for ever) but they received him not, (i. e.)
Rom. 9. 5.
Sed rectius sentiunt, qui referunt ad solos Judaeos, Calvin. 1 Joh. 11. as their King and Saviour,
but to as many as received him, to them gave he power
[...], not
[Page 98] only power, but also dignity, priviledge to
b
[...] come the sons of God, even to as many as believed▪ his Name; and who are these that thus believe in Christ, and receive him into the hearts? Why, such as are not born of blood of an high and noble Parentage, which the
Jews gloried in, being descended from
Abr
[...] ham, nor of the flesh, nor of the will of man; n
[...] by any principle of corrupted nature, not b
[...] the meer power of our own will, but by the will and grace, or gracious will of God, we
Jam. 1. 18. Ephes. 2. 4. are born again, or sanctified. Now who are they, that born of the will of God? Why, they that believe in Christ, and receive him by Faith into their hearts, as God hath promised, and propounded him in the Gospel, as
Prephet, Priest and
King, in all his Offices; or a
[...] the Text hath it, as
wisdome, righteousness, sa
[...] ctification and
redemption.
Through Faith the soul doth receive in, and
Secundum diversos respectus fides regenerationis nostrae pars est: ex regeneratione tanquam ex fonte manat fides. Calv. conceive with the incorruptible seed of the Word of God, whereby
Christ is formed, the
new creature is produced, the soul is regenerate, or born again into a new and divine life wherefore, if you are born again, or sanctifie
[...] (which is the same) you have faith in Chri
[...] crucified at
Jerusalem.
- 1. You do believe
that Jesus is the Christ.
- 2. You do believe on
Jesus Christ.
1. You do believe that Jesus is the Christ that Jesus is the Saviour, that there is no sa
[...] vation
by any other, Acts 4. 12. That he was
[...] nointed by the Father, as
Prophet, Priest and
Ki
[...] Isa. 61, 1.
for the perfecting of your salvation,
[...]
[Page 99]
the obtaining of eternal Redemption for you, Heb. 9. 12.
Luther hath a notable speech upon
Psal.
Ego saepe & libenter hoc inculco, ut extra Christum, oculos & aures claudatis, & dicatis, nullum vos scrire Deum, nisi qui fuit in Gremio Mariae, & suxit ubera ejus. Luther.
Credere quod sit Christus, est ab eo sperare quaecun
(que) de Messia promissa sunt. Calv. Comment. in 1 John 5. 1. 130.
Often and willingly (saith he)
do I inculcate this, that you should shut your eyes and your ears, and say, you know no God out of Christ, none but he that was in the lap of Mary, and sucked her breasts: He means none out of him. I
[...] is not a mystical Christ within you, but the
man Christ Jesus without you, who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin
Mary, crucified at
Jerusalem, rose again, and ascended up into Glory, that you must believe in for the remission of all your sins, for the justification of your persons, and for your eternal life. Wee finde it recorded in Scripture, and in History, that this was the
Grand Test of a Believer in the Primitive times. Dost thou believe that Jesus is the Christ, or that Jesus Christ is the son of God? because in those dayes it was little less than Death among the
Jews, thus to own and confesse Christ.
2. If you are born again or sanctified: you do believe on Jesus, you believe on the
Name of the Son of God. This is Gods great Commandment, and our great Duty, 1
John 3. 23. As God doth offer and propound him in the Gospel, so accordingly ye do receive him into your hearts, with all his Offices, with all his Graces, with all his inconveniencies. You look upon Gods Terms as holy, equitable, and most advantagious to you; Ye trust to Christ, and rely on him alone for
wisdome, righteousnesse, sanctification,
[Page 100] and
redemption. God tenders his Son in the Gospel as
the desire of all Nations, a
[...] the chiefest,
Hag. 2. 7. Cant. 5 10. Isa. 63. 1. Heb 7. 25. Heb. 2. 17. Heb. 5. 2. or
Standard-bearer among Ten thousand, as the most mighty, merciful, and every way glorious and compleat Saviour: God hath made him your All in All, He
is of God made unto us wisdome, righteousnesse, &c. Now God requires you should honour the Son, as he hath honoured him, for in honouring the Son, you honour the Father, (and that in the highest manner); God expects you should receive him as he hath offered him; Oh then give glory to him, by receiving him,
Justifying faith is defined (in short) to bee a Cordial, accepting of Christ as Lord & Saviour, in all his Offices,
&c. So Dr.
Preston, Mr.
Wil. Strong, Mr.
Baxter, &c. by accepting of him for your Lord and Saviour. Embrace your blessed Saviour in the armes of Faith, vail your souls to him, close with him, cling, and cleave to him, glory and rejoice in him, draw down vertue daily from him, lay all your wants upon him, the oftner you come to him, the more welcome, and the fuller and richer you shal go from him; As God hath made him your
All in All, so believe
Joh. 1. 16. in him, and make use of him as your
All i
[...] All.
Now is this
precious faith, this
faith unfeigned, this
faith of Gods Elect wrought in your souls, yea, or not. Know assuredly, if you are sanctified in Christ J
[...]sus, if you are
God
[...] workmanship, created in Christ Jesus, &c.
Ephes. 2. 10. This precious grace is wrought in yo
[...] called
[...],
the work of God
[...].
John. 6 29.
This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he hath sent. Where this precious Faith is, 'tis alwayes found with these precious
[Page 101] principal properties, or vital operations: 1. It Animates, 2. It Purifies, 3. It Fructifies, 4. It Pacifies, 5. It Operates, 6. Amplifies, 7. It Corroborates, 8. It Exhilarates.
1. Faith Animates, enlivens and quickens the soul of man, it is such a principle of spititual Life, that a Believer doth not so much live, as Christ by faith lives in him. The spirit of Faith I am certain, if not faith it self (which of all graces leads the
Chorum) is the
forma informans, whereby a man before both legally and morally dead, is now enlivened, and
lives to God, Gal. 2. 20.
Hab. 2. 4.
Rom. 1. 17.
Heb. 10. 38. Our whole life here is a life of Faith, our life hereafter is a life of Vision or Sight; here we
walk by faith, and not by sight, 2 Cor. 5. 7. How sweet and heavenly is that Life which is derived from, and maintained by the life of Christ himself.
2. Faith purifies, where there is life there is motion; where faith is, there is purification. A Believer having a vital principle, like a living Fountain labours to work out the mud of sin, to cleanse and purge it self from inward filthinesse, so as not to approve it, allow it, or mingle with it,
Acts 15. 9.
having purified their hearts by faith; as sicknesse is poyson to the blood and spirits, so is sin to the soul; now as all the spirits in their natural motions tend to self-preservation, so the spirit of faith or the spirit by faith musters together, and stirs up all the powers of the Inner-man for self-purification, without purification there can be no preservation, and Faith is the principal grace that purifies.
[Page 102] 3. Faith fructifies, a living faith is a working, a fructifying or a fruit-bearing faith, as the Apostle
James demonstrates,
James 2. 14, to the end. They that are
purified by faith in the blood of Christ,
are zealous of good works: Tit. 2. 14. How many Believers at large are there, that look green and fair, and make a brave flourish afar off, but come near them, and well observe them, view their hearts and their lives, or their hearts by their lives, and works, and you shall finde them like the
barren Fig-tree which Jesus saw, full of leaves, but without fruit to relieve him in his hunger; the Curse of barrenness will strike to the hearts of such Professors, as it did to the heart of that Fig-tree. By Faith we have Union with
Psal. 36. 9. Jer. 2. 13. Joh. 15. 1. Rev. 22. 2. Christ the fountain of Life, the
fountain of living waters, the
True Vine, and
Tree of Life, that grows in the midst of the
Paradise of God. All these Metaphors bespeak abundant fruitfulness, and that of the choicest fruit. The grapes of
Canaan, the graces of the Spirit, the works of Righteousness, and Acts of charity and mercy to the praise and glory of God by Jesus Christ. In a word, have you faith in Christ Jesus, and hope in Heaven, why then yee bring forth fruit, as they do all the world over, that have recieved the grace of God in truth. Consider well, 1
Col. 4. 5, 6.
4. Faith pacifies, as well as fructifies: as it fructifies a barren Desart, and makes the wilderness and solitary place to
blossom as the Rose, as
Lebanon, Sharon and
Carmel; so it pacifies
Isa. 35. 1, 2 a troubled Conscience, it stils the rage and surges
[Page 103] of this Sea. As once Christ said to the Winds and Waves, so faith in the name and power of Christ speaks to the perplexed soul,
peace, and bee still, and there is a great calm. Christians would live more the life of peace, if they lived more the life of Faith, the more of faith, the less of servile fear,
being justified by faith we have peace with God, &c.
Rom. 5. 1.
Phil. 4. 7.
And this peace of God passeth all understanding. When the Clouds of Temptation,
Dr.
Tho. Goodwin, in his
Vanity of Thoughts. and the winds and waves of passion are up, a few thoughts of Faith will quiet all, as * a worthy Man observes.
There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked, Isa. 57. 21. but a true Believer hath peace with God through Jesus Christ
the Prince of peace; he hath peace in Heaven, and peace on Earth, peace with God, and peace with his own conscience,
for the Kingdome of God is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost, Rom. 14. 17.
5. Faith operates, it acts and
works by love, Gal. 5. 6. for,
in Jesus Christ, neither Circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but
Magnes amoris amor.
faith which worketh by love. Faith worketh love, wee love God, when by faith wee apprehend that God loveth us first, 1
John 4. 19. we love him, because hee first loved us, and as faith works love, so it works by love; Faith is the great Wheel, the principal Grace, that animates, actuates, moves influences, love, patience, zeal, and every other grace, that sets all other wheels a going, that quickens and strengthens all other graces in their proper respective motions and operations.
‘In the 11
Chapter to the
Hebrews, Faith is represented as the
principle of Obedience,
The words of Dr.
Bates, in his Sermon upon
Heb. 11. 6. conveying
vigor and
strength to other graces, whereby they become
operative to several ends and Objects; Hence those Acts which immediately spring from other graces as their proper stock, are attributed to faith, that being the principle of their heavenly working, in this respect; as the success of an Army redounds to the Generals Honor, so the victory which is effected by other Christian qualities, is here ascribed to Faith, which
animates them, and leads them forth as their chief Captain.’
6. Faith Amplifies, dilates, enlargeth the heart
to run the wayes of Gods Commandments, 1
John 5. 1. and 3.
verses compared together,
whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, &c.
vers. 1.
For this is the love of God, that we keep his Commandments, &c.
verse 3. Faith is the ground of Love, and Love the Author of Obedience; holy obedience is the daughter of a lively Faith: when and where Christ dwels in
the heart by faith, that
soul being
rooted and grounded in love, comprehends with all Saints, (secundum quid) what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and heighth of the love of Christ, Ephes. 3. 17, 18, 19. Which love like a fire in his bones, like a flame in his bowels, enflames his soul with love to God and Christ, opens, and enlargeth his heart to duties of obedience, to serve the Lord with a most free and Princely spirit. The soul of an affectionate Believer, runs swiftly, chearfully, nobly in the wayes of God, like the Chariots
[Page 105] of
Aminnadib, Cant. 6. 12. Faith thus argues,
Amminadib, i. e. my voluntary, free, bounteous, or noble people.
Ainsworth in Cant. 6. 12. Psal. 103. 3, 4. Ephe. 1. 3. Hath God loved me in his Son from everlasting? and will hee love me to everlasting? Hath God in Christ forgiven such a wretch as I, all mine iniquities? redeemed my life from destruction, and crowned me (even me) with loving-kindness and tender mercies? yea, with all spiritual blessings
in heavenly places in Christ Jesus? Then what shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits? Nothing I can do, nothing I can suffer too much for him; I am, and will be his for ever, at his Command, and for his service. Thus the faith of a sanctified Person reasons.
7. Faith Corroborates, it strengthens the weak, it revives the faint, it supports the desponding and sinking spirit. The Psalmist in great tryals and troubles had great experience of the supports of faith,
Psalm 27. 13.
I had fainted unless I had believed, to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the Living. Love keeps you from dissembling, Hope keeps you from desponding, Patience keeps you from tyring, but 'tis Faith that keeps you from fainting. When a
2 Chron. 2. 20. Psal. 57. 7.
My heart is fixed, in some translations, 'tis
suffultum est cormeum, my heart is underpropt. great multitude from beyond the Sea, on this side
Syria came up against
Judah, and the people were in sore distress;
Jehosaphat their good King encouraged the people, saying,
believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established, believe his Prophets, so shall ye prosper, 2
Chron. 20. 20. Faith in God is the souls establishment;
wherefore, a Believer shall not be affraid of evil tydings, his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord: his heart is established, he
[Page 106] shall not be
affraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies: Thus the Psalmist sweetly sings,
Psalm 112. 7, 8. The fixation of the soul by faith on God, on Christ, on his Attributes, on his Promises yields the surest strength, the speediest and sweetest relief and succour in the Crisis of any Exigence. When
David for fear of
Saul was got into a Wood,
Jonathan leaves his Father, and privately came to
David
1 Sam. 23. 16.
into the Wood, and
strengthened his hand in God. So, when a Believer is in a wood of fears and dangers, he strengthens his hand, the hand of his faith in God; and the more his faith is up, the more his fears are down. Divines use to compare, the base fears of men, and the embondaging fears of Death, to the
Lead that weighs the Net under water; and faith to the
Cork that keeps up the Net from sinking. Hope, the eldest daughter of Faith, is an Anchor, sure and stedfast,
Heb. 6. 19. but Faith is the Rock, which this Anchor rests on, according to the Proverb:
were it not for Hope, heart would break; and the Scripture tels us,
Rom. 8. 24.
We are saved by hope: but Hope receives all its subsistence & strength
Faith is both
[...]
substantia, &
[...]
argumentum. Heb. 11. 1. from Faith.
Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen, Heb. 11. 1.
8. Faith exhilarates, comforts, cheers the soul, fils it with joy and peace in
believing, Rom. 15. 13.
The God of hope fils the soul with joy and peace in believing. Faith is as a twinkling star in a dark Night, as a shining Sun in a cloudy Day, as Rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great Rock in a weary
[Page 107] Land. The Apostle
Peter elegantly expresseth the soul-exulting operation of saving faith, 1
Pet. 1. 8.
Whom (that is Christ)
having not seen ye love, in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable, and full of glory. Faith opens a crevis of light, and springs a Mine of
[...].
Exultatis gaudio ineffabili & gloriosa. Beza. exulting joy in the most insulting danger. When once a Believer is justified by faith, and hath peace with God, hee then rejoiceth in the most glorious Hope,
(viz.) in the hope of the glory of God, and not only so, but he glories also in tribulations, hee glories in them, and he glories over them, because
the love of God is shed abroad
[...],
effusa est, is poured forth into his heart by the Holy Ghost, Rom. 5. 1, 2, and 5.
verses. by faith in Christ, and by communion with Christ in his Conquests, hee knows he shal be more than a Conqueror over all his Enemies,
Rom. 8. 37.
Neque enim simpliciter dixit
[...],
sed
[...]:
idest, ut vertit Cyprianus
Epist. 26.
supervincimus. Amplius quam victores sumus. Beza. 'tis not only said
Conquerours, but more than Conquerors, as
Cyprian and
Beza, on the place.
Thus I have endeavoured to present you with some of the precious properties and vital operations of precious Faith, which every one that is born of God, (or sanctified) doth enjoy to his inestimable benefit. Faith is an inseparable Concomitant with, and an infallible evidence of our Sanctification;
for whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ, is born of God, 1
John 5. 1. This is the third Adjunct, and evidence of our Regeneration.
4th. Effect and evidence of our sanctification, is love to God and to the Brethren. As Christ dwels in
the heart by faith, Ephes. 3. 17. so the soul sweetly reposeth it self in the
[...]osome of God
by love, 1
John 4 7, 8.
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God, and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God; he that loveth not, knoweth not God, for God is Love. You see love to God, and to the Brethren is both a sure sign, and a genuine effect of Regeneration (which is synomminous with Sanctification.) This grace of Love is the very soul of all Religion, the very life of the new Creature, the closure of the soul with God in the sweetest manner; he that hath most of this grace hath most of all graces. This is one of the precious things promised in the new Covenant,
Deut. 30. 6.
(viz.) An heart to love the Lord; the Lord thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the Lord thy God, with all thy heart and with all thy soul. This is made a special effect and evidence of thy spiritual Circumcision, or Sanctification; In Sanctification, as the understanding is enlightned to know God, so the will and affections are renewed, changed, rightly ordered, and enclined to
love God as his
chiefest good, and as his
utmost End: Corn, and Wine, and Oyl, and all the world is then counted nothing to the
light of Gods countenance. All other
Beloveds are no body to Jesus
Psalm 4. 6, 7. Cant. 5. 10. Christ, the
chiefest of ten thousands.
A sanctified soul exactly viewing, and well weighing the glittering pomp and splendor of
[Page 109] this world, all natural and moral excellencies on the one hand, and Jesus Christ on the other, cryes out with the Martyr
Lambert, None
Foxes
Acts and Monuments.
[...],
propter eminentiam cognitionis Christi Iesu. Mo
[...].
but Christ, none but Christ; Counts all things
[...] dogs-meat, garbage, to the
excellency of the Knowledge of Jesus Christ, Phil. 3. 8.
A Christian loves himself, his Relations and worldly comforts with a common love, but God and Jesus Christ with a special love. He loves his temporal Enjoiments secondarily and subordinately, but he loves God and Christ primarily, intensively and superlatively; yea, so highly intensive is his love to God his Father, to Christ his Saviour, to the holy Spirit his souls Comforter, to Heaven and heavenly things, his only Treasure; that his love to other things (comparatively) may be called an Hatred,
(i. e.) a much inferiour, a far more remiss love. See
Luke 14. 26. more distinctly.
First, A sanctified heart loves God with a
Amore desideri
[...].
love of desire; The strength of the heart goeth out in love, this is called the
breathing, thirsting, and
panting of the heart after God, Psalm 42. 1, 2. The soul that loves God above all things, desires God above all things, both
intensivè with the greatest vigor, and
Adequatè as its Adequate and compleat Object:
Whom have I in Heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee.
2. A sanctified heart loves God with a
love of
Union, as the heart of
Shechem
Amore unionis. clave to
Dinah, Gen. 34. 3. So an holy soul cleaves unto God in Christ.
Barnabas exhorted
[Page 110] the Disciples, that
with purpose of heart they would cleave to the Lord, Acts 11. 23. As, the soul of
Jonathan was knit with the soul of
David, 1
Sam. 1. 18. So this Love, is as it were a knitting of the soul with God: Faith makes a
mystical union of Persons, Love makes a
moral union of affections. This is the very essence of Gospel-love; God bestows himself
A
[...]or.
[...]o
[...] est, nisi d
[...] num amantis in amatum. on us, and we freely surrender our selves to God.
Thirdly, A sanctified heart loves God with a love of good will, or
Benevolence; we wish, and will, give and ascribe all honour and
[...] Benevolentia. praise, all glory and dominion unto him. This is the genuine product of his love in Christ to us, as
Revel. 1. 5, 6.
Ʋnto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us Kings and Priests unto God and his Father, to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. Lord! saith an holy soul,
let all thine be mine, and let all mine be thine; and let thine be for thy glory; let every person
Cant
[...]. 16
and creature and thing in Heaven above, and in earth beneath be a shril Trumpet, a loud Cymbal to sound forth thy praises.
Fourthly. A sanctified heart loves God with
Amore complacentiae, & acquiescentiae. a love of Complacence and Rest. Where we love, the eye of the soul (the mind) is fixed with a delightful stay,
ubi amor, ibi oculus, the Object dwels in the
[...]: we are still looking where we love;
When I awake (saith the Psalmist),
Anima plus est ubi amat, quàm ubi animat.
I am still with thee, in my contemplations and affections;
My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the Lord, Psalm 104.
[Page 111] 34. Love goeth forth upon the feet of Desire, and rests in the bosome of Delight. There is an holy acquiescence of the heart in God: God saith of his Saints,
This is my Rest for ever,
Psal. 132. 14. Psal. 116. 7. Psal. 91. 9. Ephes. 3.
ult.
here will I dwell; the Saint saith of God,
Return to thy rest, O my soul; A Saintt makes God the
most High his Habitation, and a Saints heart is the
Habitation of God through the Spirit. Here lyes the sweetness of holiness, the marrow and fatness of Religion. This World would be a Dungeon, and Heaven it self a melancholly shade, without the love of God; 'tis this, that makes Heaven and Earth sweet unto the sanctified, Heaven would be no Heaven, God could not be the
joy, if he were not the
love of Saints, but there both love and
Psal. 16.
ult. joy shall be full. But whilst the Saints are solacing themselves with Heaven, and delighting themselves in God, other men are following after other Lovers. The covetous man makes
Mammon his God, the voluptuous man makes Pleasure his God, the Ambitious man makes Honour his God, the Formalist and Hypocrite makes Common grace, self-righteousness, a bare profession, or the meer externals of Devotion, his God, and Saviour; because every one of these make some of these their only Treasure and Happiness: They dote upon them, addict themselves to them, trust to them and in them, and love them more than God. But a Saint that knows God, makes
Jehovah his God, he hath but one, the living and true God, to honour, love, and serve, who is the
fountain of his life, and blessedness,
Psal. 36. 9. Psal. 87. 7. Col. 3. 3.
[Page 112] in
whom all his springs are, in whom with Jesus Christ all his Comforts
live; and from whom by Jesus Christ all his felicity is conveyed, to make him happy in both worlds. The
new creature hath a
new heart, according to that full and free Promise,
Ezek. 36. 26.
A new heart will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: which
new heart I take to bee the
Genus of all the following graces. And where there is this new heart, there will bee new Affections, new longings, and earnest breathings of foul after God Christ, Heaven, and Immortality,
for behold, saith Christ,
I make all things new, Rev. 21. 5.
Secondly, As a sanctified person loves his God, so also he loves his Brother; this is made
Love of the Brethren, an evidence of Regeneration. one great evidence of our happy and new Translation. 1
John 3. 14.
We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the Brethren: he that loveth not his Brother, abideth in death. Many a be-nighted soul (I have
[...]ad
Qui diligit fratrem magis novit dilectionem, quá diligit, quam fratrem quem diligit. Aug
de Trinit. and heard) upon the plank of this evidence; have been kept from sinking down into the Whirl pool of despair; it hath been a refreshing Cordial to many a doubting Christian upon their Death-beds: 1
Joh. 4. 7.
Every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God; and in
v. 20. the Apostle draws down a negative inference from the Premises:
If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a lyar; for he that loveth not his brother whom he bath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? That interrogation is a plain Negation: if the amiable and visible workmanship of God be not loved,
[Page 113] 'tis impossible the invisible Author of that workmanship should.
Query,
Who are the Brethren intended in this Epistle?
Answ. 1. There are Brethren by Nation,
Acts 7. 23. 25.
Rom. 9 3.
2. Brethren by Nature descended of the same Parents,
Matth. 1. 2.
3. Brethren by Office, 2
Pet. 3. 15. 2
Cor. 1. 1,
&c.
4. Brethren by Grace and super-natural Relation, and so understand the Term here.
Query,
How shall we know whether we truly love the Brethren, which is so great a sign of our new birth?
Answ. I answer Affirmatively:
1. When we love them as such. The Brethren for their spiritual brotherhood, Christians for their Christianity, the Saints for their Sanctification, 1
John 5. 1.
He that loveth him that begat, loveth him also that is begotten of him; he that loves the Father, loves the Image of the Father in the Childe; Hee that loves the Person, loves the picture for the Persons sake. Grace must be the principal Load-stone of our affection: not Beauty, birth, sweetness of disposition, Breeding, Learning, Wealth, Honour, or any outward, or carnal accomplishments whatsoever.
Secondly, When we love and delight in them above all other people:
Psalm 16. 2, 3.
David a King, cals them
the Excellent, in whom was all his delight; and Christ prefers his spiritual before his own natural Relations,
Mat. 12. 47, 48, 49, 50.
3. When wee love those of the Brotherhood most, that are most gracious, if grace allures Love,
(Caeteris paribus) the more of the former, the more of the latter. Christ loved all his Disciples,
John 13. 1. but
John eminently gracious, was eminently beloved: wherefore called
the beloved Disciple, John 21. 20.
4. When we singularly and peculiarly love their society above all other;
I am (said
David
Noscitur ex Com
[...]te, qui non dignoscitur ex se.)
a Companion to all them that fear thee. The sanctified can have no intimate contenting fellowship with the unholy;
Psalm 26. 4, 5.
I have not sate with vain persons, &c.
I have hated the Congregation of evil doers,
[...], and will not sit with the wicked. Again,
Psalm 15. 4.
In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the Lord. This is one Character of an Inhabitant in Gods holy Hill.
5. When we are willing in some cases to lay
down our lives for the Brethren: A Christian is bound not only to lay down his life for Christ, and for his Gospel, when God cals him to it, but also in some special Cases for the Brother-hood,
Significat in eo probari nostram charitatem, si amorem nostri in fratres transferimus, ita ut sui quis
(que) quodammodo oblitus, aliis Consulat. Calv. in loc. 1
John 3. 16.
Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and wee ought to lay down our lives for the Brethren. If our love to the Brethren be singular, and to the life, (as Christs was to us) we shal lay down our lives for them; 'tis not a common or cold love of the Brethren that evinceth your Regeneration, every
new born babe doth (with
John) desire to decrease, so that Christ Mystical may encrease, that the
[Page 115] Kingdome of Christ be enlarged, the generation of the Righteous multiplied, amplified, and preserved, though it be, (that in the promoting of it) he himself, his Honour, his Name, his Life must lie in the dust of Death.
To these things I have spoken more fully from another Subject, I pass on to the fifth particular.
5. A sanctified, or regenerate person
overcomes the world, 1 John 5. 4.
Hee that is born of God overcometh the world. 1. Here we have two Adversaries, the Regenerate, and the World. Secondly, the Victor, 1. The regenerate who are chiefly
defensive, as the whole Armor of God is chiefly defensive,
Ephes. 6. 14. to 19.
verses. 2. The world on the other part, principally
offensive, John 15. 18, 19, 20.
Now, what is the world? 1. Partly, the men of the world; these
lie in wickedness, 1
Joh. 5. 19. these hate the Saints, because they are not of the world, but chosen out of the world by Christ,
John 19. 19.
1. By the world understand wicked worldlings with their persecutions of the Saints.
2. Partly, the lusts of the world, in Charms
So Calv. & Zanch.
in loc. and Allurements, 1
John 2. 16.
the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, i. e, all the delights, pleasures, and Contentments, which the flesh or body desires. Thus the world with all its oppositions and insinuations, frowns and flatteries sets upon the Saints.
Secondly, The Victor,
he that is born of God overcometh the world, he carrieth away the Conquest. Whilst the Saints are in the world,
[...]ey
[Page 191] are in an estate militant, there is carried on a spiritual War between two Antagonists,
(viz) the Spirit of Regeneration in the Saints, and the Spirit of the World with all his worldly lusts and allurements: which
Syren songs do draw in, and drown, which Cups of fornication do choak and poyson millions in the world. Now hee that is born of God by the spirit of faith dwelling in him, both as the
Forma informans, & forma Assistens, is empowred to subdue corruptions within, and to vanquish temptations from without: so that by partaking of the divine Nature, he escapes the pollutions that is in the world through lust, 2
Pet. 1. 4. as the Apostle speaks. A sanctif
[...]d man hath in him the spirit of sanctity, and a spirit of magnanimity (indeed his sanctity is his Magnanimity) which makes him so high, that the world cannot master him, and so holy, that
Inimicos dei, jam hoc ipso quod non cessimus, vicimus. Cyprian. the VVorld cannot (in some sence) defile him. Thus in his measure he keeps himself unspotted from the world,
James 1.
ult. by the
world is here meant,
whatsoever resists the Commands of God: Neither the worlds frowns, nor favours, neither its Comminations, nor its Invitations, neither the fears of the world, not
Quicquid mandatis Dei resistit. Polan. the flatteries of the world can turn a regenerate person from the faith of Christ, nor from obedience to the Gospel, nor bring him unto their Bow. In the
German Reformation, when some perswaded
Erasmus to write to
Luther, to bring him back to Popery, or else at least wise to write against his Doctrine;
Erasmus answers,
[...]uther was too great for him to write to, or against.
[Page 117] A Gracious spirit is too great a spirit, for the great Ones of the world to force by power, or to bribe by favour, into a base compliance with them against the honour of their God, and the conscience of their Duty.
The
Aegyptians were wont to paint their Judges without hands, and eyes: without hands, they must not take bribes: without eyes, in judgment they must not be partial. Thus a godly man that hath made God his portion, is hand-less and eye-less: he is hand-less, the world doth not, shall not bribe him: he is eye-less, he beholds none of the worlds Terrors, so as to daunt him.
Thus a sanctified, or regenerate person, in the strength of Christ overcomes the world.
6. A regenerate or sanctified person hath the honour of Sonship. Sanctification layes the foundation of our Adoption: when we are born again, we are born Gods Children; we bear the Image of Christ by grace, as we have have borne the Image of
Adam by nature, when we are converted,
(ipso facto) we are adopted. Regeneration is the root or stock from which, and on which, this Peer-less, and never fading flower Adoption grows. When a sinner becomes a Saint, at that very moment a childe of wrath is made a son of God, a member of the first is made a member of the second
Adam; a relative change is contemporary with a real. Behold (ye Saints) this priviledge with admiration; Behold!
What manner of love is this, that we should be called
1 Joh. 3. 1.
the sons of God, &c.
When Christ had converted the Paralytick, he cals him
Son; When Christ had converted
Mat. 9 2. the Menstruous woman (which appears by her faith in touching him, and drawing in vertue from him) he cals her
daughter, daughter, be
Mark 5. 34.
of good chear, &c. The
new creature hath both the
white stone, and the
new name, the white stone of
Absolution, the new name of
Adoption. There be some Honours a man can never attain to, unless he be born of Nobles, or descended of the blood of Princes: I cannot
Fortuitum est nasci a principibus. teach you to be Princes in this sense, 'tis a rare thing to be born of Princes: but sure I am, unless
ye be born again, not of bloods, or of the will of man, but by the will, and of the Spirit of God, 1 John 13. 3 John 3.
ye shall not see the Kingdome of God, much less become the sons of God, or
Kings and Priests to God, Rev. 1 6. and least of all
live and reign as Princes, and Peers of state in Glory. Now every sanctified soul to his great Comfort may draw up this Syllogisme: He that hath the disposition, and the Affections, and doth the work of a childe of God, is a childe of God; But I have the disposition, and the Affections, and do the work of a childe of God; Therefore I am a child of God.
If ye are right in the Assumption, ye are thrice happy in the Conclusion.
7th. Effect of Sanctification. Holinesse brings the soul to its right frame and Temper,
Psalm 23. 3.
He restoreth my soul, &c. Sanctification
[...] the souls restauration, not only to joy and comfort, but also to its former
[Page 119] soundness, health and vigour, which was impaired by the fall. The health of the Bodie consists in the right and sound constitution of of it: when all the members are in their due positure, and all the humours in their right temperature, then the body is in health; so the health of the soul consists in the rectification, or right Constitution of all the faculties.
So Dr.
Sybs. By the fall they all suffered deordination, disorder, deformity, confusion: by Regeneration, they are set in joint again, renewed, rightly ordered, and re-inclined to their proper, and right objects. Grace coming into the soul (like Physick taken down into the body) works out the peccant humours, heals
[...]. the soul of its old distempers, cleanseth it of its former
filthiness, and superfluity of naughtinesse, repairs nature by restoring to it the divine Nature, and so makes the soul hail and healthful in Gods service; for indeed, none but the
vessel of Honour, which is
sanctified, is meet for the Masters use. Sin is the souls sickness: what sickness is to the body, that sin is to the soul. Sin is compared to the worst of sicknesses, to the
plague of the heart, the
noysome pestilence, the running
Leprosie. A sick person cannot walk, nor work with comfort, nor rellish the sweetness of meat and drink, nor enjoy himself in any of his enjoyments. Wherefore health is counted, the greatest temporal blessing; far greater than wealth, honour, beauty,
&c. Now sin being a spiritual distemper, like a disease Physicians call
a Corruption
Corruptio totius substantiae.
of the whole substance of animals, vitals,
[Page 120] naturals; an unholy sinner cannot walk in Heavens way, nor work the works of God, nor savour the things of the Spirit, nor rellish the sweetness of Communion with God, nor the pleasures of Piety; his spirit is corrupted: this internal Palate and appetite are vitiated, the whole man is quite out of frame and order, he loves (like a Swine) to rowt in the dung and filth, and cannot delight in God, not in his holy Law. Things that are in themselves most excellent, the great and glorious Mysteries of the Gospel, he looks upon as things contemptible and vile; but sin in in its lusts and acts, viler than the vilest filth he lives in, as his Element, and counts his greatest pleasure and Glory;
he glories in his
Phil. 3. 11, 19.
shame. O Lord! how sadly is man fallen? But in sanctification the man is quite altered, the minde is informed, the will is reformed, the affections are rightly ordered, the conscience is purged, the Inner-man is recovered to its right temper: yea, the members of the body (which before were weapons of unrighteousness) are now made sub-servient to the Spirits Dictates: And the whole man (body soul and spirit) being 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. 'Tis
[Page 121] 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
[...]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
[Page 122] 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 heafor 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. Ca
[...]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 here
[...]ft
[...]r.
Heb. 12. 14. No, nor any enjoyment of the favour and fellowship with God
[Page 123] 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 manen
[...]. 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 sp
[...]rit of Holiness dwels and abides in his soul for ever, the Father, Son, and Spirit, (according to their omnipotency, faithfulness, and immutability)
[Page 124] will never suffer their seed, seal, nature, image to be lost. Though
Hymen
[...] 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 Saints: 1. For himself;
I
[Page 125]
will not turn away from them to do them good. 2. For his Saints:
I will put my fear into their hearts, that they shall not depart from me. Though they fall, they shall rise again, though they step aside into the wayes of death, God will bring them back, and give them repentance unto life; They may turn from God for a season, but they shall never
finally depart from him; The Gates of Hell shall never prevail against them: that is, either the
infernal spirits,
Eph. 6. 12. called
principalities and
powers, or the strength of Death and powers of the Grave shall never dissolve the Union between Christ and them:
for I am perswaded, that neither Death, nor Life, nor Angels, nor Principalities, nor Powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor
Rom. 8. 38, 39.
height, nor depth, nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
2. It is a flourishing and progressive Principle;
Psalm 92. 12, 13, 14.
The Righteous
The Morto of the Palm-tree is,
Depressa Resurgo.
shall flourish like the Palm-tree, he shall grow like a Cedar in Lebanon:
Those that be planted in the house of the Lord, shall flourish in the Courts of our God, they shall bring forth fruit in old age: they shall be fat and flourishing. Cant. 8. 16.
Awake, O North-wind, and come thou South, blow upon my Garden that the spices thereof may flow out: in adversity, in prosperity, under desertion, under consolation, come smiles, come frowns, come the warm summer of joy, or the cold winter of sorrow: All the gales and blasts of Divine Providence, shall sweetly conspire to open the Spices of Gods Garden to ripen,
[Page 126] and diffuse the savour of the graces of the Spirit in the hearts of Saints: the North-wind is ripening, the South wind is refreshing, by both, the Spices shall flow out. Grace small at first, like a
grain of Mustard-seed, in tract of time will grow to a Tree of so great a bulk, that the Fowls of the Ayr may lodge in the branches of it: and of so high a stature, sa to reach from earth to Heaven. A spark of Grace (like a spark of fire) is kept alive in a sea of water;
Cant. 8. 7.
Many waters shall not quench it, neither shall the floods drown it. I give to them (saith Christ)
eternal life, and they shall never perish, &c.
John 10. 28, 26.
Lastly, Where-ever the Image of Christ is, it is progressive. The picture or likeness of a man in a frame grows not, 'tis alwayes at a stand, but the image of a man in his childe is far different, 'tis lively, vigorous, and progressive; 'tis the property (as well as duty) of every real Saint, to
perfect Holinesse in the fear of God, to
forget the things behind, is
2 Co
[...]. 7. 1.
reach forth unto those before, to press on towards the Mark: As the wicked
grow worse and
Phil. 3. 13 14. Rom. 1. 17, Psal. 84. 7. 2 Cor. 3. 18.
Gratia Consummata est Gloria perficiens.
worse, the Saints grow
better and better, they go on
from faith to faith, from
strength to strength, and
from Glory to Glory, till they are swallowed up in Heavens Glory.
The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day, Prov. 4. 18. Well then, cast up your Accompts, examine your hearts, consider your wa
[...]es. Are ye stars or Meteors? are ye burning Lamps, shining Lights, or Dark-lanthorns? grow, (I am sure) ye do,
[Page 127] either in sin, or holiness, upward, or downward, Hell-ward, or Heaven-ward: And go ye do daily, either forward, or backward, either toward the
Mount of God, the
Hill of Holiness,, or towards the
Lake of Fire, the
burning Tophet. If ye are Saints, rise up, Ascend, your
Lord is risen, Why seek ye the living among the dead? If ye are sanctified by him, ye are
[...]: Comes of
[...].
privat. &
[...]
Terra, A Saint is not an earthly, but an heavenly-minded man. Grace like fire, is alwaies ascending to its Center. risen with him;
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, Col. 3. 1. Set your affections on things above, and not on things beneath, or on the earth;
[...],
i. e. minde the things above, and not the things on, or of the earth.
If ye are redeemed from the earth, your
Contemplation, your
Communion, your
Conversation is, and ought to be
above, where Christ
[...]itteth at the right hand of God; And the nearer home, the
Omnis ascensus (in this sence) as well as
descensus, velocior in fine, quam in principio. swister should your pace bee: Gird your Lions, Trim your Lamps, fill your Vessels, prepare your Souls, do all diligence, make your Calling and Election sure, for
[...]. doing these things, ye shall never fall, but have in abundant entrance into the everlasting Kingdome,
&c. 2
Pet. 1. 10, 11. so doing, ye shall have Magnificent and Royal Entrance, the Gate of Heaven opened, full Assurance, and most ample Reception into Glorie. Thus having gone through the Doctrinal part of the Proposition, we proceed to Application.
Now for Application.
Use 1 If Jesus Christ be given of God the Father or our Sanctification; Then in the first place,
[Page 128] by way of Information: Ye that are the Saints of God, hence learn to give distinct Glory in Believing, to the several Persons in the Blessed Trinity. Get right apprehensions of the Divine Persons, and of the several endearments, with which their Personal operations are clothed and represented, and so worship, and glorifie the Trinity of Persons, in the Unity of the Divine Essence. God is most honoured, your minds most enlightened, and your hearts most warmed and comforted, when your thoughts are most distinct, explicit and clear in this matter: in so doing
Tuum Nomen sanctificetur recte per nomen intelligimus beneficia personarum Patris officiū, me
[...]ita & beneficia fil
[...]i Mediatoris, & officium ac ben
[...]ficia Spiritus sancti, quae in Sc
[...]ipturâ revelantur, & pradicantur. M. Chemnit.
Harm. Evangel. p 610. Col. 1. 12 Joh. 16. 14. you hallow, or sanctifie the Name of God indeed. The Saints are Gods gift, the Sons purchase, the Spirits charge. God in the Eternal Compact, gave the Saints to Christ, to save, and Christ gives them to the Spirit to sanctifie, and so * fit them for Glory. If the Father had not loved you before all worlds, the Son had not Redeemed you, and if the Son had not Redeemed you, the Spirit had never Sanctified you; and the Spirit works as the Sons Spirit,
He (that is the Spirit)
shall glorifie me, (saith Christ)
for he shall receive of mine, &c. Now Consider the love of the Father in Election, the merit of the Son in Redemption, and the efficacy of the Spirit in Sanctification; and give distinct glory to each Person.
1. Consider the love of the Father in Election: 'Tis 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
[Page 129] 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,
[...]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
[...]stifie us; yea, the Eternal Spirit was indispensibly
[Page 130] 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.
'Tis not only the power, but the exceeding greatness of the Spirits power to raise up a
[...].
Supo
[...]eminens magnitudo virtutis ejus. So
Montanus. person, morally dead to an estate of newness of life; 'tis 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 o
[...]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 G
[...]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 Offic
[...] of the Spirit. The Sanctification of the Spir
[...]t is as necessary as the blood of Jesus, you may see 1
Pet. 1. 2. how all the persons have
[Page 131] 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. 'Tis the Father,
who of his own will hath begotten us by the Word of Truth; 'tis 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: 'Tis 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
[Page 132]
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 reconc
[...]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 h
[...]p
[...]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 four weighty Reasons.
Reas. 1. Because all grace begins with the Father: he is the first in order of Being, and the first in order of Working, the Fountain of the Trinity (as we may conceive) 'tis the Father that floweth out to us in Christ by the
[Page 133] Spirit: he is the Father of lights,
Jam. 1. 17. And the Text tells ye, we are of God in Christ Jesus: 'tis true, Christ as the second Person, is coequal with the Father, in power and glory: but Christ as Mediatour must be considered as the Fathers Servant, as his elect or
Isa. 42. 1. chosen Instrument.
Reas. 2. Glorifie the Father, for whatsoever good Christ hath done for you, or in you, all is done with respect to the Fathers love and grant.
God hath saved us according to his own Purpose and Grace, given us in Christ Jesus. God
2 Tim. 1. 9. Joh. 17. 2.
gave Christ power over all Flesh, that he should give eternal life to those God had given him. Righteousness, Holiness, Heaven and Happiness, is the Fathers free Grant or Donat
[...]ve.
To her it was granted to be covered with fine Linnen, the
Rev. 19. 18.
Rithteousness of the Saints: and
fear not little Flock, 'tis your Fathers good pleasure to give you
[...].
the Kingdome, Luke 12. 32. or that Kingdome. 'Tis very observable, that in all Christs expressions of love to us, he still expresseth obedience to his Fathers Will, there is a double ground of hope, as
Stella speaks,
the Son loveth
See
Stella at large,
de amore Dei. cap. 18.
us, because the Father requireth it: and the Father loveth us, because the Son asketh it.
Reas. 3. It is a great support and comfort to a Believer in the act of believing, to consider the Love of the Father, as well as the Merit of the Son. Two are better than one, 'tis
1 Joh. 2. 23, 24. 2 Ep. Joh. 9. often made a great priviledge to have both the Father and the Son. The Fathers love the Sons Merit, severally and apart considered will not yeild that full joy and peace in believing,
[Page 134] as both conjoyned. There's no coming to God but by Christ, for God out of Christ is consuming fire: Again Christ separated from the Father doth not yeild so firm a ground of confidence. The Fathers Act with the Sons Merit gives us full security. Christ and the Father also are a Believers Guardians,
John 10. 28, 29, 30. a double cord is not broken easily; this two-fold custody is the best security.
The Father is represented as the offended Party by mans sin. Conscience quakes and trembles: now for a soul to know that God was in Christ reconciling the World to himself: and that Christ came from Heaven to do his Fathers Will, and that the Father hath made him over to us in all his fulness, as wisdome, righteousness, sanctification and redemption: This settles the soul in peace,
Thou wilt keep him in peace, peace (so it is in the Hebrew) whose minde is stayed on thee. Isa. 26. 3. It pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell. peace, in perfect peace,
Isa. 26. 3.
Reas. 4. Because in the Fathers love there are many engaging Circumstances, not to be found in the other Persons.
1. In the Fathers Love and Acts of Grace, there is an Original fulness: Christs fulness as Mediatour, is but drawn out of the Fathers plenty,
Col. 1. 19.
2. The fulness of the Son in the dispensing of it, is limited by the Fathers will, all that Christ dispensed was according to the charge and commandment of the Father,
Mat. 20. 23.
To sit on my right-hand and left is not mine to give (saith Christ)
save to those for whom it is prepared of my Father. Christ as Mediatour
[Page 135] was limited by the Fathers Will: To what end did God give Christ power over all Flesh? but to give eternal life, to as many a God had given him, to none other. Now it is sweet to
Joh. 17. 2. think, that the Father himself loveth us, who is first in Order, and whose Will is absolute, and that he hath laid up an inexhaustible treasure in his Son for us.
3. In the Fathers Acts you have the purest and freest apprehensions of love. 'Twas the Father that began, and (as we conceive) broke the business of our Redemption, and that sent his Son into the world to accomplish it. The Son as Mediatour can have an higher motive than his own love
(viz.) the Fathers Will, but the Father can have no higher motive than his own Love. After the Apostle had treated of Election, Predestination to Adoption, Remission of sins,
&c. he concludes all under the Will of God. The
Eph. 1. 11, 12.
[...], or the good pleasure of the Fathers Will, was the Well-head, or Fountain, Cause of all those acts of Grace that passed out unto the creature by the personal operations of the Son and Spirit. The love of the Father was antecedent to the merit of Christ, and to the operation of the Spirit; therefore in the Fathers Acts of Grace, ye have the apprehensions of the first and freest love: you have great reason therefore from Spiritual, Scriptural Considerations to glorifie and praise the Father, as the original Authour of all your holiness and happiness. Thus much for the second Use.
Use 3 If Jesus be given of God for our Sanctification, then we may safely infer, that Sanctification is neither an easie, nor a common work.
1. Sanctification is no easie work. God takes it to be his prerogative,
I am the Lord that sanctifies you, Levit. 21. 8. Grace is his own proper immediate creature, mans Will contributeth nothing to the worke, but resistance and rebellion, wherefore God makes the
Domine errare per me potui, redire non potui. Aust. Meditat. soul willing in the day of his power,
Psal. 110. 3. and outward means work not, unless the mighty power of the Spirit works with them, or else, why should the same Word Preached by the same Minister, mollifie some, and harden others? Christ must come from Heaven, and open a Fountain in his own side and heart
Zech. 13. 1. for our purification: Nothing but the blood of Christ can purge your Consciences from
Heb. 9. 14 dead works. If any other means had been effectual, Christ had never been made of God Sanctification to us. 'Tis observable, Sanctification is not onely expressed by a Creation,
(i. e.) a making of things out of nothing, but
Luke 11. 21, 22. 1 Joh. 4. 4 also by a victory, or a powerful overcoming of opposition: In Creation, as there was nothing to help, so there was nothing to resist or hinder, but when God comes to sanctifie or convert a soul, besides a Death in sin, God finds a strength of resistance against Grace. Therefore Sanctification is wrought by the power of the Almighty: We deserve it not, it comes from the Fathers Good-will, and Christs Merit; and we work it not, 'tis wrought in us
[Page 137] by the power of the Holy Ghost.
2. Sanctification is not a common work: the making of man at first was not a Common but a special work,
let us make man after
Gen. 1. 26
our own likenesse, the making of other creatures was by the word of power, but the making of man was an act of counsel. And sure I am the forming of Christ in the soul, the new workmanship created in Christ Jesus, to good
Ephes. 2. 10 works is one of the greatest and most glorious works of God, farre surpassing the Creation of Heaven and Earth: Wherein God shews himself an Artist to the uttermost. Sanctification is the decking of the soul with Christs Image, a representation of God in his highest Excellency: and this is not a common but a special Priviledge, a divine Ornament which God bestows on none, but upon his choice Favourites: a special and peculiar people.
1 Pet. 2. 9.
Use 4 Let all such that are in some measure sanctified, or that truely desire to be sanctified, wait on God till the work be accomplished. Though your wills be perverse and obstinate, God can bend and bow them. God never made a Creature too strong for himself: he that hath begun the good-work in you will
Phil. 1. 6. perfect it: he is able to do this thing in us, and for us, and he is faithful in the performance of his Promises to us.
1. He is able:
Who hath resisted his will: His
Rom. 9. 19 Isa. 59. 1 Phil. 3. 21 1 Thes. 5. 24. Heb. 10. 23
hand is not shortned: He by the mighty power of his Spirit can subdne us and all things to himself.
2. He is faithful,
Faithful is he that hath promised,
[Page 138]
who also will do it. Believe O ye doubting desponding Souls in the veracity, fidelity, and immutability of the great and good God: Hear what God, and not what the Tempter speaks. God hath promised to work in you to will and to do,
Phil. 2. 13. That Assertion carries along with
[...].
Et velle, & perficere. These words are a Meiosis. it the nature of a Promise: Hath not the living and true God Promised in the New Covenant to sprinkle you with clean water, to circumcise your hearts, to put his Law into our mindes; to write his Law in our hearts; to take away the heart of stone; to give us the ministration of his Spirit; not to quench the smoaking Flax, that is, to kindle it; not to break the bruised Reed, that is, to strengthen it: and to send forth Judgement unto Victory, that is, to carry on the work of Sanctification in the Soul, (in spight of all opposition) till it be compleat in Glory. Oh then! What remains? but that we should all act Faith upon Gods power and faithfulness, in making good his Promises, or else wee shall discomfort our selves needlesly, and dishonour God exceedingly. And withal remember, 'tis very expedient to turn these Promises into Prayers, and act Faith on them in Prayer. The Promises are as so many Bills under Gods own hand, which in the name of Christ we ought to present to the Father, and to put them in suit, at the throne of Grace. Thus come in Faith, and ye shall go away with Comfort.
Use 5 (As a consequent of the former) let such as are distressed through the sense of Sin, and for want of holiness look up to Christ Jesus for Sanctification: he of God is made unto us Sanctification, believe in the
Joh. 6. Joh. 14. 1 Mediatour, in him whom God hath sent; honour the Son as ye honour the Father, God hath so appointed it: Look up to him all ye the ends of the Earth and be saved, so look
Isa. 45. 22 up to him, and ye shall be also sanctified: be daily looking up to Jesus the Author and Finisher of your Faith; the
Alpha and
Omega of your holiness,
Heb. 12. 2. Look up to
[...].
Aspicientes in illum. Isa. 61. 1. 1 Joh. 1. 7 Christ, for the Spirit of Sanctification from Christ, if ever ye would partake of his Unction. The Christal stream, wherein we are washed and made clean, flows out of Christs own heart.
The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin: Faith makes Application of this blood, and so it purifies: you may be poring long enough on your own filthiness, and be filthy and dejected still, unless you
[Page 139] look up to this Fountain, and see Christ given of God for your Sanctification; you must apprehend him as the Lord your Righteousness, and also as the High-Priest of your holiness, else your Consciences will never be pure, nor peaceable:
Naaman by the Prophets order, was to go down and dip himself seven times in
Jordan, if he would be cured, 2
Kings 5. 10. So by Gods order and appointment you must go down daily by the renewed Acts of believing to this Fountain, and bathe and wash thy unclean Soul in the streams of this
Jordan, (I mean Christs blood) if ever thou wouldest be healed of thy sinful Leprosie.
Use 6 My sixth Use shall be to press us all to a serious sense of our absolute need of holiness: Sanctification is not a thing indifferent, which a man may have, or not have, and yet be happy; no such matter: You must be holy, if ye will be happy; 'tis the
unum necessarium, the one thing needful.
Luk. 10 42 Prov. 4. 7 Sanctification is the principal thing: Sanctification is the Wedding-Garment, which renders ye amiable in the eyes of the King of Heaven: without this, the King will say,
Binde him hand and foot, and cast him into outer darkness. Mat 22. 12, 13. Certainly, this Wedding-garment is woven of the glorious beams of the Sun of Righteousness, 'tis both the Righteousness of Christ imputed and imparted; Christs Righteousness (say others) with Faith and Holiness.
So
Calvin and other Modern Writers. The Graces of the Spirit are as Parliament Robes. The Peers (say some) by rule of Peereage, are not to sit in Parliament without their Robes. The Graces of the spirit are the Jewels of the Covenant, and Robes of Heaven; No living or reigning there; no sitting in Heaven as Peers of State, as Kings and Priests without these Robes of Glory; the Righteousness of Christ for Justification, and the Graces of Christ for S
[...]nctification, without all this white Linnen, the Righteousness of the Saints. Sanctification is the Seal or Mark of Heaven. There is a
Necesse est put upon Sanctification.
- 1. For the honour of God, of each Person in the Trinity.
-
[...]. For our own happiness.
- 1. For the honour of the Father, that his choice be not disparaged.
- 2. For the honour of the Son, that his Members be not deformed, nor polluted.
-
[Page 140]3. For the honour of the Holy Spirit, that his charge may not miscarry, or fall short of Glory.
1. For the Honour of the Father whose choice we are, we are chosen in Christ to be holy,
Ephes. 1. 4. and 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 Theat
[...]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. 'Tis 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 ou
[...] husks may fly off; Winnowed, that we may be purged; Tried in the Fu
[...]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
[Page 141] 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. 3
[...], 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 misshapen Body, altogether unlike himself: 'tis 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
[Page 142] 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 Taberic
[...] ses, &c. vatetudinarios restituunt, id quidem divina tribuendum est b
[...]nignitati; nam nuste res Terrenae vim in se habent salu
[...]arem hominibus, nisi essicaces redd
[...]ntur per po
[...]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
[...]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 Ord
[...]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: 'Tis 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 by Christs blood, as influenced by Christs Spirit.
When ye come to this Pool of
Bethesda there wait, and wait earnestly for the Angels stirring of the waters, as the impotent folk did,
John 5. 2, 3, 4. the Angel of the Covenant, Christ in his Prophetical Office, must stir in these waters of the Sanctuary, manifest his Power and Presence in them, and stir in thy heart also: Open thy immortal Gates, move and melt thy bowels for thee, if ever they are effectual.
'Tis very observable, that under the Law all the Cities of Refuge, were Cities of
Levites, and Schools of Instruction. And there the
Man-Slayer must stay till the death of the High-Priest; So, in like manner, if yee flie from the Pursuer of Blood, (the Law and Wrath of God) to Jesus Christ for Refuge, for Reconciliation, for Justification, as
[Page 129] your High-Priest; you must come to Christ also for teaching, as your Prophet, ye must learn the Trade of holiness in Christs School, as well as look for reconciliation by Christs Crosse. To conclude, Your Head is holy, so must the members be, or else ye exceedingly dishonour your Head, and disgrace his Glorie.
3. 'Tis for the honour of God the holy Spirit; the Father and the Son have committed the Saints to the Spirits charge, to this very end and purpose, that they might be sanctified: Sanctification is made the Spirits personal operation, 2
Thes. 2. 14. 1
Pet. 1. 2. The Spirit is to shape and fashion all the Vessels of Mercy, and prepare them for Glory, he is to deck the Spouse of Christ with the jewels of the Covenant. 'Tis the great advantage the Saints have in the Oeconomy or dispensation of Grace, that they have the Father, to purpose it, the Son to purchase it, and the Spirit to work it, the Father, Word, and Spirit are all one, and agree in one for our sanctification. Now 'tis a great grief to the Spirit, when the work of Grace doth not go on and prosper in the soul; for, 'tis he that
worketh us to this very thing, and therefore is called
the Spirit of holinesse. 'Tis not for the Spirits honour, that Gods Nursery or Plantation committed to his care and charge should not thrive and flourish. 'Tis not for the Spirits honour to dwell in defiled Temples, nor to let the people go
naked without their Ornaments: 'Tis not for the Spirits honour, that any committed
[Page 130] by the Father and the Son to his charge, should perish or miscarry, should fall away either totally from all Grace, finally for all time, for ever, to miss of heaven in the end. The Father hath left the Son in charge to be the
Captain of our salvation, and to bring many
Heb. 2. children to Glory. The Son hath left the Spirit in charge with all his Fathers children, to guide them by his Counsel, and to bring them to his Glory. When Christ (as man) left earth, and went to Heaven, he comforts his Disciples by sending another Comforter, and who he is, Christ tels ye, even the
Spirit of truth, to guide his people
into all truth; for he shall not speak from himself, but
whatsoever he shall hear, that
shall he speak, and he will shew you things to come, he
shall glorifie me, for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you; all things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you, John 16. 13, 14, 15. The Spirit of Christ is
Christs Pro-rex, or Viceroy by Commission from his Father and himself, to rule and govern the affairs of his providential Kingdom,
Ezek. 1. 20, 21.
The spirit of the living creature was in the wheels: The Spirit acts the Angels (called
living Creatures), and
[...],
aux viae vobis erit in omnem veritatem. So Beza in John 16. 13. the
living creatures or Angels, act and move the wheels, (that is) the Transactions of divine Providence in the world, and Christ by the Spirit governs and guides his Subjects in his spiritual Kingdome; * the Spirit is
Dux via, the Captain of the way, to lead his people into all truth, their Glorious Guest to dwell with
[Page 131] them, and to abide with them for ever,
John 14. 16, 17. and by his inhabitation▪ and constant influence and operation, to perfect his own work in them, and ripen their souls for Heaven. Thus our sanctification is absolutely necessary for the honour of the Father, Son, and Spirit.
2. Our sanctification is absolutely, and indispensibly needfull, as for the honour of God, so also for our attainment of true happines
[...]: Grace and Glory, holiness and happiness, sanctification
[...]
[...] Hom.
Negat queaqua posse vi
[...] re Deum sine sanct
[...]o
[...]a
[...] oc
[...]is v
[...]debimus Deum, quam qui reformati fu
[...] rint ad ejus imaginem. Calv. and salvation,
individuo nexu coh
[...] rent, These are tyed and twisted together with a knot inseparable, and indissol
[...]ble. There is no going to Heaven,
without holiness no man shall see the Lord, Heb. 12. 14. Some there are, which ignorantly, and fondly do restrein the word Saints, to the Saints departed; the Saints in Heaven; but we must be Saints here, or else can never expect to be Saints hereafter.
The Apostle denyes (saith
Calvin) that any one can see God without holiness, because he shall see God with
[...]o other eyes, than those which shall be renewed according to his Image; The Image of God, is but begun on earth, 'tis perfectly and compleatly drawn by the Vision of God in Heaven. Be sure you are real Saints
sanctified in Christ Jesus, and not only nominal, and notional, as too many are: your Saintship is all the evidence you have to shew for your inheritance: be sure then, you keep your evidence fair, and clear, without blots and blurs: Unless
ye are begotten again unto a lively hope; what have ye to do with that inheritance, gilded with so many
[Page 132] glorious Epithets? 1
Pet. 1. 2, 3. How can
[...],
&c. Math. 5. 8.
[...]. they see God that have not a pure heart, nor a pure eye (indeed, the pure heart is the pure eye) The Degree of
Vision will be according to the degree of
sanctification; the more gracious we are in this, the more glorious wee shall be in the other world. The Apostle tels us,
Col. 1. 12. we must be made meet to be
partakers of the inheritance of the Saints in light: What should a carnal heart do with Heaven? that knows no other heaven, but to eat, drink, and wallow in sensual delights: (as the Glutton at a feast cryed,
There's no heaven like to this); We must not look for a Turkish Paradise in Heaven, but for a pure sin less state, not to bathe our souls in carnal pleasures, but to be Consorts of the immaculate Lamb, and Competitioners with the Angels: Perfection of Grace, and fulness of joy in the presence
As one saith,
Consortes Agni, Angellorum Candidati. of Gods Glory is the Saints heaven. Swine know not what to do with Pearls, nor carnal creatures with the life and joyes above. Suppose that which is not to be supposed; were it possible an unsanctified person should go to heaven, that holy place and holy Company would be an hell to him, he would be as
Coelum est altera Gehenna damnatorum. weary of heaven, as ever water was of running, (according to the Proverb:) If the faint Image of God in his Saints, if the glympse of Gods presence in his Ordinances, be so irksome and unpleasant to an unholy soul here▪ Oh how terrible and contrary to his spirit, would the most glorious Presence of God in heaven be? where the Seraphims cry continually,
[Page 133]
Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Sabaoth, &c, where God displayes his holiness in the greatest splendor and glory. God is perfect light,
Isa. 6. 3. Revel. 4. 8. 1 Joh. 1. 5. the man is darkness, they could never agree together. An unsanctified person indeed may desire Heaven, as a disproportionate good, as a place better to be tolerated than the torments of hell: he may desire heaven as a privation of suffering and misery, but not as a privation of all sin, nor as the perfection of Grace and holiness; nor as it is the nearest union of the soul with God, and the highest fruition of the chiefe good. Thus for him to desire, or long for Heaven, is against the very grain and hair of his spirit, altogether inconsistent with, and contrary to his old untenewed nature. Now on the contrary, the Saints, whose eyes are enlighted with the eyesalve, and by the prospective of Faith, have
Rev. 3. 18. had a view of this King and Kingdome, these
Isa. 33. 17. make a right Scheam or draught of Heaven, and their believing hopes of interest in this
2 Cor. 5. 17.
If any man be in Christ, he is a new Creature▪ Gloria quam habebunt conformem Christi corpori corpori incomprehensibilis est. Calv. in Phil. 3. 21. Kingdome, and of communion with this Company that is above, do engage them to purification, 1
John 3. 2, 3. He that hopes and longs to see Christ, as he is, and to be like him, both for constitution of soul and temper of body, he must ever labour to be holy, and he will be trying, and practising here on earth, to conform to Christ before-hand.
He that expects that his
vile body shall be made like Christs
Glorious body, (1) in spirituality, purity, clarity, strength, splendor and Glory,
he will possess his Vessel in sanctification
[Page 134]
and honour; hee dares not use his body meerly as a streiner for meats and drinks, nor as an unclean channel for lusts to pass through; but he will honour it, as a Temple of the holy Ghost: his mind that shall see God, he will not fill with chaffe and vanity, with worldly cares, or unclean thoughts, his affections that should cleave to God intensively, and inseparably, he will not prostitute to every base object: he will labour to keep his
garments clean, to walk without spot, and blamelesse, till the
coming of the Lord.
Thus with respect to the fruition of our hopes, and the attainment of our happiness, we are engaged, and not engaged only, but enclined, and sweetly constrained also to habitual, and actual holiness, or as the Apostle excellently phraseth it,
to cleanse our selves from all fil hiness of flesh and spirit, and perfect holiliness
2 Cor. 7. 1.
in the fear of the Lord.
Use 7. In the seventh place: This point informs us of the excellency of Sanctification, or Holiness; ye have heard already much of its absolute necessity, now something of its transcendent Excellency.
Holiness is the Name of God, the Will of God, the Work of God, the Seed of God, the Nature of God, the Image of God, the life of God, the Glory of God, the lustre and splendor of the soul, the health and vigour of the soul, the soul of man is the Physical Image of God, but the holiness of the soul is the Ethical or qualitative image of God. 'Tis the seed of Glory, the beginning of Heaven, the first fruits and fore-runners
[Page 135] of eternal Life. 'Tis a known Maxim, That which partakes of the nature of the whole, is
Quicquid participat de naturâ totius, est pars totius. a part of the whole: the filings of Gold are Gold
ramenta auri sunt preciosa, Grace is very precious,
true sanctifying saving grace is Glory; The holy people are the most precious honourable people in the world;
Since thou wast precious
Isa. 43. 4.
in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee, &c.
The righteous is more excellent
Prov. 12. 26.
than his Neighbour.
See how many honourable Titles God doth honour his Saints in Scripture with;
This then serves to inform the mistaken and blind world, that Grace is no disgrace, that holiness is no dis-enobling, but a most generous, princely and glorious thing. Brave spirits (as the world accounts them) think preciseness, an
inglorious, and the power of Godliness a
base thing, that taketh off from their
Grandure and
Generosity.
Coguntur esse mali, ne viles habeantur. Salvian.
Salvian complains that in his time, the Great Ones were deter'd from serious holiness, because it was Contemptible. It was Gentleman-like to be wicked, but Peasant, or Vassal-like to be Godly; whereas the service of God is the noblest and sweetest liberty, but the service of sin the vilest slavery: Though your jolly spirits think they are the freest men on earth; The Apostle nips their Courage 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)
[Page 137] 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
[Page 139] have
[...]
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 wel
[...]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
[Page 140]
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, a
[...] 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; 'tis 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: 'tis as if a man should lay claim to another mans Land, and pretend he hath lost
[Page 141] the evidences; the guilt of the prophane is written in Capital legible letters, upon the frontispiece of his Conversation, every eye may see it: As a good tree brings forth good
Vita est index animi, index futuri, & index aeterni. See Mat. 12. from 34 to
v. 37.
Cor instar Promptuarii est bonorum, & malorum. Pareus. fruit, so a bad tree brings forth bad fruit: Men do not
gather grapes of thorns, nor figs of thistles. As a good man out
of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth good things, so an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth evil things. A good man speaks good words, and doth good works; and the Apostle tels us,
Rom. 2. 6.
God will reward every man according to his deeds. Your hearts can never be good, when your tongues and lives be bad; Your Lord Christ speaks expresly,
out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
The doom of the prophane is dreadful, to instance but in two particulars.
1. The unclean shall not enter into, or pass over the way of holiness,
Isa. 35. 8. And an high way shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called the
way of holiness; the unclean
See the
Dutch Annotat, on the place▪ shall not pass over it,
&c. The meaning of that place is this, The true Church shall be no barren Wildernesse, or untrodden Desart, but in it shall be shewed the true way to salvation by faith in Jesus Christ; who cleanseth us from all our sins, and giveth us his holy Spirit, to regenerate, and renew us to an holy life, but the unclean, or prophane shall not pass in this high way of Holiness; The
dogs shall be without, out of the pale of the true Church,
Revel. 22. 15.
[Page 142] 2. The unclean shall not enter into the new
Jerusalem. That most holy place, and blessed state is an heavenly Mansion, and preferment for Doves; not for Vultutes, for sheep, not for Goats or Swine. not for the unclean, but for the holy. No Anathema must be there,
Revel.
Regnum coelorum clausum est incredul
[...], blasphemis, execratis, & iis, qui secundum carnem, ambulant, sed idem apertum e
[...]t electis, & vocatis sanctis. Pignet. 21. 27.
And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lye, but they which are written in the Lambs book of life. The inheritance above is a possession for the sanctified, and none else,
Acts 26. 18. that goodly Countrey the
Eternal Canaan, is divided among the Saints, 'tis the peculiar portion of an holy peculiar people: but the
Flaming Tophet, the
Lake that burneth with fire and brimstone is the
lot of the prophane.
2. This Point brings sad tidings to the persecutors, that hate holy persons, and holy things for the sake of holinesse; who labour
2. The Persecutors. to delace the Image, and spiritual worship of Christ, to pull down the honour and glory of God in the world, and to root ou
[...] holinesse from the earth. Whatsoever these mens pretences
Ch
[...]istianos ad
[...]ones. Et pu
[...]o
[...]os Deus Apostolos novissimos elegi
[...] velut
[...] Bestiarios. Tertul. John 19. 12. are, as 1. State-policy, as
Haman told King
Abasuerus, when he thought to exterminate the whole Jewish Race; 'tis not for the Kings profit that these men should live; Or 2. Fear of Rebellion, these are no friends to
C
[...]sar; as hath been the old Calumny: these are Enemies to Government; This unjust charge the
Jews insinuate against Christ before
P
[...]la
[...]e: If thou let this man go, thou art not Cesars
friend? whosoever maketh himself a King,
[Page 143]
speaketh against Cesar. Whereas the Scepters and Crowns of Princes have no better friends under heaven, than Religion, and religious men: Or 3. Expediency of an uniformity in all modes in Religion: whereas 'tis as possible for all men to come into the world with the self-same faces for figure and feature, as for all men in the same Nation to agree in the same, and in all the modes and circumstances of the same Religion: as the Emperour wisely told that Satyrist, objecting, why he had so many men of so many opinions in his Army, yet notwithstanding 'tis the
white of holinesse which they shoot at. The shining lustre of the Saints spiritual worship, and holy Conversation draws a Cloud over theirs, and puts a check upon them: therefore they hate and persecute.
The original moral cause of defaming the names, of spoiling the goods, of confiscating the estates, of hating and persecuting the persons of the Saints, is the inbred enmity in the
seed of the Serpent against the seed of the woman, Gen. 3. 15. And the Apostle speaking of
Isaac the Son of the Promise, and of
Ishmael the Son of the Bond Woman, hath this expression,
Gal. 4. 29.
But as then, he that was born after the flesh, persecuted him that was born after the spirit, even so it is now. 'Tis said of the Panther, that he hates a man with such antipathy, that he will run at the very picture of a man to tear it in peeces; so vile ungodly wretches, acted by the Divel (the old murtherer,
John 8. 44.) hate the very picture of Christ whereever they
[Page 144] see it. These (beloved) are very far off from the blessed estate of sanctification (of which we have been speaking) that (were it in their power) they would not suffer a Saint to breath, nor permit holiness to spring, and blossome in the earth: Oh that such poor creatures were made sensible, what sad work they make, what a pittiful trade they drive.
Persecution is,
- 1 A very wicked practise.
- 2 A very fruitless practise.
- 3 A very dreadful practise.
1. A very wicked practise, condemned not only by Scriptures, by the light of Nature,
▪
Hanc veniam petimus
(que), damus
(que) vicissim. by the Rules of common Equity, but also condemned by the Ancient Fathers, and Councels.
First, we begin with
Tertullian. See (saith he) doth not this amount to the elogy of
irreligiousnesse,
Videte, ne, & hoc ad irreligiositatis elogium concurrat, adimere libertatem Religionis, & interdicere optionem divinitatis, ut non liceat mibi colere quod velim, sed cogar colere quod nolim. Tertul. Apol.
cap 23.
or may not we well call it, a most
irreligious thing, to take away the liberty of
my Religion, and forbid me the choice
of my Divinity, so that it may not be lawfull
for me, to worship what I will, but
I must be forced to worship what I am
unwilling to. And in many other places this external compulsion he ascribes to prophaneness.
Lex nova non se vindicat ultore gladio. Clemens Alexand. Stromat. 8.
Clemens Alexander, and
Lactantius also consented to that Maxime of
Tertullian, The Law of Christ doth not right it self with a punishing sword.
Athanasius, speaking of the
Arians, who at first forced men to their Heresie by prisons, and
Atque it a seipsam quam non sic pia, nec Dei cultrix manifostat. Athan. in his
Ep. ad Solitar.
[...].
Epiphan. punishments, concludes of that Sect,
it evidently declares it self thereby to be neither pious, nor
to have any
reverence of God. Epiphanius gives this as the Character of the semi-Arrians;
they persecute them that teach the truth, not confuting them with words, but delivering them that believe aright to hatred, wars, and swords, having now brought destruction, not to one City, or Countrey alone, but to many.
Again, The Councel of
Sardis Ep. ad Alexand. expresly affirms, that they disswaded the Emperour from interposing his secular power
Praecipit sancta Synodus, Nemini deinceps, vim infer
[...]e: Cui enim vult, Deu
[...] miseretur, & quem vult indu, rat. to compel them that dissented: And the Councel at
Toledo, by one of their Canons condemned the ugly trade of persecution.
The holy Synod commandeth, that none hereafter shall by force be compelled to the faith, for God hath mercy, on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardneth.
These instances (among many more producible) I have named, whereby 'tis evident, that persecution was long since condemned, as wicked, both by Fathers and Councels. Ye shall ever finde it the black mark of the Beast, and false Prophet, to persecute the Image of Jesus.
[Page 146] 2. As it is a wicked, so it is a fruitlesse Practice.
The silly persecutor doth but beat the air, plow the sand, and kick against the pricks: his work is senslesse, and fruitlesse; though he may bring others to the fire, he doth but
labour in the fire, (as the Prophet speaks:) his work will be burnt up, and come to nothing, as with the Children of
Israel in the Land of
Aegypt, the more they were afflicted, the more
Exod. 1. 12. they multiplied: So the more the Saints are persecuted, the more they are augmented; this is a strange (yet a true) Paradox; the more they are depressed, and oppressed, the more
Depressa resu
[...]go. they grow (like Camomile) the more they rise up (like the Palm-tree); 'tis apparent by all stories in all Ages, that the more precious blood hath been spilt, the more precious seed
Sanguis Ma
[...]tyrum semen Ecclesiae. (multiplying into an innumerable off-spring) hath been sown. All along, the Blood of the Martyrs hath been the seed of the Church. This, not only the Pagan Emperours of old, notwithstanding all the havock they made of the Lambs of Christ; but also the mightiest Christian Emperour, that ever sweyed the Western Scepter had experience of.
Charles the fifth son of
Pepin, King of
France, Emperour of
Germany, after all his Warrs, Slaughters, stirs, and B
[...]zzles in the world to extirpate the Protestant faith, at last was weary, and left the matter much as he found it; and betook himself to a private life. And when in his retirement, he came to dye, he dep
[...]ted in the same faith, (as the renowned
[Page 147] Historian
Thaanus relates) which in his lifetime he had persecuted;
Casting himself with
Se quidem indignum esse qui prop
[...]is meritis regnum coelorum obtineret, sed dominum Deum suum qui illad duplici jure obtinuit, & Patris haereditate, & passionia merito, altero contentum esse, alterum sibi donare, ex cujus dono, illud sibi merito vindicet; h
[...]què
[...]duciá fretus, minimè confundatur, &c.
[...]huan. Hist. lib. 21.
his whole soul upon God, he
thus reasoned; That for his part, he was on the account of any merits of his own, unworthy to obtain the Kingdome of Heaven; but his Lord, and God, who had a double right unto it, one by inheritance of his Father, the other by the merit of his own Passion, Contented himself with the one, Granted the other unto him; by whose Grant, he rightly laid claim thereunto, and resting in this faith, or Confidence, he was not confounded, &c.
Another instance is out of
Sulpitius Severus,
*
Non expressa est hae
[...]esis, sed confi
[...]mata & latius propagata. in the end of his second Book,
Ithacius, with some other Bishops his Associates, procured
Maximus the Tyrant, to put
Priscillian
[...]s a
Grostick, with some others to death: and to banish some of their followers: what follows
†
Inter nost
[...]o
[...] perpetuum discordiarum bellum exa
[...]si
[...] q
[...]od jam per quindecim annos foedis dissentionibus agitatum nullo modo sopiri poterat. Sulp. Severus. thereon?
Hoc modo, (saith the Historian)
homines luce indignissimi, pessimo exemplo necati, aut exiliis mulctati; On
this manner, were those most unworthy wretches, either slain, or punished by banishment, by a very bad precedent: and what was the success of this Fury? He tels us, the
Heresie, was so far from being expressed by it, that it was the more confirmed and propogated. And what ensued hereupon in the Church it self? the Author tels us in the end of his Ecclesiastical story.
Amongst ours, a lasting war of discord was kindled; which after, now it hath been carried on for
[Page 148]
fifteen yeares with shameful Contentions, could by no means be allayed.
Those that have read the
Germane, French, and
Brittish Annals, will set to their seals, that this is true, that persecution hath ever been a vain unprofitable Work, a beggatly, poor Trade, none have thriven by it, that have followed it, yea, a most destructive Trade. How have Countreys, and Kingdomes been inveloped in blood and war, in confusion and distraction, where this phrensie hath reigned, and raged.
3. Persecution of the Saints of God for Conscience-sake, is not only a most wicked, and fruitlesse, but also a most dreadful practise, and that for two Reasons, (to name no more:)
1. Christ espouses his Saints injuries; he takes them as done unto himself:
Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? said Christ to
Saul. As a Christian shares with Christ in all his dishonours,
Acts 9. 4. Psal 69. 9. He that toucheth you, toucheth the Apple of mine eye,
Zech. 2. 8.
The reproaches of them that reproach thee, are faln upon me: so, Christ partakes with Christians in all their persecutions, he accounts himself concern'd in all their injuries. Now, is it not dreadfull to be an enemy to Jesus Christ? Is it not dreadfull to be found a fighter against God? Is it not dreadful to war against Heaven? to pull down Almighty and eternal Vengeance on a mans head?
2. As the Persecutors ordain their Arrows against the Saints, (their cruel Laws, Edicts, Fines, Pains, Penalties, as they have done) in one part of the world, or other in all Ages:
[Page 149] so God hath (by way of requital) ordained his Arrows against the persecutors; (if they turn not) God hath prepared for them
the instruments of Death, the Scripture speaks expresly, he
ordaineth his Arrows against the Persecutors, Psalm 7. 13. And those Arrows,
(viz. divine judgments) shall be sharp in the hearts of Christs Enemies. 'Tis confessed, an ignorant persecutor may be pardoned upon great
Videtur innuere Paulus,
nullum esse veniae locum, nisi ubi suppet
[...]t ignorantiae excusatio. Calvin.
his verbis neque Paulus
piaculum suum extenuat, neque innocentiae suae vocationem tribuit; sed aequitatem, & misericordiam praedicat, quae miserta incredulitatis & inscitiae, peccantem, (sed errore, potius quam m
[...]levolentia) revocavit. Bulinger. 1 Tim. 1. 13. Repentance; there is mercy for such.
Paul was a blasphemer, a persecutor, and injurious, and he obtained mercy, because he did it ignorantly through unbelief; but a knowing persecutor, convinc'd of the Truth he persecutes, and totally falling from it, and maliciously hating the truth, and persecuting the professors of it unto the death; This mans Crime is (I think) unpardonable. Satan hath set the seal of Hell upon him: or else I know not what to make of that Text,
Heb. 10: 26, 27.
For if we sin wilfully, after we have received the knowledge of the Truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of Judgment, and fiery indignation, which shall devour the Adversaries.
3. This Point serves to convict and condemn the Scorner, that scoffs at holinesse,
Prov 14. 9.
Fools make a mock at sin, (and as the wise man speaks) that is, (as Expositors upon the place) make a laughing-stock, or a may-game at it, they slight Holinesse the highest Excellency,
[Page 150] and make nothing of it. But 'tis bad jesting with edg-tools: Scoffing is the over-flowing
Non tutum est ludere cum sanctu. of Gall and malice, and a black mark, let it be found, where it will; especially, when Religion or holiness is made a by-word, or Reproach, to
fit in the seat of the Scorner, is an high degree of wickedness, and utterly inconsistent with a godly state, and bespeak a man at present to be in a cursed state. To fit in the
Throne of the persecutor, and in the
Psal. 1. 1.
Chair of the Scorner, are Diabolical preferments equally dreadful and damnable. Indeed scorning seems to have some precedency, for it makes way for persecuting. First, men hate and scorn the wayes of God (which is the scum of Rancor, and malice) and then they persecute them. Scorners do a sad work, and they will have sad wages.
1. They do a sad work, when they deride men for their Holiness, they deride men for that which is the express Image, and Glory of God, for God is
Glorious in Holinesse, Exod. 15. 11. yea, in so doing, they deride God in his highest Excellency, and consequently sin against him with an high hand.
Holy Brethren, as the Saints are called,
Heb. 3. 1. should be no more a disgrace, than
Holy Father, as God himself i
[...]stiled,
John 17. 11. You hate God more than his Saints, if you hate them for their holiness; for holiness in the Saints shineth but with a saint and weak lustre, but God
Qui facit tale, magis est ille tale. being the fountain of Holiness, it must needs shine in him with infinite lustre, & splendour,
Holy, and reverend is thy Name, Psalm 111. 9.
[Page 151] Gods Name is Reverend, because holy, so holiness ought to be matter of our greatest respect and reverence, and not of reproach, and scorn. A word to Scorners.
Let all scorners return speedily, yet there may be mercy for them. The Spirit of God bewails your condition, and calls upon ye to return; You that are the worst sort of Sinners, hear what the Spirit saith,
Prov. 1. 22, 23.
How long will scorners delight in scorning, and fools hate knowledge? turn ye at my reproof, &c. Now when God
calls, if you refuse and
*
Cum Deus loquitur cum risu, l
[...]gas cum luctu.
will not regard his Counsel, he will laugh at your calamity, and mock, when your fear cometh. See
Prov. 1. 24, 25, 26, 27. You that make a mock at holiness, God will make a mock of you, if ye turn not.
2. Scorners will have sad wages if they turn not
Prov. 3. 34.
Behold, he scorneth the scorners, but giveth grace to the lowly: as they scorn God maliciously, so behold, (a note of Attention) God will scorn them with perfect detestation and abhorrency. As 'tis the greatest mercy for God to accept a mans person, to receive him into Grace and Favour; so 'tis the greatest misery for God to refuse, and scorn a mans person with indignation.
3. As a Consequent of the former, the scoffing
Ishmaels must be cast out: as scorners cast themselves out of Gods love, so God will; cast them out of his presence, and Kingdomt
Without are dogs, Revel. 22. 15. the dogs not only, that tear in pieces the Sain
[...]s persons, but the dogs that bark at the shining splendo
[Page 152] of the Saints holiness; these are without, and shall without repentance, be without for ever. These dogs bark not at the Moon so much, as against the Sun of Righteousness.
The son of the Bond-woman was cast out,
Gen. 21. 9, 10. he must not be an Heir with the son
Ejice Ancillam.
&c. of
Sarah, (the marrow of that Ejection Typical, was spiritual and Eternal) no more must scorners that live, and die so, have any co-partnership with the Saints in their inheritance. So much is more than intimated in that Allegory,
Gal. 4. 30. Oh then, let none that ever intend to be sanctified, or saved, presume to deride the Name of Holinesse; but let them honour, and reverence it, as the most honourable Title under Heaven, yea, as a Divine thing: for 'tis the sparkling forth of
2 Pet. 1. 4. the Divine Nature.
Thus much for Conviction.
Now we are come to the last Use.
Lastly, in the ninth and last place. This Doctrine of Sanctification serveth for Caution,
9th. Use. to prevent mistakes. I shall lay it thus:
If Jesus C
[...]rist be given of God for our sanctification, then it concerns us all to look into our sanctification: let us all be sure that we are sanctified, if we miscarry here, we miscarry irrecoverably, we miscarry everlastingly; and to use the Apostles words:
Let us therefore fear least a Promise being left us of entring into his Rest, any of us should seem to come short of it, Heb. 4. 1. Let us all concern our selves
to know this, that
God hath set apart him
[Page 153]
that is godly for himself, as the Psalmist speaks,
Psalm 4. 3. he is eternally set apart in Election, and actually set apart for God in Vocation. As the Beast worshippers have the Beasts mark, so Gods Children have Gods seal, and impress, 2
Tim. 2. 19.
The foundation of God standeth sure, having this Seal, the Lord knoweth who are his; and let every one that nameth the Name of the Lord, depart from iniquity. Gods Seal hath a double Motto, and noting his peoples
preservation, the Lord knoweth who are his; the other noting their
sanctification, they depart from iniquity. There are many wild flowers in the Field, gay and beautiful; that look like right flowers in the Garden, but are not the same. Some Mettals, as Copper, and Brass, burnisht, look like Gold at a distance: but though all Gold glisters, yet all is not Gold that glisters: so, many things at a distance
Omne simile non est idem. look like Sanctification, but at a nearer view, and by an exacter tryal, and scrutiny, they appear in their colours, to be quite contrary, not only
diversa, but
adversa also. I might mention many, but I shall name these four only, inclusive of all the rest, which in my reading I have received from worthy hands:
- Civility.
- Formality.
- Restreining Grace.
- Temporary, or
- Common Grace.
1. Civility, which is nothing else, but a fine, smooth demeanour in the world,
a fair
Gal. 6. 12.
[Page 154]
shew in the flesh, as the Apostle phraseth it, rather heathenish strictness, than Christian holiness; it is something to be a Civilian, but much more to be a Christian. Ye may descry it by these Notes:
Note. 1 1. Meer Civility, is usually accompanied with ignorance of God, and of the Mysteries of his Kingdome. Men may be no Drunkards, no Swearers, no
As
Alexander kept himself from
Darius his Virgins, and
Scipio from a most beautiful Captive Lady. Adulterets, no rude debauched persons, and yet grosly ignorant of spiritual matters, as
Nichodomus was,
John 3. 10. a Ruler in
Israel, a strict Pharisee, a civil Person, but a meer Ignoramus in the
new birth,
Now spiritual life, or holinesse, (whereever it is) begins with Knowledge; where is
Quarta expositio
[...]orum est, qui putant allu
[...]isse Paulum
ad mundi creationem, &c. Buling. in 2 Cor. 4. 6. Life, there is Light: indeed the grace of God is the
light of Life. As in the old, so in the new Creation: the beginning of the Creation of God is Light,
Gen. 1. 3. 2
Cor. 4. 6.
A sanctified person called out of darkness into Gods marvellous light, he sees his way, and knows his Duty, he hath
received an Unction from the holy One; And what he doth, he doth
1 John 2. 20.
Omne bonum fit ex integrd Causá. upon right Principles, by a right Rule, and to a right End. Civil men live plausibly, but know not the ground, nor end of their Actions. Faith in God through Jesus Christ is not the Principle, the word of God is not the Rule, the Glory of God is not the End of their Actings. They neither live to God, nor for God, not according to his Will revealed
[Page 155] in his VVord, nor for the honour and glory of his Name.
The Spirit of Wisdome and Revelation
Ephes. 1. 17, 18. hath not enlightned their understanding, to see into the mysterie of his Will; they do not act out of faith in Christ, and pure love to God in what they do.
Note. 2 2. Jesus Christ is little prized by civil men; they are satisfied with their own, but do not hunger and thirst after Christs Righteousness. The Law is more natural to men, than the Gospel; men naturally are more for doing, than than for believing. Therefore legal straines, and moral Maxims, suit more with them, than Gospel Doctrines, and promises that breed Faith. Men naturally desire to be under a Covenant of works, because ignorant of the glory of the Covenant of Grace. Meer civil men see not the mer it of Christs blood, they apprehend not the sweetness of his fellowship, nor the efficacy of his Spirit, but go on smoothly without rub, and difficulty; whereas to a true Christian, Jesus Christ is
All in All, the Author, and maintainer of his
Heb. 12. 2. life, the
Alpha and
Omega of his happinesse; the man doth not live so much, as Christ lives in him, and every day, he seeth an indispensible
Gal. 2. 20. need of Christ, and what abundant cause he hath, to bless God for Christ, who is made to him
wisdome, righteousness, sanctifitation, and redemption.
Note. 3 3. Usually some reigning lust keeps company with Civility. Civility, is but a freer slavery, one way or other, Satan holds them captive; by one fetter of sin or other, they
[Page 156] are entangled: I have observed, (commonly) this sin is Covetousness. The young man in the Gospel, was a civil honest man, a fair Dealer in the world,
and had kept all those sayings from his youth (as to the letter of them); but his possessions were a snare unto him; at the narrow Bridge of self-denial, Christ and
Matth. 19. 22. his soul parted: There is some sweet morsel rolled under the Tongue, some delicate
Dalilah lying in the Bosome, some reigning sin kept with greater allowance from Conscience. Commonly this Viper is worldly-mindedness.
Note. 4 4. Civil men take more care about their actions, than about their lusts: wrath, pride, concupiscence, vain, worldly unclean thoughts, and affections are digested: because the conversation seems to be smooth and fair, these crawling Vermine swarm without controul. Civilility is all for an outward carriage, it minds not the frame of the heart, nor the right tempering of the affections: But holy
Paul complaines of the
law in his members, and of
the motions of lust within him, which fall not under the cognizance of the light of Nature;
Rom. 7. 7, 23, 24, 25. the first risings of sin, the least rebellion of Nature forbidden in the Tenth Commandment, a true Saint is sensible of, and deeply humbled for. But the affairs of the
inward
1 King. 6. 8.
man, the workings of the heart, are not minded by meer civil men, but the eyes of sound Christians, like the windows of the Temple, are broad inwards, they look much within: they mourn over the sins of their hearts,
[Page 157] as well as over the sins of their lives.
2. Formality, or pretended grace. The Apostle speaks of true holiness,
Ephes. 4. 24. in opposition to that which is feigned, and counterfeit. Ye may discover it also by these four Marks:
Mark. 1 1. False grace is acted from forreign considerations. The Hypocrites principles of motion are without him, as popular applause, carnal respects, by-ends, just as Puppets that want the natural motion of life within them, and are artificially moved by an outward
He may be
forma assistens to him, but not
forma informans in him. force. The Spirit of God may assist an bypocrite in some duties, but he is not in him, as an informing, quickning, renewing principle. But true Grace, in the heart of the sanctified, is like a living Fountain naturally bubling up, and working towards God, and heaven,
out of his belly shall flow forth, Rivers of living
Joh. 7. 37. 38.
Waters. True Grace hath an inward propensity, a natural tendency to comply with the will of God;
The Law of God is written in his heart, he delighteth in the Law, in the innerman, Rom. 7. 22. This is the peculiar Character of a Saint, which no Formalist, or hypocrite in the world can do.
Mark. 2 2. False grace is shy of Gods sight and presence. Hypocrites neither can, nor do appeal
Hypocrita cupit videri justu
[...]. Hypocrita in verbis sanctus, in corde vanus; intus Nero,
foris Cato,
&c. to God for their sincerity, nor do they live, as in the eye of his Omniscience and Omnipresence; but their chiefest care is to blind the world, to
seem, and not to
be just, he converseth more with men than with God: Yet the godly can appeal to God for their sincerity,
[Page 158] though they tremble at their defects, and impurity: like
Peter, John 20. 17. He appeals to Christs Omnisciency,
Lord, thou knowest all things, and thou knowest that I love thee. So holy
Job expostulates the case thus:
Let me be weighed in an even ballance, that God may know mine integrity, Job 31. 6. He could appeal to God, the un-erring Rule of Righteousness, in this matter: he knew his integrity would hold weight. And at another time he hath this self-abasing expression:
Mine eye seeth thee, therefore I abhor my self in dust and ashes, Job 42. 5. 6. As he could hold fast his integ
[...]ity, so he could also loath and abhor himself in dust and ashes, at the sight of Gods glorious Majesty and purity, and in the sense of his own defects and failings.
Mark. 3 3. False grace grows not better and better, but rather worse and worse; pretences wither rather than thrive: an hypocrite goes backward, rather than forward, every day,
Jer. 7. 24. The Lord by the Prophet complains there, that his
people hearkned not, nor enclined their ear, but walked in the counsels, and in the imaginations of their evil hearts, and went backward, and not forward; False grace (like bad salt) grows worse and worse, til it be cast out into the Dunghil: but true grace, from a
grain groweth unto a
Tree,from a morning glympse to a perfect Noon,
Prov. 4. 18.
The path of the just, is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect Day; from smoaking flaxe it is blown up to fragrant flame.
Nicodemnus that came to Christ at first by night,
[Page 159] for fear of the
Jews, afterwards openly declareth for him, and bestowed much cost upon the dead body of our Lord. Grace gets
John 19. 39. ground upon the flesh, and by degrees advanceth to a Victory. Now examine your hearts whether ye encrease, or decrease, whether ye go forward, or backward, whether your faith, love, zeal, patience, heavenly-mindedness,
Rev. 2. 4.
&c. thrive, or not? If ye have left your first Love, if ye have lost your care of Duty, sense of sin, and hungring, and thirsting appetite after Christ, and his Righteousness, 'tis a sad sign.
Remember therefore from whence ye are fallen and repent, and do your first works; be also watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to dye. 'Tis
Christs Blessed Counsel,
Revel. 2. 5.
Revel. 3. 2.
Mark. 4 4. False grace is not humble. Formalists are commonly proud and self-conceited persons: with true Grace there goeth alwayes
Notare verò operae, pretium est, neminem spiritu esse pauperem nisi qui in nihilum apud se redactus, in Dei misericordiam recumbit. Calv. in Matth. 5. 3. a spiritual poverty, or a sense of spiritual wants; the poor in spirit are first in order of the Beatitudes,
Matth. 5. 3.
The more knowledge the Saints have, the more they discern their ignorance, the more faith, the more they bewail their unbelief?
Lord, I believe, help thou mine unbelief, Mark 9. 24. The more they love him, the more they blame their hearts, for loving h
[...]m no more; they call upon their souls to love him most
[Page 160] intensively. Grace grows most, and thrives best in a low and humble soyl; the lowest Valleys are far more fruitful than the highest Mountains: 'tis a good sign when the soul is kept hungry, and humble in the sense of its wants, amidst the height of its enjoyments.
3. The next is Restraining Grace, which
What restraining Grace is. is nothing else but an awe, put by God upon the Conscience, constraining a man to forbear sin, though he doth not hate it.
You may discern it by these signs:
Sign. 1 1. Love is of little use and force with such spirits: They are under a spirit of bondage, chained up by their own fears, not moved by the great Gospel Motive,
(viz.) Mercy. 'Tis our
Rom. 12. 1. Duty to serve God with Reverence, and filial fear, but not with a servile and distrustful fear: a servile fear hath little of Grace in it,
Heb. 12. 28. much of Torment. We ought to fear God much, but to love him more; Love is the very life and soul of all Gospel-obedience.
Sign. 2 2. Restraining Grace doth not destroy sin, but only prohibit the acts of it.
Abimelechs lust was not mortified, when God with-held him from
Sarah, Gen. 20. 6. 'twas only suspended, not subdued, the heart was not renewed, though the action was curbed; as
Israel had an adulterous heart towards other Lovers, when their way was hedged up with
Hos. 2. 6. thorns: But when the Spirit of holinesse in power comes, he comes as a Spirit of Liberty.
2 Cor. 3. 17. He frees the soul from the servitude of base lusts, and mortifies them: and both strongly and sweetly turns, and enclines the
[Page 161] heart, to hate every false way, and to run the wayes of Gods Commandments with an enlarged
Psal. 119. 32. heart.
4. The fourth thing that looks like Sanctification, and yet is not, is common, or temporary grace. This is a distinct thing from all the rest, 'tis higher than all the former; it differs from Civility, because 'tis more Christian, and Evangelical; it differs from Formality, because that is in shew only, but this is a real work on the soul. 'Tis better than restraining grace, because that avoids sin, and performs Duties out of slavish fear, but this seemeth to have some affection for Christ, his Word, and Kingdom; 'tis good in it self, but not the best, not throughly sanctifying, and saving: this a man may have and yet fall away, and depart from God, so it was with the stony and thorny ground,
Matth. 13. This is the nearest to true Grace of all the former: of this the Apostle speaks,
Heb. 6. 4, 5. which is called an
enlightning, a
taste of Christ, and
of the powers of the world to come, and a
partaking of the Holy Ghost, (i. e.) of the common gifts of the Spirit, abilities for holy duties, great parts, &c. from whence I shall briefly note these three things.
1. Their light is not humbling. Knowledge puffeth up, love edifieth, 1
Cor. 8. 1. Foundations sink, that are not laid deep
[Page 162] enough; you can never magnifie Christ enough nor abase self enough, Christ is most magnified when self is most abased: This
Dagon
Isa. 2. 19. must fall down before the Ark, sound humiliation brings sure and solid Consolation; we must not rashly close with Christ in the pride of our hearts, as they did, but be sure we have depth of earth, broken and contrite spirits.
2. Their tast was not ravishing, nor encreasing, they had but loose, and slight desires after happiness, Glances upon the Glory of Heaven, and the comforts of the Gospel, and no more; just as
Balaam, Oh
that I might die the death of the Righteous, &c. and like that spiritual carnal Notion, (as a learned
Dr. Faller. man phraseth it),
Lord, evermore give us of this bread, John 6. 34. They were not serious desires, not holy breathings after Christ, proceeding from a sound principle, neither were they transforming, nor encreasing; the Saints that have a tast, groan for a full communion of Graces as well as Comforts: but in temporary Believers, there is a loose assent, some slight affection, profession for a while,
rejoicing in the light for a season, &c. But all at last (like Blazing Meteors) vanish, and come to nothing.
3. And lastly, In
Heb. 6. 4. it is said,
they
Vocat participationem Spiritus, quia is est, qui unicuique distribuit prout vult, quicquid est lucis, ac intelligentia, Calv. Heb. 6. 4
were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, (i. e.) of some gifts of the Holy Ghost; yea, perhaps those eminent Gifts, which in the Primitive times God imparted to his Disciples, 1
Cor. 12. 4.
[Page 163]
There are diversities of Gifts, but the same spirit.
Var iis d
[...]
[...]is spiritus sancti Deus ornabat fideles in primitiva Ecclesiâ, ut loqueuntur linguis, ut prophetarent. Cujusmodi enumerat Apostolus, 1 Cor, 12.
& 14. Pareus in loc.
Now these gifts of the Holy Ghost that hypocrites partake of, are not renewing, throughly sanctifying: they may have good abilites for the edification, and comfort of others, but in the mean time being unsanctified, they themselves may become Cast-awayes.
1 Cor. 9. 27.
Though a man could speak with the tongue of men, and Angels, yet having not charity, (true love to God) he were but as sounding Brass, and as a tinkling Cymbal, 1
Cor. 13. 1. A man may pray sweetly, preach excellently,
[...]alk of the things of God knowingly, and affectionately, yet All is but as
tinkling with
[...]d, if there be no saving Grace; Nay Belo
[...]ed, 'tis possible, a man may have the Spirit of God (in a sense), and yet be an Hypocrite, a Reprobate, and fall short of Heaven.
Quer.
May a man have the Spirit, and yet not throughly sanctified?
Answ. 1. A man, like
Saul, or
Balaam may have the Spirit transiently, but not abidingly,
* He is in all
per divinitatis praesentiam: in the Saints only
per inhabitationis gratiam. P. Lumb. 1 sect. dist. 17.
[...]or a time, but not for ever: A Formalist may have some glympses of the Spirit, like the glancing of the Sun-beams for a short time upon a Glass-window, but a Saint enjoyes his
[...]n-dwelling presence: the Spirit is in all, and so he may be in an hypocrite, by his divine presence, but not by in-habitation, he is in all,
[...]ut
be dwells in his Saints only.
2. 'Tis possible a man may have the Spirit only
[Page 164] as a spirit of Bondage, but a Saint only, hath the Spirit, as the spirit of Adoption,
Gal. 4. 5, 6. the legal operation of the Spirit, working fear and horror was in
Cain and
Judas: the Evangelical operation of the Spirit, working faith in God, love to God, boldness before God,
&c. this is in every sanctified soul, that shall be saved.
3. And lastly, To name no more, (for I
For further satisfaction, peruse Mr.
Burgesses Refinings. M.
Roberts Believers Evidences. Mr.
Meads Almost Christian, &c. John 3. 5. 2 Cor. 3. 18. judge in these three, lies the Characteristical difference between the Saints having the Spirit, and the unsanctified): an hypocrite may have the Spirit in some inferiour operation, but the Saint only in effectual Regeneration and spiritual Transformation: A man may have the Spirit, and not be born of the Spirit; A man may have the Spirit, as a spirit of sharp Conviction, but not as the spirit of compleat Conversion. The Spirit may be in a a man by way of common illumination, and yet not, by way of saving Sanctification; renewing the whole man, reforming the whole life,
Grace is
Conformitas cum Archetypo, a conformity of the soul with God; the Archetype (or first pattern.) 2 Cor. 7. 1. See Dr.
Go
[...]den's Childe of Light, &c.
Conforming, and
transforming both, into
the likeness of Jesus Christ.
This is the peculiar priviledge of the Saints; no sinner shall share in this favour; no stranger shall inter-meddle with this joy.
Finally (my Brethren) this Doctrine of Sanctification is not only essential to, but is of the very essence of your happiness: And the great and constant Duty you should be found in, is to
perfect holinesse in the fear of God. Some truths belong
ad bene esse, to the well and comfortable being of a Christian, as the
[Page 165] doctrine of Assurance of Gods love, peace of Conscience, joy in the holy Ghost,
&c. but sanctification belongs
ad esse, to the very being of Christianity, 'tis your
life both spiritual and eternal. If ye are not holy men, (my Brethren, ye are dead men, & will be damned men: no grace, no glory, no, nor the least comfortable
Heb. 12. 13. vision of God, or Heaven: wherefore let all labour, (as the wise King adviseth) to get wisdome,
Prov. 4. 7.
Wisdome (Grace, Holinesse) is
the principal thing, therefore get wisdome; and with all thy getting, get understanding. This is the one thing needful,
Luke 10.
ult. And let those that have received Grace, exercise and encrease it: Grace grows by its exercise, be
[...].
suppeditate sufficite suggerite. Beza. daily adding to your
faith vertue, and to vertue knowledge, &c. and that with all diligence, as ye are exhorted, 2
Pet. 1. 5, 6. be daily cleansing your selves from all filthiness in the Fountain of Christs blood, and in the Laver of the Promises; and
forgetting the things behind, be
Phil. 3. 14.
daily pressing on towards the mark for the prize of the High Calling of God in Christ Jesus. And daily keep
your Garments clean: and be alwayes ready for the coming of your Lord; that ye may be found of him without spot and blameless, enwrapped in his holiness.
For Conclusion, that ye may all so be, and do in the fear of God:
I commend ye to God, and
Acts 20. 32.
to the word of his Grace, which is able to build ye up, and to give ye an inheritance amongst all them that are sanctified. Amen, and Amen.
FINIS.
1 Cor. 1. 30.
‘But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us Wisdome, and Righteousnesse, and Sanctification, and Redemption.’
—And Righteousnesse.—
AT the Request of some serious Friends, I have Adventured to make this Discourse publick, which otherwise (for ought I know) had never seen the light. If any Illumination, Satisfaction, Confirmation, Consolation, or any spiritual Good any way shall accrew to them that read it: I shall, and will rejoice, Blesse, and praise the Father of Lights for it.
This Argument of Justification is as substantial, necessary, comfortable, and sweet a
Ac primum quidem de justificatione peccatoris corem Deo: qui locus in Theologiâ facile primarius, nobisque maxime salutaris est: quo obscurate, adulterato, vel everso, fieri nequit, ut puritas doctrinae in aliis locis retineatur, aut vera Ecclesia Consistat. Synop. Pur. Theol.
P. 434. Doctrine, as any in the whole circuit of Divinity; for,
whom he hath justified, them he hath
[Page 2]
also glorified, Rom. 8. 30. that is, they are as sure and certain of Heaven, as though they were already in it; Justification being the next
Christus factus est nobis sapientia, justitia, sanctificatio, & Redemptio, hoc est, sapientes, nos & justos, & sanctos, & liberos effecit. Theophylact. step, the next immediate link in that Golden Chain to Glorification.
Who of God is made unto us Righteousnesse,
[...], righteousness in the Abstract, that is, (saith
Theophylact), who hath made us righteous:
who is made unto us righteousnes, &c. He is made to us (saith
Pareus) not by Creation, but by Ordination: for Christ is not created or made as to his divine Essence, as Hereticks deprave this Scripture: but he is ordained, and bestowed upon us to confer these benefits; he is therefore said
to be made to us, according to those expressions,
Isa. 9. 6.
Factus est nobis, non creatione, sed ordinatione neque enim Christus creatus aut factus est, quoad Essentiam divinam,
[...]t haeretici depravant scripturam hanc: sed ordinatus, & donatus nobis, ad haec bona conferenda, ideo discitur factus nobis: sicut Isaiah 9. 6.
puer natus est nobis, Luke 2.
vobis natus est servator, id est, nostro bono. Pareus in loc.
To us a Childe is born, to us a Son is given; And
Luke 2,
To you is born a Saviour, that is for our good.
He is made of God to us, &c. that is, (saith
Factus est nobis sapientia a Deo, &c.
id est, qui datus est nobis a Deo, ut in ipso omnem sapientiam consequeremur, &c, idem de justitiâ, & sanctificatione statuendum est. Beza in loc.
Beza) who is given to us of God, that we might obtain all wisdome, righteousness, holiness,
&c. in him, and by him. All these interpretations, are significant and proper enough, but the last I best approve of, as the most genuine and consonant to the scope of the Text, and to the sense of the Apostle: only by the way note thus much, that by
righteousness
[Page 3] here, is, and must be meant the righteousness of justification; for the Apostle immediatly annexeth to
[...], importing the Righteousness of Sanctification, which is the very next word. My observation shall be this:
Jesus Christ was given of God to be our Righteousness, (or for our justification.)
In the prosecution of this precious and weighty Doctrine. I shall endeavour,
- 1. To prove the Point.
- 2. To open the meaning of the word
Justifie.
- 3. To shew what the justification of a sinner before God, is.
- 4. What are the essential parts of our justification.
- 5. The several Causes of our justification.
- 6. The Fruits and Consequences of our justification.
- 7. And lastly, Close all with a brief Application for proof.
1. Jesus Christ was decreed, designed, ordained, and determined to be his peoples righteousness, propitiation, and redemption: the justification and redemption of a sinner is according to Gods purpose, and grace, given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, 2
Tim. 1. 9. which according to the immutability of his Counsel was in the fulness of time accomplisht. That in
Daniel is very emphatical,
Dan. 9: 34.
To bring in everlasting righteousness; 'tis in the original, a
Righteousness of Eternities: So in
Heb. 9. 12. it it said, that
[Page 4]
Christ obtained eternal Redemption for us. Our Redemption, or Righteousness may be called
Eternal
a parte ante, & a parte post.
Eternal, upon a double accompt:
1.
Eternal, in reference to the eternal Decree of God, and so a Righteousness from Eternity.
2.
External, in reference to the everlasting duration of the vertue of it; the great and glorious Benefits that accrue to Believers by vertue of this Righteousness, extend their vertue, continue their influence throughout the endless duration of Eternity. 'Tis a Righteousness from all Eternity, and a Righteousness unto all Eternity,
Rom. 3. 25.
Whom God hath set forth (from everlasting, or fore-appointed)
to be a propitiation through faith in his
[...].
quem proposuit Deus propitiationem. Montan.
blood, to declare his righteousness, &c. Christ was
A Lamb slain from the beginning of the world, Rev. 13. 8.
(viz.) in the eternal purpose and Decree of God.
2. Consider Christs glorious Name. This is his Name wherewith he shall be called,
the Lord our Righteousness, Jer. 23. 6. This is like his other Name
Jesus, the same in substance with this,
Matth. 1. 21. by the Oracle of an Angel, his Name must be called
Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins, (i. e.) from the power, guilt, and condemnation of sin.
3. 'Tis the office of Jesus Christ as our High Priest, to be our Righteousness. Jesus Christ was
[...]: he was our Redeemer, the price of our Redemption, a Counter-price; our Redemption and revocation
[Page 5] from Captivity, he was both the propitiatory and propitiation; he was Priest, he was Altar, he was Sacrifice, he was All in All, to
Jam fructum ostendit quem ex Christi sacrificio consequuti sumus, nimirum ut justi coram Deo essemus, qui naturâ impuri, & peccatores sumus. Marlorat. in 2 Cor. 5. 21.
make us the righteousness of God in him, 2 Cor. 5.
ult. that is, that we who are impure sinners by nature, through the sacrifice of Christ, might become righteous before God.
He is our Advocate, and propitiation Jesus
1 Joh. 2. 2. Christ the Righteous; yea, he is our
[...], our propitiatory, or placatory, alluding
Rom. 3. 25. to the Mercy-seat. He is our Passeover sacrificed
1 Cor. 5. 7. for us; he is the Lamb of God slain for us, that the wrath of God might pass over,
1 Pet. 1. 18. and pass away for ever from us, and not fall down upon our heads: if your hearts and Consciences are sprinkled with the blood of Christ, as the Door-posts of the Children of
Israel were with the blood of the Paschal-lamb,
Exod. 12. 7 the wrath of God will for ever pass by you, and not pass upon you. Thus Jesus Christ is a merciful and faithful High-priest,
Heb. 2. 17. merciful to us in misery, pittying us in our guilt and blood, faithful to God, and to us also in the faithful discharge of his Priestly Office for us; in being our Price, our Ransom, in discharging our Bond, in pacifying the Fathers wrath, in satisfying divine Justice, in finishing Transgression, in making an end of sin, in bringing in everlasting Righteousnesse, and so in bringing us to God.
1 Pet. 3. 18. Now as he is our merciful and faithful High
[Page 6] Priest: so he is our Righteousnesse, (1) our Justifyer, endowing us with a perfect Righteousness
Justitia, hoc est, justificator noster, donans nos vera justitiâ coram Deo per fidem. Ad sacerdotale munus Christi hoc pertinet. Pareus in 1 Cor. 1. 30. before God through faith; this belongs to the Priestly Office of Christ.
Jesus Christ is the Author, or the procuting cause of our justification, as he is the Author of our eternal Salvation. And this he
Heb. 5. 9. doth two wayes:
1. By making an Atonement for us on Earth.
2. By making intercession for us in Heaven: He hath made reconciliation for us by his blood upon the Crosse,
Rom. 5. 10. and he doth continue to make intercession for us by the prevalent and loud cryes of the same blood in Heaven,
Heb. 12. 24. He is gone up to Heaven to appear in the presence of God for us; just as
Aaron (a type of Christ)
Exod.
Heb. 9. 24. 28. 12, 29. and 30.
verses, was to bear the name of the children of
Israel (a figure of all the Elect of God) engraven in precious stones upon his Shoulders, and upon his Heart, when he went into the holy Place, for a memorial before the Lord continually. So our Lord Christ is entred into the Heavens, with red and glorious Garments, to appear in the presence of God for us: there is not the least Believer but his name is (as it were) engraven upon the Shoulders, Breast-plate, and Heart of Christ. Of all cryes the cryes of blood are the strongest, the loudest, whether for, or against
[Page 7] a guilty person.
Abels blood cryed aloud to God for vengeance, but this blood of
Gen. 4. 10. sprinkling speaketh better things than that of
Abels: it pleads, sues, presses hard for a discharge from all thy sins, and enemies: it cryes aloud for mercy, peace and pardon. Lord (saith Christ) here is my price, and my purchase, my Redemption, and my redeemed Ones; here is my Righteousness, and here are the persons justified by it: whatever charge or guilt lyes upon them, here are the shoulders that have sustained the weight of thy wrath, which was their due, upon these shoulders, and in this heart, thou mayest behold all their names engraven, acquit and absolve them for my sake; Father, I will that they be righteous by my Righteousness, and glorious with my Glory; My tears, my stripes, my wounds, my groans, my anguish, my Blood, the tortures of my Body, the torments of my Soul do all pray, and plead prevailingly, that all believing sinners be justified, and saved. Thus Christ appears in Heaven, with red Garments, with Garments rolled in blood, and with the
whites of peace, pardon, justification, and absolution upon the red: with all the names of his justified, sanctified ones engraven upon his shoulders, and upon his heart before the Lord continually, to present his everlasting Righteousness to the Father for us, to present our persons as righteous, and spotless, enwrap'd in that glorious Robe of Righteousness, and to impropriate and apply his everlasting Righteousness▪ to us.
Thus I have proved, that Christ is our Righteousness.
2. We come in the next place to open the
Vox justificandi
[...]
& inde justificationis,
[...],
propriè, & fere semper forinseca, & forensis actio est, judicis, & judicii, scilicet in rei absolutione, condemnationi opposita. Synop.
Pur. Theol. p. 434.
Justificare absolvere à est, morte, non condemnare. Syntag. Polan. p. 455. meaning of the word
(justifie.)
Justification is a Law-state, and the words
[...], and
[...] (from
[...]) are
verba forensia, or judicial, or Court-Terms, taken from Courts of Justice: It imports the absolution of a guilty person, the word
justification, is in holy Writ opposed to
condemnation. To justifie, saith
Polanus, is to absolve from death, not to condemn.
Though
justificare sometimes may note as much as
justum facere: if you respect the notation of the Latin word, as
magnificare importeth to magnifie, or make great; neither is it to be doubted, but that the Lord doth constitute, or make those just, whom he justifieth, they are just, both by the imputation of Christs Righteousness, which is out of them in Christ, as being his personal righteousness, and by infusion of righteousness, as it were by influence into them from Christ their Head; to the faithful belongs a two-fold Righteousness, the one of Justification, the other of Sanct
[...]fication: I shall make it evident (saith the
Reverend
Downam's
Treatise of Justification. p. 2, 3. learned Bishop
Downame) that the Hebrew
Hitsdi
(que) and the Greek
[...] is,
verbum forense, a judicial word taken from Courts of justice, which being attributed to the Judge is
[Page 9] opposed to Condemnation, and signifieth, to absolve, or to give sentence with the party
Justificare est justum reputare, justum pronunciare. questioned. Thus far he. So that to justifie both from Scriptures and the writings of the Fathers, is as much as to absolve, or a quit a believing sinner from guilt, and condemnation, and to accept him as righteous through the righteousness of Jesus Christ. To justifie, is to repute, and pronounce a man just or righteous. Justification is opposed to Condemnation,
Rom. 8. 33.
it is God that justifies,
[...], not one condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus. Rom. 8. 1. i. e. acquits, absolves,
who shall condemn? so the word is taken,
Deut. 25. 1. The Judges are commanded to justifie the righteous, and to condemn the wicked: likewise,
Prov. 17. 15. he that justifies the wicked, and condemns the righteous, they are both an abomination to the Lord. So also is this word taken in a Law sense,
Psalm 143. 2.
Lord enter not into judgement with thy servant, for in thy sight shall no man be justified. Rom. 5. 16.
Judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free Gift is of many offences to justification. Now the Scripture speaks of a righteousness of the Cause, and of a righteousness of the Person.
1. Of the Cause, When a man in other
1.
Justitia Causae. respects sinful, may be said in this, or that particular cause, or matter to be innocent, or just: as in the case of
Abimelech, touching the
Gen. 20. 5. matter of
Sarah; he pleads the integrity of his heart, and the innocency of his hands,
&c.
2. Of the Person. That is the universal
2.
Justitia Personae. conformity of the whole man, and of all his actions to the holy Law of God, and this twofold:
[...]
[...]
1. Legal, By the Law and the works thereof, hereby the Man Christ Jesus, and none
Hac justificatione Angeli sancti fruuntur. Polan. Mat. 3. 15. Rom. 8. 3, 4. but he on earth, was in a strict sense legally just and righteous, he only fulfilled all righteousness, even the righteousness of the whole Law, and the Holy Angels are thus justified.
2. Evangelical, That (in short) is this: through faith in Christs righteousness a believing sinner is justified before God,
in foro coeli,
Rom. 5. 1.
Finis perficiens non interficiens. in the Court of Heaven: And Christ is the end of the Law for righteousness to every one that believeth,
Rom. 10. 4. we ought directly to go to Christ for justification, and not to go back to
Moses; by him all that believe, are justified from all things, from which ye could not be
Acts 13. 38, 39.
justified by the Law of Moses; a sense whereof a believer hath more or lesse,
in foro Conscientia, in his own conscience:
Rom. 14. 17.
The kingdome of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the holy Ghost, Rom. 5. from the 12. to the end, proves at large our sole and whole justification by the righteousness of One, even Jesus Christ. In a word, the Lord accepteth, and reputeth a guilty unworthy sinner (yet believing) as righteous, by the free imputation of the righteousness of Christ unto him.
Thus much for the Terms
(Justifie) and
(Justification.)
3. We come in the third place to the definition of
Justification. I am not ignorant, that
[Page 11] the definitions thereof are many, but the most clear and comprehensive I take to be this:
What is Justification?
Answ.
Justification is a most merciful and
Definition of justification. righteous Action of God as Judge, whereby, imputing the righteousness of Christ to a believing sinner, he absolveth him from his sins, and accepteth of him as righteous in Christ, and as an heir of eternal life, to the praise and glory of his own mercy and justice. All which (at leastwise for the most part) is comprehended in,
Rom. 3. 23, 24, 25, 26.
I do not intend at this time to prosecute the parts of this Definition at large, but only speak to two things
in transicu:
1. The justification of a sinner is an Act of God, as Lord, Law-giver, and Judge,
Rom. 8,
Opera Trinitatis ad extra sunt. indivisa. 33.
it is God that justifieth, the whole Trinity, Father, Son, and Spirit,
Jam. 4. 12. There is one Law-giver, who is able to save and to destroy: none but the offended Majesty can pardon mans offences; 'Tis the injured Deity that saith,
I even, I am he, that blotteth out thy Transgressions, for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins, Isa. 43. 25. O glorious and gracious Word! Hee that will by no meanes clear the guilty, having received satisfaction in his Son, by the imputation of his Sons righteousness justifies the ungodly, acquits them from the guilt of sin, and accepts them as righteous
Rom. 4. 5. in his sight.
2. The righteousness of justification
(qua
[...]us justification) works not a real inherent
[...]hange in us, which is done in sanctification,
[Page 12] but makes a relative change without us, and upon us, as it is a judicial act of God, an act of God as Law-giver and Judge, in opposition to Condemnation. Justification makes a relative change or mutation, in respect of a mans estate or condition: a guilty person is pronounced righteous, the sinful Debtor is discharged; and Enemy is now reconciled, a miserable captive is redeemed, a childe of wrath is made a Son of God, and an unworthy worm an heir of Glory. These are relative mutations, though they that are justified, are also together sanctified; in order of Time these acts of grace are wrought together, but in order of Nature justification is the Antecedent, and sanctification is the Consequent; and mark it, where justification changeth a mans Relation (to God, and Eternity) there sanctification changeth a mans disposition, and renews the soul with inward holiness: both are the sacred effluxes from Christs righteousness; the first is wrought by the righteousness of Christ imputed, the other by the righteousness of Christ imparted; one by Christs personal righteousness, the other by way of influence, and infusion from
Christ is both
caput eminentiae, & caput influentiae. Christ as Head. Wee ought to take great heed least we confound justification with sanctification, as
Bellarmine, and the Papists do.
4. In the fourth place, we come to shew the essential parts of our justification, and these are two:
- 1. Absolution from sin.
- 2. Acceptation as righteous in Christ.
Both which, the Lord granteth by the plenary, and perfect satisfaction made to his Law and justice by Jesus Christ, both our Surety, and Mediatour: by which he satisfied the Law in both parts:
1. He satisfied the Law in respect of the penalty, by his Passion, or passive righteousness, undergoing the Curse for us,
Gal. 3. 13.
2. He satisfied the Law in respect of the Precept by his perfect active righteousnesse, habitual and actual: but neither of these can be severed any where from the other: And
Rom 3. 4. these which God hath so indissolvably joined, let no man put assunder, each hath its proper interest in, and respective contribution toward the satisfying the injured honour of Gods Law; for the honour of Gods Law is the equity of both its parts, its Command, and its threatning. Christs active righteousness, the obedience of the Great God-man, hath honoured the equity of the first,
(viz.) repaired the honour of Gods Commandments, broken by sinful man. And his passive righteousness in like manner, honours the equity of the Threatning; Christ himself dies, to justifie that the sinner is worthy of Death; and by offering up himself as a sacrifice on the Crosse, he proclaims to all the world, that sin is exceeding sinful, and that God is exceeding jealous. Again, Consider, Christs
See
Wallebius his
Body of Divinity, with the Notes of Mr.
Rosse p. 109. active Righteousness was every where passive, (the distinction of active and passive is needless) and his passive righteousness every where active.
[Page 14] 1. His active Righteousnesse was every where passive, because all of it was done in the form of a Servant: in our nature he obeyed
Christs obedience is an active Passion, and a passive Action.
ibid. the Law, in his very incarnation he was passive, for therein he suffered an ecclipse of the glory of his God-head.
2. His Passive Righteousness was every where active; because what he suffered, was not by constraint, or against his will, it was his own voluntary act and deed, all along he eyed his Fathers Glory, and the good of man-kind; Ah! take that instance, the Greatest of his sufferings, his very dying was the product, both of the freeness of his love, and of the majesty of his power,
John 10. 17, 18.
Revel. 1. 5. Read those melting Texes, and chew the Cud upon them. But to return. The Law hath two branches:
- 1. The Commination, or the Curse.
- 2. The Precept, or Commandment: so there are two parts of justification.
1. Absolution from the Curse of the Law, this is done by Christs sufferings: the
Prince of Life dyed, the
Lord of Glory became a Curse for us.
2. Acceptation as righteous in Christ, this is done by the imputation of Christs perfect righteousness to us, both habitual and actual. Thus
Rom. 8. 3, 4. Rom. 5. 17, 18. Jesus Christ is the end of the Law for righteousness to every one that believeth, for to them that believe in him he hath fulfilled all righteousness: but I must confess, by reason of the most strict Connexion between these two,
(viz.) imputation of righteousness and remission
[Page 15] of sins, the one doth comprehend or conclude the other: as
Rom. 4. 22. and justifification,
Propter arctissimam
[...],
una alteram Complectitur
[...];
quamvis, justificatio
[...]
in peccatorum remissione Constituatur. Synop. Pur. Theol. p. 436.
justificatio peccatoris, est remissio peccatorum, figuratè nimirum & metonimicè loquendo, quia remissio peccatorum est causa formalis justificationis peccatoris, &c. Syntag. Polan.
p. 445.
[...] is oftentimes placed in the remission of sins: as
Psalm 32. 1.
Rom. 4. 7.
We are justified by Christs obedience, both active and passive: but I confess chiefly by the latter: The Scripture in many places seems to lay the stress principally (or at least synechdochically) upon the Blood, the Death, the Crosse of Christ,
Ephes. 1. 7.
Heb. 9. 12, 14.
Rom. 5. 10.
Ephes. 2. 13.
Col. 2. 13, 14.
Revel. 1, 5, 6.
Rom. 5. 8, 9.
Cum multis aliis, &c.
Before I proceed to the fifth General propounded to be spoken to, I think it not unnecessary to enquire, what is the form of Christs
Forma dat esse. satisfaction, which renders it satisfactory to God, and justificatory to man? I answer, The infinite merit of what he did and suffered: which infinite Merit stands.
1. In the dignity of his Person, the fulness of the God-head dwelt in him bodily,
Col. 2. 9, 14. Now for the work of a servant to be don by the Lord of all, renders his active; and for him to suffer as a Malefactor between Malefactors, who was
God blessed for evermore, Renders his passive righteousness infinitely meritorious; No wonder the blood of Christ
Acts 20. 28. 1 Joh. 1. 7.
cleanseth from all sin, for it is
the blood of God,
[Page 16] by the figure, called by the Ancients
[...], Communication of properties: the blood of the Man Christ Jesus, is called
the blood of God. And this is the reason, why the righteousness of one, redounds to all (the Elect) for the justification of life,
Rom. 5. 18, 19. The doings and sufferings of this Glorious Person
the Lord our righteousnesse, (though for a few years) were infinitely of more value, than all, that all the creatures in Heaven or Earth could have done or suffered to eternity;
Heb. 16. the very Man
Christ Jesus is above all the Angels, for he is the Man Gods fellow, an high Word. And this infinite worthiness
Zech. 13. 7. of the Redeemers Person ye have excellently described, as the irradiating and infinitely exalting all he did and suffered. Consult these Texts,
Heb. 1. 1, 2, 3.
Phil. 2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.
2. The righteousness of Jesus Christ is of infinite merit, and a meer supererogation of an infinitely Glorious Person.
1. His active Righteousness stood in his obedience to the Ceremonial and Moral Law.
1. His obedience to the ceremonial Law, was a meer supererogation; What? for the substance to comply with the shadows? for the Anti-type to do homage to its own Types? besides, he submitted to those Ordinances, the end and institution whereof supposeth Guilt; what sore-skin of iniquity had he to be cut off by circumcision? what filth to be wash't away in Baptism? yet he was circumcised
Luke 1. 21. 22. Luk, 3. 21. and baptized, and his Mother offered for her purification.
[Page 17] 2. His obedience to the moral Laws; Although it must be granted as man, it was his duty, yet it was not his duty to become man;
Gal. 4. 4. his incarnation was a work of supererogation, the Law did never command that the eternal Son of the living God should take upon him the form of a Servant, keep the Law, suffer and die. This condescention of his was wholly free and arbitrary; what but his own infinite love could move the eternal Word to pitch his Tent in our Nature? What else could move the Lord of the World to become a servant? the Antient of Dayes to become a Childe? or the Son of God to be the Son of
Mary?
And as his Active, so also his passive righteousnesse was a meet supererogation. What had divine Justice to do with the holy Childe Jesus? Had it not been for his own eternal compact with the Father: he was a sinlesse Person, the Lamb of God without spot; he suffered not for himself,
he that knew no sin
Dan. 9. 26.
was made sin for us, (i. e.) a sacrifice for our sins,
that we might be made the righteousness of God in him, 2 Cor. 5. 21.
3. The stamp of Gods Appointment highly dignifies (as to us) Christs righteousness, and renders it acceptable to God, and meritorious for our benefit. The Assignment and appointment of God the Father sets a great value on it;
God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing to men their trespasses, 2
Cor. 5. 19. the reconciliation, or justification of a sinner, is as much the Fathers
[Page 18] as the Sons Act. Christ frequently declares in the Gospel of
John, that he came
John 6. into the world, to do the will of him that sent him. Christ received his mission and Commission from the Father for our justification. Mark that notable place,
Heb. 10. 6, 7, 9, 10.
In burnt-offerings, and sacrifices for sins, thou hast had no pleasure (the Lord did not delight in the blood of Bulls, Goats or Calves, those bruitish sacrifices):
vers. 7. then, said l, (the words of Christ)
Lo I come, (in the Volume of the Book it is written of me) to doe
Thy Will, O God. Mark that,
ver. 9. Then, said he,
lo, I come to do thy will: (O God)
He taketh away the first, the first sort of sacrifices,
that he may establish the second, (viz.)—sacrifice of his Son,
vers. 10. by
the which Will, we are sanctified,
(i. e.) saved,
through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Some
Dr.
Owen, in his
Death of Deaths: and Mr.
Caryl, in his Lectures on
Job. of our Great Divines judiciously judge, that much of the merit of Christs Passion doth arise from the eternal Compact, and assignment of the Father, (not excluding the other considerations). Now we pass on.
5. To the fifth
Query, and that is this,
what are the severall causes concurring to our justification?
A. I answer, The causes of our justification are these four chiefly:
- 1. The Efficient.
- 2. The Material.
- 3. The Formal.
- 4. The finall Cause.
1. The Efficient cause, and that is two-fold, either principal, or instrumental.
1. The principal. God, the whole Trinity, Father, Son, and Spirit. Justification being an outward action,
ad extra, respecting the creatures, is the common Act of the whole Trinity. God, (the whole Trinity) doth justifie as Law-giver, and Judge,
Jam. 4. 12. There is one Law-giver able to save, and to destroy, he is the Judge of all the Earth; by sin we became Gods Doctors, and owed him many thousand Talents, Christ our Surety payes our Debts, and God dischargeth us; by sin we were enemies and ungodly, Christ our Mediatour reconciles us enemies, and justifies
In summa, nemo ad fidei justitiam perveniet, nis
[...] qui in se erit impius. Calv. in Rom. 4. 5. us, by Nature ungodly, yea, God in Christ reconciles us to himself, not imputing to us our trespasses, 2
Cor. 5. 19. And this is both a gracious, and a righteous Act of God;
1. A gracious act,
Rom. 3. 25. we are justified freely by his Grace, 2
Tim. 1. 9.
Ephes. 2. 5. we are saved by Grace.
2. A righteous act of God: hereby he eminently declares his Righteousness,
Rom. 3. 26. the Apostle brings it in with an ingemination,
to declare, I say, his righteousnesse, that he might be just, and the justifier of him that believeth in Jesus; the righteousness of Christ making plenary, yea redundant, and superabundant satisfaction to offended justice; his justice being satisfied, yea, honoured with Christs righteousness. Now, he is not only merciful, but also
faithful and just to forgive us our sins, 1
John 1. 7. Now there is a blessed Harmony between the divine Attributes: righteousness and mercy do sweetly embrace
[Page 20] and kiss each other, the Glory of both shine forth most illustriously in, and by the bloody passion of the Son of God.
Now the Acts of God, the principal Efficient cause are to be distinguished according to the distinction of the three persons.
1. The Father justifies, as the primary Cause and Authour: he gave his only begotten Son for our justification and salvation,
John 3. 16.
2. The Father justifies as Legislatour, enacting by his Soveraign Authority, that sweet Law of the New Covenant, by vertue whereof, every believing sinner is justified from the guilt of sin, from which he could not be justified by the Law of
Moses. This Law of justification by Faith is Gods own act and Deed,
Acts 13. 38. 39. the great
Iustrumentum pacis betwen God and man: the Tenour of the Gospel (our
Magna Charta) runs, that he that believeth shall be saved.
3. The Father justifies as a Judge, in absolving those that believe, and in pronouncing them just in Christ, and that in three respects:
1. God justifies a believing sinner upon his
1 God justifies upon believing actually. believing actually: by Faith we are thus justified,
Rom. 5. 1.
Gal. 3. 8. By believing he hath a Title good in Law, an indefesible right to all the promises of the Covenant, God then owns, and approves of him as a person justified.
2. At the moment of dissolution God justifies
2. Particularly at Death. Heb. 12. 23. a Believer particularly. (as the
Judge of all, and the
Judge of all the Earth); passing a
[Page 21] particular private Sentence of everlasting life upon every believing Soul.
3. Eminently at the Day of Judgment,
3. Eminently at the day of judgment. God justifies at the last day, by the man Christ Jesus. Act. 17. 31. when the Antient of Dayes shall take the Throne, when the Son of Man appearing in power and great Glory, shall in open Court before all the world by publick Sentence, for ever acquit and discharge Believers at that solemn and Great Day.
Thus the Father justifies.
2. Jesus Christ the Son justifies, as the Mediatour and meritorious Cause of our justification, and that in two respects:
1. As our Surety he paid our Debt, and
Christ is both:
[...], and:
[...], a Surety and a Mediatour.
[...],
redemptionis precium. as our Redeemer he laid down the price of our Redemption,
Rom. 3. 23. wee are justified freely by the Grace of God, and yet through the redemption that is in Christ. His blood was the
[...], the price of our redemption,
Ephes. 1. 7. in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgivenesse of sins, according to the riches of his Grace; he is the Mediatour of reconciliation between God and Man.
2. Christ justifies as our Advocate and Intercessor, presenting our persons, pleading our cause, prevailing with his Father by the speakings of his blood, that the vertue of his merits may be applied to us,
Rom. 8. 34.
It is God that justifies, who shall condemn? 'tis
Christ that died, yea, rather that is risen again, who also maketh intercession for us: there is
a rather put upon the resurrection, and ascention of Christ, 1
John 2. 2. we have an
Advocate with the Father,
[Page 22]
Jesus Christ the righteous. Thus Christ justifies.
3. The Spirit justifies as the Applicatory Cause, he doth reveal and apply to us the righteousness of Christ for our justification.
1. The Spirit, as the Spirit of Wisdome and Revelation reveals, and discovers this Robe of Glory to us, this Garment of Salvation: Though the Father hath given the Son, and the Son hath given himself for our righteousness, yet 'tis the Spirit that applyes this righteousness: Revelation and Application is his peculiar Office.
2. As the Spirit of Regeneration working in us the grace of Faith, which is one of the
Directly. fruits of the Spirit, whereby we receive and apprehend Christ the Lord our righteousness,
Causae Causae est etiam, causa Causati. unto our justification in the Court of Heaven: the Spirit justifieth as he is the cause of the cause. the Author of Faith that justifies.
3. As a Spirit of Adoption, by confirming
Reflectively. our Faith, by working in us the assurance of our justification, by sealing us up unto the day of Redemption, the Spirit it self beareth witness with our spirits, that we are the children of God,
Rom. 8. 16, 17. Thus the righteousness of God by the revelation of the Spirit is revealed from Faith to Faith,
Rom. 1. 17.
Thus much for the principal efficient cause.
2. The instrumental or ministring causes are the Word of God, and Faith.
1. The ministry of the Word, is the instrumental cause on Gods part,
faith cometh by
The Gospel is
manus Dei offerentis.
hearing, and hearing by the Word, Rom. 10. 17.
[Page 23] and in
Gal. 3. 2. the Gospel is called the
hearing of Faith. God in his Word by his Ministers, doth as it were beseech sinners to be reconciled to him, 2
Cor. 5. 19, 20. The Word of God is the
vehiculum spiritus, the Charriot of the Spirit, wherein he rides: the Word is the Wardrope, wherein this glorious Robe of
Isa. 61. 10. Matth. 14. 44. Righteousness is laid up, 'tis the goodly Field wherein this heavenly treasure is to be found.
2. The second instrumental cause is Faith:
Faith is
manus accipientis. Faith is the hand of the Soul, whereby we receive Christ, and apply his righteousnesse,
John 1. 12. Faith justifies,
Rom. 5. 1. But how
*
Non
[...] 1.
Primo, & per se, ut qualitas propri
[...] aut motus, actio vel vel passio, aut opus aliquod bonum, & eximii precii, quasi ipsa sit justitia, aut ejus pars, aut etiam justitiae loco, ex censu, & estimatione Dei, sed
[...],
secundario, & secundum aliud, nempe ut modus medium & instrumentum ceu oculus & manus qua Christi, ejus
(que) participes reddimur, adeoque relativè ad objectum Iesum ipsius justitiam, & promissiones gratiae. Synop. Pur. Theol.
p. 442. doth faith justifie? Faith justifies, as one expresseth it
vi legis latae, as it is our evangelical righteousness, or our keeping the Gospel Law; Faith pretends to no merit, nor vertue of its own, but professedly avows its dependance upon the merit of Christs satisfaction, as our legal righteousness, on which it layeth hold; its excellency ariseth from
Gods Sanction, who made choyce of this act of Believing to the honour of
Justification, because it layes the creature low, and so highly exalteth Christ. The Act of believing is as the Silver: Gods Authority in the Gospel-Sanction, is as the Kings Image stampt upon it; which gives it all its value as to justification, without this stamp, it could never have been currant. Faith doth not justifie as an habit, act, work, or quality, (as the Papists say) but as an instrument
[Page 24] or hand to receive Christ and his righteousness;
*
Undè fides imputatur ad justitiam, ut Paulus
loquitur. Rom 4. 5.
Non quatenus est qualit as nobis inhaerens, nec quatenus est opus, multo minus quatenus est meritum, sed metonymid adjuncti correlativè intellectâ per vocem fidel justitia Christi, quâm fides apprehendit, ut patet ex codem. cap. 4. v. 11, 13. And again,
nec quatenus est cultus Dei, & radix omnium aliorum bonorum operum: sed quatenus nos Christo conglutina: & unum cum illo facti, participatione justitiae ej
[...] f
[...]uamur. Polan. p. 456. Faith is an empty and a naked thing without its Object. Faith puts on this Robe of Glory, and wraps the Soul in it; but 'tis this glorious Robe, Christs righteousness that justifies. 'Tis very certain, that the To
credere cannot, doth not justifie, as
Socinus, and
Arminius teach, it doth: 'Tis true, 'tis said,
Rom. 4. 5.
Faith is imputed for righteousnesse, and is accepted of God through Christ for the performance of the whole Law: but this is to be understood metonimically, and relatively in respect of Christ the object of faith, who is the end and perfection of the Law to them that believe, by fulfilling the righteousness of the Law for them. Faith invites a Soul to Christ, brings it into Union with his Person, and so into communion of his righteousness.
And then for works: what shall we say of them? The Apostle is peremptory and absolute in his Conclusion,
Rom. 3. 28. Therefore we conclude, that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the Law. So also,
Gal. 2. 16.
Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, &c. that is, by the works which Christ hath done in our stead, by the obedience of Christ, which we apply to our selves by Faith alone: saith
Polanus.
*
[...]
scripserit Paulus
pro
[...]
sicut etiam accipitur. Matth. 12. 4. 1 Cor. 7. 17. Beza in
loosed tanium per fidem Iesu Christi: hoc est per opera qua Christu
[...] loco nostre fecit, per obedientiam Christi quam solâ fide nobis applicamus. Polan.
Faith justifies a sinner before God, and works justifie Faith, and demonstrate to the world, and to our own consciences that our faith is not dead and barren, but
(Jam. 2. 4.) Living, because fruitful;
[...]aith as working, doth not justifie, but sound justifying faith is a working faith.
2. VVe come to consider the essential material cause of our justification, that very thing, which is our righteousness, which God imputeth to us, and accepteth on our behalf.
To this I answer. 1. Negatively, what it
1. Negatively. is no.
1. It cannot be our own righteousness inherent in us, because inchoate and imperfect,
justitiam, qua-coram Tribunali Dei Consistimus, perfectam omnibus numeris partibus, & gradibus esse necesse est-Quid enim ex se agere poterat, ut semel amissam justitiam recuperaret,
[...]omo servus peccati vinctus Diaboli? assignata est proinde aliena qui caruit su
[...]. Bernard. and the righteousness of justification, must be most absolute & perfect,
by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified, (1) no meer man,
Rom. 3. 20. We may therefore cry out with
Bernard; what is man that is a servant of sin, a Bondslave of the Devil, able of himself to do, for the recovery of righteousness once lost? there is therefore the righteousness of another assigned to him, who hath lost his own.
2. Nor secondly is it the righteousness of Christ, meerly and solely (as man) considered: though that was pure and spotless, yet it was not infinite, and meritorious; for Christ taking upon him an humane nature, was bound to keep the the Law,
being made of a woman, he was also
[Page 26] made under the Law; under the Covenant of Works: the obedience of Christ meerly as
Gal. 4. 3, 4 man, had been no work of supererogation as to us, it would have served to justify himself; but without the personal Union, there would have been no redundancy, or over-flowing of merit in it, to justify those millions of guilty miscreants, who through the infinite
Non propter seipsum, sed propter nostram salutem, & ab demolitionem mortis, & Condemnationem, Christus Advenit. Athanas. Orat.
Tertia contra Arrian. gr
[...]ce of the Father by the blood of the Son are justified. Wherefore Christ came not for himself, but for our salvation,
&c. saith
Athanasius.
2. It is not the Essential Righteousness of
Non est essentialis justitia Dei, ut Andreas Osiander
contendebat, Cujus errorem refutavit. Calvin.
Institut. tertio libro. the God-head, not that righteousness wherewith God is righteous, 'tis not the righteousness of Christ as God solely, though it is called
the righteousness of God, 2
Cor. 5. 21.
Rom. 1. 17. and so called, because 'tis the righteousness of him, who is truly God, as well as truly man, in one person: and 'tis the righteousness which God appointeth, and ac
[...]p
[...]eth for our justication. But it is not the Essential uncreated righteousness of God, which being the Essence of God, cannot be communicated to any creature, much less can it become the accidental righteousness of any creature.
2. Positively, that which is our righteousness
2. Positively. for justification. It is the most Adeq
[...]ate and perfect obedience of Jesus Christ the Mediatour God-man to the whole Law of
[Page 27] God. Gonsisting in a most exact conformity of his whole humane Nature with all its actions
Justitia Iesu Christi, per quam justificamur coram Deo, est perfectissima totius leg is divinae obedientia, consistens in exactissimâ totius naturae Humane Christi, omaiumque Actionum, & passionum ejus internarum, & externarum conformitate, cum tota lege Dei, quam loco nostro perfectissime implevit, ut nobis a morte aeternâ liberationem, & jus vitae aeternae acquireret. Syntag Polan.
p. 457. and passions thereunto: whereby, both actively, and passively he fulfill'd the Law most perfectly.
For proof you may please to read,
Rom. 8. 3, 4.
Gal. 4. 3, 4.
Rom. 5. 16, 17, 18, 19.
For as by one mans disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous, vers. 19. O Believers, this Garment of Sun-beams wrought out for ye by the Sun of righteousness, must needs be glorious: if ye consider,
1. That Christs humane Nature was never stained neither with original, nor actual sin: for by his divine Conception by the Holy Ghost, he received of his Virgin Mother, a pure un-deflowred, Virgin Nature, which all along he kept immaculate.
2. The Humane nature in him is dignified with Union to the Divine, to the second person in the Trinity, in which it doth subsist; as God descended to the lowest to become man, so now man,
(viz.) the humane Nature ascendeth to the highest, to be personally one with God. 'Tis the righteousness of Christ the Mediatour
[...] God-man, in one person, though inherent in the Humane
[Page 28] Nature, and performed by it. And this is that which, by communication of properties, gives infinite value, vertue, and eternal efficacy to the obedience of Jesus Christ; wherefore '
[...]is called
the righteousness of God. This I must profess to be the chief stay of my faith, and the principal foundation of my comfort, that
He is Jehovah our righteousness, Jer. 23. 6. that he who is God blessed for ever, is
the root and off spring of David; that
Rom. 9. 5. 'tis the
Prince of Life that died, Acts 3. 15. that the
Lord of Glory was crucified, 1 Cor. 2. 8. that, that blood, which is the price of my redemption and justification is the blood of God; that he that was
in the form of God, and thought
Acts 20. 28.
it no robbery to be equal with God did humble himself, and became obedient to the death of the Crosse for me, which whole humiliation
Phil. 2. 6, 8 Gal. 2. 20. of Jesus Christ God-man, from his conception to his crucifixion, especially his bloody
Some say, it consists both in
applicatione & pronunciatione ipsius Dei. Justitia Dei est non peccare: justitia bominis, est non imputari peccatum. Bernard Serm 23. in Cantic. passion, is the material cause of our justification.
Thus much for the essential material Cause of our justification.
3.
What is the formal Cause of our justification? I answer, 'Tis the imputation of Christs Righteousness, because by imputing and applying it to us, he is pleased to justify us,
Rom. 4. 11.
Psalm 32. 1.
Rom. 4. 8. 2
Cor. 5. 19.
Acts 10. 43.
Acts 13. 28, 29. Sr.
Ambrose, Bishop
Downame and others do express it by this simile; When
Rebecca cloathed her son
Jacob with the garments of her elder son
Esan, the matter of the action, was the garment
[Page 29] of
Esau, which being applyed to him did cover him; but the form of the action was the applying it to him, the indution, or putting it upon him; so the matter of our justification is Christs righteousness, the formal cause of our justification, is the Fathers imputing, or applying Christs righteousness to us. The Apostle most clearly argues, by way of comparison between
Adam and Christ; how could
Rom. 5. 17, 18, 19. the disobedience of
Adam be made ours for condemnation? or the obedience of Christ be made ours for justification unto life? but only by imputation, seeing they are both transient Acts. A learned Philosopher tells us,
Motus non est, nisi dum fit, postq
[...]am factus est. non est. Jul. Scaliger. That a motion, whether action, or passion, hath no being, but while it is in doing, or suffering, but after it is done, it hath no being: the disobedience of the one, and the obedience of the other; the transgression of
Adam and the righteousness of Christ, can be no way conveyed to us, but by imputation: which term of
imputation of Christs righteousness, (notwithstanding the Papists scoffing at it, and calling it
putative righteousness) is used ten times in
Rom. 4.
4. The End or final Cause for which God doth justifie a sinner by imputation of Christs righteousness, and that is either supream, or
Utriusque enim, & miseri cordiae, & justitiae admirabile bio temperamentum relucet. subordinate.
1. The supream End, is the manifestation of the Glory, both of his justice and mercy, as both which concur in all his works: so chiefly in this great work of
Justification; The Lord is righteous in all his works, and holy in all his wayes, Ps. 145. 17.
[Page 30] 1. That his Justice might be fully Glorified: God sent and set forth his own Son to be a propitiation for our sins, and hath punished them in his humane Nature;
I say (saith the Apostle)
to declare his righteousness, that he
Rom. 3. 25, 26.
might be just, and the justifier of him that believeth in Jesus. 2. That his grace & mercy also might eminently be magnified; he hath sent his only begotten Son into the World, that we might be justified freely by his Grace, through the redemption that is in Christ,
Rom. 3. 25. and
Deus Pater nos justificat, ut judex quidem, sed sedens in Throno Gratiae, &c. Synops. that we should be to the praise of the glory of his Grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the Beloved,
Ephes. 1, 6. Wherefore, not unto us, not unto us, not to any works of righteousness that we have done, but to the Father of Mercies, the Lord God omnipotent, and to the Lamb that sits upon the Throne, be all Honour, and Glory, Blessing and praise for evermore,
Revel. 5. 13. 2
Tim. 1. 9.
2. The subordinate end is our Salvation,
Rom. 8. 30.
whom he hath justified, them also he Glorified, Tit. 3. 7.
That being justified by his Grace, we should be made heirs of eternal life Though our salvation be our particular proper,
Our
[...]. supream end, or chief good, to which both justification, and sanctification are referred; yet it is subordinate to Gods Glory, as to the Soveraign and universal End: for such is the infinite goodness of God to believing sinners, that he hath subordinated their salvation to his own Glory.
The precious properties of this Righteousness; how it is a divine righteousness, a temptation
[Page 31] vanquishing, and a World-overcoming righteousness, a Law fulfilling, and a justice satisfying righteousness, a most perfect righteousness, a Glorious Robe of righteousness, an everlasting righteousness,
&c. Ye have heard at large discussed from another Text, therefore I shall forbear to enlarge herein.
Lastly,
What are the blessed fruits and consequences of Justification?
I answer, 1. Sanctification inherent, with good works apparent, which
non praecedunt justificandum, sed sequuntur justificatum, as
Austin speaks; they do not go before, but follow after a state of justification.
2. Peace with God; that is an holy Tranquility, and sweet serenity of conscience,
Rom. 5. 1.
3. A free Access to God,
Rom. 5. 2.
4. Certain hope of Glory,
Rom. 5. 2, 5.
5. Consolation, yea Gloriation in, and over afflictions,
Rom. 5. 3.
6. The shedding abroad the love of God into the hearts of the justified,
Rom. 5. 5.
7. Conservation from wrath to come,
Ro. 5. 9.
8. Glorification and eternal life,
Rom. 8. 30.
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.
A word or two at parting to the Justified, by way of Application.
- 1. Walk up to your Duty.
- 2. Live up to your Comfort.
1. Walk up to your Duty: Ye that are the tedeemed of the Lord, the children of God by
[Page 32] faith in Christ Jesus, walk worthy of him who hath called you to his Kingdom and Glory;
As ye have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him, Col. 2. 6. Receive not this Grace of God in vain: this is a certain evidence of your freedome from
Condemnation, if ye
walk not after the flesh, but
after the spirit, Rom. 8. 1. and herein is
your father glorified, if ye
bring forth much fruit, John 15. 6. As your Receipts are great, so give me leave to tell you, your duty is, and your Accompt will be great also: so live, so act, so work, that ye may give up your accompt with joy.
2. Live up to the Comfort of your state;
ye are already the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear, what ye shall be, 1 Joh. 3. 1. who shall lay
any thing to your charge? (whether men or Devils)
'tis God that justifieth, it is Christ that died, &c.
Ro. 8. 33. Behold thy Treasures, thy Comforts, thy Joys, thy Portion, thy Priviledges, laid up for thee in that precious Cabinet,
Rom. 5. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Wherefore feed, nay feast thy Soul by faith upon them: wherefore, in the worst of times, the
righteous shall be glad in the Lord, and all the
upright in heart shall glory,
Psalm 64. 10.
Thus, so far as one Exercise would permit, I have endeavoured to give some satisfaction in the great Argument of
Justification. Consider what I have said, and the Lord give ye understanding; 2
Tim. 2. 7.
[...].
FINIS.