imbecillity and prolixity with thy Humanity and Christian candor though the Porch of Entrance may seem too large yet I trust thy passage may be more light some 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 1 Proâ—mium The first is the Proem containing the inscription 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 2 Propositio Dehortatoria The second is a Proposition Dehortatory that 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. 3. Confirmatio The third is a Confirmation of his Dehortatory 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 praedicando Par. Non cum dicendi peritiâ Beza 4. Because the Apostle had given them no occasion of abusing his name to Schismes neither by baptizing for he baptized but few of them v. 14 15 16. nor by his Preaching for he preached not with ostentation 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not in the wisdome of speech not in quaint terms not with Rhetorical flourishes Visus autem fuisset Christi crucifixi Spiritus nihil agere si humanae facundia vi homines ad Christianismum essent adducti Beza 1 Ab effectu contrarii or humane Eloquence lest the Cross of Christ should be made of none effect v. 17. that is lest the Doctrine of Christ crucified should become fruitless for as a learned Author well observes The Spirit of Christ crucified would have seemed to have done nothing if men should have been brought to Christianity by the force of Humane Eloquence 1. This is the first reason and 't is drawn ab effectu contrarii from the effect of the contrary Now least any should think that plainness of speech did render the Doctrine of the Cross contemptible a tacit Objection is answered in v. 18. by a distinction Though the Doctrine of the Cross be foolishness to the Reprobates yet 't is the Power of God to such as shall be saved 2. From the miserable condition of worldly wisdome it is an Enemy to God 2 A conditione mundanae sapientae and God an Enemy to it and threatens to destroy it I will destroy the wisdome of the wise ver 19. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 tollam è 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 3 A Ben placito Dei. willing to save by the foolishness of Preaching them that believe and though the obstinate Jews and Philosophical Greeks reputed the Gospel foolishness for how can blind men distinguish colours yet 't is in very deed and truth infinitely wiser than humane wisdome and infinitely stronger than humane power for 't is the Wisdome and Power of God himself 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 metony nicè ponatur sicut passim circumcisio pro circumcisis praeputium pro incircumcisis Beza in loc Marl. in loc to the same purpose A Finc ultimâ— ver 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 or manner the Lord hath taken in calling you or rather quinam ex vobis sint vocati who or what kind of men among you are called not the wise and Mighty but commonly and generally the foolish and weak for the poor receive the Gospel as Christ speaks 5. From the ultimate or last end That no flesh should glory in his presence but in the Lord himself of whom we are in Christ Jesus who of God is made unto us Wisdome Righteousness Sanctification and Redemption Thus by this Clue of five Threads I mean the five last Heads I have brought you to the Text. 1 Cor. 1.30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus who of God is made unto us Wisdome and Righteousness and Sanctification and Redemption THe Sacred Scriptures do hold forth our Lord Jesus Christ to be both the Treasurer and the Treasury of all our blessedness both in this and in the other world all our Treasures are in him as well as from him 2 Col. 3. In him are hid all the treasures of wisdome and knowledge He is our life and our life is hid with Christ in God Col. 3.3 4. The beloved Apostle that leaned upon Jesus his bosome tells us 1 Joh. 5.11 12. This is the Record that God hath given to us eternal life and this life is in his Son Could we ever have wisht it in a surer or sweeter place than in the bosome of our blessed Saviour the Son of God and Prince of Life And farther He that hath the Son hath life and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life c. Our life of righteousness our life of holiness our life of glory or our eternal life our spiritual life in these three considerations is wrapt or bound up in Jesus Christ the bundle of life As sin and death came by Adam so righteousness and life came by Jesus Christ according to that of the Apostle Rom. 5.21 That as sin hath reigned unto death even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. This pregnant Text which I am now discoursing from more rich than Hermes Table bespangled with Emeraulds 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 in Illumination all in all in Justification all in all in Reconciliation all in all in Adoption all in all in Sanctification 2 Tim 4.10 all in all in Redemption all in all in preservation to his heavenly Kingdome And though it be saâ—d 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 lâ—ght ye shall see light The Soul-ravishing Vision of Jesus the Mediator of the New Covenant Heb. 12.24 Domine fecisti nos pro te cor irrequietum est denec venial ad te Aug. 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 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 quintessâ—nce 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 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 perplâ—xity or outward calamity Philosophers brag much of their Elixir Naturalists boast much of their Panacea 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 omâ—ia habet omnia He that hath him that owneth and possesseth all things hath all things 'T is 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 by the blessing of God shall really promote and carry on their spiritual and eternal interest 2. As all pâ—rsons 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 Eatâ—r 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
Sanctification is also the Author of Faith for Fa th 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 Blasphemia pessima Haeresis erat apud Judaeos Consiteri Iesum Mariae filium esse Christum is born of God The learned 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 't is 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 only power but also dignity priviledge to become the sons of God even to as many as believed in his Name and who are these that thus believe in Christ and receive him into their hearts Why such as are not born of blood of an high and noble Parentage which the Jews gloried in being descended from Abraham nor of the flesh nor of the will of man not by any principle of corrupted nature not by the meer power of our own will but by the will and grace or gracious will of God Jam 1.18 Ephes 2.4 we are born again or sanctified Now who are they that are 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 Prophet Priest and King in all his Offices or as the Text hath it as wisdome righteousness sanctification and redemption Secundum diversos respectus fides regenerationis nostrae pars est ex regeneratione tanquam ex fonte manat fides Calv. Through Faith the soul doth receive in and 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 sanctified which is the same you have faith in Christ 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 salvation by any other Acts 4.12 That he was annointed by the Father as Prophet Priest and King Isa 61.1 for the perfecting of your salvation for the obtaining of eternal Redemption for you Heb. Ego saepe libenter hoc inculco ut extra Christum oculos aures claudatis diâ—atis nullum vos scrire Deum nisi qui fuit in Gremio Mariae suxit ubera ejus Luther Credere quod sit Christus est ab eo sperare quacunque de Messia promissa sunt Calv. Comment in 1 John 5.1 â— 12. Luther hath a notable speech upon Psal 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 It 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 and redemption Hag. 2.7 Cant. 5.10 Isa 63.1 Heb 7.25 Heb. 2.17 Heb. 5.2 God tenders his Son in the Gospel as the desire of all Nations as the chiefest 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
the highest to be personally one with God 'T is the righteousness of Christ the Mediatour 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God-man in one person though inherent in the Humane 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 't is called the righteousness of God This I must profess to or 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 Rom. 9.5 is the root and off spring of David that 't is 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 justificâ—tion is the blood of God that he that was in the form of God Acts 20.28 and thought it no robbery to be equal with God did humble himself and became obedient to the death of the Crosse for me Phil. 2.6 8 Gal. 2.20 which whole humiliation of Jesus Christ God-man from his conception to his crucifixion especially his bloody passion Some say it consists both in applicatione pronunciatione ipsius Dei Justitia Dei est non peccare â—ustitia bominis est non impaâ—â—ni peccarum Bernard Serm 23. â— Cantic 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 'T is 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. St. Ambrose Bish p Downame and others do express it by this simile When Rebecca cloathed her son Jacob with the garmenâ—s of her elder son Esau the matter of the action was the garment 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 Rom. 5.17 18 19. how could 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 postquam 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 subordinate Utriusque enim misericordiae justitiae admirabile hic temperamentum relucet 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 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 might be just Rom. 3.25 26. and the justifier of him that bélieveth 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 Deus Pater nos justificat ut judex quidem sed sedens in Throno Gratiae c. Synops Rom. 3.25 and 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 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 redeemed of the Lord the children of God by 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 Receâ—pts 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 say any thing to your charge whether men or Devils 't is 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
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 2 Pet. 1.4 Conformity to the 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 Spi it 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 'T is from the love of the Father and by vertue of the Merit of the Son that we are sanctified but 't is properly the Office and the 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 't is such a power as is commensurate and proportionate to the raising of the dead Ephes 1.19 20. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Supereminens magnitudo Montan. called the exceeding 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 't is therefore called a Regeneration In die Copiarum So M. Ainsworth a begetting a soul again 't is a new Creation 't is a Vivification or quickning a man before dead in sins and trespasses not languishing and declining but in a moral sense stark dead nay 't is 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 Phil. 3.21 who is able to subdue all things to himself 1. 'T is a Regeneration or a begetting again 1 Pet. 1.3 Jam. 1.18 2. 'T is 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. 'T is a vivification or quickning Eph. 2.1 You hath he quickned who were dead in sins and trespasses A natural man is both legally and 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 hear the voice of the Son of God and they that hear shall live 4. 'T is a Resurrection Col. 3.1 If ye then be risen with Christ seek the things that are above yea 't is 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 l ve the life of heaven Now to regenerate to create to make all things new to revive a man dead to raise up a man out of the grave as Lazarus both dead and buried all these are the Acts of Omnipotency the works of a God and all those works are done in this one work by the invincible efficiency of the Spirit 6. The word and faith are the Ministring and 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 Head of Influence and having united the soul to him continually receives supplies from him 'T is 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 hearts by faith As Faith hath the Noblest Objects so Faith for its use and office here is the Noblest grace Faith indeed infused and created in us by the Spirit See Dr. Owens death of death p. 126. Simile is commonly called the 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
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 justifie us yea the Eternal Spirit was indispensibly needful to sanctifie and dignifie the blessed Sacrifice of Christs Humane Nature upon the Cross or else I must profess my Ignorance of that Text Heb. 9.14 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Supe eminens magnitudo virtutis ejus So Montanus 'T is not only the power but the exceeding greatness of the Spirits power to raise up a person morally dead to an estate of newness of life 't is a work proportionate to that power God wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead and set him at his own right hand in the Heavenly places Eph. 1.19 20. Notwithstanding the Fathers Eâ—ection and the Sons Redemption yet without the Spirits Efficacy we had all at this day lain rotting â—ike stinking Carrion in the Grave of sin and death Gods Mercy Christs Merit and the â—pirits efficacy It is very observable that all the three Persons challenge an equal share in the working of holiness in the creature it being such a part of Gods Gâ—orie Mr. Burroughs Saints Treasury p. 16. must have their distinct glory The Father is said to sanctifie the Son to Sanctifie 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 â—â—iâ—inal 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 Office 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 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 Iâ— Jesus Christ be made of God Sanctification Use 2 to us the Procuring Meritorious and Moral cause of our Sanctification then primarily and principally let your thoughts ascend to God the Father as the supreme original of your Sanctification let not your thoughts stop or stay till they center in him 'T is the Father who of his own will hath begotten us by the Word of Truth Jam. 1.18 't is God the Father of our Lord Jesus who of his aboundant Mercy hath begotten us again c. 1 Pet. 1.3 Therefore we ought to bless and exalt his aboundant Mercy as the Apostle doth 'T is the Father the Heavenly Husbandman that purgeth the Branches John 15.1 2. 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 Ephes 2.4 5. Rom. 4.24 hath quickened us together with Christ We must believe in him that raised our Lord Jesus from the dead He that believeth in me So Dr. M â—ton Expounds it in his Commentary on Jude believeth not in me but in him that sent me there not is not negative but corrective not only in me but his thoughts must ascend to the Father also who manifests himself in me for God was in Christ reconciling 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 1 Pet. 3.18 the just for the unjust that he might bring us 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 the utmost end of his Mediatourship and the Soul hath attained its chiefest good and utmost happiness therefore is it said that the Saints by Christ do believe in God 1 Pet. 1.21 c. 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 't is the Father that floweth out to us in Christ by the Spirit he is the Father of lights Jam. 1.17 And the Text tells ye we are of God in Christ Jesus 't is 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 Isa 42.1 as his elect or 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 2 Tim. 1.9 Joh. 17.2 God hath saved us according to his own Purpose and Grace given us in Christ Jesus God gave Christ power over all Flesh that he should give eternal life to those God had given him Righteousness Holiness Heaven