Propositions and Principles of Divinity Disputed, Section 25
PRINCIPLES CONCERNING SANCTIFICATION. XXIIII.
SEING THE EFFECT OF FAITH IS twofold, Iuſtification and Sanctification: it followeth that hauing ſpoken of the former, we adioyn the latter vntounto it.
1 HEre firſt of al, we do eſpeciallie diſtinguiſh, Sanctification, whereof we are now to ſpeak, from that moſt perfite integritie which in Chriſt is imputed vntounto vsus, as the effect is to be ſeuered from the cauſe, and the fruit from the tree.
2 To expreſſe this wherof we now ſpeake, there do occurre manie & diuerſe names in the holie Scriptures, as are theſe eſpeciallie in the new teſtament: Sanctification, regeneration, newnes of life, Baptiſme taken paſsiuely, Spirite, mortification of the olde man, and the quickning of the newe, with other the like phraſes, which would be too long to be heere recited.
3 Sanctification in this place we deſcribe to be an effect proceding frō the holy Ghoſt, working in the minds of the faithfull: wherby, by a little & a litle, euen vntounto the end of this life, as the naturall corruption is purged, ſo the image of God is repaired in vsus, vntill, after death, it be perfitely finiſhed in the other world.
4 This guift (as alſo all others) which it beſtoweth vponupon vsus, dooth the holie Ghoſt whollie drawe from Chriſt, in whome the Scripture giueth vsus ſpeciallie to conſider in his death, buriall and reſurrection, the ſubduing of that originall corruption of ours, which was imputed vntounto him: whence it commeth to paſſe, that wee deuide our whole ſanctification into theſe three members; mortification, buriall of the old man, and the riſing againe of the new.
5 The mortification of the olde man, wee call the effect of that ſpirituall and moſt powerfull application of the death of Chriſt, wherby our corruption, receaueth a deaths wound; ſo that it is no more ſo powerful, to ſtirre vp in our minds, wicked motions, & ſuch as are contrary vntounto Gods will.
6 The burying of the olde man, is alſo an effect of the ſpirituall application of Chriſts buriall, whereby, our olde man, being alreadie wounded by that deadly ſtroke, dieth by little and little, vntill at the length, after the death of this bodie, it be brought to nothing: For as the buriall of the bodie, is a going forward of death; ſo alſo, the burying of the olde man, is nothing els, but a continuance, ſtill proceeding further and further, of that mortification which went before.
7 The raiſing againe of the new man, is alſo an effect of the ſpiritual aplication of the reſurrection of Chriſt; wherby it commeth to paſſe, that the new man is raiſed vp in vsus, that is, that the qualities of our minde (to wit, our vnderſtanding and will) are renued vntounto true holines of life.
8 Theſe being renued by faith, powred into vsus, though all the time of our being heere; we doe but in a ſort vnderſtand, and will the thinges that are of God: yet neuertheleſſe, our workes which belong vntounto Gods ſeruice, are fauourablie accepted by his Majeſtie, as proceeding from Chriſt, liuing and working in vsus by the holy Ghoſt.
9 In this reſpect then, we make this difference, between Philoſophicall and Chriſtian vertues, that the former proceeding from a minde, not yet regenerated; are no other, then filthie and impure, in the preſence of God; whereas, the latter on the other ſide, doe of fauour pleaſe God, and are in merciemercy crowned by him, becauſe, hee looketh vppon them as fruits of faith, flowing from Chriſt, who is the Authour of all our purity and holines.
10 Out of theſe thinges which hauehave bene ſpoken, may be vnderſtood, not onelyonly al the parts of our ſanctification, but euen the cauſes which concurre for the making vppe thereof, may bee ſo eaſilie gathered; as it may be well perceaued, that we put the holy Ghoſt for the efficient, fayth for the inſtrumentall, the force and efficacie of that eſſentiall holines which is in Chriſt for the materiall, the renuing of our whole minde, from impure, vntounto pure and vpright qualities for the formall; and the worſhippe of God tending vntounto his honor and the louelove of our neighbour, according vntounto the preſcript rule of the firſt and ſecond Table, for the finall cauſe thereof.
11 Whence it apeareth, that the Libertins who loath the practiſe of good workes, are not to be reckoned vp amongeſt the number of true Chriſtians; ſeeing they neglect the chiefe end of a Chriſtian life. It appeareth alſo, that the PELAGYANS, and the halfe PELLAGIANS the PAPISTS, are to bee deteſted, becauſe, the former of them doe affirme, that we are ſanctified by nature onelyonly: the latter, partly by nature, and partly by grace.
Defended by FRANCES P…FAYRIVS of Bearne