Saints by Calling, Dialogue · Part 8 · Section 1

Saints by Calling · Dialogue · Part 8 · Section 1

p. 175Entreating of Sanctification, the third maine fruite of Faith.

Aquila.

SIR, I am glad ye are come, I had so long waited for you, that I began to doubt lest you had been someway letted, that you could not hauehave kept appointment, which I would hauehave beene sorry for.

Apollos.

No, good friend, not so; I would hauehave sent you word of it, if there had beene any such matter; my late comming was occasioned by some vnlooked for affaires. It is not with men of my function, as it is with you, and men of your condition; who hauing lookt to your selues, and some few which depend on you, or hauehave to deale with you, there is an end of your care: but our care stretcheth further, and is publike, not priuate onelyonly. Wee know not when wee hauehave done, so many & sundry occasions of employment offer themselues, so many soule cases, so many soule necessities there be. Sathan will find vsus worke enough; wee must be faine to wake, when others sleepe; and though I will not mention any party to you, yet the matter about which I hauehave been stayed from you, I will impart vntounto you. It was of one that did acknowledge himselfe to beleeue truly & vnfainedly in Christ for the remission of his sinnes, and yet doubted of his sanctification; he found his heart so encombred and toyled with the vile p. 176corrupt motions of finne, which arise vp in him (as hee saide) euen like sparkes out of a burning Furnace, or as vapours out of a low, moist, and waterish ground.

Aquila.

See the notable malice and subtilty of that old Serpent, when hee cannot preuaile against Gods Children in the maine, to make them doubt of their faith, and whether they hauehave their sinnes forgiuen them; he troubles them about the bye, and wil stirre vp doubting about their sanctification, whether they be renewed. If hee cannot come directly to strike at the heart, yet he will hauehave a blow at the thigh, or the leg; so as hee may wound any where, it is enough to him: but with his malice he couples vnmatchable policy, for by breeding scruple about our renewing by the Spirit of sanctification, his purpose is to draw the temptation vntounto this; That therefore they hauehave no faith, they are not forgiuen their sinnes, they are none of Gods Children.

Apollos.

Ye say right, and very truly touching Sathans drift in this temptation: but herein Sathan declareth himselfe a sot, to seeke to perswade one that hath his faith whole and vncrackt, and doth beleeue himselfe iustified and pardoned, that hee is not sanctified. For whomsoeuer Christ iustifieth, them at the same time he doth sanctifie. These two workes in theIustification and sanctification both together. soule of a Christian, can no more be diuided, then the two natures of God and man can be diuided in Christ: for that death of Christ which hath merited remission of sinnes to the beleeuer, the same hath merited the holy Ghost to be giuen him for the creating of holinesse in his heart. And that faith which apprehends the merit of Christs death and obedience for iustification, p. 177doth also lay hold vponupon the vertue and power of his death and resurrection, for the renewing of theSanctification, it is by faith. minde and will vntounto Gods Image of holinesse and righteousnesse. Faith doth as well purifie the heart from filthinesse, as deliuer it from guiltinesse of sinne; Acts 15. And God the Father which gaue his Sonne to be righteousnesse, made him also to be sanctification to vsus; not onelyonly in that his holinesse imputed, couereth all our prophanenesse of nature and life: but for that the effects of his most holy Nature powred into our corrupt nature, changeth both minde and will from darknesse of ignorance and sinne, to the light of knowledge and holinesse. Therefore Iustification and SanctificationIustification and Sanctification, be as two twinnes, which came together into the world of the beleeuing heart; Iustification being the elder fister. be ioyned in Scripture, as Chickens of one broode; 1 Cor. 6. And Paul when hee had named the Ephesians Saints by calling, and presently addeth, the faithfull in Christ Iesus; he would teach not onelyonly who be worthy to be entitled Saints, but also how the Elect come by this grace, euen through faith in Christ Iesus; faith as an Instrument receiuing as well the Spirit of Christ vntounto sanctification or making vsus Saints, as his righteousnesse vntounto iustification, that wee may stand iust. And thus faith of the truth, and sanctification of the Spirit, are put both together; 2 Thes. 2. because they cannot be seuered: but it is of necessity, that he that beleeueth the truth of the promise for forgiuenesse of sin, hath a power from the Spirit, applying the vertue of Christ dead and raised for the destruction of sinne, that he may walke holily **Therefore Sathans temptation is thus to be returned: I beleeue, therefore I am sanctified: I hauehave my sinnes forgiuen, therfore I am renewed.And now we are thus put vponupon this argument of sanctification, if it please you wee will consider of it more distinctly and throughly. Let me heare of you by what names this gift vseth to be called in Scripture, and p. 178amongst Diuines; and then how ye doe describe sanctification, what be the causes and parts of this benefit, in what measure we hold it; how it is to be discerned in a mans selfe, by what markes, and such other things as doe concerne this doctrine.

Aquila.

As vnion with Christ, incorporation into him, & engrafting or coniunction or communion with Christ, doe all import one thing, or being one with Christ; and as iustification, and imputation of righteousnesse, remission of sinnes, be often vsed to signifie one thing, the absolution of a sinner before the tribunall of God: so there be certaine words, as regeneration, renewing, or renouation, and sanctification, which import one selfe-same action and worke of the Spirit, euen that whereby the corruption of sinne (as touching the dominion and the power which it doth exercise before our calling) is destroyed, till it selfe at length bee wholy abolished; and in stead thereof a new quality of holinesse put into the faculties of the soule, that it may begin to louelove, and doe such things as are pleasing vntounto God, till it come at last to perfection, by certaine degrees. This worke or action of the Spirit, it is called, renouation, or renewing, because of that new grace andRenewing. quality powred into the mind and will; the former corruption which is called the olde man, being killed. As in the first worke of creation, hee that was nothing before, was made a man: so in this worke of renouation, or new creation, hee that was naught before, is made good; as if a new man were borne. Hence also it is called Regeneration, or new birth indcede, not properlyRegeneration. nor fitly; for our regeneration is the same with our incorporation or vnion with Christ; wherby we become p. 179his members, euen one body with him. For as by generation we hauehave our being in this World, and take the essence or nature of our Parents, to become their Children; so by regeneration wee hauehave our being of Christianity, to become the members of Christ, sonnes of God; being before children of wrath, and members of Sathans kingdome, sonnes of Adam. Thus doth our Sauiour himselfe teach vsus to vnderstand it: for hauing saide, Iohn 1. 12. That such as beleeue in Christ, are the sonnes of God: he presently addeth; Which are borne not of bloud, &c. but of God. To declare this vntounto vsus, that our new birth or regeneration, is the making of vsus the sonnes of God by faith, and not the furnishing vsus with such qualities and properties, as belong to such as bee already sons. Howbeit, for as much as most Diuines and best learned men, doe confound regeneration and sanctification, I doe therefore follow that commonly receiued iudgement, and by regeneration vnderstand, that framing of the heart to Gods Image, in righteousnesse and true holinesse; which because it is an immediate consequent of our new birth, (wherein wee are begotten to be sonnes and daughters of God) and asSanctificatiō. it were the putting of another and new nature into vsus, euen that diuine (as Peter calleth it) therefore is vsually2 Pet. 1. 5.2 Pet 1:5 called by the name of new birth. Now for the last word of sanctification, whereas that word is somtimes generally vsed in Scripture, to signifie all that, euen whatsoeuer it is that we hauehave from, or is done in vsus by Christ, and is as much as our … from the rest2 Pet. 1. 2.2 Pet 1:2 of this sinfull World, to remaine and be vntounto Christ as a thing consecrate to him: yet in this argument where we distinguish it from vnion with Christ, and iustification, p. 180it is that speciall worke of the Spirit, renewing vsus in the spirit of our mind vntounto a new man, which after God is created in righteousnesse and holinesse of truth; as Saint Paul speaketh, Ephesians 4. 23, 24. Or more briefly, it is that worke of God, whereby our corruption by little and little is abolished, and holinesse perfected by degrees. For in this worke, though Christ minister a power to the beleeuer by his Spirit, against sinne, to master it, and to doe the will of God; yet it is not absolute at the first, so as by it all sinne should be vtterly done away, not at all to be in the soule; and a strength giuen perfectly to worke good: for then the Law might be fulfilled of vsus in this life, and then wee should iustifie our selues, and … died in vaine, and we neede not his mediation to make our workes accepted. But whereas in sinne, beside the guilt and condemnation wherein we are wrapt, and from which our Iustification hath freed vsus, and in stead thereof hath put vponupon vsus righteousnesse vntounto life; there is also in it a tyranny, dominion and power, which by the iust iudgement of God it exerciseth, euen ouer the very Elect, who are the seruants of sinne, and doe willingly offer the faculties of their soules, and parts or members of their body, as weapons and instruments to fight and warre … corruption, that the will and lusts, the desires and motions of sinne may be done; as it is to be seene Rom. 6. 13. 17; &c. Now in this worke of our Sanctification, there is strength & force giuen to the beleeuing soule, against this tyranny of sinne, to beate it downe and subdue it, to keepe it as vnderling; that howsoeuer it dwell and remaines there, egging to euill, and still soliciting and prouoking against God, yet it wants now p. 181much of his former vigour and might, so as it cannot reigne and rage with full swinge, as it was wont to carry vsus headlong after all vngodlinesse & vnrighteousnesse; this we get by our Sanctification.

Apollos.

Now let me entreate you to open the seuerall parts of it, with the causes; and hereafter wee may consider of the measure.

Aquila.

This is it which I was minded to doe in the next place, after I had shewed what the whole worke of Sanctification is, then to lay it out into his parts, and byParts of Sanctification. the members laide out particularly, the better to discouer the whole body of this worke. Diuines vse to make two parts, and that according to Scripture The first is …, or crucifying of the old man, which hath two degrees; First, the death of sinne: Secondly, the buriall of sinne, which is the progresse of the death of sinne. In respect hereof, the faithfull are saide to be crucified with Christ, and their body of sinne to be crucified with him; Rom. 6. 6. And also, to be dead to sinne, to be baptized into his death, to be dead with him, & to be buried with him; Rom. 6. 2, 3, 8. The second part of our Sanctification, is our walking in new nesse of life, or quickening the new man, or liuing to God; Rom. 6. 4. In which respect wee are said to be raysed vp together with Christ, and to liue with him; Phil. 3. 1. Rom. 6. 8. Here then we hauehave with the parts of Sanctification, the true cause thereof deliuered to vsus; which I will for better vnderstandingCause of Sanctification. thus declare, and set forth according as I conceiue of it.

The first part of Sanctification, is the death of sinne, or dying to sinne; which is, when that the strength of our sinnefull corrupt Nature is taken p. 182downe, and by degrees weakened, as the body of Christ languished by degrees vponupon the Crosse; so as sinne cannot bring forth such euill fruites in thoughts, words, and deedes, as it did while wee were vnderunder the power of it. This is effected by force of Christs death applied vntounto vsus: for that same diuine power of Christ which sustained his manhood in the suffering of death, and gaue it merit to deserue for vsus remission of sinnes, the same godhead and diuine power worketh in the members of Christ thereby the death and mortification of sinne, that it should be lessened in force, as well as it wipeth away the guilt of their sinnes. Hence it is saide, Our sinne is dead by his body; and againe, Our Rom. 7. 4.Rom 7:4old man is crucified with him; because the body of ChristRom. 6. 6.Rom 6:6 crucified, did deserue for vsus, that his diuine power should kill and crucifie sinne in them which beleeue in his death. The second part of Sanctification, is the buriall of sinne, which is the continuall proceeding of mortification, euen as buriall is the proceeding of death; sinne wasting in the Elect, touching his vigour and strength, euen as corpes waste and moulder in the graue: this is wrought by Christ buried, whiles that diuine might which preserued the body of Christ in the graue without putrifaction, doth effect in the members of Christ, by meanes of his buried body, a greater degree of mortification, euen to the burying and casting mould (as it were) on their sinnes; then they are saide to be buried with him.

The third part of Sanctification, is the quickening of the new man, which consists of two parts, to wit, holinesse, containing all vertues and duties, whereby we are fitted for the louelove and worship of God. 2 Righteousnesse, p. 183which hath all such vertues and duties as enable to louelove, and profit our neighbour in all things which concerne him. This proceedeth from Christ raised againe from the dead; that same diuine vertue which wrought in Christs body, for the quickening and raising it being dead, working also in the soules of his members, in whom sinne is already wounded by his death and buriall, for their raising vp and quickening vntounto godlinesse; that they may liue to God, hauing strength to practise and doe the workes of God, as before they did the workes of sinne. For the Elect being coupled to Christ by faith, and being one with his manhood touching the substance of it, yet spiritually, are also one with the godhead touching the efficacy thereof: whence it is, that the godhead which vttered force and might in Christ, to vphold him in his death, preseruing him from corruption in his graue, and to raise him againe the third day; the same godhead powerfully effecteth in Christs members the mortification of sinne by his death and buriall, and newnesse of life by his resurrection. As the graft which is set in a new stocke, taketh iuyce and life from that stock into which it is newly planted: so the faithfull partake of the vertue and power of Christ, dead and raised, with whom they hauehave communion, being grafted into him by his Spirit through faith. But this power of Christ communicated to the beleeuers, to the killing of sinne, and to the quickening of them to God, and all godlinesse; it doth not effect this worke all at one time, but after a long time bringeth it to perfection. They therefore are in a dangerous errour, such as tendeth to the making of such swel as do beleeue it for truth, and others to tremble, p. 184which feare it may be a truth; namely, that theOf all men … Adam before his … and the man Christ, voide of sinne; all others hauehave sin euen til death. grace of Sanctification doth perfectly deliuer from sinne in this life, so as thereby one shall be able to liue here without doing any sinne; which is the next way to pitch downe headlong to despaire, such as find not this perfection; or to lift vp vntounto hellish pride, such as dreame they hauehave such a perfection. Besides the falshhood of it, all Scriptures, both examples and testimonies, crying the contrary; and eueryevery mans owne conscience and experience proclaiming aloude, that we neuer ceasse to sinne, till wee ceasse to liue; and that the breath of sinne and our breath, be both at once stopped. In so plaine and vndoubted a matter, proofe is needlesse, yet the forme of prayer by Christ appointed to all Christians to be vsed of them as a prayer and patterne of all prayers to be made by them in their pilgrimage, enioyning them to aske forgiuenesse of sinnes past, to craue deliuerance from temptations of Sathan and sinne for the time to come; and the Sacrament of the Supper, which belongeth not to men which want nothing, but to such as hauing many and great wants, do in the sence of them hunger after Christ and his graces: and finally, the chastisements of God, common to all his children, which are corrected of God to preuent future faults and offences; especially that iudgement of death, which taketh hold of all, doe demonstrate to eueryevery one that is not wilfully blind, that there is none of all the Saints which here in this World doe, or can liue without sinne. Therefore it will be good to spare this labour, and in stead of prouing this (which were as if one would bring a candle to giuegive light to the Sunne) to declare rather the ends of Gods counsell p. 185therein: and withall, seeing sanctified persons hauehave still sinne stirring and striuing in them, and bringing forth most loathsome fruites; how they may perceiue that they hauehave the grace of Sanctification.

Apollos.

Friend Aquila, I doe well allow of your purpose; for I am of this minde, that for many proofes in matters not darke, nor doubtfull, nor of great profit, it is but waste time; and rather bewrayes the vanity of the speaker, (his indiscretion at least) then any whit auailes the hearer: may it please you then to goe to those points which you hauehave propounded? and sithence it is so, that it had beene as easie for God in the regenerating of his Elect, to hauehave freede them vtterly of sinne, and put into them absolute holinesse, as he did at first create man righteous, voide of all corruption; and this had beene much better for vsus, as one would thinke, at once to be rid of such an enemy, and had also more expressed Gods power to hauehave quelled it at one blow, rather then by many strokes: what might therefore be the reason why it is otherwise, that his children after sanctification, not onelyonly hauehave sin still abiding, but more**Before their sanctification, the Elect and finne do agree as husband & wife; afterward they are at variance as two enemies. troublesome to them then before?

Aquila.

That it hath pleased God to hauehave it thus, the matter it selfe speaketh; and being he is most wise, therefore he will hauehave it so for most iust causes. For touching his power, there is no doubt but thereby he could hauehave caused it to be otherwise: for how could not he quit the soule and body from sinne in the time of life, that can doe it at death in one instant? and his goodnesse is such, that had it been more expedient for his children to hauehave had it so, it had surely beene so. But the truth is, Gods way, as in all other things, so in this, is the best way. p. 186For as it was Gods wonderful mercy at all to giuegive them sanctification in any measure, and so to put them out of that … in which they liued, obeying the Prince that ruleth in the Ayre; walking in sinnes according to the course of the World: so it was not without a very mercifull and gracious respect vntounto their owne good, as well as with zealous respect of his owne glory,The manifold profit which is to be taken by finne. not to giuegive it them in full measure, during this life. First, in that sinne is suffered still to remaine, and to tempt them, it stirreth vp watchfulnesse to hauehave such an enemy1. Watchfulnesse. within the house, yea in the bed-chamber, euen in the inward heart and spirit of a man; it will not suffer him to sleepe in security. But as in Townes which are only assaulted outwardly, men stand continually vponupon the guard: so it behoueth much more Gods Children to doe, hauing their City already surprized, sinne being within their soule. This is it also which will cause them with awefull watch to ioyne faithfull & ardent prayer, for helpe and strength from God against it. Whence it is, that our Sauiour hauing put his Disciples in minde of their sinfull weakenesse, The flesh, saith he, is weake; that is, sinne and corruption maketh you weake, either to resist euill, or to doe good: therefore hee commandeth them, and in them all other Christians to giuegive themselues to watchfulnesse and prayer, lest they fall into2. Prayer. temptation. For Sathan finding vsus feeble and ready to stumble and fail at eueryevery straw through sinne, will be apt enough to take the aduantage of our infirmity, and by his subtill temptations to draw vsus to wickednesse; so as there will be danger of being conquered by him, except with a watchfull eye Christians looke to themselues, and get them for succour vntounto God, that by p. 187his might they may bee made able for to stand. Therefore as the Canaanites which were left in the Land vndestroyed, did both awe the Israelites, awake their slothfulnesse, and prouoke them in danger to … vntounto God by prayer; so the corruptions sticking in the Children of God, doe through feare of being foyled by them, driue them vntounto God, and shake off spirituall slothfulnesse. Besides, hence they can with pitty and compassion think and speake of other mens sinnes, being3. …. alwayes ready with a fellow-feeling heart to reproue, knowing and considering themselues, how they are compassed with like infirmities; Galat. 6. 1. They are also prouoked to exercise their charity, not this way4. Charity to the …. onelyonly, but in prayers for their brethren; by their owne experience of sinfull lusts, what they doe in them, they can guesse how it fareth with other. Yea, they areTo Enemies. by this meanes not without some griefe, to heare of the grosse and horrible wickednesse of Gods enemies, remembring that the same inclinations to euils, and seedes of sinne are in themselues, which so breake out to the shame and ruine of others. Moreouer, by this5 Humble confession. they are often brought to sue for pardon, vponupon their slippes and fraileties, and to beg the encrease of Gods graces and comforts; and so hauehave manifold proofe of Gods truth and goodnesse, in standing to his promises, whereby he hath bound himselfe to fulfill the desires of his people: and can encourage others, and doe quicken them in their faith, to trust in that God, whom they find so very willing to releeue and refresh them, according to his word. For when their sinnes & temptations force them to God, and his mercy aud truth doe manifest themselues, being found when hee is p. 188sought, opening to such as knock, giuing to such as ask, forgiuing such as humbly confesse themselues: and as they hauehave their mouthes opened to speake forth the Lords praise, and to glorifie him in his righteousnesse and saluation, to declare them abroade; so to excite all their fellow Saints to magnifie this God, to seeke and to relie vponupon him with strong confidence. See the practise of this in that holy Prophet Dauid, who hauing recourse to God against his sinnes, and drawing downePsal. 32. 5, 6.Ps 32:5Ps 32:6 grace and comforts by his prayers, he is full as of heartyPsal. 34. 1, 2.Ps 34:1Ps 34:2 thankfulnesse for himselfe, so of holy exhortations towards others, to moue them vntounto godlinesse. YetModesty and lowlinesse in our whole life. further, whereas the great fauour which is vouchsafed the Elect in their calling, and the rare graces put into them from Gods Spirit, might heaue and puffe them vp; euen Paul being subiect to pride and arrogancy, in regard of singular blessings vouchsafed him, 2 Corinthians 12: the sight and sence of the remainders of olde Adam, serueth as to keepe from rash iudging of others, so from taking pride in our owne good things; there being more reason to bee abased for filthinesse, (for that is our owne) then for the holiest gifts (for they are not our owne;) and withall they are blemished and spotted through that poyson and contagion of sinne, that mingleth it selfe with our best prayers, best words, best actions, best graces, to make our selues and them euen odious to God, should hee but with a rigorous eye behold the best things in vsus, and done by vsus. For his pure eye cannot behold any euill, and best men hauehave some euill ioyned with their good; yea, there is more euill in that they doe, then good. That were it not for Gods mercifull acceptance passing by, and p. 189winking at the euill, pardoning wants and staines, and imputing his Sonnes righteousnesse to the Saints, their holiest endeauours might worthily sinke them into destruction. The due consideration whereof, doth preserue them from that most hatefull vice of pride and presumption, which are the break-neckes of so many thousands.

And also in these, and sundry other respects; as to stirre vp in the godly a desire and louelove to the fellowship of the Saints, to the vse of the Lords Supper, and all other good meanes of their saluation: to the patient bearing with, and gently censuring the imperfections of their brethen, and infinite such other benefits as redound to themselues, by this way of their imperfect sanctification, God doth maruellously worke out his owne glory. Sinnes assaults, and Sathans temptations,7. Experience of Gods power. combining themselues with their confederate, the Worlds allurements, by pleasures and profits, and glorie sometime; and sometime feares, threats, and persecutions, all conspiring together against the poore soule of the Childe of God, as Ammon, Moab, Edomites, did band against the Lords people; doth but minister occasion vntounto God, the more to euidence his almightinesse and sufficiency of grace, in that he … against all these maintaine one weake heart; not onelyonly enabling to the encounter, strengthening to endure it, but also giuing power to ouercome and triumph ouer them; that they may reioyce and glory in this strong God of their saluation, whose power is so manifested in their weakenesse. As the more and fiercer enemies did arise vp against Ioshuah in the Land of Canaan, and against Moses in the Wildernesse, the more it turned to p. 190the honour of God and their glory also, to vanquish them, and put them to flight: so it is here; the name of God is the more aduanced in his wonderfull assistance and protection, which hee affordeth vntounto his Saints against the gates of hell. Finally (which is an admirable8. Sins made remedies of sinnes. thing) euen by the grosse sinnes of his Children, it pleaseth God to doe them much good, both to greeue them for that is past, to humble them and shame them for the present, to worke more feare and warinesse for the time to come. Besides, it turnes greatly to Satans great confusion, their fales prouing medicines and remedies, and preuentions of future sinnes; and this as it much redoundeth to Gods honour, so it cannot choose but vex Sathan at the heart, that such sinnes as he hath drawne9. GiueGive aduantage against Sathan. the godly into with great diligence and long deuice, hoping therby to choke them, and quite to spoile them, should bee made meanes through Gods wonderfull goodnesse and wisedome, euen to whet and sharpen them the more against Sathan, the procurer of their wounds and woe, by stirring vp themselues and strengtheningWe had neede to make some vse and benefit of sin, for wee take a great deale of harme by it. others vntounto all good duties. He had been better to fit still, then to hauehave tempted Dauid and Peter to such sinnes as he did; as I could further proue, saue that in our conference of Repentance, this very thing wil be happily reuiued, and come againe to be spoken of; but it is now meete that wee seeke out the markes whereby Sanctification is knowne to be truly wrought, and to speake of the duties of sanctified persons.

Apollos.

I doe well allow of your purpose; onelyonly by the way let me put you in remembrance, that by the remainder of sinne in the new borne Christians, and by those daily bitter fruits which spring from thence, there p. 191is more occasion giuen to the godly to exercise their faith, touching the forgiuenesse promised, and their hope touching the blessednesse to come, and all other their graces: which if they were perfect, and all sinne done away at their regeneration, then what great vse of faith or hope, when there should bee no vnbeleefe or doubting within them? or what vse of any other vertue, when it lacked the opposition & resistance of the contrary vice, to set it on worke? Here is our warfare, and there must be a continuall strife inwardly in our selues betweene grace and sinne, as well as out wardly against the wicked. In Heauen our warfare shall be ended, and not before; and further, by how much the godly oftner sinne here, so much the mercies of God in pardoning, and Christs righteousnesse in couering such and so innumerable transgressions, are manifested to bee the more glorious and excellent. There being no lesse grace, if not more, expressed in forgiuing sinnes done after the Spirit of God and faith receiued, then such as were done before. Sithence the more Gods Children are beholden to God, and the more meanes they hauehave against sinne, and the more they are enlightened to vnderstand their duty, the more grecuous is their fault; which yet being all remitted freely vponupon their repentance, it declareth the abundance of the grace of God toward them.

Aquila.

It was well thought vponupon by you, for I had forgotten these things; but now to follow my purpose. Amidst so much darknesse of minde, as yet remaineth after regeneration in Gods Children, and so many and great imperfections, Sathan also with his iuglings laboring to trouble their iudgements, it seemeth then a hard p. 192thing to discerne that true sanctification of the Elect,How Sanctification differeth from a ciuill life. from that generall grace whereby a naturall man may liue for outward comfort and carriage, as if hee were truly sanctified.

There bee sixe or seauen tokens by which theMarkes of Sanctificatiō. difference is to bee found, and eueryevery sanctified person shall by them know of himselfe, that hee is gone beyond a ciuill life. First, a sanctified man hath care to order his life, his whole way and eueryevery step of it by the knowledge of the Word, of which he enquireth what hee may doe, and what not; still taking counsell from thence, doing all his things as necre as hee can, by that diuine direction, and with application of Christ; beleeuing that his weaknesses are in him hidden, and the vncleannesse of his worke wiped and purged by his death: whereas the ciuill man dependeth vponupon the allowance and reputation of men, which if hee obtaine, it contents him, he lookes no further, but to hauehave a good estimation in the World. And whereas the sanctified man aymeth at this most, how to please God, euen with the deniall and displeasure of his owne corrupt heart: the ciuill man doth not take thought, nor trouble his head about the pleasing of God, in the good he doth, nor in leauing euils for the offence of God; but seeketh and studieth to please himselfe, and such whose fauour hee desireth to liue in, ordering his course to his owne and their liking.

Thirdly, whereas a ciuill man is very carefull in duties that concerne affaires and dealings with men, that hee may get a good report that way, and doth religious duties coldly and of custome; the sanctified man, though he will not be negligent in workes that belong p. 193to his calling, yet he is cheefely … duties, which concerne God and his … that both publikely and priuately.

Adde heereunto fourthly, that ciuil … no great conscience of smaller sinnes, as …, … talke, lesse oaths, gaming. &c: and not at all … against naturall corruption to get it killed, nor in … bled for it. It is otherwise with a sanctified man, he laboureth most against the roote of sinne, to get it mortified, to hauehave the fountaine drained: hee … him, and conceiues much …, euen for the … of sinne, Psal. 51, 4, 5. Hee hath a great care to meete with sin in the bud, to resist it in the … and euill desires, and auoyding conscionably euen such offences as the most men iudge but …. For hee … the danger of death, the displeasure of God in eueryevery sin, euen the least. Dauid will greeue for touchingThis would not be forgottē, that a … man, though hee …, …, yet in some … sinne will beare with … doth not a …, who though he cannot bee free from sins, … none, but … is an enemy cuen to his darling …, … if it offend, & … his hand if it offend. the lap of Sauls garment the Lords annointed. The heart of a godly man wil smite him, euē for a vile vnhonest thoght, for eueryevery little ouer sight, if it be but in a circumstance of an action. Yet …, ciuil men neuer take any … to auoid the sins of the time, or of their … turall peculiar sinnes; the sanctified man of all other, most setteth himselfe against these. And to shut vp, because the differences are infinite, the euill man is … about the … of grace, to get more strength, against … more power to obey God, he doth not marke in himselfe the decrease of grace, or increase of sinne, that being humbled therefore, he may vse the means appointed without p. 194… and faintnesse, not by fits and girds. It … with the sanctified person, who … how corruption workes, and how grace decayes, betakes himselfe vntounto the vse of al good means, … all good care and conscience for the helping him … a greater measure of the Spirit, that he may grow vp in grace and knowledge. For he considereth … himselfe, amongst sundry other things, what duty he … to God, and to his owne soule; and that this … is laid vponupon him by God, that seeing Christ … by his … put into him, hath subdued his corruption, giuing to it a deadly wound by his death; so as though it still liue, yet it can neuer recouer former … and hath planted the image of God in his heart, that he may beginne to be like vntounto God, in true holinesse and …: therefore it stands him vponupon, not to bee wanting to this grace of Christ, but by all diligence and good endeuour, to be an helper to it, keeping … vnderunder, now Christ hath pulled it downe, and … it in the euill motions and desires, that it neuer get a kingdome againe. Being assured, that he is bound as carefully and willingly to striue against sinne, and to serue Christ, as before his regeneration he semed sinne, greedily fulfilling the lusts thereof. And here of also fully assured, that his resisting shall not bee in vaine, but through the blessing of God, shall further him to the vtter conquest & rooting out of sinne at length. VntoUnto which hee is animated, nor onelyonly vnderunder Gods … promise of a full victorie in the end, but also of a blessed fruite in this life, and glorious reward in the next. For, if we serue …, by doing the will of Christ, then our fruite p. 195shall be in holinesse, and end in euer lasting life. Wherfore the sanctified man thinkes all that he can doe to hinder the reigne of sin, and to further his perfection in obedience to God, to be all too little.

Apollos

I thanke you good friend Aquila, for helping me to spend the time so well: and now our allowance and houre-glasse being run out, we will close this conference. For, if you should enter vponupon that hard combate which is in eueryevery sanctified person betweene his old man and his new man, I doubt you would sooner finde an entrance into it, then a way out of it. So wee will keepe that in store till our next meeting in this or some other conuenient place; and now I challenge your promise for resorting home with mee, where you shall hauehave little meat, and a great deale of cheere.