The Best Treasure, Chapter 18
CHAP. XVIII.
Sanctification and Holineſs is purchas'd for Believers, by the Death and Sufferings of Jeſus Chriſt.
ANother part of Chriſts purchaſed Treaſure for Believers, is,
Fourthly, The Sanctification of their Natures and Perſons. Here I ſhall ſhew,
1. That the Lord Jeſus hath Purchaſed Grace and Holineſs.
2. For whom this Holineſs is purchaſed.
3. What this Holineſs is he hath purchaſed.
4. That this is part of Chriſts Treaſure.
Firſt, That the Lord Jeſus hath purchaſed the ſanctification of the Natures and Perſons of his people. This I ſhall prove by ſeveral Arguments.
Firſt, All the Types under the Law do imply ſo much, and darkly open this great truth to Believers. We find that Chriſt in the non-age and Infant ſtate of his Church and People dealt with them in Figures and Shadows: So the Laver, and Sacrifices, the Prieſts pure and white Robes and Veſtments, and the waſhing of their Garments, when they were to approach the Divine Majeſty, were Typical of this Holineſs, which he was to procure for his people in the fullneſs of time, ſo much the Apoſtle imports, Col. 2. 17. Which are a ſhadow of things to come, but the Body is of Chriſt. The ſhadow goes before, and the body follows: Theſe Types are precedaneous to the coming of Chriſt, and his full accompliſhment of the things intended, and ſignified by them, thus Chriſt is the Altar that ſanctifies the gift; In him we have thoſe true and ſolid good things which were ſhadowed out in thoſe Ceremonies under the Law, (ſaies Daven. on the place)
Secondly; The Names and Titles given to Chriſt import ſo much: He is called Jeſus, becauſe he ſhall ſave his People from their ſins: Mat. 1. 21. He is called a Redeemer to deliver them from their Bondages and hard Service: He is termed the Sanctifier: For he that Sanctifieth, and they that are Sanctifyed are all of one. Heb. 2. 11.
Thirdly; For this end, he was actually deſigned of God, and made over to his People in the Everlaſting Covenant, decrees, purpoſes, and determinations of God. 1. Cor. 1. 30. He is made of God unto us Wiſdom, Righteouſneſs, Sanctification, and Redemption. He is made of God: Non in creatione, ſed in ordinatione (ſaith Paraeus). Not created ſo according to his Divine Eſſence, as ſome Hereticks aſſert, but ordained and given of God to this end to be Sanctification, that is the Author of Sanctification, and therefore he is ſaid to ſave to the uttermoſt, Heb. 7. 25. which can never be accompliſh'd without Holineſſe; For without holineſſe no man can ſee the Lord, Heb. 12. 14.
Fourthly, For this work was the Lord Jeſus promiſed by the Father to come unto Sion, and turn away ungodlineſs from Jacob. Rom. 11. 26. This Scripture is quoted out of Iſa. 50. 10. from which the Apoſtle varies, following the Septuagint Tranſlation (then in great uſe) rather than the Hebr. ſeeing it retaines t…e ſenſe, though different in words: In Iſa. 'tis The Redeemer ſhall come to Sion, and unto them that turn from Tranſgreſſion: The Apoſtle ſaies, He ſhall come out of Sion, and turn away ungodlineſſe from Jacob: To reconcile which, Peter Martyr thinks the Septuagint might miſtake (Laſhub) To turn, for (Leſhabe) To them that turn: But this is not likely that thoſe Learned Doctors could be ſo miſtaken in the Original, and therefore 'tis a far better anſwer that Beza and Grynaeus do give, That the Prophet ſpeaketh of the Effect of Chriſts coming; which is a turning away from Sin: And that the Apoſtle ſpeaks of the Cauſe of their turning from Sin; which is Chriſts taking away of Sin, for none can turn from ſin, till Chriſt do remove Sin: And this is the end of his coming into the World: To this end he is promiſed: Mal. 3. 2, 3. He ſhall ſit as refiners fire, and purify the Sons of Levi. The Sons of Levi are, Firſtly meant of the Apoſtles: Secondly, I ſuppoſe, of all the Saints: But ſo much is clear, that the Lord Jeſus is promiſed to be a refiner to his People in Goſpel times and to purge away their filth and droſs, and to make them Holy.
Fifthly; For this end it was the Lord Jeſus Chriſt gave himſelf up to Redemption-work. Eph. 5. 25, 26, 27. As Chriſt alſo loved the Church, and gave himſelf for it; that he might Sanctify and cleanſe it with the waſhing of Water by the word: Here we have; 1. One great end of Chriſts Obedience and Suffering; 'tis to make his People Holy. 2. Here's the efficient Cauſe of this Holineſſe, that is, By the Spirit of Chriſt; The blood of Chriſt purges away the guilt of ſin Meritoriouſly, and the Spirit of Chriſt purifies the filth of ſin Efficiently; ſignifyed by Water, as 'tis often us'd in Scripture. Joh. 4. 10. 14. Chap. 7. 38, 39. 3. Here's the inſtrumental cauſe of this Holineſſe, the means by which it is wrought and carryed on, and that is by the word, the immortal ſeed of the Soul: This he undertook, and was intended to do in the Covenant of Redemption betwixt the Father and him. Iſa. 42. 1, 2, 3, 4. He ſhall not fail till he hath ſet Judgment in the Earth, that is Holineſs; for ſo 'tis taken, Joh. 16. 8. And this work is the Lord Jeſus here engag'd to do. Some take the word (Ethmoch) I uphold, paſſively for the Fathers dependence, and Chriſts Faithfulneſſe: He leans or ſtays upon his undertaking this work, and truſts to his performance of what he undertook to do: Others take it actively for the Fathers upholding and carrying Chriſt through this great work of Redemption, and Sanctification. In both ſenſes 'tis true, The Lord Jeſus ſtands engaged to carry on Redemption-work, and is throughly furniſhed with grace to accompliſh it, Heb. 10. 7. Chriſt readily conſents to the fulfilling of the Fathers will; and what that was you have Iſa. 42. 7. To open the blind eyes, and to bring out the Priſoners out of the Priſon, which is meant of the work of Redemption, and Regeneration; and it was the will of God the Father that Chriſt ſhould do this, 1. Theſ. 4. 3. This is the will of God even your Sanctification: And this he ſtood bound to do, to promote and perfect the power of Holineſſe in all his Children. Now what Chriſt did undertake he finiſhed Meritoriouſly, whiles on Earth. Joh. 17. 4. I have finiſhed the work thou haſt given me to do: And for the application of it, he is in Heaven to ſee it perform'd; and this is the work of his Interceſſion, Joh. 17. 17. Sanctify them through thy truth, thy word is truth. This Chriſt Intercedes for in Heaven, and therefore 'tis the fruit of his Purchaſe; for he Intercedes for no more in Heaven than what he dyed for on Earth.
Sixthly; His Authoritative ſending the Spirit of Holineſſe to his people, ſhews his right to it by his Purchaſe. Joh. 16. 7. I will ſend him to you. That is after the finiſhing of his work, and re-inſtalment in Glory, Joh. 7. 39. For the Holy Ghoſt was not yet given, becauſe Chriſt was not yet glorifyed.
Laſtly; Were not holineſſe purchaſed for ſaved Souls, Chriſts Redemption-work would be imperfect, neither could Souls ever anſwer the ends for which he dyed. Without Holineſſe were procured and compleated by Chriſt, there could be no Salvation. For,
Firſt; Man cannot Sanctify himſelf; We are all as an unclean thing and our Righteouſneſſe as filthy rags, Iſa. 64. 6. And who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? no not one, Job 14. 4. Indeed the Scripture ſometimes ſpeaks after this manner, Make you a clean heart, Ezek. 18. 31. Make you a new heart. So Iſa. 1. 16. Waſh ye, make ye celan: But there is Mans Duty not his power: It ſhews the ſubject, not the Author or this holineſſe; and where you find ſuch Exhortations, they are to lead men to Chriſt for the getting of this Holineſs wrought in them; as, 1 Pet. 2. 4. To whom come, as as to a living ſtone, &c.
Secondly, Without this holineſs be wrought in Believers they can never be capable of anſwering the ends of Redemption; which are,
Firſt, To enjoy Union and Fellowſhip with God, Joh. 11. 52. 1 Joh. 1. 3. Heb. 8. 10. Now without Holineſs no Fellowſhip with God, 2 Cor. 6. 14, 15. 1 Pet. 1. 15, 16. For his Perſon is Holy; and his offerings and ſervices are Holy.
Secondly, To reconcile together in one all things in Heaven and Earth, Col. 1. 20. But no Fellowſhip with Angels or Saints in Heaven without holineſs for they are holy Creatures.
Thirdly, To be brought into the neareſt Union, and Conformity to himſelf, Rom. 6. 4, 5. But without Holineſs this cannot be.
Fourthly, To be a Name and a praiſe unto God, Eph. 1. 12. But without Holineſs no glorifying of God.
Fifthly, To bring Souls to the poſſeſſion of the purchaſed Inheritance in Glory, Eph. 1. 14. But nothing that defileth ſhall enter within the Gate of the new Jeruſalem, Rev. 21. 27. So much for the firſt Head, That Jeſus Chriſt hath Purchaſed Holineſſe. We ſhall now enquire,
Secondly, For whom hath the Lord Jeſus Purchaſed Holineſſe?
Anſw. For all his feed; for every Soul the Father hath given him, Joh. 17. 9. Chriſts Purchaſe, death, and Interceſſion is only for thoſe the Father hath given him, and every one of them, for all his ſeed that belong to him as the ſecond Adam. And in this ſenſe is that Scripture to be taken: Rom. 5. 18. As by the offence of one Judgment came upon all Men to Condemnation, even ſo by the Righteouſneſſe of one the free gift came upon all Men to Juſtification of life. That is; As death came by Adams fall to all his ſeed, ſo life comes by Chriſt to all his ſeed; neither can it be ſtretched further, as the Apoſtle affirms, 1 Joh. 5. 12. He that hath the Son hath life, but he that hath not the Son hath not life. Neither will any affirm, that all Men are juſtified unto life, nor any but thoſe that believe in Chriſt, which are his ſeed: The Lord Jeſus tells us, Joh. 17. 20; 'Tis for all them that believe on him through his word. Gal. 3. 22. That the Promiſe by Faith of Jeſus Chriſt might be given to them that believe: The Apoſtle ſpeaks here of a double Promiſe made to Abraham, and through him to Believing Gentiles. 1. The Promiſe of Righteouſneſſe in Juſtification, ver. 18, 19. 2. The Promiſe of the Spirit in Sanctification, ver. 14. That we might receive the Promiſe of the Spirit through Faith, and both theſe are made over to Believers. You that come to Chriſt in truth, and receive him into your hearts by faith, and take his Yoke on your ſhoulders, obey his Laws, ſincerely give up your all to him, and are no more your own, but though you ſee your want of Holineſſe, yet are really willing to be Holy as God is Holy, ſubmitting to all the appointments of Chriſt, in order to it; you are the ſeed of Chriſt, the people to whom the Promiſe of Holineſſe doth belong.
Thirdly, What is the Holineſſe Chriſt hath Purchas'd for his People?
Anſw, Firſt; The truth of Grace, in oppoſition to Hypocriſie: The Lord Jeſus never ſhed his blood for counterfeit grace. His purchas'd Treaſure conſiſts not of Counters, but tryed Gold, Rev. 3. 17. What he offers to Sinners, that he purchaſed and dyed for; but Chriſt offers tryed gold to invited Souls. Any thing ſhort of ſaving grace is not worth the ſhedding of the blood of the Son of God. That which Chriſt Promiſeth to his people is the ſame with that he hath purchaſed; but he promiſeth true grace, Ezek. 36. 26, 27. He Promiſeth a new heart, and a new heart is a truly ſanctified heart: 'Tis his Spirit he will put within them; and his Spirit is a Spirit of truth, Joh. 14. 17. There is never a Soul whoſe heart is made willing to be the Lords; but Jeſus Chriſt hath purchaſed ſincerity for him; Chriſt never dyed for Lies and Untruths, but ſeeming grace is a lye and not of the truth. This is wonderful comfort to poor troubled Souls that are always doubting of the truth of their graces, and would give a thouſand Worlds to be ſure that their gold is tryed gold, and their graces true graces. Now if ever thy Soul were brought to deſire Chriſt in truth, and to receive him with a lively Faith, thou mayeſt be ſure thy graces are true, becauſe the Lord Jeſus hath purchas'd this for all Believers. Now this truth of Grace conſiſts in a through change of the Soul, even of the whole Man; which may be diſtinguiſhed into theſe two parts. 1. The taking away of Sin. 2. The giving of Grace, the delivering the Soul from the power of Satan, and the reducing it under the power of God, and into his Kingdom: The purging the Soul from Luſt, and poſſeſſing it with Grace: the deſtroying the works of the Devil, and creating it the workmanſhip of God: In freeing the Soul from the Ruling Power of ſin in every part, and implanting the Nature and Image of God on every Power and Faculty of it. Acts 26. 18. 1 Cor. 6. 11. Tit. 2. 14 Rom. 6. 14.
Secondly; Perſeverance in Grace; Their continuance in a ſtate of grace: And the abiding of the ſeed of God in them: 1 Joh. 3. 9. foreign 'tis the ſame word that ſignifies the Spirits abiding with Believers, which Chriſt ſaith ſhall be for ever, Joh. 14. 16. 1 Joh. 2. 27. This he hath Promiſed in the new Covenant, and therefore this he hath purchaſed, Jer. 32. 40. And therefore the ſanctified are called the preſerved in Jeſus Chriſt, Jude ver. 1. And the Saints are ſaid to be kept by the Power of God through faith unto Salvation, 1 Pet. 1. 5. This Chriſt ſtands engaged to the Father to do, Joh. 17. 12. If Jeſus Chriſt hath not purchaſed perſeverance in Grace to the end for all his people, but leaves their continuance in the truth to their free-will, then he leaves them in the ſame ſtate in which they were under the firſt Covenant: For the ſtanding of Adam in the firſt Covenant was upon his own choice and will; but this cannot be, becauſe Chriſt hath taken away the firſt Covenant from Believers, and Eſtabliſhed the ſecond which makes the Commers thereunto perfect, Heb. 8. 6. to 11. Chap. 10. 9, 10.
Thirdly; Growth in Grace: What he calls them to that he hath purchaſed for them; for Chriſt cannot invite his people to uncertainties or diſappointments; what he exhorts them to, he promiſeth to work them to, Phil. 2. 12, 13. Work out your Salvation with fear and trembling; For 'tis God that worketh in you both to will and to do. Now he bids them to grow in Grace, 2 Pet. 3. 18. And this he Promiſeth alſo, Hoſ. 14. 5. 7. I will be as a dew unto Iſrael, and he ſhall grow as the Lilly, and caſt forth his roots as Lebanon, they that dwell under his ſhaddow ſhall revive as the Corn, and grow as the Vine. Pſa. 92. 12. The Righteous ſhall flouriſh as the Palm-Tree and grow as the Cedars in Lebanon. What God Promiſed under the new Covenant Chriſt hath dyed for; for this Covenant is wholly Confirmed by blood, by the death of the Teſtator, Heb. 9. 14, 17.
Queſt: Then what is the reaſon Gods People grow no more in Grace this day?
Anſw. Firſt; All are not Iſrael that are of Iſrael; Many paſſe for Saints in the Judgment of Men which were never ſanctified in Chriſt Jeſus, nor will appear to be ſo in the approbation of God; and therefore ſome in whom you ſee no growth, are no contradiction to this truth at all, they being none of the ſeed of Chriſt.
Secondly; The Lords Trees as well as the Trees of the Wood have their growing times: The Winter is no time to grow; no nor the Winter of Temptation or divine deſertion. Bodies have their growing times, ſo have Souls. Believer thy growing time may be yet to come if thou art Chriſts.
Thirdly; Souls may grow, though ſlowly, and inviſibly to themſelves and others; Believers have ſometimes a vail on their Eyes, and cannot diſcern their flouriſhing, and ſometimes the ſmalneſſe of Grace renders it indiſcernable to others. There may be a growing downward in Faith, and Humility, thoſe radical Graces that ſtrengthen the Souls adherence to Chriſt, though there be no growing upwards in fruitfulneſſe for Chriſt. There is a growing in internal longings and ſecret deſires after more of God, and in higher valuations of Jeſus Chriſt, though not in ſuch ſenſible enjoyments of him. As the truth of Grace lies beyond the view of Men, ſo doth many times the growth of grace to a Mans ſelf, and to others.
Fourthly; The People of God ſhall at laſt have their growth in grace further'd by their preſent decays in Grace. As the ſickneſſe of Children, though it makes them languiſh for a time, yet it helps on their growth when 'tis over; ſo the Winter ſeaſon promotes the growth of Trees and herbs when the Summer comes.
Fourthly; The Lord Jeſus hath Purchaſed for his people Perfection in Grace alſo: This is intended by his death, that they may be made perfect in one, Joh. 17. 23. This he preſſeth them to Mat. 5. 48. Be ye perfect as your Father which is in Heaven is perfect. And what he exhorts them to he prepares and hath redeem'd them to. For this end he gives them Ordinances, that they may come to a perfect Man, to the fulneſſe of the meaſure of the ſtature of Jeſus Chriſt, Eph. 4. 12, 13. Heb. 10. 14. This perfection of grace is nothing elſe but glory. 1 Cor. 13. 10. When that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part ſhall be done away: And this Chriſt hath purchas'd for Believers, Joh. 10. 28.
Queſt: If Chriſt hath Purchaſed perfection in Holineſſe; Then what's the reaſon the profeſſing people of Chriſt are ſo imperfectly Holy, never a day ſince the Goſpel, of more light, and leſſe life; of more profeſſion, and leſs Power of Holineſs; Whence comes this ſo?
Anſw. Firſt; Theſe are the laſt daies, yea the latter part of the laſt daies, and the Iaſt daies are daies of great unholineſſe, and little grace. O the Catalogue of ſins the Scripture gives us that will abound at that time, 2 Tim. 3. 1. In the laſt daies Perillous times ſhall come, for Men ſhall be lovers of themſelves—Having a form of Godlineſſe but denying the Power thereof. Chriſt himſelf ſhews us the complexion of the laſt times: Mat. 24. 12. Then Iniquity ſhall abound, and the love of many wax cold. The daies before the Coming of Chriſt to avenge his Elect are daies of little Grace: When the Son of Man comes ſhall he find Faith on the Earth? Luke 18. 8.
Secondly; Becauſe of the abundance of Hypocrites that get under a profeſſion, and crowd in amongſt Saints: In the laſt times the greateſt number of Men are formaliſts, as you have heard, 2. Tim. 3. 5. Half at leaſt of Virgin Profeſſors will at the coming of Chriſt be found fooliſh, and abundance of tares among the Wheat, and Goats among the Sheep, will be diſcovered when Chriſt comes to Judgment; and this hinders the holineſſe of profeſſours, when a great number among them are rotten, and Carnal; unſound Perſons amongſt the ſincere hinder their thriving in Grace, by their Examples and enſnaring Company; theſe, as Gangreens, do eat away all holineſs; and as dead bodies become contagious; if the living touch the dead, they are unclean, Hag. 2. 13. Can a man touch Pitch, and not be defiled?
Thirdly, Becauſe 'tis the hour, and power of darkneſs, Luke 22. 53. 'tis a time of great temptation to Gods people: Satan is come down with great wrath, Rev. 12. 12. This Chap. is contemporary with the Seals and Trumpets, and gives us a repetition of the Churches State under the firſt and ſecond Perſecution; this ver. holds forth the ſecond perſecution under Antichriſt, when Satan is caſt out of the true Church, and Believers, and comes down among rotten profeſſours, to ſtir them up to perſecution, and then the Devil hath great wrath, eſpecially in the latter part of his Reign, when he hath but a little time; then by temptation as well as perſecution, he labours to deſtroy the Saints holineſs.
Fourthly, Gods leaving his people as a puniſhment of former ſins under preſent Corruptions; for their humbling, and driving them nearer to himſelf. Theſe may be ſome Reaſons why there is ſo little holineſs; but however, the time will come when Chriſt will make up his Jewels, and ſet holineſs in the Earth.
Fourthly, This ſanctification of Believers is part, yea, the choiceſt part of Chriſts purchaſed Treaſure. I have ſhewn before that Riches import two things. 1. Some things that were of worth and value, men never ſeek great heaps of duſ… or ſtraw, as part of their Riches; but Silver, Gold, and Jewels, are things of account. 2. Abundance and large meaſures of theſe excellent things. Now ſanctification is a thing of wonderful value, and an unknown excellency in its nature; holineſs muſt needs be excellent becauſe it is a ſparkle of Divine Glory; 'tis part of the Nature and Image of God himſelf, 2 Pet. 1. 4. 'Tis the Glory of God, Hab. 3. 3. When the Prophet would ſet forth God in his Glory, he gives him the name of the holy one, God came from Teman, and the holy one from Mount Paran, his Glory covered the Heavens. The Prophet here ſpeaks and Propheſies of the calling of the Jews by the Goſpel, after the Aſcenſion of Chriſt, in an alluſion to his former giving the Law on Mount Sinai, and making them his people by that Covenant: So Teman is a place in Idumea, Paran in Arabia, between Sinai and Seir, from whence God gives out his Law, and ſhews out his Glory, as you may ſee, Deut. 33. 3. Some take Teman for Jeruſalem, and then the meaning is thus; As God did formerly manifeſt his Glory, by giving out his Law from Mount Sinai; and his Holineſs in keeping and leading his people through the Wilderneſs to Canaan and Jeruſalem: So will he in Goſpeltimes, manifeſt his Glory, in giving the Goſpel, and calling a People to himſelf; and this Glory of his will moſt eminently appear in the manifeſtation of his Holineſs. So that Holineſs is the Glory of God, and therefore muſt needs be moſt excellent. Nay, Sanctification is the honour of the Creature, Rev. 21. 10, 11. The Glory of the latter Church is ſet forth by its Holineſs: So Sanctification and Honour are joyned together, 1 Theſſ. 4. 4. Holineſs is the greateſt Treaſure; for 'tis laid up in the choiceſt Treaſury; in Heaven, the place of Gods Holineſs, and the Habitation of the Holy Saints and Angels, Iſa. 63. 15. Treaſures are not the Poſſeſſion of every one, they are given uſually but to a few: So is Holineſs the priviledge of the feweſt and leaſt number of men; few there be that find it, Mat. 7. 13. Riches can procure the greateſt things procurable, as one ſaith; Money anſwereth all things; that is all things that are ſaleable among men; ſo Holineſs, though it cannot purchaſe Mercy, yet it fits perſons for the greateſt Mercies, and higheſt Services. None more advanced than holy Souls; they dwell in the preſence of God, Pſal. 140. 13. They are through Chriſt very potent with God; they are fit for the higheſt work. When Perſons come to dye, they ſee the excellency of holineſs, and would purchaſe it with a world: This proves that Sanctification is a rare Treaſure.
Again, The purchas'd Holineſs of Chriſt hath not only excellent worth, but large quantity; he hath purchas'd fullneſs of Grace; Grace for Grace. O Believer, though thy heart be empty of grace, yet Chriſt's Treaſure is full, he hath as much as ever thou canſt need or crave, to make thee as Holy as thou wouldeſt be, and that to all Eternity.
ƲSE. If Holineſs be the Purchaſe of Chriſt, then 'tis not the Creatures procurement, or by any ways or means obtained ſhort of the merit of Chriſt. what the Apoſtle ſays of Righteouſneſs is true of Sanctification, Gal. 2. 21. If Righteouſneſs come by the Law, then Chriſt is dead in vain. So if holineſs be the Fruit of Mens Purpoſes, Labours and Duties, then Chriſt died in vain. 'Tis too common an errour in many, to charge Chriſt with too much in ſome things, and too little in other things. In juſtification ſome lay too much on Chriſt; I mean by charging their ſins on him for pardon, which they were never throughly convinc'd or repented of; and in ſanctification charge him with too little, expecting their holineſs and meetneſs from their purpoſes, duties, and improvements: As if holineſs were to grow out of the Sepulchres of their Services, and not out of the grave of Chriſt: 'Tis true indeed the Lord Jeſus hath appointed means for the promoting of Holineſs, and given promiſes and Ordinances for the conveying and perfecting of it, but the vertue of all depends upon his bleſſing, 1 Cor. 3. 6, 7. Rom. 9. 16.
Secondly; Then how unexcuſable are periſhing Sinners under the Goſpel, that will not come to Chriſt to be made holy. You that lye in your blood, and from the Crown of your head to the ſole of your feet are full of filthy Ulcers, and putrifying ſores; whoſe Conſciences cannot but condemn you ſometimes for uncleanneſſe; and never being cleanſed by the blood of Chriſt; how will you appear before the Holy God, a Conſuming fire, in your unpurged ſins? How unjuſtifiable is your filthyneſſe who might have been cleanſed, but would not! What will you anſwer in the day of Indignation, when all this tender'd, but refuſed Grace ſhall come againſt you? when you would willingly part with the whole World if you had it to get a clean heart and a purged Conſcience? How dreadful will that word be in the day of Inquiſition; Ezek. 22. 24. Thou art a Land, Thou art a Soul that art not cleanſed? How cutting will the memory be of rejected Grace, when God ſhall ſay, I would have healed you, but you are not healed? Jer. 51. 9. You might have had your natures changed, your Conſciences cleanſed, and your hearts ſanctified, but you would not: Now away thou prophane hard-hearted wretch: Be gone thou ſecret Drunkard, Swearer, Thief, Lyer, take him Devil, go and be filthy ſtill, wallow in thy blood; there lye curſing in torment to all Eternity; as long as I am God, thy blood ſhall lye upon thee.
Thirdly; Then the Holineſſe of Believers is and ſhall be ſure, being grounded on the Purchaſe of Chriſt. 'Tis bought, and paid for (O Believer) for thee: purchas'd Sanctification is aſſuredly thine as thou art not thine own; The truth, continuance, growth, and perfection of Grace is procured for thee by a price: A price agreed on betwixt the Father and the Son.
Firſt, God will not deny it, Juſtice it ſelf cannot with-hold thy purchas'd due. As ſure as Chriſt with-holds not one drop of his blood, or penny of the price, ſo ſure will not God with-hold any part of this Purchaſe. Rom. 3. 26. That he may be juſt, and the juſtifier of them that believe in Jeſus: And if the juſtifier, then ſure the ſanctifier. Poor doubting Believer, when thou ſeeſt nothing but unworthineſs in thy ſelf of the leaſt Grace, and peace from God, then think, 'twas Chriſt, not I, that made this purchaſe; he who did not, can not make a forfeit of his right; and whoſe blood muſt periſh, whoſe Honour and Intereſt muſt ſuffer, if one of thoſe for whom Chriſt dyed ſhould dye and periſh for want of Holineſſe: O no! this cannot be; The Judge of all the Earth muſt do right. Gen. 18. 23.
Secondly, Jeſus Chriſt the believers Advocate cannot ſuffer to ſee his poor and needy deprived of their right: He is the Mediatour betwixt God and his people; The days-Man and Umpire to ſee truth Eſtabliſhed in the Earth, and every one to receive his due: He will give wicked Men their due, much more his Children; And all Power in Heaven and Earth are in his hands, Math. 28. 20. He is the Faithful Witneſſe, Holy, and Juſt one, and therefore will cauſe that believers ſhall have the diſtributions of the due Meaſures of his Purchas'd Grace.
Thirdly, there is nothing in thee or without thee that can hinder the accompliſhment of it, Iſa. 43. 13. I will work, and who ſhall let: Let Earth and Hell, Sin and ſelf, combine together, they ſhall not keep back the Communications of grace one day beyond God's time, Math. 12. 20. 'Tis not the ſtrength of thy luſts can prevail againſt the arm of God, and forces of his eternal Spirit, who is commiſſioned to bring down all thy Enemies, and ſet thee free indeed. Chriſt will Reign till he brings down all his Enemies under his feet, 1 Cor. 15. 25. The greateſt part of which is the Corruptions of his people.