Spiritual Refining, Religious treatise · Section 8 · Sermon 62
SERMON LXII.
Of the Grace of God ſanctifying a Sinner.
1 COR. 6. 11.
And ſuch were ſome of you, but you are waſhed, but you are ſanctified, &c.
THe Apoſtle (as you heard) is now deſcribing what the Corinthians are by the grace of God; which is threefold, Waſhing (and that is diſpatched;) Sanctifying, and that is the work now in hand. As for Illyricus his opinion, that takes theſe three things for the ſame, making them onelyonly words Synonymous, there is no colour for it; come we therefore to handle the nature of this gracious work of God, and the word hath many and ſeveral acceptions, in the Scripture, which are neceſſary to be known.
The firſt and ordinary uſe of the word, is for the external celebrating and acknowledging The word ſanctified its ſeveral acceptions.the Name and Ordinances of God as holy: Thus we pray, Sanctified be thy name; and very often we are commanded To ſanctifie the Lord; which is then done, when we do with all holy fear and reverence make mention of him, and acknowledge his Majeſty; the contrary whereunto, is to defile, to pollute and to blaſpheme his holy name.
Secondly, To Sanctifie, is often uſed in Scripture, for the ſeparating any thing from prophane and common uſe, as holy unto God: Thus all the veſſels in the Temple were ſanctified, and the Prieſts were ſanctified; and in this ſenſe Chriſt ſaith, He ſanctified himſelf, viz. He prepared himſelf to be an expiatory Sacrifice for John 17. 1.our ſins.
Thirdly, There are ſome who ſay the word to Sanctifie, is as much as to juſtifie, and to make holy and righteous through Chriſts Righteouſneſs; and therefore they ſpeak of an imputative Sanctification (which is the ſame with Juſtification) and is really inherent, but inchoate in this life. Thus they ſay Sanctification is taken for Juſtification, frequently in the Epiſtle to the Hebrews, Heb. 10. By which will we are ſanstified; and Heb. 3. Chriſt that he might ſanctifie his people, ſuffered without the gate; and thus Chriſt is ſaid To be made unto us, Wiſdom and Sanctification; But this ſenſe of the word is not ſo generally acknowledged.
Fourthly, To ſanctifie, is ſometimes uſed for the preparing and deſigning of any to ſome great work and exploit; ſo Iſa. 13. The Medes are ſaid to be ſanctified, for the deſtruction of Babylon: I have commanded my ſanctified ones; yea, in the Scripture commonly the judgements of God upon the wicked, by way of war and ſlaughter, are compared to Sacrifices, and ſo thoſe that are inſtruments to execute them, in that ſenſe are ſanctified; yea, it ſignifieth to prepare or endeavor any thing, Jer. 6. Sanctifie a war, Mich. 3. If they do not give in their mouth, they prepare a war.
Fifthly, The word is ſometimes uſed antiphraſtically, for the clear contrary, to ſanctifie, is then as much as to pollute, and to be unclean; thus Exod. 19. Lev.. 8. Thoſe that did after an unclean maner draw nigh to holy things, they are ſaid to be ſanctified, that is, unclean: And thus whores in the Hebrew are called Holy, that is, polluted and vile; and thus Sacrum among the Latihs is uſed.
Sixthly, There is a paſſive Sanctification, or a Work of God, whereby he changeth us, and maketh us of unholy, holy; and this is the grace intended in the Text: I pray God ye be ſanctified throughout, 1 Theſſ. ult. 1 Pet. 1. 1. Through the Sanctification of the Spirit to obedience.
Seventhly, There is an active Sanctification, whereby in the progreſs of holineſs, we daily purifie our ſelves, growing more and more holy, 2 Cor. 7. 7. 1 John 3. He that hath this hope purifyeth or ſanctifieth himſelf, as God is holy: Theſe two latter ſenſes of the word, may be here chiefly intended.
That thoſe who are renewed by the Grace of God, they are ſanctified ones; they are Obſerv.made holy, and purified from the filth and droſs that was in them.
Let us firſt obſerve how the ſeveral ſenſes of the word Sanctified, formerly related, is aptly applicable to them: And1. Wherein the people of God are ſanctified.
Firſt, They are Segregated from the world; They are choſen from that prophane and common courſe of life they lived in before; that as the Veſſels were taken from all common uſe, and applied onelyonly to ſacred actions, to the Sacrifices, and other Offerings: Thus God by grace, doth take men, who before were under the power of Satan, at the command of every luſt, they were vile, unclean, fit for no holy imployments; now they are ſeparated from thoſe former evils: Thus true Religion is that which keeps a man unſpotted from the world, James 1. 27. Thou doſt touch this pitch, and art not defiled; thou art in this Babylonian furnace, and haſt not thy garments ſigned: This is to be a true and a good ſeparatiſt, when by the heart and affections, a man forſaketh the ways of the world; though he be in the world, yet he is not of the world; for the world lying in wickedneſs, godlineſs cannot be but ſingularity and preciſeneſs, in reſpect of the multitude; therefore thou art not in the number of theſe ſanctified ones, nay thou canſt not ſay, thou art of the true Religion or haſt any true Religion at all, till thou keepeſt thy ſelf clean and unblameable from all the groſs and foul wickedneſs, that the world uſually commits.
Secondly, The godly are ſanctified, becauſe they are not onelyonly ſeparated from 2.their former prophaneneſs, but they are alſo Dedicated and Conſecrated unto God, they are made his, and are peculiarly applyed unto him; in which ſenſe the godly are called A Royal Prieſthood, 1 Pet. 2. 9. and, The Firſt fruits, James 1. 18. thus they are ſaid to be none of their own, Phil. 4. The godly hath God ſet apart for himſelf (ſaith the Pſalmiſt;) ſo then, to be ſanctified, is to be given up wholly unto the Lord as his, no more a mans own, no more the worlds, no more ſins: Therefore all the ſins of a godly man, have a kinde of Sacriledge in them, they take their ſouls and bodies, which were conſecrated unto God, and apply them to prophane and the Devils uſe: Thus the Apoſtle argueth, Shall I take the Temple of the Holy Ghoſt, and make it one with an whore? 2 Cor. 6. In this manner, all the ſins of the godly are to be aggravated, Sin not with thy eyes, with thy hands, with thy body, thou makeſt the Temple of God an Hell, thou art guilty of high Sacriledge.
Thirdly, To be ſanctified you heard, was to be prepared and fitted for any great work and imployment; Thus alſo the people of God are created and prepared 3.for every good work: All the actions of grace are ſupernatural, far above humane power, they are Divine works, and therefore muſt have power from above to enable them thereunto. To leave thy ſins, thou muſt be ſanctified thereunto; to pray aright, to hear the word of God in a ſoul-ſaving maner, there muſt be a ſanctification of thy heart; eſpecially this is uſed for executing Juſtice upon the enemies of God and his glory: This is Gods Sacrifice, and thus every particular Chriſtian, he hath many Sacrifices, for the offering of which he needeth this Sanctification. A broken and contrite heart, that is a ſacrifice, Pſal. 51. good works are a ſacrifice, prayer is a ſacrifice. Now as in the Old Teſtament they were peculiarly conſecrated and fitted thereunto; thus alſo in the New Teſtament, none can ſubdue ſin, approach nigh unto God in any holy way, that is not firſt ſanctified by his ſpirit, 2 Tim. 2. 21. Sanctified and meet for the Maſters uſe. As the Medes were ſanctified to deſtroy the Babylonions, ſo muſt thou be to kill thy luſts, to mortifie thy ſins: Though you are not now to kill beaſts, to deſtroy them unto God, yet ye have beaſtly luſts, which you are to mortifie continually; Pride, Covetouſneſs, Prophaneneſs, theſe are beaſtly luſts, which thou art ſanctified to deſtroy.
Fourthly, To be ſanctified, in the Scripture ſenſe, Is to be made fit and lawful 4.for its proper uſe: Thus ſome expound that place, The unbelieving wife is ſanctified through the believing husband, 1 Cor. 7. that is, made fit and lawful for conjugal relation, though that is not all the meaning; but we have another place, where every thing is ſaid to be ſanctified by the word of God and prayer, 1 Tim. 4. 5. viz. All our Meats, Drinks, lawful …mployments, they are ſanctified by prayer: The curſe that is upon all the creatures is removed away, and thy meat is made fit to nouriſh thee, thy cloathes to warm thee, &c.
In this ſenſe Divines ſpeak of a civil right, and a ſanctified right to the creatures: Of a Civil and Spiritual right to the Creature.Wicked men have a civil, lawful right to the goods, to the poſſeſſions they enjoy, and poſſeſs them with a good conſcience, but they want the ſanctified right of them; i. e. they have not the grace of God in their heart, whereby they might improve them in a godly maner, to the glory and honor of God; It being impoſſible without faith to pleaſe God: Oh then bewail thy condition! while thou art unſanctified, thou art not fit to eat, to drink, to be a poſſeſſor of any eſtate, any honor, any goods; not but that a wicked man is true owner of what he is, but he hath not a ſanctified uſe of them, he doth not eat or drink to the glory of God, his eſtate and wealth he knoweth not how to improve for bleſſed and heavenly ends.
Fifthly, To ſanctifie, is to acknowledge and uſe all things that belong to God, after an holy, reverent and heavenly maner: Thus the people of God are often exhorted 5.To ſanctifie God in their hearts, Iſa. 8. 13. and ſo they are commanded To ſanctifie or keep holy his Sabbaths, Iſa. 29. 23. ſo that herein is a true ſanctified perſon diſcovered, when he doth with all holy fear and reverence approach near unto God in his Ordinances: Thus a godly man is deſcribed by this property, He feareth an oath, Eccleſ 92. becauſe an oath is a ſacred appeal unto God, as the witneſs of our actions, and becauſe his majeſty is ſo great and glorious, that we are unworthy to take his name into our mouthes; therefore he is ſaid To fear an oath, he trembleth to ſwear. O how far are thoſe then from Sanctification, who prophanely and paſſionately belch out their oathes, and without any reverence, yea in madneſs and fury, make mention of God in their Oathes. If thou weit ſanctified, thou wouldeſt acknowledge the Name, Perſon, Nature, Attributes and Ordinances of God Sacred and Holy, and ſo wouldſt after a ſerious, humble and holy manner uſe them, and make mention of them: So that the ſwearer and the curſer, howſoever he may mitigate his ſin, that he didit in his paſſion, and he doth not think of it, yet he can never pretend to Sanctification; for where that is, it doth rule the heart with ſuch an holy and reverential awe of Gods Majeſty, that he never makes mention of him, but with Religious and trembling affections. Its admirable what the Heathens have been in this very point of ſwearing, how unwilling to do it, though in a lawful thing, and all becauſe of a devout apprehenſion they had of that Sacred Majeſty to whom they did appeal in their oathes. O then, what ſhame and confuſion ſhould this be to Chriſtians; there is ſcarce any old man, or yong man, any rich man, or poor man, but given to this deteſtable ſin of ſwearing, for which a man may properly be called prophane, be cauſe he hath low, deſpicable and irreverent thoughts of God. Another duty of a godly man ſanctified, is to keep holy his Sabbaths, as you read in many places; ſo that the looſe, careleſs and contemptuous deſpiſing of it, is an argument of an unſanctified heart: The godly make it their delight, and they keep a ſpiritual Sabbath from their ſins, and by this means, their ſouls enter into an holy reſt that day: But the ungodly man, he judgeth theſe days a burthen, a trouble, he longs to have them over, that he may to the world, or his luſts again: Try then thy Sanctification, by thy holy eſteem and prize of thy holy duties, which are for the encreaſe of godlineſs, and promoting of that: When thou comeſt to pray, to hear, to keep his Sabbaths, with thy thoughts full of the world, the love thereof, or delight therein, thou art no ways prepared to ſanctifie God.
Laſtly, To ſanctifie, is to have all the faculties and powers of the ſoul, renewed by holy principles within, and thereby carried out to do thoſe things 6.which are holy, and after an holy manner: And thus all thoſe that are regenerated are wrought upon, their underſtandings are made holy, their wills holy, their love an holy love, their grief and fear holy: This is the chief mercy, above all Riches, Honors and Greatneſs; without this Sanctification, every man, though alive, is dead; though rich, is poor; though happy, is miſerable. And for the better diſcovery of it, conſider:
Firſt, the efficient cauſe to which this is peculiarly appropriated; and that is, 1. The efficient cauſe of Sanctification.The Holy Spirit of God, called, The Holy Spirit, Epheſ. 1. 13. Rom. 1. 4. 2 Theſſ. 2. 13. and, The Spirit of Sanctification, becauſe peculiarly appropriated to him to work this in us: So that if thou deſireſt this Sanctification, fain thou wouldſt have a ſanctified heart, and ſanctified affections; O it troubles thee that thou art not acted by ſuch holy principles; lift up thy eyes to heaven, pray that God would vouchſafe this holy ſpirit to thee, which will work like fire, conſuming that droſs of corruption in thee. No wonder, if under much preaching, many judgements of God, people remain prophane and looſe, diſſolute in their ſins, for neither Miniſter or Angels, can infuſe this holy foundation into them. its the proper work of Gods Spirit: Take heed therefore of grieving or reſiſting this ſpirit, and that you do, when ye live in ſins againſt conviction againſt the plain declaration of Gods word; when that informeth, directeth judgeth and condemneth thee, yet thou wilt go on, and be obſtinate in thy ſins: This is the ſad caſe of many thouſands, who thereby chaſe away the ſpirit of Sanctification from them. Now that God is more willing to beſtow his ſpirit, upon thoſe that ask him in a right manner, then any father is able, or willing to give any neceſſary good thing to his childe, appeareth Mat. 7. If ye being wicked know how to give good things, how much rather will your Father in heaven, give his ſpirit to thoſe that ask him: O then ſay, This is the neceſſary thing, this is to be ſought for in the firſt place.2. The inſt… ment of … ctifi… word
Secondly, The inſtrument of this Sanctification, the means whereby God will work it, is the Word: Thus our Saviour prayeth, That God would ſanctifie his Diſciples by his truth, his word was truth, John 17. There is no ordinary means for the obtaining of this, but by the word: This is the Chariot of the Spirit, here we muſt expect its workings. As it had beed a vain thing in Naaman, to expect the cleanſing of his leproſie in anywater but in Jordan, ſo it is as fooliſh and abſurd to expect ſanctification by any humane rites & inventions of men, a number of which are introduced in popery. Now as Gods ſpirit onelyonly efficiently ſanctifieth, and not humane power or freewill; ſo the Divine truths of God are inſtituted Mediums for this glorious effect, and no other ſuperſtitious deſignments made by men: Oh then, if ever thou wouldſt be ſanctified, be a diligent hearer of the word, hear in ſeaſon and out of ſeaſon, as we are commanded to preach: Come to this fountain often to be waſhed in, throw thy ſelf frequently in this fire, to get thy droſs out. The effects of Gods word are admirable, eſpecially in this point, to ſanctifie thee, to make thee have holy affections, and holy principles, and holy ends and aims in all thou doeſt. As thoſe that are much in the Sun, they cannot but be much coloured by it; ſo thoſe that are in reading often, in hearing often, in praying often, they will finde ſuch an holy change upon them, ſuch admirable effects on their lives, that there will be as much wonder at them, as there were of thoſe who were dead and rotting in their graves, yet raiſed by the mighty power of Chriſt: As therefore there is no hope of that tree that is near no waters ſide, that groweth in a barren wilderneſs; ſo there is no hopes of ever being ſanctified from thoſe who ſeldom or never come to hear the word, or if they do, its out of formality, cuſtom, and with ſo much dulneſs, ſleepineſs and diſtractions, that their very outward deportment manifeſts much contempt and irreverence towards God? Do theſe men come to be ſanctified? do ſuch come with this grand expectation, Of unholy to be made holy?
Thirdly, The Meritorious cauſe, which procureth this great priviledge at 3. The meritorious cauſe of Sanctification.Gods hand, is Ieſus Chriſt: Thus the Apoſtle addeth, In the Name of the Lord Ieſus; ſo that one great effect of thoſe Agonies and Sufferings which Chriſt underwent, was to obtain Sanctification: Chriſt ſhed his blood, that he might purchaſe to himſelf an holy people, Tit. 3. Oh then, how ſhould this make you highly eſteem it! Was it a ſmall or a light thing for which Chriſt indured all thoſe torments? could we not be ſanctified, but by his blood? why then doeſt thou make no matter of it? where is the man that cryeth out, Oh Chriſt dyed, and yet I am not ſanctified? Chriſt hath ſhed his blood, and yet I am not made holy.
Fourthly, Conſider the extent of this Sanctification, its univerſal throwout: 4. The extent of Sanctification.I pray God ye be ſanctified throughout, in ſpirit, ſoul and body, 1 Theſſ. 5. 3. The ſpirit, that is in the choiceſt and moſt ſublime part of a man, that needeth Sanctification; even theſe Heavens are defiled, this Sun hath black and foul ſpots. Hence we read of Carnal mindes, Corrupt underſtandings, and therefore we need the Sanctification of them, yea, this muſt be the firſt work of Sanctification: its your minde, your judgement, your reaſon, that is ſo great an enemy to God; What hinders, but that thou ſhouldeſt go out preſently, and give thy ſelf up unto all holy obedience? but thy minde, thy judgement is not ſatisfied, that hath this or that carnal plea; ſo that of all parts, this eye, this underſtanding muſt be light, elſe all the body will be dark: Oh therefore that God would ſanctifie your mindes, your underſtandings, make them holy, then would your affections and your converſations quickly become changed. Then the next thing to be ſanctified, is the ſoul; that is, the affections and paſſions, as commonly Interpreters think; and indeed, theſe are like the wheels in the Chariot, like the fire among the Elements; if theſe be not ſanctified, a man is carried up and down lik a ſhip in the ſtorm, without Pilot or any conduct: And beſides, theſe affections are very unruly and maſterful, therefore the ſanctification of them is more requiſite. Laſtly, there is the body, and that alſo muſt be ſanctified; viz. Organically, as it is the inſtrument of the ſoul: Thus the tongue, the Eyes, the Ears, the Hands, they all are to be Sanctified. A great deal of bodily wickedneſs there is in the world, and therefore that muſt be made holy. Therefore Chaſtity, and freedom from uncleanneſſe, and whoredome, is in a peculiar manner called Sanctification, 1 Theſſ. 4. 3. 4. Obſerve, you who are carried away with unlawfull, luſtfull pleaſures: Chaſtity and purity of Body from ſuch loathſome courſes, is called emphatically, Sanctification. So that Fornicators, Adulterers, Luſtfull, and Laſcivious perſons, they are in a ſpecial manner unſanctified perſons; they are no more to be called Godly that live in ſuch ſinnes though they ſhould pray, hear, make never ſuch profeſſion of Religion, then darkneſſe to be eſteemed light.
Uſe, Of Exhortation. Is there ſuch a work of God as ſanctification; and is that neceſſary to every one, then look out and examine diligently whether thou Uſe.haſt it or no: God hath made thee, and created thee, but hath he ſanctified thee? God hath given thee riches, wealth, honour, parts, and learning, but hath he given thee Sanctification? Alas the lives of moſt men, are ſo prophane, impure, unclean, filthy, that you cannot call them Sanctified ones, unleſſe in that ſenſe as the Hebrews call whores holy, as I told you. And this is the more to be lamented, becauſe men enjoy the means, and live under the way to ſanctification, which is Gods word. Oh that thou who ſhouldeſt be a Temple of the Holy Ghoſt, ſhouldſt be a ſwine for the divel to enter in: I intreat you to be awakened; if no ſanctification here, no glorification hereafter: Without holineſſe no man ſhall ſee God. Why? can you reſt and be quiet till you get ſome evidences of Sanctification: be no longer bruitiſh, but men, but Chriſtians. Say, O Lord, I deſire that at laſt I may be ſanctified to thy own ſelf, Oh ſeperate me from my wonted ſinnes, my cuſtomary iniquities.