Exposition of John, Chapter 17 · Verse 16
Verſe 19. And for their ſakes I ſanctifie my ſelf, that they alſo might be ſanctified thorow the truth.
As the former reaſon, preſſing this petition, is taken from their need of ſanctification in reſpect of their calling: ſo this ſecond is taken from the cauſe and purchaſe of their ſanctification, by his ſanctifying himſelf, that they may be ſanctified; For clearing wherefore, Conſider, 1. Chriſts ſanctifying of himſelf, is not to be underſtood of any perſonal cleanſing now in doing, or to be done by him, for he was without ſpot from his firſt conception, nor yet of that purity of his nature only, but with relation to ſome further ſanctification; But as in the language of the Old Teſtament, things are ſaid to be ſanctified, when they are ſet apart, fitted and prepared for ſome ſpecial ſervice and employment, and particularly, Prieſts are ſaid to be ſanctified to their office, and ſacrifices to be offered up: ſo Ch…iſts ſanctification imports, that as the Father did ſanctifie, or conſecrate and ſend him into the world, John 10.36. ſo he did conſecrate himſelf unto the Lord on the Elects behalf, a Prieſt and ſacrifice without ſpot; and did conſecrate himſelf to the whole work of his Mediatory-office, and particularly, did offer himſelf a ſacrifice for ſin, that they might be ſanctied. Conſider, 2. The effect of his ſanctifying of himſelf, is, that they may be ſanctified through the truth, or, in truth, whereby may be underſtood, as formerly, v. 17. that the vertue of his dea…h accompanying the Word of truth is that which ſanctifieth, and further alſo it may import, that by his ſanctifying of himſelf, they are ſ…nctified in truth, or truly, and that not only in oppoſition to counterfeit ſanctification, but in oppoſition alſo to legal purifications by the uſe of the ceremonies of the Law, which were but a ſhadow of true holineſſe, whereas the vertue of Chriſts death being the truth of theſe ſhadows, doth truly and in tru…h ſanctifie, Doct. 1. Chriſt, in going about the office of Mediatour, and offering up himſelf a ſacrifice, did wholly conſecrate and ſet himſelf apart for his peoples behoof, that he might be theirs, and ſeek their well and not his own; for, for their ſakes he ſanctified, or, conſecrated, and ſet apart himſelf, to that work; which may engage them not to be their own, but wholly his. 2. As the Father did conſecrate and ſanctifie his Son to the office of Mediatour, John 10.36. ſo he alſo did conſecrate himſelf, as having inherent worth, and not needing external conſecrations, and as being a moſt willing Agent in this work; for, I ſanctifie my ſelf, ſaith he. 3. Albeit the elect be in themſelves polluted, and have no worth to merit any purification from God; yet there is enough in Chriſt and his conſecrating himſelf a ſacrifice to the Father, to ſupply all their worthleſneſſe; and obtain what they need; for, for their ſake I ſanctifie my ſelf, that they may be ſanctified. 4. True ſanctification of the elect ſlows from Chriſts ſanctifying and conſecrating himſelf to the Father for them; not only doth the merit of his ſuffering, being imputed, make them appear without ſpot and wrinkle in him, but the vertue of his death and ſacrifice muſt be applied, to ſanctifie them inherently; for, I ſanctifie my ſelf, that they may be ſanctified. 5. Chriſt did ſanctifie and conſecrate himſelf a ſacrifice in the Father, not for theſe who die in their pollution, but for theſe only whom he in time ſanctifies thereby; for, I ſanctifie my ſelf, that they may be ſanctified, the one followeth upon the other, not in the Apoſtles only, but all the Elect. 6. Chriſt doth approve of no ſanctification, but that which is truly ſuch, and abhorres all counterfeits of it, and ſuch as reſt on outſide ſanctification, or ſhadows of true holineſſe only; for, that is his aime, that they may be ſanctified in truth. 7. Whatever effects good inclinations and education, moral principles or example, or Church-diſcipline and Ordinances, or afflictions on men, may produce; yet true ſanctification ſlows only from the application of Chriſts ſacrifice, and it is that which m…es the Word of truth effectual for ſanctifying of them truly; for, upon his ſanctifying himſelf, it followeth that they are ſanctified in truth, and, through the truth.