A Catechism, Chapter 25
CHAP. 25. Of Sanctification, and the difference between it and Justification; and of foure other benefits of Christ to believers.
Q. SAnctification being another of those benefits that come by Christ, and our union with Christ, tell me first of all what Sanctification is?
A. It is a true and reall change a1 Cor. 6. 11. 2 Cor. 5. 17., wrought by the Spirit of God b1 Thess. 5. 23. 2 Thess. 2. 13., in the Elect cIsai 4. 5. Eph. 1. 4., now believing on Christ dActs 15. 9. & 26. 18.: whereby the whole man e1 Thes. 5. 23.is changed and altered from the turpitude and filthinesse of sinne f2 Cor. 7. 1. Eph. 4. 22, 24. Rom. 6. 3, 4, 11., to the purity of the Image of God.
Q. VVhat difference is there between the former benefit▪ to wit Iustification, and this of Sanctification?
A. The materiall cause of the one is the righteousnesse of Christ without us, imputed to us gIer. 236. 2 Cor. 5. 21. Rom. 46: but the materiall cause of the other is a body of divine graces and qualities infused into the soule, created in us h2 Pet. 14. Gal. 5. 22..
Q. How doe they differ in respect of their formall causes?
A. The formall cause of justification is the pronouncing of the sentence of absolution, and accepting a mans person for righteous: the formall cause of Sanctification is the restoring o Gods Image into the soule, by putting off the old man, and putting on the new, Ephes. 4. 22, 23, 24
Q. How else doe they differ?
A. Justification makes no reall change in the soule, as when the Judge acquits a man, but makes him never a whit the more honest then before; but Sanctification makes a great change in the soule from sinne and corruption unto purity and holinesse, Rom. 6. 17. 1 Tim. 1. 13. 1 Cor. 6. 11.
Q. What may be a fourth difference?
A. Justification is perfect at the first, as one individuall act; but Sanctification is a graduall work, imperfect at the first, and growing by degrees.
Q. Why doe you say that Iustification is perfect at the first?
A. Not in respect of the sense and feeling, and assurance of it, for these may increase and grow daily, and are therefore daily to be prayed for, Mat. 6. 12. Luke 17. 5.
Q. How then is justification perfect at the first?
A. In respect of the matter whereby we are justified, which is the imputed righteousnesse of Christ, which is so perfect that a man can never have more all the daies of his life, though he should live as long as ever any did.
Q. Is not Sanctification also perfect at the first?
A. Farre from it; for the honest men upon earth have been sensible of such imperfection iRom. 7. 14, 15, 18, 19, 21, 23. Phil. 3. 12, 13. Isai 6. 5.in their Sanctification, that they durst not stand to be justified before God thereby kPsal. 130. 3. & 143. 2. Iob 9. 2, 3, 14, 15, 20, 21..
Q. VVhat proceeds from this imperfection of Sanctification?
A. A continuall combat between corruption and grace in the sanctified soule, Gal. 5. 17. Rom. 7.
Q. And what else?
A. A continuall exercise of repentance, and of fleeing to the grace of God in Christ Jesus, Rom. 7. 24, 25.
Q. Iustification, Adoption, and Sanctification are excellent benefits that come to believers through Christ; tell me what other benefits do accompany or flow from these?
A. In this life there doth accompany or flow from them assurance of Gods love, lively hope, and expectation of glory, peace of conscience, and joy in the holy Ghost, Rom. 5. 1, 2, 5. & 14. 17. Tit. 2. 13.
Q. If these things be vouchsafed to believers in this life, what shall they have in the life to come?
A. Unspeakable glory and happinesse in the immediate fruition of communion with God and Christ unto all eternity, Col. 3. 4. 1 Iohn 3. 2. Heb. 12. 23. 1 Cor. 15. 28.
Q But may not a true believer lose his faith, and so lose all these benefits that come by faith in this life, and fall short of eternall glory in the life to come?
A. If he should finally lose his faith, it would be so indeed; but God that of his grace hath wrought this faith in him, will preserve and perfect the same untill the day of Christ, Phil. 1. 6. 1 Cor. 1. 8.
Q. Doe you mean then that a true believer can never totally nor finally fall away, but shall persevere in grace unto the end?
A. Yea, I mean so indeed; this perseverance of believers in the state of grace being plainly and plenteously taught in the holy Scriptures, 1 Pet. 1. 5. Luke 22. 31, 32. Iohn 17. 20, 21. & 10. 28. Mat. 16. 18. Ier. 3…. 40.