The Parable of the Ten Virgins, Part 1 · Chapter 20 · Section 5
SECT. V.
V. Sanctification, in the room of self-seeking.
THis work of the Spirit hath had many scratches, and passed under divers censures; that if that question should be asked of it, which once Christ made concerning himself, Whom say men that I am? We shall five several apprehensions of it.
1. Some have made it common, and that this treasure may be digged out of dung-hils, that the Lord casts these Pearls to Swine, that a carnal heart may have all these gifts and graces which the righteous have, and Adam had, and perish at last. And hence no evidence from it at all.
2. Some have not made it thus common, but proper to the Elect, and that none are justified but they are sanctified, and è contra. But it hath been, and they think 'tis so disguised with the mixture of sin and temptation, and cannot be known, or very hardly. If so, that though the Lord Jesus come unto his own, and dwell not only in their Houses, but in their hearts, yet they know him not.
3. Some say it may be known, but not as dwelling in our hearts, but as inherent in Christ, making the inherent Grace of Christ in Christ himself to be our Sanctification, which the Apostle makes to be our righteousness. And so as the Papists abolish Christs righteousness for justification, by making it to consist only in infusion of Grace in us; these abolish Christ to be our Sanctification, by making all our sanctification to consist in inhaesion in Christ out of us.
4. Some say there is a sanctification in us, But wherein doth it consist? Not in any habitual Holiness, or Graces in us, but in the immediate actings of Christ in us, and so the Lord makes his Musick without any strings, and reveals things to us without eyes, and makes us live without any power of life: And so after justification they put a Christian in such an estate of Sanctification as that he is a mee… Patient, in next disposition to move if he be moved: Like a weather-Cock, which hath no power at all to move, but as the wind blows it, good or bad.
5. Some grant that there is a sanctification proper to the Faithful, and in the Faithful an habitual Holiness, and consisting in a most blessed, inward, total change. But when they come to the application of this to themselves, they think that if they have some reformation with some inward affection, they think every overly change is presently sanctification, and this must be a good evidence to them. And so like some Herbalists that treat of the Soveraign excellencies of several herbs, but when they come to gather them in the garden, they take their counterfeits in the room of them. The causes of which variety of apprehensions is the rareness of it (and therefore 'tis unknown) and the corrupt experience of men.
I shall therefore lay level these things, by shewing you what that measure of sanctification is which is in us, and which is peculiar to the Elect, and which also may be known by them which have it: And therefore shall not speak of sanctification at large, which is the change of the whole man by the death of Christ, whereby he is separated from sin, and sin mortified in him; and by the life of Christ, whereby he is dedicated unto Christ, and lives his life. But I shall treat of it now so far forth especially as this change may be known by it; and therefore I oppose it to self-seeking.
But why do you oppose Sanctification to Self-seeking?Quest.
1. Because this Sanctification,Answ. I now speak of it so far forth as it may be seen; now it is seen here chiefly, because it may be said here it is: But Hypocrites have a change, Wherein may it be known to be different from theirs? Why, the change of the heart chiefly appears in the change of the utmost end.
2. Because as the pollution of the whole man, and all his actions civil, moral, and religious, consists chiefly, and appears in this self-seeking, or making our selves our utmost end. This makes the most glotious actions vile, and stains them all. So the sanctification of a man consists chiefly and appears in making the Lord our utmost end of all we do: So that though the actions be never so mean and poor, yet this puts a Glory and lustre on them, and is the Crown of them, even of the giving of a cup of cold water, Mat. 6. 22. If thy eye be single. Look therefore, as before the Lord justifies the soul, every man living seeks himself as his last end and good; and out of this captivity no power can redeem them. Dan. 4. 30. Gen. 11. 4. So after it, the Lord sanctifies the soul with such a measure of his Grace as makes the Lord his utmost end: And this no other have.
Let me therefore shew you what this Sanctification is more fully, and with all the cheif ingredients in it, that so it may be the better known.
It's the renovation of the whole man, appearing in the change of a mans utmost end. But more particularly,
'Tis that work of the Spirit in the soul, whereby the soul beholding the Glory of Christ, and feeling his love, hereupon closeth with the whole will of Christ, and seeketh to please him, as his happiness and utmost end.
For look as in self-seeking there are four things.
1. A man beholds himself and some good in himself.
2. Loves himself abundantly.
3. Pleaseth his own will.
4. Doth this as his utmost and last end. So here in this description of Sanctification which I oppose chiefly to self-corruption, are four things.
1. The soul beholds the Lord in all his Glory, seeing of him present with him in all his Glory, and set before him, Psal. 16. 8. For this is one necessary ingredient to his sanctification and seeking the Lord as his utmost end. For why doth a man seek himself? He sees some glory and good in himself, none in the Lord. And hence we say of some men, whose pride spoyls their parts, they know themselves too well, and hence Saints when they see their own vileness, and see the Lord, they are so far from seeking, as that they loath themselves. Therefore when the Lord reveals himself to the soul in his Glory, this makes them seek him and not themselves, 1 Cor. 1. 30. Christ is made wisdom, righteousnesse, &c. that all might glory in him. For this is the Glory of Christ, and the first Principle of seeking the Lord, the soul sees his good laid up in the Lord more than in himself; nay wholly in the Lord, not at all in himself. His wisdom is in him, he cannot but wilder till utterly lost without him. His righteousness is in him, he could never have one sin pardoned by Angels holiness without him. His sanctification is in him, he could not have the least thought nor desire, but the Lord must work it in him. His redemption is in him, there could not be freedom one hour from unknown evils but by him. Hence seeing him such an one, he seeks him. As why do men seek men, especially if great? Why do men desire to stand before Princes, and please them, so that they will not gladly offer them the least distaste? Because they see them before them, beholding of them, apt to be angry, if displeased; and their greatness awes them: So here. Why is not the Lord Jesus pleased? He is not seen in his Glory, nor made really present; and hence Rev. 5. 12, 13. When they saw him on his Throne, they cast down their Crowns and gave him Glory.
2. The soul also feels his love, and so abundantly loves him again. For how come men to seek themselves in every thing, and they cannot but do it? 'Tis because they love themselves, and that abundantly, necessarily, as fire burns; though they burn so hot in this love that at last they consume themselves. So how do any, can any seek the Lord? We know the Apostle saith, 1 Cor. 13. 5. Love seeks not her own. When the Sun hath put out this fire of our self-love, when the sense of the Lords love hath kindled that love to the Lord again, as that it abundantly loves Christ, now it will seek the things of Christ, and not its own things. And as there is abundance of self love, that men are eaten up with it; so there must be much love, which must be abundantly shed in the heart, so as to eat up that; arising from the sense of the Lords love, and that abundantly. For many a man comes to have some good will, and affection, and love to the Lord, but yet never comes to seek the Lord as his last end, and live to him. Why? Because he hath not tasted abundantly of the Lords Mercy, Grace and Love, Psal. 86. 12, 13. And hence the incomparable Spirit of Paul, I seek not yours, but you; Wherein? In being willing to spend. But save your self Paul: nay, and to be spent: With much ado; Nay, most gladly. Though you love me not, because I love you: So here, though Christ should not love it, yet he is worthy, he hath done enough, and now the soul will not only do, but rejoyce, nay, in sufferings; because his love is not dropt, but shed in our hearts. And hence 'tis a never-failing rule, little love or assurance of it, little seeking the Lord; much assurance, much seeking of him.
3. Hereupon the soul closeth with the whole will of Christ, and pleaseth it, because it pleaseth him. Its with every man, as it was with Samson, he would needs have a wife or the Philistims, Why so? Iudg. 14. 3. Because she pleaseth me. So, why will men seek themselves, save themselves, love themselves, and please their own wills? Because it pleaseth them. Look therefore as the soul when he loved himself, did seek to please only his own will in every thing, and 'tis good because it pleaseth me; so the soul, whose heart is now indeared to Christ, though he cannot perfectly do it (that's in Heaven) yet he seeks to give the whole will of Christ content, because it pleaseth Christ. And this is that that God hath sworn his people shall have, Luke 1. 74, 75. And that Christ hath delivered us from all our enemies, (For the great reason why men cleave not to the Lord, and please his whole Will is, because they have many things to care for, and …eep, and please, which we account friends, which are the Lords enemies, Satan and world) to serve him without fear, i. e. in love, and in holinesse and righteousnesse, i. e. his whole Will all …ur daies. And hence Eph. 5. 8, 9. They were darknesse, but now are light, by Faith, now there is sanctity, Walk as children of the light. Wherein consists that? Proving what is acceptable to God. Hence Eph. 6. 6. They should please Christ, doing the Will of God from the heart. And this is so necessary, that Gal. 1. 10… The Apostle saith, If I please men, i. e. their wills, I am not Christs. And this is walking worthy of the Lord, pleasing him in all things, and this is fruit, the end of the tree and leaves also, and differencing a tree from all other, that be beautiful, but barren, Col. 1. 10.
But why do you make this to consist in pleasing the whole will of Christ, and not of God the Creator?Quest.
1. Because our sanctification now cannot please God as a Creator,Answ. though it may ple…se him that is the Creator in Christ, because only perfect Hol…ness can please him.
2. Because Christ hath pleased the Father by the Holiness of himself, now this being done, and therefore God having put all things into his hands, having done that for us, we are to give content to him. And herein our sanctification is differing from the Image Adam had, who in closing with the will of God, looked upon him as a Creator; ours respects a Redeemer, who hath bough… us to himself, and hence we are to respect him in our acts now.
But why doth the soul close with the whole will of Christ, i. e. so far as 'tis made known?Quest.
First,Answ. Because the holiness of Christ h…re chiefly discovers it self, and against this a carnal heart will discover it self. For Copern…ites may boast in, and give entertainment to the person of Christ, but when they come to repent (which was one part of his will) that they did not, that they would not▪ Wo therefore to thee Ca…ern…m: as many will close with Christ for pardon of sin, and lay their sacks on him, but you must burthen your self with them, or the Lord will never ease you of them. Oh no, and hence they have light sorrow for sin; many will embrace the comforts of Christ and love of Christ, and this joys them, yet the will of Christ that is wearisome to them, Rom. 8. 8. They will pick and chuse.
Secondly, Because this discovers a deep ditch of deceit in the heart, many take up some duties▪ and why do they do them? Because they please the Lord, and the Lord commands, and for his sake, when indeed 'tis to please themselves: for in other things they care not whether they please the Lord or no.
Thirdly, Because this closing with his whole will only gives the Lord content: As 'tis not the strings, or striking upon one string that makes the Musick, but striking on them all according to rule. So here: And hence when they sacri…eed and observed new Moons, Isai. 1. 14. Who hath required these things at your hands? Hence when the people began to put the Lord off with mean per…ormances, any common stuffe, the Lord takes state upon him, and saith he is a King, Mal. 1. 14. & 9, 10. I have no pleasure in you.
Fourthly, Because this only will give peace; and therefore let any man begin to pick and chuse, and his heart die to the Lords will, if Ionah like he will flie from any way of the Lords and continue there, he shall have storms; and hence 1 Iohn 2. 3, 4, 5. Hereby we know him, &c.
4. He closeth with the whole will of the Lord as his happiness and utmost end; as a man made himself his last end before, and desired God and Christ only to keep his sores from aking, for so I look upon all men made up of wants; if the body ake with cold, stomack with hunger, head for want of sleep, Conscience for sin, all happiness lies in the easing hereof, and here lies their bliss. So now the soul make; the life of the Lord its happiness to live unto him, Gal. 2. 20. He makes it his meat and drink to do the Lords will; for Iehu sought the Lord, but his last end was himself, as Iohn 16. 2. A man may kill, and think he doth God good service, but that is not his last end; a carnal heart may cross his own wi…, but not his own utmost end, as Iudas: A man may seek the Lord with delight, and follow the Ordinances, and fast, and pray, but himself is his end still, Zac. 7. 5, 6. Isai. 58. 4, 5. As a man that goes to a City, he will do your businesse, but he would not go unless he had his own ends to bring about there. But those that are truly sanctified, make the Lord their last end and happiness. It's not only good to do the Lords will (for thus men may seek the Lord) as thinking it good so to do, but as their blessednesse, else 'tis not their last end, and so not sought as their last end; and so 'tis with the soul? As a River running to the Sea, many Springs run into it, but it carries them down all with it; so there are many occasions, hindrances, businesse…, yet it carries them all down with it, even the more violently, the more 'tis hindred, Psal. 119. 126, 127. Therefore love I them above gold. And this expresseth it self in three things:
1. In admiring at the glory of the Lord, and his will and ways, and accounting them happy men, and blessed, that thus can do and live. For sometime the soul is decayed and …allen from this, or sick and weak; now it accounts them happy, that have health and strength to walk abroad, Psal. 1. 1, 2.
2. In being never at rest in his minde until now that he comes to this; for therein a mans …king any thing his last end appears; as he made his goods his last end, Luke 12. 19. Now therefore my soul be at rest, for there is no seeking the Lord but self-seeking hinders; Now though it be thus yet, Do I make my self my last end? then my minde would be at rest; but if sanctified, its not at rest till now: And hence Paul when he had run this race, now you see him leaning upon his pillow, 2 Tim. 4. 6, 7. And hence Saints are loth to die and be blessed in heaven, because they … done so little work as yet; little do the Saints for the Lord many times, yet their hearts are upright, for what mourn they for so much as this, when they have lookt upon it; oh that the Lord hath been a looser by them▪
3. It carries the soul thorow all difficulties with power and delight, Prov. 10. 29. The way of the Lord is strength to the righteous, and joy. …om. 7. 22. I do delight in the law of God in the … man. Other Nations walk in the Name of their Gods, we in ours, Micah 4. 5. As when wealth or honour is a mans utmost end, with what violence are men carried to it; and hence a man thinks he hath never such good days as then when he can do much for the Lord; and hence when any duty is to be done, when fearful to do it, or loth to perform it, when the heart is dead, yet beholding it with a spiritual eye, that this gives Ie…vah honour, oh this carries the soul headlong even into miseries, Not my will, … be done. This easeth the heart, even in the belly of Hell, and in times of the deepest desertion.
To this Sanctification all the Saints do come, every one in their measure; and if ever the soul tasted the Lords love, or ever was humbled with the bitterness of sin, the first voice and main care is; Lord, What … th…u have me to do? Nay, though no assurance, and it cannot joy in the Lords love, yet it will in the Lords will; and hence when it hath fall assurance, yet finding such a vile heart, if God should give it heaven with such a heart it would be death▪ And hence when he thinks of going to Hell, yet there (saith he) let me…blesse thee▪
This Sanctification all unsound hearts do want; much Reformation, much affection, many duties, but their end is not changed, though their lives be, and hearts seem to be.
1. Because they cannot love the Lord, because the Lord doth never shed his love into their hearts.
2. This was the life of Christ, Iohn 8. 29. of which life they that are dead in sin never have one act, though they may think they have.
3. This is the end of our Election, which therefore an unsound heart may as soon attain to, as to elect, or to be elected of God, Eph. 1. 4. holy in love.
This may be easily known, 1. Cannot a man know when he is happy? 2. Cannot Peter tell Christ that he loves him? 3. Cannot a man tell whether he be an Hypocrite or no? For he that cannot prove his utmost end is changed, must confess himself an Hypocrite yet, his heart was never changed, what ever assurance or peace he hath had; a thing is never good till it serves its end it was made for.
Oh therefore look that you content not your selves with Reformation, but come to this; else 1. You lose all your obedience, the Lord regards it not, the Lord will take all from you, as Vessels that are made to hold Wine, and they cannot, lay them by, the Lord hath no pleasure in you, Mal. 1. 8, 9, 10. 2. If you do, the Lord will accept your meanest and poorest services: Consider,
1. Christ cast by his Robes being privie to his own worth, to become obedient, Phil. 2. 6, 8.
2. His infinite Wisdom is in every command, though thy carnal reason like it not.
3. His infinite love for thy good, though thou thinkest 'tis for thy hurt.
4. His glory, though thou gettest no good at all by it.