A Complete Body of Divinity, Sermons · 131 (Question 35 cont.)
SERMON CXXXI.
I. WE proceed to conſider the things wherein the Effia…y of this Work is diſ…ered, We are enabled, &c. And here are three things to be obſerved,
1. That by it there is a new power or ability put into the man.
2. The things for which this power is adapted; in which we have the two parts of Sanctification, to die &c.
3. The gradual progreſs of this Principle of Sanctification in us; more and more. A few words to each of theſe.
1. IN Sanctification there is a new Power be Ability put into the man. We are conſidering of habitual Sanctification, which conſi…s in a real Change that is wrought in the Subject. This indeed is nothing elſe, but that Image of God in which he is renewed: On which we have been already ſpeaking. But we are here led to a farther conſideration of it, with reſpect to the uſefulneſs of it, as it ſerves to impower the man to ſerve to the end he was made for, and herein the excellency of this benefit will appear. Here then let us obſerve,
1. THAT man was made at firſt for the active Glorifying of God. God made all things for himſelf as their laſt end, Pr…v. 16. …. He is therefore to be glorifyed by them For being the chief Good, he muſt needs b… his own laſt End, and the laſt End of every Creature. But there are two ways in which God may have Glory by the Creature; Paſſively, as they are myrrours on which there are inſtamped the Characters of his glorious Perfections; and thus man ſerves in common with other beings, and ſo cannot fail of bringing Glory to God: Or Actively, as they are to obſerve his glorious Perfections, and give him the h…n…ur of them, by a free and voluntary Service; …or which only intelligent and rational beings are furniſhed: and this God expects at their hands, Iſa…. 43.21.
2. THAT he was thus to Glorify God by practical conformity to his Revealed Will. God gave man a Law to regulate him in his converſation, by obedience whereunto he was to pay him the honour of his Supremacy over him. As there was a ſpecial Government, which God treated his reaſonable Creature withal, ſo there was a law of that Government, which he gave him, and obliged him by Sanctions to regulate himſelf according to it in all his actions. And by his ſo doing, God acknowledged himſelf to be honoured by him: and the coming ſhort of this, was to fail of this end. Rom. 3.23.
3. THAT he might be diſpoſed, and enabled thus to do, be was furniſhed with the Image of God. That man was made after this Image we are told, Gen. 1.26, 27. What this was for, we may read in the nature of it; and that is ſignified in the Goſpel, by the deſign of the renovation of it, Eph. 4.24. It was by this that the very nature of man was inclined to love and ſerve God, it being the rectitude in which he was made, Eccl. 7.29. And it made him able as well as willing ſo to do, being a principle of holineſs in him. Nor was it conſiſtent with the Wiſdom of God, to make a Creature for an End, and not furniſh it with qualities fitting it for the attainment thereof.
4. THAT when he had loſt this Image by Sin, all that power was gone. That fallen man is without power to ſerve God, by conformity to his revealed Will, is aſſerted in Scripture, and muſt be experienced by all thoſe that know themſelves, and what is required in that conformity, and compare one with the other. And that once he had this ability is certain: He hath therefore l…ſt it. And wherein can that be, but by l…ſing the Image of God? He retains his humanity, but he wants the principle of Obedience. Hence ſaid to be without ſtrength, Rom. 5.6. to be dead, Eph. 2.1. And he died in Adam, 1 Cor. 15.22. And that was, when he loſt that primitive ſtock of Grace, which was depoſited with him for mankind.
5. THAT by the Corruption of his nature which came in ber…u…on, he was inclined & ſpirited to diſhonour God. When man loſt GOd's Image, he contracted an image of his own, Gen. 5.1. And what elſe was this, but the depravation of his whole nature, which the Scripture frequently calls Luſt, or Concupiſcence? And that is it which hath made them Children of Diſobedience: they are not only impotent to that which is good, but diſpoſed, and eagerly carried forth to that which is evil; they are by it become the Servants of Sin. Such a deſcription we have given of the natural man, Rom. 3.10, &c.
6. THAT by reſtoring of this Image in Sanctification, he is again furniſhed for his End. That this is that which is renewed in it, hath already been obſerved: And that this is the kindneſs that is done him in and by it, is certain. There is in it a paſſing from death to life. And hence this life is evidenced by the fruit of it, 1 Job 3.14 We know that we have paſſed from death unto life, becauſe we love the brethren: he that loveth not his brother abid…th in death. There is a life reſtored in Juſtification, but that is relative, by removing the ſentence of Death; but there is alſo a life reſtored in Sanctification, which is real, by giving the man a new principle of ſpiritual action or motion: ſo that he, who before could do no good, is now able to ſerve God in truth. This removes the vanity and unprofitableneſs from him, which he before laboured of. Such a change Paul obſerves by this in O…eſimus, Philem. 11. Which in time paſt was to thee unprofitable: but now profitable to thee and to me. Hence that, 2 Tim. 3.17. That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furniſhed unto all good works.
7. EVERY Grace of the Spirit in him contributes to this Ability. We obſerved, that the Image of God conſiſts in the whole body of the Graces that are put into the man: every one of them therefore is a member of the new Creature, and ſo belongs to this furniture, and hath its uſefulneſs. When therefore the Apoſtle had mentioned the ſeveral Graces, which are the fruits of the Spirit, Gal. 5.22, 23. He urgeth from them an exerciſe of a ſpiritual life, ver. 25. If we live in the Spirit, let us alſo walk in the Spirit.
8. HEREBY we may diſcern the Neceſſity and Excellency of the Sanctification. Certain, man lives in vain, if he doth not ſerve to the end he was made for, not can he be … except he be holy, …eb. 12.14. And whence is it that the wiſe man hath that remark, … 12.20. The righteous is more excellent th… … neighbour. But becauſe by this Grace, he is e…a…led to do that excellent Service, which other men have to power in them to perſ…. So that, though Sanctification doth not purchaſe for us a title to Eternal Life, yet it ſerves to prepare us for it, but for which we could never come to be poſſeſſors of it.
2 LET us now conſider the Things for which this Power is adapted, viz. to dye unto Sin, and live unto Righteouſneſs. And in this … led to the conſideration of the two pa… of Sanctification, both with reſpect to the Objects, and the Acts that refer thereunto, … mortification of Sin, and vivification … Righteouſneſs. Here let us obſerve, that theſe are the things about which this Sanctification is to be employed; and how it is ſo, w…ll be conſidered, when we come to the Doctrine of Repentance. That which we are now to conſider, is the habitual power and diſpoſition hereto that is wrought in the ma…, in the infuſing of this Grace into him. The way eſſence of Sanctification conſiſts in our … from death to life, in which there are … terms, Sin and Righteouſneſs; Sin is the … from which, and we are enabled to paſs from it by Mortification: Righteouſneſs is the … to which, in regard whereof this paſſage is called Vivification or Quickning. And by Righteouſneſs we are to underſtand the whole body of Grace, as it refers to new Obedience which is called Holineſs, as it refers … … tis of the firſt Table, and Righteouſneſs in reſpect to thoſe of the Second. And when one of them is mentioned alone, it … comprehends both under it. The former is called the Old man, the latter the N…w … that is to be put off in mortification, this is to be put on in vivification, …ph. 4.23, 24 Now theſe are conſidered either … actively; the latter belongs to Repen… and will be proper to be conſidered … that: the former is the thing done is Sanctification; and may now be a little conſidered.
IN General let us obſerve, that there is this obſervable difference between the Sanctification of man at firſt in his Creation, and the Sanctification of fallen man; viz. th… th… conſiſted only in the imprinting the Image of God on his nature, there being nothing in him antecedently repugnant to it; whereas in fallen man, there is not only a privation of that Image, but together with it, a country curſed principle which hath filled, him, which is as repugnant to it as light is to darkneſs as heaven to hell; which muſt therefore be ſubverted, in the bringing in of the … Sin hath a Throne in the unregenerate … heart, and muſt be dethroned, in order to the ſetting up of the Kingdom of Grace in … for which reaſon both theſe parts are neceſſary in it. Here then,
MORTIFICATION is a Work of the Spirit, it which be crucifieth Original Sin in us, by applying to it the Death of Chriſt. Here we may obſerve,
1. THE Author or Efficient of it; the Spirit of God. It is a divine Work, and therefore muſt have God himſelf to work it in us. It is be that ſubdues our iniquities, Mic 7.19. And although, in progreſſive Sanctification, we are Agents, and are helped by the Spirit of God in killing of concupiſcence in us, and for that reaſon are exhorted to it, (Col. 3.5.) yet in the infuſion of this Grace into us, we are paſſive, and he is the alone Agent; tho' in the order of the bringing it about he uſeth Inſtruments, yet he alone doth the work by a …ing Power. It is he that takes away our Iniquities, and that not only as to the guilt, but alſo the dominion of them: both are in…ded in that, Hoſ. 14.2. Take with you words, and …n to the Lord, ſay unto him, Take away … iniquity, and receive as graciouſly: ſo will … under the calves of our lips.
2. THE Subject upon which this Work is …, is Original Sin in us. This is the thing … is to be mortified. We indeed are perſonally ſaid to be crucufied, Gal. 2.20. I am …ſ…d with Chriſt. And 6.14. But God ſor…i… that I ſhould glory ſave in the croſs of our … Jeſus Chriſt, by whom the world is crucified … me, and I unto the world. And to be dead in …in, Rom. 6.2. How ſhall we that are dead to ſ…, …ve any huger therein? But it is with reſpect to Sin itſelf, which hath taken poſſi… of our whole man. Now all the Sin … we can be charged with, is either ours, … I…putation, viz. Adam's firſt Sin, and becauſe it is ours only by Imputation, it is not a S…bject of Mortification, but muſt be re…ed by Juſtification. Or elſe it is ours by …, it cleaves to us, and we do really participate in it, and not meerly relatively; and this is either the Sin of our Nature, or the Sin of our Actions. As to the ſin of our Action, or actual Sin, that cannot properly be ſaid to be mortified, becauſe acts are tran…, and being once paſt, cannot be revoked again though the remembrance of them ought to b…e us, and will do ſo, if we belong to God, and drive us, by repentance to ſeek …do… through the Blood of Chriſt, and thereby become ſerviceable to help to the …tifying of the Luſt from whence they …. The Sin of our Nature hath a priv… and poſitive part in it, the former … in the loſs of Original Righteouſneſs; the latter in the actual depravation or corr…p… of our whole Nature, of which we took a particular account, in the Doctrine of …'s Apoſtacy. Some reckon both of theſe to Original Sin. Others, among whom, the A…rs of our Catechiſm, reſtrain it to the …; nor needs there any diſpute about … whiles we confeſs that both belong to the …ful ſtate of fallen man; now the … of the loſt Righteouſneſs belongs to …i…i…on, which is the other part of Sanctification. Mortification thea, hath that poſitive corruption of pravity of our Nature for the Subject on which it is employed. This is that which is called the old man; which we are adviſed to pet off, Eph. 4.23. It is called the body of Death, Rom. 7.24. And on this account it is to be ſuppoſed to be made up of a great many members, which intend the ſeveral Luſts which are contained in Original Sin; every one whereof is applied to in this Mortification. Hence that advice, Col. 3.5, 6. Mortily therefore year members which are upon the earth: fornication, uncleanneſs, inordinate affective, … it com…piſcence, and coveteouſneſs which is id…i…ry: For which things ſake, the wrath of God cometh on th… children of diſobedience. And that aſſertion, Gal. 5.24. And they that are Chriſt's, have crucified the fleſh with the aſſertions and luſts. And it is by the Mortification of theſe that actual Sin is prevented; for actual Sin is nothing elſe but the breaking out of Original Sin in ſome Luſt or other: thoſe Luſts therefore muſt be killed in us, if ever we ceaſe from finning; hence that compariſon, Jer. 6.7. As a fountain caſteth out her waters, ſo ſhe coſteth out her wickedneſs. Stop the fountain, and the ſtreams will fail preſently. Whereas, if they be only dammed up and reſtrained, they will ſwell, and at length break over with greater impetuoſity.
3. THE Work itſelf, is a Crucifying of it in us. The Apoſtle therefore compares this Work in himſelf to a Crucifixion, in the forecited, Gal. 2.20.6.14.3.24. Which manner of death was painful, ignominious, lingting, and certain. Sin is put to death as a Malefactor, the Spirit of God doth arraign, judge, condemn, & execute Sin in us. Now in this Crucifixion, he firſt takes away the Dominion of Sin, and by degrees, the very Being of it. The firſt Work of Mortification then, which is under our preſent conſideration, is the taking away of the ſovereign power of Sin in us, whereby it is dethroned. Sin in every unregenerate man rules as a King; it not only hath the whole command over him, but i… hath his heart and affections, and allegiance; he is a voluntary Subject. Hence that, Rom 6.12, 13. Let not ſin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye ſhould obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as inſtruments of unrighteouſneſs unto ſin: but yield y…ur ſ…lves unto God, as thoſe that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteouſneſs unto God. And this the Spirit of God doth,
(1.) By making Sin bitter to him. Hence that, Jer. 2.19. Know therefore and ſee that it is an evil thing and bitter that thou haſt forſaken the Lord thy God, and that my fear is not in thee, ſaith the Lord of hoſts. He makes him, not only to taſt the bitter fruits of Sin, In the Judgments that it brings, but the very root of it; He leads him to the fountain, and ſhews him what a vile filthy thing it is, and what a loathſome dereſtable Creature he is made by it. It was that ſenſe put into Paul that made him cry cut, Rom. 7.24. O wretched man that law, who ſtail delver me from the b…dy of this death! The former delectable…eſs that he found in Sin is g…ne; that which taſted ſo ſweet, is now as gall, a…d wormwood to him.
(2.) BY kindling in him al…thing of Sin, and …wſed for it. His love is tut…ed into hatred: and it is with him as it was with Amn a in reſpect of Tamer, 2 San 13.15. He doth not only look on this and that actual Sin, but runs it up to the fountain, Pſal. 51.5. He makes him vile, a…d confeſs himſelf ſo, and to abhor himſelf in duſt and aſhes. God promiſed it to be ſo with them, Pzek. 36.31. Thou ſhall ye remember your own evil ways, and your d…ings that were …o… good, and ſhall l…th your ſelves in your once ſigh…, for your iniquities, and for your …b…in…tio…s. And that they may expreſs this in Repentance. He imprints this upon them in the work of Mortification; it follows upon the taking away of the heart of ſtone. ver. 26.
(3.) BY that putting into him a power to riſiſt the motions of Sin in him. And this is of the very nature o… the Grace of Mortification. So that S…n is mortify'd by the S…uls being made alive again. And it is but one work, though diſtings ſhed in reſpect of the terms. But thus S…n hath not now the full c…nſent that formerly it had; but he can ſay as Rom. 7.10.20. F…r the good that I w…uld, I do not: but the evil wh…ch. would not. that I do. New if I doth… I would not: it is no more I that do it, but ſin that dw…lleth in me.
4. The manner of doing this W…rk, is by applying of the Death of Chriſt to Original Sin. Mortification is not a Legal, but an Eva…gelical Work: It is not an effect of common, but of ſpecial and ſaving Grace; hence the inſtrument uſed by the Spirit in doing it, is Evangelical. There are Convictions, & Compunctio…s wr…t by the Law; but that which kills Sin in the heart, is the application of the Death of Chriſt. We are therefore ſaid to be baptized into his Death, Rom. 6.3. And that our old man is crucifyed with him, ver. 6. to be dead with him, ver. 8. And Paul received his from the Croſs of Chriſt. Gal. 6.14. Chriſt came to ſave from ſin, Mat. 1.21. And his Death had a direct aim at it. Now, there is a double efficacy of it in this Salvation, viz. to ſave us from the puniſhment of Sin, and from Sin it ſelf; and Chriſt had as real a deſign for this a… that. Hence that, Eph. 5.26, 27. That he might ſanctify & cleanſe it with the wiſhing of water by the word, That be might preſent it to himſelf a glorious church. not having ſpot or wrinkle, or any ſuch thing: but that it ſhould be holy and without blemiſh. Tit. 2.14. Who gave himſelf for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himſelf a peculiar people, zeal us of good works. The Spirit of God applies the bitter Sufferings of Chriſt for Sin, to the Soul with power, and thereby makes Sin ſo bitter to it, that layeth in him the foundation of an everlaſting i… co…cileable hatred if it.
2. VIVIFICATION is a Work of the Sp…, by which he reſt … in …s … leſt Righteouſneſs …y the App…ication of the R…ſurrection of Chriſt. This is always inſeparable from the …; for it is but one work of Sanctification … is wro…t in the operation of both. And ind…d theſe are wro…t after the manner of the introduction of a contrary quality icon a Subject, in which as the one comes in, the … muſt go out; yet, the one is thruſt … by the c…ming in of the other: and doub… the Spirit of God mortifies Sin, by …e…ivi… of Grace in us, though the things themſelves are d…verſe And hence, if the Spirit of C… …e the Author of one, he is of the other …. As to the Nature of this work, it is indeed no other then the reſtoring of the l…g… … us, or renewing of it in us: Of which we before conſidered; and therefore the leſs … here to be ſpoken concerning it. However, the conſideration of it, not only as a re…, but a reviving, will help us to a …o…e d…i… apprehenſion of it. Here therefore let us obſerve,
1. THAT the end of the new Creation in … we may again ſerve God in newneſs of Life. This was it that we were made for at … and till we are again reſtored to it, we … in vain. We are therefore told what we are a new created for, in Eph. 2.20. For … his workmanſhip, created in Chriſt Jeſus … good works, which God hath before ordinal th… we ſhould walk in them. God not only deſ… the ſaving us from hell, but alſo the … ſerved by us; that we ſhould be holy. …work… we have thoſe titles put upon the reg…, to let us underſtand what is God's deſ… in this affair, 1 Pet. ….9. Put ye are a …ſ… neration, a royal p…ieſthood, an holy n…tion, a peculiar people; that ye ſhould ſhew ſuch the praiſes of him, who hath called you out of d… neſs into his marvellous light.
2. THAT in order to this we muſt … loſt Righteouſneſs reſtored to us. That it is loſt and gone, in reſpect of us all in our natural ſtate, which is our great infelicity, we are aſſured. And whiles we ſo abide, we remain dead, as to any ſpiritual motion; … terly unable to do God any true Service, ſo much as in a good thought. Hence that, Tit. 1.16. They profeſs that they know God: but in works they deny him; being abominable, and diſobedient, and unto every good work rep…. If therefore we be ever renewed again to this ſervice, it muſt be by beſtowing this principle on us again; for before that, we are nothing but fleſh. And we are told, Rom. 8.…. Thy that are in the fleſh cannot pleaſe God. G… in the habit is our Life. As long as we … without it we are dead: whereas new Obedience is a living to God, which we … poſſibly do, except we have a root of Life i… us; which we have not till it be … reſtored to us.
3. THAT this is done by the Spirit of … i… Quicking of us. We are therefore told, Eph. 3.1. And you bath be …ned who were dial i… r…es & ſi…. Now a thing is then …, when it hath a viral power put … i…, which it had not before; or if it … had it, yet hath loſt it, and was then … it, when this operation p…ſt upon it. This Quick…ing therefore is reſembled to a …ction, Eph. 2.5, 6. becauſe it ſuppoſeth … not only lifeleſs, but dead, or deprived of the life we once had, and muſt therefore be again raiſed, if we live. And i… muſt … be the Spirit's work, becauſe it is a …ction, which is a Divine Work: and … is always in conjunction with the former …ifcation. For which reaſon the Ap…ſtle p… then together. Gal. 2.20.
4. THAT in th… Quick…ing he i…ſuſeth into … the Graces of Sanctification. This is the …y thing that is called the now Creature. Wh… the habits of theſe Graces are p…t into as, we then live and not till then. For as Sin is the death of the Soul, ſo Holineſs is the life of it. It is therefore a promiſe of the n…w Cotenant, that God will give Grace, Pſal. …. 11. And this is that …ear of God when be hath promiſed to ſ…t into the hearts of his people, Je…. 32.40. And there is every ſome that is thus inf…ſed, none wanting, it is a perfect new Creature as to parts, though a firſt but an Infant as to ſtarute. And therefore Sanctification is ſaid to be entire, or whole, in 1 Theſ. 5.23. And the very God of … ſanctify you wholly.
5. THAT by vertus of this, …ce are made able is ſ…e God again. We could not do ſo be…. Hence that, Joſh. 24.19. And Joſ… …es the people, Ye cannot ſerve the Lord; for be is on holy God: be …s a jealous God, he … forgive your tranſgreſſions nor your … But now this power is recovered. True, … dependance ſtill is upon his influence, Job. …5.5. Without me ye can do nothing. But …, there is an active power in us, which J…e we had not. We are not now moved …s dead Machines, but being acted we can act, and p… forth our ſelves freely and vol…ly in the Service of God; by the Co…per… of the ſame Spirit who put this power into us. On this account Paul ſaith, …ll …. 13. I can do all things through Chriſt which ſtrengtheneth …e.
6. HE doth this eſpecially, by applying to us … …ſ…rection of Christ. It is by he vertue and influence of that upon us, that he prod…th it. As Chriſt dyed for us, that we …ght die to Sin, ſo he roſe again, that we … riſe with him to Holineſs. For this … we are ſaid to be quickened and raiſed … with him, Eph. 2.5, 6. And on this … we have ſuch an expreſſion, Rom. 6. … Therefore we are buried with him by bap…ſ… into death: that like as Chriſt was raiſed … the dead by the glory of the Father, … …s alſo ſhould walk in nowneſs of life. … have been plan…ed together in the like…ſs of his death; we ſhall be alſo in the likeneſs of his re…a…rea…n. Our Sins were all …ailed to the Croſs of Chriſt, at his Death, not only that he might ſatisfy for them, but alſo, that he might bury them with him, and take them from us. So, when Chriſt roſe and was exalted, he received all the Gifts for his redeemed, for their being made perfect, Eph. 4.10. &c. And by the influence of that glorious State of his, he works a like glorious Change in us: As we are told, 2 Cor. …. 18. But we all with open face beb…ding as in a glaſs the glory of the Lord, are changed into the ſame image, from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
USE IS this one of the Benefits which we receive from Chriſt in this Life, How vainly then do they pretend is Effectual Vocation, that are wholly without it. There are indeed thoſe Benefits which ae ſecured to his Called now, but they muſt wait for the f…ll fruition of them after time; but this is none … thoſe. But as to this Sanctification, it is wrought in Converſion, and is corried on through …he whole life afterwards; and where this work is, there is a Mortification of Sin in the power and dominion of it, and there is the life of Grace and Holineſs produced. And where theſe principles are, there will be leſs or more of the Exerciſe of them. It Sin be mortify…d it will not have that efficacy that it had before. Though it may moleſt us more, it will command us leſs: and if Grace be revived, it will have its fruits; it being the end for which God put it into us, and he will not loſe his end in it. Do we then hope for, and promiſe to ourſelve, Eternal Life, and yet have never felt this ſaying Change in us. Sin is as powerful, and grateful in and to us, as ever, we follow it with as much pleaſure; and Holineſs is as irkſome and undeſireable to us as before, and we take no content in it. Be not deceived, our pretences will fail. Our Confidences will deceive us, our hopes break under us. What ſaith he, 1 Joh. 3.3. And every man that hath this hope in him, puriſ…eth himſelf, even as he is pure. And if we do not ſo, we ſhall be found among, and ſentenced to go with the workers of Iniquity.
[APRIL 11. 1699.]