h have his name put upon them, receive the Spirit of adoption; have access to the throne of grace with boldness; are enabled to cry, Abba, Father; are pitied, protected ↳, provided for, and chastened by him as by a father; yet never cast off, but sealed to the day of redemption TM, and inherit the promises ", as heirs of everlasting salvation o. CHAP. and joint heirs with Christ: if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. John i. 12. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name. c Jer. xiv. 9. Yet thou, O Lord, art in the midst of us, and we are called by thy name, leave us not. 2 Cor. vi. 18. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. Rev. iii. 12. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. d Rom. viii. 15. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. Eph. iii. 12. In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. Rom. v.2. By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. f Gal. iv. 6. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 8 Psal. ciii. 13. Like as a father pitieth his children: so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. h Prov. xiv. 26. In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence ; and his children shall have a place of refuge. i Matth. vi. 30. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to-day is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Ver. 32. For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 1 Pet. v. 7. Casting all your care upon him, for he careth for you. k Heb. xii. 6. For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 1 Lam. iii. 31. For the Lord will not cast off for ever. m Eph. iv. 30. And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. n Heb. vi. 12. That ye be not slothful, but followers of them, who through faith and patience inherit the promises. • 1 Pet. i. 3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which, according to his abundant mercy, hath begotten us again unto a lively hope, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, Ver. 4. To an inheritance incorruptible, and un defiled, CHAP. XIII. Of Sanctification. THEY HEY who are effectually called and regenerated, having a new heart and a new spirit created in them, are farther sanctified really and personally, through the virtue of Christ's death and resurrection, by his word and Spirit dwelling in them; the dominion of the whole body of sin is destroyed, and the several lusts thereof are more and more weakened and mortified, and they more and more quickened and strengthened in all saving graces, to the practice defiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you. Heb. i. 14. Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? I. a 1 Cor. vi. 11. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified, in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. Acts xx. 32. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. Phil. iii. 10. That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death. Rom. vi. 5. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Ver. 6. Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. b John xvii. 17. Sanctify them through_thy truth: thy word is truth. Eph. v. 26. That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word. 2 Thess. ii. 13. But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren, beloved of_the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation, through sanctification of the Spirit, and belief of the truth. c Rom. vi. 6. Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. Ver. 14. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. d Gal. v. 24. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh, with the affections and lusts. Rom. viii. 13. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. e Col. i. 11. Strengthened with all might according to his glorious power, unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness. Eph. iii. 16. That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man. Ver. 17. That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, Ver. 18. May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; Ver. 19. And to know the Chap. XIII. practice of true holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. II. This sanctification is throughout in the whole man, yet imperfect in this life; there abideth still some remnants of corruption in every parth: whence ariseth a continual and irreconcileable war; the flesh lusting against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh1. III. In which war, although the remaining corruption for a time may much prevail, yet, through the continual supply of strength from the sanctifying Spirit of Christ, the regenerate part doth overcome: and so the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. f 2 Cor. vii. 1. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. Heb. xii. 14. Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. II. 8 1 Thess. v. 23. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. h 1 John i. 10. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. Rom. vii. 18. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me, but how to perform that which is good I find not. Ver. 23. But I see another law in my members warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin, which is in my members. Phil. iii. 12. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect; but I follow after, i Gal. v. 17. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other; so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 1 Pet. ii. 11. Dearly beloved, I beseech you, as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul. III. k Rom. vii. 23. But I see another law in my members warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin, which is in my members. 1 Rom. vi. 14. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. 1 John v. 4. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Eph. iv. 15. But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: Ver. 16. From whom the whole body fitly joined together, and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of saints grow in grace", perfecting holiness in the fear of God". CHAP. XIV. Of Saving Faith. THE grace of faith, whereby the elect are enabled to believe to the saving of their souls, is the work of the Spirit of Christ in their hearts, and is ordinarily wrought by the ministry of the word: by which also, and by the administration of the sacraments, and prayer, it is increased and strengthened d. II. By this faith, a Christian believeth to be true whatsoever is revealed in the word, for the authority of God him of every part, maketh increase of the body, unto the edifying of itself in love. m 2 Pet. iii. 18. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ to him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. 2 Cor. iii. 18. But we all with open face, beholding 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. 2 Cor. vii. 1. Having there fore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. I. & Heb. x. 39. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe, to the saving of the soul. b 2 Cor. iv. 13. We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and there fore have I spoken: we also be lieve, and therefore speak. Eph. i. 17. That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, self may give unto you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: Ver. 18. The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, Ver. 19. And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to usward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power. Eph. ii. 8. For by grace are ye saved, through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. Rom. x. 14. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? Ver. 17. So then, faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. self speaking therein; and acteth differently upon that which each particular passage thereof containeth; yielding obedience to the commands, trembling at the threatenings 8, and embracing the promises of God for this life and that which is to come. But the principal acts of saving faith are, accepting, receiving, and resting upon Christ alone for justification, sanctification, and eternal life, by virtue of the covenant of grace 1. an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. Rom. iv. 11. And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also. Luke xvii. 5. And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith. Rom. i. 16. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. Ver. 17. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. II. John iv. 42. And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying; for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world. 1 Thess. ii. 13. For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but (as it is in truth) the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. 1 John v. 10. He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God, hath made him a liar, III. This because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. Acts xxiv. 14. But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and the prophets. f Rom. xvi. 26. But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith. 8 Isaiah lxvi. 2. For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the Lord: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word. h Heb. xi. 13. These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. I Tim. iv. 8. For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. i John i. 12. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name. Acts xvi. 31. And they said, Believe |