-29 Chapter 29. Of Sanctification.

1-29 Chapter 29. Of Sanctification. So much for the relative change of the condition of the faithful
in Justification and Adoption — the real change follows,
whereby Justification is manifested and, as touching
its effects as it were, committed
to execution.

1. The real change of state is an alteration of qualities made in man himself. 2 Corinthians 5:17, Old things have passed away; all things have become new.
2. But because this alteration does not consist in relation and respect to another, but in real effecting, it therefore allows for different degrees of beginning, progress, and perfection. 2 Corinthians 4:16, The inward man is renewed day by day.
3. This alteration of qualities either respects that good which is just and honest, and is called Sanctification; or that good which is profitable and honorable, and is called Glorification. Romans 6:22, You have your fruit in holiness, and the end is everlasting life.
4. SANCTIFICATION is the real change of a man from the filthiness of sin, to the purity of God’s Image. Ephesians 4:22-24, To put off, as touching the old way of life, that old man which corrupts itself in the deceitful lusts; and to be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and to put on that new man who is created according to God, in righteousness and true holiness.
5. For as by justification a believer is properly freed from the guilt of sin, and has life adjudged to him — the title to which life is determined in adoption — so by sanctification the same believer is freed from the filthiness and stain of sin, and the purity of God’s Image is restored to him.463
6. For here, Sanctification is not to be understood as a separation from common use, and consecration to some special use. This is the sense in which the word is often taken in Scripture, sometimes setting forth only the outward separaton, and sometimes also setting forth the inward and effectual separation. For if it were so, it may be extended to our calling, or to that first regeneration whereby Faith is communicated as a principle of new life. It is this sense in which Regeneration and Sanctification tend to be confounded by most. But Sanctification is to be understood as that change of a believer whereby he has righteousness and inherent holiness communicated to him. 2 Thessalonians 2:13, Through Sanctification by the Spirit.464
7. For God himself manifestly witnesses that holiness is a gift of inherent grace. Jeremiah 31:33, I will put my Laws into their mind, and I will write them in their heart. Ezekiel 36:26-27, I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in the midst of you.465
8. But this Sanctification is distinguished from that change of a man which is proper to the calling of a man in Faith and repentance. In that latter change, Faith is not properly considered as a quality in the man, but only in relation to Christ. Nor is repentance considered there as a change of disposition in the man, or else it would be identical with Sanctification; rather there, repentance is to be considered as a change of the purpose and intent of his mind. But here, a real change in the man himself, in his qualities and dispositions, is being looked at.
9. It is called a real change, so that it may be distinguished not only from Justification, but also from that sanctification which comes by Justification,466 such as the sanctification (setting apart) of the seventh day;467 and also from what relates to a sign, as in the sanctification of the elements in the Sacraments; or lastly, from that which comes by manifestation, in which manner God himself is said to be sanctified by men, 1 Peter 3:15.468
10. Sanctification is of the whole man, not some one part of him. 1 Thessalonians 5:23, Now the God of peace himself sanctifies you wholly, and your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Although so much of a man, tantum & totum,469 or that whole that is in man, is not soon changed.
11. But although the whole man is a partaker of this grace, yet Sanctification first and chiefly agrees to the soul; and afterward, from the soul it is derived to the body, as the body is capable by that obediential power with which, together with the soul, it is subject to the will of God. So also in the soul, first and properly it agrees to the will, from which it is derived into other faculties according to the order of nature. Deuteronomy 30:6, The Lord your God shall circumcise your heart, and the heart of your seed, to love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, that you may live. Romans 2:29, The circumcision of the heart.
12. Sanctification is the change of a man from sin, to distinguish it from that sanctification which is — A contrario merè negative — from the mere negative contrary, such as that change which is attributed to the human nature of Christ, which is said to be sanctified or made holy, even though the nature of Christ was never defiled with sin.
13. The term from which this change proceeds,470 refers to the removal of filthiness, corruption, or the blot of sin. 2 Corinthians 7:1, Let us purge ourselves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
14. The term toward which this change proceeds, is the purity of God’s Image, which is said to be framed or created again in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness, Ephesians 4:24;471 Or conformity to the Law of God, James 1:25;472 newness of life, Romans 6:4; the new creature, 2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 6:15; and the Divine nature, 2 Peter 1:4.
15. It is called the new and Divine creature, 1. Because it is not produced by those principles which are in us by nature, as the craft of all arts is produced by industry and learning; but it is produced out of a new principle of life, communicated to us by God in our calling. 2. Because our natural disposition is altogether of another kind than it was before. 3. Because in its measure, it resembles that highest perfection which is found in God.
16. There are TWO DEGREES of this Sanctification. The one in this life is generally called INFANCY [or childhood], 1 Corinthians 13:11-12; Ephesians 4:14; 1 Peter 1:14.473 This is because such a variety of sanctification is found in this life, that if some of those who are sanctified are compared with others, or with themselves at different times while they live here, some may rightly be called infants, and others grown men, Hebrews 5:13-14.474 Yet the highest degree which we attain to in this life is only a beginning of the holiness that is promised and is to be expected. The other degree is called a MAN’S AGE, and PERFECT AGE [or maturity], Ephesians 4:15; 1 Corinthians 13:11; Php_3:12, 475 because in the life to come, the motion and progress of sanctification ceases — only rest and perfection is found. So that in this life we are more properly said to have sanctification than holiness; and in the life to come, to have only holiness, and not sanctification.
17. Sanctification therefore has TWO PARTS: one in respect to the term mortification, and the other in respect to the terms vivification and resurrection, Romans 8:5-6.476
18. MORTIFICATION is the first part of Sanctification whereby sin is wasted.477 Colossians 3:3; Colossians 3:5, You are dead; therefore mortify your earthly members.
19. The meritorious and exemplary cause of it is the Death of Christ. Romans 6:5-6, Being grafted into the likeness of his death; knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him.
20. The principal cause at work is the Spirit of God who communicates the efficacy of Christ’s death to the faithful. Romans 8:13, If by the Spirit you mortify the deeds of the body, you shall live.
21. The administering cause is Faith itself. Romans 6:17, From the heart you have obeyed that form of doctrine to which you were delivered.
22. From this mortification in all those who are sanctified, follows a denial of themselves and the World. Luke 9:23; Galatians 6:14.478
23. Thus arises that inward difference between the sin which remains in the faithful, and that which remains in others. In others, sin is reigning, prevailing, and predominating; but in the faithful it is broken, subdued, and mortified.
24. VIVIFICATION is the second part of Sanctification, whereby the Image or life of God is restored in man. Colossians 3:10; Ephesians 4:24; Romans 12:2,479 Having put on the new man, be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
25. The exemplary cause is the Resurrection of Christ. Colossians 3:1, You are risen with Christ.
26. The principal cause at work is the Spirit of God which raised Christ from the dead. Romans 8:11, If the Spirit of Him that raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you...
27. The administering cause is Faith. Galatians 2:20, The life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the Faith of the Son of God.
28. From this Vivification in those who are sanctified, there arises such a strong tie, as to be wholly addicted to God and Christ. 2 Corinthians 8:5, They give themselves to the Lord.
29. Because this sanctification is imperfect while we live here as infants, all the faithful are therefore informed with both sin and grace. For the perfection of sanctification is not found in this life, except in the fantastic dreams of some persons. 1 John 1:8, If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and there is not truth in us.
30. In Scripture, Sin — or the corrupted part which remains in those who are sanctified — is called the old man, the outward man, the members, and the body of sin. Grace — or the renewed part — is called the new man, the spirit, the mind, etc.
31. From these [two opposing parts] follow two things. 1. A spiritual war which is made continually between these parties. Galatians 5:17, For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another. 2. A daily renewing of repentance.480
32. That flesh which remains in the regenerate, is not only in the vegetative and sensitive appetite,481 but also in the will and reason itself, 1 Thessalonians 5:23.482
33. The flesh, or this concupiscence,483 is the true and proper reason for sin in the regenerate themselves, Romans 7:1-25.484
34. Even the best works of the Saints are infected with this corruption, so as to need some remission of sin.
35. Yet the good works of the regenerate are not to be called sins, but defiled with sin.
36. This defilement of their good works (because of Justification) does not keep them from being accepted by God so as to be rewarded.
37. That fight which is found in wicked men between conscience and the will, is not the striving of the Spirit against the flesh, but of the flesh fearing, against the flesh desiring.485