Chapter 13 - Of Sanctification

Paragraph I

They who are united to Christ, effectually called, and regenerated, having a new heart and a new spirit created in them through the virtue of Christ’s death and resurrection, are also farther sanctified, really and personally, through the same virtue, by his Word and Spirit dwelling in them; the dominion of the whole body of sin is destroyed, and the several lusts of it are more and more weakened and mortified, and they more and more quickened and strengthened in all saving graces, to the practice of all true holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.

Scripture References

  1. 1
    • Acts 20: 32

      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.

    • Romans 6: 5-6

      5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 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.

  2. 2
    • John 17: 17

      17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

    • Ephesians 3: 16-19

      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; 17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

    • 1 Thessalonians 5: 21-23

      21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 22 Abstain from all appearance of evil. 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.

  3. 3
    • Romans 6: 14

      14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

  4. 4
    • Galatians 5: 24

      24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

  5. 5
    • Colossians 1: 11

      11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;

  6. 6
    • 2 Corinthians 7: 1

      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.

    • Hebrews 12: 14

      14 Follow peace with all men , and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

Paragraph II

This sanctification is throughout the whole man, yet imperfect in this life; there abides still some remnants of corruption in every part, wherefrom arises a continual and irreconcilable war; the flesh lusting against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh.

Scripture References

  1. 7
    • 1 Thessalonians 5: 23

      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.

  2. 8
    • Romans 7: 18, 23
  3. 9
    • Galatians 5: 17

      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 Peter 2: 11

      11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

Paragraph 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 does overcome; and so the saints grow in grace, perfecting holiness in the fear of God, pressing after a heavenly life, in evangelical obedience to all the commands which Christ as Head and King, in his Word has prescribed to them.

Scripture References

  1. 10
    • Romans 7: 23

      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.

  2. 11
    • Romans 6: 14

      14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

  3. 12
    • Ephesians 4: 15-16

      15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 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 every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

    • 2 Corinthians 3: 18

      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 Corinthians 7: 1

      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.