XXXV. Ques. What is sanctification?
Q. 1. Wherein doth sanctification differ from justification and adoption?
Q. 2. Whose work is the work of sanctification?
Q. 3. Is there no desert of the grace of sanctification in any of the children of men before they are sanctified?
Q. 4. Wherein doth our sanctification consist?
Q. 5. What is the subject of our sanctification?
Q. 6. Wherein is our sanctification begun?
Q. 7. How is our sanctification carried on?
Q. 8. Wherein is our sanctification perfected?
Q. 9. What are the parts of sanctification?
Ans. Sanctification is the work of God's free grace, whereby we are renewed in the whole man, after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness.
A. Sanctification doth differ from justification and adoption, in that — 1. Justification and adoption are acts of God without us; sanctification is a work of God within us. 2. Justification and adoption do make only a relative change; sanctification doth make in us a real change. 3. Justification and adoption are perfect at first; sanctification is carried on by degrees unto perfection.
A. 1. Though we be the subjects of sanctification, yet we are not the authors and efficient causes of our sanctification; we can defile ourselves, but we cannot cleanse and renew ourselves. 2. Sanctification is the work of God, which is wrought by his Spirit. "God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation, through sanctification of the Spirit." — 2 Thess. 2:13.
A. No; for all the children of men are by nature wholly polluted with sin, and it is wholly of God's free grace that any of them are sanctified.
A. Our sanctification doth consist in our renovation after the image of God, in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness. "Put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge, after the image of him that created him." — Col. 3:10. "And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." — Eph. 4:24.
A. The subject of our sanctification is our whole man, understanding, will, conscience, memory, affections, which are all renewed and changed in regard of their qualifications; and all the members of our body, which are changed in regard of their use, being made instruments of righteousness.
A. Our sanctification is begun in our regeneration and effectual calling; wherein our minds are first enlightened, and our wills renewed, and the habits of all graces are infused.
A. Our sanctification is carried on by degrees, as God doth bless his providences, especially his ordinances, through them to communicate further measures of his Spirit and grace.
A. Our sanctification is perfected in our glorification, when we shall be made perfectly free from sin, and fully conformable unto the image of God.
A. There are two parts of sanctification — 1. Mortification, whereby we are enabled to die more and more unto sin. "Reckon ye yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin." Rom. 6:11. 2. Vivification, whereby we are enabled to live unto righteousness. Yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God." — Rom. 6:13.