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yields to the operation of it, he becomes sanctified by it; which is necessary to our seeing God with comfort; for "Without holiness no man shall see the Lord."1

This work of sanctification doth not only bring men to see the Lord, but also to have communion with God, and to be of Christ esteemed his brethren. "He which sanctifieth, and they who are sanctified, are all of one; for which cause he is not ashamed. to call them brethren."

As repentance and forgivness of sin are alone to be preached in the name of Christ, and to be enjoyed through the work of his Spirit; so the Apostle ascribes the real benefit of what Christ did for men (as an offering through the eternal Spirit) to be the enjoyment of the sanctified: "For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified, whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us."s Thus, by the sanctification of the Spirit, they have the benefit both of their iniquities being pardoned, and "their consciences purged from dead works to serve the living God."4

And in a sanctified state the worship or offering up of the Gentiles, is acceptable with God, "Being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.' "5

CHAPTER XVI.

On Justification.

MANY well know that the learned of late times have written largely of justification, and have vastly

(1) Heb. xii, 14.
(4) ix, 14.

(2)

ii, 11. (3)
(5) Rom, xv, 16.

X, 14.

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OF JUSTIFICATION.

differed one from another; some allowing justification by works, others alledging justification to be by faith only; but they that experience the sanctification of the Spirit, and abide in the will of God, they know both a sanctified and a justified state; and have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Such will know, that to condemn the innocent, and justify the wicked, are both an abomination to God; who said, "Be ye holy, for I the Lord your God am holy."

"1.

Perhaps some may object, how then are we to understand the Apostle speaking of Christ's justifying the ungodly? I answer, not as if Christ justified them in their ungodliness; but first sanctifieth them, and then justifies them, as he expresseth in order, the work of Christ, in such who once had been in the abominations of those times, fornicators, adulterers, idolaters, covetous persons, drunkards, &c. "Such," says he, "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." And I desire to mention Dr. Gell's testimony;" Most true it is, that God justifies the ungodly, that is, he makes an ungodly man just, not in sensu composito, while he is ungodly, but in sensu diviso, by taking his ungodliness from him."4

In this sense of justification it is the Spirit of Christ which works both the sanctification and the justification also; as the Apostle saith," By the deeds of the law shall no flesh be justified;"5 both Jew and Gentile being under condemnation, and faulty before God in transgressing against the righte

(1) Lev. xx, 7. (2) Rom. iv, 5. (3) 1 Cor. vi, 11.
(4) Gell's Essay. (5) Rom. iii, 20.

OF JUSTIFICATION.

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ousness of the law; 'But he that believeth on Jesus," ," is justified from the condemnation he lay under to the law; yet he that continues guilty before God, in transgressing the righteousness of the law, must come under the power of Christ, inwardly condemning sin in the flesh, and obey that power that leads to fulfil the righteousness of the law; and such walk not after the flesh in which the condemnation is, but after the Spirit that sanctifies and justifies these believers in Jesus; yet if any walk after the flesh, and count themselves justified barely because they believe the history of Christ's coming and sufferings, without being sanctified by his Spirit, the law of sin hath dominion over them, and they are under the condemnation of the Spirit of Christ, which he foretold should convince or reprove the world of sin.

But those who are led by the Spirit of God, are indeed " Children of God," "Heirs of God," "Joint heirs with Christ;"3 and these he justifies, whoever condemns them.

These are "" come to Mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the first-born, which are written in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect."4 And of these we may say with the Apostle, "Whom he justifies, them he also will gloryfy."5

Here is the scope of a true Christian man's faith, hope, patience, sufferings, scorns, reproaches, temptations and conflicts, with the devil, the flesh, and the world.

(1) Rom. iii, 20. (2). (4) Hebrews xii, 22, 23, 24.

viii, 4. (3) viii, 14, 17, 33. (5) Romans viii, 30.

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This is Christian faith indeed; not barely a scheme of religious opinions, which a man may be educated in or acquire the notion of, and yet be neither sanctified nor justified, and therefore not meet to be glorified. Nevertheless, he who is sanctified and justified by the Holy Spirit, shall have the knowledge of all truth necessary for his salvation. Our Lord prayed for his true followers, "Sanctify them through thy truth;" and the Truth that sanctifies them, will open divine truths to them; the Spirit of Christ, which they have received, shews them plainly of the Father.

Thus the people of God come to understand plainly what was once as parables, the mysteries of the kingdom of God revealed to them, the seals loosed, and the book opened; and they need not that man should teach them, but as the anointing teaches them;3 for these are all taught of God, and estab lished in righteousness, and great is the peace of that people.*

CHAPTER XVII.

Of Believing.

THESE are indeed the true believers in Christ; their faith stands not in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God, 5 to whose power these submit their souls; first to its reproofs, then to its refining work: and to grow up in faithfulness, and in obedience

(1) John xvii, 17; xvi, 13; 25.
(3) John ii, 27. (4) Isaiah liv, 13.

(2) Rev. v; vi.

(5) 1 Cor. ii, 5.

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hereunto; to withstand and resist the temptations of the evil one, whether it be to lead them into evil, ɔr into the unbelief of the Lord's sufficient help, or the doubts and distrusts which satan often throws in the way, to make travelling souls conclude they shall never hold out to the end.

And herein he hath largely prevailed with many, so that their unbelief is as a great mountain, that could never be cast into the midst of the sea; and in that persuasion some have been ready to say, there is no overcoming here. But blessed be the Lord, he hath made known that faith that is a dependance on the eternal Arm which wrought all the mighty acts and. wondrous deliverances of his people in ages past, and is the same this day; and his invitation is as of old,-"Let him take hold of my strength."

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The aforesaid author likewise adviseth, saying,"Away, then, with all perplexing fears and despond"ing thoughts; to undertake vigorously, and rely confidently on the divine assistance, is more than "half the conquest. Let us arise and be doing, and the Lord will be with us.' It is true, religion in the souls of men is the immediate work of God, and all our natural endeavours can neither produce "it alone, nor merit those supernatural aids by which "it must be wrought. The Holy Ghost must come upon us, and the power of the highest must overshadow us, before that holy thing can be begotten, 66 and Christ be formed in us. But yet we must not expect this whole work must be done without concurring endeavours of ours. We must not lie

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(1) Isaiah xxvii. 5. (2) 1 Chron. xxii, 16.

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