My dear Olympas,<\/p>\n
The God of Israel is the God of order, and all the works of creation\u2014 the mysteries of providence and the wonders of grace are conspicuous monuments of this interesting fact. There is an important connection between the parts of creation\u2014 an undisturbed order in the movements of providence and a holy harmony in the doctrines of grace.<\/p>\n
The doctrine of sanctification shines bright in the constellation of gospel truths, and on account of its peculiar brightness, shedding its sacred lustre over all the inspired page, as the glory of the whole scheme of redemption, Satan has done all in his power to becloud it, and has often furnished men with discoloured mediums of viewing it, so as to effect his malicious purpose by dis\u00adtracting them, on the one hand with legal anxieties, or on the other, (which is worse,) betraying them into carelessness of life, if not into open licentiousness.<\/p>\n
My anxious wish is, to conduct my dear young friend into a scriptural and clear view of this important doctrine, that he may avoid both the rock and the quicksand to which I have alluded, and sail on before a prosperous gale of divine influence to the port of eternal bliss.<\/p>\n
Taking the word of God as my infallible directory I learn that the sanctification of the household of faith has three distinct parts or features, ascribed distinctly to the three persons of the Deity.<\/p>\n
The apostle Jude writes, \u201cto them that are sanctified by God the Father,\u201d by which I apprehend is meant, the sovereign act of God the Father setting them apart from eternity to holy uses and ends; so that all the spirituality, holiness and usefulness with which they are honored in time, is in consequence of this eternal appointment of the Father, and cannot fail to be accomplished in them, because God the Father has set them apart in his own eternal mind for it, and will not allow himself to be disappointed: with this agrees the sentiment of the psalmist, \u201cknow that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself.\u201d<\/p>\n
Thus also, the apostle Paul ascribes our sanctification to the will of God the Father, \u201cby the which will, we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Christ, once for all:\u201d here we see, that even the offering of the body of Christ, is in consequence of the Father having set apart a peculiar people for himself, and the very same will which Jesus came to do, is said to be the source of our sanctification, Heb. 10:10. and in exact accordance with this view of the subject, the same apostle exclaims, \u201cthis is the will of God; even your sanctification.\u201d<\/p>\n
Still keeping upon scripture ground, I find the saints are said to be sanctified in Christ Jesus, 1 Cor. 1:2. and that the Father has made him unto us, wisdom, righteous\u00adness, SANCTIFICATION, and redemption.\u201d<\/p>\n
Connect with these important statements, the declaration of the Saviour, that the Father sanctified HIM before he sent him into the world, John 10:36, and it will I think appear plain, that the saints were set apart in Christ, when he was set apart or appointed to his great work in the council of peace, and that they were viewed complete and holy in him from eternity.<\/p>\n
Thus far I have considered sanctification as a covenant blessing, prepared for the family of God in their covenant head, before time began. If I were to stop here I might gratify men of corrupt minds, but I know I should disappoint and grieve my dear Olympas; I will therefore proceed to shew, what this blessing is as communicated to the redeemed of the Lord, of which they are all made the happy recipients in the fulness of time.<\/p>\n
Here again the word of God affords infallible di\u00adrection for our minds, and brings in the office and work of the Holy Spirit. Both Paul and Peter inform us, that we are chosen unto salvation, \u201cthrough sanctification of the Spirit,\u201d and I know of no way to ascertain our elec\u00adtion of God the Father, and our justification by Christ, but by the sanctification of the Holy Spirit. It is there\u00adfore of infinite importance to be able to recognise this work in our experience, yet many of the disciples of Christ, so entirely mistake the nature of sanctification, as to rob themselves of all the comfort it is intended to afford. Be assured, my dear Olympas, that sanctification is not mere reformation of life but the possession of new life\u2014 it is not changing the nature of old principles but implanting new ones\u2014 it is not eradicating the turpitude of our natural corruption but establishing the conquest of our new nature over it\u2014 it is not the growing improvement of the old man but the growing strength of the new man\u2014 in a word, it is \u201cChrist dwelling in the heart,\u201d a new creation\u2014 a heavenly life\u2014 a spiritual capacity and disposition, by which the old man is crucified, mortified, kept under, and put off.<\/p>\n
Hence the constant war in the heart of a sanctified sinner; the graces of the Spirit dwelling in him, habitually aspire to God, while the depravity of his nature, drags him down to earth\u2014 the element of his soul is in spiritual things, yet, his evil propensities pursue carnal objects\u2014 in a word, everything he does of himself is contaminated and vile, but everything Christ does in him is pure, ho\u00adly and perfect. Thus his sanctification is in Christ, and Christ in him is his sanctification.<\/p>\n
Every holy desire\u2014 spiritual, emotion, and devo\u00adtional feeling, (which are the fruits of sanctification) own Christ as their author, yea, they are produced by the Spirit’s testimony of Christ in the heart; and when he condescends to take of the things which are Christ’s, and reveal them unto us, every thing impure and sensual is discarded and abhorred-\u2014 every thing of our own is renounced, and Jesus becomes our sanctification; dwelling in us, walking in us, and abiding in us forever.<\/p>\n
The difference between our justification and sancti\u00adfication is simply this: the former is Christ standing for us; the latter is Christ dwelling in us. If Christ stand for us, we cannot be condemned\u2014 if Christ dwell in us, we cannot love sin, but shall delight in spirituality and holiness, as our meetness for heaven.<\/p>\n
Thus beloved, if you view your sanctification as your being from all eternity set apart by God the Father, it is in Christ as your covenant head. If you view it as a personal blessing, it is Christ in you, and therefore it must be in Christ; and if you ask how it is effected, I answer, by the mighty operation of the Holy Spirit, and the one is so connected with the other, that they should always be viewed together.<\/p>\n
If you can trace the Holy Spirit’s work upon your heart, creating a spiritual capacity, killing the love of sin and causing you to thirst for holiness, then it is certain, Christ has entered your heart as your sanctification and consequently, that the Father set you apart as holy in him from eternity; and is now accomplishing in you that which his everlasting love and sovereign will decreed in the person of your covenant head and surety. You were \u201cpredestinated to be conformed to the image of his Son.” Rom. 8:20.<\/p>\n
This gracious work is carried on by the means which the Saviour specified in his prayer to his Father, \u201csanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth.\u201d Was not this the case with you at the first? And do you not often now find it to be so, while listening to the proclamation of divine truth by the heralds of salvation?<\/p>\n
It is the province of the Holy Spirit to apply the great truths of the gospel to the heart, add when he condescends to put this honor upon them, the prayer of Jesus is answered in the mighty effects which follow; they become the medium, through which the need of Christ is felt\u2014 the preciousness of Christ is discerned, and the grace of Christ is communicated; and the more powerfully truth is felt in the heart, the more spiritual, holy and devoted to God will be the life.<\/p>\n
The slave of sin may \u201chold the truth in unrighteousness;\u201d but those who have felt its power upon their hearts, will undoubtedly bring forth fruit unto holiness. Let not my dear Olympas be discouraged by the discoveries he may make of the depravity of his old nature as opening to his view with increasing odiousness; but rather consider this as an evidence that the Lord’s work is going on. Each newly explored cavern of the \u201cden of thieves” within, will increase your conviction that by nature \u201cevery imagination of the thoughts of your heart are only evil continually, and consequently, increase your abhorrence of sin, and your anxiety to be delivered from it.<\/p>\n
Now the very discovery of your sinfulness proves divine light\u2014 the hatred of it proves divine life\u2014 and your daily conflict with it is maintained by the principles of sanctity which the Holy Ghost has imparted; yea by the power and grace of Christ dwelling in you.<\/p>\n
If sanctification were your work, I should not wonder to find you in despondency, but since it is God’s work in you, and that work is actually begun according to the preceding evidences, you are called upon to bless his name for the pledge of heaven thus bestowed, relying on his faithfulness to complete what be has begun.<\/p>\n
I need not urge on you the necessity of sanctification; you feel it to be that which alone can make you happy, and qualify you to enjoy God and heaven. And because your soul is athirst for spirituality, I feel assured I shall have my request on your behalf while I pray, with the apostle, \u201cthe 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. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.\u201d 1. Thess. 5:23, and 24.<\/p>\n
You have learned to confide in the covenant faithfulness of God the Father; and to appropriate the justifying righteousness of God the Son, give equal honor to God the Spirit, by believing that he will perfect that which concerneth you, working in you mightily by his divine power until your meetness for glory is completed, and your present spiritual warfare ends in the full conquest of every foe and everlasting triumph in the realms of peace.<\/p>\n
\u200b\u200bBelieve me to be,
\n\u200b\u200b\u200b
\nYours, &c. very sincerely,
\n\u200b\u200b\u200b\u200b
\nIn the bonds of our holy religion,
\n\u200b\u200b\u200b\u200b\u200b\u200b\u200b\u200b
\nJ. I.<\/p>\n
Let bold pretenders boast superior light,
\nAnd talk of liberty while slaves to sin,
\nPuff\u2019d up with empty speculative pride.
\nGive me religion that will melt the heart\u2014
\nDestroy the love of sin\u2014and honor Christ,
\nThis\u2014 this alone can prove I am the Lord’s\u2014
\nBring peace and joy\u2014 and make me fit for heav’n.
\nO! Holy Spirit let thy work go on
\nWithin my soul. There testify of Christ,
\nApply his precious blood, subdue my sins
\nAnd let my conversation be in Heav’n.
\nI sigh, I wrestle to get free from earth,
\nTo walk with God, and breathe my native air.
\nThen shall my Heaven begin, and I shall gain
\nPerpetual foretaste of eternal bliss.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n