1 COR. 6. 11.
THe Apostle (as you heard) is now describing what the Corinthians are by the grace of God; which is threefold, Washing (and that is dispatched;) Sanctifying, and that is the work now in hand. As for Illyricus his opinion, that takes these three things for the same, making them onely words Synonymous, there is no colour for it; come we therefore to handle the nature of this gracious work of God, and the word hath many and several acceptions, in the Scripture, which are necessary to be known.
The first and ordinary use of the word, is for the external celebrating and acknowledging1 the Name and Ordinances of God as holy: Thus we pray, Sanctified be thy name; and very often we are commanded To sanctifie the Lord; which is then done, when we do with all holy fear and reverence make mention of him, and acknowledge his Majesty; the contrary whereunto, is to defile, to pollute and to blaspheme his holy name.
Secondly, To Sanctifie, is often used in Scripture, for the separating any thing from prophane and common use, as holy unto God: Thus all the vessels in the Temple were sanctified, and the Priests were sanctified; and in this sense Christ saith, He sanctified himself, viz. He prepared himself to be an expiatory Sacrifice for (John 17. 1) our sins.
Thirdly, There are some who say the word to Sanctifie, is as much as to justifie, and to make holy and righteous through Christs Righteousness; and therefore they speak of an imputative Sanctification (which is the same with Justification) and is really inherent, but inchoate in this life. Thus they say Sanctification is taken for Justification, frequently in the Epistle to the Hebrews, Heb. 10. By which will we are sanstified; and Heb. 3. Christ that he might sanctifie his people, suffered without the gate; and thus Christ is said To be made unto us, Wisdom and Sanctification; But this sense of the word is not so generally acknowledged.
Fourthly, To sanctifie, is sometimes used for the preparing and designing of any to some great work and exploit; so Isa. 13. The Medes are said to be sanctified, for the destruction of Babylon: I have commanded my sanctified ones; yea, in the Scripture commonly the judgements of God upon the wicked, by way of war and slaughter, are compared to Sacrifices, and so those that are instruments to execute them, in that sense are sanctified; yea, it signifieth to prepare or endeavor any thing, Jer. 6. Sanctifie a war, Mich. 3. If they do not give in their mouth, they prepare a war.
Fifthly, The word is sometimes used antiphrastically, for the clear contrary, to sanctifie, is then as much as to pollute, and to be unclean; thus Exod. 19. Lev.. 8. Those that did after an unclean maner draw nigh to holy things, they are said to be sanctified, that is, unclean: And thus whores in the Hebrew are called Holy, that is, polluted and vile; and thus Sacrum among the Latihs is used.
Sixthly, There is a passive Sanctification, or a Work of God, whereby he changeth us, and maketh us of unholy, holy; and this is the grace intended in the Text: I pray God ye be sanctified throughout, 1 Thess. ult. 1 Pet. 1. 1. Through the Sanctification of the Spirit to obedience.
Seventhly, There is an active Sanctification, whereby in the progress of holiness, we daily purifie our selves, growing more and more holy, 2 Cor. 7. 7. 1 John 3. He that hath this hope purifyeth or sanctifieth himself, as God is holy: These two latter senses of the word, may be here chiefly intended.
Observ. That those who are renewed by the Grace of God, they are sanctified ones; they are made holy, and purified from the filth and dross that was in them.
Let us first observe how the several senses of the word Sanctified, formerly related, is aptly applicable to them: And2
First, They are Segregated from the world; They are chosen from that prophane and common course of life they lived in before; that as the Vessels were taken from all common use, and applied onely to sacred actions, to the Sacrifices, and other Offerings: Thus God by grace, doth take men, who before were under the power of Satan, at the command of every lust, they were vile, unclean, fit for no holy imployments; now they are separated from those former evils: Thus true Religion is that which keeps a man unspotted from the world, James 1. 27. Thou dost touch this pitch, and art not defiled; thou art in this Babylonian furnace, and hast not thy garments signed: This is to be a true and a good separatist, when by the heart and affections, a man forsaketh the ways of the world; though he be in the world, yet he is not of the world; for the world lying in wickedness, godliness cannot be but singularity and preciseness, in respect of the multitude; therefore thou art not in the number of these sanctified ones, nay thou canst not say, thou art of the true Religion or hast any true Religion at all, till thou keepest thy self clean and unblameable from all the gross and foul wickedness, that the world usually commits.