1 COR. 6. 11.
I Shall conclude the work of grace at this time expressed in the Text, under the notion of Sanctification, and that shal be by handling some practical cases which may justly be propounded by a godly sanctified heart, for seeing this is the evidence of our election, and justification. No marvail, if the soul may have doubts to be informed about therein. And,
First, It may be demanded Why, if I perceive those common gifts and abilities which come from the holy Ghost in me; I may not thence conclude the Spirit of1 sanctification in me? There were in the Primitive times extraordinary gifts vouchsafed by the Holy Ghost, according to the promise of old, Ioel 2. Now all these were from the same spirit, as the Apostle witnesseth, 1 Cor. 12. 4. And although those extraordinary works of the Holy Ghost now cease, yet there are many gifts still dispensed unto men, that cannot be called the works of the flesh, but the gifts of Gods Spirit; such as believing for a season, joy in the word preached: illumination of mind, tasting experimentally the sense of Gods word, in which the Apostle saith, They are partakers of the Holy Ghost, Heb. 6. May we not then, where we feel these things in our selves, or see them in others, conclude there is the work of sanctification?
To this in the first place I Answer, That amongst men, who judge by outward appearance,2 and cannot try the hearts and reins, which is Gods Soveraignty, these things are much admired, and received for Sanctification. Hence if we see a man have good utterance and gifts in prayer, with affectionate inlargements; if he speak of some joy and sweetnesse he hath in the Ordinances; if he can confer and dispute with some illumination of mind and understanding in religious things; we are apt to take all that glisters thus, for gold: and because others doe put such an esteem upon them; therefore they that have such gifts do easily perswade themselves that they are sanctified also. But these gifts of Gods Spirit are not sanctification. A man may have all those enumerated excellencies, and yet be an unregenerated man. For,
Reason. First, You have many instances of those who have had these gifts, and yet no true members of Christ. As those Hebrews 6. which the Apostle speaks of; and therefore though the Apostle had reckoned up those great things, yet he saith, I hope better things of you, and things that accompany salvation. In this number was Iudas, the foolish Virgins, the third kind of hearers, such are compared to Swine washed; though washed, yet Swine still. Oh then think it not such a matter, if because of parts and abilities in prayer, discourse and conference in Religion, thou art eminently admired by others; for these are no sure signe of Sanctification. Here may be light, but no oyl; and therefore though it be our saying ordinarily; Such an one is an able Christian; VVhy so? because of gift in Praier, abilitie to speak in divine things; yet that is not so. He is an able Christian, who is strong in the works of Sanctification, who is able in believing, in heavenly mindednesse, in humility, in uprightnesse and sincerity of heart. If ever the Professors of England needed any truth, they ought to give diligent heed to this: For how is that which is indeed true godlinesse neglected, and curious Disputes, and needlesse Controversies exalted in the room thereof!
Secondly, These doe not sanctifie; because a man that hath these gifts of the Holy Ghost, is still carnal and unsavoury, improving them wholly to carnall and3 corrupt ends. It’s commonly objected by Arminians, and others, when we say, That an unregenerate man is wholly flesh, and altogether corrupt: and yet may have many gifts of Gods Spirit: how then can they be wholly corrupt? Are those gifts of God evill? and its answered, The men are altogether corrupt and carnall, though some good gifts of God be in them; for they improve all these to a sinfull end, for self-advantage one way or other; even as they doe the external Gifts of God, Riches, Honour and Glory: so that as by these they are not made holy, but their corruptions are more drawn out by them: So it is here, they are not made holy by these Gifts and inlargements, but rather internall and soulcorruption is more strengthened thereby, But I have spoken at large, that the common gifts of Gods Spirit are no evidences of grace.
A second doubt therefore may be, what a true godly man, who is indeed sanctified, should doe, when he findes no evidences of his sanctification. All4 the Sermons he heareth preached about it, put him into fear and tremblings of heart: for alas! he goeth home, and looketh in his soul, compareth himself and the symptomes and properties of sanctification together, and O the disproportion he presently discovers! Insomuch that he hath little joy in himself, and none knoweth but his own soul, what sad temptations, and heavy anxieties of spirit he lyeth under.