Chapter XX — Of Sanctification

Chap. XX. — Of Sanctification.

Q. 1. Is there nothing, then, required of us but faith only?

A. Yes; ^arepentance, and ^bholiness or new obedience. ^aActs xx. 21; Matt. iii. 2; Luke xiii. 3. ^b2 Tim. ii. 19; 1 Thess. iv. 7; Heb. xii. 14.

Q. 2. What is repentance?

A. Godly ^asorrow for every known^{1 2} sin committed against God, ^bwith a firm purpose of heart to cleave unto him for the future, ^cin the killing of sin, the quickening of all graces, to walk before him in newness of life. ^a2 Cor. vii. 9–11; Acts ii. 37; Ps. li. 17. ^bPs. xxxiv. 14; Isa. i. 16, 17; Ezek. xviii. 27, 28; Acts xiv. 15. ^cEph. iv. 21–24; Rom. vi. 12, 13, 18, 19, viii. 1; 2 Cor. v. 17; Gal. vi. 15.

Q. 3. Can we do this of ourselves?

A. No; it is a special gift and grace of God, which he bestoweth on whom he pleaseth. Lev. xx. 8; Deut. xxx. 6; Ezek. xi. 19, 20; 2 Tim. ii. 25; Acts xi. 18.

Q. 4. Wherein doth the being of true repentance consist, without which it is not acceptable?

A. In its³ performance according to the Gospel rule, with faith and assured hope of divine mercy. Ps. li.; 1 John ii. 1, 2; 2 Cor. vii. 10, 11; Acts ii. 38; Matt. xxvi. 75.

Q. 5. What is that holiness which is required of us?

A. That ^auniversal,^{4 5} sincere obedience to the whole will of God, ^bin our hearts, minds, wills, and actions, ^cwhereby we are in some measure made conformable to Christ, our head. ^aPs. cxix. 9; 1 Sam. xv. 22; John xiv. 15; Rom. vi. 19; Heb. xii. 14; Tit. ii. 12; 2 Pet. i. 5–7; Isa. i. 16, 17. ^b1 Chron. xxviii. 9; Deut. vi. 5; Matt. xxii. 37. ^cRom. viii. 29; 1 Cor. xi. 1; Eph. ii. 21; Col. iii. 1–3; 2 Tim. ii. 11, 12.

Q. 6. Is this holiness or obedience in us perfect?

A. Yes, ^ain respect⁶ of all the parts of it, but ^bnot in respect of the degrees wherein God requires it. ^a2 Kings xx. 3; Job i. 1; Matt. v. 48; Luke i. 6; 2 Cor. vii. 1; Eph. iv. 24; Tit. ii. 12. ^bIsa lxiv. 6; Ps. cxxx. 3; Exod. xxviii. 38; Phil. iii. 12.

Q. 7. Will God accept of that obedience which falls so short of what he requireth?

A. Yes, from them⁷ whose persons he accepteth and justifieth freely in Jesus Christ. Rom. xii. 1; Phil. iv. 18; Heb. xiii. 16; 1 John iii. 22; Eph. i. 6.

Q. 8. What are the parts of this holiness?

A. ⁸Internal, in the quickening of all graces, purging all sins; ⁹and external, in fervent and frequent prayers, alms, and all manner of righteousness. Particular precepts are innumerable.

Q. 9. May not others perform these duties acceptably, as well as those that believe?

A. No;¹⁰ all their performances in this kind are but abominable sins before the Lord. Prov. xv. 8; John ix. 31; Tit. i. 15; Heb. xi. 6.

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Footnotes

1. Repentance includeth, first, alteration of the mind into a hatred of sin, before loved; secondly, sorrow of the affections for sin committed; thirdly, change of the actions arising from both. ↩

2. Repentance is either legal, servile, and terrifying, from the spirit of bondage; or evangelical, filial, and comforting, from the spirit of free grace and liberty, which only is available. ↩

3. Every part of Popish repentance — viz., contrition, confession, and satisfaction — was performed by Judas. ↩

4. All faith and profession, without this holiness, is vain and of no effect. ↩

5. True faith can no more be without true holiness than true fire without heat. ↩

6. Merit of works in unprofitable servants, no way able to do their duty, is a Popish miracle. ↩

7. In Christ are our persons accepted freely, and for him our obedience. ↩

8. Heb. ix. 14; Eph. iii. 16, 17; Rom. ii. 29, vi. 12. ↩

9. Matt. v. 20; Rom. viii. 1, 2; Eph iv. 22, 23; Tit. ii. 12. ↩

10. The best duties of unbelievers are but white sins. ↩