Of Sanctification
A. It teacheth us to carry ourselves as children to our heavenly Father. First, In our imitation of him; Eph. 5:1. Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children. Secondly, In our submission to him; Heb. 12:9. Furthermore, we have had fathers of our flesh, who corrected us, and we gave them reverence; shall we not much rather be in subjection to the Father of spirits, and live? Thirdly, In our dependence on him; Matth. 5:32. For your heavenly Father knoweth that you have need of all these things.
Of Sanctification Quest. 35. WHAT is sanctification?
A. Sanctification is the work of God's free grace, whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness.
Q. 1. What are the parts of sanctification?
A. Dying unto sin, and living unto God; Rom. 6:11. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Q. 2. Who is the Author of sanctification?
A. God only; Jude ver. 1. To them that are sanctified by God the Father.
Q. 3. What is the instrument of it?
A. The word of God; John 17:17. sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth.
Q. 4. What part of man is sanctified?
A. Every part, both of soul and body; 1 Thess. 5:23. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus
Christ.
Q. 5. Is sanctification perfected at once?
A. No; but by degrees; 2 Pet. 3:18. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Q. 6. When will it be made perfect?
A. When we come to heaven, and not before; 1 Cor. 13:10, 11. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
Q. 7. What are the signs of true sanctification?
A. When it runs into all parts of our conversation; 1 Pet. 1:15. But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation. Secondly, And continues to the end; Rev. 22:11. Let him that is holy be holy still.
Q. 8. What is the inseparable companion of sanctification?
A. Righteousness towards men; Luke 1:74, 75. That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hands of our enemies, might serve him without fear, in holiness, and righteousness before him all the days of our life.
Q. 9. What is opposite to sanctification?
A. All filthiness of flesh and spirit; 2 Cor. 7:1. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit.
Q. 10. What is the privilege of the sanctified?