1) They who are united to Christ, effectually called,
and regenerated, having a new heart and a new spirit created in
them through the virtue of Christ's death and resurrection, are
also farther sanctified, really and
personally,a through the same virtue, by His
Word and Spirit dwelling in them;b the dominion
of the whole body of sin is destroyed,c and the
several lusts thereof are more and more weakened and
mortified,d and they more and more quickened
and strengthened in all saving graces,e to the
practice of all true holiness, without which no man shall see the
Lord.f
(a Acts
20:32, Romans
6:5,6; b John
17:17, Ephesians
3:16-19, 1
Thessalonians 5:21-23; c Romans 6:14;
d Galatians 5:24;
e Colossians 1:11;
f 2
Corinthians 7:1, Hebrews 12:14)
2) This sanctification is throughout the whole
man,g yet imperfect in this life; there abideth
still some remnants of corruption in every
part,h whence ariseth a continual and
irreconcilable war; the flesh lusting against the Spirit, and the
Spirit against the flesh.i
(g 1
Thessalonians 5:23; h Romans
7:18,23; i Galatians 5:17, 1 Peter
2:11)
3) In which war, although the remaining corruption for
a time may much prevail,j yet through the
continual supply of strength from the sanctifying Spirit of
Christ, the regenerate part doth overcome;k and
so the saints grow in grace, perfecting holiness in the fear of
God, pressing after an heavenly life, in evangelical obedience to
all the commands which Christ as Head and King, in His Word hath
prescribed them.l
(j Romans
7:23; k Romans
6:14; l Ephesians 4:15,16, 2
Corinthians 3:18, 2
Corinthians 7:1)