Christ: The Way, the Truth, and the LifeBrown, John
Religion
Christ: The Way, the Truth, and the Life
Brown, John
Bible. John XIV, 6 -- Criticism, interpretation, etc.; Jesus Christ; Justification (Christian theology); Sanctification
As to the second particular, that is, how believers are to carry in this
matter, or how they are to make use of Christ, and of those grounds of
sanctification in Christ, which we have mentioned:
_First,_ There are some things which they should beware of, and guard
against; as,
1. They should beware of an heartless despondency, and giving way to
discouragement, and hearkening to the language of unbelief, or to the
suggestion of Satan, whereby he will labour to persuade them of the
impossibility of getting the work of sanctification throughed, or any
progress made therein to purpose. Satan and a deceitful heart can soon
muster up many difficulties, and allege that there are many lions, many
insuperable difficulties in the way, to discourage them from venturing
forward; and if Satan prevail here, he hath gained a great point.
Therefore the believer should keep up his head in hope, and beware of
multiplying discouragements to himself, or of concluding the matter
impossible; for then shall he neither have heart nor hand for the work,
but sit down and wring his hands as overcome with discouragement and
despondency of spirit.
2. They should beware of wilfully rejecting their own mercies, and
forbearing to make use of the grounds of hope, of strength and progress
in the matter of sanctification, which Christ hath allowed them to make
use of. There is such an evil among God's children, that they scar at
that which Christ out of great love hath provided for them, and dare not
with confidence make use of, nor apply to themselves the great and
comfortable promises, to the end they might be encouraged; they will
not take their allowance, as thinking themselves unworthy; and that it
would be presumption in them to challenge a right to such great things;
and they think it commendable humility in them, to stand a-back, and so
wilfully refuse the advantages and helps, that make so much for their
growth in grace.
3. They should beware of a careless neglect of the means appointed for
advancing in holiness; for, though the means do not work the effect, yet
it is by the means that God hath chosen to work the work of
sanctification. Here that is to be seen, "that the hand of the diligent
maketh rich; and the field of the slothful is soon grown over with
thorns and nettles; so that poverty cometh as one that travaileth, and
want as an armed man," Prov. xxiv. 30. It is a sinful tempting of God,
to think to be sanctified another way than God hath in his deep wisdom
condescended upon.
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