Online Bible 1995 March/ROM-1025.iso/olb/gill/d_400.lzh/D_402.TXT

Text File | 1994-08-18 | 7KB | 131 lines

4o9                                 OF THE PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS.                                                       Book VL

tinually in want of moregrace. -2. This appears
from their disclaiming perfection in themselves, and
their desires after it. Job, David, the apostle Paul,
and others, have in express words declared they were
not perfect, nor thought themselves so, but far from
it; and yet expressed strong desires after it, which
shewed they had it not; the apostle Paul has fully set
forth both in those words of his, Not as though I had
.a.!read2/ attained, either were already perfect, &c. Phil.
iii. 12--14.-------3. That sanctification is imperfect, is
abundantly manifest from indwelling sin in the saints,
and the sad effects of it; the apostle Paul speaks of sin
dwelling in him., Rom. vii. 18, 19. and the apostle John
says, if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves,
1 John i. 8. and the experience of the saints in all ages
testifies the same: this is clear from their ingenuous
confessions of sin, such as made by Jacob, David,
Isaiah, Daniel, and others; from their groans and com-
plaints under the weight of sin, as an heavy burden,
too heavy to bear; from' the continual war in them be-
tween flesh and spirit, the law in their members and the
law in their minds; from their prayers for the mani-
festation of the pardon of their sins, and for cleansing
from them, and to be kept from the commission of
them; from the many slips and falls which the best are
subject to in one way or another; and from backward-
ness to duty, remissness in it, and that coldness and
lukewarmhess which too often attend it.. 4. This is
also evident from the several parts of sanctification,
and the several graces of which it consists, being im-
perfect. Faith is imperfect; there are deficiencies in
faith to be made up; the best of saints have had them,
and their failings in the exercise of that grace have
been manifest, as in Abraham, Peter, and others; and
they have been sensible of their imperfection in i% as
the apostles of Christ were when they said, Lord in-
crease our faith, or add to it, Luke xvii. 5. hope some-
times is so low as that it seems to be perished from the
Lord, and only the mouth is put in the dust with an
if so be there may be hope, Lain. iii. 18, 99. Love, how-
ever warm and fervent at first, remits and abates; its
ardour is left, though that is not lost; the love of many
waxes cold. Spiritual, experimental, sanctified know-
ledge is but in part, and will remain so until that which
is perfect is come.
2dly, Though sanctification is imperfect, it is pro-
fgeressive, it is going on gradually till it comes to per-
ction; this is clear from the characters of the saints,
who are first as little children, infants new-born; are in
a state of childhood, and by degrees come to be young
men, strong and robust, and overcome the evil one,
and at length are fathers in Christ, I John ii. 13, 14.
and from the similies by which the work of grace is
illustrated; as that in general by seed sown in the earth,
which springs up first the blade, then the ear, after that
the full corn in the ear; and faith in particular by a
grain of mustard-seed, which when first sown is small,
the least of all seeds, but when it grows up, it becomes
greater than all herbs, and shoots out great branches,
Mark iv. 28, 31, 32. so spiritual light and knowledge at
tirst is very dim and obscure, like. the sight that the
man had whose eyes Christ opened; first he saw men
like trees walking, and after that all things clearly; so

the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth
more and more unto the perfect day, Mark viii. 23,
Prov. iv. 18. there is such a thing as growing in grace,
in the grace of faith, and aboundlug in hope and love,
and increasing in the knowledge of divine things
which there would be no room for, if sanctification was
perfect. Yet,
3dly, Though it is imperfect, it will certainly be
perfected; grace in the soul is a well of living water,
springing up unto everlasting life; it is always running
to, and will issue in eternal life: it is certain, from elec-
tion and redemption, the ends whereof would not be
answered, if this was not completed; and from its be-
ing the work of the h01y Spirit, who having begun it,
will finish it; he is a rock, and his work is perfect;
having undertook it, he will not leave it till it is done;
and when he works, none can let; he will perfect that
which concerneth his saints, and will fulfil the good
pleasure of his will in them, and the work of faith,
with power.
4thly, Sanctification is absolutely necessary to salva-
tion. It is necessary for many things; it is necessary
to the saints, as au evidence of their election and re-
demption ; this is the closing work of grace, and is the
evidence of all that goes before. It is necessary to
church-fellowship, to the communion of saints in a
social manner. Members of churches are described
as holy brethren, saints, and faithful in Christ Jesus,
and none are meet to be admitted among them but such
who are so; for what fellowship hath righteousness with
unrighteousness? &c. 9 Cot. vi. 14, 15, 16. Sanctifica-
tion is necessary as a meetness for heaven; for the in-
heritance of the saints in light; without regeneration,
in which sanctification is begun, no man shall see, nor
enter, into the kingdom of God. It is absolutely
necessary for the beatific-vision of God in a future
state; Without holiness no man shall see the Lord; but
.being possessed of that, shall see him, and enjoy un-
interrupted communion with him for ever, Heb. xii. 14.
Matt. v. 8. Psalm xvii. 15. To say no more, it is
necessary for the work of heaven, which is singing
songs of praise, songs of electing, redeeming, regene-
rating, calling, and persevering grace; how can unholy
persons join with the saints in such work and service as
this ? yea, it would be irksome and disagreeable to
themselves, could they be admitted to it, and were
capable of it; neither of which can be allowed.

CHAP. XV.

OF THE PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS.
The doctrine of the saints' final perseverance in grace
to glory is next to be considered; which is, that those
who are truly regenerated, effectually called, and really
converted, and internally sanctified by the Spirit and
grace of God, shall persevere in grace to the end,
and shall be everlastingly saved; or shall never finally
and totally fall, so as to perish everlastingly. Tins
truth may be confirmed,
I. From various passages of scripture, which clearly
hold it forth and assert it; it is written as with a sun-
beam in the sacred writings; to give the whole corn-