A commentary upon the three first chapters of the first Epistle general of St.…A commentary upon the three first chapters of the first Epistle generall of St.…

Lastly, this may serve for reproof both of some of the godly,¹ and also of the wicked, that live in the Church of God: some of the godly do greatly forget themselves about this point, that is such, as stir not up themselves to take hold of God, and to call upon his name in their distresses, but sit down dismayed and dead hearted, as if there were not the compassion, care, or help of a father, in God: this is reproved, Isaiah 64.8. Those sons of Belial also, that live in the Church, and call God father, but live like the ⟨p. 14⟩Devil, who indeed is their father, whose works they do: those I say are most bitterly reproved in these, and such like Scriptures even from their daring to call God father, Mal. 1.6. & 3. ult. Jer. 3.4. &c. Mat. 3.9. & 7.21. John 4.23. & 8.38.41.44. 1 John 3.15. 2 John 9.

Lastly, this may serve for reproofe both of some of the godly,¹ and also of the wicked, that live in the Church of God: some of the godly doe greatly forget themselves about this point, that is such, as stirre not up themselves to take hold of God, and to call upon his name in their distresses, but sit downe dismaide and dead hearted, as if there were not the compassion, care, or help of a father, in God: this is reproved, Esay 64.8. Those sons of Belial also, that live in the Church, and call God father, but live like the ⟨p. 14⟩Devill, who indeed is their father, whose workes they doe: those I say are most bitterly reproved in these, and such like Scriptures even from their daring to call God father, Mal. 1.6. & 3. ult. Ier. 3.4. &c. Mat. 3.9. & 7.21. Iohn 4.23. & 8.38.41.44. 1 Iohn 3.15. 2 Iohn 9.

1. 1Use 3.Vse 3.

Through sanctification of the spirit unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ.]

Through sanctification of the spirit unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Iesus Christ.]

There is difference of senses about the understanding and dependency of these words amongst Interpreters.

There is difference of senses about the understanding and dependancy of these words amongst Interpreters.

Some others make sanctification the end, and obedience, and sprinkling the means, and so conceive, that before mans sanctification there goes two things in God: Election, and fore-knowledge: and two things in Christ, obedience and sufferings, and all this in both, that we might be sanctified.

Some others make sanctification the end, and obedience, and sprinkling the meanes, and so conceive, that before mans sanctification there goes two things in God: Election, and fore-knowledge: and two things in Christ, obedience and sufferings, and all this in both, that we might be sanctified.

Others understand sanctification of the heart, or spirit of man, as a means intended in Gods Election for the fitting of us unto obedience of life, and the fruition of the benefits purchased by the blood of Jesus Christ; and thus, I take it, it is meant here.

Others understand sanctification of the heart, or spirit of man, as a means intended in Gods Election for the fitting of us unto obedience of life, and the fruition of the benefits purchased by the blood of Iesus Christ; and thus, I take it, it is meant here.

The sum seems then to be this, that our lives may be obedient to Gods will, and that we may enjoy the benefit of Christs death, we must be sanctified within in our spirits.

The summe seemes then to be this, that our lives may bee obedient to Gods will, and that we may enjoy the benefit of Christs death, we must be sanctified within in our spirits.

Sanctification of the spirit.]

Man is said to be sanctified, or made holy three ways:

Man is said to be sanctified, or made holy three wayes:

¹1. Of not holy privatively, and so man, that was once without holiness, is made holy by regeneration, and justification.

¹1. Of not holy privatively, and so man, that was once without holinesse, is made holy by regeneration, and justification.

1. 1Ex non sancto privative.

²2. Of less holy, and so Gods children are daily sanctified by proceeding from grace to grace.

²2. Of lesse holy, and so Gods children are daily sanctified by proceeding from grace to grace.

1. 2Ex minus sancto.

³3. Of […] holy negatively, and so Christ as he was man was sanctified. For there was a time, when Christ had not this holiness in his humane nature,² viz. when his humane nature was not.

³3. Of 〈…〉 holy negatively, and so Christ as hee was man was sanctified. For there was a time, when Christ had not this holinesse in his humane nature,² viz. when his humane nature was not.

1. 3Ex non sancto negative.
2. 2Thomas Aquinas.

Spirit is taken sometimes for the holy Ghost, sometimes for an evil Angel, 1 Kings 22. Luke 10.20. sometimes for the Gospel, which hath adjoined to it the spirit, or working of the spirit of God, 2 Cor. 3.6. sometimes for the soul of man, and so it is taken sometimes more strictly for the understanding, the Queen of the soul, the reason of mans mind (and then the soul is taken for the fear of affections) Ephes. 4.•3. 1 Thess. •.23. sometimes more largely for the whole inward man, the whole soul with all the faculties of it, and so I take it here.

Spirit is taken sometimes for the holy Ghost, sometimes for an evill Angell, 1 Kings 22. Luke 10.20. sometimes for the Gospell, which hath adjoyned to it the spirit, or working of the spirit of God, 2 Cor. 3.6. sometimes for the soule of man, and so it is taken sometimes more strictly for the understanding, the Queene of the soule, the reason of mans minde (and then the soule is taken for the feare of affections) Ephes. 4.•3. 1 Thess. •.23. sometimes more largely for the whole inward man, the whole soule with all the faculties of it, and so I take it here.

Divers things may be noted here in the general.

Divers things may be noted here in the generall.

1. First that without sanctification we can never have comfort of our Election; by our obedience others may discover our Election, and by inward holiness we may discern it of ourselves.

1. First that without sanctification we can never have comfort of our Election; by our obedience others may discover our Election, and by inward holinesse we may discerne it of ourselves.

2. That our sanctification hath some dependence upon Gods election, and that, 1. as he hath ordained the rules of good works, we should walk in, Eph. 2.10. 2. as he hath bound himself by his decree to guide his people to the holiness, he doth require of them.

2. That our sanctification hath some dependance upon Gods election, and that, 1. as he hath ordained the rules of good workes, we should walke in, Eph. 2.10. 2. as he hath bound himselfe by his decree to guide his people to the holinesse, he doth require of them.