CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St.…

Fourthly, We may be more sanctified Subjectively, ¹that is every part of the soul may be more throughly sanctified every day: as in that place, 1 Thess. 5.23. Hence to the converted Ephesians, the Apostle exhorts, as you heard, both a further renovation of the mind, and of the will and affections, Ephes. 4.23, 24. In the mind, How greatly may we be more sanctified, have more illumination, more heavenly knowledge of God and Christ? Thou art to grow in knowledge more and more; Paul was once like a child, but he became a man; The Apostle Heb. 6. doth severely reprove those that continued babes, and were not carried on to further perfection. It's both a shame and a sin, that thou hast yet no more knowledge, and heavenly understanding, by the Ministry thou hast enjoyed so many years. Again, the mind is to be more sanctified by a more firm and solid faith, the Apostle then directs, That they should be steadfast and sound in the faith, not tossed up and down with every wind of doctrine. Their increase of faith may be both in the Objects believed, though for the things necessary to salvation, the knowledge of them by the Spirit of God is promised to every believer, yet there the superstructions in Religion, which according to the means we enjoy, we are to believe. Therefore the Apostle, 1 Thess. 3.10. showeth his earnest prayer to come to the Thessalonians, that he might perfect what was lacking in their faith; which could not be meant in regard of foundations, but superstructures; not essentials, but additionals. Thus they are to grow in the doctrine of believing, but then in the manner of believing, that is the proper way for all to grow. To believe more certainly, more firmly, more practically. Therefore though the fundamentals of Religion cannot be augmented: No necessary truth to salvation can be revealed, which was not known before, yet it may be more strongly and clearly believed. And this is the end of all Authors, that write against Heretics of all sorts, not to bring a new Religion into the world, or new Articles of Faith, but to cause a more clear and firm assent to those things, which the subtlety of Heretics had obscured. Further, Their minds are to be more sanctified by holy thoughts, heavenly-Meditation: For what godly man doth not perceive vain thoughts creeping into his soul, as the Frogs did into Pharaoh's Chamber, whether he will or no;