A Body of Practical Divinity

7. Sanctification is a progressive thing, 'tis growing; it is compared to Seed which grows. First the Blade springs up, then the Ear, then the ripe Corn in the Ear. Such as are already sanctified may be more sanctified, 2 Cor. 7.1. Justification doth not admit of degrees, a Believer cannot be more elected or justified then he is, but he may be more sanctified than he is. Sanctification is still increasing, like the Morning Sun which grows brighter to the full Meridian. Knowledge is said to increase, Col. 1.10. and Faith to increase, 2 Cor. 10.15. a Christian is continually adding a Cubit to his spiritual Stature. It is not with us as it was with Christ, who received the Spirit without measure. Christ would not be more holy then he was. But we have the Spirit only in measure, and may be still augmenting our Grace; as Apelles, when he had drawn a Picture, he would be still mending it with his Pencil. The Image of God is drawn but imperfectly in us, therefore we must be still mending it, and drawing it in more lively Colours: Sanctification is progressive; if it doth not grow, it is because it doth not live. Thus you see the Nature of Sanctification.

7. Sanctification is a progressive thing, 'tis growing; it is compared to Seed which grows. First the Bladesprings up, then the Ear, then the ripe Corn in the Ear. Such as are already sanctified may be more sanctified, 2 Cor. 7.1. Justification doth not admit of degrees, a Believer cannot be more elected or justified then he is, but he may be more sanctified than he is. Sanctification is still encreasing, like the Morning Sun which grows brighter to the full Meridian. Knowledge is said to encrease, Col. 1.10. and Faith to encrease, 2 Cor. 10.15. a Christian is continually adding a Cubit to his spiritual Stature. It is not with us as it was with Christ, who received the Spirit without measure. Christ would not be more holy then he was. But we have the Spirit only in measure, and may be still augmenting our Grace; as Appelles, when he had drawn a Picture, he would be still mending it with his Pencil. The Image of God is drawn but imperfectly in us, therefore we must be still mending it, and drawing it in more lively Colours: Sanctification is progressive; if it doth not grow, it is because it doth not live. Thus you see the Nature of Sanctification.