❝ or

of sanctification are, "If any man will be my disciple, let him "deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. If thy hand thy foot offend thee, cut them off and cast them from you, "it is better for thee to enter into life, halt or maimed, rather "than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting "fire. If thine eye offend thee, pluck it out and cast it from "thee, it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather "than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire. Mortify yonr "members which are upon the earth, fornication, uncleanness, "inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, "which is idolatry. If ye through the spirit do mortify the "deeds of the body, ye shall live." These selected authorities, to which many more might be easily added, teach us the whole doctrine of mortification, that it lies not in inhuman severities, but only in disallowing ourselves in carnal and prohibited indulgen cies; avoiding sin, resisting Satan, endeavoring to live above the world, and cultivating the virtues of purity, chastity, hon esty and righteousness. These things are of the highest moment to christians, would they progress in sanctification, or be observ ent of, or obedient to the will of God. It is renouncing the works of the flesh, striving against the selfish propensities, avoiding the occasions of sin, keeping as far as possible from the ways and places of temptation, and faithfully endeavouring to be watche ful in all their business and conversation.

A life of self-denial, is the life of sanctification. And this self denial consists whelly in a non-compliance with the dictates of depravity, and a gracious and sincere endeavour for a reduction to the will of God. It is enough, and generally more than the christian can do, to deny himself according to the gospel. He need not turn anchorite, go a pilgrimaging, and cast all his for tune at the foot of a shine. This has been done a thousand times in pride, ignorance and custom, without the smallest spice of tanctification. The whole of mortification is a mere non-compli ance with those things which the gospel prohibit. And he who

carries on this opposition to his fleshly inclinations, is sanctifying himself, and conforming to the will of God in our text.--But a

Third thing constituting this commanded sanctification, is what systematic writers stile vivification: that is, living to the glory of God, alive in duty and in all practical holiness. The scriptures teach a dying, unto sin, and a living unto righteousness. The former is mortification, and the latter vivification. This branch of sanctification is of essential conséquence in the christian life. It exhibits itself in good works, or in the works of righteousness. Vivification consists in the positive practice of gospel duties, and in holy living. Three things are necessa ry to good works, or the cultivation of gospel virtues. They must originate from a renewed and good heart. Make the tree good, and then the fruit will be good. A corrupt tree cannot bring forth good fruits, neither can a heart of depravity produce works acceptable to God. The works of righteousness always flow from a believing mind; for without faith, it is impossible to please God. They must be performed with a view to the glory of God. The gospel commandment on this head is, "What"soever ye do, whether ye eat or drink, do all to the glory of "God." This exalted end must have a habitual influence upon the tenor of the christian's deportment, conduct, conversation and practice. Not that it is explicitly recollected in every act, but this ought to be the virtual, general, and ultimate scope of all our duties and works."Ye are bought with a price, there"fore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit which are "God's." Good works must ever be in conformity to the divine ław, and in obedience to the will of God. This is an absolutely necessary quality in them. "I delight in thy law," says St. Paul, "after the inward man. Ye shall not add unto the word which "I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that "ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you. As many as walk according to this rule, peace "be unto them and mercy, and upon the Israel of God."

Thus I have given you a brief description of the nature of sanctification, the great constituent articles of which are self dedication, self denial, and living to God in holy duty, obeying his commandments, keeping his statutes, and observing his ordinances.

I proceed to the

Second head of this discourse, which was to consider why the people of God should cultivate all the graces, and practise all the virtues comprehended in the term sanctification.

First, It is for the honor of Jehovah, for the honor of every person in the adorable Trinity, the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. For the honor of the Father, because he hath chosen us to be holy through sanctification of the Spirit." This is the aim of his gospel, and design of all his providences, both prosperous and adverse, that we may be partakers of his holiness.-It is for the honor of the Son, our Saviour. This was a leading purpose of redemption; that he might sanctify us, and present us to God without spot or wrinkle, or any such thing. It is for the honor of the Holy Ghost; hence he is often stiled our sanctifier. He fashions all the vessels of glory, and decks the spouse with the jewels of the covenant. He dwells in the saints, forming them to be temples of holiness. Therefore, be ye holy in all manner of conversation as your Maker, Redeemer, and Sanctifier are holy.

Secondly, We should sanctify ourselves, because of the hopes to which we are called, and the happiness to which our expectations are raised. These cannot be obtained unless we become holy. "Without holiness no man shall see the Lord." Oftentimes the word saints, is confined to those who are departed; but we must be saints here, or we will never be saints hereafter. What could they do in heaven, who are not saints? Could they enjoy God, who are destitute of a pure heart? All that region is

holiness; all the business, and employments, and pleasures there are holy; therefore, it can be no place of felicity to unsanctified souls. Hence they who entertain hopes, and are expectants of heaven, must be diligent in the work of sanctification. They must be purifying themselves, as all that world is pure.

Thirdly, Sanctification is both our duty and our interest. The whole duty of man is to keep the commandments of God. To seek God and serve him, ought to be his principal business. Duty and interest are wisely and inseperably connected by the divine, constitution; hence, their combined force, ought to influence. us to cultivate all the graces, and carefully and perseveringly practise all the virtues contained in the term sanctification.

Fourthly, This is the command of the supreme Jehovah :"This is the will of God, even your sanctification. Be ye holy, "for I the Lord your God, am holy. Ye shall sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy for I am holy." There would be no end in retailing the authorities to this purpose. bible is intended for our sanctification.

A brief application, must conclude this discourse.

The whole

First, This doctrine exhibits a terrible aspect upon the graceless and ungodly. The portion of the Lord is an holy portion, but these have no lot nor interest in the matter. Unless they speedily commence the work of sanctification, they will be eternally undone. In vain are all pretensions to the favour of God, futile are all hopes of heaven, while we remain destitute of sanctification. "If the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall "the ungodly and the sinner appear? The wicked shall be turn❝ed into hell, and all the nations that forget God." O that impenitent sinners would awake to consideration. Would to God this principle could be impressed upon their consciences, that without sanctification, they must bear the excruciating pains of eternal wrath, and dwell in a lake of fire and brimstone forever

and ever. Let the ungodly fear and tremble, for the day of ver geance is hastening on

Secondly, This doctrine administers a strong hint of caution to all the professors of christianity. Beware you do not deceive yourselves in this all important business. Take heed you be not beguiled with shadows for substance, with appearances for realities. There are many things that wear a resemblance of sanctication. Such as formality, restraining grace, orderly living, attendance upon sacraments, performing the external duties which we owe to our families, to society and to the church, a freedom from gross outrageous immoralities, &c. By all these things, our foolish and selfish hearts are carried to an improper dependance, and a fallacious hope. Let us walk softly, cautiously and circumspectly. Let us take heed unto our ways.

Thirdly, We should apply this subject in the examination of ourselves. Have we entered upon the work of sanctification, according to the gospel? Have we begun to sanctify? Have we made a sincere and unreserved surrender and consecration of ourselves, soul and body, household and children, and all to God? Are we keeping our bodies under, mortifying the fesh, denying all ungodliness and every worldly lust? Are we dying to sin, and living to righteousness? Are we conscientiously practising those duties from faith and love, which enter into the living nature of sanctification? In one word, is it the prevailing bent of our hearts, the habitual tendency of our desires, and the ardent breathings of our souls after sanctification? All who can answer in the affirmative to those few comprehensive queries, let them rejoice in the Lord, and magnify his grace. Proceed on in this holy work. Grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Proceed from grace to grace, from virtue to virtue, and from duty to duty, until you shall appear perfect in Zion. Run, strive, wrestle, fight, and you shall come off conquerors, and more than conquerors, through him that