wrought in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, and never quite per- fect so long as we live in this body of sin. The disciples need- ed no prayer for justification ; they were completely justified already. They did need prayer for their sanctification ; for they were not completely sanctified,
(c) Sanctification is a thing that admits of growth ; else why should our Lord pray, " Sanctify them"? The doctrine of im- puted sanctification is one that I can find nowhere in the Word of God. Christ's imputed righteousness I see clearly, but not an imputed holiness. Holiness is a thing imparted and in- wrought, but not imputed.
(d) The word is the great instrument by which the Holy Ghost carries forward the work of inward sanctification. By bringing that Word to bear more forcibly on mind and will, and conscience, and affection, we make the character grow more holy. Sanctification from without by bodily austerities and asceticism, and a round of forms, ceremonies, and outward means, is a delusion. True sanctification begins from within. Here lies the immense importance of regularly reading the written Word, and hearing the preached Word. It surely, though insensibly, promotes our sanctification. Believers who neglect the Word will not grow in holiness and victory over sin.
Calvin remarks, " As the apostles were not destitute of grace, we ought to infer from Christ's words that sanctification is not instantly completed in us on the first day, but that we make progress in it through the whole course of our life."
Hutcheson remarks, " It is not enough that men have a begun work of sanctification in them, unless they grow up in it daily more and more. Christ prayeth for those who were already converted and sanctified."
Augustine thinks that " Thy Word " in this place means the Personal Word, Christ Himself. But in this opinion I can find no one holding with him, except Rupertus.
18 — [As thou hast sent Me, etc.} The connection between this verse and the preceding one seems to me to be this : " I ask for the increased sanctification of my disciples, because of the po- sition they have to occupy on earth. Just as Thou didst send Me to be Thy Messenger to this sinful world, so have I now sent them to be my messengers to the world. It is therefore of the utmost importance that they should be holy — the holy messengers of a holy Master, — and so stop the mouths of their accusers." Believers are Christ's witnesses, and the character of a witness should be spotless and blameless. For this reason our Lord specially prays that His disciples may be " sanctified.''
19, — [A7id for t/ieir sakes 1 sanctify myself] This is a rather hard passage. In one sense, of course, our Lord needed no sanctification. He was always perfectly holy and without sin.