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nant with God, and visibly dedicated. But there is another sanctifi- cation, which is the fruit of the Spirit, working a real change in them : 1 Cor. vi. 11, 'And such were some of you ; but ye are washed, but ye are justified, in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.' Find this, and you find a sufficient evidence, namely, if you become new creatures, and be enabled to forsake sin, and follow after that which is pleasing in the sight of God. Sanctification of the Spirit is not so much known by dedication and profession, but by the real and fixed inclination of your souls to God and heaven, and living accordingly ; you are turned to God, and live to God.
Secondly, Your belief of the truth, that is, of the gospel. Now this is meant not of a dead faith, or such a cold assent as only begets an opinion in us of the truth of Christian religion, but such a lively faith as bringeth us under the power of it ; for it is opposed to them that do not receive the truth in the love of it, ver. 10 : ' To them that believed, not the truth, because they had ])leasure in unrighteousness,' ver. 12 ; that lived under the power of fleshly and worldly lusts. And it is spoken of them who had received the truth, so as to obey it and suffer for it, as the Thessalonians are described all along ; and in short, such a belief of the truth as caused them to enter into covenant with Christ, and make conscience of their fidelity to him. And here in this verse we learn that a bare belief of the truth doth not save, unless accom- panied with the sanctification of the Spirit ; and therefore both must be taken together. When the word cometh to us, ' not in word only, but in power and much assurance, and joy in the Holy Ghost,' it is an infallible evidence of our election of God, 1 Thes. i. 5. Alas ! many have a general cold belief of the gospel, that never felt the effect of it upon their hearts.
(4.) Observe the necessary connection that is between both these means, the sanctification of the Spirit, and the belief of the truth.
First, There is a necessary connection between them, as between the cause and the effect ; for none are powerfully drawn to believe in Christ but such as are sanctified by his Spirit. It is not in the power of any creature to incline us to God, or bring us to come to him by Christ. But this work is wholly reserved to the Spirit. And so the Lord himself doth powerfully bring to pass his own decrees, as by Christ redeeming, so by the Spirit sanctifying. The Spirit is the author both of faith and holiness. Saving grace is called a new creature: 2 Cor. v. 17, ' Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature ; Eph. ii. 10, ' For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained, that we should walk in them.' And to create is the work of a divine power. Creature and creator are relatives. And certainly the noblest creature, such as the new creature is, cannot be framed by any but God. It is called a new birth, and the new birth is only from the Spirit, John iii. 5, 6. Well, then, these are fitly coupled, the sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth, that God's work may make way for ours.
Secondly, There is the connection of concomitancy between the gos])el and the Spirit. The Spirit only goeth along with the gospel, and no other doctrine ; and so both external and internal grace are of God :
108 THE ELEVENTH SERMON. [2 ThES. II. 13.
John xvii. 17, * Sanctify them by thy truth, thy word is truth.' It was fit that a supernatural doctrine should be accompanied with a supernatural oi>eration and power. How else should it be known to be of God ? Tlie truth and the Spirit are in.separable companions. "Where there is little of God known, there is little of his Spirit. As in the natural truth revealed to the heathens, somewhat God showed unto them, Rom. i. 19. In the darker revelation to the Jews there is but a fainter decjree of the Spirit ; but ' giace and truth come by Jesus Christ.' Tliere goeth along with the doctrine of the gospel a mighty .'spirit of holiness ; for thereby God would prove the verity and truth of this religion, and suitably to the rich mercy prepared for us in Christ.
Thirdly, There is a subordination of faith to this work of the Spirit by the truth ; for the greatest things woi-k not till they be considered and believed : 1 Thes. ii. 13, ' Ye received it, not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which worketh effectually also in you that believe.' A sound belief produceth strong affections, and strong affections govern our practice and conversation. So that fitly are these things united, as the fruits of our election and means of salvation.