[2.] The ordinances : Eph. v. 26, ' That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word.' These are the ordinances that are specially consecrated, and to which Christ's merit reacheth; he hath not only procured the gift of the Spirit, but a blessing on the means, that we may use them with confidence. The word helpeth us by way of declaration and offer, and baptism concurreth sacramentally by way of signing and sealing, and so it is a means to confirm and provoke the faith of a receiver to lay hold on this grace. The ordinances are an help to call to mind baptism. It is not good to balk the known and ordinary means of grace. Christ hath purchased a treasure that cannot be wasted : John xvii. 19, 'And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also may be sanctified through the truth.' When you come to hear, you come to receive the fruits of Christ's purchase.
2. On our part there is required faith, which also purifieth : Acts xy. 9, ' Purifying their hearts by faith.' Christ's blood cleanseth, the
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gospel clean seth, baptism cleanseth, the Spirit cleanseth, faith cleanseth: all these are not contrary, but subordinate. Neither Christ nor the word nor the Spirit worketh without an act on our parts ; as under the law the priest was not only to wash and cleanse the leper, who herein represented God, but also after the sprinkling of the priest he was to wash himself: Lev. xiv. 8, ' And he that is to be cleansed shall wash his clothes, and shave oif all his hair, and wash himself in water, that he may be clean ; ' to show that some work is required on our part. The work of faith is to apply, to wait, to work by reflection, and to stir up' love.
[1.] To apply the promises of God, the offers of grace in the word, and the blood of Christ, and all these to purge out corruption. It applieth the blood of Christ, urgeth the soul with it ; he died to pur- chase that grace which thou wantest. The water and soap cleanseth, but the hand of the laundress must apply it, and rub the clothes that are washed. This is called sprinkling the conscience with the blood of Christ : Heb. x. 22, ' Let us draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.' We should thus argue with ourselves : Surely Christ died to sanctify sinners ; his death cannot be in vain. Grace is bought at a dear rate ; in the offers of the word, God maketh a tender; why should I not accept of it? Heb. iv. 2, ' For unto us was the word preached as well as unto them, but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.' But we do not say, What shall we say to these things ? By faith the plaster is laid on the sore.
[2.] In the use of means it waiteth for the sanctifying virtue of the blood of Christ, and looketh upon them as ordinances under a blessing: Isa. xlv. 24, ' Surely shall one say, In the Lord have I righteousness and strength.' It casts out the net at Christ's commandment : Micah vii. 19, 'He will turn again, he will have compassion on us, he will subdue our iniquities, and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depth of the sea.' They see an all-sufficient mercy and power, and they wait till God manifests himself.
[3.] It worketh by reflection, and so stirs up love : Gal. v. 6, 'Faith worketh by love.' It sets love on work, and by little and little drieth up the fountain of sin. Shall I love that which God hateth ? Jer. xliv. 4, ' Howbeit I sent unto you all my servants the. prophets, rising early, and sending them, saying, 0 do not this abominable thing that I hate.' Faith representeth God pleading with us, and beseeching us by all his bowels in Christ. Is this tliy kindness to thy friend ? Do I thus requite the Lord for all his kindness to me ? There is an exasperation against lusts; the soul saith. Get ye hence: Hosea xiv. 8, ' Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols ? ' The soul hath its expulsive faculty, it is at the beck of love, and love is stirred up by faith ; and when it cannot expel sin, it mourneth and groaneth under it as its burden.
Use 1. Are you thus purified ? Have you passed this laver ? The priests under the law, before they went to the altar, they first washed in the great laver. You are not his people till you are sanctified. Esther was purified before she was brought to Ahasuerus, Esther ii.
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Christ telleth Peter, John xiii. 8, ' If I wash thee not, thou hast no part in me.' Though he took human nature, yet he owneth no relation to any but the sanctified : Heb. ii. 11, ' For both he that sanctifieth and they that are sanctified are all of one ; for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren.' The devils cannot say, He is bone of our bone. But what though he took your natures? This is not enough ; he will disclaim you if you be not sanctified, I took flesh, but not for you ; I died, but not for you. There is a double notion of purification in this place ; it noteth cleansing and dedication. There is a difference between them and others, and between them and them- selves. Whereas I was blind, now I see. I could before discourse and hear sermons for notions, but now my conscience is more serious, I am more freed from bondage, I have a more distinct hope towards God in Christ; my will is not obstinate and unpliable to the counsels and motions of the Holy Ghost ; my affections are reduced to a better temper as to eartlily things. Thus examine yourself. Is anything washed off ?