As Christ redeems whom the Father has elected, so those, M'^hom Christ has redeemed,
III. The Spirit sanctifies —
It is in reality through the influence of the Holy Ghost that the souls of the elect are sprinkled with the blood of Christ : because it is He who reveals Christ unto them, and enables them to believe on him. But, besides this, " The Spirit sanctifies them to obedience." —
To this are the elect chosen, as to the means whereby their ultimate salvation shall be attained —
[It would be dishonourable to God if an vmholy creature were admitted to a participation of his throne: nor, if we could suppose such a creature admitted into heaven, could he be happy there ; because he would want all the dispositions which were necessary to qualify him for the enjoyment of that holy place. On tliis account God has ordained to sanctify his elect in
body
" Ps. ixxxv. 10.
body, soul, and spirit, and to " transform them into his own image in righteousness and true hohness."]
And this work he has committed to the Holy Spirit —
[The Spirit originally breathed upon the face of the wa- ters, and reduced the chaotic mass to order and beauty. So does he move upon the Believer's souL Whatever is corrupt, he mortifies ; whatever is wanting, he supplies. Above all, he reveals the Saviour to the soul, and thereby changes the soul progressively into the Saviour's image". This is precisely what St. Paul also has spoken in his Second Epistle to the Thessalonians : " We are bound to give thanks to God for you all. Brethren, Beloved, because God hath chosen you to salvation (there is the end) through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth." Here are the means to that end, even faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and his atoning blood ; and the sanctifying operations of the Holy Spirit upon the soul ".]
Infer,
1 . Of what infinite value are the souls of men ! [Every one carries about him a treasure which God him- self covets. The Father has given his only dear Son to re- deem it : and Christ has shed his own blood to purchase it : and the Holy Ghost is ever striving with us, to make us surrender
it up willingly to God O that men would view their
souls in this light, and bestow vipon them the care which they so richly deserve ! ]
2. What encouragement has every man to seek after salvation !
[The doctrines of election, of faith in Christ, and of the influences of the Holy Spirit, are supposed by many to create despondency. But, if duly considered, they afford the best possible antidote to despair. Suppose a person to be bowed down under a sense of his own guilt and weakness, is it no comfort to him to reflect, that the Father may elect whomso- ever he will ; that the blood of Christ is sufficient to cleanse from guilt even of the deepest dye ; and that the Holy Spirit can renew and sanctify a soul, however inveterate its corrup- tions be ? Let this then be the improvement made of these doctrines ; and they will soon commend themselves by their cheering and transforming efficacy ]
" 2Cor. iii. JS. " 2 Thess.ii. 13.