Johannes Marck’s Marrow of Christian Theology, Didactic-Elenctic XXV
James Dodson
CHAPTER XXV.
On Sanctification, and Good Works.
I. Sanctification follows; which, under Calling with respect to its beginning, and under Glorification with respect to its consummation, is comprehended in the passage Rom. 8:29, 30, “whom he predestinated, them he also called; and whom he called, them he also justified; and whom he justified, them he also glorified;” it is entirely connected with Justification, and sometimes comes also under the same name, namely of the Removal or Cleansing of sin, Ezek. 36:25. “I will sprinkle clean waters upon you, and ye shall be cleansed,” &c. Rev. 1:5. “who loved us, and washed us from our sins in his blood.”
II. Sanctification, which from the force of the wordקדש [to sanctify, to set apart] denotes Segregation, Purification, and Preparation, is here understood not as External, whether from ceremonial impurity, or from the world, as 1 Cor. 7:14, “now are your children holy,” &c.; but as Inter-
[Page 338]
nal, and denotes the true renewal of the whole man, 2 Cor. 7:1. “let us cleanse ourselves from all contamination of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” Heb. 12:14. “follow peace with all men, and sanctification, without which no one shall see the Lord,” &c.
III. It may be defined: A Benefit of the Covenant of Grace, by which God, through the external ministry of his Word and Sacraments intervening, by the internal grace of the Spirit, more and more daily frees the elect, called and justified by himself, from the native corruption of sin, and renders them conformable to his own image, to be perfected in death itself, so that by good works they may promote their own salvation, the edification of their neighbor, and his own glory.
IV. God sanctifies us, and indeed the Triune God, Lev. 20:8. “I am Jehovah sanctifying you.” Jude verse 1. τοῖς ἐν Θεῷ πατρὶ ἡγιασμένοις [to those sanctified in God the Father]. Eph. 5:26. καθὼς καὶ ὁ Χριστός ἠγάπησε τὴν ἐκκλησίαν [as also Christ loved the church], &c. ἵνα αὐτὴν ἁγιάσῃ καθαρίσας τῷ λουτρῷ τοῦ ὕδατος ἐν ῥήματι [that he might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the washing of water by the word]. 2 Thess. 2:13. ἐν ἁγιασμῷ Πνεύματος [in sanctification of the Spirit], &c.; although through Ministers, 1 Cor. 3:9. Θεοῦ γάρ ἐσμεν συνεργοί [for we are God’s fellow-workers], and through the proper labor of the elect, 2 Cor. 7:1. “let us cleanse ourselves,” &c. This same work proceeds from the mere grace of God; and pertains solely to the Covenant of Grace, Jer. 31:33, 34. “I will put my law in their inward parts, and upon their heart I will write it,” &c. Jer. 32:40. “I will put my fear in their heart, that they shall not depart from me,” &c.
V. The Elect are sanctified, Eph. 1:4. “as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy,” καὶ ἀμώμους κατενώπιον αὐτοῦ ἐν ἀγάπῃ [and blameless before him in love]. 2 Thess. 2:13. ὅτι εἵλετο ὑμᾶς ὁ Θεὸς ἀπ’ ἀρχῆς ἐν ἁγιασμῷ Πνεύματος [because God chose you from the beginning in sanctification of the Spirit], &c.; they alone indeed, although by the judgment of charity Sanctification is attributed to all outwardly called,
[Page 339]
Rom. 1:7. πᾶσι τοῖς οὖσιν ἐν Ῥώμῃ, ἀγαπητοῖς Θεοῦ, κλητοῖς ἁγίοις [to all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called saints], &c.; but also all of them, even Infants, as being by nature previously corrupt, and the Faithful of the Old Testament, according to their prayers, Ps. 51:12. “create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit in the midst of me;” and their works, Ps. 119:30. “I have chosen the way of truth, I have set thy judgments before me,” &c.; and God’s complacency in them, Heb. 11:5. πρὸ γὰρ τῆς μεταθέσεως αὐτοῦ μεμαρτύρηται εὐηρεστηκέναι τῷ Θεῷ [for before his translation he had testimony that he pleased God], &c.
Hence certain phrases of some men ought to be rejected, namely that the Inscription of the Law on the heart, the Circumcision of the heart, and true Sanctification, are Proper Goods of the New Testament. Moreover Sanctification extends itself to the Whole man, 2 Cor. 5:17. “therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new;” namely to the Soul, with respect to the Intellect and the Will, and to the Body, 1 Thess. 5:23. “Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you whole; and may your whole Spirit, and soul, and body, be preserved blameless,” &c. Thus most wrongly the Socinians constitute it in the amendment of Actions alone, which nevertheless flows from this, according to 1 Pet. 1:1. κατὰ τὴν πρόγνωσιν Θεοῦ πατρὸς ἐν ἁγιασμῷ πνεύματος, εἰς ὑπακοήν [according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience], &c.
VI. The Elect are here considered indeed as Called and Justified, but nevertheless as Sinners, still greatly deprived of the beauty of the Divine image, and still Corrupt through darkness, depravity, and evil desires.
VII. The Acts of Sanctification are both the Removal of that Corruption, and the Bestowal of a new Likeness with God, Ezek. 36:26. “And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit within you, and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give
[Page 340]
you a heart of flesh,” Eph. 4:22, 24. ἀποθέσθαι ὑμᾶς κατὰ τὴν προτέραν ἀναστροφὴν τὸν παλαιὸν ἄνθρωπον [that ye put off, according to the former conversation, the old man], &c. καὶ ἐνδύσασθαι τὸν καινὸν ἄνθρωπον [and that ye put on the new man], &c. Each Act is conjoined and Equal, so that as much of sin is abolished, so much of new beauty is added.
VIII. God indeed works these things through Means, chiefly the Word and Sacraments, Tit. 2:11, 12. “the saving grace of God hath shone forth to all men, instructing us,” ἵνα ἀρνησάμενοι τὴν ἀσέβειαν καὶ τὰς κοσμικὰς ἐπιθυμίας, σωφρόνως, καὶ δικαίως καὶ εὐσεβῶς ζήσωμεν ἐν τῷ νῦν αἰῶνι [that, denying ungodliness and worldly desires, we should live soberly, and righteously, and godly in the present age]. Eph. 5:26. ἵνα αὐτὴν ἁγιάσῃ καθαρίσας τῷ λουτρῷ τοῦ ὕδατος [that he might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the washing of water], &c. ἐν ῥήματι [by the word]. 1 Cor. 12:13. καὶ γὰρ ἐν ἑνὶ Πνεύματι ἡμεῖς πάντες εἰς ἓν σῶμα ἐβαπτίσθημεν [for by one Spirit we all were baptized into one body], &c. καὶ πάντες εἰς ἓν Πνεῦμα ἐποτίσθημεν [and all were made to drink into one Spirit], &c.; yet these operate only Morally, Matt. 3:11. “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but he who comes after me is mightier than I,” &c. 1 Pet. 3:21. “Baptism saves us,” ὃ τύπος ἀντίτυπον νῦν [which antitype now], &c.; according to Chastisements and Benefits, Heb. 12:10. ὁ δὲ ἐπὶ τὸ συμφέρον εἰς τὸ μεταλαβεῖν τῆς ἁγιότητος αὐτοῦ [but he for our profit, that we may partake of his holiness]. Rom. 2:4. “Dost thou despise the riches of his goodness, and forbearance, and longsuffering,” ἀγνοῶν ὅτι τὸ χρηστὸν τοῦ Θεοῦ εἰς μετάνοιάν σε ἄγει [not knowing that the goodness of God leads thee to repentance]? But chiefly through the Immediate Power of the Spirit, Phil. 2:13. “God is the one working in you both to will and to work.” Phil. 1:6. πεποιθὼς αὐτὸ τοῦτο ὅτι ὁ ἐναρξάμενος ἐν ὑμῖν ἔργον ἀγαθὸν ἐπιτελέσει ἄχρις ἡμέρας Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ [being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ].
IX. God perfects this his work Successively; hence Sanctification is Unequal in various persons, Heb. 5:13, 14. “the infant is inexperienced, but solid food belongs to adults,” &c.; and is always Imperfect here,
[Page 341]
not indeed with respect to Parts, or Duration, but Degrees.
X. The same Imperfection of Sanctification is proved from this, that no one can fully perform the Law, 1 Kings 8:46. “there is no man who does not sin,” &c.; because sanctifying grace is only begun, 1 Cor. 13:9, 10. “we know in part, and we prophesy in part,” &c.; because flesh remains, Gal. 5:17. “the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are opposed to one another,” &c.; and because all must continually pray, fight, and advance, 1 Cor. 9:24. οὕτω τρέχετε ἵνα καταλάβητε [so run, that ye may obtain], &c.
XI. This is especially very clearly evident from the example of Paul, Rom. 7:14...26. οἶδα δὲ σαρκικός εἰμι, πεπραμένος ὑπὸ τὴν ἁμαρτίαν [but I know that I am carnal, sold under sin], &c. There, that he speaks of himself as regenerate is proved by the inner man, and the law of the mind, the knowledge and will of good, hatred of evil, delight in the Law of God, deliverance through Christ, and other things attributed to him. The Pelagians object, understanding there the Natural man.
1. That mention is made of a man carnal, and sold under sin, verse 14.
Reply This is understood of the remains of the Flesh, and of a temporary and constrained subjection.
2. That this man does evil, but not good, verse 15.
Reply Some evil, but not every good which he wished.
3. That no good dwells in him, verse 18.
Reply That is, in his Flesh, or natural part.
XII. But from the Pelagian fountain, the Papists, Socinians, and many others maintain that a righteousness of works is attainable, an opposite Perfection, both possible, and actually found, either in all, or in many.
Objection. 1. The places in which Perfection
[Page 342]
is either commanded, or συντελεῖν [to complete], Matt. 5:48; 6:11.
Reply These are partly to be understood of Perfection of parts, and partly teach those things toward which it is fitting for us to strive in every work.
Objection. 2. Those passages which place Perfection in certain persons, or in all, Cant. 4:7. Eph. 5:27. Phil. 2:15, &c.
Reply Either Perfection of Parts is understood; or perfection in Christ; or in future Glory; or a perfection compared with others.
Objection. 3. Various examples, of Noah, Job, Asa, &c., Gen. 6:9. Job 1:1. 1 Kings 15:14.
Reply All these are chiefly commended for Sincerity, since notable defects of each one of them are also evident.
Objection. 4. That without full Sanctification salvation can happen to no one.
Reply It is perfected in death itself, when man passes to salvation itself.
XIII. God leaves Sanctification Imperfect in this life, so that man may be more humbled, and with self-denial continually flee to God and Christ.
XIV. From this benefit of God flows the Holiness of the Elect; or habitual aversion from all evil, and zeal for good. This is the chief ornament of the faithful, Ps. 45:14. “the King’s daughter is all glorious within.” Ps. 93:5. “holiness is beautiful for thy house.” Ps. 16:3. “to the saints who are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight,” &c.; deservedly commended, both from its Divine Excellence, Isa. 6:3. “Holy, Holy, Holy, Jehovah of hosts,” &c.; and from Necessity, Heb. 12:14. “sanctification, without which no one shall see the Lord,” &c.; and from great Usefulness, 1 Tim. 4:8. ἡ δὲ εὐσέβεια πρὸς πάντα ὠφέλιμος [but godliness is profitable unto all things],
[Page 343]
ἐπαγγελίαν ἔχουσα ζωῆς τῆς νῦν καὶ τῆς μελλούσης [having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come], &c.
XV. This manifests itself in Good Works; which are such neither only Civilly and in a certain respect, nor Perfectly as to every Degree, Isa. 64:6. “all our righteousnesses are as a garment to be removed,” &c.; but nevertheless Truly and Spiritually, so that they are thus pleasing to God. They are defined: The Actions of sanctified men, performed according to the will of God revealed in the Word, by the grace of the Spirit, from faith, and unto the glory of God.
XVI. Under the name of Actions are here also comprehended Words and Thoughts, Phil. 4:8. ὅσα ἐστὶ ἀληθῆ, ὅσα σεμνά, ὅσα δίκαια, ὅσα ἁγνά, ὅσα προσφιλῆ, ὅσα εὔφημα, εἴ τις ἀρετὴ καὶ εἴ τις ἔπαινος, ταῦτα λογίζεσθε [whatsoever things are true, whatsoever honorable, whatsoever just, whatsoever pure, whatsoever lovely, whatsoever of good report, if there be any virtue, and if any praise, think on these things], &c.; and the actions of the Sanctified man are opposed to those natural actions within and outside Christianity; while to the former Scripture attributes Good Works, Matt. 7:17. “every good tree bears good fruits.” Eph. 2:10. “we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God prepared that we should walk in them,” &c.; but to the latter it denies the same, John 15:5. “without me ye can do nothing.” Rom. 8:7. τὸ φρόνημα τῆς σαρκὸς ἔχθρα εἰς Θεὸν, τῷ γὰρ νόμῳ τοῦ Θεοῦ οὐχ ὑποτάσσεται [the mind of the flesh is enmity against God, for it is not subject to the Law of God]. Obj. The works of Gentiles and of the unregenerate are remembered and praised as good, Rom. 2:14, 15. Acts 10:2. James 1:25. Resp. Either these are to be understood in a certain respect; or these persons, such as Cornelius and Rahab, are not to be deprived of every grace of Regeneration.
XVII. These Actions are further distinguished from others: 1. By the Norm, which is the Will of God alone,
[Page 344]
and indeed Revealed in his Word, now Written, since the Law of Nature is less perfect and clear; therefore not the Will of Men, nor Reason, nor Oral Tradition. 2. By the Cause; the Principal cause is the hyperphysical grace of the Spirit, Gal. 5:22. “but the fruit of the Spirit is love,” &c. Heb. 13:21. καταρτίσαι ὑμᾶς ἐν παντὶ ἔργῳ ἀγαθῷ, εἰς τὸ ποιῆσαι τὸ θέλημα αὐτοῦ [may he perfect you in every good work, to do his will], &c. But the Instrumental cause is Faith in Christ, including knowledge of our misery, Gal. 5:6. “faith working through love.” 1 Tim. 1:5. “love out of sincere faith.” Heb. 11:6. “without it it is impossible to please God,” &c. 3. By the End; the Subordinate end indeed must be both the edification of the Neighbor, Matt. 5:16. “so let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven,” &c.; and the certainty and acquisition of our Salvation, Phil. 2:12. “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” 2 Pet. 1:10. “give diligence to make your calling and election firm,” &c.; but the Ultimate end is the glory of God, 1 Cor. 6:19, 20. “therefore glorify God in your body, and in your Spirit.” 1 Cor. 10:31. “whether ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”
XVIII. Hence it follows that the Virtues of the Gentiles cannot be judged truly Good Works; that Works Truly Good are not to be denied to the sanctified; yet that Perfection of Degrees is absent from these; that all Merit must be far removed from them, so that only Inheritance, Col. 3:24, and Gift, Rom. 6:23, &c., remain; finally, that Meritorious Works For Others, and special Aureoles, are utterly to be rejected; even if we not unwillingly grant a Greater Degree of glory
[Page 345]
to Teachers and Martyrs by Divine grace, from Dan. 12:2. “they that instruct shall shine as the brightness of the expanse, and they that justify many as the stars for ever and ever.” Matt. 5:12. “rejoice and exult, because your reward is great in heaven,” &c.
XIX. Since the Papists wondrously blaspheme our doctrine, we rightly inculcate that Good Works are altogether Necessary unto Salvation, by the necessity of Precept and of Means. This is taught by the passages, Rom. 2:18. “being freed from sin, ye were made servants of Righteousness.” Eph. 2:10. “created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God prepared that we should walk in them.” Tit. 2:11, 12. “the saving grace of God hath shone forth to all men, instructing us, that denying ungodliness and worldly desires, we should live temperately, and justly, and piously in this age.” Heb. 12:14. “without sanctification no one shall see the Lord,” &c.; and by the Connection of the Benefits of grace, since Christian Liberty must by no means be turned into profane license. Hence, just as those in the age of the Reformation acted badly who said Good Works were Noxious to Salvation, that they might hold more rightly the doctrine of Gratuitous Justification; so those are to be blamed who blame the practice of piety inculcated upon the common people before knowledge, contrary to 1 Tim. 1:5. “the end of the commandment is love from a pure heart,” &c.
XX. Meanwhile that Necessity is not to be extended to Infants, who still lack the use of reason; or to Servants converted at the end of Life, as if these also ought to perform external good works in great number.
XXI. The End of Sanctification, besides Salvation, is entirely the Glory of God, Isa. 43:21. “this people
[Page 346]
I formed for myself; they shall tell forth my praise,” &c.