John Owen · 24 of 31
Chapter XX — Of Sanctification
Chap. XX. — Of .
Q. 1. Is there nothing, then, required of us but faith only?
A. Yes; arepentance, and bholiness or new obedience. aActs xx. 21; Matt. iii. 2; Luke xiii. 3. b2 Tim. ii. 19; 1 Thess. iv. 7; Heb. xii. 14.
Q. 2. What is ?
A. Godly asorrow for every known sin committed against God, bwith a firm purpose of heart to cleave unto him for the future, cin the killing of sin, the of all graces, to walk before him in newness of life. a2 Cor. vii. 9–11; Acts ii. 37; Ps. li. 17. bPs. xxxiv. 14; Isa. i. 16, 17; Ezek. xviii. 27, 28; Acts xiv. 15. cEph. iv. 21–24; Rom. vi. 12, 13, 18, 19, viii. 1; 2 Cor. v. 17; Gal. vi. 15.
Q. 3. Can we do this of ourselves?
A. No; it is a special gift and of God, which he bestoweth on whom he pleaseth. Lev. xx. 8; Deut. xxx. 6; Ezek. xi. 19, 20; 2 Tim. ii. 25; Acts xi. 18.
Q. 4. Wherein doth the being of true repentance consist, without which it is not acceptable?
A. In its performance according to the Gospel rule, with faith and assured hope of divine mercy. Ps. li.; 1 John ii. 1, 2; 2 Cor. vii. 10, 11; Acts ii. 38; Matt. xxvi. 75.
Q. 5. What is that which is required of us?
A. That auniversal, sincere obedience to the whole will of God, bin our hearts, minds, wills, and actions, cwhereby we are in some measure made conformable to Christ, our head. aPs. cxix. 9; 1 Sam. xv. 22; John xiv. 15; Rom. vi. 19; Heb. xii. 14; Tit. ii. 12; 2 Pet. i. 5–7; Isa. i. 16, 17. b1 Chron. xxviii. 9; Deut. vi. 5; Matt. xxii. 37. cRom. viii. 29; 1 Cor. xi. 1; Eph. ii. 21; Col. iii. 1–3; 2 Tim. ii. 11, 12.
Q. 6. Is this holiness or obedience in us perfect?
A. Yes, ain respect of all the parts of it, but bnot in respect of the degrees wherein God requires it. a2 Kings xx. 3; Job i. 1; Matt. v. 48; Luke i. 6; 2 Cor. vii. 1; Eph. iv. 24; Tit. ii. 12. bIsa lxiv. 6; Ps. cxxx. 3; Exod. xxviii. 38; Phil. iii. 12.
Q. 7. Will God accept of that obedience which falls so short of what he requireth?
A. Yes, from them whose persons he accepteth and freely in Jesus Christ. Rom. xii. 1; Phil. iv. 18; Heb. xiii. 16; 1 John iii. 22; Eph. i. 6.
Q. 8. What are the parts of this holiness?
A. aInternal, in the quickening of all graces, purging all sins; band external, in and frequent prayers, alms, and all manner of . Particular precepts are innumerable. aHeb. ix. 14; Eph. iii. 16, 17; Rom. ii. 29, vi. 12. bMatt. v. 20; Rom. viii. 1, 2; Eph iv. 22, 23; Tit. ii. 12.
Q. 9. May not others perform these duties acceptably, as well as those that believe?
A. No; all their performances in this kind are but abominable sins before the Lord. Prov. xv. 8; John ix. 31; Tit. i. 15; Heb. xi. 6.
