The Marrow of Sacred Divinity - William Ames (1642)

In the former disputation we spake of sanctification which is one part of the alteration of qualities, which did respect that good that is just and honest: the other part followes, namely Glorification which respects that good, that is profitable and honorable.

1. GLorification is a reall transmutation of a man, from misery or the punishment of sinne, unto happinesse eternall. Rom. 8. 30. And whom hee justified, those hee glorified.

2. It is called a reall transmutation, that it may be distinguished from that blessednesse which is either virtuall onely, in Election, Calling, Iustification, and Adoption, or declarative in holy workes. Rom. 4. 6. David declares that man to be blessed to whom God imputeth righteousnesse, &c. Psal. 65. 5. Blessed is hee whom thou chusest, and bringest to dwell in thy Courts. Matthew. 5. Blessed are the poore in spirit, &c.

3. In respect of the terme from which, viz. misery or the punishment of sin, it is called a redemption. 1 Cor. 1. 30. Eph. 1. 14. Gal. 3. 13. Heb. 2. 14, 15.

4. This redemption is a reall delivering from the evills of punishment: which is nothing else in very deed, but the execution of the sentence of Iustification: for in Iustification, as wee are judged to be just, so we are judged to have life. Now Glorification makes that life that was judged, and pronounced ours by reall communication, to be ours actually and by possession.

5. It is said to be reall, that it may be distinguished from that redemption which is in the paiment of the price of redemption, and in application of the same to justification, whereof mention is made Eph. 1. 7. Col. 1. 14.

6. In the Scriptures also it is wont to be called deliverance, and preservation from the wrath of God, from death and from the kingdome of darkenesse.

7. In respect of the terme to which, it is called, beatification, blessing, life eternall, glory, Glorification, the kingdome of our Lord and Saviour Iesus Christ, and an immortall inheritance. Eph. 1. 3. John 3. 36. & 6. 47. 2 Pet. 1. 3, 11. 1 Pet. 1. 4. & 5. 10.

8. The first degree of this Glorification begun, is the apprehension and sence of the love of God shining forth in Christ, upon the communion which the faithfull have with him. Rom. 5. 5. The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts, by the holy spirit which is given to us.

9. Hence there ariseth a certaine friendship betweene God, Christ, and the faithfull, John 15. 15. I have called you friends, because all that I have heard of my Father have I made known unto you. Iames 2. 23. Abraham was called the friend of God.

10. The second degree is undoubted hope and expectation, of the enjoyment of all those good things which God hath prepared for his. Rom. 5. 2. We rejoyce under the hope of the glory of God.

11. Hence is freedome to come to God with boldnesse. Eph. 2. 18. & 3. 12. Heb. 10. 22.

12. Hitherto pertaines the assurance of perseverance and salvation also, Rom. 8. 38.

13. For this assurance as touching the thing it selfe which is called a certainty of the object,. is sealed to all true believers: but as touching the perceiving of it, which is called a certainty of the subject, it is not alwayes present to all; yet it may bee gotten by any without speciall revelation, & it ought also to be sought for by all: so as this certaine confidence rightly grounded hath nothing common with presumption.

14. This certainty is grounded upon, and confirmed to the faithfull by the word, the seales, by oath, and by the earnest of God himselfe. He. 6. 17. God willing abundantly to shew to the heires of the promise the immutability of his counsell, he bound it by an oath: that by two immutable things we may have strong consolation. Eph. 1. 13. Yee are sealed with that holy Spirit of promise which is the earnest of our inheritance.

15. This truth is perceived, and made certaine to us. 1. By a certaine spirituall sence whereby the grace of God now being present, doth make its presence manifest, and evident to the believer. 2. By the gift of discerning whereby believers doe distinguish true grace from the shew of it. 3. By discourse and testimony of conscience whereby grace and salvation is no lesse seale to the faithfull, then sin and death to unbelievers. 4. The Spirit of God himselfe doth so confirme all these wayes of perceiving, that they have the same certainty that Faith hath. Rom. 8. 16. The spirit it selfe witnesseth with our spirit, that we are the Sons of God. 1 Cor. 2. 12. We have received the spirit which is of God, that we may know the things which God hath freely given us. 2 Cor. 13. 5. Try your selves whether yee be in the Faith, examine your selves. 1 John 4. 16. We know, and believe, the love which God had towards us.

16. This certainty doth follow upon the perceiving of Faith and Repentance, where the free covenant of God is rightly understood. 2 Cor. 13. 5.

17. If either of these be wanting, this certain ty is taken away as touching the perceiving of it; so that hee that doth rightly understand the promise of the covenant, cannot be sure of his salvation, unlesse hee perceive in hemselfe true Faith and repentance: neither can he that feeles himselfe truly to believe, and repent, be sure of his perseverance and salvation, unlesse he also understand by the covenant that God will mightily preserve those that believe and repent, even to the end.

18. Therefore certainty of salvation is not of any, nor otherwise perceived, but those who together with Faith keepe a good conscience, and that whilst they keepe it from any grievous wound, which by those sins is brought which are wont to wast conscience.

19. Hence as Faith, and a good conscience doe florish or languish in men, so also this certainty is either confirmed, or diminished. Ps. 51.

20. They therefore that without any sence or care of Faith, and repentance doe certainly hope for salvation, in presuming they hope, and hoping they perish.

21. From this certainty ariseth consolation, peace, and joy unspeakable. Rom. 5. 2. 3. 1 Pet. 1. 8. Rom. 14. 17. 2 Cor. 1. 5. Which are the first fruits of glory, Rom. 8. 23.

22. Consolation is an easing of feare and oppressing griefe. 2 Cor. 1. 4. Yet it containes sometimes by a Synecdoche all salvation begun. Col. 2. 2.

23. Peace is a quieting of the mind, which ariseth partly from deliverance from evills, and partly from the presence or hope of contrary good things. Phil. 4. 7.

24. When it is joyned with grace in the Apostles salutations, then it sets forth all that felicity which is communicated to the faithfull by the favour of God.

25. Ioy is that delight which is perceived from the conjunction, and communion of the chiefe good.¹⁰⁸

26. Hence eternall life it selfe is called joy. Mat. 25. 21. John 15. 11.

27. The third degree is in partaking of the spirituall gifts of grace with abundance, or overflowing. Col. 2. 2. 7. 10. With all riches of the full assurance of understanding. Abounding in Faith: complete.

28. Hence the abundance of grace is said to minister a large entrance into the Kingdome of God. 2 Peter 1. 8. 11.

29. The fourth degree is in experience of the good will or kindnesse of God. Psalm. 31. 20. How great is thy goodnesse which thou dost lay up for them that feare thee? Psal. 65. 5. We are satisfied with the goodnesse of thy House, with the things of thy holy Temple.

30. Hither to pertaineth that fatherly providence of God whereby he watcheth alwayes over the faithfull for good, as he watcheth over the wicked for evill: in which respect, in Scripture the good Hand of God is said to be with his, Nehem. 2. 8.

31. Hence all things worke together for good to them that love God, Rom. 8. 28.

32. From the sence of all these, the faithfull are rooted, and grounded in the love of God. Eph. 3. 17.

33. Perfect Glorification is in the taking away of all imperfection from soule and body, and communication of all perfection.

34. This is granted to the soule immediatly after the separation of it from the body. 2 Cor. 5. Verse 2. Phil. 1. 23. Hebr. 2. 12. 23. But it is not ordinarily granted to the soule and body joyntly before that last Day, wherein all the faithfull shall bee perfected together in Christ. Ephes. 4. 13. Philippians 3. 20. 21.