1.  The believer would consider what an ornament this is to the soul, to have on this new man, which is created after the image of God, Eph. iv. 23.  What an excellency lieth here, to recover that lost glory, holiness and the image of God? and what advantage the soul reapeth hereby, when it “is made meet to be a partaker of the inheritance of the saints in light,” Col. i. 12; “and walking worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God,” Col. i. 10; “and strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and long-suffering, with joyfulness,” ver. 11; and when the abounding of the graces of the Spirit maketh them “that they shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ,” 2 Pet. i. 8; “and to be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the Master’s use, and prepared unto every work,” 2 Tim. ii. 21.  What glory and peace is here, to be found obedient unto the many commands given to be holy:  what hazard is in the want of holiness, when without it we cannot see God, Heb. xii. 14:  how unanswerable it is unto our profession, who are members to such a holy head, to be unholy:  what profit, joy, and satisfaction there is, in being temples of the Holy Ghost, in walking after the Spirit, in bringing forth fruit unto the glory of the Father, &c.  The consideration of these and other motives unto this study of sanctification, would arm the soul with resolution, and harden it against opposition.

2.  It would be remembered, that this work, though it be laid upon us, as our duty, and we be called thereunto of God, yet it is beyond our hand and power.  It is true, at conversion, the seed of grace is cast into the soul, new habits are infused, a new principle of life is given, the stony heart is changed into an heart of flesh; yet these principles and habits cannot act in themselves, or be brought into act, by any thing that a believer, considered in himself, and without divine help, can do.  But this work of sanctification and growth in grace must be carried on by divine help, by the Spirit of Jesus dwelling and working within; and therefore it is called the sanctification of the Spirit, 2 Thess. ii. 13. 1 Pet. i. 2.  The God of peace must sanctify us, I Thess. v. 23.  We are said to be sanctified by God the Father, Jude 1.; and by the Holy Ghost, Rom. xv. 16; see also 1 Cor. vi. 11.  “We would remember that of ourselves we can do nothing,” 2 Cor. iii. 5, and “that he must work in us both to will and to do of his own good pleasure,” Phil. ii. 13.  Albeit no believer will question the truth of this; yet it may be, it shall be found after trial, that one main cause of their not growing in grace, and making progress in this work, is their not acting as believing this, but setting about the work, as if it were a work which they themselves could master and do without special divine help.  Therefore the believer would abide, live, and act, in the faith of this truth.