Wendelin's "Christian Theology": Doctrine of Sanctification Outline

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Thesis I:  Sanctification is defined.

Explanation:  1.  Sanctification, regeneration, conversion, repentance, and internal vocation are distinguished, according to the opinion of certain Theologians.  2.  The received opinion of the Doctors is retained.

Thesis II:  Things to be considered in sanctification.

Thesis III:  The efficient, principal or instrumental.

Thesis IV:  The principal efficient is God.

Explanation:  1.  The principal efficient is proven from Scripture.  2.  The impulsive cause of sanctification.  3.  The grace of regeneration is fivefold:  What prevenient grace works in a sinner.  4.  It is proven, that to all men, without distinction, sufficient grace is not given, whereby they might be able to be converted to God and regenerated.  5.  The contrary arguments of the Papists, and of the Arminians, are refuted.  6.  It is proven, that he is necessarily converted, whom, with converting grace applied, God wills to convert.  [7.  The opinion of the Papists and of the Arminians is set forth:]  The contrary arguments of the Papists, and of the Arminians, are refuted.  8.  The opinion of the Lutherans.  9.  The opinion of Rivet concerning the efficacy of converting grace:  and into how many errors our adversaries are driven in opposing this doctrine.

Thesis V:  The internal instrumental cause, and the external.

Explanation:  Faith, the Law, the Gospel, the Sacraments, Chastisements, what do they contribute to sanctification?

Thesis VI:  The matter in which.

Explanation:  1.  It is proven, that the elect alone are sanctified.  2.  The man to be sanctified is dead in sin.  3.  Sanctification reaches man’s mind, will, and affections.  4.  The various conditions of the free will, according to the variety of states of man.  [Signs of the state of sin, and of the state of grace.]

Thesis VII:  The form.

Explanation:  1.  The formal parts of sanctification.  What is the old man in Scripture? what is the mortification of the old man?  2.  What is the new man in Scripture? what is the vivification of the new man?  [The motives to Holiness.]  3.  The opinion of the Papists concerning the parts of repentance is set forth.  4.  The opinion of the Papists is refuted.  5.  The exception taken by the Papists is nullified.  [Reasons dissuading from procrastination in conversion.]  6.  The arguments of the Papists for satisfactory works are refuted.  7.  The parts of repentance according to the Lutherans.  8.  It is proven, that in the first moment of conversion man does not yet cooperate with the Holy Spirit.  9.  The contrary arguments are refuted.  10.  The opinion of the Lutherans is examined.

Thesis VIII:  The end.

Explanation:  It is proven out of Scripture.

Thesis IX:  The effects.

Thesis X:  * The adjuncts are four.

Explanation:  1.  Its necessity.  2.  That sanctification in this life is imperfect.  3.  Foundations for the refutation of contrary arguments from the distinction between perfection and righteousness.  [The means toward perfection.]  4.  The contrary arguments of the Papists and Anabaptists are refuted.  5.  It is proven, that depraved concupiscence, which is in us after regeneration, is sin properly so called.  6.  The contrary arguments of the Papists are refuted.  [The distinction between grief of the regenerate and unregenerate].  7.  By what evidence certainty of sanctity is found in us.  8.  How perseverance in holiness is recognized.  9.  The differences between justification and sanctification.  10.  The nature of Christian liberty.  [In what it consists.]