Calvin wanted Christ’s little lambs to know the doctrine of justification by faith alone, and he wanted them to know that justification also provided:

1. Sanctification – as distinguished from, but – inseparable with it
   

   Master.But can this [imputed] righteousness be separated from good works, so that he who has it may be void of them?

   Scholar. That cannot be. For when by faith we receive Christ as he is offered to us, he not only promises us deliverance from death and reconciliation with God [i.e., justification], but also the gift of the Holy Spirit, by which we are regenerated to newness of life [i.e., sanctification]; these things must necessarily be conjoined so as not to divide Christ from himself.

2. Assurance of salvation
   

   M. What advantage accrues to us from this forgiveness [which is, of course, included in justification]? Continue reading →