(2.) It is acquired by his own purchase: Rom, xiv. 9, 'Fortius end Christ both died and rose again, and revived, that he might be Lord both of dead and living;' 1 Cor, vi, 19, 20, ' Ye are not your own, for ye are bought with a price ; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's,' He had a full right in us before, but this lordship and dominion which the Redeemer is pos- sessed of is comfortable and beneficial to us, and the end of it is to effect man's cure and recovery. We could not by our sin make void God's right and title to govern us ; but yet it was not comfortable to us, it was but such a right as a prince hath to chastise his rebellious subjects. We forfeited our interest in his gracious protection, there- fore was this new interest set afoot to save and recover fallen man ; thei-efore this lordship is spoken of as medicinal and restorative, to reduce man to the obedience of God that made him : Acts x, 38, ' God
142 THE FOURTEENTH SERMON. [2 TlIES. 11. 1 (5, 17.
anointed Jesus of Xazareth with the Holv Ghost, and with ])ower, who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed with the devil.' It is a lordship that conduceth to make peace between God and man, that we may again enjoy his favour, and live in his obedience : Acts v. 31, ' Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a prince and a Saviour, for to give rei)entance unto Israel, and remission of sins.' This new Lord hath made a new law of grace, which is IfX remcdians, a remedy propounded for the recovering the lapsed world of mankind. The great benefit is remission of sins ; the great duty, repentance.
Use 1. To persuade us to submit ourselves to this blessed Lord by our voluntary consent: Ps. xlv. 11, ' lie is thy Lord ; worship thou liim.' There is a passive subjection and a voluntary submission. By a passive subjection all creatures are under the power of the Son of God and our Redeemer ; and amongst the rest, the devils themselves, though grievous revolters and rebels, are not exempted ; every knee is forced to bow to Christ. By voluntary submission : Those areChrist's subjects, and admitted into his kingdom, who willingly give up them- selves to the Redeemer to be saved upon his own terms: 2 Cor. viii. 5, ' They first gave their own selves to the Lord.' The devils and wicked men are his against their wills ; but all Christ's people are his by their own consent.
Use 2. Let us perform the duties which this title calleth for ; our obedience is the best testimony of our subjection to him. Many seem to like Christ as a Saviour, but refuse him as a Lord; whereas Christ is not only a Saviour to bless, but a Lord to rule and command. Therefore if we catch at comforts and neglect duty, we do not own Christ's authority. The libertine, yokeless spirit is very natural to all: Luke xix. 14, ' AVe will not have this man to reign over us;' Fs. xii. 4, ' With our tongues we will prevail ; our lips are our own ; who is Lord over us ?' Ps. ii. 3, ' Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.' Some are so in oi)inion, but most in practice. We would not be under command ; Ave love privileges, but decline duties. But he is the ' head of the church ' who is ' the Saviour of the body,' Eph. v. 23. If we would have privileges by him, we must set ourselves to obey his laws. If thou hat-t no care to obey liim as a lord, thy esteem of Christ is but imaginary, thy knowledge but partial, thy application of him unsound. But we will own him as lord. How is that understood ? Will you give him an empty title, or some superficial compliments and observances ? Luke vi. 4(J, ' And why call you me Lord, Lord, and do not the things that I say?' It is a mockage. Or will you please yourselves with strict oi)inions? Mat. vi. 21, 22, ' For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. The light of the body is the eye ; if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light; if therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, Ixnv great is that darkness ! ' No ; nothing less than a thorough subjection to his holy laws, forsaking all other lords: Isa. xxvi. 13, ' 0 Lord our God, other lords besides thee have had dominion over us ; but by thee only will we make mention of thy name.' And then a strict observance: Col. i. 11, ' Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and long-suffering, with joyfulness.'
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Use 3. Depend upon Christ for the effects of his love to you, which are tlie privileges of his kingdom, which are pardon of sins: Col. i. 14, ' ]n whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our sins.' The sanctification of the Spirit; Heb. viii. 10, ' This is the covenant that I will uiake with the house of Israel after those days, saitli the Lord ; I will put my laws into their minds, and write them in their hearts.' Assistance in carrying on the spiritual life ; that here surely our Lord will not deseit us, but help us in our obedience to him. Finally, everlasting life : Heb. v. 9, ' And being made per- fect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.' When the devil and his instruments are cast into hell, Chiist's faithful subjects and servants are advanced into eternal glory and blessedness.