[1,] Negatively, ' For ye are not under the law.'
[2.] Positively, 'But under grace.' Both expressions have their proper emphasis, as you will see by and by.
1. The privilege of the renewed and striving christian.
[1.] That the renewed christian is here considered is plain from all the foregoing context. He speaketh of those that were ' dead unto sin,' ver. 2, not only in profession and baptismal vow, but really by virtue of their union to Christ, ver. 5. But how is a christian dead unto sin ? Not so as that it should be wholly extinguished in us, but so as that it is a-dying, and the victory is sure to those that strive against it. Again, he speaketh of those 'that are alive from the dead,' ver. 13, liad a new life begun in them, and have renounced sin, and effectually presented and resigned up themselves to God's use and service.
[2.] That the renewed christian is here considered as striving, be- cause tliey are the same persons who were exhorted, ver. 12, ' not to let sin reign ; ' what is here a promise is there an exhortation. Again, they were such as had presented their members and faculties to the Lord as oirXa 8LKatoavvr)<i, ' weapons or instruments of righteousness.' Now, what are weapons but for warfare ? They had undertaken in their covenant resignation not only to work, but fight for God. Rom. xiii. 12, the graces of the Spirit are called ' armour of light.' Christ doth array us non ad fompam, sed ad fugnam — not for show, but use. A christian can do no good, but he muet fight first. Again, carnal in-
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258 SERMONS UPON ROMANS VI. [SeR. XII.
ferences are rejected with indignation : ver. 15, ' What then, shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace ? God forbid ! ' and therefore the christian here is not considered as loose and lazy, but as warring and fighting against sin. Once more, the argument here implieth it, ' Ye are under grace,' which impelleth and urgeth us to resist sin and the lusts thereof. G-od giveth power to overcome it. So then the apostle's purpose is to exhort the renewed christian strongly to resist sin, because through grace he is sure to carry away the victory ; whilst we work and concur with our wills and endeavours, ' God work- eth in us both to will and to do,' Phil. ii. 12.
2. The reason of it —
[1.] Negatively expressed, ' Ye are not under the law.' By the law is meant the covenant of works, which requireth exact obedience, but giveth no strength to obey ; the law requireth what we must do, but giveth no power to do what it commandeth ; it forbiddeth sin, and denounceth judgment ; it terrifieth by its threatenings, and raiseth a tempest in the conscience ; but it doth not afford us any help and relief, and so rather irritateth and provoketh the power of sin than suppresseth it : Kom. vii. 8, ' Sin taking occasion, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence ; for without the law sin was dead.' As a river swelleth the more it is restrained by any let or dam, so is corrup- tion stirred, and then a man is discouraged, giveth over all endeavour of repressing it. So 2 Cor. iii. 6, ' The letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth life.' The first covenant did only denounce and aggravate our condemnation, and put us in despair.
[2.] Affirmatively and positively expressed : * But under grace,' under the new covenant, or under the grace of Jesus Christ, who hath not only redeemed us from the guilt of sin, but also from the power of sin. The grace of remission is our encouragement, and the grace of sancti- fication our help and relief.
(1.) The grace of remission is a great encouragement, freeth us from the bondage of despairing thoughts, which weaken our endeavours ; therefore the apostle opposeth the spirit of power to the spirit of fear. Christ offering a pardon upon repentance, doth strengthen our hands in our work.
(2.) The grace of sanctification is our help. God, by his Spirit, giveth life and strength to do what he requires of us, and power to resist sin, that we may overcome it : Eom. viii. 2, ' The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death ;' 1 John v. 4, ' Whosoever is born of God overcome th the world, and this is the victory whereby we overcome the world, even our faith.' Lux jiihet, gratia Juvat — the law commandeth, but grace helpeth.
Doct. That sin should not, and shall not, reign over those who are under the sacred power and influence of Jesus Christ.
1. Dejure, it should not reign over them ; it hath no right to rule, it is a usurper. They who are redeemed by Christ should bind this duty upon their hearts, charge themselves with it, to take heed that sin doth not reign. It was once our lord and master, but we have changed masters, and profess ourselves now to be dead to sin and alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord ; therefore we should strive against it, lest it recover its old dominion over us.