Secondly, Here is a description of their present state by grace, which deserveth to be weighed by us. In it I observe —
1. That the doctrine of the gospel is in conversion imprinted on them ; for it is said, that they have obeyed from the heart the form of doctrine into which they were delivered. Their very heart and soul
VeR. 17.] SERMONS UPON EOMANS VI. 321
was modelled according to the tenor of the gospel and the truths re- vealed therein.
[1.] I will prove that it is so with all converts by that promise of the new covenant : Heb. viii. 10, ' I will put my laws into their minds, and write them in their hearts.' The thing written is the law of Christ or the new covenant, or the substance of the doctrine of the gospel ; not every lesser opinion or minute circumstance of their duty, but those points which are essential to Christianity ; smaller matters depend uponn particular gift. The book is the mind and heart of the believer : by the mind is meant the understanding ; by the heart the ' will or rational appetite : in the one is the directive counsel ; in the other, the imperial and commanding power of the soul ; the one is compared to the ark in which the law was put, ' I will put my laws into their minds ; ' the other to the tables of stone upon which the the law was written. God will convince their understandings of their duty, and incline their affections to receive and obey it. The writer, I. God challengeth it as his proper work : 2 Cor. iii. 3, ' Ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God.' By this Spirit the mind of man is enlightened, the heart is inclined; but yet we must do our duty, both to understand the will of God, and set our hearts upon it, and do the things required of us. To understand, we must ' dig for knowledge, and cry for understanding,' Prov. ii. 3, 4 ; and for inclining our hearts, Ps. cxix. 112, ' I have inclined my heart to perform thy statutes always, even unto the end ; ' and for actual obedience, we are solemnly consecrated to God in baptism, that we may take up that course of living that is prescribed of God in the gospel ; and there- fore it is said, 1 Peter i. 14, ' Not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts of your ignorance.' We must not mould ourselves to any form but that of this doctrine, cast all our actions into this mould.
[2.] I will show the fruits of it. They are either internal, within the man, or essential to this work, or resulting from it by immediate consequence ; such as an abhorrence from sin, and a promptitude and readiness to holy actions.
(1.) For the first, where the doctrine of the gospel is imprinted on our hearts, it is an awing principle which restraineth us from sin : Ps, xxxviii. 31, ' The law of God is in his heart, none of his steps shall slide ; ' he that knoweth and loveth what is commanded, knoweth and hateth what is forbidden ; therefore his heart giveth back when any- thing contrary is offered to him : 1 John iii. 9, ' Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin, for his seed remaineth in him; neither can he sin, because he is born of God.' Still something riseth up by way of dis- like ; he looketh upon sin not only as contrary to his duty, but his nature: Gen. xxxix. 9, ' How can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God ? ' The heart as thus constituted is not easily brought to it. By this temptations are defeated, whether from Satan or our own hearts. From Satan : 1 John ii. 14, ' I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have over- come the wicked one.' Or from our own hearts : Ps. cxix. 11 : 'Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee.' Our hid-
VOL. XL X
322 SERMONS UPON ROMANS VI. [SeR. XVIII
ing the word in our hearts is subordinate to God's writing it in our hearts ; we must use the means, the grace is from him.
(2.) A promptitude and readiness to holy actions ; for all holy and heavenly actions are suited to them, and there is a cognation between the law within and the law without, so that they are carried after them with more love, delight, and pleasure : Ps. xl. 8, ' Thy law is within my heart ; I delight to do thy will, 0 God.' There is an in- clination and propensity to do the will of God, and to please and serve him, which maketh our obedience more easy and even.
[3.] The benefits of being stamped and moulded into the form of this doctrine.
(1.) It is ready for our use ; they have principles laid up to be laid out upon all occasions, either of trouble or temptation, or business, and affairs: Prov. vi. 21, 22, 'Bind them continually upon thine heart, tie them about thy neck. When thou goest, it shall lead thee ; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee ; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee.' So that the christian is a bible to himself, as the heathens were said to be a law unto themselves ; there was something urging them to duty, restraining them from sin.