VeR. 2.] SERMONS UPON ROMANS VIII. 417
it there were not eternity in the case ; therefore this death is the more terrible, that men might abhor tJie pleasures of sin. Well, then, this is the condition of all men once, to be under sin, and under the sentence of this death, which is a wof'ul bondage.
Secondly. Our liberty must answer the bondage. To be redeemed from wrath is a great mercy ; so it is also to be redeemed from sin. These are the branches, Christ delivered us ' from wrath to come : ' 2 Thes. i. 10; 'He hath redeemed us also from all iniquity:' Tit. ii, 14. The first part, of freedom from the power of sin, is spoken of, Rom. vi. 18, ' Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.' Man in his natural estate is free from righteousness, ver. 10, that is, righteousness or grace had no hand and power over him ; but in his renewed estate he is free from sin. To be under the dominion of sin is the greatest slavery ; and to be under the dominion of grace is the greatest liberty and enlargement. They that are free from righteousness, have no inclinations or impressions of heart to that which is good, no fear to offend, no care to please God ; are not brought «nder the awe and power of religion. On the other side, then are we free from sin, when we resist our lusts so as to overcome them, and have a strong inclination and bent of heart to please God in all things, and accordingly make it our business, trade and course of life : Luke i. 75, ' That, being delivered from the hands of our enemies, we might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our life.' The other part of the liberty is when we are freed from the sentence of death passed upon us by the law, and acquitted and discharged from the guilt of sin, and being 'justified by faith,' are made ' heirs according to the hope of eternal life : ' Tit. iii. 7. That I will not speak of now, because before in the first verse,
I now proceed to open unto you the last thing at first propounded ; which was, —
Thirdly. The manner of getting our liberty. There are three words in the text. Law, Spirit, and Christ Jesus, Let us begin with the last. Christ procureth this liberty for us by the merit of his death and inter- cession. The law or gospel offereth this liberty to us, and the Spirit first applieth it and sealeth it to the conscience.
1. Christ procureth and purchaseth this liberty for us, both from the damning power of the law, and the slavery of corruption. We were captives, shut up under sin and death, and he paid our ransom, and so obtained for us remission of sins, and the sanctification of the Spirit. Remission of sins : Eph. i. 7, ' In whom we have redemption by his blood, the remission of sins.' That is one part of our recovery, highly necessary for guilty creatures ; how else can we stand before the tribunal of God, or look him in the face with any confidence ? But his redemption did not only reach this, but the sanctification of the Spirit also. There- fore it is said : 1 Pet. i. 18, ' Ye are not redeemed with corruptible things, but by the precious blood of Jesus Christ.' Thus Christ doth what belongeth to him, and none can share with him in this honour ; it is bis merit that is at the bottom of the covenant, and procured for us both the favour and image of God, that wo might love him, and be beloved by him.
2, There is a law or new covenant, which offereth this grace to us.
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418 SERMONS UPON ROMAKS VIII. (SeR. 111»
The law of nature concludeth men under sin, and pronounceth death upon them. Christ hath set up a new remedial law of grace, by which •we are called to submit to Christ, and thankfully to accept of his merciful preparations, even the great benefits of pardon and life. The gospel or new covenant doth its part.
[1.] There is grace published or offered to us: Luke iv. 18, 'The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he hath anointed me to preach deli- verance to the captives.' It is not enough that our ransom be paid, but the offer must be made ; or else how shall it be laid hold upon by- faith, and received with thankfulness, and with a due sense of the benefit ? Now the gospel showeth, liberty may be had upon sweet and commodious and easy terms.
[2.] The terms are stated in the covenant ; that we give up ourselves to the Lord by Christ, and be governed and ruled by the conduct of his word and Spirit: Gal. iii. 2. * Eeceived ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or the hearing of faith ? ' and 2 Tim. ii. 25, 26, ' In meek- ness instructing those that oppose themselves, if peradventure God will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth: and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will' The covenant is not left to our humours and fancies, to model and bring it down to our liking ; no, nor are only the benefits offered, but terms stated : Isa. Ivi. 4. ' That choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant.' When he hath stated his terms, it is too late for man to interpose his vote, or to imagine to bring down Christianity to a lower rate ; for we must not new model it, but take hold of it as God hath left it. Be in Christ, and walk after his Spirit.