2. It must be meant then of sanctification, that by the merit of Christ's death we are freed not only from the guilt, but tyranny of sin, that we might obtain grace to obey the law, or live holily ; which will appear by the answering of two questions : —
[1.] What is meant by BiKaico/jua rov vo/mov, or the righteousness of the law ? I answer, the duty which the law requireth, or anything which God seeth fit to command his people. The law is holy, just, and good, and certainly was not given in vain, but to be a rule to believers in Christ.
[2.] How is it fulfilled in us ? For there is the difficulty that pincheth. Can we fulfil the righteousness of the law ? The law may be said to be fulfilled two ways : —
(1.) Legally, as a covenant of works.
VeR. 4.] SERMONS UPON ROMANS VIII. 431
(2.) Evangelically, as the rule of obedience.
(1.) Legally. No man that was once a sinner, and is still a sinner, can possibly fulfil the law ; for he cannot be a sinner and no sinner at the same time, nor fulfil the law to a tittle. He that hath broken with God, cannot continue to be innocent ; and he that hath flesh and spirit in him, cannot be absolutely perfect. That was determined before : ver. 3, ' what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh ; ' and this is directly opposed to that.
(2.) Evangelically. And so the law can, and may be kept, or fulfilled sincerely, though not perfectly. The prevalency of the better part constituteth our sincerity. Justified souls have flesh and spirit, but they walk after the spirit. The mixture of infirmities showeth it is not done perfectly ; for the corrupt principle hath some influence ; yet not a prevailing influence ; and God counteth that as done, which is sin- cerely done : Rom, xiii. 8, ' He that loveth another, hath fulfilled the law: ' and Gal. vi. 2, and so 'fulfilling the law of Christ;' and Gal. V. 14, ' For all the law is fulfilled in one word, thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.' So the apostle supposeth the Gentiles might in a gospel manner fulfil the law : Rom. ii. 27, ' And shall not uncircum- cision, which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter, and circumcision, dost transgress the law?' So that in our measure, we do fulfil the law, by the grace of Christ ; not perfectly, for he supposeth them to have flesh, or sin in them, but sincerely, as they obey the inclinations of the better part — ' walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit.'
Doct. That Christ was made a sin-offering for us, that the righteous- ness of the law might be fulfilled in us. I shall prove it by these considerations : —
1, That Christ came, not only to redeem us from wrath, but also to renew and heal our natures.
2. That our natures being renewed and healed, we are to walk in newness of life, according to the directions of the law of God.
First. That Christ came not only to redeem us from wrath, but to renew and sanctify us. I prove it —
1. From the constant drift and tenor of the scriptures. From his nature and office: Mat. i. 21, 'He shall be called Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins.' Denominatio est a poiioribus — from his chief work, which is to save his people from the guilt and power of sin. Guilt inferreth damnation, which is the evil after sin : but he hath his name from saving us from the evil of sin itself ; for the great promise made to Abraham was in that : Gen. xii. 3, * In thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed ; ' that is, in Christ ; but how blessed ? That is expounded : Acts iii. 25, 26, ' Ye are children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying to Abra- ham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. Unto you first, God having raised up his Son Jesus Christ, hath sent^ him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities." Observe there, what is the mediator's blessing , to turn away his people from sin. Man fallen was both unholy and guilty, liable to the wrath of God, and dead in trespasses and sins ; and Christ came to free us from both. We cannot be sufficiently thankfid for our freedom from
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wrath, but we must first mind our freedom from sin. So wlien Christ is promised to the Jews : Rom. xi. 26, ' There shall come out of Sioa the deHverer, and shall tm-n away ungodliness from Jacob,' there is his principal work. So from the end, why he actually came, and was exhibited to the world: Acts v. 31, 'Him hath God exalted to give repentance and remission of sins.' Eepentance is nothing but a serious purpose of returning to God, and to that obedience we owe to God : 1 John iii. 5, ' And we know he was manifested to take away our sins, and in him is no sin ; ' to conform us to the law of God, by his own blessed pattern and example. Again : Titus ii. 14, ' Who hath redeemed us from all iniquity ; ' and this was the intent of his death : Eph. v. 26. It were endless to bring all that might be said upon this argument.