5. This fulfilling of the righteousness of the law is wrought in us by the Spirit, as the fruit of Christ's purchase ; this real, solid righteousness is wrought in our hearts by the operation of the Spirit ; for those that have it are described to be, ' those that walk after the Spirit, and not after the flesh.' Therefore do not resist his work, nor grieve the Spirit of Christ, nor quench his motions when he cometh to work it in you, but submit to all his healing methods. And this Spirit we have from Christ as the fruit of his sin-offering : Titus iii. 5,6, ' Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved lis, by the wasliing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost, which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour.' He obtained that grace whereby we may keep the law ; having satisfied for us as a Mediator, he becometh an author and fountain of life. Upon him you must depend, and to him must you look for it.
Use 2 is Reproof to two sorts of people : —
1. To the carnal world, who think that the children of God are too strict and precise, and make more ado about salvation than needs. Certainly if we consider the tenor of God's law, and the exactness of divine justice, what rule and law Ave must live by, and to whom we must give an account, the best of God's children do no more than needeth ; as the wise virgins could not spare one jot of their oil, Mat. XXV, 9, ' Not so, lest there be not enough for us and you.' David jidmireth the brightness of the sun first, and then the purity of the law ; and how doth he close up that meditation ? See Ps. xix. 12, ' Who can understand his errors ? cleanse thou me from secret sins.'
2. Pj'ofessing Christians are also to be reproved for that lazy and cowardly spirit that is in them ; and because they are so impotent, and feeble, and backward to their duty. By their backwardness they
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wrong the law, for they do not give it its due. Christ hath, indeed, freed us from the curse of the law, but not from the obedience of it. And by this feeble and dastardly spirit they wrong the grace of the Kedeemer, and the new covenant. Obedience to the law is most strongly enforced out of the grace of the gospel ; for thereby we are enabled to perform it. Christ did not only fulfil the law for us, but doth also fulfil it in us by his Spirit ; and shall we after such provision, sit down lazily, and be discouraged with every difficulty, and have our resolutions broken with every assault of temptation ? Men spare their pains, and do not improve the grace offered, and then cry out they are weak and unable. This is like lazy beggars, that personate and act diseases, because they would not work. Set your hearts thoroughly to obey God, and see what he will do for you.
Use 3. If this were the end of Christ's coming, and dying, then let us be exhorted to seek after sanctification by the Spirit of Christ.
1. This is one part of our salvation, as well as remission of sins. We often consider Christ as dying for our pardon ; we should as much consider him as dying to renew and heal our natures, that we may be recovered to our obedience to God, to crucify the old man, to give us the spirit of holiness. Surely he is made sanctification to us, as well as righteousness ; 1 Cor. i. 30, ' But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.' If Christ should abolish wrath, and let alone sin, it were to take away the lesser evil, that the greater may remain.
2. It is not only part of our deliverance, but the better part. Pardon giveth us an exemption from punishment, but sanctification giveth us freedom from a corrupt heart. Surely sin is worse than pain, a moral evil is worse than a natural evil, vice than misery. Once more. By holiness, we more resemble God ; for holiness and goodness is his very nature : 1 Pet. i. 4, ' He hath given us precious promises, whereby we are made partakers of the divine nature.'
3. Holiness is a means to the rest : pardon and life are the gi'eat blessings of the covenant. Now there is no obtaining pardon till regeneration and conversion ; for God doth not pardon while we are in our sins ; and life and heaven we cannot have till sin be quite done away, for we are not introduced into the presence of God, till we be complete in holiness : Eph. v. 27, ' That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing ; but that it should be holy, and without blemish : ' Col. i. 22, ' To present you holy, and unblameable, and unreprovable in his sight : ' Jude 24, 'And to present you faultless before the presence of his glory.' During life, obedience is but imperfectly begun ; but when it is completed and finished we do not stay out of heaven one moment ; then are we fully made free from sin.