3. The next proposition is this, that the fairest part of this redemp- tion is hereafter, then our happiness in Christ is perfect. Luke xxi, 28, ' When these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads, for your redemption draweth nigh ; ' Eph. iv. 30, ' Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption/ Then we are past gunshot, and out of harm's way. We are fully redeemed from the guilt of sin when there is no monu- ment of God's displeasure left. We must be like our head in all con- ditions. We are not fully freed from the relics of sin till the resurrec- tion, that we may have new matter to glorify God when we come to heaven. Old Adam is not quite abolished till God be all in all.
Secondly, He hath delivered us from the power of sin. He paid the price on the cross ; therefore it is said, Rom. vi. 6, ' Our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.' When Christ lay a-dying, sin lay a-dying, and bled with him on the cross ; then was grace purchased ; and therefore faith should look upon sin as dead and actually crucified ; it is done in the mystery. And then he ascended, and poured out the Spirit now to accomplish this work. God is satisfied, and Christ's work lieth now with Satan and our own hearts.
VeR. 14.] - SERMONS UPON TITUS 11. 11-14, 257
1. For Satan. He is dispossessed and cast out at conversion : Luke xi. 21, 22, ' When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in safety ; but when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketli from him all his armour, wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.' Then Christ taketh away the prey. The devil may trouble us, but he is but a tyrant cast out, he can no more reign. And by preserving grace he keepeth possession. Christ will not lose ground when once he hath got footing : Eom. xvi. 20, ' The God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly ; ' as Joshua called unto his companions, chap. x. 24, ' Come near, put your feet upon the necks of these kings.'
2. As for our own hearts. He breaketh the yoke and sets the will at liberty, and maketh us free for God : Eom. vi. 17, ' But God be thanked, ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that ibrm of doctrine which was delivered to you.' It was a willing bondage, but now we are made a willing people ; then our consent was voluntary, now our resignation is so too. There are indeed some relics of corruption and oj^position left ; there are inward monuments of the fall as well as outward, as there are some grudgings of a disease after a cure ; but in heaven all is perfect, and even now there is not a will- ing subjection, but a resistance made to sin.
Use 1. To exhort us to thankfulness to our Redeemer. Eemember your former bondage ; it is a woful captivity to be under sin. Those that are under sin are under the curse of the law and the tyranny of the devil ; we could have no boldness with God as a father, nor look him in the face ; the law is against us, God is the judge, Satan the jailer, our own consciences an underkeeper. Our fears of death, judgment, and hell are a part of our bondage ; but now what cause have we to bless God ! Eom. viii. 1, ' There is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus.' Then to be under the power of sin is a woful bondage, to be at the beck of ever}'' lust and carnal suggestion. Men rejoice in their bondage ; they think there is no such life as to live at large and to do as we list ; but the more liberty we take in sin, the greater slavery : the work is drudgery, and the reward is death : ' Sin hath reigned unto death,' Eom. v. 21 ; 2 Peter, ii. 19, ' While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corrup- tion ; for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought into bondage.' It is the saddest judgment to be given up to our own will, to be given up to Satan, to be given up to self. What a slavery is this, when we see mischief and know not how to avoid it ! Conscience is held a prisoner ; we cannot see a vanity, but the heart lingereth after it, and groweth sick, as Ahab for Naboth's vineyard. Duties of godli- ness are esteemed an heavy task ; the law of God is impelling to duty, and the law of sin impelling to evil. What thanks is due to God for delivering us from so great a bondage !
Use 2. To press us to avoid sin. Mortify the lust and prevent the action ; let it not reign in the heart, nor be discovered in the life and conversation. Christ died ' that the body of sin might be destroyed,' Eom. vi. 6 ; and he died ' to redeem us from our vain conversation,' 1 Peter i. 18. Consider, when sin remains in its power, and while