Well, then, how is this power destroyed ? By satisfying the law, Christ destroyeth the power of the devil. For first, ' he blotted out the handwriting that was against us,' and then 'spoiled principalities and powers,' Col. ii. 14, 15. And when he doth actually justify, we feel the comfort and benefit of it : Kom. viii. 33, 34, ' Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect ? It is God that j ustifieth : who shall condemn ? It is Christ that died, yea, rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God ; who also maketh intercession for us.' Our advocate is more gracious in court than our accuser. Having paid our ransom, and interceding for us and pleading it, what accusation from the law can stand against those who have t embraced this gospel ?
[3.] The being of sin ; for while it remaineth there is somewhat of Satan left which he worketh upon. There is a remnant of his seed in the best : the godly are yet in the way, but not at the end of the journey ; and therefore he hath leave to assault them while they are here ; but Christ will perfect the conquest which he has begun, and so the very being of sin shall at length be taken away : Jude 24, ' To him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the
254 SERMON UPON GENESIS III. 15.
presence of his glory ; ' and Eph. v. 27, ' That lie might present it to himself, a glorious church, without spot or wrinkle, or any such thing ; but that it should be holy and without blemish.' At death sin is totally disannulled, the physician of our souls will then perfect the cure. As in the first moment of our birth we were sinners, so in the moment of our expiration all sin dieth. Christ taketh that time to finish his work. No sinner can enter into the state of bliss ; but the veil of the flesh being rent, we are immediately admitted into the sight of God, and so made exactly perfect.
2. As to the general case, or his interest in the corrupt world. It is true the kingdom of Satan yet remaineth ; but he doth and shall divide the spoil with the strong : Isa. liii. 12, ' Therefore will I divide him a ])ortion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong.' And though his doctrine and religion meeteth with opposition in the world, yet it doth prevail upon opposition, and against opposition, and by opposition ; when in the seasons of it he cometh to set his kingdom on foot : Rev. vi. 2, ' I saw a white horse, and he that sat on him had a bow, and a crown was given unto him ; and he went forth conquering and to conquer.' This is an emblematical representation of the rise and progress of Christ's kingdom. Where you may note his furniture, a crown and a bow. The crown noteth his dignity, the bow his armour and strength : Ps. xlv. 3-5, ' Gird on thy sword upon thy thigh, 0 thou most mighty, with thy glory and majesty ; and in thy majesty ride prosperously, because of truth, and meekness, and righteousness ; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things: thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the king's enemies, whereby the people fall under thee.' Christ having the grant of a kingdom over the nations, is every way furnished with power to obtain it, by means proper to the medi- atory dispensation, by his word. Spirit, and providence.
[1.] His word, which is called ' The rod of his strength,' Ps. ex. 2 ; ' The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God,' 2 Cor. x. 4. When Christ will work, the world cannot resist its con- vincing power ; those that feel it not fear it : John iii. 20, ' Every one that doetli evil liateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.'
[2.] His Spirit. Now what can stand before the mighty Spirit of God, convincing men of the truth of his religion? John xvi. 8-11, ' And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of right- eousness, and of judgment : of sin, because they believe not on me : of righteousness, because I go to the Father, and ye see me no more : of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged,' Showing hereby Christ was the Messiah, and therefore they were guilty of great sin who did not believe on him ; that he was a righteous and innocent person, and no seducer, because Christ rose from the dead and went to the Father ; that he was an exalted prince, above Satan, and whatever things were looked upon as divine powers. Many that were not con- verted were convinced of this.
[3.] His providence. All judgment was put into Christ's hands, to be improved for the advancement of his mediatory kingdom : John v. 22, ' For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judg- ment to the Son.' He hath the government of all things, angels, and