This is one principal difference between the law and the gospel,
GROUNDS OF THE ASSURANCE GIVEN IN THE TEXT. BAT
and was ever so esteemed in the church of God, until all communi- cation of efficacious grace began to be called in question; The law guides, directs, commands, all things that are against the interest and Tule of sin. It judgeth and condemneth both the things that pro- mote it and the persons that do them; it frightens and terrifies the consciences of those who are under its dominion. But if you shall say unto it, “ What then shall we do? this tyrant, this enemy, is too hard for us. What aid and assistance against it will you afford unto us? what power will you communicate unto its destruction?” Here the law is utterly silent, or says that nothing of this nature is com- mitted unto it of God; nay, the strength it hath it gives unto sin for the condemnation of the sinner: “The strength of sin is the law.” But the gospel, or the grace of it, is the means and instrument of God for the communication of internal spiritual strength unto be- lievers. By it do they receive supplies of the Spirit or aids of grace for the subduing of sin and the destruction of its dominion. By it they may say they can do all things, through Him that enables them.
Hereon then depends, in the first place, the assurance of the apostle’s assertion, that “sin shall not have dominion over us,” be- cause we are “under grace.” We are in such a state as wherein we have supplies in readiness to defeat all the attempts of sin for rule and dominion in us.
But some may say hereon, they greatly fear they are not in this state, for they do not find such supplies of spiritual strength and grace as to give them a conquest over sin. They are still perplexed with it, and it is ready to invade the throne in their minds, if it be not already possessed of it. Wherefore they fear lest they are strangers from the grace of the gospel.
In answer hereunto the things ensuing are proposed :—
1. Remember what hath been declared concerning the dominion of sin. If it be not known what it is and wherein it doth consist,
as some may please themselves whilst their condition is deplorable (as it is with the most), so others may be perplexed in their minds without just cause, A clear distinction between the rebellion of sin and the dominion of sin is a great advantage unto spiritual peace.
2. Consider the end for which aids of grace are granted and
‘communicated by the gospel. Now, this is not that sin may at once be utterly destroyed and consumed in us, that it should have no being, motion, or power in us any more. This work is reserved for glory, in the full redemption of body and soul, which we here do but groan after. But it is given unto us for this end, that sin may be so crucified and mortified in us,—that is, so gradually weakened and de- stroyed,—as that it shall not ruin spiritual life in us, or obstruct its ne-
cessary acting in duties, and for prevalency against such sins as would
548 OF THE DOMINION OF SIN AND GRACE.
disannul the covenant relation between God and our souls. Whilst we have supplies of it which are sufficient unto this end, although our conflict with sin doth continue, although we are perplexed by it, yet we are under grace, and sin shall have no more dominion over us. This is enough for us, that sin shall be gradually destroyed, and we shall have a sufficiency of grace on all occasions to prevent its ruling prevalency.
3. Live in the faith of this sacred truth, and ever keep alive in your souls expectation of supplies of grace suitable thereunto. It is of the nature of true and saving faith, inseparable from it, to be- lieve that the gospel is the way of God’s administration of grace for the ruin of sin. He that believes it not believes not the gospel itself, which is “ the power of God unto salvation,” Rom.i.16. If we live, and walk, and act, as if we had nothing to trust unto but ourselves, our own endeavours, our own resolutions, and that in our perplexities and surprisals, it is no wonder if we are not sensible of supplies of divine grace ;—most probably we are under the law, and not under grace. This is the fundamental principle of the gospel state, that we live in expectation of continual communications of life, grace, and strength, from Jesus Christ, who is “ our life,” and from whose “ ful- ness we receive, and grace for grace.” We may therefore, in this case, continually expostulate with our souls, as David doth: “ Why go you mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? Why are you cast down? and why are you disquieted within us? Still hope in God; he is the health of my countenance.” We may be sensible of great oppression from the power of this enemy; this may cause us to go mourning all the day long, and in some sense it ought so to do. Howbeit we ought not hence to despond, or to be cast down from our duty or our comfort. Still we may trust in God through Christ, and live in continual expectation of such spiritual reliefs as shall assuredly preserve us from the dominion of sin. This faith, hope, and expectation, we are called unto by the gospel; and when they are not cherished, when they are not kept up unto a due ex- ercise, all things will go backward in our spiritual condition.