4. Make especial application unto the Lord Christ, unto whom the administration of all spiritual supplies is committed, for the com- munication of them unto you, according unto all especial occasions. Hath sin got the advantage of a powerful temptation, so as that it seems to put hard for dominion in the soul; as it was with Paul under the buffetings of Satan, when he had that answer from the Lord, upon his reiterated prayer, “ My grace is sufficient for thee ;”—“ Sin shall not have dominion over thee”? Hath it, by its deceitfulness, brought the soul into a lifeless, senseless frame, made it forgetful of duties, negligent in them, or without spiritual delight in their performance?
GROUNDS OF THE ASSURANCE GIVEN IN THE TEXT. 549
Hath it almost habituated the soul unto careless and corrupt incli- nations, unto the love of, or conformity to, the world? Doth it take advantage from our darkness and confusion, under troubles, distresses, or temptations? On these and the like occasions it is required that we make especial fervent application unto the Lord Christ for such supplies of grace as may be sufficient and efficacious to control the power of sin in them all. This, under the consideration of his office and authority unto this end, his grace and readiness from special in- ducements, we are directed unto, Heb. iv. 14-16.
5. Remember always the way and method of the operation of divine grace and spiritual aids. It is true, in our first conversion to God, we are as it were surprised by a mighty act of sovereign grace, changing our hearts, renewing our minds, and quickening us with a principle of spiritual life. Ordinarily, many things are required of us in a way of duty in order thereunto; and many previous opera- tions of grace in our minds, in illumination and the sense of sin, do materially and passively dispose us thereunto, as wood when it is dried is disposed to firing: but the work itself is performed by an immediate act of divine power, without any active co-operation on our part. But this is not the law or rule of the communication or operation of actual grace for the subduing of sin. It is given in a way of concurrence with us in the discharge of our duties; and when we are sedulous in them, we may be sure we shall not fail of divine assistance, according to the established rule of the administration of gospel grace. If, therefore, we complain that we find not the aids mentioned, and if at the same time we are not diligent in attendance unto all the duties whereby sin may be mortified in us, we are exceed- ingly injurious to the grace of God.
Wherefore, notwithstanding this objection, the truth stands firm, that “sin shall not have dominion over us, for we are not under the law, but under grace;” because of the spiritual aids that are admi- nistered by grace for its mortification and destruction.
SECONDLY, The law gives no liberty of any kind; it gendereth unto bondage, and so cannot free us from any dominion,—not that of sin, for this must be by liberty. But this we have also by the gospel. There is a twofold liberty:—1. Of state and condition; 2. Of internal operation; and we have both by the gospel.
The first consists in our deliverance from the law and its curse, with all things which claim a right against us by virtue thereof ; that is, Satan, death, and hell. Out of this state, from whence we can never be delivered by the law, we are translated by grace into a state of glorious liberty; for by it the Son makes us free. And we receive the Spirit of Christ; now, “ where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty,” 2 Cor. iii. 17, This liberty Christ proclaims in the gospel
550 OF THE DOMINION OF SIN AND GRACE.
unto all that do believe, Isa. lxi. 1. Hereon they who hear and re- ceive the joyful sound are discharged from all debts, bonds, accounts, rights, and titles, and are brought into a state of perfect freedom. In this state sin can lay no claim to dominion over any one soul. They are gone over into the kingdom of Christ, and out from the power of sin, Satan, and darkness. Herein, indeed, lies the founda- tion of our assured freedom from the rule of sin. It cannot make an incursion on the kingdom of Christ, so as to carry away any of its subjects into a state of sin and darkness again. And an interest in this state ought to be pleaded against all the attempts of sin, Rom. vi. 1,2. There is nothing more to be detested than that any one who is Christ’s freeman, and dead to the power of sin, should give place again unto any of its pretences to or endeavours for rule.
Again, there is an internal liberty, which is the freedom of the mind from the powerful inward chains of sin, with an ability to act all the powers and faculties of the soul in a gracious manner. Hereby is the power of sin in the soul destroyed. And this also is given us in the gospel. There is power administered in it to live unto God, and to walk in all his commandments; and this also gives evidence unto the truth of the apostle’s assertion.