SERMON remonies, but chiefly as it required of Man VIII. a perfect Rectitude of Life without mi

niftring Strength for the Work, like as the Egyptian Tafk-mafters exacted of the Hebrews the full Tale of Brick without giving them Straw: Nor indeed is it in the Nature of an outward Law to give inward Power for Obedience: This must come from another Source, and fallen Man can only fulfil the Law of God by virtue of the Law of the Spirit of Life, giving both Will and Strength for Performance: And therefore as Obedience could not be paid to the Law by Man, fo neither could Juftification be attained to by it: This cometh by our New Creation in Christ Jefus, which is that Grace of God which bringeth Salvation, and whereby we are made a willing People in the Day of his Power, to walk in the Obedience of Faith, and "to offer up fpiritual Sacrifices acceptable to God

by Jefus Chrift." Hereby the Will of God (which is our Sanctification) is wrought in us, and Works of Righteoufnefs (the Effect of a juftifying Faith) are brought forth by us. In a word; hereby all Things obtain their proper Course The Tree is made

3

Order and

good, and

there

therefore the Fruit is good alfo;

Duties SERMON

have their Foundation in Graces, and the Service of God is perfect Freedom. We therefore greatly dishonour as well as miftake the Nature of Chriftianity, when we reprefent it to ourselves or others as confifting in conftrained Acts of Duty and outward Worship, in a fet Behaviour, a forced Converfation on religious Subjects, in talking much of Chrift, or fpeaking Scripture Language: for Labour and Study to do thefe Things fhews that we are not yet brought into Chriftian Liberty, which is a Freedom to Righteousness and to a Life and and Converfation becoming the Gospel of Chrift. It is then we can truly fay, that his Yoke is easy and his Burden light, and that the Ways of his Religion are Ways of Pleafantnefs, and that all its Paths are Peace; for in Newness of Spirit Newness of Life is natural, and therefore eafy, and with Delight we run the Way of his Commandments when he hath fet our Hearts at Liberty.

But here let it be obferved by way of Caution to him who is called to be the Lord's Free-man, that he be not high minded but fear. Is he brought into Liberty? Let Q 2 him

VIII.

VIII.

SERMON him rejoyce in his Liberty with an humble and thankful Heart, and have the tendereft Compaffion on them that are in Bonds, even under the Law to Chrift, not prefuming to defpife the Day of fmall Things in others, but condefcending to Men of low Eftate, and bearing their Burdens as a Fellow-helper with them in their Weakness; remembering that if he differeth from another, he hath nothing but what he hath received as a free Gift, and therefore ought not to glory as if he had not received it: Befides, God is the Judge, and He putteth down one and fetteth up another.-Again; Let him ufe his Liberty with Moderation and Prudence both towards them that are without and them that are within; for tho all Things of an indifferent Nature be lawful to him, yet all Things are not expedient: Chriftian Liberty ought to fubject itself to the Law of Charity, and never be used where it may give Offence to our weak Brethren.

I shall conclude with the mention of fome few Particulars, wherein the Son of God hath not fet us free, to prevent fome fatal Mistakes concerning the Nature of Chriftian Liberty. And

First, He hath not released us from SERMON Obedience and Subjection to the Civil VIII Powers, but on the contrary obliged us by Precept and his own Example to obey them that are in Authority and have Rule over us, as well for Confcience fake as because they are Minifters of God to us for good, either in the way of Protection, or Correction.

Secondly, He has not fet us free from conforming to the Rules and Orders of that Society of Chriftians with whom we are in Communion, provided fuch Rules and Orders do not reftrain us from bringing Glory to God, by promoting the fpiritual Welfare of our Neighbour, nor any Ways hinder our own Advancement in Godliness; for in thefe Things one is our Mafter, even Chrift, and no other.

He

1

Thirdly, has not taken away or flackened our Obligations to any moral or relative Duty; for thefe are bound upon us by a Law that altereth not; and therefore Antinomian Doctrine is here Anticriftian Doctrine; tho' there is the lefs Occafion for Caution in this Particular, as one great Part of Chriftian Liberty confifts in

render

SERMON rendering the Practice of these Duties our free Choice and willing Service.

VIII.

Laftly, The Son of God does not fet us free from Afflictions, Croffes and Temptations; for thefe prove the Chriftian's Fidelity, exercise his Graces, and perfect him in the School of Chrift. But in all Things wherein we are entangled and held to the Damage of our Souls and to the endangering of our Salvation, if we wait faithfully and patiently, upon the Lord, He will deliver us; and if in thefe Things the Son fhall make us free we fhall be free indeed. Hath He then called us out of Darkness into his marvellous Light? Let us walk as Children of the Light and of the Day. Hath He refcued us from the Power of Sin and Satan to bring us into the glorious Liberty of the Sons of God? Let us stand faft in the Liberty wherewith Chrift hath made us free, and not be intangled again with the Yoke of Bondage.

Now to Him who hath vifited and redeemed his People, that we being delivered out of the Hands of our Enemies may ferve Him without Fear, in

Holiness