in actual transgression, saying, Suffer little children to come unto me, for of such is the kingdom of God. Matth. 19, 14. Mark 10, 11.

But when a man lives in a state of actual sin, after he arrives to the years of discretion, loving darkness rather than the light, (John 3, 19.) and walking according to the will of the flesh; then it must not be said any more that Adam has done this, or satan has done it: but it must be said, Thou after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who will render to every man according to his deeds. Rom. 2,5.6. For the debt of Adam is cancelled by the blood of Christ, and the power of the devil is destroyed, so that if he ever misleads us, it is because we place ourselves voluntarily within his grasp, and turn away from Christ, who hath overcome him, and having spoiled his principalities, made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it. Col. 2, 15. But as many as receive him, to them gives he power to become the sons of God, which are born not of blood nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of

man, but of God. John 1. These are they, who, coming to a knowledge of their sins by the law, groan and weep under them, and sink down before the Lord in humility of spirit and godly sorrow, hungering and thirsting after the righteousness of Christ, till finally they obtain access unto this grace, and receive and embrace Christ through faith in his righteousness : and thus the righteousness of the law is fulfilled by the righteousness of Christ : as Paul expresses it, (Rom. 8, 3. 4.) We walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit; for the law of the spirit of life io Christ Jesus hath made us free from the law of sin and death. Verse 2.

But, now, not one jot nor one tittle of the law shall pass away till all be fulfilled; for Paul says, We know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully, knowing this that the law is not made for a righteous man, (for they are dead to the law, and are married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God, Rom. 7, 4.) but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers, and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, for

mothers

whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine. 1 Tim. 1, 8. 9. 10.

Mark this : If there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine. From this we may infer, that all who have not by faith attained the righteousness of Christ, are, as has been already frequently incul. cated, under the law, and consequently under the curse. Hence, the righteousness of the law remains in full force against all that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his pow

2 Thess. 1, 8. 9. That which the ceremonial law attempts to accomplish by much shedding of blood and many outward sacrifices, hath Christ, as the true high priest, in one sacrifice, fulfilled for ever, that we might by him offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God. i Pet. 2,5. Yea, the written law, with its many types and shadows, which pointed unto Christ, was consummated in him; for he was the body itself, Col. 2, 16. 17. Yea, the law had the shadow of

good things to come, and not the very substance of the things, as is shown in the whole epistle to the Hebrews, and likewise in those to the Romans and Galatians, nay, in the whole new testament.

Therefore, in this sermon Christ has changed the law into a perfect dispensation, which it is our intention, by the help of God, further to consider, in order that we may arrive at the correct spiritual understanding of his gracious discourse. And may Almighty God pour out bis grace

and blessing, and write it by his Holy Spirit in our hearts, that we may not only read and consider, but also embrace and comply with it, by the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom be glory, dominion and unceasing praise, for ever and ever. Amen. Yea, Amen, Lord Jesus, Amen.

My beloved reader, I must again charge thee, if thou hast read these pages, pause for a while, and consider well what road thou art in; examine and see whether thou

rt not walking in the broad way of the flesh; whether thou art not as yet attached to the world, or whether the world is crucified unto thee, and thou unto the world; whether thou livest after the flesh or after the Spirit; whether thou dost not, like

the pharisees, possess nothing but an external show of righteousness; or hast thou attained the righteousness that is revealed from faith to faith? Rom. 1, 17.

Behold, reader, if thou still livest in the first Adam, in the old creature, and not in the second Adam, in the new creature, thou bringest forth fruit unto death. Therefore we must be transplanted from the first into the second Adam, Christ Jesus, before we can bring forth fruit unto God. Rom. 7, 4. 5. Ah, my dear reader, do not disregard the day of grace; lift up thy soul to him who is both able and willing to help thee, and with a devout heart pray unto him and say, O Jesus, thou who hast loved me and the whole human family with an unspeakable love, thou hast vouchsafed to come unto thy own, to thy fallen creatures, to ransom them from eternal death, and thy own received thee not; but as many as received thee, to them hast thou given power to become the sons of God. O Jesus, I am one of the former, who have not received thee as I ought; thou calledst me, but I would not answer; thou hast in part manifested thy light unto me, but I have loved darkness rather than the light; thou hast knocked, but I would not open;

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