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the curse thereof threatened in the law." The promises : 2 of it, in like manner, shew them God's approbation of obe dience, and what blessings they may expect upon the per formance thereof, although not as due to them by the law as a covenant of works : so as a man's doing good, and refraining from evil, because the law encourageth to the one, and deterreth from the other, is no evidence of his being under the law, and not under grace.

y Ezra ix. 13. And after all that is thy servant warned : and in keeping come upon us for our evil deeds, and of them there is great reward. for our great trespass, seeing that thou t Gal. i:. 16. Knowing that a man our God hast punished us less than is not justified by the works of the our iniquities deserve, and hast given law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, 11s such deliverance as this; Ver. 14. even we have believed in Jesus Christ, Should we again break thy command that we might be justified by the faith ments, and join in affinity with the of Christ, and not by the works of people of these abominations ? would- the law; for by the works of the law est not thou be angry with us, till thou shall no flesh be justified. Luke xvii. hadst consumed us, so that there 10. So likewise ye, when ye shall should be no remnant nor escaping? have done all those things which are Psal. Ixxxix. 30. If his children for- commanded you, say, We are unprosake my law, and walk not in my fitable servanis; we have done that judgments; Ver. 31. If they break which was our duty to do. my statutes, and keep not my com- u Rom. vi. 12, Let not sin therefore mandments; Ver. 32. Then will I vi- reign in your mortal body, that ye sit their transgression with the rod, should obey it in the lusts thereof. and their iniquity with stripes. Ver. Ver. 14. For sin shall not have domi33. Nevertheless my loving-kindness nion over you: for ye are not under will I not utterby take from him, nor the law, but under grace. 1 Pet. iii. 8. suffer my faithfulness to fail. Ver. Finally, be ye all of one mind, having 34. My covenant will I not break, compassion one of another, love as nor alter the thing that is gone out of brethren, be pitiful, be courteous : my lips.

Ver. 9. Not rendering evil for evil, or 8 (Lev. xxvi. to the 14th Verse.] railing for railing; but contrariwise, With 2.Cor. vi. 16. And what agree- blessing: knowing that ye are therement hath the temple of God with unto calied, that ye should inherit a idols ? for ye are the temple of the blessing. Ver. 10. For he that will living God; as God hath said, I will love life, and see good days, let him dwell in them and walk in them; and refrain his tongue from eyil, and his I will be their God, and they shall be lips that they speak no guile: Ver. 11 my people. Eph. vi. 2. Honour thy Let him eschew evil, and do good; father and mother, (which is the first let him seek peace, and ensue it commandment with promise ;) Ver. Ver. 12. For the eyes of the Lord arı 3. That it may be well with thee, and over the righteous, and his ears are o thou mayest live long on the earth. pen unto their prayers: but the fac Psal. xxxvii. 11. But the meek shall of the Lord is against them that d inherit the earth; and shall delight evil. With Psal. xxxiv. 12. Wha themselves in the abundance of peace. man is he that desireth life, and lovet With Matth. v. 5. Blessed are the many days, that he may see good meek: for they shall

. inherit the earth. Ver. 13. Keep thy tongue from ev Psal. xix. 11. Moreover, by them is and thy lips from speaking guile. Ve

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VII. Neither are the forementioned' uses of the law contrary to the grace of the gospel, but do sweetly comply with it"; the Spirit of Christ subduing and enabling the will of mán to do that freely and cheerfully which the will of God revealed in the law requireth to be done *.

CHAP. XX. Of Christian Liberty, and Liberty of

Conscience.

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HE liberty which Christ hath purchased for believers

under the gospel, consists in their freedom from the guilt of sin, the condemning wrath of God, the curse of the moral law; and in their being delivered from this present evil world, bondage to Satan, and dominion of sin from the evil of afflictions, the sting of death, the victory of the 14. Depart from evil, and do good: Lord, I will put my law in their in. seek peace, and pursue it. Ver. 16. ward parts, and write it in their The eyes of the Lord are upon the hearts; and will be their God, and righteous, and his ears are open unto they shall be my people. their cry. Ver. 16. The face of the I. a Tit. ii. 14. Who gave himself Lord is against them that do evil, to for us, that he might redeem us from cut off the remembrance of them from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a the earth. Heb. xii. 28. Wherefore peculiar people, zealous of good works. we receiving a kingdom which cannot 1 Thes. i, 10. And to wak for his Son be moved, let us have grace, whereby from heaven, whom he raised from we may serve God acceptably, with the dead, even Jesus, which delivered reverence and godly fear. Ver. 29. us from the wrath to come. Gal. iii. For our God is a consuming fire. 13. Christ hath redeemed us from the

VII. w Gal, iii. 21. Is the law then curse of the law, being made a curse against the promises of God? God for us : for it is written, Cursed is forbid : for if there had been a law every one that hangeth on a tree. given which could have given life, b Gal. i. 4. Who gave himself for verily righteousness should have been our sins, that he might deliver us from by the law.

this present evil world, according to * Ezek, xxxvi. 27. And I will put the will of God and our Father. Col. my Spirit within you, and cause you i. 13 Who hath delivered us from the to walk in '

my statutes, and ye shall power of darkness, and hath translakeep my judgments, and do them. ted us into the kingdom of his dear Heb. viii. 10. For this is the covenant Son. Acts xxvi. 18. To open their that I will make with the house of eyes, and to turn them from darkness Israel ; After those days, saith the to light, and from the power of Satan Lord, I will put my laws into their unto God, that they may receive for. mind, and write them in their hearts; giveness of sins, and inheritance a. and I will be to them a God, and they mong them which are sanctified by shall be to me a people. With Jer. faith that is in me. Rom. vi. 14. For xxxi. 33. But this shall be the cove. sin shall not have dominion over you: want that I will make with the house for ye are not under the law, but unof Israel ; After those days, saith the der grace.

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grave, and everlasting damnation; as also in their free access

, to God d, and their yielding obedience unto him, not out of slavish fear, but a child-like love, and willing minde. All which were common also to believers under the lawf; but under the new testament, the liberty of Christians is further enlarged in their freedom from the yoke of the ceremonial law, to which the Jewish church was subjected s, and in greater boldness of access to the throne of grace", and in

c Rom. viii. 28. We know that all ham. Ver. 14. That the blessing of things work together for good to them Abraham might come on the Gentiles that love God, to them who are the through Jesus Christ; that we might called according to his purpose. Psal. receive the promise of the Spirit cxix. 71. It is good for me that I have through faith. been afflicted: that I might learn thy Gal. iv. 1. Now I say, that the statutes: 1 Cor. xv. 54. So when this heir, as long as he is a child, differeth corruptible shall have put on incorrup- nothing from a servant, though he be tion, and this mortal shall have put lord of all ; Ver.2. But is under tutors on immortality, then shall be brought and governors, until the time appointto pass the saying that is written, ed of the father. Ver. 3. Even so we, Death is swallowed up in victory. when we were children, were in bona Ver. 55. O death, where is thy sting? dage under the elements of the world. Ograve, where is thy victory? Ver. Ver. 6. And because ye are sons, God 56. The sting of death is sin ; and the hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son strength of sin is the law; Ver. 57. into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. But thanks be to God, which giveth Ver. 7. Wherefore thou art no more us the victory, through our Lord Je- a servant, but a son; and if a son, then sus Christ. Rom. viii. 1. There is an heir of God through Christ. Gal. y. therefore now no condemnation to 1. Stand fast therefore in the liberty them which are in Christ Jesus, who wherewith Christ hath made us free, walk not after the flesh, but after the and be not entangled again with the . Spirit.

yoke of bondage. Acts xv. 10. Now d Rom. v. 1. Therefore being jus- therefore why tempt ye God, to put a tified by faith, we have peace with yoke upon the neck of the disciples, 'God, through our Lord Jesus Christ. which neither our fathers nor we were Ver. 2. By whom also we have access able to bear? Ver. 11. But we believe, by faith into this grace wherein we that through the grace of the Lord Jes'and, and rejoice in hope the glory 'sus Christ we shall be saved, even as of God.

they. e Rom. viii. 14. For as many as b Heb. iv. 14. Seeing then that we are led by the Spirit of God, they are have a great high-priest, that is passthe sons of God. Ver. 15. For ye have ed into the heavens, Jesus the Son not received the spirit of bondage a- of God, let us hold fast our profession. gain to fear; but ye have received the Ver. 16. Let us therefore come bold. Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, ly unto the throne of grace, that we Abba, Father. 1 John iv. 18. There may obtain mercy, and find grace to is no fear in love ; but perfect love help in time of need. Heb. x. 19. casteth out fear : because fear. hath Having therefore, brethren, boldness , torment; he that feareth is not made to enter into the holiest by the blood perfect in love.

of Jesus, Ver. 20. By a new and lj. f Gal. iii. 9. So then they which beving way, which he hath consecrated. cffaith are blessed with faithful Abra. for us through the vail, that is to say,

fuller communications of the free Spirit of God, than believers under the law did ordinarily partake of i.

II. God alone is Lord of the consciencek, and hath left | it free from the doctrines and commandments of men which i are in any thing contrary to his word, or beside it, in mat

ters of faith or worship! So that to believe such doctrines, or to obey such commandments out of conscience, is to betray true liberty of conscience m; and the requiring of a his flesh; Ver. 21. And having an are bought with a price, be not ye the high-priest pver the house of God; servants of men. Matth. xxiij. 8. But Ver. 22. Let us draw near with a true be not ye called Rabbi; for one is your heart, in full assurance of faith, hav- Master, even Christ, and all ye are ing our hearts sprinkled from an evil brethren. Ver. 9. And call no man conscience, and our bodies washed your father upon the earth : for one with pure water.

is your Father, which is in heaven. i John vü. 38. He that believeth on Ver. 10. Neither be ye called masters : me, as the scripture hath said, out of for one is your Master, even Christ. his belly shall flow rivers of living 2 Cor. i. 24. Not for that we have water. Ver. 39. But this spake he dominion over your faith, but are of the Spirit, which they that believe helpers of your joy: for by faith ye on him should receive : for the Holy stand. Matth. xv. 9. But in vain they Ghost was not yet given, because that do worship me, teaching for doctrines Jesus was not yet glorified. 2 Cor. the commandments of men. iii. 13. And not as Moses, which put m Col. ii. 20. Wherefore, if ye be a vail over his face, that the children dead with Christ from the rudiments of Israel could not stedfastly look to of the world, why, as though living the end of that which is abolished. in the world, are ye subject to orVer. 17. Now the Lord is that Spi. dinances, Ver. 22. (Which all are to rit: and where the Spirit of the Lord perish with the using) after the comis, there is liberty. Ver. 18. But we mandments and doctrines of men ? all, with open face beholding as in a Ver. 23. Which things have indeed a glass the glory of the Lord, are chang- shew of wisdom in will-worship and ed into the same image, from glory humility, and neglecting of the body ; to glory, even as by the Spirit of the not in any honour to the satisfying of Lord.

the flesh. Gal. i. 10. For do I now II. k James iv. 12. There is one persuade men, or God? or do I seek to lawgiver, who is able to save and to please men? fe if I yet pleased men, destroy; who art thou that judgest I should not be the servant of Christ. another? Rom. xiv. 4. Who art thou Gal. ii. 4. And that because of false that judgest another man's servant? brethren unawares brought in, who to his own master bestandeth or fall- came in privily to spy out our liberty eth: yea, he shall be holden up: for which we have in Christ Jesus, that God is able to make him stand. they might bring us into bondage. 1 Acts iv. 19. But Peter and John Ver. 5. To whom we

gave place answered and said unto them, Whe. by subjection, no, not for an hour : ther it be right in the sight of God to that the truth of the gospel might conhearken unto you more than unto tinue with you. Gal. v. 1. Stand fast God, judge ye. Acts v. 29. Then therefore in the liberty wherewith Peter and the other apostles answered Christ hath made us free, and be not and said, We ought to obey God ra. entangled again with the yoke of bon. ther than mer. 1 Cor. vii, 23. Ye dage.

1

implicit faith, and an absolute and blind obedience, is to destroy liberty of conscience, and reason also ".

III. They who, upon pretence of Christian liberty, do practise any sin, or cherish any lust, do thereby destroy the end of Christian liberty; which is, that, being delivered out of the hands of our enemies, we might serve the Lord without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life

IV. And because the powers which God hath ordained, and the liberty which Christ hath purchased, are not intended by God 'to destroy, but matually to uphold and preserve one another; they who, upon pretence of Christian liberty, shall oppose any lawful power, or the lawful exereise of it, whether it be civil or ecclesiastical, resist the ordinance of God P. And for their publishing of such opi.

n Rom. x. 17. So then, faith com- they are dismayed, and taken: lo, eth by hearing, and hearing by the they have rejected the word of the word of God. Rom. xiv. 23. And he Lord, and what wisdom is in them? that doubteth is damned if he eat, be- III. o Gal. v. 13. For, brethren, ye cause he eateth not of faith : for have been called unto liberty; only use whatsoever is not of faith is sin. Isa. not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, viii. 20. To the law, and to the testi. but by love serve one another. 1 Pet. mony: if they speak not according ii. 16. As free, and not using your lito this word, it is because there is no berty for a cloak of maliciousness, bue light in them. Acts xvii. 11. These as the servants of God. 2 Pet. ii. 19. were more noble than those in Thes. While they promise them liberty, they salonica, in that they received the themselves are the servants of cor word with all readiness of mind, and ruption : for of whom a man is over searched the scriptures daily, whether come, of the same is he brough ir those things were so. John iv. 22. Ye bondage. John viii. 34. Jesus answer worship ye know not what: we know ed them, Verily, verily, I say unto you what we worship; for salvation is of Whosoever committeth sin is the ser the Jews. Hos. v. 11. Ephraim is op- vart of sin. Luke i. 74. That h pressed, and broken in judgment; be. would grant unto us, that we, be cause he wiliingly walked after the ing delivered out of the hands of ou commandment. Rev. xiii. 12 And he enemies, might serve him witho exerciseth all the power of the first fear, Ver. 75. In holiness and rig? beast before him, and causeth the teousness before him all the days earth, and them which dwell therein, our life. to worship the first beast, whose dead. IV. p Matt. xii. 25. And Jes ly wound was healed. Ver. 16. And knew their thoughts, and said un he causeih all, both small and great, them, Every kingdom divided again rich and poor, free and bond, to re- itself is brought to desolation ; a ceive a mark in their right hand, or in every city or house divided against their foreheads : Ver. 17. And that no self shall not stand., 1 Pet. ii. 13. Su man might buy or sell, save he that mit yourselves to every ordinance had the mark, or the name of the man for the Lord's sake : whether beast, or the number of his name. Jer. be to the king, as supreme : Ver. viii. 9. The wise men are ashamed, Or unto governors, as unto them t]

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