A TREATISE OF THE DOMINION OF Sin and Grace Wherein Sin 's Reign is discovered in whom it is and in whom it is not How the Law supports it How Grace delivers from it by setting up its Dominion in the Heart Rom. vi 14. For Sin shall not have Dominion over you for ye are not under the Law but under Grace By the late Pious and Learned Minister of the Gospel John Owen D. D. LONDON Printed by J. L. for William Marshal at the Bible in Newgate-street 1688. TO THE SERIOUS READER ONE of the great Gospel Enquiries that a Christian ought to be most critical and curious in resolving to himself upon the most impartial Examination of his own Heart concerning his spiritual State and standing in Grace is Whether he be in the Faith or no which doubt can be resolved but Two ways either by Faith it self closing with its true Objects as offered in the Gospel in its direct act and so it evidenceth it self being the Evidence of things not seen as all the natural Senses Evidence themselves by their own Acts upon their proper Objects For he that sees the Sun hath Argument enough to himself That he is not blind but hath a seeing Eye and Faith therefore is frequently represented to us by seeing as John vi 40. and elsewhere which Evidence is according to the degrees of Faith weaker or stronger and hence carries lesser or greater assurances with it but such as are of the highest and best nature giving the greatest Glory to the Grace and Truth of God and the firmest stay to the Soul in the greatest Storms of Temptation being as an Anchor fastened within the Vail sure and stedfast Or else additionally that our joy may be full and for further confirmation especially in such Cases wherein our Faith seems to fail us and we are like Thomas God hath out of his abundant Grace in the Gospel provided Arguments for us to raise from spiritual sence to judge of our State and Standing by But this requires the teachings of the Spirit and thence a Spirit of discerning Experience of and insight into our own Hearts and ways with senses exercised by reason of use that these Grounds and Arguments may be matter of Comfort and Establishment unto us I call these latter Evidences subordinate ones and additional to that of Faith of great use by way of Establishment and Confirmation unto Believers provided they be not abused to sole resting and reliance upon them to the great prejudice of our Life of Faith for we live by Faith so must all repenting Sinners when they have attained to the highest pitch of Holiness in this Life and not by Sense no not spiritual Sense it 's a good Hand-Maid to Faith but no good Mistress to it MOREOVER Trials of this nature are often of a marvellous awakening and convincing nature unto poor secure Sinners formal and hypocritical Professors for many of them hold true with great demonstration in the Negative 1 Joh. iij. 14. He that loveth not his Brother abideth in Death And v. 10. In this the Children of God and the Children of the Devil are manifest whosoever doth not Righteousness is not of God neither he that loveth not his Brother Now these Tests come upon an unregenerate Man as clear and strong Convictions of his undone Estate when by Gospel Light shining into his dark Heart it Evidently appears that there is a Total Absence of such eminent Graces that are inseparable from a Child of God but when a poor broken-hearted self-condemning Sinner comes to try himself by these Tests especially under great Temptation he chargeth all that he finds in himself for Hypocrisy Formality and Sin sits altogether in darkness in respect of those sparks of internal Light and is fain at last when he hath broken all his Flints and worn out all his Steel in compassing himself about with sparks of his own kindling to turn unto Christ by Faith as a Prisoner of Hope believing in Hope against Hope and from him to fetch by a direct act of Faith as from the Sun of Righteousness all his Light of Life and Comfort and then he will be able to light all his small Tapers yea all inferiour Arguments of his good Estate will flow in with much enlargement and increase of Consolation As Streams of living Water flowing forth of the Fountain set open for Sin and for Vncleanness into the Belly of the true Believing Sinner receiving by Faith of the fulness of Christ through the Spirit abundantly supplying him with Rivers of true substantial living Graces and Consolations being filled with the Fruits of Righteousness to the Praise and Glory of Christ. NOW among disquisitions of this latter Nature and Use this is none of the least Whether we are under the Dominion of Sin or no Either we are or are not if we are our State is most certainly dangerous for such are under the Law and the Law hath concluded all under Wrath. If we are not under Sin 's Dominion we are in a blessed and happy Estate being under Grace for these two Dominions divide the World and every Son and Daughter of Adam is under one or the other and none can be under both at the same time Now our being under Grace can be no way better Evidenced than by our being in Christ by Faith for he that is so is a new Creature is passed from Death to Life will still be mortifying Sin the strong Man in Sin 's Dominion being cast out and therefore Faith is said to be our Victory through the supply of all Grace received from Jesus Christ. Indeed it calls for no small spiritual Skill and Understanding to pass aright judgment in these Matters Undoubtedly many are deceived in taking wrong Measures to search out these deep things of God taking them to belong to the mere Faculties and Endowments of a natural Man not considering that they are of the Spirits Revelation only And hence it is that many poor Creatures in a Bondage State under the Law and therefore under Sin 's Dominion do work like Slaves in the Dunghil of their own Hearts to find out some natural Religion or moral Goodness in themselves to recommend them unto God but such recommendation must be under the Law it cannot be under Grace and therefore such are under the Dominion of Sin infallibly as the Israelites were which followed after the Law of Righteousness but attained not unto the Law of Righteousness Wherefore because they sought it not by Faith but as it were by the works of the Law for they stumbled at that stumbling Stone Rom. ix 32. And it is greatly to be bewailed that many Professors that sit under the means of Grace are so tender of their secure and palliated Consciences that they cannot indure that the Rays of true Gospel Light should shine directly into their Hearts being contented with a name only that they do live they are loath to come to any narrow search or
trial least they should be found out and appear to themselves in their ugly shapes whilst they are willing that all the World should have a good Opinion of them under which they cannot admit of any inward disturbances but desire to sleep in a whole Skin OTHERS there are sincere broken-hearted Believers scared at the Rock of Presumption on which they see so many Professors wracked daily are apt to fall upon the other Extream and too wrongfully to free Grace condemn themselves as being under the Dominion of Sin and therefore censure themselves to be under the Law and Wrath notwithstanding all their seeming Faith and Holiness calling that Presumption and this Hypocrisy Hence returning to a kind of Spirit of Bondage again to fear their Faith is shaken by prevailing Unbelief their Peace is broken and all Gospel Ordinances rendred ineffectual as to their true Ends of profit Edification and Comfort Hence though they are truly under Grace they do not know or rather through Temptation will not acknowledge it but go mourning all the day long because of the Oppressor and the Enemy But I beseech such a poor Soul to consider a little and not to receive the Grace of God in vain dost thou groan under the Vsurpation and Oppression of remaining Sin and is this the Dominion of it Is there no difference between Sin 's Dominion and Sin 's Tyranny and Vsurpation Dominion is upon account of right of Conquest or subjection there is upon both that Sin reigns in carnal and unregenerate Men who yield up their Members as instruments of Vnrighteousness unto Sin but you reckon your selves dead unto Sin having no joy in its prevalency but grief being planted in this respect in the likeness of Christ's Death who died unto Sin once but dieth no more Sin shall have no more Dominion over him likewise reckon ye also your selves dead indeed unto Sin but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord i. e. To be under Grace to put your self freely and joyfully under the Conduct and Dominion of Jesus Christ and to keep up a continual fight and opposition against the prevailing Power of Sin. Indeed Sin will often as an Out-lying watchful Enemy make its assaults and incursions on the best of God's Children as it did on David Hezekiah Peter and though it may make breaches upon them Sin shall not have a Dominion and set up a Throne of Inquity in their Hearts Grace will beat out Sin 's Throne for indeed the words of this Text that is the subject of the ensuing Treatise carry the force of a promise to the Saints to animate and encourage them to fight against Sin under the Banner of our Lord Jesus the Captain of our Salvation made perfect through Sufferings For Sin shall not have Dominion c. IN treating of which Text this late Learned and Reverend Author hath acted the part of a good Work Man that rightly divided the Word of God as in all his other Writings of the like nature giving every one their portion as it belongs to them with so much perspicuity and demonstration that if Christian Reader thou wilt afford a little time and pains to read meditate dilate and digest well the Truths here laid before thee through the blessing of the God of all Grace thou wilt find much satisfaction and real spiritual advantage unto thy Soul either to awaken and recover thee from under the Dominion of Sin the dangerous and palpable Symptoms thereof being here plainly made manifest or else to discover thy happy estate in being taken from under the Law and brought under the Dominion of Grace whereby thou maist assume great Encouragement to thy self to proceed more chearfully in running the Race set before thee IT 'S enough to say that the Author hath left his Encomium firmly rooted in the minds of all Pious and Learned Men that are acquainted with his Writings Polemick or Practical Yea his Renown will always be great in after Generations among the Churches of Christ and all true Lovers of the great Truths of the Gospel And that he is the Author of this small Tract is sufficient to recommend it to thy most serious Perusal taking this assurance that it was left among other Writings of great value thus perfected for the Press by his own hand and is now by his worthy Relict published for the Benefit of others besides her self I doubt not but thou wilt say that it will answer the several Lines that hath been drawn in thy Heart by Sin or Grace as Face answereth Face in a Glass and that this may be the effect of thy Perusal thereof in order to thy spiritual and eternal Wellfare is the hearty desire and prayer of Thy unfeigned Well-wisher J. C. THE CONTENTS CHAP. I. WHAT Sin is consistent with the State of Grace and what not Sin 's great Design in all to obtain Dominion It hath it in Vnbelievers and contends for it in Believers The ways by which it acts Page 1 CHAP. II. The Enquiries for understanding the Text proposed the first spoken to viz. What is the Dominion of Sin which we are freed from and discharged of by Grace Page 9 CHAP. III. The Second Enquiry spoken to Whether Sin hath Dominion in us or no In answer to which it 's shewed That some wear Sin 's Livery and they are the professed Servants thereof There are many in which the Case is dubious where Sin 's service is not so discernable Several Exceptions are put in against its Dominion where it seems to prevail Some certain Signs of its Dominion Graces and Duties to be exercised for its Mortification Page 32 CHAP. IV. Hardness of Heart spoken to as an eminent sign of Sin 's Dominion and is shewed that it ought to be considered as total or partial Page 72 CHAP. V. The Third Enquiry handled viz. What is the assurance given us and what are the Grounds thereof that Sin shall not have Dominion over us The Ground of this assurance is That we are not under the Law but Grace The Force of this Reason shewed viz. How the Law doth not destroy the Dominion of Sin and how Grace dethrones Sin and gives Dominion over it Page 92 CHAP. VI. The Practical Observations drawn from and Application made of the whole Text. Page 100. A TREATISE OF THE DOMINION OF Sin and Grace Rom. vi 14. For Sin shall not have Dominion over you for ye are not under the Law but under Grace CHAP. I. What Sin is consistent with the State of Grace and what not Sins great design in all to obtain Dominion It hath it in Vnbelievers and contends for it in Believers The ways by which it acts THE Psalmist treating with God in Prayer about Sin acknowledgeth that there are in all men unsearchable Errors of Life beyond all humane understanding or comprehension with such daily sins of Infirmity as stand in need of continual cleansing and Pardon Psal. xix 12. Who can understand his Errors cleanse thou
13 19. 2dly THIS Dominion of sin is not a meer force against the Will and Endeavours of them that are under it Where all the Power and Interest of Sin consists in putting a force on the mind and soul by its Temptations there it hath no Dominion It may perplex them it doth not rule over them Where it hath Dominion it hath the force and power of a Law in the Wills and Minds of them in whom it is Hereby it requires Obedience of them and they yield up themselves Servants to obey it Rom. vi 16. WHEREFORE unto this Dominion of sin there is required a Consent of the Will in some measure and degree The constant Reluctancy and conquering Prevalency of the Will against it defeats its Title unto Rule and Dominion as the Apostle declares at large in the next Chapter The Will is the sovereign Faculty and Power of the Soul whatever Principle acts in it and determines it that hath the Rule Notwithstanding Light and Conviction the determination of the whole as unto Duty and Sin is in the power of the Will. If the will of sinning be taken away sin cannot have Dominion Here is Wisdom He that can distinguish between the Impressions of Sin upon him and the Rule of Sin in him is in the way of Peace But this oft-times as we shall farther see with the Reason of it is not easily to be attained unto Convictions on the one hand will make a great Pretence and Appearance of an Opposition in the Will unto Sin by their unavoidable Impressions on it when it is not so And disturbed Affections under Temptations will plead that the Will it self is given up unto the choice and service of sin when it is not so The Will in this Matter is like the Thebans Shield whilst that was safe they conceited themselves victorious even in death However this Case is determinable by the light of Scripture and Experience and it is here proposed unto a Determination 3dly IT is required unto this dominion of sin that the soul be not under any other supreme Conduct that is of the Spirit of God and of his Grace by the Law. This is that which really hath the sovereign Rule in all Believers They are led by the Spirit guided by the Spirit acted and ruled by him and are thereby under the Government of God and Christ and no other With this the Rule of Sin is absolutely inconsistent No Man can at once serve these two Masters Grace and Sin may be in the same Soul at the same time but they cannot bear Rule in the same Soul at the same time The Throne is singular and will admit but of one Ruler Every Evidence we have of being under the Rule of Grace is so that we are not under the Dominion of Sin. THIS therefore is the principal way and means which we have to secure our Peace and Comfort against the Pretences of Sin unto the disquietment of our Consciences Let us endeavour to preserve an Experience of the Rule of Grace in our Hearts Col. iij. 15. Under a Conduct and Rule whence our state is denominated we are and must be This is either of Sin or Grace There is no Composition nor Copartnership between them as to Rule As to Residence there is but not as unto Rule If we can assure our selves of the one we secure our selves from the other It is therefore our Wisdom and lies at the foundation of all our Comforts that we get Evidences and Experience of our being under the Rule of Grace and it will evidence it self if we are not wanting unto a due Observation of its acting and operation in us And it will do it among others these Two ways 1. BY keeping up a Constancy of design in living to God and after Conformity unto Christ notwithstanding the interposition of surprizals by Temptations and the most urgent solicitations of Sin This is called Cleaving unto God with purpose of Heart Acts xi 23. This will be where-ever Grace hath the Rule As a Man that goeth to Sea designs some certain Place and Port whither he guides his Course in his way he meets it may be with Storms and cross Winds that drive him out of his Course and sometimes directly backward towards the Place where he set forth but his design still holds and in the pursuit thereof he applies his Skill and Industry to retrieve and recover all its losses and back-drivings by cross Winds and Storms So is it with a Soul under the Conduct of Grace its fixed design is to live unto God but in its Course it meets with Storms and cross Winds of Temptations and various Artifices of Sin. These disturb him disorder him drive him backwards sometimes as if it would take a contrary Course and return unto the Coast of Sin from whence it set out But where Grace hath the Rule and Conduct it will weather all these Oppositions and Obstructions it will restore the Soul bring it again into order recover it from the confusions and evil Frames that it was drawn into It will give a fresh predominancy unto its prevalent design of living unto God in all things It will do this constantly as often as the soul meets with such ruffles from the Power of Sin when there is a radical firmitude and strength in a Cause or Design it will work it self out through all changes and variations But when the strength of any Cause is but Occasion the first opposition and disorder will ruine us So if Mens purposes of living unto God be only occasional from present Convictions the first vigorous Opposition or Temptation will disorder it and overthrow it But where this is the radical Design of the Soul from the Power of Grace it will break through all such Oppositions and recover its Prevalency in the Mind and Affections Hereby doth it evidence its Rule and that the whole Interest of Sin in the Soul is by Rebellion and not by virtue of Dominion 2. IT doth so by keeping up a constant Exercise of Grace in all religious Duties or at least a sincere endeavour that so it may be Where Sin hath the Dominion it can allow the Soul to perform religious Duties yea in some cases to abound in them But it will take care that divine Grace be not exercised in them Whatever there may be of delight in Duties or other motions of Affection which Light and Gifts and Afflictions and Superstition will occasion there is no exercise of divine Faith and Love in them This belongs essentially and inseparably unto the Rule of Grace Where-ever that bears sway the Soul will endeavour the constant Exercise of Grace in all its Duties and never be satisfied in the Work done without some sense of it Where it fails therein it will judge it self and watch against the like surprizals yea unless it be in case of some great Temptation the present sense of the guilt of Sin which is the highest Obstruction against that
Sin may prevail as unto an Application of them unto the Mortification of any Sin. THE First is The daily exercise of Faith on Christ as Crucified This is the great Fundamental Means of the mortification of Sin in general and which we ought to apply unto every particular Instance of it This the Apostle Discourseth at large Rom. vi 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13. Our Old Man saith he is crucified with Christ that the Body of Sin might be destroyed that henceforth we should not serve Sin. Our Old Man or the Body of Sin is the Power and Reign of Sin in us These are to be destroyed that is so mortified that henceforth we should not serve Sin that we should be delivered from the Power and Rule of it This saith the Apostle is done in Christ Crucified with him It is so meritoriously in his actual dying or being Crucified for us it is so virtually because of the certain Provision that is made therein for the Mortification of all Sin. But it is so actually by the Exercise of Faith on him as crucified dead and buried which is the means of the actual Communication of the virtue of his Death unto us for that End. Herein are we said to be dead and buried with him whereof Baptism is the Pledge So by the Cross of Christ the World is crucified unto us and we are so to the World Gal. vi 14. which is the substance of the Mortification of all Sin. There are several Ways whereby the Exercise of Faith on Christ crucified is effectual unto this End. 1. LOOKING unto him as such will beget holy Mourning in us Zech. xij 10. They shall look on him whom they have pierced and mourn It is a Promise of Gospel Times and Gospel Grace A view of Christ as pierced will cause mourning in them that have received the Promise of the Spirit of Grace and Supplication there mentioned And this mourning is the Foundation of Mortification It is that godly Sorrow which works Repentance unto Salvation not to be repented of 2 Cor. vij 10. And Mortification of Sin is of the Essence of Repentance The more Believers are exercised in this View of Christ the more humble they are the more they are kept in that mourning frame which is universally opposite unto all the Interest of Sin and which keeps the Soul watchful against all its Attempts Sin never reigned in an humble mourning Soul. 2. IT is effectual unto the same end by the way of a powerful Motive as that which calls and leads unto Conformity to him This is pressed by the Apostle Rom. vi 8 9 10 11. Our Conformity unto Christ as crucified and dead consists in our being dead unto Sin and thereby overthrowing the reign of it in our mortal Bodies This Conformity saith he we ought to reckon on as our Duty reckon your selves dead unto Sin that is that you ought so to be in that Conformity which you ought to aim at unto Christ crucified Can any spiritual Eye behold Christ dying for Sin and continue to live in Sin Shall we keep that alive in us which he dy'd for that it might not eternally destroy us Can we behold him bleeding for our Sins and not endeavour to give them their deaths Wound The efficacy of the Exercise of Faith herein unto the Mortification of Sin is known unto all Believers in Experience 3. FAITH herein gives us Communion with him in his Death and unites the Soul unto it in its Efficacy Hence we are said to be buried with him into Death and to be planted together in the likeness of his Death Rom. vi 4 5. Our Old Man is crucified with him v. 6. We have by Faith Communion with him in his Death unto the death of Sin. THIS therefore is the first Grace and Duty which we ought to attend unto for the Mortification of Sin. But where Sin hath that Interest and Power in the Mind as to take it off from this Exercise of Faith to prevent or obstruct it as it will do so as that it will not so as that it shall not dare to think or meditate on Christ crucified because of the inconsistency of such Thoughts with an Indulgence unto any Lust it is to be feared that Sin is in the Throne IF it be thus with any if they have not yet made use of this way and means for the Mortification of Sin or if being convinced of it they have been for any season driven or withheld from the Exercise of Faith herein I have nothing to offer to free them from this Evidence of the reign of Sin but only that they would speedily and carefully address themselves unto their Duty herein And if they prevail on themselves unto it it will bring in its own Evidence of their freedom SOME it may be will say That indeed they are unskilful in this Word of Righteousness as some are Heb. v. 13. They know not how to make use of Christ crucified unto this End nor how to set themselves about it Other ways of Mortification they can understand The Discipline and Penances assigned by the Papists unto this End are sensible So are our own Vows and Resolutions with other Duties that are prescribed but as for this way of deriving Vertue from the Death of Christ unto the Death of Sin they can understand nothing of it I easily believe that some may say so yea ought to say so if they would speak their Minds For the spiritual Wisdom of Faith is required hereunto but all Men have not Faith. On the loss of this Wisdom the Papists have invented another way to supply the whole Exercise of Faith herein They will make Crucifixes Images of Christ crucified then they will adore embrace mourn over and expect great Verue from them Without these Images they know no way of addressing unto Christ for the Communication of any Virtue from his Death or Life Others may be at the same loss But they may do well to consider the cause of it For 1. IS it not from Ignorance of the Mystery of the Gospel and of the Communication of supplies of spiritual things from Christ thereby of the Efficacy of his Life and Death unto our Sanctification and Mortification of Sin Or 2. IS it not because indeed they have never been throughly distressed in their Minds and Consciences by the Power of Sin and so have never in good earnest looked for relief Light general Convictions either of the Guilt or Power of Sin will drive none to Christ. When their Consciences are reduced unto real Streights and they know not what to do they will learn better how to look unto him whom they have pierced Their Condition whoever they are is dangerous who find not a necessity every day of applying themselves by Faith unto Christ for help and succour Or 3. IS it not because they have other reliefs to betake themselves unto Such are there own Promises and Resolutions which for the most part
any thing of a future reward hereafter something might be spoke to alleviate their present Misery But the Wages of Sin is Death eternal Death under the wrath of the great God is all they are to look for The End of the Dominion of Sin is to give them up unto the Curse of the Law and Power of the Devil for evermore Fourthly IT keeps Men off from the Participation of all real Good here and hereafter What Men under the Power of Sin do enjoy will quickly appear to be as a thing of nought In the mean time they have not the least taste of the Love of God which alone takes out the Poison of their Enjoyments They have not the least view of the Glory of Christ without which they live in perpetual darkness like those who never behold the light nor Sun. They have no Experience of the sweetness and excellency of the gracious Influences of Life and Strength and Comfort from the Holy Ghost nor of that satisfaction and reward which is in holy Obedience nor shall ever come to the Enjoyment of God. All these things and sundry others of the like sort might be insisted on and inlarged to manifest the greatness of the Mercy and Privilege which is in a Freedom from the Dominion of Sin as it is here proposed by the Apostle But the principal design I intended is accomplished and I do but touch on these things I shall add One Observation more and with it put a Close to this Discourse Ob. 2. IT is the great Interest of a Soul conflicting with the Power of Sin to secure it self against its Dominion that it is not under its Dominion not to have the Cause hang dubious in the Mind To clear the truth hereof we may observe the things that follow 1. THE Conflict with Sin making continual Repentance and Mortification absolutely necessary will continue in us whilst we are in this World. Pretences of Perfection here are contrary to the Scriptures contrary to the universal Experience of all Believers and contrary to the Sense and Conscience of them by whom they are pleaded as they make it evident every day We pray against it strive against it groan for deliverance from it and that by the Grace of Christ healing our Nature not without success Howbeit this success extends not unto its absolute Abolition whilst we are in this World. It will abide in us until the union of the Soul and Body wherein it hath incorporated it self be dissolved This is our Lot and Portion this is the consequent of our Apostasie from God and the Depravation of our nature thereby YOU will say then Whereto serves the Gospel and the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ in this Case if it be not able to give us deliverance herein I answer it doth give us a Fourfold Relief which amounts virtually to a constant deliverance though Sin will abide in us whilst we are in this World. 1. IT is so ordered that the continuance of Sin in us shall be the Ground Reason and Occasion of the exercise of all Grace and putting a lustre on our Obedience Some excellent Graces as Repentance and Mortification could have no exercise if it were otherwise And whilst we are in this World there is a beauty in them that is an over-balance for the Evil of the Remainders of Sin And the difficulty which is hereby put on our Obedience calling continually for the exercise and improvement of all Grace renders it the more valuable Herein lies the Spring of Humility and self-Resignation to the Will of God. This makes us love and long for the Enjoyment of Christ putting an excellency on his Mediation whence the Apostle on the consideration of it falls into that Ejaculation I thank God through Jesus Christ my Lord Rom. vij 25. This sweetens unto us our future Rest and Reward Wherefore the continuance of us in this state and condition in this World a state of spiritual Warfare is best for us and highly suited unto divine Wisdom considering the Office and Care of our Lord Jesus Christ for our Relief Let us not complain or repine or faint but go on with Christian Fortitude unto the End and we shall have success For 2. THERE are by the Grace of Christ such supplies and aids of spiritual Strength granted unto Believers that Sin shall never proceed further in them than is useful and needful for the exercise of their Graces It shall never have its Will upon them nor Dominion over them as we have before declared 3. THERE is Mercy administred in and by the Gospel for the Pardon of all that is Evil in it self or in any of its effects There is no Condemnation unto them that are in Christ Jesus Pardoning Mercy according to the Tenor of the Covenant doth always disarm this Sin in Believers of its condemning Power So that notwithstanding the utmost endeavours of it being justified by Faith they have Peace with God. 4. THERE is a season when by the Grace of Christ it shall be utterly abolished namely at Death when the course of our Obedience is finished Wherefore to affirm that this Sin and consequently a conflict with it doth abide in Believers whilst they are in this World is no disparagement unto the Grace of Christ which gives such a blessed deliverance from it Secondly THERE is a double Conflict with and against Sin. The One is in those that are unregenerate consisting in the Rebellion of Light and Conscience against the Rule of Sin in many particular Instances For although Sin be enthroned in the Will and Affections yet the knowledge of good and evil in the Mind excited by the hopes and fears of things eternal will make head against it as unto the performance of sundry duties and abstinence from Sin. This conflict may be where Sin is in the Throne and may deceive themselves supposing it may be from the Rule of Grace when it is only from the Rebellion of Light and the charge of a Conscience yet unseared But there is a conflict with Sin where Grace hath the Rule and is Enthroned For although Grace have the Sovereignty in the Mind and Heart yet the remainders of Sin especially in the corrupt Affections will be continually rebelling against it Now this we say is the Interest of all namely to enquire of what sort and kind that conflict with Sin is which is in them if it be of the first sort they may yet be under the Dominion of Sin if of the latter they are freed from it Wherefore whilst the mind is dubious in this Case and undetermined many evil consequences it will be perplexed withal I shall name some of them 1. SUCH a soul can have no solid Peace because it hath not satisfaction what state it doth belong unto 2. IT cannot receive refreshment by Gospel Consolations in any condition for its just fears of the Dominion of Sin will defeat them all 3. IT will be dead and formal in all its
Dominion and where they are in conjunction they must have a mighty prevalency and such as will render the Contest hazardous There are few Believers but have found it so at least in their own apprehensions they have been ready to say at one time or another we shall one day fall by the hand of this Enemy and have been forced to cry out unto Jesus Christ for help and succour with no less vehemency than the Disciples did at Sea when the Ship was covered with Waves Lord save us we perish Matth. viij 24 25. And so they would do did he not come in seasonably to their succour Heb. ij 18. And herein the Soul hath frequently no less Experience of the Power of Christ in his Grace than the Disciples on their Out-cry had of his soveraign Authority when he rebuked the Winds and the Seas and there was a great Calm THIS Dominion of Sin is that which we have here security given us against Though it will abide in us though it will contend for Rule by Deceit and Force yet it shall not prevail it shall not have the Dominion AND this is a Case of the highest Importance unto us Our Souls are and must be under the Rule of some Principle or Law. And from this Rule our State is determined and denominated We are either Servants of Sin unto Death or of Obedience unto Righteousness Rom. vi 16. This is the Substance of the Discourse of the Apostle in that whole Chapter namely that the state of the Soul as unto life and death eternal follows the Conduct and Rule that we are under If Sin have the Dominion we are lost for ever If it be dethrown'd we are safe It may tempt seduced and entice it may fight war perplex and disquiet it may surprize into actual Sin yet if it have not the Dominion in us we are in a state of Grace and Acceptation with God. CHAP. II. The Enquiries for understanding the Text proposed the first spoken to viz. What is the dominion of Sin which we are freed from and discharged of by Grace WE shall enquire into Three Things from the Words of this Text. I. What is that Dominion of Sin which we are freed from and discharged of by Grace II. How we may know whether Sin hath the Dominion in us or no. III. What is the Reason and Evidence of the Assurance here given us That Sin shall not have Dominion over us namely because we are not under the Law but under Grace 1. AS unto the first of these I shall only recount some such Properties of it as will discover its Nature in general the particulars wherein it doth consist will be considered afterwards 1. THE Dominion of Sin is perverse and evil and that on both the Accounts which render any Rule or Dominion so to be For 1. IT is Vsurped Sin hath no Right to rule in the Souls of Men. Men have no power to give Sin a Right to rule over them They may voluntarily enslave themselves unto it but this gives Sin no Right or Title All men have originally another Lord unto whom they owe all Obedience nor can any thing discharge them from their Allegiance thereunto And this is the Law of God. The Apostle saith indeed that unto whom Men yield themselves servants to obey his Servants they are to whom they obey whether of Sin unto Death or of Obedience unto Righteousness v. 19. And so it is men are thereby the proper Servants of Sin they become so by their own voluntary Subjection unto it But this gives Sin no Title against the Law of God whose Right alone it is to bear sway in the souls of men For all that give up themselves to the service of Sin do live in actual Rebellion against their natural Leige Lord. Hence sundry things do follow First THE great Aggravation of the evil of a state of Sin. Men who live therein do voluntarily wrest themselves what lieth in them from under the Rule of the Law of God and give up themselves to be slaves unto this Tyrant Could it lay any claim to this Dominion had it any Title to plead it were some Alleviation of Guilt in them that give up themselves unto it But men yield up themselves to the slavery of sin as the Apostle speaks they reject the Rule of God's Law and chuse this foreign yoke which cannot but be an aggravation of their sin and misery Yet so it is that the greatest part of men do visibly and openly profess themselves the servants and slaves of Sin. They wear its Livery and do all its Drudgery yea they boast themselves in their Bondage and never think themselves so Brave and Gallant as when by profane Swearing Drunkenness Uncleanness Covetousness and Scoffing at Religion they openly disavow the Lord whom they serve the Master to whom they do belong But their Damnation sleepeth not whatever they may dream in the mean time 2. HENCE it follows that ordinarily all Men have a Right in themselves to cast off the Rule of Sin and to vindicate themselves into liberty They may when they will plead the Right and Title of the Law of God unto the Rule of their Souls to the utter Exclusion of all Pleas and Pretences of Sin for its Power They have Right to say unto it Get thee hence what have I to do any more with Idols ALL Men I say have this Right in themselves because of the natural Allegeance they owe to the Law of God but they have not Power of themselves to execute this Right and actually to cast off the yoke of sin but this is the work of Grace Sin 's Dominion is broke only by Grace BUT you will say then Unto what end serves this Right if they have not Power in themselves to put it in Execution And how can it be charged as an Aggravation of their sin that they do not use the Right which they have seeing they have no Power so to do Will you blame a Man that hath a Right to an Estate if he do not recover it when he hath no means so to do I answer briefly Three Things 1st NO Man living neglects the use of this Right to cast off the Yoke and Dominion of Sin because he cannot of himself make use of it but meerly because he will not He doth voluntarily chuse to continue under the Power of Sin and looks on every thing as his Enemy that would deliver him The carnal Mind is Enmity against God it is not subject unto his Law nor can it be Rom. viii 7. When the Law comes at any time to claim its Right and Rule over the Soul a Man under the Power of Sin looks on it as his Enemy that comes to disturb his Peace and fortifies his mind against it And when the Gospel comes and tenders the way and means for the Souls delivery offering its aid and assistance unto that end this also is looked on as an Enemy and is rejected and all
its offers unto that end See Prov. i. 20 21 22 23 24 25. and John iii. 19. This then is the Condition of every one that abides under the Dominion of Sin He chuses so to do he continues in that state by an act of his own Will he avows an Enmity unto every thing which would give him deliverance which will be a sore Aggravation of his Condemnation at the last day 2ly GOD may justly require that of any which it is in the Power of the Grace of the Gospel to enable them to perform and comply withal For this is tendred unto them in the Preaching of it every day And although we know not the ways and means of the effectual Communication of Grace unto the Souls of men yet this is certain that Grace is so tendred in the preaching of the Gospel that none go without it none are destitute of its aids and assistances but those alone who by a free act of their own Wills do refuse and reject it This is that which the whole Cause depends on You will not come unto me that you may have Life And this all Unbelievers have or may have Experience of in themselves They may know on a due Examination of themselves that they do voluntarily refuse the assistance of Grace which is offered for their deliverance Therefore is their destruction of themselves But 3ly THERE is a time when Men lose even the Right also He who gave up himself to have his Ear bored lost all his claim unto future Liberty he was not to go out at the year of Jubile So there is a Time when God judicially gives up Men to the Rule of Sin to abide under it for ever so as that they lose all Right unto Liberty So he dealt with many of the Idolatrous Gentiles of old Rom. i. 24 26 28. and so continues to deal with the like profligate Sinners So he acts towards the generality of the Anti-christian World 2 Thess. ii 11 12. and with many despisers of the Gospel Isa. vi 9 10. When it is come to this Men are cast at Law and have lost all Right and Title unto Liberty from the Dominion of Sin. They may repine sometimes at the Service of Sin or the Consequence of it in Shame and Pain in the shameful Distempers that will pursue many in their Uncleanness yet God having given them up judicially unto Sin they have not so much as a Right to put up one Prayer or Petition for deliverance nor will they do so but are bound in the fetters of cursed Presumption or Despair See their Work and Wages Rom. ii 5 6. This is the most woeful state and condition of Sinners in this World an unavoidable entrance into the Chambers of Death You that have lived long under the power of Sin beware least that come upon you which is spoken of in these Scriptures You have as yet a Right unto deliverance from that bondage and servitude wherein you are if you put in your Claim in the Court of Heaven You know not how soon you may be deprived of this also by God's giving you up judicially unto Sin and Satan Then all Complaints will be too late and all springs of endeavours for Relief be utterly dry'd up All your Reserves for a future Repentance shall be cut off and all your Cries shall be despised Prov. i. 25 26 27 28 29. Whilst it is yet called to day harden not your hearts least God swear in his wrath that you shall never enter into his Rest. THAT you may be warned take notice that the Signs or Symptoms of the approach of such a season of such an irrecoverable condition are 1. a long continuance in the practice of any known sin There are bounds of divine Patience The long suffering of God for a time waits for Repentance 1 Pet. iij. 20. 2 Pet. iij. 9. But there is a time when it doth only endure Vessels of Wrath fitted for Destruction Rom. ix 22. which is commonly after a long continuance in known sin 2. When Convictions have been digested and Warnings despised God doth not usually deal thus with Men until they have rejected the means of their Deliverance There is a Generation indeed who from their youth up do live in a contempt of God such are those proud sinners whom the Psalmist describes Psal. x. 2 3 4 5 6 7 c. There are seldom any tokens of the going forth of the Decree against this sort of Men. The appearing evidences of it are their adding drunkenness unto thirst one kind of sin unto another making a visible Progress in sinning adding boasting and a profane Contempt of all things Sacred unto their Course in Sin. But ordinarily those that are in danger of this judicial Hardness have had warnings and convictions which made some impression on them but are now left without any Calls and Rebukes or at least any sense of them 3 When Men contract the guilt of such Sins as seem to entrench on the unpardonable sin against the Holy Ghost Such as proud contemptuous malicious Reproaches of the ways of God of Holiness of the Spirit of Christ and his Gospel This sort of Persons are frequently marked in the Scripture as those who at least are nigh unto a final and fatal Rejection 4. A voluntary relinquishment of the means of Grace and Conversion unto God which men have enjoy'd And this is commonly accompanied with an hatred of the word and those by whom it is dispensed Such Persons God frequently and that visibly gives up in an irrecoverable way unto the dominion of Sin. He declares that he will have no more to do with them 5. The resolved choise of wicked profane unclean scoffing Society It is very rare that any are recovered from that snare And many other Signs there are of the near approach of such an hardning Judgment as shall give up men everlastingly to the service of Sin. Oh that poor Sinners would awake before it be too late 2. THIS Dominion of Sin is evil and perverse not only because it is unjust and usurped but because it is always used and exercised unto ill Ends unto the Hurt and Ruine of them over whom it is An Usurper may make use of his Power and Rule for good Ends for the good of them over whom he rules But all the ends of the Dominion of sin are evil unto sinners Sin in its Rule will pretend fair offer sundry advantages and satisfactions unto their Minds They shall have Wages for their Work Pleasure and Profit shall come in by it Yea on divers pretences it will promise them eternal Rest at the close of all at least that they shall not fail of it by any thing they do in its service And by such means it keeps them in security But the whole real Design of it that which in all its Power it operates towards is the eternal Ruine of their Souls and this Sinners will understand when it is too late Jerem. ij
the Word though it be the Case of multitudes that attend unto it 2. TO satisfie some that Sin hath not the Dominion over them notwithstanding its restless acting it self in them and waring against their Souls yet unless this can be done it is impossible they should enjoy solid Peace and Comfort in this Life And the Concernment of the best of Believers whilst they are in this World doth lie herein For as they grow in Light Spirituality Experience freedom of Mind and Humility the more they love to know of the Deceit Activity and Power of the Remainders of Sin. And although it works not at all at least not sensibly in them towards those Sins wherein it reigneth and rageth in others yet they are able to discern its more subtil inward and spiritual Actings in the Mind and Heart to the weakning of Grace the obstructing of its effectual Operations in holy Duties with many indispositions unto stability in the Life of God which fills them with trouble CHAP. III. The Second Enquiry spoken to Whether Sin hath Dominion in us or no In answer to which it 's shewed That some wear Sin 's Livery and they are the professed Servants thereof There are many in which the Case is dubious where Sin 's service is not so discernable Several Exceptions are put in against its Dominion where it seems to prevail Some certain Signs of its Dominion Graces and Duties to be exercised for its Mortification THESE things being thus premised in general concerning the Nature of the Dominion of Sin we shall now proceed unto our principal Enquiry namely Whether Sin have Dominion in us or no whereby we may know Whether we are under the Law or under Grace or what is the state of our Souls towards God. An Enquiry this is which is very necessary for some to make and for all to have rightly determined in their Minds from Scripture and Experience For on that determination depends all our solid Peace Sin will be in us it will lust fight and entice us but the great Question as unto our 〈◊〉 and Comfort is whether it hath Dominion over us or no 1. WE do not enquire concerning them in whom the reign of Sin is absolute and easily discernable if not to themselves yet to others Such there are who visibly yield up their Members instruments of Vnrighteousness to Sin Rom. vi 13. Sin reigns in their mortal Bodies and they openly obey it in the Lusts thereof v. 12. They are avowedly Servants of Sin unto Death v. 16. and are not ashamed of it The shew of their Countenance doth witness against them they declare their Sin as Sodom they hide it not Isa. iij. 9. Such are those described Eph. iv 18 19. and such the World is filled withal Such as being under the Power of Darkness and Enmity against God do act them in opposition to all serious Godliness and in the service of various Lusts. There is no question concerning their state They cannot themselves deny that it is so with them I speak not for the liberty of Censuring but for the easiness of Judging Those who openly wear Sin 's Livery may well be esteemed to be Sin 's Servants and they shall not fail to receive Sin 's Wages Let them at present bear it never so high and despise all manner of Convictions they will find it bitterness in the latter end Isa. l. 11. Eccles. xi 9. 2. BUT there are many in whom the case is dubious and not easie to be determined for on the one hand they may have sundry things in them which seem repugnant unto the reign of Sin but indeed are not inconsistent with it All Arguments and Pleas from them in their vindication may fail them on a trial And on the other hand there may be some in whom the effectual working of sin may be so great and perplexing as to argue that it hath the dominion when indeed it hath not but is only a stubborn Rebel THE things of the first sort which seem destructive of and inconsistent with the Dominion of Sin but indeed are not may be referred to five Heads 1. ILLVMINATION in Knowledge and spiritual Gifts with Convictions of Good and Evil of all known Duties and Sins This is that which some Men live in a perpetual Rebellion against in one instance or another 2. A Change in the Affections giving a temporary Delight in Religious Duties with some constancy in their Observations This also is found in many who are yet evidently under the Power of Sin and spiritual Darkness 3. A Performance of many Duties both Moral and Evangelical for the substance of them and an Abstinence out of Conscience from many Sins So was it with the Young Man in the Gospel who yet wanted what was necessary to free him from the Dominion of Sin Matth. xix 20 21 22 23. 4. REPENTANCE for Sin committed This is that which most secure themselves by and a blessed security it is when it is Gracious Evangelical a fruit of Faith comprizing the Return of the whole Soul to God. But there is that which is legal partial respecting particular Sins only which is not pleadable in this Case Ahab was no less under the Dominion of Sin when he had Repented him that he was before And Judas Repented him before he hanged himself 5. PROMISES and Resolutions against Sin for the future But the Goodness of many in these things is like the morning Cloud and as the early Dew it passeth away as it is in the Prophet Hos. vi 4. WHERE there is a Concurrence of these things in any they have good hopes at least that they are not under the Dominion of Sin nor is it easie to convince them that they are And they may so behave themselves herein as that it is not consistent with Christian Charity to pronounce them so to be Howbeit the fallacy that is in these things hath been detected by many and much more is by all required to evidence the sincerity of Faith and Holiness No Man therefore can be acquitted by pleas taken from them as unto their subjection to the Reign of Sin. THE things of the second sort whence Arguments may be taken to prove the Dominion of Sin in any Person which yet will not certainly do it are those which we shall now examine And we must observe 1. THAT where Sin hath the Dominion it doth indeed rule in the whole Soul and all the faculties of it It is a vitious Habit in all of them corrupting them in their several Natures and Power with that Corruption whereof they are capable So in the Mind of Darkness and Vanity the Will of Spiritual Deceit and Perversness the Heart of Stubbornness and Sensuality Sin in its Power reaches unto and affects them all But 2. IT doth evidence its Dominion and is to be tryed by its acting in the distinct Faculties of the Mind in the frame of the Heart and in the course of the Life THESE are those
serve only to cheat and quiet Conscience for an hour or a day and then vanish into nothing But whatever be the Case of this Neglect those in whom it is will pine away in their Sins For nothing but the Death of Christ for us will be the death of Sin in us Secondly Another Duty necessary unto this end is continual Prayer and this to be considered as unto its Application to the prevalency of any particular Lust wherein Sin doth in a peculiar manner exert its Power This is the great Ordinance of God for its Mortification For 1. HEREBY we obtain spiritual Aids and Supplies of strength against it We are not more necessarily and fervently to pray that Sin may be pardoned as to its guilt than we are that it may be subdued as to its power He who is negligent in the latter is never in good earnest in the former The Pressures and Troubles which we receive from the Power of Sin are as pungent on the Mind as those from its Guilt are on the Conscience Meer pardon of Sin will never give Peace unto a Soul though it can have none without it It must be mortified also or we can have no spiritual Rest. Now this is the work of Prayer namely to seek and obtain such supplies of mortifying sanctifying Grace as whereby the Power of Sin may be broken its Strength abated its Root withered its Life destroyed and so the whole Old Man crucified That which was the Apostles request for the Thessalonians is the daily Prayer of all Believers for themselves 1 Thes. v. 23. 2. A constant Attendance unto this Duty in a due manner will preserve the Soul in such a frame as wherein Sin cannot habitually prevail in it He that can live in sin and abide in the ordinary duties of Prayer doth never once Pray as he ought Formality or some secret Reserve or other vitiates the whole A truly gracious praying Frame wherein we pray always is utterly inconsistent with the love of or reserve for any sin To pray well is to pray always that is to keep the Heart always in that frame which is required in Prayer And where this is sin can have no Rule no nor quiet Harbour in the Soul. 3. IT is the Soul 's immediate Conflict against the Power of sin Sin in it is formally considered as the Soul's Enemy which fights against it In Prayer the Soul sets it self to graple with it to wound kill and destroy It is that whereby it applies all its spiritual Engines unto its utter Ruine herein it exerciseth a gracious abhorrency of it a clear self-condemnation on the account of it and engageth Faith on all the Promises of God for its Conquest and Destruction IT is hence evident that if Sin hath prevailed in the Mind unto a negligence of this Duty either in general or as unto the effectual Application of it unto any especial Case where it exerts its Power it is an ill Symptom of the Dominion of Sin in the soul. IT is certain that unmortified sin sin indulged unto will gradually work out all due regard unto this duty of Prayer and alienate the mind from it either as unto the matter or manner of its performance We see this exemplified every day in Apostate Professors They have had a Gift of Prayer and were constant in the Exercise of it but the love of sin and living in it hath devoured their Gifts and wholly taken off their minds from the Duty it self which is the proper Character of Hypocrites will he delight himself in the Almighty Will he always call upon God Job xxvij 10. He may do so for a Season but falling under the power of sin he will not continue so to do NOW because sin useth great Deceit herein in a gradual Progress for attaining its End and thereby securing its Dominion we may in a way of warning or caution take notice of some of its steps that the Entrances of it may be opposed For as the Entrance of God's Word giveth Light Psal. cxix 130. the first puttings forth of its Power on the Soul gives spiritual Light unto the Mind which is to be improved so the Entrance of sin the first actings of it on the Mind towards the neglect of this Duty brings a deceiving darkness with them which is to be opposed 1. It will produce in the mind an unreadiness unto this duty in its proper Seasons The heart should always rejoice in the approach of such seasons because of the delight in God which it hath in them To rejoice and be glad in all our approaches unto God is every way required of us and therefore with the Thoughts of and in the approach of such seasons we ought to groan in our selves for such a preparedness of Mind as may render us meet for that Converse with God which we are called unto But where Sin begins to prevail all things will be unready and out of order Strange Tergiversations will rise in the mind either as unto the duty it self or as unto the manner of its performance Customariness and Formality are the Principles which act themselves in this Case The Body seems to carry the Mind to the Duty whether it will or no rather than the Mind to lead the Body in its part of it And it will employ it self in any thing rather than in the Work and Duty that lies before it HEREIN then lies a great part of our Wisdom in obviating the power of sin in us Let us keep our hearts continually in a gracious Disposition and readiness for this Duty in all its proper seasons If you lose this ground you will yet go more backwards continually Know therefore that there is no more effectual preservative of the soul from the power of sin than a gracious readiness for and disposition unto this duty in private and publick according to its proper seasons 2. IN its Progress unto unreadiness it will add unwillingness for the Mind prepossessed by sin finds it directly contrary unto its present Interest Disposition and Inclination There is nothing in it but what troubles and disquiets them as he said of the Prophet who was not willing to hear him any more it speaks not good but evil of them continually Hence a secret unwillingness prevails in the mind and an aversation from a serious Engagement in it And the Attendance of such Persons to it is as if they were under a force in a compliance with Custom and Convictions 3. SIN will at length prevail unto a total neglect of this Duty This is an Observation confirmed by long Experience If Prayer do not constantly endeavour the ruine of Sin sin will ruine Prayer and utterly alienate the Soul from it This is the way of Backsliders in heart as they grow in sin they decay in prayer until they are weary of it and utterly relinquish it So they speak Mal. i. 13. Behold what a weariness it is and ye have snuffed at it They look on it
Judge Curse and Condemn them THERE is therefore no help to be expected against the Dominion of Sin from the Law. It was never ordained of God unto that End nor doth it contain nor is it communicative of the Grace necessary unto that End Rom. viij 3. WHEREFORE those who are under the Law are under the Dominion of Sin. The Law is holy but it cannot make them holy who have made themselves unholy It is just but it cannot make them so it cannot justify them whom it doth condemn It is good but can do them no good as unto their deliverance from the Power of Sin God hath not appointed it unto that End. Sin will never be dethroned by it it will not give place unto the Law neither in its Title nor its Power THOSE who are under the Law will at some seasons endeavour to shake off the Yoke of Sin and resolve to be no longer under its Power As 1. WHEN the Law presseth on their Consciences perplexing and disquieting of them The Commandment comes home unto them Sin reviveth and they die Rom vij 9 10. That is it gives power to Sin to slay the hopes of the Sinner and to distress him with the Apprehension of Guilt and Death For the strength of Sin is the Law 1 Cor. xv 56. The Power it hath to disquiet and condemn Sinners is in and by the Law. When it is thus with Sinners when the Law presseth them with a sense of the Guilt of Sin and deprives them of all Rest and Peace in their minds they will resolve to cast off the Yoke of Sin to relinquish its service that they may be freed from the Urgency of the Law on their Consciences And they will endeavour it in some Instances of Duty and Abstinence from Sin. 2. THEY will do the same under surprizals with Sickness Pain Dangers or Death it self Then they will cry and pray and promise to reform and set about it as they suppose in good earnest This Case is fully exemplified Psal. lxxviij 33 34 35 36 37. And it is manifest in daily Experience amongst multitudes There are few who are so seared and profligate but at such Seasons they will think of returning to God of relinquishing the service of Sin and vindicating themselves from under its Dominion And in some it worketh a lasting Change though no real Conversion doth ensue But with the most this Goodness is as the morning Cloud and as the early Dew so passeth it away 3. THE same Effect is produced in many by the preaching of the Word Some Arrow of Conviction is fastened in their Minds whereon their former ways displease them and they judge it is better for them to change the Course of their Lives and to relinquish the service of Sin These Resolutions for the most part abide with them according to the Society which they have or fall into Good Society may much help them in their Resolves for a time when by that which is evil and corrupt they are presently extinguished 4. SOMETIMES merciful endearing Providences will have the same effect on the Minds of Men not obdurate in Sin. Such are deliverances from imminent dangers sparing the lives of near Relations and the like IN such seasons Men under the Law will attend unto their Convictions and endeavour for a while to shake off the Yoke of Sin. They will attend unto what the Law saith under whose Power they are and endeavour a compliance therewith many duties shall be performed and many Evils abstained from in order to the quitting themselves of Sin 's Dominion But alas the Law cannot enable them hereunto It cannot give them life and strength to go through with what their Convictions press them unto therefore after a while they begin to faint and wax weary in their Progress and at length give quite over It may be they may break off from some great Sins in particular but shake off the Whole Dominion â—f Sin they cannot IT is otherwise with them that are under Grace Sin shall not have Dominion over them strength shall be administred unto them to dethrone it GRACE is a word of various Acceptations in the Scripture As we are here said to be under it and as it is opposed unto the Law it is used or taken for the Gospel as it is the Instrument of God for the Communication of himself and his Grace by Jesus Christ unto those that do believe with that state of Acceptation with himself which they are brought into thereby Rom. v. 1 2. Wherefore to be under Grace is to have an Interest in the Gospel Covenant and State with a Right unto all the Privileges and Benefits thereof to be brought under the Administration of Grace by Jesus Christ to be a true Believer BUT the Enquiry hereon is how it follows from hence that Sin shall not have Dominion over us that Sin cannot extend its Territories and Rule into that state and in what sence this is affirmed 1. IS it that there shall be no Sin in them any more Even this is true in some sence Sin as unto its condemning Power hath no place in this State Rom. viij 1. All the sins of them that believe are expiated or done away as to the guilt of them in the Blood of Christ Heb. i. 2. 1 Joh. i. 7. This branch of the Dominion of Sin which consists in its condemning Power is utterly cast out of this state But Sin as unto its Being and Operation doth still continue in Believers whilst they are in this World They are all sensible of it Those who deceive themselves with a contrary apprehension are most of all under the Power of it 1 Joh. i. 8. Wherefore to be freed from the Dominion of Sin is not to be freed absolutely from all Sin so as that it should in no sence abide in us any more This is not to be under Grace but to be in Glory 2. IS it that sin though it abides yet it shall not fight nor contend for Dominion in us That this is otherwise we have before declared Scripture and the universal Experience of all that believe do testifie the contrary So doth the assurance here given us that it shall not obtain that Dominion For if it did not contend for it there could be no Grace in this Promise There is none in Deliverance from that whereof we are in no danger BUT the Assurance here given is built on other Considerations whereof the First is That the Gospel is the means ordained and Instrument used by God for the Communication of spiritual strength unto them that believe for the dethroning of Sin. It is the Power of God unto Salvation Rom. i. 16. that whereby and wherein he puts forth his Power unto that end And Sin must be really dethroned by the powerful acting of Grace in us and that in a way of duty in our selves We are absolved quitted freed from the Rule of Sin as unto its pretended Right and Title by the
up unto a due Exercise all things will go backward in our spiritual Condition 4. MAKE especial Application unto the Lord Christ unto whom the Administration of all spiritual supplies is committed for the Communication 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 Sathan when he had that answer from God 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 makes it forgetful of Duties negligent in them or without spiritual delight in their performance Hath it almost habituated the Soul unto careless and corrupt Inclinations 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 controul the Power of sin in them all This under the consideration of his Office and Authority unto this End his Grace and readiness from especial Inducements we are directed unto Heb. iv 14 15 16. 5. REMEMBER always the Way and Method of the Operations of divine Grace and spiritual Aids It is true in our first Conversion to God we are as it were surprized 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 Operations 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 it self is performed by an immediate act of divine power without any active co-operation on our parts 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 if at the same time we are not diligent in attendance unto all the Duties whereby Sin may be mortified in us we are exceedingly injurious to the Grace of God. WHEREFORE notwithstanding this Objection the Truth stands firm that Sin shall not have Dominion over us because we are not under the Law but under Grace because of the spiritual Aids that are administred by Grace for its mortification and destruction Secondly THE Law gives no Liberty of any kind it gendreth 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 two-fold Liberty 1. Of State and Condition 2. Of internâ—â— 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 Sathan 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 1 Cor. iij. 17. This Liberty Christ proclaims in the Gospel unto all that do believe Isa. lxi 1. Hereon they who hear and receive 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 Sathan and Darkness Herein indeed lies the Foundation 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 inward powerful Chains of Sin with an ability to act all â—â—e 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 administred in it to live unto God and to walk in all his Commandments And this also gives Evidence unto the Truth of the Apostles Assertion Thirdly THE Law doth not supply us with effectual Motives and Encouragements to endeavour the Ruine of the Dominion of Sin in a way of Duty which must be done or in the End it will prevail It works only by fear and dread with threatnings and terrors of Destruction For although it says also Do this and live yet withal it discovers such an impossibility in our Nature to comply with its Commands in the way and manner wherein it enjoins them that the very promise of it becomes a matter of Terror as including the contrary Sentence of Death upon our Failure in its commands Now these things enervate weaken and discourage the Soul in its Conflict against Sin They give it no Life Activity Chearfulness or Courage in what they undertake Hence those who engage themselves into an Opposition unto Sin or a Relinquishment of its Service meerly on the Motives of the Law do quickly faint and give over We see it so with many every Day One Day they will forsake all sin their beloved sin with the Company and Occasions enducing them thereunto The Law hath frighted them with divine Vengeance And sometimes they proceed so far in this Resolution they seem escaped the Pollution of the World yet soon again they return to their former Ways and Follies 2 Pet. ij 20 21 22. Their goodness is as the morning Cloud and as the early Dew so passeth it away Or if they do not return to wallow in the same Mire of their former Pollutions they betake themselves to the shades of some superstitious Observances as it is in the Papacy For they openly succeed into the Room of the Jews who being ignorant of the Righteousness of God and not submitting thereunto went about variously to establish their own Righteousness as the Apostle speaks Rom. x. 3 4. For in that Apostate
Church where men are wrought on by the Terrors of the Law to relinquish Sin and set themselves in opposition unto its Power finding themselves altogether unable to do it by the works of the Law it self which must be perfectly holy they betake themselves to a number of superstitious Observances which they trust unto in the room of the Law with its Commands and Duties But the Law makes nothing perfect nor are the Motives it gives for the ruine of the Interest of Sin in us able to bear us out and carry us through that undertaking BUT the Motives and Encouragements given by Grace to endeavour the utter ruine of sin in a way of Duty are such as give Life Chearfulness Courage and Perseverance they continually animate relieve and revive the Soul in all its Work and Duty keeping it from fainting and despondency For they are all taken from the Love of God and of Christ from the whole Work and End of his Mediation from the ready Assistances of the Holy Ghost from all the Promises of the Gospel from their own with other Believers Experiences all giving them the highest Assurance of final Success and Victory When the Soul is under the Influences of these Motives whatever difficulty and opposition it meets withal from solliciting Temptations or Surprizals it will renew its strength it will run and not be weary it will walk and not faint according to the Promise Isa. xl 31. Fourthly CHRIST is not in the Law he is not proposed in it not communicated by it we are not made partakers of him thereby This is the work of Grace of the Gospel In it is Christ revealed by it he is proposed and exhibited unto us thereby are we made partakers of him and all the Benefits of his Mediation And he it is alone who came to and can destroy this Work of the Devil The Dominion of Sin is the complement of the Works of the Devil where all his designs center This the Son of God was manifest to destroy He alone ruines the Kingdom of Sathan whose power is acted in the Rule of Sin. Wherefore hereunto our Assurance of this comfortable Truth is principally resolved and what Christ hath done and doth for this End is a great part of the subject of Gospel Revelation THE like may be spoken of the Communication of the Holy Spirit which is the only principal efficient Cause of the ruine of the Dominion of Sin. For where the Spirit of Christ is there is liberty and no where else But we receive this Spirit not by the works of the Law but by the hearing of Faith Gal. iij. 2. CHAP. VI. The Practical Observations drawn from and Application made of the whole Text. HAVING opened the Words and made some Improvement of them I shall now take one or two Observations from the design of them and issue the whole in a Word of Application I. IT is an unspeakable Mercy and Privilege to be delivered from the Dominion of Sin. As such it is here proposed by the Apostle as such it is esteemed by them that believe Nothing is more sweet precious and valuable unto a Soul conflicting with Sin and Temptation than to hear that Sin shall not have the Dominion over them Ah what would some give that it might be spoken unto them with Power so as that they might stedfastly believe it and have the Comfort of it Fools make a mock of Sin and some glory in the service of it which is their shame But those who understand any thing aright either of what is present or what is to come do know that this freedom from its Dominion is an unvaluable Mercy And we may consider the Grounds which Evidence it so to be 1. IT appears so to be from the causes of it It is that which no man can by his own Power and the utmost of his Endeavours attain unto Men by them may grow rich or Wise or Learned but no Man by them can shake off the Yoke of Sin. If a Man had all the Wealth of the World he could not by it purchase this Liberty it would be despised And when Sinners go hence to the place where the Rich Man was tormented and have nothing more to do with this World they would give it all if they had it for an Interest in this Liberty IT is that which the Law and all the Duties of it cannot procure The Law and its Duties as we have declared can never destroy the Dominion of Sin. All Men will find the Truth hereof that ever come to fall under the Power of real Conviction When Sin presseth on them and they are affraid of its Consequents they will find that the Law is weak and the Flesh is weak and their Duties are weak their Resolutions and Vows are weak all insufficient to relieve them And if they think themselves freed one day they shall find the next that they are under Bondage Sin for all this will rule over them with force and rigour And in this condition do some spend all their Days in this World. They kindle sparks of their own and walk in the Light of them until they lie down in darkness and sorrow They Sin and promise amendment and endeavour Recompences by some Duties yet can never extricate themselves from the Yoke of Sin. We may therefore learn the Excellency of this Privilege first from its Causes whereof I shall mention some only 1. THE meritorious procuring Cause of this Liberty is the Death and Blood of Jesus Christ. So is it declared 1 Pet. i. 18 19. 1 Cor. vi 20. Chap. vij 23. Nothing else could purchase this Freedom Under the Power and Dominion of Sin we were and could not be delivered without a Ransom Christ died and rose and lives again that he might be our Lord Rom. xiv 9. and so deliver us from the Power of all other Lords whatever It is true there was no Ransom due to Sin or Sathan who was the Author of it They were to be dethroned or destroyed by an Act of Power Both the Devil and Sin which is his work are to be destroyed not appeased Heb. ij 14. 1 John iij. 8. But the strength of Sin is the Law 1 Cor. xv 56. that is through the righteous Sentence of God we were held by the Law obnoxious unto the condemning Power of Sin. From that Law we could not be delivered but by this Price and Ransom Two Things hence follow 1. THOSE who live in Sin who willingly abide in the service of it and endure its Dominion do cast the utmost contempt on the Wisdom Love and Grace of Christ. They despise that which cost him so dear They judge that he made a very foolish purchace of this Liberty for us with his dearest Blood. Whatever it be they preferr the present satisfaction of their Lusts before it This is the Poison of Unbelief There is in it an high Contempt of the Wisdom and Love of Christ. The Language of Mens Hearts
that live in Sin is that the Liberty which he purchased with his Blood is not to be valued or esteemed They flatter him with their Lips in the outward performance of some duties but in their Hearts they despise him and the whole work of his Mediation But the time is approaching wherein they will learn the difference between the slavery of Sin and the Liberty wherewith Christ makes Believers free And this is that which is now tendred unto Sinners in the Dispensation of the Gospel Life and Death are here set before you chuse Life that ye may live for ever 2. LET those that are Believers in all their Conflicts with Sin live in the exercise of Faith on this purchace of Liberty made by the Blood of Christ. For two Things will hence ensue 1. That they will have a mighty Argument always in readiness to oppose unto the Deceit and Violence of Sin. The Soul will hereon say to its self shall I forego and part with that which Christ purchased for me at so dear a rate by giving place to the solicitations of Lust or Sin Shall I despise his purchace God forbid See Rom. vi 2. By such Arguings is the mind frequently preserved from closing with the Enticements and Seductions of Sin. 2. It is an effectual Argument for Faith to use in its pleading for deliverance from the Power of Sin. We ask for nothing but what Christ hath purchased for us And if this Plea be pursued it will be prevalent 2dly THE internal efficient cause of this Liberty or that whereby the Power and Rule of Sin is destroyed in us is the Holy Spirit himself which farther evinceth the greatness of this Mercy Every act for the Mortification of Sin is no less immediately from him than those positive Graces are whereby we are sanctified It is through the Spirit that we mortify the deeds of the Flesh Rom. viij 13. Where he is there and there alone is Liberty All attempts for the Mortification of Sin without his especial aids and Operations are frustrate And this manifests the Extent of the Dominion of Sin in the World. He alone by whom it can be destroyed and all those efficacious Operations of his whereby it is so are generally despised And they must live and die slaves unto Sin by whom they are so Wherefore a great part of our Wisdom for the attaining and preserving this Liberty consists in the acting of Faith on that promise of our Saviour that our heavenly Father will give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him of him When Sin in any Instance by any Temptation urgeth for Power and Rule in us we are ready to turn into our selves and our own Resolutions which in their place are not to be neglected But immediate crys unto God for such supplies of his Spirit as without which Sin will not be subdued we shall find our best Relief Bear it in mind try it on the next Occasion and God will bless it with success 3dly THE instrumental cause of this Freedom is the Duty of Believers themselves in and for the destruction of Sin. And this also manifests the importance of this Privilege This is one of the principal Ends of all our religious Duties of Prayer of Fasting of Meditation of Watchfulness unto all other Duties of Obedience they are all designed to prevent and ruine the Interest of Sin in us We are called into a Theater to fight and contend into a Field to be tried in a Warfare Our Enemy is this Sin which strives and contends for the Rule over us This we are to resist even unto blood that is our utmost in doing and suffering And certainly that is in it self and unto us of the highest Importance which on divine Appointment and Command is the great End of the constant Endeavours of our whole lives Secondly IT appears so to be from the consideration of the Bondage which we are delivered from thereby Bondage is that which humane nature is most averse from until it be debased and debauched by sensual Lusts. Men of ingenuous Spirits have in all Ages chosen rather to die than to be made slaves But there is no such Bondage as that which is under the Dominion of Sin. To be under the Power of base Lusts as Covetousness Uncleanness Drunkenness Ambition Pride and the like to make Provision to fulfil their Desires in the Wills of the Mind and the Flesh is the worst of slavery BUT we may say what we please on this subject none think themselves so free none make such an Appearance of generous Freedom unto others as those who are avowed servants of Sin. If those are not Freemen who do what they please and are for the most part approved in what they do who puff at all their Enemies and scorn such as pusillanimous Slaves who go not forth unto the same compass of excess with them who shall be esteemed free They plead with the Pharisees that they are the only Freemen and were never in Bondage to any The servile restraints of Fear from divine Judgment and future Accounts they wholly despise See the Description Psal. lxxiij 4 5 6 7 8 9 10. Who so free so joyous as such Persons as for others they are plagued all the day long and are chastened every morning v. 14. Yea they go heavily and mournfully under the oppression of this Enemy crying out continually for deliverance BUT the Truth insisted on is not at all impeached by this Observation It is a great part of the slavery of such Persons that they know not themselves to be Slaves and boast that they are free They are born in a state of Enmity against God and Bondage under Sin and they like well of it as all abject Slaves do under the worst of Tyrants they know no better But true Liberty consists in inward Peace Tranquillity of Mind Designs for and Inclinations unto the best things the most noble Objects of our natural rational Souls All these they are utter Strangers unto who spend their lives in the service of vile and base Lusts. Envy not their Gallantry their glistering appearances their heaps of Wealth and Treasures they are in the whole vile and contemptible Slaves The Apostle determines their Case Rom. vi 17. It is a matter of eternal thankfulness unto God that we are delivered from being the Servants of Sin. YEA it is an Evidence of Grace of a good frame of Spirit when a soul is made really sensible of the excellency of this Freedom when it so finds the Power and Interest of Sin to be weakned as that it can rejoice in it and be thankful to God for it Rom. vij 25. Thirdly IT is so with respect unto the End of this Bondage or what it brings Men unto If after all the base drudgery which sinful Men are put unto in the service of their Lusts if after all the Conflicts which their Consciences put them on with Fears and Terrors in the World they could expect
Duties without spiritual Courage and delight which will at length make it weary of them So 4. ALL Grace especially Faith will be weakened and impaired under this Frame continually 5. FEAR of Death will hold the Soul in Bondage wherefore it is highly necessary to have this Case well stated and determined in our Minds whereto if the foregoing Discourses may contribute any thing it is what was designed in them THERE remains only to give some few Directions how the prevalency of Sin unto such a Degree as to render the Case about its Rule dubious in the Mind may be obviated and prevented Some few of the many that might be given I shall propose 1. THE great Rule of preventing the encrease and power of vitious Habits is Watch against Beginnings Sin doth not attempt Dominion but in particular Instances by one especial Lust or another Wherefore if any Sin or corrupt Lust begin as it were to set up for a peculiar Predominancy or Interest in the Mind and Affections if it be not entertained with severe Mortification it will ruine the Peace if not endanger the safety of the Soul. And when this is so it may easily be discovered by any one who keepeth a diligent watch over his Heart and Ways For no Sin doth so entirely advance it self in the Mind and Affections but it is promoted therein either by Mens natural Inclinations or by their circumstances in occasions of Life or by some Temptation which they have exposed themselves unto or by some such neglect wherein the frequency of Acts have strengthened vitious Inclinations But these things may be easily discerned by those who are in any measure awake unto their Soul's Concernments THE strict charge given us by our Lord Jesus Christ to watch and that of the Wise Man above all keepings to keep our hearts have especial regard unto those beginnings of Sin 's obtaining Power in us So soon as a Discovery is made of its coincidence or conjunction with any of those ways of the promotion of its Power if it be not opposed with severe and diligent Mortification it will proceed in the method declared James i. 14 15. THOSE who would be wise must familiarize Wisdom unto their minds by a continual free Converse with it They must say unto Wisdom Thou art my Sister and call Understanding thy Kinswoman Prov. vij 4. So will Wisdom have Power in and over their Minds And if we suffer Sin by any of the Advantages mentioned to familiarize it self into our minds if we say not unto it Get thee hence upon the first appearance of its activity for Power in us it will put hard for the Thron 2. CAREFULLY enquire and try whether such things which you may do or approve of in your selves do not promote the Power of Sin and help on its Rule in you This Method David prescribes Psal. xix 12. Secret Sins such as are not known to be Sins it may be to our selves make way for those that are presumptuous Thus Pride may seem to be nothing but a Frame of Mind belonging unto our Wealth and Dignity or our Parts and Abilities sensuality may seem to be but a lawful Participation of the good things of this Life Passion and Peevishness but a due sence of the want of that respect which we suppose due unto us Covetousness a necessary care of our selves and our Families If the Seeds of Sin are covered with such Pretences they will in time spring up and bear bitter Fruit in the Minds and lives of Men. And the beginnings of all Apostasie both in Religion and Morality lie in such Pretences Men plead they can do so and so lawfully until they can do things openly unlawful 3. KEEP your Hearts always tender under the World. This is the true and only state of inconsistency with and repugnancy to the Rule of Sin. The loss hereof or a decay herein is that which hath opened the Flood-Gates of Sin amongst us Where this Frame is a consciencious Fear of Sinning will always prevail in the Soul where it is lost Men will be bold in all sorts of Follies And that this Frame may be preserved it is required 1. That we cast out all vicious Habits of Mind that are contrary unto it James i. 21. 2. That we preserve an Experience of its Power and Efficacy on our Souls 1 Pet. ij 1 2 3. 3. That we lay aside all Prejudices against those that dispence it Gal. iv 16. 4. To keep the Heart always humble in which Frame alone it is teachable Psal. xxv Every thing in the preaching of the Word comes cross and unpleasing to the Minds of Proud Men. 5. Pray for a Blessing on the Ministry which is the best preparation for receiving benefit by it 4. ABHORR that Peace of Mind which is consistent with any known Sin. Men may have frequent surprizals into known Sins but if whilst it is so with them they refuse all inward Peace but what comes in by most fervent and sincere desires of deliverance from them and Repentance for them they may be safe from the Dominion of Sin. But if Men can on any Hopes or Presumptions or Resolutions preserve a kind of Peace in their Minds whilst they live in any known Sin they are nigh the Borders of that security which is the Territory wherein Sin doth reign 5. MAKE continual Applications unto the Lord Christ in all the Acts of his Mediation for the Ruine of Sin especially when it attempts a Dominion in us Heb. iv 16. This is the Life and Soul of all Directions in this Case which needs not here to be enlarged on it is frequently spoken unto Lastly REMEMBER that a due sence of Deliverance from the Dominion of Sin is the most effectual Motive unto universal Obedience and Holiness as such it is proposed and managed by the Apostle Rom. vi FINIS