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
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
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
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
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