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
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
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
the Dominion of Sin when in any Instance it hath a prevalency in our Affections Yea they are the Throne of Sin where it acts its Power But this Case of the Affections I have handled so at large in my Discourse of spiritual Mindedness as I shall here very briefly speak unto it so as to give one Rule only to make a Judgment by concerning the Dominion of Sin in them THIS is certain that where Sin hath the Prevalency and Predominancy in our Affections there it hath the Dominion in the whole Soul. The Rule is given us unto this purpose 1 Joh. ij 15. We are obliged to love the Lord our God with all our Hearts and all our Souls And therefore if there be in us a predominant Love to any thing else whereby it is preferred unto God it must be from the Prevalency of a Principle of Sin in us And so it is with respect unto all other Affections If we love any thing more than God as we do if we will not part with it for his sake be it as a Right Eye or as a Right Hand unto us if we take more satisfaction and complacency in it and cleave more unto it in our Thoughts and Minds than unto God as Men commonly do in their Lusts Interests Enjoyments and Relations if we trust more to it as unto a supply of our wants than unto God as most do to the World if our Desires are enlarged and our Diligence heightned in seeking after and attaining other things more than towards the Love and Favour of God if we fear the Loss of other things or Danger from them more than we fear God we are not under the Rule of God or his Grace but we are under the Dominion of Sin which reigns in our Affections IT were endless to give Instances of this Power of Sin in and over the Affections of Men. Self-Love Love of the World Delight in things sensual an over-valuation of Relations and Enjoyments with sundry other things of an alike nature will easily evidence it And to resolve the Case under Consideration we may observe 1. THAT the prevalency of Sin in the Affections so far as to be a Symptom of its Dominion is discernable unto the least beam of spiritual Light with a diligent searching into and Judgment of our selves If it be so with any and they know it not nor will be convinced of it as it is with many I know not what can free them from being under the Reign of Sin. And we see it so every day Men all whose Ways and Actions proclaim that they are acted in all things by an inordinate Love of the World and Self yet find nothing amiss in themselves nothing that they do not approve of unless it be that their Desires are not satisfied according to their Expectations All the Commands we have in the Scripture for Self-Searching Trial and Examination all the Rules that are given us unto that End all the warnings we have of the Deceitfulness of Sin and of our own Hearts they are given us to prevent this Evil of shutting our Eyes against the prevalent Corruption and Disorder of our Affairs And the Issue of all our Endeavours in this kind is in the Appeal of David to God himself Psal. cxxxix 23 24. 2. WHEN Men have Convictions of the irregularity and disorder of their Affections yet are resolved to continue in the State wherein they are without the correction and amendment of them because of some Advantages and Satisfaction which they receive in their present State they seem to be under the Dominion of Sin. So is it with those mention'd Isa. vij 10. upon the Account of the present satisfaction delight and pleasure that their corrupt Affections do take in cleaving inordinately unto their Objects they will not endeavour their Change and Alteration 3. THIS then is the sole safe Rule in this Case Whatever hold Sin may have got in our Affections whatever prevalency it may have in them however it may entangle and desile them if we endeavour sincerely the discovery of this Evil and therein set our selves constantly unto the Mortification of our corrupt Affections by all due means there is not in their disorder any Argument to prove the Dominion of Sin in us Our Affections as they are corrupt are the proper Objects of the great Duty of Mortification which the Apostle therefore calls our Members that are on the Earth Col. iij. 5. This is a safe Anchor for the Soul in this Storm If it live in a sincere endeavour after the Mortification of every discoverable Corruption and Disorder in the Affections it is secure from the Dominion of Sin. But as for such as are negligent in searching after the State of their Souls as unto the Inclinations and Engagement of their Affections who approve of themselves in their greatest irregularities resolvedly indulge themselves in every way of Sin to gratifie their sensual Affections they must provide themselves of Pleas for their Vindication I know them not But the meaning of our present Rule will be farther manifest in what ensues 3dly IT is a dangerous sign of the Dominion of Sin when after a Conviction of their necessity it prevaileth unto a neglect of those ways and duties which are peculiarly suited directed and ordained unto its Mortification and Destruction This may be cleared in some particulars 1. MORTIFICATION of Sin is the constant Duty of all Believers of all who would not have Sin have Dominion over them Where Mortification is sincere there is no Dominion of Sin and where there is no Mortification there Sin doth reign 2. THERE are some Graces and Duties that are peculiarly suited and ordained unto this End that by them and their Agency the work of Mortification may be carried on constantly in our Souls What they are or some of them we shall see immediately 3. WHEN Sin puts forth its Power in any especial Lust or in a strong Inclination unto any actual Sin then it is the duty of the Soul to make diligent application of those Graces and Duties which are specifical and proper unto its Mortification 4. WHEN men have had a Conviction of these Duties and have attended unto them according unto that Conviction if Sin prevail in them to a neglect or relinquishment of those Duties as unto their performance or as unto their application unto the Mortification of Sin it is a dangerous sign that Sin hath Dominion in them And I distinguish between these things namely a neglect of such Duties as unto their performance and a neglect of the Application of them unto the Mortification of Sin. For men may on other Accounts continue the observance of them or some of them and yet not apply them unto this especial End. And so all external Duties may be observed when Sin reigneth in Triumph 2 Tim. iij. 5. THE meaning of the Assertion being stated I shall now name some of those Graces and Duties unto whose Omission and Neglect
be in Believers and they may be sensible of it to their Sorrow and Humilition THESE things and many more of the like nature proceed from Hardness of Heart or the remainder of our hardness by nature and are great promoters of the Interest of Sin in us But where any Persons are sensible of this Frame where they are humbled for it where they mourn under and cry out for its removal it is so far from being an Evidence of the Dominion of Sin over them in whom it is that it is an eminent sign of the contrary namely that the ruling Power of Sin is certainly broken and destroyed in the Soul. BUT there are other Instances of Hardness of Heart which have much more difficulty in them and which are hardly reconcilable unto the Rule of Grace I shall mention some of them 1. SECURITY and senseless under the guilt of great actual Sins I do not say this is or can at any time be absolute in any Believer But such it may be as whereon men may go on at their old Pace of Duties and Profession though without any peculiar Humiliation albeit they are under the provoking guilt of some known sin with its Aggravations It will recurr upon their Minds and Conscience unless it be seared will treat with them about it But they pass it over as that which they had rather forget and wear out of their minds then bring things unto their proper Issue by particular Repentance So it seems to have been with David after his Sin with Bathsheba I doubt not but that before the message of God to him by Nathan he had unpleasing Thoughts of what he had done But there is not the least Footsteps in the Story or any of his Prayers that he laid it seriously to heart and was humbled for it before This was a great Hardness of Heart and we know how difficult his Recovery from it was He was saved but as through Fire And where it is so with any one that hath been overtaken with any great Sin as Drunkenness or other Folly that he strives to wear it out to pass it over to forget it or give himself Countenance from any reasoning or consideration against the especial sense of it and humiliation for it he can during that State and Frame have no solid Evidence that Sin hath not the Dominion in him And let such Sinners be warned who have so passed over former Sins until they have utterly lost all sense of them or are under such a Frame at present that they recal things to another Account and suffer no such Sin to pass without a peculiar Humiliation or whatever be the final Issue of things with them they can have no solid ground of spiritual Peace in this World. 2. THERE is such a dangerous Hardness of Heart where the guilt of one Sin makes not the Soul watchful against another of another sort Where-ever the Heart is tender upon a surprizal into Sin it will not only watch against the returns thereof or relapses into it but will be made diligent heedful and careful against all other Sins whatever So is it with all that walk humbly under a sense of sin But when Men in such a state are careless bold and negligent so as that if they repeat not the same sin they are easily hurried into others Thus was it with Asa he was wroth with the Prophet that came unto him with a divine Message and smote him and cast him in Prison for he was in a Rage 2 Chron. xvi 10. A Man would think that when he was recovered out of this Distemper it might have made him humble and watchful against other Sins But it was not so for it is added that he oppressed some of the People at the same time and he rested not there but in his Disease he sought not to the Lord but unto Physicians unto Persecution he added Oppression and unto that Unbelief v. 12. yet notwithstanding all this the Heart of Asa was perfect with the Lord all his days 1 Kings xv 14. that is he had a prevalent Sincerity in him notwithstanding these Miscarriages But he was doubtless under the Power of great Hardness of Heart So is it with others in the like Cases when one sin makes them not careful and watchful against another As when men have stained themselves with Intemperance of Life they may fall into Excess of Passion in their Families and Relations or into a neglect of Duty or take any other crooked steps in their walk This argues a great Prevalency of Sin in the Soul although as we see in the Example of Asa it is not an infallible Evidence of its Dominion yet of that nature it is wherewith divine Peace and Consolation are inconsistent 3. WHEN men fall into such unspiritual Frames such deadness and decays as from which they are not recoverable by the ordinary means of Grace it is a certain Evidence of Hardness of Heart and the Prevalency of Sin therein It is so whether this be the fault of Churches or of perticular Persons The Preaching of the Word is the especial divine Ordinance for the healing and recovery of Backsliders in Heart or Life Where this will not effect it in any but they will go on frowardly in the ways of their own hearts unless God take some extraordinary course with them they are on the brink of Ruine and live on sovereign Grace alone THUS was it with David After his great Sin there is no doubt but he attended unto all Ordinances of divine Worship which are the ordinary means of the preservation and recovery of Sinners from their Backslidings Howbeit they had not this effect upon him he lived impenitently in his Sin until God was pleased to use extraordinary means in the especial Message of Nathan and the Death of his Child for his awakening and recovery AND thus God will deal sometimes with Churches and Persons Where ordinary means for their recovery will not effect it he will by sovereign Grace and it may be by a concurrence of Extraordinary Providence heal revive and save them So he promiseth to do Isa. lvij 16 17 18 19. BUT where this is trusted unto in the neglect of the ordinary means of healing seeing there is no direct Promise of it but it is a Case reserved unto absolute soveraignty the End may be bitterness and sorrow AND let them take heed who are under this Frame For although God may deliver them yet it will be by terrible things as Psal. lxv 5. Such terrible things as wherein he will take Vengeance of their Inventions Psal. xcix 8. though he do forgive them So David affirms of himself that God in his dealing with him had broken all his Bones Psal. li. 8. I fear this is the present Case of many Churches and Professors at this day It is evident that they are fallen under many spiritual decays Neither have the ordinary means of Grace Repentance and Humiliation though backed with various
to them that are sincere BUT on the other hand there are uncontroulable Evidences of the Dominion of Sin in Men some whereof I shall mention and only mention because they need neither Proof nor Illustration 1. IT is so where Sin hath possessed the Will. And it hath possessed the Will when there are no restraints from sinning taken from its Nature but its Consequents only 2. When Men proclaim their Sins and hide them not when they boast in in them and of them as it is with multitudes or 3. approve of themselves in any known Sin without renewed Repentance as Drunkenness Uncleanness Swearing and the like Or 4. Live in the Neglect of religious Duties in their Clossets and Families whence all their publick Attendance unto them is but Hypocrisy Or 5. Have an Enmity to true Holiness and the Power of Godliness Or 6. Are visible Apostates from Profession especially if they add as is usual Persecution to their Apostacy Or 7. Are ignorant of the sanctifying Principles of the Gospel and Christian Religion Or 8. Are Dispisers of the means of Conversion Or 9. Live in security under open providential Warnings and Calls to Repentance Or 10. Are Enemies in their Minds unto the true Interest of Christ in the World. Where these things and the like are found there is no Question what it is that hath Dominion and bears Rule in the Minds of Men. This all Men may easily know as the Apostle declares Rom. vi 16. CHAP. III. 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 dethrowns Sin and gives Dominion over it AND thus much hath been spoken unto the Second thing proposed at the Entrance of this Discourse namely an Enquiry Whether Sin have the Dominion in any of us or no I proceed unto that which offers it self from the words in the Third Place What is the assurance given us and what are the Grounds of it that Sin shall not have Dominion over us which lies in this That we are not under the Law but under Grace WHERE Men are engaged in a constant Conflict against Sin where they look upon it and judge it their chiefest Enemy which contends with them for their Souls and their eternal Ruine where they have Experience of its Power and Deceit and through the Efficacy of them have been often shaken in their Peace and Comfort where they have been ready to despond and say They shall One Day perish under their Powers It is a Gospel Word a Word of good Tidings that gives them Assurance that it shall never have Dominion over them THE Ground of this Assurance is That Believers are not under the Law but under Grace And the force of this Reason we may manifest in some few Instances 1. THE Law giveth no strength against Sin unto them that are under it but Grace doth Sin will neither be cast nor kept out of its Throne but by a spiritual Power and strength in the Soul to oppose conquer and dethrown it Where it is not conquered it will reign and conquered it will not be without a mighty prevailing Power This the Law will not cannot give THE Law is taken Two ways 1. For the whole Revelation of the Mind and Will of God in the Old Testament In this Sence it had Grace in it and so did give both Life and 〈◊〉 and strength against Sin as the Psalmist declares Psal. xix 7 8 9. In that sence it contained not only the Law of Precepts but the Promise also and the Covenant which was the means of conveying spiritual Life and Strength unto the Church in this sence it is not here spoken of nor is any where opposed unto Grace 2. For the Covenant Rule of perfect Obedience do this and live In this sence men are said to be under it in opposition unto being under Grace They are under its Power Rule Conditions and Authority as a Covenant And in this sence all men are under it who are not enstated in the New Covenant through Faith in Christ Jesus who sets up in them and over them the Rule of Grace For all Men must be one way or other under the Rule of God and he rules only by the Law or by Grace And none can be under both at the same time IN this sence the Law was never ordained of God to convey Grace or spiritual Strength unto the Souls of Men Had it been so the Promise and the Gospel had been needless If there had been a Law given which could have given Life verily Righteousness should have been by the Law Gal. iij. 21. If it could have given Life or Strength it would have produced Righteousness we should have been justified by it It discovers Sin and condemns it but gives no Strength to oppose it It is not God's Ordinance for the dethrowning of Sin nor for the Destruction of its Dominion THIS Law falls under a double consideration but in neither of them was designed to give Power or Strength against Sin. 1. AS it was given unto Mankind in the state of Innocency And it did then absolutely and exactly declare the whole Duty of Man whatever God in his Wisdom and Holiness did require of us It was God's Ruling of men according to the Principle of the Righteousness wherein he was created But it gave no new aids against Sin nor was there any need that so it should do It was not the Ordinance of God to administer new or more Grace unto Man but to rule and govern him according to what he had perceived And this it continueth to do for ever It claims and continues a Rule over all Men according to what they had and what they have But it never had power to barr the Entrance of Sin or to cast it out when it is once Enthroned 2dly AS it was renewed and enjoined unto the Church of Israel on Mount Sinai and with them unto all that would join themselves unto the Lord out of the Nations of the World. Yet neither was it then nor as such designed unto any such End as to destroy or dethrone Sin by an Administration of spiritual Strength and Grace It had some new Ends given then unto it which it had not in its original Constitution The principal whereof was to drive men to the Promise and Christ therein And this it doth by all the Acts and Powers of it on the Souls of Men. As it discovers Sin as it irritates and provokes it by its severity as it judgeth and condemneth it as it denounceth a Curse on Sinners it drives unto this End. For this was added of Grace in the Renovation of it this new End was given unto it in it self it hath nothing to do with Sinners but to
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
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
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