me from secret faults But yet he supposeth that these things are consistent with a state of Grace and acceptation with God. He had no thought of any absolute Perfection in this Life of any such condition as should not stand in need of continual cleansing and pardon Wherefore there are or may be such sins in Believers yea many of them which yet under a due Application unto God for purifying and pardoning Grace shall neither deprive us of Peace here nor endanger our Salvation hereafter BUT he speaks immediately of another sort of sins which partly from their Nature or what they are in themselves and partly from their Operation and Power will certainly prove destructive unto the Souls of men wherever they are V. 13. Keep back thy Servant also from presumptuous sins let them not have dominion over me then shall I be upright and I shall be innocent from the great Transgression THIS is the Hinge whereon the whole Cause and State of my Soul doth turn Although I am subject to many sins of various sorts yet under them all I can and do maintain my Integrity and Covenant Vprightness in walking with God and where I fail am kept within the reach of cleansing and pardoning mercy continually administred unto my Soul by Jesus Christ. But there is a state of Life in this World wherein Sin hath dominion over the Soul acting it self presumptuously wherewith Integrity and Freedom from condemning guilt are inconsistent THIS state therefore which is eternally ruinous unto the souls of men he deprecates with all earnestness praying to be kept and preserved from it WHAT he there so earnestly prays for the Apostle in the Words of the Text promiseth unto all Believers by virtue of the Grace of Christ Jesus administred in the Gospel Both the Prayer of the Prophet for himself and the Promise of the Apostle in the name of God unto us do manifest of how great importance this Matter is as we shall declare it to be immediately THERE are some things supposed or included in these words of the Apostle These we must first a little enquire into without which we cannot well understand the Truth it self proposed in them As IT is supposed that Sin doth still abide in and dwell with Believers For so is the meaning of the words That sin which is in you shall not have Dominion over you that is none of them who are not sensible of it who groan not to be delivered from it as the Apostle doth Rom. vij 24. Those who are otherwise minded know neither themselves nor what is sin nor wherein the Grace of the Gospel doth consist There is the Flesh remaining in every one which lusteth against the Spirit Gal. v. 17. And it adheres unto all the faculties of our souls whence it is called the old Man Rom. 6. 6. Ephes. 4. 22. in opposition unto the Renovation of our minds and all the faculties of them called the New Man or New Creature in us And there is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rom. xiij 14. a continual working and Provision to fulfil its own Lusts So that it abides in us in the way of a dying decaying Habit weakned and impaired but acting its self in Inclinations Motions and Desires suitable unto its Nature AS Scripture and Experience concurr herein so a supposition of it is the only ground of the whole Doctrine of Evangelical Mortification That this is a Duty a Duty incumbent on Believers all the days of their lives such a Duty as without which they can never perform any other in a due manner will not be denied by any but either such as are wholly under the Power of Atheistical Blindness or such as by the fever of spiritual Pride have lost the Understanding of their own miserable Condition and so lie dreaming about absolute Perfection With neither sort are we at present concerned Now the first proper Object of this Mortification is this sin that dwells in us It is the Flesh which is to be mortified the old Man which is to be crucified the Lusts of the Flesh with all their corrupt Inclinations Actings and Motions that are to be destroyed Rom. vi 6. Gal. v. 24. Col. iij. 1. Unless this be well fixed in the mind we cannot understand the greatness of the Grace and Privilege here expressed 2. IT is supposed that this Sin which in the remainders of it so abides in Believers in various degrees may put forth its Power in them to obtain Victory and Dominion over them It is first supposed that it hath this Dominion in some that it doth bear Rule over all Unbelievers all that are under the Law and then that it will strive to do the same in them that believe and are under Grace For affirming that it shall not have Dominion over us he grants that it may or doth contend for it only it shall not have success it shall not prevail Hence it is said to fight and war in us Rom. vij 23. and to fight against our Souls 1 Pet. ij 12. Now it thus fights and wars and contends in us for Dominion for that is the end of all War Whatever fights it doth it for Power and Rule THIS therefore is the general design of Sin in all its Actings These Actings are various according to the variety of Lusts in the minds of men but its general design in them all is Dominion Where any one is tempted and seduced of his own Lusts as the Apostle James speaks be it in a matter never so small or so unusual or the Temptations thereunto may never occurr again the design of sin lies not in the particular Temptation but to make it a means to obtain Dominion over the Soul. And the consideration hereof should keep Believers always on their guard against all the motions of Sin though the matter of them seem but small and the occasions of them such as are not like to return For the aim and tendancy of every one of them is Dominion and Death which they will compass if not stopt in their Progress as the Apostle there decalres James i. 14 15. Believe not its flatteries is it not a little one this is the first or shall be the last time It requires only a little place in the Mind and Affections it shall go no farther Give not place to its urgency and solicitations admit of none of its excuses or promises it is power over your Souls unto their Ruine that it aims at in all 3. THERE are two ways in general whereby sin acts its Power and aims at the obtaining this Dominion and they are the two only ways whereby any may design or attain an unjust Dominion and they are Deceit and Force both of which I have fully described in another Discourse With respect whereunto it is promised that the Lord Christ shall deliver the Souls of the Poor that cry unto him from Deceit and Violence Psal. lxxii 14. THESE are the two only ways of obtaining an unjust
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
by his actual Adultery but of his Heart by impure Imaginations So it may be in case of other Temptations Whilst Men are entangled with any Temptation of what sort soever it be it will multiply Thoughts about it in the Mind Yea its whole Power consists in a multiplication of Evil Imaginations By them it blinds the Mind draws it off from the consideration of its Duty and enticeth it unto a full conception of Sin Jam. i. 14. Wherefore in this Case of a prevalent Temptation which may befal a true Believer the corrupt working of the Imagination doth not prove the Dominion of sin IF it be enquired How the Mind may be freed and cleared of these perplexing defiling Imaginations which arise from the urgency of some present Temptation suppose about earthly Affairs or the like I say It will never be done by the most strict Watch and Resolution against them nor by the most resolute Rejection of them They will return with new Violence and new Pretences though the Soul hath promised it self a Thousand times that so they should not do There is but one way for the cure of this Distemper and this is a thorough Mortification of the Lust that feeds them and is fed by them It is to no purpose to shake of the Fruit in this case unless we dig up the Root Every Temptation designs the satisfaction of some Lusts of the Flesh or of the Mind These Evil Thoughts and Imaginations are the working of the Temptation in the Mind There is no riddance of them no conquest to be obtained over them but by subduing the Temptation and no subduing the Temptation but by the Mortification of the Lust whose satisfaction it is design'd unto This Course the Apostle directs unto Col. iij. 3 5. That which he enjoins is that we would not set our Minds on the things of the Earth in opposition unto the things above that is that we would not fill our Imaginations and thereby our Affections with them But what is the way whereby we may be enabled so to do that is saith he the universal Mortification of Sin v. 5. FOR want of the Wisdom and Knowledge hereof or for want of its Practice thorough a secret unwillingness to come up unto a full Mortification of Sin some are galled and perplexed yea and defiled with foolish and vain Imaginations all their days And although they prove not the Dominion of Sin yet they will deprive the Soul of that peace and comfort which otherwise it might Enjoy BUT yet there is much spiritual Skill and Diligence required to discover what is the true Root and Spring of the foolish Imaginations that may at any time possess the Mind For they lie deep in the Heart that Heart which is deep and deceitful and so are not easily discoverable There are many other Pretences of them They do not directly bespeak that Pride or unclean Lusts which they proceed from but they make many other Pretences and feign other Ends. But the Soul that is watchful and diligent may trace them to their Original And if such Thoughts are strictly examined at any time what is their design whose work they do what makes them so busie in the Mind they will confess the Truth both whence they came and what it is they aim at Then is the Mind guided unto its Duty which is the Extermination of the Lust which they would make Provision for 2. SUCH Imaginations are no Evidence of the Dominion of Sin in what degree soever they are where they are afflictive where they are a burthen unto the Soul which it groans under and would be delivered from There is a full account given by the Apostle of the conflict between indwelling Sin and Grace Rom. vij And the things which he ascribes unto Sin are not the first rising or involuntary Motions of it nor merely its Inclinatiâ—ns and Disposition For the things ascribed unto it as that it Fights Rebels Wars leads Captive acts as a Law cannot belong unto them nor doth he intend the outward acting or perpetration of Sin the doing or accomplishing or finishing of it For that cannot befal Believers as the Apostle declares 1 Joh. iij. 9. But it is the working of Sin by these Imaginations in the Mind and the Engagement of the Affections thereon that he doth intend Now this he declares to be the great burden of the Souls of Believers that which makes them think their Condition wretched and miserable in some sort and which they earnestly cry out for deliverance from v. 24. This is the present Case These Figments of the Heart these Imaginations will arise in the Minds of Men. They will do so sometimes to an high degree They will impose them on us with Deceit and Violence leading Captive unto the Law of them where they are rejected condemned defied they will return again while there is any Vanity remaining in the Mind or Corruption in the Affections But if the Soul be sensible of them if it labour under them if it look on them as those that fight against its Purity Holiness and Peace if it pray for deliverance from them they are no Argument of the Dominion of Sin. Yea a great Evidence unto the contrary may be taken from that firm Opposition unto them which the Mind is constantly engaged in 3. THEY are not a proof of the Dominion of Sin when there is a prevalent Detestation of the Lust from whence they proceed and whose promotion they design maintained in the Heart and Mind I confess sometimes this cannot be discovered and all such various Imaginations are but mere Effects of the incurable Vanity and Instability of our Minds For these administer continual occasion unto random Thoughts But for the most part as we observed before they are employed in the service of some Lust and tend unto the satisfaction of it They are that which is prohibited by the Apostle Rom. xiij 14. Make no provision c. And this may be discovered on strict Examination Now when the Mind is fixed in a constant detestation of that Sin whereunto they lead as it is Sin against God with a firm Resolution against it in all circumstances that may occur no proof can be thence taken for the Dominion of Sin. 4. SOMETIMES evil Thoughts are the immediate Injections of Sathan they are on many Accounts most terrible unto the Soul. Usually for the Matter of them they are dreadful and oft-times blasphemous And as unto the manner of their Entrance into the Mind it is for the most part surprizing furious and invisible From such Thoughts many have concluded themselves to be absolutely under the Power of Sin and Sathan But they are by certain Rules and infallible Signs discoverable from whence they do proceed And on that discovery all pretences unto the Dominion of Sin in them must disappear And this is the first Case which renders the Question dubious Whether Sin have the Dominion in us or no 2dly IT is a sign of
up unto a due Exercise all things will go backward in our spiritual Condition 4. MAKE especial Application unto the Lord Christ unto whom the Administration of all spiritual supplies is committed for the Communication of them unto you according unto all especial Occasions Hath sin got the advantage of a powerful Temptation so as that it seems to put hard for Dominion in the Soul as it was with Paul under the buffetings of Sathan when he had that answer from God upon his reiterated Prayer My Grace is sufficient for thee Sin shall not have Dominion over thee Hath it by its deceitfulness brought the Soul into a lifeless senseless frame makes it forgetful of Duties negligent in them or without spiritual delight in their performance Hath it almost habituated the Soul unto careless and corrupt Inclinations unto the love of or conformity to the World Doth it take advantage from our darkness and confusion under Troubles Distresses or Temptations On these and the like Occasions it is required that we make especial fervent Application unto the Lord Christ for such supplies of Grace as may be sufficient and efficacious to controul the Power of sin in them all This under the consideration of his Office and Authority unto this End his Grace and readiness from especial Inducements we are directed unto Heb. iv 14 15 16. 5. REMEMBER always the Way and Method of the Operations of divine Grace and spiritual Aids It is true in our first Conversion to God we are as it were surprized by a mighty Act of sovereign Grace changing our hearts renewing our minds and quickening us with a principle of spiritual Life Ordinarily many things are required of us in a way of Duty in order thereunto And many previous Operations of Grace in our Minds in illumination and the sense of sin do materially and passively dispose us thereunto as Wood when it is dried is disposed to Firing But the work it self is performed by an immediate act of divine power without any active co-operation on our parts But this is not the Law or Rule of the Communication or Operation of actual Grace for the subduing of Sin. It is given in a way of concurrence with us in the discharge of our Duties and when we are sedulous in them we may be sure we shall not fail of divine assistance according to the established Rule of the administration of Gospel Grace If therefore we complain that we find not the Aids mentioned if at the same time we are not diligent in attendance unto all the Duties whereby Sin may be mortified in us we are exceedingly injurious to the Grace of God. WHEREFORE notwithstanding this Objection the Truth stands firm that Sin shall not have Dominion over us because we are not under the Law but under Grace because of the spiritual Aids that are administred by Grace for its mortification and destruction Secondly THE Law gives no Liberty of any kind it gendreth unto Bondage and so cannot free us from any Dominion not that of Sin. For this must be by Liberty But this we have also by the Gospel There is a two-fold Liberty 1. Of State and Condition 2. Of internâ—â— Operation And we have both by the Gospel The first consists in our deliverance from the Law and its Curse with all things which claim a Right against us by Virtue thereof that is Sathan Death and Hell. Out of this state from whence we can never be delivered by the Law we are translated by Grace into a state of glorious Liberty For by it the Son makes us free and we receive the Spirit of Christ. Now where the Spirit of the Lord is there is Liberty 1 Cor. iij. 17. This Liberty Christ proclaims in the Gospel unto all that do believe Isa. lxi 1. Hereon they who hear and receive the joyful sound are discharged from all Debts Bonds Accounts Rights and Titles and are brought into a state of perfect Freedom In this state sin can lay no Claim to Dominion over any one Soul. They are gone over into the Kingdom of Christ and out from the Power of Sin Sathan and Darkness Herein indeed lies the Foundation of our assured Freedom from the Rule of Sin. It cannot make an Incursion on the Kingdom of Christ so as to carry away any of its Subjects into a state of Sin and Darkness again And an Interest in this state ought to be pleaded against all the Attempts of Sin Rom. vi 1 2. There is nothing more to be detested than that any One who is Christ's Freeman and dead to the Power of Sin should give place again unto any of its Pretences to or endeavours for Rule AGAIN there is an internal Liberty which is the Freedom of the mind from the inward powerful Chains of Sin with an ability to act all â—â—e Powers and Faculties of the Soul in a gracious manner Hereby is the power of Sin in the Soul destroyed And this also is given us in the Gospel There is power administred in it to live unto God and to walk in all his Commandments And this also gives Evidence unto the Truth of the Apostles Assertion Thirdly THE Law doth not supply us with effectual Motives and Encouragements to endeavour the Ruine of the Dominion of Sin in a way of Duty which must be done or in the End it will prevail It works only by fear and dread with threatnings and terrors of Destruction For although it says also Do this and live yet withal it discovers such an impossibility in our Nature to comply with its Commands in the way and manner wherein it enjoins them that the very promise of it becomes a matter of Terror as including the contrary Sentence of Death upon our Failure in its commands Now these things enervate weaken and discourage the Soul in its Conflict against Sin They give it no Life Activity Chearfulness or Courage in what they undertake Hence those who engage themselves into an Opposition unto Sin or a Relinquishment of its Service meerly on the Motives of the Law do quickly faint and give over We see it so with many every Day One Day they will forsake all sin their beloved sin with the Company and Occasions enducing them thereunto The Law hath frighted them with divine Vengeance And sometimes they proceed so far in this Resolution they seem escaped the Pollution of the World yet soon again they return to their former Ways and Follies 2 Pet. ij 20 21 22. Their goodness is as the morning Cloud and as the early Dew so passeth it away Or if they do not return to wallow in the same Mire of their former Pollutions they betake themselves to the shades of some superstitious Observances as it is in the Papacy For they openly succeed into the Room of the Jews who being ignorant of the Righteousness of God and not submitting thereunto went about variously to establish their own Righteousness as the Apostle speaks Rom. x. 3 4. For in that Apostate
Church where men are wrought on by the Terrors of the Law to relinquish Sin and set themselves in opposition unto its Power finding themselves altogether unable to do it by the works of the Law it self which must be perfectly holy they betake themselves to a number of superstitious Observances which they trust unto in the room of the Law with its Commands and Duties But the Law makes nothing perfect nor are the Motives it gives for the ruine of the Interest of Sin in us able to bear us out and carry us through that undertaking BUT the Motives and Encouragements given by Grace to endeavour the utter ruine of sin in a way of Duty are such as give Life Chearfulness Courage and Perseverance they continually animate relieve and revive the Soul in all its Work and Duty keeping it from fainting and despondency For they are all taken from the Love of God and of Christ from the whole Work and End of his Mediation from the ready Assistances of the Holy Ghost from all the Promises of the Gospel from their own with other Believers Experiences all giving them the highest Assurance of final Success and Victory When the Soul is under the Influences of these Motives whatever difficulty and opposition it meets withal from solliciting Temptations or Surprizals it will renew its strength it will run and not be weary it will walk and not faint according to the Promise Isa. xl 31. Fourthly CHRIST is not in the Law he is not proposed in it not communicated by it we are not made partakers of him thereby This is the work of Grace of the Gospel In it is Christ revealed by it he is proposed and exhibited unto us thereby are we made partakers of him and all the Benefits of his Mediation And he it is alone who came to and can destroy this Work of the Devil The Dominion of Sin is the complement of the Works of the Devil where all his designs center This the Son of God was manifest to destroy He alone ruines the Kingdom of Sathan whose power is acted in the Rule of Sin. Wherefore hereunto our Assurance of this comfortable Truth is principally resolved and what Christ hath done and doth for this End is a great part of the subject of Gospel Revelation THE like may be spoken of the Communication of the Holy Spirit which is the only principal efficient Cause of the ruine of the Dominion of Sin. For where the Spirit of Christ is there is liberty and no where else But we receive this Spirit not by the works of the Law but by the hearing of Faith Gal. iij. 2. CHAP. VI. The Practical Observations drawn from and Application made of the whole Text. HAVING opened the Words and made some Improvement of them I shall now take one or two Observations from the design of them and issue the whole in a Word of Application I. IT is an unspeakable Mercy and Privilege to be delivered from the Dominion of Sin. As such it is here proposed by the Apostle as such it is esteemed by them that believe Nothing is more sweet precious and valuable unto a Soul conflicting with Sin and Temptation than to hear that Sin shall not have the Dominion over them Ah what would some give that it might be spoken unto them with Power so as that they might stedfastly believe it and have the Comfort of it Fools make a mock of Sin and some glory in the service of it which is their shame But those who understand any thing aright either of what is present or what is to come do know that this freedom from its Dominion is an unvaluable Mercy And we may consider the Grounds which Evidence it so to be 1. IT appears so to be from the causes of it It is that which no man can by his own Power and the utmost of his Endeavours attain unto Men by them may grow rich or Wise or Learned but no Man by them can shake off the Yoke of Sin. If a Man had all the Wealth of the World he could not by it purchase this Liberty it would be despised And when Sinners go hence to the place where the Rich Man was tormented and have nothing more to do with this World they would give it all if they had it for an Interest in this Liberty IT is that which the Law and all the Duties of it cannot procure The Law and its Duties as we have declared can never destroy the Dominion of Sin. All Men will find the Truth hereof that ever come to fall under the Power of real Conviction When Sin presseth on them and they are affraid of its Consequents they will find that the Law is weak and the Flesh is weak and their Duties are weak their Resolutions and Vows are weak all insufficient to relieve them And if they think themselves freed one day they shall find the next that they are under Bondage Sin for all this will rule over them with force and rigour And in this condition do some spend all their Days in this World. They kindle sparks of their own and walk in the Light of them until they lie down in darkness and sorrow They Sin and promise amendment and endeavour Recompences by some Duties yet can never extricate themselves from the Yoke of Sin. We may therefore learn the Excellency of this Privilege first from its Causes whereof I shall mention some only 1. THE meritorious procuring Cause of this Liberty is the Death and Blood of Jesus Christ. So is it declared 1 Pet. i. 18 19. 1 Cor. vi 20. Chap. vij 23. Nothing else could purchase this Freedom Under the Power and Dominion of Sin we were and could not be delivered without a Ransom Christ died and rose and lives again that he might be our Lord Rom. xiv 9. and so deliver us from the Power of all other Lords whatever It is true there was no Ransom due to Sin or Sathan who was the Author of it They were to be dethroned or destroyed by an Act of Power Both the Devil and Sin which is his work are to be destroyed not appeased Heb. ij 14. 1 John iij. 8. But the strength of Sin is the Law 1 Cor. xv 56. that is through the righteous Sentence of God we were held by the Law obnoxious unto the condemning Power of Sin. From that Law we could not be delivered but by this Price and Ransom Two Things hence follow 1. THOSE who live in Sin who willingly abide in the service of it and endure its Dominion do cast the utmost contempt on the Wisdom Love and Grace of Christ. They despise that which cost him so dear They judge that he made a very foolish purchace of this Liberty for us with his dearest Blood. Whatever it be they preferr the present satisfaction of their Lusts before it This is the Poison of Unbelief There is in it an high Contempt of the Wisdom and Love of Christ. The Language of Mens Hearts
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
spiritual Boldness which is required unto the due exercise of Grace that is of Faith and Love in holy Duties shall not hinder the Soul from endeavouring after it or the use of it IF by these means and the like inseparable Operations of Grace we can have an assuring Experience that we are under the Rule and Conduct of it we may be free in our Minds from disturbing Apprehensions of the Dominion of Sin for both cannot bear sway in the same Soul. 4thly IT is required hereunto that sin makes the Soul sensible of its Power and Rule at least doth that which may do so unless Conscience be utterly seared and hardned and so past feeling There is no Rule nor Dominion but they are or may be sensible of it who are subject thereunto And there are two Ways whereby sin in its Dominion will make them sensible of it in whom it rules 1. IN repressing and overcoming the efficacy of the Convictions of the Mind Those who are under the Dominion of Sin as we shall see more immediately may have Light into and Conviction of their Duty in many things And this Light and Conviction they may follow ordinarily notwithstanding the Dominion of Sin. As a Tyrant will permit his slaves and subjects ordinarily to follow their own Occasions but if what they would do comes either in matter or manner to enterfere with or oppose his Interest he will make them sensible of his Power So Sin where it hath the Dominion if Men have Light and Conviction it will allow them ordinarily and in many things to comply therewithal It will allow them to pray to hear the Word to abstain from sundry sins to perform many duties as is expresly affirmed in the Scripture of many that were under the power of Sin and we see it in Experience How much work do we see about Religion and religious Duties What constant observation of the Times and Seasons of them How many duties performed morally good in themselves and useful by them who on many other Accounts do proclaim themselves to be under the Dominion of Sin But if the Light and Conviction of this sort of Persons do rise up in opposition unto the principal Interest of Sin in those Lusts and ways wherein it exerciseth its Rule it will make them in whom they are sensible of its Power They that stifle or shut their Eyes against or cast out of mind or go directly contrary unto their Convictions Light in such cases will first repine and them relieve it self with Resolutions for other times and seasons but Sin will carry the Cause by virtue of its Dominion HENCE Two Things do follow 1. A Constant Repugnancy against Sin from Light in the Mind and Conviction in the Conscience doth not prove that those in whom it is are not under the Dominion of Sin. For until blindness and hardness do come on Men to the uttermost there will be in them a judging of what is Good and Evil with a self-judging with respect thereunto as the Apostle declares Rom. ij 15. And herein many do satisfie themselves When their Light condemns Sin they suppose they hate it but they do not When Convictions call for Duties they suppose they love them but they do not That which they look on as the Rule of Light in them in opposition unto Sin is but the Rebellion of a natural enlightned Conscience against the Dominion of it in the Heart In brief Light may condemn every known sin keep from many press for every known Duty lead to the performance of many yet sin have a full dominion in the soul. And this it will evidence when it comes to the trial in those Instances where it exercises its ruling Power 2. THAT miserable is their Condition whose Minds are ground continually between the Conduct of their Light with the urgency of Conviction on the one hand and the Rule or Dominion of Sin on the other Where-ever Light is it is its due to have the Rule and Conduct It is that Act whereby the Mind loads it self For Men to be forced by the Power of their Lusts to act for the most part against their Light as they do where Sin hath the Dominion it is a sad and deplorable condition Such Persons are said to rebel against the Light Job xxiv 13. because of its right to rule in them where it is deposed by Sin. This makes most Men but a troubled Sea that cannot rest whose Waves cast up mire and dirt 2dly Sin will make those in whom it hath dominion sensible of its Power by its continual solicitations of the Mind and Affections with respect unto that sin or those sins wherein it principally exerciseth its Rule Having possessed the Will and Inclinations of the Mind with the Affections as it doth where-ever its Dominion is absolute it continually disposeth enclineth and stirreth up the Mind towards those sins It will level the Bent of the whole Soul towards such sins or the circumstances of them Nor is there a more pregnant discovery of the Rule of Sin in any than this that it habitually engageth the Mind and Affections unto a constant exercise of themselves about this or that some Sin and evil Way or other BUT yet we must add that notwithstanding these indications of the ruling Power of Sin they are but few in whom it hath this Dominion that are convinced of their State and Condition Many are so under the Power of Darkness of supine sloath and negligence and are so desperately wicked as that they have no sense of this Rule of Sin. Such are those described by the Apostle Ephes. iv 18 19. And whereas they are the vilest Slaves that live on the Earth they judge none to be free but themselves They look on others as in Bondage to foolish and superstitious fears whilst they are at liberty to Drink Swear Scoff at Religion Whore and Defile themselves without controul This is their Liberty and they may have that which is as good in Hell a Liberty to Curse and Blaspheme God and to fly with revengeful Thoughts on themselves and the whole Creation The Light in such Persons is Darkness it self so as that they have nothing to rise up in opposition unto the rule of Sin whence alone a sense of its Power doth arise Others as we observed before living in some compliance with their Light and Convictions abstaining from many Sins and performing many Duties though they live in some known sin or other and allow themselves in it yet will not allow that Sin hath the Dominion in them Wherefore there are Two Things hard and difficult in this Case 1. TO convince those in whom Sin evidently hath the Dominion that such indeed is their State and Condition they will with their utmost endeavour keep of the Conviction hereof Some justifie themselves and some will make no Enquiry into this matter It is a rare thing especially of late to have any brought under this Conviction by the Preaching of
which we shall examine First those which render the case dubious and then those that clearly determine it on the part of Sin. I shall not therefore at present give positive Evidences of Mens Freedom from the Dominion of Sin but only consider the Arguments that lie against them and examine how far they are conclusive or how they may be defeated And 1. WHEN Sin hath in any instance possessed the Imagination and thereby engaged the cogitative Faculty in its Service it is a dangerous symptom of its Rule or Dominion Sin may exercise its Rule in the Mind Fancy and Imagination where bodily strength or opportunity give no Advantage for its outward Perpetration In them the desires of Sin may be enlarged as Hell and the satisfaction of Lust taken in with greediness Pride and Covetousness and Sensuality may reign and rage in the Mind by corrupt Imaginations when their outward Exercise is shut up by circumstances of Life THE first way whereby Sin acts it self or coins its Motions and Inclinations into Acts is by the Imagination Gen. vi 5. The continual evil Figments of the Heart are as the bubbling of corrupt Waters from a corrupted Fountain THE Imaginations intended are the fixing of the Mind on the Objects of Sin or sinful Objects by continual Thoughts with delight and complacency They are the Minds purveying for the satisfaction of the Flesh in the Lusts thereof Rom. xiij 14. whereby Evil Thoughts come to lodge to abide to dwell in the Heart Jer. iv 14. THIS is the first and proper Effect of that Vanity of Mind whereby the Soul is alienated from the Life of God. The Mind being turned off from its proper Object with a dislike of it applies its self by its Thoughts and Imaginations unto the Pleasures and Advantages of Sin seeking in vain to recover the Rest and Satisfaction which they have forsaken in God himself They follow after lying Vanities and forsake their own Mercies Jonah ij 8. And when they give themselves up unto a constant internal converse with the desires of the Flesh the Pleasures and Advantages of Sin with delight and approbation Sin may reign triumphantly in them though no appearance be made of it in their outward Conversation Such are they who have a Form of Godliness but deny the Power thereof their hearts being fill'd with a Litter of ungodly Lusts as the Apostle declares 2 Tim. iij. 5. AND there are Three Evils with respect whereunto Sin doth exercise its reigning Power in the Imagination in an especial manner 1. PRIDE Self-Elation Desire of Power and Greatness It is affirmed of the Prince of Tyrus that he said He was a God and sat in the Seat of God Ezek. xxviij 3. And the like foolish Thoughts are ascribed unto the King of Babylon Isa. xiv 13 14. None of the Children of Men can attain so great Glory Power and Dominion in this World but that in their Imaginations and Desires they can infinitely exceed what they do enjoy like him who wept that he had not another World to Conquer They have no bounds but to be as God yea to be God which was the first design of Sin in the World. And there is none so poor and low but by his Imaginations he can lift up and exalt himself almost into the Place of God. This Vanity and Madness God reproves in his Discourse with Job Chap. xl 9 10 11 12 13 14. And there is nothing more genuine and proper unto the Original Depravation and Corruption of our Natures than this Self-Exaltation in foolish Thoughts and Imaginations because it first came upon us through a desire of being as God. Herein therefore may Sin exercise its Dominion in the Minds of Men yea in the empty Mind and Vanity of these Imaginations with those that follow consists the principal Part of the Deceitful Ways of Sin. The Ways of Men cannot satisfie themselves with what Sins they can actually commit but in these Imaginations they rove endlessly finding satisfaction in their Renovation and Variety Isa. lvij 1. 2. SENSVALITY and Vncleanness of Life It is said of some That they have their Eyes full of Adulteries and that they cannot cease from Sin 2 Pet. ij 14. That is their Imaginations are continually working about the Objects of their unclean Lusts. These they think of Night and Day immiring themselves in all Filth continually Jude calls them filthy Dreamers defiling the Flesh v. 8. They live as in a constant pleasing Dream by their vile Imaginations even when they cannot accomplish their lustful desires For such Imaginations cannot be better expressed than by Dreams wherein Men satisfie themselves with a supposed acting of what they do not Hereby do many wallow in the mire of Uncleanness all their Days and for the most part are never wanting unto the Effects of it when they have Opportunity and Advantage And by this means the most cloystered Recluses may live in constant Adulteries whereby multitudes of them become actually the Sinks of Uncleanness This is that which in the Root of it is severely condemned by our Saviour Matth. v. 28. 3. VNBELIEF Distrust and hard Thoughts of God are of the same kind These will sometimes so possess the Imaginations of Men as to keep them off from all delight in God to put them on contrivances of flying from him which is a peculiar Case not here to be spoken unto IN these and the like ways may Sin exercise its Dominion in the Soul by the Mind and its Imagination It may do so when no demonstration is made of it in the outward Conversation For by this means the minds of men are defiled and then nothing is clean all things are impure unto them Tit. i. 15. Their minds being thus defiled do defile all things to them their Enjoyments their Duties all they have and all that they do BUT yet all failing and Sin in this kind doth not prove absolutely that sin hath not the Dominion in the Mind that it had before Something of this Vice and Evil may be found in them that are freed from the reign of Sin. And there will be so until the Vanity of our Minds is perfectly cured and taken away which will not be in this World. Wherefore I shall name the Exceptions that may be put in against the Title of Sin unto Dominion in the Soul notwithstanding the continuance in some measure of this work of the Imagination in coining Evil figments in the Heart And 1. THIS is no Evidence of the Dominion of Sin where it is occasional arising from the Prevalency of some present Temptation take an Instance in the Case of David I no way doubt but that in his Temptation with Bathsheba his Mind was possess'd with defiling Imaginations Wherefore on his Repentance he not only prays for the Forgiveness of his Sin but crys out with all fervency that God would create a clean Heart in him Psal. li. 10. He was sensible not only of the defilement of his Person
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
serve only to cheat and quiet Conscience for an hour or a day and then vanish into nothing But whatever be the Case of this Neglect those in whom it is will pine away in their Sins For nothing but the Death of Christ for us will be the death of Sin in us Secondly Another Duty necessary unto this end is continual Prayer and this to be considered as unto its Application to the prevalency of any particular Lust wherein Sin doth in a peculiar manner exert its Power This is the great Ordinance of God for its Mortification For 1. HEREBY we obtain spiritual Aids and Supplies of strength against it We are not more necessarily and fervently to pray that Sin may be pardoned as to its guilt than we are that it may be subdued as to its power He who is negligent in the latter is never in good earnest in the former The Pressures and Troubles which we receive from the Power of Sin are as pungent on the Mind as those from its Guilt are on the Conscience Meer pardon of Sin will never give Peace unto a Soul though it can have none without it It must be mortified also or we can have no spiritual Rest. Now this is the work of Prayer namely to seek and obtain such supplies of mortifying sanctifying Grace as whereby the Power of Sin may be broken its Strength abated its Root withered its Life destroyed and so the whole Old Man crucified That which was the Apostles request for the Thessalonians is the daily Prayer of all Believers for themselves 1 Thes. v. 23. 2. A constant Attendance unto this Duty in a due manner will preserve the Soul in such a frame as wherein Sin cannot habitually prevail in it He that can live in sin and abide in the ordinary duties of Prayer doth never once Pray as he ought Formality or some secret Reserve or other vitiates the whole A truly gracious praying Frame wherein we pray always is utterly inconsistent with the love of or reserve for any sin To pray well is to pray always that is to keep the Heart always in that frame which is required in Prayer And where this is sin can have no Rule no nor quiet Harbour in the Soul. 3. IT is the Soul 's immediate Conflict against the Power of sin Sin in it is formally considered as the Soul's Enemy which fights against it In Prayer the Soul sets it self to graple with it to wound kill and destroy It is that whereby it applies all its spiritual Engines unto its utter Ruine herein it exerciseth a gracious abhorrency of it a clear self-condemnation on the account of it and engageth Faith on all the Promises of God for its Conquest and Destruction IT is hence evident that if Sin hath prevailed in the Mind unto a negligence of this Duty either in general or as unto the effectual Application of it unto any especial Case where it exerts its Power it is an ill Symptom of the Dominion of Sin in the soul. IT is certain that unmortified sin sin indulged unto will gradually work out all due regard unto this duty of Prayer and alienate the mind from it either as unto the matter or manner of its performance We see this exemplified every day in Apostate Professors They have had a Gift of Prayer and were constant in the Exercise of it but the love of sin and living in it hath devoured their Gifts and wholly taken off their minds from the Duty it self which is the proper Character of Hypocrites will he delight himself in the Almighty Will he always call upon God Job xxvij 10. He may do so for a Season but falling under the power of sin he will not continue so to do NOW because sin useth great Deceit herein in a gradual Progress for attaining its End and thereby securing its Dominion we may in a way of warning or caution take notice of some of its steps that the Entrances of it may be opposed For as the Entrance of God's Word giveth Light Psal. cxix 130. the first puttings forth of its Power on the Soul gives spiritual Light unto the Mind which is to be improved so the Entrance of sin the first actings of it on the Mind towards the neglect of this Duty brings a deceiving darkness with them which is to be opposed 1. It will produce in the mind an unreadiness unto this duty in its proper Seasons The heart should always rejoice in the approach of such seasons because of the delight in God which it hath in them To rejoice and be glad in all our approaches unto God is every way required of us and therefore with the Thoughts of and in the approach of such seasons we ought to groan in our selves for such a preparedness of Mind as may render us meet for that Converse with God which we are called unto But where Sin begins to prevail all things will be unready and out of order Strange Tergiversations will rise in the mind either as unto the duty it self or as unto the manner of its performance Customariness and Formality are the Principles which act themselves in this Case The Body seems to carry the Mind to the Duty whether it will or no rather than the Mind to lead the Body in its part of it And it will employ it self in any thing rather than in the Work and Duty that lies before it HEREIN then lies a great part of our Wisdom in obviating the power of sin in us Let us keep our hearts continually in a gracious Disposition and readiness for this Duty in all its proper seasons If you lose this ground you will yet go more backwards continually Know therefore that there is no more effectual preservative of the soul from the power of sin than a gracious readiness for and disposition unto this duty in private and publick according to its proper seasons 2. IN its Progress unto unreadiness it will add unwillingness for the Mind prepossessed by sin finds it directly contrary unto its present Interest Disposition and Inclination There is nothing in it but what troubles and disquiets them as he said of the Prophet who was not willing to hear him any more it speaks not good but evil of them continually Hence a secret unwillingness prevails in the mind and an aversation from a serious Engagement in it And the Attendance of such Persons to it is as if they were under a force in a compliance with Custom and Convictions 3. SIN will at length prevail unto a total neglect of this Duty This is an Observation confirmed by long Experience If Prayer do not constantly endeavour the ruine of Sin sin will ruine Prayer and utterly alienate the Soul from it This is the way of Backsliders in heart as they grow in sin they decay in prayer until they are weary of it and utterly relinquish it So they speak Mal. i. 13. Behold what a weariness it is and ye have snuffed at it They look on it
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
Promise of the Gospel For thereby are we freed and discharged from the Rule of the Law wherein all the Title of Sin unto Dominion is founded For the strength of Sin is the Law. But we are freed from it as unto its internal Power and exercise of its Dominion by internal spiritual Grace and strength in its due exercise Now this is communicated by the Gospel it gives Life and Power with such continual supplies of Grace as are able to dethrone Sin and for ever to prohibit its return THIS then is the present Case supposed and determined by the Apostle You that are Believers are all of you conflicting with Sin. You find it always restless and disquieting sometimes strong and powerful When it is in conjunction with any urgent Temptation you are affraid it will utterly prevail over you to the ruine of your Souls Hence you are wearied with it groan under it and cry out for deliverance from it All these things the Apostle at large insists on in this and the next Chapter But now saith he be of good comfort Notwithstanding all these things and all your Fears upon them Sin shall not prevail it shall not have the Dominion it shall never ruine your Souls But what Ground have we for this Hope What Assurance of this Success This you have saith the Apostle You are not under the Law but under Grace or the Rule of the Grace of God in Christ Jesus administred in the Gospel But how doth this give relief Why it is the Ordinance the Instrument of God which he will use unto this End namely the Communication of such supplies of Grace and spiritual strength as shall eternally defeat the Dominion of Sin. THIS is one principal Difference between the Law and the Gospel and was everso esteemed in the Church of God until all Communication of Efficacious Grace began to be called in Question The Law guides directs commands all things that are against the Interest and Rule of Sin. It judgeth and condemneth both the things that promote it and the Persons that do them It frightens and terrifies the Consciences of those who are under its Dominion But if you shall say unto it what then shall we do this Tyrant this Enemy is too hard for us what aid and assistance against it will it afford unto us What power will it communicate unto its destruction Here the Law is utterly silent or says that nothing of this nature is committed unto it of God. Nay the strength it hath it gives unto sin for the Condemnation of the Sinner the strength of Sin is the Law. BUT the Gospel or the grace of it is the means and Instrument of God for the Communication of internal spiritual Strength unto Believers By it do they receive supplies of the Spirit or aids of Grace for the subduing of Sin and the destruction of its Dominion By it they may say they can do all things through him that enables them Hereon then depends in the first place the Assurance of the Apostles Assertion That Sin shall not have the Dominion over us because we are under Grace We are in such a State as wherein we have supplies in readiness to defeat all the Attempts of Sin for Rule and Dominion in us BUT some may say hereon They greatly fear they are not in this state for they do not find such supplies of spiritual Strength and Grace as to give them a conquest over sin They are still perplexed with it and it is ready to invade the Throne in their Minds if it be not already possessed of it Wherefore they fear least they are strangers from the Grace of the Gospel IN Answer hereunto the Things ensuing are proposed 1. REMEMBER what hath been declared concerning the Dominion of Sin. If it be not known what it is and wherein it doth consist as some may please themselves whilst their condition is deplorable as it is with the most so others may be perplexed in their Minds without just Cause A clear destinction between the Rebellion of Sin and the Dominion of Sin is a great Advantage unto spiritual Peace 2. CONSIDER the Ends for which aids of Grace are granted and communicated by the Gospel Now this is not That Sin may at once be utterly destroyed and consumed in us that it should have no Being Motion or Power in us any more This work is reserved for glory in the full Redemption of Body and Soul which we here do but groan after But it is given unto us for this End that sin may be so crucified and mortified in us that is so gradually weakened and destroyed as that it shall not ruine spiritual Life in us obstruct its necessary acting in duties and Prevalency against such Sins as would disannul the Covenant-Relation between God and our Souls Whilst we have supplies of it which are sufficient unto this End although our Conflict with Sin doth continue although we are perplexed by it yet we are under Grace and Sin shall have no more Dominion over us This is enough for us that Sin shall be gradually destroyed and we shall have a sufficiency of Grace in all occasions to prevent its ruling Prevalency 3. LIVE in the Faith of this sacred Truth and ever keep alive in your Souls Expectation of supplies of Grace suitable thereunto It is of the nature of true and saving Faith inseparable from it to believe that the Gospel is the way of God's Administration of Grace for the ruine of Sin. He that believes it not believes not the Gospel it self which is the Power of God unto Salvation Rom. i. 16. If we live and walk and act as if we had nothing to trust unto but our selves our own Endeavours our own Resolutions and that in our perplexities and surprizals it is no wonder if we are not sensible of supplies of divine Grace most probably we are under the Law and not under Grace This is the Fundamental Principle of the Gospel State that we live in Expectation of continual Communications of Life Grace and Strength from Jesus Christ who is our Life and from whose fulness we receive and Grace for Grace We may therefore in this Case continually expostulate with our Souls as David doth Why go you mourning because of the Oppression of the Enemy Why are you cast down and why are you disquieted within us Still hope in God he is the health of my Countenance we may be sensible of great Oppression from the Power of this Enemy this may cause us to go mourning all the day long and in some sence it ought so to do Howbeit we ought not hence to despond or to be cast down from our Duty or our Comfort Still me may trust in God through Christ and live in continual Expectation of such spiritual Reliefs as shall assuredly preserve us from the Dominion of Sin. This Faith Hope and Expectation we are called unto by the Gospel And when they are not cherished when they are not kept
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