grace but againe it further apeares that the Apostle in the text meanes the law of Condemnation by comparing it with the precedent verse where the Apostle saies their is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Iesus now least any man should object against that truth hee gives this text as a reason as if he should say thus There is no condemnation to us that are in Christ Jesus because we through the law of the spirit that is in him are freed from the law of sin and death and therefore there is no condemnation to us although others that are out of Christ are under the law and shall be condemned by the law We are under another law the law of the spirit which is not the law of death but the law of life which is not the ministration of condemnation but of Salvation And thus much for answer to those thre queeries I shall now proceede to that one observation which is as it were the sum of the whole verse and that 's this The generall observation That the Saints have obtained a freedome from the law by the law of the Spirit of life in Christ IN the prosecution of this point I shall 1 Shew how the Spirit of life in Christ freeth us from the law 2. I shall shew the necessitie of it 1. I shall shew how the Spirit of life in Christ sets us free from the law and this I shall doe under a double consideration 1. Shewing how the Spirit of life as it is in Christ sets us free 1 The Spirit of life as it is in Christ sets us free as this spirit is all in all in Christ in all his actions 2. How the Spirit of life as it is in us derived from Christ sets us free but First as it is in Christ It s the Spirit in Christ is all in all In his sufferings in his death and in his resurrection I say the Spirit of life in the Lord Jesus is all in all in every thing he did in the justifying of sinners Without the Spirit he could doe nothing for the flesh is weake and Profiteth not but the Spirit is all in all therefore when the Apostle tells us that by the righteousnesse of one man the free gift of God came upon al unto justification of life Rom. 5.18 but because this could not have beene unlesse the Lord Jesus had been justified in the Spirit he therefore tells us 2. Tim. 3.16 that without controversie this is the mysterie of Godlinesse GOD manifest in the flesh justified in the Spirit seene of Angels c. So that the Lord Jesus was justified in the Spirit Now Christ is said to be justified in the Spirit two waies 1. As he is iustified in his person as hee was found to be without all spot and without all staine as he was innocent and holy And 2. As hee was justified in his workes as they were all compleat and perfect before God And so Christ is justified in the spirit the spirit is all in all in him in all his actions and in all his sufferings And 2. As the Spirit is all in all in Christs in his death The Spirit is all in all in his death He offered himself saies the Apostle Heb. 9.14 through the Eternall Spirit without fault to God he presented himself as a compleate sacrifice to God through the Eternall Spirit and this indeede is the mystery of Godlynesse that the Spirit doth all in all in Christ in that he is justifyed in the Spirit and through the Eternall Spirit he presented himself a compleate Sacrifice without spot to God flesh and blood could never have done it no it was the Eternall Spirit in Christ is all in all and therefore we know the Spirit was poured upon Christ without measure And 3. As the spirit in his death As the Spirit is all in all in his Resurrection so in his Resurrection was all in all Therefore the Apostle Rom. 1.3 4 speaking of Christ sayes hee was made of the seed of David according to the flesh but declared to be the Son of God with power according unto the spirit of holinesse by the Refurrection from the dead by the Spirit of holinesse The Lord Jesus was gloriously discovered to be the Sonne of God being raised from the dead by the spirit of holinesse The Lord Iesus was gloriously discovered to be the Son of God being raised from the dead by the spirit of holinesse Indeed had it not been for the spirit he might have layne for ever in the grav and never have beene discovered but the Eternall spirit wrought gloriously in him in the resurrection from the dead Thus you see the Spirit is all in Christ Now this spirit in Christ sets us free from the law But now I shall shew you how the spirit of life being thus in Christ all in all sets us free from the Law And thus 1. As Christ himselfe was subject to the Law for us 1. As Christ fulfilled the Law for us Mat. 3. and thus we shall finde he fulfilled all the law for this end Gal. 4 4 5. He was made of a woman made under the law for what end To redeem them that were under the law And indeed he fulfilled the law to the very uttermost When he comes to Iohn to be Baptized he saies Iohn resusing to Baptize him Suffer it to be so now for thus it becomes us to fulfill all righteosnesse The truth is it is not possible that any person that could not fulfill the whole law should have bin a Saviour of sinners from the curse of the law Therefore saies the Apostles Heb. 7.26 For such an High Priest became us who is holy harmelesse separate from fins And saies he verse 28. The law maketh men high Priests which have infirmity But the word of the oath which is since the law maketh the Son a high priest who is perfected for evermore for so the word is in the Originall though it be other waies rendered in our ordinary Translation so that the Son the Lord Jesus he is perfected for evermore he hath no infirmity as those Priests had no failing no spot but is perfected for evermore and therefore he saies to the Jewes which of you convinceth me of sin Although he was a friend of publicanes and sinners yet he could not be convicted of sin for hee actually never sinned but was a Lambe without spot and that is the first consideration wherein Christ hath set us free from the law in that he hath fulfilled the law for us But 2. The Lord Iesus hatht set us free from the law 2. As Christ adiuged all our sins against the Law to death upon the Crosse in that he through the spirit adjuudged the offences committed by us against the law unto finall and fatall ruine He upon his Crosse adjudged all our sins to death that they should bee caried all away into the land oâ— forgetfulnesse never any more
light of the Spirit in the light of the Lord and as in the day being children of the light bring all your actions into the light and let them all be according to the light Let the light of the Spirit in the Word bee the rule of all your actions and of all your holy performances in every thing you doe search the Scriptures whither it be so or no try all things by the light of the Spirit and hold fast that which is good Take up nothing upon trust from others but be sure to have a light from the Spirit for what you doe And 3. As you are alway to be viewing the Lord Iesus and to walke in the light of the Spirit you are so also to walke in the Spirit as to walke in the puritie of the Spirit bringing forth the fruits of the Spirit Let your conversation be as in heaven while you are upon earth walke in the Spirit and be fruitfull in every good word and worke quench not the Spirit but be fervent in spirit serving the Lord. Let all your desires be to be ever in the performance of all holy duties Let it be your meate and drinke to be instant in prayer to Pray continually to Pray without ceasing to be continually offering up spiritual sacrifices to your God in the Spirit to hate the garment spotted by the flesh to contemn and despise the worlds vanities love not the world nor the things thereof as they are in themselves but set your affections upon the things which are above Thus Saints walke you in the spirit that a sweete frame and disposition alwayes may appeare in you in doing good unto all loving your enemies blessing them that curse you doing good unto them that despightfully use you and if it be possible live peaceable with all men walke inoffensively towards them that are without and those within yeeld to all men their due be subject to the higher powers even the powers that are ordained of God both Kings and Magistrates as farre as the word warrants being subject to the ordinances of men for the Lords sake so farre as they are not contrary to the minde of God and yeeld tribute to whom tribute is due honour to whom honour and feare to whom feare is due Be of a meeke and quiet spirit in every passage of your conversation Let the love of the brethren be in you abundantly be as ready to do a brother good as to do thy selfe good in honour preferring one another simpathising with the condition of others and rejoyce with them that do rejoyce and weepe with them that weepe being tender hearted and bearing one another burdens forgiving one another even as God for Christs sake forgave you and though there may be differences in judgement among brethren yet let there be a union in affection Considering that there are severall degrees of light given out to severall saints some have higher measures of light then others have And what if thou hast more light then thy brother do not despise him because he is more ignorant for what hast thou that thou hast not received but consider that though he be now other wayes minded God shall reveale it to such a one in his owne time and besides it may be thy brother which seems to be much inferiour to thee in some things may exceede thee in the knowledge of the misteries of Christ in some particulars And againe though thy brother seeme to be in darkenesse unto thee in some particulars yet it may be it is through thy ignorance that dost not see that light that doth appeare to him and though it doth not now appeare unto thee yet it may appeare though now it seeme an errour to thee Therefore in the meane time though you differ in iudgment yet be one in afectition and be followers of God as deere Chidren and walke in love as Christ also hath loued us and hath given himselfe for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweete smelling Sauour remember how the Lord Jesus hath saide hereby shall men know that you are my disciples if you love one another Oh therfore let the spirit of love sweetly appear in you and dwell in love And let also humblenesse and lowlynesse of minde appeare in you and condesend to men of low estate and so walke in the frvtes of holynesse in the spirit that it may apeere to all that the Spirit of God and of glory resteth upon you and in the Apostles words whatsoever things are true whatsoever things are honest whatsoever things are just whatsoever things are pure whatsoever things are of good report whatsoever things are lovely thinke one these things for the spirit is powered upon you now saies the Apostle 1. Cor. 3.17 18. the Lord is that Spirit and where the spirit of the lord is there is libertie and therefore you all with open face beholding as in a glasse the glory of the Lord are changed into the same image from glory to glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord. Lastly the last exhortation to the Saints is to walke in the joyes of the Spirit The Spirit is your comforter and have you the comforter why theâ— should you be sad why should thy heart be troubled banish therefore 〈◊〉 sinfull sorrow and sadnesse from your hearts you that are saints Reioyce in the Lord ye righteous and let all the Children of Zion be joyfull in their kings yea reioyce evermore and againe I say reioyce your God hath given you the comforter for this very end therefore be filled with joy in the Holy ghost Indeed had you not the spirit you might be commanded to rejoyce long enough yet never be able to rejoyce but now the Comforter is come now the Spirit is given unto thee What wantest thou now to make thee joyfull doth he not take of the things of the father and of Christ and show it unto thee doth he not reveal to thee even the bosome thoughts of thy God No man hath feene or can reveale the Father but the sonne which came from the bosome of the Father and he by his spirit reveales the thoughts of the love of your God vnto you from all eternity ye and the exceeding love where with he hath loved you he reveales the glorious designes of God in the Lord Jesus for thee and the vnsearchable riches of his grace And if so how comes it to passe that you that are Saints some of you are so disquieted and sadded in your spirits Walking as though you had still the spirit of bondage which we have not now received and your hearts are so filled with sorrow Certainly this is not the minde of your God This is not a fruite of the Spirit but of the flesh for the fruits of the Spirit are love joy peace c. But these distempering sadnesses and feares come from the flesh as you may observe it in your selves when you give way to the flesh and live below and not a bove in the spirit as to the pleasures of the world and upon creature comforts sorrow hath seazed upon you and your hearts have bin fild with feare for fear sorrow is natural to the flesh but you have the Spirit therfore reioyce ever more walking a bove the flesh alwaies hearken you to the sweet voice of the Spirit and be you alwaies singing and making melodie in your hearts to the Lord being fild with joy unspeakable and full of glory Which the Lord 〈◊〉 these times of horror and feare to 〈◊〉 godly men giue in abundantly vnâ—â— all them that love our Lord Jesus Chriâ—â— and his apearing and coming Now vnto the King Immortall all Invisible and the onely wise God be honour and glory for ever and ever AMEN FJNJS
to be a law in regard of his mighty operation in the Soule it brings downe light and truth and life and power into the soule and workes exceeding strongly in the soule and when it comes what is able to withstand the Spirit What is greater then the Spirit What is stronger then the Spirit If the spirit comes it bears down all opposition Though the flesh lust against the spirit yet the spirit is two strong for the flesh so that it divides the very jonts and marrow So that the Spirit is a law above the law the law is weake and cannot take place in the hearts of men But when the spirit comes with its law it prevails against all and takes place The flesh profiteth nothing saith our Saviour it is the Spirit that quickneth If the spirit quickneth it hath life in it and where life is it is full of activity for life is manifested in this in that it is full of motion quicknesse and agilitie and in beating off every thing that doeth offende it or anoy it So the spirit being a spirit of life it hath a mighty power in it Although the soule be filled with sin and guilt and in that condition cloathed also with ignorance which doth so inviron the foule as it cannot stir in any other way nor hath the least motion of good in it yet when the spirit comes he beares downe all he destroyes all and therefore it is called the spirit of burning in the scripture And when Christ comes to Baptise he is said to Baptise with the holy Ghost and with fire so that when the spirit comes nothing can stand before him and he brings both light and heate and motion in him and is most powerfull in operation But then 3. The spirit may be saide to be a law or to have a law in it as it is a sure and true guide and as it leades every soule in a right and true way And therefore our Saviour tells vs The spirit of truth shall leade you into all truth And indeed the Spirit guides securely and guides safely guides surely and guides Purely for the spirit cannot erre and he that hath the spirit knowes the minde of God and is guided to fullfill the minde of God as farr as he hath the spirit for the spirit is a blessed guide and a blessed rule and about the law for although the law it s true is righteous holy and good yet alas it Cannot bring forth power to inable the Creature to walke suteable to its selfe It is onely the Spirit hath that power and not the law Therefore the Spirit he is the law of the Saints he shews them the truth teaches them the truth and leades them in the truth and gives them power to walke according to the truth for its the spirit that guides the Saints to Christ who is the truth its selfe and so The spirit guides the Saints in the waies of holynesse through the Spirit they mortifie the deeds of the body and live through the spirit they are guided to denie themselves to abandon their owne parts and their own indowments and their owne righteousnesse and to see all in and to fetch all from a Christ Through the Spirit the Saints put away the garment spotted by the flesh and forsake their vaine conversation wherein in times past they walked through the spirit the Saints are guided to deny all vngodlynesse and worldly lusts and to live soberly and holy and Godly in the present evill world through the spirit they are taught to love with an vnfained love the houshold of faith puting away malice and envie and the leaven of discention and wickednesse through the spirit the Saints are guided so to walke as to shine as lights amidst a crooked and perverse generation In a word through the spirit the Saints are guided having discliamed all their owne righteousnesse to doe that which the Jewes could not doe by the light of the law even to submit to the righteousnesse of Christ that is to cloath themselves through faith with the glorious robes of the righteousnesse of the Lord Jesus whereby they see themselves compleat in him and thus the spirit is a pure and a sure guide and in these three respects the Spirit may be said to have a law and so much may suffice for answer to the first queree But 2. Queree 2 In that the Apostle here tells us of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus and doth not say the spirit of life in us but the spirit of life in Christ The queree will be how the spirit of life is said to be in Christ Answer To which I answer The spirit of life is said to be in Christ under two considerations 1. As hee is the Fountaine of life 2. As he communicates the spirit of life unto all his people 1. As the Lord lesus Christ is the fountaine of life as the fulnesse of all life dwells in him for so sayes the Apostle It pleased the Father that in him should all fulnesse dwell 1 Cor. 15.47 45. and the same Apostle also saies he is the Lord from Heaven and that the first Adam was made a living soule but the second Adam was made a quickning spirit and therefore our Saviour tells us the flesh profiteth nothing but it is the spirit that quickens and the words that I speak unto you they are spirit and they are life There is such a fulnesse of the spirit in Christ that whatsoever Christ speakes is spirituall and carries a spirituall signification along with it for indeed the spirit was in him without measure so that in him is life originally or he is the fountaine of Life but then 2. The Spirit of life is in him by way of communication all that of the spirit that is communicated unto us is communicated unto us in and by the Lord Iesus Have wee any life any strength any beautie upon us any grace conveyed unto us It is all conveyed in and through the Lord Iesus Christ And therefore our Saviour tells the Jewes that he was the bread of life the bread of Heaven that came down from Heaven And whosoever did eate of his flesh and drink of his blood should live for ever he breathed the Holy Ghost on his disciples and poures upon every one that beleeves on him rivers of living water rivers of his spirit for he conveies fulnesse of spirituallitie and divine strength into them That man therefore that hath the spirit of life in Christ conveyed into him through the spirit of life in Christ living in him is the most beautifull creature in the world for he carries divine sweetnesse and beautie upon his spirit And he that hath this spirit derived from Christ hath true life in him other men may be alive and yet dead but that man that hath the life of Christ through his spirit that works in him such a soul shall live for ever such a soule shall never die but it shall