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III.

because their works fhall not be judged SER M. with strictness and rigour, but through the interceffion of Chrift, their fincerity fhall be accepted instead of perfect obedience: In the former respect (its being easy to observe ;) the Christian institution is called the Law of liberty, Jam. i. 25; and the glorious liberty of the Sons of God, Rom. viii. 21; and Gal. iv. 7. Wherefore thou art no more a fervant, but a Son. In the latter refpect, namely, in respect of its fufficiency to justify those that shall live fuitably to it, the Chriftian institution is called the righteousness of God, Rom. iii. 20, 21. By the deeds of the law there fhall no flesh be justified. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifefted, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; even the righteousness of God, which is by Faith in Jefus Christ, unto all and upon all them that believe; And, by it all that believe are justified from all things, from which they could not be juftified by the law of Mofes, Acts xiii. 39. There being feveral great Crimes, for which no regular Expiation was allowed under the law; from which Curse, men

are

III.

SER M. are now by true Repentance and Amendment, delivered under the Gofpel: Which is therefore ftiled the Righteousness of God to men. This is the adoption, whereby we become Sons of God, and Heirs of Salvation: This is the liberty wherewith Chrift has made us free: We are not obliged to any impoffible performances, nor to any grievous and burdenfome rites; but if we fincerely repent, and return to the obedience of God's Commands, according to the gracious Terms and Conditions of the Gospel; we shall, through the interceffion of Chrift, be accepted by our heavenly Father. But then we must always remember that without this obedience we fhall ftill be rejected, notwithstanding what our Saviour has done for us; nay we shall be condemned with fo much a feverer fentence, as he has afforded us greater means and opportunities of Salvation. Christ has given us the adoption and the liberty of Sons; but if we abuse that liberty to rébel against God and disobey his Commandments, living vitiously and profanely in this prefent World; it had been better for us not to have known the

I

way

way of truth, than after we have known S E R M. it, to turn from the holy commandment III. delivered unto us. Our Saviour has purchafed redemption for us upon the gracious terms of Faith and Obedience; but without this Obedience, we can have no benefit, even of That most perfect redemption. Chrift has fuffered for us, that we might receive the adoption of Sons; but if we continue not to live virtuously as becomes the children of God, it will nothing profit us to have received this adoption. They only who are led by the Spirit of God, are the Sons of God, Rom. viii. 14. Wherefore if we resist and grieve that good Spirit by any vitious practices, we have no part in him, neither will God receive us either as his Sons or his Servants. Whofoever is born of God, faith St John, doth not commit Sin, for his feed remaineth in him, and he cannot fin because he is born of God: In this the children of God are manifeft and the children of the devil: Whofoever doth not righteousness, is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother, 1 John iii. 9. Again, ver. 2. Beloved, now are we the Sons

of

III.

SERM. of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be; But we know that when he Shall appear, we shall be like him, for we fhall fee him as he is; i. e. God doth in This world acknowledge us as his children; how much more hereafter, fhall he that thus spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, rceceive us to the more immediate injoyment of himself? But then he adds immediately, ver. 3. Every man that hath this hope in him, purifieth himself even as he is pure. This is the only poffible condition, upon which we can obtain the Salvation of the Gofpel. Nay, on the contrary, we cannot escape being condemned to a feverer punishment, if we neglect the offer of fo great a Salvation. For if he that defpifed Mofes law, died without mercy, Heb. x. 28. of how much forer punishment shall he be thought worthy, who hath troden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the Covenant, wherewith he was fanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done defpite unto the Spirit of Grace?

SERMON

[65]

SERMON IV.

Of the Fulnefs of Time in which
CHRIST appeared.

[Preached on Christmas-Day.]

GAL. iv. 4, and 5.

But when the fulness of time was come,
God fent forth his Son, made of a wo-
man, made under the law; To redeem
them that were under the law, that we
might receive the adoption of fons.

T remains, that I proceed now
in the 4th and last place, to
confider the Time of our Sa-
viour's appearing in the
flesh; When the fulness of

time was come. Now here, By the fulness

VOL. V.

F

of

SER M.

IV.

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