A paraphrase upon the Epistle to the Galatians, CHRIST THE SAVIOUR OF THE WORLD. 1 JOHN iv. 14.—And we have seen, and do testify, that the Father sent the Son ROM. vi. 6. Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin, THE DANGER OF DELAYING REPENTANCE. PROV. vi. 10, 11.-Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep. So shall thy poverty come as one that travaileth, and thy want THE EXTRAORDINARY CASE OF THE THIEF ON THE CROSS NO ARGUMENT FOR DELAYING REPENTANCE. Luxe xxiii. 42.—And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest ECCL. viii. 11.-Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily; therefore the hearts of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil, 481 THE SINFULNESS AND HAZARD OF A PROFESSION OF RE- LIGION WITHOUT A CORRESPONDING PRACTICE. LUKE vi. 46.—And why call ye me Lord, Lord, and do not the things which MISCELLANEOUS QUESTIONS. QUEST. 1. WHETHER OR NOT THE SINS OF BELIEVERS WHILE UNREPENTED OF, MAKE THEM LIABLE TO ETERNAL PUNISHMENT? THERE are two things which the children of God ought diligently to study; what they are in themselves; and what they are, and do enjoy, in Christ. The consideration of the former will serve to keep them humble; and the knowledge of the latter will be a store house of comfort against discouragement, a magazine of armour, wherewith they may resist the devil in his assaults, and will afford unto them great matter of thankfulness and praise, which well becometh Christians. For, to exalt Christ is the Christian's great work; and no wonder, seeing it is the great design of the gospel to exalt him, and the riches of free grace, as the Apostle Paul almost every where teacheth. Wherefore we may safely lay it down for a certain conclusion, and rule of doctrine, That whosoever doth most exalt Christ and free grace, so as it have a native tendency to a holy walk, is a gospel-truth; which, if duly noticed, will readily lead us unto a true answer to the question proposed. Now, amongst all the privileges which believers do in their own person enjoy, the liberty where with Christ hath made them free, is not the least; which, how far it extends itself with respect to the sins of believers, is the subject of the present inquiry. In which, that we may the more happily proceed, I shall premise these few things to be considered. 1. Sin is a relative term, and denotes somewhat to which it hath a relation; and that is a law; "for where there is no law," saith the Apostle, "there is no transgression; and sin is a deviation from the law of God, to which the creature, in point of right, is subject; and therefore is called anomia, 1 John iii. 4. Now, there are two things in the law which are here to be taken notice of; the command, which is the rule of life; and the threatening, which is a denunciation of the punishment the guilty doth incur. VOL. VI. B |