A fourth volume containing one hundred and fifty sermons on several texts of Scripture…

Use 1. To exhort us to Thankfulness to our Redeemer. Remember your former Bondage; it is a woeful Captivity to be under Sin. Those that are under Sin, are under the Curse of the Law, and the Tyranny of the Devil; we could have no boldness with God as a Father, nor look him in the Face; the Law is against us, God is the Judg, Satan the Jailer, our own Consciences an under-Keeper. Our Fears of Death, Judgment and Hell, are a part of our Bondage: But now what cause have we to bless God? Rom. 8.1. There is no Condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus. Then to be under the Power of Sin, is a woeful Bondage, to be at the beck of every Lust and carnal Suggestion. Men rejoice in their Bondage, they think there is no such Life as to live at large, and to do as we list; but the more liberty we take in Sin, the greater Slavery; the Work is Drudgery, and the Reward is Death. Sin hath reigned unto Death, Rom. 5.21. 2 Pet. 2.19. While they promise them Liberty, they themselves are the Servants of Corruption: for of whom a Man is overcome, of the same is he brought into Bondage. It is the saddest Judgment to be given up to our own Will, to be given up to Satan, to be given up to Self. What a Slavery is this, when we see Mischief, and know not how to avoid it? Conscience is held a Prisoner; we cannot see a Vanity, but the Heart lingereth after it, and groweth sick, as Ahab for Naboth's Vineyard. Duties of Godliness are esteemed an heavy Task; the Law of God is impelling to Duty, and the Law of Sin impelling to Evil. What Thanks is due to God for delivering us from so great a Bondage?

Vse 1. To exhort us to Thankfulness to our Redeemer. Remember your former Bondage; it is a woful Captivity to be under Sin. Those that are under Sin, are under the Curse of the Law, and the Tyranny of the Devil; we could have no boldness with God as a Father, nor look him in the Face; the Law is against us, God is the Judg, Satan the Jaylor, our own Consciences an under-Keeper. Our Fears of Death, Judgment and Hell, are a part of our Bondage: But now what cause have we to bless God? Rom. 8.1. There is no Condemnation to them that are in Christ Iesus. Then to be under the Power of Sin, is a woful Bondage, to be at the beck of every Lust and carnal Suggestion. Men rejoice in their Bondage, they think there is no such Life as to live at large, and to do as we list; but the more liberty we take in Sin, the greater Slavery; the Work is Drudgery, and the Reward is Death. Sin hath reigned unto Death,