Sermons preached

(3.) This walking in the Spirit giveth us an Evidence of our Interest in the Grace of Justification. Gal. 5. 18. And if ye be led by the Spirit, ye are not under the Law. Not to be under the teaching of the Law, as a Rule of Obedience, is impossible for a Creature, To challenge such an Exemption in point of Right, is to make our selves Gods. To usurp it in point of Fact, is to make our selves Devils. It must be meant therefore, either of the irritating, or condemning Power of the Law. If of the former, as the Law by the rigid exacting of Obedience doth increase Sin rather than subdue it, and maketh corrupt Nature spurn and rebel against it, so it is the same with the former Motives: but that is a more limited Sense. Not under the Law, may be expounded to be not under the condemning Power of it; and so to be under the Law, is opposed to be under Grace. Rom. 8. 1. There is no Condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus. There is a great Privilege; but what is the Qualification? Who walk not after the Flesh, but after the Spirit: That is, obey the new Nature.

(3.) This walking in the Spirit giveth us an Evidence of our Interest in the Grace of Iustification. Gal. 5. 18. And if ye be led by the Spirit, ye are not under the Law. Not to be under the teaching of the Law, as a Rule of Obedience, is impossible for a Creature, To challenge such an Exemption in point of Right, is to make our selves Gods. To usurp it in point of Fact, is to make our selves Devils. It must be meant therefore, either of the irritating, or condemning Power of the Law. If of the former, as the Law by the rigid exacting of Obedience doth increase Sin rather than subdue it, and maketh corrupt Nature spurn and rebel against it, so it is the same with the former Motives: but that is a more limited Sence. Not under the Law, may be expounded to be not under the condemning Power of it; and so to be under the Law, is opposed to be under Grace. Rom. 8. 1. There is no Condemnation to them that are in Christ Iesus. There is a great Priviledge; but what is the Qualification? Who walk not after the Flesh, but after the Spirit: That is, obey the new Nature.