26 The Gofpel a Law of Liberty. E R M. meafure, the privilege itfelf, and are in a kind II. of fervitude; fo the fcripture reprefents it and '"' very juftly. A liberty to a t againft reafon, and againft the principal end of our being, is not worthy of the name, but is a real bondage. This having been the wretched condition of mankind generally, fo far that they were dead in trefpas and fins, overcome of their cor- ruptions, and by them brought into bondage, it was the glorious defign of chriflianity to re- cover them to true freedom ; fo our Saviour himfelf exprefsly declares in the 8th of St. 7obn's gofpel, 3ií} and 3 zd verfes : Then faid .yefus to the .yews which believed on him, if ye continue in my word, then are ye my cli/èipies in- deed, and ye (hall know the truth, and the truth fháll make you free. This is the high privilege which by my religion ye (hall obtain ; if ye firmly believe the truths I have taught you, if you adhere to them conflantly, and improYe them faithfully, you (hall be free. And when they mifunderftood his words, apprehending that he referred to an outward fervitude to men which they never had been under, he explains himfelf at the 34th ver. Verily, verily, I fay unto you, whofoever commiteth fin is the jer- vant offin ; - to be freed from that flavery is the trueft freedom, which he intended to re- lore to men ; and he adds 36th ver, If the Son
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