36 The Gofpel a Law of Liberty. S E R M. coming the dignity of the human nature. II. And where the fpirit of the Lord is, there is liberty, an enlargement of heart, and confidence becoming the fons of God. The different conditions of the fervants of God by the law and the gofpel, is reprefented, Gal. iv. by the difference between the ftate of a child who is an heir under age, and that of one who has obtained the plenary poffeffion and free enjoyment of his inheri- tance. Now, I fay, that the heir as long as he is a child d fereth nothing from a fervant or bondman, tho' he be Lord of all ; but is under tutors and governors until the time ap- pointed of the father ; even fo, we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world. But when the fuln of the time was come, God font forth his fon, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of fons ; and becae fe ye are fins, God bath feat forth the fpirit of his fon into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. And, la/lly, the gofpeI is a law of liberty, as it fets us free from the power and autho- rity of men in matters of religion and con - fcience. The Jews were in a fervile ftate, not
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