26 SERMONS upon Serm.IV, S E R i V I 4 N IV. ROM. VIII. 3. For what the lam could not do, in that it was weak through the flefh, God fending his own Son in the likenefs of ¡nful flefh, and for fin con- demned fin in the fíefb. E R. E the Apofile explaineth himfelf, and (heweth how the law of the fpirit of life in Chrifi Pefus, doth make us free from the law offn and death. In the words obferve three things. t. The deep neceffity of mankind ; For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the Flefh. 2. The means of our deliverance ; or Gods merciful provifion for our. relief. The means are two Fir(t, Chrifis incarnation. Secondly, His Paffìon. r. His incarnation, in thefe Words; and God fending his own Son in the likenefs of fn- ful flefb. 2. His Pa(fion, and for fn, or by a Sacrifice for Sin. . 3. The end or benefit accruing to us thereby, Condemned Sinint he Flejb. Dolt. from the whole, That when man could by no means be freed from Sin and Death, God f nt his Son to be a facrifice for fin, that our liberty might be fully accomplilbed. The Apoftles method is bell, I (hall therefore follow that. r. The deep neceffìty of mankind is argued and made out by this reafon, That it was im- po(iible for the Law to do away Sin, and juftifie man before God; fo he faith, For what the law could not do, in that it was weakthrough theflefb. That is, through the corruption of our natures, we being Sinners, and unable to perform the Duty of the Law. To un, derftand the force of this reafon, take thefe confiderations. 1. That it was neceffary, in ref eft of Gods purpofe and decree, that we fbould be freed from Sin and Death. For God would not have mankind utterly to perifh, having cho- fen Come to Salvationand Repentance, and fo leaving others without excufe; therefore the aria Judgment of the Law is debated upon this Argument, Pfal. 143.2. Enter not into judgment with thy fervant,O Lord, for in thy fight/ball no man living be jufiifred. And again, Pfal. 130.3. If thou, Lord, fhouldfl mark iniquity, Lord who /hail fiand? According to the fire Covenant, none canefcape Condemnation; now, this confined not with the purpofes of the Lords Grace, who would not lofe the whole Creation of mankind. God hath (hewed himfelf placable and merciful to all men, and hath forbidden defpair, and continued many forfeited mercies; and did not prefently upon Sinning, put us in our everlaaing eaate, as he did the fallen Angels, but rather is upon a Treaty with us. 2. God replying to refiere and recover fame of mankind, it mutt be by the old way of the Law, or by fame other courfe. The old way of the Law claimeth the fire refpe& and pre cedence of confederation; for, take away Chria and the Gofpel, nothing more divine and perfeft was given to man than the Law; this was fire intended by God for that end, as the Scriptures every where witnefs ; and God will not depart from his own in(tituti- ono, without evident necefftty 5 for he doth nothing in vain, or without neceffarycaufe and reafon, Gal. 3.21. If there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteoufncfo had been by the Law. God would have gone no further than his fir(t tran- faihion with man. Again, 'tis laid, Gal. 2.21. If righteoufnefs had been by the Law, then Chri
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