3 2 S E R M 0 11l S upon Serm. IV, ned us,by bearing the punilhment of it in his own Perlon g fin had conquered the world, or fubje &ed man to condemnation, therefore Chrifi came to condemn fin, that is, to de. Itroy it. The Quefiion then is, Whether the Apoltle doth hereby expound the Myfle- ry of Santïif[cation or Juftification ? Ianfwer, both are intended, as they are often in thefe words which exprefs the great undertaking of the Mediator, which is to take away fin g there is a damning P*oer, and a reigning power in fn 5 now if condem- ning fin be deftroying of fin, or taking away its power by his expiatory Sacrifice, then not only the pardon of fin, but the mortification of the flefh is intended. 2. What is the fenfe of thole Words (in the flefh )? Is it meant of the Beth of Chrift, or our flefh? Both make a good fenicI T prefer the latter: Firft, he condemned fin in the fie/h, or by the crucified body of Chrifi, exa&ing from him the punifhment due to fin.. Secondly, in ourflefb, that is fin, which by our fleth rendreth us uncapable of fulfil- ling the law of God, or obnoxious to his Vengeance ; This was deftroyed by the death of Chrift, Our old man was crucified with him, Rom. 6. 6. and in converfion the vertue is applied to us, when fin received its Deaths Wound by Vertue of Chrifts Death or Sacrifice. r. 2i S E is, Information; Tofhew the hainons nature of fin. God bath put a brand upon it, and (hewed how odious it is to him ; nothing fhort of the Death 6f Chrift, could expiate fuch a breach between God and his creatures, Chrifi muft die, or no Re- conciliation : Chrifts Death doth leffen and greaten fin 5 it greaten, the nature of it, to all ferious beholders; it leffengh the damning effete of it to thepenitent believer. 2. If Chrifi came to deftroy fin, accurfed are they that cherifh it. Thefe Peek to put their Redeemer to (name, tie me cords the which he came to unloofe, r john 5.8. Chart came to deftroy the works of the Devil. 3. Chrift did not abrogate the law, but took away the eff/s and confequents of Sin' com- mitted againil the law: The firmer was obnoxious to the Juftice of the Lawgiver and Judge 5 the law could not help him, but the Son of God came to fit us again for our Obedience. 2. V S E is, To exhort us to confider fir/i our mifery: how unavoidably our peri(h ing was, had not God found out a remedy for us. In our corrupt eftate, we neither could nor would obey the Law, the duty became impoffible both as to the tenor of the law, and the temper of our hearts, and then the penalty is intolerable. 2. Our remedy lies in the Incarnation and Paon of the Son of God, that in fo en- tangled a cafe he could find out a ranfome for us. The Goodnefs of God, that he lent his own Son: The Power ofGod, that by this means the guilt and power of fin, with all the confequents of ir, are diffolved. 3. VS E is, Direaion in the Lords Supper. Firft, here is the Beth of Chrift, which is food for fouls, John 6. gt. The bread that I fhalI give is my fefbi, which I fhall give for the life of the world. In it he bath purchafed grace and pardon of fin,which are the foun- dations of Immortality. 2. The Lords Supper is a feafion a facriftce,a commemoration of Chrifts fin. offering, or a (landing memorial of his Pa(lìon g a Table fpread for us in the fight of our enemies ; bow muft we be converfant about it, as the Jews about the facrifices ? Firfi, there is re- quired an humble, broken and contrite heart, confeffing our fins, Pfal. 46. 57. The fa. crifices of God are a broken fpirit; a broken and contrite heart, 0 God, thou wilt not defpife. Secondly, fenfble , thank ful, and comfortable, owning of Gods love in Chrifi. . When they had eaten the Paffover, they were to rejoice before the Lord, Deut. 16. r t. So fhould we after this feaft prepared by God to feed and nourith our fouls to 'eternal life. S E R-
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