sin in
it, and the end hath all the evil of punishment in it. These streams of
this life's misery, they run into an infinite, boundless, and bottomless
ocean of eternal wrath. If thou live according to the flesh, thou shalt
die, it is not only death here, but eternal death after this. The miseries
then of this present life are not a proportionable punishment of sin, they
are but an earnest given of that great sum which is to be paid in the day
of accounts, and that is condemnation, "everlasting destruction from the
presence of the Lord, and the glory of his power." Now, as the law
discovers the perfect misery of mankind, so the gospel hath brought to
light a perfect remedy of all this misery. Jesus Christ was manifested to
take away sin, and therefore his name is Jesus, "for he shall save his
people from their sins." This is the Lamb of God that takes away the sins
of the world. Judgment was by one unto condemnation of all, but now there
is "no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus," so these two evils
are removed, which indeed have all evil in them. He takes away the curse
of the law, being made under it, and then he takes away the sin against
the law by his Holy Spirit. He hath a twofold virtue, for he came by blood
and water, (1 John v. 6, 7,)--by blood, to cleanse away the guilt of sin,
and by water, to purify us from sin itself. But in the meantime, there are
many afflictions and miseries upon us, common to men: why are not these
removed by Christ? I say, the evil of them is taken away, though
themselves remain. Death is not taken away, but the sting of death is
removed. Death, afflictions, and all, are overcome by Jesus Christ, and so
made his servants to do us good. The evil of them is God's wrath and sin,
and these are removed by Jesus Christ. Now they would be taken away
indeed, if it were not good they remained, for "all things work together
for good to them that love God." ver. 28. So then we have a most complete
deliverance in extent, but not in degree. Sin remains in us but not in
dominion and power. Wrath sometimes kindles because of sin, but it cannot
increase to everlasting burnings. Afflictions and miseries may change
their name, and be called instructions and trials,--good and not evil; but
Christ hath reserved the full and perfect delivery till another day, which
is therefore called "the day of complete" redemption, and then all sin,
all wrath, all misery, shall have an end, and "be swallowed u