to these,--a law of sin in
their members, bringing them in subjection to the lusts of the flesh. Sin
hath a powerful dominion and tyranny over every man by nature. It hath a
sort of light and power over him. And likewise, every one was under a law
of death, the law of God cursing him, and sentencing him to condemnation
because of sin. These two were joint conquerors of all mankind. But, saith
he, there is a delivery from this bondage. Freedom is obtained to
believers by Jesus Christ, and so "there is no condemnation to them which
are in Christ," and so they walk not after the leading and direction of
that law of sin within them, but after the guiding of our blessed
Tutor,--the Spirit of God. If you ask how this comes to pass,--by what
authority, or law, or power, is this releasement and freedom obtained?
Here it is,--"by the law of the Spirit of life, which is in Christ." Christ
is not an invader, or unjust conqueror, he hath fair law for what he doth,
even against those laws which detain unbelievers in bondage. There is a
higher and later law on his side, and he hath power and strength to
accomplish his design. He opposes law unto law, and life unto death, and
spirit unto flesh; a law of spirit unto a law of sin and flesh; a law of
life unto a law of death;--in a word, the gospel, or covenant of grace,
unto the law or covenant of works. The powerful and living Spirit of grace
that wrought mightily in him, is set fore-against the power of sin and
Satan in us, and against us. The one gives him right and title to conquer,
the other accomplisheth him for the work; and by these two are believers
in Jesus Christ made freemen, who were bondmen. That, then, which we would
speak from these words, is the common lot of all men by nature, viz. to be
under the power of sin, and sentence of death; the special exemption of
believers in Christ, and immunity from this, or delivery from it; and then
the true ground and cause of this delivery from that bondage;--which three
are contained in the words, it is a purpose indeed of a high nature, and
of high concernment to us all. Our life and death is wrapt up in this. You
may hear many things more gladly, but if you knew it, none so profitable.
Therefore let us gather our spirits to the consideration of these
particulars.

As to the first, all men are under the bondage of a twofold law,--the law
of sin within them, and the law of death without them. Man was created
righteous; but, saith the