Presbyterian Church -- Sermons; Sermons, English; Theology -- Early works to 1800; Theology -- History -- 17th century
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 up of life and
immortality,” ver. 23.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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