Chrift Jefus cannot be under condemnation, fince they are made free from the law (from the dominion, though not from the remains) of fin and death; which I have already fhewn you to be my cafe, in the foregoing description of my spiritual state and experience, and in the characters I have given of myself. Another thing that appears to me moft certain and evident is, that the Apoftle fpeaks of himself here (in this 2d verse of chapter viii.) in the fame manner, and to the fame purpose, as he spoke of himself in the latter part of the foregoing chap. ter; and that these words, with the following verfes, are the fum and conclufion of that whole difcourfe. This was the point the Apoftle was undertaking to explain; this the fubject of the prece. ding chapter, as I have already fhewn; in this he fpeaks in the first perfon, as in the former chapter; this is a natural and rational fumming up or draw. ing the conclufion of the whole, The law of the fpirit of life, in Chrift Jefus, hath made ME free from the law of fin and.death. Whence it follows, that those characters, in the latter part of the feventh chapter, belong to none but fuch who are in Chrift Jefus ; and by him freed from condemnation, and from the law of fin and death.

And now, I leave it to you, Sir, to judge, whether we have not reason to conclude, that the A. postle is here fpeaking of himself when in a renewed or regenerate state; and thereby reprefenting the conflict, which the children of God in their highest attainments have with their remaining corruptions; fince there is fo plain a tranfition (by the change of the tenfe) from confidering what he once had been, to a representation of what he now was, at the time of writing this epiftle.-Have we not reafon to conclude this, when all (the very best) of the children of God, do always experience the

Jame fruggle with their corruptions, as is here defcribed-May we not confidently draw this conclufion, when we find, that the characters here given are applicable to none but the regenerate only? None but they hate that which is evil, and have a will prefent with them to that which is good. To be fure none but they hate all evil, and have a will to do all good, without referve or diftinction. None but they delight in the law of the Lord, after the inward man. None but they groan under the burden of the body of death, and maintain a conftant war with the law of fin in their members.-May, we not fafely maintain this conclufion against all oppofition, when we find a perfon defcribed under the influence of a twofold principle, corruption and grace? The former fo brought into fubjection, that its actings are not to be attributed, strictly fpeaking, to him, (being fo contrary to the new man, his predominant principle, according to which God accounts of us, and denominates us), but are imputable only to the remains of the old man, or indwelling fin; the latter having fuch an empire in his foul, as to be called himself; fo that (notwithftanding his corruptions and the out-breakings of them) he can fay, I myself ferve the law of God.In fine, this conclufion moft certainly appears to be neceffary and unquestionable, that they must be in a regenerate ftate, who are delivered from condemnation, and who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit; and who are, by the law of the fpirit of life in Chrift Jefus, made free from the law of fin and death, as the Apoftle fhews to be his own cafe, according to the defcription he had before given of himself. To fuppofe that he here perfonates a profeffor unregenerate, muft, upon the whole, appear utterly inconfiftent with the cafe defcribed in thefe paffages; and therefore fuch

an

an exposition, as altogether forced, is not to be received,

But after all, you will perhaps object, that my interpretation tends to make men fecure and carelefs, bold and presumptuous, in a state and course of fin.

I anfwer, it is fo far from this, that it has a direct contrary tendency. It is a folemn admonition to the children of God to be upon their guard, fince they have such a domestic enemy to deal with: And a like admonition it is to all carelefs, fecure, habitual finners, not to flatter themselves with a vain prefumptuous hope of their regenerate ftate, on any pretences whatsoever.

It is here the character of a Christian indeed, that he hates evil, all evil, without referve. If therefore they who retain any favourite luft, and roll it as a sweet morfel under their tongue, cry peace to their fouls, they are fleeping upon the top of a maft; there is no peace, faith my God, to the wicked. The peace of such is all a delusion, a moft false, abfurd and dangerous peace.

It is here likewise the character of a true Chriftian, that he does not allow fo much as his imperfections, that when thefe obtain, they are without his confent and against his will. These are what he would not, and among the evils which he hates. They therefore are entertaining but a vain dream of a safe state, who are knowingly and deliberately living in any way of finning, and who cuftomarily allow any moral imperfection. They will certainly in the conclufion be rejected among the workers of iniquity.

It is here alfo reprefented as the property of e very fincere Chriftian, that he has a will present with him to that which is good; that he confents to the law that it is good; and that he delights in the

P 3

Law

law of God after the inward man; that is, in other words, (as I have fhewn), he truly loves God and godlinefs. Here is therefore no foundation for them to think well of their state, whose whole religion is conftrained by fear, and whofe hearts and affections are not fincerely engaged in the fervice of God. As for them who love the world and their idols, more than God and a life of fincere, univerfal obedience to him, fuch are in the bonds of iniquity, and have no part or lot in this matter.

It is moreover given as the mark of a true Christian, that he groans after deliverance from the body of death; not only from guilt and danger, but from the remainders of his corruption, and maintains a conftant war against the law of fin in his members. What encouragement is there therefore for fuch an one to hope well of his state, that does not make it his business to keep his heart, and to watch over his lips and life; that does not wrestle with God for deliverance from, and greater victory over his corruptions; and that does not look upon his remaining imperfections as the great burden of his life?

It is furthermore given in character of the true Christian, that he thankfully expects this deliverance only by Jefus Chrift. The Apoftle's answer to the queftion, Who fhall deliver me? is, I thank God through Jefus Christ our Lord; q d. I thankfully look unto God, in and through Jefus Chrift, as a fure refuge in this difficulty, and as the fountain of life, from whence I may fafely expect my needed fupplies.All unbelievers therefore, as excluded from any juftifiable pretence to this character, have no room left them to think well of their state.

In fine, the Chriftian here described, is one who with his mind does himself ferve the law of God.He has had God's law put into his mind, and he

ferves God with his fpirit. His whole man, all that can be called himself, is engaged in a life of gofpelobedience. What can they therefore have to do with the peace and comfort, which is here offered to Chriftians indeed, who are grofsly defective, partial, and unsteady in their obedience; whofe minds are wavering, and whofe hearts are divided between the fervice of God and their idols? A double minded man is unftable in all his ways; and let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord, Jam. i. 7, 8.

Now, to conclude this long letter, I will only further observe, that you may here find, in a fummary and concife reprefentation, the true characters of the children of God, as well as matter of conviction to those who cannot, and of confolation to thofe who can apply thefe marks to themselves. If upon an impartial examination you can juftify your claim to the characters here given, let no man rob you of the comfort and hope thereby fet before you: But if you cannot find fuch marks in yourself, never reft till you obtain these evidences of a con-` verted state.

That the Lord may comfort your heart, and fta. blish you in every good word and work, to do his will, is the prayer of,

SIR,

Your, &c.

LET