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SERMON XXVI.

GRACE AND RIGHTEOUSNESS.

ROMANS V. 17..

They who receive abundance of grace, and of the gift of righteousness, shall reign in life by Jesus Christ.

SIN is a dreadful evil, and its introduction into the world was a grievous calamity. Death, and all its gloomy, distressing attendants, are the consequence of sin but grace is opposed to sin; grace rises above it, and must secure a complete and final conquest.

This is clearly taught in the verses connected with the text. The Apostle, having noticed the melancholy entrance and devastations of sin, proceeds, at the fifteenth verse, to illustrate the glorious efficacy and effects of grace: "But not as the offence, so also is the free gift;" the one is greatly superior to the other, and in every respect has the advantage: "For if through the offence of one many be dead; much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many." In the former instance, a curse was entailed in the latter, an abundant blessing. "And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift; for the judgment was by one, to condemnation; but the

free gift is of many offences unto justification." The blessing spreads wide as the curse is found, and avails to the promotion of happiness the most exalted and permanent. "For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they who receive abundance of grace, and of the gift of righteousness, shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ."

In the text we have,

I. A high PRIVILEGE STATED" shall reign in life by Jesus Christ."

This expresses the safety, honour, and happiness to which believers are advanced, through the interposition of the Saviour. A privilege which is partially enjoyed here, but which will be completed hereafter.

"Life" is opposed to death; and in this place, as in many others, is of a very significant meaning. It denotes a state of moral feeling; a condition of spiritual sensation, perception, activity, and enjoyment. Humbling is the description given of man in his natural state: "alienated from the life of God""dead in trespasses and sins." But true Christians are not in this state: they have passed an important change; they have felt a vivifying influence peculiar to themselves. The Apostle explains it, and accounts for it thus: God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ." And if we are Christians, this life is ours; we are born again from above; made alive to God, and alive to righteousness; are new creatures in Christ Jesus.

These persons, it is true, complain of deadness; they are conscious of debility and languor, which they

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seriously lament: but they are not dead; they have a principle of operative, spiritual life. And how is it evidenced? They love what is spiritual, and wish to love it more they breathe the soul in prayer, and desire to pray more ardently: they strive against sia, and would strive more successfully they move in the ways of holiness, and are concerned to do it with more steadiness, alacrity, and delight. These are some of the best signs of life: may each of us possess them, and more clearly manifest them!

"Shall reign in life." This is more than merely to have life. It denotes at least two things-dignity and dominion.

Thus Christians are called "a royal priesthood;" and are represented as singing, "Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God." There is dignity implied in these expressions, and honour attached to the ideas which they convey; not such as cometh from the world, but that which is only from God. The highest honour of Christians is their relation to Christ, their interest in him, their likeness to him. May this honour be yours and mine, and we shall envy none !

But what is the dominion of Christians? Are they not, in general, depressed, afflicted, and poor? Their dominion is like their dignity, spiritual in its nature and divine in its origin. The Christian reigns in that he enjoys a sacred freedom from the guilt and tyranny of sin, by which he was enthralled. He is not the vassal of Satan, not taken captive by the devil at his will; but rises in holy conquest. He is not enslaved to the world; but, partaking of the faith which overcomes the world, he escapes its pollutions, and secures the victory. He is not go

verned by unsanctified passions, not subjugated to unhallowed lusts, not living "after the flesh;" but, rescued from this dreadful condition, a nobler principle operates and prevails: by the energy of Divine grace he attains something of the command of himself, and rules his own spirit.

And hence observe, it is highly desirable not only that we be Christians, but that we advance in Christianity; not only that we have life, but that we "have it more abundantly"—that we " reign in life" -that we rise to more of its honour, and reach more of its excellency and happiness. There is such a thing as religious pleasure, as holy joy, as sacred, solid satisfaction; and why do we not attain it? Why do we rest content without it? "Forgetting the things which are behind, and reaching forward to the things which are before, let us press toward the mark for the prize."

But this expression-" shall reign in life," must ultimately refer to heaven. There shall this life be completed, and this reign perpetuated. "If we suffer with Christ, we shall also reign with him; and, if we overcome, he will grant us to sit with him in his throne." Hence heaven is frequently represented under the emblem of a kingdom :-" They shall come from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God." The pious poor are "heirs of the kingdom which God hath promised to them that love him." And at the last day, the King shall say to all on his right hand, whatever may have been their condition here, (C Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world."

In that kingdom there is life in the highest possible

degree; life, but no languor: "and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain; for the former things are passed away*."

In that kingdom the saints reign; their dignity is perfect, their dominion is complete, their security is everlasting. "There shall be no more curse :-and there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light; and they shall reign for ever and evert." We cannot conceive a larger wish, we cannot present a more benevolent prayer in behalf of each other, than that we may be heirs of this kingdom, and preparing for its blessedness and glory.

"Shall reign in life, by Jesus Christ." This instructs us in the way to God, the only path to glory.

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By Jesus Christ," to the eternal exclusion of all others; to the utter annihilation of human merit. By Jesus Christ," the sinner dead in sins has life; degraded and debased by transgression, he is raised to a throne, is elevated to the dignity of a son, and attains the dominion of a prince. Do not you perceive that all the sinner's salvation, all his victory, and all his triumph from first to last, is "by Jesus Christ?" What a Saviour is this! and how large are our obligations to Him! All is procured by Him; all is treasured in Him; all is given through Him. Worthy is the Lamb that was slain!" "Blessing and honour, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever."-Observe,

II. The PERSONS DESCRIBED who enjoy the pri

* Rev. xxi. 4.

+ Rev. xxii, 3-5.

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