66 By the law delivered to the Jews by Moses, he must expect condemnation. So it had been proved. the law is the knowledge of sin." Or if a man looked to himself and his own nature, he must expect condemnation. For he would "see a law in his members warring against the law of his mind, and bringing him into captivity to the law of sin which is in his members." In order, then, to be free from condemnation, he must look elsewhere. And blessed be God, he There is now no condemna would not look in vain. tion to them that are in Christ Jesus, who walk (are walking) not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Christ has borne the curse of the law for us, and sin is not imputed to them that are in him. He teaches, and he enables us, to walk not after the flesh; not to follow the corrupt nature which is contrary to the law of God; but to yield ourselves up to be led by the Spirit, which makes us partakers of the divine nature, and delivers us from the corruption of our birth. So that the "grace and truth which came by Jesus Christ," the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus, has made us free from the law of sin and death. The law which pardons sin, and provides for holiness, delivers us from the law which whilst it condemns us as sinners, yet leaves sin in all its power. 3. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh : 4. That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. The law could condemn sin, in one sense; it could declare the penalty of sin. But in another most important sense it could not condemn sin: it could not dethrone it from its seat in man's heart: could not abolish its power, in that it was weak through the flesh a corrupt nature could not be thus sanctified. But what the law could not do, God had now done: God sending his Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: Christ by his sufferings in the body (for he "was made flesh"1 for our sakes,) abolished the power of sin to destroy: and by the gift of the Holy Spirit enables man to resist and conquer it. And sin being thus condemned, put down, dethroned,-righteousness might succeed and prevail. Men are delivered from sin, that the righteousness of the law may be fulfilled in them;2 that the righteousness which the law requires, but could not secure, may be wrought in them by the Spirit overcoming their carnal nature, and bringing it into subjection to the will of God. 2 5. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. nature. "That which The disciples of Christ By birth, we have a carnal is born of the flesh, is flesh."3 receive a spiritual nature: "That which is born of the Spirit, is spirit." They that are after the flesh, they 1 Heb. vii. 19. "The law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did: by the which we draw nigh unto God." 2 In them, not for them, as some have interpreted it. 3 John iii. 6. that remain in their sinful nature, do mind the things of the flesh; the things of this present world; what their natural inclinations lead them to. Like the rich man described in our Lord's parable; who having much goods laid up for many years, thought only how he might "take his ease, eat, drink, and be merry." Like Ananias, when he professed to sell his possessions, and devote the produce to the Christian cause, but did in truth keep back a part of the price for his own purposes.5 Like those among the chief priests and rulers, who believed in Jesus that he was the Christ, but "did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue." These all, though in different directions, minded the things of the flesh. Whereas the spiritual mind renounces "the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life," and whatever is "not of the Father, but of the world." Like Moses, when he refused to remain in the court of Pharaoh, and preferred" the reproach of Christ to the pleasures of sin for a season." Like Paul himself, when though he had a just claim upon his converts for support, he would not be chargeable to any of them; but wrought with his own hands night and day," that he might not prejudice his Master's cause. 66 "98 Now of this spirit we are here told, and truly told, that it is life and peace. It is life, because it has the promise of the Saviour: "He that liveth and believeth in me, shall never die."' It is proof of that vital union with him, on which eternal life depends: 4 Luke xii. 19. 5 Acts v. 2. 6 John ix. 22. 1 John xi. 26. it is the result of his grace, for he "quickeneth whom he will:" it springs from that faith in him, which whosoever hath, "hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life."2 Therefore it is life; and it is also peace. There is no peace to the carnal mind. It is "like the troubled sea, whose waters cast up mire and dirt." The carnal mind is covetous. What more contrary to peace? The carnal mind is ambitious, jealous, envious. What more contrary to peace? But the spiritual mind is peace, because it is free from tumultuous passions and inordinate desires. The Lord "extends peace to it like a river;" like a full but gently flowing stream, undisturbed by tides or storms, and in its tranquil course diffusing health and fertility around. Whereas, on the other hand, to be carnally-minded is death. The soul that is not raised above the world, and the things that are in the world, is still in a state of condemnation. Its "sin remaineth."5 It has not undergone that change, that renewal of the spirit, which is the seal of adoption to every child of God: without which, there is no entrance into his kingdom. For as it is the character of the spiritual mind to bring every thought into conformity with the will of God: so the carnal mind is enmity against him, and not subject to his law. Whereas to bring our will into agreement with God's will, is the very purpose of our redemption, and the only test of our salvation. By nature every mind is carnal; and "they that are in the flesh cannot please God." The operation of divine 2 John v. 24. Isa. lxvi. 12. 3 Isa. lvii. 20. 5 See John ix. 41. grace effects a change: the carnal desires give way, and spiritual things influence the will and delight the heart. And they that are made the children of God through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, are thus prepared for a kingdom where that which is now earthly shall become heavenly, and that which is now corrupt shall put on incorruption. Then the flesh and the spirit shall no longer be contrary one to the other; but "God shall be all in all." LECTURE XXII. THE CORRUPTION OF THE FLESH WHICH IS TO BE OVERCOME BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD. ROMANS Viii. 8—15. 8. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. The Lord Jesus had said, long before, that "Except a man be born again, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."1 "That which is born of the flesh, is flesh" and they that are in the flesh cannot please God. There must, then, be a change. That change is wrought by the Spirit of God; so that the believer in Christ is said to be "born of the Spirit:" to be no longer in the flesh, but in the Spirit. And if any man have not the Spirit of God, he is none 1 John iii. 3, &c. of his. He has |