[Feb. 23d, 1862.]
The nature of this liberty is determined by the nature of the bondage from which we are delivered.
I. It was a bondage to the law, to the obligations to fulfill all its precepts as a condition of salvation.
Secondly, to satisfy its penalty or the demands of justice for its violation. Thirdly, an inward spirit of bondage inseparable from this condition and relation.
II. It was a bondage to sin.—The power of sin as a law in our members.
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This power exists. It is a real controlling influence which determines the character and conduct.
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It cannot be broken or overthrown by any effort of our own. It is a real and fearful bondage.
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It cannot be overthrown or destroyed by any human or any creature power. From this servitude Christ redeems us.
III. It was a bondage to Satan.
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This subjection is real. Satan does rule over men. They are his captives. He controls them at will, so far as God permits.
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They are unable to free themselves from his dominion. They are no match for him, and he has them at a disadvantage.
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This dominion is the dominion of evil, and ends in eternal perdition. From this Christ has made us free by destroying the power of Satan by his own death.
IV. It is a bondage of their reason and conscience to human authority.
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In fact what men are to believe and what they are to do, has always been determined either by the priesthood or by public opinion.
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From this subjection men cannot deliver themselves.
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It is a degrading and ruinous subjection. From this Christ has freed us, a. By destroying the grounds of that subjection which were the consciousness that we could know what we must believe and do in order to be saved. b. By substituting his own authority for all that which is illegitimate. He teaches us by his word and Spirit what we are to believe and do.
V. It is a bondage to human despotism. 1. There is no real liberty but where the gospel reigns.
- The reign of the gospel secures civil and religious liberty, not only by restraining the power of rulers within legitimate bounds, but also by making the people act on the principle that they must obey God rather than man.
VI. The liberty wherewith Christ has made us free consists of freedom from all illegitimate authority, and of subjection to truth, reason, and God, and final deliverance of his people and of “the whole creation” from the bondage of corruption.
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