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TRUE LIBERTY
JUSTLY as civil liberty is appreciated amongst us, there are but few who have just conceptions of that liberty which has respect to morality and religion. Every one knows that unrestrained liberty is licentiousness: but every one does not know, that a perfect obedience to God’s Holy Word is the most perfect liberty that man can enjoy. This, however, is plainly intimated in the passage before us; from whence I shall take occasion to shew,
I. That the ungodly are strangers to true liberty—
They will boast of liberty, and “promise it to all who will conform to their ways; but they are altogether in a state of bondage [Note: 2Pe_2:19.]:”
1. To the world—
[The tastes of men differ, according to their age and to the sphere in which they move: but all of every age and every rank are subject to the laws of custom, which they dare not to infringe. Even the religion of men must be conformed to this standard; and God’s commandments must be reduced to the scale which men have established for the regulation of their own lives. If one be told what God requires, he immediately bethinks himself, ‘What will this person say, or that person do, if I comply with requisitions so foreign to the habits of those around me? Will they not deride my singularity, and set themselves to oppose my insufferable preciseness?’ To justify their conduct, men put the Scriptures altogether aside, as an antiquated volume, the dictates of which are superseded by the wiser and more practicable maxims of fashion and “philosophy, falsely so called.” Yes: of all unconverted men it is declared, that they “walk according to the course of this world [Note: Eph_2:2.],” and “gaze strangely at any who presume to choose for themselves a holier path [Note: 1Pe_4:4.].”]
2. To the flesh—
[There are different degrees in which men yield to the impulse of their corrupt appetites: but every man has “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 [Note: Rom_7:23.].” In fact, there is not any one so ignorant, but that even his unenlightened reason prescribes to him a better path than he pursues. Let us look around, and see what are the dispositions and habits of all around us. Are not all “fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind [Note: Eph_2:3.],” without affecting any thing higher than the gratification of their own corrupt appetites? We are told, that “they who are after the flesh, do mind the things of the flesh [Note: Rom_8:5.]:” and we know, from infallible authority, that to whomsoever we yield ourselves servants to obey, his servants we are to whom we obey [Note: Rom_6:16.].” In truth, even to our dying hour will our conflicts with this tyrannical master continue; for even St. Paul himself complained, “O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death [Note: Rom_7:24.]?”]
3. To the Devil—
[Well is Satan called “the god of this world: for he worketh in all the children of disobedience [Note: Eph_2:2.].” Ever since he prevailed over our first parents in Paradise, he has subjected the whole race of man to his dominion, “taking them in his snares, and leading them captive at his will [Note: 2Ti_2:26.].” That men deny the agency, and even the existence of this great adversary, is only a proof to what an extent they are “blinded by him [Note: 2Co_4:4.],” and how effectually he has lulled them to sleep in his very arms [Note: Luk_11:21.]. Doubtless it is very humiliating to think of ourselves as his vassals: but this is the true state of every unconverted man; and even the saints themselves are not delivered from his influence, but through the mighty power of Jehovah himself, given in answer to fervent and believing prayer [Note: Eph_6:12-18. Jam_4:7. Rom_16:20.].]
But the Psalmist’s mention of liberty leads us more particularly to shew,
II. What sweet enjoyments they have of it who love and serve their God—
David accounted the service of his God to be perfect freedom. And so, indeed, it is: for the man whom “the truth of the Gospel has made free [Note: Joh_8:32.],” and who “looks to God’s precepts” as his only rule of conduct, he, I say, walks,
1. According to the dictates of his own judgment—
[He has an insight into the mind and will of God, and clearly discerns that there is not, in all the Holy Scriptures, a command which does not conduce to the happiness of all who obey it. His own mind and conscience go along with the word of God, and set their seal to the truth and excellency of every thing contained in it. “Not one commandment appears to him to be grievous [Note: 1Jn_5:3.]:” the whole law of God is esteemed by him as “holy, and just, and good [Note: Rom_7:12 and Psa_119:128.].” To “love God with all his heart and soul and strength, and his neighbour as himself,” does not appear to him any hardship imposed upon him, but the perfection of his nature and completion of his felicity: so that he would on no account have one atom of this law cancelled, or mitigated in the least degree. His own judgment tells him that it is no less his privilege, than it is his duty, to be “holy, as God is holy;” and “perfect, as his Father who is in heaven is perfect.”]
2. Agreeably to the inclination of his own will—
[He is neither drawn nor driven against his own will. He is, indeed, “made willing in the day of God’s power [Note: Psa_110:3.];” but “he is drawn with the cords of a man, and with the bands of love [Note: Hos_11:4.].” He does not, indeed, all that he would; yea, in too many respects he does what he would not [Note: Rom_7:15.]:” but this very thing shews that it is rather strength than inclination that he wants [Note: Rom_7:16-20.]. Could he have but the desire of his heart, he would leave no sin unmortified, no duty unfulfilled. He is in the situation of one who is running a race, or “fighting a fight:” had he but his will accomplished, his every antagonist would be vanquished in a moment, and “death itself, his last enemy, be swallowed up in victory.”]
3. In an unbiassed exercise of his own affections—
[He has a real delight in God. He does not observe the duties of prayer and praise through the fear of hell, but from a real pleasure which he feels in drawing nigh to God, whom it is his privilege to call by the endearing name of Father, and in communion with whom he would gladly walk all the day long. Conceive of Adam before his fall; and there you have an image of those who, through the tender mercy of God, are restored. True, they still have “the flesh lusting against the Spirit, as well as the Spirit lusting against the flesh; so that they neither do, nor can do, all that they would [Note: Gal_5:17.]:” but their taste is the very same with that of angels; and the felicity of angels is begun in them: for their life, so far as they have really attained, is both a preparation for heaven, and a foretaste also of heaven, in their souls.]
Let me then, in conclusion, commend this liberty to your acceptance—
[Think not, my Brethren, that the Gospel is a mere system of restraints: no, it is a “perfect law of liberty [Note: Jam_1:25.]:” and “all who are made free by Christ, are become free indeed [Note: Joh_8:36.].” O that religion were but understood in this view! No captive would more delight to shake off his chains, than sinners would to emancipate themselves from the sore bondage in which they are held. Know then, Brethren, that I am authorised, in the name of Jesus Christ, to “preach deliverance to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bruised [Note: Luk_4:18-19.].” The jubilee trumpet now sounds in your ears, and proclaims to you a restoration to all that you have ever lost and forfeited. Did not the poor slave, think you, when called to resume his liberty and his inheritance, account the trumpet a joyful sound? Let the Gospel, then, be such a sound to you: and, instead of regarding God’s service as a hard bondage, adopt the language of the Psalmist: “I will walk at liberty; for I seek thy precepts.” “Take upon you the yoke of Christ, and I pledge myself that you shall find it light and easy; and you shall obtain everlasting rest unto your souls [Note: Mat_11:28-29.].”]