but really and effectually to be a physician to save our souls,
to cure all our inward distempers. The gospel is not only a doctrine of a
righteousness without us, but of a righteousness both without, for, and
within us too;--"that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in
us," &c. Christ without, happiness itself without, cannot make us happy,
till they come in within us, and take up a dwelling in our souls.
Therefore I declare unto the most part of you who pretend to expect
salvation by Jesus Christ, that you are yet in your sins, and as yet you
have no fellowship in this redemption. Do you think to walk after the
course of the world, and the lusts of the flesh,--to wallow in those common
pollutions and uncleannesses among men, swearing, lying, contention,
railing, wrath, malice, envy, drunkenness, uncleanness, and such like, and
yet be in Christ Jesus? Do not deceive yourselves, "God is not mocked." He
that is in Christ is a new creature. His endeavour and study, his
affection and desire, is toward a new walk after the Spirit. Are not most
of you carnal, all flesh,--the flesh gives laws, and you obey them? Are not
your immortal souls enslaved to base lusts, to the base love of the world?
Are they not prone to prostitute themselves to the service of your fleshly
and brutish part? Why do you then imagine, that you are in Christ Jesus,
partakers of his righteousness? Consider it in time, that so you may be
indeed, what you now are not, but pretend to be. It is the opinion that
you are in Christ already that keeps you out of him.

But, on the other hand again, there is nothing here to discourage a poor
soul, that thinks subjection to sin the greatest slavery, who would as
gladly be redeemed from the power of it as from hell. I say to such, whose
soul's desire it is to be purged from all that "filthiness of the flesh
and spirit," and whose continued aim is to walk in obedience,--though you
have many failings, and often fall and defile yourselves again, yet this
comfort is holden out here unto you,--there is no condemnation to you;
Jesus Christ hath condemned sin to save you, he hath fulfilled all
righteousness for you; and therefore lay you the weight of your
acceptation and consolation upon what he hath done himself, and not upon
what is but yet a-doing in you. Do you not find, I say, that the grace of
Jesus Christ, revealed in the gospel, is that which melts your hearts
most? Is not the goodness of the Lord that