We have in spiritual matters things called liberty which are no liberty. There is
Antinomian liberty—God deliver us from that! A man saith, “I am not under the law
of God, therefore I will live as I like.” A most blessed truth followed by a most
atrocious inference. 565.223
Oh! to be a child, and to give the obedience of a child and not the homage of a serf!
But the Antinomian saith, “I am not under the law, therefore will I live and fulfil my
own lust and pleasures.” Paul says of those who argue thus, their damnation is just. 565.223
Brethren, it is a precious doctrine that the saints are safe, but it is a damnable
inference from it, that therefore they may live as they list. It is a glorious truth that
God will keep his people, but it is an abominable falsehood that sin will do them no
harm. Remember that God gives us liberty, not licence, and while he gives us
protection he will not allow us presumption. 689.259
Only fancy what the effect would be upon our country if a proclamation were issued,
that henceforth all manner of offences against the law would be immediately
forgiven, and men might still continue to perpetrate them. We should hasten to
emigrate from such a pandemonium. The wicked might approve of such a relaxation
of the bonds of law, but it would be an awful curse to the righteous. If the judge of all
the earth could possibly forgive sin while men continue to indulge in it, I do not see
how the world could be inhabited; it would become a den of beasts, wild and without
restraint, raging against all goodness, and even against themselves. The very pillars
of society would be moved if sin could be at the same time indulged by the sinner and
pardoned by the Lord. 1278.88
Does some mere professor sneeringly enquire, “What, are we always to live to God’s
glory, and are we to do nothing but what would glorify him? This is laying down very
straight rules, and making the road to heaven very narrow indeed.” Do you think so,
friend? Then I will tell you plainly my solemn suspicion about you,—I am persuaded
that you do not know the Lord, for if you did, the way of holiness would be your
delight, and you would not ask for licence to sin. I can understand your sinning, but
I cannot understand your finding pleasure in it if you are a real Christian. 1305.415
A man is very far gone in guilt when he reads grace the wrong way upwards, and
infers, from the longsuffering of the Lord, that he may continue in sin. 2932.185
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