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THE PRIEST'S LIBERTY.

brought the will into a bondage. It had always its freedom, but it was bribed by its lower affections to betray itself. By our regeneration we enter into the liberty of the sons of God. S. Paul describes this: "There is now, therefore, no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus, who walk not according to the flesh; for the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath delivered me from the law of sin and of death."[1] They are set free from the guilt of original sin: from its power, and from its fascination. The chief danger in sin is its sweetness and its subtilty. It fascinates and deceives the soul. It draws by desire and it deceives by its dissimulation. There is no duty of a son of God that the regenerate cannot fulfil if they have the will. They have both the power and the freedom. This, then, is the first step in the liberty of the children of God. They are free from eternal death. It has no claim or power over them; nor can it regain its power unless they betray themselves.

2. Further, the law of liberty is the will elevated by the love of God. To serve God is to reign. To love God is perfect liberty. Ubi spiritus Domini ibi libertas.[2] Charitas Dei diffusa est in cordibus nostris per Spiritum Sanctum, qui datus est nobis.[3] Where

  1. Rom. viii. 1, 2.
  2. 2 Cor. iii 17.
  3. Rom. v. 5.