4. Who then freeth from death and from bondage, save He, who is “Free among the
dead”?4007 Who is “Free among the dead,” save He who among sinners is without sin? “Lo,
the prince of the world cometh,” saith our Redeemer Himself, our Deliverer, “Lo, the prince
of the world cometh, and shall find nothing in Me.”4008 He holds fast those whom he hath
deceived, whom he hath seduced, whom he hath persuaded to sin and death; “in Me shall
he find nothing.” Come, Lord, Redeemer come, come; let the captive acknowledge thee,
him that leadeth captive flee thee; be Thou my Deliverer. Lost as I was, He hath found me
in Whom the devil findeth nothing that cometh of the flesh. The prince of this world findeth
in Him Flesh, he findeth it but what kind of Flesh? A mortal Flesh, which he can seize, which
he can crucify, which he can kill. Thou art mistaken, O deceiver, the Redeemer is not de-
ceived; thou art mistaken. Thou seest in the Lord a mortal Flesh, it is not flesh of sin, it is
the likeness of flesh of sin. “For God sent His Son in the likeness of flesh of sin.” True Flesh,
mortal Flesh; but not flesh of sin. “For God sent His Son in the likeness of flesh of sin, that
by sin He might condemn sin in the Flesh.”4009 “For God sent His Son in the likeness of
flesh of sin;” in Flesh, but not in flesh of sin; but “in the likeness of flesh of sin.” For what
purpose? “That by sin,” of which assuredly there was none in Him, “He might condemn sin
in the flesh; that the righteousness of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after
the flesh, but after the Spirit.”4010
5. If then it was “the likeness of flesh of sin,” not flesh of sin, how, “That by sin He might
condemn sin in the flesh”? So a likeness is wont to receive the name of that thing of which
it is a likeness. The word man is used for a real man; but if you show a man painted on the
wall, and enquire what it is, it is answered, “A man.” So then Flesh having the likeness of
flesh of sin, that it might be a sacrifice for sin, is called “sin.” The same Apostle says in an-
other place, “He made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin.”4011 “Him who knew no sin:”
Who is He who knew no sin, but He That said, “Behold the prince of the world cometh,
and shall find nothing in me?4012 Him who knew no sin, made He sin for us;” even Christ
Himself, who knew no sin, God made sin for us. What does this mean, Brethren? If it were
said, “He made sin upon Him,” or, “He made Him to have sin;” it would seem intolerable;
how do we tolerate what is said, “He made Him sin,” that Christ Himself should be sin?
They who are acquainted with the Scriptures of the Old Testament recognise what I am
saying. For it is not an expression once used, but repeatedly, very constantly, sacrifices for
4007 Ps. lxxxviii. 5.
4008 John xiv. 30.
4009 Rom. viii. 3.
4010 Rom. viii. 4.
4011 2 Cor. v. 21.
4012 John xiv. 30.
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On the words of the Gospel, John viii. 31, ‘If ye abide in my word, then…