When Paul says [in Gal. 3:22], “We are all shut up under sin,” he puts us in mind of our most miserable condition that we are captives of sin and Satan, enclosed in our sins as in a prison, like imprisoned malefactors that wait daily for the coming of the judge and stand in continual fear of execution. And seeing our condition is such, we must labor to see and feel by experience this our spiritual bondage, that we may say with Paul, “We are sold under sin” and “that we know there is no goodness dwelling in our flesh” (Rom. 7:14, 18). This is one of the first lessons that we must take out in the school of Christ. Again, if we seriously bethink ourselves that we are captives of sin and worthy of death, it will make us with contentation of mind to bear the miseries of this life, sickness, poverty, reproach, banishment, etc., considering they come far short of that we have deserved, who are no better than slaves of sin and Satan.

William Perkins | The Works of William Perkins, ed. Paul M. Smalley, Joel R. Beeke, and Derek W. H. Thomas, vol. 2 (Grand Rapids, MI: Reformation Heritage Books, 2015), 200–201.

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Post authored by:

• Tony Phelps

  

  Tony grew up in Rhode Island. He was educated at BA (University of Rhode Island) and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He worked in the insurance industry for ten years. He planted a PCA church in Wakefield, RI where he served for eleven years. In 2015–18 he pastored Covenant Reformed Church (URCNA) in Colorado Springs. He is currently pastor of Living Hope (OPC). Tony is married to Donna and together they have three children.

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