The Sinner’s Sanctuary: Gospel Freedom from Death, Condemnation, and the Law

by Hugh Binning

The Sinner’s Sanctuary consists of a series of forty sermons on Romans 8:1–15. They were preached by Hugh Binning, minister in Govan, now part of Glasgow, on the south bank of the River Clyde in the west of Scotland. Walking readers through the apostle Paul’s argument, Binning carefully explains the safety and freedom saved sinners experience through life united to Christ and walking according to His Spirit. The results are particularly powerful and comforting for believers. These sermons are representative of Binning’s all-too-brief ministry from 1650 until his death in 1653 at the age of twenty-six. He was, by any measure, a remarkable minister.

Contents

Hugh Binning, Preacher of The Sinner’s Sanctuary

The Day of Complete Redemption (Romans 8:1)The City of Refuge (Romans 8:1)The Marks of the Justified Believers (Romans 8:1)The Walk of the New Man in Christ (Romans 8:1)The Principles and Motivation of Spiritual Walking (Romans 8:1)No Walking in the Spirit—No Fruit of the Spirit (Romans 8:1)True Freedom in Christ (Romans 8:2)Strive Earnestly for True Freedom in Christ (Romans 8:2)Salvation for Sinners Accomplished (Romans 8:2)The Only Remedy for Sinners (Romans 8:3)The Fountain of Sweetest Consolation (Romans 8:3)The Mystery of the Incarnation (Romans 8:3)Sin Fully and Finally Dealt With (Romans 8:3)In Christ Justice and Mercy Embrace (Romans 8:4)The Relationship between Justification and Sanctification (Romans 8:4)The Spirit versus the Flesh (Romans 8:4–5)The Desires of the Flesh Are against the Spirit (Romans 8:5)The Great Difference between Flesh and Spirit (Romans 8:5–6)The Way of Death and the Way of Life (Romans 8:6)The Vile Ugliness of Enmity against God and the Bitter Fruit of Rebellion against Him (Romans 8:7)The Implacable Enmity of the Carnal Mind against God (Romans 8:7–8)No Other Way—In Christ Alone (Romans 8:8)The Vivid Contrast between Those in the Spirit and Those in the Flesh (Romans 8:8)The Holy Spirit Dwells in Genuine Believers (Romans 8:9)Our Union with Christ through the Indwelling Spirit (Romans 8:9)Love Unites Christ with the Soul That Is Cleansed (Romans 8:10)The Truth about Death without Christ (Romans 8:10)Christ Has Removed the Sting from Death (Romans 8:10)Death’s Terrors Outside of ChristContrasted with Death’s Joys for Those in Christ (Romans 8:10)The Blessed Hope (Romans 8:11)The Twofold Resurrection (Romans 8:11)The Believer’s Unlimited Eternal Debt of Love (Romans 8:12)The Threefold Cord and Our Souls on the Weighing Scales (Romans 8:12–13)Choose This Day Whom You Will Serve (Romans 8:13)Mortification Restores Human Dignity (Romans 8:13–14)The Spirit of Adoption, Part I (Romans 8:14–15)The Unspeakable Privilege of Adoption (Romans 8:14–15)The Spirit of Adoption, Part II (Romans 8:15)What a Man Is on His Knees before God in Prayer, That He Is and That Alone (Romans 8:15)Toward Understanding the Precious Privilege of Prayer (Romans 8:15)

389 pages, Hardcover

Published May 20, 2025

About the author

Hugh Binning (1627 - 53) was a Scottish Presbyterian minister and scholar.

Binning was the son of a wealthy landowner. As a young boy he showed a strong aptitude for learning and religious exercises. He graduated from the College of Glasgow in 1646 and soon afterwards, despite his youth, was elected to the chair of Philosophy in the College. Ordained Minister of Govan, near Glasgow, in 1650, he is said to have impressed Oliver Cromwell by the force of his reasoning.

In the division of the Scottish Church into Resolutioners and Protesters he took the side of the Protesters, but maintained an irenic spirit and in this context wrote his Treatise of Christian Love. He died in 1653 aged only 26. Though his preaching differed from that of most of his contemporaries in having fewer divisions and sub-divisions, it was warm and practical and gained him great popularity. James Durham said, 'There is no speaking after Mr. Binning.'