IV. Wiles of the Enemy.Fourthly, Though a Man may witness this for a Season, and therefore all ought to press after it; yet we do not affirm but those that have attained it in a Measure may, by the Wiles and Temptations of the Enemy, fall into Iniquity, and lose it sometimes, if they be not watchful, and do not diligently attend to that of God in the Heart. And we doubt not but many good and holy Men, who have arrived to everlasting Life, have had divers Ebbings and Flowings of this Kind; Every Sin weakens a Man in his spiritual Condition, but doth not destroy him altogether.for though every Sin weakens a Man in his spiritual Condition, yet it doth not so as to destroy him altogether, or render him uncapable of rising again.
V. Righteousness became natural.Lastly, Though I affirm, that after a Man hath arrived at such a State, in which he may be able not to sin, yet he may sin: Nevertheless, I will not affirm that a State is not attainable in this Life, in which to do Righteousness may be so natural to the regenerate Soul, that in the Stability of that Condition he cannot sin. Others may speak more certainly of this State, if they have arrived at it. With respect to myself, I speak modestly, because I ingenuously confess that I have not yet attained it; but I cannot deny that there is such a State, as it seems to be so clearly asserted by the Apostle, 1 John iii. 9. He that is born of God sinneth not, neither can he, because the Seed of God remaineth in him.
Part II.Sect. 1. The Controversy being thus stated, which will serve to obviate Objections, I shall proceed, First, to shew the Absurdity of that Doctrine that pleads for Sin for Term of Life, even in the Saints.
Sect. 2.Secondly, To prove this Doctrine of Perfection from many pregnant Testimonies of the Holy Scripture.
Sect. 3.And, Lastly, To answer the Arguments and Objections of our Opposers.
§. III.
[76] Hab. 1. 13.
§. IV.
This Imperfection in the Saints either proceeds from God or from themselves: If it proceeds from them, it must be because they are short in improving or making use of the Power given them, whereby they are capable to obey; and so it is a Thing possible to them, as indeed it is by the Help of that Power: But this our Adversaries deny: They are then not to be blamed for their Imperfection and continuing in Sin, since it is not possible for them to do otherwise. If it be not of themselves, it must be of God, who hath not seen meet to allow them Grace in that Degree to produce that Effect: And what is this but to attribute to God the Height of Injustice, to make him require his Children to forsake Sin, and yet not to afford them sufficient Means for so doing? Who will give their Children a Stone instead of Bread?Surely this makes God more unrighteous than wicked Men, who if (as Christ saith) their Children require Bread of them, will not give them a Stone; or instead of a Fish, a Serpent. But these Men confess we ought to seek of God Power to redeem us from Sin, and yet believe they are never to receive such a Power; such Prayers then cannot be in Faith, but are all vain. Is not this to make God as unjust to his Children as Pharaoh was to the Israelites, in requiring Brick and not giving them Straw? But blessed be God, he deals not so with those that truly trust in him, and wait upon him, as these Men vainly imagine; for such faithful Ones find of a Truth that his Grace is sufficient for them, and know how by his Power and Spirit to overcome the evil One.