The right method for a settled peace of conscience, and spiritual comfort in 32…

3. The third sort of sins which may be called Sins of Infirmity, are these last mentioned gross sins themselves, so far as they are found in the Regenerate: These are gross sins put in opposition to the former sort of Infirmities; but our Divines use to call them all Sins of Infirmity, in opposition to the sins of Unbelievers, who are utterly unholy. And they call them Sins of Infirmity 1. Because the person that committeth them is not dead in sins, as the Unregenerate are, ⟨p. 265⟩but only diseased, wounded and infirm. 2. Because that they are not committed with so full consent of Will, as those of the Unregenerate are; but only after much striving, or at least contrary to Habitual Resolutions, though not against Actual.

3. The third sort of sinnes which may be called Sins of Infirmity, are these last mentioned gross sinnes themselves, so far as they are found in the Regenerate: These are gross sinnes put in opposition to the former sort of Infirmities; but our Divines use to call them all Sins of Infirmity, in opposition to the sinnes of Unbelievers, who are utterly unholy. And they call them Sins of Infirmity 1. Because the person that committeth them is not dead in sinnes, as the Unregenerate are, ⟨p. 265⟩but only diseased, wounded and infirm. 2. Because that they are not committed with so full consent of Will, as those of the Unregenerate are; but only after much striving, or at least contrary to Habitual Resolutions, though not against Actual.

Here we are in very great Difficulties, and full of Controversies: Some say, that these gross sins do extinguish true Grace, and are inconsistent with it: and that David and Peter were out of the […] of Grace till they did again Repent: Others say, that they were in the state of Grace and not at all so liable to condemnation, but that if they had died in the Act, they had been saved: because There is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus: and that therefore all the sins of Believers are alike sins of Infirmity, pardoned on the same terms: and therefore as a rash word may be pardoned without a particular repentance, so possibly may these gross sins. To others this seems dangerous and contrary to Scripture, and therefore they would fain find out a way between both: But how to do it clearly and satisfactorily is not easy (at least, to me, who have been long upon it, but am yet much in the dark in it.) I think it is plain that such persons are not totally unsanctified by