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

DOUBT XV.

But I have sinned since my Profession, and that even against my Knowledge and Conscience: I have had Temptations to sin, and I have considered of the Evil and Danger, and yet in the very soberest deliberations, I have Resolved to sin. And how can such a one have any true Grace: or be saved?

BƲt I have sinned since my Profession, and that even against my Knowledge and Conscience: I have had Temptations to sin, and I have considered of the Evil and Danger, and yet in the very soberest deliberations, I have Resolved to sin. And how can such a one have any true Grace: or be saved?

ANSWER.

1. IF you had not true Grace, God is still offering it, and ready to work it. 2. Where do you find in Scripture that none who have true Grace, do sin knowingly or Deliberately? Perhaps you will say in Heb. 10.24. If we sin wilfully after the knowledge of the Truth, there Remaineth no more sacrifice for sin, but a fearful looking for of Judgement, and fire which shall devour the adversaries. Ans. But you must know that it is not every wilful sin which is there mentioned; but, as even now I told you, Unbelief is peculiarly called Sin in the New Testament: And the true meaning of the Text is, If we utterly renounce Christ by Infidelity, as not being the true Messiah, after we have known his Truth, then &c. Indeed, none sin more against knowledge then the Godly when they do sin: For they know more, for the most part, then others do. And Passion and Sensuality (the remnant of it which yet remaineth) will be working strongly in your very Deliberations against sin, and either perverting the Judgement to doubt whether it be a sin, or whether