I. Scripture-light the most sure light ... delivered in three sermons on 2 Pet.…

Object. 2 O! but I fear that my Sin is no Sin of Infirmity, because I fall into it again, and again, and do lie in it.

Object. 2 O! but I fear that my Sin is no Sin of Infirmity, because I fal into it again, and again, and do lie in it.

Answ. But do ye know what it is to lie in Sin? There is much mistake about lying in Sin: Possibly a man may lie in a Sin, yet never fall into the gross Acts thereof; he may he in the breach of the seventh Commandment, and yet never commit the gross Act of Adultery; he may he in the Sin of Covetousness, yet never be any great Oppressor So on the other side, a man may possibly fall divers times into the same Sin, and yet not lie therein; for properly a man is said to lie in Sin, when he doth continue in it, and not purge it out: so he that is born of God, Sinneth not, because his heart is as a Fountain, or Spring, that purifies it self from that dirt and filth of Sin which doth fall into it: but as the Apostle speaks, The whole world lies in wickedness; Why? Because a wicked mans heart is as a Lake, or standing Pool, which keeps all that dirt which is thrown into it. Now if you do thus keep, and lie in your Sin, why do you so complain? this your complaining argues that there is some purging out, and therefore you do not lie in Sin.

Answ. But do ye know what it is to lie in Sin? There is much mistake about lying in Sin: Possibly a man may lie in a Sin, yet never fal into the gross Acts thereof; he may he in the breach of the seventh Commandement, and yet never commit the gross Act of Adultery; he may he in the Sin of Covetousness, yet never be any great Oppressor So on the other side, a man may possibly fall divers times into the same Sin, and yet not lie therein; for properly a man is said to lie in Sin, when he doth continue in it, and not purge it out: so he that is born of God, Sinneth not, because his heart is as a Fountain, or Spring, that purifies it self from that dirt and filth of Sin which doth fal into it: but as the Apostle speaks, The whol world lies in wickedness; Why? Because a wicked mans heart is as a Lake, or standing Pool, which keeps all that dirt which is thrown into it. Now if you do thus keep, and lie in your Sin, why do you so complain? this your complaining argues that there is some purging out, and therefore you do not lie in Sin.