The Doctrine of the Saints' Perseverance

Secondly,¹ That sin neither can, doth, nor ever shall reign in Regenerate Persons. The reason of this I acquainted you with before, and the Apostle thinks this a sufficient proof of this assertion, because they are under grace. Rom. 7. 14. Whilst the principle of Grace abides in them, which reigns where ever it be, or the free acceptance of God in the Gospel is towards them, it is impossible upon the account of any actual sin whatever, whereinto ⟨p. 330⟩they may fall, that sin should reign in them: nothing gives Sin a Reign and dominion, but a total defect of all true grace whatever, not only as to the exerting it self, but as to any habitual relicts of it; It may be overwhelmed sometimes with Temptations and corruptions, but it is Grace still, as the least spark of fire is fire, though it should be covered with never so great an heap of ashes, and it reigns then.

Secondly,¹ That sinne neither can, doth, nor ever shall reigne in Regenerate Persons. The reason of this I acquainted you with before, and the Apostle thinks this a sufficient proofe of this assertion, because they are under grace. Rom. 7. 14. Whilest the principle of Grace abides in them, which reignes where ever it be, or the free acceptance of God in the Gospell is towards them, it is impossible upon the account of any actuall sinne whatever, whereinto ⟨p. 330⟩they may fall, that sinne should reigne in them: nothing gives Sinne a Reigne and dominion, but a totall defect of all true grace whatever, not only as to the exerting it selfe, but as to any habituall relicts of it; It may be overwhelmed sometimes with Temptations and corruptions, but it is Grace still, as the least sparke of fire is fire, though it should be covered with never so great an heape of ashes, and it reignes then.

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