The Doctrine of the Saints' Perseverance

Let us then with the Apostle,¹ having proceeded thus with M. Goodwin, that a foundation may be the better laid, for the removal of what he farther adds, proceed to consider the progress of sin, and to remark from thence the difference that is between Regenerate and Unregenerate men in their sinning.

Let us then with the Apostle,¹ having proceeded thus with M. Goodwin, that a foundation may be the better laid, for the removall of what he farther adds, proceed to consider the progresse of sinne, and to remarke from thence the difference that is betweene Regenerate and Vnregenerate men in their sinning.

1. 1§. 33.

The second thing proposed in the Apostles discourse of the Rise and progress of sin, is the general way that Lust proceedeth in, for the bringing of it forth, and that is Temptation: every one is tempted of his own Lust; This is the general way that Lust proceeds in, for the production of actual sin. It tempts, and he in whom it is, is tempted: There is a Temptation unto sin only, and a Temptation unto sin by sin: The first is no sin in him that is so tempted; our Saviour was so tempted; he was tempted of the Devil, Math. 4. 1. %He was in all points tempted like as we are, without sin. That his temptations were unto sin, is apparent from the story of them; but the Prince of this world coming had nothing in him. John 14. 30. Found nothing in him to Answer and close with his Temptations; and therefore though he was tempted, yet was he without sin. Now though this sort of temptations from Satan, are not Originally our sins but his, yet there being tinder in our souls that kindles more or less, in and upon every injection of his fiery darts, there being something in us to meet many, if not all of his Temptations, they prove in some measure in the issue, to be ours. Indeed Satan sometimes ventures upon us, in things wherein he hath doubtless small hope of any concurrence, and so seems rather to aim at our disquiet, than our sins: as in those whom he perplexes with hard and blasphemous thoughts of God; a thing so contradictory to the very principles not of Grace only, but of that whereby we are men, that it is utterly impossible there should be any assent of the soul thereunto; to think of God, as God, is to think of him, every thing that is Good, Pure, Great, Excellent, incomprehensible in all perfection: Now at the same time, to have any Apprehensions of a direct contradictory importance, the mind of man is not capable. Were it not for the unbelief, causeless fears, and discontentments, that in many do ensue upon Temptations of this nature, which are consequents, and not effects of it, Satan might keep this dart in his own forge, for any mischief he is like to do with it. The Apostle speaks here