The Doctrine of the Saints' Perseverance

Ans. The contrary hath been demonstrated. The same phrase necessarily importeth no less. v. 8. of this Chapter, and an equivalent expression beyond all contradiction intending the same, Chap: 5. 17, 18. Besides a Phrase may be so circumstantiated, as to be in one, only place, restrained to a sense, which it doth not elsewhere necessarily import. So that notwithstanding these Exceptions, the Exposition of the words is clear, as before given in. And yet this is all M. G. produceth as his ground, and foundation, whereon to stand in denying the proposition, he that is borne of God sinneth not, that is, falleth not under the power of reigning sin, sinneth not to death as the Children of the wicked one, which I shall leave under that consideration wherewith it is educed from the scope of the Text, and the parallel place of Chap. 5. 16, 17. The truth is there is not much need to contend about this expression, M. G. granting that the intendment of it is, that such as are borne of God do not walk ordinarily & customarily in any ways of known sin Sect: 28. Which (as he saith) is the import of that Phrase [Greek or Hebrew], (the contrary whereof might yet be easily evinced) he maketh no trade or occupation of sinning, that is, he doth not sin in an inconsistency of communion with God, in the Covenant of his Grace. Now in this sense he granteth this Proposition, he that is borne of God sinneth not, i. e. ordinarily or customarily, that is so as not to be accepted of God: that is, no Believer sinneth at such a rate as not to be accepted with God. Add now hereunto the ground & reason of this Assertion, viz. His being borne of God, & the abiding of the seed in him, & we have obtained all that we desire to evince from this place. Because such an one is borne of God, (which is a Reason which holdeth good to Eternity being an act irrevocably past) and because the seed abideth in him, he cannot sin ordinarily or customarily: which kind of sinning alone (as is supposed) can eject the abiding seed; that is, he sinneth not beyond the rate of sins of infirmity, nor in any such way as should render him uncapable of communion or acceptance with God.

Ans. The contrary hath been demonstrated. The same phrase necessarily importeth no lesse. v. 8. of this Chapter, and an equivalent expression beyond all contradiction intending the same, Chap: 5. 17, 18. Besides a Phrase may be so circumstantiated, as to be in one, only place, restrained to a sence, which it doth not elsewhere necessarily import. So that notwithstanding these Exceptions, the Exposition of the words is cleare, as before given in. And yet this is all M. G. produceth as his ground, and foundation, whereon to stand in denying ths proposition, he that is borne of God sinneth not, that is, falleth not under the power of raigning sinne, sinneth not to death as the Children of the wicked one, which I shall leave under that consideration wherewith it is educed from the scope of the Text, and the paralell place of Chap. 5. 16, 17. The truth is there is not much need to contend about this expression, M. G. granting that the intendment of it is, that such as are borne of God do not walke ordinarily & customarily in any wayes of known sin Sect: 28. Which (as he saith) is the import of that Phrase , (the contrary whereof might yet be easily evinced) he maketh no trade or occupation of sinning, that is, he doth not sinne in an inconsistency of communion with God, in the Covenant of his Grace. Now in this sence he granteth this Proposition, he that is borne of God sinneth not, i. e. ordinarily or customarily, that is so as not to be accepted of God: that is, no Believer sinneth at such a rate as not to be accepted with God. Adde now hereunto the ground & reason of this Assertion, viz. His being borne of God, & the abiding of the seed in him, & we have obtained all that we desire to evince from this place. Because such an one is borne of God, (which is a Reason which holdeth good to Eternity being an act irrevocably past) and because the seed abideth in him, he cannot sinne ordinarlly or customarily: which kind of sinning alone (as is supposed) can eject the abiding seed; that is, he sinneth not beyond the rate of sinnes of infirmity, nor in any such way as should render him uncapable of communion or acceptance with God.