The Doctrine of the Saints' Perseverance

Ans. Because this seemeth to be the sense intended in the Argument, and the minor Proposition in this sense to be built upon the Scripture in hand, let us consider whether the Reason which is assigned for the said Assertion, doth necessarily enforce such a sense thereon. What we understand by this Phrase both as to that sin that is here intended, and that impossibility of committing it, or falling into it often, in that expression [cannot] hath been before discovered. An impossibility it is of the event, from the causes above mentioned that the holy Ghost intendeth. An utter, and absolute incapacity to sin, on any account, we assert not; An impossibility of so sinning, in respect of the event, for the reasons and from the causes above mentioned, the holy Ghost averreth. In this sense the first Proposition is granted, He that doth not commit sin nor can sin, cannot fall away from his Faith, or cannot utterly loose it. The Minor which is the express language of the holy Ghost is questioned and found tardy, that is, (as I suppose) false: and the Reason is added namely, that he that is borne of God is in no such incapacity of sinning; that is, of sinning in that kind of sinning which is here intended, which amounteth to an impossibility for him so to sin: Not to play fast and loose, under those ambiguous expressions of incapacity and absolute impossibility, the Event is positively denied upon the account of the prohibiting causes of it, and the incapacity asserted, relateth not to the internal frame and principle only, but respecteth also other Considerations. Whether these are such as to bear the weight of this Exposition, is that which cometh nextly to be discussed. viz. The causes of this state and condition, of those who are thus borne of God, and the Reasons investing that universal Proposition, every one that is borne of God cannot sin: with a necessary truth.

Ans. Because this seemeth to be the sence intended in the Argument, and the minor Proposition in this sence to be built upon the Scripture in hand, let us consider whether the Reason which is assigned for the said Assertion, doth necessarily inforce such a sence thereon. What we understand by this Phrase both as to that sinne that is here intended, and that impossibility of commiting it, or falling into it often, in that expression [cannot] hath been before discovered. An impossibility it is of the event, from the causes above mentioned that the holy Ghost intendeth. An utter, and absolute incapacity to sinne, on any account, we assert not; An impossibility of so sinning, in respect of the event, for the reasons and from the causes above mentioned, the holy Ghost averreth. In this sence the first Proposition is granted, He that doth not commit sin nor can sin, cannot fall away from his Faith, or cannot utterly loose it. The Minor which is the expresse language of the holy Ghost is questioned and found tardy, that is, (as I suppose) false: and the Reason is added namely, that he that is borne of God is in no such incapacity of sinning; that is, of sinning in that kind of sinning which is here intended, which amounteth to an impossibility for him so to sin: Not to play fast and loose, under those ambiguos expressions of incapacity and absolute impossibility, the Event is positively denyed upon the account of the prohibiting causes of it, and the incapacity asserted, relateth not to the internall frame and principle only, but respecteth also other Considerations. Whether these are such as to beare the weight of this Exposition, is that which cometh nextly to be discussed. viz. The causes of this state and condition, of those who are thus borne of God, and the Reasons investing that universall Proposition, every one that is borne of God cannot sinne: with a necessary truth.