Precious faith considered in its nature, working, and growth

Thirdly, No man can be at once in two contrary states, in a state of wrath, and in a state of love too: every man, whilst an unbeliever, is in a state of wrath, the wrath of God abides on him, Joh. 3.36. God is angry with him every day, Psal. 7.11. and whilst he is in a state of wrath, he cannot be in a state of love. Joseph, whilst he was in prison in his old clothes, was not in change of raiment in Pharaohs Court. St. Paul, reckoning up a black Catalogue of sins, barring men from inheriting the kingdom of God, saith of the unconverted Corinthians, such were some of you, 1 Cor. 6.11. as yet they were in the chains of sin and wrath, and immediately after speaking of them as converted, he saith, but ye are sanctified, but ye are ⟨p. 205⟩justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the spirit of our God; then the prisoners were become favourites in the Court of heaven, and stood in their robes of grace and righteousness: then and not before, as evidently appears by the words, were and are, relating to two distinct states in two distinct times, they were not, could not be in both states at once, but if justification be eternal, a man may be at once in contrary states, as an unbeliever he may be under wrath, and yet as a justified one under love. I know a man under wrath may be under a love of benevolence, which is the purpose of God to bestow grace and glory, but he cannot at the same time be under a love of complacence, which is directly contrary to a state of wrath, nevertheless eternal justification makes a man capable of both at once.

Thirdly, No man can be at once in two contrary states, in a state of wrath, and in a state of love too: every man, whilest an unbeliever, is in a state of wrath, the wrath of God abides on him, Joh. 3.36. God is angry with him every day, Psal. 7.11. and whilest he is in a state of wrath, he cannot be in a state of love. Joseph, whilest he was in prison in his old cloaths, was not in change of raiment in Pharaohs Court. St. Paul, reckoning up a black Catalogue of sins, barring men from inheriting the kingdom of God, saith of the unconverted Corinthians, such were some of you,