A Body of Practical Divinity

2d. Br. It confutes a sort of People that brag of Perfection; and according to that Principle, they can keep all God's Commandments perfectly. I would ask these, Have they at no time a vain Thought come into their Mind? if they have, then they are not perfect. The Virgin Mary was not perfect; tho' her Womb were pure (being overshadowed with the Holy Ghost) yet her Soul was not perfect. Christ doth tacitly imply a Failing in her, Luke 2.49. And are they more perfect than the Blessed Virgin was? Such as hold Perfection, need not confess Sin. David confessed Sin, Psal. 32.6. And Paul confessed Sin, Rom. 7.24. But they are got beyond David and Paul; they are perfect, they never transgress; and where there is no Transgression, what needs Confession?

2. If they are perfect, they need not ask Pardon: They can pay God's Justice what they owe; therefore what need they pray, Forgive us our Debts? O that the Devil should rock Men so fast asleep, as to make them dream of Perfection. And whereas they bring that, Phil. 3.15. Let us therefore as many as be Perfect be thus minded. Answ. Perfection there is meant of Sincerity. God is best able to interpret his own Word, he calls Sincerity Perfection. Job 1.8. A perfect and an upright Man. But who is exactly perfect? A Man full of Diseases may as well say he is healthful, as a Man full of Sin say he is perfect.

2. If they are perfect, they need not ask Pardon: They can pay God's Justice what they owe; therefore what need they pray, Forgive us our Debts? O that the Devil should rock Men so fast asleep, as to make them dream of Perfection. And whereas they bring that,