Rome ruin'd by VVhite Hall, or, The papall crown demolisht

SECT. 10. How a man is said to sinne, and yet sinneth not.

Object. SƲppose, that a man should finde in himself, that he is dead in his affections to all manner of sinne, yet this man so long as be liveth will sinne, how can be then be assured of his salvation?

Ans. I have told you that was the maine reason, why the Apo∣stles did give the exhortation, to worke it out with feare, and trembling, yet neverthelesse, though such a man sinne daily (so is be not with a desire and affection, but in respect of the flesh ••usting against the Spirit) yet may he be assured of his salvation;

for, the Apostle affirmeth touching his owne person (being in the same predicament) that it wa•• not he that sinned, but sinne or the corruption of his owne nature that dwelled or remained in him, Rom. 7. in which Chapter he maketh an absolute distinction be∣twixt them, who may be assured of their election, and them that may not, and that in respect of mens affections and desires to sinne, or not to sinne, where making himself the president, he confes∣seth, that in him (that is, in his nature) there dwelleth no good thing, and that to will was present with him, but how to performe that which was good he found not; and that the good which he would have done he did not: Whereupon he maketh a second con∣clusion, that it was not he that did it, but sinne, &c.

So that the reason of the Apostle thus excusing himself in sin∣ning, was because he had a delight in the Law of God, in the in∣wardman. And that he had no pleasure in those sins, which he daily committed through the infirmity of his flesh, and the temptations and allurements provoking him thereunto, from* 1.1 which he desired deliverance; so that albeit his so sinning, he doth not doubt of his election, but was assured of it, (as appear∣eth in the 25. vers.) by Jesus Christ, who had taken away one guilt of such sins. And from this argument (of the Apostle) we may conclude, that it is not sinne that procureth damnation to any one, but meerly the delight which men take in the action of sinne.

And therefore the Apostle describing the blessed estate of a* 1.2 regenerate man, saith, that he sinneth not, neither can sinne; which is so spoken in regard he taketh no delight or pleasure in that sinne so committed by him, and so is not imputed unto him as sinne. The same Apostle also saith, that there is no condemnation* 1.3 to such as wal•• not ••f••er the flesh▪ but after the Spirit, Rom. 11. 1. And that as many as are led by the Spirit of God, are the Sonnes of God; and if Sonnes; then Heires; and Co-heires with Christ; so then as many as are such, may claime such a title and priviledge, And contrariwise, them that are not such, are not to enioy such priviledges or prerogatives.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Sinne is made g••eater or l••sse in respect of the delight which is taken. in sinning.
• * 1.2

  The bl••ssed state of a rege∣nerate man.
• * 1.3

  Rom. 8. 14, 15, 16, 17.