But as for the formal believer, it is not so with him: no; he either prays not at all, or if he does enter into his closet, it is with reluctance, out of custom, or to satisfy the checks of his conscience. Whereas the true believer can no more live without prayer, than without food day by day. And he finds his soul as really and perceptibly fed by the one, as his body is nourished and supported by the other. A
_Second_ scripture mark of our having received the Holy Ghost, is, Not committing sin.
“Whosoever is born of GOD, (says St. _John_) sinneth not, neither can he sin, because his seed remaineth in him.” _Neither can he sin._ This expression does not imply the impossibility of a christian’s sinning: for we are told, that “in many things we offend all:” It only means thus much; that a man who is really born again of GOD, doth not wilfully commit sin, much less live in the habitual practice of it. For how shall he that is dead to sin, as every converted person is, live any longer therein?
It is true, a man that is born again of GOD, may, through surprize, or the violence of a temptation, fall into an act of sin: witness the adultery of _David_, and _Peter_’s denial of his Master. But then, like them, he quickly rises again, goes out from the world, and weeps bitterly; washes the guilt of sin away by the tears of a sincere repentance, joined with faith in the blood of JESUS CHRIST; takes double heed to his ways for the future, and perfects holiness in the fear of GOD.
The meaning of this expression of the Apostle, that “a man who is born of GOD, cannot commit sin,” has been ¹fitly illustrated, by the example of a covetous worldling, to the general bent of whose inclinations, liberality and profuseness are directly opposite: but if, upon some unexpected, sudden occasion, he does play the prodigal, he immediately repents him of his fault, and returns with double care to his niggardliness again. And so is every one that is born again: to commit sin, is as contrary to the habitual frame and tendency of his mind, as generosity is to the inclinations of a miser; but if at any time, he is drawn into sin, he immediately, with double zeal, returns to his duty, and brings forth fruits meet for repentance. Whereas, the unconverted sinner is quite dead in trespasses and sins: or if he does abstain from gross acts of it, through worldly selfish motives, yet, there is some right eye he will not pluck out; some right-hand which he will not cut off; some specious _Agag_ that he will not sacrifice for GOD; and thereby he is convinced that he is but a mere _Saul_: and consequently, whatever pretensions he may make to the contrary, he has not yet received the Holy Ghost. A
¹ _Law_’s _Christian Perfection_.
_Third_ mark whereby we may know, whether or not we have received the Holy Ghost, is, Our conquest over the world.
“For whosoever is born of GOD, (says the Apostle) overcometh the world.” By the world, we are to understand, as St. _John_ expresses it, “all that is in the world, the lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life:” And by overcoming of it, is meant, our renouncing these, so as not to follow or be led by them: for whosoever is born from above, has his affections set on things above: he feels a divine attraction in his soul, which forcibly draws his mind heavenwards; and as the hart panteth after the water-brooks, so doth it make his soul to long after the enjoyment of his GOD.
Not that he is so taken up with the affairs of another life, as to neglect the business of this: No; a truly spiritual man dares not stand any day idle; but then he takes care, though he laboureth for the meat which perisheth, first to secure that which endureth to everlasting life. Or, if GOD has exalted him above his brethren, yet, like _Moses_, _Joseph_, and _Daniel_, he, notwithstanding, looks upon himself as a stranger and pilgrim upon earth: having received a principle of new life, he walks by faith and not by sight; and his hopes being full of immortality, he can look on all things here below as vanity and vexation of spirit: In short, though he is in, yet he is not of the world; and as he was made for the enjoyment of GOD, so nothing but GOD can satisfy his soul.
The ever-blessed JESUS was a perfect instance of overcoming the world. For though he went about continually doing good, and always lived as in a press and throng; yet, wherever he was, his conversation tended heavenwards. In like manner, he that is joined to the LORD in one spirit, will so order his thoughts, words, and actions, that he will evidence to all, that his conversation is in heaven.