2 COR. v. 17.
_If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature._
I. 1. IS there then sin in him that is in Christ? Does sin _remain_ in one that _believes in him_? Is there any sin in them that are _born of_ God, or are they wholly delivered from it? Let no one imagine this to be a question of mere curiosity: or that it is of little importance whether it be determined one way or the other. Rather it is a point of the utmost moment, to every serious Christian: the resolving of which very nearly concerns both his present and eternal happiness.
2. And yet I do not know, that ever it was controverted in the primitive church. Indeed there was no room for disputing concerning it, as all Christians were agreed. And so far as I have ever observed, the whole body of antient Christians who have left us any thing in writing, declare with one voice, that even believers in Christ, till they are _strong in the Lord and in the power of his might_, have need to _wrestle with flesh and blood_, with an evil nature, as well as _with principalities and powers_.
3. And herein our own church, (as indeed in most points) exactly copies after the primitive; declaring (in her ninth article) “Original sin is the corruption of the nature of every man whereby man is in his own nature inclined to evil, so that the flesh lusteth contrary to the Spirit. And this infection of nature doth remain, yea, in them that are regenerated; whereby the lust of the flesh called in greek φρόνημα ♦σαρκὸς, is not subject to the law of God. And altho’ there is no condemnation for them that believe, yet this lust hath of itself the nature of sin.”
4. The same testimony is given by all other churches: not only by the _Greek_ and _Romish_ church, but by every _reformed_ church in _Europe_, of whatever denomination. Indeed some of these seem to carry the thing too far: so describing the corruption of heart in a believer, as scarce to allow that he has dominion over it, but, rather is in bondage thereto. And by this means they leave hardly any distinction, between a believer and an unbeliever.
5. To avoid this extreme, many well-meaning men, particularly those under the direction of the late count _Zinzendorf_, ran into another; affirming, that ♦“All true believers, are not only saved from the _dominion_ of sin, but from the _being_ of inward as well as outward sin, so that it no longer, _remains_ in them. And from them, about twenty years ago many of our countrymen imbibed the same opinion, that even the corruption of nature _is no more_, in those who believe in Christ.
6. It is true, that when the _Germans_ were pressed upon this head, they soon allowed, (many of them at least) that “sin did still remain _in the flesh_, but not _in the heart_ of a believer.” And after a time, when the absurdity of this was shewn, they fairly gave up the point: allowing, that sin did still _remain_, though not _reign_ in him that is born of God.
7. But the _English_ who had received it from them (some directly, some at second or third hand) were not so easily prevailed upon, to part with a favourite opinion. And even when the generality of them were convinced it was utterly indefensible, a few could not be persuaded to give it up, but maintain it to this day.
II. 1. For the sake of these who really fear God and desire to know _the truth as it in Jesus_, it may not be amiss, to consider the point with calmness and impartiality. In doing this, I use indifferently the words _regenerate_, _justified_ or _believers_: since tho’ they have not precisely the same meaning, (the first implying an inward, _actual_ change, the second a _relative_ one, and the third, the means whereby both the one and the other are wrought:) yet they come to one and the same thing; as every one that _believes_ is both _justified_ and _born of God_.
2. By _sin_ I here understand inward sin: any sinful temper, passion or affection: such as pride, self-will, love of the world, in any kind or degree: such as lust, anger, peevishness; any disposition, contrary to the mind which was in Christ.
3. The question is not, concerning _outward sin_: whether a child of God _commits sin_ or no? We all agree and earnestly maintain, _He that committeth sin is of the devil_. We agree, _whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin_. Neither do we now enquire whether inward sin will always remain in the children of God? Whether sin will continue in the soul, _as long as_ it continues in the body? Nor yet do we enquire, whether a justified person, may _relapse_ either into inward or outward sin? But simply this, Is a justified or regenerate man freed from _all sin, as soon_ as he is justified? Is there then no sin in his heart? Nor ever after, unless he fall from grace?