7. And as this position, There is no sin in a believer, no carnal mind, no bent to back-sliding, is thus contrary to the word of God, so it is to the _experience_ of his children. These continually feel an heart bent to back-sliding, a natural tendency to evil; a proneness to depart from God, and cleave to the things of earth. They are daily sensible of sin remaining in their heart, pride, self-will, unbelief: and of sin cleaving to all they speak and do, even their best actions, and holiest duties. Yet at the same time they _know_ that they _are of God_; they cannot doubt of it for a moment. They feel _his Spirit_ clearly _witnessing with their spirit, that they are the children of God_. They _rejoice in God through Christ Jesus, by whom they have now received the atonement_. So that they are equally assured, that sin is in them, and that _Christ is in_ them _the hope of glory_.
8. “But can Christ be in the same heart where sin is?” Undoubtedly he can. Otherwise it never could be saved therefrom. Where the sickness is, there is the physician,
Carrying on his work within, Striving ’till he cast out sin.
Christ indeed cannot _reign_, where sin _reigns_: neither will he _dwell_ where any sin is _allowed_. But he _is_ and _dwells_ in the heart of every believer, who is fighting against all sin; although it be _not_ yet _purified, according to the purification of the sanctuary_.
9. It has been observed before, that the opposite doctrine, “that there is no sin in believers,” is quite _new_ in the church of Christ: that it was never heard of for seventeen hundred years, never ’till it was discovered by Count _Zinzendorf_. I do not remember to have seen the least intimation of it, either in any antient or modern writer: unless perhaps in some of the wild, ranting Antinomians. And these likewise say and unsay, acknowledging, there is sin _in their flesh_, although no sin _in their heart_. But whatever doctrine is _new_ must be _wrong_: for the _old_ religion is the only _true_ one. And no doctrine can be right, unless it is the very same _which was from the beginning_.
10. One argument more against this new, unscriptural doctrine, may be drawn from the dreadful consequences of it. One says, “I felt anger to-day.” Must I reply, then you have no faith? Another says, “I know what you advise is good. But my will is quite averse to it.” Must I tell him, “Then you are an unbeliever, under the wrath and the curse of God?” What will be the natural consequence of this? Why, if he believe what I say, his soul will not only be grieved and wounded, but perhaps utterly destroyed: Inasmuch as he will _cast away_ that _confidence, which hath great recompence of reward_. And having cast away his shield, how shall he _quench the fiery darts of the wicked one_? How shall he overcome the world? Seeing _this is the victory that overcometh the world even our faith_. He stands disarmed in the midst of his enemies, open to all their assaults. What wonder then if he be utterly overthrown; if they take him captive at their will? Yea, if he fall from one wickedness to another, and never see good any more?――――I cannot therefore by any means receive this assertion, that there is no sin in a believer from the moment he is justified; first, because it is contrary to the whole tenor of scripture; secondly, because it ♦is contrary to the experience of the children of God. Thirdly, because it is absolutely new, never heard of in the world ’till yesterday; and lastly, because it is naturally attended with the most fatal consequences; not only grieving those whom God hath not grieved, but perhaps dragging them into everlasting perdition.
IV. 1. However, let us give a fair hearing to the chief arguments, of those who endeavour to support it. And it is, first, from scripture they attempt to prove, that there is no sin in a believer. They argue thus. “The scripture says, every believer is _born of God_, is _clean_, is _holy_, is _sanctified_; is _pure in heart_, has a new heart, is a temple of the Holy Ghost. Now, as _that which is born of the flesh is flesh_, is altogether evil, so _that which is born of the Spirit is spirit_, is altogether good. Again; a man cannot be clean, sanctified, holy, and at the same time unclean, unsanctified, unholy. He cannot be pure and impure, or have a new and an old heart together. Neither can his soul be unholy, while it is a temple of the Holy Ghost.”