6. An instance more astonishing than both these is given by St. _Paul_ in his epistle to the _Galatians_. _When_ Peter, the zealous, the first of the apostles; one of the three most highly favoured by his Lord; _was come to_ Antioch, _I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. For before that certain came from_ James, _he did eat with the Gentiles_, the Heathens converted to the Christian faith, as having been peculiarly taught of God, that [43]he _should not call any man common or unclean_. But [44]_when they were come, he separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that_ Barnabas _also was carried away with their dissimulation. But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto_ Peter _before them all, If thou being a Jew, livest after the manner of the Gentiles_, not regarding the ceremonial law of _Moses, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews_? Here is also plain, undeniable sin, committed by one who was undoubtedly _born of God_. But how can this be reconciled with the assertion of St. _John_, if taken in the obvious literal meaning, that _whosoever is born of God, doth not commit sin_?
7. I answer, what has been long observed is this: so long as _he that is born of God keepeth himself_ (which he is able to do by the grace of God) _the wicked one toucheth him not_. But if he keepeth not himself, if he abideth not in the faith, he may commit sin even as another man.
It is easy therefore to understand, how any of these children of God might be moved from his own stedfastness, and yet the great truth of God, declared, by the apostle, remain stedfast and unshaken. He did not _keep himself_, by that grace of God which was sufficient for him. He fell, step by step, first into negative, inward sin, not _stirring up the gift of God_ which was in him, not _watching unto prayer_, not _pressing on to the mark of the prize of his high calling_: then into positive inward sin, inclining to wickedness with his heart, giving way to some evil desire or temper. Next, he lost his faith, his sight of a pardoning God, and consequently his love of God. And being then weak and like another man, he was capable of committing even outward sin.
8. To explain this by a particular instance: _David_ was born of God, and saw God by faith. He loved God in sincerity. He could truly say, _Whom have I in heaven but thee? And there is none upon earth_ (neither person, nor thing) _that I desire in comparison of thee_! But still there remained in his heart that corruption of nature, which is the seed of all evil.
He was [45]_walking upon the roof of his house_, probably praising the God whom his soul loved, when he looked down and saw _Bathsheba_. He felt a temptation, a thought which tended to evil. The Spirit of God did not fail to convince him of this. He doubtless heard and knew the warning voice. But he yielded in some measure to the thought, and the temptation began to prevail over him. Hereby his spirit was sullied; he saw God still; but it was more dimly than before. He loved God still; but not in the same degree, not with the same strength and ardor of affection. Yet God checked him again, though his Spirit was grieved; and his voice, though fainter and fainter, still whispered, “Sin lieth at the door; look unto me, and be thou saved.” But he would not hear. He looked again, not unto God, but unto the forbidden object, ’till nature was superior to grace, and kindled lust in his soul.
*The eye of his mind was now closed again, and God vanished out of his sight. Faith, the divine, supernatural intercourse with God, and the love of God ceased together. He then rushed on as a horse into the battle, and knowingly committed the outward sin.
9. *You see the unquestionable progress from grace to sin. Thus it goes on, from step to step. 1. The divine seed of loving, conquering faith, remains in him that is _born of God. He keepeth himself_, by the grace of God, and _cannot commit sin_. 2. A temptation arises, whether from the world, the flesh, or the devil, it matters not. 3. The Spirit of God gives him warning that sin is near, and bids him more abundantly watch unto prayer. 4. He gives way in some degree to the temptation, which now begins to grow pleasing to him. 5. The Holy Spirit is grieved; his faith is weakened, and his love of God grows cold. 6. The Spirit reproves him more sharply, and saith, “This is the way; walk thou in it.” 7. He turns away from the painful voice of God, and listens to the pleasing voice of the tempter. 8. Evil desire begins and spreads in his soul, ’till faith and love vanish away. He is then capable of committing outward sin, the power of the Lord being departed from him.