That this is the true import of the words, is manifest from what is spoken by St. John in the preceding chapter: " I have written unto you, young men; because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one1." Here the same "seed" of which they were born, namely, the word of God, abideth in them; and, in consequence of that, their victories over sin and Satan are carried forward with increasing energy and effect. Such, at least, were David's views of this matter; and therefore to all young men he gave this direction : " Wherewith shall a young man cleanse his way? even by taking heed thereto, according to thy wordm." And what he recommended to them, he practised also himself; as he himself immediately declares : " Thy word have I hid within my heart, that I might not sin against thee11."
Thus then it is that the regenerate person is kept from com- mitting sin, as he was wont to do in his unregenerate state : " The word of truth abideth in him," both as an authoritative director, and an unerring rule; and " by it he is made free0," and " sanctified0."]
' In this sense many understand John iv. 14 ; as though the water given by our Lord must necessarily issue in everlasting life. But our Lord speaks, not of its issue, but its tendency.
k 1 Pet i. 23. ' 1 John ii. 14. m Ps. cxix. 9.
11 Ps. cxix. 11. ° John viii. 32. r John xvii. 17.
2446.1 THE christian's deliverance from sin. 439
The blessedness of the believer's state will yet further appear, whilst we consider,
III. His security for the continuance of it —
" He cannot sin, because he is born of God." Now it is well known, that many identify the new birth with baptism, at least so far as to maintain, that if they be not actually the same thing, they are always simultaneous and inseparable. But let this senti- ment be brought to the test : let it be seen, whether it can be said of every one that is baptized, that he does not commit sin, yea, and that he cannot commit sin, because he is baptized. I would ask, Is there a man in the universe that dares to make such an assertion as this ? or, if there were, would not the experience of the whole world flatly contradict him ? I will not say that God may not convert a person at the time of his baptism, as well as at any other time. God may make use of any rite, or any ordinance, or any occurrence whatever, to effect his own purposes : but to say that he always creates a man anew, in the way, and to the extent, that my text speaks of, under the ordinance of baptism, is as contrary to truth as any assertion that ever proceeded from the lips of man. And as long as these words remain in the Bible, that a man " cannot sin, because he is born of God," so long it must be obvious to every dispas- sionate mind that there is a new birth perfectly distinct from baptism, and totally independent of it.
As for the idea, that sin, when committed by a regenerate person, is not sin, it is too wild, and too impious, to deserve a thought.
But it is a great and glorious truth, that a person truly born of God cannot sin, as he did before he experienced that change. If it be asked, Why he connot sin ? I answer,
1. Because God has engaged he shall not — [God has said, that " sin shall not have dominion over his people, because they are not under the law, but under graced." And his faithfulness is pledged to "cleanse them from all
(i Rom. vi. 14.
! bo i John, in. 9. [2440.
unrighteousness r." It is a part of his covenant; every iota of which he will assuredly fulfil. This, however, is not to be so understood, as if God would never permit his people to err in anv respect: for the very best of men have erred, and griev- ously too, under the influence of strong temptation, and of the remaining corruptions of their own hearts. But God, under such circumstances, will chastise them, till they shall return to him with deep humiliation and contrition, and till they renew their application to the blood of that great Sacrifice which taketh away the sins of the world. " It is not his will that one of his little ones should perish ;" " nor will he suffer any one to pluck them out of his hands."]