The Christian Armory, Book 2 · Chapter 4
CHAP. IIII. Of a relapse into sinne, and of long continuance in it.
Question.
CAn that man hauehave any dram or scruple of sauing grace, that falleth eftsoones into one and the same sinne?
A. Yes: why not? For first there is no greater perfection i… the effect, then in the cause, nor in the whole, then in the parts: but the cause of our obedience, i. our faith, and the parts of our regeneration .i. the renewing of our vnderstanding, will, affections, are vnperfect; ergo the whole must needs bée vnperfect, and therefore no meruaile that a Saint of God falleth once, againe, yea, & the 3. time, into one and the same sinne.
Secondly, Abraham lyed twice, and Sarah consented: Lot was twice drunkē, and so twice committed incest: Peter (through feare) thrée seueral times denied his good Lord & Master: and (to omit more examples) Iohn the Euangelist, twice fell downe to worshippe the Angell, taking him for Christ: but all these were Gods deere seruants and repented.
Thirdly, God would heereby correct presumption of our own strength in vsus, and make vsus more to pitty our brethren when they fall, because we are subiect to the like infirmities.
Fourthly, our gracious Sauiour is ful of mercy and will infinite times forgiue them that repent and turne to him.
Fiftly, the true Christian at length doth recouer out of his sinne.
Lastly, Christ is a continual, and an effectual Mediator for such, and therefore they cannot fall away from grace,Lam. 3.24.25. nor perish; for he wil not forsake them for euer, 1. Iohn 2.1, 2.
Q. What vse are wee to make hereof?
A. First, wée in our anguish and distresse of soule, must set before our eyes the examples of those that hauehave through infirmity often committed the same sinne, and yet hauehave béene forgiuen.
Secondly, wee must bée grieued in our hearts for eueryevery sinne so committed,Heb. 3.12. and sinne no more lest a worse thing befall vsus, and lest custome of sin bréede an habite, and so we be hardned in it, and perish.
Thirdly, wee must not yéeld to the enticements of sinne, (as Adam did to Eua) but we must resist them, as Iob did his wife prouoking him to sinne.
Fourthly, seeing that few such are recouered, let vsus willingly make no trade,Luk. 13. practise, or occupation of sinne as doe the workers of iniquity.
Lastly, if wee bee cladde with the glorious garments of Christ his imputed holinesse and righteousnesse, wee must beware that wee staine and defile it not by sinnes of knowledge and presumption; and we must (for the time to come) be carefull to auoid all occasions and allurements vntounto sinne.
Q. But what if a Christian long sleep and continue in a knowne sinne, how then can hee any way assure himselfe of the truth of his sanctification?
A. Yes: he sinning either of some ignorance, or of infirmity, without any delight in sinne, or resolution to sinne; for grace and a resolution to continue in any knowne sinne, cannot stand together. The reasons that a sanctified person may long continue in a sinne, are, or may be these.
First, (perhaps) he is not throughly conuicted that it is a sinne.
Secondly, he is alwaies in battell against sinne, satan, and the world, and therefore may receiue a venue or wound that is not presently cu…,Luk. 22.32 but yet his faith cannot faile.
Thirdly, Dauid continued a whole yéere in his murder and adultery,Perkins. before he repented, and Master Luther when he began to sée the truth, lay some three yéeres in desperation.
Fourthly, a regenerate man in his spirituall sight is taken captiue, but full sore against his will; for hee is gréeued much for it, and from his heart desireth to be deliuered,Psal. 119.11. and therefore by such a temptation, grace and faith are not wholly taken away, but rather declared and made manifest.
Q. What vse is to be made hereof?
A. First, if a man (through infirmity) hauehave laien long in any sin he must study and striue by all good meanes to get ground of it, and to ouermaster it, and then it shal be laid to Satans charge, and not be imputed to him.
Secondly, séeing that he in the continuall combat against the world, the flesh, and the diuell, cannot possibly escape without some spirituall wounds, (yet not deadly to the beléeuer) he must by spirituall medicines salue and cure them.