Believers Evidences for Eternal Life, Chapter 2 · Section 3
SECT. III.
Now briefly to the third and last thing propounded for clearing this Case of Conscience, viz. to shew, What a vast difference there is betwixt the sinning of Regenerate persons, and their sinning that sin against the Holy Ghost. And this results by way of Corollary from all that hath been already spoken. To hint some particulars may be sufficient; as,
1. They that sin against the Holy Ghost, are such as are under the reign & dominion of sin, viz. Hypocrites that never had in them any power of godlinesse, but only a forme, remaining still in their carnall condition: But Regenerate persons (though sometimes they may fall grievously, … yet) are delivered from the dominion and reign of sin, as hath been shewed.
2. They that sin against the Holy Ghost, were never advanced beyond the degree of Hypocrites, as hath been evidenced: But Regenerate persons are sincere and upright, Psal. 18. 22. 2 Cor. 1. 12. they partake of the truth of grace, power of godlinesse, life of GOD.
3. They that sin against the Holy Ghost, universally fall away both from Profession and Approbation of Truth and grace, as hath been proved: But the Regenerate never fall away thus universally, but only partially, and in some particular respects only.
4. They that sin against the Holy Ghost, apostatize and fall away finally: But though Regenerate persons sometimes fall Wofully, yet never finally; they alwayes rise again.
5. They that sin against the Holy Ghost, sin wilfully and maliciously: But (as hath been cleared) Regenerate persons sin out of weaknesse and infirmity, not of malice or wilfull obstinacie: they hate the evill which they do, Rom. 7. 15.
6. They that sin against the Holy Ghost, sin desperately against the saving Remedy, viz. both against the Ministery and Grace of the Holy Ghost, and also against the blood and merit of the Son of God, as was declared: But they that are regenerate, sin not thus against the saving Remedy.
7. They that sin against the Holy Ghost, are not in fear or trouble lest they have sinned that sin, but are wickedly hardened: Regenerate persons are oft perplexed and afraid, lest they should have sinned it.
8. They that sin against the Holy Ghost, so sin, that it is impossible to renew them again unto repentance: But they that are regenerate, repent of every sin which they fall into, before they die, in the generall or particular.
9. They that sin against the Holy Ghost, sin unpardonably: But all the sins of regenerate persons are pardonable, and actually pardoned to them.
10. They that sin against the Holy Ghost, are tortered with a certain fearfull looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devoure them, Heb. 10. 27. But they that are Regenerate are justified, Rom. 8. 29, 30. and being justified, by faith, they have peace with God, and joy in hope of the glory of God; and not only so, but even glory in tribulation, Rom. 5. 1, 2, 3.
11. They that sin against the Holy Ghost, must not be prayed for, 1 Joh. 5. 16. But we ought to pray for all Regenerate persons, not withstanding their sins & frailties which they are subject to, Iames 5. 16. 1 Ioh. 5. 16.
12. Finally, they that sin against the Holy Ghost, shall certainly and inevitably be condemned; as was proved. But Regenerate persons, not withstanding their Actuall or Original sins, shall certainly and infallibly be saved, Rom. 8. 29, 30. There being no condemnation to them which are in Christ Iesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit, Rom. 8. 1.
These and divers such like differences are very remarkable betwixt the sinning of Regenerate persons, and their sinning that sin against the Holy Ghost: whereby truly Regenerate Persons may discern how far they are from sinning that great sin, notwithstanding all their feares and perplexities about it. For whose satisfaction I have the more largely insisted upon this weighty Case.
Thus far of that 3. Evidence or signe of Regeneration, viz. The not committing of sin. They that are borne of God do not commit sin, nor can sin, in that sense, and in those respects, as have been explained.