7. But the _English_ who had received it from them (some directly, some at second or third hand) were not so easily prevailed upon, to part with a favourite opinion. And even when the generality of them were convinced it was utterly indefensible, a few could not be persuaded to give it up, but maintain it to this day. II. 1. For the sake of these who really fear God and desire to know _the truth as it in Jesus_, it may not be amiss, to consider the point with calmness and impartiality. In doing this, I use indifferently the words _regenerate_, _justified_ or _believers_: since tho’ they have not precisely the same meaning, (the first implying an inward, _actual_ change, the second a _relative_ one, and the third, the means whereby both the one and the other are wrought:) yet they come to one and the same thing; as every one that _believes_ is both _justified_ and _born of God_. 2. By _sin_ I here understand inward sin: any sinful temper, passion or affection: such as pride, self-will, love of the world, in any kind or degree: such as lust, anger, peevishness; any disposition, contrary to the mind which was in Christ. 3. The question is not, concerning _outward sin_: whether a child of God _commits sin_ or no? We all agree and earnestly maintain, _He that committeth sin is of the devil_. We agree, _whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin_. Neither do we now enquire whether inward sin will always remain in the children of God? Whether sin will continue in the soul, _as long as_ it continues in the body? Nor yet do we enquire, whether a justified person, may _relapse_ either into inward or outward sin? But simply this, Is a justified or regenerate man freed from _all sin, as soon_ as he is justified? Is there then no sin in his heart? Nor ever after, unless he fall from grace? 4. We allow, that the state of a justified person is inexpressibly great and glorious. He is _born again not of blood, nor of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God_. He is a child of God, a member of Christ, an heir of the kingdom of heaven. _The peace of God which passeth all understanding, keepeth his heart and mind in Christ Jesus._ His very _body_ is a _temple of the Holy Ghost, and an habitation of God through the Spirit_. He is _created anew in Christ Jesus_: He is _washed_, he is _sanctified_. His _heart is purified by faith_; he is cleansed _from the corruption that is in the world. The love of God is shed abroad in his heart by the Holy Ghost which is given unto_ him. And so long as he _walketh in love_ (which he may always do) he _worships God in Spirit and in truth_. He _keepeth the commandments of God, and doth those things, that are pleasing in his sight_: So _exercising himself as to have a conscience void of offence, toward God and toward man_. And he has power both over outward and inward sin, even from the moment he is justified.