5. Nay, the angel of the church at _Pergamos_ also, is exhorted to _repent_, which implies sin, tho’ our Lord expresly says, _thou hast not denied my faith_, ver. 13, 16. And to the angel of the church in _Sardis_, he says, _strengthen the things which remain that are ready to die_. The good which remained was _ready to die_; but was not actually dead, chap. iii. 2. So there was still a spark of faith even in him; which he is accordingly commanded to _hold fast_. Ver. 3. 6. Once more. When the apostle exhorts believers, to _cleanse_ themselves _from all filthiness of flesh and spirit_, (2 Cor. viii. 1.) he plainly teaches, that those believers were not yet cleansed therefrom. Will you answer, “he that _abstains from all appearance of evil_, does _ipso facto_ cleanse himself from all filthiness.” Not in any wise. For instance: a man reviles me. I feel resentment, which is _filthiness of spirit_. Yet I say not a word. Here I _abstain from all appearance of evil_. But this does not cleanse me from that filthiness of spirit, as I experience to my sorrow. 7. And as this position, There is no sin in a believer, no carnal mind, no bent to back-sliding, is thus contrary to the word of God, so it is to the _experience_ of his children. These continually feel an heart bent to back-sliding, a natural tendency to evil; a proneness to depart from God, and cleave to the things of earth. They are daily sensible of sin remaining in their heart, pride, self-will, unbelief: and of sin cleaving to all they speak and do, even their best actions, and holiest duties. Yet at the same time they _know_ that they _are of God_; they cannot doubt of it for a moment. They feel _his Spirit_ clearly _witnessing with their spirit, that they are the children of God_. They _rejoice in God through Christ Jesus, by whom they have now received the atonement_. So that they are equally assured, that sin is in them, and that _Christ is in_ them _the hope of glory_. 8. “But can Christ be in the same heart where sin is?” Undoubtedly he can. Otherwise it never could be saved therefrom. Where the sickness is, there is the physician, Carrying on his work within, Striving ’till he cast out sin. Christ indeed cannot _reign_, where sin _reigns_: neither will he _dwell_ where any sin is _allowed_. But he _is_ and _dwells_ in the heart of every believer, who is fighting against all sin; although it be _not_ yet _purified, according to the purification of the sanctuary_.