Therefore from any spiritual weakness (if such had been) which he _at that time_ felt, we could by no means infer, that he was never made strong, that _Paul_, the aged, the Father in Christ, still laboured under the same weaknesses: that he was in no higher state till the day of his death. From all which it appears, that this instance of St. _Paul_ is quite foreign to the question, and does in no wise clash with the assertion of St. _John, He that is born of God, sinneth not_. 17. “But does not St. _James_, directly contradict this? His words are, _In many things we offend all_, ch. iii. ver. 2. And is not _offending_ the same as _committing sin_?” In this place I allow it is. I allow _the persons here spoken of_ did commit sin, yea, that they all committed _many_ sins. But who are _the persons here spoken of_? Why, those _many masters_ or _teachers_, whom God had not sent (probably the same _vain men_ who taught that _faith without works_, which is so sharply reproved in the preceding chapter.) Not the apostle himself, nor any real Christian. That in the word _we_ (used by a figure of speech, common in all other, as well as the inspired writings) the apostle could not possibly include himself, or any other true believer, appears evidently, _first_, From the same word, in the ninth verse; _Therewith_ (saith he) _bless_ we _God, and therewith curse_ we _men. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing._ True; but not out of the mouth of the apostle, nor of any one who is in Christ a new creature. _Secondly_, From the verse immediately preceding the text, and manifestly connected with it. _My brethren, be not many masters_ (or teachers) _knowing that_ we _shall receive the greater condemnation: for in many things_ we _offend all_: We! Who? Not the apostles, nor true believers; but they who knew they should _receive the greater condemnation_, because of those many offences. But this could not be spoke of the apostle himself, or of any who trod in his steps; seeing _there is no condemnation for them, who walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit_. Nay, _thirdly_, The very verse itself proves, that _we offend all_, cannot be spoken, either of all men, or of all Christians; for in it there immediately follows the mention of a man who _offends not_, as the _we_ first mentioned did: from whom therefore he is professedly contradistinguished, and pronounced, _a perfect man_.