KenH
Well-Known Member
"I observe, that Satan doth tempt our natural corruption exceedingly, to the same sins which have reigned in us in the times of our unregenerate condition; for by that, he may the more easily draw us to unbelief and persuade us against the love of God in Christ, and to question our calling, because we are naturally apt to take measure of our graces and God’s love to us by the mortification of sin in us, and our dying to former lusts; and if we find it otherwise than we would wish, we presently let go our hold upon the promises, and slacken our believing, and persuade ourselves that because it is thus and thus with us, and corruption quickening again, that we are deceived in ourselves, and that the Spirit was never in us, because we find some goings back, and fallings again into the same way we did at first. I confess, as to natural things, the outward workings and effects do give the best assurance concerning the truth of their essence or being; but that is not the way to get spiritual assurances; they are more by way of word and promise, as work and operation. “Abraham believed in hope against hope.” {Romans 4:18}
...
The experiences of the Spirit in those that are spiritual, are not all in one degree, some more, some less; and the Law of the Spirit, in those that are spiritual, will carry them against the law of sin and flesh; because it is both contrary to the flesh, and likewise of a spiritual and transforming nature; and so gathers strength in us against the body of sin, and is still working itself a greater part, and dominion in us, and fashioning us like unto Jesus Christ, both in righteousness and true holiness; and the people of the Lord are very rarely found in the great sins of their unregenerate estate, especially if they were gross ones, such as the light of their natural conscience abhors, as well as the purer light of the Spirit, as adultery, murder, blasphemy, theft, &c., they being doubly armed against them, and so may more rarely commit them; but if they be such particular acts or sins as are not so clearly condemned by nature, as some kind of concupiscence, inordinate affections, wrath, hypocrisy, passion, lying, &c., they may the more easily be committed again, because the light of nature is but faint or little that opposes them, or takes part with the light of the Spirit against them.
These things may be sufficient to let us see into the nature of backsliding in the regenerate ones, and to bind up the broken hearted that are fallen, as well as to show a more excellent way to keep from falling, in the strength of Jesus Christ. And therefore let this be written upon the heart, and on the palms of the hands of all, both wounded and whole believers. That being planted into Christ, and the fellowship of his death, completely mortifies us to sin; yet we are but dying to sin in the spiritual mortification of our sinful nature in this life; and therefore let not any that have stumbled into particular acts of sin despair, considering they are perfectly dead or mortified in Christ; nor let such a complete and glorious way of mortification tempt any to a neglect of mortification of sin in the body, no more than the Free Grace of God in forgiveness of sins, ought to tempt any to take liberty to sin."
- excerpt from John Saltmarsh's Free Grace or The Flowings of Christ's Blood Freely to Sinners
...
The experiences of the Spirit in those that are spiritual, are not all in one degree, some more, some less; and the Law of the Spirit, in those that are spiritual, will carry them against the law of sin and flesh; because it is both contrary to the flesh, and likewise of a spiritual and transforming nature; and so gathers strength in us against the body of sin, and is still working itself a greater part, and dominion in us, and fashioning us like unto Jesus Christ, both in righteousness and true holiness; and the people of the Lord are very rarely found in the great sins of their unregenerate estate, especially if they were gross ones, such as the light of their natural conscience abhors, as well as the purer light of the Spirit, as adultery, murder, blasphemy, theft, &c., they being doubly armed against them, and so may more rarely commit them; but if they be such particular acts or sins as are not so clearly condemned by nature, as some kind of concupiscence, inordinate affections, wrath, hypocrisy, passion, lying, &c., they may the more easily be committed again, because the light of nature is but faint or little that opposes them, or takes part with the light of the Spirit against them.
These things may be sufficient to let us see into the nature of backsliding in the regenerate ones, and to bind up the broken hearted that are fallen, as well as to show a more excellent way to keep from falling, in the strength of Jesus Christ. And therefore let this be written upon the heart, and on the palms of the hands of all, both wounded and whole believers. That being planted into Christ, and the fellowship of his death, completely mortifies us to sin; yet we are but dying to sin in the spiritual mortification of our sinful nature in this life; and therefore let not any that have stumbled into particular acts of sin despair, considering they are perfectly dead or mortified in Christ; nor let such a complete and glorious way of mortification tempt any to a neglect of mortification of sin in the body, no more than the Free Grace of God in forgiveness of sins, ought to tempt any to take liberty to sin."
- excerpt from John Saltmarsh's Free Grace or The Flowings of Christ's Blood Freely to Sinners
