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
