On Sin in Believers · §23 · John Wesley

The objection from being born of God

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However, let us give a fair hearing to the chief arguments of those who try to support that doctrine. First, they try to prove from scripture that there is no sin in a believer. They argue in this way. Scripture says that every believer is born of God, is clean, is holy, is sanctified, is pure in heart, has a new heart, and is a temple of the Holy Ghost. Now, as that which is born of the flesh is flesh, and is altogether evil, so that which is born of the Spirit is spirit, and is altogether good. Again, a person cannot be clean, sanctified, and holy, and at the same time unclean, unsanctified, and unholy. He cannot be pure and impure, or have a new heart and an old heart together. Neither can his soul be unholy while it is a temple of the Holy Ghost.

1771 text

IV. 1. However, let us give a fair hearing to the chief arguments, of those who endeavour to support it. And it is, first, from scripture they attempt to prove, that there is no sin in a believer. They argue thus. “The scripture says, every believer is born of God, is clean, is holy, is sanctified; is pure in heart, has a new heart, is a temple of the Holy Ghost. Now, as that which is born of the flesh is flesh, is altogether evil, so that which is born of the Spirit is spirit, is altogether good. Again; a man cannot be clean, sanctified, holy, and at the same time unclean, unsanctified, unholy. He cannot be pure and impure, or have a new and an old heart together. Neither can his soul be unholy, while it is a temple of the Holy Ghost.”

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