"Actual members of Christ are either living or dying members. An actual living member of Christ is every one elected, which being engrafted by faith and Spirit into Christ, doth feel and show forth the power of Christ in him.
An actual dying or decaying member is every one truly engrafted into Christ, and yet hath no feeling of the power and efficacy of the quickening Spirit in him. He is like unto a benumbed leg without sense, which indeed is a part of man's body, and yet receiveth no nourishment: such are those faithful ones, who for a time do faint and are overcome under the heavy burden of temptations and their sins: such are also those excommunicate persons, who in regard of their engrafting are true members, howsoever in regard of the external communion with the Church and efficacy of the Spirit, they are not members till such time as they, being touched with repentance, do begin as it were, to live again" - William Perkins, a golden chain, Pg. 170-171
William Perkins don't you know that Macarthur would have your hide if you said this in his church? He would say if a professing Christian is caught in sin he is no Christian at all.
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