“qui autem blasphemaverit in Spiritum Sanctum, non habebit remissionem in æternum, sed reus erit æterni delicti.”
“But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:”
“But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; he is guilty of eternal sin.””
“but whoever may blaspheme against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation.””
“but whosoever shall blaspheme against the Holy Spirit hath never forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin:”
See St. Matthew xii. 32. — Of an everlasting sin; i.e. of eternal punishment. (Witham) — What is here called everlasting offence, is (as St. Matthew expresseth it) that which shall neither be remitted in this life, nor in the life to come; which words would not be true, says St. Augustine, if some sins were not forgiven in the world to come. Now, as no mortal sin can be forgiven after death, there must necessarily be smaller transgressions, which we call venial; though many of our separated brethren will needs have all sins to be mortal; which is very far from a comfortable tenet.
II. The rational answer which Christ gave to this objection, demonstrating the absurdity of it.
Verses 22-30 It was plain that the doctrine of Christ had a direct tendency to break the devil's power; and it was as plain, that casting of him out of the bodies of people, confirmed that doctrine; therefore Satan could not support such a design. Christ gave an awful warning against speaking such dangerous words. It is true the gospel promises, because Christ has purchased, forgiveness for the greatest sins and sinners; but by this sin, they would oppose the gifts of the Holy Ghost after Christ's ascension. Such is the enmity of the heart, that unconverted men pretend believers are doing Satan's work, when sinners are brought to repentance and newness of life.