Matthew Poole and continuators on John 3:18

18 ¶ He that believeth on him, is not condemned : but he that believeth not, is condemned already p, because he hath not believed in the Name of the onely begotten Son of God q.

Who so firmly, and steadily assenting to the Propositions of the Gospel, revealing Jesus Christ as the onely and all-sufficient Saviour, commits the care of his Soul unto him, trusting and hoping in him alone for eternal Salvation, which no man can indeed do, without doing what in him lyeth to fulfil the condition upon which Christ hath promised Life and Salvation; that is, keeping the Commandments of God, is exempted from Condemnation by the Law of Grace. But he that believes not the Doctrine of Christ, and does not upon the terms of the Gospel receive him for his Saviour, is already condemned for his obstinate Infidelity, which is the certain cause of Damnation; as we say of one mortally wounded, That he is a dead Man, tho he breathes for a while; and we speak in the same manner of a Malefactor, convicted and attainted of a Capital Crime, tho the Sentence be not Executed, because their Death is inevitable. The not believing in the onely Son of God, who is able to save to the utmost all that regu[illegible: 1 letter]arly trust in him, is such a contempt of the merciful, all-sufficient and sole means of Salvation, that 'tis absolutely necessary, and most just, that all those who refuse to be saved by him, should perish by themselves. From this Scripture arise two Questions, The first concerning the Heathens, who never heard of Christ. The second concerning Infants, who dye before they come to years of Knowledg. As to the former, the Apostle hath determined, Rom. 2.12. As many as have sinned without the Law, shall also perish without law. There is the same reason for those who sin without the Gospel; they shall not perish for not believing on him, of whom they have not heard, Rom. 10.14. but for not obeying such Revelation of the Divine Will as they had. The case of Infants is excluded from this Text, (speaking onely of adult Persons). It is certain, that so many of them as belong to the Election of Grace, shall be [illegible: 1 letter]aved, and that by vertue of the Blood of Christ; but which way God brings them to Heaven, is a secret to us. Some from this Text have concluded, That unbelief is the onely damning Sin; which is no further true, than, That no Sin will damn that Soul which shall truly believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Marginal references: Chap. 5.24. and 6.40, 47. and 20.31.