[2.] When compared with others of the same profession, believers are distinguished into perfect and imperfect. Though none can attain to absolute jjcrfection of holiness, yet there are several degrees of grace, and diversities of growth among Christians, and the strong are said to be perfect in comparison of those weak ones who are raw in know- ledge, or feeble and inqmtent in the resistjince of sin. Thus the per- fect are oppo.scd to the bal)es in Christ ; as, when he had spoken of our ' growing into a perfect man in Christ Jesus,' he presently addeth,
Phil, III. 15.] attainable in this life? 61
' That henceforth we he no more children,' Eph. iv. 13, 14. And elsewlicre, when he had spoken of the ' perfect,' 1 Cor. ii. 6, who are skilful in spiritual things, he presently opposeth to them the ' babes in Christ,' chap. iii. 1. The same you may observe in Heb. v. 13, 14, ' He that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age,' reXeioi, ' perfect,' as in the margin. See also 1 Cor. xiv. 20, ' Bre- thren, be not children in understanding ; howbeit, in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men,' ' perfect, or ripe of age.' These, and many other places, show the notion of perfect : it is not absolutely taken, but com})aratively. Those who well and thoroughly understand Christian doctrine, and are habituated to a course of god- liness, and have a confirmed faith and love to Grod, and this in oppo- sition to novices and inexperienced Christians newly entered into Christ's school. Now thus we must be perfect, not always children. It is a monstrous thing, after many years' growth to be a babe still, and an infant still. This sense is of chief regard here.
3. There is a perfection of parts, and a perfection of degrees ; that is growth.
[1.] Perfection of parts is when we have all things that belong to a sincere Christian, or to a state of salvation ; as living creatures are perfect as soon as they are brouglit forth, for they have all things belonging to that creature ; it is not maimed or defective in any jmrt : thus an infant is perfect the first day of his birth, as well as a man of riper age. Thus a Christian must have the perfection of integrity, all the parts which belong to a new creature ; grace to enlighten the mind, bend and incline the heart to God, govern the affections, rule the appetite ; one grace added to another, that the Christian may be entire and perfect, and in no point lacking, James i. 4. What is de- fective in parts cannot be supplied by any after-growth. A Christian cannot be perfect in degrees unless he be perfect in parts ; leave out one necessary grace and the new creature is maimed ; some leave out temperance, others patience, others love, 1 Peter ii. 5, 6, 7.
[2.] There is a perfection of degrees, that is, when a thing is abso- lute and complete, and to which nothing is wanting, and hath attained its aKfji7] and highest pitch. So we are only perfect in heaven, Heb. xii. 23, ' The spirits of just men made perfect ; ' those spirits who are un- clothed and divested of the body ; in their mortal life only they were upright,! but in their heavenly life perfect. Here they walked with God, and endeavoured an universal obedience to him, and so made capable ; but now live with God, and are admitted into a nearer com- munion with him than we mortals are ; they are freed from all sin and temptation, they are beyond growth : corn doth not grow in the garner, but in the field. AVell, then, though we be not perfect in de- grees, yet we must all be perfect as to parts, we must entirely resign ourselves to God's use, without allowing any part or corner of our hearts to be possessed by any other.
4. Perfection is to be considered with respect — (1.) to our growth, or (2.) our consummation ; here it is only in fieri, there in facto esse. Things are said to be done when they are begun to be done, 2
^ That is, ' they were ouly upright.' — Ed.
C2 "WHAT KIND OF PERFECTION IS [PuiL. III. 15.
Cor. V. 17. And so Ihcy are said to be perfect wlio are in the way of perfection ; he lliat is in his growing estate, increasing more unto grace and righteousness ; 2 Cor. iii. 18, ' Beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image ;' 2 Cor. iv. 16, ' Though the outward man i)erish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.' They do seriously set upon the work. Thus perfection is taken : —
[1.] As to means. The ministry was appointed 'for the perfecting of the saints/ Eph. iv. 12. That they may be more enlightened and more sanctified ; uiore brought to tlie knowledge of God and obedience of his will. There are means appointed by God for the perfecting of grace, as well as the first working of it in us : 1 Thes. iii. 10, ' That I may perfect what is lacking to your faith.'