I shall so far consider and remove this objection as that the truth which we have asserted suffer not from it, and so be left as an empty notion ; nor yet those be altogether discouraged who come not up unto a full compliance with it. And this I shall do in the ensuing rules and observations.
^00 SANCTIFICATION A PROGRESSIVE WORK. [BOOK IV.
1. It is one thing what grace or holiness is suited unto in its oiun nature, and luhat is the ordinary or regidar way of the 'procedure of the Spirit in the work of sanctification, according to the tenor of the covenant of grace; another, what may occasionally fall out by indisposition and irregularity, or any other obstructing interposi- tion in them in ivhom the work is wrought. Under tlie first con- sideration, the work is thriving and progressive; in the latter, the rule is liable to sundry exceptions. A child that hath a jDrinciple of life, a good natural constitution, and suitable food, will groiv and thrive; but that which hath obstructions from within, or distem- pers and diseases, or falls and brtiises, may be weak and thriftless. When we are regenerated, we are as new-born babes, and ordina- rily, if we have the sincere milk of the word, we shall grow thereby. But if we ourselves give way to temptations, corruptions, negli- gences, conformity to the world, is it any wonder if we are lifeless and thriftless? It suffices to confirm the truth of what we have asserted, that every one in whom is a principle of spiritual life, who is born of God, in whom the work of sanctification is begun, if it be not gradually carried on in him, if he thrive not in grace and holi- ness, if he go not from strength to strength, it is ordinarily from his own sinful negligence and indulgence unto carnal lusts, or love of this present world. Considering the time we have had and the means we have enjoyed, what grown, what flourishing plants, in faith, love, purity, self-denial, and universal conformity to Christ, might many of us have been, who now are weak, withering, fruitle.ss, and sapless, scarce to be distinguished from the thorns and briers of the world! It is time for us rather to be casting off every weight and the sin that doth so easily beset us, to 'be by all means stirring up ourselves unto a vigorous recovery of our first faith and love, with an abundant growth in them, than to be complaining that the work of holiness doth not go on, and that before our wounds become in- curable.
2. It is one thing to have holiness really thriving in any soul, another for that soid to know it and to be satisfied in it; and these things may be separated: whereof there are many reasons. But be- fore I name them, I must premise one necessary observation, and that is, — Whereas this rule is proposed for the relief of such as are at a loss about their condition, and know not whether holiness be thriving in them or no, those have no concernment herein who may at any time, if they please, give themselves an account how matters go with them, and on what grounds: for if men do in- dulge unto any predominant lust, if they live in the neglect of any knoivn duty or in the practice of any way of deceit, if they suffer the world to devour the choicest increase of their souls, Siud formality to
CHAP. II.] SANCTIFICATION A PROGRESSIVE WORK. 401
eat out the spirit, vigour, and life of holy duties, or any of these in a remarkable manner, I have nothing to offer unto them to manifest that holiness may thrive in them although they discern it not ; for undoubtedly it doth not do so, nor are they to entertain any hopes but that whilst they abide in such a condition it will decay more and more. Such are to be awaked with violence, like men falling into a deadly lethargy, to be snatched as brands out of the fire, to be warned to recover their first faith and love, to repent and do their first works, lest their end should be darkness and sorrow for evermore. But as unto those who walk with God humbly and in sincerity, there may be sundry reasons given whence it is that holiness may be thriving in them, and yet not be discerned by them so to be. And, therefore, though holiness be wrought within our- selves, and only there, yet there may be seasons wherein sincere, humble believers may be obliged to believe the increase and growth of it in them when they perceive it not, so as to be sensible of it ; for, — (1.) It being the subject of so many gospel promises, it is a pro- per object of faith, or a thing that is to be believed. The promises are God's explanations of the grace of the covenant, both as to its nature and the manner of its operation ; and they do not abound in any concernment of it more than this, that those who are par- takers of it shall thrive and grow thereby. With what limitations they are bounded, and what is required on our part that we may have them fulfilled towards us, shall be afterward declared. But their accomplishment depends on God's faithfulness, and not on our sense of it. Where, therefore, we do not openly lay an obstruction against it, as in the case now mentioned, we may, we ought to be- lieve that they are fulfilled towards us, although we are not continu- ally sensible thereof And, (2.) It is our duty to grow and thrive in holiness ; and what God requires of us, we are to believe that he will help us in, and doth so, whatever be our present sense and ap- prehension. And he who on these grounds can believe the growth of holiness in himself, though he have no sensible experience thereof, is, in my judgment, in as good, and perhaps a more safe, condition than he who, through the vigorous working of spiritual affections, is most sensible thereof: for it is certain that such an one doth not by any wilful neglect, or indulgence unto any sin, obstruct the growth of holiness, for he that doth so cannot believe that it doth thrive in him or is carried on, whatever his presumptions may be ; and the life of faith, whereof this is a part, is every way a safe life. Besides, such a person is not in that danger of a vain elation of mind and carelessness thereon, as others may be ; for wherein we live by faith, and Jiot at all by sense, we shall be humble and fear always. Such an one not finding in himself the evidence of what he most desires, VOL. III. 26