3. It is repugnant unto the honour of gospel grace, as though it would carry us so far, and no farther, in the way to glory. For it must be known that this sort of persons who sit down in their present measures and attainments, either really have no true grace at all, or that which is of the lowest, meanest, and most imperceptible size and degree. For if any one hath attained any considerable growth in faith and love, in the mortification of sin, in heavenly-mindedness, it is utterly impossible but that ordinarily he will be pressing for- ward towards farther attainments, and farther degrees of spiri- tual strength in the life of God. So the apostle declares it in his own example; Phil. iii.lO — 14. What thoughts can these persons have concerning the glory, power, and efficacy of gospel grace, which they suppose they have received. If they measure them by the effiscts which they find in them- selves, either as unto the mortification of sin, or strenoth unto, and delight in, duties of holiness, or as unto spiritual consolation, they can see no excellency nor beauty in them. For they do not manifest themselves but in their success, as they transform the soul daily into the image of Christ.
4. It is that which hath lost the reputation and glory of rehgion in the world, and therein the honour of the gospel itself. For the most of professors do take up with such measures as put no lustre upon it, as give no commen- dation unto the religion they profess. For tiieir measures
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allow them such a conformity unto the world, in their ways, words, and actions, in their gestures, apparel, and attire, as that they are no way visibly to be distinguished from it. Yea, the ground and reason why the most do rest in their present measures, is because they will not be farther differ- enced from the world. This hath greatly lost the glory, honour, and reputation of religion amongst us. And on the other side, if all visible professors would endeavour continually to grow and thrive in spirituality of mind, and heavenliness of affections, with fruits suited thereunto, it would bring a conviction on the world, that there is a secret invisible power, accompanying the religion they profess, transforming them daily into the image and likeness of God.
5. Whatever is pretended unto the contrary, it is in- consistent with all solid peace of conscience. For no such thing is promised unto any who live in such a con- tempt of divine promises; nor is it attainable but by the diligent exercise of all those graces which lie neglected under this frame. Few men are able to judge whether they have real, eternal, abiding peace or no, unless it be in case of trials and temptations. At other seasons, general hopes and confidences do, or may supply the want of it in their minds. But w hen any fear, danger, trial, or word of con- viction befalls them, they cannot but inquire and examine how it is with them. And if they find their affections cold, dead, earthly, carnal, withering, not spiritual or heavenly, there will be an end of their supposed peace, and they will fall into woful disquietments, and they will then find that the root of all this evil lies in this frame and disposition. They have been so far satisfied with their present measures or attainments in religion, as that the utmost of their en- deavours have been but to preserve their station, or not to forfeit it by open sins, to keep their souls alive from the se- vere reflections of the word, and their reputation fair in the church of God. Spiritually to thrive, to prosper in their souls, to wax fat and flourishing in the inward man, to bring forth more fruit as age increaseth, to press towards perfection, are things they have not designed nor pursued.
Hence it is that so many among us are visibly at an unthrifty stand iii the world ; that where they were one year,
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there they are another, like shrubs in the wilderness, not like the plants in the garden of God, not as ' vines planted in a very fruitful hill.' Yea, though many are sensible them- selves that they are cold, lifeless, and fruitless, yet vi'ill they not be convinced, that there is a necessity of making a daily progress in spirituality and heavenly-mindedness, whereby the inward man may be renewed day by day, and grace augmented with the increase of God. This is a work, as they suppose, for them who have nothing else to do ; not consistent with their business, callings, and occasions ; not necessary as they hope unto their salvation, nor, it may be, to be attained by them if they should set themselves about it. This apprehension or imagination, upon the beginning of the declension and decay of Christian religion in the many, cast off holiness and devotion unto a sort of men who undertook to retire themselves utterly out of the world, amongst whom also the substance of religion was quickly lost, and a cloud, or meteor of superstition, embraced in the room of it. But this folly is ominous unto the souls of men.
Those who have made the greatest progress in the con- formity of their affections unto things spiritual and heavenly, know most of its necessity, excellency, and desirableness; yea, without some progress in it, these things will not be known. Such will testify that the more they attain herein, the more they see there is yet to be attained, and the more they do desire to attain what is behind. Forgetting those things which are behind, they reach forth unto the things that are yet before them ; like men running in a race, whose prize and reward is yet before them ; Phil. iii. 13, 14. It is a comely thing to see a Christian weaned from the world, minding heavenly things, green and flourishing in spiritual affection. And it is the more lovely, because it is so rare. The generality of them take up with those measures, which neither glorify God, nor bring in durable peace into their own souls.