_Q._ 9. But how does it appear, that this is to be done before the article of death?
_A._ First, from the very nature of a command, which is not given to the dead, but to the living.
Therefore, _Thou shalt love God with all thy heart_, cannot mean, Thou shalt do this when thou diest, but while thou livest.
Secondly, from express texts of scripture:
1. _The grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men; teaching us, that having renounced_ (ἀπειπάμενοι) _ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world: looking for――――the glorious appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from_ all _iniquity; and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works_. Titus ii. 11‒14.
2. _He hath raised up an horn of salvation for us――to perform the mercy promised to our fathers; the oath which he sware to our father_ Abraham, _that he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hands of our enemies, should serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life_. Luke i. verse 69, &c.
_Q._ 10. Is there any example in scripture of persons who had attained to this?
_A._ Yes. St. _John_ and all those of whom he says in his first epistle, chapter iv. verse 17. _Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have confidence in the day of judgment, because as he is, so are we in this world._
_Q._ 11. But why are there not more examples of this kind, recorded in the new Testament?
_A._ It does not become us to be peremptory in this matter. One reason might possibly be, Because the apostles wrote to the church, while it was in a state of infancy. Therefore they might mention such persons the more sparingly, least they should give strong meat to babes.
_Q._ 12. Can you shew one such example now? Where is he that is thus perfect?
_A._ To some who make this enquiry, one might answer, If I knew one here, I would not tell _you_. For you do not enquire out of love. You are like _Herod_. You only seek the young child, to slay it.
But more directly we answer, There are numberless reasons, why there should be few (if any indisputable) examples. What inconveniences would this bring on the person himself, set as a mark for all to shoot at? What a temptation would it be to others, not only to men who knew not God, but to believers themselves? How hardly would they refrain from idolizing such a person? And yet, how unprofitable to gain-sayers? For if they hear not _Moses_ and the prophets, Christ and his apostles, neither would they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
_Q._ 13. Suppose one had attained to this, would you advise him to speak of it?
_A._ Not to them who know not God. It would only provoke them to contradict and blaspheme: nor to any without some particular reason, without some particular good in view. And then they should have an especial care, to avoid all appearance of boasting.
_Q._ 14. Is it a sin, not to believe those who say they have attained?
_A._ By no means, even though they said true. We ought not hastily to believe, but to suspend our judgment, till we have full and strong proof.
_Q._ 15. But are we not apt to have a secret distaste to any who say, They are saved from all sin?
_A._ It is very possible we may; and that on several grounds: partly from a concern for the honour of God, and the good of souls who may be hurt, yea, or turned out of the way, if these are not what they profess: partly from a kind of implicit envy at those who speak of higher attainments than our own: and partly from our slowness and unreadiness of heart, to believe the works of God.
_Q._ 16. Does not the harshly preaching perfection tend to bring believers into a kind of bondage, or slavish fear?
_A._ It does. Therefore we should always place it in the most amiable light, so that it may excite only hope, joy, and desire.
_Q._ 17. Why may we not continue in the joy of faith even till we are made perfect?
_A._ Why indeed? Since holy grief does not quench this joy: since even while we are under the cross, while we deeply partake of the sufferings of Christ, we may rejoice with joy unspeakable.
_Q._ 18. Do we not discourage believers from rejoicing evermore?
_A._ We ought not so to do. Let them all their life long, rejoice unto God, so it be with reverence. And even if lightness or pride should mix with their joy, let us not strike at the joy itself (this is the gift of God) but at that lightness or pride, that the evil may cease and the good remain.
_Q._ 19. Ought we to be anxiously careful about perfection? Least we should die before we have attained?
_A._ In no wise. We ought to be thus _careful for nothing_, neither spiritual nor temporal.
_Q._ 20. But ought we not to be _troubled_, on account of the sinful nature which still remains in us?