30/ Spiritual Perfeéz on. and condemning themfelves for their not improving the Means of Grace. Their delires are ardent and afeending to Per- fedion, and they judge of their defeas by that Meafure. He that Sails before the Wind in a River, and fees men walk- ing on the Shore, to his Eye they Teem to Rand í{i11, becaufe of the fwift moti- on of the Boat. Thus the Saints judge of their Imperfe&ions, by the fwiftnefs of their deliires after compleat Holinefs. I íhall lay down two general Rules of Trial, concerning growth in Grace ; and proceed to particular difcoveries. i. The Vanquifhing of Sin, is a cer- tain indication ofthe Power of Grace. During the prefent Life, from its firft rife, to its laft fall, the Corruption of Nature in fome degrees remains in the Saints. The fleib lei againft the fpirit, and the fbirit againft the fle/h, that we cannot do the things we would. Now the ftrength of Sin is difcover'd, by the rea- diners of the heart to a Temptation. Some are entangled at the firft light of a pleafant Objea. The Tempter needs not rau e a battery againít them, for the treacherous Party within opens the Gates of the Senfes to receive his Temp- tations. Others, though unrenewed by Sanctifying Grace, yet there is in them fuch a refinance between the Law of the
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