92 InEDITATIONS First, That the constitution of spiritual life is such as is meet to thrive, grow, 'and increase unto the end, and will do so, unless it be from the default of them in whom it is. Secondly. That notwithstanding this nature and con- stitution of spiritual life, yet believers are subject unto many decays, partly gradual, and partly by surprise's in temptation, whereby the growth of it is obstructed, -unto the dishonour of the gospel, and the loss of their own peace with joy. Thirdly. I shall show that such at present is thecon- dition of many professors, namely, that they are visi- bly fallen underspiritual decays, and do not evidence any interest in the blessed promise insisted on. Fourthly. On the confirmation of these things, our inquiry will be, how such persons may be delivered from such decays, and by what means they may obtain the grace here promised, of spiritual flourishing in old age, both in the strengtheningof the inward principle of life, and abounding in the fruits ofobedience, which are to thepraise ofGod by Jesus Christ: and then we shall make application unto thiscase, of that truth which is the subject of the preceding discourse. First. The constitution ofspiritual life is such, as is meet togrow and increase unto the end. Hereby it doth distinguish itselffrom that faith which is tempo- rary: forthere is atemporary faith which will both flour- ish for a season, and bring forth some fruit, but is not in its nature and constitution toabide, to grow and in- crease, but rather to decay and wither. It is described by our Lord Jesus Christ, Mat. xiii. 20, 21. Either somegreat temptation extinguisheth it,. or it decays in- sensibly, until the mind wherein it was, do manifest it- self to be utterly barren. And therefore whoever is sensible of any spiritual decays, he is called unto a se- vere trial and examination of himself asunto thenature of theprincipleof his profession and obedience; for such decays do rather argue a principle of temporary faith only, unto which they are proper and natural, than that whose nature it is to thrive and grow to, the end, whereon those that have it, shall, as it is in the promise, still bring forth fruit, and without their owngreat guilt be always freed from such decays. That this spiritual life is in its nature and constitution such as will abide, thrive, and grow to the end, is three ways testified unto in the scripture. AND DISCOURSES ww I. In that it is compared unto things ofthe most in- fallible increase and progress: for besidesthat its growth is frequently likened unto that of plants and trees- well watered, and in a fruitful soil, which fail not to spring, unless it be from some external violence; it is likewise compared unto such things as whose progress is abso- lutely infallible. Prov. iv. 16. The path of the just, is his covenant-walk before God, as it is frequently called in the scripture, Ps. cxix. 35. 103. Isa. xxvi. 7. Ps. xxiii. 3. Mat. iii. 3. Heb. xii. 13. and it compriseth the principle, profession, and fruits of it. This, saith the wise man, is as the shining light, that is, the morn- ing light: and wherein is it so! why, as that goeth on by degrees, and shineth more and more unto the high noon (though it may be interrupted sometimes by clouds and storms); so is this path of the just, it goes on and increaseth unto the high noon, the perfect day of glory. It is in its nature so to do, though it may sometimes meet with obstructions, as we shall see afterwards, and so doth the morning light also. There is no visible difference as unto light, between the light of the morning, and the light of the evening: yea, this latter sometimes, from gleams of the setting sun, seems to be more glorious than the other. But herein they differ; the first goes on gradually unto more light, until it comes to perfection; the other gradually gives place unto darkness, until it comes to be midnight. So is it as unto the light of the just and of the hypo- crite, and so is it as unto their paths. At first setting out they may seem alike and equal; yea, convictions and spiritual gifts acted with corrupt endsin some hypo- crites, may, for a time give a .greater lustre of profes- sion, than the grace of others sincerely converted unto God mayattain unto. But herein they discover their different natures; the one increaseth and goeth on con- stantly, though it may be sometimes but faintly; the o- ther decays, grows dim, gives place to darkness and crooked walking. This then is the nature of thepath, of the just: and and where it is otherwise with us inour walk before God, we can have no evidence that weare in thatpath or that we have a living, growing principle of spiritual life in us. And it is fit that professors of all sorts should be minded of these things; for we may see not a few of them under visible decays; without any sincere endea- vours after a recovery, who yet please themselves that
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