SANCTIFICATION So are Out prayers an extract and copy of the work of the Holy Spirit in us given us byhimself. And there- fore, by whomsoever he is despised as a Spirit of sup- plication, he is so as a Spirit of sanctification also. Now, consider what it is that in your prayers you most labour about? Is it not that the body, the power, the whole interest of sin in you maybe weakened, sub- dued, and at length destroyed? Is it not that all the graces of the Spirit may be renewed daily, increas- ed, and strengthened, so as that you may be more ready and prepared for all duties of obedience? And what is all this, but that holiness may be gradually progressive in your souls, that it may be carried on by new supplies and additions of grace, until it come to perfection? Sect. 10.It will be said, perhaps, by some, that they find neither in themselves, nor others, by the best of their observation, that the work of sanctification is constantly progressive, or that holiness doth so grow and thrive wherever it is in sincerity. For, as for them- selves, they have found grace more vigorous, active, and flourishing in former days than of late; the streams of it were fresher and stronger at the spring of conver- sion than since they find them to be in their course. Hence are those complaints among many of their lean- ness, their weakness, their deadness, their barrenness. Nor were many of the saints in the scripture without such complaints. And many may cry, Oh that it were with us as in our former dais, in the days of our youth! Complaints of this nature do every where abound, and some are ready to conclude, upon this consideration, that either sincere holiness is not so growing and pro- gressive as is pretended, or that indeed they have no interest therein. Yea, the like may be said upon a di- ligent observationof others, churches and single profes- sors;= what evidence do they give, that the work of holi- ness is thriving in them? doth it not appear rather to be retrograde, and under a constant decay? 1 shall no 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 alto- gether discouragedwho come not up unto a full compli- ance with it. And this I shall do in the ensuing rules and observations: (I.) " It is one thing, what grace or holiness is suit- " ed unto in its own nature, and what is the ordinary 3 N A PROGRESSIVE WORE. 23' " or regular 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 outby indispositionand irregularity, or any other " obstructing interposition in them in whom the work " is wrought." Under the first consideration, the work is thriving and progressive, in the latter the rule is lia- ble to sundry exceptions. A child that hath a principle of life, a good natural constitution, and suitable food, will grow and thrive. But that which hath obstructions from within, or distempers and diseases, or falls and bruises, may be weak and thriftless. When we are re- generate, we are as new-born babes, and ordinarily, if we have the sincere milk of the word, -we shall grow thereby. But if we ourselves give way to temptations, corruptions, negligentes, 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, 'diet every one in witotn 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 holiness, if he go not from strength to strength, it is ordinarily from his own sinful negli- gence and indulgence unto carnal lusts, or love of this present world. Considering the timewe have had, and the means we have enjoyed, what grown, what flourish- ing plants in faith, love, purity, self-denial, and uni- versal conformity to Christ, might many of us have been, who now are weak, withering, fruitless, and sap- less, scarce to be .distinguished from the thorns and briars of the world? It is time for us rather to be cast- ing off every weight, and the sin that doth so easily be- set 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 incurable. (2.) " It is one thing to have holiness really thriving " in any soul, another for that soul to know it, and to " be satisfied in it; and thesethings may be separated," whereof there are many reasons. But, before I name them, I mast 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 not, that these have no concernment herein, who may, at any 26
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