SANCTIFICATION A newed in grace. It is by such secret ways and means, as that its growth and decays are hardly to be appre- hended. And yet he who is negligent in this inquiry walks at all peradventures with God, knows not where- about he is in his way, whether he be nearer or further. off from his journey's end than he was before. Write that man a fruitless and a thriftless Christian, who calls not himself to an account about his increases and decays in grace. David knew this work to be of so great im- portance, as that he would not trust to himself and or- dinary assistances for the discharge of it, but earnestly calls in God to undertake it for him, and to acquaint him with it, Psal. cxxxix. 28, 24. 2. There may be some perplexing temptations befal the mind of a believer, or some corruption take advan- tage to break loose for a season, it may be for a long season, which may much gall the soul with its sugges- tions, and so trouble, disturb, and unquiet it, as that it shall not be able to make a right judgment of its grace and progress in holiness. A ship may be so tossed in a storm at sea, as that the most skilful mariners may not be able to discern whether they make any way in their intended course and voyage, whilst they are carried on with success and speed. In such cases, grace, in its exercise is principally engaged in an opposition unto its enemy, which it bath toconflict withal; and so its thriving otherwise is not discernible. If it should be inquired, howwe maydiscern when grace is exercised and thrives, in opposition unto corruptions and temptations; I say, that as great winds and storms do sometimes contribute to the fruit-bearing of trees and plants, so do corrup- tions and temptations unto the fruitfulness of grace and holiness. The wind comes with violence on the tree, ruffles its boughs, it may be, breaks some of them, . beats off its buds, looseneth: and shaketh its roots, and threatens to cast the whole to the ground: but, by this means, the earth is opened and loosed about it, and the tree gets its roots deeper into the earth, whereby it re- ceives more and fresh nourishment, which rendersit fruit- ful, though it bring not forth fruit visibly, it may be, not till a good while after. In the assaults of temptations and corruptions, the soul is wofully ruffled and disor dered, its leaves of profession are much blasted, and its beginnings of fruit-bearing much broken and retarded; but, in the mean time, it secretlyand invisibly casts out its roots of humility, self - abasement, mourning, in hid - PROGRESSIVE WORK. a`s7 den and continual labouring of faith and love after that grace whereby holiness doth really increase, and way is made for future visible fruitfulness. For, S. God, who, in infinite wisdom, manageth the new creature, or whole life of grace by his Spirit, Both so turn the streams of it, and so renew and change the e- special kinds of its operations, as that we cannot 'easily trace his paths therein, and may therefore be often at a loss about it, as not knowing well what he is doing with us. For instance, it may be, the work of grace and holiness lath greatly put forth and evidenced itself in the affections, which are renewed by it. Hence per- sons have great experience of readiness unto, delight and cheerfulness in holy duties, especially those of im- mediate intercourse with God. For affections are quick . and vigorous for the most part in the youth of profes- sion: and the operations of them being sensible unto them in whom they are, and their fruits visible, they make persons seem always fresh and green in the ways of holiness. But, it may be, after a while, it seems good to the sovereign Disposer of this affair,to turn, as it were, the streams of grace and holiness into another channel. He sees that the exercise of humility, godly sorrow, fear, diligent-ool<cting with temptations, that it may be, strike at the very root of faith and love, are more needful for them. He will therefore so order his dispensations towards them, by afflictions, temptations, occasions of life in the world, as that they shall have new work to do, and all the grace they have be turned into a new exercise. Hereon, it may be, they find not that sensible vigour in their spiritual affections, nor that delight in spiritual duties, which they have done formerly. This makes them sometimes ready to con- clude, that grace is decayed in them, that the springs of holiness. are drying np, and they knowneither where nor what they are. But yet, it may be, the real work of sanctification is still thriving and effectually carried on in them. (idly.) It is acknowledged, that theremay be, that there are in many, great decays in. grace and holiness;. that the work of sanctification goeth back in them, and that, it may be, universally, and for a long season.-, Many actings ofgrace are lost in such persons, and the things that remain are ready to die. This the scrip- ture abundantly testifieth unto, and giveth us instances of. How often doth God charge his people with back-
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