have against them; and how weak their own
strength is.

6. This should be remembered, that one may be growing in grace, and
advancing in holiness, when, to his apprehension, he is not going
forward from strength to strength, but rather going backward. It is one
thing to have grace, and another thing to see that we have grace; so it
is one thing to be growing in grace, and another thing to see that we
are growing in grace. Many may question their growth in grace, when
their very questioning of it may evince the contrary. For they may
conclude no growth, but rather a back-going, because they perceive more
and more violent, and strong corruptions, and hidden works of darkness
and wickedness, within their soul, than ever they did before; while as
that great discovery sheweth the increase of their spiritual knowledge,
and an increase in this is an increase in grace; so they may question
and doubt of their growth, upon mistakes, as thinking corruption always
strongest when it makes the greatest stir and noise; or their complaints
may flow from a vehement desire they have to have much more
sanctification, which may cause them overlook many degrees they have
advanced. Or some such thing may occasion their darkness and complaints;
yea, God may think it fittest for them, to the end they may be kept
humble and diligent, to be in the dark as to their progress; whereas if
they saw what advancement and progress they had made in Christianity,
they might grow wanton, secure, and careless, and so occasion some sad
dispensation to humble them again.

7. It should be remembered, that perfect victory is not to be had here.
It is true, in respect of justification through the imputation of the
perfect righteousness of Christ, and in respect of their sincerity and
gospel simplicity, and in respect also of the parts of the new man,
believers are said to be perfect; such an one was Noah, Gen. vi. 9, and
Job, chap. i. 1, 8. See also Psalm xxxvii. 37, and lxiv. 4. 1 Cor. ii.
6. Heb. v. 14. James iii. 2. And it is true, we are to aim at
perfection, and to pray for it, as Matt. v. 48. 2 Cor. xiii. 11. Col.
iv. 12. Heb. xiii. 21. James i. 4. 1 Pet. v. 10. Heb. vi. 1. Yet as to
the degrees of holiness and sanctification, and in respect of the
remnant of corruption within, there is no full perfection here, Jer. ix.
20, 21. Phil. iii. 12. For even he who is washed, and, as to
justification, is clean every whit, yet needeth to wash his feet,
because c