A guide to godliness or a Treatise of a Christian life showing the dutiesA guide to godlynesse or a Treatise of a Christian life shewing the duties

§. Sect. 2 Reasons moving us to aspire unto perfection.

§. Sect. 2 Reasons mouing vs to aspire vnto perfection.

Besides which testimonies and examples of holy Scriptures, tending to persuade us unto this continual growth, till we attain unto full perfection, there are also many reasons grounded upon them, which may quicken our endeavour in this kind. As first, because though we have made good beginnings and proceedings, yet if we be not still growing and going ¹forward towards perfection, all we have done already, is not praiseworthy in the sight of God, who being in his own nature most perfect, liketh of nothing which is not like himself, and tendeth not unto perfection. Secondly because we cannot stand at a stay in the course of Christianity, but are still proceeding, or else declining and going back; either we are rowing against the stream, or else are carried downward, though we perceive it not. To which purpose one observeth, that Jacob in his vision ²saw Angels upon the Ladder, ascending and descending, but none sitting or standing still: because we have not here an abiding City, but we seek for one to come. Either we must be still ascending, or we shall descend: if we will stand still, we shall surely fall; like those who are upon an high & narrow bridge, whose greatest safety in passing over is in their best speed. For howsoever Christians, which have attained unto some good degree of perfection, and to a settled course in godliness, may carry themselves with such uniform constancy in all outward duties, that themselves cannot discern any remarkable difference, yet even in them there is daily some proceeding in respect of their inward graces, hearts and affections, and although their actions and operations may, by reason of tentations and spiritual desertions, decay in their sense and feeling; yet in respect of their habits and disposition, they are still proceeding to more perfection. Thirdly, because we can no otherwise be assured of our spiritual life in grace, of which, motion and proceeding is an inseparable consequence. For it is not with our souls as it is with our bodies, which are of short life, and shorter growth, having their increase, full stature and declination, seeing they, as long as we live, do proceed from one degree of perfection unto another, till after this life they come to a perfect age in Christ. They are herein like unto the morning light, which still increaseth and shineth more and more unto the perfect day;