An expository comment, doctrinal, controversial, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…An expository comment, doctrinal, controversal, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…

A second degree is of those, who are in some measure proficients, and have obtained much victory over sin. And although in such there be many combats, yet grace hath the possession of the whole man, notwithstanding the many assaults made against it. And then

A second degree is of those, who are in some measure proficients, and have obtained much victory over sinne. And although in such there be many combates, yet grace hath the possession of the whole man, notwithstanding the many assaults made against it. And then

Lastly, There are such, whom the Scripture calls perfect, not absolutely; but comparatively to others, because they are as Giants, when others are but Dwarfs; these are said, To have their senses exercised to discern between good and evil. Now such, although they do overcome the world, and the Devil by faith, yet they are not free from this combat within. It is true, some think, that though it be granted that Paul, Rom. 7. speaketh in the person of a regenerate man, yet it is of one in the lowest form, that is but newly come into the state of Christianity. And Amyraldus doth therefore think Paul cannot mean those things of himself, because he had attained to an higher degree of grace: Insomuch that he inviteth others to follow him, and to take him for an example. Hence he is said to know nothing by himself: Whereby the same Author concludeth, That there would be no blame or fault to be found with that man, who should say, Paul had as much grace here in this life, as some shall have in the world to come. But although we grant Paul to be among other Christians, like Saul among other men, higher by the shoulders, yet that he did find the rebellion and corruption of the flesh debasing his best duties, appeareth by his accounting all things dross, and desiring to be found in the righteousness of Christ, Phil. 3. 8. So that while these endeavour to exalt the sanctifying grace of God in Paul, they eclipse his justifying; and while they advance his inherent righteousness, they obscure his imputed righteousness. Whether Paul then, or any other eminent servant of God, They all find a law of sin within them, rebelling against the law of the mind; by which they look upon themselves as miserable captives, and do groan for a perfect and full redemption by Christ.