A plain discourse upon uprightness showing the properties and privileges of an upright man…A plain discourse upon uprightness shewing the properties and priviledges of an upright man…

Resol. 1. It is not easy to determine of spiritual growth or decays; For its object ⟨p. 173⟩is various: some grow more visibly in zeal, others in knowledge, others in stability, some more in the roots, some more in the bulk, some more in fruit. And then to discern growth, is a work of time: our progress in grace, is not so discernible as our entrance; for the change here is specific, there only gradual; and the younger children are, the more is ¹their growth discerned.

Resol. 1. It is not easie to determine of spiritual growth or decayes; For its object ⟨p. 173⟩is various: some grow more visibly in zeal, others in knowledge, others in stability, some more in the roots, some more in the bulk, some more in fruit. And then to discern growth, is a work of time: our progress in grace, is not so discernable as our entrance; for the change here is specifical, there only gradual; and the younger children are, the more is ¹their growth discerned.

1. 1Dr. The. Goodwin.

2. A sensible sight of your decays, is a true sign of growth; the clearer the sight, the less motes are discerned, when there ¹is joined withal a grief for our defects. Descendendo ascendimus, we grow higher in Gods esteem, by growing lower in our own. Corruption doth not usually discover corruption; nor decays, decays. If therefore you find, that you hate sin as heartily, and can wisely prevent it, that you can be fully as serious and spiritual in your duties, as wise in reproofs, though perhaps not so frequent as heretofore; you have no just cause to charge your self with decays, much less with dissembling in Religion.