Heautonaparnumenos

Again, because this Virtue is Impossible now to us in its utmost Perfection, shall we therefore conclude it in any degree Impossible? What a Paralogism is this? 'tis all one, as to say, Because we cannot straight be Angels, therefore we will not be so much as Men. No, if we cannot attain the Perfection of Degrees, let us labour for the Perfection of Parts, that is, Deny our selves sincerely, with all our Hearts; Uniformly, without connivance. When we have done that, let us make on towards the Perfection of Degrees; for he cannot be so much as Good, that labours not to be Perfect. St. Paul, when he wrote to the Philippians, could not say,¹ that he was Perfect, or had attained the Prize. What? did he therefore set him down, and give o'er the pursuit of it? No, but this one thing he did; Forgetting what was behind, he pressed onwards to that that was before him, making his Aim at the Prize of the Heavenly Calling of God in Christ Jesus. And the same mind ought to be in every one of us; for so there it follows in his words, As many of us, says he, as are perfect, that is, make towards Perfection, let us be thus minded: And if any one be otherwise minded, God shall reveal this also to him.

Againe, because this Vertue is Impossible now to us in its utmost Perfection, shall we therefore conclude it in any degree Impossible? What a Paralogisme is this? 'tis all one, as to say, Because we cannot straight be Angels, therfore we wil not be so much as Men. No, if we cannot attaine the Perfection of Degrees, let us labour for the Perfection of Parts, that is, Deny our selves sincerely, with all our Hearts; Ʋniformely, without connivence. When we have done that, let us make on towards the Perfection of Degrees; for he cannot be so much as Good, that labours not to be Perfect. St. Paul, when he wrote to the Philippians, could not say,¹ that he was Perfect, or had attain'd the Prize. What? did he therefore set him downe, and give o're the pursuit of it? No, but this one thing he did; Forgetting what was behinde, he prest onwards to that that was before him, making his Aime at the Prize of the Heavenly Calling of God in Christ Jesus. And the same minde ought to bee in every one of us; for so there it followes in his words, As many of us, sayes he, as are perfect, that is, make towards Perfection, let us be thus minded: And if any one be otherwise minded, God shall reveale this also to him.