PROPOSITION VIII.
Concerning Perfection.
In whom this pure and holy Birth is fully brought forth, the Body of Death and Sin comes to be crucified and removed, and their Hearts united and subjected to the Truth; so as not to obey any Suggestions or Temptations of the Evil One, but to be free from actual sinning and transgressing of the Law of God, and in that Respect perfect: Yet doth this Perfection still admit of a Growth; and there remaineth always in some Part a Possibility of sinning, where the Mind doth not most diligently and watchfully attend unto the Lord.
§. I.
§. II.
II. The new Birth.Secondly, That we attribute it wholly to Man, as he is born again, renewed in his Mind, raised by Christ, knowing Christ alive, reigning and ruling in him, and guiding and leading him by his Spirit, and revealing in him the Law of the Spirit of Life; which not only manifests and reproves Sin, but also gives Power to come out of it.
III. Growth in Perfection.Thirdly, That by this we understand not such a Perfection as may not daily admit of a Growth, and consequently mean not as if we were to be as pure, holy, and perfect as God in his divine Attributes of Wisdom, Knowledge, and Purity; but only a Perfection proportionable and answerable to Man’s Measure, whereby we are kept from transgressing the Law of God, and enabled to answer what he requires of us; He that improved his Two Talents was nothing less acceptable than he with the five.even as he that improved his two Talents so as to make four of them, perfected his Work, and was so accepted of his Lord as to be called a good and faithful Servant, nothing less than he that made his five ten. Even as a little Gold is perfect Gold in its Kind, as well as a great Mass, and a Child hath a perfect Body as well as a Man, though it daily grow more and more. Thus Christ is said, Luke ii. 52. to have increased in Wisdom and Stature, and in Favour with God and Man; though before that Time he had never sinned, and was no Doubt perfect, in a true and proper Sense.