8.  Nor would we think that there is no growth in the work of grace, because it cometh not at such or such prelimited or fore-set time; nor would we think the matter desperate, because of our looking long, and waiting, and asking, and labouring, and yet seeing no sensible advantage.  Such and such a believer, saith the soul, made great progress in a short time, but I come no speed, for as long as I have been at this school.  O! we should beware of limiting the Holy One of Israel.  Let us be at duty, and commit the event to him.

9.  It is not a fit time to take the measure of our graces, as to their sensible growth and fruitfulness, when devils are broken loose upon us; temptations are multiplied, corruptions make a great noise, and we are meeting with a horrible tempest shaking us on all hands:  for it will be strong grace that will much appear then; it will be strong faith that will say, Though he kill me, yet will I trust in him.  At such a time it will be much if the man keep the ground he hath gained, though he make no progress.  It will be much for a tree to stand, and not to be blown out of the ground, in the time of a strong and vehement storm, of wind, though it keep not its flourishes and yield not fruit The trees, which in a cold winter day bear neither leaves nor fruit, must not be said to go back, nor not to grow; because when the spring cometh again, they may revive and be as fruitful as ever.

10.  We would not always measure our graces by what appeareth outwardly; for there may be some accidental occurrence that may hinder that, and yet grace be at work within doors, which few or none can observe.  The believer may be in a sweet and gracious frame, blushing before the Lord, yea, melting in love, or taken up with spiritual meditations and wondering, when as to some external duties, it can find no present disposition, through some accidental impediment or other, so that to some, who judge most by outward appearance, no such things as the active working of grace in life can appear.

11.  We would think it no small measure or degree of holiness, to be with singleness of heart pursuing it, even though it should seem to flee from us; to be earnestly panting after it, and hungering and thirsting for it.  Nehemiah thought this no small thing, when he said, Neh. i. 11, “O Lord, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servants who desire to fear thy name.”

12.  Whatever measure of holiness the believer win to, he would take special heed that he place no part of his confidence of his being accepted and justified before God in it, as if that could come in any part of the price to satisfy justice:  but when he hath done all, let him call and account himself an unprofitable servant.  Though believers will not be so gross as to speak thus, yet sure their justifying of their holding a-back from God, because they find not such a measure of grace and holiness as they would have, looketh too much this way, and saith, that they lean too much hereunto in the matter of the acceptance of their persons before God.  Now this should be specially guarded against, lest their labour be in vain.