hould they think, that corruption is always master of the soul,
and possessing the throne as a full conqueror, when it prevaileth and
carrieth the soul headlong at a time, for corruption may sometimes come
in upon the soul as an inundation with irresistible violence, and, for a
time, carry all before it, so that the soul cannot make any sensible
resistance; as when a sudden, violent, and unexpected temptation setteth
on, so as the poor man is overwhelmed, and scarce knoweth where he is,
or what he is doing, till he be laid on his back. At that time it will
be a great matter, if the soul dare quietly enter a protest against and
dissent from what is done, and if there be an honest protestation
against the violent and tyrannical invasion of corruption, we cannot
say, that corruption is in peaceable possession of the throne. If the
spirit be lusting against the flesh, levying all the forces he can
against the invader, by prayer and supplication to God, and calling in
all the supply of divine help he can get, and, when he can do no more,
is fighting and groaning under that unjust invasion, resolving never to
pay homage to the usurper, nor to obey his laws, nor so much as parley
with him, or make peace, we cannot say, that the soul doth consent fully
unto this usurpation. Nay, if the soul shall do this much, at such a
time when Satan sets on with all his force, it will be a greater
evidence of the strength of grace in the soul, than if the soul should
do the same or a little more, at a time when the temptation is not so
strong.

11. It is not good for them to say, that grace is not growing in them,
because they advance not so far as some do; and because they come not to
the pitch of grace that they see some advanced to. That is not a sure
rule to measure their growth in grace by. Some may have a better natural
temper, whereby they are less inclined to several vices which these find
a strong propension to; they may have the advantage of a better
education, and the like; so that they should rather try themselves this
year by what they were the last year, and that in reference to the lusts
to which they have been most subject all their days.

12. We must not think that every believer will attain to the same
measure of grace. There is a measure appointed for every member or joint
of this body; and every joint supplieth, according to the effectual
working in the measure of every part, Eph. iv. 16. God hath more ado
with some than