Robert Traill (The Throne of Grace), Works 1:192-193:
We commonly value most that growth in grace that hath fair blossoms and fruit, appearing to our comfort, and to the Lord’s praise before others. And it is indeed desirable, and to be studied, Matt. 5:16; John 15:8. But there is a growth that may be carried on in the root only, in the rooting grace of a Christian: as in clearer discoveries of indwelling sin in the heart, and in more self-diffidence and self-distrust. Paul had this fruit, 2 Cor. 1:8, 9. It is a sad thing, that many Christians are so fond of themselves, of the good that is in them, that the Lord seeth that nothing is so fit to cure them of this, as leaving them to themselves. And when this leaving of them to themselves hath brought them to a discovery of themselves, and that discovery hath wrought a distrust of themselves, and that distrust hath taught them faith in God; then the Lord hath reached his end on them, and will change his way with them.
We commonly value most that growth in grace that hath fair blossoms and fruit, appearing to our comfort, and to the Lord’s praise before others. And it is indeed desirable, and to be studied, Matt. 5:16; John 15:8. But there is a growth that may be carried on in the root only, in the rooting grace of a Christian: as in clearer discoveries of indwelling sin in the heart, and in more self-diffidence and self-distrust. Paul had this fruit, 2 Cor. 1:8, 9. It is a sad thing, that many Christians are so fond of themselves, of the good that is in them, that the Lord seeth that nothing is so fit to cure them of this, as leaving them to themselves. And when this leaving of them to themselves hath brought them to a discovery of themselves, and that discovery hath wrought a distrust of themselves, and that distrust hath taught them faith in God; then the Lord hath reached his end on them, and will change his way with them.
