Macarius on grace
How exactly did Macarius, 1400 years ago, describe the present experience of the children of God? The unskilled (or inexperienced), when grace operates, presently imagine they have no more sin. Whereas those who have discretion cannot deny that even we who have the grace of God may be troubled again. For we have often had instances of some among the brethren who have experienced such grace as to affirm that they had no sin in them. And yet after all, when they thought themselves entirely freed from it, the corruption that lurked within was stirred up anew, and they were nearly burned up.
1771 text
7. How exactly did Macarius, fourteen hundred years ago, describe the present experience of the children of God? “The unskilful (or unexperienced) when grace operates, presently imagine, they have no more sin. Whereas they that have discretion cannot deny, that even we who have the grace of God, may be molested again.――For we have often had instances of some among the brethren, who have experienced such grace, as to affirm that they had no sin in them. And yet after all, when they thought themselves entirely freed from it, the corruption that lurked within, was stirred up anew, and they were well nigh burnt up.”