our long trading to be richer wiser better So by our longer continuance under the breathings of the spirit in Gospell-dispensations shew ye your selves to have received an increase of more light life zeale love knowledge c. this is to grow in grace I conceive the grace in the Text is not that grace of graces free and perfect displaid upon a soule by the infinite riches of wonderfull mercy that admirable free full grace of Justification But by grace here the graces of Gods holy Spirit through the Word with power and life conveighed into the beleevers soule by the Holy Ghost which may therefore fitly be phrased the fruit of the spirit b Gal. 5.22 23. which are thus in Apostolicall account enumerated Love Joy Peace long-suffering gentlenesse goodnesse faith meeknesse temperance These are graces of Gods Spirit and this grace in the Text includes the graces of this kind in which we must endeavour to grow to which knowledge is added in the verse even that distinct understanding of divine truths revealed in the Word concerning the knowing of God and Christ whom to know aright is not lesse then life eternall John 17.3 The summe is that little grace of Gods Spirit in thee thou must be sure to act that it increase more and more that as to men there is evident a growth in your body so to God and men you may make it apparent there is an increase in your soule in the gracious exercise of a conscience and conversation void of offence before God and man This I conceive with submission to better judgements the sence of the terme of the Text. I proceed to the point to be proved 'T is a Christians duty to grow in grace which growth may have a reference to the number of graces or to the measure of graces in respect of both we must grow This Paul adviseth Corinth d 2 Cor. 18.7 Therefore as ye abound in every thing in faith utterance and knowledge and in all diligence and in love to us see that ye abound in this grace also a bundle of beautifull excellencies are here collected And our Apostle in the first Chapter the fifth sixth and seventh verses And besides this give all diligence adde to your faith vertue and to vertue knowledge and to knowledge temperance and to temperance patience and to patience godlinesse and to godlinesse brotherly kindnesse and to brotherly kindnesse charity An addition increase and growth of graces in the number Is not this intimated in the parabolicall History of the Lord and his servants concerning the expected increase of the talents in which the honouring Encomiums speaking them good and faithfull that increased and multiplyed their two to other two their five to ten with an euge well done good and faithfull servant thou hast been faithfull over a few things I will make thee ruler over much enter thou into thy Masters joy e Mat. 25.21 For the growth of the measure of grace grow in it hath not Christ given grace that wee should grow to a higher measure even to the perfecting of the Saint and come up to the measure of the stature of Christ the fulnesse of Christ f Eph. 4.13 for-which Paul greatly rejoyced hearing the faith of the Thessalonians grew so exceedingly and their charity toward each other so abounded g 2 Thes 1.3 to this Paul expects in the h 1 Thes 4.1 that as they had received of them that were dispensers of the Gospels-mysterie so they would walke in pleasing God and abound therein more and more as in the fore-mentioned place as man so God calls for more weight more measure to adde to the number and measure of grace grow Christians had need to looke to their growth Non est bonus qui non vult esse melior hee that hath no care for the growth of his grace will soone bring the truth of his grace into suspition by an Apostaticall revolt or Cork-like levity in being removed from or wavering in the first and best principles Need we have to grow in grace from the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Reas 1 The Lord hath more to bestow on thee than yet appears to be in thee what ever grace thou art enriched with God hath more yet in the granary of his goodnesse for a poor soule Think not thy selfe more than a broken Cistern plume not thy selfe to sing a Requiem to thy soule as if thou hadst grace holinesse righteousnesse knowledge enough bee not deceived whoever thou art endowed with an admired competency of gifts and graces yet you need more than yet you enjoy that great measure of knowledge is not the least of that you are ignorant of Should I say be yee warm'd and filled and give not that which is needfull for the body it would little profit should I preach grow in grace and not tell you God hath more for you than yet appeares in you lesse reason to be up and doing But God is an inexhausted Fountaine that both can and will bestow more upon every soule that truely desires the growth of grace Aske thy soule if it had not need be better stocked and more stirre up it selfe to lay hold on God if he wil not give further supply of grace and knowledge T is my happinesse I know in my need how to be furnished it shall bee my reason Therefore I le grow Therefore grow in grace The more Reas 2 grace the more strength The infusion of grace puts life and energy into the soule the addition of grace renewes the active faculties with greater strength that as of the heroick Champions enroll'd in the eleventh Chapter of the Hebrewes of weake by the grace of faith they became strong strong to an unmatchable power So by the growth of grace the soule that was wont to be as water becomes to be as strong as steele it selfe the Apostles witnessing the truth of this to the world The want of saving grace hinders the want of saving knowledge that enlightens emboldens when heaven afforded many an advantagious opportunity to satisfie thy darkened judgement doubting spirit let mee appeale if thou hast not returned home likewise as came out the sad experience of our owne heart dictates want of grace proudly kept backe that in many things we remaine as new-borne Babes poore weake Creatures The truth of grace O Christian quickens but the growth of grace strengthens thy soul that panoply of God makes the Saints strong the breathing of the spirit of grace makes a stripling more puissant than the Goliah's of the Nations 'T is recorded of Father Abraham being not weake in faith he staggered not at the promises of God but being strong in faith hee beleeved in hope even against hope i Rom. 4.20 21. Christians meet with Principalities Powers and the Rulers of the darknesse of this world a terrible army how shall a poore soule encounter with this maine body when onely the strength
he hath is little more than a forlorne hope let him strengthen himselfe with the graces of Gods Spirit and hee shall finde a power invincible none more need of strength than a poore Christian The more grace the more strength Whether 1. Against sin that is not satisfied with a being in but would dominiere over a Christian or what strugling with secret corruptions as wrastling with too many corruptions hard to be subdued enforcing Paul to cry out k Rom. 7.24 Oh wretch who shall deliver me from this body of death Oh the sobs and groanes teares and feares of a weak Christian when corruptions begin to discover themselves then they in apprehension the undone of all the world Amaleck fights and sometime prevails the want of strength foiles the soule the height of grace upholds the soul the more grace the more strength against sinne 2 Against suffering the Church and people of God meet with opposition contradiction persecution who more it was the Fathers appointment as the sonnes prediction l Io. 15.16 and this Apostles the great Doctor of the Gentiles oft in sacred Writ To passe by bad report hunger nakednesse prison c. 't is difficult for some not all When strongly growne in the grace of Christ Paul can conquer the Apostles with admired resolution daunt their enemies when formerly all left he Lord Jesus Christ and why they were growne in grace and more grace more strength against suffering 3. Against Temptation our Saviour would not have taught his Disciples to pray Lead us not into temptation had not he known the devill and an evill heart laid snates to tempt which of Gods choisest Jewels free Not Abraham Job David not Christ himself And canst thou expect or request to be above thy Lord Poor weak Christian thou must look to be buffeted assaulted Labor for more grace so more able to resist for by the grace of God you may stand as withstand 4. Against Desertion The more grace the more strength T is a condition Gods people sometimes meet with and complaine of A bitter expostulation My God my God why hast thou forsaken Faith and feare in a double combate Whither in reference to David the Type or the Son of David the Antitype The Lord Christ And may not your full tide ebbe Your bright moon ecclipse Your fair day cloud and your clear Sun misten Oh know ye that are dandled in the armes of an everlasting God may yet not be ever danced in Gods everlasting arms He may shoot bitter Arrows against you and his everloving smile may frown it self to a momentary indignation as bitter as death as dreadfull as hell it self Labour therefore for more grace so more strength to suffer all and endure hardship as the good souldier of Jesus Christ So that either silently with Aaron hold your peace or with David religiously Language It is the Lord let him do as seemeth him good The more grace the more strength in all against all Ergo. The more grace the more comfort Reas 3 many that regard not to live conscionably yet are desirous to spend their years in prosperity and their daies in comfortable pleasures but as without grace little conscience so without true grace little true comfort the more sin in us the more opposition the more trouble griefe and fearefull horrour to the appaling of spirit and deading of heart But let a soul reflect and in simplicity speak an increase of humility faith zeal love knowledge grace more comfort questionlesse not more rejoicing can a condemned Malefactor receive by the tender of a Princes pardon than a poor soul comfort content in the truth and growth of grace were it not for the grace of God in them of all men Christians were most miserable in the sad apprehension of many and mighty corruptions within them diverse and great troubles upon them and severall scandalous reproaches against them Whither shall the soul search for comfort To whom fly for solid consolation Can that honour that is fading that estate that is flying that name that is blasting that friend that is dying afford any Alas miserable comforters all nothing so much as the least spark of divine grace and if a little will cherish what strong consolations will the growth added to the truth of grace afford view and review the instances of Sacred Writ and you shall find where most grace there most comfort Therefore grow in grace Reas 4 This comfortable evidence the sincerity and truth of your grace shew me your faith by works a dead faith no life in works The soule is barren and unfruitfull What is a body without a soule a poor body What is a soule without grace a poor soul And what is grace without the growth thereof uncomfortable grace What advantage to have a name to live and want life What profit to have a forme and void of the power of godlinesse This will upon good ground witnesse to the world the truth of grace is in you when they see your light shine that they may glorifie your father in heaven and your light which was at first as the dawning of the day appearing as the Sun heightned to the top of the Zenith fairly discovers the truth of grace in you to men And to conscience an evidentiall sign of truth when that which flames as a fire begins to live to a never dying worm t is quenched and crashed by this my conscience bears me witnesse that I though my beginning was small yet am encreased to a second a fift a tenth talent behold oh conscience did I make bones of Curse Lye Oath Sabbath Gospell Ordinance Hypocrisie Pride Passion secret Impiety or open Enormity in times past And do I not dost not thou oh conscience oh heart hate and abhor every false way Dost not performe and delight to do what God pleaseth pressing hard to be found in the righteousnesse of Jesus Christ Who in my Infancy hoped to be justified by duties desires well-meaning c. whence comes my love to God and his Whence Patience Zeal Faith more then in times past Comes not my growth from my truth oh enemy be my Judge speak righteously And to God also when at the houre of Death day of Judgement summoned to appear disarmed of all hopes helps no more muse or burroughs to save or shelter This will witnesse for thee though thou hast been a poor comfortlesse one yet a true one behold Lord thy Talent hath gained multiplied t is encreased and grown though little yet good evidence the truth of grace is in thee When as on the contrary to man to conscience to God I have no more grace now then from my Infancy and day of youth This comes off with sin shame sorrow to the blacknesse of despaire it selfe Therefore being the growth of grace evidences the truth of grace good reason we should grow in grace c. According to my usuall method I proceed to the Use Learn hence The life of a
Christian Vse 1 must be a life of action Instru T is shamefull impiety to practice when once enlightned graced from God with precious Truths Promises Privileges nothing Such a lazy devotion as brings in question the truth of grace Grace will make us faithfull husbands wives servants as Christians If man cannot endure a Lurdan Lozell God cannot endure a loitering idle Christian nor in reference to the things of this life or that which is to come I know not a Christian as a man or woman but have or might have employment or in works of necessity or charity And as a Christian man or woman hath to work out Salvation a work hard enough to so far from thinking them idle drones that may spurre them to be as busie as the Bee and all little enough to give a good account at the last day Jacobs Ladder is usually applyed here as Angels some ascending some descending but none standing still to intimate so it must be in the Church of God Either looking up to God or into the soul that admire God for his Majesty Glory Mercy or humble our selves for our unworthinesse sin and iniquity Did not God set his Adam presently after he had made him a living soule into the Garden to dresse it so to become a labouring soule and why But to tell the children of Adam that they must not be without motion action God gives no Supersedeas for a Christian to be idle or standing still Nay he checks with a Why stand you idle all the day long m Mat. 20.6 T is here in the Text required that he be doing thriving growing Grow in grace This of the first Use Vse 2 If a Christians duty be to grow in grace Try we then whither we have performed this duty or no. But how may I know I answer 1. They are grown more and better in duties Grace is like Ezekiels waters though little at first discovers it self by streames to run rivolets rivers to waters impassable Or as fire that encreases in light heat more greater so grace in growth makes a Christian in his duties more frequent whereas before he would court the Lord in a morning so bid him good morrow or complement with a goodnight he now begins to be more frequent grace acts him to morning evening and when occasion serves at midnight as high-noon at first seldome since he is grown more frequent 2. They are more fervent more zealous if not I could question that truth as growth of grace Though at first grace as fire of which comparatively we say t is a cold fire so a soul finds it self in the dutie of hearing praying receiving cold devotion in all chill almost stiffe but by that time encreased grown grown warme 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 seething boyling hot the affections kindled to a flame a zeale as hot as fire 3. More conscionable what in times past was done in custome formality hypocrisie education selfe is now steeld from conscience he doth it and dare not but do it and delight to do it also He at first saw the observing the Ordinances and Sabbaths of God his duty now grown beholds them his privilege so that as in time past he acted them as a task now he performes them as his delight and joy to think of his communion with the Lord Now he makes conscience and will not omit a duty as not commit a sin he makes conscience of all so doth a Christian that is grown in grace discover it in his duties being more frequent at them fervent in them and conscionable of them Try and enlarge the particulars in your meditations I must hasten 2. The growth of grace discovers it selfe by the death and dwinging away of sin at first sin lives but when grace comes sin pines and graces growth is sins decay as the house of Saul weaker and weaker and the house of David stronger and stronger So grace and sin in the soule As t is in the body with nature and the humour If the humour prove predominant then nature decaies and soon man is gathered to his Fathers but when nature gets the upper hand by degrees the killing humour lessens and abates to a perfect recovery so that the bed-red one walkes strongly and comfortably This grace like his bloud runs through every veine actuates in every faculty of the soule as the soule in the whole body Now mortifying this now crucifying that corruption laying the axe of zeale revenge care to the root and so cuts down root and branch he leaves not a hoofe behind spares not the Dalila the darling the sweet bit under the tongue or bosome sin in any corner of his heart nothing in his Judgment Understanding Will Memory Affections but shall relate to grace The Enemy thereof shall be brought and arraigned before Jesus Christ and cashiered for ever his precious gracious soule he is grown and acts to the utmost as fire heat and water moisten to the utmost so grace that dwinges sin to decay and dye The gallant Adonijah shall not be spared the delicate Agag not connived at nor the least of his sins if sin against God can be called little but shall be examined traduced and gibbited before the God of Israel He spies the inside he views the outside what gracelesse thing is discovered is discarded he abstains from and abhors secret as open wickednesse So that no sin shall have a willing being in his soule but he is sensible so sensible of their imperfection as a bone in throat or mote in eye never quiet till removed using all means to recover the health of the soule into the state of strength Oh try which dwinge and decay grace or sin So second triall 3. Grown Christians more boldly manifest the grace of God in them confidently they dare to speak and act upon the growth than they did upon the first truth of their grace The Apostles would flie and deny Christ before they would suffer or die But after the truth of their grace faith knowledge was strengthened then they feared not the Synods Councels of countermanding preaching Jesus Christ as you that are versed in the Acts of the Apostles can attest A soule at first is like Nicodemus it loves and would faine be with Christ but a great deale of fearefull sin clouds the new inspired grace secretly it dare but appeare for feare of the Jews I wave quotations for that I speak to or I am much mis-informed and mistaken Scripture-searching Christians But grown as Daniel the 3 Children they are gloriously manifesting their zeale for God and none but God though controled by Soveraignty itselfe As a child that hath life in operari esse goeth but by this support and that assistance for but weak now new going When a few yeares over-past a shame to hold by a Finger Chaire Stoole c. but now strength encreasing hee goeth confidently by himselfe So a poore soule at first creeps cannot go but his grace strengthened