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
renewed he ventures in nomine Domini as David against Goliah and dreads not when all Israel is struck with a misgiving doubt if not Panick feare A grown Christian manifests his grace by undanted profession in the hardest of body-torturing persecution and middest of precious name disgracefull slander In a word by what contradiction soever of men opposition of the gates the power and wisdome of hell the poore Christians grace is assaulted with it discovers it selfe void of feares as offence in the flames of a Sacred love to God Christian love to the Saints of God in a steadfast resolution to walk up to Covenant and Gospell Reformation and in a Christian deportment of themselves with the exercise of a good conscience before God and man here I conceive is growth as truth of grace Try oh try if it be thus with thee or not I must hasten time bids a dispatch 4. They can trust God with outward and inward estate also sometime in weaknesse he feared one sometime the other Now steere over both knowing that God hath given the Promise to godlinesse of this and that life which is to come No distrustfull thoughts for things temporall Christ hath commanded and his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 warrant for a growne Christian n Mat. 6.25 and assured for things of eternity to the truth as growth of grace that nor faint nor feare by which well may the soul relye on the Lord for its outward and inward estate Abraham the Father of the Faithfull sometime doubted but after o Rom. 4. from 16. to vers 22. Try how this reflects on thy soule by a patient humble waiting till God answer 5. Lastly they that are grown in grace grow and endeavour to grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ more and more in the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thereof truly to beleeve God and Christ in God and Christ and to acknowledge the Lord Jesus by a separation from the goats and communion with the sheep of Christ Not only notionally to know and understand more of the history of Christ but practically to doe for Christ more then in times past that we may read in conversation one sanctified and strengthened in the grace of the Lord and experimentally that God may have experience and the world also that their grace is a grace and knowledge of and according to Jesus Christ making them more humble p Job 42.5 6. and more desirous to know and find more so the truly wise and knowing Christian not to display the radiant beames of their vainglorious understanding but to discover the riches of Gods free and infinitely full grace to their souls in looking upon them when blind in understanding and unsanctified in heart after this they presse to know more of themselves and more of Christ to the praise of the Lord their God for bestowing as truth so a growth in grace Try and by this comfortably conceive growth of grace 3. Now after Triall the uses follow of terrour to some comfort to others exhortation to all If not growne in grace come in come in I have bitter things against thee yet shall this Law condemne none before it heare him speake Ask conscience then if growne in grace whence bleating of sheep lowing of oxen whence in the soule or Family or Congregation neglect of duties or if performed resting on duties how many cast the word of God behind their backs prophane the Sabbath condemne the soule-ravishing promises of the everlasting Gospell whence is it men trust to and rest in their duties as the hypocriticall Jews q Isa 58.23 rising to too lofty an expostulation in questioning the Deity it selfe a nontimely answering regarding their prayers and performances how many as the Pharisees vainly gracing themselves r Luk. 18.11 12. A soule growne in grace would nor make it an Idoll nor a slight yet how many of us thus guilty 2. The falling of too many from their first love like that Ephesine Church in the second of the Revelation and is not the love and zeale of many waxen cold in this day of affliction in the winter of our adversity when if ever God Covenant Church and Kingdome had need of champions zealous for the glory of the one the renowne of the other the safety and honour of all Now but woe and alas oh what cold dead spirits hearts are we possessed withall when at first zealous since remisse matter of humiliation and feare 't is neither naturall nor supernaturall for either would make the nearer the center more life vigor and activity let conscience speak if thou didst not in time past better affect Gods wayes Worship Sabbaths Ordinances Ministers People then now fear we may guilty we are 3. The pride of thy grace speaks the not growing of grace and how many plume themselves in this unhappy age with the men-admiring vertue when they put off the God-bestowing grace into what assemblies shall we enter in what company shall we be but God shall be robbed of his glory by mans boasting of his grace Grace keeps a soule low and exalts the Lord knowing whatever received received of God the Apostle and the strong Christian number not themselves with such as commend themselves and measure themselves with themselves for they are not wise ſ 2 Cor. 10.12 the more grace the more humility while men advance and exalt so as boast of zeale grace John-like c. it speaks us not grown 4. Lastly the seldome searching of our hearts speaks no growth of grace if I cast not up my account I know not whither my receipts or disbursements be most I feare a bad reckoning in this the Lord be mercifull unto us we know not the windings of our hearts desperately wicked and deceitfull we try not search not how many nay how few Sermon after Sermon Sabbath after Sabbath moneth after moneth commune with their owne hearts to see in what this or that grace is increased since the reception of so many mercies When a man seldome looks into his heart I cannot conceive how it should be discovered he is growne in grace but must passe sentence I speak to wise men are they not blame-worthy And may I not 1. When the Lord hath graciously affoorded time and space it was a check severe he gave her space to repent and she repented not t Rev. 2.21 And may not the Lord say many a day and yeare have I offered free grace stretching out my hand all the day long and ye despighted hitherto the spirit of grace Goe gracelesse soule into gracelesse society sad sentence 2. Yea when in that space cal'd and tendred all the means that infinite understanding conceiv'd conducible to the growth of grace no pruning dressing nor watering wanting Judge I pray betwixt me and my vineyard what could I doe more 't is heavens gracious condescending appeale Oh England what shall I doe unto you Oh People how should I intreat you
Redemption in Christ knoweth it cost his precious bloud should hee live any longer to himselfe to his former sinnes hee easily understands hee detaines his soule and body from Christ the purchase of Christ hee resolves therefore henceforth to know no thing no person unrelate to Christ hee hath obtained his pardon his deportment shall be as Coheire with Christ and heire to God of eternall glory hee will live honourably Try if you so live and breath act and affect that your conversation may be sutable to your priviledge and all your endeavours answerable to this Princely prerogative the forgivenesse of sinnes Doest thou labour to exalt the Lord and magnifie Jesus Christ above sin creature selfe comfortable signes if not e contra Fourthly the soule pardoned walks more comfortably than ever A man long time confined to bed home or prison set free with what inward joy satisfactory content his soule is comforted experience can best expresse so a poore soule formerly plunged in ghastly feares and hellish apprehensions to dwell and live in everlasting darknesse for want of pardon Now the Lord by his Spirit sealing as full as free remission no stranger can intermeddle to relate his joy unspeakable and full of glory pardon and peace remission and consolation like Aaron and Hur hold up Moses hands support the pardoned soule Goe in peace and be of good comfort thy sinnes are forgiven thee bee frequent expressions of holy Writ When by pardon of my sinne my soule beholds it selfe once a farre of now nigh by the bloud of Christ how can I but rejoyce the feares sorrow trembling horrour because my sinnes were unpardoned dispell'd must needs create inward joyes unspeakable for that mine iniquities are forgiven Try what inward joy and consolation in some measure at some time Gods Word affords from Christ in whom thou hast redemption Thus for the tryall Thirdly 3 Use for Reprehension this serves to reprove such as cannot say in him wee have redemption hath not pardon beene tendred free full long as the sinne the doome must bee thine if no redemption by Christ thou art a Captive to the power of thy lust and a bond slave to the curse of thy sinne to an ingenuous spirit it is misery to bee a prisoner to a superiour deep calamity to bee subject to an equall but a slave to his drudge vexation high little comfort left for the gallantry of bravest spirits but this they are enthralled by men and in that little comfort too but to bee enslaved under Hels Darling Heavens scorne the soules everlasting shame and confusion sinne makes not onely the eare to tingle heart to tremble but dumbes because it doomes to that Lake which burnes with torturing fire and sulphurous brimstone whether the pains of sence or losse be sorest needs no determination either enough to fill a soul with the terror of black despaire well consider l Job 20.11 The thoughts of a resurrection speakes the soule glad to returne to dust againe But hoping better things of you precious soules I spare to reprove and passe to the fourth Use 4. Use of Comfort To all you that can say in any measure my Saviours bloud is my Redemption let your soules rejoyce and all within you blesse his name For First thou art blessed as the sweet Psalmist m Psa 32.1 in this happy enough happy in Gods account what if deprived of earthly contents and enjoyments yet thou hast remission forgivenesse that 's worth a thousand Worlds I deny not deare soule but that many have more of blessings without but thou hast that white stone that new name n Rev. 2.17 affording such a consolation within as may fill thy soule with joy ineffable and full of glory Secondly by this assured of Salvation it is the souls trouble the uncertainty of the reward so that it workes it out with little below feare and trembling the forgivenesse of thy sinnes distills with a sweet influence enlightning to salvation as by the heat I know the fire burnes by the light I know the Sunne shines by the pardon of my sinne I am confident of the salvation of my soule o Luk. 1.77 Thirdly in this comfort whatsoever God sends or suffers t is in mercy no affront from beneath no desertion from above no affliction without no temptation within but proceeds from a Father as well as from a God Jonathans Arrowes were shot for David as at David the tender Mother gives with a bitter Pill closely Sugar to sweeten so the Lord though hee sometimes answers with terrible things yet hee is the God of salvation take comfort therefore Fourthly God will sanctifie thee as well as justifie thee thou shalt be partaker of his Spirit as well as of his bloud I know thy soule longeth to bee sanctified it shall bee bee comforted where God pardons hee purges so runnes the Covenant p Ezek. 36.25 26 27. seconded by the Apostle John q 1 Joh. 1.9 Object But here a soule is ready to complaine there is nothing in me from me that I should hope of the Lords pardon to me Answ To this I Answer Hast thou not as much as God looks for what had the Infant the Churches Hierogliphicke r Ezek. 16. but bloud in it polluted defiled yet God pittied What had the Prodigall yet his Father freely pardoned and joyfully entertained him Feare not then for Christs sake the Lord will doe more than this in him there is Righteousnesse Grace Perfection Merit enough to redeem from Hell the nethermost Hell to save to save to the highest Heavens Hath not he offered himselfe a Sacrifice for sinne for ever and will not he for ever perfect them that are sanctified and will the Lord remember their sinnes and iniquities any more Å¿ Heb. 10.12 17. Be comforted therefore and if this will not serve let God himselfe answer such an objection made t Isay 43.22 23 24. Exhort I hasten to the last Use Labour to subscribe to this truth you that cannot say you have redemption through his bloud Meanes First labour for a forgiving heart and a remitting spirit doe as you would bee done unto is the Royall Law u Mat. 6.14 with that of w Mark 11.25 26. Secondly labour for a truely humbled spirit a throughly humbled soul so that Promise sealed to thee in the twelfth of Zacharie the latter end and beginning of the thirteenth Chapter Thirdly believe in Christ entertaine him in all his Truths his Promises exercise thy faith in spight of opposition and x Acts 10.43 A faire instance y Mark 2.4 5. Motives God will then bee one with you Mot. 1 the first Adam by his sinne lost you the second Adam by his merit regained you no more a stranger from God or the Covenant of grace his Royall Attributes are martialled while you are in the valley of teares to doe you good Mot. 2 This will make you passe through all difficulties whatsoever with comfort now thou fearest and art amazed loath to hazard this or ventare that for God or his Gospell and why I have not my sinnes pardoned were I sure of this went I through a valley of teares and shadow of death I would feare no evill but with Paul z Rom. 8.32 challenge all persons and things that thus you may remaine faithfull and with comfort wade through a sea of bloud labour for Redemption Lastly yee that can say with Paul in the Text We have redemption c. Love him live to him and to none but him let your Duties Mercies Graces Lives bee praise to Jesus Christ you need not question Gods love the favour of the royall breast is knowne by Mercy by Remission hath the Lord delivered mee from the power of darknesse and translated mee to the Kingdome of his deare Sonne and shall not his free grace bee magnified Praise the Lord O my soule and let all that is within mee blesse his holy Name for his Christ by whose bloud I have redemption the forgivenesse of my sins and let all that wish well to my soule for my soule say blessed be the Lord for ever and ever Amen FINIS