Crafts-masters are these Seducers they are very subtle and dextrous in their Stratagems to deceive unawares 2 Pet. 1.16 For we have not followed cunningly devised Fables when we made known to you the power and coming of 〈◊〉 Lord Jesus Christ but were eye witnesses of his Majesty we used none of their Arts and cunning 2 et 2.1 2 3. But there were false Prephets also among the people as there shall be false teachers among you who privily shall bring in damnable Heresies even denying the Lord that bought them and so he goes on describing both thâ—â— Persons and the danger that accompanies their endeavours 2 Timoth. 2.17 And their words will eat as doth a canker or Gangrene now 〈◊〉 Gangrene suddenly over runs the whole man unless it be prevented it presently seizes the vitals and so kill and so do those seductious and 〈◊〉 Principles by the subtilty and Art of those instruments of Satan which he hath imployed in all Ages of the Church the Reason why truth is longer a spreading than error is because truth is contrary to our corrupt Nature but error is surable to them our hearts are as tinder to receive what is bad every spark kindles the fire but they are as wet wood to receive those sparks of light that God from his Words darts into them Epiphanius others have taken a great deal of pains in shewing how in all Ages downward ever since the times of the Apostles the Devil hath been at this kinde of work and he hath imploy'd this instruments herein and we are not without experiences in our dayes of those persons that deny the Scriptures to be the Word of God and that would make the death and sufferings of Christ and faith in Christ of no effect This is to deny the Lord that bought them and to bring damnation upon themselves 3. There is a third way whereby Satan lababours to obstruct the spreading of the truth and to suppress the Doctrine of God our Saviour and that is by exercising his utmost cunning himself by working upon mens corruptions 2 Cor. 4.3 4 5. If our Gospel be hid it is hid to them that are lost in whom the God of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not Observe he hath a notable art in blinding the eyes of men with corrupt mistakes and subtle insinuations Chap. 11.3 I am jealous over you lest by any means as the Serpent beguiled Eve by his subtily so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ St. Panl feared the most setled Christians he was jealous of them it was out of the abundance of his love to and care for them Now Satans great designe is if he cannot keep us from this Doctrine then he labours to corrupt it and thereby to hinder the efficacie of it and so to render this Doctrine of Salvation instrumental to promote our destruction And thus those many designes of Satan against this Doctrine and his diligence to carry on those designes is a great Argument of the eminencie of the priviledge of enjoying it 3. Argument The wonderful Providence of God and his perpetual care in preserving this Gospel notwithstanding all the attempts that Hell hath made against it Be sure if any created power or policie for what policie or power is greater than Satans could have prevail'd against this Doctrine of God our Saviour there had not been the least part of this Doctrine remaining in the world at this day This consideration proves that this Doctrine of God is excellent Act. 5.39 the counsel of Gamaliel to the Jews If it be of God it will stand ye cannot overthrow it Now it is an Argnment that this Doctrine is of God because it hath stood so long for above 1600 years and it is an argument that it is the Doctrine of God because it is of such great conc ernment to the Church if it had not been an eminent and needful priviledge he would not have employed his providenees so constantly about the prser vation of it We read when the Israelites had no farther need of Miracles God did not then continue to work Miracles for that people assoon as ever they had the parched Corn the fruits of the Land Manna ceased the self-same day God would not then be at the expence of a Miracle though they came from him as easily as words do from men be would not be at the expence of a Miracle but for his Peoples necessity This Doctrine of God our Saviour is said to be the Foundation upon which the Church is built Thou art Peter and upon this Doctrine this Confession of thine I will build my Church Eph. 2.20 And are built upon the Foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Jesus Christ being the chief Corner-stone Upon the Foundation of the Prophets and Apostles How can that be For it is said other Foundation can no man lay than what is laid c. Neither is there Salvation in any other for there is no Name given under Heaven whereby we can be saved Answ Divines here distinguish between a personal Foundation and a Doctrinal Foundation Jesus Christ is the only personal Foundation the only Person that can be built upon and the Doctrine of Christ in the Gospel that is the only doctrinal Foundation and if we build upon this we build aright I shall give you three Instances to shew how wonderfully the Providence of God hath appeared in the preservation of this Doctrine of God our Saviour 1. In that he hath preserved those Books of Scripture wherein this Doctrine is contained from utter ruine and extirpation How many choice and admirable Books wherein hath been excellent pieces of Learning have perished and been eaten out by the rust of time Yet those Books have had no Edicts put forth a against them to endanger the owning of them nor against the advancing of the study of them Nay they have had great incouragement to promote those studies and in all respects the greatest care imaginable to preserve them but they have all perished and are utterly gone but this Gospel hath been preserved notwithstanding all the attempts and designs against it we have no Books of Antiquity and ancient standing as the Gospel is It is a smart passage of one speaking of the improvements made in all pieces of Knowledge says he It is but a vain kind of boast to speak of augmenting knowledge since all those new editions that have been made of any science are but the recoveries of what formerly hath been lost as Solomon seems to intimate when he saith there is nothing new under the Sun But God himself takes care of these Books and this proves that they contain in them those Truths that are necessary for the Churches good for the conversion and bringing in of wandring Souls and for the edifying and building up of those that are brought in and so long as there is any one Soul either unbrought in or unbrought up so long
as any single Member of Christ continues in a state short of perfection the Gospel shall continue God hath promised Eph. 4.11 That Apostles Prophets Evangelists Pastors and Teachers shall be in the Church for the perfecting of the Saints for the work of the Ministry for the edifying of the body of Christ till we all come in the unity of the faith and of the Knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ. So long as we are short of perfection so long shall these helps continue Now had not God taken care of the Gospel all those instructions that are contained in it had long since been buried in oblivion 2. As God hath been careful to preserve these Books from extirpation so also from corruption that as not any part of it hath been destroyed so no salse Principle have been infused and this is as great a wonder as the other that though the powers of earth and hell have been bent against it though they have neither wanted malice nor power yet they have neither destroyed and extirpated it nor brought in another Gospel to the exclusion of it though there were early attempts against it as you find Gal. 1.6.7 Imarvel that you are so soon removed unto another Gospel This hath been one of Satans ways to set up new Doctrines quite contrary to this thereby thinking to prevail but such hath been the care of God concerning this Doctrine that it is observed as a remarkable thing by Ecclesiastical Writers that in every age of the Church when Satan hath raised up some dangerous Instrument to corrupt this Doctrine God hath raised up another eminent Instrument for the defence of this Gospel as when Arrius was so busie in crying down the Divinity of Christ God then raised up Athanasius as an Antidote against that poysonous eror And so when Pelagius did endeavour to pull own Free grace and advance and raise up â—ature God then raised up St. Sustine for the lefence of the Truth In all Ages of the Church God hath taken care to preserve this Doctrine from being corrupted Now that this Doctrine that hath had so many enemies and hat been so strongly opposed and those enemies have been countenanced and had all the humane advantages that this world could afford yet that poor contemptible despised and persecuted instruments should preserve this Doctrine from corruption and that this Doctrine should remain as the three Children in the fiery furnace having not a hair of their heads singed this is the wonderful Providence of God 3. In animating so many thousands to bear witness to this Doctrine with their lives Mr. Fox in his Martyrlogie tells us to reckon up all the Saints that have sealed to the truth of this Doctrine with their blood in the several ages of the Church would amount to no less than five thousand for every day in the year But this hath been observed by all that not only men of courage but timorous women and not only the Learned but illiterate not only the Souldier but others have been animated and assisted by God that they have rather parted with their lives than these Truths this was the great Controversie in the Maryan Persecution And it is impossible that this Doctrine should ever have passed through so much fire and blood in so many Ages if an extraordinary Spirit had not supported them and enabled them to bear their testimony These Arguments shew that it is a Doctrine of very great concernment to the Church and People of God Partic. 2. That the great and principal acknowledgmeat that God expects from all that do partake of this great and eminent priviledge is that they should do their utmost to adorn this Doctrine of God our Saviour To adorn it what is that To render it amiable beautiful and lovely that this Doctrine may be more taking with them that are strangers to it as in v. 5. that the Word of God be not blasphemed and the chief Commendation we can do to this Doctrine is practical Conformity to it as the Apostle advises Eph 4.1 I therefore the Prisoner of the Lord beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called That you walk becoming the Gospel Phil. 1.27 Only let your conversation be as becometh the Gospel that it be meet that it be such as may adorn it And how this may be how we may adorn the Gospel how we may walk worthy of the Gospel the Apostle tells us Phil 1.11 being filled with the fruits of Righteousness This is to adorn the Gospel 1 Pet. 2.9 That they should shew forth the the virtues and praises of him who hath called them c. as an apt Scholar that is much improved in Learning is a praise to his Master St. Paul calls the Corinthians his Commendation so a gratious Christian is a Commendation to the Doctrine of Christianity These Rules are sublime and high this is the Christians Motto we do not speak great words but we live great things This is the charge that our Saviour gives toall his hearers but especially to those he imploys in the capacity of the Apostles Mat. 5 16. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorifie your Father which is in Heaven to glorifie this Doctrine is by giving occasion to to others to glorifie it to have it in high esteem our Saviour there doth not perswade men to seek vain glory to seek applause and esteem with men to gain reputation among others but that they may glorifie God Let your light so shine before men c. This light may be understood of the light of the Doctrine of God but it must also be understood of the light of their Conversations Now to shew wherein all Christians are in a capacity of adorning this Doctrine of God our Saviour In general By walking exactly according to the Rules of this Doctrine as the councel of the Apostle is Eph. 5.15 See then ye walk circumspectly not as fools but as wise To walk cicumspectly is to walk exactly as the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the Greek signifies Walk exactly and this is your wisdom and not to walk exactly is the greatest folly not as fools but as wish And oh what a lovely thing would Christianity appear to be in the eyes of them that are strangers to it was there but that exactness in our lives that this Doctrine by its several Rules teacheth I shall speak to three things in opening this 1. As to our Carriage to towards God 2. Towards others To our Enemies 2. Towards others To our Friends 3. Towards our selves 1. In respect of our Carriage towards God in following God fully This Doctrine teacheth us to serve God with all out might and strength this is exemplified by several paterns in Scripture My soul followeth hard after thee thou art my right hand And of Caleb it 's said Numb
unworthiness but it is an evidence that mercy is then in mercy when it doth not onely elevate and lift up our hearts in admiration and praising God but in commending him to others as the object of their trust and hope 3. Doct. That the scope and aim of every Person should be everlasting life 4. Doct. That the onely way to obtain this everlasting life is in a way of believing 5. Doct. That the work of beleiving is a difficult work 6. Doct. Because it is a difficult thing to believe therefore God hath appointed all kind of helps for the working of faith in the hearts of believers But I shall wave all these and speak to this Doct. God is pleased sometimes to single out Capital and notorious offenders to make them the objects of his special and distinguishing mercy to the end they may be as standing instances and famous Monuments of his mercy in after ages and thereby prevent all occasions of doubts suspicion and jealousies which humble sinners are in danger of This Doctrine must be warily understood I do not say God always or ordinarily doth so this cannot possibly be it is contrary to the holiness and truth of God As God is a holy God be cannot but abhor sin Though he hath mercy sometimes on the greatest sinners yet he bears a perfect detestation to sin therefore sin is called ant abominable thing do not that abominable thing that I hate He cannot but have an infinite displeasure against sin because it is so unsuteable to his holiness 11. Psal 5 6 7. The Lord trieth the Righteous but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth His countenance doth behold the upright and those only with approbation and delight So as to the truth and veracity of God in his threatnings against sin which he hath so severely pronounced his displeasure against he is in point of his truth and faithfulness obliged to make good what he hath threatened as well as promised Therefore God doth not always nor ordinarily make notorious sinners the objects of his pardoning mercy because this would make God a seeming approver of what himself hates and a countenancer of what he puts a great discountenance upon but sometimes God singles out some notable sinners and leaves them as instances and monuments to after ages and it is to this end and purpose that they might be as so many Beacons on a hill to warn others to take heed of their sins and to give light to others to encourage them notwithstanding their objections doubts and fears Sometimes you finde S. Paul admiring the grace of God shewed to him that he who was at that remoteness and distance from mercy should find mercy and favour You have a notable instance in the 2 Ephes 2. Wherein in times past speaking of them in their Gentilism ye walked according to the course of this world c. This was a sad condition to be under the power to be captive to the will and pleasure of such an usurper Vers 4. But God who is rich in mercy hath quickned us together with Christ In the 7. vers That in the ages to come be might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness towards us through Jesus Christ That he might leave such standing objects of his mercy as might obviate and prevent all discouragements in doubting Christians and because S. Paul propounds himself singly in this Text I shall confine my self to that particular instance and the end and account upon which he obtained so much mercy it was that he might be a pattern to others In opening the Doctrine I shall speak to three things 1. What those sins were that S. Paul before his conversion was guilty of and notwithstanding which he obtained mercy which was in his eye so great a wonder 2. What mercy he did obtain notwithstanding those great sins 3. What there is of Encouragement from these instances of S. Paul and others recorded in the Scripture for the encouragement of doubting Christians in after ages 1. What were those sins S. Paul was guilty of before his Conversion You find them summ'd up in the 13 vers of this Chapter I was a blasphemer That is the first Now blasphemy was a capital crime and to be punished with death and by stoning to death There are two things remarkable in the punishment of blasphemers It was no less then death and every person who was not guilty was bound to purge himself from so great a crime by witnessing his detestation of it Thy hand shall be first against him The tender Father must be severe against the Child of his own bowels Blasphemy is branded in Scripture with many black titles and the punishment of it was very severe This was the great crime objected against Naboth he must be carried out of the City and stoned as a vile Person not fit to live because he blasphemed God and the King 1 King 21.9.13 A greater crime then this the enemies of our Saviour notwithstanding all their combinations against him could not alledge a stronger charge then that of blasphemy they could not lay against him 26 Matth. 65. Then the high Priest rent his clothes saying he hath spoken blasphemy What was the blasphemy 61 vers This fellow said I am able to destroy the temple of God and build it in three days Here was reproachful Language this fellow this contemptible fellow spake thus and thus and you have heard his blasphemy what need you any more witnesses This is such a sin that Herod though he was not guilty of blaspheming God himself yet because he did seem to countenance others who did when he made that eloquent Oration when the People cryed out it is the voice of a God and not of a man 12. Act. 21.22 for his bare connivance at this sin brought ruine upon himself because he took the glory to himself Because David had but occasioned the enemies to blaspheme God dealt so severely with him the Child must die 2 Sam. 12.14 I might shew at large with what severity the Magistrates were bound to bear witness against this sin 5. Levit. 1. And unless we express a detestation of this sin we make it our own That is the first a blasphemer 2. A persecutour and that he was to purpose do but observe those emphatical expressions by which S. Paul sets out the hainousness of his guilt of this sin 7. Act. 58. And cast him out of the City and stoned him 8. Act. 1. And Saul was consenting to his death 9. Act. 1. And Saul yet breathing out threatnings and slaughter against the Disciples of the Lord c. And this is the next step to blasphemy perfecution He would neither imbrace Christianity himself nor could he patiently endure that others should but with all the rage and fury imaginable he laboured to oppose the ways of Christ 3. He was Injurious the word in the Greek is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it is but once more used
27.4 That my Soul may bless thee before I die Gen. 46.15 These be the Sons of Leah all the Souls of his Sons and Daughters that is all the persons and in ver 18. These are the Sons of Zilpah even sixteen Souls that is fixteen persons This is one great Truth and this one priciple which if it were firmly believed and faithfully improved would carry us very far in adorning the Doctrine of God our Saviour Did men believe that their Souls are indeed themselves then there would not be so much aado about the body in pampering it this body is but the beast in man as a French Writer speaks it is poor flesh that must ere long be Worms meat therefore what account can be given of that nicenss and delicateness of them whom all the art in the world cannot long prop up but it will be meat for Worms Again why are we so much taken with sensual pleasures these are the pleasures of them that are not themselves as it is said of the Prodigal Son Luke 15.17 when he came to himself he was not himself when he was taken with husks and swines-meat when those things were pleasing to him But certainly if our Souls be our selves then most men are not themselves that take care about their bodies and minde those things that are sutable to that part of themselves Again why have men so many distracting cares for the getting and preserving and fears of losing those things that concern this outward man it is because this truth is not firmly believed Oh! what a preventer would this be of all those sorrows for outward afflictions and disappointments in Creature comforts and those losses that we meet with in worldly enjoymeats Was this Principle firmly believed that our Souls are indeed our selves there would not be such an indifferencie in us about our Souls Consider these two things how great a difference the belief of this Doctrine of God would make as to the things of our Souls then we should give all diligence it would command our highet utmost diligence about them this I might shew from many Scriptures Give all diligence to waâ—â— your calling and election sure Work our your 〈◊〉 Salvation with sear and trembling Phil. 2.12 Keep thy heart with all diligence 1. Cor. 7.29.30 This I say Brethren the time is short it remain maineth that they have wives be as though they had none and they that weep as though they wept not and they that rejoyce as though they rejoyced not it commands moderation in our use of these outward comforts and only earnestness in these Soul concerns God makes a very great difference in these things in his Commands but what a small difference do all men make in their practices how much more intent and serious are men in the things that concern their meaner part than in those things that concern their Souls which is themselves Did men but take that 100 part of the pains for their Souls that they do for their bodies it would be better with them than it is We are commanded first to seek the Kingdome of God and his righteousness to seek first Soul mercies I might mention many natural inserences that would flow from this one Principle which would carry us very far in the practice of holiness How sad a bargain do they make that do hazard their Souls for very trifles If a man should gain the whole World with the loss his Soul what a sad gain would that be nay it would be a loss to him and that to purpose But for how small a pittance of the World do men lose their Souls this shews that they do not Judge their Souls themselves However this justifies the Children of Wisdomn who can rather suffer than sin who can part with any thing but with God who can undergoe any kind of losses rather than the loss of spiritual blessings and forfeit them Oh! what admirable patience and courage hath appeared in the faithful Servants of God in all ages who have set their seal to this Truth with their lives and all that hath been dear to them Again it shews that men live in a contradiction to this Principle that if it go well with our Souls it cannot go amiss with us If our Souls have but the light of God's countenance lifted up upon them if they do but thrive in Grace and be filled with Grace what matter though our bodies be exercised with pains and aches and afflictions of all kind Again it is a safe Rule to judge of all things by according to the reference that they have to our Souls to account those things eminent and acceptable and profitable to us that tend to the good of our Souls As Ordinances and spiritual Opportunities and liberty of access to God in the duties of his worship and service these are to be esteemed choice mercies because these are the appointments of God for our Souls good and for outward afflictions when God by these does us good as to our Souls we have cause to rank them amongst our mercies and to bless God for them as David did who said It was good for me that I have been afflicted Ps 119.71 and in faithfulness hast thou afflicted me And blessed is the man whom correctest and teachest out of thy Law Further this one Principle that our Souls and our selves speaks the greatest cruelty in the world to be regardless of them you will pity distracted persous that cut and gash and wound their bodies because they know not what they do May you not pity obstinate sinners upon a higher account Those men that murder themselves and destroy themslves Our Law accounts them Monsters and it makes it appear that they are so by running a stake through their bodies when dead But all the cruely to the body is nothing to that of the Soul Remember therefore this one Principle that this Doctrine of God our Saviour would have us fix in our minds that our Souls are truly our selves 2. A second Principle that this Doctrine of God our Savior teacheth us is this That the happiness of the Soul cannot consist in any thing but in the enjoyment of God This is one of those Riddles that carnal men cannot understand therefore David saith Psal 49. They that trust in their wealth and boast themselves in the mulititude of their riches none of them can by any mean redeem his brother nor give to God a ransome for him They are but poor helps these things will stand us but in little stead It is natural for all men to desire happiness but because our knowledge is weak therefore those desires are confused and roving Psa 4.6 7. There be many that say who will shew us any good this is the Language of many men but because of the darkness of mans understanding therefore some think that good consists in this and some in that but David whose understanding was enlightned and sanctified quickly determines the point Lord lift
walketh in a vain shew surely they are disquieted in vain It is a hard matter to perswade the world of this therefore David comes with a surely and backs it with a second surely If there be a clearness in any truth it must be in this Could we sit down and seriously consider what we have been doing with our thoughts all the time of our lives we shall find we might have made a higher improvement than we have done how much have we lost of this our pretious patrimony that God hath left us whatever we have as to outward things we must leave them and whatever we have more than is necessary is so far from being serviceable that many times it becomes a burden to us how many are the worse for the good things of this world that God is pleased to intrust them with 2. Doct. Whenever we go hence we shall then be no more Before I go hence and be no more the meaning is not as if that Divine spark that is in our bosoms shouldbe quite extinguished when we go hence or that our bodies should find an ever lasting habitation in the Grave No the Soul bears a longer date with it it is immortal it will run parallel with the longest line of Eternity and as for the body it shall be fetcht back from that pavilion of darkness at the general Resurrection when all shall be cited to make their appearance before the Tribunal of God the meaning is this be no more that is no more as we now are Perhaps now thou art in divers capacities of being serviceable to others as a Parent as a Master having an inspection into those that are under thee thou shalt then be no more under such talents in such capacities Now perhaps thou hast many opportunities not only of advantage for others good but thine own spiritual good too but then thou shalt be no more no more as to opportunity of Grace We have now a praying time and a reading time a thime for meditation and repentance and for that whole work that God hath appointed us here upon the earth but when we go hence all these preparitory opportunities will cease Man goes to his long home Eccl 12.3 speaking of old age and decayed nature which is so elegantly described in the former part of that Chapter Man goes to his long home and the mourners go about the streets It is called his long home not because time doth linger or he is long going down to the grave no time creeps but it posts away even as a shadow because there we come to our fixt and lasting cstate Object But you will say what is it when man â—us to his long home what doth he then Ans You have a clear answer for that Eccles 9.10 There is no work nor device nor knowledge nor wisdom in the Grave whither thou goest There is no working time then the voyce of the Gospel is now heard it cannot be heard in the Grave you read indeed that the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God But this is spoken of them that are naturally dead by a separation of the body from the Soul but of those that are spiritually dead by a separation of their Souls and bodies from God Now these though they are dead in fin Christ hath declared he will shew his miraculous power in causing these dead to hear his voice and live but as to all Gospel and preparitory opportunities they shall be no more 1. Vse Informs us of the sadness of their condition who have unprofitably burnt our their Candle their Sun is set and all their work is to do who have trifled away their time and yet their sins are to be pardoned their corruptions subdued and their assurance cleared When the day of grace is past there is no tim ethen for these things under what dark chouldsdo those poor Souls sit even clouds of horrour and despair that will abide upon them to all Eternity â— Stoick said there is so much vanity in the world that the first thing desirable is never to be born and the next thing is to be quickly dead and truly all those persons must needs be of the same persuasion with him whose Sun is set and their work not at all done Truly such persons change their places when they go hence but not their dispositions Did death finde such persons So will judgment too Did death find such enemies to the ways of God carnal profane wretches scoffers at Religion opposers of Gods people So will God find them and accordingly will Judgment proceed against them there is no agreeing with our adversary but while we are in the way Agree with thine adversary whilst thou art in the way with him This life is our passage our Journey there is no agreement to be made when we are gone henâ—â— Forif when we go hence we go away strangers to God and at a distance from him and from Jesus Christ we must continue so for ever these are true ordinary Principles which every one sufficiently knows and they are such as should be much in our thoughts How highly are we concerned to improve the present time we do enjoy to the most and best advantage in communing with our own hearts if we shall not do it now we shall never have time to do it hereafter We our selves have seen within these few yearts at what great incertainty God hath left us as to these things and therefore we should be more industrious and lively in our preparatory endeavours for another world We have now amending repenting reforming seasons use thm and make the best advantage you can of them and that because you know not how soon you may be taken from them 3. Doctr. To all such as truly understand their spiritual Concernments the great thing that renders the life of Nature desirable is in order to their improvement in Grace Oh spare me says David remove thy heavy hand from me spin out the thread of my life reprieve me a while from the grave and why he doth not beg life only that he may live but oh prolong my days of nature that I may make an improvement in Grace that I may recover strength In opening this Observation these three things are to be considered First that Grace is our spiritual strength and that which will hearten and encourage our Souls in their going hence Secondly this spiritual strength is subject to decays and may be much empaired That I may recover strength Thirdly there is nothing renders the life of Nature desirable in comparison of his that we may recover our decays in Grace that we may obtain an improvement in holiness First Grace is our spiritual strength Grace is not only given us for an Ornament but for service God doth not bestow it upon us only as our duty but as our strength thus we often find it called in Scripture the strength of the Soul Psal 84.7 They shall every one of them go