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
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
and such trash in secret will overthrow the stomacke and make the wholsomest food loathsome so will sinne if we harbour with delight a close iniquity under our tongue it will nauseate all the saving truths of Jesus Christ gloriously held out in his Gospell and hinder the growth of grace Lastly conscionably use the Ordinances of God doe not as many for custome formallity but hoc age doe it in the integrity and simplicity of conscience the Law and statutes of God e Ps â—9 7 8. are beneficiall that which issues out of the Sanctuary increases f Ezek. 47.12 when pray read receive exercise your selves conscionably and your benefit will be profitably discovered to all Motives Mot. 1. The more grace the more exalt Christ 't is a soules burthen I cannot live to honour Christ for all his merit goodnesse truths and mercies labour then for more grace so speake more of his name and ye will be in life death to magnifie Christ little lower then Angels in their praises to their Maker grace brings you higher and higher to these Seraphicall spirits so you will chaunt the perpetuall Hallelujah's with the Quire of Heaven of whom Christ is to be praised as of you to be honoured 2. Grace makes the more eminent grace and fame are said to be companions as the righteous so the gracious is more excellent then his neighbour the world cleares this truth when the most debauched wretch would not but seeme gracious the strumpet luke-warme Laodicea all outwardly as the Pharisees yea the Devill else why transformed into an Angell of Light but that with more credit to act in the children of darknesse and heires of light also but grace with God and Christ a name better then of sonne or daughter 3. Time may come need of more grace these are the plundring times and exercise the faith and patience of many a precious soule though blessed be God we heare it only with our eares and see it not with our eyes nor feele it to our hearts but a time may come one grace fits not for every temptation no more then one shooe for every foot or one garment for every backe The Apostles harnesse in his Panoply g Eph. 6. from 10. to 19. that compleat sometime a Christian hath need of this grace sometime of another we know not which God will call us to exercise leave not a hoofe behind as in one grow in all and strengthen every one fearing and feeling the time bad to be worse be not unprovided consider the season and grow in grace 4. This will keep you true and stedfast to God to Christ and the principles of Religion that ye waver not in a corklike ventositie to the hazard of faith and a good conscience this will arme you against all delusions errours sinnes feares and keep you entire to Christ till you come for ever to be with him where is the Crowne of grace glory with which hee confirme you here and assure you hereafter for his owne name and glory sake Consider what I have said and the good Lord grant you a true understanding in all things that ye may grow in grace knowledge of Jesus Christ To whom be glory for ever and ever EPHES. Chap. 1. ver 7. In whom we have redemption through his bloud the forgivenesse of sins c. PAVL by the will of God separated to the Gospell for the Churches sake of the Gentiles renders the worke of his Ministry faithfull as to others to this Church of Ephesus which after his Apostolicall salute in the first and second verses doth magnifie the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who hath blessed us with all spirituall blessings in heavenly places in Christ verse the third Amongst which precious excellencies this in the Text for the consolation of the faithfull in Christ is little inferiour to life everlasting this being the troublesome obstacle to a beleeving soule till it apprehend Jesus Christ in whom it hath redemption c. Doct. The Text contains this truth fully to redeeme from sinne cost no lesse then the bloud of Jesus Christ or the bloud of the Saviour is the redemption of the Saints That this is so why this is so and what use hereof are the three things I shall burthen your memory and patience with at this time That it is so appeares by the Text 1. In whom that is in Christ verse 3. in whom elected ver 4. predestinated unto adoption ver 5. in whom we are accepted ver 6. In whom redemption as in the Text We the Saints c. faithfull ver 1. blessed with all spirituall blessings ver 3. Select Paul elect Ephesians in Christ In whom we have redemption freedome full plentifull freedome the word in the Originall having a Preposition added speaks the perfection of the redemption To take redemption as in reference to the body or soule here body and soule hereafter no redemption but by Christ in whom full redemption Redemption is said to be fourefold First by Manumission as Lords their vassels freely discharging so Christ by his grace freely justifying a Rom. 3.24 Secondly by permutation or change as in warres so Christ himselfe bare our sinnes in his owne body on the Tree b 1 Pet. 2.24 the wrath of the Father went downe in the Sonne to redeeme the Saints he suffered in his body that we might be redeemed in our soules so a redemption Thirdly by violent ablation so Abraham rcscued Lot so Christ redeemed his having spoiled Principallities and Powers blotting out the handwriting of Ordinances that was against us taking them out of the way c Col. 2.14 and through death destroyed him that had the power of death delivering them who through feare of death were all their life-time subject to bondage d Heb. 2.14 15. Fourthly by price and ransome so slaves and captives are redeemed from the thraldome of cruell Turks and the hands of barbarous enemies Thus Christ redeemeth his also captived under captivity yee are bought with a price e 1 Cor. 6.10 not with corruptible things of silver and gold but with the precious bloud of Christ himselfe that immaculate Lambe f 1 Pet. 1.18 19. In whom we have c. Through his bloud that is the shedding oblation of his bloud As in the Law the bloud of buls and goats sanctifyed to the purifying of the flesh so Christ by the sacrificing of his bloud obtained thorow sanctification g Heb 9.14 and eternall redemption verse the tenth In whom c. The forgivenesse of our sinnes That is Remission or as the word signifies retromission or sending backe againe from the soule to the first Originall the Father of all sinne A full remission from the defilement and destruction from the guilt and curse from the dominion and power by his bloud from the guilt of sinne and by his spirit from the power In a word from all that relates to or attends upon the
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