Scripture Light the Most Sure Light, Sermon 11

Scripture Light the Most Sure Light · Sermon 11

p. 76A LIFTING UP, In caſe of WEAK GRACE.

Serm. V

PSALM, 42.11.

Why art thou caſt down, O my Soul? and why art thou diſquieted within me? &c.

Inſtance 2 SOmtimes the Diſcouragements of the Saints, do ariſe from the weakneſs of their Graces.

O! ſaies one, I am a poor, feeble, and a weak Creature; ſome are ſtrong in the Lord, and in the power of his Might; who do a great deal of Service for God in their day: but as for me, I am a poor Babe in Chriſt (if a Babe) and ſo am able to do little or nothing for God: Therefore I am thus diſcouraged and caſt down, have I not juſt cauſe and reaſon for it?

Anſw. No: For God is able to make all Grace to abound towards you, that ye alwaies having all ſufficiency in all things, may abound to every good Work, 2 Cor. 9.8. And if God have recompenced your weakneſs with Wiſdom, then ſurely you have no p. 77cauſe to complain of your weakneſs:Admonemur nullam creaturam propter parvitatem contemnendam eſſe, quando qui dem quod illis in corporis mole deeſt, aliis quibus à Deo ornantur dotibus compenſa…i ſolet. Cartwr. in Pro. ſomtimes weakneſs is recompenced with wiſdom, for ſaies Solomon, Pro. 30.24. There be four things that are little upon the Earth: but they are exceeding wiſe. The Ants, the Conies, the Locuſts, and the Spider. Wherein doth the wiſdom of the Ants conſiſt? He tels you in verſ. 25. The Ants are a people not ſtrong, yet they prepare their meat in Summer. In time of plenty they do lay up for the time of want. Wherein doth the wiſdom of the Coneys conſiſt? he tels you in verſ. 26. The Conies are a feeble folk, yet make they their houſes in the rocks: though they be weak in themſelves, yet they dwel in ſtrong places. Wherein doth the wiſdom of the Locuſts appear? he tels you in ver. 27. The Locuſts have no King, yet go they forth al of them by bands: though they be weak alone, yet they do joyn together, and ſo are ſtrong. But wherein doth the wiſdom of the Spider conſiſt? he tels you in verſ. 28. The Spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in Kings Chambers: though the chamber of a King, is moſt ſwept and clenſed, yet by the induſtry of her hands, ſhe doth take hold on the beams thereof, and dwels on high out of danger. So that, although theſe creatures are weak and feeble in themſelves, yet by their wiſdom, their weakneſs is recompenced, and they ſave themſelves from injury, and wrong, as wel as if they were ſtronger. Now ſhal the Ant, Cony, Locuſt, and Spider be wiſe in their kind, and ſhal not a Chriſtian be ſo? true ſaving Grace is the beſt wiſdom, every Godly man, is a wiſe man; and though he be but weak in Grace, yet he hath true wiſdom: the wiſdom of the Ants, to provide in Summer againſt a rainy day: the wiſdom of the Conyes, to build in the rock Chriſt: the wiſdom of the Locuſts, to joyn with others: and the wiſdom of the ſpider, to take hold on thoſe beams of the promiſes, which are in the chamber of our King Chriſt▪ and if God have thus recompenced your weakneſs with this wiſdom, why ſhould you then complain?

Queſt. But is it then no diſadvantage, for a man to be weak in Grace?

Anſw. Yes much, very …uch; there are many diſadvantages which a weak Chriſtian lyes under, that a ſtrong Chriſtian doth not. Ye ſee how the weak ſire, lyes ſobbing under the diſadvantage of green wood, which the ſtrong ſire doth not: ſo doth Chriſts ſmoaking flax, ly under many diſadvantages, which the ſtrong Chriſtian doth not. As,

1Though a man have truth of Grace, yet if he be but weak in Grace, he is more apt and ready to ſtumble, and fal, and to be turned out of the way, Heb. 12.12. Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees. Saith the Apoſtle. Leaſt that which is lame be turned out of the way. A weak man is more apt to fal than a ſtrong; and i… he do fal, he is more unable to riſe p. 78again: A ſtrong man fallen, is quickly up again; but the weak fals, and is ready to fal again when he riſes; ſo it is with a weak C…riſtian, he ſtumbles often, and is apt to fal, and if he have fallen, he is even ready to fal again when he goes about to riſe.

2He is more eaſily quenched, in regard of his comforts, than the ſtrong Chriſtian is. A ſtrong Chriſtian wil improve that for himſelf which ſeemes to be againſt him; but the weak Chriſtian, wil improve that againſt himſelf which is in truth for him. When our Savior Chriſt ſaid to the woman of Canaan, It it not lawful to caſt Childrens bread before dogs. She made an advantage of thoſe words, and thereby did gather in upon Chriſt, ſaying, True Lord, but the dogs eat the crumbs that fal from the table. Thus ſhe improved that for her ſelf, which ſeemed to be againſt her. Why? becauſe ſhe was ſtrong in faith, O woman (ſaith our Savior) great is thy fayth. But when the Angel of the Lord appeared to Manoah. Judg: 13. he ſaid to his wife, We ſhal ſurely die, becauſe we have ſeen the Lord. Thus he improved that againſt him, which did make for him: (as his wife truly interpreted the thing verſ. 23.) why ſo? but becauſe he was weak in faith. The ſtrong fire burns the more, by the very water that is caſt upon it; but the weak fire is quenched, by the very fuel, wood, or coal that is caſt on it; ſo a weak Chriſtian alſo, apt is to be quenched, even by thoſe very truths, and diſpenſations, whereby he ſhould burn and blaze out the more.

3He cannot glorify God as the ſtrong Chriſtian may and doth. One Sun doth Glorify the Creator more, than an hundred other Stars; becauſe there is much light met in one body: and one ſtrong Chriſtian doth Glorify God more, than an hundred leſſer weak Saints;Pſal. 50.23.Ps 50:23 becauſe, there is much light, and Grace met in one perſon. He that offereth praiſe, Glorifyeth mee, ſaith God.

1It is an hard thing for the weak Chriſtian to praiſe God, for he often doubteth of Gods love, and therefore cannot praiſe him as he ſhould: but the ſtrong Chriſtian may, he can ſay; Bleſſed be the Lo…d for this or that mercy, for it comes from love to me.

2The more a man doth beleeve above hope, and under hope, and the leſs he doth live by ſence, the more he Glorifyes God; now the ſtrong Chriſtian is able to exerciſe his faith in this kind, for ſayes the Apoſtle Paul. Abraham conſidered not his own body, but being ſtrong in faith, was pe…ſwaded that God was able, and ſo did give Glory unto God. Rom. 4. A weak faith cannot do ſo, for ſaith the Apoſtle. verſ. 13. And being not weak in faith, he conſidered not his own body now dead, he ſtaggered not at the promiſe of God through unbelief, but was ſtrong in faith, giving Glory to God. It ſeemes then, that it is the ſtrong, and not the weak faith which doth give Glory to God: and would ye know wherein p. 79this ſtrong faith, differs from the weak faith, in regard of its operation? why, ſaies the Apoſtle, The weak faith ſtaggers at the promiſe, which the ſtrong faith doth not; The weak faith doth attend too much unto ſecond Cauſes, which the ſtrong faith doth not; The weak faith judges by what it ſees and feels within, but the ſtrong doth not, but by the word without, and therefore it is ſtrong faith which doth give glory unto God eſpecially.

3A ſtrong Chriſtian wil do great things for God, a weak Chriſtian can do but ſmal things; for his ſtrength is but ſmal,foreign 1 Theſ. 5.14.1 Thess 5:14 and his ſoul little. Now the greater things we do for God, the more we Glorify him.

4A ſtrong Chriſtian can mind and tend the Publique, but a weak Chriſtian cannot; I have enough to do at home (ſaith he) O! that my own everlaſting condition were but ſetled, and then would I mind the Publique too.

5A ſtrong Chriſtian is able to wait long on God; he that waiteth long with quietneſs, honors God: but as your weaker Children, cannot ſtay long for what they would have but muſt be ſerved preſently; ſo the weak Chriſtian alſo, cannot wait long on God for what he would have; but the ſtrong Chriſtian doth.

6A Strong Chriſtian is helpful unto others. We that are ſtrong, ought to bear the infirmities of the weak. Rom. 15.1. And again; Him that is weak in the faith receive you. Chap. 14.1. Children and babes are fit to be carried in others armes, but are not able to carry others. The weak Chriſtian is apt to be offended with others; to cenſure and judg others, and ſo to make burdens for others to bear. Rom. 14.1.2. but the ſtrong Chriſtian, is a bearing Chriſtian, a carrying Chriſtian, one that can diſpleaſe himſelf, that he may help another. Now the more ſerviceable and helpful a man is to others, the more he Glorifies God; Thus the ſtrong Chriſtian is, but the weak cannot in al theſe things give Glory to God as the ſtrong Chriſtian may; Surely therefore, there are many diſadvantages which a weak Chriſtian lyes under, that the ſtrong Chriſtian doth not.

2Secondly, Yet there is no reaſon why he ſhould be diſcourag…d.

1For Weakneſs doth not exclude from mercy, but inclines God unto mercy rather. Pſal. 6.2. Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am weak. It is ſpoken of an out-ward weakneſs: and i… that which is leſs doth incline God to mercy, then much more that which is greater.

2And if he have as great an Intereſt in Chriſt, as many promiſes to run unto, and as many embraces of love from God the Father, as the ſtrong Chriſtian hath; then there is no juſt cauſe why he ſhould be caſt down in regard of his weakneſs.

1Now ſo it is, though your Grace be never ſo weak, yet if ye p. 80have truth of Grace, you have as great a ſhare, and intereſt, in the righteouſneſs of Chriſt for your juſtification, as the ſtrong Chriſtian hath. You have as much of Chriſt imputed to you, as any other. It may be, you have gathered leſs of this Manna, for your ſpending Sanctifycation; but if you be an Iſraelite indeed, you have ſo much of this Manna, as that you have no lack; for it's ſaid of the Iſraelites, They gathered ſome more, ſome leſs; yet he that gathered much, Exod. 16.18.Exod 16:18had nothing over, and he that gathered little had no lack: al which figured, that equal proportion, (ſaith Mr. Ainſworth) which al beleevers have in Chriſt, the ſpiritual Manna.

2And if ye look into Scripture, Where doth Gods promiſes fal more thick, than upon thoſe that are weak in Grace? Chriſt begins his Preaching with the Promiſes, Math. 5. and I pray, what are thoſe perſons whom the promiſes are eſpecially made unto, but ſuch as are weak in Grace? Bleſſed are the poor in ſpirit. Bleſſed are thoſe that hunger and thirſt after righteouſneſs. Bleſſed are thoſe that mourn. He doth not ſay, Bleſſed are thoſe that are ſtrong in Grace; or Bleſſed are thoſe that rejoyce in God: or thoſe that have ful aſſurance of their everlaſting eſtate and condition; No, but as if his great work and buſineſs were, to comfort, uphold, and ſtrengthen the weak, theſe he begins withal, and many Gracious, Rich, and bleſſed Promiſes he doth make to them. Yea, the Promiſes are ſo made to them, as (attended to) wil give a ful anſwer unto al their fears: as for example. The Lord Promiſes, Math. 12. That he wil not break the bruiſed reed &c. Wil the weak Chriſtian ſay, O! but I am exceeding weak, and very feeble: then our Savior ſaies, He wil not break the bruiſed reed. And what more weak and feeble, than a bruiſed reed? an whol reed is not v…ry ſtrong at the beſt, but bruiſed it is weak indeed. Wil the weak Chriſtian ſay, O! but my weakneſs is mingled with many ſins;foreign Matth. 7.5. foreign, Matth. 9.38. foreign Matth. 10.5.Matt 7:5Matt 9:38Matt 10:5 ſo the fire in the ſmoaking flax is mingled with ſmoak, yet ſaies Chriſt, I wil not quench the ſmoaking flax. Wil the weak Chriſtian ſay, O! but, though God do not quench me, yet I ſhal be quenched; nay ſaith Chriſt, But I wil bring forth judgment to victory, it lyes on my hand to do it, and I wil do it. Wil the weak Chriſtian ſay O! but, I have much oppoſition in my way, how can judgment come to victory? then Chriſt ſaies, he wil bring forth foreign Thurſt forth with violence, it's the ſame word that is uſed in other Scriptures, noting a force: as if Chriſt ſhould ſay, I wil force this victory through al oppoſition, that it ſhal meet withal. So that the Lord doth not only give ſeveral promiſes to thoſe that are weak in Grace, but he doth ſo lay them, as he doth help to apply them.

p. 813And if ye look into your Experience, Who have more kiſſes, and embraces of Love from God our Father, than the weak Chriſtian hath? The Parent kiſſeth the Babe, and li…tle Child, when the elder Child is not kiſſed; for, ſaies he, this is but a little Child. And ſo, when the Prodigal comes home, then the Father falls upon his neck, and kiſſes him, why? but becauſe upon his firſt return, he is a Babe in Chriſt, This is my little Child (ſaith the Father) and therfore I wil kiſs him, with the kiſſes of my mouth. 3Thirdly, And though it be a great affliction to be weak in Grace, yet if Chriſt wil condeſcend unto mine infirmities, why ſhould I be diſcouraged in regard thereof? Condeſcending Mercy is great and ſweet Mercy: Now though God doth ſhew mercy unto all his People, yet he wil do it by Chriſt as an High-Prieſt; and what is the work and Office of the High-Prieſt? but to ſympathize and bear with the infirmities of thoſe that are weak. We have not ſuch an High-Prieſt (ſaies the Apoſtle) as cannot be touched with our infirmities. Three things there are,Heb. 4.15.Heb 4:15 which do ſpeak out the condeſcending Love of God to thoſe that are weak in Grace; 1. He accepts their Duties, though mingled with many weakneſſes; and their Services, though they grow upon a weak Stock, Revel. 3.8.Chriſtus fidem etiamſi infirmam fovet. I know thy Works (ſaith Chriſt to the Church of Philadelphia) for thou haſt a little ſtrength, and haſt kept my word, and haſt not denied my Name. 2. The Lord doth not over-drive thoſe that are weak, but is contented to go their pace with them, Eſai. 40.11. He ſhall gather the Lambs in his Arms, and carry them in his Boſom, and ſhall gently lead thoſe that are with yong. 3. He doth ſomtimes, yea, often times, yield unto their deſires, going (as it were) after them: Matth. 9.18. There came a certain Ruler, and worſhipped him, ſaying, My Daughter is now dead, but come and lay thine hand on her; and Jeſus aroſe and followed him. The man had Faith, for he ſaid, Only lay thine hand on her, and ſhe ſhall live: yet his Faith was weak, for he limited, and ſtinted Chriſt, both to time and means; Come down and lay thine hand on her. In the 8. Chapter, a Centurion comes to him, for the cure of his Servant, and he was ſtrong in Faith; for ſaith Chriſt, I have not found ſo great faith, no not in Iſrael. Chriſt doth prevent, and goes before him; for when he ſaid, verſe 6. My Servant lies ſick, Jeſus ſaid to him, I will come and heal him: Here Chriſt offered to go; No Lord, ſaith the Centurion, Speak the word only. But the Ruler deſires Chriſt to go with him, and he followed him; Chriſt prevents the ſtrong and he followeth the weak; he commends the ſtrong Centurion, & he condeſcendeth to the weak Ruler. What then, though the weak Ruler be not commended as the ſtrong Centurion was, ſhould he be diſcouraged? No: Becauſe Chriſts condeſcending Love, was as fit for him, as his p. 82commending Favor was for the Centurion: Strong Grace ſhall be more commended; but weak Grace ſhall be much encouraged by the condeſcending Love of Chriſt.

4Fourthly, If Chriſt have put a Why? and Wherefore? upon the Diſcouragements of the weak, then they have no true reaſon to be diſcouraged, in regard of their weakneſs. Now if ye look into Matth. 8.26. ye ſhal find, that our Savior ſaies to his Diſciples, Why are ye doubtful, O ye of little faith? Ye read in verſe 24. that there aroſe a great tempeſt, inſomuch that the Ship was covered with Water; was not here cauſe of fear? yet ſai…s Chriſt, Why are ye fea…ful? yea, it is ſaid, that their Help was aſleep; Chriſt was their only help in the ſtorm, & ver. 24. He was aſleep: had they not then cauſe to fear? yet ſaies Chriſt, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? The like ye have in Matth. 16.8. Jeſus ſaid, O ye of little faith, why reaſon ye amongſt your ſelves, becauſe ye have brought no Bread? Here is another Why? put upon their Diſcouragement. So again, Matth. 14.31. when Peter began to ſink, he cried out, and Chriſt ſaid unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore did'ſt thou doubt? Here is another Why? or Wherefore? put upon the diſcouragement of a weak Faith. Now why doth our Savior ſpeak after this manner to them? Why do ye doubt? and why are ye fearful? Not only to reprove their doubting and diſcouragement; but to ſhew that there was no reaſon for it: Though their outward diſcouragements were great, and their Faith was but ſmal, yet he tels them, that they had no reaſon for to be diſcouraged, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little Faith? It ſeems then, by theſe Why's, and Wherefore's, that though a mans Faith be ſmal, and his outward diſcouragements great, yet he hath no juſt and true reaſon for to be diſcouraged.

5Fiftly, And if a Chriſtian would be diſcouraged, if he did not ſomtimes find a weakneſs and ſmalneſs of Grace within him; then he hath no reaſon to be diſcouraged, becauſe he doth find this weakneſs. Now ye know, that the Kingdom of Heaven, both without us, in the Goſpel, and within us, in regard of the ſaving effect of the Goſpel, is compared to a grain of Muſtard-ſeed, which, ſaith our Savior, is the leaſt of all Seeds; but grows up in time, to that ſtature, height, and bigneſs, as the Fowls of the Air come and make their neſts in it. So is the Goſpel, both in the preaching, and the effect of it: it begins low, and is very little at the firſt; and therefore, if a man ſhould not find his Grace to be ſmal at the firſt, he would doubt whether ever the Kingdom of Heaven were in him or no, ſaying, The Kingdom of Heaven is like unto a grain of Muſtard-ſeed, the leaſt of all Seeds; but I have not found it ſo in my ſoul, I have not found this littleneſs and ſmalneſs of Grace, and p. 83therfore I do fear, that the Kingdom of Heaven was never in my ſoul in truth. Thus men would doubt, and be diſcouraged, if they ſhould not ſomtimes find their Grace to be ſmal. And if ſo, then why ſhould a man be diſcouraged, becauſe he doth find it thus? Surely he hath no juſt cauſe or reaſon for it.

Object. O! But yet, it is an uncomfortable thing to be weak; ſtrong Chriſtians are full of Comfort: they have aſſurance of Gods Love, and are full of joy: but the weak are full of fears and doubts. This is my condition; I am moſt uncomfortable, therefore I am thus d…ſcouraged; have I not cauſe and reaſon for it?

Anſw. 1 No: For though the weakneſs of Grace, is uſually accompan…ed with doubts, and fears; and the ſtrength of Grace, with aſſurance, joy, and comfort: yet it is po…ſible, that a man may have a great deal of Grace, yet may have no Aſſurance; and a man may have Aſſurance, not doubting of Gods Love, and yet may have but little Grace.

Anſw. 2 Ye muſt know, That there is a difference between uncomfortableneſs, and leſs comfort. If a man be poſſeſſed of a great Eſtate in the World, he hath more comfort than another, who hath but the pledg and earneſt of it; but though I am not poſſeſſed of it, yet if I have the Earneſt and Pledg of it, I may have much comfort in it. Now the leaſt Grace, is a Pledg, and Earneſt of more, yea, of the greateſt meaſure: and is it not a comfortable thing, for a man to have the Pledg and Earneſt of Glory? Such have all thoſe that are weak, though they be but weak in Grace.

Queſt. But how ſhall I know that my little, is a Pledg and Earneſt of more?

Anſw. 1 The Spirit of Adoption, is a Pledg and Earneſt of the whol Inheritance: and though you cannot do ſo much Service for your Heavenly Father, as your Elder, and ſtronger Brother doth; yet if you do not only obey God, becauſe you ſee a reaſon in his Commandements, but becauſe there is a Child-like diſpoſition in you; then have you the Spirit of Adoption, and ſo your little, is a certain pledg of more.

Anſw. 2 And if you mourn over your little, and wait on God for more, then is your little an earneſt of much: Rom. 8.23. And not only they, but our ſelves alſo (ſaith the Apoſtle) which have the firſt fruits of the Spirit; even we our ſelves, groan within our ſelve…, waiting for the Adoption, to wit, the Redemption of our B…dy. He proves, That the Romans had the firſt-fruits, the Pledg and Earneſt of more in the Spirit, by their groaning and waiting: Do I therfore groan under the preſent burden of my own weakneſs, waiting upon God for more, then have I the fiſt-fruits of the ſpirit; and ſo that little which I have, is a Pledg and earneſt of more: and upon p. 84this account, though your Grace be weak, and ſmal in it ſelf, yet conſidered as an Earneſt, it is much: and is it not a comfortable thing to have the Pledg and Earneſt of Glory? Such is the Comfort of al thoſe that are weak in Grace, and therefore why ſhould they be diſcouraged in regard of their weakneſs?

Object. O! but, I am not diſcouraged at my weakneſs, in regard of the uncomfortableneſs of it, but in regard of the unſerviceableneſs of it: for if I were ſtrong in Grace, I ſhould be able to do more Service for God; then I ſhould be able to reſiſt my Temptations, and to overcome the evil One: for the Apoſtle John ſaith, I write to you yong men, becauſe ye are ſtrong, and have overcome the evil One, But I have great Temptations, and but ſmal ſtrength to reſiſt them: I have a great deal of work to do for God, and have no ſtrength to do it with; therefore I am thus diſcouraged, have I not cauſe and reaſon now?

Anſw. 1 No: For the Spiritual Battel, is not alwaies to the ſtrong: our Victory lies not in our ſelves, and our own habitual ſtrength; but in Chriſts freſh aſſiſtance. How often have the ſtrong fallen, and the weak ſtood? We read of that yong King, Edward the Sixth, That when the Emperor ſent to him, deſiring that his Siſter Mary (afterwards Queen of England) might have liberty for the Maſs in her Houſe; this yong Prince did ſtand out againſt that Temptation, when all his Counſel was for it, yea, when that good man, Biſhop Cranmer, and that other holy man, Biſhop Ridley, did yield thereunto, and preſſed the King to it, inſomuch as the King did break forth into tears, deſiring them to be contented; whereupon the Arch-Biſhop Cranmer, took his School-maſter, Mr. Cheek, by the hand, and ſaid, Ah! Mr. Cheek, you have ſuch a Scholler that hath more Divinity in his little finger, than all we have in our whol Bodies. Here the weak ſtood, and the ſtrong did fall; the weak did reſiſt Temptation, when the ſtrong did yield: for our ſtrength lies in Chriſt without us, not in our ſelves within us. And if ye look into the 2. and 3. Chapters of the Rev…lations, ye ſhall find, That whereas all the Churches are charged with ſome ſin or other, only the Church of Philadelphia is charged with no ſin at all, but commended for keeping the word of Chriſts Patience; and yet this Church, and no other, is ſaid to have a little ſtrength.2 Cor. 12.9.10.2 Cor 12:92 Cor 12:10 And ye know what Paul ſaith, When I am weak, then am I ſtrong: moſt gladly therefore will I rejoyce in mine infirmities, that the power of Chriſt may reſt on me.

Anſw. 2 Though your Grace be weak, yet you may do much for God in your day: The Tongue (ſaies James) is a little Member, and boaſteth great things; behold how great a matter a little fire kindleth, Chap. 3.5. Behold alſo the Ships (ſaith he, verſe 4.) which though they be ſo great, yet are they turned about with a p. 85very ſmal helm: quod autem tam minuta et infirma animalia in rupibus domicilia ſibi exculpeut, confirmare nos debet, ut non dubitemus etiam infirmi et imbellos quae difficilia ſunt aggredi dummodo officii ratio id poſtulet. Cartw. in Pro. 30. in verſ. 14. quatuor parva ſunt in Terra.Prov 30And ſhall not a little Grace do as much as a little Tongue, or as a little fire, or as a little Helm? Surely, though Grace be little, yet it may be an Helm unto all your life, a Rudder unto all your Practices. Ye ſee how fruitful weak things are in Nature; the ſtrongeſt perſons have not alwaies moſt children, but the weaker: The Herring is a weak Fiſh in compariſon of the Whale, and what abundance are there? The Dove is a feeble Bird in regard of the Eagle, and yet how fruitful is it? The Vine is a weak Tree in regard of the Oak, and yet it is more fruitful. So in Grace; you may be weak in Grace, yet you may be very fruitful: The Jaylor was but weak in Grace as ſoon as he was converted; nor Zacheus, nor the Thief on the Croſs; yet what Cluſters of Divine Grapes did preſently grow upon theſe Branches? And if you may be very fruitful in good, though weak, why ſhould you be diſcouraged in regard of your weakneſs?

Object. O! but I am not diſcouraged at my Weakneſs, in regard of my unſerviceableneſs, or unfruitfulneſs only, but in regard of my own guiltineſs; for I have made my ſelf weak in Grace by mine own ſins; I have fallen into ſin, and ſo have weakened my ſelf and Grace: my Grace is not only weak, but it is weakened, and weakened by ſin; therefore I am thus diſcouraged, have I not cauſe and reaſon now?

Anſw. 1 No: For poſſibly you may be miſtaken: Some do abate in their Natural Parts, and they think they decay in their Graces: as ſome grow in Parts and Gifts, and they think they grow in their Graces. But if you have not fallen into any great and groſs ſin, then no ſuch Spiritual Diſeaſe or Feaver hath ſeized on you, whereby your Grace ſhould be weakened.

Anſw. 2 But ſuppoſe the thing be true, which you do object, That you have ſinned, and by your own ſin, your Grace is now weakened; then have you cauſe indeed to be much humbled before the Lord, yet not to be diſcouraged. For,

1If nothing have befallen you, but what may poſſibly befal a true Beleever, then you have no reaſon to be caſt down as without hope. Now ye know how it was with Sampſon; he was ſtrong, and of great ſtrength inward and outward; yet his ſtrength was taken away, and he became as one of us: How ſo? why, he had laid his head in Dalilah's Lap, and ſo he loſt his ſtrength, and was weakened by it; but it coſt him dear, both his Eyes, and his Life too: And if you have ſo laid your head in Dalilah's Lap, that your ſtrength is abated, it may, and it is likely it will coſt you dear; yet this caſe is no other than what may befal one recorded for a true Beleever.

2And though your ſtrength be abated, and your Grace weakened, through your own ſin; yet being true ſaving Grace, it ſhall never p. 86be annihilated, for it is the new Creation; and nothing created by God, can be annihilated by us. Man is created by God; he may be killed by man, but he cannot be annihilated, and brought to nothing: The Tree and Wood, may be burnt to Aſhes, but it cannot be annjhilated and brought to nothing, for it is part of the Creation. Now your Grace was created by God alſo, if true, though ſmal; and therefore though it may be weakened by your ſin, yet it cannot be annihilated, and brought to nothing.

3And if yet the Promiſe do belong to you, and to your Condition; then you have no reaſon to be diſcouraged or caſt down, in reſpect of this.. Now if ye look into Revel. 3. ye ſhall find, That as there are many Promiſes made to the ſeveral Churches; ſo there are Promiſes alſo made to the Church of Sardis; yet this Church had fallen, and weakened her ſelf; for ſaies Chriſt to her, Verſe 13. Strengthen the things that remain, and are ready to die; I have not found thy Works perfect: So that, though your Grace be weakened, and that by your own ſin, inſomuch as all ſeems to be ready to die, yet there is a Promiſe belonging to ſuch a condition, and therefore no juſt cauſe or reaſon for Diſcouragement, though much cauſe of Humiliation.

Object. But I am not diſcouraged at the weakneſs of my Grace, becauſe of mine own guiltineſs only, but becauſe of its likeneſs, and ſimilitude, unto common Grace; I know that it is a contradiction, to ſay, That a little Grace is no Grace at all; but my little, is ſo little, that I even fear that it is none in truth: If the piece of Coyn that I have, be little, yet if it be Gold, it is well; but if it be little, and a Counter too, then what am I the better? Now ſo it is, that I fear my little is but a Counter, and not true Grace indeed; therefore I am thus diſcouraged, have I not cauſe and reaſon now?

Anſw. No: For though your Grace be never ſo ſmal, yet if it be good Coyn, and not a Counter, then you have no reaſon to be diſcouraged in this regard. Now to ſatisfie you in this ſcruple, I'le tell you what ſmal, weak, little Grace will do, and not do, in oppoſition to common Grace.

1It will not oppoſe much Grace; the leaſt Spark of fire will not oppoſe the flame, or reſiſt the flame; Water will, becauſe Fire and Water are contrary: and ſo, falſe Grace, will oppoſe the higheſt degree of Grace, ſaying, What need you be ſo ſtrict, and preciſe? You may go to Heaven with leſs ado: but the leaſt degree of true Grace, wil not oppoſe the higheſt.

2It loves Examination, it loves to examine; and to be examined; for it is ſincere, and ſincerity is much in examination: it is called foreign, for it holds up all its actions to the Sun and light; it doth love the work of examination: falſe, counterfeit, common Grace, doth not ſo.

p. 873It is very inquiſitive after the waies of God, and after further Truths: As the man that climbs up into the Tree, firſt gets hold on the lower Boughs, then on the higher, and ſo winds himſelf into the body of the Tree, till he comes to the top; So doth a Chriſtian do; he begins with the lower, then unto higher, and ſo to higher diſcoveries: at the firſt therefore, he is moſt inquiſitive, What ſhall I do to be ſaved? ſaies he; and again, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? Falſe and common Grace is not ſo.

4It is much in the work of Humiliation; it grows in a wateriſh place. Now ſuppoſe that two Herbs be much alike, the one ſoveraign, and the other naught; and it be told you, that the ſoveraign, good Herb, grows in a wateriſh place, and the other on a Rock; will you not eaſily diſcern thoſe, by the places where they grow? Thus it is here; the weak Grace of the Saints, grows in a wateriſh place, it is much in Humiliation; but the common, falſe Grace of Hypocrites, grows on a Rock. As a weak Chriſtian, is very apt to reſt upon his own doings, ſo he is much in doing, and in the work of Humiliation moſt.

5It works according to the proportion of its own weakneſs; it ſtaggers at the Promiſe, yet it goes to the Promiſe; it doubts of Chriſts Love, yet it doth run to Chriſt; it ſtumbles, yet it doth keep its way; it is ignorant of Chriſt, and not ſo forward in the knowledg of Chriſt, as it ſhould be, yet it is laying of the foundation, Heb. 6.1. It is the fault of a weak Chriſtian, that he is alwaies laying the foundation, yet he is laying of the foundation; though it works weakly, yet it works according to the proportion of its weakneſs; but the common, falſe Grace, doth not ſo.

6It is willing to learn of others: For ſaies a weak Chriſtian, I am but a Babe in Chriſt, and therefore why ſhould not I be willing to be carried in others Arms? The leſs I can do, the more I will receive: as the ſtrong Chriſtian is much in doing, ſo muſt I be much in receiving: It is not thus with that falſe, and common, counterfeit Grace. But as the Naturaliſts do report, and write of the Lyon, That he wil not eat of any Prey, but what he hath hunted down himſelf; other Beaſts will,Aelian de Animal. they wil prey upon what is killed by others; but the Lyon, King of the Beaſts, is ſo proud, that he wil not eat of that which is killed by another. So, men that are ſtrong in Parts, and Gifts, and have no Grace withal, will not eat of that which they do not hunt down themſelves; if they hunt it down, then they wil cloſe therewith, elſe not. A ſtrong-graced Chriſtian will, and a weak-faithed Chriſtian will; but he that hath Parts, and Gifts alone, cannot relliſh that ſo well, which is brought to hand by another..

7It is very ſenſible of it's own weakneſs: A weak Chriſtian is weak, and he doth feel his weakneſs, and is very ſenſible of it; not p. 88a man in all the world,Deo placet fides infirma modo, nobis non placet fidei infirmitas Auſtin. ſaith he, that is more weak than I. Now ye know, that if a Lady, or Queen, come to an Houſe, ſhe hath a great Train attending upon her, and though ye ſee her not, yet if you ſee her Train, you ſay, ſhe is there ſtill. Such a great Queen is Grace; though a man have never ſo little of it, yet it brings a great Train with it; and though you ſee it not, yet if you ſee the Train, will ye not ſay, ſurely the Grace of God is here? Thus now it is with you that are weak in Grace; theſe Seven things, and a far greater Train than theſe, you may ſee in your lives, and therefore certainly, you have no juſt cauſe and reaſon for your Diſcouragements in this reſpect.

Object. O! but yet, this is not the thing that doth pinch with me: I hope, through mercy, the Root of the matter is in my ſoul, that this great Queen of Grace hath taken up her lodging in my heart; but yet I am exceeding weak in Grace, and very feeble ſtill: ſome are weak in Grace, becauſe they are but new Plants, new Converts, lately brought home to Chriſt, and are yet Babes in Chriſt, and ſo they have excuſe for their weakneſs: but I profeſs, that I have been converted a great while, yet I am weak; I am an old man or woman, yet I am weak in Grace; I am an old Profeſſor, and yet am weak in Grace: therefore I am thus diſquieted, have I not juſt cauſe and reaſon now?

Anſw. No: For though it is a ſhame for an old man to go in Coats, or to be carried in the Arms like a Babe, as every weak Chriſtian is; and though Chriſt will upbraid men of their ſlowneſs and dulneſs, that have long ſate under the means; yet you have no juſt cauſe and reaſon for Diſcouragement: for though you may be weak in regard of others, yee you may be ſtrong in regard of your former ſelf, and be more ſtrong in the Lord, and in the power of his might, than you have been heretofore. And to cleer that, Conſider,

1The more extenſive a mans Obedience is unto Gods Commandements, the more he is grown in Grace. Weak Chriſtians are much in ſome Duties, and therein they are moſt intenſe; but little or nothing in others: and as they grow in Grace, ſo their hearts are dilated, and extended unto other Duties.

2The more exact, and accurate a man is in Duty, the more he doth grow in Grace; and the more he grows in Grace, the more exact and accurate he doth grow in his Duty. He that writes better than he did before, doth not write more Paper, or make more Letters, only he doth write more exactly, and accurately: So, the g…own Chriſtian doth not perform more duties than he did before, but the ſame more exactly.

3The more a man ſees, and underſtands his Chriſtian Liberty, and yet doth walk more ſtrictly, the more he doth grow in Grace:

p. 89Some think they grow in Grace, becauſe they have more underſtanding in their Chriſtian liberty, though they do walk more looſly; theſe are deceived in their ſpiritual growth; but if I know my Chriſtian liberty more fully, and now do walk more ſtrictly in my life, then do I grow in Grace indeed. Now is it not thus with you? yes! through Grace, I am able to ſay, That I ſee my Chriſtian liberty, more than I did heretofore; and yet I am mor… ſtrict in my life: though I cannot yet pray as I would, and hear as I would, and perform duty as I would; yet I do perform my duties with more exactneſs than formerly: and though I have not ſo much affection, as I had in this or that work of God, yet now I find, that I am more dilated, and my obedience is more extended, and extenſive unto Gods waies and Commandements than before; Then though you are ſtil weak in regard of others, yet you are grown ſtronger in regard of your former ſelf, and therefore certainly, you have no juſt cauſe or reaſon to be diſcouraged in this regard.

Queſt. But ſuppoſe, that I am yet but weak in Grace, and Temptations, or diſcouragements preſs in upon me, in regard of the weakneſs of my Grace; what ſhal I do, that I may be able to bear up my heart, againſt thoſe diſcouragements?

Anſw. 1 Then conſider, what a great charge, God the Father hath given to Chriſt of thoſe that are weak. Iſa. 42.1. Behold my ſervant whom I uphold, mine Elect in whom my ſoul delighteth: I have put my ſpirit upon him &c. but why? verſ. 3. A bruiſed Reed ſhal he not break, and the ſmoaking Flax, ſhal not he quench. This is my Charge, ſaith the Father, which I give to my Son: And upon this account he came into the world, That thoſe who have life, might have it in abundance; and for this cauſe he did die for us. Rom. 5.6. For when we were yet without ſtrength, in due time, or according to the time, that is, the time appointed by the Father; Chriſt died for the ungodly.

Anſw. 2 Conſider alſo, what charge our Savior Chriſt did give unto his Apoſtles, and in them, to al the Miniſters of the Goſpel, concerning thoſe that are weak in Grace. Peter, Peter, ſaid our Savior, Loveſt thou me? then feed my ſheep. And again, Loveſt thou me? then feed my lambs. And again, thirdly, Loveſt thou me? feed my lambs. Have a care of thoſe that are weak in Grace. Al the time that Chriſt lived upon Earth, he went about doing good, healing al ſickneſſes, and diſeaſes, and condeſcending to the weakneſſes of men. One comes to him, and thought to have ſtollen her cure; yet Chriſt did bear with her. Another comes, and puts an If upon his wil, Lord, If thou wilt, thou canſt make me clean: And he did bear with him. Another comes, and puts an If upon his power, Lord If thou canſt do any thing, &c. Yet Chriſt did p. 90yeild to him. And when he left the world, then he charges his Apoſtles with the weak Saints, Feed my Lambs, and again, Feed my Lambs.

Anſw. 3 Conſider alſo, what a great mercy it is to have a little Grace, though it be but a little; For though you have never ſo little Grace, yet if you have Grace in truth; you have union with Chriſt, you have communion with the Father, you have your own nature taken away, and are partakers of the divine nature; you have a right and title unto al the promiſes; yea, unto al the Ordinances; yea, unto al the Creatures: Your afflictions, are not curſes, the curſe is taken out of every croſs, you have an intereſt in al that Chriſt hath done and ſuffered, you are made partakers, of the inheritance of the Saints in light, an inheritance uncorruptible, undefiled, that fadeth not away: you have God for your Portion, Chriſt for your Savior, the Spirit for your Comforter, Heaven for your Inheritance, the Angels for your Guard, and all the Creatures in the Earth under your feet; this, and all this you have, though you have never ſo little Grace; and can you read over al this Inventory of mercies, and ſit diſcouraged in the midſt of them?

Anſw. 4 Yet if al this wil not prevayl in the time of your Temptation, think with your ſelf, and conſider ſeriouſly, How much you ſhal weaken your ſelf, yet more and more, by your diſcouragements in this kind. Al diſcouragements weaken, humiliation weakens not, the greateſt humiliation doth not weaken, but the leaſt diſcouragement doth, upon what account ſoever. Now if al diſcouragements do weaken, then, what an unreaſonable thing is it, for me to be diſcouraged at the ſight of my weakneſs? but ſo it is, that diſcouragements, even from the ſight of our own weakneſs, do yet more and more weaken; ſurely therefore, it is an unreaſonable thing, for a man to be diſcouraged at the ſight of his own weakneſs: wherefore, lift up your hands, O! ye Saints, and be ye lift up, O! ye drooping ſouls. Wee a…e commanded, ye may read our Commiſſion, Iſa. 35.3. To ſtrengthen the weak hands, and to confirm the feeble knees, and to ſay to them that are of a fearful ſpirit, be ſtrong, fear not. And if it be our duty, to ſay, and ſpeak thus, then it is your duty, to encourage your ſelf in the Lord, and to ſay to your ſelf, be ſtrong, O my ſoul, and fear not. Be thankful for your little, and in due time you ſhal have much: labor alſo for much, yet be content with little, even with little Grace, if God wil have it ſo.

And thus I have done with the Second Inſtance.