Grace, Sermon 3
Sermon III. At Lawrence Jury, London. March 16. 1650/1.
1. KINGS 14. part of the 13. verſe.
—Becauſe in him there is found ſome good thing towards the Lord God of Iſrael in the houſe of Jeroboam.
WE have given ſome Scripture Characters of thoſe that have a little grace, now we proceed to reſolve a third queſtion.
3. Queſt. 3 Queſt.Why doth God ſo order and ordain it, that among his own people all ſhall not be of an equal ſtature in Chriſt, but there are of them ſome in whom there ſhall be but the beginnings of grace found?
Anſw. Anſw.It is true, it is not with Regeneration as it was in the Creation; it is not with the Trees of Righteouſneſſe, as it was with the Trees of Paradiſe, which were created all perfect at the firſt: but it is not ſo in the Work of Grace, we are not perfectly ſanctified, nor at once, but we perfect holineſſe in the fear of God, and that by degrees; and God hath given to ſome of his people but ſmall beginnings and meaſures of grace, and that for theſe Reaſons.
1. To put a difference between our eſtate on earth, and our being in heaven. In heaven we ſhall all have an equal ſtature in grace, though it be diſputed that there are different degrees of glory. But in heaven the ſpirits of juſt men ſhall all be made perfect, Heb. 12. 23and there we ſhall all come unto the meaſure of the ſtature of the fulneſſe of Chriſt. Eph. 4. 13.All believers here are juſtified by God alike. God doth not acquit the ſtrong, and hold guilty the weak, but juſtification is alike to all, but our ſanctification is not alike, but when we come to heaven, our ſanctification ſhall be then as our Juſtification is now, that is, perfect and equal, we ſhall have not only a perfection of parts, but of degrees.
2. This is to make men live in a continual dependance upon divine influxe and ſupplies from the Spirit of God. If children ſhould be born perfect men as Adam was created, we ſhould not then ſee that continual need of, & dependance on our Parents. We are bred in the womb, and afterward born in the world, and then by degrees grow up from ſtature to ſtature; and ſo it is in grace, God deals thus—Converting grace doth not make us ſo perfect as we ſhall be afterward. At the firſt Creation he made the trees all fruitful, and at their full growth; but now 'tis otherwiſe, they are firſt kernels or ſeeds, then plants before they are grown trees, and they have dependance on the influences of heaven: ſo we are firſt babes, then young men, and then ſtrong men in Chriſt, to keep our ſouls in a dependance on Gods grace.
3. For the greater ornament of the myſtical body of Chriſt. In a natural body, if every member ſhould be of an equal bigneſſe, the body would be monſtrous: but the body is ſo proportioned in its different members, that the leſſer become ſerviceable to the greater, and ſo they all orderly diſcharge their mutual operations. As in Muſick there would be no harmony, if the ſtrings were all of an equal bigneſſe; but one ſtring being the baſe, and the other the treble, that makes the Muſick to be more melodious; ſo it is in grace, the different degrees of grace makes the body of Chriſt more harmonious. It is here as in ſome curious piece of needle work; if all the ſilkes were of one colour, it would not ſet out the work with ſo much luſtre and amiableneſſe, as the variety of colours will do.
4. To make Gods people ſee a neceſſity of maintaining fellowſhip and communion together, to edifie and build up each other. There would be no need of Chriſtian diſcourſe and holy fellowſhip, did not our weakneſſe require it. As among the members of the body, God hath ſo ordered them, that each member is ſerviceable to another, the eye cannot ſay to the hand, I have no need of thee: 1 Cor. 12. 21.ſo among the people of God, ſome being weak, others ſtrong, there is a neceſſity of maintaining Communion together. There is an inſtinct in nature, that things weak in themſelves cleave to thoſe things which are ſtronger then they.Pro. 30. 26 The Conies are but a feeble flock, yet make they their houſes in the rocks: among birds the Dove the ſillieſt and moſt ſhiftleſſe creature,Cant. 2. 14. yet ſhe hides her ſelf in the clefts of the rock; the Vine among the trees the weakeſt, yet it clings to the wall; the Hopps among the plants, yet it twines about the pole. So God hath ordered it in his infinite wiſdom, that ſome Chriſtians ſhould be ſtronger, and ſome weaker in grace, that the ſtrong may help the weake, and each be ſerviceable to one another.
5. To ſet out the glory of God in all his glorious attributes.
1. This different ſize of grace in Chriſtians, doth glorifie the mercy of God, and the free grace of God, who when there are ſome Chriſtians that have but a little grace, yet God rewards thoſe ſmall meaſures of grace with great meaſures of glory.
1. This magnifies the power of God, who when we are weak, yet the great God manifeſts his power in our weakneſſe,2 Cor. 12. 9, 10. yea, his ſtrength is made perfect in weakneſſe. Ver. 10▪And therefore Paul addes, verſ. 10. For when I am weak, then am I ſtrong, that is, in Chriſt. Is it not a demonſtration of great power, to keep a ſmall ſparke of fire that it ſhall not be quenched in a flood of water? yet behold that little ſpark of grace in thee, ſhall not be quenched in thee by the flood and torrent of thy corruptions. It is by Gods power that the leaſt meaſure of grace ſhall be preſerved. There is not ſo much of Gods power ſeen in preſerving the Angels, as a weak Believer; for the Angels, though mutable, yet are perfect creatures, they have no weights of ſins and corruptions to pull them down. But alas! we have ſuch a bias and inclination to ſin, that we are apt to be turned aſide from God every moment. The Power of God is more ſeen in preſerving a poor believer in the ſtate of grace, then in preſerving the Angels in the ſtate of innocency. And as Gods power is ſeen in preſerving of a little grace, ſo it's alſo ſeen in the increaſing of ſmall grace. Grace is like to that cloud wch the Prophets ſervants ſaw, which at firſt was but like a mans hand, but afterwards, it overſpread the whole heavens. 1 Kings 18 44, 45.True grace is of a ſpreading and increaſing nature; and therfore the increaſe of our graces may be ſhadowed out in the viſion of the waters of the Sanctuary, which at firſt were but to the ankles after that to the knees, then to the loynes, and at laſt ſo deep that they could not be paſſed over.Ezek. 47. 3, 4, 5.
3. God doth hereby glorifie his wiſdome, As Gods wiſdome is demonſtrated in the world, by the variety of creatures, which are not all of the ſame bulk and bigneſſe, but ſome bigger and ſome leſſer: ſo in the Church of God, his wiſdom appears, that ſome Chriſtians are of greater, and ſome of a leſſer meaſure of grace. Search the whole Creation and you ſhall find the wiſdome of God in the variety of Creatures. In the heavens there are the greater and leſſer lights, and ſo ſtarres of different magnitude, doe beautifie and beſpangle the heavens: ſo in the ſea there are greater and leſſer fiſhes: in the air the great Eagle and little Sparrow: on the earth the Elephant and little Dog: amongſt the creeping things there's the great Serpent and the little Piſmire: amongſt the vegetables, the tall Cedar and the Hyſop on the wall: And alſo amongſt the rationall Creatures, there is a Gyant and a Dwarfe: a grown man of a tall ſtature, and a childe but of a ſpan long. So is Gods wiſdome greatly illuſtrated, that as there is variety of natural proportions in the world; ſo there are various proportions of grace in his Church amongſt his children.
Before I come to apply this point, which is of very great uſe to Gods children, for their comfort; I ſhall lay down ſome general Poſitions about ſmall meaſures of grace.
That in the Church there are found more weak Chriſtians then ſtrong,1. Poſit. more young Converts then old and grown Chriſtians.
As in a Forreſt there are more young ſprouts then old trees, in a garden more young ſlips then old roots, in the world more young children then old men. In Niniveh there were 120000 Infants, but there was not ſuch a number of old men.Jon. 4. 11. Quò perfect…res, …ò pauciores. By how much things are perfect, by ſo much they are the fewer. Look amongſt other creatures, thoſe that are of a bigger bulk are of a leſſer number, as in the ſea there are more young and little fiſh then great whales; on the earth the ſmalleſt things are innumerable; Jer. 46. 23.in the aire there are more ſwarms of flies, then flocks of birds; ſo in the Church of God there are more that are young and weak Converts then old Chriſtians. It is with moſt Chriſtians as it was with Jonathans ſignal arrows, which he ſhot to warn David by,1 Sam. 20. 36. of which two fel ſhort, and but one beyond the mark:—So where one Chriſtian ſhoots home to the mark of the price of the high calling in Chriſt Jeſus, there are many fall ſhort.
That there are many that have but weak meaſures and ſmall beginnings of grace,2. Poſit. who have been a long time under the Profeſſion of Religion, and under the means of grace; ſuch were the Hebrews, who for the time that they ought to be teachers, yet had need that one ſhould teach them again, Heb. 5. 12.which be the firſt Principles of the Oracles of God, and are become ſuch as have need of milk and not of ſtrong meat; and I may accommodate to this purpoſe that ſpeech of Chriſt,Mat. 19. 30 Many that are firſt ſhall be laſt, and the laſt ſhall be firſt. There are many who went out early, and took as it were the firſt ſtep in Profeſſion of Religion; and yet others have over-gone them, who went out after them. Many who have but weak meaſures of grace, have been of long ſtanding under the meanes of grace. And therefore Chriſtians are not to judge the ſtrength of grace by their Profeſſion, but by their Proficiency; It is not how many yeares you have been Profeſſors, but what experience and judgment have you gotten under Ordinances.
That the ſmalleſt meaſures of grace cannot merit eternal life and glory,3. Poſit. becauſe great meaſures cannot.Miſerationes Dei ſunt merita noſtra. In merit there ought to be a proportion; but between grace and glory there is none; our ſervices are imperfect, our ſalvation is perfect; our ſervices but momentary, our glory is eternal;Deus coronat non merita noſtra, ſed dona ſua. there is no compariſon between our light duties and eternal weight of glory.Cant. 2. 14 The Church in the Canticles is deſcribed according to the ſeveral parts of her body: Her voice is ſweet, her Countenance comely, and her Doves eyes are btautifull. Behold thou art fair my Love, (ſaith Chriſt) thou haſt Doves eyes, Cant. 1. 15thy Cheekes are comely with rowes of Jewels, and thy neck with chains of Gold. Now it is very obſervable,Cant. 1. 10. that though Chriſt commends the Churches Eyes, her Hair, her Teeth, her Lips and Speech, her Temples, her Breaſts, her Neck, &c. Cant. 4. 1, 2 3, 4, &c.yet he doth not commend her hands, to ſhew that though ſhe be adorned with many graces, as with ſo many beautiful ornaments and cōmely lineaments, yet ſhe merits nothing at the hands of Chriſt by all her doings. The Churches beauty is perfect through the comelineſſe of Chriſt.Ezek. 16. 14.
That believers ought not to reſt ſatisfied with the ſmall meaſures of grace,4. Poſit. they have received; though a little grace may bring you to heaven, yet you are not to take up therewith; but if you have got a little grace, labour for more; and to quicken you hereunto, Conſider,
1. Small meaſures of grace are not ſo ſenſible and evidential to your ſelves, little things becauſe they are little, are not ſeen. There may be a little duſt hovering up and down in the aire, yet becauſe it is ſmall we ſee it not: this i… the reaſon why Chriſtians doubt; grace is little, and therefore it is not diſcern'd.Mat. 8. 26. compared with Mar. 4. 40. Compare Mat. 8. 28. with Mar. 4. 40. and we ſhal finde, that in Matthew, Chriſt ſaith, in his reproof to his diſciples, O ye of little faith. And in Mark, How is it that ye have no faith? You may from the variety of theſe expreſſions gather this, that a little faith unexerciſed, as to comfort, is as good as no faith: it was ſo little, it was as good as none in that particular exigence they were in; you may have a little grace, and yet as to comfort, that little and weak grace may not further thee in a way of ſtrong conſolation. Not but that a weak Chriſtian is accepted, that the weaker Chriſtian may lie in his Fathers boſome;—yet it is the ſtrength of grace that gives us ſtrong conſolation.
2. Conſider, that ſmall meaſures of grace, though they may bring you to heaven, yet they are not ſo uſefull to others; a weak Chriſtian cannot do much good in Chriſtian converſe, becauſe they want judgement and experience in the wayes of God; and therfore ſuch are not to be received to doubtfull diſputations, Rom. 14. 1, &c. 15. 1.but are to be born withal.Gal. 6. 1. Spiritual and ſtrong Chriſtians are moſt uſeful. Young converts are not fit for ſome exerciſes about Religion; they are not fit to ſtrengthen others. When thou art converted, ſtrengthen thy brethren: Luk. 22. 32It is not to be underſtood of his firſt converſion; but of his Progreſſe in Religion, as if Chriſt had ſaid; when thou art ſtrengthned thy ſelf, ſtrengthen thy brethren.—There are ſome duties which young converts are not fit for;Mar. 16. 16 17. A piece of new cloth is not fit for an old garment, neither old bottles fit for new wine. Pareus.Pareus and moſt Expoſitors refer that place to that caſe of conſcience,Verſ. 14. Why Chriſts diſciples did not faſt often:—They were like old and weak bottles, and ſo were not fit for that ſtrong duty which was as new wine, and would be apt to break them. Chriſt ſaid to his diſciples, That he had many things to ſay unto them, Joh. 16. 12which in regard of their weakneſſe they were not then able to hear.
3, Nor are ſmall meaſures of grace ſo honourable to God; God is glorified, Joh. 15. 8.when his people bear much fruit. Much meanes and paines and little fruit, is a ſhame to the Vine dreſſer; and therefore believers muſt not reſt ſatisfied with ſmal meaſures of grace.
It is our duty to improve thoſe ſmal meaſures of grace which God hath given us.5. Poſit.
And conſider, As he that is faithfull in a little, God will make him ruler over much. Luk. 19. 17Uſe of grace will increaſe it;—yet if thy grace be increaſed, aſcribe all to God, it is Gods pound, and not thy pains hath gained.
1. Vſe is of comfort to weak Chriſtians,1. Vſe. to thoſe young Abijahs, in whom there is found but ſome little good. Let ſuch know to their comfort,
1. Though thy grace be but little in quantity, yet it is much in value. A pearle, though but litle in ſubſtance, yet it is of great worth, ſo a little grace is of great value; The heart of a wicked man is nothing worth; you may have much knowledge, and ſeeming grace, but no true worth. A ſhop full of barrels will not make a man rich, unleſſe thoſe veſſels be full of commodities: gifts as to heaven, are but the lumber of a Chriſtian, it is grace that makes him rich towards God.
2. Though thy grace be little for the preſent, yet it will grow for the future to a greater meaſure.Mat. 13. 31 32. The little grain of Muſtardſeed (the leaſt of ſeeds) will in time grow up to a tree. Grace is fitly compared to leaven, which is of a ſpreading nature;Mat. 13. 33 1 to the cloud which the Prophets ſervant ſaw,Kings 18. 44. and to the waters of the Sanctuary, Ezek. 47. 3. 4.which did all increaſe. An Infant of dayes ſhall proceed by degrees, till he become like the Ancient of dayes, perfect as his heavenly Father is perfect. Arbor procera Cypreſſu….Naturaliſts obſerve, that the ſeeds of the Cypreſſetree are very ſmall, and yet of them proceeds a very high tree: Such is the birth and growth of grace.
3. The little meaſure of grace once begun in the ſoul ſhall be perfected.Mat. 12. 20—God wil not break the bruiſed reed, nor quench the ſmoaking flax until judgment be perfected in victory. By judgment is meant there, the work of Sanctification, till that comes to be prevalent over corruption. Paul was confident,Phil. 1. 6. That the that bad begun a good work in them, would finiſh it, unto the day of Jeſus Chriſt. 1 Theſ. 5. 24.The Lord is faithful and will doe it. God hath commanded us to go on to perfection, Heb. 6. 1.and he doth not command impoſſibilities. God blames men of folly, in not proceeding to finiſh when they have begun to build. Luke 14. 28, 29.God will never begin to reare up a ſtructure of grace, and never finiſh it.—Beſides, God hath promiſed to perfect that which concerns his ſervants.Pſal. 138. 8.
4. The weakeſt Chriſtian hath grace alike for quality, though not for quantity, though thy grace be not ſo much; yet it is as true as others: though but a convert of yeſterday: yet grace as true as of an old Stander in Religion.—Faith is alike precious in all believers;2 Pet. 1. 1. for quality, though not for quantity. —Faith in all believers is alike,
1. In reſpect of the Author, God.
2. The Object, it holds upon the ſame Chriſt.
3. The Means of working it are the ſame, viz. the Word and Spirit. A little grace is true grace. Fire in the ſparke is as well fire as the flame: the filings of gold are gold, as well as the whole wedge, a drop of water is water, as well as the whole Ocean. A little grace is true grace.
4. The End, it hath the ſame ſalvation of ſoul, 1 Pet. 1. 9.
5. God will not put your weak grace to tryal beyond your ſtrength;Iſa. 27. 8. God will debate with it in meaſure; he will ſtay his rough wind in the day of his Eaſt-wind.—Thou ſhalt not have ſuch boiſterous ſtormes of temptation, as a ſtrong Chriſtian—God will not ſuffer us to be tempted above what we are able. 1 Cor. 10. 13.God will take care that the ſpirit ſhall not faile.Iſa. 57. 16.
6. Take this for your comfort, the leaſt meaſure of grace is enough to bring you to heaven. This is not ſpoken to make you idle, but only to comfort a perplexed conſcience. Many becauſe their grace is weak, they think they have no grace.Rev. 3. 8. I have ſet before thee (ſaith Chriſt to the Church of Philadelphia) an open door, and no man can ſhut in for thou haſt a little ſtrength, and haſt kept my Word, and haſt not denyed my name. It is true, our comfort lies much in the comparative degree, but our ſalvation in the poſitive degree; ſtrong grace hath ſtrong comfort; much faith will bring thee with much comfort to heaven; but a little faith will bring thee ſafely to heaven.