Of Growth in Grace, Sermon 13
SERM. XIII.
I Shall now proceed to what remains;
What hath been spoken concerning Faith; and how the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ duly improved, is to the growth of that. The same may be spoken concerning Gospel-hope; The hope of the Righteous, which is called, a Tree of Life:—compared to an Anchor; Sure, and steadfast, entring within the vail, whither the forerunner hath entered. Now, by improving in the knowledge of Jesus Christ, Hope will grow up to a goodly stature; Hope will come to be as an Anchor, fixing very fast, so as to keep the ship of the soul safe and secure, whatever the storms and tempests are that may arise upon it. The more we know of Christ, the more shall our Hope be strengthened in us: and one special reason why we hope no more with an unshaken hope, is, because we are not more in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The Apostle, in 1 Pet. 1. speaks concerning this blessed Hope that Believers are begotten to: and they are begotten to it, (he tells us) by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. The more we are judiciously apprehensive of Christ, of the Resurrection of Christ, and of the Glory which he is advanc'd unto; the more will the hope of a Beleever be strengthened in him. And that Scripture which I clos'd with the last day, it serves us to this very purpose, 1 Pet. 1. It's said, that God the Father hath given Honour and Glory to his Son; that our Faith, and our Hope, might be in God. And therefore must needs be inferr'd; that the more we know, and understand concerning Christ, and the Glory that he is now advanc'd unto; the more will there be of growth in the hope of a Beleever.
3. By growth in the Knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ; there will be a growth in godly Repentance. Repentance; there is such a thing, though it's little known, and less practised, according to the true Gospel-nature and state of it: But, such a thing there is, as Repentance towards God: a precious Grace, which God works in the hearts of his people; those that he hath a purpose to save. It is of necessary participation; and it is a Grace of necessary exercise: for our Saviour tells us, that except we repent, we shall all perish; there is a necessity of it; and yet alas, how many are meer strangers to it; know nothing of the Grace, know nothing of the Practice of it? And, how many of those that have any sense, or share in it; yet, that are very little in their Repentance, have but a very low measure and degree, know little of heart-meltings, and soul-breakings before God; much what strangers unto that sweet frame of spirit by which Ephraim is set forth unto us, as a blessed pattern and example, in Jer. 31. 18. where we have this account of him; Thou hast established …e, and I was chastised; as a Bullock unaccustomed …o the yoke: Turn thou me, and I shall be turned: after that I was converted, I repented, and I sm… upon my thigh. This was Ephraim's frame; and this is upon Record for our imitation. But alas, how little do we attain to of this Gospel-Repentance? how little do we express mostly of such a temper and frame of spirit? Can sin freely, but repent very hardly. How little doth there appear to God of any kindly workings, and breakings of heart before him, in the sense of all that we daily commit of sin and trans…ion, in a way of disobedience, and loose walking before the Lord. Why truly, I may be bold …, that if so be there were any, place for Repentance in Heaven, though indeed, it is not a …ce of Repentance, but of joy, and everlasting rejoycing. Yet, if Heaven were a place of Repentance; I am perswaded, that there are very few of those that some to Heaven, that would not …ll upon the work and business there; and that, because they repented so little as they did while they were here on earth: if there were any place of repentance there, it would go to the hearts of many, that they did not take it more deeply into consideration, their evil dispositions, and sinful conversations, while they were in the World.
And, what is the reason that Repentance (that blessed Grace) is not more largely shared in; that it is not more expressed to the life of it:—why we may with much confidence conclude upon …, that this is one of the special reasons; because we … not more of the knowledge of our Lord and … Jesus Christ. … B…en, if Christ, o… Lord Jesus, were better known, and the knowledge of him better digested; I know this, that there would be more soul meltings, and heart-breakings, … kindly manner before God, than ever otherwise there …like to be. Consider what the Prophet speaks, i… …ech. 12. saith he, They shall look upon him whom they have pi…ed and what then? They shall look upon him, they shall mind Christ, study Christ; they shall fix their serious thoughts upon the Lord Jesus Christ; and upon him, a… one whom they have pierced: and what will follow? Then shall they mourn over him, as one who mourneth for an only Son; and be in bitterness, as one that is in bitterness for his first-born. This will raise up the sorrow; this will break the heart. When persons come for to know, and consider, and seriously ponder upon the Lord Jesus Christ; consider of his dying, and dreadful suffering, and woful breakings and bruisings, that he was pleased to undergo on the behalf of poor sinners; and then, their hearts will break within the…. What was that which made the Converts in Acts 2. for to fall into such a melting frame, and to be pricked at the heart, and to mourn and lame… deeply? Why, Peter had been pre…ching to them the Doctrine concerning our Lord Jesus, and endeavouring to bring them to the knowledge of him whom they had crucified: You have crucified the Prince of Life; you have been the murtherers and betrayers of him: they were pricked then at the heart, and cryed out; O, men and …, what shall we do? O miserable wretches▪ When a soul shall set it self to know, and understand the mystery concerning Christ, that the Eternal Son of God, he that was in the form of God, thought it no robbery to be equal with God, he that was from all eternity, the delight of his Father; he that was holy, and unblamable, knew no sin, never was guile found in his mouth; the spotless Lamb▪ That he should be hanged as a malefactor! that he should be put to the greatest shame and ignominy that could be! that he should be under the heat of the wrath of his Father! that his precious soul should be in such an agony, as that he should be constrained to cry out, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? That he should undergo such breakings, and bruisings, and woundings! that he should sweat drops, and clods of blood! that his soul should be exceeding sorrowful and heavy, unto the very death! And yet this blessed Jesus, one that never sinned; no, not so much as in a Thought: yet, that all this should be undergone by him!——And, when a soul shall come to consider, that it self hath been accessary to this horrid murther! it self should have a hand in this bloody business! that it self should be a party to this prodigious impiety! that it self should stabb Christ to the very heart! when this comes to be considered; when a soul comes to be well improved in the Knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of his deep, and dreadful, and dolorous sufferings; this must needs give an advance to the Grace of Repentance: Why, it would argue a heart harder than an Adamant, that would not, upon such well digested apprehensions as these, be in meltings before the Lord, upon the consideration of a crucified Christ. This is that, which, if it were but well known, and studied, and seriously pondered upon, would give an advance (I say) unto Repentance. But, the reason why we are no more in the lively practice of Repentance, is, because we are no more studied in this Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. I would this were considered of by us, and put to the proof, whether you would not find it so in experience, that this would make your hearts to break before the Lord.
4. The Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and a kindly growth in it; will conduce very much; as of Faith, and Hope, and Repentance; so of Love; love to God, and love to Christ, and love one to another. The complaint may justly enough be taken up concerning this, as concerning the other Graces: we are little in one and other: and truly, it is not to be expected, that they should be much advanc'd in Love, that are not advanc'd in Faith, and Hope, and in their Repentance towards God. But thus it is; alas, that Love that should be in us in the flame, it is mostly but in the spark: we have some little glowings it may be, but not those kindly burnings of Love to God, and Love to Christ; those inlargements of heart that we should make discovery of:—and what's the reason? Why, we may reckon it very much to this, that we are not more improved in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; For the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Christ, well advanc'd, well grown, and improved, as a most strong and effectual conducement to the growth in Love. When the Daughters of Jerusalem had been well instructed concerning the Spouses Beloved, when they had had an account of him, their hearts were exceedingly taken with him, and then they would seek him with her: Whither is thy Beloved gone; O thou fairest among women? Whether is thy Beloved gone, that we may seek him with thee? Thus it is, if so be that we knew more of Christ, we would be more in the Love of Christ. Truly, the motions of the Will, they will answer the sanctified light of the understanding. Now, where there is but little light and Knowledge, 'tis not to be expected that there should be very much heat. Did we but know more of Christ,
First, of the loveliness of Christ, what an amiable person he is. Did we but throughly know what a lovely Christ he is, according to the account that's given of him in the Canticles, He is the chiefest of ten thousand, altogether lovely: Take him all over, you will see nothing but loveliness in the Lord Jesus Christ; he is lovely for his Name, for his Wisdom and Grace, all those incomparable excellencies that discover themselves in him; consider but of that: O he is the most lovely Person that ever was in the World, that ever visibly conversed with the sons of men.
2. Consider him in his loveliness, so in his loveingness (I distinguish so) his loveliness; the loveliness of his Person, and the lovingness of his Person; the most loving Christ, of the most loving disposition that ever was in the World, never any to be compared to Christ for Love; as full of love to poor souls as ever his heart could hold, next to the love that he bare from all Eternity to his Father, and to the Spirit, who are co-essential, and co-equal, co-eternal with him; next to the love that he bears them, his love is set upon the sons of men; he takes delight in the habitable parts of the World, according to the account that's given of him, in Prov. 8. where Christ is set forth unto us under the term and notion of Wisdom; saith he, I was my Fathers delight, and I came into the habitable parts of the World, and my delights were with the sons of men: He had his delights from all Eternity with the Father, and with the Spirit; and yet notwithstanding he was pleased to come out of the bosom of his Father, and to take up his delights within the habitable parts of the World, and with the sons of men: And what a condition did he find them in? A company of ill-looking and unlovely creatures, as ever eye could behold. I saw thee when thou wast in thy blood, cast out, to the loathing of thy person; and yet that time was the time of love. I loved thee, and I gave a demonstration of it, by doing so and so, according to what is exprest, E…. 16. Why thus it is:—God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, his only beloved Son.—God the Son, he so loved the world, that he gave himself for a wicked damned world; a company of wretches that had no love to him, yet he loves them; and he was out of love to them, willing for to lay down his life for them. And greater love hath no man, as our Saviour speaks in the Gospel, than th…t a man lay down his life for his friend. For his Friend: I, but what a love was this then, That one should come and lay down his life for those that were Enemies? When we were enemies we were reconciled, and when we had no strength, Christ came and shed his blood; and that by the shedding of his blood, he might wash away the guilt of his Peoples iniquities: What a love was this? O well might the Apostle fall upon admirings of it, in Eph. 3. he prayes that they might comprehend the heights, and depths, and lengths, and breadths; and that they might know the love of Christ, which, saith he, passeth knowledge. Weigh these things Brethren, and let them not pass away in a slight manner, That (saith he) you might know the heights. Why there are heights, and depths, and breadths, and lengths in the love of Christ; and it is such a love as passeth knowledge; when we have known all we can of it yet it will transcend our knowledge; why such a love Christ hath imprest. Now consider; O, the the love of Christ to poor sinners, that he should stick at nothing to do for them, to suffer for them, to forego for them, to undergo for them: When the business was under consideration, concerning the Redemption of the World; when it was propounded to him, My Son, wilt thou undertake for a damned World, to save a company of poor souls, that are like to perish eternally, unless that help come in? Wilt thou undertake for them? Father, I will do it; I love them, and I will do them all the good I can.—I, but Son, If thou wilt undertake their cause, thou must bear their guilt, thou must undergo their curse, thou must be put to shame for them, thou must suffer and dye, and shed thy blood for them.—Father, I am willing; Father, I delight to do thy Will; thy Law, O Father, is in my heart.—Why what a heart-breaking love is this? He sticks at nothing, he doth not ingage to a dispute with the Father, and with the Spirit, and say thus: Why should I undergo this smart, and pain, and torment, for a company of wretches: Let them damn and perish, let them reap the fruit of their own evil doings: Father, what hast thou to object against me? I never offended thee; Why should I be made an Offering and a Sacrifice for sin?—Not a word of this, but a most willing complyance with the Counsel of God, concerning the saving of poor souls, and redeeming them from going down into the pit. What love was here? O admirable love of our Lord Jesus Christ!—Why now do but consider this then: This love of Christ, this Knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, the loveliness of his Person, and the lovingness of his nature and disposition; and what an inlarged heart of love, as to God, so to poor sinners.—And consider, what delight he takes to manifest his Love to us, and what longings there are in him, that he might have all his People in Heaven, that they might know to the full, that dear love that he hath born to them from all Eternity. Why? If these things were better known and digested, if we would not only slip and away, but dwell upon the Meditation of these things, unquestionably it would contribute most largely unto the promoting of love, we should not be so dead-hearted unto Christ as we are; our fire of love would burn out more unto God, unto Christ, than ever it's like to do, if so be that we were but more improved in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.—I commend these things with much confidence, to the Consciences of every one of you, whether that this Knowledge of our Lord Jesus, this blessed Knowledge, if it were but more pursued, and if we had but more advancement in it, whether it would not more improve our Faith, improve our Hope, improve our Repentance, improve our Love to God, and the Lord Jesus, and of one to another.
And then again, The like we may speak concerning humility and meekness of Spirit; for it comes to my thoughts, that Proverb of Solomon, to make use of it here, upon occasion of this account that I give, concerning the Knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Solomon speaks of a gift of Knowledge, which prospers which way soever it turns. Truly, so is this gift of Knowledge; w…re it's given of special Grace, when it is not a notional Knowledge, but a heart-Knowledge, for such a Knowledge I speak of; such a Knowledge as the Covenant of God's Grace makes a conveyance of: For alas, I and others may preach a great deal of light into your heads, and you may come to have the notions of these things, and be never the nearer; but we speak of a heart-Knowledge of God in Christ Jesus, according to what the Covenant makes conveyance of (as I said:) And I say thus; That where there is heart knowledge given, it is such a gift as prospers which way soever it turns, O the blessed benefit that comes over by the heart-knowledge of our Lord Jesus, especially when there comes to be a due improvement of it; as in the other respects, so in respect of meekness, & humility of spirit. Alas, meekness and humility, it's a lovely Grace; but where doth it appear? we are lofty, and are far from a disposition that way, which should discover it self. What's the reason?—Because of a defect in the Knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For thus: Had we but more of the Knowledge of our Lord Jesus, there would not be that frowardness, and perversness, and unto wardness; and swelling of heart that commonly discovers it self, if we had but a well improved, and a well digested Knowledge of our Lord Jesus. For consider:—What is there to …e known of Christ?—Why, he is another manner of Christ than we take him to be, than we know him to be, or have a mind to know: we do not know what a Christ he is, he is another manner of Christ than you think he was: He was not a proud Christ, he was not a lofty spirited Christ; he was meek, and gentle, and lovely, and of a most humble frame of a most graciously condescending spirit: Learn of me (saith he) Mat: 11. I am meek and lowly: And, he gave most convincing proof and demonstration of it all along, in his course and conversation in the World. Did we but know this, and had but a more through knowledge of what a kind of Christ he is, it would conduce to the meeking and humbling of our hearts and spirits, and make us to argue thus: What a meek and humble Christ, and I a proud swelling-hearted Wretch▪—why, how will this consist with my Profession? I profess the Name of the Lord Jesus, and discover little or nothing of the Spirit of the Lord Jesus. Surely Brethren, this would conduce much to the meekning and humbling of our hearts.
And so for Patience, That's another Grace, which we should not only have, but have it in the increases and the improvements of it; and yet how littl… discovers it self; how proud, and passionate, and waspish, and froward are we?—What's the reason of this?—Because we know no more of Christ, we have not this heart-knowledge of Christ, to such a degree as we should press after. Did we but know what a patient Christ he is▪ O! when he was reviled, he reviled not again; and when he was reproached he bore it patiently; and he was led as a Lamb before the Shearer, dumb, and opened not his mouth. Why, did we but advance more in the hearty knowledge of our Lord Jesus, it would conduce very much to the working of our hearts to patience, and to a good degree of Patience. This Knowledge of our Lord Jesus, it would influence the Grace of Patience, that we should be more conformable to Christ. And the Apostle, in Heb. 12. he propounds this very consideration in order thereunto: saith he, Let us …n with patience the race that is set before us: And that we may do so▪ Let us look unto Iesus, the Author and finisher of our Faith; who for the joy that was set before, him indured the Cross & despised the shame: He indured the contradiction of sinners against him, Lest (saith he) you be wearied and faint in your minds. Look to this Jesus, know the temper of his Spirit, and what a patient Christ he was, and what a heavenly Spirit he discovered: And so I say, That the Knowledge of our Lord Jesus would contribute most strongly to such a purpose.
7. And so for Heavenly-mindedness. What's the reason that we are so apt to dote upon the World, and upon these lying and vexing vanities here below?—Why, because we know no more of Christ: If we were but more advanced in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, we should be …ch helped against earthly-mindedness, and improve more in a heavenly frame of heart, and live above the World. Why, do not you know what a Christ he was? what a heavenly Spirit he had? how he lived in the World as a stranger? He set not his heart upon this and that pleasure and profit, but minded his business; and he had an eye to the glory that was to be revealed, and so he made it his great design, that he might improve his time, and honour his Father: And he was at length able to give this account, Ioh. 17. Father, I have glorified thee on the earth, I have finished the work thou gavest me to do. And now further, Glorifie me with thine own self, with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. Father, I have liv'd in the World, not so much by choice, as upon the account of Duty; and my heart is with thee, and my longing's after Heaven: Father, glorifie me with thy self, and bring me to thy Glory; and thus Christ's heart was carried out. Now, had we but a well improved Knowledge of this, it would contribute much to the promoting of a heavenly mind in us, and make us to think with our selves, Do I know this to have been the gracious frame and spirit of my Lord Jesus, whom I make a Profession of? And doth it not concern me to endeavour conformity to him, that I may express the like heavenly-mindedness that Jesus Christ did?—I might yet speak of other Graces: As,
8. Fear and Reverence of God. It's a precious Grace, which receives much increase by a well improved Knowledge of Jesus Christ. Let me but give an instance of that, in Psal. 2. where there is an account given of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, That God the Father hath set his Son upon his holy hill of Sion; That he hath given the Heathen for his inheritance, the utmost parts of the earth for his possession; That he hath given him a rod of iron, with which he will break in pieces his rebellious enemies, like a Potters vessel. This is the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. This Knowledge, when persons come to be well advanced in, and there comes to be a due improvement of it, will contribute very largely to the promoting of a holy Fear and Reverence of God, according to that which follows; Be wise now therefore, O ye Kings, be instructed ye Iudges of the earth, serve the Lord with fear; rejoyce ye with trembling, Kiss the Son. Kings, and Princes, and great Men, are very apt to forget themselves; as if so be that there were none above them, as if so be there were none to check and controul them. You know how Pharaoh carryed himself; Who is the Lord? Ah! but there is a Lord above all Lords, there is a King above all Kings, even the Lord Jesus Christ, whom God hath set to be King upon his holy hill of Sion. And the right Knowledge of Christ, the well improved and advanced Knowledge of Christ, it will promote a holy fear, and awe, and reverence of him, and of the great God, who hath constituted and appointed him Lord and King. I might speak largely to this Particular, but I'll pass it by. Thus I have endeavoured to make it appear to you in these Particulars, How the Knowledge of our Lord Jesus, well improved, how it doth contribute to a growth in Grace.
I would now tell you this further, That the Knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, it is such a Knowledge as is most beneficial to us, in respect of Gospel-Duties and Services, and doth contribute very much to the lively management of them: And therefore, it may well be required of Christians and Believers, that they grow in the Knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, and that upon this very account, Because I say, that the more we know of our Lord Jesus Christ, the more shall we advance in the lively performance of Gospel-worships, and Duties, and Services, which the Lord requires of us. Alas, Brethren, it is that which may well be matter of shame and mourning, to think how low we are; as in Graces, so in gracious Performances, and in holy Services. What's the account that is to be given of our daily Services that we perform, Sabbath-worships and Duties? Alas, what kind of Sabbaths do we keep? and what kind of Prayers do we perform and offer up to God? what kind of Worships are they that we present before the Lord▪ O! if we would but take an account of our selves, we might see cause enough to fall a weeping over every D… we perform: When we come to attend the Ministry of the Word, and to do our Service to God, it appears by mens carriages, what a loosness of spirit there is, an unfixedness of spirit on God, and there is not the breathing after the enjoyments of God, in the way of his Ordinances:—And so for Prayer, and other Services: What may be the reason of this? We may well reckon upon this, It is because we are not more advanc'd in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, we have not heart-Knowledge so duly improved as it should be, concerning our Lord Jesus. For, Brethren, this is … that we should know concerning Christ, That his heart was upon his Work and business; and when he prayed, he prayed as one that was in Heaven. And, O, what wrestlings of spirit was there on his part with God! He prayed most earnestly, and, O how intent upon the Duty of Prayer, when he had to do that, and when he was to Preach▪ O with what intention of soul was that Service performed! And! when he had the last … to keep▪ O with desire have I desired to keep this Pass…, O Father, it is meat and drink to … to do thy W… Thus it was with Christ▪ Now, if we had but a well-digested Knowledge of this, it would make us ashamed of our selves, and make us put on with more activity and vigour of spirit, thinking with our selves, what a pattern we have in Christ.
And then, if we did but consider, That Christ is the great High-priest of our holy …, and that he hath ingaged himself on the behalf of his People, both to procure their acceptance, and to vou…hsafe them assistance. Now, consider but this; And these things we ought to know concerning Jesus our Lord, That it is his undertaking to procure acceptance, and to give assistance; for now he hath all power in his hands, The power of the Spirit, to give strength to his People, to inable them to make their prayers and supplications, and to perform their Worships and Services; I will strengthen thee, I will help thee, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness; my Grace is sufficient for thee. Thus Christ hath signified concerning himself, for the comfort and incouragement of his People.
And then withal, this is to be known concerning our Lord Jesus, That he appears in Heaven before his Father, to promote their acceptance, and to plead their Cause; and (as the High-priest) to present their Services, and to sprinkle them with his own blood, and to desire the Fathers acceptance of them. Now, if this were but duly known concerning Christ, and we had but a well improved and digested Knowledge concerning this, that now I give you an account of, O, how much would it conduce to the quickning up our hearts to a lively performance of our Services, when we shall consider what an example we have in Christ, of Duty and Service to God: And then, that he hath undertaken to afford assistance, and to procure acceptance; this would make us go on with more life and vigour in the wayes of Godliness.
And then, I would have told you farther, That there is all the reason in the world Christians should endeavour a growth in the Knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, Because, as this Knowledge well improved, conduces to a judiciousness, and to a well ordering of the Conscience, and to the increase of all the Graces, and to the promoting of our Duty: so by a well improved Knowledge of our Lord Jesus, we shall come to have the more kindly relish of Gospel-priviledges, and suck the sweet of them, and come to know what there is of comfort and soul-rejoycing to be found in these Priviledges.
And then, this Knowledge well improved, O how will it conduce to bear afflictions, to the incountering temptations, and inable the Soul to the well ordering of a Gospel-conversation, to the glory of God.