Of Growth in Grace, Sermon 17
SERM. XVII.
EVen as I was reading this Text this Morning, I had this Meditation: I was thinking how often this Text hath been read in your hearing, and sounded in your ears; and is it not good for us (you and me) to consider to what purpose it hath been so often sounded? and whether we have made any Improvement in the grace of the Gospel, and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Shall the Scriptures speak to us in vain? shall we be as if so be we were hearing of sounding brass, and a tinkling symbal? But however, thus it is, and this is our duty, to grow in Grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. I am speaking yet concerning the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and that there ought to be a growth therein; and you have heard very largely, what convincing Arguments there are, why you should labour after a well improved Knowledge of him, considering how beneficial this Knowledge is, and will be, to those that have it. I shall now … to something further that remains, and so … on to the Application of this Point.
There is very great reason, why Christians should endeavour to advance in the Knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, and that in order to the promoting of a Gospel Conversation, that it may be managed with beauty, and with boldness, to the credit of the Gospel, and the holy Profession which is made of it: By a well improved Knowledg of our Lord Jesus Christ, great advantage comes over to us for such a purpose.
First, here you are to consider this, That a Christian is not to live at a ghess, and at random; those that will approve themselves in their holy Profession, must see to it, that their conversations be well ordered; it is he that orders his conversation aright, that shall see the salvation of God; and much care and diligence is to be used to this purpose, that the conversation may be ordered in a due manner, that so we may come to have the comfort, and joy, and peace at last: They that walk according to rule, Scripture rule, and Scripture example, they are the persons upon whom there shall be peace and mercy, as the Apostle speaks in Gal. 6. It is not for men and women professing Godliness, to live (as I have sometimes said) by rote, but to live and walk by rule, and by warrantable example. And,
2ly. I offer this to be considered, that Jesus Christ is the most absolute pattern for a Christian to conform unto, and to take example by him: And this duty is incumbent upon all that will approve themselves in Godliness, to set their hearts upon this, that they may be conformed unto Christ; Believers and Saints are predestinated to have a conformity unto the Lord Jesus. And the Apostle tells us, 1 Ioh. 2. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself so to walk, even as Christ walked. It is a very weighty Scripture, and doth very much concern us to be well studied in: He that saith he abideth in Christ, or that professeth himself for to belong to Christ, and to have a union with Christ, an interest in Christ, he ought to walk even as he also walked.—Now, consider how strongly it follow, upon the premises, That therefore it concerns all that will approve themselves in their Conversation, to endeavour to be well acquainted with the Knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, to endeavour an advance in that Knowledge, to be as well instructed in the Knowledge of Christ as they can;—Why?—Why because it is he who is the Copy after which we are to write, the pattern to which we are to conform; and how it is likely that any man should answer the Copy, write congruously to the Copy, which he hath little or no sight and knowledge of; work in any sutableness to the pattern, which he is in great part a stranger to. This then is the business that we should mind and consider of, in order to a well regulated Conversation, that there be a pursuance in the Knowledge of Jesus Christ; and particularly, that we know the manner of his Conversation… If so be that we would walk as Christ walked, it's necessary we should know how Christ walked, what steps he trod in, and the paths wherein he walked. And this I shall give you some account of, as touching the life and conversation of Christ here upon earth. In the general, consider thus.
First of all, you are to know and believe, That Jesus Christ was in the World, though the World knew him not, as the Apostle speaks in Ioh. 1. He was in the world. The world indeed would not know not take knowledge of him; but this is that we are to acknowledge and believe, that Jesus Christ was in the World; and that he lived and conversed here among the sons of men; and he lived such a life as was most exemplary, and so continues to be; and he hath everlastingly broken the force of such an argument and plea, as poor carnal wretches are apt to make in their own behalfs, when their vitious, corrupt, carnal, profane lives are tax'd, and they themselves are censured for them. Men are apt to plead, How is it possible that we should live otherwise in the world, a wretched world, a world that lyes in wickedness? There are so many corrupt principles, and corrupt examples; how can it be that we can live in such a world, and live as we ought?—Why this Plea is fully broken; it was broken upon the account of the lives and conversations of other godly ones, that have lived from the beginning of the world.—The world was stark nought in Enoch's dayes, in Noah's dayes; yet for all that they walk'd with God, and they ordered a conversation to the honour of God, and approved themselves in the course of their walking.—The world was very bad in Eliah's time, and so in the times of others; yet for all that they carried themselves very gratiously in an evil world. But this example of our Lord Jesus Christ is that that breaks the force of such an Argument, why he was in the world, and yet he lived most exactly and congruously to the whole life of God; and he hath taught us by his example, That it is not so much the place as the principle that we are to mind; the principle and the constitution: If so be that a person be of a good constitution, and well principled, he will live well enough in any place. A godly person will be godly in heaven among Saints and Angels; a godly person that is truly so, he will be godly on earth, if he be there among profane persons: And I think I may say, that if it could be that a godly man were in Hell, he would shew his godliness there; I am bold to speak it, that if a child of God were in Hell, he would love God there, and he would pray there. I remember, and sometimes upon occasion have spoken to that purpose, That Ionah when he was in his own apprehension cast off of God, and in the belly of Hell, as one in the very belly and bowels of Hell; yet there he falls a praying, Out of the belly of hell cryed I. A wicked man, if he could be in heaven, and be there with his own principles, he would be a wicked man there; and surely for Hell, a godly man would be a godly man there, Hell changes no natures; nor indeed doth heaven, upon the matter, Heaven doth not change nature; Heaven it self considered as a place of glory, would not change the nature of a wicked man; the change must be made here on earth. Thus, now having propounded this as a general, That our Lord Jesus Christ, he did live and converse in the world;—but what account is there to be given of his life? what is there belonging to a well improved Knowledge in the Life and Conversation of Christ? To give you a brief account of this.
First of all, in the general, The Life and Conversation of Christ, it was a Scripture conversation. The Lord Jesus, who is now in heaven, he liv'd in the world, he liv'd first and last a Scripture life; and this I speak to the confutation of the faces of all such as are apt to slight the Scriptures, and make light of them, that Jesus Christ, while he converst in the world, his whole life and conversation was a very Scriptural conversation, it was nothing else but a fulfilling of Scripture. O Beloved, consider of this, as a material and momentous thing, That the whole life and conversation of Christ was a Scriptural conversation. How often do you read this passage, Thus and thus Christ did, thus and thus it was ordered out concerning him, that it might be fulfilled which was written in the Scriptures. You read this now, over and over we have it in Scriptures; thus and thus it was done, that it might be fulfilled which was written in the Scriptures, so that the life of Christ it was a fulfilling of Scripture: There was never a Scripture in all the Bible, which Christ could not with boldness look upon, and did not most fully correspond with, I tell you, it is a serious matter for to consider of; I give a touch upon it now, I may have occasion by and by to speak something to such a purpose.
It were very good for us to consider, whether we are able to look the Scriptures in the face; such a Text, such or such a Scripture precept, such or such a Scripture example, and not blush and be ashamed. I remember (and so may you) when the Book of the Law was found, and brought to Iosiah, and he heard it read, his heart melts within him, and he is very deeply passionate and he mourns and humbles his soul before God, to think of the incongruity that was between the Book, and the carriages, and conversations of the People: So Brethren, and Beloved, consider but this, put it to your Consciences; Is there not many a Text i… Scripture which you are not able to look in the face, not able to behold with any boldness? You have not the boldness to look such or such a Text in the face.—As now your Adulterer, can he look this Text in the face? Whoremongers and adulterers God will iudge;—the Covetous man, can he look that Text in the face, which saith, The Covetous man, he is an idolater, he shall never inherit the Kingdom of God? Let your conversations be without covetousness. Can he look this Text in the face?—The Hypocrite, the formal Professor, that pleaseth himself in a form of Godlyness, and is an enemy to the power of Godlyness, can he look that Text in the face? 2. Tim. 3. 5. In the last daies, perilous times shall come, and having a form of Godlyness, but denying the power of it; from such turn aside.——The sensual, licentious person, can he look this Text in the Face? If you live after the flesh, you shall dye; but if ye through the spirit, do mortifie the deeds of the body, you shall live; and a thousand more of this kind I might instance in. O Friends, it is a serious matter that I am now speaking about; whether we can look the Scriptures in the face without regret of spirit, check and controul of Conscience. Jesus Christ, who is the most absolute pattern, he could do so; His whole life was a Scripture-life, a fulfilling of Scripture: there was never a Text in all the Bible, but he had the boldness to look it in the face. This is that that is to be known concerning the Life of Jesus Christ.
Secondly, and more particularly; it belongs to the knowledge of Christ to know this; That it was a blameless and in-offensive life: It's requir'd of Beleevers, that they carry it as the Sons of God, blameless and harmless, without rebuke: O such was exactly the life of Christ, a harmless, blameless, inoffensive life: He never gave offence to any in all his life, and he was very carefull of doing it; He would rather be abridged of his liberty and priviledge, than he would give offence: as in the case of the Tribute; Simon, of whom do the Kings of the Earth take Tribute, of your own children, or strangers? Of Strangers, saith Peter: why then I am free from the Tribute; I but lest we should offend them, go thy waies, and take such a course, that there may be a payment of the Tribute: Give no offence; He never did give just offence; much offence was taken at him, but no offence was given by him. This was the Life of Christ, 2 Tim. 2. last. He offended no man, gave no just occasion of offence to one or other, neither to Jew or to Gentile.
3. The Life of Christ, it was a convincing Life: His Life carried Life in it: as the Apostle saith, in the first of John, The light was the life of men. O, Jesus Christ's life, was a light of life! It was a life that held forth light in it; convincing the World of sin, and righteousness. What is said of Noah and his Conversation; he condemned the World, by building of the Ark, Heb. 11. It may most truly be said of our Lord Jesus; He convinc'd the World, and condemned it, by his gracious and holy Conversation.
4. Consider, The Life and Conversation of Christ, was a conflicting and combating Conversation: Conflicting, not with corruption within, that he had none of; he had no principles of sin in him. The Apostle speaks of himself, I find a Law in my members, rebelling against the Law of my mind, leading me Captive. There was no such conflict in Christ, nothing of sin in him; the Prince of the World had no interest in him, so that he was free of that conflict: But he had men and devils to conflict with: O how much was he in colluctation, and strugling, and wrestling, and striving with Principalities and Powers, and with the men of the World! Jerusalem cryed out; O Lord, Thou hast made me a man of Contention; truly, so was Christ; I am not come to send peace but a sword; Contention, yet notwithstanding, the most peaceable person that ever was in the World. A man of Contention; but how came it to be so; because his Doctrine and Conversation was so cross and contrary to a wicked and sinful Generation: Christ's life was a conflicting life, with men and devils.
5. The life of Christ, and his Conversation; it was a fruitful, and a profitable life: O, what blessed benefit and profit did, and doth come over unto Beleevers, by the Life and Conversation of Christ. (I cannot insist upon these particulars, only give you a hint of them.)
6. The Life and Conversation of Christ, it was a holy, nay, a heavenly Life: It's said of Enoch, that he walk'd with God; more true of Christ: The Apostle saith, Their Conversation was in Heaven; much more the Conversation of Christ, a heavenly Conversation; He liv'd, and conversed with God from day to day.
7. The Life and Conversation of Christ; it was a painful and laborious life; a life of labour and hard travel; never was time so well husbanded, so well spent, as the time that Christ had to spend in the World, not one minute of it runs out to waste; he went about continually doing good, preaching from place to place; spending himself in the behalf, and for the behoof and benefit of poor souls: a laborious life was the life of Christ.
8. The Life of Christ, it was a praying life: O how much was he in prayer and supplication unto God; He spends a whole night in prayer: when he could not get to that service in the day, he would be sure to take time for it in the night. O how much was he in intimate conversings with the Father in the way of prayer.
9. The life of Christ, it was a self-denying life: O most eminent was Christ for this, that he was of a self-denying spirit; and his life in the whole of it, a self-denying life; denying himself, Father, not what I will, but what thou wilt.
10. The Life of Christ, it was a world-despising life; when they would come by sorce, and make him a King, he declines it, and withdraws himself, and turns his back upon all worldly preferments and injoyments.
11. The Life of Christ, was a God-pleasing, and honouring life; He pleased not himself, he studied to please his Father, and to profit the souls of his people: He was for God-pleasing, and manprofiting: and this was the whole tenor of the Life of Christ. He devoted himself thus, that he might be pleasing to God, that he might be profitable to man.
12. And to add no more (though other particulars might be brought in;) The Life of Christ, it was a persevering life; He began well, he continued well, he ended well. Paul could say of himself, I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the Faith; Christ could say it more than any man; I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the truth; I have kept my way without divertion, he held on to the last; having honoured God, he honoured him to the death; having loved God and his people, he loved them to the end; having ingaged to glorifie God, he glorified him to the last; His last breath was a holy breathing into the bosome of God. This is the account that is to be given of the Lord Jesus.
Now consider, O how profitable and beneficial will this knowledge well improved, be unto Beleevers!——profitable to shame them!——profitable to provoke their imitation!——profitable to promote their comfort.
Profitable to shame them: Now, when we come to know what a life Christ liv'd, what an exemplary life, what an even thred he spun, what a webb he wove; and when we come to consider what our life is, what a difference between Christ's life and our life, whose life should be set before us as a copy to write after: O how will this cause shame of face, sorrow of heart! I remember the Lord gives a charge to the Prophet Ezek. That he shew the pattern to the house of Israel; and wherefore?—that they may be ashamed:—why I shew'd you the pattern this morning, of the Life of Christ: and truly, it may well make us ashamed,—to think Christ lived in the World a Scripture-life: but alas, how far are we from keeping conformity unto Scriptures in our lives?—He lived an in-offensive life: how offensive are many of us in our conversations and carriages, laying stumbling blocks in the way?—The Life of Christ was a conflicting life: what is there in us of conflicting with lusts and corruptions, and a sinful World?—The Life of Christ a convincing life, a condemning life; convincing of sin, condemning of sin: such should our conversations be. But alas, how little is there of conformity to Christ?—The Life of Christ, a praying life;——a laborious life;—a fruitful life;—a God-pleasing life;—a self-denying life: Alas, we may look upon the pattern, and be ashamed to behold it, because of our incongruity to it. He that saith he abides in Christ, ought himself so to walk, even as he walked: How many profess to have an abiding in Christ, and yet do not comport with his example, and conform to the pattern that he hath given us for imitation; and so far as we are awanting to this copy, so far we dishonour the Name of God, and are awanting to the crediting of our holy profession: O, thus would a well improved knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ be beneficial to us, to the humbling and shaming of us; to think, such was Christ, but how unanswerable are we? A humble Christ, a holy Christ, a heavenly Christ, a self-denying Christ, a sin-hating Christ, a world-despising Christ, and we express nothing of it.
And how would this promote to duty, and provoke to imitation? O, so would the knowledge of our Lord Jesus, and of his life well-improved, provoke our imitation of him, and make us set to it with diligence and care. Did Christ live thus? then surely, it concerns me to look better to my life and conversation, that I may be able to give a better account of it than otherwise I am like to do.
And then to promote the comfort of a Christian, and make him bear up with boldness in the mid'st of an evil Generation; when he is able to plead, thus I am, and I am tuter'd to it by the walking of Jesus Christ.
Now, to draw to a close; The last thing that I will insist upon, as to this Doctrinal part; there is an account to be given of the life of Christ in Heaven. You have heard of his Life on earth; but there is belonging to the knowledge of Christ to consider, what his Life in Heaven is: For this we are to know, and sad were it with Saints and Beleevers, if this were not accounted of: That he that was in a state of death, and he that did rise again; He lives, and is alive for evermore. Now, if it were not for this, Christians were of all men in the World, the most miserable; but this our Saviour speaks of himself, Rev. 1. 18. I am he that was dead, but I am alive; and behold, I live for evermore, Amen. I am alive for evermore, Amen. And this he held forth for the comfort of his people, and to let them know he is alive for evermore; to this purpose, To see to the accomplishing and fulfilling of all that in the Revelation is made known for the benefit and comfort of the Church of God, while it is here in its Militant state, untill the day come that it shall be together with him ingaged in everlasting Triumphs over Death, and Devils, and Anti-Christ, and World, and Sin and all: This belongs unto the knowledge of our Lord Jesus, to know that he lives:—And what's his Life in Heaven?—briefly thus:
First, it is a Life of Glory; for he is now entered into Glory, and he lives in the fullest possession of all the Glory that the Father, and Angels, and Glorified Saints can conferr upon him, and give unto him: He hath all the Glory that Heaven can bestow upon him. The Lord Jesus, he lives now in Glory, and he prayed for this, Father, I have glorified thee on the Earth; now Father, glorifie thou me with the Glory which I had with thee from the beginning. Jesus Christ is entered into his Glory, and he is clothed with it now; He is clothed all over with Majesty and Glory; He lives in Heaven now a life of Glory, and so hath done ever since He was received up into Heaven.
2. His life is a life of Power; all Power is given to him, he hath the keys of Hell, of Life, of Death, he hath the keys of Heaven and Hell; all power is committed to him, and he is invested with it: So that the life of Christ is a life of Power; he liv'd here in the world under weakness, as touching his humanity: but he lives now (as the Apostle speaks) though he was crucified through weakness, yet he lives by the power of God, 2 Cor. 13.
3. And then, his life is a life of Peace; he had much trouble in the World, but all his trouble is over, and he is entered into everlasting Peace.
4. The life of Christ in Heaven, it is a life of Rest.
5. It is a life of Joy and Rejoycing: O, Christ is at Gods right hand, and at the right hand of God; there is fulness of joy, and pleasure for evermore; as the Prophet speaks, in Psal. 16.
6. The life of Christ, it is a Kingly life, he lives in the state of a King; and God hath given him a Name above every name, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords: I, and know this,
7. This life of Christ, it is a life of Knowledge and Observation; Christ in Heaven lives an observing life, he observes all the actions and transactions that are here below, he knows all the workings in the Nations and Kings of the World, he knows all the oppositions that are made against him by the powers here below;—he knows the state of all the Churches, and all the carriages of his Churches and People; as in the Revelations, he orders to all the Churches it should be signified, I know thy Works, and what thy condition and state is. Christ lives a life of Observation.
8. And he lives a life of Compassion too: O, that's a comfortable consideration, that the Lord Jesus in Heaven; he lives a life of Compassion, he hath not left his bowels of compassion here behind him, but he is as merciful a High-Priest now as ever he was; he was good in the world, he is as full of bowels, and of tender love to his poor Church and People, now he is in Heaven, as he was when he was upon Earth; all his glory in Heaven shall never make him forget his poor suffering Members here on earth: Saul, Saul, Why persecutest thou me?
9. The life of Christ in Heaven, it is a life of Satisfaction: And yet withal,
10. It is a life of Expectation; he hath fullest satisfaction in respect of his Father, and of his injoyments at the right hand of God; he hath sweetest satisfaction concerning all the travel that he did undergo, while he was conversant here in the World; according to that, Isa. 53. So doth Christ; he now in Heaven looks over all his travel, he considers all the cost and charge that he was at to redeem the World, and he thinks not one peny too much that he hath paid; (to speak with a holy Reverence) not one peny of all the payment too much to be laid down to purchase a People, to purchase an Inheritance; he doth not think that there was one drop of his Blood too much to be shed, that he might redeem a People to himself, and bring them to the possession of an eternal Inheritance: And yet notwithstanding, the life of Christ in Heaven, is a life of Expectation, not that his expectation is any way affective to him, doth any way impead the sweetness and comfort of the life that he now lives in Glory; but it is a life of joyful Expectation. He lives in this double Expectation;— First, till all his enemies be made his foot-stool.—He lives in this Expectation, expecting the coming of that time, when all his Saints that he hath redeemed from the World, and purchased with his Blood, be in his hand, and brought to Glory. Now, this is no disquieting expectation, but a most joyful expection, that Christ lives in, to see the utter downfal of all his enemies, and to have them under his feet: And according to that which you in Heb. 10. 13. saith he (speaking concerning the Priests in the old Testament This man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sate down on the right hand of God. There's his life:—from henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his foot-stool: for by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. This is now one part of Christ's Expectation, which he is upon in Heaven, That all his enemies, be they who they will, never so many, never so mighty, he lives in the expectation of their downfal, and being brought under his feet; and of this expectation he shall not be disappointed in the least, no, not in the least. The life of Expectation which Christ doth now live in Heaven, it is such a life as wherein he hath a most sweet enjoyment; he knows he shall be answered in this Expectation of his.
And so likewise his expectation of having all his people that he hath purchased with his blood, given into his actual possession: He prayed for this in his last prayer, Father, I will, that all those which thou hast given me, be with me where I am, that they may see my glory, and share with me in that glory which is to be had in heaven. This was his supplication, and sutable is his expectation, That the time shall come when he shall have all his Saints in his hand, and not one of them wanting. Now, this is the Knowledge that we are to have of the life of Christ in heaven;—a life of Glory,—a life of Power,—a life of Peace,—a life of Rest,—a life of Joy and Rejoycing,—a Kingly life,—a life of Observation,—and a life of Satisfaction,—and a life of Expectation; such is the life that Christ lives. Now, O how worthy is this Knowledge to be pursued, and that every Believer should labour to be well improved in the Knowledge of this life of Christ in Heaven, both for his greatest incouragement and comfort, to think that that Jesus who died, now lives, and lives for evermore in Heaven:—That he is now in power; he that was crucified through weakness, he lives through the power of God.—Why, this Jesus, he lives now in the fullest injoyment of all that happiness that can he conferred upon him,—and in the expectation of having all his enemies subdued,—and all his People brought over to him, that he and they may solace themselves eternally in the vision and fruition of God, and of one another. O what a comfort is this now, for to know and consider of: It was the joy of the heart of Iacob, and made the old mans heart to leap within him, and to revive again, to hear that his son Ioseph was alive, and in honour in Pharaoh's Court. O how much more joyful will it be, to the rejoycing of the heart of a child of God, that hath set his love upon Christ, to think that his Jesus is in heaven at God's right hand, in the possession of all that honour and glory which heaven it self can confer upon him.—And thus, now I have travelled with you, and I confess it hath been somewhat a long journey that I have travelled in the handling of this Point, in the Knowledge of our Lord Jesus, and how much it concerns Beleevers to endeavour a growth and increase in it, considering how every way the Knowledge of our Lord Jesus will be beneficial to them, to the promoting of grace,—inabling to suffer,—fitting for Duty,—and for the promoting of a holy Conversation (and the like.) Now, all that hath been spoken, doth issue in this, That the Knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ is a Knowledge that our hearts should be exceedingly set upon.
Now for the Improvement of this by way of Use, I shall make short work of that; but, O that you would but weigh and consider what hath been spoken in so many Sermons that I have preached to you upon this Doctrine; and for the Application, I shall be brief in that.
Now I would beseech you, consider with your selves, you with whom I have to deal; will you but consider with your selves, whether I have been in this matter that I have performed, performing a proper Service, or whether I have not in your account been imployed in a needless work, whether your hearts will not suggest such a thing to you: You have been preaching to us concerning the Knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, what have you told us that we knew not before? and you press upon us that we should endeavour a growth in in this Knowledge, and be upon our improvements; but alas, what are we the further advanced in this Knowledge? So that now, if so be that I should come to act and perform the part of a reprover, possibly there may be such a spirit found, that you will think, what have you told us? we knew that Christ took upon him the nature of man, and he came into the world, and liv'd, and died here, and was crucified, and buried, and rose again, and ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God: every common nominal Christian can chatter over these things, and think with themselves, what needs all this ado about a growth and increase in the Knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
O but Brethren, I would say to you as the Apostle speaks in a like case, 1 Cor. 8. I know well enough that you have all knowledge; I, and your knowledge makes you conceited, it puffs you up; But if any man think he knows any thing, he knows nothing as he ought to know. It were good for you and me to look well to it, that our light be not found to be darkness, that our knowledge be not found to be ignorance. This I would have said, that there are clear demonstrations and convincing Arguments, that some know nothing as they ought to know;—others that do know, they are not so improved in their knowledge as they ought to be. I tell you this, look to it, for of a truth your being so defective in the faith of the Gospel, your being so apt to fluctuate, and be turmoyl'd in your consciences, your being so uneven in your walking, your being so low spirited as you are, your small measures of faith, and love, and hope, and confidence, and boldness towards God;—and your aptness to be startled at every providence, and to be foyled by every temptation: these and such like …s do loudly speak it out, that of a truth you …t know Christ as you ought to know him; I speak to one and other of us: we shall find, and be able to evidence it, the conscience will be convinc'd of it, That we know not as we ought to know, we have not made that advance in the Knowledge of Christ as we should have done, because it is thus and thus with us, we have no more love to Christ: did you know Christ as you ought, you would never dote upon the world as you do, nor be so inslav'd to your corruptions as you are; did you know Christ as you ought to know, you would live more honourably, and more to the credit of the Gospel than you do. There are many, many things that will evidence it to us, that we do not know Christ as vve ought to knovv.