Of Growth in Grace, Sermon 6
SERM. VI.
I Shall only add a Particular or two about Growth in Faith.
Your duty is, to endeavour to such a growth in Faith, that you may be able to meditate Terror. It is one thing for to be possest with terror, to be apprehensive of terror, and to be amazed and astonished through terror upon us; another thing to be able to make terror the matter of our meditation: One thing for to be apprehensive of that which is matter of terror, and to be affrighted with it, and ready to sink under the apprehensions of it: another thing, for to have not only the apprehensions, but to have the heart bearing up with a holy confidence, without being in the least discomposure; to have a fixedness of soul, a setledness of heart; and not to be startled, and to be ready to run this way, and that way and even to be at our wits ends, not knowing in the World what course to take. Now, this is one of the great priviledges which belongs to Beleevers, and to the Saints of God, to be able to meditate terror; you have the expression in Isa. 33. 18. There it's held forth unto us, as a Saints and Beleevers priviledge; that hearts shall meditate terror: And it is not every Faith that will bring a Saint into the actual possession of free usage of this priviledge. (I would you would labour to have a fixed heart now upon what I speak, and be in a due composure.) I say this, It is not every degree of Faith, that will bring the soul into the actual and free possession, and usage of this priviledge that I now speak of: For, to make that which is matter of terror and amazement; that which is apt to sink and swallow up the hearts and spirits of others, to make it the matter of our joyful and comfortable meditation; 'tis not every Faith, every degree of Faith. 'Tis true indeed, every Faith in the lowest degree, hath a tendency to it: every Faith doth more or less, make proposition to a carnal and slavish fear. But it is found in experience, that where Faith is but low and weak, it is apt to be over-top'd, and over-powred, by base, carnal, slavish fear; it is found in common experience. But it must be a well-improved Faith, a Faith well grown, that inables the soul to bear up boldly and resolutely, when there is matter of fear before it. The Prophet speaks, in Psal. 112. concerning the righteous man, That he hath his heart fixed; he is so advanced in his Faith, as that he is come to a fixedness; his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord.—And then it follows, He shall not be afraid for any evil tydings; that that is matter of terror and astonishment to others, he can with a sweet composure of spirit, meditate of, muse upon, and be in the thoughts of; this is a great matter, and a lovely priviledge, and that which we should set our hearts upon: Such a Faith, of such a growth, we should endeavour after, that we may be able to meditate terror.——There is a terribleness in God,—in his Name,—The Lord is of terrible Majesty,—Terribleness in his presence; when that Proclamation was made, in Isa. 6. Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Hosts; the Prophet cryes out now, Woe is me. When there was a Proclamation of God upon Mount Synai, in thunder and lightning: When there was that dreadful voice, O, the people cry out, let us hear no more the voice of God, left we die. Now, a well-improved Faith will be able for to meditate of this terror, I, and to dwell with that God in holy meditation, and to converse with that God that is of such terrible Majesty: Who shall dwell with devouring fire? who shall dwell with everlasting burnings? that is, as terrible as devouring fire, as dreadful as everlasting burning; who shall dwell with him? who shall be able to bear up at the thoughts of him? why, a soul that is well improved in his Faith, will be inabled so to do: Such a Faith, of such a growth, we should endeavour after, as that we may be able thus to meditate the terror of God; not be affraid of him. True it is, it is a duty that is incumbent upon us, to have our hearts in a holy awe, but withal, to bear up in a holy boldness, and not to be swallowed up with fear, upon the manifestations of the terribleness of God.
So there is a terribleness in the Law, in the Covenant of works that God made, and which he made a dreadful discovery of upon Si…ai: A fiery Law it is, and so called, in Deut. 33. It's a terrible Law, that flashes fire and vengeance in the face of an ungodly sinner, of a guilty wretch: I, but now, the Faith of a Beleever well improved, will inable him for to meditate with sweet composure of spirit, upon this terrible Law; and with a rejoycing spirit, think of the ridgedness, and sevear requiries of it; knowing, that it hath taken sanctuary at a Covenant which is full of mercy and comfort, and doth sweetly revive and succour the soul, under the dreadfullest representations that can be made to it of its own guilt.
There is a terribleness in Death, and it is called the King of Terrors: And how many are there, that are not able to bear the thoughts of it? not able to stand before the thoughts of their dying? I, how many are there, poor creatures, that, when the thoughts of Death do but arise in them, they are ready to be swallowed up of it; and they do all that ever they can to fortifie themselves against those thoughts; as 'tis a common thing for persons to do: they cannot indure to be put upon the serious consideration of their dying day, and having a dissolution made between soul and body. Whence is this? but either from the total want, or a very great weakness that is in their Faith?—either their want, that they have none at all, and then, no marvel, that the thoughts of Death be terrible to them; why, they are under the guilt of sin, and they must go to Hell when they dye. O, it's a sad thing, and I would there might be a fixedness of heart upon this; it is a sad thing to think of it, that there should be nothing but a little breath between a poor creature and eternal destruction; and if that be but with-held for a quarter of an hour, the soul goes down to eternity: if God take away their breath, they dye, and return to dust; and when they dye, they dye in a state of guilt, and so damn to eternity: Now, no marvel, that such persons cannot indure to meditate such terror.——And then others, that are weak in their Faith, and are not comfortably setled in their confidence concerning the Grace of Christ in them, and their reconciled state: No marvel, if they be shaken and perplexed about it, when they come to have the thoughts of death. Now, Faith improved to a good degree, will inable a soul to meditate this terror, to think of it, I, with a holy rejoycing, and content: to think that a day will come, that will make a dissolution between the soul and body, that so upon that dissolution, there may be a more full injoyment of the Lord Jesus, according to what the Apostle speaks, in Phil. 1. having a desire. I desire to depart; when a mans Faith will inable the soul to this, to look upon death, as a thing to be desired: not only as that which there is a necessity lying upon the creature to undergo; not only so, there is a necessity lies upon me, it being enacted, so that a soul dies out of a necessity, he cannot help it; if he could help it, he would be glad with all his heart, to keep off the stroke of death; but he dyes out of choice: this is the Faith that we should press after; and this is that, that Faith well improved, will inable to meditate this terror, and to bear up under the apprehensions of it; reckoning upon this, That, as to live, is Christ, so, to dye it will be gain, as the Apostle speaks; and therefore he professeth, that he has a desire rather to be dissolved, and to be with Christ, which is best of all.
And then again, there is a terribleness in judgement, so it is called, in 2 Car. 5. The terror of the Lord; the day which is appointed, wherein God will judge the World in Righteousness, by that man whom he hath ordained, even the Lord Jesus. And all the Sons and Daughters of Adam, that ever were, from the beginning of the Creation, to the time of that appearing of his, shall all be convented, and made to stand before his Judgementseat: and we, that are here this morning, shall all stand before this Judgement; and shall give an account to God of our preaching, and bearing, and how we have carried our selves in the Assemblies, and under the dispensations of the Ordinances, when there shall be an appearing before the great Judge of all the World. Truly, this day is a terrible thing, and it is called, (as I said) The terror of the Lord. Now, I say, this is a terror that a Faith-less soul will not be able to meditate, he is not able to bear up under the thoughts of it, and therefore doth all that it can to drive them away, black, melancholy thoughts, thoughts of death, and of judgement: Such thoughts as these cannot be indured to set a foot over the threshold, nor to come under the roof of the house: no, we will have nothing to do with such black thoughts.——And then, those that are weak in Faith, they are ready to be startled at the apprehensions of this: It's a terror to them, to think of a day of Judgement: I, but I say, that a well-improved Faith, a Faith that is of a good growth, it will inable to meditate this terror, and to bring the soul to the free usage and possession of this blessed priviledge that belongs unto Beleevers. A person of a well-grown Faith, will be able to think of this with joy and gladness: be glad to think of the day wherein the Lord Jesus shall appear in flaming fire, to render vengeance to them that know not God, and obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: A man of a well-grown Faith, will be able to meditate this terror, and to rejoyce at the thoughts of it: It is the day of his gladness, therefore to this purpose, our Saviour saith, when these and these things shall come, do you lift up your …eads: When mens hearts shall fail them with looking after those things that shall come upon the earth; and when others shall cry out with Balaam, Alas, who shall live? what will become of us now? It is an amazing thing to think, when the Heavens shall be raised, and the Lord shall appear with his mighty Angels, to think what startling there will be, and running this way, and that way! O! what a dreadful day is this? I am not able to stand before this Judge of all the World. O, it's an amazing thing to think, what skreeking and crying there will be on the part of ungodly sinners, that are strangers to Christ and Grace! But, a poor soul, that is well improved in Faith and Grace, he will be able to bear up with boldness: and our Saviour speaks to that purpose; when mens hearts shall fail them, and grow dead as a stone within them, and they shall be fall of astonishment, upon the appearing of the Lord Jesus. Then lift up your heads with joy, the day of your Redemption draweth nigh: So that this is another thing that a well-grown Faith will inable to. To meditate terror, the terror of God,—The terror of the Law,—The terror of Death,—The terror of Judgement. O beloved, this is the Faith that we should press to; and this growth in Faith, that you may be inabled to have the free usage of this blessed priviledge; and that when others shall be over-whelmed in their spirits, you may be able to bear up with comfort. You hear of this, as that wherein we are to evidence a growth in Faith, when we are able to meditate Terror.
Lastly, This I would only say, such a Faith we should press to, such a growth in Faith; and that we may be a…, not only to look for, but to long after the serious appearing of Christ, which follows upon the former. O, it is not every Faith that will inable to this, to be in holy longings after the coming of the Lord Jesus: Y…u come behind (saith the Apostle) in no gift, waiting for that coming of Christ, waiting for it, and hastening to it: It is that which a well-grown Faith will inable to; and such a degree of Faith, our duty is to endeavour after, that we may be able to say, with the Spouse, even so come Lord Jesus, come quickly. And thus I have spoken to you concerning Faith, when the Apostle calls upon us to grow in Grace. I have prest the duty, with respect to this particular Grace of Faith: and this know, (as I said in the beginning of the discourse,) That truly, the growth of other Graces, doth very much depend upon the growth of Faith: and the reason why we are so low and poor in other Graces, it is, because our Faith is not better improved, and raised up to a higher pitch.
But yet, I would speak something concerning two or three other Graces; and so endeavour to fasten this charge of the Apostle upon you. Your duty is, (if you have Grace) to grow in Grace: do but think of it seriously, and study to answer the duty of the Text; Grow in Grace; Grow in Faith.
I, and know, that it is your duty to grow in Love; In Love to God, in Love to Christ, in Love to the Truth, in Love to the Saints, in Love with Heaven; this is that that you should set your hearts unto. Have you any thing of the Love of God in you? If you know that; it's your duty to improve in that Love, as you are taught of God to Love; so you are taught of God, to increase, and abound in Love. If there be a spark of Love in you to God, you should labour to bless God for that; but labour withal, that that spark may be blown up into a flame.
Are you able to say, with Peter, if the question should be put to you, as it was to him; Simon, Son of J…nah, Lovest thou me? You should be thinking with your selves, if Christ should put such a question to you; such a one, Thomas, John, Brother, Sister, dost thou love me? that you may be able to say, without check of conscience; Yea Lord, thou knowest that I love thee. It were very good for every one of us, to be putting this question to our own hearts; O my soul, dost thou love God indeed? art thou able to make a bold profession of thy love to God? Doth not thy conscience tell thee, that thou lyest, when thou sayest thou lovest him, and his Christ, and his Spirit, and his waies? Dost thou indeed love him? If we can say with boldness, and without check, and controul of conscience; Lord, thou knowest that I love thee.
Then I would say this to thee; Dost thou love him? O, labour to love him more and more; to love him with a more intire love, with a more intensive love. Love him with such a love, that whatsoever duties he requires of thee, thou mayest cheerfully apply to them. O Lord, I love thee, and I so love thee, that I think nothing too much to do for thee; so love thee, as that I think nothing too much to suffer for thee. If thou call me to duty, O Lord, I love thee so dearly, that I stick at nothing of duty. O Lord, I love thee with such an intire, and an intensive love, that I think nothing too much to suffer for thee: such a love we should press to, and improve to such a flame, that we may be able to say, all this is come upon us, (as the Church speaks, in Ps. 44.) yet have we not departed from thee, no… have we dealt falsely in thy Covenant: this is the Love, a flaming Love to God, to Christ, to the Truth, to waies of Holyness; such a Love, as no waters may be able to quench.
And then thirdly, Grow in Grace,—in what Grace? O Christians, if so be that you have any Fear of God in you, look to it that that fear be a growing Fear: I speak now of a holy fear, a child-like fear, a fear of Reverence, a fear that is consistent with love: The Fear of God, it is a Grace which you should endeavour to grow in; that it may be said of you, that you Fear God; I, you fear God above many. It's an excellent testimony that's given concerning one, in the book of Neh. The testimony is given of him, that he feared God, and he feared God above many. Now, such a fear, that we may go beyond others in their fear: others have a fear of God, to such or such a degree, I, but the fear in such a one, is far passing the fear of others:——Such a fear of God we should endeavour to come to, that when a temptation comes upon us, and it comes with the greatest advantages, (consider of it) and we have the fairest opportunities to commit the sin that we are tempted to: such a fear we should endeavour to be possest withal, that we may break the force, and power of the temptation, that it may not, in the least, fasten upon us. Such a fear there was in Ioseph, when the temptation was upon him só strong, and comes upon him with so much advantage, the fear of God was so strong upon his heart, that he was inabled to bid defiance to the temptation, and to quit himself in an honourable manner.—
Such a Fear of God, so improved, and grown up to such a degree, that when there are difficult duties before us to perform; and such duties, as we shall be in danger by performing of them, to fall into deep and dreadful sufferings: Such a Fear, as, let the danger be what it will, that I may expose my self to, in case I perform the duty; yet, the Fear of God is so strong upon my heart, as that, notwithstanding all the danger, the duty shall be done. This was the case of Obadiah; there was a duty incumbent upon him, and which he had opportunity to perform, concerning the Prophets of the Lord; He takes 100 of them, and gets them into a Cave, and there he feeds them by 50 in a Cave; this was a very difficult, and a dangerous duty; it was as much as his life amounted to, in case that Iezabel should have come to the knowledge of it. I, but notwithstanding the difficulty, and the danger; such was the fear of God in him, that he was inabled to the performance of this duty; and therefore he could speak boldly to Eliah, in 1 Kin. 18. I, thy Servant, fear the Lord; and that with such a fear, thot when Iezabel slew the Prophets of the Lord, I hid 100 of them by 50 in a Cave.—
Such a fear we should labour to be possest withal, as that, when we are apt to be insnared, and inslaved by the fear of men, the fear of God may break the force of that fear. Solomon tell us, In the fear of man, there is a snare, and how apt are people to be ensnared by it? I, but now, if the Fear of God were but well improved, it would break the snare, and swallow up the fear of man. In the fear of man there is a snare; But, in the fear of the Lord, there is strong confidence: these are two Proverbs that are worthy of our meditation: now, this is the fear that we should press after. As in the case of the three Children, that were required, upon pain of being cast into a Fiery Furnace, they must fall down, and worship the Golden Image: there was the fear of the King; I, but there was the fear of God so improved upon their hearts, that they would not be inslaved, nor insnared by the Kings fear. And so the Disciples of our Lord, when the charge was given them, that they should preach no more in this Name; they laboured to put them into a Fear, and to over-awe them, that they should let their cause fall, and appear no more in the Name of Jesus: I, but mark how their spirits are kept up, having the Fear of God strong upon their hearts; they were inabled to break the snare, and to go on in the way of their duty. Such a Fear of God we should labour to be possest withal, to grow up to such a degree, that dutyes, though difficult and dangerous, may be performed;—and sins may be resisted;—and that the fear of man may be conquered. Such a fear we should endeavour to grow in.
And then, as our duty is to grow in the Grace of Faith, of Love, and of the Fear of God; So our duty is, to endeavour a growth in Holyness. It is a mercy to have the least impress of Holyness upon our spirits: I, but our duty is, to grow in Holyness: If we be holy, we should endeavour to be more holy; according to that, in Rev. 22. Le… him that is Righteous, be Righteous still; let him be more Righteous: Let him that is Holy, be Holy still: Let him be holy, and holy, and more and more holy; and let him labour to better his Holyness, and to grow up to a higher degree. We are not only to look to the beginning of Holyness, but to the progress, and to the increases of it; according to what the Apostle charges, 2 Cor. 7. Having these promises, let us cleanse our selves from all pollution of flesh and spirit. Is there some filthyness cleansed away? I, but see that you cleanse your selves from all filthyness of flesh and spirit. Is there Holyness begun in you? I, but see that you perfect Holyness in the Fear of God: this is our duty, thus to grow in Holyness; I, and so to be holy, even as God is holy, according to what the Lord requires: not, that we can come to such a perfection; I, but, according to the state of a creature, we should endeavour to be holy, as God is holy. As he is holy, as a God; so, we should labour to be holy, according to the state and measure of a creature. We should endeavour after the highest degree of Holyness.
Grow in Holyness, and to such a pitch of Holyness, as that it may be said of us, according to what our Saviour speaks of the Spouse, Thou art all fair, my Love, and there is no spot in thee. Our duty is, to endeavour after such a degree of Holyness, as, that there may be no blemish; but that we may be presented before God, at last, with exceeding joy.
Such a Holyness we should endeavour to press after, as that we may be sensible of the least measure of corruption: where there is but a little Grace, corruptions and lusts, in the stirrings of them, are not so easily perceived: But, where there is most Grace, there is most life; and where there is most life, there is most spiritual sense and feeling: and there are none so sensible of corruption, and stirrings of lust, as those that have the most Grace in them: there are secret motions of sin and corruption, which, it may be, a person that hath but a lower measure and degree of Grace and Faith, will not take any great notice of; The motions, and inward boylings of lusts and corruptions; the lust of Uncleanness, or of Pride, or Covetounsess: There's many a stirring lust, that a soul, that either is in total want of Grace, or hath but Grace in a lower measure or degree, takes no great knowledge of. I, but when there comes to be a growth in Grace, to a good degree; O, then every stirring of lust and corruption, will be perceived, and the soul will be up against it, and endeavour a suppressing of it. Such a growth in Grace and Holyness, that there may be a sense of every lust and corruption; a lust cannot stir in the soul, but the soul is upon the back of it, and endeavours to use all severity against it.
Such a growth in Holyness we should endeavour to, that we may be most cordially complyant with all the Counsels of God; and the more the will of God is manifested, and made known to us, the more we delight in it: the more it is made to appear in the latitude of it, and in the strictness of it, the more our hearts are upon complyance with it. Such a Holyness we should endeavour to press after, as that we may be able to say; there is a …ecret heart rising against every bubling of corruption.
Such a Holyness we should press after, as that we can take the greatest delight in communion with God.
Such a Holyness, as that we can long after. Heaven; and that, because of the Holyness of it.
Such a degree of Holyness, as that we may be able to say, we are even weary of living here in this lower World, because of the corruptions, and lusts, and prophaneness, and abominable impieties that are committed here.
O, this is the Holyness that we should endeavour to; such a degree of Holyness, as that we may be made every day more and more suitable to God, and fitted to hold communion with the blessed God: For this know, that the more Holyness, the more conformity to God;—and the more Holyness, the more fitness for the most intimate communion with God. And thus, in these, and all other Graces, we should endeavour to gorw; according to the charge of the Apostle here; But grow in Grace. I have thus been labouring with you, according to my ability, and pressing upon you to this purpose; a growth in Grace, a growth in Faith, a growth in Love, a growth in the Fear of God, a growth in Holyness, and so in other Graces, which I might insist upon. But I shall satisfie my self, in having thus dealt with you, concerning these particulars.
And in the General, according to the expression of the Text; Brethren, this is your duty; you that are sons and daughters of Grace, this is the duty that is incumbent upon you, and which is required of you:—You that l…ave Grace, your duty is, to grow in Grace, and endeavour such a growth in Grace, that sin may be almost quite gone out of you: thus it is, so much as you have of Grace, so much there is of a riddance of sin; so much as there is a remaining of sin, so much there is of the want of Grace. Now, this is our duty, to endeavour such a growth in Grace, as that there may be much of Grace, and but little of sin; that the house of David may grow stronger and stronger, and may appear so to do, by the house of Saul, its growing every day weaker and weaker.
Oh Christians, so should you labour to grow, and to grow to such a degree, to such a measure and proportion of Grace, that you may be able to say, Truly, the case stands so with me; heretofore it stood thus with me, that I could scarce tell how to do a duty, and to turn my hand upon any holy duty; but now, through the Grace of God, and his blessing upon the means I have used, I am come to that pass now, that I can scarce tell now how to commit a sin: this is the growth we should press after: I can do nothing against the truth, I could do little for the truth; I can do little or nothing against the truth: I had strength to sin, and I was very weak to duty, weak for prayer, and weak for beleeving, and weak for conflicting with corruptions: I, but now Grace is so improved in me, that now I am able to do any thing, I am able to do all things, through Christ, and by his Grace in me: I cannot sin for my heart, as once I could: this is the growth that we should press after.
I, such a growth in grace we should endeavour to, as that we may be, upon all occasions, commanded by the Scripture, and by Scripture-arguments and reasons, and swayed with them, whatsoever arguments come to the contrary. Truly, this is an argument of a soul well improved in Grace, and in the things of God; when Gods arguments will bear sway with it, all other arguments, they signifie little or nothing; but an argument drawn from the Command of God, from the Love of God, and from Grace; such an argument will prevail. I shall sin against God, if I neglect this duty;—if I commit this, I shall dishonour Gods;—I shall offend my Brother;—I shall wound my Conscience; I shall walk unsuitably to the Name that's call'd upon me, to my holy Profession;—I shall walk unanswerably to the Grace that I am planted under: when such arguments as these are of a prevailing power, it's an argument that the Kingdom of God is come with power into our souls, when Christs arguments are the swaying, and the prevailing arguments with us. Thus now, I have been driving this business; for my own part, I profess to you, (and the Lord help us to consider wisely of it,) I hope I may say, in regard of the Grace of God implanted, it doth as much concern me, as any one of you; that I press on you to a growth in Grace; it's as much my duty as yours, and as much your duty as mine; and it will be a woful account that we shall give another day, if you and I shall appear before the Lord Jesus Christ, and shall have this charged upon us: you preach'd indeed a growth in Grace, and you that were the hearers, you heard concerning a growth in Grace; but neither Preacher nor Hearer, set your selves to answer your duty. Now, ow shall we give account of this? if you will go away with meer notions, and rest in this; for I tell you, there is a great deal of danger that you lye open to, in passing over Sermons of this nature, making no great matter of them. You have heard the Discourse, and have been called upon to this purpose; Grow in Grace, and in the mean time, please your selves with this conceit; well, it matters not, it is a mysterious thing, we know not what to think of the matter, whether there be such a growth as is spoken of; we will look to this, to see that there be Grace in the truth of it, and so put off the matter of growth: I tell you, that this is dangerous. We must, as we will approve our selves to God, and walk worthy of the provision he hath made to us; it is our duty, that as we have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so, to walk in him, grow up in him that is the head, and increase with the increase of God; and hold some proportion to time, and means, and ordinances, and pains that God takes with us; and that our profiting may appear unto all men.