A Complete Body of Divinity, Sermons · 136 (Question 36 cont.)
SERMON CXXXVI.
WE are now to paſs over to the fourth Benefit conſequent upon Effectual Calling, and flowing from Inſtification, &c. viz. Increaſe of Grace. The Three former are rooted in Juſtification and Adoption, whereas this properly refers to Sanctification. Juſtification and Adoption are Acts, and perfected at once, and ſo cannot receive Augmentation; whereas Sanctification and Glorification are Works and are carried on by Degrees. And that the Thing under Conſideration relates to Sanctification nextly, will be evident by the Sequel. Whether, or how far it may be referred to Glorification, I ſhall not here Diſcourſe. Though doubtleſs as there is a foundation of Glory laid in Grace, ſo there are advances of it in the Believer, by the growth and thriving of Grace in him. Beſides, that if man's formal happineſs conſiſts in Eupraxy or Well-Working, then certainly, as the habits of this are ſtrengthned, Man's Bleſſedneſs is furthered. But I ſhall only endeavour to lay open the Benefit it ſelf. Here then, Two Things are to be obſerved,
1. The Subject of this Benefit. Grace.
2. The Benefit acorning to a Child of God in regard of it, viz. Increaſe. Here then for the making of this clear, we may Enquire,
1. What is the Grace here intended?
2. In what reſpect this Grace may be ſaid to be increaſed?
3. Wherein it appears, that increaſe of Grace, is a Benefit that all Believers portake in?
1. WHAT is the Grace here intended?
A. THE Word Grace, as it is uſed in the Scriptures is variouſly to be underſtood: But there are more principally two ſignifications of it to be obſerved in the Goſpel. viz.
1. IT is often uſed to expreſs the free Favour of God, which is the Principle from whence all Good, eſpecially that which is Spiritual, doth derive to poor man. Thus, Eph. 2.8. For by grace are ye ſaved, through ſaith, and that not of your ſelves: it is the giſt of God. This is often called the Love of God; and it is in nothing elſe but that good will of his which of his own pleaſure, without any Obligation laid on him by us, he expreſſeth to us, by beſtowing upon us all thoſe favours which we parrake in. Which, as it hath its riſe from God, ſo cannot be any way purchaſed by our endeavours. But this is not the Grace we are looking upon.
2. IT is therefore uſed for thoſe Benefits which are freely beſtowed on us by God, and are the fruit of the former; and are therefore called Grace, becauſe we are unworthy of any favour, but one all that we have and are to God's free benignity. And here,
1. THIS Grace is ſometimes taken more largely, for all the Goodneſs of God that is beſtowed on ſinful man, in which both the Godly and the Wicked do participate. Thus Miniſterial Giſts are called Grace, Eph. 4.7. Thus Lot confeſſed his deliverance from the deſt…ction of S…d…m to be a fruit of Grace, Gen. 19.19.
2. IT is ſometimes taken more ſtrictly, for all the fruits of the Work of Application; or … ſoe…es … Spirit of God conſers on the … is order to their Bleſſedneſs. And theſe …e …ither Relations, in which ſaving Benefits are conferred upon us, by putting a relative Ch… upon us; to which we refer Juſtification and Adoption, with all the Priviledges that are appropriated to them. Rom. 5.17, 21. Eph. 1.5, 6. Or elſe ſaving Principles of Sanctific…ion, or the habits of theſe Principles, by … we are enabled to ſerve God, and live to his Glory, which are called Grace, Joh. ….16. … the Aſſiſtance of the Holy Spirit-helping of theſe Principles in their acts and …iſe. See, 2 Cor. 15.10. Or finally, for the … Bleſſedneſs, to which God brings his … at laſt, 1 Pet. 1.13. As to Juſtification and Adoption, they cannot be increaſed … …gmented, to be ſure not by our under… … the Grace under conſideration may … bleſſing. For it is a duty enjoyned … 3.18. Grow in Grace. As to inc… …f Glory, it is but a conſequent upon this. The Grace then pointed at under our; Con… tion, intendeth thoſe ſaving Principles which the Spirit of God, in Converſion, … into our Souls, by which he fits and … eth us for New Obedience; and ſo … perly to Sanctification. Now them… of theſe Graces put into us in Re…, and ſo there are divers of theſe Graces … make ſo many members in that Body and are called Faith, Hope, Love, Pati… …. And they are called Grace in the … becauſe they are one entire habit, and … ſeperable in the Soul: So that be who… one, hath all. And yet they are c…ll… ces in the plural, becauſe of the … … finition and operation of them: … ſhall find them reduced to Three … Intellectual, in Knowledge, Col. 3. … Moral. in Righteouſneſs and Holineſs, … 24. The former whereof fur…iſhe…h …. Second Table Duties and the lat…er, … as refer to the Firſt Table: And … Grace of which it is a Benefit that … it, that ſhall increaſe.
2. IN what reſpect this Grace may … be increaſed?
A. THERE are two ways in whi… … may be ſaid to increaſe, viz.
1. BY in numerical addition of …. Thus may all aggregate. Bodies be … Thus a People are ſaid to increaſe wh… … numbers are more than formerly, … are not to ſuppoſe that Grace in Bel… increaſeth. There is no habit of … wanting in the New-Creature; … ſuch thing intended, in, 2 Pet. 1.5. … addition to each Grace, and helping … another. Every Believer in receiving … receives with him, a Grace anſwerable … Grace of Sanctification that he hath. … 1.16.
2. BY a continued Augmentation of thoſe In…ls that are. Thus a Child increaſeth by addition gained to his Stature, and every dimenſion of his Body. And this is the in…eaſe here intended, viz. When the Grace … Child of God gets more Life, Vigour, …gth: When a Chriſtian gaineth more …i…nal diſcerning of Evangelical Truths, … more ſtrongly, doth Duty with more O…tancy and Reſolution; and conſequently, the power of remaining Corruption in him … and loſeth: for the decreaſe of Cor…tion, and increaſe of Grace are inſeperable. And …nce, the more able a Chriſtian is, to withſtand the motions of Sin in him, and pur… the deſigns of Holineſs, the more is his Grace increaſed. Now, though to this in… there is required, a diligent uſe of the … which God hath appointed, and fancti… for this end, yet the increaſe it ſelf is … ſupply which the Spirit of God affords, and …es into the Soul in and with thoſe … ſo uſed, and is therefore called the … of God. Col. 2.19. Now that we may … miſtaken about this Benefit, let theſe … things be obſerved about it,
1. THAT a Believers Grace is not at all times … …ual Increaſing. There are Seaſons … Grace in a Child of God is ſo far … growing, that it is under remarkable … and loſing of its ſtrength. This may …iontly exemplifyed from the Word …, and may particularly be inſtanced in …. And how many paſſages do we find … 5…. wherein he expreſſeth his deep …reſſing Apprehenſion of it? Grace is …ture; it is in this Life nouriſhed by …, and the bleſſing of God upon them, … careful improving of them; and there …y things by which it is expoſed, and …y may be impeded in Act, but alſo … in its Habit. Sometimes God with… is influence from it, and doth not … that bleſſing on the means, without which they will not nouriſh it, and then it …th. And thus he ſometimes doth …eignty for our Trial, to let us ſee … ſafety is; ſometimes by reaſon of … Confidence in our Grace, that we …wosrd… …ience how dangerous a thing it is … our dependance on him. So it was …, Mat. 26. Sometimes Satan tempts. … Corruption prevails to draw us into … hold Tranſgreſſion, which wounds us, and … bones, and now our Grace is wo…kned, and ready to expire. So it which David after his great Tranſgreſſion, …ons diſcover, Pſal. 51. And it may … go halting for this all his life time …. Sometimes a Child of God falls … drowſy and negligent frame, grows …, or ſome Worldly Luſts gets head … he either neglects Duty, or loſeth … frame in it; and ſo his Grace …. Doubtleſs it was ſo with the …. Cant. 5. begin. So that ſuch in… are conſiſtent with this Benefit.
2. GRACE in the Children of God doth hot always Increaſe alike. There are ſome ſeasons wherein they thrives great deal falter than in others. And the occaſion of this is the ſame with the former. viz. becauſe Grace hath its mediate Supplies, and muſt have all its Nouriſhment from the Spirit in the uſe of means. Now God doth not always afford to his People like outward helps. David is ſometimes in the Tabernacle; at another time in the Wilderneſs, in a dry and thirſty Land. Nor doth God always give equal influence to the Means. A Believer ſometimes finds himſelf fixed and prepared; at another time he is dull and indiſpoſed, and his Heart wandering. Accordingly, at one time he finds the Word to come to him very powerfully, and it raiſeth all the Powers in him; at another time it ſcarcely moves him. Of ſuch Changes as theſe, we have the Pſalmiſt often ſpeaking Hereby alſo God will make them to know, that all their profiting depends upon him, and that their very Appetite to the means of Grace muſt be from him, as well as the means themſelves, and the ſpiritual benefit or them Hoſ. 14.8.
3. A Believers Grace may be under Decays, when he thinks it as on the Increaſe. The Children of God are too often miſtaken on this hand, through the deceitfulneſs of Sin abiding in them, and the cunning of Satan, who thus ſeels to hinder the growth of their Grace. …d there are diverſe Occaſions of this miſtake. Sometimes they miſtake Gifts for Graces, and becauſe they gain more of there, they think Grace thrives; whereas there is a ſpecifical difference between theſe two: and though Gifts are very uſeful to help Grace, yet too often, they hinder the Growth of it by puffing up &c. Sometimes Men take ſome ſudden pangs of Zeal for growth in Grace; whereas there is a Zeal that is hypocritical, as Jehu's and a true Chriſtians Zeal is not always excited by the Spirit, not is the acting of Grace, but of Hypocriſy, and but a cover for ſome ſin, as David's 2 Sam. 11.25. And to name no more, ſometimes they ſuppoſe Grace grows, when it is only their carnal Corruption that prompts them; they miſtake Sin for Grace. It is no doubt but Peter thought his Confidence to be ſtrong Faith, Mat. 26.33. Peter anſwered and ſaid unto him, though all men ſhould be offended becauſe of thee, yet will I never be offended.
4. A Believers Grace may be really Thriving, when he ſuſpects in to be Decaying. He may cry out of withering, when indeed he is never more flouriſhing. And this is very often, the Complaint of gracious Souls, and it flows from miſtakes on the … hand. If his Comforts be not ſuch, and ſo …ll as ſometimes they were, he thinks his …aith fails, and his other Graces are impai…d, whereas Comfort is no part of Sanctification. It is in it ſelf redundant and at God's Pleaſure, and the Spirit of God uſually giveth more of his Aſſiſting, when he hates of his Comforting Preſence, w…eup…u he travels falter to Heaven under Clouds, then when he is more ſerene. And thought it be not ſo cheerful, yet he rids more ground. Never did the Spouſe's Graces appear in more vigour, than when her Beloved was withdrawn, Cant. 5. begin. If he ſeels Corruprion more active and vigorous, he is apt to think it is becauſe his Grace languiſheth; whereas the reaſon of this ſenſe often is, not becauſe he hath more Corruption in him, or the ſtrivings of it are more potent, but becauſe his Grace is more lively to reſent it. He hath a more ſpiritual diſcerning of Sin in him, a deeper apprehenſion of the evil Nature of it, and Grace makes a more forceable reſiſtance, whence …iſeth a more forcible ſcuffle in him. So Paul, Rom. 7. If he finds Du…y harder to go through than heretofore, he preſently aſſigns this to decays; whereas the reaſon may be, and often is, becauſe he before did it more carnally, and now more ſpiritually, and that is a ſign of Increaſe; or God is pleaſed to exerciſe him with greater Temptations in the way of Duty then before, and that will add to the difficulty of it; and God will have Trials proportionable to the ſtrength he hath given us.
5. EVERY Believer doth not grow alike in Grace. All do not attain to the ſame meaſures. There are different Statures in thoſe that are in Chriſt. All have not the ſame Opportunities, nor do all husband them with the ſame Diligence, nor doth the Spirit of God meaſure himſelf out to all in the ſame proportion. There ſhall be thoſe that are weak in the Faith, as well as thoſe that are ſtrong. God uſeth much of his Libesty on this account. Every of David's Worthy's did not attain to the firſt three, and yet they did worthily in their ſtation. The good ground brings forth ſome an hundred, &c. Mat. 13.23.
6. AND the Increaſe of Grace is better diſcerned afterwards then at the preſent. It is with a Chriſtian's Grace, as with Corn in a Field, if we ſtand by and look on it, we cannot preceive how it tiſeth, but if we obſerve it now, and come a few days after to it, we ſhall plainly perceive that it is grown. So it is in reſpect of Grace in the Heart, which is therefore compared to Seed. Its increaments are only diſcernable by the effects in us, in the Mortification of Sin, and Quickning of Holineſs.
3. WHEREIN it appears that Inceaſe of Grace is a Benefit that all Believers partake in?
Anſ. THIS will be evident if we conſider and lay together the following things.
1. GRACE in the Children of God, is but little at firſt. In the Work of Sanctification, there are ſown but the ſeeds of Grace. The introduction of it is into an Heart that was before full of Corruption. And all the things which Grace itſelf, or the true Believer in regard of it, are compared to in the Word of God, do evidence it to be very ſmall at the beginning, as will be preſently inſtanced. Peter hath but a little ſaith, Math. 14.32.
2. THAT Grace itſelf is of a growing … ture. It hath in it a natural tendency … Increaſe. And this alſo appears from the things it is likened unto, which Reſemblances … uſed by the Spirit of God, on purpo… … ſignify the Nature of it, and the preſent … of it in us. Believers in regard of it are … pared to New-born Bakes, 2 Per. 2.2. And Grace itſelf is likned to a grain of: M…ſ…-Seed which is ſown, Mat. 13.31, 32. … bruiſed Reed, and ſmocking Flax, Mat. 12. … to the firſt dawning or break of Day, Pr…. 4.13. Now the deſign of theſe, and other … Compariſons uſed by the Spirit of God, it is ſignify to us, that Grace hath in it a … tendency to increaſe, by the ſupply of … table Means for it.
3. THAT God put his Grace into h…s People, with a deſign for Incre…ſe. God is the … of all Grace, 1 Pet. 5.10. Now the way ſtate, in which he puts it, when he puts … into us, ſhews what he aims at in … could have made it perfect at firſt in … as well as in Parts; but he would … it imperfect, in order to its Perfection. A … that is ſown is for growth, and to be … to that end. An Infant is deſigned by … to come to the Stature of a Man. And … will appear evidently if we conſidenc… … God put his Grace into us for: it is th… may ſerve him, and be ſit…ed to glor…y … in our Generation, which without it we … not do. And the more Grace we have, … better we ſhall ſerve him. It is poor … we do him with this weak Grace, he … therefore ſtrengthen it. And it is tha… … may be fit to live with him in Glory, … is a ſtep to Glory, and we can never … that in Perfection, till this be perfect, … hath therefore appointed us for this, … are to arrive at it at laſt. Eph. 4.1…. … perfecting of the ſaints, for the work … miniſtry, for the ediſying of the body of … Now God will not loſe his End, in be… of his Grace upon us.
4. GOD hath provided the Means of … for this very purpoſe, that they may … ward the Increaſe of Grace in his Chriſ… … it are of his Appointment, and he appl… nothing in vain. Now there are two … of men that live under and enjoy theſe … viz. the Unregenerate, and the Re…; and theſe are accommodated for both. For the Untegenerate, they are the … their new Birth. God brings ab…t … … verſion of Sinners in and with … Hence we read, in Jam. 1.18. Of his … begat be us with the word of truth. 1 … Being born again, not of corruptible … of incorruptible, by the word of God which … and abid…th for ever. And for thoſe … New born, they are ſuited as No… … to help forward their Growth. Hence …, 1 Pet. 2.2. And the Word of God … diſpenſations of it is very profitable for … pupoſe, 2 Tim. 3.16, 17. Now, as is … that without God's … on them, theſe Means will not … End; … God had not purpoſed to give this Bleſſing with them, he would never have appointed them.
5. HENCE God hath pro…ſed that the Grace … Children, ſhall Increaſe … and under the Means. He hath ſecured his Bleſſing to them by his Engagement. And there are many ſuch Premiſes recorded in the Scriptures, to enco… inge the Children of God to … on them, and rely on him for this Benefit by them. See for this. F…. 92.12, &c. Prov 4.1…. But the hath of the … is as the ſtaning …ge, that ſinneth more and more unto the porſed day. Job 17.9. The r…g…us … …all … his …ay, and be that hath … ſhall be ſtranger and ſtronger. And God will be faithful to his Word. And becauſe he can ſubdue in and for them, all that would hinder their proficiency, and ſucceed all that is …peinted for the r…ef of it, they ſhall not faid. And tho they may have their ſeaſons of decay, yet in the wh… le…ey ſhall increaſe, all at length they teach … …ſs of Perfection. This then is a Priv…lge belonging to every …ſerer. And the …llency of it is not haven by a carnal Mind, but a Soul that … the worth and prec…u…eſs of Grace, the vileneſs and …diouſneſs of Sin, cannot but place a very high value upon it. By this … Sin decays, which is our Bitterneſs, … Holineſs increaſeth which is our Delight. By this means we are more and more fitted … ſtrengthned to ſerve to the end we were …de for, and unto which our new Nature …, which cannot but be exceeding pleaſet to him, all whoſe delight is in the Lato … God, and who counts it ſweeter than the …, and the Honey C…b. By this means we now more and more like to God, who is pefect is Holineſs. By this means we give … Content to our Lord and Saviour, who is not a little delighted in the Graces of his People, and therefore ſpeaks as if they ra…ed him, Cant. 4.9. Thou haſt raviſhed … heart. By this means we come to be more and more ſit for Glory, and the moſt … Commu…on with him in the higheſt …erven, in that Place where there is nothing … …ful imperfection admitted. And the …ter a Child of God thus grows, the more is be …peaing for an happy remove to the Parable of God.
USE 1. LEARN hence what to judge of theſe that pretend to Perfection in this Life. …, there is a Perfection of Parts, which … me Chriſtian is owner of, and there it a Perfection in Deſire, which every Saint is … after. But a gradual Perfection of the Graces of Sanctification, is not to be found is any meer man in this Life. Paul could not …end to it, Phil. 3.13. I preſs forward— Not indeed, would increaſe of Grace be any more a Benefit to ſuch, which we are told is ſo … all God's Called in this Life. And no under if ſuch caſt off the Word and Ordinances, as things Sa…e…ous; whoſe very del…g… is to help our … in Grace.
USE. II. LE… … prove our ſtate of Vecetion by this. Do we Inc… in Grace? If we are Called, we are Juſtityed and Adopted, for theſe are in…neta…le. Now if we are Sa…cti…ved, we have, tho a weak, yet a thriving Grace … us. If our Graces be of the right ſtamp, they are aſp…ing to Perfection. If we have true Grace, we defire more of it, and that Defire c…ries us forth in Endeavours after it, and to the uſe of all thoſe Mean's that God hate app…ted for our obtaining it. Not that we ſhall find it always actually growing, but we ſhall find that it hath grows, and that we cannot reſt, but when it ſ… doth. If we think that we have Grace enough, and accordingly fit down with the firſt, we have indeed none; our pretended Grace is not an Heavenly Plant, it is but a Muſſitom, or like Jenah's Gourd; it grew in a Night, & withered in a Night.
USE. III. Be we then Ex…erted, if we have Grace, to be very car… about the Increaſe of it. Tho' it … of Chriſt's Benefits, yet there is a D…y l…ng o… us, in order to out Furtherance… it 2 P…t. 2.1…. Grace in Grace. And indeed, his is the beſt Way to have the Comfort of our Grace and …e Evidence of the Sincerity … it, w…ich e…e we ſhall righteouſly miſs of. And i…t us remember, that God expects more of Us then o… many others, and hath pleased us in a fat Soil: He hath afforded to … rich Opportunities of Goſpel-Libert…, and multiplied Means of Grace. And if we do not improve them in ſome good Proportion, we ſhall affront his kindneſs, expoſe our ſelves to his Diſpleaſure, and provoke him to take the Kingdom from us, and beſtow it on thoſe that will better Husband it.
[AUGUST 29. 1699.]