A. 2. The right manner of growth is to grow proportionably, when a Christian grows in one grace as well as another, 2 Pet. i. 5. To grow in knowledge, but not in meekness, brotherly love, good works, this is not the right growth ; a thing may swell and not grow, — a man may be swelled with knowledge, yet may have no spiritual growth, — the riglit man- ner of growth is uniform, gro\ying in one grace as well as another. As tlie beauty of the body is, when there is a symmetry of parts, not only the head grows, but the arms and breast ; so spiritual growth is most beautiful, when there is a symmetry and proportion, every grace thrives.
A. 3. The right manner of growth is, when a Christian liath grace suitable to his several employmonts and occasions ; \\hen corruptions are strong, and he hath grace able to "five check to them, — burdens are lieavy, and he hath patience able to bear them, — temptations fierce, and he hath faith jible to resist them. — here is grace growing in the right manner.
OF GROWTH IN GRACE.
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Quest. 3. Whence is it that true grace cannot but grow ?
Ans. 1 . It is proper for grace to grow ; it is semen nianens, the seed of God, 1 Jolin iii. 9. It is tlie nature of seed to grow ; grace doth not lie in tlic heart, as a stone in the earth, but as seed in the earth, whicli will spring up, first the blade and then the ear, and then the full corn in the ear.
A. 2. Grace cannot but grow, from the sweetness and excellency of it ; he that hath grace, is never weary of it, but still would have more. The delight he hath in it, causeth thirst ; grace is the image of God, and a Christian thinks he can never be enough like God. (irace instills peace ; therefore a Christian cannot but strive to increase in grace, because, as grace grows, so peace grows.
A. 3. Grace cannot hut grow, from a believer's ingrafting into Christ ; he who is a scion, ingrafted into this noble, generous stock, cannot but grow. Christ is so full of sap, and vivifical influence, that he makes all inoculated into him grow fruit- ful, Hos. xiv. 8., " From me is thy fruit found."
Quest. 4. Jfliat motives or incentives are there to make us grow in grace ?
Ans. 1. Growth is the end of the ordi- nances. Why doth a man lay out cost on ground, manure and water it, but that it may grow ? The sincere milk of the word is given, that we may grow thereby, 1 Pet. ii. 2. The table of the Lord is on purpose for our spiritual nourishment and increase of grace.
A. 2. The growth of grace is the best evidence of the truth of it. Things that liave no life will not grow ; a ])icture will not grow, a stake in the hedge will not grow, but a plant that hath a vegetative life grows. The growing of grace shews it to be alive in the soul.
//. 3. Growth in grace is the beauty of a Christian. The more a child grow s, the more it comes to its favour and complexion, and looks more ruddy ; so, the more a Christian grows in grace, the more he comes to his spiritual complexion, he looks fairer. Abraham's faith was beautiful when in its infancy, but at last it grew so vigorous and eminent, that God himself was in love with
it, and crowned Abraham with this honour, to be the ' father of the faithful.'
A. 4. The more we grow in grace, the more glory we bring to God. God's glory is more worth than the salvation of all men's souls. This should be our design, to raise the trophies of God's glory ; and how can we do it more, than by growing in grace ? John xv. 8., " Hereby is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit." Though the least drachm of grace will bring salvation to us, yet it will not bring so much glory to God, Phil. i. 11., " lulled with the fruits of righteousness, which are to the praise of his glory." It commends the skill of the husbandman, when his plants grow and thrive ; it is a ])raise and honour to God, when we thrive in grace.
A. 5. The more we grow in grace, the more will God love us. Is it not that wo pr.iy for ? The more growth, the more God will love us. The husbandman loves his thriving plants ; the thriving Christian is God's TIephzihah, or chief delight. Christ loves to see the vine flourishing, and the pomegranates budding, Cant. vi. 11. Christ acce])ts the truth of grace, but commends the growth of grace, Mat. viii. 10., " I have not found so great fiiitli, no not in Israel." Would you be .as the beloved disciple that lay in Christ's bosom ? AVould you have much love from Christ ? labour for much gr(twth, let i'aith fl<»urish with good works, and love increase into zeal.