Caution Sd. The third caution is, though in every condition we must be content, yet we are not to content ourselves with a little grace. Grace is the best blessing. Thoiiffh we should be contented with a com- petency of estate, yet not with a competency of grace. It was the end of Christ's ascen sion to heaven, to give gifts; and the end of those gifts " that we may grow up into him in all things who is the head, even Christ," Eph. iv. 15. Where the apostle distinguisheth between our being in Christ, and our growing in him, — our ingrafting and our flourishing ; be not content with a modicum in religion. It is not enough that there be life, but there must be fruit. Barrenness in the law was accounted a curse. The farther we are from fruit, the nearer we are to cursing, Heb. vi. 8. It is a sad thing when men are fruitful only in the unfruitful works of darkness. Be not content with a drachm or two of grace ; next to a still-born, a starveling in Christ is worst. O covet more grace ! Never think thou hast enough. We are bid to covet the best things," 1 Cor. xii. 31. It is an heavenly ambition when we desire to be high in God's favour ; a blessed conten- tion when all the strife is who shall be most holy. St. Paul, though he was content with a little of the world, yet not a little grace : ' he reached forward, and pressed towards the mark of the high callinsf of God in Christ Jesus,' Phil. iii. 13, U. A true Christian is a wonder; he is the most contented, and yet the least satisfied; he is contented with a morsel of bread, and a little water in the cruise, yet never satisfied with grace ; lie doth pant and breathe after more this is Isis prayer, " Lord, more conformity to Christ, more communion with Christ ;" he would fain have Christ's image more lively pictured upon his soul. True grace is always progressive; as the saints are called lami)s and stars, in regaid of their light, so trees of righteousness, Isa. Ixi. 3., for their cfi'owth : they are indeed like the tree of life, bringing forth several sorts o» fruit.
A true Christian grows, 1. In beauty.
ART OF DIVINE CONTENTMENT.
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Grace is the best complexion of the soul ; it is at the first plantation, like Rachel, fair to look upon ; but still the more it lives, the more it sends forth its rays of beauty. Abraham's faith was at first beautiful ; but at last did shine in its orient colours, and grew so illustrious, that God himself was in love with it, and makes his faith a pat- tern to all believers.
2. A true Christian grows in sweetness. A poisonous weed may grow as much as the hyssop or rosemary, — the poppy in the field as the corn, — the crab as the pear- main ; but the one hath a harsh sour taste, the other mellows as it grows : an hypo- crite may grow in outward dimensions, as much as a child of God, — he may pray as much, profess as much, — but he grows only in magnitude, he brings forth only sour grapes, his duties are leavened with pride ; the other ripens as he grows : he grows in love, humility, faith, which do mellow and sweeten his duties, and make them come off with a better relish. The believer grows as the flower, he casts a fragrancy and perfume.
3. A true Christian grows in strength. He grows still more rooted and settled. The more the tree grows, the more it spreads its root in the earth : a Christian who is a plant of the heavenly Jerusalem, the longer he grows, the more he incorporates into Christ, and sucks spiritual juice and sap from him ; he is a dwarf in regard of hu- mility, but a giant in regard of strength, — he is strong to do duties, to bear burdens, resist tentations.
4. He grows in the exercise of his grace ; he hath not only oil in his lamp, but his lamp is also burning and shining. Grace is agile and dexterous. Christ's vines do flourish. Cant. vi. 11. Hence we read of " a lively hope," 1 Pet. i. 3., and " a fervent love," 1 Pet. i. 22., here is the activity of grace. Indeed sometimes grace is a sleepy habit of the soul, like sap in the vine, not exerting its vigour, which may be occa- sioned through spiritual sloth, or by rea- son of falling into some sin : but this is only for a while : the spring of grace will come, — " the flowers w\\\ appear, and the fig- tree put forth her green figs." The fresh gales of the Spirit do sweetly revive and j