They are planted in his courts, and that is a fertile soil : Ps. xcii. 13, 14, ' Those that are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God ; they shall still bring forth fruit in old age, they shall be fat and flourishing.' There are ordinances by which they re- ceive a supply of the Spirit ; their hearts are upon the ways that lead home to God : Ps, Ixxxiv. 7, ' They shall go on from strength to strength.' When our hearts are set upon a thing, we will neither go off nor go back, but still gain ground. They find new encouragement in God's ways : Pro v. x. 29, ' The way of the Lord is strength to the upright ; ' the more they walk in it, the more encouragement they find to do so, all Avhich doth condemn our laziness, that we make no more progress. Surely our reward should encourage us : Phil. iii. 14, ' I press towards the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Jesus Christ.' In a race where there is so great a prize, we should not stand at a stay, but still be running, and getting nearer the goal ; the way is so pleasant that we have no occasion to tire in it : 2 Peter iii. 18, ' But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.' We have so many benefits by Christ, that surely we are encouraged to seek for more. Besides, consider God's expectation. God expecteth more from some than others, according to their years and standing : Heb. v. 12, ' For when for the time ye ought to be teachers ' (having had so much means and advantages), ' ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God.' So Luke xii. 48, ' Unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required ; and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more,' We expect he should come sooner that rideth on horseback than he that goeth afoot. Now, that we may grow, car- nal affections must be weakened : John xv. 2, ' Every branch that bear- etli fruit, he purgeth it that it may bring forth more fruit.' This purging is by mortification ; faith, the mother grace, must be increased : Eom, i. 17, ' Therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith ; as it is written, The just shall live by faith.' We must still continue to live by faith. The means of grace must still be attended upon : 1 Peter ii. 2, ' As new-born babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.'
3. Their growth was considerable ; they arrived to a great degree of eminency, virepav^dvet rj ttIcttl'; vfxwv, kol TrXeovd^et i) cfydirrj. Here is high faith and great love. Certainly they did not overgrow their duty, but it was a wonderful growth, considering the diff"erence between them and themselves, what they were before the gospel came to them, and what now ; considering also the difterence between them and others, how they had outgrown their equals, yea, those who had received the gospel before them. Surely we should not only grow in grace, but seek to excel in grace ; God will have more glory, and we more comfort. Now those that would excel — (1.) Should be more humble ; for, James iv. €, ' God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble.' The Lord increaseth his grace where all is ascribed to God and nothing to ourselves, but he is an enemy to those that lift up themselves, and puff up themselves and set the crown upon their own heads. (2.) They should be diligent in the use of their gifts, for ' to him that hath shall be given,' Luke viii. 18 ; that is, that useth what he hath, that carrieth himself
108 SEIiMONS UrON 2 THESSALONIANS 1. 3.
according to the helps vouchsafed, and employeth and improveth what he hath, he shall have more. They shall have more faith, more love from the same Spirit who gave them the first grace. If in the effect you show what you have, and declare what you have, you shall have more ; the original stock shall be increased. (3.) There should be thankfulness. They own God in all : Col. ii. 7, ' Eooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.' The creature then robbeth not God of the glory of his gifts, and therefore shall have more. (4.) There must be obedience to the word of God as our rule, the sanctifying motions of the Spirit as our principle, and the author of that grace which we have. Now the more ready we show ourselves to comply with the directions (>f , his word and the motions of his Spirit, the more is grace strengthened in us ; for disobedience to the word is a provocation to God, which hindereth the due impression of it on our souls : Jer. viii. 9, ' They have rejected the word of the Lord, and what wisdom is in them? ' And disobedience to the Spirit is a grief to him : Eph. iv. 30, ' Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.' So that sin hindereth our growth, and letteth out our strength. But what shall we say of them that beat down the price of Christianity as low as they can, and content themselves with what is barely necessary to salvation, as it the safest way were to go as nenr the brink of destruction as possible ? Tiiese men care not though they dishonour God, so they may be saved, but they will in time see that the greatest grace is no more than needeth.