[2.] A promise grounded upon a proverb: 'And unto you that hear
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shall more be given.' Those that make use of what is said to them, that mark diligently, and practise accordingly, the more knowledge and grace is increased. This is built on a proverb, hahenti dahitur ; For he that hath, to him shall be given. To have doth not only signify the possession of a thing, but the use which is the end of possession ; so he that hath is he that hath to purpose, that occupieth the gift and grace received ; a man that useth and employeth that which he hath, and so maketh it to appear to the world that he hath such a talent from God ; for in scripture we are said to have that we make use of. * To him shall be given ; ' he shall increase his stock ; he shall be having, and liaving, and having, till he come to a glorious estate in all spiritual riches, knowledge, love, humility, zeal, temperance, and patience, and all manner of grace. That the expression is proverbial is out of question with the learned ; for it is an assertion verified in all ages and places that the rich have many friends, and he that hath much shall have more. Every one will be giving to them, and they have greater advantages of improving themselves than others. Upon this occasion were the words first used, which our Saviour is pleased to translate and apply to his own purpose of growth in grace by a diligent use of the means.
Doct. That a serious attention to the doctrine of the gospel is the means appointed for the attaining of saving grace, and a plentiful increase therein.
In stating this point let me observe to you —
1. That in the communication of grace as well as nature, God ob- serveth the order of means ; because he dealeth with us as reasonable creatures ; and this becometh the wisdom of his government ; and so he meeteth with us in our way, and we meet with him in his way. So Christ is the principal means, and called, therefore, ' The way to the Father,' John xiv. 8- Other subordinate means are instituted by him.
2. That among the subordinate means, the principal is the word ; called therefore ' The power of God unto salvation,' Kom. i. 16. All the parts of it are fitted to their sanctifying use. His doctrine to teach and fill us with due conceptions and apprehensions of God ; threat- enings to drive, promises to draw, examples to move ; and all these formed into a covenant strongly to engage us to God.
3. This word, that it may profit us, must be diligently attended unto ; for this is Christ's admonition in the text, ' Take heed what you hear/ The gospel deserveth it ; our profiting requireth it.
[1.] Tlie gospel deserveth it ; partly for the sublimity and excellency of the mysteries therein contained, which are enough to ravish the thoughts of angels, 1 Peter i. 12 ; therefore we cannot conceive of them without much consideration. Great and excellent things do even force their way into our minds. Now all other things are but toys and trifles to this. What is a greater speculation than God made accessible to us in Christ, as he was manifested in the flesh ? than God reconciled by the propitiatory sacrifice of liis death ? What is all the glory of the world to everlasting communion with God ? These things are a feast to the minds of all wise and rational men. And partly because of their profit ; they are things that nearly concern us. Needless specu- lations we may well spare, or other men's matters ; but surely we should
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mind our own things. What doth more nearly concern us than to have God for our God, and Christ for our saviour and redeemer, and the Spirit for our sanctifier and comforter ? ' This is hfe eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent,' John xvii. 3. And partly their necessity. We are undone for ever if ignorant of these things : Acts iv. 12, ' Neither is there salvation in any other ; for there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we can be saved ; ' and condemned by the gospel if we make light of them : John iii. 19, ' This is the condem- nation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds are evil' Not to think that worthy of a serious thought which was brought about with so much ado : Mat. xxii. 5, ' And they made light of it.' This is not only vile ingratitude, but obstinate contempt of grace, which will cost us dear.
[2.] Our profiting by the gospel requireth it ; for otherwise —
(1.) How can we have a sufficient understanding of those mysteries if we content ourselves with a few cursory and careless thoughts ? 2 Tim. ii. 7, ' Consider what I say, and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.' Lay this to thy heart, and God give thee a right use of it, or a judgment to do all things which belong to thee.