Doct. 2. That whatsoever degrees we have already attained, we must press forward to perfection.
As Paul laboured hard after it, so should we all in the sense of our defects, and endeavour a constant progress.
Reasons.
1. By this our title is assured. All that will be saved must either be perfect or labour after perfection. Perfect none can be, but all must labour after perfection, or else they are not sincere, and so far labour as to be ashamed of defects in holiness, and mourn over them, Horn. vii. Certainly we must not allow ourselves in them ; still striv- ing after more, and making further progress every day : Mat. v. 48, ' Be ye therefore perfect, even as your heavenly Father is perfect.' Christians are called to perfection, though they cannot fully attain to it in this life. Many after they have gotten such a measure of grace whereby they think they may be assured they are in a state of grace, never look further, but set up their rest ; think that hereafter God will make them perfect when they die. Oh, consider, here is the time of growth. Corn doth not grow in the barn, but in the field. Besides, they hazard their claim of sincerity who do not aim at perfection ; for where there is true grace there will be a desire of the greatest perfec- tion. As a small seed will seek to grow up into a tree, and there will be trouble about the relics of sin and grief, that they can serve God no more perfectly.
2. By this our hearts are more prepared in this life for our happiness. The more holy and heavenly we grow, the more meet : Col. i. 12, 1 Who hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints
81 SERMONS UPON PHILIPPIANS III. [SeR. IX.
in light.' We are remotely fitted by regeneration : 2 Cor. v. 5, ' Now he that hath wrought us to this self-same thing is God, who also hath given us the earnest of the Spirit.' But next and immediately by growth and increase of grace : 1 John iii. 3, ' He that hath this hope in him purifieth himself as Christ is pure.' He purifieth himself more and more: Rom. ix. 23, 24, ' And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he hath afore prepared unto glory, even us whom he called : not of the Jews only, but of the gentiles.'
3. By this our glory and blessedness are increased. The best graces have a more honourable crown ; for according to the degrees of grace, so will our glory be. Every vessel is filled according to its capacity ; they that are growing here have more in heaven. Glory and blessed- ness standeth in communion with God and conformity to him, or the vision and full fruition of God : Ps. xvii. 15, ' As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness : I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness ; ' 1 John iii. 2, ' But we know that when he shall appear we shall be like him ; for we shall see him as he is.' Now the more holy we are, the more suited to this happiness, and therefore have larger measures of it ; if purity of heart be necessary to see God, to enjoy communion with God now, as unquestionably it is : Mat. v. 8, ' Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God ;' 1 John i. 7, 'If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another.' It is unreasonable to imagine that clarified souls have no more fruition of God than those who have only grace enough to make a hard shift to go to heaven. Sicut se liabet sinrpliciter ad simpliciier, ita magis ad magis. If holiness fits to see God, and without it we cannot see him, so a little holiness fits to take in a little of God ; and the more of holiness the more of God ; and there is the same reason for aiming at the degree as at the thing, heaven being the perfection of holiness. If you do not desire more degrees, you do not desire heaven itself.
Use. Is to persuade us to get ground in our race, which we do as our title is more assured by self-denying obedience.
1. Our end will bear it, to see God and enjoy God : 1 Thes. ii. 12, 1 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you to his king- dom and glory.' How much is this better than all those worldly things upon which we lay out our labour and diligence ?
2. The glory of God requireth it. Less grace may serve for our safety than our comfort ; for our comfort than the glory of God : John xv. 8, ' Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit ; so shall ye be my disciples.' Your hearts will never serve you to do any excellent things for God in the world, but you will betray his honour upon all occasions by your weaknesses and infirmities. God hath most honour from the strong and fruitful christian, who produces the genuine fruits of godliness, and produces them in such plenty that God is mightily honoured by them: Mat. v. 16, 'Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.' By your zeal, constancy, and fidelity in your relations. Meekness, patience, strictness, and heavenly- mindedness. But if our lives be filled with sensuality, pride, envy, malice, wherein do you differ from the uugodly world but only in the name, and some little grace buried under a heap of sin ?