A second mark is to have a continual increase in godliness: neither to wax worse,1 nor to stand at a stay, but still to strive to grow better and better, as the Apostle Paul testifieth that he himself did: I forget that which is behind, and endeavour my self to that which is before: and follow hard toward the mark, to the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 2And having showed what he did himself, he annexeth an exhortation also for us: Let us therefore as many as are perfect, (that is sincere, and void of gross hypocrisy) be thus minded.3 He was not as a vain foolish man, who running in a race will be ever & anon looking back how much ground he hath rid: but his eye was upon the mark, considering how much he had yet to run, how far off he was from perfection: and the same mind should be in us, and will be in as many of us, as are endued with the same spirit that Paul was. We must every day labour to abound more and more in all wisdom and in all goodness. 4If we prayed once a day in private, and that somewhat coldly at the first, we must afterward pray twice or thrice, or oftener in a day, as occasion is offered, and that more fervently,5 and feelingly then we did in the beginning. If we did read and meditate more seldom, and with greater weakness and distraction at our first entrance into profession, in our proceeding, we must use those exercises more frequently, and perform them more seriously and cheerfully: and the like may be said for all other duties. Thus if we can labour to do, and when we slip, and so are stayed now and then in our race, yet if we recover6 our selves with speed, and set sure•, and look better to our steps, and make more haste in our way then we did before: we must not be discouraged, though we find not so good a progress as were to be wished for: God will accept of our endeavour, and his spirit will bear us witness that we have a true heart; Notwithstanding we come far short of that we should, and other of Gods Saints do attain unto. But on the contrary, if we stand at a stay, or start aside like a broken bow, and so turn back again unto folly, it is much to be suspected that we never had any soundness in us.7
A second marke is to haue a continuall increase in godlines: neither to waxe worse,1 nor to stand at a stay, but still to striue to grow better and better, as the Apostle Paul testifieth that he himselfe did: I forget that which is behind, and endeuour my selfe to that which is before: and follow hard toward the marke, to the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Iesus. 2And hauing shewed what he did himselfe, he annexeth an exhortation also for vs: Let vs therefore as many as are perfect, (that is sincere, and voide of grosse hypocrisie) be thus minded.3 He was not as a vaine foolish man, who running in a race will be euer & anon looking back how much ground he hath rid: but his eye was vpon the marke, considering how much he had yet to runne, how farre off hee was from perfection: and the same minde should bee in vs, and will be in as many of vs, as are indued with the same spirit that Paul was. We must euery day labour to abound more and more in all wisedome and in all goodnesse. 4If wee prayed once a day in priuate, and that somewhat coldly at the first, wee must afterward pray twise or thrise, or oftner in a day, as occasion is offered, and that more feruently,5 and feelingly then we did in the beginning. If we did reade and meditate more seldome, and with greater weakenesse and distraction at our first entrance into profession, in our proceeding, wee must vse those exercises more frequently, and performe them more seriously and cheerfully: and the like may be sayd for all other duties. Thus if we can labour to doe, and when we slip, and so are stayed now and then in our race, yet if we recouer6 our selues with speede, and set sure•, and looke better to our steps, and make more haste in our way then we did before: wee must not be discouraged, though we finde not so good a progresse as were to bee wished for: God will accept of our endeuour, and his spirite will beare vs witnesse that wee haue a true heart; Notwithstanding we come farre short of that wee should, and other of Gods Saints doe attaine vnto. But on the contrary, if wee stand at a stay, or start aside like a broken bowe, and so turne backe againe vnto follie, it is much to be suspected that we neuer had any soundnesse in vs.
- 12 Growth in grace.
- 2Phil. 3. 13. 14.
- 3Verse 15.
- 4Rom. 15. 14.
- 5Note.
- 6Note.
- 73 A constant & conscionable use of all the means.3 A constant & conscionable vse of all the meanes.
