1Secondly, for the second: before I number particulars, I might tell you of divers kinds of growth, or increase in the kingdom of Christ. Christ himself is said to increase, Job. 3.20. The word is said to grow, Act. 6. and in other places: and Christians are said to grow: & so either first jointly in the mystical body, Eph. 4.16. Col. 2.19. or secondly, severally every one by himself. ⟨p. 79⟩Christ was said to increase not only in stature, and the declaration of his gifts: Luke 2.40. but also in the glory of his kingdom, and the advancing of his dominion amongst men. The word grew, when the number of faithful labourers was increased, and when the light of the truth was more glorified, and received by the people. Christians are said to grow chiefly in two respects. First, in the number of believers, when there are daily added to the church: Secondly, in the power and practice of their gifts, and this last is here intended. The word rendered Thereby, might be read either in him: or in it: or, as it is, thereby. In him, that is in Christ. In it, that is in the word: or thereby, that is by the word: This last is intended here in all probability: Now then to the point. There are certain things wherein a Christian should strive to grow: It is true we should grow in every good gift and work, but if we mark the scriptures, these things in particular are especially to be laboured after as being things that do wonderfully honour God, and credit the Gospel, and bring a singular increase of happiness to a Christian mans life, and it is wonderful profitable to keep a Catalogue of these particulars still before us, that we may every day be put in mind of what we should especially labour after.
1Secondly, for the second: before I number particulars, I might tell you of diuers kindes of growth, or increase in the kingdome of Christ. Christ himselfe is said to increase, Iob. 3.20. The word is said to growe, Act. 6. and in other places: and Christians are said to growe: & so either first ioyntly in the mysticall body, Eph. 4.16. Col. 2.19. or secondly, seuerally euery one by himselfe. ⟨p. 79⟩Christ was said to increase not onely in stature, and the declaration of his gifts: Luke 2.40. but also in the glory of his kingdome, and the aduancing of his dominion amongst men. The word grew, when the number of faithfull labourers was increased, and when the light of the truth was more glorified, and receiued by the people. Christians are said to grow cheefly in two respects. First, in the number of beleeuers, when there are daily added to the church: Secondly, in the power and practice of their gifts, and this last is heer intended. The word rendred Thereby, might be read either in him: or in it: or, as it is, thereby. In him, that is in Christ. In it, that is in the word: or thereby, that is by the word: This last is intended heer in all probability: Now then to the point. There are certaine things wherein a Christian should striue to grow: It is true wee should grow in euery good gift and work, but if wee mark the scriptures, these things in particular are especially to bee laboured after as being things that doe wonderfully honour God, and credit the Gospell, and bring a singular encrease of happiness to a Christian mans life, and it is wonderful profitable to keep a Catalogue of these particulars stil before vs, that we may euery day be put in mind of what we should especially labour after.
- 1Divers kinds of growth.Diuers kindes of growth.
