Directions for weak distempered Christians, to grow up to a confirmed state of grace…

By this much that I have said already, you may understand, that (though we should reach as far as we can in knowing all necessary revealed truths) yet the principal part of your growth in knowledge, when once you are converted, consisteth not in knowing more than you knew before, as to the number of truths, but in knowing better the very same fundamental truths, which you knew at first. This is the principal thing that I would here teach you. Abundance are deluded, by not understanding this; you see here you have seven several things in which you must daily grow in knowledge about the same truths which you first received. 1. You must see better and sounder reasons and evidences for the fundamental truths than you saw at first: or more such evidences than you did then perceive. 2. You must grow to a clearer sight or apprehension of those same evidences. 3. You must see truths more methodically, all as it were at one view, and all in their due proportion and place, as the members of a well composed ⟨p. 105⟩body; and how they grow together, and what strength one truth affords to another. 4. You must see every truth more practically than before, and know what use it is of, for your hearts and lives, and what you must do with it. 5. You must learn more skill in the using of these truths, when you know what they are good for; and must be better able to manage them on your selves and others. 6. You must know more experimentally than you did at first. 7. You must grow into a higher esteem of truths. All this you have to do, besides your growing in the number of truths. And I must tell you, that as it was these Essentials of Christianity that were the instrumental causes of your first Conversion, and were more needful and useful to you then, than ten thousand others: So it is the very same points that you must always live upon, and the Confirmation and growth of your Souls in these, will be more useful to you than the adding of ten thousand more truths which yet you know not: And therefore take this advice as you love your peace and growth; Neglect not to know more; but bestow many and many hours in labouring to know Better, the great truths which you have received, for one hour that you bestow in seeking to know more Truths which you know not. Believe it, this is the safe and thriving way.

By this much that I have said already, you may understand, that (though we should reach as far as we can in knowing all necessary revealed truths) yet the principal part of your growth in knowledge, when once you are converted, consisteth not in knowing more than you knew before, as to the number of truths, but in knowing better the very same fundamental truths, which you knew at first. This is the principal thing that I would here teach you. Abundance are deluded, by not understanding this; you see here you have seven several things in which you must daily grow in knowledge about the same truths which you first received. 1. You must see better and sounder reasons and evidences for the fundamental truths than you saw at first: or more such evidences than you did then perceive. 2. You must grow to a clearer sight or apprehension of those same evidences. 3. You must see truths more methodically, all as it were at one view, and all in their due proportion and place, as the members of a well composed