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

but it is this one entire Faith in all these essential parts that is the undivided condition of all these benefits; and in that way of a Condition of the free Promise it doth procure them. So much for the meaning of the first words [Receiving Christ Jesus the Lord]. I will be briefer about the next. The second is [walking in him], which is no more but the living as Christians when once we are become Christians; and using that Christ to the ends which we received him for, when once we have received him. Two things are necessary to such as we, that have lost our way: the first is to get into the right way ⟨p. 9⟩(and that is to get into Christ who is the way): the other is to travel on, when we are in it: For it is not enough to bring us to our Journeys end, that we have found out the right way. The next word to be explained is [rooted]. Which doth not intimate that any are really planted into Christ without any rooting in him at all: but by [rooted] is meant [deeply rooted]. For the Roots increase under ground as well as the Tree above ground. Rooting hath two ends, and both are here implied. The first is for the Firmness of the Tree, that blustering winds may not overturn it. The second is for nutriment: that it may receive that nourishment from the earth which may cause its preservation, growth and fruitfulness. This is the Rootedness of Christians in Christ, that they may be confirmed in him against all assaults, and may draw from him that nutriment that is necessary to their growth and fruit. The next term is [built up in him]. No house consisteth of a bare Foundation. Five things are expressly contained in our being [built up in him]: The first is that we are united or conjoined to him, as the building is on the Foundation. The second is, that we rest wholly on him as our support, as the building doth on the Foundation. The third is, that we are also conjoined one unto another, and are become one spiritual building in the Lord. The fourth is, that the Fabric doth increase in bigness, as the house doth by being built up: so that it importeth our increase in Grace, and the increase of the Church by us. The fifth is the fitness of the building to its intended ends and use: Till it be built up, it is not fit for habitation. And till Christians are built ⟨p. 10⟩up, God hath not that use of them to which he doth intend them.

but it is this one entire Faith in all these essential parts that is the undivided condition of all these benefits; and in that way of a Condition of the free Promise it doth procure them. So much for the meaning of the first words [Receiving Christ Jesus the Lord]. I will be briefer about the next. The second is [walking in him], which is no more but the living as Christians when once we are become Christians; and using that Christ to the ends which we received him for, when once we have received him. Two things are necessary to such as we, that have lost our way: the first is to get into the right way