I. Scripture-light the most sure light ... delivered in three sermons on 2 Pet.…

When a man is employed in a way of Love and mercy to his own soul also, then he doth grow in Grace whilst he is ex•rcising of his Gift. A man that exerciseth a Gift for the good of others only, grows in Parts, and in Pride also: But a good man grows in Experience, and so he doth grow in Faith; he meets with difficulties, and deliverances, so he doth grow in Faith; God discovers himself to him in the way, so he still grows in Faith, Love, and Holiness: God gives him a Promise when he sends him forth (as he did give •o Joshua, Chap. 1.) this he looks much upon, and goes forth in the strength of, and so as he uses his Gift in his work, he doth grow in grace thereby; but the other doth not.

When a man is employed in a way of Love and mercy to his own soul also, then he doth grow in Grace whilst he is ex•rcising of his Gift. A man that exerciseth a Gift for the good of others only, grows in Parts, and in Pride also: But a good man grows in Experience, and so he doth grow in Faith; he meets with difficulties, and deliverances, so he doth grow in Faith; God discovers himself to him in the way, so he stil grows in Faith, Love, and Holiness: God gives him a Promise when he sends him forth (as he did give •o Joshua, Chap. 1.) this he looks much upon, and goes forth in the strength of, and so as he uses his Gift in his work, he doth grow in g•ace thereby; but the other doth not.

He makes no great outward bargain of Gods Service, neither doth he labour to pocket up much for himself. God employed Moses in a great Work, but where do you read of any great Estate that he got for himself? We read of Joshua, That when he had brought the Children of Israel into Canaan, and divided the Land by Lot to them, then when he had served others, in the last place he did serve himself, and that in no great matter. What did Nehemiah get by his Service? not as the former Governors did, Why? Because he feared the Lord. So then, if a man be employed in way of Love and Mercy to himself, he doth not make his Employment a shooing-horn to his own Preferment: 'Tis enough for me, my Masters work is done, saith he; neither doth God use to pay them all their wages here, whom he employs in mercy to themselves.