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

Fifthly, And if a Christian would be discouraged, if he did not sometimes find a weakness and smallness of Grace within him; then he hath no reason to be discouraged, because he doth find this weakness. Now ye know, that the Kingdom of Heaven, both without us, in the Gospel, and within us, in regard of the saving effect of the Gospel, is compared to a grain of Mustard-seed, which, saith our Saviour, is the least of all Seeds; but grows up in time, to that stature, height, and bigness, as the Fowls of the Air come and make their nests in it. So is the Gospel, both in the preaching, and the effect of it: it begins low, and is very little at the first; and therefore, if a man should not find his Grace to be small at the first, he would doubt whether ever the Kingdom of Heaven were in him or no, saying, The Kingdom of Heaven is like unto a grain of Mustard-seed, the least of all Seeds; but I have not found it so in my soul, I have not found this littleness and smallness of Grace, and ⟨p. 83⟩therefore I do fear, that the Kingdom of Heaven was never in my soul in truth. Thus men would doubt, and be discouraged, if they should not sometimes find their Grace to be small. And if so, then why should a man be discouraged, because he doth find it thus? Surely he hath no just cause or reason for it.

Fiftly, And if a Christian would be discouraged, if he did not somtimes find a weakness and smalness of Grace within him; then he hath no reason to be discouraged, because he doth find this weakness. Now ye know, that the Kingdom of Heaven, both without us, in the Gospel, and within us, in regard of the saving effect of the Gospel, is compared to a grain of Mustard-seed, which, saith our Savior, is the least of all Seeds; but grows up in time, to that stature, height, and bigness, as the Fowls of the Air come and make their nests in it. So is the Gospel, both in the preaching, and the effect of it: it begins low, and is very little at the first; and therefore, if a man should not find his Grace to be smal at the first, he would doubt whether ever the Kingdom of Heaven were in him or no, saying, The Kingdom of Heaven is like unto a grain of Mustard-seed, the least of all Seeds; but I have not found it so in my soul, I have not found this littleness and smalness of Grace, and ⟨p. 83⟩therfore I do fear, that the Kingdom of Heaven was never in my soul in truth. Thus men would doubt, and be discouraged, if they should not somtimes find their Grace to be smal. And if so, then why should a man be discouraged, because he doth find it thus? Surely he hath no just cause or reason for it.