CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St.…

And first In respect of their degrees and measure, The weak faith is to grow a strong faith, their strong faith a stronger, and thus of their love of God; Therefore love is required with all the soul and all the might;¹ Mat. 22. The duty of growth in grace is required of the highest Giant as well as the lowest dwarf in grace, Phil 3. See how Paul stretcheth out himself to run as if he were but a new beginner; There is not in the growth of grace as in nature a term or stint, then they go no further; No, but as they say of the Crocodile he groweth as long as he liveth, and when he ceaseth to grow, he ceaseth to live; Thus it is in the work of grace, There is a necessity of growing while any Christian life is in thee; Thy grace may be made better and more confirmed grace; That man knoweth not what godliness is, that can say, Soul, take thy ease, thou hast godliness enough, No, they cry out, Their leanness, their poverty, they are climbing up the hill, but cannot get to the top; Let then the man that feareth God study the improvement of his graces; Oh say, There is a greater measure and further degrees yet to be had, I am ashamed to see how short I come of what •ought to be; I stagger and reel through doubts and unbelief, My heart is divided between God and the creature; Oh how often is my heart even as cold as a stone: There are no burning affections, […] hot zeal, I see a better way; Oh that I could attain unto it.

And first In respect of their degrees and measure, The weak faith is to grow a strong faith, their strong faith a stronger, and thus of their love of God; Therefore love is required with all the soul and all the might;¹ Mat. 22. The duty of growth in grace is required of the highest Gyant as well as the lowest dwarf in grace, Phil 3. See how Paul stretcheth out himself to run as if he were but a new beginner; There is not in the growth of grace as in nature a term or stint, then they go no further; No, but as they say of the Crocodile he groweth as long as he liveth, and when he ceaseth to grow, he ceaseth to live; Thus it is in the work of grace, There is a necessity of growing while any Christian life is in thee; Thy grace may be made better and more confirmed grace; That man knoweth not what godlinesse is, that can say, Soul, take thy ease, thou hast godlinesse enough, No, they cry out, Their leannesse, their poverty, they are climbing up the hill, but cannot get to the top; Let then the man that feareth God study the improvement of his graces; Oh say, There is a greater measure and further degrees yet to be had, I am ashamed to see how short I come of what ought to be; I stagger and reel through doubts and unbelief, My heart is divided between God and the creature; Oh how often is my heart even as cold as a stone: There are no burning affections, hot zeal, I see a better way; Oh that I could attain unto it.