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

Fifthly, The people of God may grow by exciting and stirring up others to grow;¹ And indeed it's a special means to quicken our selves by quickening up others, 2 Thes. 1.3. They are commended in that their faith did grow exceedingly, which was not only true in the parts of their faith, but that also it did diffuse it self to others; They brought on many others also to believe, Eph. 2.21. The godly are said to grow up to an holy Temple, that implieth, they do not only grow singly in themselves but in an united manner; As live coals laid together grow hotter by one another, so that this growth of grace respects the Church of God as a community, as a Society, grace groweth by heavenly and holy communion; As the members of the body grow by a mutual assistance and a member separated from the body cannot grow, so it's here; There is no such admirable speedy way of growth as when the people of God speak often and exhort one another, when they provoke one another, and certainly herein lieth a ⟨p. 190⟩great fault; The sheep of God are scattered from one another what by difference of opinions, and what by carnal suspicions, that thereby they cannot say, I have been an helper to such a mans faith, to such a mans repentance; Thy tongue hath not been a Tree of life, as it should be; Thy light did not so shine, that others might glorify God for thee; Oh then let the people of God put themselves on this way of growth.

Fifthly, The people of God may grow by exciting and stirring up others to grow;¹ And indeed it's a special means to quicken our selves by quickning up others, 2 Thes. 1.3. They are commended in that their faith did grow exceedingly, which was not only true in the parts of their faith, but that also it did diffuse it self to others; They brought on many others also to beleeve, Eph. 2.21. The godly are said to grow up to an holy Temple, that implieth, they do not only grow singly in themselves but in an united manner; As live coals laid together grow hotter by one another, so that this growth of grace respects the Church of God as a community, as a Society, grace groweth by heavenly and holy communion; As the members of the body grow by a mutual assistance and a member separated from the body cannot grow, so it's here; There is no such admirable speedy way of growth as when the people of God speak often and exhort one another, when they provoke one another, and certainly herein lieth a