A30241:869
CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St.…
CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St. John, or, Christs prayer before his passion explicated, and both practically and polemically improved by Anthony Burgess ...
London: printed by Abraham Miller for Thomas Underhill, 1656
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Sermon 34: Of Growth in Grace, The Duty, Necessity, and Glory of it.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
2. The end of the Ministry to the godly is for their growth and increase, Eph. ⟨p. 191⟩4.15. 1 Pet. 2.2. Alas, we preach not to thee for thy conversion, we come not to persuade thee to come out of Egypt, that is done already; Now then consider why hath God appointed a Ministry and daily preaching, and that even to the godly as well as others; Is it not to increase thy spiritual life and heat? Is it not to be a goad in thy side to prick thee forward; You cannot give a good account of any Sermon unless it hath made thee grow; Every Sabbath day will be a dreadful witness against thee unless it make thee grow; Thy work is not to have grace but to grow in it, and for this end we preach, and you hear.
2. The end of the Ministry to the godly is for their growth and encrease, Eph. ⟨p. 191⟩4.15. 1 Pet. 2.2. Alas, we preach not to thee for thy conversion, we come not to perswade thee to come out of Egipt, that is done already; Now then consider why hath God appointed a Ministry and daily preaching, and that even to the godly as well as others; Is it not to encrease thy spiritual life and heat? Is it not to be a goad in thy side to prick thee forward; You cannot give a good account of any Sermon unlesse it hath made thee grow; Every Sabbath day will be a dreadful witnesse against thee unlesse it make thee grow; Thy work is not to have grace but to grow in it, and for this end we preach, and you hear.