A30242:509
The Scripture directory for church-officers and people, or, A practical commentary upon the whole…
The Scripture directory for church-officers and people, or, A practical commentary upon the whole third chapter of the first Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians to which is annexed The godly and the natural mans choice, upon Psal. 4, vers. 6, 7, 8 / by Anthony Burgess ...The Scripture directory for church-officers and people, or, A practical commentary upon the whole third chapter of the first Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians to which is annexed The godly and the natural mans choice, upon Psal. 4, vers. 6, 7, 8 / by Anthony Burgesse ...
London: printed by Abraham Miller for T.U., 1659
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.
Fourthly, God giveth increase, when he makes this rooted Word to grow. For as there is in Corn, first the blade, and then the ear; it comes to perfection by degrees. So it is here; the Word carrieth a man up by degrees towards Heaven; he is first a dwarf, then a giant; first a babe, then a man; first carnal, then spiritual. Oh! it's much, that thy profiting should no more appear! But we see, God, even when he hath planted a Vineyard, hedged it in, made the Clouds to drop on it, yet it may bring forth wild grapes, for grapes, Isa. 5.4. Oh! how angry is God with our Assemblies that doth not give this increase. The Church sadly complained, Why Gods anger did smoke against the Sheep of his Pasture, because of temporal desolation, Psal 74.1. But this is more terrible.
Fourthly, God giveth increase, when he makes this rooted Word to grow. For as there is in Corn, first the blade, and then the eare; it comes to perfection by degrees. So it is here; the Word carrieth a man up by degrees towards Heaven; he is first a dwarf, then a gyant; first a babe, then a man; first carnal, then spiritual. Oh! it's much, that thy profiting should no more appear! But we see, God, even when he hath planted a Vinyeard, hedged it in, made the Clouds to drop on it, yet it may bring forth wild grapes, for grapes, Isa. 5.4. Oh! how angry is God with our Assemblies that doth not give this increase. The Church sadly complained, Why Gods ang•r did smoak against the Sheep of his Pasture, because of temporal d•solation, Psal 74.1. But this is more terrible.
Now, this growth that God giveth, it may be either Intensive or Extensive▪ Intensive, so God giveth increase, when those graces, that are already planted in the soul, are made more lively and fervent. This may be called a particular personal Increase. Men are not only to enquire how God giveth increase in the general, but how in particular to their souls: Art thou made more believing, more holy, more humble then before? The Children of God do not with