Thirdly, For Conclusion of all, take this as a Rule, Those Christians that do most converse with Jesus Christ in the blessed way of the Gospel, those will increase most in Grace, and they have this by way of Sanctification: I will give you but only that one Scripture, in way of allusion to apply it to this, in Acts, 4 13. Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled, and they took knowledge of them that they had been with Jesus. Peter and John, had much boldness, they had strength of Grace, they had much boldness notwithstanding all their opposition. But how came they by it, they were unlearned men, ignorant men, poor weak men in regard of their naturals, and yet they had got abundance of Grace, so as to make their profession of Christ with boldness, notwithstanding all the rage of their potent adversaries, and the people wondered how they could get such strength as they had, but saith the text, they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. It was that that did so raise their spirits, it was that quickened them, and enlarged their Hearts so much with Grace that they had been with Jesus, that they had conversed boldly with Christ. Now I would apply this in a spiritual sense, that as Peter and John did grow to that height and strength of Grace by conversing bodily with Christ, much more may Christians grow to a height, strength and fullness of Grace by much converse with ⟨p. 347⟩Jesus Christ. Converse with Christ in a way of Faith, and that will mightily enlarge thy Heart in Grace. And the truth is, when you see any Christian, that perhaps his natural parts may be but weak, but yet you see him grow in Grace mightily, he hath a mighty large Heart for God, and hath much spirit in prayer, and his conversation is very holy and convincing, you may conclude this man and this woman to have been with Jesus Christ, that is, conversed much with Jesus Christ. Would you know whence it is that you see many poor Christians not long since, how they have grown in holiness, and you think they have got a great deal more than you have got, they can depend upon God more, and can rejoice in tribulation more, and they have more spiritualness, and more Savour in their conversation, and find a great deal more sweetness in the ways of God than you, whence is it?
Thirdly, For Conclusion of all, take this as a Rule, Those Christians that do most converse with Jesus Christ in the blessed way of the Gospel, those will increase most in Grace, and they have this by way of Sanctification: I wil give you but only that one Scripture, in way of allusion to apply it to this, in Acts, 4 13. Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled, and they took knowledg of them that they had been with Jesus. Peter and John, had much boldness, they had strength of Grace, they had much boldness notwithstanding all their opposition. But how came they by it, they were unlearned men, ignorant men, poor weak men in regard of their naturals, and yet they had got aboundance of Grace, so as to make their profession of Christ with boldness, notwithstanding all the rage of their potent adversaries, and the people wondred how they could get such strength as they had, but saith the text, they took knowledg of them, that they had been with Jesus. It was that that did so raise their spirits, it was that quickned them, and inlarged their Hearts so much with Grace that they had been with Jesus, that they had conversed boldly with Christ. Now I would apply this in a spiritual sence, that as Peter and John did grow to that height and strength of Grace by conversing bodily with Christ, much more may Christians grow to a height, strength and fulness of Grace by much converse with ⟨p. 347⟩Jesus Christ. Converse with Christ in a way of Faith, and that will mightily enlarge thy Heart in Grace. And the truth is, when you see any Christian, that perhaps his natural parts may be but weak, but yet you see him grow in Grace mightily, he hath a mighty large Heart for God, and hath much spirit in prayer, and his conversation is very holy and convincing, you may conclude this man and this woman to have been with Jesus Christ, that is, converst much with Jesus Christ. Would you know whence it is that you see many poor Christians not long since, how they have grown in holiness, and you think they have got a great deal more than you have got, they can depend upon God more, and can rejoyce in tribulation more, and they have more spiritualness, and more Savor in their conversation, and find a great deal more sweetness in the waies of God than you, whence is it?
