Secondly,1 our bringing forth more fruit, it is not to be measured simply by our success towards others in the exercise of those gifts (though that be called fruit also: so Jer. 17. 10. they are called the fruit of our doings: there are our doings, and the fruits of our doings; that is, the success which our examples, or gifts, or graces, have upon others; and so the conversion of the souls of men by the Apostles is called by Christ their fruit, John 15. 16.) yet simply by this we are not to reckon our growth: for in success ⟨p. 49⟩towards others in the exercise of those gifts (though that be called fruit also: so Jer. 17. 10. they are called the fruit of our doing: there are our doings, and the fruits of our doings; that is, the success which our examples or gifts, or graces, have upon others; and so the conversion of the souls of men by the Apostle is called by Christ their fruit, John 15. 16.) yet simply by this we are not to reckon our growth: for in success and exercise of gifts, a man may decrease when he grows older, and so see less fruit of his labours them formerly, or haply he may be laid aside; so says the Baptist of himself, I must decrease, John 3. 30. John, when Christ came to preach, had less comings in: And in this respect, old Christians, and ancient Ministers, may decrease, and young ones increase, and yet they decay not in grace; for there are Gods works in us, and Gods works with us: Now Gods work with us in doing good to others, may be less, when yet his works in us may be more: for as there are diversities of gifts, so of operations, 1 Cor. 12. The holy Ghost may use one of less grace to do more good then one of more, though herein this caution is to be added, that he delights usually to honour those of most sincerity, with most success; as in that eminent Apostle, Paul, the grace of God was more in him, and so wrought more with him in doing much good to others, 1 Cor. 15. 10. and God also will reward according to the fruit of our doings, as Jer. 17. 10. when our desires are enlarged to do much good, and we intended and aimed to do that good which is done: there it is added there, in that Jer. 17. Whose heart thou knowest. When he sees the heart clearly enlarged to do much good, then the fruit that is done is reckoned him as his;
Secondly,1 our bringing forth more fruit, it is not to be measured simply by our successe towards others in the exercise of those gifts (though that be called fruit also: so Jer. 17. 10. they are called the fruit of our doings: there are our doings, and the fruits of our doings; that is, the successe which our examples, or gifts, or graces, have upon others; and so the conversion of the souls of men by the Apostles is called by Christ their fruit, John 15. 16.) yet simply by this we are not to reckon our growth: for in successe ⟨p. 49⟩towards others in the exercise of those gifts (though that be called fruit also: so Jer. 17. 10. they are called the fruit of our doing: there are our doings, and the fruits of our doings; that is, the successe which our examples or gifts, or graces, have upon others; and so the conversion of the souls of men by the Apostle is called by Christ their fruit, John 15. 16.) yet simply by this we are not to reckon our growth: for in successe and exercise of gifts, a man may decrease when he growes older, and so see lesse fruit of his labours them formerly, or haply he may be laid aside; so sayes the Baptist of himself, I must decrease, John 3. 30. John, when Christ came to preach, had lesse commings in: And in this respect, old Christians, and ancient Ministers, may decrease, and young ones increase, and yet they decay not in grace; for there are Gods workes in us, and Gods workes with us: Now Gods work with us in doing good to others, may be lesse, when yet his workes in us may be more: for as there are diversities of gifts, so of operations, 1 Cor. 12. The holy Ghost may use one of lesse grace to doe more good then one of more, though herein this caution is to be added, that he delights usually to honour those of most sincerity, with most successe; as in that eminent Apostle, Paul, the grace of God was more in him, and so wrought more with him in doing much good to others, 1 Cor. 15. 10. and God also will reward according to the fruit of our doings, as
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