Do not conclude the measure of thy grace little,1 because thou hast but a little measure of gifts. Gifts are the issues of time and experience, and the fruits of studies advantaged by the strength of natural parts. A man may have a quick and pregnant invention, a profound judgement, a retentive memory, a clear elocution, and the like, and yet none of these things can be arguments of grace, but all are but natural endowments. Gifts may be high, and grace may be low: Thus it was with the Church of Corinth, they were enriched with utterance and knowledge, 2and they came behind other Churches in no gift; and yet the Apostle speaks of these very Corinthians, that they were very low in grace:3 for so he taxeth them, 1 Cor. 3 1. that they were not spiritual, but carnal men, Babes in Christ, that by reason of their envying, strife and divisions, they were carnal, and walked as men; thus the Church of Laodicea was rich, ⟨p. 51⟩and increased in gifts, and grew proud of it too,4 and yet for grace was poor, and naked, and blind, and miserable. It is with some Professors as it is with a well read Scholar, who having read many books of Geography and the Description of places, can discourse of them very well, but if he were to travel those countries, of which he hath so often read, he would soon be at a loss:— So gifts may carry men far from matter of discourse about Religion, but its only grace that enables a man to practice Religion. A child of God that hath but a little measure of gifts, may have for all that much grace. Of all the seven Churches of Asia, it is said of Philadelphia, 5that she had but a little strength that is but little strength of parts and gifts, and yet that Church was very eminent for grace; for she with as much, if not more faithfulness then the other Churches, did keep the word of Christs patience, and did not deny his name. 6Judge not therefore they grace by thy gifts. It is good to covet earnestly the best gifts, but the way of true grace (though but weak) is a more excellent way.
Do not conclude the measure of thy grace little,1 because thou hast but a little measure of gifts. Gifts are the issues of time and experience, and the fruits of studies advantaged by the strength of natural parts. A man may have a quick and pregnant invention, a profound judgement, a retentive memory, a clear elocution, and the like, and yet none of these things can be arguments of grace, but all are but natural endowments. Gifts may be high, and grace may be low: Thus it was with the Church of Corinth, they were inriched with utterance and knowledge, 2and they came behind other Churches in no gift; and yet the Apostle speaks of these very Corinthians, that they were very low in grace:3 for so he taxeth them, 1 Cor. 3 1. that they were not spiritual, but carnal men, Babes in Christ, that by reason of their envying, strife and divisions, they were carnal, and walked as men; thus the Church of Laodicea was rich, ⟨p. 51⟩and increased in gifts, and grew proud of it too,4 and yet for grace was poor, and naked, and blinde, and miserable. It is with some Professors as it is with a well read Schollar, who having read many books of Geography and the Description of places, can discourse of them very well, but if he were to travel those countries, of which he hath so often read, he would soon be at a loss:— So gifts may carry men far from matter of discourse about Religion, but its only grace that inables a man to practice Religion. A childe of God that hath but a little measure of gifts, may have for all that much grace. Of all the seven Churches of Asia, it is said of Philadelphia, 5that she had but a little strength that is but little strength of parts and gifts, and yet that Church was very eminent for grace; for she with as much, if not more faithfulness then the other Churches, did keep the word of Christs patience, and did not deny his name. 6Judge not therefore they grace by thy gifts. It is good to covet earnestly the best gifts, but the way of true grace (though but weak) is a more excellent way.
- 14. Caution.
- 21 Cor. 1. 5. & v. 7.
- 31 Cor. 3. 1, 3
- 4Rev. 3. 17.
- 5Rev. 3. 8.
- 61 Cor. 12. 31
