A49244:531
Grace: the truth and growth and different degrees thereof. The sum and substance of…Grace: the truth and growth and different degrees thereof. The summe and substance of…
Grace: the truth and growth and different degrees thereof. The sum and substance of XV. sermons. Preached by that faithful and painful servant of Jesus Christ, Mr. Christopher Love, late minister of Lawrence Jury, London. They being his last sermons. To which is added a funeral sermon, being the very last sermon he ever preached.Grace: the truth and growth and different degrees thereof. The summe and substance of XV. sermons. Preached by that faithful and painful servant of Jesus Christ, Mr. Christopher Love, late minister of Lawrence Jury, London. They being his last sermons. To which is added a funerall sermon, being the very last sermon he ever preached.
London: printed by E.G. for J. Rothwell, 1652
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Sermon 13: XIII. Sermon at Lawrence Jury London. April 20. 1651.
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. Use of this doctrine is unto strong believers, such as have attained unto a higher ⟨p. 162⟩form of grace in the school of Christ.
2. Vse of this doctrine is unto strong believers, such as have attained unto a higher ⟨p. 162⟩forme of grace in the school of Christ.
2. Though you are strong in grace, yet remember it is not the grace of God in you, but the free grace of God towards you, by which you are justified. It is not our inherent righteousness, but the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ that is our Justification. Oh consider, you that have most grace, what would become of you were it not for free grace? Free grace is the surest and only refuge for a soul to fly unto. God can find matter of condemnation against you not only for your worst sins, but your best duties. The best Christian hath no reason to venture his soul on the best thought that ever he conceived, nor on the most holy duty that ever he performed, nor on the highest grace that ever he exercised. A famous instance hereof we have in Nehemiah, who had much grace, and did much for God, his people, his house, his cause, yet prays after all this,1 Spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy. Intimating that God might find therein matter enough to ruin him, if God did not spare him for his mercies sake. So Paul in the discharge of his Ministry, proceeded with so much uprightness, that he speaks thus of himself,2 I know nothing by my self, yet am I not hereby justified. He knew that all the grace and excellency, and uprightness in him would not make him righteous in the sight of God.3 We read of Jehoshaphat, that when he had mustered up