Sermons preached

1. It is a necessary fruit of inward Grace, and so doth plainly show that you are partakers of Heavenly Wisdom. James 3. 17. The Wisdom which is from above, is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of Mercy and good fruits. The carnal Worldling all his Wisdom is to grow rich to himself, which indeed is but Folly, Luke 12. 21. His business is to live to the Flesh, Gal. 6. 8. He layeth out all his Strength, Time, and Care, and Wealth for the feeding his own carnal Desires: but the other soweth to the Spirit, layeth out himself in works of Piety and Charity.

1. It is a necessary fruit of inward Grace, and so doth plainly shew that you are partakers of Heavenly Wisdom. Iames 3. 17. The Wisdom which is from above, is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of Mercy and good fruits. The carnal Worldling all his Wisdom is to grow rich to himself, which indeed is but Folly, Luke 12. 21. His business is to live to the Flesh, Gal. 6. 8. He layeth out all his Strength, Time, and Care, and Wealth for the feeding his own carnal Desires: but the other soweth to the Spirit, layeth out himself in works of Piety and Charity.

2. External Acts which flow from an Internal Principle, increase the Habit; the more you do good the more you are enabled to do good; as bodily Strength is increased by Exercise. Why is the right Hand more agile, stronger, and bigger than the left? it is oftener exercised, and so fuller of Blood and Spirits. So in Grace, the more you act Faith, the more is Faith increased. Love groweth more fervent being kept in a constant Exercise, and Hope more lively and affective. Always Actions increase the Principles which did produce them; partly of their own Nature.