A continuation of the exposition of the Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the…

But so it is, some God will have as Pillars in his House, and some are but as bruised Reeds. And every ones Duty it is for himself, in his place and ⟨p. 132⟩Condition, to comply with the will of God herein. First, Let not the weak, the feeble of the Flock, those who either really are so, or in their own apprehensions, complain or faint. For (1.) There is no Man in the world that hath so little Grace, who hath any, but he hath more than he ever deserved; as none hath so much, as that any Dram of it is of his own earning. And as he who hath nothing but what he hath freely received, hath nothing to boast of; so he who hath that which he never deserved, hath no Reason to complain. (2.) It is the Pleasure of God it should be so. If it be his will to keep us Spiritually Poor, so we are thereby kept Humble, we shall be no losers. I say not this, as though any one who hath but a little Grace, or apprehends himself to have so, should on the Pretence that such is the will of God concerning him and his Condition, neglect the most earnest Endeavour after more, which would be a shrewd Evidence that he hath none at all; but that those who in a diligent Use of means for Growth and Improvement, cannot yet arrive unto such an Increase, such an addition of one Grace unto another, as their profiting may be manifest, which falls out on several Occasions, may find Relief in the Sovereign pleasure of God to keep them in their low Condition. (3.) They may do well to consider, that indeed there is a great deal of Glory in the least of true Grace. Though there be not so much as in more Grace, yet there is more than in all things under the Sun besides. No Man hath so little Grace, who hath any, as that he is ever able to set a sufficient price upon it, or to be thankful enough for it. (4.) There is indeed so much spoken in the Scripture concerning the Love, Care, Compassion, and Tenderness of our Lord Jesus Christ, towards the Weak, the Sick, the Diseased of his Flock, that on some Accounts the state of those Humble Souls who have yet received but little Grace seems to be most safe and desirable, Isa. 40. 11. Let not such therefore complain, it is God alone who is the Author of this difference between them and others. And on the same Grounds, (Secondly) Those who are strong, who have much Grace, ought not, (1.) To boast, or be lifted up.