A Practical Commentary on the Epistle of Jude

Secondly, In the growing of Saints there is much difference, all the plants in Christs garden are not of a like height and stature, some that are more publicly useful have they five talents, others but two; some thrive more and grow of a sudden, 2 Thess. 1. 3. Your faith grew exceedingly, others are weak and slow, and yet they are fruitful: We all grow according to the measure of a part, Eph. 4. That is, according to the rate of that part which we sustain in the body, a finger groweth not to the quantity of an arm, they all grow, but the growth of all is not equal.

Secondly, In the growing of Saints there is much difference, all the plants in Christs garden are not of a like heighth and stature, some that are more publickly usefull have theiy five talents, others but two; some thrive more and grow of a sudden, 2 Thess. 1. 3. Your faith grew exceedingly, others are weak and slow, and yet they are fruitfull: We all grow according to the measure of a part, Eph. 4. That is, according to the rate of that part which we sustain in the body, a finger groweth not to the quantitie of an arm, they all grow, but the growth of all is not equall.

Thirdly, Growth in grace is always accompanied with growth in knowledge, 2 Pet. 3. 18. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, &c. Plants that grow out of the Sun send up a longer stalk, but the fruit is worse: some Christians pitch all their care upon the growth of love, and take no pains to grow in knowledge; but this is not right, we should always follow on to know the Lord, Hosea 6. 3. We read that Christ grew in knowledge, we do not read that he grew in grace: Gods choicest saints are always bettering their notions of God; Moses his first request was Tell me thy name,