A Practical Commentary on the Epistle of Jude

7l•, Growth in parts and gifts must heedfully be distinguished from growth in Grace: many may grow in parts, that go back in Grace, you can only discern a mere growth in parts and gifts by pride and self ends; knowledge puffeth up: 1 Cor. 8. 2. When men grow in abilities and grow more proud and carnal, 'tis a sad symptom.

7l•, Growth in parts and gifts must heedfully be distinguished from growth in Grace: many may grow in parts, that goe back in Grace, you can only discern a meer growth in parts and gifts by pride and self ends; knowledge puffeth up: 1 Cor. 8. 2. When men grow in abilities and grow more proud and carnall, 'tis a sad symptome.

8ly, The infallible signs of growth in Grace are three. When we grow more spiritual, more solid, more humble.

8ly, The infallible signes of growth in Grace are three. When we grow more spirituall, more solid, more humble.

1. More spiritual, the growth of wicked men is in spiritual wickedness less debauched, but more malicious; so will our growth in grace be discerned by our spirituality in our aims, when our ends are more elevated to Gods glory, &c. In our grounds and principles, as when we resist sin out of love to God: and as 'tis contrary to his purity and holiness, and when we are carried out against inward corruptions, such as the world doth not take notice off; not only against sins, but lusts and thoughts, for that argueth more light and more love, so when we regard the spirituality of duties, serving the Lord in the spirit: so when we relish the more spiritual part of the Word, plain and solid preaching, rather then such as is garish and full of the pomp of words,