The Communicant's Companion (continued)
From the fulness that is in Jesus Christ, in whom "it pleased the Father that all fulness should dwell," we are here waiting to receive grace for grace, that is "abundance of grace, and of the gift of righteousness." Where there is true grace, there is need of more for the best are sanctified but in part; and there is a desire of more, forgetting the things which are behind, and reaching forth to those which are before, pressing towards perfection; and there is a promise of more, for to him that hath shall be given; and "he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger." Therefore, in a sense of our own necessities, and a dependence on God's promises, we must by faith receive and apply to ourselves the grace offered us. "What things soever we desire," according to the will of God, "if we believe that we receive them," our Savior has told us, "we shall have them." "According to thy faith, be it unto thee."
Reach forth a hand of faith, therefore, and receive the promised grace, both for the confirming of gracious habits, and for the quickening of gracious acts.
1. Let us here receive grace for the confirming of gracious habits, that they may be more deeply rooted., We are conscious to ourselves of great weakness in grace: it is like a grain of mustard seed, as a bruised reed, and smoking flax;—we are weak in our knowledge, and apt to mistake; weak in our affections, and apt to cool; weak in our resolutions, and apt to waver.
How weak is my heart!' But here is bread that strengthens man's heart, signifying that grace of God, which confirms the principles, and invigorates the powers of the spiritual and divine life in the souls of the faithful. Come, my soul, come eat of this bread, and it shall strengthen thee: though perhaps thou mayest not be immediately sensible of this strength received; the improvement of habits is not suddenly discerned; yet, through this grace,