Part I
PART I.
OF GROWTH IN BRINGING FORTH MORE FRUIT.
reasons, ....... 457 Reason 1. From Christ s relations to us as a head, and we his members ; and herein
CHAPTER I.
That all true branches in Christ do grow, proved by Scriptures and
(1.) From our conformity to him, . . . 458
cally considered one with us, ... 459 Reason 2. From God the Father ; who
(2.) From his having received all fulness to fill us,
. 458
(3.) From our growth making up his fulness, as he is mysti
Hath appointed every one their measure, . . 459
2.) Hath promised it, . . . . .459
(3.) Hath appointed means for it, . . .459 Reason 3. From the saints themselves, who cannot be saved un
SI.)
less they grow, . . . . . .460
CHAPTER II. An explication how the saints do grow, . . . .461 Many considerations to satisfy the tentations of those that discern not their growth, . . . . . . .461
I. More general, shewing what sort of Christians this tentation doth
usually befall, . . . . . .461
II. More particular ; as
1. That growing in grace is a mystery rather to be apprehended by faith than by sense, . . . . .462
2. The eager desire which many have to grow and attain to more
grace hinders them from discerning their growth, . 462
3. The progress is not in many so discernible as the change at their first conversion is, or as their first growth,
. . 462 The reasons of it, . . . . . .462
4. To discern of growth there must be time allowed, . . 463
5. There are several ways by which men are brought to that mea sure appointed them, in which some have the advantage of others
(1.) Some have a greater stock of grace given them at first;
which is done in two cases
[1.1 When there is a present use of them, . 463
[2.] When a man is converted late, . . 463
(2.) In the manner of growing, God puts much difference
[1.] Some grow without intermission, . . 463
fJWiiic glUVY YV11/JJ.UU.I; liiLClllIiiJOiUIl, . . ^bUO
2.J Some God sooner ripens for heaven, . . 463
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THE TRIAL OF A CHRISTIANS GROWTH. xxi
CHAPTER III. PAGE What it is to bring forth more fruit explicated
I. Negatively, by removing many mistakes, . . . 464
1. It is not to grow only or chiefly in gifts, as abilities to pray and
. . . 464 Three cautions herein,
preach, or in knowledge, but in graces,
. . . . .464
2. Our bringing forth more fruit is not to be measured by the success of our gifts, the fruits of our doings, but by the doings themselves, ...... 465
3. It is not simply to be estimated by the largeness or small ness of our opportunities of doing good, (which may vary,) but by a heart to do good, ...... 466
4. It is not always to be measured by accessory graces, as joy,
spiritual ravishments, &c., . . . .466
5. It is not to be measured by increasing in profession, and
seeming forwardness, but by inward and substantial godliness, 466
6. How in the largeness of the affections to do good there may be a decrease ; and how young Christians may have more large
affections, which yet are not so genuine and spiritual, . 467
7. We must not measure our growth by our growing in some kind or sort of duties, but in the universal extent of godliness, and in duties both of our general and particular callings,
. 467 How young Christians abound more often in holy duties for a time, and the necessity of this for their condition, . 468