But grow in grace
In the gifts of grace, which, under a divine blessing, may be
increased by using them: gifts neglected decrease, but stirred up
and used, are improved and increase. And though men are to be
thankful for their gifts, and be contented with them, yet they
may lawfully desire more, and in the use of means seek an
increase of them, which may be a means of preserving themselves,
and others, from the error of the wicked. Moreover, by "grace"
may be meant internal grace. The work of grace is gradual; it is
like a grain of mustard seed, or like seed cast into the earth,
which springs up, it is not known how, first the blade, then the
ear, then the full corn in the ear; saints are first babes, and
from children they grow to young men, and from young men to
fathers. There is such a thing as growth in grace, in this sense;
every grace, as to its act and exercise, is capable of growing
and increasing; faith may grow exceedingly, hope abound, love
increase, and patience have its perfect work, and saints may grow
more humble, holy, and self-denying: this is indeed God's work,
to cause them to grow, and it is owing to his grace; yet saint,
should show a concern for this, and make use of means which God
owns and blesses for this purpose, such as prayer, attending on
the word, and looking over the promises of God, for an increase
of faith; recollecting past experiences, and looking to the death
and resurrection of Christ for the encouragement of hope, and to
the love of God and Christ, for the stirring up of love to both,
and to the saints; considering the sufferings of Christ, the
desert of sin, and the glories of another world, to promote
patience and self-denial, and the pattern of Christ, to excite to
humility; though "grace" may also intend the Gospel, the
knowledge of which is imperfect, and may be increased in the use
of means, and which is a special preservative against error, a
growth in which saints should be concerned for:
and [in] the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus
Christ;
of his person, office, and grace, than which nothing is more
valuable, and is to be preferred to everything; it is the
principal thing in grace, and is the beginning and pledge of
eternal life, and will issue in it; for an increase of which, and
a growth in it, the word and ordinances are designed; and nothing
can be a greater security against error than an experimental
growing knowledge of Christ. The Syriac version adds, "and of God
the Father"; and so some copies read:
to him [be] glory, both now, and for ever;
or "to the day of eternity"; that is, to Christ, who is truly
God, or otherwise such a doxology would not belong to him, be
ascribed the glory of deity, of all divine perfections; the glory
of all his offices and work as Mediator; the glory of man's
salvation; and the glory of all that grace, and the growth of it,
together with the knowledge of himself, which saints have from
him; and that both in this world, and that which is to come.
Amen;
so be it.