which is never wanting to thofe, who SE RM. afk it with Faith, and employ it with II. Diligence. And now it only remains,

IV. and Laftly, THAT I confider, by what Means, by what Signs and Marks, we may best discover the Condition of our own Souls, and know affuredly whether we grow in Grace, or not,

Now thofe, who have treated on this Subject, have fet down many Rules to direct us how to discover our Growth and Proficiency in Grace; fuch as thefe, to examine whether our Hatred against Sin is increased? Whether we are more zealous and affectionate in our Devotions? Whether our Paffions are reduced into better Order? If we can fuffer the Word of Reproof more contentedly? Whether our Love to Religion increaseth daily? Whether we can bear Afflictions more patiently? And, grapple with Temptations more courageoufly? And many more fuch like; but all thefe I fhall pafs by, as being attended with very great Uncertainty, and apt to raise many Doubts in the Minds of well meaning and fincere, though weak Christians; and I fhall pitch upon one Mark, by which (if we will but be faithful to ourfelves) we may certainly come to the Knowledge of our Proficiency in Grace,

and

SERM. and whether we go forward or backII. ward in the Paths of Virtue and Holi

nefs: To know this, let us but fatisfy ourselves whether we yield a more ready, fincere, and univerfal Obedience to the Laws of God? Whether we perform our Duty with more Pleasure and Delight than formerly we have done? Whether we bear a greater Refpect to all God's Commands? And, if fo, then we may conclude for a Certainty, that we grow in Grace, and that our Souls are in a very fafe and flourishing Condition.

THIS is the Rule which our Saviour Chrift laid down, to try our Love to God by, If ye love me, fays he, keep my Commandments. If we try our Love to God, or our Growth in Grace by other Marks, we may eafily be mistaken; we may take the Form for the Power of Godliness, we may be very zealous in the devotional Parts of our Religion, and very remifs in the Practical; and therefore, the best Way to make our Judgment of our Growth in Grace, and that which is most plain and vifible, is, by confidering, whether our virtuous Habits grow ftronger, whether our Sobriety, Juftice, and Charity are more and more evident to ourselves, and others; if we are more defirous to

do

do all the Good we can; more ready to SERM. forgive Injuries; more inclined to love II. our Enemies; more exact and punctual in our Dealings; more confcientious in the Discharge of the Duties of our feveral Callings; more exactly fober and temperate in the Government of ourselves? These are fure and certain Signs by which we may fatisfy ourselves that we grow in Grace, and that we are acted by the Principles of a lively and vital Religion; he that doth Righteousness is righteous, faith St. 1 Joh. iii. John; but this must be understood of do- 7ing Righteousness habitually, not of any one Act of Righteoufnefs; for a wicked Man may do fome brave and heroic Acts, which may proceed from a Principle of Generofity; and yet neither Religion, nor Grace, may have the ruling and commanding Power in his Soul.

NOR muft we expect, that, even in good Men, every religious Act should exceed thofe they performed formerly; or, that our Proficiency in Grace fhould be fo speedy, that it may be difcerned in every Act, and measured by the fingle Inftances of our Duty; no, our Improvement in Goodness proceeds, by flow Steps and infenfible Degrees; like the Shade upon a Dial, it is always in Motion, but its Motion is not presently visible to the

Sense;

II.

SERM. Sense; nay, fometimes feems to go backward; a good Man has not, at all Times, the fame Difpofition of Mind, nor Temper of Body, nor can he be always equally intent upon the Performance of his Duty; and, therefore, the general Courfe and Tenor of a Man's Life is to be confidered, and we must take a more particular Account of our Improvement in those Graces which we have had Occafion to exercise ; and, if we do this carefully, and are but faithful to ourselves in the Enquiry, this will plainly discover to us the Condition of our own Souls; and we fhall evidently perceive whether we grow in Grace, or

not.

To conclude then, let us go on from one Degree of Grace to another: Let us improve in all Manner of Chriftian Virtues and Habits, and demonftrate, to ourfelves and others, the Reality of our Grace by the Growth of it; as the Fruitfulness of a Tree appears by fending forth more ftrong Boughs, and bringing forth more more fair and greater Plenty of good Fruit. Let us not, therefore, with the Fig-tree, in the Gofpel, fatisfy ourselves with producing Leaves, and making a bare Profeffion of Religion, but let us proceed to abound in every good Work, yea, more and more

to

to abound; growing every Day more piousSE RM. towards God, more careful in the Govern- II. ment of ourselves, and more charitable towards our Neighbour; confidering that he that doth not love his Neighbour, whom he hath feen, cannot love God whom he hath not feen; nor will he grow in Grace, and in the practical Knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ; to whom be Glory, both now and for ever. Amen.

SER