4 Chràftians Growth. 5x ftians grow like new inttruments ; they have more varnifh then old, but not fo fweet a found. Yea, often thedecr'eafing ofthofe fuperaddedgraces are a means ofthe encreafe ofthe other:want of feeling caufethmore exercife offaith, as taking awaybladders exercife a man to fwim : One that hathbladders, and the ftrcam with him, feemes to fwim as well and as fait as one that bath learned long, and hath more skill and ftrength, but wanteth thefe, and fwims againft the ftream, yet not fo fall. Spirituali withdrawings caufe more humility, more cleaving to God. A man, as the Leper cleanfed, haply at the fiat leaps more, but goes as fait afterward. Fifthly,it is not increafing in outward profeffîng,and a feeming forward, but efpecially in inward and fub[tantiall godline[fe the other is but as increafing in leaves ; but in growth, there mull be a bringing forthmorefruit. When the root ftrikes not deeper downward, and farther into the earth, but fpreads much up- ward in the branches; this is not a true growth; though look where there is more rooting, therewill be more fpreading alto above ground. Growth, it lies not in this, That men Jhould thinke ofme above ghat Iam indeed, 2 Cor. i 2. 6. Many at fiat grow into fogreat a profeffion, as they cannot fill up, andgrow up to all their dayes ; make bigger cloathes then they cangrow to fill : As they fay ofElephants, that the skinne is as big at firft, as ever after, and all their life time their fle(h growes but up to fill their skinne up. Truegrowthbegins at the vitalls, the heart, the liver, thebloud gets foundneffe and vigour, and fo the whole man outwardly 3 this heart Godlineffe is the thing you mutt judge by. And yet fixtly, even in inward affeaions many be deceived : even there the party for Chrift in appearance may be greater then in truth. So often in a young Chriftian, there is a greater army ofaffeaions muttered, but moft of them but mercenaries :. his affetlions are then larger, his joyesgreater, his forrowes vio- lenter then afterwards : More of his heart joynes in duties at firft ; but afterwards , though leffe , yet more fpiritually and truly. The objeFts being then new, draw all after them ; not onely Spirit, or that new principle of grace is furred then, but fleIh alfo. The unregeneratepart becomes a Temporary Beleever for S. 6.
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