regard for the credit of the Gospel, and a compassionate longing after the conversion of sinners: and the design of this treatise is to concur with their endeavours for this purpose; and to stir up the pure minds of believers, "by way of remembrance;" in hopes that thus, they may be induced and directed to let their light shine" more abundantly "before "men; that they may see their good works, and glorify their Father who is in heaven* :" or in other words, "to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.-To him be glory, now and for ever.

66

Amen."

Matt. v. 16.

SECTION I.

The particulars, in which the true believer's growth in grace consists; as far as they are explicitly contained in St. Paul's prayer for the Philippians.

GROWTH implies the existence of all those things, in which an increase is experienced, perceived, or expected; so that the persons, for whom the subsequent discussion is especially intended, are supposed to possess, in some measure, all those graces of holy dispositions, in which a further growth is represented to be highly desirable and actually attainable. In considering the subject, it would not perhaps be found expedient to examine exclusively any single exhortation or prayer contained in the sacred writings; or to adhere to the method, which a strict regard to a system might impose. It is, however, proposed in this section to confine our attention to the prayer which St. Paul offered in behalf of the Philippians; except as other Scriptures will be adduced in proof or illustration of the several particulars, which thus pass under our consideration. In the subsequent part of the treatise some other subjects will be noticed, which seem requisite to complete the design, but are not conveniently reducible to any of the clauses of this comprehensive text*. I would

Phil. i. 9-11.

only further premise, that the prayers offered by the sacred writers, when under the immediate influence of the divine Spirit, are peculiarly suited to show us the real nature of that proficiency in genuine christianity, which their benevolent and zealous minds so ardently longed to behold in their beloved people, as above all things conducive to their true prosperity, and the glory of their God and Saviour. And in some respects they may perhaps be more adapted to produce conviction in every mind, than exhortations or precepts can be: because they convey the same instruction without giving so much offence, with less appearance of assuming authority, and with more conciliating demonstration of affection and good-will. 1. This," says the apostle, "I pray, that your "LOVE may abound yet more and more.' The holy Scriptures speak of love in the most exalted terms: "Love is of God: and every one that loveth is born "of God, and knoweth God: he that loveth not, "knoweth not God, for God is love. "He that "dwelleth in love, dwelleth in God, and God in "him." "Love is the fulfilling of the law." "The "end of the commandment," or of the revelation made by the Lord to sinful men, (agayysas,)" is "love, out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, "and of faith unfeigned*." "Nothing availeth in "Christ Jesus, but faith, which worketh by love."

And now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love." Faith alone, justifies the sinner, as forming his relation to Christ; and by faith alone the Christian receives all needful

1 Tim. i. 5.

grace from his fulness. Hope of eternal glory, grounded on the promises of God and sealed by the sanctification of the Holy Spirit, is the anchor of the soul, and the helmet of salvation: but LOVE is the substance of that holiness and felicity to which we are recovered through faith and hope. The scaffolding is indispensably necessary at the time: but when the edifice is completed, the scaffolding is taken down as an encumbrance. Thus faith will be lost in sight, and hope swallowed up in enjoyment, when love shall be brought to perfection; but love will remain for ever, the temper, the employment, and happiness of heaven itself.

Love is indeed that distinguishing essential of true religion,

"Which hypocrites could ne'er attain,

Which false apostates never knew ;"

for " every one that loveth is born of God." This declaration cannot mean that sinful men are in every sense incapable of love; but only that they cannot exercise that affection in a holy manner, according to the law of God. For love is the ruling passion of the soul, and gives the direction to all the rest: but in our present disordered state, it is become in capable of fixing on its proper objects, and is, therefore, prostituted to such as are worthless or abominable. An unholy heart cannot love holiness; "the “carnal mind is enmity against God," and cannot be subject to his holy law, or view with delight any object that bears his image. Some kind of gratitude may be felt or manifested by an unregenerate sinner, when his inclinations are gratified, wher