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莱尔主教holiness-第41章

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   principle within him; and it is a solemn duty not to quench it。 Neglect
   of growth robs him of privileges; grieves the Spirit; and makes the
   chariot wheels of his soul move heavily。 Whose fault is it; I should
   like to know; if a believer does not grow in grace? The fault; I am
   sure; cannot be laid on God。 He delights to 〃give more grace;〃 He 〃hath
   pleasure in the prosperity of His servants。〃 (James iv。 6; Psa。 xxxv。
   27。) The fault; no doubt; is our own。 We ourselves are to blame; and
   none else; if we do not grow。

   II。 The second point I propose to establish is this: There are marks by
   which growth in grace may be known。

   Let me take it for granted that we do not question the reality of
   growth in grace and its vast importance。So far so good。 But you now
   want to know how any one may find out whether he is growing in grace or
   not? I answer that question; in the first place; y observing that we
   are very poor judges of our own condition; and that bystanders often
   know us better than we know ourselves。 But I answer further; that there
   are undoubtedly certain great marks and signs of growth in grace; and
   that wherever you see these marks you see a 〃growing〃 soul。 I will now
   proceed to place some of these marks before you in order。

   (a) One mark of 〃growth in grace〃 is increased humility。 The man whose
   soul is 〃growing;〃 feels his own sinfulness and unworthiness more every
   year。 He is ready to say with Job; 〃I am vile;〃and with Abraham; I am
   〃dust and ashes;〃and with Jacob; 〃I am not worthy of the least of all
   Thy mercies;and with David; 〃I am a worm;〃and with Isaiah; 〃I am a
   man of unclean lips;〃and with Peter; 〃I am a sinful man; O Lord。〃 Job
   xl。 4; Gen。 xviii。 27; xxxii。 10; Ps。 xxii。 6; Isa。 vi。 5; Luke v。 8。)
   The nearer he draws to God; and the more he sees of God's holiness and
   perfection; the more thoroughly is he sensible of his own countless
   imperfections。 The further he journeys in the way to heaven; the more
   he understands what St。 Paul means when he says; 〃I am not already
   perfect;〃〃I am not meet to be called an Apostle;〃〃I am less than
   the least of all saints;〃〃I am chief of sinners。〃 (Phil。 iii。 12; 1
   Cor。 xv。 9; Ephes。 iii。 8; 1 Tim。 i。 15。) The riper he is for glory;
   the more; like the ripe corn; he hangs down his head。 The brighter and
   clearer is his light; the more he sees of the shortings and
   infirmities of his own heart。 When first converted; he would tell you
   he saw but little of them pared to what he sees now。 Would anyone
   know whether he is growing in grace? Be sure that you look within for
   increased humility。 '13'

   (b) Another mark of 〃growth in grace〃 is increased faith and love
   towards our Lord Jesus Christ。 The man whose soul is 〃growing;〃 finds
   more in Christ to rest upon every year; and rejoices more that he has
   such a Saviour。 No doubt he saw much in Him when first he believed。 His
   faith laid hold on the atonement of Christ and gave him hope。But as
   he grows in grace he sees a thousand things in Christ of which at first
   he never dreamed。 His love and powerHis heart and His intentionsHis
   offices as Substitute; Intercessor; Priest; Advocate; Physician;
   Shepherd; and Friend; unfold themselves to a growing soul in an
   unspeakable manner。 In short; he discovers a suitableness in Christ to
   the wants of his soul; of which the half was once not known to him。
   Would anyone know if he is growing in grace? Then let him look within
   for increased knowledge of Christ。

   (c) Another mark of 〃growth in grace〃 is increased holiness of life and
   conversation。 The man whose soul is 〃growing〃 gets more dominion over
   sin; the world; and the devil every year。 He bees more careful about
   his temper; his words; and his actions。 He is more watchful over his
   conduct in every relation of life。 He strives more to be conformed to
   the image of Christ in all things; and to follow Him as his example; as
   well as to trust in Him as his Saviour。 He is not content with old
   attainments and former grace。 He forgets the things that are behind and
   reaches forth unto those things which are before; making 〃Higher!〃
   〃Upward!〃 〃Forward!〃 〃Onward!〃 his continual motto。 (Phil。 iii。 13。) On
   earth he thirsts and longs to have a will more entirely in unison with
   God's will。 In heaven the chief thing that he looks for; next to the
   presence of Christ; is plete separation from all sin。 Would anyone
   know if he is growing in grace? Then let him look within for increased
   holiness。 '14'

   (d) Another mark of 〃growth in grace〃 is increased spirituality of
   taste and mind。 The man whose soul is 〃growing〃 takes more interest in
   spiritual things every year。 He does not neglect his duty in the world。
   He discharges faithfully; diligently; and conscientiously every
   relation of life; whether at home or abroad。 But the things he loves
   best are spiritual things。 The ways; and fashions; and amusements; and
   recreations of the world have a continually decreasing place in his
   heart。 He does not condemn them as down right sinful; nor say that
   those who have anything to do with them are going to hell。 He only
   feels that they have a constantly diminishing hold on his own
   affections; and gradually seem smaller and more trifling in his eyes。
   Spiritual panions; spiritual occupations; spiritual conversation;
   appear of ever…increasing value to him。 Would anyone know if he is
   growing in grace? Then let him look within for increasing spirituality
   of taste。 '15'

   (e) Another mark of 〃growth in grace〃 is increase of charity。 The man
   whose soul is 〃growing〃 is more full of love every yearof love to all
   men; but especially of love towards the brethren。 His love will show
   itself actively in a growing disposition to do kindnesses; to take
   trouble for others; to be good…natured to everybody; to be generous;
   sympathizing; thoughtful; tender…hearted; and considerate。 It will show
   itself passively in a growing disposition to be meek and patient toward
   all men; to put up with provocation and not stand upon rights; to bear
   and forbear much rather than quarrel。 A growing soul will try to put
   the best construction on other people's conduct; and to believe all
   things and hope all things; even to the end。 There is no surer mark of
   backsliding and falling off in grace than an increasing disposition to
   find fault; pick holes; and see weak points in others。 Would any one
   know if he is growing in grace? Then let him look within for increasing
   charity。

   (f) One more mark of 〃growth in grace〃 is increased zeal and diligence
   in trying to do good to souls。 The man who is really 〃growing〃 will
   take greater interest in the salvation of sinners every year。 Missions
   at home and abroad; efforts to increase religious light and diminish
   religious darknessall these things will every year have a greater
   place in his attention。 He will not bee 〃weary in well…doing〃
   because he does not see every effort succeed。 He w
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