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莱尔主教holiness-第42章

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   place in his attention。 He will not bee 〃weary in well…doing〃
   because he does not see every effort succeed。 He will not care less for
   the progress of Christ's cause on earth as he grows older; though he
   will learn to expect less。 He will just work on; whatever the result
   may begiving; praying; preaching; speaking; visiting; according to
   his positionand count his work its own reward。 One of the surest
   marks of spiritual decline is a decreased interest about the souls of
   others and the growth of Christ's kingdom。 Would any one know whether
   he is growing in grace? Then let him look within for increased concern
   about the salvation of souls。

   Such are the most trustworthy marks of growth in grace。 Let us examine
   them carefully; and consider what we know about them。 I can well
   believe that they will not please some professing Christians in the
   present day。 Those high…flying religionists; whose only notion of
   Christianity is that of a state of perpetual joy and ecstasywho tell
   you that they have got far beyond the region of conflict and
   soul…humiliationsuch persons no doubt will regard the marks I have
   laid down as 〃legal;〃 〃carnal;〃 and 〃gendering to bondage。〃 I cannot
   help that。 I call no man master in these things。 I only wish my
   statements to be tried in the balance of Scripture。 And I firmly
   believe that what I have said is not only Scriptural; but agreeable to
   the experience of the most eminent saints in every age。 Show me a man
   in whom the six marks I have mentioned can be found。 He is the man who
   can give a satisfactory answer to the question; DO WE GROW?

   III。 The third and last thing I propose to consider is this:The means
   that must be used by those who desire to grow in grace。 The words of
   St。 James must never be forgotten: 〃Every good gift and every perfect
   gift is from above; and eth down from the Father of lights。〃 (James
   i。 17。) This is no doubt as true of growth in grace as it is of
   everything else。 It is the 〃gift of God。〃 But still it must always be
   kept in mind that God is pleased to work by means。 God has ordained
   means as well as ends。 He that would grow in grace must use the means
   of growth。 '16'

   This is a point; I fear; which is too much overlooked by believers。
   Many admire growth in grace in others; and wish that they themselves
   were like them。 But they seem to suppose that those who grow are what
   they are by some special gift or grant from God; and that as this gift
   is not bestowed on themselves they must be content to sit still。 This
   is a grievous delusion; and one against which I desire to testify with
   all my might。 I wish it to be distinctly understood that growth in
   grace is bound up with the use of means within the reach of all
   believers; and that; as a general rule; growing souls are what they are
   because they use these means。

   Let me ask the special attention of my readers while I try to set forth
   in order the means of growth。 Cast away for ever the vain thought that
   if a believer does not grow in grace it is not his fault。 Settle it in
   your mind that a believer; a man quickened by the Spirit; is not a mere
   dead creature; but a being or mighty capacities and responsibilities。
   Let the words of Solomon sink down into your heart: 〃The soul of the
   diligent shall be made fat。〃 (Prov。 xiii。 4。)

   (a) One thing essential to growth in grace is diligence in the use of
   private means of grace。 By these I understand such means as a man must
   use by himself alone; and no one can use for him。 I include under this
   head private prayer; private reading of the Scriptures; and private
   meditation and self…examination。 The man who does not take pains about
   these three things must never expect to grow。 Here are the roots of
   true Christianity。 Wrong here; a man is wrong all the way through! Here
   is the whole reason why many professing Christians never seem to get
   on。 They are careless and slovenly about their private prayers。 They
   read their Bibles but little; and with very little heartiness of
   spirit。 They give themselves no time for self…inquiry and quiet thought
   about the state of their souls。

   It is useless to conceal from ourselves that the age we live in is full
   of peculiar dangers。 It is an age of great activity; and of much hurry;
   bustle; and excitement in religion。 Many are 〃running to and fro;〃 no
   doubt; and 〃knowledge is increased。〃 (Dan。 xii。 4。) Thousands are ready
   enough for public meetings; sermon…hearing; or anything else in which
   there is 〃sensation。〃 Few appear to remember the absolute necessity of
   making time to 〃mune with our hearts; and be still。〃 (Psalm iv。 4。)
   But without this there is seldom any deep spiritual prosperity。 I
   suspect that English Christians two hundred years ago read their Bibles
   more; and were more frequently alone with God; than they are in the
   present day。 Let us remember this point! Private religion must receive
   our first attention; if we wish our souls to grow。

   (b) Another thing which is essential to growth in grace is carefulness
   in the use of public means of grace。 By these I understand such means
   as a man has within his reach as a member of Christ's visible Church。
   Under this head I include the ordinances of regular Sunday worship; the
   uniting with God's people in mon prayer and praise; the preaching of
   the Word; and the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper。 I firmly believe that
   the manner in which these public means of grace are used has much to
   say to the prosperity of a believer's soul。 It is easy to use them in a
   cold and heartless way。 The very familiarity of them is apt to make us
   careless。 The regular return of the same voice; and the same kind of
   words; and the same ceremonies; is likely to make us sleepy; and
   callous; and unfeeling。 Here is a snare into which too many professing
   Christians fall。 If we would grow we must be on our guard here。 Here is
   a matter in which the Spirit is often grieved and saints take great
   damage。 Let us strive to use the old prayers; and sing the old hymns;
   and kneel at the old munion…rail; and hear the old truths preached;
   with as much freshness and appetite as in the year we first believed。
   It is a sign of bad health when a person loses relish for his food; and
   it is a sign of spiritual decline when we lose our appetite for means
   of grace。 Whatever we do about public means; let us always do it 〃with
   our might。〃 (Eccles。 ix。 10。) This is the way to grow!

   (c) Another thing essential to growth in grace is watchfulness over our
   conduct in the little matters of everyday life。 Our tempers; our
   tongues; the discharge of our several relations of life; our employ
   ment of timeeach and all must be vigilantly attended to if we wish
   our souls to prosper。 Life is made up of days; and days of hours; and
   the little things of every hour are never so little as to be beneath
   the care of a Christian。 When a tree begins to decay at root or heart;
   the mischie
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