do not perceive in themselves any spiritual growth. It should therefore be remembered that there is real growth in grace where it is not perceived. We should judge of it, not by what we experience of it in ourselves, but by the word. It is a subject for faith to be exercised on. The seasons of spiritual growth are seasons of soul distrefs, when we are in heavinefs through manifold temptations, and when we feel and mourn most on account of a body of sin. It is common for us to think, that when we enjoy most of God in a manifestative way, then we thrive most. No. When we are favoured with the clear sunshine of divine favour our spiritual graces and fruits are ripened; but they thrive and grow most, when we are in our own views in the lowest cases and frames. Spiritual Growth is a mystery, and is more evident in some than in others. The more the Holy Spirit shines into the mind, and puts forth his life-giving influences in the heart, so much the more sin is seen, felt, and loathed, as the greatest of all evils. And this is an evidence of spiritual growth, viz. to hate sin, as sin, and to abhor it on account of its contrariety to the nature of God. The quick perception and insight which we have of inherent sin, and our feeling of it, so as to look on ourselves as most

vile, to renounce ourselves and all we can do for ourselves, and look wholly and immediately to Christ for relief and strength are growth in grace, and a sure and most certain evidence of it. To see more into the excellency and spirituality of spiritual truths and to prize and esteem them with an increasing pleasure, on account of their sublimity and divinity, are real growth in grace. To see more of our need of depending continually on the person, work, intercefsion, and word of the Lord Jesus is the effect of spiritual growth. To become more spiritual in worship, esteeming ordinances more by divine quickenings, and by God-glorifying and Christexalting thoughts created in our minds by the Holy Ghost, and not being contented with the use of means, unless we have real communion with the Father and the Son through the spirit, is to grow in grace.

A young convert is much taken with his own importunity in prayer, with his own enlargements and affections, (they being very warm and lively) with the multitude of ordinances, and the much time he spends in the use and observance of them: whereas a believer of longer standing and greater measure of spiritual growth values those discoveries, which the Holy Spirit gives him in

prayer and inward converse with the Lord, of the Father's free love, and the Son's personal, particular, and prevalent intercefsion on his behalf; and he is more taken with those, than with his own fervour and his own supplications at the throne of grace. There is indeed a spiritual growth in all the called people of God suited to and corresponding with their age and state in christianity, as babes, young men, and fathers. The babes in Christ are particularly affected with a sense and enjoyment of pardoning mercy, and with calling God Father. Hence it must necefsarily follow, that the blessings of pardon of sin, peace with God, the spirit of adoption, whereby they cry Abba Father, i. e. Father, Father, and advancement in an increasing spiritual perception of these ines-· timably precious realities must be a Growth in Grace, such as is quite suited to their spiritual stature and circumstances. The young men in Christ, whose graces are particularly active, resist unto blood, striving against sin. The glory of young men is their strength, says Solomon. And the spiritual strength of these young men in Christ is exercised in fighting the Lord's battles against the world, the devil, and the flesh; so that their growing strong in the grace which is in Christ Jesus, or

their growing strong in the Lord and in the power of his might, is quite suited to their spiritual state, case, and experience. The apostle John writing to these saith, “Ye are strong, and the "word of God abideth in you, and ye 66 have overcome the wicked one." And then he gives them the following exhortation, “ Love not the world, nei“ther the things that are in the world; 66 ᎥᏝ any man love the world, the love of “ the Father is not in him. For all that is "in the world, the lust of the flesh, and "the lust of the eyes, and the pride of "life, is not of the Father, but is of the

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world. And the world pafseth away, "and the lust thereof: but he that "doeth the will of God abideth for ever." Their learning the use of every part of their spiritual armour, fighting the good fight of faith, wielding the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, looking wholly to, and depending entirely on Christ, the captain of salvation, for strength, succefs, and victory over all their enemies, are Growth in Grace. To know Christ more clearly, spiritually, and distinctly, in the eternity, glory, and excellencies of his person, as God-man, the head and Mediator of his church, and the perfection, worth, and eternal excellency of his righteousness and atonement, is the sig

nal honour, and the peculiar distinction of the Fathers in Christ from the babes and young men. And, as peculiarly suited to their age and state in christianity, their Growth in Grace, in the very efsential part and proof of it, consists in their increasing in the knowledge of Jesus and of the Father in him through the grace of the Holy Spirit, and in growing up into Christ, viz. into real and personal communion with him, whereby they become more deeply rooted in him, and more firmly grounded on him. Thus by the sacred unction of the Holy Ghost leading the believer on from strength to strength Growth in Grace is promoted, increased, and carried on in fellowship with God. Agreeably to which the apostle says, But

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we all with open face, beholding as in a glafs the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit "of the Lord'." It is by a supernatural light shining on the word and reflecting on the renewed mind that the believer takes in views of Christ from the word. The glory of his person is viewed, and the believer apprehends Christ, as he is in truth, "The only begotten of the Father, full of grace and "truth. And the beholding of Christ

12 Cor. iii. 18.