scudderpage297

may be, better than you, and can make a small matter seem much, and a little to go far, when many times you, in modesty, may not set forth yourself, or, if you would, could not.

But let it be granted, that many of short standing in the school of Christianity, have got the start of you in grace: if it was through God's grace accompanying their diligence, and from his just hand upon you, following your negligence, then they are to be commended, and you are to be humbled, and to be provoked unto an holy emulation by them to quicken your pace, and to double your diligence. But take heed that it be not your pride and self love, which causes you not to bear it, that others should be better than yourselves.

It may be that it is not your fault, but it is from God's abundant grace unto others, above that which you have received: for the Scriptures make it evident, that God gives unto several men differently, according to his good pleasure, Eph. iv. 7; Rom. xii. 3; 1 Cor. xii. 11. Hence it was, that David became wiser than his teachers, and ancients, Psa. cxix. 99, 100, and the apostle Paul attained more grace than those that were in Christ before him. God gives unto some five talents, when he gives unto others but two; he that has most given him, gains in the same space of time, twice as much as the other, yet he that gained but two talents had his commendation, and his proportionable reward of well-doing. For the Lord saith unto him also. Well done, faithful servant, enter into thy Master's joy, Matt. xxv. 21 - 23. For he improved his talents according to the measure of grace received, though he gained not so much as the other.

Take heed that your eye be not evil, because God is good, Matt. xx. 15. May not he give as much unto the last as unto the first, and more, if he please? We should rather be thankful for the increase of grace in others, than either to repine at them, or, without ground, to conclude against the truth of our own. For we are much the better, if we would see it, for other's graces; God's kingdom is enlarged and strengthened