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grown。 I know not how these facts strike others： to my eyes they seem
to prove； most unanswerably； that 〃growth in grace〃 is a real thing。
I feel almost ashamed to dwell so long upon this part of my subject。 In
fact； if any man means to say that the faith； and hope； and knowledge；
and holiness of a newly…converted person； are as strong as those of an
old…established believer； and need no increase； it is waste of time to
argue further。 No doubt they are as real； but not so strongas true；
but not so vigorousas much seeds of the Spirit's planting； but not
yet so fruitful。 And if any one asks how they are to bee stronger； I
say it must be by the same process by which all things having life
increasethey must grow。 And this is what I mean by 〃growth in grace。〃
＇10＇
Let us turn away from the things I have been discussing to a more
practical view of the great subject before us。 I want men to look at
〃growth in grace〃 as a thing of infinite importance to the soul。 I
believe； whatever others may think； that our best interests are
concerned in a right view of the questionDo we grow？
（a） Let us know then that 〃growth in grace〃 is the best evidence of
spiritual health and prosperity。 In a child； or a flower； or a tree； we
are all aware that when there is no growth there is something wrong。
Healthy life in an animal or vegetable will always show itself by
progress and increase。 It is just the same with our souls。 If they are
progressing and doing well they will grow。 ＇11＇
（b） Let us know； furthermore； that 〃growth in grace〃 is one way to be
happy in our religion。 God has wisely linked together our fort and
our increase in holiness。 He has graciously made it our interest to
press on and aim high in our Christianity。 There is a vast difference
between the amount of sensible enjoyment which one believer has in his
religion pared to another。 But you may be sure that ordinarily the
man who feels the most 〃joy and peace in believing；〃 and has the
clearest witness of the Spirit in his heart； is the man who grows。
（c） Let us know； furthermore； that 〃growth in grace〃 is one secret of
usefulness to others。 Our influence on others for good depends greatly
on what they see in us。 The children of the world measure Christianity
quite as much by their eyes as by their ears。 The Christian who is
always at a standstill； to all appearances the same man； with the same
little faults； and weaknesses； and besetting sins； and petty
infirmities； is seldom the Christian who does much good。 The man who
shakes and stirs minds； and sets the world thinking； is the believer
who is continually improving and going forward。 Men think there is life
and reality when they see growth。 ＇12＇
（d） Let us know； furthermore； that 〃growth in grace〃 pleases God。 It
may seem a wonderful thing； no doubt； that anything done by such
creatures as we are can give pleasure to the Most High God。 But so it
is。 The Scripture speaks of walking so as to 〃please God。〃 The
Scripture says there are sacrifices with which 〃God is well…pleased。〃
（1 Thess。 iv。 1； Heb。 xiii。 16。） The husbandman loves to see the plants
on which he has bestowed labour flourishing and bearing fruit。 It
cannot but disappoint and grieve him to see them stunted and standing
still。 Now what does our Lord Himself say？ 〃I am the true vine； and my
Father is the husbandman。〃〃Herein is my Father glorified； that ye
bear much fruit； so shall ye be my disciples。〃 （John xv。 1； 8。） The
Lord takes pleasure in all His peoplebut specially in those that
grow。
（e） Let us know； above all； that 〃growth in grace〃 is not only a thing
possible； but a thing for which believers are accountable。 To tell an
unconverted man； dead in sins； to 〃grow in grace〃 would doubtless be
absurd。 To tell a believer； who is quickened and alive to God； to grow；
is only summoning him to a plain Scriptural duty。 He has a new
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 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