Vse. This may serve to refute and reprove the folly of those men, which so please themselves, in that outward quietnesse which they enjoy, when in the meane time, they are utterly void and ignorant of the grace of God.
Doctrine 5. We must seeke not only for grace and peace, but also for great abundance of it.
This is gathered from that word, Grace and peace be multiplyed. For the good things of that grace are such, that they cannot be too much: in this there is no sinning in excesse. Hence it is that the Apostle Paul alwayes exhorts the faithfull, and prayes also that the faithfull may abound more and more in all grace. And to the Ephesians he proposeth the breadth, and length, and depth, and height of this grace, that they may be rooted and grounded in it, Chapter 3. verse 18.
Use 1. This may serve to refute and condemne those, that so rest in the present grace which they have, or seeme to have, that they looke for no more. Such do those men seeme to be, that thinke they know enough, beleeve enough, love enough, &c. And therefore they neglect both the publick and the private meanes, whereby they might be farther edified. The state of a Christian in this life is a state of building, not perfection: therefore as he would shew himselfe to be a foolish builder, that should rest in the middle of his worke, and not make up the perfect structure, so also in a Christian life.
2. To exhort us to stirre up our selves, and labour for more abundant grace and peace.
Argument 1. The first argument may be taken from the nature of grace and peace, which is such, that he that hath once tasted the sweetnesse thereof, cannot but desire a fuller draught of it, 1 Peter 2.2,3. Desire the sincere milke, &c.
Argument 2. From the imperfect degree, that we have yet attained: We are for the most part, as new borne babes, as the Apostle speakes in the same place.
Argument 3. From the will of God, to whom nothing is more acceptable, then that we should seeke for plenty of his grace, Isaiah 55.2. Proverbs 9.
Argument 4. From the sinne or guilt, which followes the neglect of that duty. For as amongst men, if one should set before us most precious wares, and should commend them, and also offer them freely unto us, he could not but take it ill, if we should refuse them: so much more may we think that Gods anger is incensed towards those, that neglect and despise the riches of this grace, that he hath set before them and commended unto them.
Doctrine 6. God is the only author of grace and peace.