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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
per