WE ought not to set up our rest in low degrees of grace; or content ourselves to be like others in grace. We should labor (if it be possible) to go beyond all others in grace. It did not satisfy Job that he had gotten to such a degree, to such a frame and temper of heart, to such a course of holiness, as his neighbors or brethren that were good, had attainted unto, but he labored to go beyond them all; Not such a man upon the earth as Job. It is an holy ambition to labor to exceed all other in grace and goodness. We have a great many in the world that desire to be so rich, as none should be like them; to be so gay in their apparel, as none should be like them, so beautiful, as none should be like them; but where are they that desire and Endeavour to have such a portion or stock of grace, that none should be like them, to be above others in holiness, as Job was? True grace never rests in any degrees or measures of grace, but labors to increase; he that hath any grace would have more; do not think it enough when you like others, you ought to labor to be beyond others. [Joseph Caryl]
Labels: Joseph Caryl
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