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God doth not only exactly take notice of, but also tenderly cherish and graciously reward the smallest beginnings, and weakest measures of grace, which He works in the hearts of His own people. I might produce a cloud of testimonies to confirm this point. Our Saviour Christ said, that He "will not break the bruised reed, nor quench the smoking flax." Observe, it is not said, the strong oak shall not be broken; but the bruised reed shall not be broken. The green buds are regarded by Christ as well as the ripe and grown fruit. In opening of the doctrine, I shall endeavour to clear these two things:

1. That some of God's people have but weak measures and small beginnings of grace.

2. Though there be but a little grace, yet God will regard and reward it.

1. That some of God s people have but a little grace — have but the beginnings of grace wrought in their souls. In the handling whereof are three things:(1) The truth of the proposition may be made good from the Scriptures.

(2) I will lay down notes of discovery, to know such as have but small measures of grace wrought in them.

(3) And then show why God, in His wisdom, will not suffer His people to be all of an equal strength and stature in grace. How doth it appear that some of God's people are but weak in grace?

1. By the different names and titles that are given unto Christians in Holy Scriptures, arguing they are of different measure and growth of grace.

(1) Some are called strong men, and others weak.

(2) Some are called babes in Christ, and others called grown men.

(3) Some are called trees of righteousness, plants of renown, that grow like cedars in Lebanon; others are but a bruised reed. Some are kids in Christ's flock, and Iambs.

2. By the analogy that is between spiritual and natural differences of age, strength, and stature in man; the Holy Scriptures exactly sets down all the different degrees of grace under the similitude of the different ages of men.

(1) There is a forming of Christ in the heart, and so a spiritual conception.

(2) There are those that are but newborn babes in Christ.

(3) There are some who are advanced from infancy to be young men.

(4) There are some that are grown men in Christ, old men. And all this doth but set forth the different degrees of grace that are in Christians, some having less, and some more.A second question, how may a man know himself, that he is but of a little measure and small beginning in grace?

1. To be much in dependence on duties, argues thou art but weak in grace. A young Christian is like a young carpenter, he makes many chips and hath many blows, but doth not make such smooth work as an experienced carpenter, who will make fewer chips, and at fewer blows better work; so young Christians, they are much in the use of duty, but they are apt to rely upon duty; they think duties make them saints, and they are apt to make saviours of their duties. Young Christians are,

(1)  affectionate in duties, and

(2)  frequent in their duties;

(3)  and see not their failings in their duties, and so are apt to rest on their duties.

2. A weak Christian is not clearly insighted into the close and spiritual failings, which cleave to his performances. He doth see his gifts, and take notice of his affections, but he doth not see the vanity of his mind, the unsoundness of his mind, the unsoundness of his ends, his carnal dependence upon his duty, self-love, and vain-glory. An experienced Christian will take as much notice of his failing in duty, as of his ability in it.

3. To have a scrupulous conscience about matters of indifferency argues a weak Christian; for so the apostle calls them, weak in the faith, such as did bind conscience when the Scriptures left it free. One believer thought he might eat anything, and another doubted of lawfulness of eating sundry things. Now those that doubted, the apostle calls weak; and the weak conscience is apt to be defiled. Not to know our liberty, and to abuse our liberty, is an argument we have but little grace.

4. To be so intently set on the exercises of religion as to neglect our particular callings, is a sign we are but weak in grace. It was a good saying of that famous man of God, Dr. Sibs: "I like that Christian well, that will hear much and live much, that will pray much and work much." In young converts their affections are strong and stirring, and they think they can never hear enough, and they many times do neglect the duties of their callings, which doth argue their weakness and infirmity. An experienced grown Christian is regular in his general and particular calling; so as the one shall not jostle and hinder the other.

5. To have men's persons in admiration argues weakness in grace; such were the Corinthians, who had men's persons in admiration. A solid Christian loves all good ministers, and can contemn none.

6. To be easily seduced and led away into error argues but weakness in grace. Those the apostle calls "children, who are tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine." Weakness of head doth argue that grace is not very strong in thy heart.

7. Such as are only acquainted with the common principles of religion, without further search into the depths and mysteries of religion.

8. Weak Christians are strong in affections, and not in judgment, they have usually more heat than light; young Christians are like young horses, they have much metal, but are not so fit for a journey, because they are not so thorough-paced: there are many Christians that have much zeal and affection, but are not solid in their judgment; but this argues much weakness in grace.

9. A weak Christian is one that cannot bear reproof. Sharp weather will discover whether thou art of a weak or sound body. Be not then discouraged you that discern in yourselves but small measures of grace; look on your wants and imperfections, so as to grow in grace, and not to be content with any measure; but look not on the small beginnings in grace, as discouragement to you. When you see in a field a great oak, you may say this great tree was once but a small acorn. Those Christians who are now but small sprigs, may hereafter be tall cedars. Why doth God so order and ordain it, that among His own people all shall not be of an equal stature in Christ, but there are of them some in whom there shall be but the beginnings of grace found?It is true, it is not with regeneration as it was in the creation; it is not with the trees of righteousness as it was with the trees of Paradise, which were created all perfect at the first: but it is not so in the work of grace, we are not perfectly sanctified, nor at once, but we perfect holiness in the fear of God, and that by degrees; and God hath given to some of His people but small beginnings and measures of grace, and that for these reasons:

1. To put a difference between our estate on earth and our being in heaven. In heaven we shall all have an equal stature in grace, though it be disputed that there are different degrees of glory. But in heaven the spirits of just men shall all be made perfect, and there we shall all come unto the measure, of the stature of the fulness of Christ. All believers here are justified by God alike. God doth not acquit the strong, and hold guilty the weak, but justification is alike to all, but our sanctification is not alike; but when we come to heaven, our sanctification shall be then as our justification is now, that is, perfect and equal, we shall have not only a perfection of parts, but of degrees.

2. This is to make men live in a continual dependence upon Divine influx and supplies from the Spirit of God.

3. For the greater ornament of the mystical body of Christ. In a natural body, if every member should be of an equal bigness, the body would be monstrous: but the body is so proportioned in its different members, that the lesser become serviceable to the greater, and so they all orderly discharge their mutual operations. As in music there would be no harmony if the strings were all of an equal bigness; but one string being the bass, and the other the treble, that makes the music to be more melodious; so it is in grace, the different degrees of grace makes the body of Christ more harmonious. It is here as in some curious piece of needlework; if all the silks were of one colour, it would not set out the work with so much lustre and amiableness as the variety of colours will do.

4. To make God's people see a necessity of maintaining fellowship and communion together, to edify and build up each other. There would be no need of Christian discourse and holy fellowship, did not our weakness require it.

5. To set out the glory of God in all His glorious attributes.

(1) This different size of grace in Christians, doth glorify the mercy of God, and the free grace of God, who when there are some Christians that have but a little grace, yet God rewards those small measures of grace with great measures of glory.

(2) This magnifies the power of God, who, when we are weak, yet the great God manifests His power in our weakness, yea, His strength is made perfect in weakness. And therefore Paul adds (2 Corinthians 12:10), "For when I am weak, then am I strong, that is, in Christ. It is by God's power that the least measure of grace shall be preserved. And as God's power is seen in preserving of a little grace, so it is also seen in the increasing of small grace.

(3) God doth hereby glorify His wisdom. As God's wisdom is demonstrated in the world by the variety of creatures, which are not all of the same bulk and bigness, but some bigger and some lesser: so in the Church of God His wisdom appears, that some Christians are of greater, and some of a lesser measure of grace. Search the whole creation, and you shall find the wisdom of God in the variety of creatures. In the heavens there are the greater and lesser lights. In the air, the great eagle and little sparrow: on the earth, the elephant and little dog: amongst the creeping things, there is the great serpent and the little pismire: amongst the vegetables, the tall cedar, and the hyssop on the wall. That in the Church there are found more weak Christians than strong, more young converts than old and grown Christians. As in a forest there arc more young sprouts than old trees, in a garden more young slips than old roots, in the world more young children than old men. In Nineveh there were one hundred and twenty thousand infants, but there was not such a number of old men. By how much things are perfect, by so much they are the fewer. Look amongst other creatures, those that are of a bigger bulk are of a lesser number, as in the sea there are more young and little fish than great whales; on the earth the smallest things are innumerable; in the air there are more swarms of flies than flocks of birds; so in the Church of God there are more that are young and weak converts than old Christians. That there are many that have but weak measures and small beginnings of grace, who have been a long time under the profession of religion, and under the means of grace; such were the Hebrews, "who for the time that they ought to be teachers, yet had need that one should teach then again, which be the first principles of the oracles of God, and are become such as have need of milk and. not of strong meat"; and I may accommodate to this purpose that speech of Christ, "Many that are first shall be last, and the last shall be first." There are many who went out early, and took as it were the first step m profession of religion, and yet others have overgone them, who went out after them. Many who have but weak measures of grace, have been of long standing under the means of grace. It is not how many years you have been professors, but what experience and judgment have you gotten under ordinances?That believers ought not to rest satisfied with the small measures of grace they have received; though a little grace may bring you to heaven, yet you are not to take up therewith, but if you have got a little grace, labour for more; and to quicken you hereunto, consider:

1. Small measures of grace are not so sensible and evidential to yourselves; little things because they are little are not seen: There may be little dust hovering up and down in the air, yet because it is small we see it not: this is the reason why Christians doubt; grace is little, and therefore it is not discerned.

2. Consider, that small measures of grace, though they may bring you to heaven, for they are not so useful to others; a weak Christian cannot do much good in Christian converse, because they want judgment and experience in the ways of God; and therefore such are not to be received to doubtful disputations, but are to be borne withal. Spiritual and strong Christians are most useful. Young converts are not fit for some exercises about religion; they are not fit to strengthen others.

3. Nor are small measures of grace so honourable to God. God is glorified, when His people bear much fruit. It is our duty to improve those small measures of grace which God hath given us. And consider, he that is faithful in a little, God will make him ruler over much. Use of grace will increase it; yet if thy grace be increased, ascribe all to God, it is God's pound, and not thy pains hath gained. Use is of comfort to weak Christians, to those young Abijahs, in whom there is found but small little good.Let such know to their comfort:

1. Though thy grace be but little in quantity, yet it is much in value. A pearl, though but little in substance, yet it is of great worth: so a little grace is of great value; the heart of a wicked man is nothing worth; you may have much knowledge and seeming grace, but no true worth. A shop full of barrels will not make a man rich, unless those vessels be full of commodities; gifts as to heaven are but the lumber of a Christian, it is grace that makes him rich towards God.

2. Though thy grace be little for the present, yet it will grow for the future to a greater measure. The little grain of mustard-seed (the least of seeds) will in time grow up to a tree.

3. The little measure of grace once begun in the soul shall be perfected. God will not break the bruised reed, nor quench the smoking flax, until judgment be perfected in victory.

4. The weakest Christian hath grace alike for quality, though not for quantity: though thy grace be not so much, yet it is as true as others: though but a convert of yesterday, yet grace as true as if an old stander in religion — faith is alike precious in all believers for quality, though not for quantity. Faith in all believers is alike.

(1)  In respect of the Author, God.

(2)  The object, it holds upon, the same Christ.

(3)  The means working it are the same.

(4)  The end, it hath the same salvation of soul (1 Peter 1:9).

(5)  God will not put your weak grace to trial beyond your strength. God will debate with it in measure, He will stay His rough wind in the day of His east wind.

(6)  Take this for your comfort, the least measure of grace is enough to bring you to heaven.

1. Consider, that things merely necessary and sufficient to maintain a natural life will not content a man; what man is content, though he hath clothes enough to hide his nakedness, and food enough to keep life and soul together — but he desires not only clothes for nakedness, but ornament, and only food for hunger and necessity, but delight? Now shall men be unbounded after their desires for outward things, and shall they sit down and say they have enough for heavenly things?

2. Consider, if thou contentest thyself with a small measure of grace, though thou shalt have the fruit of thy grace when thou diest, yet thou wilt want the comfort of thy grace whilst thou livest. It is strength of grace that gives assurance; weak grace will bring thy soul to heaven, but it is the strength of grace will bring heaven into thy soul. The work of righteousness shall be peace, and the effect of righteousness shall be quietness and assurance for ever. The second caution is, Take not those things to be evidences of the truth of grace, which are evidences only of the growth and strength of grace. Weak converts do involve themselves in a labyrinth of misery, in judging themselves by those symptoms which are evidences only of the strength of grace. Thou must not judge thyself whether thou art in the state of grace by this; as whether thou hast ravishing joys and comforts of the Holy Ghost: these are things that God indulgeth unto some few, and those of a long standing in the school of Christ. In a school, a scholar must not compare himself with one of the highest form: if thou wouldst judge of the truth of thy grace, judge by the lowest measure. The reason why hypocrites and low-form Christians do mistake, is this: hypocrites judge they have grace because they have gifts, and weak Christians judge they have no grace because they do not find such measures of grace in them as are in others. We do not use to say, it is not day because it is not noon. It is unthankfulness to God, and uncharitableness to ourselves, to argue a nullity of grace from the weakness of it. Do not conclude you have small measures of grace, because you have but small measures of comfort; this is the fault of young converts; they take measure of their grace by their comfort, which is a false and deceitful rule; growth of grace is not to be measured by the working of joy: the sweet blossom of joy may fall off, when the fruit of grace may come on; yea, sometimes Christians of the greatest measure of grace may have the least measure of comfort; and all to let us know, that as the being and exercise, so the comforts of our graces, come from free grace. Do not conclude the measure of thy grace little, because thou hast but a little measure of gifts. Gifts are the issues of time and experience, and the fruits of studies advantaged by the strength of natural parts. A man may have a quick and pregnant invention, a profound judgment, a retentive memory, a clear elocution and the like, and yet none of these things can be arguments of grace, but all are but natural endowments.Gifts may be high, and grace may be low.

1. Comfort yourselves, ye weak Christians, for you have a strong God. In Jehovah is everlasting strength.

2. You have a strong Saviour, though your grace is weak; yet he is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him.

3. You lie under a strong Word, which is able to carry on the work of grace which is begun in you. The Word of God, though it be foolishness to them that perish, yet it is the power of God to them that are saved.

4. You are weak, but you stand on a sure foundation.

5. Weak believers are assisted by a strong Spirit. The Spirit of God is not only a Spirit of grace and supplication: but it is also a Spirit of power. I come now to the second part, which is this, that God doth exactly take notice, tenderly cherish, and graciously reward the least beginnings, and the smallest measures of grace in the hearts of His people.In the prosecution of which point, I shall proceed in this method.

1. I shall prove the truth of it.

2. I will also endeavour to give you the grounds hereof, and then make application.First, that God doth thus cherish the small beginnings of grace will appear, if we consider,

1. These Scripture instances, Matthew 12:20. He will not quench the smoking flax, that is, by the figure meiosis (as I have shown already) He will kindle it. He will not break the bruised reed, that is, He will strengthen it. God regards not the flame only, but the smoking of grace; not the ripe fruit, but the tender buds.

2. The truth of this point may be made out by those sweet and gracious promises God hath made to grace though weak. I will give you one instead of many, mentioned by the prophet Isaiah, "He shall feed His flock like a shepherd, He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those that are with young."

3. By counsels that Christ giveth to us, how we ourselves should carry ourselves to those that are weak, viz., to use them with all tenderness. Why doth God cherish the least measures of grace in His people? Because the least measure of grace is of a very great value; the least grace, and least measure or degree of it, is the purchase of Christ's blood, and the merit of His great sufferings. The smallest spark of a diamond is precious; pearls and precious stones are but little for quantity, but great for quality and esteem. The least degree of grace is the work of God, and God will not forsake His own work. Little grace is of the same nature and excellency with the greatest degree of grace; for as the very filings of gold are of the same nature with gold, so the least measure of grace is grace. The faith of all believers is the same faith specifically, though not the same gradually; their faith is in all alike precious, but not alike strong. Because God is the author of weak grace as well as of strong. Solomon gives a good rule why the rich should not slight the poor, because God is the Author and Maker of them both. The Lord will perfect His work that concerneth His people, i.e., He will perfect and encourage the least beginnings of grace, because grace is His work in His servants. It is a very good argument in prayer, O Lord forsake not the work of Thy hands. Property is the ground of love, care. and tenderness: as a man will look to a weak child, because it is his child, and will repair a weak house, because it is the house wherein he dwells. And that is the third demonstration of God's tender care over His people, that the meanest measure of grace shall not be deserted or forsaken, because God is the author of it. A fourth reason may be drawn from the covenant of grace, the nature and tenor whereof is to accept of sincerity instead of perfection, desires for deeds, purposes for performances, pence for pounds, and mites for millions; and therefore God will accept and reward the least measure of grace, that is, in truth and sincerity. If God doth cherish and will reward the smallest measure of graces, then it will follow that God takes notice of the smallest sins to punish them. He that graciously eyes the very buddings of grace, will also justly eye the buddings of corruption in His own people. Learn from hence, that the same mind should be in Christians of greater growth to the weak, as was in Christ Jesus; who, though He be higher than the highest, yet He looks upon the poor and lowly without disdain, and so should we. Learn from hence, bow God doth by leisure and degrees carry on in the hearts of His people the work of grace unto further perfection. Mushrooms and such like worthless things, like Jonah's gourd, may spring up in one night; but things of most moment are of longest growth before they come to perfection. And therefore let young converts learn from hence not to be discouraged.God's works both of nature and grace are perfected by degree.

1. Though God regards the least measure of grace, let not this make you regardless to grow in grace.

2. Though you have but a little grace, yet do not despise it, or disparage it. O do not despise the day of small things in thy soul. Do not tread upon the bunch of grapes, upon the new wine in the cluster, but say, there is a blessing in it.

(C. Love.)

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KJV: And all Israel shall mourn for him, and bury him: for he only of Jeroboam shall come to the grave, because in him there is found some good thing toward the LORD God of Israel in the house of Jeroboam.

WEB: All Israel shall mourn for him, and bury him; for he only of Jeroboam shall come to the grave, because in him there is found some good thing toward Yahweh, the God of Israel, in the house of Jeroboam.