Wait, therefore, wait, I say, on the Lord; bid thy soul
cheer up and wait. "Blessed are all they that wait for him."
(2.) Thou must consider that great grace is reserved for great
service. Thou desirest abundance of grace; thon doest well, and thou
shalt have what shall qualify thee for the service that God has for
thee to do for him, and for his name in the world. The apostles
themselves were to stay for great grace until the time their work
was come. I will not allot thy service, but assure thyself, when thy
desire cometh, thou wilt have occasion for it--new work, new trials,
new sufferings, or something that will call for the power and virtue
of all the grace thou shalt have to keep thy spirit even, and thy
feet from slipping, while thou art exercised in new engagements.
Assure thyself thy God will not give thee straw, but he will expect
brick. "For unto whomsoever much is given, of him much shall be
required." Wherefore, as thou art busy in desiring more grace, be
also desirous that wisdom to manage it with faithfulness may also be
granted unto thee.
Thou wilt say, Grace, if I had it, will do all this for me.
It will, and will not. It will, if thou watch and be sober; it will
not, if thou be foolish and remiss. Men of great grace may grow
consumptive in grace, and idleness may turn him that wears a plush
jacket into rags.
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