That which man primarily and immediately merits by good works is the increase of sanctifying grace, advance in holiness and favour with God here, and hereafter a corresponding augmentation of glory. While the progress of man in other departments of life is limited by the weakness of his faculties or by external obstacles, in the matter of sanctification he is perfectible to an indefinite extent. As long as life endures, a soul can go on working, praying, suffering, practising divine love, conformity of the will to God's benevolence, faith, humility, in an ever-advancing measure; and as the spiritual standing is raised by each degree of grace, so does every action become more super-naturally valuable. The bounty of God is never exhausted, and He continues to render a thousand-fold, by a new influx of supernatural vitality, for every effort we make in His service. By all this our future deserts are multiplied, our capacity for knowledge, love, and joy in heaven is enlarged, we shall be raised higher in glory, and shall drink more deeply of the torrents of delight. Every day of your life you may advance more and more in sanctification, and lay up to yourself treasures incomprehensibly great, which thieves cannot steal, nor rust and moth eat away. Reflect on the value of holiness and the facilities God has given you for acquiring it. Hunger and thirst after this justice and you will have your fill.
