A41536:117
The trial of a Christians growth in mortification, purging out corruption, or vivification, bringing…The tryall of a Christians growth in mortification, purging out corruption, or vivification, bringing…
The trial of a Christians growth in mortification, purging out corruption, or vivification, bringing forth more fruit a treatise handling this case, how to discern our growth in grace : affording some helps rightly to judge thereof by resolving some tentations, clearing some mistakes, answering some questions, about spiritual growth : together with other observations upon the Parable of the vine, John 15. 1, 2 verses / by Tho. Goodwin.The tryall of a Christians growth in mortification, purging out corruption, or vivification, bringing forth more fruit a treatise handling this case, how to discerne our growth in grace : affording some helps rightly to judge thereof by resolving some tentations, clearing some mistakes, answering some questions, about spiritual growth : together with other observations upon the Parable of the vine, John 15. 1, 2 verses / by Tho. Goodwin.
London: printed by J.G. for R. Dawlman, 1650
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Secondly, being thus cast forth, they wither; that is, the sap of abilities which they once had, begins to decay; that life in holy ⟨p. 35⟩duties, and in holy speeches, begins to be withdrawn, and their leaves begin to fall off, they cannot pray nor speak of holy things, as they were wont. Thus it is said of such Professors, Jude 12. That their fruit withereth, even here in the eyes of men; for when God casteth them out, then he withdraws his Spirit from them; and then, although they come to the Ordinances, yet they have no breathings; they come to Prayer, and the Spirit of God is departed, and so by degrees God withdraws sap from them, till they be quite dead. Thus he dealt with Saul, when he had discovered himself by sparing the Amalekites, and by persecuting David, it is said, The Spirit of God departed from him, and he withered ever after, all his gifts vanished, and the spirit or frame of heart he once had, departed from him. So likewise they that had not gained by their talents, Mat. 25. 26. their talents were taken from them, even in this life,, and the Spirit of God, which rested upon them, rested upon some other that were more faithful.
Secondly, being thus cast forth, they wither; that is, the sap of abilities which they once had, begins to decay; that life in holy ⟨p. 35⟩duties, and in holy speeches, begins to be withdrawn, and their leaves begin to fall off, they cannot pray nor speake of holy things, as they were wont. Thus it is said of such Professors, Jude 12. That their fruit withereth, even here in the eyes of men; for when God casteth them out, then he withdrawes his Spirit from them; and then, although they come to the Ordinances, yet they have no breathings; they come to Prayer, and the Spirit of God is departed, and so by degrees God withdraws sap from them, till they be quite dead. Thus he dealt with Saul, when he had discovered himselfe by sparing the Amalekites, and by persecuting David, it is said, The Spirit of God departed from him, and he withered ever after, all his gifts vanished, and the spirit or frame of heart he once had, departed from him. So likewise they that had not gained by their talents,