A41536:142
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.
Fourthly, to show that they grow with all kinds of growth: therefore the Prophet expresseth their growth both by the spreading of their root, and also of the branches, and so in a growth both upward and downward, He shall cast forth his roots as Lebanon: that is, grow inwardly in habitual grace in the heart, and then outwardly spread forth their branches, and so grow in the outward profession of Gods ways and truth, and external holiness in their lives.
Fourthly, to shew that they grow with all kinds of growth: therfore the Prophet expresseth their growth both by the spreading of their root, and also of the branches, and so in a growth both upward and downward, He shall cast forth his rootes as Lebanon: that is, grow inwardly in habituall grace in the heart, and then outwardly spread forth their branches, and so grow in the outward profession of Gods wayes and truth, and externall holinesse in their lives.
Neither fifthly, is it a growth merely in bulk, but also in fruitfulness, and therefore he compares them to the Olive and the Vine, (so in that place of Hosea) which are of all trees the fruitfullest, and most useful to God and man, Judg. 9. 9, 13.
Neither fifthly, is it a growth meerly in bulk, but also in fruitfulnesse, and therefore he compares them to the Olive and the Vine, (so in that place of Hosea) which are of all trees the fruitfullest, and most usefull to God and man, Judg. 9. 9, 13.
But yet sixthly, trees have a flourishing time of it but for some while, during which, although they may be thus green and fruitful, yet in their age they wither and rot, and their leaves fall off, and their fruit decays: The holy Ghost therefore as preventing this exception to fall out in the Saints growth, he adds,