A41536:154
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.
Thirdly, God the Father hath accordingly appointed means to that end, principally that they might grow.
Thirdly, God the Father hath accordingly appointed meanes to that end, principally that they might grow.
As first, Eph. 4. it is said, he hath given gifts unto men, not that they may be converted only, but also to build them up for the edifying of the body of Christ: he speaks as if that were one main end. Therefore the Word is not only compared to seed, that begets men, but to milk also, that so babes may grow, and to strong meat, that men may grow, and thus that all sorts of Christians may grow. So also Sacraments, their principal end is growth, and not to convert, but to increase; as meat puts not life in, but is ordained for growth, where life is already.
As first, Eph. 4. it is said, he hath given gifts unto men, not that they may be converted only, but also to build them up for the edifying of the body of Christ: he speaks as if that were one maine end. Therefore the Word is not onely compared to seed, that begets men, but to milke also, that so babes may grow, and to strong meat, that men may grow, and thus that all sorts of Christians may grow. So also Sacraments, their principall end is growth, and not to convert, but to encrease; as meat puts not life in, but is ordained for growth, where life is already.
2. He gives his Spirit, which works growth in the hearts of his people; and by him they have a nutritive power conveyed from Christ: For it might be said, though there be never so much nourishment, if they have no power to concoct it, still they cannot grow; therefore the Apostle says, that there is an effectual working to the measure of every part,