A41536:161
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.
And that chiefly for the satisfaction of those whose main doubts and troubles about their estate, are occasioned by their want of discerning themselves to grow, and so call into question the work begun, because not carried on so sensibly unto perfection as they expect and desire.
And that chiefly for the satisfaction of those whose maine doubts and troubles about their estate, are occasioned by their want of discerning themselves to grow, and so call into question the work begun, because not carryed on so sensibly unto perfectias they expect and desire.
Their objections are many and divers.
They say, when they were young, they then had more spiritual enlivenings, and quickness of affections, more joy in duties, &c. that formerly they had more zeal in what they did for the good of others, and more fruit of their labours; that heretofore they have spent more time in duties, in conference, and hearing, &c. that others start up, who have more grace the first day, then they have been getting many years. Yea they are so far from discerning that they grow, that they rather think that they fall back, and therefore fear even the truth of grace in them, because all believers grow.
They say, when they were young, they then had more spirituall enlivenings, and quicknesse of affections, more joy in duties, &c. that formerly they had more zeal in what they did for the good of others, and more fruit of their labours; that heretofore they have spent more time in duties, in conference, and hearing, &c. that others start up, who have more grace the first day, then they have been getting many years. Yea they are so far from discerning that they grow, that they rather think that they fall back, and therefore fear even the truth of grace in them, because all beleevers grow.