A41536:163
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.
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.
Now the scope of all which I shall speak of this argument, will tend to this, to help such to discern and judge aright of their estates herein, and to free them from such mistakes and errors as their objections are usually founded upon.
Now the scope of all which I shall speak of this argument, will tend to this, to help such to discern and judge aright of their estates herein, and to free them from such mistakes and errours as their objections are usually founded upon.
And first,1