A41536:164
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.
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 concerning this kind of tentation and trouble, let me premise this one Observation, concerning what sort of converts this temptation is aptest to seize on.
- 11. Consideration in general.1. Consideration in generall.
You all know, that there are two more eminent and conspicuous ⟨p. 43⟩manner of conversions of Gods people usual in the Church. The conversion of some is more sudden and apparent, like the bringing of Joseph out of a dungeon, into a marvellous glorious light. It is with a sudden change, which therefore is accompanied with a mighty violent inundation, and land-flood of humiliation for sin, increased with many gracious enlargements and dews from heaven, which afterwards abating, and the stream settling and growing less, and coming to an ordinary channel, and falling but unto so much as the natural spring of grace (as I may so call it) will serve to feed, they then begin to call all into question for their want of growth. Others on the contrary, whose conversion hath been insensible, and carried on with a still and quiet stream, and have had a more leisurely, gentle thaw; and their change from darkness to light hath not been sudden; but as the breaking forth of the morning, small at first, and not discernible at what time day began then to break; these on the contrary are exercised rather about the truth of the work begun, about the work of conversion it self, and the right beginning of all at first; but their tentations arise not from a want of growth so much, for this to them is more evident and sensible, being like the morning light which grows clearer and clearer to the perfect day,