A41536:167
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 observe the different condition of these two sorts; The former of these hath a more apparent work at first, to show, as the evidence of their estate, but are apt through desertions, neglects, and carnal presumption to call into question their progress in it, and from thence to question the truth of that first work begun. The other on the contrary sees a constant spring and stream increasing, but cannot show the Well-head, or when or where the spring began. So that so apparent a work of grace begun, would become matter of assurance to the one, but is checked with want of discerning growth answerable to such beginnings. But an apparent growth, and fast going up of the building, comforts the other, but yet so as they still are apt to question whether the foundation of such a building be well and surely laid; that they are going on further to perfection, this they clearly see, but whether they come in at the right gate, or no, that is the scruple which exerciseth their spirits. ⟨p. 44⟩Thus hath our wise God, as in the work of his providence, so of his grace, set the one against the other, as Solomon speaks, that unto both these there might be occasion of exercise left, that neither might confide in any works wrought upon them, but fly alone to Christ; and that neither should rejoice against the other, or be discontented with that way, wherein God hath dealt with them.
Now observe the different condition of these two sorts; The former of these hath a more apparent work at first, to shew, as the evidence of their estate, but are apt through desertions, neglects, and carnall presumption to call into question their progresse in it, and from thence to question the truth of that first work begun. The other on the contrary sees a constant spring and stream increasing, but cannot shew the Well-head, or when or where the spring began. So that so apparent a worke of grace begun, would become matter of assurance to the one, but is checked with want of discerning growth answerable to such beginnings. But an apparent growth, and fast going up of the building, comforts the other, but yet so as they still are apt to question whether the foundation of such a building be well and surely laid; that they are going on further to perfection, this they clearly see, but whether they come in at the right gate, or no, that is the scruple which exerciseth their spirits. ⟨p. 44⟩Thus hath our wise God, as in the work of his providence, so of his grace, set the one against the other, as Solomon speaks, that unto both these there might be occasion of excercise left, that neither might confide in any workes wrought upon them, but flie alone to Christ; and that neither should rejoyce against the other, or be discontented with that way, wherein God hath dealt with them.