A41536:186
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.
Secondly, positively, what it is truly to bring forth more fruit.
For the first. First, to grow is not only or chiefly to grow in gifts, or abilities, as to preach, and pray, &c. but to increase in graces: in gifts only, so Reprobates may grow; yea, and so true Believers may grow, and yet not bring forth more fruit: The Corinthians grew fast this way in respect of gifts, they were enriched in all utterance and knowledge, and came behind in no gift, 1 Cor. 1. 7. and yet he tells them, that they were babes and carnal, Chap. 3. 2, 3. And therefore in the 12. Chap. after he had spoken of gifts, and endeavouring to excel therein, (as they did) he tells them that indeed they were things to be desired, and therefore exhorts them to covet the best gifts; but, yet, says he, I show unto you a more excellent way, in the last ver. of that 12. Chapter. And what was that? It follows in the 13. Chap. even true grace, charity, love to God, and love of our brethren: A dram of that is, says he, worth a pound of the best fruit of gifts. And so his discourse, Chap. 13. doth begin, ver. 1. Though I speak with tongues of men and Angels, yet if I have not charity, &c. Gifts are given for the good of others, to edify them especially, 1 Cor. 12. 7. but Graces, as love, faith, and humility, these are given to save a mans own soul; and therefore therein is the true growth: Yet as concerning this, I will propound a Caution or two.
For the first. First, to grow is not onely or chiefly to grow in gifts, or abilities, as to preach, and pray, &c. but to encrease in graces: in gifts onely, so Reprobates may grow; yea, and so true Beleevers may grow, and yet not bring forth more fruit: The Corinthians grew fast this way in respect of gifts, they were enriched in all utterance and knowledge, and came behind in no gift, 1 Cor. 1. 7. and yet he tells them, that they were babes and carnall, Chap. 3. 2, 3. And therefore in the 12. Chap. after he had spoken of gifts, and endeavouring to excell therein, (as they did) he tells them that indeed they were things to be desired, and therefore exhorts them to covet the best gifts; but, yet, sayes he, I shew unto you a more excellent way, in the last ver. of that 12. Chapter. And what was that? It followes in the 13. Chap. even true grace, charity, love to God, and love of our brethren: A dram of that is, sayes he, worth a pound of the best fruit of gifts. And so his discourse, Chap. 13. doth begin, ver. 1. Though I speak with tongues of men and Angels, yet if I have not charity, &c. Gifts are given for the good of others, to edifie them especially,