A41536:191
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 this consideration may help to answer some doubts and objections which some Christians have about their growth, as because they cannot pray so well as others, nor do so much service to the Saints as some do, therefore they bring forth less fruit. Thou mayest bring more fruit for all that, if thou walkest humbly in thy calling, and prayest more fervently, though less notionally, or eloquently. By how much the more we are humble, prize our selves less by them; and use them in Christ, and for Christ, seeing they come all from him: the more we are contented to want them, and not envy others that have them; so much the more fruit we bring forth, even in the want of such gifts.
And this consideration may help to answer some doubts and objections which some Christians have about their growth, as because they cannot pray so well as others, nor doe so much service to the Saints as some doe, therefore they bring forth lesse fruit. Thou mayest bring more fruit for all that, if thou walkest humbly in thy calling, and prayest more fervently, though lesse notionally, or eloqùently. By how much the more we are humble, prize our selves lesse by them; and use them in Christ, and for Christ, seeing they come all from him: the more we are contented to want them, and not envie others that have them; so much the more fruit we bring forth, even in the want of such gifts.
Again, decay in gifts, as in old age, doth not always hinder men from bringing forth more fruit. As, although they cannot remember a Sermon so well as they had wont, nor preach with that vigour, and vivacity, and quickness when they are old, nor be so active, stirring, forward, it follows not that they bring not forth more fruit. David when he was old, could not govern the Kingdom, nor do the Church that service he had done formerly, yet true fruit he might grow in, in regard of his personal carriage towards God for his own salvation. A Musician when he is young, is able to sing sweetlier then when he is old; or when his vigour decays, his joints grow lame, he cannot play as he had wont; yet still he may grow a better Musician, and have more skill, and set better. Affections, the quickness of them depends much upon bodily spirits.