A41536:210
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.
Fourthly,1 when a man grows more rooted into Christ, that is the true growth; and that which makes the fruit to be more in Gods sight and esteem: therefore Eph. 4. 15. we are said to grow up in him; that is, to live the life we lead, more out of our selves and in Christ: as when for the acceptation of our persons we are emptied of our own righteousness; so for strength to perform duties, we are emptied of our abilities, seeing without him we can do nothing: So when for acceptation of our performances when we have done them, our hearts have learnt habitually to say more and more with the Apostle, Not I, but Christ in me; when we interest Christ more and more in all we do, as the efficient and also the final cause. And therefore I observe when growth of grace is mentioned, it is still expressed by growing in the knowledge of Christ: So 2 Pet. 3. 17. Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of Christ; as if to grow in grace without him, were nothing, as indeed it is not. So in the Ephesians we are said both to grow up in him, and for him. Philosophers did grow in moral virtues, but not in Christ; so do Civill men and others; Temporaries do duties from him, but yet as in themselves; as the Ivy that hath sap from the Oak, but concocts it in its own root, and so brings forth as from it self. To do one duty, sanctifying Christ and free grace in the heart, is more then a thousand: young Christians, it may be, do more works, but not as works of grace: and the more men think by duties to get Christ, and Gods favour, the more in duties they trust, and so they become as works of the Law; but the more dead a man grows to the Law; and to live to Christ, and Christ in him; and the more free grace is acknowledged in all, trusted in above ⟨p. 59⟩all; the more Evangelical our works are, and the more to God, (for that is the end of the Gospel, to honour Christ and free grace) the more we grow. We are of the Circumcision, says the Apostle, who rejoice in the Lord Jesus, worship God in the spirit, and have no confidence in the flesh, Phil. 4. As these are the surest signs of true grace, so of true Growth.