A41536:238
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 in the third place, for the ways whereby God goes on to purge us, there are many and divers, he blesseth all sorts of means and dealings of his to accomplish it.
NOw in the third place, for the wayes whereby God goes on to purge us, there are many and divers, he blesseth all sorts of meanes and dealings of his to accomplish it.
First,1 he useth occasional means to do it, and blesseth them, as even falling into sins. Thus it was with David when he fell, thereby God set him anew upon this work, as by his prayer appears, Psal. 51. Oh purge me, make me clean.
First,1 he useth occasionall meanes to doe it, and blesseth them, as even falling into sins. Thus it was with David when he fell, thereby God set him anew upon this work, as by his prayer appears, Psal. 51. Oh purge me, make me cleane.
- 11. Occasional.
Secondly, by casting them into afflictions. So Dan. 11. 35. They ⟨p. 66⟩shall fall to purge them, and make them white. What the Word doth not purge out, nor mercies, that afflictions must. These Vines must be cut till they bleed. Summer purgeth out the outward humours that lie in the skin by sweating, but winter concocteth the inward by driving in the heart, and so purgeth away the humours that lye in the inward parts, and so what by the one, what by the other, the body is kept in health. Thus mercies prevail against some sins, and afflictions against others. Moses neglected to circumcise his child, (as we do our hearts, it is such a bloody work) till God met him, and would have killed him: and in like manner God sometimes puts us in the fear or danger of losing our lives, casts us into sicknesses, and the like, making as if he meant to kill us, and all to bring us off to this work of purging, to circumcise our hearts.