A41536:247
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, he sets the heart on work to make it a business to get ones lusts mortified more and more, and not to rest in the measure attained. Phil. 3. 1. Paul forgot what was behind, he did still desire to have more fellowship with Christ in his death and sufferings, in the death of sin; when a mans heart is set upon the work, as that [Greek or Hebrew], he came into the world for, as David, who took up a resolution, I said I would look to may ways; so when a man hath said unto himself, I will grow in grace, as they say, I will be rich, 2 Tim. 6. and so looks at it as his business, being as much convinced of this, that he should be more holy, as he was at first that he was to be new borne; when growth of grace is as much in a mans eye, as getting grace at first was, and as great a necessity made of the one as of the other. This conviction many want, and so take no care to grow more holy and more pure. Phil. 3. 15. If any be otherwise minded, (says the Apostle) that there is no such absolute necessity of going on still to perfection, God shall reveal it to him. God doth reveal and set on this upon every godly mans heart at one time or another, and so goes on to purge them. And this is also expressed to us, 1 Pet. 4. 1. For as much as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, [let us arm] our selves with the same mind; namely, to mortify our lusts: for it follows, He that hath suffered in the flesh, that is, hath mortified his lusts, hath ceased from sin. That same arming there, is Gods putting into the mind a strong and invincible resolution to go through with this work; when he arms and steels it against all difficulties, all encounters. This is meant by arming us with the same mind; That as Christ looked upon it as his business why he came into the world, even to suffer for us; so for us to look upon it as our business, to crucify our lusts. When therefore we intend all our endeavours upon this work, and mind nothing in comparison, pray for nothing more, receive Sacraments for this purpose, and hear and perform all other duties with an eye to this, prosecute this business as the main; when God hath put such a resolution into a man, and preserves it, then he goes on to purge him.
Secondly, he sets the heart on work to make it a businesse to get ones lusts mortified more and more, and not to rest in the measure attained.