A41536:26
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 4. although he was of himself the fairest Cedar that ever the earth bare, yet in relation to those multitude of branches, he was to bear, chooseth to be a Vine, which is of all trees the lowest, the weakest, and of the meanest bark, and out-side of any other, only because of all others it is the plentifullest of branches, and runs out and spreads its bulk in branches; and those, of all branches else of any other trees, the fruitfullest, it is therefore called The fruitful Vine, Psal. 128. 3. and for that reason only doth he single out this comparison, as suiting with his scope, showing therein his love; that as he condescended to the lowest condition, for our salvation, so to the meanest resemblances for our instruction, yet so as withal he tells us, that no Vine, nor all the Vines on earth were worthy herein to be compared, nor to be so much as resemblances of him.
And 4. although he was of himselfe the fairest Cedar that ever the earth bare, yet in relation to those multitude of branches, he was to bear, chuseth to be a Vine, which is of all trees the lowest, the weakest, and of the meanest bark, and out-side of any other, onely because of all others it is the plentifullest of branches, and runs out and spreads its bulk in branches; and those, of all branches else of any other trees, the fruitfullest, it is therefore called The fruitfull Vine, Psal. 128. 3. and for that reason onely doth he single out this comparison, as suiting with his scope, shewing therein his love; that as he condescended to the lowest condition, for our salvation, so to the meanest resemblances for our instruction, yet so as withall he tells us, that no Vine, nor all the Vines on earth were worthy herein to be compared, nor to be so much as resemblances of him.