A41536:261
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.
Fifthly, the more carnal confidence we have in the creatures,§5 and bear our selves upon them, and have our spirits strengthened and upholden by them, the more want of mortification. The Corinthians, though godly, yet they were very unmortified, therefore the Apostle says, they were rather carnal then spiritual, 1 Cor. 3. 1. Now this their carnal mindedness, among other things, was expressed in their carnal confidence they had in outward things; they had riches, and gifts, and learning, and they did swim in these; and reigned and domineered in their own thoughts, and excelled all other Churches in their own opinions and so despised others in comparison, they were carried aloft by these waxen wings, which I take to be the Apostles meaning, 1 Cor. 4. 8. Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned: they had riches, and gifts, &c. and they thought themselves as Kings, full of happiness, having the world afore them, and were filled with conceits of it; and I would to God you did reign, says he: that is, that it were not regnum in capite, in your own conceits only; and that there were indeed such real cause to applaud your own conditions. We are of the Circumcision, says the Apostle, and have no confidence in the flesh, Phil. 1. 3. The more the heart is truly circumcised, (of which he there speaks in opposition to those who rested in outward circumcision) it trusteth not, nor beareth not it self upon outward things, privileges and endowments, as riches, blood, credit, learning, righteousness; these, when the heart is not circumcised, do puff it up, but we, says he, have no confidence in the flesh, either for comfort, or for justification, or any thing else; but we rejoice in Christ Jesus.
Fiftly, the more carnall confidence we have in the creatures,§5 and beare our selves upon them, and have our spirits strengthned and upholden by them, the more want of mortification. The Corinthians, though godly, yet they were very unmortifyed, therefore the Apostle sayes, they were rather carnall then spirituall, 1 Cor. 3. 1