A41536:275
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, the more a man comes to a spiritual taste of the spiritual Word, and that which is most spiritual therein, the more it is a sign that corruption is purged out: when a man comes to his stomach, it is a sign he is growing out of a sickness, and that the humours are much purged out. So 1 Pet. 2. 1. Laying aside all malice, &c. as Babes desire the Word, that ye may grow thereby, if so be ye have tasted: therefore the more corruption is laid aside, the more we taste the Word, and God in it; the more we taste, the more we desire it; the more we desire it, the more we grow.
Fourthly, the more a man comes to a spirituall taste of the spirituall Word, and that which is most spirituall therein, the more it is a signe that corruption is purged out: when a man comes to his stomach, it is a signe he is growing out of a sicknesse, and that the humours are much purged out. So 1 Pet. 2. 1. Laying aside all malice, &c. as Babes desire the Word, that ye may grow thereby, if so be ye have tasted: therefore the more corruption is laid aside, the more we taste the Word, and God in it; the more we taste, the more we desire it; the more we desire it, the more we grow.
Fifthly, when we are ashamed of former carriages and ways, as seeing and discerning those weaknesses we saw not afore, as Scholars use to be of their exercises a year or two after; so if we be ashamed of former prayers, hearings, &c. as that great Proficient, discerned in himself, who looking back upon his first days of conversion, says, When I was a child, I spake as a child: He speaks it, applying it to his growth of grace.
Fiftly, when we are ashamed of former carriages and wayes, as seeing and discerning those weaknesses we saw not afore, as Scholars use to be of their exercises a yeare or two after; so if we be ashamed of former prayers, hearings, &c. as that great Proficient, discerned in himselfe, who looking back upon his first dayes of conversion, sayes, When I was a child, I spake as a child: He speaks it, applying it to his growth of grace.