A41536:283
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.
Besides these rules both these ways given, I will in the third place add some cautionall considerations, to prevent misjudging of our growth in Mortification, by such false rules as men are apt to be deceived, in judging worse or better of our selves by, then the truth is, or then there is cause. Which considerations will also further serve as directions to us, as well as the former have done.
BEsides these rules both these wayes given, I will in the third place adde some cautionall considerations, to prevent misjudging of our growth in Mortification, by such false rules as men are apt to be deceived, in judging worse or better of our selves by, then the truth is, or then there is cause. Which considerations will also further serve as directions to us, as well as the former have done.
First, men may deceive themselves when they estimate their progress herein by having overcome such lusts as their natures are not so prone unto;1 the surest way is to take a judgement of it from the decay of a mans bosom sin, even as David did estimate his uprightness by his keeping himself from [his iniquity,] Psal. 18. 23. so a man of his growth in uprightness. When Physicians would judge of a consumption of the whole, they do it not by the falling away of any part what ever, as of the flesh in the face alone, or any the like; such a particular abatement of flesh in some one part, may come from some other cause; but they use to judge by the falling away of the brawn of the hands, or arms, and thighs, &c. for these are the more solid parts: the like judgments do Physicians make upon other diseases, and of the abatement of them from the decrease in such symptoms as are Pathognomicall, and proper and peculiar to ⟨p. 86⟩them: In like manner also the estimate of the progress of the victories of a Conqueror in an enemies Kingdom, is not taken from the taking or burning of a few villages or dorps, but by taking in the Forts and strongest Holds, and by what ground he hath won upon the chief strength, and by what forces he hath cut off of the main Army. Do the like in the decrease of, and victory over your lusts.