A41536:314
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.
Now if all these would have cast up what grace and mortification they had attained to, they must have reckoned restraining grace by it self, (which may be observed by what our virtues were before conversion) which though now sanctified, that is helping forward Sanctification, and making the abstinence easier, yet is not to be reckoned true Sanctification; as Goldsmiths mingle in all the silver they work some other metals to make it ⟨p. 98⟩more malleable; so are those common graces mingled with true in this life, where Sanctification is imperfect, which do help them and eke them out. Grace set in a good nature, seems a great deal more, and goes farther then in a bad. Wine that is of it self somewhat pleasant, a little sugar will make it sweeter to the taste, then a great deal of sugar will do sour wine. Therefore let every one consider, what natural ingenuity, and modesty, and education did in him before conversion; and let him know, that now he hath true grace; these help him still, and stand him in stead as much as ever, although he hath a further new principle of grace in him, beyond these. Grace in this life, and whilst imperfect, takes not away such common gifts, but sanctifieth and useth them as the reasonable soul doth a quick fancy or memory, which are sensitive faculties, and do make his ability to abstain from such and such sins more easy: indeed all such gifts will be swallowed up in glory: And therefore many who have less grace, yet seem in many carriages more mortified then those who have more grace; they will be less impatient in a cross, less stirred and provoked with an injury. A man who hath been less helped by restraining grace before conversion, and had his lusts more outrageous, if he hath them now under, it is a sign he hath much more mortification in him then one who was naturally civill. And I appeal to every godly mans conscience, it is not only simply mortification that makes him always to abstain from sins, but shame, modesty, terrors of conscience strike in at a pinch, when strength of mortification had failed him else; and many accidental things, ordered by Gods providence, hinder and keep Gods people from sinning: and as David was fain to make use of Goliaths sword, and take in discontented persons that had not the same ends that he had to strengthen himself against Saul;
Now if all these would have cast up what grace and mortification they had attained to, they must have reckoned restraining grace by it selfe, (which may be observed by what our vertues were before conversion) which though now sanctified, that is helping forward Sanctification, and making the abstinence easier, yet is not to be reckoned true Sanctification; as Goldsmiths mingle in all the silver they work some other metals to make it