A41536:349
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.
2. Some grace are more exercised, and if so, they abound more; as though both arms do grow, yet that which a man useth is the stronger and the bigger, so is it in graces; In birds, their wings which have been used most, are sweetest to the taste. As in the body, though the exercise of one member maketh the body generally more healthful, yet so as that member which is exercised, will be freest from humours it self, so it is here; so tribulation worketh patience, patience experience, Rom. 5. Many sufferings make patience the less difficult, and much experience, many experiments make hope greater.
2. Some grace are more exercised, and if so, they abound more; as though both armes doe grow, yet that which a man useth is the stronger and the bigger, so is it in graces; In birds, their wings which have beene used most, are sweetest to the taste. As in the body, though the exercise of one member maketh the body generally more healthfull, yet so as that member which is exercised, will be freest from humours it selfe, so it is here; so tribulation worketh patience, patience experience, Rom. 5. Many sufferings make patience the lesse difficult, and much experience, many experiments make hope greater.
Again, thirdly, that some graces are more in some then others, appears hence; for what is it makes the differing gifts that are in Christians, but a several constitution of graces, though all have every grace in them? as now in the body every member hath all singular parts in it, as flesh, bones, sinews, veins, blood, spirits in it, but yet so, some members have more of flesh, less of sinews and veins, &c. whence ariseth a several office in every member, according as such or such similar parts do more or less abound in a member; the hand, because it hath more nerves and joints in it then another member, though less flesh, yet how strong is it, and fit for many offices? the foot is not so: So in Christians, by reason of the several constitution of graces, and the temper of them more or less, have they several offices in the Church, and are fitted for several employments; some have more love, and fit for offices of charity; some more knowledge, and are fit to instruct; some more patience, and are fitter to suffer; some for self-denial, and accordingly do grow in these more specially.