A41536:39
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.
5. The most careful he is daily to purge his Vine: so says the second verse. And of all possessions, saith Cato, Nulla possessio majorem operam requirit, Vineyards need as much care, and more then any other. The Corn, when it is sown, comes up, and grows alone, and ripeneth, and comes to perfection, the Husbandman sleeping and waking, he knows not how, saith Christ: But Vines must be dressed, supported, sheltered, pruned, well-nigh every day.
5. The most carefull he is daily to purge his Vine: so says the second verse. And of all possessions, saith Cato, Nulla possessio majorem operam requirit, Vineyards need as much care, and more then any other. The Corne, when it is sowne, comes up, and growes alone, and ripeneth, and comes to perfection, the Husbandman sleeping and waking, he knowes not how, saith Christ: But Vines must be drest, supported, sheltred, pruned, well-nigh every day.
And of all trees God hath most care of his Vines, and regards them more then all the rest in the world.
Is to honour the Father in all the works tending to our salvation, 1as much as we honour the Son: If Christ be the Vine, his Father means to be the Husbandman: and indeed it may teach us to honour all the three Persons in every work that is saving, for in all, they bear a distinct office; the Father hath not only a hand in Election, but also in Sanctification, concerning which this Parable was made. If Christ be the root that affords us sap, whence all fruit buds, the Father is the Husbandman that watereth the Vine, gives the increase, purgeth the branches, and is the root of that life which Christ affords to us: and then the Spirit also comes in to have a work and influence herein also; for he is the sap, though not here mentioned, yet which is implied, which lies hid in this Parable of the Vine, and appears in all the fruits that are brought forth, therefore called,