A41536:40
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.
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, Gal. 5. Fruits of the Spirit. None of the three Persons will be left out in any relation, or in any work, that is for our salvation. That ever three so great Persons should have a joint care of our salvation and sanctification, and we our selves neglect it! That they should be so careful, we so negligent and unfruitful! If they do all so much for us, what should not we endeavour to do for our selves?
Is to honour the Father in all the workes tending to our salvation, 1as much as we honour the Son: If Christ be the Vine, his Father meanes 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 onely a hand in Election, but also in Sanctification, concerning which this Parable was made. If Christ be the roote 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 implyed, which lies hid in this Parable of the Vine, and appeares in all the fruits that are brought forth, therefore called,