A41536:64
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.
such an one is the more full, and lift up when he hath done, but the true branch more empty and humble. A true believer glories not of himself as in himself, but only as he is a man in Christ; and that as a man in Christ, he did thus or thus; as Paul did, and no otherwise. So 2 Cor. 12. 2. I knew a man in Christ, &c. of such a man I will glory, but of my self I will not glory. And yet it was himself he spake of, but yet not in himself as of himself, but as he was in Christ.
such an one is the more full, and lift up when he hath done, but the true branch more empty and humble. A true beleever glories not of himselfe as in himselfe, but onely as he is a man in Christ; and that as a man in Christ, he did thus or thus; as Paul did, and no otherwise. So 2 Cor. 12. 2. I knew a man in Christ, &c. of such a man I will glorie, but of my selfe I will not glorie. And yet it was himselfe he spake of, but yet not in himselfe as of himselfe, but as he was in Christ.
And if it be asked,1 whether in every act a Christian doth thus?
- 1Quest.
I answer,1 It is in this as in that other parallel to this,2 The making God a mans end: Now as it doth not require, that in every action a man should actually think of that his end, whilst yet habitually he makes it his aim: (as a man in his journey, doth not think of the place he goes into every step he takes, yet so habitually hath it in his thoughts, as he keeps in the way to it.) Parallel to this is it in doing all in Christ, it cannot be supposed that in every act a man hath such a distinct thought of recourse to Christ; but at the beginning and entrance of greater actions, he still hath such actings and exercise of faith; And also often, in the progress he reneweth them, and in the conclusion, when he hath performed them, he doth sanctify Christ in his heart, by ascribing the praise of all unto him.