A41536:84
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 as it clears it, so likewise it extols it: For how is Grace magnified, when as not only all the sins and debts a man brought to Christ to pardon at first conversion are pardoned, but after many relapses of us, and provings bankrupt, we are yet still set up again by free grace with a new stock; and though we still run upon new scores every day, yet that these should still be paid, and there should be riches of love enough, and stock enough, that is, merit enough to hold out to pardon us, though we remained in this mixed condition of sinning, to eternity, this exceedingly advanceth the abounding of this grace.
And as it clears it, so likewise it extols it: For how is Grace magnified, when as not only all the sins and debts a man brought to Christ to pardon at first conversion are pardoned, but after many relapses of us, and provings bankrupt, we are yet still set up againe by free grace with a new stock; and though we still run upon new scores every day, yet that these should still be paid, and there should be riches of love enough, and stock enough, that is, merit enough to hold out to pardon us, though we remained in this mixt condition of sinning, to eternity, this exceedingly advanceth the abounding of this grace.
2. It serves exceedingly to illustrate the grace of perseverance, and the power of God therein; for unto the power of God is our perseverance wholly attributed. 1 Pet. 1. 5. Ye are kept (as with a garrison) as the word signifies, through the power of God unto salvation. And were there not a great and an apparent danger of miscarrying, such a mighty guard needed not; There is nothing which puts us into any danger, but our corruptions that still remain in us, which fight against the soul, and endeavour to overcome and destroy us. Now then to be kept maugre all these; to have grace maintained; a spark of grace in the midst of a sea of corruption; how doth this honour the power of God in keeping us? As much in regard of this our dependency ⟨p. 24⟩