Chapter 3

CHAP. III.

The trial of Mortification: and that first by Negative signs; or such as argue much corruption yet remaining unpurged out.

The tryall of Mortification: and that first by Negative signes; or such as argue much corruption yet remaining unpurged out.

I Will now come to that third thing which was propounded, namely, Helps whereby you may discern what progress hath been made in this work: And as I said at first, that my purpose was not so much to handle Mortification in the common place of it, as only growth therein; So those things I shall now deliver about discerning the measure of it, I intend them not so much for Signs of mortification, as Rules whereby we may judge how this work goes forward in us, and how far we are still short in it.

I Will now come to that third thing which was propounded, namely, Helps whereby you may discerne what progresse hath been made in this work: And as I said at first, that my purpose was not so much to handle Mortification in the common place of it, as onely growth therein; So those things I shall now deliver about discerning the measure of it, I intend them not so much for Signes of mortification, as Rules whereby we may judge how this worke goes forward in us, and how far we are still short in it.

And first, I will handle it negatively, and give you such symptoms, as argue much corruption, a great deal of humours yet remaining to be purged out: Such as argue little proficiency in this work, though such as withal true grace may be supposed to be in the heart.