To the Reader
This following treatise [The Trial of a Christian's Growth] was formerly printed during the time of my absence out of my native country: and by reason thereof had many imperfections and incongruities both in style and matter; which, now being again (through the good hand of God upon me) returned, I have endeavored to amend. So as partly through some alteration in the method and frame of it, partly by cutting off some redundancies, I have reduced it to some better shape, and nearer proportion to its fellows.
The scope and way of handling this subject [Growth] is not doctrinal so much, nor yet hortatory, as either persuading to, or discoursing of a Christian's growth in general, (concerning which much has been already written by others) but the more proper aim of this is to resolve a case of conscience, (like as those two other preceding tractates of mine have done) namely this: how to discern our growth, and to answer more usual temptations about it. And so these three treatises being of like sort and kind, and properly belonging to that part of theology which we call case divinity; I have therefore in this new edition of the whole ordered to put them together, (which is all the alteration I have made) although in their first and single publishing some other came between.
If in the performance this falls short of many more raised experiments of growth which are found in such as the Apostle John calls fathers, elderly Christians, who with Enoch have walked long with God; yet I have hoped that you that are young men (as he also styles the middle sort of Christians) that you may find many things helpful to your right understanding and judging of your growth, and which may free you from many mistakes in misjudging thereof, and so consequently of many temptations about it, which that age of believers are more peculiarly incident to (2 Corinthians 10:14). I dare not say, I write these things to you fathers, I never presumed it in my thoughts; I myself wrote and preached it when I was but young in years, and for the time far younger in grace and experience. And I dare not (if the great Apostle would not) stretch myself beyond that measure which God has distributed to me — a measure, which, yet, may reach you that are young men, though more eminent grown Christians are gone far beyond the line of it.
The God of grace and peace grant us and all his children spirits endeavoring to speak the truth in love (in these dividing times) that we may grow up into him in all things, who is the Head, even Christ (Ephesians 4:15).
April 26, 1643. Thomas Goodwin.
This treatise — The Trial of a Christian's Growth — was previously printed while I was away from my home country. Because of that, it had many imperfections and inconsistencies in both style and content. Now that I have returned, by God's good hand upon me, I have worked to correct them. Through some changes to the method and structure, and by cutting out redundancies, I have brought it into better shape and made it more consistent with my other works.
The aim and approach of this subject — Growth — is not primarily doctrinal, nor is it simply an exhortation about the importance of growth in general (much has already been written by others on that). Rather, the proper goal of this work is to resolve a case of conscience, just as my two other preceding treatises have done: namely, how to discern our growth, and how to answer the most common temptations about it. Because these three treatises are of the same kind — all belonging to that branch of theology we call practical divinity — I have in this new edition placed them together, which is the only change I have made to the collection, though they were originally published separately.
If this work falls short of the deeper and more mature experience of growth found in those the Apostle John calls fathers — elderly Christians who, like Enoch, have walked long with God — I have still hoped that you who are young men (as he also calls the middle stage of Christian life) may find many things here that help you rightly understand and judge your own growth. This may free you from many mistakes and from the temptations that come with them, which are especially common at that stage of the Christian life (2 Corinthians 10:14). I do not claim to write to you fathers — that was never my intention. I wrote and preached this when I was young in years, and far younger still in grace and experience. And I would not, as even the great Apostle would not, stretch myself beyond the measure God has given me — a measure that may yet reach you who are young men, even if more mature Christians have long since grown beyond it.
May the God of grace and peace grant us and all His children the spirit to speak the truth in love — especially in these divisive times — so that we may grow up into Him in all things, who is the Head, even Christ (Ephesians 4:15).
April 26, 1643. Thomas Goodwin.
