A17416:316
The signs or An essay concerning the assurance of Gods love, and mans salvation…The signes or An essay concerning the assurance of Gods loue, and mans saluation…
The signs or An essay concerning the assurance of Gods love, and mans salvation gathered out of the holy Scriptures. By Nicholas Byfield, one of the preachers for the city of Chester.The signes or An essay concerning the assurance of Gods loue, and mans saluation gathered out of the holy Scriptures. By Nicholas Byfield, one of the preachers for the citty of Chester.
London: printed by John Beale for Jonah Man, 1614London: printed by Iohn Beale for Ionas Man, 1614
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.
Secondly, it is filial, not servile, which may appear in five things, for first it is joined with the love of God,1 and so is not the fear of reprobates; secondly ⟨p. 133⟩it is not compelled by fear or sense of judgements, but excited by the sense of Gods goodness and mercy. For so the converts in Hosea, 2are said to fear God and his goodness.3 Thirdly, it guides the heart of man to run to God, and not from God) to be healed of the wounds made by si•ne and to be protected,4 striving even before God, to discover and get strength against the sins that trouble them; fourthly ⟨p. 134⟩It makes a man trust in God, and ere the more it increaseth, the more it worketh affiance and confidence in Gods mecry. 5.5 It causeth a man to love and cleave to such as are Gods Children, though they be in disgrace with the world.6
Secondly, it is filiall, not seruile, which may appeare in fiue things, for first it is ioined with the loue of God,1 and so is not the feare of reprobates; secondly ⟨p. 133⟩it is not compelled by feare or sence of iudgements, but excited by the sence of Gods goodnesse and mercie. For so the conuerts in Hosea, 2are said to feare God and his goodnesse.3