A73612:244
The spiritual touchstoneThe spiritval tovchstone
The spiritual touchstone: or, The signs of a godly man drawn in so plain and profitable a manner, as all sorts of Christians may try themselves thereby. Together with directions, how the weak Christian, by the use of these signs may establish his assurance. By. N. Bifield preacher of Gods word at Isteworth in Middlesex.The spiritval tovchstone: or, The signes of a godly man drawne in so plaine and profitable a maner, as all sorts of Christians may trie themselues thereby. Together with directions, how the weake Christian, by the vse of these signes may establish his assurance. By. N. Bifield preacher of Gods word at Isteworth in Middlesex.
London: printed by R. Field for Jonah Man, 1619London: printed by R. Field for Ionas Man, 1619
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.
Now because he may be perhaps discouraged with the observation of divers things, which he may find wanting in himself in every sign; he must therefore take some sound notice of the distinction of Christians made by the Apostle John, 1. Joh. 2, who casts all true Christians into three sorts. Some are Infants, and either new ⟨p. 125⟩borne, or but weakly qualified with the graces of Christ: yet are right, & have true grace in some measure. Others are strong men, that is, such as have the gifts of the Spirit lively and in their power in them. Others are Fathers, that is, such as have had long experience in the powerful practise of godliness, and have been long exercised in all kinds of welldoing. Now all these three sorts may be supposed to come to these signs. The weak Christian only takes to a few ⟨p. 126⟩of the plainest marks in the explication of each sign. The strong Christian he takes to the most of the marks. The Fathers they in a manner discern all the particulars of Gods graces, and the several workings of them. Each of these, even the weak Christian may see so much as may stay his heart in assurance, & so settle his faith & joy.
Now because he may be perhaps discouraged with the obseruation of diuers things, which he may find wāting in himselfe in euery signe; he must therfore take some sound notice of the distinction of Christians made by the Apostle Iohn, 1. Ioh. 2, who casts all true Christians into three sorts. Some are Infants, and either new ⟨p. 125⟩borne, or but weakly qualified with the graces of Christ: yet are right, & haue true grace in some measure. Others are strong men, that is, such as haue the gifts of the Spirit liuely and in their power in them. Others are Fathers, that is, such as haue had long experience in the powerfull practise of godlines, and haue bene long exercised in all kinds of weldoing. Now all these three sorts may be supposed to come to these signes. The weake Christian only takes to a few