A73612:84
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.
Secondly, that I stand1 not precisely upon the order of these graces of God in us, nor determine that question, which graces are first wrought in the heart of a man: but that which ⟨p. 43⟩I have specially aimed at in the order of setting them down, is to begin at those that either first appear in a Christian, or are easiest (as I conceive) to be discerned in him.
Secondly, that I stand1 not precisely vpon the order of these graces of God in vs, nor determine that question, which graces are first wrought in the heart of a man: but that which ⟨p. 43⟩I haue specially aimed at in the order of setting them downe, is to begin at those that either first appeare in a Christian, or are easiest (as I conceiue) to be discerned in him.
- 1A second caveat.A second caueat.
Thirdly, that I intend1 especially the trial of such Christians as agree in this, that they are persuaded that Christ died for them; that so the true Christian may see reason to comfort himself, that his persuasion is no presumption, as is the persuasion of the most. It is true, that divers of ⟨p. 44⟩the signs of faith here to be handled, will show faith in the weakest Christian, though he will not yet be brought to acknowledge any persuasion. For this persuasion may be secretly wrought upon the hart: as it is when it relieth upon the merits of Christ only for salvation, though the judgement of the Christian be not resolved against his doubts.