A73612:85
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.
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.
Thirdly, that I intend1 especially the triall of such Christians as agree in this, that they are perswaded that Christ died for them; that so the true Christian may see reason to comfort himself, that his perswasion is no presumption, as is the perswasion of the most. It is true, that diuers of ⟨p. 44⟩the signes of faith here to be handled, will shew faith in the weakest Christian, though he will not yet be brought to acknowledge any perswasion. For this perswasion may be secretly wrought vpon the hart: as it is when it relieth vpō the merits of Christ onely for saluation, though the iudgement of the Christian be not resolued against his doubts.
- 1The 3. note by way of preface.
The question then is, how a Christian may try his persuasion of Gods mercy, and his ⟨p. 45⟩interest in Christs merits, whether it be right or no.