A73612:94
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.
Fifthly, this persuasion1 is permanent: it will endure trial, it will hold out in the evil day; it inclines the heart to cleave to Jesus Christ, even in the fire of tribulation, in the midst of manifold afflictions, and disgraces, and temptations. It is like the gold in the furnace that perisheth ⟨p. 51⟩not; nor will it barely hold out: but a Christian by his faith comforts & supports himself in affliction, so as his faith becomes to him both a breast-plate & an helmet: whereas the best faith, that is not the faith of Gods elect, will prove but dross, if it be cast into the furnace of temptation, further then it is supported by carnal means and helps. 1. Pet. 1. 6, 7. 2. Tim. 1. 12. 1. Thess. 5. 8. Eph. 6. Luke 8. 13.
Fiftly, this perswasion1 is permanent: it will endure triall, it will hold out in the euill day; it inclines the heart to cleaue to Iesus Christ, euen in the fire of tribulation, in the midst of manifold afflictions, and disgraces, and temptations. It is like the gold in the fornace that perisheth ⟨p. 51⟩not; nor will it barely hold out: but a Christiā by his faith comforts & supports himselfe in affliction, so as his faith becomes to him both a breast-plate & an helmet: whereas the best faith, that is not the faith of Gods elect, will proue but drosse, if it be cast into the fornace of temptation, further then it is supported by carnall meanes and helps. 1. Pet. 1. 6, 7.