B11881:193
The signs of the wicked man Together with directions that show how the several…The signes of the wicked man Together with directions that shew how the seuerall…
The signs of the wicked man Together with directions that show how the several gifts and graces of Gods spirit may be attained. Needful for such as want those graces, and for such as desire to increase in them. By N. Bifield, preacher of Gods Word at Isleworth in Middlesex.The signes of the wicked man Together with directions that shew how the seuerall gifts and graces of Gods spirit may be attained. Needfull for such as want those graces, and for such as desire to increase in them. By N. Bifield, preacher of Gods Word at Isleworth in Middlesex.
London: printed by George Purslow for Ralph Rounthwaite, 1619London: printed by George Purslovv for Ralph Rounthvvaite, 1619
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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 when he hath thus furnished these three heads with things, that in particular concern himself, they being all matters of weight, he must now carry these things, or the chief of them in his mind, and frame his heart to speak to God in the best words he can get, to signify his detestation of those sins, his humble requests for those graces, and his unfeigned thankfulness for those blessings: Howsoever he may be rude, or unperfect in his ⟨p. 92⟩language about these at the first, yet exercise will bring him to a ripeness, and by this course he shall be sure to speak of things, that concern himself nearly; and that God, which hath taught parents to regard the unperfect language of their little children, when they begin to speak unto them, will himself much more delight to hear the desires of his servants, that are grieved, that they cannot speak in a better sort unto him: The profit and comfort of this course will appear by experience to ⟨p. 93⟩be exceeding great; Besides, it is an easy way, when there is in any a true desire to be at the pains to learn this language of speaking to God by prayer, and Gods Spirit will help and teach the poor Christian, and draw his Petitions for him, and prompt him both with words and affections; and the Christian must know this, that when he hath confessed his sins, and showed what he would have God do for him, with the best words he could in the truth of his heart, he hath made a ⟨p. 94⟩most effectual prayer to God.
Now when hee hath thus furnished these three heads with things, that in particular concerne himselfe, they being all matters of weight, hee must now carry these things, or the chiefe of them in his minde, and frame his heart to speake to God in the best words hee can get, to signifie his detestation of those sinnes, his humble requests for those graces, and his vnfaigned thankefulnesse for those blessings: Howsoeuer hee may bee rude, or vnperfect in his ⟨p. 92⟩language about these at the first, yet exercise will bring him to a ripenesse, and by this course he shall be sure to speak of things, that concerne himselfe neerely; and that God, which hath taught parents to regard the vnperfect language of their little children, when they begin to speake vnto them, will himselfe much more delight to heare the desires of his seruants, that are grieued, that they cannot speake in a better sort vnto him: The profite and comfort of this course will appeare by experience to