Selected quad for the lemma: death_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
death_n	brethren_n	know_v	love_v	5,050	5	7.2282	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A73612	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.	Byfield, Nicholas, 1579-1622.	1619 (1619)	STC 4236.8; ESTC S124755	25,453	144

that diuers haue accounted the manner of setting the signes downe somewhat obscure in diuers parts of the booke I will now by Gods assistance for the helping of the weakest Christians in this Treatise endeuour to expresse my selfe in this doctrine of the triall of a true Christians estate in a more plaine and easie course of examination and leaue both the former treatise and his new Catalogue vnto the blessing of God and the free choice of the godly reader of vse which he findeth most agreeable to his owne taste being both such as are warranted founded vpon the infallible euidence of Gods vnchangeable truth In this proiect then I consider of the triall of The signes referred to sixe heads a true Christian sixe wayes First in his humiliation Secondly in his faith Thirdly in the gifts of his mind with which he is qualified Fourthly in the workes of his obedience Fiftly in the entertainment he hath from God Sixtly in the manner of his receiuing of the Sacraments In all which he differs from all the wicked men in the world so as neuer any wicked man could find these things in his condition which are true of the weakest Christian in each of these signes And that the true Christian may not doubt of his estate hauing found these signes The infallibilitie of the signes in himselfe let him consider the proofes annexed to each signe that nothing may be wanting to his aboundant consolation I will tell him how I found out those signes and by what grounds I proceeded There are three sorts 3. Wayes to find out the signes of a godly man in Scripture of places in Scripture as I cōceiue which do point out the grounds of infallible assurance in those that can attaine vnto them as first such places as expresly do affirme that such and such things are signes As for example 1. Iohn 3. 14. Hereby we know that we are translated from death to life because we loue the brethren Here the holy Ghost shews vs expresly that the loue of the brethren is a signe by which a Christian may know that he is translated from death to life so the Apostle Paul giues signes to know whether their sorrow were after God or no. 2. Cor. 7. 11. So doth the Prophet Dauid Psal 15. giue diuers signes by which the man that shal dwell in Gods holy hill may be knowne So the Apostle Iames tels vs how we may know the wisedome from aboue by reckning the fruites and effects of it Iam. 3. 17. So doth the Apostle Paul tell vs how we may know whether we haue the Spirit of Christ in vs or no Rom. 8. 9. 15. c. Gal. 5. 22. 4. 6. 7. Secondly I find out signes by marking what graces in man the promises of God are made vnto for thus I reason Whatsoeuer gifts of God in man brings him within the compasse of Gods promises of eternall mercie that gift must be an infallible signe of saluation But such are such and such gifts as the instances in diuers Scriptures shew And therefore the man that can find those gifts in himselfe shall be certainly saued As for example The kingdome of heauen is promised to such as are poore in spirit Math. 5. 4. From thence then I gather that pouertie of spirit is an infallible signe The like I may say of the loue of the word and of vprightnesse of heart and of the loue of God and the loue of the appearing of Christ c. Thirdly I find out other signes by obseruing what godly men in Scripture haue said for themselues when they haue pleaded their owne euidence for their interest in Gods loue or their hope of a better life For look how godly men in Scripture haue proued that they were not hypocrites euen so may any Christiā proue that he is not an hypocrite neither As for example Iob being charged to be an hypocrite and lying vnder the heauy hand of God pleades his cause and proues that he was not an hypocrite by his constancie in Gods wayes and by his constant estimation of Gods word and desire after it as after his appointed food Iob 23. 10. 11. 12. More of this kind thou maist find in the proofes of particular signes Now whereas some signes are generall and thou mightst doubt of the exposition namely how that signe is infallible in such such sences For thy establishment herein thou mayst obserue that I expoūd the signe as it is expounded in other seuerall Scriptures As for example The loue of the brethren is a generall signe Now how shall I know that I haue the right loue of the brethren This I explane by flying to diuers other Scriptures wherein the particular explications of this signe are pleaded CHAP. III. The triall of a Christian by the signes of true humiliation THe first way then by which a Christian may trie himselfe is to examine himselfe about his humiliation for sinne whether it be right or no. For vnder this head is comprehended the explication of the doctrine of pouertie of spirit and godly sorrow and so in generall of repentance for sinnes Now the true Christian in this matter of humiliation shews himselfe to haue attained 26. Signes of true humiliation that which no reprobate could euer attaine and that in diuers particulars as First he hath a true 1. He sees his sinnes sight and sence of his sins He discernes his sinfulnesse of life both past and present and is affected and pained vnder the burthen of his daily wants and corruptions and sees his miserie in respect of his sinnes Ierem 3. 12. Math. 11. 29. Math. 5. 4. Secondly he trembles 2. He feares Gods displeasure at Gods word and feares his displeasure while it yet hangs in the threatnings Esa 66. 1. 2. Thirdly he renounceth 3. He trusts not vpon the merit of his own workes his owne merits and disclaimeth all opinion of true happinesse in himselfe or in any thing vnder the Sunne as being fully perswaded that he cannot be saued by any works of his owne or be happie in enioying any worldly things and therefore is fully resolued to seeke for the chiefe good in Gods fauour in Iesus Christ onely Fourthly he mournes 4. He mournes heartily and secretly for his sins and so he doth 1. For all sorts of sins For all sorts of sinne for secret sinnes as well as knowne sinnes for lesser sinnes as well as greater for the present euils of his nature and life as well as sinnes past yea for the sins he hath loued or haue bene gainfull and pleasing to him Yea he grieues for the euill that cleaues to his best workes as well as for euill workes Esa 6. 5. Rom. 7. Esa 1. 16. Math. 5. 6. 2. For sinne as it is sin For sinne as it is sin and not as it doth or might bring him shame or punishments in this life or in hell 3. He is as much troubled

his knowledge are these three Knowledge the loue of God and the loue of the brethren These are perfected and not abolished by death And first in his knowledge And so he differs frō wicked men he differs from all wicked men and so in diuers things as First in the things he In the things he knowes knowes he knowes the nature of God in a right manner he knowes God in Iesus Christ he knowes the vilenesse of his owne sinnes he knowes after an effectuall manner the mysteries that concerne the saluation of his soule he knowes his owne conuersion and the forgiuenesse of his sinnes and the things that are giuen him of God Mat. 13. 13. Iohn 17. 3. Iere. 31. 34. 1. Cor. 2. 12. He knowes that Iesus Christ is in him 2. Cor. 13. 5. 2. Secondly in the 2. In the cause of his knowledge cause of his knowledge For flesh and bloud did not reueale those things vnto him he came not by them by the vse of naturall meanes but they are wrought in him by the word Spirit of God Mat. 16. 17. 1. Iohn 2. 27. and 5. 10. 1. Cor. 1. 30. Thirdly in the effects 3. In the effects of his knowledg of his knowledge for 1. It breeds in him an vnspeakable refreshing and gladnesse of heart in Gods presence Psal 36. 8. 9. 10. Philip. 1. 9. 2. It inflames him to a wonderfull loue of the word of God aboue all earthly things Psal 119. 97. 98. 3. It works in him an effectuall sauouring and tasting of the goodnesse of spirituall things Ro. 8. 5. 4. It enclines him to a constant obedience and practise of Gods will Pro. 8. 9. 17. Iohn 7. 17. Deut. 4. 6. It redresseth his wayes Psal 119. 10. 1. Ioh. 2. 3. and 3. 24. 5. It beates downe pride and conceitednes and frowardnesse and makes him humble and teachable Pro. 3. 5. 6. and 8. 13. 14. Iames 3. 17. Fourthly in the properties 4. In the properties of his knowledge of his knowledge for 1. It is infallible his knowledge hath much assurance in many things with strong confidence and resolution at some times especially when he is before God 1. Thes 1. 5. 2. It is indelible it cannot be vtterly blotted out it is fast grauen in his heart contrary doctrine or persecution cannot raze it out Iere. 31. 34. Eph. 4. 13. Prou. 4. 5. 6. 3. It is sincere for first it inclineth him to giue glorie to God and receiue all truth as well as any truth He receiues the doctrine of God though it be aboue reason and against the cōmon opinion of men or crosse his profit or desires or the like Secondly it leades him principally to vnderstand his owne way and guides him to study the things chiefly that concerne his owne reformation and saluation Pro. 14. 8. Colos 3. 16. And thus he differs from wicked men in his knowledge Secondly in his loue His loue to God tried by 9. signes to God he hath these things which no wicked man can attaine to 1. He hath a deliberate inward inflamed estimation of God aboue all things accounting his louing kindnesse better then life and the signes of his fauour his greatest ioy Psal 63. 2. 11. 2. He loues longs for the Lord Iesus Christ with certaine sincere affection Ephes 6. 24. 2. Tim. 4. 8. 3. He delights in Gods presence and shewes it by his vnfained loue to Gods house Psalme 26. 8 and by his heartie griefe for Gods absence Cant. 3. 1 and by his carefulnesse to set the Lord daily before him walking in his sight Psal 16. 8. 4. He hates sin heartily because God hates it and he dislikes sinners because they hate God accounting Gods enemies as if they were his owne enemies Psal 139. 21. 22. and 97. 10. 5. He constantly desires to be like God in holinesse being carefull to approue his affection to God by his obedience to his commandements so as it is not grieuous to him to receiue directions but serues God with all his heart being fearefull to displease God in any thing Ioh. 14. 21. 1. Io. 5. 3. Deut. 10. 12. and 11. 22 is more affected with Gods approbation then all the praise of men Rom. 2. 26. 6. He is much affected with Gods mercie the blessings bestowed vpon him which he thankfully remembers to the praise of Gods free grace Esa 63. 7. Psal 63. 2. 3. 4. 6. 8. 107. 22. Iob 36. 24. Deut. 6. 2. 7. He loues all the godly for this reason chiefly because they are like vnto God in holinesse as being begotten by him 1. Ioh. 5. 1. 8. He is as heartily vexed for any dishonor done to God as for any disgrace offered to himselfe 9. Finally he shewes it in diuers cases that befal him in his course in this life as 1. If he be put to suffer any thing for Gods sake he endures it with much ioy and patience 1. Thess 1. 6. Act. 5. Iohn 22. 15 to 19. 2. If at any time he offend God by his owne faultinesse he is heartily grieued and cast downe and doth constantly desire to forsake any sinne though neuer so pleasing or gainefull vnto him rather then he would displease God Deut. 30. 6. 3. In all streights and wants he runs to God relying vpon God as his defence rocke and refuge in all times of troubles making his moane vnto him and powring out his prayers and complaints before him Psal 18. 1. 2. Thus of his loue to God Thirdly his loue to His loue to the godly tried by ten signes the godly doth also distinguish him from all the wicked men in the world because here are diuers things to be noted in his affection to them which cannot be found in wicked men 1. As first he loues the godly aboue all other sorts of mē in the world he accounts them as the onely excellent people Psal 16. 3. 1. Ioh. 3. 14. and affects them as if they were his naturall kinred Rom. 12. 9. 10. 2. He loues them not for carnall respects but for the graces of God in them for the truths sake and because they are begotten of God 1. Ioh. 5. 1. 2. Ioh. 1. 2. 3. Ioh. 1. 3. He delights in their fellowship and societie in the Gospell as accounting them the happie companions of this life Psal 16. 3. 3. Ioh. 8. Philippians 1. 5. 4. He hath a fellow feeling of their miseries he is in some measure affectioned to weepe with them that weepe and reioyce with them that reioyce especially he is glad when their soules prosper Rom. 12. 16. 3. Ioh. 3. 5. His desire is to walk inoffensiuely as being loath any way to be an occasion of stumbling or scandall to any Christian 1 Ioh. 2. 10. 6. He can beare their infirmities take things in the best sence suffer long is not easily prouoked he hopeth all things and boasts not himselfe or enuies them nor will receiue an euill report against them 1.