Selected quad for the lemma: heart_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
heart_n	flesh_n	put_v	stony_a	3,688	5	11.7128	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A97271	A touch-stone to try (by our knowledge, belief, and life) whether we be Christians in name onely, or Christians in deed. Or, The character of a true beleever, that walks in some measure answerable to the gospell, his Christian profession, and the millions of mercies he hath received. / By R.Y. of Roxwell in Essex.	Younge, Richard.	1648 (1648)	Wing Y193B; Thomason E1150_4; ESTC R208624	54,772	52

A Touch-Stone To try by our knowledge belief and life whether we be Christians in name onely or Christians in deed OR The Character of a true Beleever that walks in some measure answerable to the Gospell his Christian profession and the millions of mercies he hath received By R. Y. of Roxwell in Essex 2 Cor. 13.5 Examine your selves whether ye be in the faith prove your owne selves Know ye not your owne selves how that Jesus Christ is in you except ye be reprobates Printed at London and are to be sold by Andrew Crooke at the signe of the Greene Dragon in Pauls Church-yard 1648. I Have perused this Treatise and approving it to be very pithy pious and profitable I allow it to be printed and published Iohn Downame THe Reader may think it strange that the Proofes are not alleadged but they were found to be so many in number that the very pointing to them would have taken up neere as much roome as the matter it selfe and so have doubled the charge which in that they are mostly to be given away could not be afforded Besides few use to turn to every Scripture and every sanctified heart is a Comment upon all that is herein delivered The CHARACTER of a true Beleever c. in reading whereof reflect upon your selves and see what comparison there is between that you are and what you should be and then with blessing from above it will much further you in your way to Heaven for therefore are we Christians in name onely because we think our selves Christians indeed and already good enough § 1. A True Beleever is one that God of his free grace and good pleasure hath chosen and elected to eternall life before the foundation of the World and whom Christ hath redeemed with his precious bloud § 2. He is effectually called and become a new Creature by regeneration being both begotten and borne a new of God by the immortall seed of the Word and the Spirits powerfull working with it And without this new Birth there is no being saved as our Saviour himselfe affirmes John 3.5 § 3. He is industrious after the meanes of Grace loves to heare Christs voyce and delights in it as finding a sweet relish therein is able to know when he speaketh and when the tempter he receives the Word not as the word of men but as it is in deed the Word of God with all readinesse for he resists not as the wicked doe but obeyes Christs call which worketh in him mightily for he findes it by experience quick and powerfull and sharper then any two edged sword piercing even to the dividing asunder of the soule and spirit and of the joynts and marrow and to the discerning of the very thoughts and the most secret intents of the heart § 4. His heart is circumcised or rather God takes away the stony heart out of his flesh and gives him a new heart in which he writes his Law and puts a new spirit into him even his owne Spirit causing him to walke in his statutes and keep his ordinances so as to doe them § 5. He sheds his love abroad in his heart by the Holy Ghost who witnesseth to his conscience that he is become the childe of God whereby he hath union and communion with Christ partakes of the Divine Nature and becomes like God in holinesse § 6. He is brought out of darknesse into marvellous light hath his eyes opened to see the wonders of Gods Law and that vayle or curtaine which before was drawne over his heart 2 Cor. 3.15 16. taken away and is turned from the power of Satan unto God § 7. He is ashamed of his former conversation bewayles and mournes bitterly for all his sins actuall and originall of omission and commission secret as well as knowne lesser as well as greater yea as well for the evill which cleaves to his best workes as for his evill workes being more grieved for offending so good a God then for that it doth or might bring him shame or punishment in this life or in Hell § 8. He now findes that the Law is spirituall binding the heart as well as the hands to which holy and just rule he brings all his thoughts words and actions and so sees himselfe out of measure sinfull as being guilty of all manner of concupiscence having broken every one of those righteous precepts Exodus 20 more times and wayes then he hath haires on his head not being able of himselfe to thinke a good thought for that all the powers of his soule and members of his body are wholly and originally corrupted § 9. He sees himselfe as guilty of Adams sinne being in his loynes as any Heire is liable to his Fathers debt and esteemes it the Mother and Nurse of all finding it like the great wheele in a Clocke that sets all the wheeles on moving while it seemes to move slowest and therefore hates and bewailes it as the most soule hatefull secret deceitfull and powerfull evill § 10. Whereupon finding himselfe in a lost condition and confessing that he hath deserved all the plagues of this life and of that which is to come and groaning under the burthen of sinne utterly dispairing of all helpe in himselfe he is solicitously carefull in the use of the meanes to attaine faith in the promise of Gods mercy made in Christ finding no rest untill he get some assurance vehemently hungering and thirsting after and earnestly praying for the pardon of sinne waiting on the Lord with patience § 11. He humbly unfainedly and freely confesseth all his sins so farre as he is able with the severall circumstances which aggravate the same to his owne shame and Gods glory § 12. He will take an holy revenge on himselfe even to the denying of his owne reason and affections his credit carnall friends profits pleasures and whatever else might hinder and by restoring goods or monies evill gotten though it were long since and when he was a servant in case he be able § 13. He unfainedly desires to forsake all sinne as being in some measure dead to it Christ by his Spirit having freed him from the power and dominion thereof and in part abolished it at least he so parts from all iniquity and hates every false way that no one sinne doth raigne in him for when he doth commit any evill it is full sore against his will as being led captive to it by the strength of Satans temptations and his owne corruptions for he never commits it freely and willingly and with full consent he allowes not of the evill he does no he will not premeditately and in times not utterly deserted doe the least evill that the greatest good may come of it neither is there any sinne he knowes by himselfe were it formerly never so pleasing to him but he desires as heartily that he might never commit it as that God should never impute it He likewise hates sinne throughly and universally and therefore is truly

seale by sudden refreshings falling like the dew upon his heart and establishing his soule before the Lord especially after holy duties yea his hope as being built upon Gods Word and promises fills him with such joy unspeakeable that it makes him rejoyce even in tribulation § 28. He sometimes loseth the efficacie feeling and comfort of faith but the seed and habit of faith alwaies remaineth He is often and grievously assaulted with feares and doubtings but in the issue he alwaies gets the conquest and is the more assured for having been so much assaulted and does so much the more strive to make his Calling and Election sure and to be assured of future happinesse after this his earthly pilgrimage § 29. Or if he hath but a weake faith yet it is sound against which the very gates of Hell shall never prevaile for he never utterly falls away from the grace of God but perseveres in the truth and in well doing to the end and therein findes also a blessed thriving and gracious progresse in true holinesse § 30. He is perfectly justified by the bloud of Christ freed from the rigour of the Law and in some good measure from the spirit of bondage is often in combate between the flesh and the Spirit but the Spirit in the end ever gets the upper hand § 31. And as he beleeves in his heart so he is not ashamed of the Crosse of Christ but will professe the truth boldly in all estates and in times of suffering and publish what Christ hath done for his soule to Gods glory and the comfort of others yea if called to it he will God assisting him lay downe his life for Christ and the Gospell and rejoyce also that he is counted worthy § 32. Neither is he high-minded but more feares the want of grace then confides in what he hath for he workes out his salvation with feare and trembling and trusts not in the least to his owne strength but is ever jealous and suspicious least his heart should deceive him but he resolves by Gods grace not to use any unlawfull meanes nor yeeld to any thing against the truth for the avoyding of what he feares be it burning at a stake as knowing and being fully perswaded that all things shall worke together for the best unto him And indeed the feare of God which is his continuall guardion keepes him in some measure from the feare of death and terrour of the world for he feares not them that can onely kill the body in any degree like him that after he hath killed can cast both body and soule into Hell Nor does he grutch to lose a temporall life when in lieu thereof he shall obtaine an eternall Crowne of glory § 33. He is wonderfully inflamed with the love and estimation of God and of Christ especially upon the returne of his prayers or the obtaining of some mercy the which he shewes by his hating of evill and by his constant obedience and the delight he hath in keeping of Gods Commandements and by his willingnesse to be at cost or suffer for him Neither is he so in love with the world or any thing in it as that it shall diminish his love to God yea he so loves and longs for Christs appearing that he may be united to him and enjoy his presence that his daily prayer is Come Lord Jesus come quickly § 34. Againe he intirely loves and highly esteemes Gods people not out of any carnall or selfe ends but for their graces the truths sake and because they are borne of God more loving and honouring the poore that walke uprightly then they that pervert their wayes though they be rich and loving them best that serve God most He is prone to justifie them and speake in their defence when he heares them reviled slandered or contemned by wicked and ungodly men though he incur their displeasure by it § 35. He does not estrange himselfe from the people of God in their misery but is ready to minister unto them when they stand in need and use any meanes for their reliefe He will solicite great ones in their behalfe and in Christs cause though he indanger himselfe thereby and can be as earnest a Suitor at the Throne of Grace for others that are in distresse as for himselfe even thursting and studying how he may doe them most good as participating and being touched with compassion and having a fellow-feeling both of the misery and felicity of others as one member hath of another especially of the Churches as a member hath of the whole body Neither can he rejoyce in his owne peace and welfare while the Church and people of God are in distresse whose welfare he preferres before his owne § 36. He delights in the Saints company above all others as finding an heavenly sweetnesse in their conference and society where every ones words doe savour of grace and wisedome and when in every company he shall either doe good or receive good § 37. And as he loves and delights in holy company so he loathes evill company neither will he have any fellowship with the workers of iniquity or be in league with the wicked as Swearers Drunkards Whooremongers Scoffers c. but avoyd all needlesse society with them Place these 25. Sections next after page 10. § 37. Such other signes or properties of A true Beleever as offered themselves while the second sheet was by a providence somewhat long in printing 1. § HE will neither back-bite others nor give eare to back-biters of others Neither lend Satan his tougue to utter nor his eares to heare nor his heart to beleeve lyes and slanders He will not lessen his owne credit by traducing one that wrongs him he will not lessen his owne shame and blame by traducing one he hath wronged as too many doe He wonders not so much at anothers ingratitude to him as at his owne unthankfulnesse to God He will pardon many things in others which he will not tolerate in himselfe He will neither arrogate to himselfe nor derogate from another neither villifie other mens doings nor over highly prize his owne He will not condemne censure or slight that which he understands not To finde gall in a Pidgion a knot in a Bulrush where is none is none of his humour In relating an enemies words he will neither adde to them nor diminish from them The faults of a few shall not make him uncharitable to all nor the goodnesse of many make him credulous of the rest He envies none for doing or faring or being better esteemed then himself 2. § His graces and goodnesse gaines him more enemies and breeds him more danger then vice and wickednesse does another man but he is more pleased then displeased at it for he knowes by the worlds hating of him that he is not of the world but that Christ hath chosen him out of the world and that he some way discovers the worlds treasons and deceits He knowes also that

cruelty if thou takest no care to provide for thine own family if thou hadst rather the wicked should beare rule then the godly if thou art an enemy to reformation if thou hadst rather disobey God then displease great ones if thou desirest peace without any respect to truth if thou dost allow thy selfe in the practice of any knowne grosse sinne if thou takest liberty to sinne because God is mercifull and forbeares to execute judgement speedily if thou dost not beleeve all things to be ordered by Gods providence and in particular acknowledge him in all thou either receivest or sufferest if thou murmurest when thou wantest any thing without ever thinking of the many things thou hast beyond thy desert if thou canst heare God blasphemed and dishonoured without being moved thereat if the scandalous lives of Professors or the multitude of Heresies that are daily broached make thee thinke and speake evill of the way of truth if thou didst never see thy selfe out of measure sinfull as being many waies guilty of the breach of every of the Commandements in particular and so in a lost condition utterly despayring of all helpe in thy selfe acknowledging that thou hast deserved all the plagues of this life and of that which is to come if thou art not as well troubled for originall guilt for sinnes of omission for the evill which cleaves to thy best workes and for thy very thoughts as for thy actuall and manifest evill deeds if thou hast made vowes and promised amendment when the rod was on thy back but never cared to performe the same when thou wert released if thou art not industrious after the meanes of grace if thou lovest not to heare Christs voyce if thou findest not the Word more quick and powerfull and sweet and efficatious then any other writings if it and the spirit going along with it hath not brought thee out of darknesse into marvellous light in comparison of thy former darknesse if thou art ignorant of the principalls of Religion in the midst of so much light and meanes and canst not yeeld a reason of the hope that is in thee if thou dost not finde a manifest change in thy judgement affections and actions from what they were by nature if the old man hath not changed with the new man worldly wisedome with heavenly wisedome carnall love for spirituall love servile feare for christian and filiall feare idle thoughts for holy thoughts vaine words for holy and wholsome words fleshly workes for workes of righteousnesse c. as if thou wert cast into a new mould even hating what thou formerly lovedst and loving what thou formerly hatedst if thou art not ashamed of thy former conversation if thou hast not been often and grievously assaulted with feares and doubtings and often in combate between the flesh and the spirit the spirit getting the better if thou dost not more feare the want of grace then conside in what thou hast if thou art nor jealous lest thy heart should deceive thee yea if thou art not hated of the world and evill spoken of for well doing thou art the Devills servant and not as yet one of that small number whom Christ hath chosen out of the world to beleeve in his name for these or any one of these signes sufficiently brand thee for a wicked man if you would see it proved undeniably from Gods Word read my Cure of Misprision Sections the 20. and 21. § 68. But least any weake Christian should thinke himselfe unsound and so none of Christs because he falls short of this description of a true Beleever and findes wanting in himselfe perhaps many of the former signes or evidences herein set forth or should be discouraged by reason of his many and great faylings together with the weaknesse of his faith and love as for the most part the true Christian is as fearefull to entertaine a good opinion of himselfe as the false is unwilling to be driven from it let such an one take speciall notice in the first place that there are three sorts of true and sound Christians as the Apostle Saint John makes the distinction 1 John 2.12 13. the first sort are babes in Christ viz. such as are new borne or but weakly qualifyed with the graces of Gods Spirit A second are strong men as having the gifts of the Spirit lively and in power The third are Fathers such as have had long experience in the powerfull practice of Christianity and been long exercised in all kinds or well doing This done § 69. Secondly let him know That as God requires no other obedience in the best then Evangelicall so he lookes not for the same measure and degree of grace from Babes and strong men or from strong men and Fathers for God accepteth of every man according to the grace he hath received be it more or leste 2 Cor. 8.12 as is manifest by that Parable of the Talents Matth. 25.20 to 24. yea what Father or Master will not from his young and newly weaned Child or sick and weake servant accept of the will for the deed and shall not God much more who is both the Father of mercies and the Author of mercy and compassion in others Yes undoubtedly as let it be granted that thy knowledge is still small thy faith weake thy charity cold thy heart dull and hard thy good workes few and imperfect and all thy zealous resolutions easily hindered and quite over-throwne with every small temptation yet God that worketh in us both the will and the worke will accept the will for the worke and that which is wanting in us Christ will supply with his owne righteousnesse he respecteth not what we can doe so much as what we would doe and that which we would performe and cannot he esteemeth it as though it were performed thus he taketh an heart desirous to repent and beleeve for a penitent and beleeving heart whereas take away the will and all acts in Gods sight are equall Well might I doubt of my salvation sayes Bradford feeling the weaknesse of my faith love hope c. if these were the causes of my salvation but there is no other cause of it or of Gods mercy but his mercy Againe § 70. Thirdly you are to observe that as Nature so Grace rises by many degrees to perfection we grow in grace and saving knowledge as a childe does in stature and understanding untill we attaine to glory which is grace perfected yea grace in its growth is but like the change of a mans haire from black to grey or the growth of a Tree which is not accomplisht in a moneth or a yeare but in many yeares we not perceiving how § 71. Fourthly consider also that the best have their failings as had Abraham Jacob David Peter c. you have heard of the patience of Job saith Saint James and have we not heard also of his fits of impatiency Yes but it pleased God mercifully to over-looke that and so of Asah