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 Isleworth in Middlesex 2. COR. 13. 5. Examine your selues whether ye be in the faith proue your owne selues Know ye not your owne selues how that Iesus Christ is in you except ye be reprobates LONDON Printed by R. FIELD for IONAS MAN 1619. TO THE MVCH HONOred Ladie the Ladie RVTH SCYDAMORE increase of peace and ioy in beleeuing HOw great the benefite of assurance of Gods fauour and of our owne saluation is those onely know that are either scourged with the conflicts and terrors of their own doubtings or that are solaced and established with the sweet dewes of refreshing that arise from a rooted and well grounded faith If men studie assurances so much for their outward possessions in this world how much more earnest and diligent should men be to assure Gods loue and the inheritance of the glorie to come There is not a clearer signe of a profane heart then to account these cares needlesse nor do I know a iuster exception against any religion then that it should teach that when a man hath done what he can to obserue the directions of that religion yet he cannot be sure he shall go to heauen But since I know that all that are possessed of the grace of Iesus Christ do account assurance great riches I therefore conceiue hope that my paines about this subiect will not be altogether vnacceptable and the rather because in this present treatise I haue endeuoured to expresse the signes of trial in a much more easie way then before and besides haue added directions that shew how a weake Christian may establish himselfe in his assurance I make bold to dedicate my new Essay herein vnto your Ladiship You haue heard the substance hereof preached and receiued it with much gladnesse and in the priuate vse of these signes you haue bene pleased to professe to the glorie of God that you haue found much contentment and establishment of your owne assurance Your eminencie in the sincere profession and practise of true religion and the shining of the graces here intreated of long acknowledged by many witnesses haue made you worthy to be publikly obserued and praised in the Churches of Christ and your great respect and fauour shewed to me hath made this way of testifying my thankfulnesse but as a small pledge and assurance of my desire to do your Ladiship any seruice in the things of Iesus Christ Thus beseeching God to enlarge the comforts of his Spirit in your heart and to prosper you in all things that concerne the blessed hope of the appearing of Iesus Christ our mightie God and Sauiour I end and rest Your Ladiships to be commanded N. Bifield CHAP. I. Describing the godly man by such signes as discouer him to the obseruation of other men THe signes of the tru Christian that hath true grace in this world and shall be saued in heauen whē he dies may be cast into two Catalogues The Two Catalogues of signes one more briefe the other more large The one Catalogue of signes describe him by such markes as for the most part do outwardly distinguish him amongst men The large Catalogue I intend especially as a more infallible and effectuall way of triall as cōtaining such signes as for the most part are not obserued by other men or not fully but are knowne to himselfe and can be found in no reprobate For the first Catalogue The shorter Catalogue handled in this Chapter The true Christian vsually discouers himselfe by these marks First he will not haue 1. He auoids the companie of the wicked fellowship with the vnfruitful works of darknes he will not walke in the counsell of the wicked nor stand in the way of sinners He will not sort himselfe with workers of iniquitie Psal 1. 1. 26. 2. Cor. 6. Secondly he will afflict 2. He is sorrowfull for his sinne humble his soule for his sinnes mourning and weeping for them till the Lord be pleased to shew mercie and forgiue him He doth account his sinnes to be his greatest burthen He cannot make a mocke of sinne c. Thirdly he labours 3. He is throughly reformed in conuersation to be holy in all parts of his conuersation watching ouer his owne waies at all times and in all companies Psal 50. 23. Esa 56. 8. 2. Pet. 3. Fourthly he makes 4. He maketh conscience of lesser sins as well as greater conscience of the least commandements as wel as the greatest auoiding filthy speaking and vain iesting and lasciuiousnesse as well as whoredome lesser oathes as well as the greater reprochful speeches as wel as violent actions c. Fiftly he loues and 5. He loues preaching esteemes and labours for the powerfull preaching of the word aboue all earthly treasures Sixtly he honours 6. He esteems the godly aboue all men and highly accounts of the godly and delights in the companie of such as truly feare God aboue all others Psal 15. Seuenthly he is carefull 7. He is carefull of the sanctification of the Sabbath of the sanctification of the Sabbath neither daring to violate that holy rest by labour nor to neglect the holy duties belonging to Gods seruice publicke or priuate Esa 56. and 58. Eightly he loues not 8. He is not in loue with the world the world neither the things thereof but is more heartily affected in things that concerne a better life and so doth in some degree loue the appearing of Christ Ninthly He is easie 9. He loues his enemies to be intreated he can forgiue his enemies desires peace and will do good euen to them that persecute him if it lye in his power Math. 5. Tenthly he goeth 10. He is constant in good courses though opposed on in the profession of the sincerity of the Gospell and doth such duties as he knoweth God requires of him in businesses of his soule notwithstanding the oppositions of prophane persons or the dislike of carnall friends c. Eleuenthly he setteth 11. He serues God in his family vp a daily course of seruing of God and that with his family too if he haue any and exerciseth himselfe in the word of God as the chiefe ioy of his heart and the daily refuge of his life calling vpon God continually c. CHAP. II. Shewing the generall diuision of the Signes and the ways how the signes were found out THus of the shorter Catalogue of signes Now it followes that I proceed to those infallible marks of Election and saluation And whereas I haue diuers yeares since published a Treatise which I called Essayes or signes of God loue and mans saluation Hauing obserued The occasion of this Treatise
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.
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
it when he is deliuered He is not like the Israelites mentioned Psal 78. 36. 37. 22. He makes a supernaturall 22. He accounts of spirituall things as the best things valuation of spirituall things accounting them as pearles of the best price not too deare bought if he purchased them with all the worldly things he hath and contrariwise accoūting himselfe exceeding poore if he want them or the meanes of them Math. 13. 45. 46. Psal 42. 63. 1. 3. 23. He hath lost his 23. He doth not sauour the things of the flesh and the world wonted taste in earthly things his heart is not transported with the admiration of them or the inordinate desires after worldly things He loues not the world this life as he was wont to do Though hee vse the world yet he easily confesseth himselfe to be a stranger and pilgrime here He giues ouer the vnnecessary pleasures profits of this life Heb. 11. 13. 1. Ioh. 2. 14. 15. Rom. 8. 6. He is wearie of the world and willing to forgo societie with the men of this world the workers of iniquitie Psalm 6. 8. 9. and 39. 12. and 26. 1 2 3 4. 24. If the Lord be silent 24. He is much grieued if God hide himselfe and answer not his desires but hides his face his spirit faileth and he is as one that goeth downe into the pit it troubles him as a sore crosse and so contrariwise Psal 26. 1 and 88. 13 14 15 and 143. 7. Ioh. 16. 23. 28. 25. If he hath bene 25. Of a liō he becoms a lambe a man subiect to boisterous violent and hurtful affections he is now become tame of a Lion he is become a lambe a litle child may leade him Esay 11. 9. 26. He hath a spirit 26. His spirit is without guile without guile Psal 32. 2. He is more desirous to be good then to be thought to be so and more seekes the power of godlinesse then the shew of it Iob. 1. 1. Prou. 20. 6. 7. His praise is of God and not of men Rom. 2. 26. And thus much of the triall of his humiliation The signes of his faith follow CHAP. IIII. The triall of a godly man by his Faith FAith is the next thing to be tried in a childe of God And in as much as there are diuers kinds of faith Why we should trie our faith and experience shewes in many that giue no signes of repentance that they wil not be beaten frō a confident presumption that Christ died for them euen for them in particular it stands vs in hand to trie our perswasion by true rules of Scripture that so if it will abide the trial of the touchstone we may lay it vp as an hid treasure and a wonderfull grace of God and if otherwise we may repent vs of presumption as a deceiueable sinne But before I open the signes of this signe the Reader must be admonished of three things First that I intend not The drift is to shew how faith may be proued not how it may be bred by these signes to shew how faith may be bred or begotten in vs but how faith may be proued and declared to be in vs. For it is the promises of God in the Scripture that breed faith nor can humane reason beleeue such great things from God for any thing that is in vs but onely because we see the word of God assuring such happinesse vnto such as lay hold vpon them So that that which breeds faith is the reuelation of Gods promises by his word and Spirit Yet notwithstanding the assurance of faith is much increased and confirmed by the sight of those signes of the truth of our faith and other graces of God in vs. Secondly that I stand A second caueat not precisely vpon the order of these graces of God in vs nor determine that question which graces are first wrought in the heart of a man but that which I haue specially aimed at in the order of setting them downe is to begin at those that either first appeare in a Christian or are easiest as I conceiue to be discerned in him Thirdly that I intend The 3. note by way of preface 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 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 The question then is how a Christian may trie his perswasion of Gods mercie and his interest in Christs merits whether it be right or no. For answer thereunto I say that the true Christian doth proue his faith and perswasion The true faith to be right by those signes following First his faithor perswasion 1. Was wrought by the word preached was wrought by the hearing of the word preached therfore thou must first aske thy selfe how thou commest by thy perswasion For if thou say thou wast alwayes so perswaded or didst attain it by meere naturall meanes or helpes thou art deceiued For faith is first wrought by the holy Ghost in the preaching of the Gospell as it is most cleer by the words of the Apostle How shall they beleeue in him of whō they haue not heard and how shall they heare without a preacher Rom. 10. 14. And whereas it may be that many Christiās haue not obserued the workings of their faith and haue forgotten the time of their conuersion and haue not iudgement to discerne how the Lord by the ministerie of his seruants did change their hearts and leade them to Christ Therefore when this first signe cannot comfort they must trie themselues by the rest that follow Secondly he hath an 2. Esteems Christ aboue all things high estimation of Iesus Christ For the man that hath true faith accounts all things most base in cōparison of the knowledge of Christ and the loue of God in him He had rather be sure of Christ then to gaine the whole world Christ is more precious then all the world yea is the only thing in request in the desires of the Christian Now Christ is precious onely to them that beleeue 1. Pet. 2. 6. and by this signe Paul knew that he was growne far beyond himselfe in his former life and beyond all the Pharises in the world Phil. 3. 9. Thirdly he readily 3. Receiues the testimony of Gods ministers before all the world receiues the testimonie of Gods ministers speaking out of the word sticks to it against all the contradictions
8. 12. 8. By the extent of his loue to all the words of God euen the Law that with threatening shewes him his sin and searcheth out his most secret corruptions being most affected with that ministery that doth most sharply rebuke sin 9. By his resolution to labour as hard for the food of his soule as men do or he would do for the food of his bodie Ioh. 6. 27. Amos 8. 12. 10. By the constant sweet taste he finds in it especially when it is powerfully preached Psal 19. 10. 2. Cor. 2. 15. 11. By the end he propounds vnto himselfe in the vse of the word which is that he might not sinne and that his wayes might be made pleasing to God hiding the word in his heart to this purpose Psal 119. 11. 12. By his willingnes and resolution to denie his owne reason and affections his credite his carnall friends his profits or his pleasures in any thing when God should so require it of him and vpon any occasion to shew his heartie respect of the Gospell Mar. 10. 2. 9. 1. Cor. 1. 18. 13. By the effects of it as 1. When for the loue he beares to the word he will separate himselfe from the wicked that might any way withdraw his heart or endanger his disobedience Psal 119. 115. 2. When he accounts the word to be his chiefe comfort in affliction finds it to be the maine stay and solace of his heart Psal 119. 23. 24. 50. 51. 54. 143. 3. When it works in him effectually the redresse of his wayes and freedome from the dominion of sin Ioh. 8. 33. Psal 119. 45. 9. 59. 1. Thes 2. 13. 4. When it works in him certaine and sensible assurance of heart before God This assurāce is an infallible signe of the right vse of the word 1. Thess 1. 5. And thus of the second gift The third gift is the His triall by his gift of prayer spirit of prayer or supplication as the Prophet Zacharie cals it Zach. 12. 10 and this gift he hath aboue all wicked men which he shewes many 13. Rules of triall wayes as 1. He askes according to Gods will 1. Ioh. 5. 14. 2. He prays with perswasion that God will heare him He beleeueth in some measure that he shall haue what he prays for He prayes in faith Mark 11. 14. Iam. 1. 6. 7. Psal 6. 9. 1. Ioh. 3. 19. 22. 3. He prayes in the name of Christ and is affected with the sence of his owne vilenesse and relies vpon the merits and mediation of Iesus Christ Ioh. 14. 13. Psal 86. 1. 2. 143. 4. 4. He will pray at all times Iob 27. 9. Psalme 106. 2. 5. He is feruent in prayer his heart prayeth he hath the affections of prayer Iam. 5. 16. Psal 6. 8. 6. Prayer makes him exceeding weary of the world it giues him such a taste of his owne sinfulnesse and of Gods goodnesse and of the glorie of heauen that he is vehemently carried with desire to be absent from the bodie that he might be present with the Lord Psal 39. 12. 7. When he knowes not how to pray as he ought the Spirit prepares his heart excites in him holy desires supplies him sometimes with words sometimes with affections and somtimes worketh inward vnexpressable groanes which yet it presents to God as effectuall prayers Ro. 8. 26. 27. 8. He findes an holy rest and quietnesse in his conscience and heart with spirituall boldnesse and confidence of trust in God if he heare him graciously and answer him in mercie Psal 3. 4. 5. 6. 116. 1. 7. 91. 15. 17. Ierem. 33. 3. 9. He loues the Lord exceedingly for hearing his prayer and desires to keepe himselfe in the loue of God Psal 116. 1. Iude 20. 10. His prayers proceed from a heart that loues no sin but desires to depart from iniquitie and to do that which is pleasing in Gods sight 2. Tim. 2. 19. 1. Ioh. 3. 22. 11. He loues prayer in others 2. Tim. 1. 22. 12. He striues against deadnesse of spirit and distractions as an heauy burthen Psal 86. 3. 4. 13. He makes prayer his chiefe refuge and he will pray though prayer be in neuer so much disgrace Psal 69. 10. 13. 142. 2. 5. And thus of the third gift The fourth gift is the loue of his enemies Any His loue to his enemies tried Christiā may loue such as loue him but to loue his enemies is onely to be found in the true Christian which he proues by these tokens of the sinceritie of his loue 1. He can pray heartily for them yea in some cases he can mourne humble his soule before God for them in their distresses Psal 35. 13. 14. 2. He desires their conuersion so vnfainedly that he is sure if they were cōuerted he could reioyce in them as heartily as in those he now much delights in 3. He can likewise forgiue them their particular trespasses against him being more grieued for their sins against God thē for the wrongs they do him Mat. 6. 14. 4. He can freely acknowledge their iust praises 5. He can not onely patiently endure their reuilings but can forbeare when he could be reuenged by bringing shame or misery vpon them 1. Pet. 3. 9. Rom. 12. 14. 1. Sam. 24. 18. 19 yea he doth as he hath occasion striue to ouercome their euil with goodnesse being willing to helpe them or releeue them in their miserie and do them any good for the soule or body The last gift which is found in the true Christian His triall by the loue to the appearing of Christ while he is in the way in this life is His loue of the appearing of Christ which he shewes 1. By the longing after the time of Christs coming whether by death or iudgement 2. By his gladnesse at the promises or signes of his particular or generall coming 3. By his often meditations of that day and his hearty prayers for the hastening of it Reu. 22. 10. 4. By his daily care to dispatch all those godly duties which he desires to do before his death and accordingly by his willing disposing of his estate and endeuors to set his house in order And this desire of Christs coming is apparently the more sincere in him 1. Because it ariseth out of his loue to God and his hatred of his owne sins and his wearines vnder the obseruation of other mens sins 2. Because this desire is accompanied with the care of the meanes by which he may be prepared for saluation 3. Because he is thus affected euen in his prosperitie when he thriues in the world and is not in any notable distresse Hitherto of his triall in such gifts as he is endowed withall in this life onely his triall in the gifts that will abide in him for euer follow CHAP. VI. His triall in respect of such heauenly gifts as will not be abolished by death THe gifts that will abide in him for euer The trial of