Linguistic DNA - Concept Modelling Demonstrator

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
spirit_n	bear_v	son_n	witness_n	5,359	5	7.9501	4	false

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A89336	The touch-stone of conversion. Or, Marks of true faith. Wherein the impenitent sinner is rowsed. True beleever discovered. And doubting saint resolved. / By that excellent man of God now in heaven, Mr. Arthur Morton Scotch man.	Morton, Arthur, Scotch man.	1647 (1647)	Wing M2820; Thomason E1141_1; ESTC R210080	110,861	289

flesh warreth against the Spirit he hath a continuall Christian warfare The naturall man wants all this and hath peace in all these respects As peace so joy is the effect of Faith not a worldly joy arising from the abundance of corn and oyl or considerations of that kind but a spirituall joy a joy that cannot be taken from him Rejoyce not in this but rather rejoyce that your names are written in the book of life a rejoycing that he is in favour with God in the light of his countenance There is a joy of sanctification arising in the heart after the victory of corruption or the spirituall and lively discharge of a duty And there is a joy of justification which is when we find nothing in our selves but corruption and unrighteousnesse and in regard of these great failings neverthelesse that we have nothing but matter of sorrow in our selves we rest repose rejoyce in the sufferings of Christ beleeving in him who justifies the ungodly Being justified by faith we have peace with God through Jesus Christ. Thus we glorifie Christ It is the fault of many Christians that they are not as much affected with this joy as with that of sanctification but we are never right but when we feel something in our selves Surely it is a matter of great repentance and of godly sorrow for the offence of God when we are not right in our selves But for the point of Faith although we be destitute of the joy of sanctification yet should we not cast away the joy of justification also but trust in him who justifieth the ungodly There be joyes that occur in the particular actions of a mans life There is a spirituall joy arising from a mans case in generall which he retains oft times when he is deprived of particular spirituall joyes for a man upon his particular failings is not alwaies bewilded in the point of his justification and being in the favour of God in generall Rejoyce in this that your names are written in the book of life to see a man by the means of faith by the evidences of faith by the testimonie of Gods Spirit bearing witnesse to his spirit that he is the son of God that he is in favour with God This spirituall joy especially the last joy concerning his case be the joy of beleevers and Marks of true Faith The matter of his joy and sorrow doth not chiefly and principally arise from worldly respects as the naturall mans joy and sorrow doth but from the aforesaid respects when night is come and a view of the day is taken the matter of his joy is according as he hath found the Spirit of sanctification keeping him from tentation and sin or strengthening him to the discharge of any good duty Or if there have been failings this way according as he finds a relying and resting upon the righteousnesse of Christ for remission and reconciliation and acceptation Moreover his joy is from his spirituall case and estate if this be clouded all the contentments in the world will not make him to rejoyce And again if this be made sure and he sensible of that surenesse he cares the lesse how it fares with his outward estate he can glory in tribulation rejoycing in the hope of the glory of God See then if thou hast these spirituall rejoycings and having them conclude thou hast Faith Obj. If this be a token of true Faith I have need to fear for I find not there rejoycings specially that joy unspeakable and glorious I am far from it A. 1. Yet if this be the axtree of your affections about which they roll that you fetch your joy and sorrow from spirituall things especially it is a good thing when you conceive any good hope rejoycing and when otherwise sorrowing this is a taking of the matter to heart 2. The temper of the body it may be melancholick and for the temper of the minde it may be yet somewhat under the spirit of bondage 3. This of rejoycing is a Mark of a strong of a triumphing of a victorious Faith not to be alwayes expected as we said of love in beginners whose faith is weak and are ever weakning their own faith through Satans subtiltie the tree of faith in some measure must have ceased from shogging before it can bear this fruit of Joy it may be well rooted not in the time of tentation desertion and weightie affliction 4. The mind of man is narrow namely when it comes to spirituall things it cannot contain many things at once specially in weak Christians before one impression be wrought another vanishes when the impression of humiliation is wrought and one goes on to get the impression of faith the other vanishes but let the sense of humiliation and of the wages of sin and then the impression and act of faith be both together in the soul and mind of a man this third act of joy will not but follow in some measure even according to the measure of the two former acts If one shall at one time be perswaded of his deliverie and withall see and be sensible of the greatnesse of the danger and punishment from the which he is delivered how can he but rejoyce Get then these two acts senses impressions of humiliation and faith and thou shalt not fail to rejoyce but if thou fail in any of these thy joy will abate accordingly 5. For that joy unspeakable and glorious which seems to be some speciall and peculiar manifestation These be the Lords delicates reserved as cordials to be given to his children in great temporall straits especially if they be suffering for the Name of Christ Appl. But if thou be one of those who never had yet any unquietnesse and hast not found the pains of the spirituall birth which is not in all alike no more then the naturall some come off with more ease then others going presently to their work as Lydia and the Jaylor or if ever thou hadst any unquietnesse yet didst not betake thee to the right means of a true peace or hast thou not a daily Christian warfare with the remnants of sin or knowest thou not what spirituall joy or sorrow means but hast thy affections taken up another way thou hast not true faith at all This last Mark of faith is from the carriage of it in time of adversity it maketh no haste betaketh not it self to despair or utter discouragement with Saul and Jehoram or to any unlawfull shifts but with some measure of confidence and hope of quietnesse and patience it waits upon God according to that It is good for a man both to hope and quietly to wait for the salvation of the Lord this is a notable mark and proof of faith The goodnesse of gold is best tryed by the fire and fornace and even so is faith whether it be upright or no fained or unfained by the fiery tryall of affliction according to that 1 Pet. 1. That the triall of your faith may be

THE TOUCH-STONE OF CONVERSION OR Marks of true FAITH WHEREIN The Impenitent sinner is rowsed True Beleever discovered And Doubting Saint resolved BY That excellent Man of God now in Heaven Mr. ARTHVR MORTON Scotch man LONDON Printed by Fr. Neile for Tho Vnderhill at the Signe of the Bible in Woodstreet 1647. To the Reader NOw are the dayes wherein Atheisme and profanenesse abound many giving themselves up to commit all manner of sins with greedinesse as lying swearing uncleannesse drunkennesse injustice neglect of Gods worship as if there were no God no Saviour no Day of Judgement no Heaven no Hell Also now are the times wherein thousands place all Religion and happinesse pharisaically upon their injoyment of the publick Ordinances or their externall performance of such duties civil and religious as the Lord requires they are spiritually blinde knowing nothing experimentally of Gods gracious presence in his Ordinances as the soul and life of them nor of any gracious work the Spirit hath wrought in their own hearts by the use of them as the spring fountain within a man from whence all his actions should flow these know not experimentally what to live by faith the life of a Christian to repent to be born again to injoy communion with Jesus Christ to have the Spirit Means These are they that having but a form of godlinesse deny the power thereof and are in a deplorable and damnable condition There are in the last place many that having their eyes opened are convinced of their sins and deeply perplexed with fears and terrors whose very life is a burthen to them because of the frowns of the Almighty who hereupon if they split not themselves upon the rock of desperation are in danger either of betaking themselves to the fore-mentioned by-path of their own fancied righteousnesse duties and performances the very way to hell or of being in such a sad uncomfortable condition though the sons daughters of God through beleeving as that they have as little comfort and joy within them as God and the Church service from them by reason they have not the assurance of Gods love and are alwayes doubting that the promise belongs not to them so that the joy of the Lord is not their strength As an excellent help to all these three sorts of men read this small and excellent Book compiled by the late Reverend Evangelicall Preacher of Gods Word in our Sister Nation Mr. Arthur Morton my great desire of thy good prevailed with me to Print it and so to make that jewell common which was before communicated but to a few in Manuscripts Here are such excellent things concerning the mysteries of sin and the Gospel concerning the wofull estate of the wicked and the happinesse of the godly counterfeit graces and true Mortification and Vivification the freenesse and fulnesse of the love of God of the righâ—eousnesse of Christ wherein the impenitent sinner is rowsed the true beleiver is discovered and the doubting Saint resolved as I am confident will be acceptable to those that have the spirit of discerning to know the things that differ and prise the things that are more excellent especially if they confider that in such times of fears and danger as these are it behooves every man to use all deligence to make his calling and election sure to get clear evidence of his interest in and union with the Lord Jesus Christ Which spirituall condition is above the world both it's smiles and frowns and is reall happinesse It 's priviledges are for greatnesse and lastingnesse unspeakable of many this is not the least namely the assurance of Gods love and fatherly care over beleevers that in every estaâ—e he will save and uphold them even when his wrath doth burn against his enemies he will teach them the good way which they ought to walk in give his Angels charge over them carry them in his bosome cause all things to work together for their good this very one Priviledge hath these prerogatives attending it viz. peace with God or stable tranquillity and sweet calmnesse of minde which passes all understanding free accesse unto the throne of grace with boldnesse and confidence Christ as it were leading us by the hand into the presence of God and joy in the holy Ghost unspeakable and glorious which doth so lift the faithful above the heavens being cheared with the presence of Gods favours and contented with Christ alone that they despise the world and the base things therein and can be content in poverty suffer with joy the spoyling of their goods and be willing to dye for the Name of the Lord Jesus Certainly if the men of the world did but know what peace what joy yea what a heaven there is in a godly mans breast he would either have no rest within himself untill he could attain unto the same happy condition or else like a devill that is without any hopes of ever attaining to it would out of envy and hatred exceedingly persecute them as Apostates usually do to whom hath been discovered some things of Christ and grace in the soul Thus earnestly desiring that this little excellent Book may be somewhat helpfull for the advancement of Christs kingdom I rest Tho Vnderhill The Contents THe dreadfull case of those that want Faith p. 2. The fewnesse of those that have or shall have it p. 2. 1. The Marks of Faith Are such as go before that accompany and follow after Faith p. 7 1. The Marks that goeth before Faith is Humiliation p. 9. The parts and Markes of it p. 9. to the 15. The Meanes of it p. 92. to 148. 2. The Marks that accompany Faith p. 152. to 156. 3. The Marks that follow Faith p. 157. to 185. 2. The Means of Faith Generall Means p. 188. Speciall Means p. 211. Doubts resolved Whether a Reprobate may not have all the parts of Humiliation in him p. 29. A Doubt is resolved about the measure manner degree and kinde of Humiliation p. 38. O then I cannot have Faith for I finde my heart swarving with wicked and impure thoughts many great and grosse corruptions and some of them very strong and indeed very predominant p. 165. I do not finde the hatred and loathing of sin and this doth pusle me in this point I find that I do not entertaine it but I think it to be more out of fear of punishment then out of hatred p. 167. I find not my self right in this point of obedience but rather do because I dare not do otherwise p. 173. If this be a token of true faith I have need to fear for I find not these rejoycings especially that joy unspeakable and glorious I am far from it p. 181. I find much diffidence and impatience in time of adversity much haste p. 187 O happy most happy is the case of that soul whose conscience bears it testimony that it hath these Marks of Faith it hath certainly great matter of rejoycing yea were it in

c. that being wearied and laden they may run to him to be eased Math. 11.28 which otherwaies they would not do No man can come unto me unlesse the Father draw him Secondly that for time to come they may stand in owe and sin not Psal 4.4 that the feare of God may be before their eies that they sinne not Exo. 20 20. that they may be the more plyable to all duties of obedience and that being thus meek and lowly they may take the Yoake that Christ prescribes them Math. 11.29 and try then if ever thou hast found such a change as this if ever thou hast trembled at Gods word if ever thou didst apprehend the Lord in his justice didst feare his anger against thy sinnes if ever thou wast pricked in thy heart by the threatnings of the word Acts 2.37 and if all these have wrought such a Impression in thy soul that still thou findest that twofold effect before spoken of to wit that for thy by-past sinnes thy heart flies for a refuge and seekes to Christ Heb. 6.16 that he is savoury unto thee and then that still thou findest the fear and aw of God in thy heart Jer. 32.40 that thou fearest alwaies and hast a respect to all Gods Commandements Psa 119.6 and judgest of thy self accordingly II. The Second great change that is wrought in a man by this work of humiliation is by reason of his being convinced and having discovered unto him his own sinfulnesse and corruptions as also his manifold wants great unrighteousnesse for whereas before this work of humiliation sometimes he had a great conceit of his freedome from sin at least in any great measure the waies of a man seemes good in his owne eyes untill his iniquity be found to be hatefull I thanke God I am not like this Publican O but when this work of humiliation comes that a mans sinfulnesse be discovered unto him he sees afar other sight thinks farre otherwaies feeles farre other things nothing but sin and corruption raging in him sinne revives and taking occasion by the Commandement works in him all manner of concupiscence Ro 7.8 9. he being now stirred up the dregs of his corruptions work abundantly so that instead of thinking that he is not like such a man he thinks that for sinfulnesse and strength and number of corruptions there is none like unto him and that he is the chief of sinners so likewise in regard of his wants and gracelesnesse and unrighteousnesse there is the very like change for wheras before he thought well of his owne righteousnesse both of the righteousnesse of his person that he had all sorts of inward graces faith repentance the love and fear of God and that he was rich and increased in all things and had need of nothing Rev. 3.17 as also well of the righteousnesse of his actions insomuch that although with the Pharisee perhaps he did not glory in them in his praying hearing fasting c. nor perhaps with the Papist did think to merit by them yet neverthelesse with the Hypocrite he did rest upon the outward worke and was satisfied therewith and regarded not the manner of his doings the waies of a man seem good in his own eyes but the Lord ponders the heart now he sees a quite contrary sight nothing but wants that he is poore miserable naked for inward graces Rev 3.17 and that for outward practices all his righteousnesse is as a menstruous clout Isa 30. now this work of humiliation or this part of the work is also for notable good ends to wit 1 to drive and chase a man out of himself to put him out of conceit with himself to make him deny himself that so he go not about which naturally all are prone unto to establish his own righteousnesse Rom. 10.3 And he who attains once to this work and part of humiliation may be assured that he shall never be Arminian Papist or Pelagian never stand for free-will or merit A second end of this part of the work of humiliation is that hereby the whole glory of mans salvation may be given unto the Lord that all boasting may be excluded and he that glories may glory in the Lord Rom. 3.27 Not unto us not unto us O Lord but to thy Name be the glory Psal 115.1 Not for your sakes be it known unto you O house of Israel for ye are a stiffe-necked and a rebellious people but for his Names sake 3. That Christ may be further cleaved and clinged unto and that nor onely for justification but also for sanctification for the sight of a mans own sinfulnesse makes him flie to the sufferings and intercession of Christ the sight of his own unrighteousnesse how all is but as a menstruous cloth makes him flie to and to prise the righteousnesse which is through faith Gal. 5. the sight of his corruptions and spirituall diseases chases him to the Physitian The whole needs not the Physitian but they that are sick Matth. 9.12 the sight of his wants makes him flie to the fulnesse of Christs grace to receive of that fountain and fulnesse Joh. 1.16 the sight and sense of his spirituall weaknesse makes him flie to Christ for grace Without me ye can do nothing Joh. 15.5 I am able to do all things through Christ that strengthens me Phil. 4.13 Fourthly and lastly that the Spirit of God the holy Ghost may be the more made use of and fled unto for it is by him that 1. our sinfull natures must be renewed Vnlesse a man be born again by the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God Joh. 3.3 2. It is by him that we must mortifie our corruptions and the deeds of the flesh Rom. 8.13 3. It is by him that all grace must be shed abroad in our hearts and souls Rom. â— 3 4. It is by him that we must be strengthened in the inward man for all duties of obedience yea that must lead us and guide us in all the wayes of God Ephe. 3 16. Psal 143.10 And lastly it is the holy Spirit that must go out with and powerfully accompany all the means of grace to make them effectuall for all these ends in our souls Prov. 1.23 So we see the great benefit of this change or of this part of the work of humiliation both in regard of a mans life and also in respect of all the Persons of the Trinity Appl. Here also see and try thy self 1. Concerning thy sinfulnesse and corruptions try if thou doest see and perceive them if thou be convinced of them and they be discovered unto thee and not onely those grosser ones which a naturall eye may perceive but try if thou seest thy inward spirituall subtile and most secret corruptions as thy hypocrisie infidelitie spirituall idolatrie a whoring of thy heart c. for then mayest thou comfort thy self that the Lord hath performed that his promise in some measure toward thee to wit that he hath sent his

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