gracious it doth not of necessitie follow that Iohn was the most gracious of al the Apostles though hee were most beloued Againe as our loue must bee extendent to all saints so also must it be to all times we must loue them aswell when they are in aduersity disgrace temptation sicknesse or any misery as when they abound in prosperitie or good estimation c. For the third this loue is without dissimulation it is indeede and trueth not in word or appearance onely And besides it is a most affectionate and brotherly loue Lastlie there are sixe effects of true christian loue for it shewes it selfe First by honor and this honoring of them that feare the Lord hath in it First an estimation of them as the onely excellent people in the world Secondly a free acknoweledgement of their iust praises in all places for their grace and obedience Thirdly a willing proposing of them as examples to imitate Fourthly a holy endeauour to couer their infirmities taking things in the best part and sence not receiuing disgracefull reports of them suffering long not vauâ—ting themselues in comparison of them not easily prouoked not enuying them hoping all things induring all things and yet not reioycing in their iniquity Fiftly Apology for them against the reproches and scornes of the world Sixthly by delight in their fellowship and society in the Gospell in which respect they can be equall to them of the lower sort Such as finde no need of nor delight in the company of Gods children or are willing to sort with none but their betters or equals may see great cause to bee humbled either for the want of this grace or for the weakenesse of it Thirdly by simpathy and fellow-feeling for in some measure a childe of God is like affectioned He can in some measure weepe with them that weepe and reioyce with them that reioyce especially they reioyce to heare or know their soules prosperity Fourthly by weldoing mercy this loue is bountifull pittifull tender hath bowels both of spirituall and outward mercy it gladly receaueth the saints it communicates to their necessitie willinglie and with a readie minde Fiftly by a desire to walke in offensiuely he that loueth his brother there is no occasion of stumbling or scandall in him Lastly the true loue of Gods children will make a man grow vp the faster into Iesus Christ in all grace and holinesse 5. Faith INasmuch as there are diuers kinds of faith and experience shewes in many that giue no signes of repentance that they will not bee beaten from a confident perswasion that Christ died for them euen for them in particular It stands vs in hand to try our perswasion by the true rules of scripture and if it will abide the triall of the touchstone we may lay it vp as hid treasure and a wonderfull grace of God and if otherwise we may repent of presumption as a deceaueable sinne Faith may be tried 1. By the Cause 2. By the Properties 3. By the Concomitants 4. By the effects For the first true faith commeth by the hearing of the word preached It is no naturall endowment nor gotten by naturall helpes But first is wrought by the holyghost in the preaching of the Gospell as is plaine by the Apostle How shal they beleeue in him of whom they haue not heard and how shall they heare without a Preacher Secondly there are 6. properties of faith First it accounts all things most base in Comparison of the knowledge of Christ and the loue of God in him Christ is more precious then all the world besides Secondly it will receaue the testimony of Gods faithfull Ministers out of the world against the world Thirdly it is such a perswasion as cannot abide hipocrisy but purgeth the heart of it as of a most hatefull sinne and is therefore called vnfained Fourthly it will endure triall cast it into the fire of tribulation and manifold afflictions and disgraces and temptations yet it will not perish nor be ashamed it is a plate for the breast and a helmet for the head 1. Thess. 5. 8â— Eph. 6. Whereas the best faith that is not the faith of Gods elect will proue but drosse if it be cast into the furnâ—ce of temptation further then it is supported by carnall ends and helpes Fiftly it will beleeue all things that it apprehendeth to be required threatned or promised in the word to belieue some things may be in other kindes of faith especially such things as stand with reason affecting common opinion c. Sixtly in affliction it laieth hold on Gods promise or prouidence so as it will rest with quietness trust and patience and not make hast to the vse of euill and vnwarranted meanes he that beleeueth maketh not hast Thirdly it may bee tried by the concomitants of it for First it is â—ealed by the holy spirit of promise for in euery beleeuer the promised spirit doth print in his heart the sauing graces of Christ from the sight of which as from so many markes compared with Gods promises in his word ariseth by the effectuall working of the spirit this assurance or perswasion of faith for though grace and faith bee giuen together and grow vp together yet the assurance of faith discouers not it selfe till it discerne those companions of it with which it is daily incouraged and confirmed and setled that faith that can be without sanctification of the spirit is not the faith of Gods elect Secondly it is ioyned with a good and pure conscience Hee that is truly perswaded of Gods loue in Christ maketh conscience of all his wayes to seeke or doe thee good God requires and auoyde the euils God forbids Thirdly it is ioyned with a spirit of discerning or wisdome in matters of saluation the minde being enlightened to obserue in some comfortable measure the meaning of the holy ghost in all things needefull to saluation in vse of the word through the power of Gods ordinances so as the verie simple may and doe attaine to a holy kinde of insight and sharpenesse of iudgement Fourthly The true beleeuer hath a witnesse in himselfe euen the witnesse of the spirit of adoption infallible certifying himselfe of Gods loue and his adoption Fifthly faith may be discerned by certaine effects of it for 1. It breedeth ioy vnspeakeable and glorious and that either through the sence of Gods sauour and your presence or in the hope of glorie to come 2. It puts on and applies a righteousnesse that is not by the worke of the same but in Christ onely 3. It will make a man speake in the confession profession and defence of the truth of God I haue beleeued therefore I spake 4. It workes the longing desires of Gods presence of glorie 5.
conscionablie endeuor to forsake thy particular formerly beloued and speciall sinnes 24 Whether thou be free from the raigne of frowardnesse in thy way or peruersenesse of thy lips 8. Holie desires OVr desires may bee tried fiue waies First by obiects of them Secondly by the quallities of them Thirdlie by the concomitants or companions of them Fourthly by effects or consequents of them Fifthly by the causes or accidents of them For the first those desires are meant in the promises that are carried after things aboue nature as the fauour of God the pardon of sinnes the righteousnesse of Christ the presence of God and the saints in the new Ierusalem the comming of Christ to iudgement victorie ouer the deerest sinnes the remouing of spirituall iudgements the damnation of their owne soules that Israel might be saued and such like There are three principall quallities in the holie desires of Gods elect for First they are fierieâ— that is such as cause the heart of man to burnewithn him with some measure of zeale for Gods glorie indignation at sinne and feruent affection in Gods seruice whereas the desires of the wicked at least are either dull and cold or transported by the wrongs ends to the fauouring of sinne Secondlie they are constant both because they are renued dailie as the metaphors of hunger and thirst doe import as also because they are alike carried to the eternall fruition of the things desired as to the present enioying of them Gods seruants desire the fauour of God the abolishing of sinne the possession of grace not to serue a turne for the present but to be enioyed as their portion for euer for looke how the man vnregenerate desires to commit sinne so doth the regenerate desire to forsake but the former in some sins doth commit them with a desire euer to sinne and a secret discontentmeÌ„t to thinke that at anie time he should not be able to sinne Euen such a contrarie desire is there in Gods elect truely called they so desire not to sinne as it is their griefe to thinke that at any time they should againe sinne yea affliction doth not quench them but manie times inflame them Thirdlie they are not idle which may appeare three waies First because they are carried after themeanes of good aswell as good things themselues and that in a great measure too Secondly because they are attended with a resolution to doe any thing that their desires may bee accomplished they aske what should they doe to be saued as taking it for graunted that they must bee industrious in Gods worke There is no labour but they would endeuour to doe it so the Lord would bee mercifull vnto them to graunt them their desire yea when they haue done all they still are humbled because they can doe no more nor no better Thirdlie they cannot rest till in some happie measure they ouercome the most maisterly corruption either of nature or life Thirdlie holy desires are accompanied First with a supernaturall valuation of the worth of spirituall things accouÌ„ting them pearle of the best price not to deere bought if they buie them with the sale of al they haue and contrariwise accounting themselues exceeding poore and distressed if they want them or the meanes of them esteeming Gods louing kindnossâ— better then life Secondly with avoluntary forsaking of the vnnecessarie pleasures and profit of the world thankfully receiuing the promises of a better life and easily confessing that they are strangers and pilgrimes on the earth Thirdly with a constant and secret meditation of heauenly things desired what one desires feruently hee thinkes on almost continuallie Fourthly Holy desires shewe themselues by diuers effects or consequents of them especially if they be satisfied First they chase out euill desires and raise vp a dailie combat against the most secret corruptions of nature Secondlie the excite a frequencie and feruencie in praier to God in secret Thirdlie they worke a resolution to walke in the way that is called holie yea so gracious is the Lord that the most simple if their desires bee most true attaine to some happie measure of reformation Fourthlie if the Lord graunt their desires there followes First heauenlie kinde of satisfaction and contentation with singular delight in the soule Secondlie the vowes and wishes of infinite and eternall thankfulnesse Thirdlie a groweth and springing vp as among the grasse or as willowes by the water courses Lastlie they arise from a broken humbled spirit and the more they are inflamed the more humbled they continue to be 9. The spirit of praier HE that calleth on the name of the Lord aright discouereth the spirit of grace praies in his heart by these things 1. He askes according to Gods will 2. Hee praies with perswasion that God will heare he beleeueth he shal haue it he praies in faith and assurance of heart before God 3. He praies in the name of Christ in the sence of his owne vilenesse by reason of his wants and sinnes 4. He will praie at al times 5. He is effectuallie ferueâ—t he hath the affections of praier 6. Praier makes him exceeding wearie of the world and willing to forgoe societie with the workes of iniquitie 7. When he knowes not how to pray as he ought the spirit prepares his heart excites holie desires supplies with words and power of affection or else worketh inward vnexpressable groanes 8. He findes a holie rest and quieâ—nesse in his conscience heart with spirituall boldnes and confidence of trust in God if the Lord heare graciouslie 9. He findes answers from God by the witnesse of the spirit of adoption in which the Lord deales somtimes wonderfully with his people 10. He loues God exceedinglie for hearing his praier and desires to keepe himselfe in the loue of God 11. His praiers proceede from a heart that loues no sinne but willingly departeth from iâ—iquitie and desireth to keepe his commaundements and to doe that which is pleasing to Gods sight 12. He loues praier in others 13. He is oftentimes dissolued into much sorrow for his sinnes while he stands before the face of God 14 He feeleth the confideÌ„ce of assurance that God is his father 15. If the Lord be silent and answer not but hides his face his spirit faileth and hee is as one that goeth down to the pit it troubleth him as a sore crosse contrariwise 16. Praier is his chiefe refugâ— and he wil pray though praier bee in neuer so much disgrace and power out his complaint shew all his trouble 17. Hee striues against deadnesse of spirit and distractions as a heauie burthen 10. The obedience of Christ. OVr obedience wil be approued and accepted in Christ if it be
THE SIGNES OR AN ESSAY CONcerning the assurance of Gods loue and mans saluation gathered out of the holy Scriptures By NICHOLAS BYFIELD one of the Preachers for the Citty of CHESTER 2 COR. 13. 5. Examine your selues whether yee be in the faith proue your owne selues Knowe ye not your owne selues how that Jesus Christ is in you except ye be reprobates LONDON Printed by IOHN BEALE for IONAS MAN 1614. TO THE TRVELY RELIgious and his most affectionate frend Mistris Iane Ratclife wife to Mr. Iohn Ratclife Esquier Alderman and Iustice of peace late Maior of the Citie of Chester PEace be vnto you and loue with faith from God the father and the Lord Iesus Christ. The impertunitie of diuerse of my hearers and the expectation of many of all sorts together with my desire to yeeld some account of my long vndelightfull leasure haue inclined me to prepare some of my publike and priuate labours for the common view hoping that the abounding respect of my friends will couer the wants and weakenesses which other men will sooner espie Howsoeuer I haue long meditated a worke of greater labour then this ensuing treatise yet in the meane time I haue beene willing to tast the approbation of good men and make my best aduauntage of the censures of the many minded multitude by aduenturing to send foorth these first fruites as a handfull gathered out of the rest Worthie Gentlewoman there are manie reasons induce me to publish these signes vnder your name your singular loue and liking of my ministerie together vvith your reuerent and willing entertainement of faithfull Ministers receiuing them as the messengers of the Churches and the glorie of Christ as partners and fellow helpers walking in the same spirit challengeth from vs some publike testimonie of our acknowledgemeÌ„t of Gods grace and of the ioy vvherewith vve reioyced for your sake besides constant indeauour to make vse of all opportunities for your resolution and direction in the seuerall conflicts and cases of your conscience I haue had occasion fully to know your order and manner of life your desires purposes teares vprightnes your faith your loue your obedience and therfore being assured that you are marked euen with euerie one of these signes vvhy should I not say vnto you as somtimes Iob said of himselfe Behold your signes that the Almightie wil witnesse for you And I am vvell assured that this treatise vvill finde good accesse vnto the hands and hearts of diuers in these parts euen for the loue they beare to you and for the good they novv heare you haue by experience reaped from these Neither had I beene easily drawne to publish these but that hauing occasion in conference with many to make vse of theÌ„ I could hardly satisfie them vvith coppies I spare to alleadge other reasons Novv vvhat remains but that I should beseech you and all those vvho finde by these signes the assurance of Gods eternal loue euen to honour the Lord vvith the continuall sacrifices of praise the fruite of your lips vvith confession to his name oh loue the Lord vvith your whole heart and make his praise glorious and abound more and more in the fruites of sincere life and in all holy and humble conuersation liue by faith and in nothing be carefull but in all things let your requests he made knowne to God vvith thanksgiuing and as you haue receiued mercy faint not neither be descoraged vnder the sence of your infirmities and vvants for they that vvaite vpon the Lord shall renevv their strength the Lord vvill power his spirit vpon your seede his blessing vpon your buds the sunne of righteousnesse vvill arise and there is healing vnder his wings You haue a high Priest that is touched vvith infirmities and therefore you may goe boldly to the throne of grace to seeke grace and mercy to helpe in time of neede the power of God is made knowne in vveakenesse and his grace will be sufficient the Lord keepeth the feete of his Saints and vvill supplie all your vvants vvith his riches in glory Blessed be the Lord that holdeth our soules in life and suffereth not our feeâ—e to be moued Gracious gentlewoman be confident in this that God which hath begun his good worke will performe it till the day of Christ for his foundation remaineth sure and hee euer liueth that maketh intercession for you and the mortall seede abideth and Christ will be Omega as well as Alpha the end as well as the beginning neither feare the reproach of men for there is a hiding place with the Lord from the strife of tongues and he will put to silence those lying lipps that speake such grieuous things so proudly so contemptuously vvaite on the Lord and keepe his waie they shall assuredly make an account to the Iudge of quicke and dead that speake euill of the innocent And the same God and father of mercie that hath directed your heart vnto his loue and refreshed your spirit with the vnspeakeable ioies of his presence finish his owne worke in you and as you haue professed a good profession before many that will witnesse how vnblameably you haue behaued your selfe among them that beleeue so stand fast in the Lord be stil an example of faith and puritie of loue and feruencie of meekenesse and humilitie of tendernesse and harmelesnesse of shamefastnesse and sobrietie of mercie and good workes as becommeth a woman professing godlinesse that they may bee ashamed which shall falsely accuse your good conuersation in Christ keepe the Doctrine you haue receiued seeing you haue learned Christ as the trâ—th is in him Striue to increase in loue and obedience to your husband and care of your chrildren familie and shew all faithfulnesse and diligence in your particular calling Prouoke your kindred and acquaintance vnto repentance faith praier loue fellowship in the Gospell and good workes that thanksgiuing may be giuen by many to God for you Let the word of Christ bee still your guide watch vnto praier receiue them that feare God and make much of such Let patience haue her perfect worke and commit your waies to God and trust in him The Lord make you to abound in loue yet more and more in knowledge and in all iudgement that you may still approue things that are excellent and be blamelesse in the middest of a crooked peruerse people the Lord perfect in you whatsoeuer is vvanting and fulfill the good pleasure of his goodnesse and the worke of your faith with power The Lord increase in you that holy couetousnesse to be with the Lord looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of the great God and our Sauiour Iesus Christ. Farewell May. 1614. Yours according to the common faith N. BYFIELD A SHORT Treatise concerning Assurance COncerning the assuraunce of Gods fauour three things may be considered of First the proofes Secondly the Lets Thirdly the