The Signs, Title page – Dedication
THE SIGNES OR AN ESSAY CONcerning the assurance of Gods louelove, 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 vntounto you and louelove, 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, hauehave 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 hauehave long meditated, a worke of greater labour, then this ensuing treatise yet in the meane time I hauehave 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 vnderunder your name, your singular louelove 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 vsus some publike testimonie of our acknowledgemēt 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 hauehave had occasion fully to know your order, and manner of life, your desires, purposes, teares, & vprightnes, your faith, your louelove, your obedience: and therfore being assured, that you are marked euen with euerie one of these signes; vvhy should I not say vntounto you, as somtimes Iob said of himselfe.Iob 31. 35 Behold your signes that the Almightie wil witnesse for you. And I am vvell assured, that this treatise vvill finde good accesse vntounto the hands and hearts of diuers in these parts, euen for the louelove they beare to you, and for the good they novv heare you hauehave 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 thē, 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 louelove, euen to honour the Lord vvith the continuall sacrifices of praise, the fruite of your lips,Heb. 13 vvith confession to his name, oh louelove 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,Phil. 4, 6 but in all things, let your requests he made knowne to God, vvith thanksgiuing: and as you hauehave receiued mercy faint not, neither be descoraged vnderunder the sence of your infirmities and vvants,2, Cor, 4, 1 for they that vvaite vponupon the Lord,Esa. 40, 31 shall renevv their strength, the Lord vvill power his spirit vponupon your seede, &Isa, 44, 4 his blessing vponupon your buds: the sunne of righteousnesse vvill arise, and there is healing vnderunder his wings. You hauehave a high Priest,Ma. …4, 2 that is touched vvith infirmities,Hob. 5. 15 16 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,2 Cor. 12 and his grace will be sufficient: the Lord keepeth the feete of his Saints,1. Sam. 2, 9 and vvill supplie all your vvants vvith his riches in glory.Psa. 66, 8, 9 Blessed be the Lord that holdeth our soules in life, and suffereth not our fee…e to be moued.
Gracious gentlewoman be confident in this,Psa. 1, 6 that God which hath begun his good worke will performe it, till the day of Christ▪ for his foundation remaineth sure:2. Tim. 2, 19. and hee euer liueth that maketh intercession for you,Heb. 7, 25 and the mortall seede abideth,1. Ioh. 3, 9 and Christ will be,Reu. 21. 6 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,Psa. 31, 20 from the strife of tongues; and he will put to silence those lying lipps that speake such grieuous things,Psal, 31, 18 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,1. Pet▪ 4, 5 that speake euill of the innocent, And the same God and father of merciemercy that hath directed, your heart vntounto his louelove, and refreshed your spirit with the vnspeakeable ioies of his presence, finish his owne worke in you: and as you hauehave professed, a good profession before many that will witnesse, how vnblameably you hauehave behaued your selfe among them that beleeue; so stand fast in the Lord, be stil an example of faith and puritie, of louelove and feruencie, of meekenesse, and humilitie, of tendernesse, and harmelesnesse, of shamefastnesse, and sobrietie, of merciemercy 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 hauehave receiued, seeing you hauehave learned Christ, as the tr…th is in him. Striue to increase in louelove 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 vntounto repentance, faith, praier, louelove, 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 vntounto praier, receiue them that feare God, and make much of such. Let patience hauehave her perfect worke, and commit your waies to God, and trust in him. The Lord make you to abound in louelove 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.