The Spiritual Touchstone, Chapter 6 – Chapter 9
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 euerThe trial of his knowledge. are theſe three: Knowledge, the louelove of God, and the louelove of the brethren. Theſe are perfected, and not aboliſhed by death.
And firſt, in his knowledgeAnd 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 vntounto 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 effects3. 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 louelove 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 knowledgeof 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 giuegive 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 cō mon 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 loueloveHis louelove 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 louelove 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 merciemercy, & the bleſſings beſtowed vponupon 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 vntounto 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 vntounto him, rather then he would diſpleaſe God, Deut. 30. 6.
3. In all ſtreights and wants, he runs to God, relying vponupon God as his defence, rocke, and refuge in all times of troubles, making his moane vntounto him, and powring out his prayers and complaints before him, Pſal. 18. 1. 2.
Thus of his louelove to God.
Thirdly, his louelove toHis louelove 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 onelyonly 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. Pet. 4. 8. 1. Cor. 13. 4. 5. 6. but rather makes Apologie for them.
7. He eaſily praiſeth them in all places for their grace, or obedience, Rom. 16. 19. 3. Ioh. 6. Pſal. 15. 5. 1. Theſſ. 1. 8.
8. His wel-doing extends it ſelfe to them to his power, he is bountifull, pitifull, and tender; he hath bowels of merciemercy, according to the occaſion of mercy, either corporall or ſpirituall. He gladly receiueth them, and with a ready mind communicates to their neceſſities, Philemon 7. 1. Pet. 3. 8. & 4. 8. 1. Iohn 3. 17. 3. Ioh. 5.
9. He loues all the brethren. He hath not the glorious faith of Chriſt in reſpect of perſons, Iam. 2. 1. 2. Eph. 1. 5. Col. 1. 4. He can make himſelfe equal to them of the lower ſort, Rom. 12. 16.
10. Laſtly he loues them at all times, euen when they are in aduerſitie, diſgrace, ſickneſſe, or any other miſery.
Hitherto of the godly mans triall by his gifts.
CHAP. VII.
The trial of the godly man by his works of obedience.
THe fourth way toHis works tried by 7. ſignes. try him, is by his workes, or by his obedience in his life and conuerſation; and ſo his works excel all the workes of vnregenerate men many wayes: as,
1. Becauſe what he doth, ariſeth out of the louelove he heares to God and goodneſſe; and therefore he doth good heartily, and not by conſtraint, or with repining, or delay: yea he is ſo ſtirred vp with the ſence of Gods goodneſſe to him, that he is much hūbled when he hath done his beſt, that hee cannot bring more glorie to God, Deut. 30. 20. Ioſh. 22. 5. Mat. 4. 19. Rom. 6. 27.
2. In doing good he hath reſpect vntounto all Gods commandements: there is no part of an holy life but he deſires to practiſe it; and therefore he will obey Gods will in ſome caſes when it is againſt his profit, credit, eaſe, or the liking of carnall friends, preferring Gods cōmandements aboue all things, yea life it ſelf, Ier. 35. Heb. 11. 8. Gen. 22. 12. Prou. 7. 2. Act. 5. 29. Mat. 16. 25. Exod. 15. 26. 1. Kin. 9. 4. Ier. 11. 4. Iohn 15. 14.
3. He will do good at all times, and not for a fit; making conſcience of his wayes in all companies as well as any; abſent as wel as preſent; before meane Chriſtians, as wel as before the beſt: at home as well as abroad, Phil. 2. 12. Gal. 5. 7. 2. Kin. 18. 6. Pſal. 106. 2.
4. He makes cōſcience of the leaſt cōmandement as well as of the greateſt, Mat. 5. 19. Gal. 3. 7.
5. He comes to the light, that his deeds might be manifeſt, that they are wrought in God, Ioh. 3. 21. He is deſirous in all things to be guided by the warrant of the word of God.
6. He exerciſeth his faith in the very diſcharge of the duties of his outward conuerſation. He liues by the faith of the Sonne of God, and commits his way to God, and truſteth vponupon the name of the Lord, Gal. 2. 20.
7. He knoweth that his obedience is right, becauſe God heareth his prayers, and entertaines him graciouſly, when he calls vponupon him in ſecret; whereas God heareth not ſinners; and if wickedneſſe were in his heart, God would not regard his prayers, Ioh. 9. 31. Pſal. 66. 18.
And thus of his works.
CHAP. VIII.
His triall by the entertainment he hath from God.
THe fifth way by which he may be tried, is by the entertainment that God vouchſafeth him in this life, which he neuer vouchſafeth to wicked men. There are diuersSixe fauors God beſtowes vppon him which the wicked neuer feele. 1. Election in time. ſpecialities of fauour which God ſheweth to him, and not to any vnregenerate man: As
1. His election in time is a manifeſt token of Gods election of him before time: the Lord ſhews that he hath choſen him frō euerlaſting, when by the power of the Goſpell he ſeizeth vponupon him particularly, & effectually perſwades him to leaue the world, and the ſinfull ſocietie he liued in, and to deuote himſelfe as a liuing ſacrifice vntounto God.
2. He is baptized with 2. The baptiſme by fire.the holy Ghoſt and fire: the baptiſme by fire is onelyonly proper to Gods Elect: the holy Ghoſt at ſome times falls vponupon him, & ſets him all on a fire, on a fire I ſay, both of ſuddaine and violent indignation at ſinne, as it is ſinne; as alſo the fire of holy affections, with which from God he frequently and on a ſudden is inflamed, while he ſtands before the Lord. For beſides the affectiō which a godly man bringeth with him to Gods worſhip, he doth feele his heart oftentimes on a ſudden ſurpriſed with ſtrange impreſſions, ſometimes of ſorrow, ſometimes of feare and awful dread of God; ſometimes of feruent deſires after God: ſometimes of ſtrong reſolutions of holy duties to be done by him, and the like, Math. 3. 11.
3. He feeles at ſometimes3. Much aſſurance. in the vſe of Gods ordinances a maruellous worke of the holy Ghoſt, in reſpect of much aſſurance & ſtrange eſtabliſhment of his heart, both in the certaine perſwaſiō of Gods louelove, and the infallible beleefe of the truth; ſo as at that time no danger or death could amaze him, but he could willingly witneſſe his confidence by vndergoing any thing could befall him, 1. Theſſ. 1. 5.
4. He feeles at ſometimes4. Ioy vnſpeakable. the vnſpeakable & glorious ioyes of the holy Ghoſt, which are differing from the carnal ioyes or illuſions may be found in wicked men, becauſe they are ſuch ioyes, as he feeles onelyonly in the vſe of ſome ordinances of God, and ſuch as by effect make him more humble, and vile in his owne eyes, and do enflame him to an high degree of the louelove of God and goodneſſe; which illuſions can neuer do.
5. The ſanctification of 5. The ſanctification of his afflictions.his afflictions is another infallible ſigne of Gods louelove to him. For God makes his croſſes to become bleſſings vntounto him, & worke his good, ſo as he may plainly ſee, that it was good for him to be afflicted: & beſides, God giues him many times the experience of his goodneſſe both by vnexpected conſolation in his diſtreſſes, & gracious deliuerance out of them▪ Rom. 8. 28. Pſ. 119.
6. Laſtly, to this place6. The anſwer of his prayers. I may referre Gods hearing & anſwering of his prayers; whereas God doth not heare ſinners, as was ſhewed in the end of the former Chapter.
CHAP. IX.
His triall by the Sacraments.
THe ſixt & laſt waySixe rules of his triall about the ſacrament. of triall of the eſtate of a Chriſtian, is by the Sacraments, and in particular by the Sacrament of the Lords ſupper. For God hath appointed the two Sacraments to be his broad ſeales to aſſure his fauor vntounto his people: and becauſe none but worthy receiuers cā be partakers of ſo great a priuiledge as the couenāt of Gods grace, and the Goſpel of Ieſus Chriſt: therefore hereby doth the true Chriſtian diſtinguiſh himſelfe from all men. For in becoming a worthy receiuer he doth diuers things not only required in cōmunicants, but ſuch as none but godly men can attaine vntounto: As,
1. He doth forgiue his enemies, as heartily as he deſires God to forgiue him his treſpaſſes.
2. He examines himſelfe, and vponupon examination he both eates with ſowre hearbes (that is, comes with ſome meaſure of griefe for his offences) and withall finds as vnfained a deſire, that he might neuer offend God in any thing as that God ſhould there aſſure him of the forgiuenes of his ſins, and that he will neuer puniſh him for any of them, 1. Cor. 11.
3. The couenant of his heart is to cleaue to God, and the care of godlineſſe all the dayes of his life, 1. Cor. 5. 8.
4. He is in ſome meaſure perſwaded of Gods louelove to him in Chriſts, & diſcernes the Lords body, ſo as he is ſecretly in ſome degree perſwaded of the ſpirituall preſence of Ieſus Chriſt, & of the operation of God: ſo as he beleeueth, that Chriſt will as certainly nouriſh his ſoule, as the outward elements can any way be fit to nouriſh his body, Mar. 16. 16. Col. 2. 12. 1. Cor. 11.
5. He ſometimes feeles the holy Ghoſt inwardly, ſetting to Gods priuy ſeale by ſudden refreſhings falling like the dew vponupon his heart, and eſtabliſhing his ſoule before the Lord, Eph. 1. 13. 1. Cor. 1. 12.
6. His heart is knit vntounto the godly more and more, and increaſeth in his reſolution to cleaue to them onelyonly, and forſake all other profeſſions of men in the world; louing them vnfainedly, and deſiring for euer to be a partaker of their lot. 1. Cor. 10. 16.