The Grand Trial of True Conversion, Title page 1 – Dedication
THE GRAND TRIALL OF TRƲE Converſion. OR, Sanctifying Grace appearing and acting firſt and chiefly in the THOUGHTS.
A TREATISE Wherein theſe two Mysteries are opened.
I. The Mystery of Iniquity Working in Mans Thoughts by corrupt Nature.
II. The Mystery of Holineſs Working in the Thoughts of Sanctified perſons.
Together with Precious Preſervatives againſt Evill Thoughts.
By JOHN BISCO, Miniſter of the Goſpel in Thomas Southwarke
LONDON, Printed by M. S. for G. Everſden at the Maiden-head in Pauls Church yard. 1655.
THOUGHTS are the Firſt-borne of the ſoule, the Beginning of its ſtrength, for the bringing forth either of good or evil. Our Thoughts are firſt made up into affections and purpoſes, and then they are made out into works and actions. The ſinfullneſſe of Nature appears moſt in the diſorder of our Thoughts, and the power of Grace in the due Government of them The Apoſtle James ſaith, He that offendeth not inw…rd, I may ſay much more, He that offendeth not in Thought, the ſame is a perfect man, and able to rule the whole body. He is a Saint indeed, that is ſo in Thought.
The enſuing Diſcourſe containes a learned, clear and ſpirituall Revelation of the Myſtery of mans Thoughts. Shewing both how the Myſtery of Iniquity worketh in the Naturall mans Thoughts; as alſo how the Myſtery of Holineſs worketh in the Thoughts of men Regenerate: And therefore (having peruſed this Book) I judge the Publiſhing of it in Print very profitable for the help of All, who deſire to ſtudy and know their owne hearts, and there to Sanctifie God both in ſhutting them (with a holy indignation) againſt all evill Thoughts, and in opening them (with a holy delight) for the entertaining and lodging of thoſe that are Good
JOSEPH CARYL. July 7th, 1655.
To the Honourable THOMAS ANDREVVS Alderman of the City of LONDON, and Preſident of Thomas Hoſpitall. An overflowing fullneſſe of all heavenly Graces, and all watchfull preparation for the Glory that ſhall be revealed.
Much Honoured Sir;
IT is the promiſe of the All-Glorious God to honour thoſe that honour him. We honour God when we confeſſe him to be as he is in himſelf, and in his glorious actings to us: All the glory that we are able to give to God, ſtands in cordiall, verball, and reall acknowledgments: The moſt High is infinitly above …ur higheſt praiſes and perfor…ances.
2 There be 4 ſpeciall wayes whereby God honours men.
1 When he raiſeth them out of nothing, worſe then nothing▪ yea, from the very depth of hell, to a height of heavenly honour, happineſs, and holines in Chriſt Jeſus, whereby he makes them more excellent then their neighbors: Prov. 12. 26.for all true Chriſtians are right honourable and truly royall; they are loyall ſubjects, and a Royall Prieſthood; they are really the 1 Peter 2. 9. Exod. 19. 6. Rev. 1. 6. & 5. 10.loweſt, yet the higheſt people; loweſt in their own ſenſe, higheſt in Gods ſight.
2 God honours men when he gives them hearts to ſerve him in a faithfull and fruitfull ſubjection to his will. The ſervice of God is not only our duty, but alſo our priviledge and preferment.
3 When he raiſeth men to places of eminency above others, and makes them faithfull in employing their power for God, and piouſly prudent in their publick deportment.
4 But the higheſt honour ſhall be hereafter in heaven, when all the Saints ſhall be filled brim full with grace and glory.
We cannot honour God untill he hath honoured us; we cannot give glory to God, until we have received glory from him. We honour him, becauſe he firſt honours us: grace is glory.2 Cor. 3. 18. Rom. 8. 30.
Sir, God hath honoured you with the trueſt honour in Chriſt, and given you a heart to honour him again. I cannot forget your holy zeale, and Chriſtian courage that you have openly manifeſted in ſtanding up for Jeſus Chriſt, in owning and pleading his cauſe againſt ſuch as endeavoured to pervert and ſubvert the purity of Goſpel Ordinances, and the power of Religion. And I am confident that the righteous God will not forget your zeal for his cauſe, and love to his ſervants.
God hath his Booke of remembrance, Malachi 3. 16.and Hand of reward: There ſhall not a good thought, word, or work in his people paſſe without ſecret record, and open reward.Mat. 6.
Your ſpeciall bounty and favour to my ſelfe, ingageth me to apprehend any opportunity of due and deſerved acknowledgement: But that which is the ſtrongeſt and moſt predominant Motive to quicken me to this Dedication, is your conſtant holy affection to the Goſpel of Jeſus Chriſt, his pure worſhip, and moſt precious wayes.
Sir, My hearts deſire is that all the thoughts of God may be mercy and peace unto you; that he would be pleaſed to add many happy years to your dayes, and when you have ſerved God your compleat time, advance you to a Heaven of eternall glory, a Haven of perfect reſt, a Paradiſe of all poſſible perfections, through the free grace of God in Jeſus Chriſt: Which ſhall be the prayer of him who is
Your Servant in the Worke of the Goſpel. JOHN BISCO.