The signes of the wicked man Together with directions that shew how the seuerall gifts and graces of Gods spirit may be attained. Needfull for such as want those graces, and for such as desire to increase in them. By N. Bifield, preacher of Gods Word at Isleworth in Middlesex.

CHAP. V.

Shewing how faith may bee gotten.

THE rules of directi∣on follow. This then is the question: What should a man doe, that he may be sure of his saluati∣on, the man, I say, that for the present doth not finde the grace of Christ in his heart? I answer: That his principall care must bee to vse all meanes to get the graces of the godly Chris∣tian

formed in his heart: And herein the Lord hath shewed vnto men singular mercy, that as hee hath shewed wayes in his Word, how his seruants may dis∣cerne the graces, that are as so many signes & pledges of Gods loue, and their own saluation; so hath hee in the same Word laid downe cleere directions, that shew how euery grace may bee attained and for∣med, and nourished in the hearts of men.

[Quest.] And first I will beginne with faith, & the Question is: What should a man do, that he might attain faith?

[Ans.] He that would beleeue, must obserue these rules.

1. Hee must in the first place betake himselfe to Gods promises: For with∣out the promise of grace it is vnpossible, faith should euer be formed aright in a man, hee must labour to see what the Lord saith distinctly vnto sinners: I will instance in that one promise, Ioh. 3. 16. God so loued the world, that hee sent his onely begotten Son, that whosoeuer beleeueth in him, should not perish, but haue life euerlasting: Now his care must bee, seriously to marke, and cleerely to vn∣derstand

Gods meaning, which in this promise is to assure saluation to any in the world, that will beleeue in Christ.

2. Hee must then con∣sider Gods commandement concerning faith, that God doth require him to be∣leeue, and is so farre from being displeased with him for beleeuing in Christ, that for this cause hee will damne him in Hell, if hee beleeue not, Ioh. 3. 17. 1. Ioh. 3. 23. Hee doth as exactly require vs to relye vpon this course of saluation by Iesus Christ, as hee doth require any thing of vs in

the Morall Law: and as we ought not to sweare, or commit adultery, or steale; so ought we not to dare to liue without beleefe in Ie∣sus Christ.

3. Hee must pray hear∣tily to God to giue him a heart to beleeue, and to forme faith in him; for faith is the gift of God, Eph. 2. 8. Hee should pray ouer the promises, and beseech God to incline his heart to rest vpon them, as the best treasures in the world: cry vnto the Lord, Lord help my vnbeleefe.

4. Hee must absolutely lay aside all thought of his

owne righteousnesse by the workes of the Law, and look onely to Iesus Christ, and the righteousnesse in him, else hee will faile of the righteousnesse of God, Rom. 10. 3.

5. Hee must waite vp∣on the powerfull Prea∣ching of the Gospell, as the onely outward ordinary meanes to beget faith, offe∣ring his soule daily vnto God, and attending to the Word of God, ready to obey the motions of the Spirit, knocking at the doore of his heart in the Ministerie of the Word, knowing that from this

Ordinance of God, hee is to expect the gift of faith: Hee should betake him∣selfe to it, with resolution to waite with daily expec∣tation, till the Lord bee pleased to send the Holy Ghost into his heart: And this is a generall rule for this, and all other graces of the Spirit: as men loue their owne foules, so they must prouide to liue where the Word of God is prea∣ched constantly, & in the power of it: for from thence they shall receiue vnspeakeable help and fur∣therance in all the wayes of God, Rom. 10. 14.

Notes

• 1. He must consider of Gods promises.
• 2. He must take no∣tice of Gods cō∣mande∣ment to beleeue.
• 3. He must pray for faith.
• 4. He must renounce his owne righteous∣nesse.
• 5. He must waite vpō the Word preached.