The Subjective Mark of the True Christian

A common theme in the writings of the Puritans was the distinguishing of the true believer from the hypocrite. I think that the following passage from New England Puritan Minister Peter Bulkeley is an excellent example. [Spelling and grammar in the original.]

"There is in a sanctified Christian, both light and life; light in his minde, life in his will and affection: The light which is in him makes him to see both the loathsomenesse of sin and the excellency of grace; and the life that is in him, makes him to feele the burthen of his own corruptions, and to long after the grace which is still wanting in him, so that true holinesse makes us weary of the body of corruption that is in us, groaning under it as under misery not to be endured, as Paul did, Rom. 7:24, and makes us thirst after more grace, that we might be enabled in every thing to please God, Psal. 119:5. Painted [i.e., pretended] holinesse puffes up with conceit of our own goodnesse, as Esay [Isaiah] 65:5, but true holinesse humbles us by reason of the sight and sence we have of the corruption that is in us. More such signs might be added, but I hasten to an end; By these try we ourselves, and see thereby what part we have in the blessing of the Covenant."