and be put upon searching under another term. But here we need only turn to the subject inquired after, and, without any such stops, find Scriptures full and apt thereto (by whatsoever terms or phrases they are expressed) occur to our eye at an instant; and, mostly, all that the Scripture affords on that subject. II. To give some light into the method, and the use of this work. 1. Take notice, that, in Chap. XI. [Of the Failings of God's Children], the first texts are to prove each person's title to that appellation, then the next following, his failings : and this is done on purpose, that it might appear these are the Failings of God's Children; and so proper to the Head. 2. Note also, That the words in a parenthesis, beginning with (or) are the marginal readings. 3. Some general heads have no particulars following, but the whole placed under that general head. This is so done, either because the texts which the Scripture affords on that subject are but few, and so easily run through; or that the matters are so various, that almost every verse carries a distinct meaning in it, yet still relating to the general head; as in that [The Privileges of the Righteous], each text is almost a distinct privilege: so in that [Of the Character of Saints], and some others of like nature. And here to have descended to particular heads, would have been tedious and unnecessary; for the words being there transcribed, the Reader may presently inform himself in the whole, and in every particular. LASTLY. A little pains in observing the CONTENTS or Table in the front of the book, which doth contain the general and particular heads, and also the references thereto, directing to Chapter and Page where each lieth, will enable us to discern more of the method and usefulness of the work, than can be well expressed in a short Introduction, This therefore shall suffice, presuming the work itself will shew its own usefulness and advantage; holding a man to one subject, and yielding variety of matter to enforce it upon the mind, and leave impressions there: when the bare reading a chapter or two, which some use to do as a task, proves not effectual for that end; and searching proves laborious, and often discouraging and fruitless too. , 21 WHEREIN THE SEVERAL GENERAL HEADS ARE SPECIFIED, THE REFERENCE TO THE CHAPTER AND PAGE, Sect. 1. Shewing what religion is, and how the knowledge of it is to be at- 1 Thirdly. Of man's state by nature, Sect. 11. The necessity of searching the ib. Sect. I. Corrupt, unclean, and despe- Sect. 111. Of the Scriptures, their au- rately wicked ib. thority, use, end, and excellency 2 See preaching of the word, chap. xxv. Sect. 11. Ignorant, opposing the true God, and adoring idols 34 8 See more of ignorance, chap. xxxvi. Sect. 1. His names, and titles - ib. Sect. Ill. In servitude to Satan and Sect. III. His excellency, majesty, Sect. iv. The sad fruit and end of such greatness, Perfection, glory, and sovereignty, and absoluteness. His See more of God's judgments against See more in the duty of fearing God, Fourthly. Under what case the law Sect. ij. Under the curse thereof 40 Sect. vi. He is the most strong, al- Sect. lll. The deeds of the law, or sacrifices under it, cannot justify ib. or purge from sin, but still leave Sect. vir. Heis omniscient, omnipre- sinners under guilt, condemnation, 19 Chap. V. Of man's salvation and re- demption; how it came, and by what Sect. xi. He is compassionate, piti- Sect. 1. From God only, and no Sect. 11. Who he is, and by whom Sect. xli. He is long-suffering, and this salvation is conveyed, and Sect. XIII. He is gracious, good, and viour, his fulness, and dignity in Sect. xiv. He is faithfulness and his person and authority 49 truth ib. Sect. iv. The excellency of this Sa- Sect. xv, He is unchangeable - 23 viour, his fulness, and dignity in Sect. xvi. Heis infiniteand unsearch- his nature - 54 able ib. Sect. xvii. He is eternal See more in pardon and salvation by 24 Christ alone, chap. viii. Sect. xvi. He, only, is the true and living God ib. CHAP. VI. How Christ wrought this sal- See of worshipping God, chap. xiv. vation for sinners : what he was Idolatry, chap. xxxviii, made, and is, and what he did, in order to it 55 CHAP. III. Of the one God, Father, Sect. J. He is Mediator ib. Son, and Spirit; or the Trinity 25 See more of Christ's ercellency, chap. v. Sect. 11. He took upon him the na- ture of man, and humbled himself ib. sect. iii. See more of the Spirit, chap. xix. sect. i. Sect. Ill. He is made an High Priest 57 Sect. iv. He offered himself to God as a sacrifice; suffered for the sins of wherein he was created; and of his mankind, made peace through the fall 28 shedding of his own blood, by . and grace - 109 which he entered into the holiest Spirit, which are indispensablyne Sect. v. He fulfilled all righteousness See more of the fruits of faith, chap. ix. of the law; bore the curse; took Of the fruits of the Spirit, chap. xix. away the hand-writing of ordinan- In duties, chap. xiv. xv. xvi. 61 In each duty in affliction, chap. XX. See more of justification, chap viii. In duties to magistrates, chap. xxii. Sect. vi. He sanctifieth us:. is our CHAP. XI. The children of God them- Sect. vii. He riseth from the dead ib. selves may be overtaken in faults; are not free from sinful dispositions and inclinations in this life; and there- is our way to the Father, our advo- fore may deserve to be chastised of Sect. IX. He is made our king and Sect. 1. In general it is affirmed ib. head, to encounter, and conquer Sect. II. Particular instances of the our enemies : to rule for and in us 65 failings of God's children recorded 104 Sect. x. He is our prophet and shep- Sect. iii. God will punish and correct herd, to teach, guide, and feed us 66 Sect. xi. He is our all, in all things: See God's threatenings and judgments our completeness and perfection 68 against sin and sinners, chap. xiv. CHAP. VII. God's free choice of us in CHAP. XII. Of the privileges of the Christ Jesus to eternal life, and call- ing of us according to his purpose righteous, and their excellency above others: what God hath done, doth, and will do for them, more than for CHAP. VIII. Pardon and remission of others; and what they can do with sins; reconciliation and peace with God, &c. God; justification and sanctification See more in the next chapter of union before God; eternal life and salva- tion free, through the grace of God, See the advantages of faith, chap. ix. by the death, sacrifice, and sufferings See privileges in afflictions, chap. xx. 74 In times of common calamities, chap. xxi. ib. See the glory reserved for believers. Sect. 1. Pardon of sins ib. CHAP. XIII. Of the union and relation Sect. 11. Reconciliation and peace between Christ and his church, and their mutual love and esteem; toge- Sect. 11. Justification and sanctifica- ther with the manifestation thereof 119 Sect. IV. Eternal life and salvation 80 CHAP. XIV. Of the duties of believers, especially such as would excel. First. 121 Chap. IX. How men have the benefit Sect. 1. In general, to live to God, of this salvation; or by what means not to themselves: to be holy,fruit- it becomes theirs in particular 82 ful, walking in the light, in an Sect. II. Of faith, in its nature and honest, heavenly, and spiritual conversation, worthy of their high object, use, benefits, and advanta- ges, further than as before, relating calling : to glorify God, and mind Sect. 11. In particular : to love God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Sect. III. Farther benefits and advan- Christ, and set our affections on See more, trusting in God, chap. xvi. Sect. III. As fruits of love to God and Sect. iv. The effects or fruits, by Christ, to delight themselves in God, long for, pant after him, See fruits of the Spirit, chap xix. make their boast of, glory and re- portion and rest. And to obey and CHAP. X. Characters of saints, good hearken to the laws and words of men, believers, appearing in word God and Christ 127 and deed 94 First. To delight in, long for, pant Sect. I. That such may be known after, make their boast of, glory. from others by their fruits ib. and rejoice in God and Christ, Sect. 11. The particular fruits of the as their portion and rest ib. t Page Page Secondly. To obey and hearken to See more of disobedience, sect. xiv. subdivision iv., Sect. iv. Worship God, and sanctify See more in chap. xxv. and of idolatry, Sect. v. To believe, and be found in the practice of the things of God, and his worship, but that which clearly (according to the precepts, rules, and examples of the scrip- tures) appears to be Christ's mind, upon which we can in faith ex- Sect. vi. To pray unto God: of See more of afflictions, chap. XX. con- mon calamities, chap. xxi. Sect. VII. To take especial notice of the acts of God's goodness and mercy; keep memorials thereof, celebrate his praises, extol him, and stir up others so to do 149 Sect. viii. To fear God, and none L. Not to fear any else; or other Sect. ix. To trust in God, and in none else, in all cases: the argu- See more of faith, chap. ix. Sect. x. To look with faith, and hope, and perseverance unto God in alí cases: the arguments for such be- See more in the nature and use of faith, Sect. xi. To walk humbly before God, abasing ourselves, opposing all high with sinners : his threatenings and judgments against sin -and sina II. To confess our sins to God; See more in affliction, chap. xxii. 173 See more of submitting in affliction, chap. XX. See of death, chap. xxxii. Sect. XII. The excellence of meek- ness and patience: the encourage- ments thereto 180 See more, duties of brethren in the Lord, chap. xv. Duties to all men, chap. xvii. Sect. xii. To take heed to our lips, that our words be not rash, but true, seasonable, well ordered, and savoury 182 Sect. xiv. To confess and mourn for sin, depart from it, and watch against it: the arguments. God's complaint against, and reasoning appearance of it: hate it, and avoid the occasions of it: the reasons 188 See duties in general, sect. i. IV. God's expostulations, com- plaints, threatenings, and judg- ments against sinners, for their several sins, disobedience, and rebellions 192 See more of man's state by nature, chap. iii. Of God's correcting his children for sin, chap. xi. Pardon of sin, chap. viii. Sect. xv. To own and profess the true God, and our Lord Jesus Christ, boldly before men; and to wait for Christ's second coming 203 1. To own and confess the true God and our Lord Jesus Christ before men ib. See more of owning him in time of per- secution, chap. xx. of perseverance, sect. xvii. II. To wait for the second coming of Christ 205 See more, his coming to judgment, chap. xxx iv Sect. xvi. To walk with God heartily, uprightly, sincerely, and to follow him fully and zealously: the rea- sons thereof 206 See also hypocrites, &c. chap. xxv. Sect. xvii. To stick fast to God, and not to depart from him: to abide in the faith and practice of his will, and persevere to the end : the rea- 213 I. To persevere and abide in faith and practice, &c. ib. See more of holding fast to God in time of affliction, chap. xx. II. That believers shall have grace and power to stand 218 See more of God upholding us in afflic- tions, chap. xx. Sect. xvii. To take care to watch di. ligently over ourselves, with a holy jealousy and fear, lest we should apostatise and depart from God, his truths, and ways, into song 1 Page Page any error or sin : the reasons : our Sect. III. Masters to their servants, 220 and servants to their masters 242 See more instances of the failings of Sect. iv. Magistrates to subjects, and of the tempers, methods, &c. chap. See magistrates at large, chap. xxii. CHAP. XVII. The duties of believers to- CHAP. XV. Duties of believers, bre- ward men : those who are without, thren in the Lord, each to other, as such ; and as standing in that rela-- Sect. Il. In particular ; not to judge Sect. 1. To love each other: the kinds them, or to speak evil of them 244 of it ib. Sect. 11. To sympathise with each Sect. III. Be just, righteous, true and faithful to, and with them, in all other in pity and compassion; help things of trust and dealing 245 and comfort one another, and Sect. Iv. To live peaceably, not in- bear one another's burdens 223 termeddling with others; nor idle, See also this duty, how we should be- have to the afflicted, chap, XX. Sect. v. Not to be discontented, an- Sect. 111. To honour and esteem each other: and be kind and affection- gry, or revengeful against them ; but to behave themselves meekly, gently, and patiently toward them; See more of walking humbly, chap. xiv. Sect. IV. Not rashly and unadvised- See more of meekness, chap. xiv. Sect. vi. To pity them, shew them any, believe reports, take offence, mercy, pray for them, and return or be angry: but tenderly forgive, them good for evil, love for ha- cover faults, and restore offenders Sect. Vii. To behave humbly and Sect. v. To live peaceably, avoid whis- courteously toward all; giving pering, tale-bearing, and whatso- ever tends to divide or disturb Sect. viii. To avoid all unnecessary Sect. vi. To rebuke, reprove, exhort, society and fellowship with wicked admonish, and warn each other, &c. To take such rebukes, &c. CHAP. XVIII. How men come truly and spiritually to know the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom he hath II. To take such rebukes, &c. well 230 sent; and the mysteries of salvation See more of church discipline, chap. xxv. by him. To believe it, bring forth Sect. vii. To confess to and pray for fruit, and persevere through difficul- Sect. viii. To be of one mind 231 Sect. 1. Man of himself not able to Sect. IX. To walk wisely and chari- tably one toward another: and in Sect. II. God in Christ doth all free- things indifferent, to have respect ly; and that according to pro- Sect. x. To distribute and communi- II. In particular, God gives the cate to each others' necessities : See more in shewing mercy to all, chap. See more of knowledge, chap. xxxvi. Sect. Il. To give faith or ability to Of giving to enemies, chap. xx. Of church collections for the poor, chap. Sect. iv. To make fruitful, to ena- ble to subdue sin, and profit in CHAP. XVI. Duties of believers toward Sect. v. To give power to persevere each other, as they stand related one to another in the flesh 236 See more of perseverance, chap. xiv. mand, encourage, and invite by ib. promises, to come to him for these Sect. II. Parents to their children, and cast our care upon him 262 and children to their parents 239 CHAP. XIX. How God works and effects - |