CHAP. III.

Of almsgiving, as to the manner of performing it: first,

that it ought to be performed with a good and merciful in-

tention, 454. secondly, with justice and righteousness, 455.

thirdly, readily and cheerfully, 457. fourthly, liberally and

bountifully, 458. fifthly, timely and seasonably, 459. sixthly,

discreetly and prudently, 461. which ought more particularly

to guide and direct our alms; first, in the method of provision

of them, 462. secondly, in the choice of the objects of them,

453. thirdly, in the nature and quality of them, 464. fourthly,

in stating the proportions of them, 465. fifthly, in the man-

ner of bestowing and conveying them, 467. The practice of

this duty is pressed and enforced with some motives and ar-

guments, viz. first, that it is imposed upon us as a necessary

part of our religion, 469. secondly, that it is highly recom-

mended to us by the examples of God and our Saviour,

471. thirdly, that it is a most substantial expression of our

love and gratitude to God and our Saviour, 473. fourthly,

that it charges an high obligation to us, upon the account

of God and our Saviour, 475.

CHAP. IV.

Of the eternal reasons and grounds of mercy, upon which

it is founded and rendered morally good. This shewn in

five particulars: first, the suitableness of it to the nature of

God, 478. secondly, the convenience of it with the frame

and constitution of human nature, 481. an objection against

cruelty answered, 482. thirdly, the near and intimate rela-

tion of those persons to us, upon whom our mercy is to be

exercised, 485. fourthly, the equitableness of it to our own

state and circumstances, 487. fifthly, the necessity of it to

the tolerable well-being of human societies, 489.

OF MORTIFICATION.

CHAP. I.

Of mortification, 492. wherein it doth consist, shewn in

three particulars: first, in abstinence from the outward acts.

of sin, 495. secondly, in not consenting to any sin, ibid.

thirdly, in a constant endeavour to subdue our involuntary

inclinations to sin, 497.

CHAP. II.

Of the means and instruments of mortification, which are

reduced to these six: first, faith, 500. secondly, considera-

tion, 503. thirdly, resolution, 506. fourthly, discipline, which

consists in three things: first, in a frequent repetition of it,

510. secondly, in frequent reflection upon, and examination

of ourselves, 511. thirdly, in keeping ourselves at as great

a distance from sin as prudently and conveniently we can,

513. fifthly, frequent receiving of the sacrament, 515. sixthly,

constant prayer, 520.

CHAP. III.

Of motives to mortification drawn from the present

mischiefs and inconveniencies which our sins bring us into;

which are, first, either outward and bodily; or, secondly, in-

ward and spiritual, 524. The outward and bodily inconve-

niencies are four: first, that sin destroys our health and

shortens our lives, ibid. secondly, that it stains our reputa-

tion, 527. thirdly, it consumes our estates, 528. fourthly, it

disturbs our sensual pleasures, 530. The second sort of mo-

tives to mortification are drawn from the present mischiefs

and inconveniencies that sin brings upon our souls, which

are chiefly three: first, it spoils our understandings, 534.

secondly, it subverts the natural subordination of our facul-

ties, 539. thirdly, it disturbs the tranquillity of our minds,

541.

CHAP. IV.

Of helps to mortification, given us by the Spirit of God,

viz. first, the external arguments and motives of the gospel,

545. secondly, the external providences of the divine Spirit

by which he excites us to our duty, 547. thirdly, the aids

and assistances which the holy angels give us, who are the

agents and ministers of the Holy Ghost, 548. fourthly, the

internal motions and operations of the Holy Ghost upon our

souls, 550. From the consideration of these benefits of the

Spirit of God, the following inferences are deduced: first,

the necessity of the Spirit to enable us to mortify our sins,

553. secondly, the necessity of our concurrence with the

Spirit, 555. thirdly, the certainty of success, 558. fourthly, the

great reason there is for our continual prayers to God, 559.

fifthly, the indispensable necessity of our faithful and sin-

cere endeavours in order to the mortifying our lusts, 560.

sixthly, the possibility of keeping the commands of God, in

that God by his Spirit doth so powerfully aid and assist us,

562. seventhly, the inexcusableness of sinners, if they go

on in their wickedness, 563.

CHAP. V.

Of the eternal reward of mortification. That there is a

state of everlasting life and happiness prepared for good men,

proved by plain and easy arguments. First, because the law

of our natures hath not a sufficient sanction without it, 565.

secondly, from those desires and expectations of it which do

so generally and naturally arise in pure and virtuous minds,

570. thirdly, from the justice and equity of the divine Pro-

vidence, 572. fourthly, from the revelation of his will which

God hath made to us by Jesus Christ, 575. From the con-

sideration of which, the following inferences are raised: first,

what an unreasonable thing it is for us Christians immode-

rately to dote upon the world, 577. secondly, how vigorous

and industrious we ought to be in discharging the duties of

our religion, 579. thirdly, how upright and sincere we ought

to be in our professions and actions, 581. fourthly, what

great reason we have to be cheerful under the afflictions and

miseries of this world, 583.

CHAP. VI.

Of the necessity of mortification to the obtaining eternal

life; proved, first, from God's ordination and appointment,

585. secondly, from the nature of the thing, which implies

a disagreement in wicked souls to the future happiness, 587.

To evidence this disagreement three things are proposed: first, wherein the felicities of the future state do consist, 588. secondly, what the temper and disposition of wicked souls will be in the future state, 591. thirdly, how contrary such a temper and disposition must be unto such felicities, 594. For, first, there is in it an antipathy and contrariety to the vision of God, 595. secondly, to the love of God, 596. thirdly, to the resemblance of God, 598. fourthly, to the society of the spirits of just men made perfect, 600. From all which these following inferences are deduced: first, how unreasonable it is for any man to presume upon going to heaven upon any account whatsoever, without mortifying his lusts, 602. secondly, the indispensable necessity of mortification, since it is plain we cannot be happy without it, 606. thirdly, what is the only true and solid foundation of our assurance of heaven, 610. fourthly, what is the great design of the Christian religion, 614.