The Unbelievers Preparing for Christ, Treatise · Table 1
THE FIRST TABLE; Out of Revel. 22.17.
WHoſoever will, let him take of the water of life freely.
Doct. I. That the offer of grace from God is free. page 6
It is free in regard of the preparation and the meanes of grace, that God hath invented. p. 8. Secondly, it is free in regard of the revelation of the meanes. p. 9. Thirdly, it is free in regard of the bleſſing the meanes of grace and ſalvation to any ſoule. p. 10
Reaſ. I. This offer of grace muſt needes be free, becauſe there is nothing in man to purchaſe this. p. 11
Reaſ. II. Becauſe the creature can doe nothing to merit it. p. 12
Reaſ. III. Becauſe no naturall man hath any promiſe to challenge grace. p. 13
Vſe I. It is a word of advice to the Saints that have received grace, to magnifie the mercy of God. p. 15
Vſe II. It is to the wicked that want this mercy, a ground of encouragement to ſeeke after this mercy, ſeeing it is free. p. 19
Vſe III. It is a Vſe of Exhortation to all poore creatures that are burthened under the multitude of their ſinnes, to hope for mercy from the freeneſſe of of it. p. 23
Doct. II. That the ſoule muſt be willing to receive Chriſt and grace, before it ſhall have Christ and grace. p. 27. What is meant here by the will. p. 30
Queſt. But how ſhall a man come to know, that he wills grace and Chriſt.
Anſw. A man may know whither he will grace or Chriſt by theſe 3. particulars, Firſt, when the ſoule ſeeth ſuch an excellency in Chriſt and grace, that he highly priſeth Christ and grace. p. 35. Secondly, whereby a man may know whether he will Chriſt or no, is this, when the ſoule can chuſe Chriſt above all things. p. 36. Thirdly, if the ſoule truly wills Christ, it will be carried towards Chriſt to cloſe with him. p. 39
Vſe I. It is for reproofe, and condemneth all thoſe carnall Goſpellers that thinke to be ſaved, though they have no will to receive Christ. p. 41
Vſe II. It is a word of terrour to all ſinnefull creatures, that doe profeſſe by their wicked lives and converſations, they will not have Christ. p. 45
Doct. III. Whoſoever in truth doth will to have Chriſt, ſhall receive him, and ſalvation by him. p. 51
Reaſ. I. Becauſe the Lord requires no more at the hands of a poore finner. p. 54
Reaſ. II. Becauſe by this willing of Chriſt, the creature is made fit to cloſe with God. p. 56
Reaſ. III. Becauſe the want of this wilingneſſe to receive, and embrace Chriſt, is that which breaketh the match betweene God and the ſoule. p. 58
Vſe I. It is a ground of inſtruction to wonder at the riches of Gods bountie and goodneſſe in his reaſonable dealing with poore ſuiters onelyonly to take Chriſt and mercy offered. p. 62
Vſe II. It is a word of terrour to ſhew the juſt & heavie condemnation of all ſuch as periſh, as are damned and goe to hell, it is becauſe they will be damned, they will have none of Chriſt and grace. p. 65
Vſe III. It is an uſe of exhortation to ſtirre you up never to be quiet, untill you have brought your ſoules to be willing to receive Chriſt. p. 72
1 COR. 2.14.
Doct. NO man of himſelfe by nature can will to receive Chriſt. p. 85. What is meant by a naturall man. vid. p. 85. What is meant by the things of the Spirit. vid. p. 87. That a naturall man hath no power to will Christ appeareth in foure particulars. p. 90
Part. I. That the things of ſalvation muſt be firſt made knowne unto a naturall man, elſe be can never of himſelfe finde them out, yet when theſe things of Chriſt and ſalvation by Chriſt are made knowne unto naturall men, they cannot entertaine theſe ſpirituall truths. p. 90
Part. II. When theſe things of life and ſalvation …e brought home to the ſoules of naturall men, yet the heart cannot but reſiſt and oppoſe the Spirits worke. p. 92
Part. III. If the Lord followeth a naturall man further, that he may give him grace, yet in himſelfe he is not capeable of this grace. p. 94
Par. IV. The naturall man is unwilling to be wrought upon that he might be made capeable to receive grace. p. 97
Reaſ. I Becauſe a naturall man cannot receive the things of God, p. 100
Reaſ. II. Becauſe all naturall men are fleſhly and wholely overpowred with ſinne. p. 102
Reaſ. III. Becauſe a dead man hath no power to procure life unto himſelfe p. 104
Vſe I. It is to condemne that fooliſh conceit that …arbours in the mindes of many poore ignorant ſoules, that they brought grace into the world with them. p. 105.
Vſe II. It is an uſe of Examination, to trie whether you are naturall or ſpirituall. p. 111
Vſe III. It is of Exhortation to labour to get out of thy naturall eſtate. p. 119. The meanes. p. 121
EZECH. 11.19.
Doct. THe taking away of the indiſpoſition of the ſoule to any good duty, and the fitting of a ſoule to performe any ſpirituall ſervice, is the alone worke of God. p. 132 The Reaſons, why the Lord onelyonly can doe it. vid. p. 135
Vſe I. It is an uſe of Inſtruction to ſhew you, that this worke of preparing a ſinner to entertaine Chriſt, it is a worke of marvellous difficultie. p. 145
Vſe II. It is a ground of comfort to ſupport the hearts of thoſe that are hard hearted. p. 147
Vſe III. It is of exhortation to thoſe that carry a ſtonie heart about them to have recourſe to God. p. 149
LVKE 19.42.
Doct. THat while life is continued, and the meanes of grace afforded to a people, is the ſeaſon wherein God meaneth to worke the heart to receive life and ſalvation. p. 160
Vſe I. Inſtruction to be thankefull to the Lord for the enjoyment of the meanes of ſalvation. p. 168
Vſe II. Exhortation to pitty the estate of ſuch men that neglect the meanes of ſalvation. p. 185
MATTH. 20.3, 4, 5, 6.
Doct. THat God can and doth call in all ages, ſome in their younger, ſome in their riper, ſome in their old age. p. 192
FINIS.