Remains, Table of contents 2

Remains · Table of contents 2

The Contents of the Saints Spirituall Strength.

DOCTRINE I. STrength in the inward man is to be desired above all things, of every good Christian, page 66

A twofold strength:

Supernaturall strength proceeds

1. From the evill spirit, to worke evill, ibid.

2. From the sanctifying Spirit, to doe good, p. 68

Spirituall strength consists in,

The description of Spirituall strength. p. 69

Of weakenesse, two kinds:

1. Of Grace. p. 70

2. Of Relapse. ibid.

Of weakenesse, two degrees:

1. Sensible, in the will and affections. p. 71

2. In the change of the heart.

1 Generall, in all parts of the soule. p. 72

2 Particular, in some parts weake, though generally strong. ibid.

Reasons of the Doctrine. I. Strength in the inward man fits us for many imployments. ibid.

REAS. II. It brings most comfort: for,

1 It makes us dee all things with facility. p. 73

2 It makes the soule healthy. ibid.

3 It brings cheerefulnesse into the heart. p. 74

4 It brings plenty of all good to the soule. ibid.

5 It strengthens against temptations. ibid.

USE. I. To reprove such as care not to get this spiritual strength. p. 75

Let them consider,

1 The excellency of the inward man, fitting for great imployments. p. 76

2 By it they are made like unto the Image of God. p. 77

4 It is an immortall soule they labour for. p. 79

Differences betweene the naturall and spiritual strength:

1. The spirituall strength goes further than the naturall. p. 80

It inables a man,

II. It hath another beginning, Gods Spirit; another end, Gods glory. p. 83

III. It hath a strong faith. p. 85

A double worke of faith:

1 To empty a man of all his owne righteousnesse. 87

2 To stir up a desire after God in Christ. ibid.

IV. It leads a man to the power of Godlinesse. p. 92

V. It is alwayes joyn'd with reluctancy of will. p. 93

USE. II. To exhort all men to labor for strength in the inward man. p. 95

Motives to perswade hereto, are,

1 Comfort lyes most in the inward man. p. 96

2 It is pleasing to God. p. 99

3 It prospers the outward strength. p. 101

4 It is the being of a man. p. 102

VSE. III. To direct a man how he should get his inward man strengthened. p. 105

Meanes to strengthen the inward man, are,

1. Abounding in spirituall knowledge. p. 107

2. Diligence in the use of the Meanes. p. 110

Rules to be observed in using the Meanes.

1. To use all the meanes, p. 111

2. To performe holy duties strongly, p. 112

3. To be constant in the use of the Meanes, p. 113

4. Not to depend on the meanes without God. ibid.

3. Labouring to get rectifi'd Iudgements. p. 114

Signes of a rectifi'd Iudgement;

1 Constancy,

2 Strong affections to good, p. 115

3 Patience under the Crosse, p. 116

4 Hardnesse to be deceiv'd with the things of the world, p. 117

5 Strength in the time of try all. p. 118

4. Removing excuses and hinderances. p. 119

Hinderances are,

1. The spending strength upon other things, p. 121

2. Strong lusts and unmortifi'd affections, ibid.

5. The getting spirituall courage and joy. p. 122

6. The getting a lively faith. p. 124

7. The getting of the Spirit. p. 125

DOCT. II. ALL saving grace, or strength of grace a man hath, proceeds from the sanctifying spirit. p. 126

The Spirit strengthens the inward man:

1. By infusing into the soule an effectuall operative and powerfull faculty, p. 128

2. By enabling the soule to doc more than it could by Nature, ibid.

3. By putting new habits into the soule, p. 129

4. By giving efficacy and power to the meanes of growth. p. 131

USE. I. To teach us, hee that hath not the holy Ghost, cannot have this strength in the inward man. p. 132

Signes to know whether a man hath the Spirit, or no:

1. Fulnesse of zeale. p. 134

3. Examination of the Meanes by which the Spirit came into the heart. p. 144

You may know whether the Spirit was receiv'd by Preaching of the Word.

1 By a deepe humiliation that went before. p. 145

2 By a thorow change in the soule. p. 146

4. Putting life into the soule. p. 149

'T is no true life,

1. If but the forme of godlinesse, p. 150

2. If not in a feeling manner, p. 151

3. If onelyonly for a time. ibid.

5. By trying whether it be the Spirit of adoption, 153

6. Manner of working, p. 154

7. Carriage of words and Actions, a mans conversation, p. 156

To doe evill of set purpose, and to bee forc'd unto evill unwillingly, is the maine difference betweene the wicked and holy man. p. 157

USE II. To exhort us above all things to seeke the Spirit. p. 159

Benefits that come by having the Spirit:

1 A good frame of grace in the heart. p. 160

2 An ability to beleeve things hee otherwise would not. p. 161

3 The breeding heavenly and spirituall effects in the soule. p. 163

Holy affections doe much advantage us,

1. Because wee are the better men. p. 165

2. Because they are the meanes of good. p. 166

3. Because they enlarge the soule. ibid.

4. Because they cleanse and change the heart.

DOCTR. III. THe Spirit is a free gift. p. 168.

How said to bee a free gift in five particulars. p. 169

USE. To terrifie those that be not sanctified by the spirit, lest they be deprived. p. 170

Meanes to get the Spirit.

I. Knowledge of him. p. 171

Simon Magus, and some men, now commit the same sinne in three particulars. p. 172

II. Faith. p. 173

III. An earnest desire joyn'd with Prayer. p. 174

IV. Obedience. p. 176

V. Wayting on the Meanes.