The Returning Backslider, Index
AN ALPHABETICALL Index of the Speciall points contained in this Booke.
A
Actions.
ACtions that are good, are ever accompanied with comfort, Page 294.
Adulterers.
Adulterers corporall and ſpirituall hardly reclaimed, p. 359.
Affections.
Affections their uſe, p. 308, 309.
Affections ought to be placed on their right objects, pag. 325.
Affections why planted in the ſoule, page 366, 367.
Afflictions.
Afflictions how to know they are not in wrath though they continue, page 194, 195.
Afflictions not to complaine of them, page 13.
Afflictions profitable to Gods children, page 280, & 283.
Almes-deeds.
Almes-deeds a Sacrifice, p. 47.
Amity.
Amity with Papiſts dangerous, page 342.
Anger.
Anger of God, what it is, page 183.
Anger of God what effects it hath againſt ſigne, page 184.
Anger of God the ſpeciall thing in Afflictions, page 185.
Anger of God makes the leaſt croſſe moſt terrible, page 186.
Anger of God turned away by Repentance, page 188, &c.
Anger of God the meanes to avoid it, page 195, 196, &c.
Humility a certaine way to avoid Gods Anger, page 197.
Annoyance.
No Annoyance in this life or another but God hath provided ſome defence againſt it, p. 383, 384.
Antimonians.
Antimonians error refuted page 170.
Aſſociation.
In Aſſociation we muſt joyne with thoſe that are good, p. 223.
All wicked Aſſociations will end in everlaſting hatred, page 326, 327.
Aſſurance.
Aſſurance of Gods love cauſeth thankfullneſſe, page 53, 54.
B
Bleſſings.
Bleſſings of God not to bee ſpent on our luſts, page 60.
Outward Bleſſings may bee praied for, page 36, 37.
Bleſſings how to know they come from Gods love, p. …7, &c.
Backeſliding.
Backeſliding Gods children prone too, page 131.
Barrenneſſe.
Barrenneſſe in goodneſſe ought not to diſcourage us, page 213.
Barrenneſſe under meanes not endur'd by God, page 254.
Baptiſme.
Baptiſme made an Idoll by Papiſts, page 337.
Bread.
Bread in the Lords Supper made an Idoll by Papiſts, p. 338.
Beleeving.
Beleeving more honours God then our ſinnes diſhonour him, p. 150, 151.
Boasting.
Boaſting is Idolatry, page 82.
C
Confidence.
Carnall Confidence the danger of it, page 84.
Confidence not placed on the creature by a true Chriſtian, page 78, 79.
Confidence in outward helpes men prone to by nature, page 60.
Confidence in the creature when exceeded in, page 80.
Creature.
The Creature not able to help us in our greateſt need, page 71.
Creature the vanity of it, page 72.
Creatures emptineſſe diſcovered in ſundry reſpects, page 85, 86.
The moſt comfortable Creatures in their exceſſe hurt, p. 384, 385.
Chriſtians.
Christians why hated of the world, page 105.
Chriſtians place no confidence in the creatures, page 78, 79.
Chriſtian courſe to be in love with it, page 417, 418.
A Chriſtians glory is to bee fruitfull in his places, page 253, &c.
Chriſtians their comfortable eſtate, page 243, & 253.
Chriſtians compared to Lillies in regard of their growth in grace, page 219.
Chriſtians ought all to be excellent in their kinde, page 204, 205.
Chriſtians compared to Corne in ſundry reſpects, p. 279 &c.
Christians are fruitfull under good meanes, page 279.
Chriſtians like Vines for fruitfullneſſe, page 283, &c.
Chriſtians that are unfruitfull are the worſt of men, page 285.
Chriſtians that are fruitfull God takes a ſpeciall care of, page 287, 288.
Chriſtians that are weake not to bee diſcouraged, page 289, 290.
Chriſtians how they come to ſend forth a ſweet ſent, page 292, 293.
Church.
Church how God governes it by contraries, page 286, &c.
Church in miſery to be prayed for, page 111.
The Church yeelds a ſhadow, page 264, &c.
Out of the Church no ſalvation, page 267.
Church the benefits of being in it, page 267.
Church who live out of it are in a wofull eſtate, page 274.
Churches outward condition deſpicable, page 284.
Church of God weake of it ſelfe, page 286.
Children.
Children ought not to hinder our ſtanding out in a good cauſe, page 114.
Children ought not to make us worldly, page 115.
Children at our death in faith to be commended to God, page 117, 118.
Children of God are alwaies in his ſight, page 379, 380.
Comfort ariſing from hence, page 380, 381.
Children of God have a contrary diſpoſition to the world, page 457, &c.
Children of God not to feare future things, page 416.
Confeſſion.
Confeſſion to whom to bee made, page 24.
Confeſſion of our ſins is a ſigne of the forgiveneſſe of our ſinnes, page 29.
Conviction.
Want of Conviction of ſinne makes us careleſſe of ſin, p. 140.
Comforts.
Comforts abuſed proove ſnares, page 385.
Comfort naturally accompanieth good actions, page 294.
Comforts of Chriſtians why not apprehended by them, page 230, 231.
Converſation.
Converſation fruitfull the excellency of it, page 297, &c.
Communion.
Communion with God to bee laboured for, page 39, 40.
No Communion betweene God and Idols, page 103, 104.
Communion with God will make us hate ſinne, page 321, 322.
Conſcience.
A good Conſcience ought not to be parted with, page 113.
Condition.
No Condition ſo diſconſolate but God can alter it. page 102.
Crucifixes.
Crucifixes not to be uſed, page 343.
Cauſes.
In good Cauſes wee ought to be reſolute, page 413, 414.
Having God for our ſhelter, wee ought to bee bold in good Cauſes, page 395, &c.
Commandement.
Gods Commandements ought to be obeyed, page 447.
Company.
Good Company a meanes to enable us to walke reſolutely in Gods waies, page 468.
D
Deſtruction.
Deſtruction, ſpirituall meanes the beſt to prevent it, page 7.
Diſtreſſed.
Diſtreſſed perſons God very mercifull too, page 109.
Diſeaſes.
Diſeaſes of the ſoule how to know them, page 134, 135, &c.
Doubting.
Doubting kills thankfullneſſe, page 53.
Doubting of Gods mercy a great ſinne, page 150.
E
Eye.
Eye of God continually on all his children, page 379, 380.
Gods Eye being upon us ſhould make our eye be upon him, page 38….
Gods Eye being upon us ſhould make us bould in his cauſe, page 381.
Extremities.
Extremities why Gods children ſuffered to fall into, page 108, 109.
Example.
We muſt not live by Example, page 4…7.
End.
To come to a right End, the beſt way is to take Gods way, page 448.
Conſideration of our End will make us walke reſolutely in Gods waies, page 468.
F
Falls.
Falls of Gods children made their gaine, page 230.
Fatherleſſe.
Fatherleſſe. God eſpecially mercifull too, page 109.
Family.
Family all under it the better for a godly Governor, page …08.
Forces.
Forces home or forraigne not to be truſted too, page 77.
Forgiveneſſe.
Forgiveneſſe of ſinnes how knowne to be truly deſired, page …6, 27.
Forgiveneſſe of ſins to be deſired above all mercies, p. 27, 28.
Forgiveneſſe of ſins the miſery of thoſe that want it, p. 31, 32.
Forgiveneſſe of ſins not eaſily attained, page 164.
Free.
Free love of God to his people, page 172, 173, &c.
Free love of God the cauſe of all mercies, page 179, &c.
Fruitfullneſſe.
Fruitfulneſſe the benefit of it, page 256.
Fruitfullneſſe of Chriſtians in their particular places is their glory, page 253, &c.
Fruitfullneſſe of Chriſtians delightfull to God and man, page 257, 258.
Fruitfullneſſe in grace brings peace and comfort to a man, page 298.
Fruitfull Chriſtians leave a good ſent behind them, p. 259.
Fruitfull Chriſtians compared to Vines, page 283, &c.
Fruitfull Chriſtians God hath a ſpeciall care of, page 287, 288.
Fruitfull Converſation the excellencie of it, page 297, 298.
Fruitleſſe.
Fruitleſſe Chriſtians of all men the worſt; page 285.
G
Good.
All Good comes from God, page 405, &c.
No Good that is ſaving comes from man, page 403.
Good works why they cannot merit, page 405.
God.
God rightly apprehended makes us ſhake off all falſe truſts, page 104.
God is our All-ſufficiency in all eſtates, page 113.
God in diſtreſſes to bee truſted in, page 119.
God is the great Phyſitian of the ſoule, page 140, &c.
God is willing to heale and ſave our ſoules, page 142, &c.
God loves his people freely, page 172, 173, &c.
God to make him our ſhadow, page 394.
God being our ſhelter and ſhadow, wee ſhould bee bould in good cauſes, page 395.
God being our ſhadow the comfort of it, page 396, &c.
God how to be conceived of in our worſhipping of him, page 344, 345.
God not to bee transformed like our ſelves in our affections, page 345, 346.
To ſet up any thing in our ſoules above God is Idolatry, page 347.
God is the onelyonly true defence and ſhelter, page 386, &c.
Chriſtians happineſſe ariſing from hence, page 387.
God not being wicked mens ſhelter makes their eſtate moſt wofull, page 387.
Who have not God for a ſhelter are moſt miſerable, page 392, 393.
Grace.
Grace compared to dew in ſundry reſpects, page 207, &c.
Grace of God free, p. 207, 208
Grace of God comes inſenſibly and inviſibly, page 208, 209.
Grace works mildly upon the ſoule, page 210.
Grace cheeres and comforts the ſoule, page 211.
Grace makes barren ſoules fruitfull, page 212.
Grace of God unreſiſtible, page 212.
Barrenneſſe in Grace ought not to diſcourage us, page 213.
Grace the meanes to increaſe it, page 113.
Grace wrought in the ſoule is an evidence of the pardon of ſin in that ſoule, page 215.
All Grace from God, page 216, 217.
Grace how to be attained, pag 218.
Grace compared to Olives in divers reſpects, page 250, &c.
How to be rooted in Grace, page 237, &c.
Grace, why ſome have more then others, page 408.
In praying for Grace we muſt waite Gods leiſure, page 408.
Grace is of a fructifying nature, page 281.
Gratious fruit comes from God and us too, page 404.
Growth.
Growth of Chriſtians like Lillies, page 219.
Sudden Growth of Gods children, page 220, 221.
Growth in Grace the neceſſity of it, page 214.
Growth in Grace the meanes to attaine to it, page 225, &c.
Growth in Grace to be indeavoured after, page 242, &c.
Chriſtians many times deceived about their Growth in Grace, page 240, &c.
Growth in Grace the chiefeſt bleſſing, page 243.
Growing Chriſtians their excellency, page 300.
Governours.
Governours of Families ought to endeavour to bee good for their ſakes that are under them, page 272.
Gratious Governours will communicate Grace to their Family, p. 273.
Goſpell.
Goſpell firſt and ſecond ſpring of it ſpeedy, page 22….
H
Hatred.
Hatred of ſin how to diſcerne it, page 311, 312, &c.
True Hatred of ſin is univerſall, page 311, 312.
True Hatred of ſin is implacable▪ page 312, 313.
Hatred of ſin ever followes true Converſion, page 319.
Hatred of ſin how to be attained, page 321. & 368.
Hatred of ſin how knowne, page 371.
Heart.
Heart chiefly required of God, page 311.
Broken Heart a ſacrifice, p. 45.
Humility.
Humility a certaine way to ſhun Gods anger, page 197.
I
Idolatry.
Idolatry men prone to it by nature, page 92. 356.
Idolatry what it is, page 93.
Idolatry frames baſe conceits of God, page 334.
Idolatry how it is committed, page 335.
Idolatry the occaſions of it to be avoided page 343, 344.
Cloſe Idolatries of many Chriſtians, page 344, &c.
Idolatry Gods puiſhments on people for it, page 357.
Idolatry, meanes to avoid it, page 354, &c.
Idolaters hatefull to God, p. 354
Idolaters Gods puniſhments on them, page 357.
Idolatry how ſleighted by many, page 360.
Nothing loſt by renouncing Idolatry, page 373, 374.
Idols.
Idols why to be hated, page 333, &c.
Idols abhominable to God, page 333.
Idols oppoſite to God, p. 334.
Infirmities.
Infirmities why God ſuffers them in his children, p. 161, &c.
Infirmities of Gods children made their gaine, page 162.
Our Infirmities ought not too much to deject us, page 163.
Impenitent.
Impenitent ſinners not to bee envied, page 138.
Infidelity.
Infidelity the cauſe of all woe page 446.
Iust.
Iuſt men who they be, p. 450.
Iuſt men have reſpect to all Gods Commandements, p 450, 451.
Iuſt men do… all things to a good end, page 451, 452.
Iuſt men deſire to grow in grace, page 452.
Iuſt men love the Brethren, page 452.
Iuſt men have onelyonly cauſe to rejoyce, page 453.
K
Knowledge.
Knowledge of God and Chriſt is a meanes to make people leave Idolatry, page 354, 355.
L
Life.
Life of man ſubject to many annoyances both outward and inward, page 391, 392.
Men muſt bee endewed with ſpirituall Life before they can walke in Gods waies, page 461.
Love.
Love of God an evidence of the pardon of our ſins, p. 30, 31.
Love of God to his people free, page 172, 173.
Love of God to us eternall, page 177.
Love of God to us not to bee meaſured by our feeling of it, page 179.
Love of God the cauſe of all mercies to us, page 179, &c.
Gods Love is a fruitfull Love, page 205.
M
Mercy.
Mercy Gods ſcope in the new Covenant, page 149.
Gods Mercies are compleate to his children, page 33.
Mercy ſweetneth all Gods Attributes, page 106.
Mercy agreeable to Gods nature, page 191.
God chiefely Mercifull to thoſe who moſt ſtand in need of his Mercy, page 108.
Mercifullneſſe.
Mercifullneſſe to others is an evidence of the pardon of our ſinnes, page 31.
Mercifullneſſe a character of Gods child, page 116.
Meanes.
Meanes of ſalvation not profited by bring deſtruction, p. 255.
In the uſe of all Meanes to looke up unto God, page 409.
Maſſes.
Maſſes that we ought not to be preſent at them, page 340.
Man.
Man not to be a preſcriber of his owne way, page 444.
O
Occaſions.
Occaſions of ſin to be avoided, page 316.
P
Papiſts.
Papiſts groſſe Idolaters, page 94 & 335, &c.
Their ſhifts for worſhipping Images anſwered, page 95.
Papiſts how they Idolize Saints, page 336.
Papists make an Idoll of the Pope, page 337.
Papiſts worſe Idolaters then the Heathen, page 339.
Papiſts why they are ſo impudent in their Idolatry, p. 340.
Papiſts why ſo hardly converted, page 356.
Papiſts not to be converſed with, page 342.
Popiſh Writers to beware of them, page 343.
No reconciliation betweene Papiſts and Proteſtants, page 341.
Pardon.
Pardon of ſinne the chiefeſt mercy which makes way for all other, page 153.
God Pardons all ſinnes, page 129, 130, 145.
Pardon of ſinne why not apprehended, page 153.
Pardon of ſinne how knowne, page 156, &c.
Pardon of ſinne how knowne when we are ſtill ſubject to ſin, page 160.
Pardon of ſinne not attained without Humiliation and Reformation, page 166, 167.
Peace.
Peace of conſcience is an evidence of the pardon of our ſins, page 30, 157.
Peace of conſcience in a carnall man whence it comes, page 159.
Perſeverance.
Perſeverance the ground of it, page 181.
Perſons.
To have Perſons of men in admiration is Idolatry, page 347.
Performances.
Outward Performances truſted too is Idolatry page 351.
People.
God hath his People in the worſt times, page 456, &c.
Prayer.
Prayer is a ſpeciall helpe againſt all ſin and ſorrow, p. 17.
Prayer ſets God on work, p. 18
Prayer anſwered where a Spirit of Prayer is given, p. 126, 127.
Our Prayers are heard when we renounce ſin, page 375, 376.
Praiſe.
Praiſe an acceptable Sacrifice to God, page 48, 49.
Helps to enable …to Praiſe God, page 50.
Praiſing o… …od muſt be from a broken he…, page 51.
Praiſin… of God the incouragements to it. page 60, &c.
Praiſe an honour to God, page 60.
Praiſe a gainefull trade, page 60, 61.
Praiſe a noble act of Religion, page 61.
Praiſe a larger Sacrifice then Prayer, page 61.
Praiſe an heavenly action, page 62.
Praiſing God brings joy, page 62, 63.
Praiſe how to know when it is accepted, page 63.
Promiſes.
Promiſes of Chriſt knowne worke grace in us, p. 238, 239.
Promiſes, how God ſtabliſheth us in them, page 239.
Prudence, See Wiſdome.
Heavenly Prudence, definition of it, page 430.
Providence.
The waies of Gods Providence are right, page 442.
R
Returning.
Of Returning to the Lord, page 8, &c.
How to know whether wee have Returned, page 10, 11.
Reformation.
Reformation of life muſt be joyned with Prayer and Praiſe, p. 66
Repentance.
True Repentance is of the particular ſin we are moſt addicted too, page 67.
Repentance a tryall of it, page 68.
Repentance not to be delayed, page 139.
Repentance turnes away Gods anger, page 188, &c.
Reproofe.
Reproofes for ſin patiently endured is an evidence of the pardon of our ſins, page 315, 316.
Reproofe of ſin how to be ordered, page 317, 318.
S
Sacrifices.
Sacrifices of Chriſtians under the Goſpell, page 45, &c.
Salvation.
Our Salvation is certaine, p. 175
God willing to Save men, page 143, &c.
No Salvation out of the Church, page 267.
Stability.
Stability of Saints whence it ariſeth, page 228, 250, 251.
Comforts ariſing from Saints Stability, page 234.
State.
State of Gods children firme, page 232.
State of the wicked unſtable, page 232, 333.
Difference betwixt our State in Adam and in Chriſt, page 407.
Sincerity.
Sincerity makes a Chriſtian, page 290.
Serve.
It is not in vaine to Serve the Lord, page 419.
Sinne.
All Sinnes alike hated by a ſincere Chriſtian, page 25.
All Sinne why to bee prayed againſt, page 25.
Sin brings judgement, page 12.
Sinne hatefull to a conſcience awakened, page 26.
Sinnes formerly committed to be remembred, page 28.
Sinnes how to know they are forgiven, page. 29, &c.
Sinnes bitterneſſe cauſeth Repentance, page 9….
Sinne is a diſeaſe, p. 131, &c.
All Sinnes God is willing to pardon page 145, 146.
Sinnes neglected prove incurable, page 133.
Sinnes being diſeaſes are preſently to be cured, page 138, 139.
Sin to be ſearched out, p. 151.
Sin ſubdued is an evidence of the pardon of ſinne, page 156.
Sin why ſuffered to remaine in us, page 161, 162.
Sin is the object of Gods anger, page 183, &c.
Sinne contrary to Gods nature, page 184.
Sinne muſt not onelyonly bee left but hated, page 310.
Sinne how knowne to be hated, page 311, &c.
Sinne truly hated when it is univerſally hated, page …11, 312.
Sinne truly hated when implacably hated, page 312, 313.
Sin truly hated when chiefely hated in our ſelves, p. 313, 314.
Great Sinnes muſt bee hated in the greateſt meaſure, p. 314, 315.
Not to love to be flattered in our Sinnes is a ſigne of the true hatred of our ſins, page 316.
Sinne the occaſions of it to bee avoided, page 316.
Sinne how wee may come to hate it, page 321, &c.
Sinne ſet forth as it is in its owne nature will make us hate it, page 322.
Sinne is the bane of all our comforts, page 324.
Sinne the onelyonly object of the hatred of Gods children, page 367.
Sinne, helps to make us hate it, page 368.
Sinne the cauſe of all ill, page 368.
Sin our greateſt enemy, p. 369
Sin renounced will make God heare our prayers, page 375.
Want of Conviction of Sinne makes us careleſſe of ſin, p. 40.
Sinner.
Impenitent Sinners not to be envied, page 138.
Sinners unrepenting their dangerous condition, page 323.
Soule.
Soule diſeaſes how to know them, page 134, &c.
Soule God is willing to ſave, page 142, &c.
Suffer.
They who will not Suffer for Chriſt, make Chriſt an Idoll, page 349.
T
Thankefullneſſe.
Aſſurance of Gods love works Thankefullneſſe in us, pag. 53, 54.
Thankeſgiving, See Praiſe.
Thankeſgiving verball ought to be juſtified by deeds, p. 49 50.
Thankeſgiving how to know it is accepted, page 63.
V
Vengeance.
Vengeance neere thoſe that profit not by the meanes of ſalvation, page 255.
Ʋnworthineſſe.
Sight of our Ʋnworthineſſe ſhould not diſcourage us, p. …75.
Vowes.
Vowes their uſe, page 42.
Vpright, See Iust.
W
Wayes.
Wayes of God right, page 443.
Wayes of God wherein hee walkes to us, page 441.
Wayes which God preſcribes to us, page 442.
Wayes of Gods providence all right and juſt, page 442.
Man ought not to be a preſcriber of his owne Way, page 44.
To juſtifie Gods Wayes in evill times a note of Gods elect, page 459, &c.
Before men can walke in Gods Wayes they muſt have ſpirituall life, page 461.
Walking in Gods Wayes juſtifies men to bee true Chriſtians, page 462.
Wayes of God muſt be walkt in and not only talkt of, p. 474.
Having our end in our eye will enable us to walke reſolutely in Gods Wayes, page 468, 469.
To walk on in the right Wayes of God we muſt walke wiſely. page 469, &c.
In walking in Gods Wayes what we muſt avoid, p. 472.
Wayes of God the ſafeſt waies, page 472.
Wayes of God the pleaſanteſt waies, page 473.
Wayes of God the moſt holy and cleane waies, page 473.
Walking in Gods Wayes what it implies, page 493, 464.
How to know we walk on in Gods Waies, p. 464, 465, &c.
Who will walke aright in Gods Wayes muſt be reſolute againſt all oppoſition, p. 466.
And pray to God for ſtrength, page 467.
Good company a meanes to enable us to walk reſolutely and conſtantly in Gods Wayes, p. 467.
Walkers in Gods Wayes their happineſſe, page 474.
Warre.
Warre the lawfullneſſe of it, page 77, 78.
Water.
Water every yeare turned into wine, page 222.
Weake.
Weake Chriſtians not to be diſcouraged, page 289, 290.
Warning.
God gives Warning before he ſmites, page 6.
Wicked.
Wicked mens condition is fading, page 234, &c.
Wicked men abhominable to God, page 260, 261.
Wicked men moſt miſerable in that they have not God for a ſhelter, page 387.
Will.
How men make their owne Wills and wits Idols, p. 346, &c.
Will worſhip no ſleight matter, page 338.
Wiſe.
Truely Wiſe but few, p. 426, 427 All men naturally deſire to bee thought Wiſe, page 428.
Wiſedome.
Heavenly Wiſedome the definition of it, page 429.
Heavenly Wiſedome the ſignes of it, page 432, &c.
Word.
Word of God is perfect, p. 445.
Word of God to be beleeved, page 446, 447.
The Word without the Spirit is uneffectuall, page 434, 435.
The ſame Word of God that is a Word of life to the Godly, is a Word of perdition to the wicked, page 476.
Word of God not to bee loved the worſe, becauſe wicked men are made the worſe by it, p. 477.
Words why uſed in prayer, p. 22
Works.
Want of of good VVorks ought not to hinder our Converſion or Juſtification, page 452, 453.
Good VVorks why they cannot merit, Page 405.
VVorld.
VVorld not able to deprive us of Gods Spirit and grace, page 414, 415.
VVrath.
VVrath of God makes croſſes curſes, page 141, 142.
FINIS.
End of the text · Richard Sibbes, The Returning Backslider (1639)