The Saints Humiliation, Table of contents
The Contents drawne into Tables for the underſtanding of the Method.
1. THE preparation to a Faſt; where of the nature of a Faſt; from Iudges 20.26. Where wee hauehave;
1. The Hiſtory Paraphraſed.
2. The Text opened, and all the parts drawne to an Head: That faſting in a right manner is a powerfull meanes to preferre our ſuites to God. Which head is;
1. Explicated.
1. What is the right manner of Faſting; where,
1. Who are to faſt. All.
2. The manner how;
1. An outward exerciſe, to abſtaine; from,
1. Food.
2. Sleepe.
3. The Marriage bed.
4. Delights.
5. Coſtly apparell.
6. Labour of Callings.
2. An inward ſubſtance; which conſiſts,
1. In the Abaſing of our ſelues;
1. In the ſence of our ſinne.
2. In loathing of our ſelues.
3. In bewailing our eſtate.
4. In condemning our ſoules.
2. In Prayer;
1. Confeſſion.
2. Petition.
3. Deprecation.
4. Renewing the Covenant.
To which adde Almes.
3. The place: The houſe of God.
4. The time of continuance: The time of a Sabbath.
5. The occaſions;
1. To prevent or remoue evill.
2. To procure good.
2. How this is powerfull; not through merit, but by vertue of Ordinance.
2. Confirmed; It is powerfull;
1. Becauſe it is the meanes appointed to prevaile.
2. Becauſe ſuiteable to thoſe Relations wee ſtand in unto God.
3. Becauſe by it, Prayer is made more fervent; for it remoues the Impediments:
1. In the underſtanding.
2. In the will.
3. In the affections.
3. Applyed;
1. To condemne;
1. Such as contemne and neglect Faſting.
2. That urge it as Meritorious.
2. To exhort us to a conſcionable uſe of ſo holy and powerfull an ordinance.
2. The faſt it ſelfe; which conſiſts of three parts. 1. An enquiry after the approach of Iudgements. 2. The ſenſe of a preſent Iudgement found. 3. The meanes uſed for removall.
An Enquiry after the Approach of Iudgement.
1. An enquiry after the approach of Iudgement; from our Saviours exhortation to watchfulneſſe, Mark. 13.37. where;
1. The Text is opened.
2. The chiefe matter is drawne unto a head: That it is the dutie of every one to watch: which is,
1. Explained according to the divers acceptations of the word.
2. Applyed.
1. To condemne.
1. The careleſſe of their ſoules.
2. The ſecure that feare no danger.
3. Such as reproach.
1. Them that are carefull of their liues.
2. Them that are fearefull fore-ſeers of euill.
2. To exhort unto the dutie; not to the keeping of Canonicall houres, which ſuperſtition is diſcovered and oppoſed: but to be watchfull.
1. Concerning our ſelues: where,
1. Direction to be carefull and watch
1. All that enter, leſt wee bee conquered.
2. All that goes from us, leſt we be betrayed.
2. Motiues.
1 It is convenient, in reſpect of our Relations: who are
1 Paſtors.
2 Warriours.
3 Sentinels.
4 Servants.
2 It is neceſſary.
1 Becauſe our tenements are ruinous.
2 Becauſe our Landlords day is uncertaine.
3 It is profitable.
4 The neglect is full of danger
2 Concerning the approach of Iudgments, where are diſcovered the ſignes of approach:
1 Extraordinary.
2 Ordinary.
1 The joynt warning of the Miniſtry.
2 Thoſe grounds from whence they giuegive their warning.
1 The obſervation of thoſe ſins which hauehave in them a ſuteableneſſe to judgement.
2 Mercies abuſed.
3 Offers and ſhewes of Iudgements.
4 Seeking to God, and reſting in the worke done.
5 The with-drawing of Gods preſence which we take notice of; when,
1 When hee denies vertue with the Ordinance.
2 When there is ſcarcitie of ſanctified knowledge
3 When we find a defect of holineſſe with unitie.
4 When we want his protection in publique cauſes.
3. To bring it neere whom it may concerne;
1 Miniſters.
2 All others;
1 Magiſtrates.
2 All people, who muſt obſerue and giuegive notice:
1 Privately.
2 Publickly.
The ſence of a preſent Iudgement found.
2. The ſecond part of our faſt, is after our enquiry, the ſence of a judgement found; applyed in a parallel, from Hoſ. 4.1.2. where;
1. The Text is explained in the parts;
1. The Preface.
2. The Meſſage.
1. That there is a controverſie.
2. The partyes; God and Iſrael.
3. The cauſe; where,
1. Their ſinnes.
2. The aggravations.
2. The ſumme of all the parts drawne to an head; That ſinne cauſeth Gods controverſie with a Land: which is;
1. Proued.
1. By Scriptures.
2. By grounds.
1. Sinne breakes Covenant.
2. It undoeth Love-tyes.
3. It is offenſiue, an action of treſpaſſe.
2. Applied.
1 To diſcouer the reaſon of Gods ſtrokes upon us, where compariſon is made of our condition with that of Iſrael.
1. In our ſinnes.
1. Of omiſſion.
1. There is no truth in our dealings.
2. No mercy in our hearts.
3. No knowledge of God among us.
2. Of commiſſion.
1. Againſt truth: there is
1. Swearing.
2. Lying.
2. Againſt mercy: there is
1. Killing.
2. Stealing.
3, Committing adultery
2, In our Aggravations.
1. Our boldneſſe in ſinning.
2. Our multitude of ſinnes.
3. That we are Iſrael, the people of God.
4. That wee are Inhabitants of a good Land.
2. To exhort us to a conſcionable endeavour to end the controverſie, that the ſuite againſt us many be laid downe; and God appeaſed by our ſubmiſſion.
The meanes uſed for removall.
3. The third part of our faſt is, the meanes uſed for the removall of the Iudgement; 1. Prayer in foure Sermons. 2. Repentance in two laſt.
I. Prayer; which is, 1. For our ſelues: where, 1. Of prayer it ſelfe. 2. Of the arguments in prayer. 3. Gf the qualifying of him that doth pray. 2. Of prayer for others, for the Church.
II. Repentance: where, 1. Of Arguments to repentance. 2. An Exhortation to repentance. Of theſe ſeverally.
Of Prayer.
1 Of Prayer it ſelfe out of Iacobs example. Gen. 32.9.11. where:
1 The Hiſtory is followed with obſervations;
1 Of Iacobs encountring with Angels.
2 Of his Embaſſie to his Brother.
3 Of his feare at the returne of his ſervants.
4 Of the meanes he uſeth for his defence.
1 The diviſion of his family.
2 Prayer.
2 The principall matter, drawne from the Inſtance to this concluſion; That Prayer is the remedie of our diſtreſſes. Which is,
1. Explicated.
1 What Prayer is, which is deſcribed and further cleared in fiue eſſentials of it.
1 That we muſt pray to God alone.
2 That we muſt pray in the name of Chriſt.
3 That wee muſt pray by the aſſiſtance of the Spirit.
4 That wee muſt pray in a right manner.
1 Generally the perſon muſt be right.
2 Particularly: there muſt be
1 The Attention of the minde.
1 To God.
2 To the worke, to pray:
1 With underſtanding.
2 With faith.
3 To our ſelues, that we be not diſtracted.
2 The Intention of the will: there muſt be;
1 A powring out of the ſoule: that is to pray,
1 With reverence.
2 With humilitie.
2 A lifting up of the ſpirit: that is to pray
1 With fervencie.
2 With continuance.
5 That wee muſt pray for things lawfull.
2 How Prayer yeelds Remedy, as that Medium which hath appointed to intervene and fetch ſupply.
2 Confirmed by Scripture, and by Inſtance.
3 Applyed.
1 To inſtruct us;
1 Why the godly pray ſo much, becauſe they ſee the vertue of it.
2 Why God corrects ſo long, becauſe we doe not pray.
2 To reprehend;
1 Such as uſe other remedies, and reſt in their uſe.
2 Such as neglect prayer: whoſe pretenſes are anſwered and removed.
3 To exhort us to ſet upon the exerciſe.
2. Of the Arguments in Prayer; drawne from the ſame example of Iacob; Gen. 32.10. Where;
1. The Text is againe prepared.
2. The Arguments are ſeverally handled:
1. An argument from the Covenant, the Inſtance of Iacobs uſe, brought to a doctrinall Concluſion; That in Prayer wee muſt draw Argument from the Covenant: This is,
1. Confirmed by a double reaſon;
1. Becauſe wee ſhall not elſe be heard.
2. Becauſe by the Covenant wee are Intereſſed in Gods attributes.
2. Applied in a double Exhortation.
1. That we would enter into Covenant.
2. That wee would make uſe of it.
2. An Argument from the Promiſe; which is made Doctrinall;
1. In the Hypotheſis, that Iacob and others did uſe this argument; which they did;
1. Becauſe the promiſes were given for their ſtrength.
2. Becauſe they would honor God by their faith.
2. In the Theſis; That Gods promiſes muſt be the ground or ſtrength of our prayers. Which is;
1. Confirmed by a twofold reaſon.
1. Becauſe no prayer can be made elſe, with faith, with boldneſſe.
2. Becauſe though God freely promiſe, yet he performes his promiſe vponupon our ſeeking.
2. Applyed;
1. In a Direction how to make uſe of promiſes; that is threefold;
1. How wee muſt conceiue of them;
1. Concerning their nature;
1. That the kindes differ.
2. That they are oft ſubordinate.
3. That they are firme in themſelues but oft hid in the fulfilling.
2. Concerning their Exhibition.
1. That all are to the Elect.
2. The Date of promiſes is oft unknowne.
3. Concerning their Intention;
1. Every generall promiſe is applyable to particulars.
2. The ſame promiſes may belong, though diverſly, both to godly and wicked.
2. How wee may collect them? as they are propounded;
1. Expreſſely;
1. Generally.
2. Particularly.
2. Implicitely;
1. In examples.
2. In prayers of the Saints.
3. How wee muſt apply them,
1. In regard of their nature;
1. The Abſolute, abſolutely.
2. Without anticipation.
3. VVith the dependance of Faith.
2. In regard of their Exhibition;
1. As ſeeing our ſelues in Chriſt.
2. VVayting for Gods time.
3. In regard of their Intention;
1. Seeing our ſelues reduced to their condition, to whom the promiſe was given.
2. VVith confidence of earthly proviſions.
2. It is applyed in an Exhortation;
1. To treaſure vp the promiſes.
2. To make a conſtant uſe of them;
1. Of generall promiſes.
2. Of particular;
1. Pertaining to this life;
1. Concerning the ſpirituall eſtate;
1. For Iuſtification.
2. For Sanctification.
2. Concerning the temporall;
1. For ſupply of good.
2. For removing ill.
2. Pertaining to the life to come.
3. Of the Qualification of him that doth pray, found in Davids expreſſion, Pſal. 51.17. VVhere;
1. The Pſalme Analyſed.
2. The Text opened.
3. The parts ſeverally handled;
1. The truth delivered; in two obſervations;
1. That a broken or contrite heart or ſpirit, is Gods Sacrifice. VVhichWhich is;
1. Explicated;
1. VVhat is the heart and ſpirit; The ſoule.
2. VVhat it is to be broken; the Inward humiliation.
3. How it is Gods Sacrifice; that which God requires.
2. Proved;
1. Becauſe God is the Author of ſuch Service.
2. Becauſe it is ſuiteable to God.
1. Becauſe ſincere.
2. Becauſe humble.
3. Becauſe it ſpecially honours God;
1. That wee giuegive our hearts.
2. That wee giuegive them broken; which expreſſes ſorrow;
1. Appretiatiue.
2. Intenſiue.
3. Applyed;
1. To diſcover a myſtery of lawfull commendable man-ſlaughter.
2. To condemne, ſuch as bring not their hearts, or not Broken;
1. Such as are inſenſible of ſinne.
2. Such as are not open to Confeſſion.
3. Such as are not ſhivered into peices.
3. To exhort us, to bring this Sacrifice; that wee would breake our hearts:
1. As the ground is broken for ſeed.
2. As ſtones are broken for playſtry.
3. As Beaſts were broken at the Altar, or the Incenſe.
2. That ſuch a Sacrifice, God will not deſpiſe. VVhichWhich is;
1. Proved by teſtimony and example.
2. Applyed;
1. To diſcover the difference of Gods and the worlds Cenſure and affection.
2. To incourage us, to draw neare with our Offering.
2. The manner of the Delivering;
1. In a Meditation.
2. In a ſudden Ejaculation.
2. Wee hauehave heard largely of Prayer for our ſelues; now of Prayer for the Church, Ruled in the patterne of David: Pſal. 51.18. Where the parts are ſeverally followed;
1. Who it is that prayes; David. Which circumſtance is made uſefull in three Obſervations:
1. That the ſpirituall ſtate hath its changes. This is;
1. Inſtanced.
2. Confirmed;
1. Becauſe the ground of diſtemper remaines.
2. Becauſe wee meet with changes from without.
3. Applyed;
1. To inſtruct us;
1. How the regenerate and carnall differ.
2. VVho are of the beſt temper.
3. A little to diſcerne of Heaven.
2. To reproue;
1. The unwarrantably bold.
2. The apt to Cenſure.
3. To incourage the infirme that are ſincere.
4. To exhort us to liue phyſically.
2. That the aſſurance of mercy for our ſelues, makes us confident to beg mercy for others. VVhichWhich is cleared and applyed;
1. To ſhew the reaſon of our method in prayer.
2. To ſhew the unprofitableneſſe of carnall men.
3. To exhort that wee labour for aſſurance.
3. That mercy to our ſelues makes us compaſſionate to others. This is,
1. Proved;
1. Becauſe mercy is taſted.
2. Becauſe graces are not alone.
2. Applyed;
1. To ſhew why godly men often pray.
2. To diſcover the uncompaſſionate to be unpardoned.
3. To preſſe our Imitation.
2. For whom he prayes; for the Church: whence is an obſervation; That tis fit the members of the Church ſhould pray for the Church. This is,
1. Confirmed,
1. Becauſe ſo they pray for themſelues.
2. Becauſe to that end they are members.
2. Applyed;
1. To reproue the ſenceleſſe.
2. To preſſe the Dutie; and that from conſideration of the Church under the names in the Text, in the moralized Hiſtory;
1. Of the ſcituation;
1. In the middle, noting perfection.
2. Hilly, noting ſafetie.
3. Ʋnited, noting the now common faith.
2. Of the priviledges;
1. Of Soveraigntie.
2. Of Holineſſe.
3. Of LoueLove;
1. There God dwells.
2. There he appeares.
3. To that he makes gracious promiſes.
3. What he prayes for;
1. The Churches Reſtauration; whence two Obſervations;
1. That ſinne is of ſo publique harme it reaches to others. This is inſtanced and applyed:
1. To ſhew the hainouſneſſe of ſinne.
2. To exhort that wee hurt not ſocietie.
2. That David who ſind, prayed: applied:
1. To condemne, that dare ſinne, but are careleſſe to pray.
2. To exhort the imitation of Davids juſtice.
2. The continuance of her peace. VVhere is obſerved;
1. That the Church ſtands in need of walls: VVhichWhich,
1. Condemnes,
1. That truſt in the bare name.
2. That plucke downe her walls.
2. Exhorts to ſhew our ſelues the Churches friends.
2. That the Church is ſtill unfiniſhed, and wants ſome of her beautie, which exhorts us to pray;
1. That it might bee ſtill encreaſed.
2. That her full glory may be haſtned.
4 To whom he prayes, to God: which notes;
1 That God is the Churches ſafetie.
2 That to God we muſt hauehave recourſe.
5 How he prayes; In thy good pleaſure: which obſerues;
1 That Gods motiue is himſelfe.
2 We muſt uſe that motiue when we deale with God; And then we pray;
1 Wiſely.
2 Humbly.
II. Of Repentance, which is the other remedie; and here:
1 Of the Arguments to Repentance, afforded by the Baptiſt, Math. 3.7. where; the parts are followed;
1 To whom he preached; to the Phariſees, Sadduces, and Multitude: which giues us to obſerue;
1 That the Church is a mixt Aſſembly.
2 That there is a ſecret hypocriſie: which will appeare by conſidering of theſe;
1 What they were;
1 The Phariſees, ſeparated men:
1 Separated from ordinary
1 Commerce.
2 Habits.
3 Delights.
2 Separated unto extraordinary holineſſe.
1 They waſhed before meate.
2 When, from Market.
3 Their veſſels.
4 Eate not with ſinners.
5 Toucht them not.
6 Made broad fringes.
7 Were much in mortification.
2 The Sadduces were juſt;
1 Preciſe in their name.
2 Preciſe Scripturiſts.
2 What they did; they came to the Baptiſme. Both which giues us cauſe equally of feare and tryall.
2 The Sermon it ſelfe; Hortatory to repentance: where firſt the Arguments; they are two.
1 Their ſinfull ſtate: which giues us to obſerue:
1 That Hypocrites are a generation of vipers.
1 They are full of venome.
2 Eate through the wombe.
3 Specious in the skinne.
4 Their teeth hid with gums.
5 They runne to waters.
2 The conſideration of this is a motiue to repentance.
3 Iohn to that end diſcovers it.
2 Their unſenſibleneſſe of danger: where;
1 The place is opened.
2 Concluſions are drawne.
1 That there is wrath to come. Which is,
1 Explicated, how wrath is in God, according to the ſimilitude of the effect.
2 Confirmed.
1 From the being of ſin.
2 From Gods truth.
3 From Gods equity.
4 From Gods glory.
3 Applyed.
1 To remoue our ungrounded murmur.
2. To exhort us to beleeue this, that ſo wee may feare Gods wrath in Iudgement,
1 Temporall.
2 Eternall.
2 That the wrath to ceme may bee fled from: which is;
1 Proved by Inſtance and reaſon.
2 Applyed,
1 To ſhew that eſcape muſt bc by flight, not,
1 By deniall.
2 By traverſing the Inditement.
3 By pleading immunitie.
4 By truſting others.
2 To direct us to eſcape by flight.
1 Not Corporall.
2 But Spirituall; to avoid;
1 What diſhonors God:
1 Neglect of his due.
2 Contempt.
3 When diſhonor
1 By baſe.
2 By vaſſals.
3 When diſhonor before;
1 Contending for glory.
2 His Rivals.
3 His retainers.
2 What hath beene puniſhed.
1 Profaneneſſe.
2 Envie.
3 Selfe-ſeeking.
4 Ingratefull rebellion.
5 Siding with Gods enemies.
3 What cauſeth eternall damnation; Infidelitie and ſtubborneneſſe againſt the offer of grace.
3 That wicked are inſenſible both of wrath and flying; which diſcovers the reaſon why they liue ſo ſecurely.
4 That to be ſenſible of both theſe is an argument to repentance; which exhorts us to be ſenſible;
1 Of wrath.
2 Of the remedie; To ſee both ſin and mercy aliue.
II. Of the Exhortation to Repentance, grounded upon the Baptiſts Sermon in the former place, Mat. 3.8. Where the parts are;
1. The Inference.
2 The Exhortation; Whence two Concluſions;
1. That there are fruits worthy of Repentance.
1. Cleared;
1. What Repentance is; examined,
1. In the name;
1. foreign.
2. foreign.
2. In the thing; as it is taken;
1. Leſſe properly.
1. Synechdochically, for Contrition.
2. Generally, for Reformation.
2. More properly, for new life.
3. Improperly, for externall profeſſion.
2. What fruits are; The ſhoots of that which liues.
3. What meet fruits are;
1. A proportionableneſſe of Repentance unto ſinne.
2. A manifeſtation of the truth of our repentance;
1. The Synechdochicall, by ſorrow.
2. The generall, by Reformation: ſo of the reſt.
2. Confirmed;
1. Becauſe God commands them.
2. Becauſe true Repentance liues.
3. Becauſe mens liues doe witneſſe it.
3. Applyed:
1. To diſcover and condemne dead formes of Popiſh Penance.
2. To giuegive us Tryall of our Repentance; which,
1. If taken for Contrition, the ſigne is ſorrow for ſinne, which if ſincere;
1. Is more for ſinne than puniſhment.
2. If not ſenſitiuely, yet intellectiuely greater for offending God, than any other diſpleaſure.
2. If taken for generall turning; the ſignes are,
1. Hatred of ſinne, which if true, is;
1. Ʋniverſall.
2. Conſtant.
3. Implacable.
4. Ʋehement.
2. Purpoſe to leaue ſinne, which approues it ſelfe:
1. By ſtriving for the preſent.
2. By induſtry in the meanes.
3. By oppoſing the impediments.
3. Reformation of the whole man.
3. If taken for Converſion, the ſigne is a new life.
4. If taken for outward profeſſion; the ſignes are,
1. Outward Contrition.
2. Confeſſion.
3. Satisfaction.
2. That it is our dutie to bring forth fruits meet for repentance. This is,
1. Proved:
1. Becauſe there is precept for it.
2. Becauſe wee are decreed to it.
3. Becauſe it is the end of Gods dealings with us.
2. Applyed:
1. To condemne;
1. The Barren, ſuch as bring no fruits.
2. The ſinfully fruitfull, that bring not forth meete fruits.
2. To exhort; which hath two parts;
1. A Direction;
1. How to Repent;
1. Conſider rightly of ſin; to that end meditate;
1. Of the Maieſtie offended.
2. The Bonds violated.
3. The wrath incurred.
4. The good hindred.
5. The evills felt.
6. The death of Chriſt.
2. Conſider the neceſſitie of a new way.
3. Be broken in Confeſſion.
4. Looke from the depth to the promiſe.
5. Reſolue in the ſtrength of God.
6. Avoide all entanglements.
2. How to bring forth fruit; pray that God would giuegive;
1. Moyſture in the Ordinance.
2. The heate of louelove.
3. A ſanctified uſe of every Condition.
2. An Exhortation;
1. To proportion our penitence unto our ſinne.
2. To liue agreeable to our new ſpirituall life.