Directions and Persuasions to a Sound Conversion, Table of contents
THE CONTENTS.
COnsiderations to provoke men to take heed of sticking in a half-Conversion. pag. 1
Direct. 1. Labour for a right understanding of the true Nature of Christianity, and meaning of the Gospel that must convert. 32
Direct. 2. When you understand that which you are called to, search the Scripture, and see whether it be so. 41
Direct. 3. Be much in the serious Consideration of the Truths which you understand and believe. 51
Seven things to be considered. 56
The manner of this Consideration. 79
Twelve Motives to Consideration. 86
Direct. 4. See that the work of Humiliation be throughly done, and break not away from the Spirit of Contrition before he have done with you: And yet see that you mistake not the Nature and Ends of the work, and that you drive it not on further then God requireth. 119
Preparatory Humiliation what. ibid.
Sound Humiliation how known 120. &c. The Ends and Vse of Humiliation. 130
Mistakes about Humiliation to be avoided. 154
Whether it be possible to be too much humbled. 160
How to know when sorrow should be restrained. 163
And when sorrow must be encreased. 167
Motives for submission to a through-Humiliation. 182
Direct. 5. Close with the Lord Jesus understandingly, heartily and entirely, as he is revealed and offered in the Gospel. 191
What must be understood of the person of Christ. 192
The Ends of Redemption, to be understood. 195
The Demonstrations of the glory of God in Christ, and to whom. 221
What are the works of Redemption that Christ hath done. 232
The Benefits by Christ procured. The general Benefits. 241
The Benefits proper to Believers. 247
The several termes on which the several Benefits are conveyed. 263
The certainty of all this. 270
How Christ must be received heartily and with the will. 272
Christ must be entirely received, and how. 283
Direct. 6. See that the flesh be throughly mortified, and your hearts taken off the pleasures, profits and honours of the world, and think not of reconciling God and the world, as if you might secure your interest in both. 299
Direct. 7. Be sure that you make an absolute Resignation of your selves and all that you have to God. 306
Direct. 8. See that you mistake not a meer change of your opinions, and profession and behaviour, for a saving change. 324
The Markes by which a sound Conversion may be known from a meer opinionative change. 330
Directions to get beyond an opinionative Conversion. 347
Direct. 9. Acquaint your souls by faith with the glory of the everlasting Kingdome, and see that you take it for your portion, and your end, and from thence let the rest of your actions be animated. 353
Wherein this Blessedness doth consist. 359
Direct. 10. Rest not, and count not your selvs converted, till God and holiness have your very Love, Desire and Delight: and take it not for a saving change, when you had rather live a worldly and ungodly life, if it were not for the fears of punishment. 363
Direct. 11. If you would not have the work miscarry, Turn then this present day and hour without any more delay: where fifty Considerations are given to shame men out of their delayes. 381
Direct. 12. Stop not in weak and wavering purposes, and faint attempts: but see that you be groundedly, unreservedly, and fi mly, (or habitually) Resolved. 441
What Resolution is, and by what Deliberations it is caused. The Preparatory c…mmon Acts, and the speciall Acts: Illumination, and the wills Determination how wrought. 442 &c.
The unresolved are unconverted. 450
What Resolution it is that is necessary. 455
Twenty Motives to Resolution 461
Hinderances of Resolution. 505
Two Directions for prosecuting Resolution, that it may hold. 513
The Conclusion. 521