Diary of a Thankful Christian, Table of contents
The Contents:
CHAP. I.
The Preface, wherein an entrance is made to the words, and the duty of a Journall or Diary is propounded. pag. 1
To forget Gods mercies a provoking ſin. 2
God is very gracious in affording means for the helping of our memories. 5
CHAP. II.
The matter whereof a Journall or Diary is compounded, and firſt Nationall and publick. 14
1. Take notice what Governours have ruled over us. Ibid.
2. What Religion was by ſuch countenanced. 16
3. How variable the condition of the Times have been. 19
4. What remarkable judgemints God hath inflicted upon notorious offenders. 22
5. What the Nationall ſin for the preſent generation may be: It's good to know that. 25
Some times have been more notorious for Drunkenneſſe. 26
Some for Swearing. 27
Some for Pride and Ambition. 28
Our generation (as ſome think) moſt guilty of Contention. 30
Some think, Hypotriſie. 33
Some think, Apoſtaſie. Ibid.
En…ity againſt the Kingly government of Chriſt in his Church is the ſin of this age. 39
CHAP. III.
What perſonall and private paſſages of Providence thoſe are which ought to be recorded in our Journall or Diary. 48
1. Keep an account of our converſion. Ib.
2. Of all divine aſſiſtance, either for the doing of that which is required, or the bearing of ſuch evils as are inflicted. 51
3. All deliverances from dangers. 55
4. All the men and means God hath uſed for our good. 58
5. All the returns of our prayers. 62
CHAP. IV.
The manner how a Journall or Diary is to be uſed, and firſt what is to be done by way of obſervation. 66
1. Labour to ſee and obſerve God in all things. 66
2. Labour to ſee and obſerve all things in God. 70
3. Obſerve the wayes and means by which all good things are conveyed to us. 74
1. By Chriſt ſavingly. 75
2. By the promiſe certainly. 79
3. By the creatures ſenſibly. 85
Wherein obſerve Gods wiſdome in the choyce:
1. Of the inſtruments that are uſed. 86
2. Of the the time. 89
3. Of the meaſure. 93
In all which hold faſt theſe three concluſions:
1. Where God ſees any fit to uſe more, he can afford more. 98
2. That it is a mercy when our mindes are conformable to our means. 99
3. That God hath many wayes to throw theſe things in to us, and as many to take them from us. 100
CHAP. V.
The manner how a Journall or Diary is to be uſed, according to the rules of Practiſe. 102
1. Look often upon the Journal, and read it over. Ibid.
2. Caſt up all your wants. 105
3. Reckon how many ways thoſe wants are ſupplyed with other comforts. 107
4. Take great notice of the peculiar excellency of all Gods diſpenſations towards you, above the world. 109
5. Take heed that the want of ſome comfort do not rob you of all other. 114
6. Reckon much upon what you may want. 115
7. Study much the vanity of all Creaturecomforts. 118
8. Be very moderate in the uſe of theſe things. 122
9. Truſt not too far, depend not too much upon men. 124
CHAP. VI.
More rules of the ſame kinde, that concern our practice. 128
10. Ask your own hearts 3 Queſtions. Ib.
1. What honor do I bring to God for all this. Ibid.
2. What good do I to my neighbor. 131
3. What good do I reap by all for my ſelf. 137
11. Labour to be thankfull for all. 140
1. Eſpecially for Jeſus Chriſt. 141
2. For afflictions. 142
3. For preſervation from ſcandals. 144
4. For heaven. 146
12. Declare to others what God hath done for you, to provoke them to bleſſe God with you and for you. 148
CHAP. VII.
An uſe of Exhortation, wherein Christians are perſwaded to keep ſuch a Journall or Diary. 150
Directions to further this work. 151
1. Often remember your ſinful eſtate. 152
2. Remember your low & poor eſtate. 155
3. Labour to understand every mercy aright. 156
4. Take notice of the actings of God, whileſt they are new. 158
5. Love the Lord for his goodneſs. 161
CHAP. VIII.
Arguments propounded that may provoke Chriſtians to keep ſuch a Journall. 164
1. Ab excellenti, It is an excellent duty. Ibid.
2. Ab aequo, It is very juſt and equal. 167
3. A neceſſario, It is very neceſſary. 170
1. In regard of the badneſse of our memories. Ibid.
2. To prevent the great ſin of unthankfulneſſe. 171
3. To prevent the great danger of forgetfulneſſe. 172
4. Ab utili, It is a profitable courſe, and that in 7 regards. 174
1. It would be an excellent way to perpetuate the memoriall of ſome, and promote the good of others. 175
2. It would bring us into great acquaintance with God. 176
3. It would much enlarge our hearts with love to our God. 177
4. It would enlarge our hearts with kindneſſe and compaſſion to our Brethren. 178
5. It would much encreaſe in us ſelfabaſement of heart. 179
6. It would provoke us to thankfulneſſe. 180
7. It would very much help our faith. 181
End of the text · John Beadle, Diary of a Thankful Christian (1656)