The Guard of the Tree of Life, Table of contents – Imprimatur
A briefe Table of the maine things contained in the following Diſcourſe.
THe Introduction into the Diſcourſe and parts of the Text, and explanation of the term. pag 1, 2, 3, 4.
Doctr. 1. To have to do with an Ordinance of God, is to draw neer to God. p. 7.
Uſe 1. Judge how much you are bound to God for Ordinances. p. 10.
2. What cauſe to lament the ſad condition of thoſe that want them. p. 11, 12.
3. What a ſin to diſturb the Saints in the uſe of Ordinances. p. 13.
4. See the ground the Saints ſo much taken with Ordinances. p. ibid.
5. See what cauſe there is to keep our hearts in a holy frame. p. 14.
Uſe. Exhort. 1. To a conſcionable uſe of Ordinances, upon four grounds. p. 20. to 25.
2. To conſcionablneſs in the uſe of them upon three grounds. p. 26, to 28.
2. To Exhort, When ever you have to do with Ordiuances, take Chriſt with you, p. 30
The neceſſity of it: 1. In regard of admiſſion: 2. Aſſiſtance: 3. Acceptance. pag. 31, 32, 33.
Doct. 2. Thoſe who have to do with God in an Ordinance, muſt ſanctifie God in it. 34.
1. What it is to ſanctifie God in an Ordinance. 35.
To which ſomething is required:
1 In the work. 35.
2 The workman.
1 In his head, knowledge, &c. 36.
2 In his heart. 36.
1. Holy affections
2. Sutable. 37.
3. Excited. 38.
2. How we muſt ſanctifie God in this ordinance. p. 40
1 Something is required before. 41.
1 Habituall 43.
preparation.
2 Actuall
2 Something in the time. 44.
1 Exerciſe of Grace.
2 Sutable demeanors.
Faith
Repentance.
1 Faith, where is diſcovered:
1 What act of faith. 45.
2 Ʋpon what object. 50.
3 For what benefits. 54.
Faith is to be exerciſed for four benefits in the Sacrament:
1. For the further aſſurance of our juſtification. 56.
2. For the increaſe of ſanctification. 59.
3. For the ſubduing of corruptions. 70.
4. For deliverance out of temptation. 74.
And how faith is to be acted upon Chriſt for theſe benefits, is diſcovered.
2. The ſecond Grace to be exerciſed in the time, is Repentance. pag. 78.
Where is ſet down:
1 The kindes of mourning.
1 Hiſtoricall. 79.
2 Spirituall. 79.
2 The advantages to it. 82.
1 The diſcovery of love.
2 Sufferings of Chriſt, &c.
Theſe are the Graces required in the time; now the demanours, p. 89.
1. An humble reverence: 2. Diſcharge of worldly thoughts. p. 90.
3. Something is required afterward to ſanctifie God in this ordinance. p. 93.
Thankfulnes. 94
2 Obedience. 98.
3. Why we muſt ſanctifie God. 3. Reaſons. p. 103.
1 Becauſe God commands. 103.
2 Becauſe otherwiſe get no good. p. 105.
3 Becauſe otherwiſe get hurt. p. 107.
Vſe Of complaint. How few do ſanctifie God in this ordinance. p. 100.
2 Vſe Examination; Whether you have ſanctified God in it. p. 112.
Before
1 See if you have obſerved God's order. p. 113. 114.
2 See whether obſerved God's rules. p. 16.
3 See whether you have obſerved God's ends. p. 118.
2 See if you have exerciſed Gods graces in the time. p. 123.
3 See whether wee have returned home with God's quicknings and refreſhments. p. ibid.
3 Doctr. God will be ſanctified of every one that doth not ſanctifie him in Ordinances. p. 130.
1 What is meant by God's ſanctifying himſelf on men. p. 131.
2 What are the reaſons why God doth ſanctifie himſelf on thoſe who do not ſanctifie him in ordinances. p. 132.
6 Reaſons of it:
1 For terrour and dread of prophane perſons. p. 133.
2 For caution to others. p. 134.
3 To declare his juſtice. p. 136
4 To remove ſcandall. p. 137.
5 To hold up his great name. p. 148.
6 To declare his hatred againſt ſin. p. 142.
Vſe, Caution to prophane perſons. 143.
Vſe, To exhort us to turn our eyes backward, and examine whether wee have not been guilty of the prophanation of this ordinance. p. 151.
The triall is put upon three further deſignes. pag. 151.
1 Sign. If the Sacraments have wrought no further good upon thee. p. ibid.
2 Sign. If thou art worſe after then before. p. 153.
3 Sign. If thou haſt fed upon nothing but outward elements, thou hast been a prophaner of this ordinance. p. 156.
A briefe rehearſall and application of the whole to wicked and unregenerate perſons.
Imprimatur,
John Downam.