The Scripture Directory for Church Officers and People, Table of contents 1 – Bookseller to the reader
THE CONTENTS OF THIS Practical Expoſition ON THE Third Chapter of the firſt Epiſtle of St Paul TO THE CORINTHIANS.
Verſe 1. ANd I, brethren, could not ſpeak unto you, as unto ſpiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Chriſt.
Obſerv. That the ignorance and ſinfulneſſe of a people, are a juſt cauſe why faithfull and wiſe Miniſters of the Word doe not ſometimes preach of the more ſublime and excellent points in Chriſtianity, p. 2
In what reſpects the peoples Ignorance is an impediment to the Miniſters preaching. p 3
In what reſpects the peoples Sinfulneſſe is an impediment to the Miniſters preaching. p 3
Carnal. Its ſeveral ſignifications.
Obſerv. That even among thoſe who are truly, and indeed of the viſible Church of God, there is a vaſt difference; ſome are ſpiritual, ſome are carnal, ſome are men, ſome are babes. p. 5
What it is to be a ſpiritual man, 7
What to be carnal or babes, 8
Verſe 2. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat.
Obſerv. 1. It muſt be the Prudence and Wiſdome of the Miniſter, to preach ſuch matter, and in ſuch a way, as the Hearers may receive good thereby. p. 9
Obſerv. 2. It's neceſſary to acquaint People with the Principles of Religion, before they go higher in Chriſtianity. 13
Conſiderations about the principles of Religion, and the knowledge and ignorance of them. 13
For hither to ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
Obſerv. That it's a great ſinne, and juſt reproach to a people, that have lived long under the means of grace, if they have not got the due profit by it. 17
The due profits and effects of the Miniſtry, Intellectual and Practical, ib.
Verſe 3. For ye are yet carnal. 21
Qu. Why thoſe that are godly for the main are called carnal? ibid.
Obſerv, That the reliques of corruption, which do abide in the godly, ought to be an heavy burden to them, againſt which they are daily to ſtrive and combate. ib.
Conſiderations about the Saints infirmities and corruptions, 22
And whence it is that they do not fully conquer ſinne, 23
And why God doth not cure his people at once, 24
For whereas there is among you Envying, and Strife, and Diviſions, are ye not carnal? 25
Envy, its ſeveral acceptations, ibid.
Obſerv. That envying, whereſoever it is, is a fruit of the Fleſh, and ſuch a ſinne, that a godly man ſhould eſpecially watch againſt. ibid.
Envy: Its Original, Degrees, Object, Subject, Aggravations, Remedies, 26
The difference between Envy and Zeal, 32
For whereas there is among you ſtrife. 33
Obſerv. That ſtrifes, and quarrelling contentions amongst Chriſtians, argue them to be ſo farre carnal. ibid.
Sinfull ſtrife: Its Cauſe, Effects, Aggravations, 34
Whereas there is diviſions among you. p. 37
Obſerv. That diviſions and factions do quickly creep into the beſt and pureſt Churches. 38
Diviſions divided; their Nature, Cauſes, 39
Are ye not carnal, and walk as men? 42
As man, its ſeveral ſignifications. ibid.
Obſerv. That all thoſe who are named Chriſtians, and would be accounted ſo, ſhould walk and live, as thoſe that are more than meer men. ibid.
What the phraſe [to live as men] implieth, 43
Verſe 4. For whereas one ſaith, I am of Paul, and another, I am of Apollo, are ye not carnal? 45
Obſerv. That although it's the duty of People to have a great and high eſteem of the Miniſters of the Goſpel, yet they are not ſinfully and inordinately to admire, or reſt meerly upon any mens perſons. 46
Wherein the reſpect due to the Miniſters of the Goſpel doth conſiſt, ibid
And when it may degenerate into ſinfull admiration, 48
For while one ſaith, I am of Paul, and another, I am of Apollo, are ye not carnal? 49
Obſerv. That it is not lawfull for Chriſtians to call themſelves by the Name of any men, though never ſo Eminent, ſo as to build on them. 50
Of the Names that Chriſtians have been called by in ſeveral Ages, ibid.
Obſerv. That when the Devil cannot hurt the Church by a prophane and ſinfull Miniſtry, then he labours to deſtroy it by abuſing the names and eſteem of thoſe who are truly holy and eminent. 54
What are the common wayes of Satans doing hurt to the Church by the Miniſters and Officers thereof. ibid.
And even by eminent godly men, 56
1 COR. 1.12. And I of Chriſt. 58
Obſerv. That although Chriſt only is to be relied upon, as the Head of his Church, yet it is not his will, that under this pretence, we ſhould deſpiſe, or contemn his Miniſtry, and the means of grace he hath appointed. 59.
Of ſinfull ſetting up of Chriſt. ibid.
Of the cauſes of grace, Efficient and Inſtrumental. ibid.
Verſe 5. Who then is Paul? and who is Apollo? 62
Obſerv. That faithfull Miniſters ſeek not to win or gain a people to themſelves, but to Chriſt. 63
A two-fold end of preaching the Word, ibid.
The Characters of that Miniſtry that ſeeks not the peoples applauſe, but to bring them to Chriſt, 64
Who then is Paul, and who is Apollo? but Miniſters by whom ye believed. 66
Obſerv. That the Ministry in Gods Church is the Means and inſtrumental Cauſe, he hath appointed to work Faith, and all other Graces in the Hearers. 67
How the Miniſtry is not an inſtrumental cauſe of grace, and how it is. ibid
The properties of the Miniſtry as ſuch a cauſe, 69
Who is Paul? and who is Apollo? but Miniſters by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man. 70
Obſerv. That Faith is the great and eminent grace, which God by the Miniſtry works, in ſome Hearers. ibid
The Nature of Faith. Its three Acts, Knowledge, Aſſent, and a reſting on Chriſt. 71
The Effects of faith ad intra, 72
Ad extra, 73
Even as the Lord gave to every man. 74
Obſerv. That God hath given ſeveral Gifts and Abilities to the Miniſters of the Church, and thereby makes uſe of them all, for his glorious ends. ibid.
Why all Miniſters have not the ſame gifts, 76
Rules or Helps to profit by the Miniſtry, 77
Verſe 6. I have planted, Apollo watered, but God gave the increaſe. 78
Obſerv. That it's Gods unſpeakable goodneſs, ſometimes to ſend his Word, and plant his Goſpel among a people, that never heard or knew any thing of it before. 79
Apollo watered. 82
Obſerv. That it is not enough for a people once to receive the true Faith, and principles of Religion, but they need a further watering and quickning them up to grow. ibid.
Wherein this ſpiritual watering conſiſts, 83
And why there is ſuch need of quickning means, 84
But God gave the encreaſe. 85
Obſerv. That it's God only who can and will give encreaſe and ſpiritual ſucceſſe to the Miniſterial labours in the Church. 86
How God works, 90
Wherein God giveth the increaſe, ibid.
And why he only can, 92
Verſe 7. So then, neither is he that planteth, any thing, neither he that watereth, but God that giveth the increaſe. 93
Obſerv. That the best and moſt able Miniſtry is nothing without Gods power giving the increaſe 94
What the Apoſtle doth not mean, and what he doth mean, in ſaying, The Miniſtry is nothing. ibid.
Directions how to hear the Word, 96
Verſe 8. Now he that planteth, and he that watereth, are one. 97
Obſerv. That although there is diverſity and variety in the gifts of the Ministers, yet they all ought to agree in one. ibid.
They ſhould agree in Doctrine in their End, and Scope, and in Affection, 98
The ſad effects of diſ-union in the Miniſters, 99
What people ſhould do when Miniſters and Profeſſours are divided, ibid.
And every man ſhall receive his own reward, according to his own labour. 101
Of Reward and Merit, 101, 105, 106
Obſerv. That according to a mans labour and working for God, he is ſure to have a proportionable reward. 102
All have work to do, ibid.
A two-fold doing of good works, ibid.
The requiſites to ſuch a work as God will accept, 103
A lawfull ſelf-ſeeking. 105
Verſe 9. For we are labourers together with God. 109
Obſerv. That the Miniſters of the Goſpel are workers with God, for the converſion of mens ſouls. So 2 Cor. 6.1. 110
Why God will have co-workers, ibid.
Ye are Gods husbandry, ye are Gods building. 113
Obſerv. That the people of God are his husbandry, and building. ibid.
What our being Gods husbandry and building joyntly implies. ibid.
And then what they ſeverally imply, 114
Ye are Gods building. 117
Doct. That particular Churches are, or ſhould be Gods houſe, Gods building. ibid
Of Gods houſe or Church, ibid.
What Gods building, and our being his houſe implieth, 118
Verſe 10. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, &c. 121
Obſerv. That it's the property of godly men, in all the good they have, or do, to attribute all to Gods grace. ibid.
The Properties of praiſing Gods grace, ibid.
Why the godly are ſo ſenſible of Gods grace, 123
How profitable that duty is, ibid.
What opinlons are coolers of this duty of giving thanks to free grace, 124
As a wiſe maſter-builder, I have laid the foundation. ibid
Obſerv. It's a ſpecial part of the wiſdom and heavenly art of the Miniſters of the Goſpel, to lay a good and ſure foundation in the hearts of their hearers. 125
Of a two-fold foundation, Fundamentum cognoſcendi, the foundation of our knowledge and faith in matters of Religion, viz. the Scripture. And fundamentum eſſendi, or the foundation of the being or exiſtence of all our glory and ſalvation, viz. Jeſus Chriſt, ibid
Four unqueſtionable Scripture-foundations, ibid.
With a diſcovery of rotten foundations, 127
Why it is ſuch a ſinne to worſhip God many wayes, as man pleaſeth, 132
As a wiſe maſter-builder. 137
Obſerv. That it's not vanity, but a duty in ſome caſes, for the Ministers of the Goſpel, to magnifie and ſet up their Work and Office. ibid
In what caſes a Miniſter may magnifie his work and office, ibid.
And another buildeth thereon. 139
Obſerv. That people are not to expect that Miniſters ſhould bring any other Doctrine than what is laid by Christ and the Apoſtles already. ibid.
The uſe of preaching, notwithſtanding the fulneſſe of the Scripture, 140
But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 141
Obſerv. The Miniſters of God are greatly to take heed, that they preach no other thing, than what is already contained in the Scripture. Or It's a dangerous thing to put that ſenſe and meaning on the word of God, which is not the true genuine ſenſe of it. ibid.
A two-fold building upon the foundation. ibid
Why Miniſters muſt take heed how they build upon the foundation, 142
Verſe 11. For other foundation can no man lay, than that is laid, which is Jeſus Chriſt. 145
Obſerv. That the Miniſters of God ought to lay no other Foundation than Chriſt. ibid.
How many wayes Chriſt is to be preached as a foundation, ibid.
Reaſons why he muſt be preached as the foundation, 150
Objections and Doubts anſwered, 153
How Duties are to be done and preached with relation to Chriſt, 154
The great Advantages thoſe have that are built on Chriſt, 155
Verſe 12. Now if any man build on this foundation gold, ſilver, precious ſtones, wood, hay, ſtubble, &c. 157
Obſerv. That the Doctrine and Truths of Chriſt are very precious and excellent. ibid
What the comparing them to Gold, &c. implieth, ibid.
If any man build hay, and ſtubble. 161
Obſerv. That all errours and falſhoods in Religion, though not fundamental, are no better than hay and ſtubble. ibid
Some Propoſitions about errour, ibid.
Why errours are called hay and ſtubble, 162
Verſe 13. Every mans work ſhall be made manifeſt. 165
Obſerv. That all the wayes and works of wickedneſſe, though acted in never ſo hidden and ſecret a manner ſhall be made manifeſt. ibid.
What kind of hidden wickedneſſe ſhall be made manifeſt, ibid.
The Aggravation of thoſe ſins that are ſecret and hidden, 168
Obſerv. That all the hidden and ſecret wayes of falſe Doctrines God will one day make manifeſt. 169
The Cauſes, Nature, the cunning ſubtilty in divulging them ſhall be made manifeſt, ibid.
For the day ſhall declare it. 173
Obſerv. That God hath his time, when he will diſcover the errours and falſhoods of mens Doctrines. ibid.
Errours are ſpiritual judgements; the removal in mercy at Gods time, 174
Why God will have a day to diſcover falſe Doctrine, 176
Becauſe it ſhall be revealed by fire, and the fire ſhall declare every mans work, of what ſort it is. 177
The interpretation of fire. 178
Obſerv. That God uſeth to bring people out of errours and falſe wayes, by his Word and Afflictions. ibid.
Though the Word and afflictions are both helpfull, yet differently, 179
How wandring ſheep are reduced by the Word, ibid.
How by afflictions, 181
Verſe 14. If any mans work abide, which he hath built thereupon, he ſhall receive a reward. 181
Obſerv. That Gods Truths are of a firm and durable Nature, notwithſtanding any tryal or oppoſition whatſoever. 182
Truth two-fold, Increated and Created, ibid
Scripture-truths reduced to four heads, 183
Verſe 15. If any mans work ſhall be burnt, he ſhall ſuffer loſſe, but he himſelf ſhall be ſaved, yet ſo as by fire. 185
Obſerv. That every man will be altogether a loſer in any errour or falſe way that he hath maintained, he ſhall ſuffer loſs. 186
Wherein they ſhall be loſers, ibid.
He ſhall be ſaved, yet ſo as by fire. 189
Obſerv. That even errours of judgement may endanger a mans ſalvation, as well as ungodlineſſe in practice. ibid.
The ſeveral kinds of corruptions of the underſtanding that indangers a mans ſalvation, ibid.
The Difference between errour and hereſie, with the grounds of the Doctrine, 190
Obſerv. That every godly man, though never ſo eminent, yet is very difficultly ſaved. 192
Verſe 16. Know ye not that ye are the Temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you, 193
Obſerv. That the conſideration of thoſe Priviledges and Relations which all the People that profeſſe God are put into, would be a great Argument against all kind of Pollution. ibid
Some of the chief Titles or Relations which the people of God have, 194
Know ye not, that ye are the Temple of God. 197
Of the word Temple, ibid.
Obſerv. That the people of God met together to worſhip him according to his way, are the ſpiritual Temple of God. 197
What there is in the Church alluſively to the Temple, 198
Of Gods preſence with his Church, 200
And that the Spirit of God dwels in you. 201
Obſerv. That the Spirit of God, is God. 202
The ſignification of the word Spirit, when attributed to God, ibid.
That the holy Ghoſt is God, and a perſon, ibid.
Why the holy Ghoſt is called—Spirit, 204
Obſerv. That the Spirit of God dwels in his Church. 205
What to have the Spirit dwell in us implieth, in that phraſe, ibid.
How many wayes the Spirit may be ſaid to dwell in Gods people, 207
The ſpecial works and effects of the holy Spirit in his Chruch, 209
I. Gifts, ibid.
How farre the gifts and abilities of Miniſters that are acquired by humane ſtudy and induſtry are to be aſcribed unto the holy Ghoſt, ibid.
II. Sanctifying graces, 209
Of the ſaving inhabitation of the Spirit, 212
Verſe 17. If any man defile the Temple of God, him ſhall God deſtroy. 216
Obſerv. That thoſe men who defile the Church of God with corrupt Doctrines, do highly provoke God to puniſh them. ibid
Why errours are ſaid to defile Gods Church, 217
How God will puniſh Heretiques, 219
A godly man may fall into a damnable Hereſies, 220
How a godly man erring differeth from a wicked man, ibid.
Errours are erroneous perſons diſtinguiſhed, 221
Why God is ſo provoked with corruptions in Doctrine and worſhip, ibid
Him ſhall God deſtroy. 222
Obſerv. That eternal Damnation is the deſtruction of a man. ibid.
Of the puniſhment of loſſe, ſenſe, 224
With the Aggravations of this puniſhment, 225
For the Temple of God is holy, which Temple ye are, 226
Obſerv. The holy Temple of God under the Goſpel, is not any place, though never ſo adorned or glorious; but perſons believing and worſhipping of him according to his will. ibid
Verſe 18. Let no man deceive himſelf; if any man ſeemeth to be wiſe in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wiſe. 229
Obſerv. Thut humane and earthly wiſdome is a great enemy to all the heavenly things of Chriſt. 230
A man having no more than natural humane wiſdome, is an enemy to
1. The ſupernatural Matter, and Doctrine to be believed,
2. The manner of promulgation of it in Scripture,
3. The holy and ſpiritual duties required of us. ibid.
If any man among you ſeemeth to be wiſe in this world. 239
Obſerv. That all humane and earthly wiſdome cometh farre ſhort, and is but a meer ſhadow and appearance in reſpest of Scripture-wiſdome. ibid.
Wiſdome of the world, Speculative and Political, ib.
That the Scripture way of believing, exceeds their contemplative Science.
And That the Scripture motive of doing, ſurpaſſes all their morality, 237
Let him become a fool, that he may be wiſe. 239
Obſerv. That true Chriſtian wiſdome, is nothing but folly in the worlds account. ibid
The ſeeming follies that are in things to be believed, ibid.
Let him become a fool, that he may be wiſe. 243
Obſerv. That onelyonly in the Church of God, or in Chriſtianity is true wiſdome. ibid.
The point evidenced by ten Arguments, ibid.
Verſe 19. For the wiſdome of this world is fooliſhneſs with God. 246
Obſerv. That all the admired wiſdome of a meer worldly man, is nothing but contemptible folly before God. 247
Their folly manifeſted both Active and Paſſive, i…id.
What humane wiſdome it is that is here intended, 253
For it is written, He taketh the wiſe in their own craftineſs. ibid
Obſerv. That God delights to take the earthly wiſe men of the world in their own craft. 254
How many wayes God takes the wiſe men of the world in their own craft, ibid.
And why he doth it, 256
Verſe 20. And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wiſe, that they are vain. 257
Obſerv. That the choiſeſt and beſt thoughts of the wiſeſt men, are vain. ibid.
In what ſenſe the Scripture uſeth the word vain, or vanity, ibid.
Verſe 21. Therefore let none glory in men, for all things are yours. 260
Obſerv. That it's a great ſinne to glory in men. 261
How many wayes we may be ſaid to glory in men, ibid.
For all things are yours. 264
Obſerv. That all things are for the ſpiritual good and advantage of the godly man. 265
In what reſpect all things may be ſaid to be the Saints. ibid.
Why God made all things for them. 266
Verſ. 22. Whether Paul, or Apollo, or Cephas. 270
Obſerv. That all Offices and Gifts, howſoever diverſified, are for the Churches of God. 271
In what ſenſe Miniſters are not Servants of the Church, againſt the Browniſts. ibid.
And in what ſenſe they are the Churches Servants. ibid.
The end for which both Offices and Gifts are the Churches. 273
Or the World. 274
How the word world, is to be here taken. ibid.
Obſerv. That the whole world, with all things therein, is for the ſpiritual advantage of a godly man. 275
In what ſenſe the world is ſaid to be a godly mans. 275
Or Life. 278
Obſerv. That godly men do only live; or, The godly only make a ſpiritual uſe of their life. 279
In what reſpects it is true that the godly man only lives. ibid.
And in what reſpects it's true, that the w…cked man doth not live. 281
Or Death. 282
Obſerv. That even death, which in it ſelf is ſo terrible, yet is for a godly mans advantage. ibid.
Some Propoſitions about death. ibid.
In how many reſpects death is a godly mans. 283
Or things preſent. 286
Obſerv. That whatſoever falls out for the preſent to a godly man, it is for his good. ibid.
A diviſion of all Events, into happy and proſperous, and adverſe and afflicting ones. ibid.
In how many reſpects both the one and the other are for the good of Gods people. ibid.
Or things to come, all are yours. 290
Obſerv. That all things which are to come, or may fall out hereafter, are a godly mans mercy and advantage. ibid.
This is proved by Inſtances and Promiſes. 291
How on the contrary it is with a wicked man, in reſpect of things to come. 293
Verſ. 23. And ye are Chriſts. 294
Obſerv. That a godly man, in all that he is, or can do, is wholly Chriſts. ibid.
In what reſpects a godly man is Chriſts ibid.
Characters or Properties of ſuch as are Chriſts. 296
And Chriſt is Gods. 298
In what ſenſe Chriſt can be ſaid to be Gods. ibid.
Obſerv. That Chriſt, as Man, and as a Mediatour, is wholly Gods. ibid.
Of the Nature and Perſon of Chriſt, and of the Hypoſtatical Union. ibid.
How Chriſt, as a Man, and as Mediatour, is Gods. 299
And how admirable theſe Truths are. ibid.
THE CONTENTS OF THIS TREATISE OF THE GODLY MANS CHOICE.
THat no Natural or Unregenerate man can lift up his heart any higher, then unto a worldly happineſſe and content in the Creature. 1
The ſinfullneſſe, and wofull Aggravations of ſuch an Eſtate. 10
Antidotes and Meanes againſt ſetting the heart upon the Creature. 14
That a gracious heart doth more eſteem the favour of God, and the light of his Countenance, then any earthly thing whatſoever. 19
The Qualifications or Characters of thoſe who do value and deſire Gods favour above all things elſe. 23
A Conſideration of ſome falſe Grounds of a Perſwaſion of Gods Love. 27
Of the Joy of Saints in God and Heavenly things, as one Effect of the light of Gods Countenance: The Nature of it, and the Preeminences of it comparatively to all other Pleaſures whatſoever. 32
Of the godly Mans holy Security, and Admirable quietneſſe of ſpirit, as another Effect of the light of Gods Counnance. 40
How the vigorous Actings of Faith doth quiet the heart. 46
The difference between Carnal and Gracious Confidence. 49
The Reaſon of the Saints confidence, viz. That God alone is their Preſerver: Shewing alſo, the Wayes and Meanes by which God doth Preſerve them. 53
The Bookſeller to the Reader.
I Hope there will not be found, in the Reading of this Book, any conſiderable Faults; ſome leſſer Errata's there may (notwithſtanding the great care that was uſed in the abſence of the Author) which of courſe muſt be pardoned.
The Contents noted in the Margin, with the Table, were done by a Friend, for the pleaſure of the Reader, which is mentioned to clear the Author, from what weakneſs may poſſibly be obſerved in the doing of them.
Tho. Underhill.