Two Treatises, Table of contents
THE CONTENTS OF THE FOURTH VOLUUMN.
Philip. 3. 19.
CHAP. I.
TExt opened Page 2
Doctrine There is a great difference between a wicked man and a godly man, The one minds the Earth: the other, his Converſation is in Heaven 3
CHAP. II. Earthly-mindedneſs diſcovered in nine particulars
1 When men look upon Earthly things as the greateſt things. 5
2 When the choiceſt of their thoughts are buſied about earthly things▪ 6
3 When their hearts cleave to the earth Page 8
4 When their hearts are filled with diſtracted cares about the earth. 9
5 When the greateſt endeavors of their lives are about things of the earth 11
6 When they ſeek any earthly thing for its ſelf and not in ſubordination to ſome higher good 13
7 When they are earthly in ſpiritual things 15
8 When they paſs by great difficulties about earthly matters and they ſeem little to them ibid
9 When they conceive of the moſt heavenly truth in an earthly way Page 17
CHAP. III.
Fourteen Evils of Earthlymindedneſs
1 It is Adultery 20
2 It is Idolatry ibid
Object. What Idolatry is there in it? Anſw.
1 They depart from God 22
2 They chuſe rather to make the earth to be their god, than the infinit Firſt-Being of all things ibid
3 It is enmity againſt God 23
4 It is oppoſite and contrary to the work of grace 24
1 Before Converſion
1 To the call of converſion 26
2 To the ſouls anſwer to this call ibid
3 To the reſigning up of the ſoul to God as the chiefeſt good 26
2 After converſion to their work of grace
1 Grace brings a new light to the ſoul ibid
2 Make him a new creature 27
3 Is of an elevating nature ibid
4 Is of an enlarging nature ibid
5 Grace ſanctifies the ſoul 28
5 It puts men upon great temptations Page 28
6 It is one of the greateſt bindrances to the profit of the Miniſtry 30
7 It cauſeth many fooliſh luſts in the heart 34
1 It cauſeth them to follow after things that are vile ibid
2. It makes them a ſervant to their ſervants ibid
3 A man might have more of it, and not mind it ſo much as he doth 35
4 You pay a great deal more for it than 'tis worth 36
5 What he doth he muſt needs undo again 38
6 They loſe the comfort of earthly things before they have them 39
8 It is the root of Apoſtacy 40
9 It doth wonderfully dead the heart in the prayer 42
10 It is juſt with God, their names ſhould be written in the earth 43
11 They have the curſe of the ſerpent upon them 44
12 It is a diſhonor to God, and a ſcandal to Religion 45
13 It doth exceedingly hinder preparation for death 47
14 It will drown thy ſoul in perdition 50
Preparation to Convincements.
Men may be earthly-minded and yet not know they are ſo Page 51
Five things may be wrought in an earthly-minded man
1 His judgment may be convinced that there is a vanity in them 52
2 He may have ſome kind of contentment in them ib.
3 They may ſpeak great words about the vanity of this world ibid
4 They may be free from getting any thing by deceit ibid
5 They may diſpiſe ſome earthly things ibid
Convincement 1 When a man reſts upon earthly props for the good he doth expect 54
Convincement 2 When men make moſt proviſion for the things of this world for themſelves and their children 55
Convincement 3 When a man can be content with a ſlight aſſurance of heavenly things, but never thinks him ſure enough for the matters of the earth 56
Convincement 4 When he is contented with a little ſanctification, but in things of this world would ſ…ill have more and more Page 58
Convincement 5 When they are very wiſe in matters of the world, but very weak in ſpiritual 59
Convincement 6 When their diſcourſes are of the world 60
Convincement 7 When ſpiritual things muſt give way to earthlineſs 61
Convincement 8 When they care not how it is with the Church ſo it be well with them in things of the world ibid
Convincement 7 When the more ſpiritual a truth is the leſſe it takes with their hearts 63
CHAP. IV. Reaſons of mens Earthlymindedneſs.
1 The things of the earth appear reall to them, but Heavenly things are but a notion 64
2 They look upon them as the preſent neceſſary things ibid
3 Theſe things are moſt ſutable to mens hearts 65
4 They have a very fair ſhew to the fleſh ib.
5 Men naturally know no better things 66
6 There are earthly principles continually dropping into men by converſing with other men of the earth ibid
7 The ſenſible experience they have of their ſweetneſs Page 67
CHAP. V. Conſiderations to take off the hearts of men from earthly-mindedneſs
Conſideration 1 If thou couldſt poſſeſs all the things of the earth there is not ſo much good in them, as to countervail the evil of one ſin 68
Conſideration 2 The chiefeſt things of the earth have been and are the portion of reprobates ibid
Conſideration 3. God hath made man for higher things than the things of the earth 69
Conſideration 4. The ſoul of a man is of too high a birth to have the ſtrength of it ſpent about the things of the earth. 70
Conſideration 5. All the things of the earth are uncertain 71
Conſideration 6. Conſider what hath become of ſuch men in former ages 72
Conſideration 7. How ſhort thy time is in this world Page 73
Conſid. 8. A little will ſerve the turn to carry us through this world 76
Conſid. 9. There is no good to be had in them further than God is pleaſed to let himſelf through them 77
Conſid. 10 If you be godly God promiſeth to take care of you for the things of the earth ibid
Conſid. 11. All that are profeſſors of Religion ſhould be dead to the world 79
CHAP. VI Exhortation to beware of earthlymindedneſs 81
CHAP. VII Directions to get our hearts free from Earthly-mindedneſſe
1 Be watchful over your thoughts 86
2 Be humbled for ſin ibid
3 Set the exampls of the Saints before you 86
4 Conſider the great accompt we are to give for all earthly things ibid
5 Set the Lord Jeſus Chriſt before you 88
THE CONTENTS OF THE ENSUING TREATISE OF AN HEAVENLY-CONVESATION.
PHILIPPIANS, 3. 20.
CHAP. I HOw far the examples of godly men ſhould prevail with us Page 91
1 More than other examples 93
1 More than the examples of rich men ibid
2 More than the example of the multitude ibid
3 More than the examples of thoſe nearly related to us ibid
2 They ſhould be enough to take off prejudices that come from accuſations of men ib.
3 They ſhould make us enquire after thoſe waies Page 94
4 We ſhould not oppoſe thoſe waies 95
5 They ſhould prepare us to let in any truth they profeſs ibid
9 They ſhould confirm us in the truth 96
CHAP. II. What is to be done when examples of godly men are contrary
1 It puts us to a ſtrict examination 97
2 which way hath moſt earthly inducements 98
CHAP. III Rebuke to thoſe that follow the example of the wicked, and reject the example of the godly Page 98
CHAP. IV Two Doctrines
1 The Saints are Citizens of Heaven 100
2 Their Converſation while they are in this world is in Heaven ibid
CHAP. V How the Saints are Citizens of Heaven 102
1 Their names are inroll'd there 102
2 Chriſt their Head bath taken poſſeſſion of Heaven in their names ibid
3 When they actually beleeve they take up their freedom 103
4 They cannot again be as ſlaves ibid
5 They have right to all the common ſtock and treaſury of heaven ibid
6 They have the ſame confirmation of their bleſſed eſtate that the Angels have ibid
7 They have priviledge of a free rtade to Heaven Page 104
8 They have for he preſent communion with the Angels ib.
9 They have the protection of Heaven ib.
CHAP. VI How the Saints have their converſation in Heaven 106
1 The aim of their hearts is heaven-wards 107
2 They are acted by Heavenly principles in their waies 108
1 That God is all in all ib.
2 That God is the infinite Firſt being ib.
3 They have communion with the God of Heaven ib.
4 They live according to the Laws of Heaven 110
5 Their ſoul is where it loves rather than where it lives 111
6 They deilght in the ſame things that are done in Heaven 114
1 The ſight of Gods face 115
2 The praiſing of God ib.
3 The keeping a perpetual Sabbath ib.
7 They are heavenly in earthly imployments 115
8 They are heavenly when they converſe together 116
9 Their great trade upon earth is for heaven 217
CHAP. VII The Saints trading for Heaven opened.
1 They have skill in they commodity they trade for Page 217
2 They have a ſtock to trade withal 218
3 They take the advantage of the Market for commodities ib.
4 There is much inter courſe ib.
5 Their chief ſtock is where they trade 220
6 They are willing to part with any thing here to receive advantage where they trade ib.
7 They truſt much 221
CHAP. VII Evidences of mens having their converſations in heaven
Evidence 1. They canvilifie all the things on earth 222
Evidence 2 They can be content and live comfortably with little in this world ib.
Evidence 3 They can ſuffer hard things with joyful hearts 223
Evidence 4. Their hearts are filled with heavenly riches 225
Evidence 5 They are willing to purchaſe the priviledges of Heavne at a dear rate ib.
Evidence 6 They are ſenſible of the ſtoppages between heaven and their ſouls Page 26
Evidence 7 Their willingneſs to die 227
CHAP. IX Reaſons why the Saints have their Converſation in heaven ib.
1 Becauſe their ſouls are from Heaven 228
2 By grace the ſoul hath a Divine Nature put into it 230
3 Their moſt choiſe things are in heaven 231
4 God orders it ſo to wean their hearts from the world 233
CHAP. X. Uſe 1. To reprove ſuch as have their converſations in hell 234
CHAP. XI. Uſe 2. To reprove hypocrites 235
CHAP. XII. Uſe 3. Let us not find fault with the ſtrictneſs of Gods waies Page 237
CHAP. XIII. Uſe 4. To reprove ſuch as are godly and yet fail in this thing 238
CHAP. XIV. An Heavenly Converſation is a convincing converſation 241
CHAP. XV. A Heavenly Converſation is growing 243
CHAP. XVI. A Heavenly Converſation brings much glory to God 244
CHAP. XVII. A Heavenly Converſation brings much glory to the Saints 246
CHAP. XVIII. A Heavenly Converſation will make ſufferings eaſie 247
CHAP. XIX. A Heavenly Converſation brings much joy 249
CHAP. XX. An Heavenly Converſation is very ſafe 250
CHAP. XXI. An Heavenly Converſation gives abundant entrance into glory ibid
CHAP. XXII. Directions how to get a Heavenly Converſation
Direct. 1. Be perſwaded that it is attainable Page 251
Direct. 2. Labor to keep a cleer conſcience 252
Direct. 3. Watch opportunities for heavenly exerciſes ibid
Direct. 4 Reſt not in formality 253
Direct. 5. Labor to beat down your bodies. 254
Direct. 6. Labor to be skilful in the Myſtery of godlineſs, to draw ſtrength from Chriſt in every thing you do ibid
Direct. 7. Exerciſe the grace of faith much 256
THE CONTENTS Of the enſuing TREATISE OF WALKING with GOD.
GENESIS, 45. 24.
CHAP. I. TEXT opened Page 261
CHAP. II. Doctrine. 'Tis the Excellency of a Chriſtian to walk with God 265
CHAP. III. How the ſoul is brought to walk with God
1 Every one by nature goes aſtray from God 268
2 The Lord manifeſteth to the ſoul the way of life ibid
3 The Lord makes peace between himſelf and a ſinner. 269
4 God renders himſelf lovely to the ſoul 270
5 God ſends his Holy Spirit to guide him 271
6 Chriſt takes the ſoul and brings it to God the Father 271
CHAP. IV What walking with God is.
1 It cauſeth the ſoul to eye God 272
2 It cauſeth a man to carry himſelf as in Gods preſence
273
3 He makes Gods will the rule of his will Page 274
4 The ſoul hath the ſame ends that God hath 275
5 It ſuits the ſoul to the adminiſtrations of God 276
6 To have a holy dependance upon God
1 For Direction 277
2 For Protection 278
3 For Aſſiſtance ibid
4 For a Bleſſing upon all it doth ibid
7 It makes a man free and ready in the waies of God 279
8 It conſiſts in communion with God 280
9 It cauſeth the ſoule to follow God more as he reveals himſelf more 282
CHAP. V Excellencies of walking with God
Excellency 1 It makes the waies of God eaſie 286
Excellency 2 It is moſt honorable 287
Excellency 3 The ſoul hath bleſſed ſatisfaction in it 288
Excellency 4 It is a ſpecial part of the Covenant of God on our parts 290
Excellency 5 There is a bleſſed ſafety in walking with God 292
Excellency 6 Hence the ſoul enjoys ſweet familiarity with God 293
Excellency 7 To them God communicates his ſecrets 294
Excellency 8 They find favor in Gods eyes for granting their petitions. 295
Excellency 9 There is a glory put upon the ſoul 296
Excellency 10 Gods preſence doth mightily draw forth every grace Page 297
Excellency 11 The preſence of God ſhall never be terrible to the ſoul, neither at death nor judgment 298
Excellency 12 It will be bleſſedneſs in the end 299
CHAP. VII Ʋſes of Exhortation
Ʋſe 1 Bleſſe God that he will be pleaſed to walk thus with his poor creatures 300
Ʋſe 2 What ſtrangers the world are to this walking with God 301
Ʋſe 3 What vile hearts are ours that we are ſo backward to walk with God 302
Ʋſe 4 Let us keep cloſe to God in our walking wtih him 303
Ʋſe 5 If there be ſo much excellency in walking with God here, what will there be in heaven 304
CHAP. VIII Evidence of our walking with God 306
Evidence 1 He depends not much upon ſence and reaſon in the courſe of his life 307
Evidence 2 He is the ſame in private that he is in publick 307
Evidence 3 He hath a ſerious ſpirit 309
Evidence 4 They walk in newneſs of life 310
Evidence 5 When he hath to do with the creature he doth quickly paſſe through the creature unto God 311
Evidence 6 He loves to be much retired from the world 312
Evidence 7 He is careful to make even his accounts with God 315
Evidence 8 The more ſpiritual any Truth, or Ordinance or any company is, the more the ſoul delights in it 314
Evidence 9 He walk in all the Commandements of God 315
Evidence 10 See how the Scripture deſcribes it
1 It is a walk of humility 316
2 It is a walk of uprightneſs ibid
3 It is a walk in the fear of God 317
4 The comfort of the holy Ghoſt is joyned with it 318
5 It is a walk above 319
6 They endeavour to walk as Chriſt walked ibid
CHAP. IX Rules of Direction for walking with God
Rule 1 Be ſure there be no way of fin in thee 320
Rule 2 Labor to withdraw thy heart from earthly and ſenſual things 321
Rule 3 Evermore take Chriſt with thee 322
Rule 4 Be careful to beautifie thy ſoul 323
Rule 5 Take heed of halting 325
Rule 6 Take heed of formality in holy duties 326
Rule 7 Take heed of ſecres ſlidings away from the Truths of God
327
Rule 8 Labor to keep ſuch a tenderneſs of ſpirit as to be ſenſible of the beginnings of declining 329
Rule 9 Labor to be ſpiritual in thy ſolitary times 330
Rule 11 Go on with a reſolution in holy duties though thou ſee nothing come of them for the preſent 331
Rule 12 Make good interpretation of all Gods dealings with thee 332
CHAP. X An objection of Gods hiding his face Anſwered
1 It is a good ſign when thou art ſenſible of his withdrawings 333
2 Examine whether thou haſt not ſome times ſhut out God from thee ibid
3 It is better God withdraw than that we withdraw 336
4 Gods withdrawing his comfort is not alwaies the withdrawing his preſence ibid
5 If thou canſt not ſee Gods face, hearken to hear his voice 337
6 Keep thy ſelf in a waiting frame for God 338
FINIS.