Discourse of Mental Errors, Table of contents – Advertisement
THE CONTENTS OF THE Causes and Cures, &c.
THE Etymology and definition of the word Error, Introd. p. 2, 3.
The difference between Heresy and Error, Introd. p. 4.
Twenty general Observations, Disc. p. 7.
Obs. 1. Truth is the object and natural food of the Vnderstanding, p. 7. Explain'd and confirm'd, P. 8.
Obs. 2. Several sorts of Knowledge, amongst which the supernatural knowledge of saving Truths revealed in the Scriptures, is the best, 9.
Obs. 3. VntoUnto the attainment of Divine Knowledge out of the Scripture, some things are naturally, yet less principally requisite in the subject; and something absolutely and principally necessary, 11.
As the irradiation of the mind by the Spirit of God; the benefits of which, 12.
Obs. 4. Among the manifold impediments to the obtaining of true Knowledge, and setling the mind in the truth and faith of the Gospel, these three are of special consideration; viz. Ignorance, Curiosity and Error, p. 13.
Obs. 5. Error is binding upon the Conscience as well as Truth; and altogether as much, and sometimes more influential upon the Affections and Passions than Truth is, 14.
Obs. 6. 'Tis exceeding difficult to get out Error when once it is imbib' d, and hath rooted it self by an open profession, 15.
Obs. 7. Men are not so circumspect and jealous of the Corruptions of their Minds by Errors, as they are of their Bodies in times of Contagion; or of their Lives with respect to gross Immoralities, 17.
Obs. 8. 'Tis a great Iudgment of God to be given up to an Erroneous Mind, 19.
Obs. 9. 'Tis a pernicious Evil to advance a mere Opinion into the place or seat of an Article of Faith; and to lay as great stress upon it, as they ought to do upon the most clear and fundamental Point, 21.
Obs. 10. Error being conscious to it self of its own weakness, and the strong assaults that will be made upon it, evermore labours to defend and secure it self under the wings of Antiquity, Reason, Scripture, and high pretensions to Reformation and Piety, 23.
Obs. 11. God in all Ages in his tender care for his Churches and Truths, hath still qualified and excited his Servants for the defence of his precious Truths, against the Errors and Heresies that have successively assaulted them, p. 25.
Obs. 12. The want of a modest suspicion and just reflection, gives both confidence and growth to Erroneous Opinions, 27.
Obs. 13. There is a remarkable involution or concatenation of Errors, one linking in, and drawing another after it, 29.
Obs. 14. Errors abound most, and spring fastest in the times of the Churches Peace, Liberty, and outward Prosperity under Indulgent Governors, 31.
Obs. 15. Errors in the tender bud, and first spring of them, are comparatively shy and modest, to what they prove afterwards; when they have spread and rooted themselves into the minds of multitudes, and think it time to set up and justle for themselves in the World, 33.
Obs. 16. Nothing gives more countenance and increase to Errors, than a weak and feeble defence of the Truth against it, 35.
Obs. 17 Errors of Iudgment are not cured by compulsion and external force, but by rational conviction, and proper spiritual remedies, 36.
Obs. 18. Erroneous Doctrines producing Divisions and fierce Contentions amongst Christians, prove a fatal Stumbling-block to the World; fix their Prejudices, and obstruct their conversion to Christ, p. 38.
Obs. 19. How specious and taking soever the pretences of Error be, and how long soever they maintain themselves in esteem among men, they are sure to end in the loss and shame of their Authors and Abettors at last, 40.
Obs. 20. If ever Errors be cured, and the Peace and Vnity of the Church established men must be convinced of, and acquainted with the occassions and causes both within and without themselves, from whence their Errors do proceed; and must both know and apply the proper rules and remedies for the prevention or cure of them, 42.
Divine Permission an occasion of Error, 44.
Which must be prevented by avoiding,
1. A want of love to the Truth, 45.
2. Pride and wantonness of the mind, 46.
3. The neglect of Prayer, ibid.
Culpable Causes of Errors in men are,
1. A wrangling humor at the pretended obscurity of the Scriptures, p. 47.
Cod's wisdom manifested in leaving some difficulties in the Scriptures, 49.
For the prevention of this, cause these Rules following to be heeded and practis'd, viz.
R. 1. To expound all obscure Texts of Scripture according to the analogy and proportion of Faith, p. 50.
R. 2. Not to wrest Scripture from its general and common sense in favour of our preconceived Opinions, 51.
R. 3. When we meet with a difficult place of Scripture, to search the Context throughly, 52.
R. 4. Let one Testament freely cast its light upon the other, the Old on the New, and the New on the Old, ibid.
R. 5. Observe the sense which the current of Expositors do agree in, and which naturally agrees with the scope of the place, 53▪
Cause 2. The abuse of the Liberty given by Christ to all his People to read the Scriptures, and to judge of the sense of them by a private judgment of Discretion, ibid.
Remedy of it, is to observe the limits which Christ hath set to this Liberty; which Limitations are,
1. A liberty to read and study, but not publickly to expound and preach the Word, 57.
2. Christians of different Abilities ought to study some parts of Scripture rather than others, 59.
Cause 3. Slothfulness in a due and serious search of the Scripture, 61. How to find the institution of the Sabbath in the Scripture, 64. How to find the institution of the Baptism of Infants there, 65.
Several Considerations to cure this slothfulness, 67.
Viz. A serious search of the Scriptures is our duty, ibid.
No action of ours that is not agreeable to God's will, is acceptable to him, 68.
This is the path in which the wisest and best of men have gone before us, 69.
Every discovery of the Will of God obtain'd in this method, is highly pleasant, 70. Confirms our Faith, 71.
An impartial search into the Will of God will be a testimony of our Integrity and▪ Sincerity, ibid.
Cause 4. Instability of judgment, and unsetledness of mind about the truth of the Gospel, 72.
This is the effect sometimes of Hypocrisie, sometimes of weakness, 74.
To prevent which, some Rules, 76. viz.
R. 1. To get a real inward implantation into Christ, ibid.
R. 2. To labour for an experimental Taste of the Truths professed, p. 77.
R. 3. To study hard, and pray earnestly, p. 77.
R. 4. To be sensible of the benefit of a good establishment, and the evil and danger of a wavering mind, p. 78.
Cause 5. Eagerness to snatch at any Doctrine or Opinion that promiseth ease to an Anxious Conscience, 79.
For the cure of which some Queries propounded, viz.
Qu. 1. Whether a good trouble be not better than a false Peace? 82.
Qu. 2. Whether Troubles so laid asleep, will not revive again with a double force? 83.
Q. 3. Whether the Saints in Scripture, that have been under terrors, have not found peace by those very methods which the Principles that quiet you, exclude? 84.
Cause 6. An easy Credulity. 85. The Remedies against this.
1. The consideration, that it is beneath a man, 88.
2. That the priviledge of trying all things, is of too great a value to be thus slighted, 89.
3. Observe the Practices and Lives of those men whose Opinions you are so ready to imbrace, 90.
Cause 7. A vain Curiosity, 90. Remedies.
1. A due consideration of the mischiefs that have entred into the World by this, 92.
2. God hath not left his people to seek their Salvation among curious, but solid and plainly revealed Truths, 94.
3. 'Tis a dangerous snare of Satan, ibid.
Cause 8. Pride and Arrogancy of Humane Reason, 95. Remedies.
1. 'Tis the Will of God, that Ratiocination should submit to Revelation, and Reason to Faith, 98.
2. A sense of the weakness and corruption of Natural Reason, 99.
3. Consider the manifold mischiefs flowing from the pride of Reason.
Cause 9. Ignorant Zeal, 101. Defensatives.
1. A Reflection upon the mischiefs occasioned by it in all Places and Ages, 104.
2. A consideration how hurtful it may prove to your own Soul, 106.
3. How prejudicial is hath been to Human Society, 107.
4. That Opinion is to be suspected which comes in by the Affections, 108.
Cause 10. Impulsive of spreading Errors, Satan, 110. Rules for Cure.
1. Pray for a sound Conversion, 113.
2. Acqu…int your selves with the Devices of Satan, ibid.
3. Resign your Souls to the conduct of Christ and his Spirit, 114.
4. Live in the practice of the truths and duties God hath revealed already, 115.
Cause 11. Instrumental, the false Teacher, ibid. Remedies.
1. Pray for strength of Grace, and solidity of Iudgment, and use all means to obtain it, 119.
2. Acquaint your selves with the Artifices of such as these, 121. Such as are, their endeavours to blast the reputation of faithful Teachers, ibid. the mixing their Errors among solid Truths, 122.
Cause 12. The methods used by False Teachers to draw men from the truth; among which the first is, their representing the Abuses of the Ordinances of God in such a manner as to scare tender Consciences from the use of them, 124. Remedies.
1. Nothing so great and sacred in Religion, but what hath been vilely corrupted and abused, 127.
2. 'Tis the temper of a gracious Soul to love those Ordinances which are most abused and disgraced, 129.
3. Before you forsake any Ordinance, consider whether you have found no advantage by it, 130.
Cause 13. Another method which they use, is, a granting to their Followers a Liberty of Prophesying, 131. Remedies.
1. Let all that incourage or undertake such a work as this, consider the danger they cast on their own, and other mens Souls, 134.
2. How daring a presumption it is to intrude themselves into such an Office, without a Call from Christ, 136.
3. To vent our unsound Liberty, is said in Scripture to be our greatest dishonour, 137.
4. 'Tis much more safe and advantageous for every one to fill their own places with their proper work, ibid.
Cause 14. Another method of theirs, is a Spirit of Enthusiasm, or a pretence to Revelations, 138.
Remed. 1. Whatever Doctrine seeks credit to it self this way, ought to be suspected of wanting a Scripture-foundation, 141. 2. Consider, how often the Devil hath abused the World by such ways as these, 142. 3. H…w impossible it is to know, whether such a Revelation be from God, or the Devil, 144.
Cause 15. Another method they use, is Timing their Assaults, 145.
Remed. 1. Respects Ministers, that they should look carefully after the Souls of young Converts, 149.
Remed. 2. Young Converts should consider, That they must not expect to find Christ in one way, and not another; that they are expos'd to the Snares of Satan; and that it is a sad thing to grieve the hearts of those Ministers who have travelled in pain for them, 150, 151.
Cause 16. Another Artifice of False Teachers, is, to press their Proselytes to declare speedily for them and their Opinions. 152. Remedies. Consider,
1. That hasty ingagements in disputable matters, have cost many Souls dear, 155.
2. Weighty Actions require answerable deliberations, ibid.
3. The only season wherein men have to consider, is, before their Affections are too far ingaged, 156.
4. Consult with pious Ministers, and trust not to your own Iudgment, 157.
5. Suspect that Opinion that will not allow you a due time for consideration, 158. Consectaries from the whole, ibid.
1. The usefulness and necessity of … standing Ministry, ibid.
2. How little peace the Church must expect, till a greater light be poured out upon it, 159.
3. What a mercy it is to be kept sound in Iudgment, and stedfast in the ways of Christ, 161.
4. We may discover one cause of the great decay of serious P…ety in this Age, 162.
5. One Reason of the frequent. Persecutions God exercised his Church with, 163.
6. We may learn the duty and necessity of mutual Charity and forbearance, 164.
The Contents of Vindiciarum Vindex, or the First Appendix.
THE whole of the Answer reduced under three heads, p. 175.
Two things premised, 176.
Head 1. Mr. Cary hath not been able to free his Thesis from the horrid absurdity charged upon it, viz. That Moses, and the whole People of God, were under a Covenant of Works, and a Covenant of Grace at the same time, 179. From whence follows,
Absurd. 1. That all their lives they were in the midway between life and death, and after death in the mid-way betwixt Heaven and Hell, 180.
Mr. Cary's First Reply, 184. Answer'd, 185.
Mr. Cary's Second Reply, 187. Answer'd, ibid.
The Ten Commandments complexly taken, including the Ceremonial Law, were added as an Appendix to the promise, 192.
Mr. Cary's Answer to it consider'd, 194.
A Promise of pardon in the Sinai Dispensation, to penitent Sinners, 198, 199.
The several Arguments that are left standing in their full force against Mr. Cary, 200, 201, 202, 203.
The Law given at Sinai, wrote of the chief Privileges which the Jews had, 203.
His Argument, that the Law is not of faith, consider'd and answer'd, 206.
Dr. Edw. Reynolds's Opinion about the Law, 207, 213.
The Position about Abraham's Covenant, being a Covenant of Grace, defended, 213. The first Argument for the proof of it, 214. Mr. C's Reply answer'd, 215. His distinction of A Covenant of Works, and The Covenant of Works, overthrown, 217, 218.
The second Argument for the proof of it, 220. Mr. C's Reply answer'd, 221.
Third Argument, 222. Mr. C's Reply answer'd, 223.
The Covenants not made with Abraham in Gen. 17. 225, 228.
Circumcision did not oblige all men, on whom it passed, to keep the whole Law of Moses for Righteousness, 230.
Fourth Argument, 231. Circumcision in its direct end, taught them the corruption of Nature by sin, and the mortification of sin by the Spirit, 231.
Mr. C's Reply answer'd, 232. His Arguments to prove the Sinai Covenant a Covenant of Works, likewise answered, 233. Cutting off, in Gen. 17. 14. not the same with the death threatned to Adam, ibid.
How faith reckon'd to Abraham for Righteousness while he was in Vncircumcision, 234. How the Sinai Covenant is a Bondage Covenant, 236. Dr. Crisp's Iudgment, 237. Of the Conditionality of the New Covenant, 242. The Question stated, 243. What the word Condition signifies, 245. Antecedent and consequent Conditions, 246.
No condition of the Covenant with respect to its first sanction with Christ, 247. but hath an antecedent Condition with respect to the application of its benefits unto men, 248. Which is Faith, as organically consider'd, 249. The Opinions of Orthodox Divines in this Question cited, 250. That the Covenant is Conditional, proved from M. C's own Concessions, 256.
Christ hath not perform'd the Condition for us, 262. Tho he works Faith in us by his Spirit, 263.
A Condition does not imply merit, 264.
Arguments to prove the conditionality of the Covenant; 266.
First Argument, 267. Second Argument, 268. Third Argument, ibid. Fourth Argument, 270. Fifth Argument, 272.
Mr. Cary's Reply to it, 273. The answer, 274.
The Reasons of my Faith and Practice in the Baptism of Infants, 278. in several Theses.
Thes. 1. God hath dealt with his Church and People in the way of a Covenant, and will do so to the end of the World, 281.
Thes. 2. After the Cessation of the first Covenant, as a Covenant of Life, God hath published a Second Covenant of Grace by Iesus Christ, 283. When the Covenant of Grace took place, 284.
Thes. 3. Tho the primordial Light of this Covenant of Grace was comparatively weak and obscure; yet God from the first publication of it, hath been heightning its Privileges, and amplifying its Glory in the after Editions; and will more and more illustrate it to the end of the World, 287.
Thes. 4. It is past all doubt, that the Infant-seed of Abraham, under the second Edition of the Covenant of Grace, were taken into God's gracious Covenant, had the Seal of that Covenant applied to them, and were thereby added to the visible Church, 289.
Thes. 5. That Rom. 11. 17. is a clear proof, that believing Parents, and their Seed, are ingrafted into the room of the Jews, who were broken off, 290, 291.
Thes. 6. Suitably hereunto, when a Christian Church was constituted, the Children of such believing Parents were declared foederally holy, 1 Cor. 7. 14. That the Promise which was seal'd to them by Circumcision, is now seal'd by Baptism, Act. 2. 39. 292.
Thes. 7. The change of the Token and Seal of the Covenant, from Circumcision to Baptism, will by no means infer the change of the Covenants, especially when the latter comes into the place of, and serves to the same use and end with the former, Col. 2. 11. p. 295.
A Postscript to Mr. Cary, 297.
Some absurdities chargeable upon him, 300.
The Contents of the Second Appendix: Or, The Rise and Growth of Antinomianism.
THe rise of Antinomianism, Ap. 2. 308.
The Abuse of Free-grace chargable upon good, as well as wicked Men, 311.
By what means some good Men may be drawn to such dangerous Opinions, 313, 314, 315, 316.
A Catalogue of Ten Antinomian errors, 318. which are all contrary to the current of the Scriptures, 323. and to the experience of Saints, 325.
Error 1. That Iustification is an eternal Act of God, and so perfectly abolishes Sin in our Persons, that we are as clear from Sin as Christ himself, 328.
Sense of the Orthodox about it, 328, 329.
This proved to be irrational, 332. Vnscriptural, 335. Injurious to Iesus Christ, 338. and injurious to the Souls of Men, 340.
Error 2. That Iustification by Faith, is only the manifestation to us of what was really and actually done before. Reasons against it, 341, ad 350.
Error 3. That Men ought not to doubt of their Faith, or question, whether they believe or no. Reasons against it, 351 ad 354.
Error 4. That Believers are not bound to confess their Sins, or pray for the Pardon of them. From whence will follow either, 1. That there is no Sin in Believers, 355. Or 2. That Sin in them is inconsiderable, 357. Or 3. That it is not the Will of God they should confess and mourn over them; which is refuted, 358
Error 5. That God sees no Sin in Believers, 360.
This proved to be injurious to God's Omniscience, 361.
To be inconsistent with his providential Dispensations, 362. To have no foundation in Scripture, 363. To clash with their other Principles, 365.
Error 6. That God is not angry with the Elect for their Sins, 365. How the Antinomians led into this Error, 366.
Three Concessions about God's Corrections of his People, 368.
God lays his Corrections on his People, 369.
And for their Sins, 371.
These Corrections consistent with his satisfi'd Iustice, 373
Error 7. That by God's laying our Iniquities upon Christ, he became as sinful as we, and we as compleatly righteous as he. That not only the Punishment of Sin, but the Sin it self was laid upon Christ, 375, 376.
Four Concessions, 377, 378.
Sin simply considered, did not become the Sin of Christ, 379.
We are not as compleatly Righteous as Christ, 384.
Error 8. Neither Believers own Sins, nor the Sins of others, can do them hurt. Nor must they do any Duty for their own Good, Salvation, or eternal Reward, 389.
That Believers sins do them no hurt, refuted, ibid. Sin consider'd formally, 392. Effectively, 392. Reductively, 393.
That Believers ought to do no Duty for their own good, or with an Eye to their reward, refuted, 395.
Self-ends, either Corrupt or Spiritual, 397. This Error injurious to the Souls of Men, ibid.
Error 9. The new Covenant is not made with us, but Christ for us; The Covenant is wholly a promise without any Condition on our parts; That Faith, duplicate page duplicate page Repentance, Obedience, are Conditions on Christ's part, and that he performs them for us, 398. Refuted, 399.
The Covenant of Redemption, and of Grace, distinguished, ibid.
Christ did not believe and repent for us, 401.
Error 10. They deny Sanctification to be the evidence of Iustification, 404. Refuted, ibid.
The Contents of the Sermon about Gospel-Unity.
THe Text, 1 Cor. 1. 10. open'd, p. 410. A
Duty, and the Arguments inforcing it, 410, 11.
Doctrine, Vnity among Believers is a necessary Mercy, and indispensible Duty, 414.
What Vnity among Believers is, explained, 415. Consists in a Mystical Vnion with the Head, and a Moral Vnion among themselves, ad. 419.
This Vnity desirable as it conduces, (1.) To the Glory of God, 419. (2.) To the Comfort and Benefit …f Souls, 421. (3.) With respect to the World, 422.
Use. By way of Exhortation to Vnity, 424.
Motive 1. 425. Mot. 2. 427. Mot. 3. 428 Mot. 4. 432. Mot. 5. 433. Mot. 6. 436.
Use 2. Direction, 436.
Direction 1. 437. Direction 2. 440.
Ministers to mind their proper work, ibid.
The People to mind theirs, 441.
Direction 3. 442. Direct. 5. 444. Direct. 6. 445. Direct. 7. 446. Direct. 8. 447.
A Table of the Scriptures Vindicated and Explained.
C C. stands for the Causes and Cures of Mental Errors; Ap. 1. for the 1st Appendix▪ Ap. 2. for the 2d Appendix; Serm. for the Sermon of Gospel-Vnity.
GEnesis, cap. 17. v. 7, 8. Ap. 1. p. 233. —v. 9, 10. C. C. p. 65. Ap. 1. 225.
Leviticus, cap. 26. v. 40, 41. C. C. p. 70. Ap. 1. p. 198.
Numbers, cap. 23. v. 21. Ap. 2. p. 363.
Job 12. 11. C. C. p. 7.
Psalm 58. 3. C. C. p. 3. 89. v. 30, 31. Ap. 2. p. 374.
Canticles 2. 6, 7. Serm. p. 423.
Isaiah 9. 16. C. C p. 136.
Jer. 15. 16. C. C. p. 70. 50. v. 20. Ap. 2. p. 364.
Mal. 3▪16. C. C. p. 107.
Matt. 15. 14. C. C. p. 88.
Joh. 17. 23. Serm. p. 422.
Acts 2. 38. C. C. p. 65. —v. 46, 47. Serm. p. 421. cap. 7. 38. Ap. 1. p. 199. cap. 15. 10. Ap. 1. p. 236. cap. 16. 2, 3. Ap. 1. p. 226, 229.
Rom 1. 26. C. C. p. 19. cap. 4. 9, 10. Ap. 1. p. 234. —v. 11. Ap. 1. p. 220. —v. 13. Ap. 1. p. 234. cap. 5. 17, 20. Ap. 1. p. 189. cap. 6. 1, 2. Ap. 2. p. 309. cap. 8. 28. Ap. 2. p. 389. —v. 33. Ap. 2. p. 336. cap. 9. 4. Ap. 1. p. 203. cap. 10. 2. C. C. p. 102. cap. 11. 16. C. C. p. 65. —v. 17. Ap. 1. p. 290. cap. 12. 2. C. C. p. 67. —v. 6. C. C. p. 50. cap. 15. 5. Serm. p. 419.
1 Cor. 3. 12, 13. C. C. p. 41. cap. 7. 14. C. C. p. 51. 65.
2 Cor. 3. 6, 7. Ap. 1. p. 197.
Galatians 1. 6. C. C. p. 154. cap. 3. 1. C. C. p. 118.—v. 12. Ap. 1. p. 205.—v. 17. Ap. 1. p. 176, 229. cap. 4. 17. C. C. p. 102. cap. 5. 1. Ap. 1. p. 236.—v. 23. Ap. 1. p. 230.—v. 4. Ap. 1. p. 284.
Ephesians 4. 14. C. C. p. 118, 72, 74.
Philippians 2. 12. Serm. p. 424.
Colossians 2. 6, 7. C. C. p. 76.—v. 10, 11. C C. p. 66. cap. 3. 10. C. C. p. 8.
1 Thessalonians 4. 11. Serm. p. 440.
2 Timothy 4. 3. C. C. p. 90.
Hebrews 5. 13, 14. C. C. p. 59.
James 4. 8. C. C. p. 74.
2 Peter 1. 12. C. C. p. 77. cap. 2. 1. C. C. p. 18, 34.—v. 3. C. C. p. 118. cap. 3. 16. C. C. p. 47, 48. p. 51. p. 135.
1 John 2. 13. C. C. p. 59. cap. 3. 7. Ap. 2. p. 385.
Jude v. 4. Ap. 2. p. 3 10. v. 13. C. C. p. 3. 73. v. 16. C. C. p. 46.
CORRIGENDA.
PAge 10. l. 23. for you, r. your; p. 18. l. 23. for their, r. there; and l. 2 4. for as r. a; p. 23. in the Margent, r. tenetur; p. 37. l. 23. r dissent in judgment; p 51. l. 19. r. foreign; p. 54. l. 22. …or full liberty, r. fullness; p. 62. l. 19. r. spars…m; p. 72. l. penult, r. wait; p. 80. in the Marg. for assailed, r. absolved; p. 89. l. 7. for cary, r. carry; p. 120. l. 4. add wait; p. 155. l 4 r. preventives; p. 167. l. 19. r. temerity; p. 249. dele as it is, and add in its place, in this sense.
ADVERTISEMENT.
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