Remains, Table of contents
A Table for the Second part of CHRISTS Alarm to Drowſie Saints.
Point 1.
WHy a child of God may think himſelf dead when he is not p. 1
Cauſes of falſe livelineſſe.
1 Novelty of religion and grace p. 1
2 Violent commotions p. 2
3 Indiſcretion 3
4 Preſumption
5 Activeneſs of natural diſpoſition
6 Extraordinary aſſiſtance 5
7 Freedome from temptations 6
Point 2.
How far forth a child of God may be dead ſhewed in theſe particulars 6
1 All by nature are dead
2 The livelieſt of Saints have ſome deadneſſe 7
3 The deadeſt of Saints have ſome life.
4 The point is tickliſh and dangerous if head be not taken 8
1 It may embolden the adverſaries of the Church
2 It may harden ſuch ſtanders by who are dead in ſin.
3 It may render ſuch people dead and careleſs who were once ſtirred.
5 The point though dangerous yet needfull 9
6 How far forth a child of God may be dead 9
1 He may loſe his zeal
2 He may loſe all his affections 10
3 He may grow to be ſenſeleſs of ſin and grace 11
4 He may grow notoriouſly vain, worldly and guilty.
5 The ſervice of God may be a burthen to him 12
6 He may be ſo dead that nothing can quicken him.
Queſt. If a Saint be thus dead where is grace all the while?
Anſ. It cannot be taken away, becauſe
1 The ſeed of God remains ſtill in him 13
2 Supernatural habits remain.
3 He ever hath an anointing.
4 He hath remaining ſome little ſtrength.
Uſe 1 To ſtir us up to labour againſt ſin 14
2 Let the beſt of Sains ſtand on their guard.
3 Comfort for thoſe who are dejected with dead hearts.
7 A child of God may fall into foul ſins 15
1 Into Idolatry
2 Apoſtacy
3 Perſecution of Saints
8 A child of God may be hardned in ſin 16
9 He may be long in ſin.
Reaſ. 1 In regard of Satan.
2 Of themſelves 17
3 Of God himſelfe who leaves them to themſelves that
1 they may be patterns to others
2 to puniſh their careleſneſs.
3 that ſo they may ſee they ſtand meerly by grace.
18
4 that they may be ſenſible towards their brethren 19
5 to humble them 20
Uſe 1 How to order our ſpeeches concerning grace, which though it be ſufficient
1 to bring a man home to God
2 to keep him from falling away finally
3 from falling away totally 21
Yet Gods people are to ſtand upon their guard, becauſe 22
1 Grace looks for this
2 Promiſes are conditionall 23
3 Experience in all ages proves the falling of Saints upon Gods withdrawing 24
Qu. Is grace then indifferent in particular paſſages?
Anſ. No. For
1 Grace ſets up in the ſoul an univerſall principle to ſerve God in every particular.
2 It ſets up a watch in the ſoul.
Uſe 2 To work out our ſalvation with fear and trembling 25
Uſe 3 Not to ſtumble at this doctrine.
Uſe 4 Not to raiſe falſe comfort to our ſelves from this doctrine. 26
Cauſes of deadneſſe.
The cauſe in Generall is giving way to ſin, which is
1 A ſoul-killing thing
2 It grieves the holy ſpirit 27
3 It puls a hard task on the ſoul to goe through
4 It defiles the conſcience 28
5 It weakens all aſſurance of welcome with God 29
Cauſes in particular.
1 The nigardlineſs of people in Gods ſervice
2 Their unwatchfulneſs 30
3 Contenting themſelves with a low kind of religion 31
4 The vanity of mens minds 32
5 Mutuall example.
6 Covetouſneſs and worldineſſe.
7 Spirituall ſloth 33
8 Neglect of ſecret duties 34
9 Neglect of inward duties 35
10 Contenting themſelves with what they have attained unto 36
Means of quickning.
1 Believing and looking up to Chriſt 37
2 Learning of the word preached 38
3 Shunning all cauſes of deadneſſe.
4 Being earneſt with God to quicken us 39
5 Diligent in all Chriſtian duties and worſhip 40
6 Exerciſing that grace we have.
7 Conſidering former and preſent examples 41
Motives to ſhake off deadneſſe 40
1 Conſider the ingredients of this ſin of deadneſs 42
As
1 Dulneſs and blockiſhneſs of mind to good.
2 Awkneſs and avorneſs of heart to the waies of Jeſus Chriſt 43
3 Senſeleſneſs of conſcience.
4 Coldneſs of affections.
5 Faintneſs of endeavours.
6 Drowſineſs of the whole man.
Mot. 2 Conſider that while we are dead we cannot pray not hear, &c.
Mot. 3 We can have no true ſign of true grace 44
Mot. 4 We cannot grow in grace 45
Mot. 5 We ſhall grow deader and deader.
Mot. 6 This ſin of deadneſs worſe then other ſins in theſe reſpects 46
1 Deadneſs is in all the whole man.
2 It is againſt all Gods Commandments.
3 It is deeper in the ſoul then other ſins 47
4 It is an eſtate of ſin.
5 It is a ſecond death.
6 More ſpecial threatnings againſt deadneſs.
Conſiderations to quicken us.
1 Conſider that we owe to God our life and affections 48
2 All the world is alive in their own courſes, let Chriſtians be alive in theirs.
3 Conſider the worth of what is loſt by deadneſs 49
4 If we be quickned, nothing will be hard.
5 We ſhall have much joy and comfort
6 All Heaven will rejoice at our quickning.
7 We ſhall be enabled thereby to doe good to others 50
Remedies againſt deadneſſe.
1 Be watchfull 51
Obſerv. It is an excellent and ſoveraign thing for a Chriſtian to watch 52
Reaſ. 1 In regard of our ſelves, our ſelves are falſe to our ſelves.
1 We ſhould watch our hearts.
2 Our thoughts
3 Our affections.
4 Our conſciences.
5 Our tongues.
53
2 In regard of the world, leſt it get into us ibid.
3 In regard of Sathan 54
Becauſe he is
1 A ſubtle enemy.
2 Diligent.
3 Strong.
4 Malitious.
5 Hath nothing elſe to doe
p. 55
4 In regard of the wicked.
5 In regard of good things 55
1 Our graces that we may preſerve, encreaſe and exerciſe them 56
2 All good duties: before, in, after duty ibid
3 In regard of God.
For 1 Sometimes he comes neerer us then at other times.
2 Sometimes doth extraordinarily help us.
3 Doth ſometimes afflict us 57
Uſe 1 Lament the neglect of this duty ib.
2 Be exhorted to take up this duty ib.
1 Conſider the miſery of them that do not watch ibid.
2 The good of watchfulneſs.
3 That men doe watch in outward callings.
4 We have examples of the Saints.
Remedie 2 Strengthen the things that remain 58
Mot. 1 Becauſe they are remainders.
2 Becauſe thoſe remainders are ready to die
3 Becauſe thy works are not perfect.
Doctrine. It is a Chriſtians duty to labour to be ſtrengthned, eſpecialy if he hath formerly had more grace 58
2 Weakneſs. 1 Of people unconverted.
2 Of Children of God, which is double
1 In beginning.
2 In declining.
Reaſ. 1 We can have no other comfortable argument of true grace 60
2 Elſe we can doe no act of new obedience.
3 Nor overcome temptations 61
4 Nor recover after a fall 62
5 Nor obey God with eaſe.
Uſe 1 To condemn. 1 Thoſe that have no ſtrength at all.
2 Thoſe that doe not ſtrengthen the good things they have 63
Uſe 2 To direct us what to doe that we may ſtrengthen, &c.
Direction. 1 Labour to have ſtrong minds and underſtandings 64
2 Strong wills 66
3 Sound affections 67
Dir. 2 Labour to believe
3 Fly all occaſions of evill.
4 Maintain a conſtant purpoſe to pleaſe God 68
5 Frequent the Ordinances of God.
6 Put forth your ſelves to the utmoſt in good duties 69
7 Remember we alway need new ſupply of ſtrength.
8 Take heed of ſinning againſt knowledge 70
9 Make conſcience of uſeing and improving Sacraments.
1 Baptiſme. 2 Lords Supper, which is of great uſe to ſtrengthen believers. For 1 It is the nature of the Sacraments.
2 It is a ſeal of Gods covenant
3 It is Communion with Jeſus Chriſt
4 A Sacrament of Communion with the members of Chriſt.
71
Therefore 1 Let us ſo come to this Ordinance that we may be ſtrengthned 72
2 This condemns the moſt Chriſtians.
3 This ſhews reaſon why we doe not receive good by the Sacrament.
Reaſons why men do not receive good by the Sacrament 73
1 Becauſe they come not with lively ſenſe of their wants.
2 Without true repentance 74
3 Without faith.
4 They do not ſeek to God to bleſſe the Sacrament to them 75
5 They doe not behave themſelves well at it.
6 Do not afterwards examine what good is got by it.
7 If they get good, they do not interpret it to be by the goodneſs of God in the Sacrament.
8 They do not ſtir up the Sacraments that they formerly pertook of 76
Doct. A child of God cannot fall from Grace 77
which is 1 Not from any thing in himſelf.
1 Becauſe the beſt is bid to look on himſelf as one that may fall into any ſin in himſelf 78
2 Becauſe they are bidden to feare themſelves 78
3 To take heed that they do not fall away totally.
4 Becauſe they are commanded to grow in grace 79
5 Becauſe examples of Apoſtates are propounded for the Saints to take warning by.
6 Becauſe people of God are fain to pray God to keep them.
7 Becauſe no grace received can hold out without continuall influences from heaven. 80
But 2 from the meer favour and goodneſs of God 81
Qu. What is it that doth and ſhall ever remain in a believer 82
Anſ. 1. An anointing from the holy one: for
1 A child of God if he ſinne cannot carry it away as others 83
2 cannot ſtand it out as others do.
2. Luſting againſt every known ſin 84
For 1 He never ſins but againſt his ſtanding purpoſe.
2 Againſt the ſtudy and compoſure of his heart.
3 Something or other breaks the fulneſs of the voluntarineſs of it.
1 Ignorance.
2. Inconſideration.
3 Paſſion.
4 Violent temptation.
4 Cannot make a trade of ſin 85
5 Hath an apneſs to riſe again.
3 A tender diſpoſition to look after God 86
For 1 he cannot lie down in ſpirituall diſtempers.
2 He hath a feeling of his hardneſs.
3 He cannot be ſo ſecure as to forget God.
4 A love to the Image, mercy, holineſs, goodneſs and Ordinances of God.
5 A diſpoſition to check and chide his ſoul for ſin 87
6 The habit of grace.
Uſe 1. For confutation of thoſe that hold falling from grace 88
2 For comfort to people of God againſt fears, temptations, perſecutions.
3 Labour to make ſure that we be godly.
Doct. A particular Church may periſh 89
Four notes of a true Church that may be loſt.
1 Sincere preaching of the Goſpel 90
2 True and ſincere uſe of the Sacraments 92
3 Sincere profeſſion of the Word of God 93
4 True diſcipline.
Seven marks of a fall Church 94
1 Antiquity, 2 Ʋniverſality, 3 Succeſſion of Paſtors, 4 Ʋnity, 5 Miracles, 6 Pomp, 7 Outward proſperity 95
Reaſ 1. becauſe the Church is Catholick, not tied to any place 96
2 God needs no place or perſon.
3 No particular Church hath a promiſe of continuance.
Uſe 1. To confound the Church of Rome.
2 To warn all particular Churches 97
Doct. The ſecond Covenant requires works Works neceſſary, 98
1 By neceſſity of preſence,
2 By neceſſity of inſeparable effects,
3 By neceſſity of ſigns 99
4 By neceſſity of commandement.
5 By neceſſity of end.
1 to glorifie God in the world,
2 to do good unto others
3 to purifie our ſelves,
4 to qualifie us for heaven,
5 to proportion our reward.
100
6 By neceſſity of thankefulneſs 101
Uſe 1. See how the Papiſts wrong us, by accuſing us to be againſt good works.
2 Let Miniſters call on people to have a working faith.
3 This diſcovers them to be graceleſs who do not follow Chriſt in doing good.
4 Be exhorted to good works.
Mot. 1. Good works are ſigns of our condition and ſtate.
1 Of election,
2 Effectuall calling,
3 Juſtification,
4 Adoption,
5 Of our love to God
103
2 The reaſon why we pray no better is becauſe we are not abundant in good works.
3 They would chear us in an evill day
4 The want of them the cauſe of temporal judgments 104
Doct. The covenant of grace requires perfect works ibid:
Not a perfection of degrees, but of ſincerity.
Difference between Legall and Evangelicall perfection 105
1 The law requires performances, as well as the will and deſire.
2 The perfection of the Law ſtands on quantities as well as qualities.
3 Ʋpon full meaſure, whether a man have power or no.
4 Admits no failings 106
5 Makes nothing of repentance.
Doct We ſhould labour to be perfect.
Reaſ 1. From the nature of God 107
2 Becauſe God hath commanded us to be ſincere.
3 Becauſe God knows our hearts:
4 God will let down the Covenant no lower.
5 All Gods Saints have been perfect.
Uſe 1. To reprove the want of uprightneſs 108
2 To humble the people of God 109
3 To exhort us to be upright.
Mot. 1 God delights only in an upright heart.
2 This is the total ſum of all that God requires p. 110
3 The leaſt grace with uprightneſs is better then all the goodly performances in the world.
4 God will bear with grievous faults where there is uprightneſs.
5 Ʋprightneſs will help us to profit by all ordinances 111
6 Is moſt excellent ground of comfort.
7 Will make us and our poſterity bleſſed 112
Uſe 4 For examination.
Signs of uprightneſſe.
1 An upright man is univerſal in regard of all Gods commands.
2 In regard of all graces.
3 Of all places and company 113
4 Of all times.
5 Of all his parts, underſtanding, will, memory, &c. 114
6 Of all conditions 115
7 Of all relations. 116
8 Of all the circumſtances of his actions 117
Doct. As we muſt be perfect, ſo we muſt be perfect before God 118
1 Not ſo as God ſhould approve our works in ſtrict juſtice.
But 2 On account of his mercy in Jeſus Chriſt.
Reaſ. 1 Becauſe God hath ſo commanded.
2 Otherwiſe a man hath no faith 119
3 This is the end of Chriſts redemption.
4 This is the end of election.
5 Becauſe God will ſearch us out 120
6 God only doth eſteem of the worth of holineſs, &c.
Uſe 1 To condemn the ceremonious devotion of many.
2 For humiliation 121
3 For exhortation to be upright.
Doct. God will ſearch whether we be perfect 122
Difference between Gods ſearching and mans.
1 Mans ſearching may be without finding.
2 Hath ignorance foregoing.
3 Is properly ſo called.
4 Is neceſſary for knowledge.
5 Is for himſelf 123
God ſearcheth five wayes.
1 By his own ſpirit.
2 By the ſpirit of man.
3 By conſcience.
4 By his word 124
5 By his providence. Whereby God diſcovers mens ſecret works.
1 By letting his people ſuſpect men 125
2 By letting his people injure wicked men.
3 By guiding his Miniſters to home preaching.
4 By their own luſts and corruption▪ 126
5 By perſecution.
Reaſ. 1 It is Gods prerogative to teach us.
2 God will have hypocrites diſcovered 127
3 It is for Gods glory to ſearch men out.
4 It is for Gods truth.
5 For his juſtice.
Uſe 1 To reprove thoſe that conſider not that God will ſearch 128
2 Take heed of hiding our ſins from others and our ſelves 129
Uſe 3 For comfort to people.
1 Againſt others that judge them.
2 Againſt their judging themſelves
130
4 To ſtir us up to be able to ſtand when God ſearcheth.
1 When offences come.
2 When afflictions and perſecutions come▪
3 In time of difficult commandments
4 At judgement.
131
5 Let us ſearch our ſelves.
Mot. 1. Otherwiſe we can never repent of what is amiſſe in our ſelves or our works.
2 'Tis a work of a child of God to ſearch himſelf.
3 If we do not, it will be the worſe for us.
DOctr. It is an excellent thing for a man to be able to ſay, that God hath effectually called him. p. 1.
1 Becauſe then a man may reflect on all his life, and ſee Gods love to him in all. p. 3.
2 This intereſts a man in all the promiſes.
3 Sweetens all the promiſes.
4 Helps a man to pray.
5. Encourageth to all good undertakings. p. 4.
6 It is a foundation for a godly life.
7 It is an help to riſe after a fall.
Reaſ. 1. Becauſe it is an argument of election.
2 Sure pledge of all Gods acts of mercy. p. 5.
Uſe 1. Then a man may know his effectual calling.
Proved. 1 Becauſe it is the office of the Spirit to make known the things of God. p. 6.
2 Becauſe we are commanded to make our calling ſure. p. 7.
3 Becauſe we are required to be thankful for it.
4 Becauſe the making known our calling is one of the ends of the Word of God. p. 8.
5 Becauſe the ſoul hath a power of reflecting and knowing its own ſtate.
Obj. Why then are thoſe who are called ſo doubtful?
Anſ. 1 Becauſe this knowledge is gradual
2 Experimental. p. 9
3 Spiritual. p. 10.
4 Becauſe it may be hindred for a time 1 By a lothneſs of heart to leave ſome luſt. p. 11.
2 By ignorance.
1 Of the voice of the ſpirit. p. 12.
2 Of the work of grace.
3 Of his Chriſtian liberty. 4 Of the tenderneſs of Chriſt. p. 13.
3 By melancholy.
4 By the unskilfulneſs of a Miniſter.
The evil of wanting this knowledge. p. 14.
1 Conſcience muſt needs charge ſin on you.
2 You can have no joy in Chriſt or his promiſes. 15.
3 You cannot tell what to make of Gods mercies.
4 Thou knoweſt not what to do in time of affliction.
5 Thou canſt not pray with courage 16
6 Thou canſt not go on ſweetly in the wayes of God.
7 Th…u ſeeſt no difference between thy ſelf and a very unbelieving wretch. 17.
8 Thou art of all men moſt miſerable.
9 If thou be totally ignorant, it is a ſign thou art not yet effectually called.
Qu. What difference between the uncertainty of believers and unbelievers? 18
Anſ. 1 As a believer cannot ſay it, ſo he cannot deny it.
2 Believers queſtion their calling only in their haſte.
3 They will let others queſtion their grace.
4 They moſt love them that urge them to ſeek this knowledge.
5 Their uncertainty breaks their hearts. p. 19.
6 Though at preſent uncertain, yet they believe they ſhall be certain.
7. Their faith is of a contrary nature to their doubting,
8. Chriſt is to them the power of God. p. 20.
Doct. Effectual calling is the firſt gathering of men unto Chriſt.
Reaſ. 1 Before effectual calling the ſoul is without Chriſt. p. 22
2 Before this all was within God. 23.
3 All other works follow this calling.
4 From the names given to effectual calling p. 24
5 Becauſe it is the firſt extract of election. p. 25.
Uſe 1 Then very dangerous to erre about this. p. 26.
Reaſ. 1 Becauſe this is the foundation.
2 Becauſe a believer muſt often have recourſe to it.
3 Becauſe it is the beginning of Gods works on the ſoul.
Uſe 2. See the reaſon why Scripture ſo urgeth the making this ſure. p. 27.
1 Becauſe it is a work but once done.
2 Becauſe all the promiſes meet here p. 28
3 Becauſe this is the firſt of all obedience.
4 This is the only way to go forward p. 29
5 Becauſe this is the main ground to keep from falling away.
Matth. 11.28.
Doct. There is a preparatory work unto effectual calling p. 30
Proof. 1 From Texts full of terror p. 31
2 From the ſpirits office.
3 Becauſe the Goſpel follows the Law
4 From Chriſts deſign in coming to ſave that which was loſt.
5 From Gods working with believers after groſſe ſins p. 32
6 From Scripture examples.
Reaſ. 1 To declare Gods juſtice p. 33
2 To ſweeten mercy p. 34
3 That God may bring men home to Chriſt p. 35
4 To wean men from ſin.
5 To knock men off from every thing elſe. p. 36
Uſe 1 To reprove daubers.
2 Be content to hear the curſes of the Law preached p. 37
3 To comfort thoſe that have had this worke p. 38
2 Theſ. 2.14.
Doct. The Goſpel, or general tender of grace is that by which God calls men home p. 40
Reaſ. 1 Becauſe this is the ſweet ground of faith p. 41
2 Becauſe this is the beſt anſwer to Satan p. 42
3 Becauſe this is true before all acts in man.
4 This is the only thing which every man is bound to believe p. 43
Obj. Chriſt is given only to the elect.
Anſ. Yet the Goſpel muſt be preached without reſtraint to election.
Reaſ. 1 Otherwiſe the elect would have no ground for faith.
2 Becauſe in reference to men, calling is before election. p. 44
3 Becauſe there is a difference between men and Divels.
Uſe 1 To comfort and encourage believers p. 46
2 To confute thoſe that define faith by aſſurance p. 47
3 To encourage all that are without p. 49
4 To terrifie the obſtinate.
Col. 1.23.
Doct. God in the general tender of mercy works ſome hopes in the ſoul p. 51
1. What is this hope?
Anſ. It ariſeth from the faith of poſſibility p. 52
2 How doth this hope agree with that which follows juſtifying faith?
Anſ. 1 Both are of God. 2 Both are wrought by the Goſpel. 3 Both ſet the ſoul on work. 4 Both are the anchor of the ſoul. 5 Neither of them ſhall make a man aſhamed p. 54
3 How differs this hope from that which follows juſtification?
Anſ. 1 This ariſeth out of the ſeeds of grace, the other out of grace it ſelf.
2 They come from ſeveral apprehenſions p. 54
Reaſ. 1 To prevent deſpair 55
2 That a man may not be diſabled looking after heaven.
3 Becauſe God will not do all at once.
4 That he may be ſought to for every mercy p. 56
Uſe 1 To ſhew the graciouſneſſe of God.
2 To comfort believers:
3 To enform how God works this hope
1 By rooting out all vain hopes.
2 By ſetting a look upon the Goſpel.
3 By removing all impoſſibilities.
p. 57
Uſe 4. Labour not to diminiſh this hope p. 58
Dir. 1 Look to the power of God.
2 To the freeneſs, indifferency, univerſality of the promiſes.
3 Send often unto God by prayer.
John 6.45.
Doct. When God calls the ſoul, he makes it hear a particular voice p. 60
Reaſ. 1 Elſe no man could come to Chriſt p. 61
2 That we may have a ground for our faith.
Qu. Why is this act attributed to the Father?
Anſ. 1 Not as though Chriſt did not ſpeak p, 62.
2 Not as though we ſhould ſet up a conceited diſtinction of works in the Trinity p. 63
Qu. What is this voice of the Father.
Anſ. Neg. Not diſtinct from the word preached.
Aff. 1 It conſiſts in the opening a mans ſenſes.
2 In taking away a mans lameneſs 64
Called a voice. 1 Becauſe joyned to the Word.
2 Becauſe it hath a ſimilitude of a voice.
Qu: How may we know whether the ſoul hath heard this voice p. 63
Anſ. 1 There is a power goes along with this word.
2 This voice makes a man hear more then any creature can ſpeak.
3 It is the irrefragable propounding of the promiſe 66
The ſecond act of faith which is the believing that in Jeſus Chriſt he ſhall have eternal life 67
To diſtinguiſh,
1 A natural man may believe the power of God 67
2 An unrooted confidence of the will ibid.
3 Preſumptious confidence p. 68
2 Confidence of the godly ibid.
1 In ſpecial perſwaſion of Gods love ibid.
2 A conſtant expectation ibid.
Confidence in Chriſt for life and ſalvation is juſtifying faith p. 68
Arg. 1 From the ſeveral expreſſions of faith in Scripture.
1 Truſting.
2 Relying.
3 Staying on God.
4 Rolling ones ſelf on God.
5 Adhering.
6 Believing on God
p. 70
Arg. 2 From the offer of Chriſt.
Arg. 3 Becauſe faith is a coming to Chriſt p. 71
Arg. 4 Becauſe the Doctrine of juſtifying faith is no propoſition but Chriſt himſelf p. 72
Arg. 5 Becauſe true faith is faith of union p. 73
Uſe 1 No abſurdity to ſay faith is in the heart as well as in the mind 75
Uſe 2 A believer may not be ſure in regard of ſenſe.
True faith may be without ſenſe and feeling.
Arg. 1 The event is not the object of juſtifying faith. p. 77
Arg. 2 The event is conditional till a man believes p. 78
Arg. 3. & 4. p. 79
Arg. 5. Not the truth but the ſtrength of faith apprehends the event p. 80
Doct. It is faith that makes a man obey the call of God p. 83
Reaſ. 1 Becauſe faith ſeeth Gods purity and mercy to be inſeperable attributes p. 83
Reaſ. 2 Becauſe faith looks on Chriſt not only as a Saviour but as a Lord p. 84.
Reaſ. 3 Becauſe faith cleaveth the heart to the commandements as well as to the promiſes p. 85
Reaſ. 4 Becauſe faith looks for a fitneſs for heaven as well as a title to heaven p. 86
Reaſ. 5 Is eminently all that a man is to do p. 87
Qu. How doth faith make a man obey? p. 88
Anſ. 1 By ſetting before a man his corruptions.
2 By carrying a man to God p. 89
3 By making a man improve all his abilities p. 89
4 By making a man relie on Chriſt. p. 90
Qu. How doth faith fetch power from Chriſt? p. 90
Anſ. 1 As an inſtrument.
2 In a moral way.
Uſe 1 See what little faith is in the world p. 93
Uſe 2 Of examination of our obedience.
1 It is willing p. 94
2 Works reſignation to God.
3 It puts forth all a mans ſtrength in God p. 95
Uſe 1. To condemn ſecurity 42
2 to reprove the neglect of it in the godly
3 to direct how to walk.
Dir. 1. Count watchfulneſs your life 43
2 Watch univerſally.
3 Proportion it to the duty in hand.
4 Take heed of hindrances,
1 Vain company,
2 ſpiritual drunkenneſs.
5 Set God before your eyes 44
Uſe 4. To exhort to watchfulneſs.
Mot. 1. Otherwiſe it will be ill with us at laſt.
2 Our ſoules are ſickly.
3 We are already awakned 45
4 The badneſſe of the times, places, & families we live in.
The New birth. John 3.6.
Doct. The Spirit of God regenerates all the Saints 47
Qu. 1. What is regeneration? 48
Anſ. 1. A renewing of a man.
2 A renewing of the whole man 49
3 It is done by degrees.
4 It is according to Gods Image 50
5 It is Gods Image in Chriſt Jeſus.
Qu. 2 Why called Regeneration? 51
Anſ. 1. To ſhew the great corruption of nature.
2 Becauſe great reſemblance with generation.
1 In both there is a father.
2 In both there is a mother
3 A ſhaping in the Womb before life.
4 Pain in bringing forth.
5 A new being attained.
6 New kindred gotten.
52
Qu. 3 Wherein doth it conſiſt? 53
An. 1 There is a paſſive receiving of Chriſt.
2 An active power to become Sons of God.
Qu. 4. Why doth the Spirit work regeneration? 54
Anſ. 1 It is the good pleaſure of God.
2 No other agent can doe it.
3 Man of himſelf is totally againſt it 55
Qu. 5 How doth the Spirit work regeneration?
Anſ. 1 By the Word of life 56
2 By a ſecret ſupernatual power.
Uſe 1 To confute Papiſts, Pelagians, &c.
2 To inform of our need of the ſpirit 57
3 To exhort.
1 Not to grieve the ſpirit.
2 To doe any thing for God.
3 To pray for the ſpirit.
Uſe. 4 For examination whether we be regenerated 58
Signe 1 When doing good is natural.
2 When heart is a good ſoyl for graee 59
3 When a man cannot live in ſin,
4 When it is pleaſant to do Gods will 60
5 When grace gets the upper hand.
6 When a man loves the children of God
7 When a man loves to profit others ſpiritually.
Chriſtians ingrafting into Chriſt.
Qu. 1 What is Chriſts body into which men are ingrafted 62
Anſ. 1 It is the Church of God.
2 It is gathered out of all Nations.
3 Predeſtinated unto life 63
4 Begotten again by the Word.
5 Knit and combin'd to Chriſt.
Q 2 What is it to be put into this body 64
Anſ. 1 It is part of the ingrafting into Chriſt.
2 It is done by faith.
3 It makes us have a common life with all the reſt of Chriſts members 65
4 It makes a man be of one conſent with all the people of God everywhere
5 Is for mutual help, care and ſympathy 66
Qu. 3 Why doth the ſpirit of God doe this? 67
Anſ. 1 None elſe is able to doe it.
2 None elſe fit.
Qu. 4 How doth the ſpirit doe this
Anſ. 1 By being one and the ſame ſpirit in all the members of Chriſt.
2 By tying a knot between theſe members.
Uſe 1 Informs that the want of the ſpirit is the reaſon of the difference of men in the World 68
2 Let none put aſunder whom the ſpirit joyns.
3 Try our acquaintance hereby.
4 Stir up Sympathy 69
Qu. 5 How ſhall we ſympathize with Chriſts members.
Anſ. 1 By informing our ſelves concerning one another.
2 By viſiting fellow-members.
3 By laying to heart their afflictions.
Of the Sabbath, Exod. 20.19.
Prop. 1. There muſt be ſome ſet time for the worſhip and immediate ſervice of God. 70
Reaſ. 1 All actions cannot be done at once.
2 Becauſe of our dulneſs.
Prop. 2. There muſt be ſome ſet time every day.
Reaſ. 1. Elſe we live like beaſts 71.
2 Every morning God reneweth mercies
3 God is the beginning and ending of all things.
Prop. 3. Every day is in ſome ſort a Sabbath.
Reaſ. 1. Gods covenant with us requires it
2 Not to do ſo is a brand of hypocriſie
3 Bleſſedneſſe conſiſts in it 72
4 This is the ſum of the law of righteouſneſſe.
Prop. 4. There muſt be a particular ſpecial day,
Reaſ. 1. That in this life we may have an Emblem of Heaven.
2 Gods honour requires it. 73
3 God ſometimes calls for extraordinary dayes,
1 Of rejoycing.
2 Of faſting. 1 When judgements are feared 74
2 Mercies wanting. 3 Souls tempted.
4 Some notable work undertaken.
4 It is moſt equitable 75
1 That God ſhould have one day,
2 That our ſouls ſhould have one day.
Prop. 5. One day in ſeven is to be ſet a part for Gods worſhip.
Reaſ. 1. Gods poſitive command 76
2 It is Gods day.
3 That ſervants, cattel, &c. may have reſt.
4 God hath ſanctified it.
5 Becauſe we are apt to be worldly, &c.
Prop. 6. That day of ſeven is to be kept holy on which God reſted 76
Prop. 7. All that is in the fourth Commandement is not eſſential to it.
Prop. 8. The fourth commandement continually to abide in force. 78
Reaſ. 1. Becauſe the Sabbath was inſtituted before there was room for ceremonies.
2 The Sabbath was kept before the Law given.
3 It was written by the finger of God 79
4 God often urgeth this Commandement as well as any other.
5 Elſe we have not ten Commandements.
6 Chriſt plainly tells us ſo.
7 The Heathens have ever kept a Sabbath day 80
Prop. 9. The firſt day of the week is now the Lords day 81
Reaſ. 1. From Pſal. 118.24.
2 From Rev. 1.10.
3 Chriſt calls himſelf Lord of the Sabbath 82
4 Chriſt commanded the Apoſtles to keep this day.
5 Chriſts wiſdom would not leave ſuch things uncertain.
6 Who ſhould inſtitute this day, but he that is the head?
7 All Chriſtians have kept this day ſince the Apoſtle time.
8 Gods judgements on the prophaners of this day do evince it 83
Uſe 1. Then we are to keep an whole day 84
Reaſ. 1. We have ſix whole daies for our ſelves.
2 God reſted an whole day.
3 From Levit. 23.32.
4 God never inſtituted halfe holy daies. 85
5 It is the judgement of Divines in all ages.
Uſe. 2. Then ſports are unlawful on this day.
Reaſ. 1. Becauſe working is otherwiſe commanded, ſporting only permitted.
2 Working doth leſs diſtract the mind.