The Saints Amity with God in Christ, Table of contents – Author to the reader

The Saints Amity with God in Christ · Table of contents – Author to the reader

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

CHAP. 1. Of Friendſhip in General, John 15.14.

NAtural Friendſhip. Page 2

Human Friendſhip. Page 2, 3

Divine Friendſhip. Page 3, 4

No true Amitie but what is founded on Amitie with Chriſt. Page 4

The Paraphraſe and Explication of John 15.14. Page 5

The Laws of Friendſhip fundamental, or perfective. Page 6

Al Friendſhip is founded on Election. Page 9

CHAP. 2. Chriſtian prudence the foundation of friendſhip with Chriſt.

PRudence neceſſarie to the Election of Chriſt. p. 10

The parts of Chriſtian prudence. p. 14

Prudence neceſſarie, 1. For the diſcoverie of the right End and Object of our frendſhip, which is termed ſpiritual Sagacitie. p. 14

What this Sagacitie is; and how greatly uſeful in order to a complete friendſhip with Chriſt. p. 15,—19

2. Spiritual Providence, or Conſultation about the Means, very uſeful for friendſhip with Chriſt. p. 19,—24

3. Dexteritie in the Diſpoſement of means, a fundamental ingredient of friendſhip with Chriſt. p. 24, 25.

This Dexteritie ſtiled, (1.) P…ſpicacitie. p. 26

(2.) Experience. p. 27

(3.) Facilitie of learning. p. 28

(4.) An eaſie Method of procedure. p. 29

(5.) Dexteritie properly ſo termed. p. 29,—34

CHAP. 3. The Election of a ſingle Chriſt, in oppoſition to Sin, Self, the World, and the Law.

THE Saints Friendſhip with Chriſt is Conjugal. p. 35, 36

Conjugal Friendſhip with Chriſt requires a ſingle object of its Election, &c. p. 36,—44.

1. Reprobation of ſin eſſential to friendſhip with Chriſt. p. 45,—47.

How far a falſe friend of Chriſt may precede in the Reprobation of ſin. p. 47

(1.) As to Judgement. p. 48

(2.) As to Wil p. 49

(3.) As to Affections. p. 50

What are the poſtures of the ſincere friends of Chriſt towards ſin. (1.) As to judgement. p. 51

(2.) As to their Conſciences. ibid.

(3.) As to Wil, and conflicts againſt ſin. p. 51, 52, 53.

2. The Election of Chriſt preſuppoſeth the Renunciation of Self. p. 55

Self violates al the Laws of friendſhip. p. 56, 57.

Self-love is Chriſt's greateſt enemie in 7. regards. p. 58,—64

Where Self is the cauſe of friendſhip, it is alſo the Ruine of the ſame. p. 62, 63

A character of Hypocritick ſelf-denial. p. 64, 65

An Idea of true ſelf-denial ſpringing from a ſight of our ſelves and of God. p. 65, 66.

The parts of this Self-denial. p. 67, 68.

Abraham's ſelf-denial, the ground of his friendſhip with God. p. 69

John Baptiſt's ſelf-denial the foundation of his friendſhip with Chriſt. p. 70, 71

3. How far the World, is to be rejected, in order to the Election of Chriſt for himſelf. p. 73

4. How far the Law is to be rejected by Chriſt's friends. p. 79

Notes of a ſoul's being maried to the Law. p. 80

How Chriſt's friends are dead to the Law. p. 80, 81.

How the friends of Chriſt are alive to the Law as a rule. p. 81, 82

CHAP. 4. The Election of whole Chriſt, &c.

A Complete Chriſt the Object of the Saints friendſhip. p. 84, 85

1. The friends of Chriſt muſt Elect him as their King. p. 86,—88

2. Chriſt's friends Elect him as their Prieſt. p. 89—91

3. The Election of Chriſt as our Prophet. p. 92,—94

4. The Election of Chriſt's Perſon a fundamental part of our friendſhip with him. p. 95,—102

Self the firſt Motive that draws ſinners to Chriſt. p. 98

More pure ſtrains of friendſhip with Chriſt. p. 99, 100

The plague of falſe friends is, that they cloſe not with the Perſon of Chriſt. p. 101, 102

5. The friends of Chriſt muſt elect his Spirit alſo, as their Friend. p. 102,—105

6. Chriſt's Yoke, Waies, and Ordinances muſt be elected. p. 105,—107

7. Election of Chriſt's Members. p. 107

8. Election of Chriſt's Croſſe. p. 107

CHAP. 5. How far the friends of Chriſt may regard themſelves.

CHriſt muſt be elected for himſelf. p. 109,—111

What it is to Elect Chriſt for himſelf. p. 111, 112

No regard is to be had to ſinful, or carnal ſelf. p. 113

How the Elect, while under a Spirit of Bondage, aim at legal ſelf only. p. 114

Falſe friends of Chriſt ruined by legal ſelf. p. 114, 115

The friends of Chriſt may not elect him for the advance of an Evangelick ſelf-ſufficience. p. 116, 117

Chriſt's friends may not elect him, merely for the ſweet Accidents of his preſence. p. 118, 119

Chriſt may not be elected for a carnal Heaven, or to avoid a carnal Hel. p. 120, 121, 122

The friends of Chriſt may not elect him for ſelf, as their laſt end; or on their own Conditions. p. 123—125

The friends of Chriſt may eye freedome from Hel. p. 126, 127

The friends of Chriſt may have a regard to Heaven. p. 128,—130

Chriſts friends may deſire eaſe from their burdens. p. 131

The friends of Chriſt may regard themſelves, any way in ſubordination unto Chriſt. p. 132

The eſſential connexion 'twixt the Intereſt of Chriſt, and that of his friends. p. 132,—134

CHAP. 6. That the friends of Chriſt do moſt advance themſelves, by electing Chriſt for himſelf.

1. THis is proved from the object, Chriſt, conſidered, (1.) As the Laſt end. p. 136, 137

(2.) As the Firſt Beautie. p. 137, 138

(3.) As the Firſt Principle of Dependence, p. 138, 139

2. From the Act of Electing Chriſt; which is, (1.) Moſt Natural. p. 140, 141

(2.) Moſt living, and lively. p. 142

(3.) Moſt Rational. p. 143,—145

(4.) Moſt Voluntarie. p. 145, 146

3. From the Effects of electing Chriſt for himſelf, which are, p. 146

(1.) Participation of the Divine Nature, p. 146, 147

(2.) Libertie, both natural, civil, and Divine. p. 148,—154

(3) Divine life, with al its Iſſues. p. 155

1. Spiritual Health. p. 156

2. Divine Strength. p. 157, 158

3. Growth in Grace. p. 159, 160

4. Spiritual Senſe. p. 160, 161

5. Divine Motion. p. 161, 162

(4.) Divine Honor. p. 163, 164

(5.) Divine Harmonie, and Order. p. 164, 165

(6.) Divine Beautie, and Glorie. p. 165, 166

(7.) Divine Pleaſures. p. 166,—168

(8.) Divine Treaſures. p. 168, 169

CHAP. 7. How, and why Chriſt is to be elected for himſelf, in regard of his Mediatorie excellences, as Relative to God the Father.

THE Diſtribution of Chriſt's Excellences. p. 170

Chriſt's Deſignement to Office. p. 171—182

Heb. 2.5, 6, 7, 8. largely explicated. p. 172,—175

Joh. 6.27. Sealed, What p. 175

Heb. 3.2. Appointed. p. 176, 177

Act. 2.36. God hath made, &c. p. 177, 178

Epheſ. 5.1. A ſweet ſmelling ſavor. p. 178, 179

How the friends of Chriſt muſt eye his Divine Conſtitution. p. 180,—182

Chriſt's Aptitude for his Office. p. 183

Joh. 1.14. largely explicated. p. 183,—186

Joh. 1.16. And of his fulnes, &c. p. 186, 187

Al Grace paſſeth from Chriſt as its Fountain. p. 187,—189

How al Divine perfections dwel in Chriſt, as in a Temple, Col. 2.9. p. 190—195

Heb. 1.3. Explicated in each particular. p. 196,—208

2 Cor. 4.6. The Face of Jeſus, what. p. 209,—212

2 Cor. 4.4. How Chriſt is the Image of God. p. 212, 213

2 Cor. 3.18. Chriſt an Eſſential Glaſſe, &c. p. 214,—218

How the Believing ſoul is transformed into the Image of God, ſhining in Chriſt. p. 216, 217

How al the Attributes of God ſhine in Chriſt. p. 219,—226

The Wiſdome of God in Chriſt. p. 220

The Love, and Grace of God in Chriſt. p. 220, 221

God's Juſtice in Chriſt. p. 222

God's Holines in Chriſt. p. 222, 223

God's Omnipotence in Chriſt. p. 223

God's Faithfulnes in Chriſt. p. 224

God's Immenſitie in Chriſt. p. 225

God's Independence in Chriſt, &c. p. 226

Contemplate the Glorious Ideas of God in Chriſt. p. 227,—230

Election, and Fruition of God's excellences in Chriſt. p. 230, 231

Imitation of Chriſt's human Nature. p. 231, 232

Chriſt's friends ſhould preſent themſelves fit Temples for Chriſt. p. 233, 234

CHAP. 8. The Doctrine of Amitie with Chriſt improved by Doctrinal Corollaries, and practick Uſes.

DOctrinal Corollaries from this Subject. p. 235—248

1. The condeſcendence of Free-Grace. p. 236

2. The Dignitie of Religion. p. 237

3. The higheſt Wiſdome, is to make Chriſt our friend. p. 238

4. Al by nature Enemies to Chriſt. p. 239

5. Al friendſhip with Chriſt, from God. p. 240

6. The contradictions of many ſeeming Friends. p. 241

7. How far falſe friends of Chriſt may go. p. 242, 243

8. How eaſie a thing it is to miſcarrie in the beginning of our friendſhip. p. 244

9. Much ſeeming friendſhip with Chriſt not real. p. 245

10. True Friendſhip among men rare. p. 245, 246

11. The folie of ſuch as refuſe Chriſt. p. 247, 248

Uſe 1. The Aggravations of this ſin, not to mind friendſhip with Chriſt. p. 249,—259

1. As to its Object, it is againſt Chriſt, (1.) The Author of life. p. 250

(2.) Moſt willing to give life. p. 251

(3.) Moſt excellent in himſelf. p. 252

2. The Aggravations of this ſin, as to its Subject. p. 253,—255

3. The Aggravations of this ſin in regard of its formal Nature. p. 255, 556

(1.) It's ful of Atheiſme. p. 257

(2.) Of Crucifying Chriſt. p. 257

(3.) Of Blaſphemie againſt Chriſt. p. 258

(4.) Of Sacrilege. p. 258

4. The Aggravations of this ſin from its Effects. p. 259

The miſerie of ſuch as refuſe friendſhip with Chriſt. p. 259,—263

Uſe 2. For conviction to Refined Hypocrites. p. 263

How far refined Hypocrites may procede in falſe friendſhip with Chriſt. p. 264,—273

As to, 1. The Spirit of Bondage. p. 265

2. Averſion from ſin, and ſelf. p. 266

3. Aſſent, and Eſtime of Chriſt. p. 267

4. Conſent, and cloſing with Chriſt. p. 267, 268

5. Affections. p. 268

6. Union with Chriſt. p. 269

7. The Image of Chriſt. p. 269

8. Active Obedience. p. 270

9. Paſſive Obedience. p. 270

10. Dependence on Chriſt. p. 271

11. Service, and Aſſiſtances. p. 271

12. Praiſes. 13. Communion of Saints. p. 272

14. Communion with Chriſt. p. 272

15. Prelibations of Glorie, &c. 273, &c.

The Sinfulnes of falſe friendſhip with Chriſt. p. 276

(1.) It is a mocquing Chriſt. p. 276

(2.) It is a Wearying Chriſt. p. 277

(3.) Is is moſt lothſome to Chriſt. p. 277

(4.) It doth Chriſt moſt miſchief. p. 277, 278

The Folie of falſe friendſhip with Chriſt. p. 279

It is, (1.) Self-flatterie. (2.) Self-deluſion. p. 279

(3.) Self-ruine. (4.) Self-confidence.

(5.) Self-contradiction p. 280

(6.) It ſhal be manifeſt folie. p. 280

(7.) It is courting of ſhadows. p. 280

The Curſe of falſe friendſhip with Chriſt. p. 281

(1) It is the Root of many Spiritual ſins. p. 281

(2.) It Poiſons the beſt Mercies. p. 282

(3.) It puts a ſting into al Afflictions. p. 282

(4.) Chriſt leaves ſuch under the ſnares of this world. p. 282

(5.) Chriſt leaves ſuch to the Plague of their own hearts. p. 283

(6.) Chriſt puts a period to the day of Grace. p. 284

(7) Chriſt leaves them to Satan. p. 284

(8.) Chriſt becomes a ſtone of ſtumbling to ſuch. p. 285

(9) Hence follows Judicial hardnes. p. 285

(10.) Such are expoſed to al the Curſes of the Law, &c. p. 286

(11.) Al the Hopes of ſuch periſh. p. 286

CHAP. 9. Heart-Examens, Exhortations, and Directions, touching a ſincere cloſure with Chriſt, as our friend.

Uſe 3. FOR Examination. p. 288

Motives, 1. From the Difficulties that attend friendſhip with Chriſt. p. 289

2. From the Facilitie of being miſtaken herein. p. 290

3. From the Danger of ſuch miſtakes. p. 291

Diſtinctive Characters of true and falſe friends of Chriſt. p. 292

As to 1. Eſtimation. p. 292

2. Averſion from ſin. p. 293, 294

3. Self-denial, and Exaltation of Chriſt. p. 295,—297

4. The Law. p. 297, 298

5. Crucifixion to the World. p. 299

6. The Election of a whole Chriſt, with the whole Heart p. 300

7. Cloſures with Chriſt's perſon for himſelf. p. 301,—303

Ʋſe 4. Exhortation to a thorough cloſure with Chriſt. p. 304

Motive 1. From the Excellences of Chriſt. p. 304,—307

Mot. 2. From the Condition of the Soul, its Origine, Nature, Capacitie, Activitie, Immortalitie. p. 307,—311

Mot. 3. From the Nature of Amitie with Chriſt. p. 311, 311

Mot. 4. From the Effects of Amitie with Chriſt. p. 312,—315

Directions for a complete cloſure with Chriſt. p. 316

In general, lay a good Foundation. p. 316, 317

1. Get a Sanctified Head; which implies, p. 319

(1.) An Head wel-principled, with Evangelick notions. p. 320

(2.) An awakened Head. p. 321

(3.) A Serious Head. p. 321

2. Get a Loyal Heart; which implies, p. 322

(1.) A Broken Heart. p. 323

(2.) A Sound Heart; which implies, p. 324,

1. A living Heart. p. 325

2. A Single Heart, both as to object, and Motives. p. 326, 327

3. An Entire Heart. p. 328, 329

4. A Flexible Heart. p. 330, 331

5. An Honeſt Heart. p. 331, 332

CHAP. 10. Advice to the friends of Chriſt, for the living up to the Dignitie of this their Relation.

Ʋſe 5. DIrections for Chriſt's friends &c. Direct. 1. Tudie and admire Chriſt's Excellences. p. 333

(1.) Studie the Beauties of Chriſt's Perſon. p. 335, 336

(2.) Studie, Chriſt's Good-Nature, Love and Tenderneſſes. p. 336,—340

(3.) Studie the Riches of Grace in Chriſt. p. 340,—344

Direct. 2. Daily repete your firſt Election of Chriſt. p. 344

The Benefits of ſuch repeted Elections of Chriſt,

As to, (1.) Gradual ſeparation from ſin and Self, &c. p. 345

(2.) The confirmation of our Union with Chriſt. p. 346

(3.) The Radication of Grace. p. 347

(4.) The Enlargement of Affections. p. 348

(5.) Recoveries out of Backſlidings. p. 349

(6.) Communion with Chriſt. p. 350

(7.) The life of faith. p. 350, 351

(8.) Aſſurance of ſalvation. p. 352,—354

Direct. 3. Grow more rooted and built up in Chriſt, Col. 2.7. As to (1.) Aſſent, and Eſtime of Chriſt. p. 355, 356

(2.) Strong Adherence to Chriſt. p. 357, 358

(3) Reſignation to, and Dependence on Chriſt. p. 359,—362

Direct 4. Get ſpiritual, Conjugal Affections for Chriſt. p. 363, &c.

(1.) Conjugal Love to Chriſt. p. 365,—367

(2.) Conjugal Deſires after Chriſt. p. 367,—369

(3.) Conjugal Grief for Chriſt's abſence p. 369, 370

(4.) Lively Hopes of Chriſt's Return…. p. 371, 372

(5) Joy and Complacence in Chriſt's Preſence. p. 373

(6) Conjugal Fear of diſpleaſing Chriſt. p. 374

(7.) Conjugal Zele for Chriſt. p. 375

Direct. 5. Endeavor after the greateſt interne Uniformitie with, and externe Conformitie to Chriſt. p. 376

(1.) Interne Uniformitie with Chriſt. p. 378

(2.) Externe Conformitie to Chriſt. p. 380

Direct. 6. Aſpire after more intimate Union, and Communion with Chriſt, &c. p. 383

1. Confirme, and Improve Union with Chriſt. p. 384

(1.) Relative Ʋnion with Chriſt. p. 385

(2.) Poſitive Ʋnion with Chriſt; p. 385

1. Habitual. p. 385

2. Actual; which is (1.) Intellectual. p. 386

(2.) Moral; which is 1. Adheſive, p. 387

2. Affective. p. 387

2. Aſpire after more intimate communion with Chriſt. p. 388,—391

(1.) In al Duties of Religion. p. 391

(2.) In al Providential occurrences. p. 392

(3.) In Creature-comforts, and inferior goods. p. 393

Direct. 7. Give al Content to Chriſt. p. 394

1. Do nothing that may diſpleaſe Chriſt. p. 395

Chriſt is diſpleaſed and grieved, (1.) By viſible Relapſes, or ſecret Indulgences in ſin. p. 395

(2.) By ſecret Backſlidings of Heart. p. 395,—397

2. Grow up more into the Image of Chriſt. p. 397

3. Diſpleaſe Self. p. 397

4. Be Flexible towards Chriſt's Wil, and Grace. p. 398

(1.) Towards his Wil of Precept, and Providence. p. 399

(2.) Towards his gracious Inſpirations. p. 400

5. Studie Fidelitie towards Chriſt. p. 400

6. Frequent Addreſſes to Chriſt. p. 401

7. Civilitie and Reſpects due to Chri. p. 401, 402

Direct. 8. Take al Content in Chriſt. p. 403,—407

1. As the Spring of al Grace. p. 408

2. As the Matter of our Happines: and ſo, p. 408

(1.) Chriſt muſt be loved for himſelf. p. 408, 409

(2.) Chriſt muſt be injoyed as the beſt good. p. 410

(3.) Chriſt muſt be the ſpring of our Satiſfaction. p. 411

(4.) Chriſt muſt be injoyed without Meſure. p. 411

Direct. 9. Live by faith in al States, and Conditions of ſuffering by, or for Chriſt. p. 412

1. Ʋnder al Sufferings immediately from Chriſt. p. 413

Chriſt has many Gracious Ends in Deſertion. p. 414, 415

How the friends of Chriſt muſt live by faith under al his Abſences, and Deſertions. p. 416, 417

(1.) By keeping up good Thoughts of Chriſt. p. 418, 419

(2.) By humble Submiſſion unto Chriſt. p. 420

(3.) By firme Adherence unto Chriſt. p. 421, 422

(4.) By Endeavors to pleaſe Chriſt. p. 422

(5.) By Longings after Chriſt. p. 423

(6.) By laboring againſt ſinking Deſpondences. p. 423

(7.) By making Deprivements of Grace a Means of Grace. p. 423

(8.) What is wanting in Senſe, make up by Faith. p. 423

2. The Advantages of faith in ſuffering for Chriſt. p. 424

Directions for a life of faith under the Croſſe. p. 425

(1.) Give not way to hard Thoughts of the Croſſe. p. 425

(2.) Keep under Lawleſſe Self, and Soft Nature. p. 426

(3.) Faith muſt Eſpouſe Chriſt's Croſſe. p. 427

(4.) Faith muſt Triumph over the Croſſe. p. 427

(5.) Faith muſt Improve every Croſſe. p. 428

TABLE OF SCRIPTURES EXPLICATED.

ERRATA.

PAge 32. line 4. for two read too. p. 47. l. 31. for or r. and. p. 96. l. 23. r. Cant. 6 3. p 185. l 15. blot out. generation and p. 192. marg. l. 8. r plena. p. 241. l. ult. r. Worldly. p. 287. l 3. before Sum inſert the. p. 288. Contents l. 4. blot out a before Chriſt. p. 288. l. …. r. Uſe 3. p. 311. l. 9. blot out the firſt Soul.

Memorandum.

Reader,

IF thou find, in the following Diſcourſe, ſome Words above thy Capacitie to apprehend; be pleaſed to remember, that the following word, or words do, for the moſt part, Interpret, and Explain the ſame.

p. 1THEOPHILIE: OR A Diſcourſe of the Saints Amitie with God in Chriſt.

PART. I. Of CHRISTOLOGIE Or Concerning the right conſtitution of the Object; How Chriſt is to be Elected by his Friends.

BOOK I. Of the firſt Fundamental Law of Friendſhip with Chriſt; Conſiſting in a prudent Election of a ſingle, complete Chriſt, for Himſelf.