The Practical Believer, Table of contents 1 – Part 1
THE CONTENTS.
PART I. Of the Nature, and Certainty of Christian Faith, &c.
CHAP. I. Of Christian Faith.
WHat is meant by Faith in Christ. When this suitably affects us, it justifies, or avails to Righteousness. An account of several particulars of Christian Belief, with the respective Affections, and Practices, that are suitable to them. All these are reasonably to be expected from them, though they do not follow, where Men will act inconsistently to their Principles, and against Reason. Faeith with its suitable effects, the same as Faith and Repentance, On this account such effects ascribed to it, when alone, as are due only to it and Repentance in conjunction. This Faith with its suitable effects, was that which justified the Old Testament Worthies. And is to justifie all good Christians. When S. Paul opposes justifying-Faith to the Deeds of the Law, he speaks of the Deeds of the Jewish Law. That which fits Faith for these effects, and distinguishes the Faith of Saints and Sinners, is, First, The sincerity of it. Secondly, Its strength and firmness. This consists in its being assured. And honest, or seated in one that makes conscience to keep his word. And resolute. In what sense Faith may be called an act of Recumbency, or leaning and rolling on Christ for Salvation. And the hand, to receive and apply him. 'Tis no part of Faith to believe our sins are pardon'd, nor of infidelity to doubt of it. Of the innocence many times of such doubts. And of some good Mens confidence of their own forgiveness. p. 1
CHAP. II. That Jesus is the Christ from Ancient Prophecies.
Among those Prophecies, which prove Jesus to be the Christ, First, Some prescribe the time of his coming. This they mark out by the nearness of such notable Occurrences, and Revolutions, as would fall under all Mens observation. And by fixing the very Year he should appear in. Accordingly there was a general expectation of him at that time. His coming not put off beyond the time appointed, for the sins of the People. An account, why the Jews, who read these clear Notes of the time in their own Prophets, are not convinced by them. Secondly, Others assign many peculiar, and visible Notes, whereby he may be demonstratively pointed out from all other Men. As, 1. His being born of a Virgin. This in some sense spoken of a Virgin of that time, but principally of Messiah, and then only fully accomplished, when Jesus came. This cleared from exceptions. 2. His having the Spirit of Miracles, resting on him. 3. His Death, with the particular manner, and circumstances of it. And his returning to Life again. 4. His putting an end to the Jewish Sacrifices and Mosaick Covenant, and bringing in a New one, and a better, to supply its defects. 5. His erecting an Universal Empire, and appearing as a mighty King. This not a Secular, but Spiritual Kingdom. 6. His converting the Heathen World, from their Idol-worship. Jesus silenced the Oracles, and cast the impure Spirits out of their Temples. This an Argument for him, not only as accomplishing a Prediction, but also as 'tis plainly a Divine thing. The Prophecies of an Universal Probity, and Peace under Messiah, cleared up, by an account both of their meaning, and accomplishment. The fore-cited Prophecies understood of Messiah by the Ancient Jews, though denied by some later in hatred to our Jesus. p. 45.
CHAP. III. Proving Jesus to be the Christ, from other Divine Testimonies.
Jesus proved to be the Christ, 2. From the testimony of John the Baptist. John knew this by Revelation, and had it confirmed by a sign. He was an acknowledged Prophet, and of most clear and currant fame. And gave this testimony, before he was personally acquainted with Jesus. 3. From the testimony of Jesus himself. Several considerations shewing the validity of this testimony, though it were in his own case. This not impugned by Christ's words, John 5. 31. nor gives any colour or advantage to Fanatical Enthusiasts. 4. From his Miracles. These no lying wonders, as may appear, because shewn in several instances not imitable by Demons. As, 1. Foretelling future Contingencies. An account of Demon-Predictions among the Gentiles. 2. Discerning Hearts, and Thoughts. 3. Raising the Dead. 4. Casting out Devils, of most stubborn ranks, and in greatest numbers and combinations. It may also appear from their intent and design; and from their numbers, and the manner of working them. No opposing the Miracles, of Moses against Christ's Miracles because they were wrought to set aside the Law of Moses. That Law was given with a design to be altered. An account how for all that, several of its Precepts are justly called Statutes for ever. 5. From the testimony of the Father, who declared Jesus to be the Christ by audible voices. And by raising him from the dead, and shewing him in full possession of his pretences. p. 96
The Knowledge of God: or, an Explication of the Divine Attributes, and Providence.
CHAP. I. Of the Being, and Attributes of God.
The World declares there is a God. He is an eternal Spirit, on whom all things depend. Of God's Holiness. Several things explained, which seem to infringe it: as when God is said to harden Mens hearts. To inflict Spiritual blindness, and a reprobate sense. To send a false Spirit to deceive Ahab: and strong delusion. God oft gives Men up to the delusion of evil Spirits. Cautions to prevent this. To give Men a Spirit of slumber. An account, how notwithstanding God's irreconcileable hatred of sin, it is still suffered in the World. Of God's Goodness. Several false Notions of it. In what things it chiefly consists. Of God's Justice, or Righteousness, This shown in giving Righteous Laws. And passing Righteous Judgments according to them, without respect of Persons. His Punitive Justice cleared from misplacing punishments, in punishing one for another's sins. And from misproportioning them, in allotting eternal punishments, to momentany fins. Some false aspersions on this just God wiped off. Of God's Presence in all places. The effect of this. Of his Faithfulness. This shown by inviolable performance of his Promises: And interpreting them without evasion, or secret reserve, according to their plain meanings. And by constant adherence to his Friends and Faithful Servants: which is no encouragement for any to return to their former sins. Of God's Wisdom. This shown in setting a just rate and estimate on all things; so that he is neither gained, nor lost by worthless services. In discerning the just power and force of all Means, and success of all Methods; which should beget the greatest Reverence for all his Ordinances. In seeing the best times, and seasons, for every purpose: so that we must never think any Deliverance too long delayed, or Affliction too fast hastened. No reason to pretend to the Love of God, without loving, and imitating these Divine Excellencies. p. 143
CHAP. II. Of God's Providence.
God preserves all things he hath made. And governs them. He observes all our actions. And all our temptations. He disposes of all good events. For he gives the fruits of the Earth. And Children. And success in business. How this should influence us in any enterprize, shown in sundry particulars. He gives promotion. And the favour of Men. And life and health to enjoy all other Blessings. And all Spiritual Mercies. He disposes also of ill events. As death of Friends. Unfortunate accidents, that afflict us in our Bodies, or Goods. Crosses, and obstructions, in our designs and business. Sufferings from ill Men. How God stints, and governs these. No excuse of their unjust violence, to say they are God's Instruments, and follow Providence. He sends also miscarriages of State, and Government: and presides in the most tumultuary, and distressed times. In these, still have Faith in Providence. But God must not be called the Author, or sender of th…se evils, which we bring down upon our selves, by our own faults, or follies. p. 189
CHAP. III. Of God's Almightiness.
God's Almightiness implies, 1. God's Might and Strength to effect all things, viz. all that are the object of any Power. And that are not repugnant to his own Nature. The exerting this Power creates God no labour. He can do whatsoever any things of the World can do. This an encouragement to all generous Enterprizes. And to build on Providence, especially where we have a Promise. The value and acceptance of this trust, in a seemingly most improbable case. And whatsoever any things of the World are inclined, or wont to do, he can hinder them from doing. This also a ground of trust in God. And to keep us in any distress, from flying to unlawful aids. How God will use this Power. 2. His Sovereignty and Power, to command, and order all things. This includes, 1. Empire, as a Sovereign Ruler. What things God may command. The unalterableness of some commands. 2. Dominion, as a Sovereign Proprietor. In what cases God allots good and ill, out of his Power of Prerogative, not according to Mens pre-dispositions. Where he dispenses Arbitrarily, he doth it always most Wisely, and Reasonably. Saving Grace he allots, not in way of Arbitrary Prerogative, but according to Covenant Rules. And Heaven and Hell, in way of Legal Trials. A brief account of the Rectitude of God's Nature, which limits his Sovereign Will, from the Scriptures. This Sovereign Lord and Proprietor an All-sufficient, so no selfish Being. Several good uses of God's Sovereign Dominion. God's Majesty and Almightiness, must beget fear and reverence. p. 232
ERRATA.
PAG. 19. lin. 12. for accepted, read was accepted. p. 34. l. 29. for And half Faith r. An half Faith. p. 36. l. 13. for such as do r. such do. p. 41. l. 1. for of sufficiency r. of the sufficiency. p. 70. l. 24. for men in Bethlehem, r. men of Bethlehem. p. 113. l. 17. for do danger, r. no danger. p. 150. l. 15. for this peerless Majesty, r. his peerless Majesty. p. 154. l. 7. for in wickedness contracting, r. i… wickedly contracting.