The Christian Life Part 3 Volume 4, Title page – Table of contents
Johannes Scott S. T. P.
THE Christian Life, PART III. Wherein the GREAT DUTIES OF JUSTICE, MERCY, and MORTIFICATION are fully Explained and Inforced. VOL. IV.
BY IOHN SCOTT D. D. late Rector of St. Giles's in the Fields.
LONDON, Printed for Walter Kettilby at the Bishop's-Head in St. Paul's Church-Yard. 1696.
To the Right Honourable Sir GEORGE TREBY LORD CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE Common PLEAS.
MY LORD,
THose excellent Treatises of Christian Life, which were published some years since by the learned Author, have, I doubt not, in a great measure answered his Design, in writing them, which was to do as much good as he could to the World; and had he lived to finish the other Parts of it, we might have had such a compleat Body of Christian Institutions in our own Language, as would have highly contributed towards a Revival of true Piety among us. For, besides those Pieces which have already seen the Light, 'twas the Author's design to proceed to a particular Explication of the several respective Duties which Men are obliged to render to God, their Neighbours, and Themselves; and for a Conclusion of all, he proposed a distinct Treatise of Ecclesiastical Duties.
The two Discourses of Iustice and Mercy, which I now present to your Lordship, were intended as a Part of that Duty which we owe to one another, and which, with other Enlargements, had the Author liv'd, would have made a Volume of themselves. And the Discourse of Mortification is likewise a Part of what He designed for the Explication of that Duty which Man owes himself, which was also intended for another distinct Volume. Besides these he proposed a particular Examination of those great Duties, which God requires; which together with the other Volumes would have compleated the whole Design. In Justice therefore to the Memory of this incomparable Person, I thought my self obliged to communicate to your Lordship this short Account of him. The Design which he proposed was Great and Noble, and I'm sure those Pieces which he hath already published, do loudly speak the Excellent Qualifications with which God had endowed him to compleat it, had not a laborious Station, and, what was worse, a very sickly Constitution at last interrupted him from the Prosecution of it.
As for these Remains, they are faithfully transcribed from the Author's Manuscript; and your Lordship may easily discern that they are his true and genuine Off-spring by your Perusal of them. I know your Lordship hath a very high Value and just Esteem for the Memory of that great and good Man, and that is a prevailing Inducement to take into your Protection those Works which he has left behind him. To You they address themselves, and I doubt not but under that Character which your Lordship bears, they will be sufficiently recommended to the World; and that they may effectually promote the Good of it, is the hearty Prayer of
Your Lordship's most Obedient, Humble Servant, J. G.
THE CONTENTS.
OF JUSTICE.
CHAP. I.
OF Justice as it respects the Rights of Men, whether natural, or acquired. The natural Rights of Men shewn in four particulars; First, As dwelling in mortal Bodies. Secondly, As rational Creatures. Thirdly, As joyned to one another by natural Relations. Fourthly, As naturally united in Society, Page 3. As Men dwell in mortal Bodies, they have a Right to their Bodies, p. 4, 5, 6. And to their bodily Subsistence, p. 7, 8, 9, 10.
CHAP. II.
OF Justice in preserving the Rights of Men, considered as rational Creatures, p. 11. Which Rights are reduced to four particulars, p. 12. First, That every Man hath a Right to an equitable Treatment from every Man, p. 13, 14, 15. Secondly, That every Man hath a Right to judge for himself so far as he is capable, p. 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21. Thirdly, That every Man hath a Right not to be forced to act contrary to the Iudgment of right Reason, p. 23, 24, 25. Fourthly, That every Man hath a Right to be respected by every Man, p. 26, 27, 28, 29.
CHAP. III.
OF Justice in preserving the Rights of Men, as united together by Natural Relations, p. 30, 31. And as joyned together in Society, p. 32. Wherein is shewn first, That they have a Right to Love, p. 33. Secondly, To Peace, p 34, 35. Thirdly, To Truth, p. 36, 37, 38, 39, 40. Fourthly, To Credit, p. 41, 42, 43. Fifthly, To Protection, p. 44, 45, 46. Sixthly, To Communication in the Profits of Commerce and Intercourse, p. 47, 48.
CHAP. IV.
OF Justice, as it preserves the Acquired Rights of Men: and particularly those which arise from Sacred and Civil Relations. As first, Of Sovereign and Subject, p. 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59. Secondly, Of Subordinate Magistrates to the Sovereign and People, p. 60, 61. Thirdly, Of Pastors and People, p. 62, 63. Fourthly, Of Husband and Wife, p. 64, 65, 66, 67, 68. Fifthly, Of Friend and Friend, p, 69, 70. Sixthly, Of Masters and Servants, p. 71, 72, 73. Seventhly, Of Truster and Trustee, p. 74, 75. Eighthly, Of the Benefactor and Receiver, p. 76, 77. Ninthly, Of Creditor and Debtor, p. 78, 79, 80, 81. 82.
CHAP. V.
OF Justice, as it preserves the Rights of Men acquired by Legal Possession, p. 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89.
CHAP. VI.
OF Justice, in reference to the Rights of Men acquired by personal Endowments, p. 90, 91, 92, 93. And of outward Rank and Quality, p. 94. 95.
CHAP. VII.
OF Justice, in reference to the Rights of Men acquired by Compact, p. 96, 97. Wherein are prescribed some general Rules of Righteousness to Conduct our Bargains and Contracts. First, That we should use Plainness and Simplicity in our Dealings. Secondly, That we should impose upon no Man's Ignorance or Unskilfulness. Thirdly, That we should take no Advantage of another's Necessities. Fourthly, That we should not substract from the Commodity or Price, for which we have contracted. Fifthly, That we should not go to the utmost Verge of what we conceive to be lawful. Sixthly, That in doubtful Cases we should chuse the safest side, p. 98, 99, 100, 101, 102.
CHAP. VIII.
OF the Eternal Reasons whereon Justice is founded, and which render it morally good; which are these four, p. 103. First, The eternal Proportion and Congruity of Iustice to the Nature of Things, p. 104, 105, 106, 107. Secondly, The eternal Conformity of it to the Nature of God, p. 108, 109, 110, 111. Thirdly, The Agreement and Correspondency of it with the Divine Providence and Disposals, p. 112, 113, 114, 115. Fourthly, The everlasting Necessity of it to the Happiness of Men, p. 117, 118, 119, 120, &c.
CHAP. IX.
SOme Motives and Considerations against the Sinfulness and Unreasonableness of Injustice, viz. First, The great Repugnancy of it to the Terms and Conditions of the Christian Religion, p. 125, 126, 127. Secondly, The great Vanity, or Desperateness of it, p. 128, 129, 130, 131, 132. Thirdly, The manifest Inexcusableness of it in it self, p. 133, 134, 135, 136, 137. Fourthly, The Fruitlesness and Mischievousness of it to our selves, p. 140, 141, 142, 143. Fifthly, The high Provocation it gives to God, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148.
Of MERCY.
CHAP. I.
OF Mercy, as it relieves the Miseries of the Souls of Men, p. 149. Which Miseries are: First, Sorrow and Dejection of Mind, p. 150, 151, 152. Secondly, Errors and Mistakes in matters of less Importance, p. 153, 154, 155. in which Case the proper Acts of Mercy are; First, Forbearance and Toleration, p. 156, 157. And Secondly, To endeavour by all prudent and peaceable ways to rectify one anothers Mistakes, p. 158. Thirdly, Another of the Miseries of the Soul which Mercy relieves, is Blindness and Ignorance in things of the greatest Moment, p. 159, 160, 161, 162, 163, 164. Fourthly, Malice and Obstinacy of Will in mischievous and destructive Courses, p. 164, 165, 166, 167, 168, 169, 170. Fifthly, Impotency, or want of Power to recover themselves out of their vicious Courses, p. 171, 172, 173, 174. For the enforcement of which Duty are subjoyn'd the following Considerations. First, The inestimable Worth of those Souls upon which our Mercy is to be employed, p. 175, 176. Secondly, The great Interest we have in the Fate of the Souls of others, p. 177, 178. Thirdly, The mighty Influence our Mercy may have upon their Welfare, p. 179, 180, 181.
CHAP. II.
OF Mercy as it relieves the Miseries of the Bodies of Men which are reduced to five Heads: First, Natural Blemishes and Defects, p. 182, 183, 184. Secondly, Sickness and Diseases, p. 185, 186, 187. Thirdly, Outward Force and Violence from those in whose Power they are; such as Bondage and Captivity, p. 188, 189. Imprisonment, p. 190. bodily Torments and Persecutions, p. 191, 192, 193. Fourthly, Civil or Arbitrary Punishments inflicted on them for Injuries received, p. 194. In which the Law of Mercy requires us in punishing Offenders; First, That we do it with a good Intention, p. 195. Secondly, Not to exact Punishment for small and trifling Offences, p. 196. Thirdly, Not to punish an Offender, when we can do no Good by it, either to our selves, or to him, or to others, p. 197. Fourthly, Not to punish an Offender, so long as the End of punishing him is fairly attainable by gentler Means, p. 198. Fifthly, To inflict no more Punishment than what is absolutely necessary to the obtaining those good Ends we design by it, 199. Sixthly, Always to punish short of the Offence, p. 200, 201. Fifthly and Lastly, Another of the Miseries which affect Mens Bodies is want of the outward Necessaries of this present Life, wherein is shewn the proper Remedies which are to be applied to them, p. 202, 203, 204, 205.
CHAP. III.
OF Almsgiving, as to the manner of performing it; First, That it ought to be performed with a good and merciful Intention, p. 207, 208. Secondly, With Justice and Righteousness, p. 209. Thirdly, Readily and chearfully, p. 210, 211. Fourthly, liberally and bountifully, p. 212, 213. Fifthly, Timely and seasonably, p. 214, 215. Sixthly, Discreetly and prudently, p. 216, 217. which ought more particularly to guide and direct our Alms; First, In the Method of Provision of them, p. 218. Secondly, In the Choice of the Objects of them, p. 219, 220. Thirdly, In the Nature and Quality of them, p. 221. Fourthly, In stating the Proportions of them, p. 222, 223, 224, 225. Fifthly, In the manner of bestowing and conveying them, p. 226, 227. The Practice of this Duty is pressed and enforced with some Motives and Arguments, viz. First, That it is imposed upon us as a necessary Part of our Religion, p. 228, 229, 230. Secondly, That it is highly recommended to us by the Examples of God, and our Saviour, p. 231, 232, 233. Thirdly, That it is a most substantial Expression of our Love and Gratitude to God and our Saviour, p. 234, 235, 236, 237. Fourthly, That it charges an high Obligation to us, upon the Accounts of God and our Saviour, p. 238, 239, 240, 241.
CHAP. IV.
OF the eternal Reasons and Grounds of Mercy, upon which it is founded and rendred morally Good. This shewn in five particulars: First, The Suitableness of it to the Nature of God, p. 242, 243, 244, 245. Secondly, The Convenience of it with the Frame and Constitution of human Nature, p. 246, 247. An Objection against Cruelty answered, p. 248, 249, 250. Thirdly, The near and intimate Relation of those Persons to us, upon whom our Mercy is to be exercised, p. 251, 252, 253. Fourthly, The Equitableness of it to our own State and Circumstances, p. 254, 255, 256, 257. Fifthly, The Necessity of it to the tolerable Wellbeing of humane Societies, p. 258, 259, 260, 261, 262.
Of MORTIFICATION.
CHAP. I.
OF Mortification, p. 263, 264, 265. Wherein it doth consist, shewn in three particulars. First, In Abstinence from the outward Acts of Sin, p. 266. Secondly, In not consenting to any Sin, p. 267, 268. Thirdly, In a constant Endeavour to subdue our involuntary Inclinations to Sin, p. 269, 270, 271, 272.
CHAP. II.
OF the Means and Instruments of Mortification, which are reduced to these Six: First, Faith, p. 274, 275, 276. Secondly, Consideration, p. 277, 278, 279, 280, 281, 282. Thirdly, Resolution, p. 283, 284, 285, 286, 287. Fourthly, Discipline, which consists in three Things; First, In a frequent Repetition of it, p. 288, 289. Secondly, In frequent Reflection upon, and Examination of our selves, p. 290, 291. Thirdly, In keeping our selves at as great a distance from Sin, as prudently and conveniently we can, p. 292, 293, 294. Fifthly, Frequent Receiving of the Sacrament, p. 295, 296, 297, 298, 299, 300, 301. Sixthly, Constant Prayer, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306.
CHAP. III.
OF Motives to Mortification drawn from the present Mischiefs and Inconveniences which our Sins bring us into: which are first, either outward and bodily, or secondly, inward and spiritual, p. 307. The outward and bodily Inconveniences are Four: First, That Sin destroys our Health, and shortens our Lives, p. 308, 309, 310, 311. Secondly, That it stains our Reputation, p. 312, 313. Thirdly, It consumes our Estates, p. 314, 315, 316. Fourthly, It disturbs our sensual Pleasures, p. 317, 318, 319, 320. The second sort of Motives to Mortification are drawn from the present Mischiefs and Inconveniences that Sin brings upon our Souls; which are chiefly Three: First, It spoils our Understandings, p. 322, 323, 324, 325, 326, 327, 328. Secondly, It subverts the natural subordination of our Faculties, p. 329, 330, 331, 332. Thirdly, it disturbs the Tranquility of our Minds, p. 333, 334, 335, 336, 337.
CHAP. IV.
OF Helps to Mortification, given us by the Spirit of God, viz. First, The external Argument and Motives of the Gospel, p. 338, 339. Secondly, The external Providences of the Divine Spirit by which he excites us to our Duty, p. 340, 341, 342. Thirdly, The Aids and Assistances which the Holy Angels give us, who are the Agents and Ministers of the Holy Ghost, p. 343, 344, 345. Fourthly, The internal Motions and Operations of the Holy Ghost upon our Souls, p. 346, 347, 348. From the Consideration of these Benefits of the Spirit of God the following Inferences are deduced: First, The Necessity of the Spirit to enable us to mortify our Sins, p. 349, 350, 351. Secondly, The Necessity of our Concurrence with the Spirit, p. 352, 353, 354, 355. Thirdly, The Certainty of Success, p. 356, 357. Fourthly, The great Reason there is for our continual Prayers to God, p. 358, 359. Fifthly, The indispensable Necessity of our faithful and sincere Endeavours in order to the mortifying our Lusts, p. 360, 361. Sixthly, The Possibility of keeping the Commands of God, in that God by his Spirit▪ doth so powerfully Aid and Assist us, p. 362, 363. Seventhly, The Inexcusableness of Sinners, if they go on in their Wickedness, p. 364, 365, 366.
CHAP. V.
OF the Eternal Reward of Mortification. That there is a State of everlasting Life, and Happiness prepared for good Men, proved by plain and easie Arguments. First, Because the Law of our Natures hath not a sufficient Sanction without it, 367, 368, 369, 370, 371, 372. Secondly, From those Desires and Expectations of it, which do so generally and naturally arise in pure and vertuous Minds, p. 373, 374, 375, 376. Thirdly, From the Justice and Equity of the Divine Providence, p. 377, 378, 379. Fourthly, From the Revelation of his Will, which God hath made to us by Jesus Christ, p. 380, 381, 382, 383. From the Consideration of which the following Inferences, are raised; First, What an unreasonable thing it is for us Christians, immoderately to doat upon the World, p. 384, 385, 386. Secondly, How vigorous and industrious we ought to be in discharging the Duties of our Religion, p. 387, 388, 389. Thirdly, How upright and sincere we ought to be in all our Professions and Actions, p. 390, 391. Fourthly, What great reason we have to be chearful under the Afflictions and Miseries of this World, p. 392, 393, 394, 395.
CHAP. VI.
OF the Necessity of Mortification to the obtaining Eternal Life; proved, First, From God's Ordination and Appointment, p. 396, 397, 398. Secondly, From the Nature of the thing, which implies a Disagreement in wicked Souls to the future Happiness, p. 399. To evidence this Disagreement, three things are proposed, First, Wherein the Felicities of the future State do consist, p. 401, 402, 403. Secondly, What the Temper and Disposition of wicked Souls will be in the future Sate, p. 404, 405, 406, 407. Thirdly, How contrary such a Temper and Disposition must be unto such Felicities, p. 408, 409. For, First, There is in it an Antipathy and Contrariety to the Vision of God, p. 410, 411. Secondly, To the Love of God, p. 412, 413. Thirdly, To the Resemblance of God, p. 414, 415, 416. Fourthly, To the Society of the Spirits of just men made perfect, p. 417, 418. From all which these following Inferences are deduced, First, How unreasonable it is for any Man to presume upon going to Heaven, upon any account whatsoever without mortifying his Lusts, p. 419, 420, 421, 422, 423, 424, 425. 426. Secondly, The indispensable Necessity of Mortification, since it is plain we can't be happy without it, p. 426, 427, 428, 429, 430, 431. Thirdly, What is the only true and solid Foundation of our Assurance of Heaven, p. 431, 432, 433, 434, 435, 436, 437. Fourthly, What is the great design of the Christian Religion, p. 438, 439, 440, 441, 442, 443, 444, 445.