Sober Singularity — Rowland Stedman

Sober Singularity · Rowland Stedman

A TABLE OF THE CONTENTS.

SECT. I.

THE Connexion and explication of the Text. Pag. 2.

Doct. In order to keep cloſe to the Commandments of God, and for the right ordering our converſations in his preſence, it concerns us to take heed, that at no time whatſoever, we follow a Multitude to do evil. p. 6.

SECT. II.

Qu. 1. What are we to underſtand by the doing of evil?

Anſwer, In five Concluſions.

Concl. 1. This caution againſt the doing of evil, is to be taken in the greateſt latitude and comprehenſiveneſs, as it ſets againſt all degrees and kinds of ſin. p. 8.

Concl. 2. The doing of evil, is nothing elſe, but a breaking the Law of God, or walking contrary to the dictates of his revealed will. p. 9.

Concl. 3. The Commiſſion of ſin is called the doing of evil, becauſe of the malignity and deſtructiveneſs of ſin; and the evil conſequents that attend thereupon. Opened in five particulars. p. 10.

Concl. 4. All the evils perpetrated in the life of a ſinner, proceed from within, out of the native pravity, and corruption of the heart. p. 14.

Concl. 5. Although the internal and inbred corruption of the Soul, is the ſeed-plot of evil, whence it doth ſpring up: yet outward occaſions end provocatives, have a great influence to educe that corruption into exerciſe, and to the actual production of evil. p. 17.

SECT. III.

Queſt. 2. What uſual influence hath the example of a Multitude to incline a perſon to the doing of evil?

Anſ. It hath a ſeven-fold influence to that purpoſe.

Infl. 1. The Example of a Multitude doth miniſter an Argument to the ſinner, for the juſtifying of ſin. Opened in three propoſitions. p. 19.

Three Particulars inſiſted on, to deaden this influence. p. 24.

Infl. 2. The Example of a Multitude is commonly a powerful inducement to the Commiſſion of ſin, by contributing to the extenuation of the evil of ſin. p. 37.

Three Conſiderations, to abate the force of this influence. p. 29.

Infl. 3. By the practiſe of a Multitude, men are drawn to ſin, by taking incouragement from thence, to expect impunity in their ſins. p. 33.

The vanity of theſe expectations diſcovered. p. 35.

Infl. 4. Sinners are induced to follow the example of a Multitude in the commiſſion of evil; becauſe that is a ready fence againſt the ſhame, that would otherwiſe ariſe from the evil committed. p. 40.

Three things to enervate the ſtrength of this influence. p. 42.

Infl. 5. Perſons are eaſily prevailed with to follow a Multitude in their ſins, leaſt they ſhould be reproached and reviled, for diſſenting from them. p. 45.

To fence againſt the prevalency of this temptation, five things to be weighed. p. 46.

Infl. 6. Sinners are ſoon perſwaded to comply with a Multitude in ſin, leaſt they ſhould be perſecuted, and oppoſed by them. p. 52.

To abate the efficacy of this influence, three ſpecial Truths to be minded. p. 55.

Infl. 7. There is a ſecret inclination in mens ſpirits to conform to the Multitude, becauſe it is a pleaſant thing to walk with company; and in competition therewith, the wayes of holineſs, ſeem to be ſad, melancholick, and tedious wayes. p. 58.

The folly, and weakneſs of this Argumentation diſcovered. p. 59.

SECT. IV.

Qu. 3. In what caſes especially, doth it concern us to be moſt cautious and circumſpect, that we be not led into ſin by the practiſe of a Multitude?

Anſ. In ſix special Caſes.

1. In caſe of our Aunceſtours, and Fore-fathers that have gone before us. p. 62.

Five leſſons to ſet us right in this matter. p. 63.

6. In caſe of Great men, and Rulers, that are ſet over us. p. 69.

Arguments quickning to circumſpection in this respect. p. 71.

2. In caſe of neer Relations, and kindred; intimate friends, and acquaintance. p. 73.

To fortifie our ſpirits for vanquiſhing this temptation, four points to be obſerved. p. 75.

4. In caſe of Profeſſours of Religion. p. 80.

Preſervatives againſt infection, on this account. p. 82.

5. In caſe of men of excellent parts, knowledg and learning. p. 85.

Preventives againſt falling, by this ſeduction. p. 86.

6. In caſe of the Inhabitants of the places where we dwell, and the perſons amongſt whom much of our buſineſs lieth, in matters of the world. p. 90.

A ſpecial Antidote, againſt their ſeducement. p, 92.

SECT. V.

Qu. 4. What Arguments may be produced, and preſſed on our hearts, againſt compliance with a Multitude in ſin?

Arg. 1. From the ſpiritual ſtate, and condition, wherein the Multitude are, the way wherein they travel, and the place whether they are going. p. 96.

Arg. 2. From the concernment that lieth on us to prove our own ſpritual ſtate, that we are the peculiar people of God. p. 97.

This Argument opened in three gradual Propoſitions. p. 98.

Arg. 3. From the duties incumbent on us in relation to the Multitude, when they ſin; wholly inconſiſtent with complyance with them. p. 102.

Four duties of this nature mentioned. Ibid.

Arg. 4. From the danger that will ariſe, by following the example of the Multitude. p. 107.

SECT. VI.

Inferences drawn from the Doctrine.

Inf. 1. The ſervants of Chriſt muſt of neceſſity be indued with a

Spirit of courage, and fortitude. p. 109.

Inf. 2. The People of God muſt be men of ſingularity. p. 111.

A threefold ſingularity explained. p. 112.

Inf. 3. Unity, Unanimity, and Uniformity, are not in all caſes to be commended: But only where they are exerciſed, and as far as they are exerciſed in doing of Good. p. 116.

This Inference opened in 4. diſtinct Propoſitions. p. 118.

A Grand Objection againſt the fourth propoſition, Anſwered under five heads. p. 123.

SECT. VII.

Exhortation, Let us ſeriouſly weigh and ponder this leſſon, in our thoughts; and indeavour to practiſe it, in the particulars of our converſations. p. 128.

This Exhortation managed four wayes.

1. By way of Exemplification, and Inſtance, under five General Heads.

Head. 1. As to the Ground of Religion, whereon it is bottomed. The Generality of people take up the Principles and Myſteries of Religion, upon truſt: But do you ſearch the Scriptures, and build your faith upon the infallible word of the Lord. p. 131.

This point preſſed by three conſiderations p. 133.

Head. 2. In reſpect of the Matter and Subſtance of Religion, wherein it is placed, and whereunto the Multitude confine it.

This Point inlarged upon in five Inſtances.

Inſt. 1. The Multitude place the whole of their religion, in the reformation of their lives: But ſeldom or never think of the neceſſity of having their ſtate changed, or their nature ſanctified. p. 136

Three conſiderations in reference to this. p. 137.

Inſt. 2. The Multitude confine their Religion, to acts of immediate worſhip; but mind it not in their ſecular affairs. p. 138.

Motives to holineſs in our civil concernments. p. 139.

Inſt. 3. The Generality are accuſtomed to place their Religion only in external performances; but little ſtudy to ingage their hearts and ſpirits in the ſervice of God. p. 141.

Provocatives to ſpiritualneſs in Holy duties. p. 142.

Inſt. 4. Moſt people limit Religion to an abſtinence and freedom from groſs pollutions? but make no conſcience of leſſer impieties. p. 143.

The danger of living in ſmaller tranſgreſſions. p. 144.

Inſt. 5. The Multitude put Religion in obſerving of places, where the worſhip of God is performed; and think the worſhip is more acceptable, when tendered in ſuch places: But little ſtudy to get into Chriſt, or to make a right uſe of his interceſſion. p. 146.

A poſition aſſerted concerning places of worſhip. Confirmed by four conſiderations. p. 150.

Head. 3. In regard of the Method and order, wherein Religion is proſecuted, by the Multitude. p. 156.

A five-fold primacy or priority, that Religion muſt have before all other affaires. p. 157.

Head. 4. In reſpect of the Time and Seaſon, when Religion is minded.

Four inſtances given under this head.

Inſt. 1. As to Time in general. The Multitude even of thoſe that will not ſpend their time in profaneſs and debauchery, make little conſcience of ſpending their time in vanity and idleneſs. p. 159.

Reaſons quickning to the redemption of time. p. 160.

Inſt. 2. In reſpect of the ſpecial time, to be appropriated to the more immediate worſhip of God. The Multitude have been ſet on the obſervation of dayes of mans deviſing; but little concerned in the ſanctification of the Lords day. p. 163.

The Morality of the Sabbath. p. 165.

The chang of the Sabbath, and divine Inſtitution of the Lords day. p. 167.

Three further Texts of Scripture opened for confirmation of the Lords-day-Sabbath, Mat. 24.20. Pſal. 118.22, 23, 24. Heb. 4.9, 10. p. 168.

Inſt. 3. The Generality of perſons cry unto God, only in times of ſickneſs and trouble: But forget the Lord in dayes of health and proſperity. p. 179.

Inſt. 4. The Multitude neglect the preſent time, and are much addicted to procraſtinate in the concernments of eternity. p. 181.

The preſent time the moſt convenient for Repentance. p. 182.

Head. 5. Follow not the Multitude, as to particular duties, wherein they are apt to miſcarry. Eight of thoſe duties mentioned. p. 184.

SECT. VIII.

2. Directions preſcribed, for prevention of complyance with the Multitude in ſin.

Dir. 1. Be diligent in ſtudying the ſcripture, and get a clear inſight into the will of God, therein revealed. p. 196.

Dir. 2. Labour to be ſtrongly fenced againſt the importunity of ſinners. p. 197.

Dir. 3. Get that other Spirit, which the world cannot receive. p. 198.

Dir. 4. If you will not be led into ſin by the Multitude's practiſe, take heed of entertaining their principles. Ibid.

Seven corrupt and rotten Principles, embraced by the Multitude, to be diligently eradicated out of our hearts.

Princip. 1. Concerning the nature of God. p. 199.

Four ſcripture principles to be erected in the room of this. p. 200.

Princip. 2. Relating to the quality of Godlineſs. p. 204.

Three contrary principles to be ſetled in the ſtead of it. p. 206.

Princip. 3. Reſpecting the benefit ariſing from the ſervice of God. p. 208.

Conſiderations to rectifie mens apprehenſions, in this reſpect. p. 209.

Princip. 4. In reference to the way of ſalvation, and the means of coming to the kingdom of Heaven. p. 213.

Three contrary principles to be faſtned in our hearts, inſtead of this. p. 215.

Princip. 5. Touching the accommodations and comforts of this life. p. 220.

Conſiderations to prevent the embracing of this Principle. p. 221.

Princip. 6. Concerning the evil of the ſins wherein they live. p. 223.

Two interrogatories to be ſet home on the Conſcience as to this. p. 224.

Princip. 7. The laſt Principle of the multitude relates to the electing grace of God p. 226.

To ſilence corrupt reaſonings in this reſpect, four contrary Principles are to be ſetled in our ſpirits. p. 227

Dir. 5. If you would not conform to the Multitude in ſin, hold no familiar correſpondency with them. p. 232.

Dir. 6. Learn the great Goſpel Leſſon of Selfdenyal. p. 233.

SECT. IX.

3. By way of Provocative.

Motives to provoke us to watchfulneſs, that we be not inſnared in ſin by the Multitudes example. Ibid.

4. By way of Retortion.

Qu. What uſe are we to make of the ſinful practiſes of the Multitude, ſeeing we muſt not follow their example?

Anſw. Four ſpiritual Leſſons to be learnt from thence. p. 234.

ERRATA.

Pag. 42. l. 11. r. revolve. p. 52. l. 14. r. his. p. 58. l. 12. r. lonelineſs. p. 78. l. 7. r. me. p. 89. l. 24. r. are. p. 112. l. 1. r. foreign p. 116. l. 19. r. are p. 118. l. 15. r. bringing. p. 123. l. 8. r. wreſt. p. 128. l. 5. r. ſhould. p. 130. l. 26. r. of the. p. 150. l. 5. r. excellency. p. 188. l. 31. r. foreign.

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