Fourteen Sermons, Table of contents
THE SUMMARY, or CONTENTS of the several ensuing SERMONS.
Sermon I. Ad Clerum on ROM. XIV.III.
Sect. 1. THe Occasion, of the TEXT.
Sect. 2 THe Scope, of the TEXT.
Sect. 3 THe Coherence, of the TEXT. &
Sect. 4 THe Division of the TEXT.
Sect. 5 POINT. I. Of not Despising others:
Sect. 6 —Be they never so weak,
Sect. 7 —and we never so strong.
Sect. 8 —Both for the Sins sake, in the Despisers:
Sect. 9 —and for the Scandals sake, to the Despised.
Sect. 10—11. POINT. II. Of not Judging others
Sect. 12 —with the true meaning thereof: And four Reasons.
Sect. 13 viz. 1. The want of Commission— in Us.
Sect. 14 —2. The want of Skill— in Us.
Sect. 15 —3. The Uncharitableness, and of the thing it self.
Sect. 16 —4. The Scandalousness— of the thing it self.
Sect. 17 APPLICATION. To the Case in our Church: shewing
Sect. 18 1 Wherein it agreeth with that of the Romans in this Chapter;
Sect. 19—21. 2 And how it differeth from it. I. in the matter.
Sect. 22 —II. in respect of the Persons.
Sect. 23 —III. in the Practise of the Persons.
Sect. 24 —IIII. in their mutual respective Carriage. And that
Sect. 25 1. in the point of Despising. Where
Sect. 26 (The several grievances of our Brethren are proposed;
Sect. 27—29. —and answered.)
Sect. 30—37. 2. in the point of Judging.
Sect. 38. The Conclusion.
Sermon II. Ad Clerum. on ROM. III.VIII.
Sect. 1. THe Occasion, of the TEXT
Sect. 2 —Coherence, of the TEXT
Sect. 3 —Division, of the TEXT and
Sect. 4 —Summe— of the TEXT
Sect. 5 OBSERV. I. Divine Truths to be cleared from Cavil.
Sect. 6 —II. The slander of the Ministers regular Doctrine more then an ordinary slander.
Sect. 7 —III. The best Truths subject to slander.
Sect. 8 —with the Causes thereof;
Sect. 9 — and Inferences thence.
Sect. 10-12 —IIII. Every slander against the Truth, damnable.
Sect. 13-20 —V. No Evil to be done, for any good that may come thereof
Sect. 14-15.19 —Of the kinds and degrees of Evil; by way of Explication.
Sect. 16-17. —Of things (Equally & Inequally) indifferent. by way of Explication.
Sect. 18 (An useful digression)
Sect. 21-23 With some Reasons of the Point;
Sect. 24-26 —and the Inferences thence.
Sect. 27 The general Application thereof: in two Instances
Sect. 28—30 —The Former
Sect. 31—33 —The Later
Sect. 34 A more particular Application; in defence of the former Sermon.
Sect. 35 The Conclusion.
Sermon III. Ad Clerum. on 1 COR. XII.VII.
Sect. 1. THe Occasion, of the TEXT.
Sect. 2 —Coherence, of the TEXT. and
Sect. 3 —Division of the TEXT.
Sect. 4 The Explication of the Words. What is meant
Sect. 5—7 —By the Spirit, and what
Sect. 8 —by Manifestation.
Sect. 9—11 POINT. I. Spiritual Guifts, how to be understood,
Sect. 12—15 Foure Inferences from the premises.
Sect. 16 POINT. II. The conveyance of spiritual graces to us,
Sect. 17 —By way of Gift:
Sect. 18 —Not from Nature, or Desert.
Sect. 19 Inferences thence. I. General; 1. Of Thankfulness:
Sect. 20 —2. of Prayer
Sect. 21—22 —3. joyning our faithful Endeavours thereunto.
Sect. 23—25 —II. More especial. 1. To those of more eminent gifts.
Sect. 26 2. To those of meaner gifts.
Sect. 27 POINT. III. The End of Spiritual gifts: Not our own only;
Sect. 28 —But chiefly the Profit of others.
Sect. 29 Reasons hereof. I. in respect of the Giver.
Sect. 30 —II. in respect of the thing given.
Sect. 31 —III. in respect of the Receiver.
Sect. 32—34 Three Inferences thence
Sect. 35 The Conclusion.
Sermon IIII. Ad Clerum. on ROM. XIIII.XXIII.
Sect. 1. THe Coherence; and Scope of the TEXT.
Sect. 2 The Word FAITH diversly interpreted.
Sect. 3 INTERPRETATION. I. of a Justifying Faith
Sect. 4-5 —Not Proper here; although (in it selfe) True.
Sect. 6 INTERPRETATION. II. Of the Doctrine of Faith
Sect. 7 —utterly rejected. 1. as False in it selfe;
Sect. 8-9 —both in the Rigour of it,
Sect. 10 —and in the Mitigation.
Sect. 11—15 2. as Pernicious; in the Consequents.
Sect. 16 3. as having no Affinity with the present Text.
Sect. 17 INTERPRETATION. III. Of Perswasion of Judgment, asserted.
Sect. 18 —Thence sundry Questions resolved. viz.
Sect. 19 I. What is the Power of the Conscience, as concerning the Lawfulness or Unsawfulness of humane Actions.
Sect. 20 II. Whether in every thing we do, an actual consideration of the Lawfulness thereof be necessarily requisite?
Sect. 21 III. What degree of Perswasion is required for the Warranting of our Actions?
Sect. 22 IIII. Whether or no, and how forth, a man may warrantably act, with reluctancy of Conscience? Wherein is considered the Case
Sect. 22—24 —1. Of a Resolved Conscience
Sect. 25—28 —2. Of a Doubting Conscience
Sect. 29—32 (And therein sundry Objections removed.)
Sect. 33 3. Of a Scrupulous Conscience.
Sect. 34 The Conclusion.
Sermon I. Ad Magistratum. on JOB XXIX.14— 17.
Sect. 1. THe Occasion, of the TEXT.
Sect. 2 —Scope, of the TEXT.
Sect. 3 —Summe, of the TEXT. and
Sect. 4 —Division of the TEXT.
Sect. 5-6 The Magistrates I. DUTY; Zeal to Justice:
Sect. 7 —With some Examples,
Sect. 8 —and Foure Reasons thereof.
Sect. 9 DUTY II. Compassion to the Distressed:
Sect. 10 —with the Reasons,
Sect. 11 —and Extent thereof.
Sect. 12-13 DUTY III. Diligence in searching out the Truth:
Sect. 14 —with some Instances;
Sect. 15 —and Foure Reasons thereof.
Sect. 16—17 DUTY IIII. Courage in Executing Iustice:
Sect. 18 —With the Reasons thereof; I. in respect of the Laws.
Sect. 19 —2. of the Magistrate himself;
Sect. 20 —3. of the Offenders.
Sect. 21 Three main Inferences from the Premises. viz.
Sect. 22—24 I. of Direction for the Choise of Magistrates.
Sect. 25 II. of Reproof, for the neglect of the aforesaid Duties.
Sect. 26 III. of Exhortation, to the conscionable Performance of the same.
Sermon II. Ad Magistratum. on EXOD. 23.1 — 3.
Sect. 1-3. THe Necessity of treating on this Argument.
Sect. 4 —The fitness of the Text for that purpose
Sect. 5 The Division and thereof
Sect. 6 —Extent thereof
Sect. 7 POINT. I. The Accuser, not to raise a false report:
Sect. 8—11 —sundry wayes, by which it may be done.
Sect. 12 Three Reasons of the point: viz. in respect of
Sect. 13 — 1. The Sin in the Doer;
Sect. 14 —2. The Wrong, to the Sufferer;
Sect. 15 —3. The Mischiefs, to the Commonwealth.
Sect. 16 Inference. To avoid the fault: for which purpose
Sect. 17—21 —4. especial Causes thereof are discovered.
Sect. 22 POINT II. The Judge, not to receive a false report.
Sect. 23 A threefold Care requisite thereunto. I. in receiving Informations.
Sect. 24 —2. in examining Causes
Sect. 25 —3. in repressing Contentious Persons and Suits.
Sect. 26 —For which purpose the likeliest Helps are
Sect. 27 1. to reject Informations tendered without Oath;
Sect. 28 2. to temper the Rigour of Iustice with Equity;
Sect. 29 3. to punish Partiality and Collusion in the Informer.
Sect. 30 4. to allow the wronged party full satisfaction;
Sect. 31 5. to restrain abuses in their Servants and Officers.
Sect. 32 The Conclusion.
Sermon III. Ad Magistratum. on PSAL. CVI.XXX.
Sect. 1-2. THE Argument and Matter of the Psalm.
Sect. 3 The Coherence, Scope,
Sect. 4 —and Division of the TEXT.
Sect. 5-6 The History of Balak and Balaams Plot against Israel.
Sect. 7-8 —With the success thereof, both in the Sin and Punishment.
Sect. 9-10 —Zimri's Provocation; and Execution.
Sect. 11 The Person of Phinehes considered.
Sect. 12 OBSERVATION I. The Spiritual Power doth not include;
Sect. 13 —nor yet exclude the Temporal.
Sect. 14 Phinehes his Fact examined;
Sect. 15 — and justified.
Sect. 16—17 — How far forth it may be imitated.
Sect. 18 OBSERVATION II. The Zeal of Phinehes
Sect. 19 —manifested by executing judgment
Sect. 20 1. Personally.
Sect. 21 2. Speedily.
Sect. 22 3. Resolutely.
Sect. 23—25 OBSERVATION III. The plague stayed by executing judgment.
Sect. 26—28 —With Application to England.
Sect. 29 An Exhortation, to execute Iudgement:
Sect. 30 —With Particular Application
Sect. 31 1. To the Accuser;
Sect. 32 2. To the Witness;
Sect. 33 3. To the Jurer;
Sect. 34 4. To the Pleader;
Sect. 35 5. To the Officer;
Sect. 36 6. To the Judge.
Sermon I. Ad Populum. on 1 KING. 21.29.
Sect. 1. THE Coherence of the TEXT
Sect. 2 —Argument, of the TEXT and
Sect. 3 —Division of the TEXT
Sect. 4—5 From Ahabs Person and Cariage.
Sect. 6—8 OBSERVATION I. How far an Hypocrite may goe in the performance of holy Duties.
Sect. 9 Foure Inferences thence. I. of Terrour to the Profane.
Sect. 10 —II. Of Exhortation, to abound in the fruits of godliness.
Sect. 11 —III. Of Admonition, to forbear Judging.
Sect. 12 —IIII. Of Direction, for the tryal of Sincerity;
Sect. 13 —by the marks, 1. of Integrity, and
Sect. 14 — 2. of Constancy;
Sect. 15 —both joyned together.
Sect. 16—17 OBSERVATION. II. Concerning the Power of Gods word
Sect. 18 -With the Causes thereof: in respect 1. of the Instrument
Sect. 19 —2. of the Object.
Sect. 20 —3. of the fit Application of the one to the other.
Sect. 21 The Inferences thence; against those that despise the Word.
Sect. 22—23 From the success of Ahabs Humiliation.
Sect. 24 OBSERVATION III. Concerning the Reward of Common Graces:
Sect. 25 —with sundry Reasons thereof;
Sect. 26 —and Inferences thence.
Sect. 27 The main Inference. To comfort the Godly 1. against temptations from the Prosperity of the wicked;
Sect. 28 —II. against Temporal Afflictions;
Sect. 29 —III. against doubtings of their ete…nal Reward.
Sermon II. Ad Populum. on 1 King. 21.29.
Sect. 1. A Repetition of the Three Observations in the former Sermons.
Sect. 2—4 OBSERVATION IV. Concerning Gods forbearing of threatned Judgments:
Sect. 5 —Proved 1. from his proneness to Mercy;
Sect. 6 —2. from the end of his Threatnings.
Sect. 7—8 The Doubt, How this may stand with Gods Truth,
Sect. 9 —Resolved: by understanding in all his Threatnings
Sect. 10 —a Clause of Exception;
Sect. 11—12 —though not alwayes expressed.
Sect. 13—14 Inferences 1. of Comfort to the distressed.
Sect. 15 —2. of Terrour, to the Secure.
Sect. 16 —3. of Instruction, to All.
Sect. 17 Gods Promises, how to be understood;
Sect. 18 —and entertained.
Sect. 19—20 OBSERVATION V. That, though it be some grief, to foreknow the evils to come:
Sect. 21 Yet is it some happiness, not to live to see them.
Sect. 22 —with the Reason;
Sect. 23—25 —and sundry Uses thereof
Sect. 26 The Conclusion.
Sermon III. Ad Populum. on 1 Kings 21.29.
Sect. 1—2 THE grand Doubt concerning Gods Iustice proposed.
Sect. 3 CERTAINTY I. All the ways of God are just.
Sect. 4—5 —II. Temporal Evils not the proper adequate punishments of sin.
Sect. 6—7 —3. All Evils of Pain, howsoever considered,
Sect. 8 —are for sin: and that
Sect. 9 —for the sin of the sufferer himself.
Sect. 10 How the punishing of the Fathers sin upon the Children,
Sect. 11 —can stand with the justice of God.
Sect. 12—16 CONSIDERATION I. That they are punished with temporal Punishments only, not with Spiritual or Eternal.
Sect. 13—15 (An Objection answered.
Sect. 17 CONSIDERATION II. That such Punishments befall them: Either
Sect. 18—21 1. As continuing in their Fathers sin, Or
Sect. 22 2. As possessing something from their Fathers, with Gods curse cleaving thereunto.
Sect. 23—25 CONSIDERATION III. A distinction of Impulsive Causes,
Sect. 26 —explained by a familiar Example;
Sect. 27 —and applyed to the present Argument.
Sect. 28 Seeming Contradictions of Scripture herein,
Sect. 29 —how to be reconciled ▪
Sect. 30 —with an Exemplary Instance thereof.
Sect. 31—32 The Resolution of the main doubt.
Sect. 33 Three Duties inferred from the Premises. 1. To live well (as for our own, so even) for Posteritie's sake also.
Sect. 34 II. To grieve (as for our own, so) for our Forefathers sins also.
Sect. 35 III. To endeavour to hinder sin in others.
Sermon IV. Ad Populum. on 1 Cor. 7.24.
Sect. 1. THE Occasion and Scope of the TEXT.
Sect. 2-3 The Pertinency, and Importance of the matter to be handled;
Sect. 4—5 —viz. of mens Particular Callings, and what is meant thereby.
Sect. 6 POINT I. The necessity of living in a Calling.
Sect. 7 Reasons hereof. I. in respect of the Ordinance;
Sect. 8 —and Gifts of God.
Sect. 9 —II. in respect of the Person himself.
Sect. 10— 14 —III. in respect of others.
Sect. 15 Inference; for reproof of such as live idly without a Calling.
Sect. 16—17 as viz. 1. Idle Monks and Friars.
Sect. 18—20 … 2. Idle Gallants.
Sect. 21—22 — 3. Idle Beggars.
Sect. 23—24 POINT. II. Concerning the Choyce of a Calling.
Sect. 25 That is our proper Calling, whereunto God calleth us; and
Sect. 26 —by what enquiries that may be known.
Sect. 27 ENQUIRY I. concerning the Employment it self: — 1. Whether it be honest and lawful, or no?
Sect. 28 —2. Whether it be fit, to be made a Calling, or no?
Sect. 29 —3. Whether it tend to common Utility, or no?
Sect. 30 (The Usurers Calling examined by these Rules.
Sect. 32—33 II. Concerning our fitness for that employment.
Sect. 34 — 1. in respect of our Education.
Sect. 35—36 — 2. in respect of our Abilities.
Sect. 37— 39 — 3. in respect of our Inclinations.
Sect. 40 III. Concerning the Providential Opportunities we have thereunto:
Sect. 41—43 wherein is shewed the great importance of an outward Calling.
Sect. 44 POINT III. Concerning the Abiding in our Callings.
Sect. 45—46 — 1. what is not, meant thereby.
Sect. 47—49 —2. and what is, meant thereby.
Sect. 50—52 —3. The abiding therein with God, what.
Sect. 53 The Conclusion.
Sermon V. Ad Populum on 1 Tim. 4.4.
Sect. 1. THE Coherence, of the TEXT.
Sect. 2 —Scope; of the TEXT. and
Sect. 3 —Division of the TEXT.
Sect. 4—6 OBSERVATION I. Concerning the Goodness of the Creature.
Sect. 7 Inferences thence. I. God not the Author of Evil.
Sect. 8 —II. The goodness of God seen in the glass of the Creatures.
Sect. 9-10 —III. The Creatures not to be blamed.
Sect. 11—13 OBSERVATION II. Concerning the Liberty and Right we have to the Creatures.
Sect. 14 — 1. By Creation:
Sect. 15 — 2. By Redemption.
Sect. 16 Much impleaded. 1. by Judaisme;
Sect. 17— 19 —2. by the Church of Rome.
Sect. 20—32 The Extent of this Liberty in Eight Positions:
Sect. 33 OBSERVATION III. The Creatures to be received with Thanks-giving.
Sect. 34— 37 The Duty of Thanksgiving, Explained; and
Sect. 38 — Enforced: 1. as an Act of Justice
Sect. 39—42 —2. as an Act of Religion.
Sect. 43—44 INFERENCES I. For Conviction of our unthankfulness to God:
Sect. 45—46 1. for want of Recognition, with 2 degrees of each.
Sect. 47—48 2. for want of Estimation, with 2 degrees of each.
Sect. 49—51 3. for want of Retribution, with 2 degrees of each.
Sect. 52 —II. Six Motives to Thankfulness: taken from
Sect. 53 —1. The Excellency of the Duty.
Sect. 54 —2. The Continual Effluence of Gods benefits.
Sect. 55 —3. Our Future Necessities.
Sect. 5… —4. Our Misery in Wanting.
Sect. 57 — 5. Our Importunity in Asking.
Sect. 58 —6. The Freedome of the gift.
Sect. 59 III. To avoid those things that hinder our Thankfulness: which are chiefly
Sect. 60 1. Pride.
Sect. 61 2. Envy.
Sect. 62 3. Ryotous living.
Sect. 63 4. Wordly Cares.
Sect. 64 5. Procrastination.
Sect. 65 IIII. To be thankful for Spiritual blessings.
Sermon VI. Ad Populum. on Gen. 20.6.
Sect. Sect. 1. THE Occasion, of the TEXT.
Sect. 2 —Scope, of the TEXT. and
Sect. 3 —Division, of the TEXT.
Sect. 4 Of the Nature and Use of Dreams.
Sect. 5—6 The Former Part of the TEXT explained.
Sect. 7 OBSERVATION I. The grievousness of the sinne of Adultery;
Sect. 8—10 —and of Fornication, Compared.
Sect. 11— 12 OBSERVATION II. How far Ignorance doth, or doth not excuse from sin.
Sect. 13— 16 — instanced in this fact of Abimelech.
Sect. 17 Inferences thence. I. Concerning the Salvation of our Forefathers.
Sect. 18— 19 (Two Doubts removed.
Sect. 20 — II. Not to flatter our selves in our Ignorance.
Sect. 21 —III. Of sins done with Knowledge.
Sect. 22—24 OBSERVATION III. Moral Integrity may be in the heart of an unbeliever
Sect. 25 —with the Reason thereof.
Sect. 26 Inferences thence. I. A shame for Christians to fall short of Heathens in their Morals.
Sect. 27 —II. Particular Actions no certain foreign of Sincerity.
Sect. 28 —III. The acquital of Conscience no sufficient justification.
Sect. 29 The Later Part of the TEXT opened.
Sect. 30 OBSERVATION IV. Boncerning Gods Restraint of sin in men.
Sect. 31 —with the different measure and means thereof.
Sect. 32 1. That there is such a Restraint.
Sect. 33—34 2. That it is from God.
Sect. 35 3. That it is from the Mercy of God; and therefore called Grace.
Sect. 36 Inferences from the consideration of Gods Restraint:
Sect. 37 I. As it lyeth upon others. 1. to bless God for our Preservation;
Sect. 38 —2. not to trust wicked men too farre.
Sect. 39 — 3.—nor to fear them too much.
Sect. 40 —4. to endevour to restrain others from sinning.
Sect. 41 II. as it lyeth upon our selves. 1. To be humble under it.
Sect. 42 —2. to entertain the means of such restraint with Thankfulness.
Sect. 43 —3. to pray, that God would restrain our Corruptions.
Sect. 44 —4.—but especially to pray and labour for sanctifying grace.
Sermon VII. Ad Populum. on 1 Pet. 2.16.
Sect. 1-2 THE Occasion, Scope, of the TEXT.
Sect. 3—5 —Coherence, of the TEXT. and
Sect. 6 —Division — of the TEXT.
Sect. 7—8 OBSERVATION I. Christian Liberty to be maintained.
Sect. 9—12 —with the Explication,
Sect. 13—17 —and Five Reasons thereof.
Sect. 18—20 Inferences I. Not to usurp upon the Liberty of others:
Sect. 21—24 —II.—Nor to betray our own.
Sect. 25 OBSERVATION II. Christian Liberty not to be abused.
Sect. 26—28 —The words explained: and thence
Sect. 29—31 —Three Reasons of the point.
Sect. 32—34 Foure abuses of Christian Liberty. viz. I. by casting off the obligation of the moral Law.
Sect. 35—36 -II. by exceeding the bounds of Sobriety.
Sect. 37 —III. by giving Scandal to others.
Sect. 38 —IIII. by disobeying Lawful Superiours.
Sect. 39—40 The grounds and Objections of the Anti-Ceremonians
Sect. 41—46 —propounded and particularly answered.
Sect. 47—50 How mens Lawes binde the Conscience.
Sect. 51—2 OBSERVATION III. We being the servants of God: Which is of all other
Sect. 53—4 1. the most Just, Service;
Sect. 55 2. the most Necessary, Service;
Sect. 56—57 3. the most Easy, Service;
Sect. 58 4. the most Honourable, Service;
Sect. 59 5. and the most Profitable, Service;
Sect. 60 Ought to carry our selves, as his servants: with all
Sect. 61—63 I. Reverence to his Person; in 3 branches.
Sect. 62—64 II. Obedience to his Will: both in Doing, and Suffering.
Sect. 65—68 III. Faithfulness in his Business; in 3 branches.
Sect. 69 The Conclusion.