Thirty-Six Sermons, Summary of contents – Collection of sermons 2
THE CONTENTS, or SUMMARY Of the several ensuing SERMONS.
Sermon I. Ad Aulam, on ECCLES. vii. 1.
Sect. 1 FCclesiastes; the Preachers Sermon;
2—or Solomons Paradoxes.
3-6 The use of Rhetorical Exornations in Sermons.
7-10 THE WORDS OF THE TEXT severally explained.
11-12 A good Name to be preferred before the most precious Oyntments; As,
13-14 -1. being a more peculiar blessing.
15-16 -2. yielding more solid content.
17-18 -3. enabling to worthier performances.
19-22 -4. being of larger extention, both for Place and Time:
23-25 Yet not to be preferred before a good Conscience.
26-27 THE INFERENCES: 1. The sin of those that rob others of their good Names.
28-29 -2. The folly of those, that value any outward things above a good Name.
30-31 -3. That it is not enough for a man, that he can satisfie his own Conscience in what he doth. But
32 -4. There ought to be a great care had also of preserving a good Name, And that upon these
33 CONSIDERATIONS. I. That it is our bounden Duty.
34-5 -2. That by our care much may be done in it.
36 -3. That a good name lost is of hard recovery.
37, &c. Some RULES OF DIRECTION tending as helps thereunto.
Sermon II. Ad Aulam, on PROV. xvi. 7.
Sect. 1. THe Sum and Division of THE TEXT.
2—6 The Words in the former part of the Text explained.
7 POINT I. The necessity of seeking to PLEASE God.
8—9.—both in point of Duty (and Relations;)
10—11—and in point of Wisdom (and Benefit.)
12—14 POINT II. God is pleased with our ways; wherein he findeth—1. Conformity to his ways,
15—16—2. and Obedience to his Will.
17—notwithstanding their imperfection.
18—1. as being his own work in us; and
19—2. beholding them as in the face of Christ.
20 The Inference; for comfort.
21 The Words in the latter part of the Text explained.
22—24 POINT III. God procureth the peace of those that please him.
25—Their own endeavour (subordinately) concurring.
26—8 A grand Objection removed.
29 FOUR INFERENCES briefly touched.
30 A FIFTH INFERENCE farther considered: for the preventing of a double fallacy; to wit,
31—2—1. that of imputing our sufferings wholly to the injustice of others.
32—4—2. that, of thinking the better of our selves and our own ways, because we have Enemies.
35 The Conclusion.
Sermon III. Ad Aulam, on 1 PET. ii. 17.
Sect: 1—3. THe Scope, and Division of THE TEXT.
4—8 The Duty of HONOURING ALL MEN, explained.
9—10—and enforced; by Reasons taken 1. from Justice,
11—2. from Equity,
12—14—3. from Religion.
15 A REPROOF 1. of those that honour none but themselves.
16—17—2. of those that honour none but their Superiors.
18, &c.—3. of those that limit the duty with a condition, Si meruerint.
24—26—Who are meant by THE BROTHERHOOD.
37, &c.—and what by loving the brotherhood.
30 Two grounds of this duty, viz. 1. Their Goodness in themselves.
31, &c.—their Nearness to us; in sundry relations.
36, &c. We may in loving the Brethren, prefer some:
39, &c.—But not exclude any.
Sermon IV. Ad Aulam, on PSALM xix. 13.
Sect. 1—3. A General view of the xix. PSALM.
4—6 The Scope and Division of the Text.
7 The reading considered and cleared.
8 Of Presumption in General.
9—11 Of the Sin of Presumption, materially taken.
12—14 From the distinction of Sins; of Ignorance, Infirmity, and Presumption.
15—18—Severally Exemplified:
19 The nature of Presumptuous Sins declared.
20—24 The heinousness of Presumptuous Sins declared by sundry Intimations in the Text;
25—and by Reasons drawn, partly from their Cause;
26—27—partly from their evil Effects.—1. before Repentance,
28—2. at the time of Repentance,
29—32—3. after Repentance.
33 For the avoiding of Presumptuous Sins;
34 with our Prayers to God,
35 we are to joyn our own Endeavours.
Four Particular Rules for direction herein, viz.
36—1. Do nothing against Conscience.
37—38—2. Get the mastery of thine own Will.
39—43—3. Beware of Engagements to Sin.
44—45—4. Resolve not to yield to any Temptation.
46 The Conclusion.
Sermon X. Ad Aulam, I. Ser. on PHIL. iv. 11.
Sect. 1—4. THe occasion, Scope,
5—Paraphrase and
6—Division of the Text.
7—12 Four Observations from the Apostles Protestation.
13—14 The Nature of Contentment gathered from the Text in three Particulars, viz.
15—16 I. That a man be content with his own Estate, without coveting that which is anothers.
17—19 Illustrated by Examples both ways:
20—21 and proved from Grounds both of Justice,
22—and Charity.
23 Not all desire of that which is anothers forbidden.
24—but the Inordinate only: Whether in respect
25—26 1.—Of the Object, of the Desire.
27—29 2.—The Act, or of the Desire.
30—31 3.—The Effects of the Desire.
32 The Inference thence,
33 II. That a man be content with his present Estate.
34 Because 1. That only is properly his own.
35 2. All looking beyond that disquieteth the mind.
36 3. The present is ever best.
37—38 The Duty pressed:
39—40—and the misunderstanding of it prevented.
41 III. That a man be content with any Estate:
42—44 with the Reasons thereof,
45, &c.—and Inferences thence.
Sermon VI. Ad Aulam, II. Serm. on PHIL. iv. 11.
Sect. 1-3 THe Art of Contentment,
4 1. Not from Nature,
4 2.—Institution,
6 3.—or Outward Things.
7—But from God: who teacheth it us,
8—1. by his Spirit:
9—2. by his Promises:
10, &c.—3. by the Rod of Discipline.
12 Inferences. I. Where this learning is to be had.
13 II. Sundry motives thereunto.
14 III. The Trial of our proficiency therein, by Six Marks;
15—1. The despising of unjust gain.
16—2. The moderating of worldly Desires and Care.
17—3. The careful using and of what we have.
18—4. the charitable dispensing of what we have.
19—5. The bearing both of wants with patience.
20, &c.—6.—and losses—with patience.
22 Seven Helps, to further us in this Learning.
23—24—1. A right perswasion of the Goodness and Truth of God.
25—2. A through sense of our own unworthiness.
26—3. Thankfulness for what we have.
27—4. A prudent comparing of our Estates with other mens.
28—5. To consider the vanity of all outward things.
29—30—6. Sobriety in a frugal and temperate use of the Creature.
31—7. To remember, that we are but Pilgrims here.
Sermon VII. Ad Aulam, on ISA. lii. 3.
Sect. 1. THe Sum and Division of the Text.
2—4 Part I. Mans Sale.
5 Inferences thence: To take knowledge, 1. of our Misery, therein.
2 2. and Presumption therein.
7 The Materials of the Contract: viz.
8—10 I. The Commodity; and therein our Baseness.
11—15 II. The Price; and therein our Folly.
15—18 An Objection by way of Excuse, removed.
19—24 III. The Consent; and therein our Inexcusableness.
25 PART II. Mans Redemption wrought.
26 I. EFFECTUALLY. Wherein are considered,
27 1. The Power, of the Redeemer.
28 2. The Love, of the Redeemer.
29 3. The Right, of the Redeemer.
30 And thence Inferred a threefold Duty: viz. 1. of Affiance, relatively to his Power.
31 2. of Thankfulness, relatively to his Love.
32 3. of Service relatively to his Right.
33 II. FREELY. As to us; who payed nothing towards it:
34—37 But yet a valuable price payed by our Redeemer.
38 Inferences thence: To exclude Merit.
39—But not Endeavours.
40 The Conclusion.
Sermon VIII. Ad Aulam, on ROM. xv. 5.
Sect. 1—2 THe Scope and Division of the Text.
3—5 THE FORMALITY of the Prayer. Observations thence, viz. I. Prayer to be joyned with Instruction.
6—9 II. God the only Author of Peace.
10 III. Concerning the Style FIVE ENQUIRIES, viz.
11—13 1. Why the God of Patience?
14—16 2.—Why of Consolation?
17—19 3. Of the Choice of these two Attributes;
20 4.—Their Conjunction;
21 5.—and Order.
22 In the matter of the Prayer; three Particulars.
23 I. THE THING prayed for: viz. Like mindedness,
24—26—Opened;
27—and Pressed, upon these Considerations.
28 1. That we are members of the same Body,
29 2.—and of the same Family.
30 3. That it forwardeth the building up of Gods Church.
31—33 4.—but the want of it giveth Scandal to the Enemies thereof.
34—35 II. The FORMER QUALIFICATION: importing an agreement, 1. Universal,
36—38 2. Mutual.
39—40 III. The Later QUALIFICATION: importing an agreement, 1. according unto Truth and Godliness.
41—42 2. after The Example of Christ.
43 The Conclusion.
Sermon IX. Ad Aulam, on 1 TIM. iii. 16.
Sect. 1—4. THe Occasion, Scope and Division of THE TEXT.
5—6 Of the word Mystery.
7 I. POINT. The Gospel A GREAT MYSTERY. Because.
8—9—1. it could not have been known;
10—13—2. had it not been revealed, and
14—15—3. being revealed, cannot be perfectly comprehended.
16—17 INFERENCES thence, I. Reason not to be the measure of Faith.
18—19 II. Disquisition of Truth to be within the bounds of Sobriety.
20—21 III. Offence not to be taken at the difference of Opinions among Christians.
22—23 II. POINT. Christianity a Mystery of Godliness: In regard
24—26 1. both of the general Scope thereof;
27 2. and of the special Parts thereof;
28 3. and the means of conserving it.
29—31 INFERENCES thence, I. for the trial of Doctrines:
32—33—with application to the present Church of England.
34 II. For the ordering of our Lives.
35 The Conclusion.
Sermon X. Ad Aulam, on PSAL. cxix. 75.
Sect. 1. THe Division of THE TEXT.
2—6 What is meant by the Judgments of God.
7 POINT I. The righteousness of Gods Judgments, 1. as proceeding from him;
8—9 2. as deserved by us.
10 INFERENCES thence. 1. Not to murmur against the ways of Gods providence.
11 2. but to submit our wills to his.
12—14 Davids many troubles:
15—17—and God the causer thereof.
18 POINT II. That God causeth his servants to be troubled, it is out of his faithfulness: whether we respect
19 1. his Promises,
20—22 2. or their Relations.
23 The Inference thence: To bear troubles chearfully.
24—25 POINT III. The faithfulness of God in sending troubles evidenced from.
26—30 1. The End, he aimeth at therein.
31—34 2. The Proportion, he holdeth therein.
35—36 3. The Issues, he giveth thereout.
Sermon XI. Ad Aulam. I. Ser. on 1 COR. x. 23.
Sect. 1—2. THe Scope and Division of the Text.
3—4 All things meant of Indifferent things only.
5 What things are Indifferent.
6—8 POINT I. The Liberty we have to indifferent things.
9—10 The Error of those that over-much restrain this Liberty
11—14—blamed: as 1. unrighteous in it self;
15—22—2. Dangerous in the Consequents.
23 With some APPLICATION to this Church.
24 The chief Causes of that Error discovered:
25—27—viz. 1. Ignorance,
28—30 2. and Partiality.
31 POINT II. All Christians have title to this Liberty:
32—The Unregenerate as well as the Godly;
33—35—And the Clergy, as the Laity.
36 The Conclusion.
Sermon XII. Ad Aulam, II. Ser. on 1 COR. x. 23.
Sect. 1—2. THe Scope and Division of the Text.
3—5 OBSEKV. I. Expediency not considerable, but in Lawful things only.
6—Illustrated by the contrary Examples of David:—In the matter of Saul;
7—and in the matter of Uriah.
8—11 THE INFERENCE thence. Not to do any unlawful thing, seem it never so expedient.
12 OBSERV. II. Things otherwise lawful, to be forborn when they are inexpedient.
13—16 What Expedience is:
17—and how it differeth from lawfulness.
18 THE INFERENCE. Expediency to be examined in all other actions, as well as Lawfulness.
19—21 Two important Reasons thereof.
22—23 OBSERV. III. Edification the measure of Expediency.
24—27 what is Edification.
28—29 In the exercise of Liberty; much left to the Discretion, and to the Charity of particular men.
30—33
34—35 A necessary Caution: touching the Authority of Superiours in different things.
36—41 The Cases of Obedience and Scandal compared.
24, &c. Our whole Duty for Practice summed up in Three Rules.
Sermon XIII. Ad Aulam, on ROM. xv. 6.
Sect. 1—2. THe Scope and Division of the Text.
3—9 The words [That you may glorifie God] opened in Six Particulars.
10—11 POINT I. The Glory of God to be intended as our chiefest End.
12 Reas. 1. as being the chiefest Good.
13—2. and that whereunto we are both in Duty,
14—3. and Wisdom obliged.
15 Inferences of Admonition. That we do not either—1. bestow upon any Creature; any of that Glory which is due to God.
16—2. or draw to our selves, any of that Glory which is due to God.
17—3. or accept, if cast upon us by others, any of that Glory which is due to God.
18—19—4. nor entitle the glory of God to our own passion or interests,
20—22—with some application hereof.
23—24 POINT II. God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. With the Reasons, both of the Style it self;
25—26—And why it is here used;
27 POINT III. God to be glorified of us: first with the mind;
28—and then with the mouth.
29 POINT IV. God is much glorified▪ by Christian unity and Likemindedness.
30—31—Illustrated: from the resemblance of Musick;
32—33—and from the resemblance of Building;
34—35—and that in regard both of Dispatch;
36—37—and Strength.
38 The Conclusion.
Sermon XIV. Ad Aulam, on PSAL. xxvii. 10.
Sect. 1—2. THe Scope and Division of the Text.
3 The words in the former part of the Text opened.
4 POINT I. A possibility of failing in all worldly helps.
5—7 I. Either out of Choice; Instanced—1. in Parents,
8—9 2. and all other Friends;
10—12 Or out of Necessity.
13—15 The Inference. Not to trust in any Creature.
16 The words in the latter part of the Text opened.
17 POINT II. Gods help ready, when all others fail.
18 Proved 1. by Instances;
19 2. by Reasons: taken partly from the Nature of God; viz.
20—22 1. his Love,
23—24 2. his Wisdom,
25 3. his Power,
26 4. his Eternity;
27—28—Partly from his Promises.
29—32 Inferences thence.
33 The Conclusion.
Sermon XV. Ad Aulam, on LUKE. xvi. 8.
Sect. 1. THe Scope of the whole Parable,
2—and of the Text in particular.
3 The Division of the Text.
4 POINT I. The persons here compared, and opposed.
5 I. Who are meant by the children of the world.
6—8—and why they are so called.
9—13 II. What is meant by Light.
14—15—and who by Children of Light.
16 The Inference, from their Opposition.
11—18 POINT II. the children of the world wiser than the children of Light. As being
19 1. More Sagacious; than they.
20 2. More Industrious; than they.
21 3. More Cunning; than they.
22—23 4. More United, than they.
24——28——with sundry Reasons thereof:
29 Two Inferences thence; 1. Not to be scandalized at their prosperous successes.
30—31 2. But to emulate their wisdom.
32—33 POINT III. The Worldlings wisdom but folly.
34——Proved; and
35—discovered in sundry particulars.
Sermon XVI. Ad Aulam, on HEB. xii. 3.
Sect. 1—3. THe Occasion, Coherence, Scope,
4—and Division of the Text.
5—6 The former general part. Wherein 4 Particulars; viz.
I. The Malady; Weariness.
7—12 II. The Inward Cause; Faintness.
13—18 III. The part affected; The Soul or Mind,
19—22—with the Inference thence.
23—24 IV. The Persons: and what fear there might be of their fainting under the Cross: in regard
25 1. Of the greatness of the Trial.
26—29 2. Of the natural Frailty of man.
30 3. Of the neglect of watchfulness and preparation.
31—32 4. Of Gods disertion.
33—35 The Inference thence.
36—37 A Caution: concerning the lawfulness of shunning afflictions:
38—43——sundry Objections to the contrary answered.
44, &c. A short view of the chief heads contained in the Second General Part.
Sermon I. Ad Magistratum. I. Ser. on PROV. xxiv. 10.—12.
Sect. 1. THe Scope and
2—3 Division of the Text.
4—5 The main duty, The delivering of the Oppressed, proposed and proved
6 The Necessity thereof inferred from divers considerations; Some respecting
7—8 I. God; viz. 1. his Command.—2. his Example.
12—13 II. Our selves, viz. The power we have;
14—2. the need we may have.
15—16 III. Those that are oppressed; viz. 1. The greatness of their distress
17—2. the paucity of their friends.
18—22—3. the equity of their Cause.
23—26 IV. The Effects of the Duty; viz. 1. Honour to the Calling.
27 2. the blessing of the poor upon the Person.
28 3. a reward from God for the Work.
29—32 4. Mercy to the Land.
33—34 The Sum of all, and the Conclusion.
Sermon II. Ad Magistratum, II. Ser. on PROV. xxiv. 10.—12.
Sect. 1. THe Scope, and
2—5—Division of the Text.
6 Three Points proposed to be handled.
7 I. POINT. The Excuse [We knew it not] may be sometimes just, Either through
8 I. Ignorance of the Fact. When the oppressed
9 either have not 1. the Opportunity, to complain.
10 either have not 2. the Mind to complain.
11 II. Doubtfulness in point of Right. Through 1. uncertainty of the Evidence,
12 2. defect of proofs,
13 3. artifices to becloud the Truth.
14—15 III. Inability to help. Through.
16—18 1. some defect in the Laws,
19—20 2. the iniquity of the Times.
21—24 Inferences thence. 1. Governours not to be rashly censured, if all be not remedied,
25 2.—nor discouraged, if they have done their part towards it.
26—27 II. POINT. That Excuse sometimes but pretended.
28—29—Referred therefore to the judgment of the heart.
30—32 III. POINT. That Excuse, where it is causelesly pretended, of no avail with God. Because it can
33 1. neither escape his search,
34 2. nor avoid his knowledge,
35 3. nor exempt from his punishment.
36 The Inference thence.
Sermon III. Ad Magistratum, on 1 SAM. xii. 3.
Sect. 1—3. THe Occasion,
4—Scope, and
5—7—Division of the Text.
8 POINT I. Samuels voluntary offering himself to the trial;
9—13—Five probable Reasons thereof.
14—15 POINT II. Samuels confidence of his own Integrity.
16—18 The Inference and Application.
19—21 POINT III. Samuels Justice, I. In disclaiming all unjust gain. II. In general.
22—24—With the general inference thence,
25—26—and special application to Judicature,
27—30—in the Particulars; viz. 1. Fraud,
31—34 2. Oppression,
35—39 3. Bribery,
49—41 (a special property whereof is to blind the eyes.)
42, &c. III. In offering Restitution.
Sermon VIII. Ad Populum, on PROV. xix. 21.
Sect. 1—3. BEtween Gods ways and ours,
4—5 Three remarkeable Differences in the Text.
7—14 DIFF. I. in their Names,
15—17—II. in their Number.
18—21 III. in their manner of Existing.
22 REASONS thereof: taken from
23—24 1. The Soveraignty of God.
25—26 2. The Eternity of God.
27—28 3. The Wisdom of God.
29—30 4. The Power of God.
31 INFERENCES thence:
32—3 The First.
34 The Second.
35—37 The Third.
38—39 The Fourth.
40—41 The Fifth.
42 An Objection
43—44—Answered.