Thirty-Six Sermons, Summary of sermons – Collection of sermons 1
THE SUMMARY, of CONTENTS Of the several ensuing SERMONS.
Sermon I. Ad Clerum▪ on Rom. 14. 3.
Sect. 1.
THE Occasion, of the TEXT.
2
—Scope, of the TEXT.
3
—Coherence, of the TEXT.
4
—and Division▪ of the TEXT.
5
POINT I. Of not Despising others:
6
—Be they never so weak,
7
—and we never so strong.
8
—Both for the Sins sake, to the Despisers:
9
—and for the Scandals sake in the Despised.
10-11
POINT II. Of not Judging others,
12
—with the true meaning thereof: And four Reasons.
13
viz. 1. The want of Commission—in Us.
14
—2. The want of Skill——in Us.
15
—3. The Uncharitableness, and of the thing it self.
16
—4. The Scandalousness—of the thing it self.
17
APPLICATION. To the Case in our Church: shewing,
18
1. Wherein it agreeth with that of the Romans in this Chapter;
19-21
2. And how it differeth from it, I. in the matter.
22
—II. in respect of the Persons.
23
—III. in the Practice of the Persons.
24
—IV. in their mutual respective Carriage. And that
25
1. in the point of Despising. Where
26
(The several grievances of our Brethren are proposed;
27-29
—and answered.)
30-37
2. in the point of Judging.
38
The Conclusion.
Ser…on II. Ad …
Sect. 1
THE Occasion, of the TEXT.
2
—Coherence, of the TEXT.
3
—Division and of the TEXT.
4
—Summe—of the TEXT.
5
OBSERV. I. Divine Truths to be cleared from Cavil.
6
—II. The slander of the Ministers regular Doctrine more than an ordinary Slander.
7
—III. The best Truths subject to slander:
8
—with the Causes thereof;
9
—and Inferences thence… O
10—12
—IV. Every slander against the Truth, damnable.
13—20
—V. No Evil to be …one for any good that may come thereof.
1…—15—19
—Of the kinds an… de…ees of Evil … by way of Explications
1…-17
—Of things (Equally … Inequally) …n…ifferent by way of Explications
18
(An useful Digression)
21-23
With some Reasons of the Point;
24-26
and the Inferences thence.
27
The general Application thereof: in two Instances.
28-30
—The Former▪
31-33
—The Latter
34
A more particular Application; in defence of the former Sermon.
35
The Conclusion.
Sermon III. Ad Clerum, on 1 Cor. 12. 7.
Sect. 1.
THE Occasion, of the TEXT.
2
—Coherence, and of the TEXT.
3
—Division—of the TEXT.
4
The Explication of the Words▪ What is meant
5-7
—By the Spirit▪ and what
8
—by Manifestation.
9-11
POINT I. Spiritual Gifts, how to be understood,
12-15
—Four Inferences from the premisses.
16
POINT II. The conveyance of spiritual graces to us,
17
—by way of Gift▪
18
—Not from Nature, or Desert.
19
Inferences thence▪ I. General; 1. Of Thankfulness;
20
—2. Of Prayer.
21-22
—3. joyning our faithful Endeavours thereunto.
23-25
—II. more especial. 1. To those of more eminent gifts.
26
To those of meaner gifts.
27
POINT III. The End of Spiritual gifts: Not our own only;
28
—… chiefly th… profit of others▪
29
—Reasons hereof. I. in respect of the Giver.
30
—II. in respect of …he …hing giv…n
31
—III. in respect of the Receiver
32-34
Three In…erences the thence…
35
The Conclusion.
Sermon IV. Ad Cl…rum, on Rom. 14. 23.
Sect. 1.
THE Coherence, and Scope▪ of the TEXT.
2
The word FAITH diversly interpreted.
3
INTERPRETATION I▪ of justifying Faith.
4-5
—Not Proper he… …lthough (in it self) True.
6
INTERPRETATION II▪ Of the Doctrine of Faith
7
—utterly re…ec…d▪ … ▪ …s False in it self;
8-9
—…ot… in the Rigour of it,
10
—… the M…ig…ion
11-15
2. as Per…cious▪ … the Consequents.
16
3. as having no … with … resent Text.
17
INTERPRETATION III. Of Perswasion of Judgment asserted.
18
—Thence sundry Questions resolved, viz.
19
I. What is the Power of the Conscience, as concerning the Lawfulness or unlawfulness of humane actions.
20
II. Whether▪ in every thing we do … actual consideration of the Lawfulness thereof be necessarily requisite?
21
III. What degree of Perswasion is required for the Warranting of our Actions?
22
IV. Whether or no, and how f…r forth, a m…n may warrantably act with reluctancy of Conscience? Wher…n is considered the Case
23-24
—1. Of a Resolved Conscience,
25-28
—2. Of a Doubting Conscience
29-30
(And therein sundry▪ Objections removed)
33
3. Of a Scrupulous Conscience.
34
The Conclusion.
Sermon I. Ad Magistratum, on Job 29. 14.—17.
Sect. 1.
THE Occasion, of the TEXT.
2
—Scope, of the TEXT.
3
—Sum, and of the TEXT.
4
—Division of the TEXT.
5-6
The Magistrates I. DUTY; Zeal to Justice:
7
—with some Examples.
8
—and Four Reasons thereof.
9
DUTY II. Compassion to the Distressed;
10
—with the Reasons,
11
—and Extent thereof.
12-13
DUTY III. Diligence in searching out the Truth:
14
—with some Instances;
15
—and Four Reasons thereof.
16-17
DUTY IV. Courage in Executing Iustice:
18
—With the Reasons thereof; 1. in respect of the Laws;
19
—2. of the Magistrate himself;
20
—3. of the Offenders.
21
Three main Inferences from the Premisses, viz.
22-22
I. of Direction for the Choice of Magistrates.
25
II. of Reproof, for the neglect of the aforesaid Duties.
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.
4
—The fitness of the Text for that purpose.
5
The Division and thereof.
6
—Extent thereof.
7
POINT I. The accuser, not to raise a false report.
8-11
—sundry ways, by which it may be done.
12
Three Reasons of the point, viz. in respect of
13
—1. The Sin in the Doer.
14
—2. The Wrong to the Sufferer,
15
—3. The Mischiefs to the Common-wealth.
16
Inference. To avoid the fault: for which purpose
17-21
—four especial Causes thereof are discovered.
22
POINT II. The Judge, not to receive a false report.
23
A threefold Care requisite thereunto. 1. In receiving Informations.
24
—in examining Causes.
25
—3. in repressing Contentious Persons and Suits.
26
—For which purpose the likeliest Helps are
27
—1. To reject Informations tendered without Oath.
28
—2. To temper the rigour of Iustice with Equity.
29
—3. To punish Partiality and Collusion in the Informer.
30
—4. To allow the wronged party full satisfaction;
31
—5. To restrain abuses in their Servants and Officers.
32
The Conclusion.
Sermon III. Ad Magistratum, on Psal. 106. 30.
Sect. 1.-2
THe Argument and Matter of the Psalm.
3
The Coherence, Scope,
4
—and Division of the TEXT.
5-6
The History of Balak and Balaam's Plot against Israel.
7-8
—With the Success thereof, both in the Sin and Punishment.
9-10
—Zimri's Provocation and Execution.
11
The Person of Phineas considered.
12
OBSERVATION I. The Spiritual Power doth not include;
13
—not yet exclude the Temporal.
14
Phineas his Fact examined;
15
—and justified.
16-17
How far forth it may be imitated.
18
OBSERVATION II. The Zeal of Phineas
19
—Manifested by executing judgment▪
20
1. Personally.
21
2. Speedily.
22
3. Resolutely.
23-25
OBSERVATION III. The plague stayed by executing judgment.
26-28
—With Aplication to England.
29
An Exhortation to execute judgment:
30
—With Particular Application;
31
1. To the Accuser;
32
2. To the Witness;
33
3. To the Jurer;
34
4. To the Pleader;
35
5. To the Officer;
36
6. To the Judge.
Sermon I. Ad Populum, on 1 Kings 21. 29.
Sect. 1.
THe Coherence, of the. TEXT.
2
—Argument, and of the. TEXT.
3
—Division of the. TEXT.
4-5
From Ahab's Person and Carriage.
6-8
OBSERVATION I. How far an Hypocrite may go in the performance of holy Duties.
9
Four Inferences. I. Of Terrour to the profane.
10
—II. Of Exhortation, to abound in the fruits of godliness.
11
—III. Of Admonition to forbe…r Judging.
12
—IV. Of Direction, for the trial of Sincerity.
13
—by the marks▪ 1. of Integrity, and
14
—2. of Constancy;
15
—both joyned together.
16-17
OBSERVATION II. Concerning the Power of Gods Word,
18
—With the Causes thereof in respect 1. of the Instrument,
19
—2. of the Object.
20
—3. of the fit Application of the one to the other.
21
The Inferences thence; against those that despise the Word.
22-23
From the success of Ahab's Humiliation.
24
OBSERV. III. Concerning the Reward of Common graces,
25
—with sundry reasons thereof;
26
—and Inferences thence.
27
The main Inference. To comfort the Godly, I▪ against temptations from the Prosperity of the wicked;
28
—II. against Temporal Afflictions;
29
—III. against doubtings of their Eternal Reward.
Sermon II. Ad Populum, on 1 Kings 21. 29.
Sect. 1.
A Repetition of the Three Observations in the former Sermons.
2-4
OBSERVATION IV. Concerning Gods forbearig of threatned Judgments.
5
—Proved 1. from his proneness to Mercy;
6
—2. from the end of his Threatnings.
7-8
The Doubt. How this may stand with Gods Truth,
9
—Resolved: by understanding in all his Threatnings
10
—a Clause of Exception;
11-12
—though not always expressed.
13-14
Inferences 1. of Comfort to the distressed.
15
—2. of Terrour, to the Secure.
16
—3. of Instruction, to All.
17
Gods promises, how to be understood;
18
—and entertained.
19-20
OBSERVATION V. That though it be some grief to forknow the evils to come:
21
Yet it is some happiness, not to liue to see them.
22
—with the Reason;
23-25
—and sundry Uses thereof.
26
The Conclusion.
Sermon III. Ad Populum, on 1 Kings 21. 29.
Sect. 1-2
THe grand Doubt concerning Iustice proposed.
3
CERTAINTY I. All the ways of God are just.
4-5
—II. Temporal Evils not to the proper adequate punishments of sin.
6-7
—3. All Evils of Pain, howsoever considered,
8
—are for sin: and that
9
—for the sin of the sufferer himself.
10
How the punishing of the Fathers sin upon the Children
11
—can stand with the Justice of God.
12-16
CONSIDERATION I. That they are punished with temporal punishments only, not with Spiritual or Eternal.
13-15
(An Objection answered.)
17
CONSIDERATION II. That such Punishments befàl them: either
18-21
1. As continuing in their Fathers sin, Or
22
2. As possessing something from their Fathers▪ with Gods curse eleaving thereunto.
23-25
CONSIDERATION III. A distinction of Impulsive Causes,
26
—explained by a familiar Example;
27
—and applied to the present Argument.
28
Seeming Contradictions of Scripture herein,
29
—how to be reconciled;
30
—with an Exemplary Instance thereof.
31-32
The Resolution of the main doubt.
33
Three Duties inferred from the Premisses, I. To live well (as for our own, so even) for Posterities sake also.
34
II. To grieve (as for our own, so) for our Forefathers sins also.
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.
2-3
The Pertinency, and Importance of the matter to be handled;
4-5
—viz. of mens Particular Callings, and what is meant thereby.
6
POINT I. The necessity of living in a Calling.
7
Reasons hereof. I. in respect of the Ordinance,—and Gifts of God.
9
—II. in respect of the Person himself▪
10-14
—III. in respect of others.
15
Inference; for reproof of such as live idly without a Calling;
16-17
as viz. 1. Idle Monks and Friars.
18-20
—2. Idle Gallants.
21-22
—3. Idle Beggars.
23-24
POINT II. Concerning the Choice of a Calling.
25
That in our proper Calling, whereunto God calleth us; and
26
—by what Enquiries they may be known.
27
ENQUIRY I. Concerning the Employment it self:—1. Whether it be honest and lawful, or no?
28
—Whether it be fit to be made a Calling, or no?
29
—Whether it tend to common Utility, or no?
30
(The Usurers Calling examined by these Rules.)
32-33
II. Concerning our fitness for that employment.
34
—1. in respect of our Education.
35-36
—2. in respect of our Abilities.
37-39
—3. in respect of our Inclinations.
40
III. Concerning the Providential Opportunities we have thereunto.
41-43
Wherein is shewed the great importance of an outward Calling.
44
POINT III. Concerning the Abidings in our Callings.
45-46
—1. what is not, meant thereby.
47-49
—2. and what is, meant thereby.
50-52
—3. The abiding therein with God, what.
53
The Conclusion.
Sermon V. Ad Populum, on 1 Tim. 4. 4.
Sect. 1.
THe Coherence, of the TEXT.
2
—Scope, and of the TEXT.
3
—Division of the TEXT.
4-6
OBSERVATION I. Concerning the Goodness of the Creature.
7
Inferences thence. I. God not the Author of Evil.
8
—II. The Goodness of God seen in the Glass of the Creatures.
9-10
—III. The Creatures not to be blamed.
11-13
OBSERVATION II. Concerning the Liberty and Right we have to the Creatures.
14
—1. By Creation.
15
—2. By Redemption.
16
Much impleaded. 1. By Judaism.
17-19
—2. By the Church of Rome.
20-32
The Extent of this Liberty in Eight Positions.
33
OBSERVATION III. The Creatures to be received with Thanksgiving.
34-37
The Duty of Thanksgiving, Explained and
38
—Enforced: 1. as an Act of Justice
39-42
—as an Act of Religion.
43-44
INFERENCES I. For Conviction of our unthankfulness to God.
45-46
1. for want of Recognition, with two degrees of each.
47-48
2. for want of Estimation, with two degrees of each.
50-51
3. for want of Retribution, with two degrees of each.
52
—II. Six Motives to Thankfulness, taken from
53
—1. The Excellency of the Duty.
54
—2. The Continual Effluence of God's Benefits.
55
—3. Our Future Necessities.
56
—4. Our Misery in Wanting.
57
—5. Our Importunity in Asking.
58
—6. The Freedom of the Gift.
59
III. To avoid those things that hinder our Thankfulness; which are chiefly,
60
1. Pride.
61
2. Envy.
62
3. Riotous living.
63
4. Worldly Cares.
64
5. Procrastination.
65
IV. To be thankful for Spiritual Blessings.
Sermon VI. Ad Populum, on Gen. 20. 6.
Sect. 1.
THE Occasion, of the TEXT.
2.
—Scope, and of the TEXT.
3.
—Division of the TEXT.
4.
Of the Nature and Use of Dreams▪
5-6
The former Part of the TEXT explained.
7
OBSERVATION I. The grievousness of the sin of Adultery;
8-10
—and of Fornication; Compared.
11-12
OBSERVATION II. How far Ignorance doth, or doth not excuse from sin.
13-16
—instanted in this fact of Abimelech.
17
Inferences thence. I. Concerning the Salvation of our Forefathers.
18 - 19
Two doubts removed.
20
—II. Not to flatter our selves in our Ignorance.
21
—III. Of Sins done with Knowledge.
22 - 24
OBSERVATION III. Moral integrity may be in the heart of an Unbeliever,
25
—with the Reason thereof.
26
Inferences thence. I. A shame for Christians to fall short of Heathens in their Morals.
27
—II. Particular Actions no certain foreign of Sincerity.
28
—III. The acquittal of Conscience no sufficient Justification.
29
The latter part of the TEXT opened.
30
OBSERVATION IV. Concerning God's Restraint of Sin in Men.
31
—with the different measure and means thereof.
32
1. That there is such a Restraint.
33 - 34
2. That it is from God.
35
3. That it is from the mercy of God; and therefore called Grace.
36
Inferences from the Consideration of God's Restraint.
37
I. As it lyeth upon others. 1. toobless God for our Preservation;
38
—2. not to trust wicked men too far.
39
—3.—nor to fear them too much.
40
—4. to endeavour to restrain others from Sinning.
41
II. As it lyeth upon our selves. 1. To be humble under it.
42
—2. to entertain the means of such Restraint with Thankfulness.
43
—3. to pray that God would restrain our Corruptions.
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.
3 - 5
—Coherence, and of the TEXT.
6
—Division—of the TEXT.
7 - 8
OBSERVATION I▪ Christian Liberty to be maintained
9 - 12
—with the Explication,
13 - 17
—and Five Reasons thereof.
18 - 20
Inferences I. Not to usurp upon the Liberty of others:
21 - 24
—II.—Nor to betray our own.
25
Observation II. Christian Liberty not to be abused.
26 - 28
—The words explained; and thence
29 - 31
—Three Reasons of the Point.
32 - 34
Four abuses of Christian Liberty, viz. I. by casting off the Obligation of the moral Law.
35 - 36
—II. by exceeding the bounds of Sobriety.
37
—III. by giving Scandal to others.
38
—IV. by disobeying lawful Superiours.
39-40
The Grounds and Objections of the Anti-Ceremonians.
41-46
—propounded and particularly answered.
47-50
How mens Laws bind the Conscience.
51-52
OBSERVATION III. We being the Servants of God, Which is of all other
53-54
1. the most Just, Service;
55
2. the most Necessary, Service;
56-57
3. the most Easie, Service;
58
4. the most Honourable, Service;
59
5. and the most Profitable, Service;
60
Ought to carry our selves, as his Servants: with all
61-63
I. Reverence to his Person; in 3 branches.
64-66
II. Obedience to his Will; both in Doing and Suffering.
67-70
III. Faithfulness in his Business; in 3 branches.
69
The Conclusion.