Twenty Sermons, Table of contents – Author to the reader

Twenty Sermons · Table of contents – Author to the reader

THE CONTENTS.

Sermon I. Ad Aulam. on ECCLES. VII.I.

Sect. 1.

ECclesiastes; 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 extension, 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. 1. 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 RVLES OF DIRECTION tending as helps thereunto.

Sermon II. Ad Aulam. on PROV. XVI.VII.

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 Wisdome (and Benefit.)

12—14

POINT II. God is pleased with our wayes; wherein he findeth

—1 Conformity to his wayes.

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 later part of the Text explained.

22—24

POINT III. God procureth the peace of those that please him.

25

—Their own endeavours (subordinately) concurring.

26—8

A grand Objection removed.

29

FOURE 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 wholy to the injustice of others.

32—4

—2 that, of thinking the better of our selves and our own wayes, because we have Enemies.

35

The Conclusion.

Sermon III. Ad Aulam. on I PET. II.XVII.

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 Superiours.

18 &c.

—3 of those that limit the duty with a condition, Si meruerint.

24—26

Who are meant by THE BROTHERHOOD.

27 &c.

—and what by loving the brotherhood.

30

Two grounds of this duty. viz. 1. Their Goodness in themselves.

31 &c.

—2 their Neerness 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.XIII.

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 Sinnes; of Ignorance, Infirmity, and Presumption.

15—18

—Severally Exemplified:

19

The nature of PRESUMPTUOUS SINS declared.

20—24

The hainousness of Presumptuous Sins declared by sundry Intimations in the Text;

25

—and by Reasons drawen, 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 joyne our own Endeavours.

FOURE PARTICULAR RULES for direction herein. viz.

36

—1 Doe 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 V. Ad Aulam. I. Ser. on PHIL. IIII.XI.

Sect. 1-4

THe Occasion, Scope,

5

—Paraphrase, and

6

—Division of THE TEXT.

7—12

FOURE 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 wayes:

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 VVITH HIS PRESENT ESTATE.

34

Because 1. That only is properly his own.

35

2 All looking beyond that disquieteth the minde.

36

3 The present is ever best.

37—38

THE DUTY pressed:

39—40

—and the mis-understanding of it prevented.

41

III. That a man be content VVITH ANY ESTATE:

42—44

with the Reasons thereof.

45. &c.

—and Inferences thence.

Sermon VI. Ad Aulam. II. Ser. on PHIL. IV.XI.

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 Cares.

17

—3 the carefull 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 &

—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 sence 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 ESAY LII.III.

Sect. 1.

THe Sum and Division of the Text.

2—4

PART I. Mans Sale.

5

Inferences thence: To take knowledg.

1 of our Misery therein.

6

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.

16—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 paied nothing towards it:

34—37

But yet a valuable price payed by our Redeemer.

38

Inference thence: To exclude Merit.

39

— But not Endeavours.

40

The Conclusion.

Sermon VIII. Ad Aulam. on ROM. XV.V.

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 Choise 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—6

—Opened;

27

—and Pressed, upon those 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 I TIM. III.XVI.

Sect. 1-4

THe Occasion, Scope, and Division of THE TEXT.

5—6

Of the word Mysterie.

7

I. POINT. The Gospel A GREAT MYSTERY. Because

8—9

—1 it could not have been knowen;

10—13

—2 had it not been revealed: and

14—15

—3 being revealed, cannot be perfectly comprehended.

16—17

INFERENCES thence. 1. 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 Mysterie 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. 1. for the tryal 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.LXXV.

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 murmure against the wayes 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 cheerfully.

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 I COR. X.XXIII.

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 Errour of those that overmuch 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 Errour 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 I. COR. X.XXIII.

Sect. 1-2

THe Scope and Division of the Text.

3—5

OBSERV. 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 doe any unlawful thing, seem it never so expedient.

12

OBSERV. II. Things otherwise lawful, to be forborne 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 our 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, of particular men.

30—33

and to the Charity of particular men.

34—35

A necessary Caution: touching the Authority of Superiors in indifferent things.

36—41

The Cases of

Obedience compared.

and Scandal compared.

42. &c.

Our whole Duty for Practise summoned up in Three Rules.

Sermon XIII. Ad Aulam. on ROM. XV.VI.

Sect. 1-2

THe Scope and Division of the Text.

3—9

The words [That ye may glorify 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 Wisdome obliged unto.

15

Inferences of Admonition. That we doe 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 passions 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 Stile it self;

25—26

—And why it is here used.

27

POINT III. God to be glorified of us: first with the minde;

28

—And then with the mouth.

29

POINT IIII. God is much glorified by Christian unity and Like-mindedness.

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 XIIII. Ad Aulam. Ser. on PSAL. XXVII.X.

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 Choise; Instanced

—1 in Parents

8—9

2 and all other Friends

10—12

II. Or out of Necessity.

13—15

The Inference. Not to trust in any Creature.

16

The words in the later 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 Wisdome,

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.VIII.

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.

17—18

POINT II. The children of the world wiser then the Children of Light. As being

19

1. More Sagacious; then they

20

2. More Industrious; then they

21

3. More Cunning; then they

22—23

4. More United then 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.III.

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 Minde,

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 Tryal.

26—29

2. Of the natural Frailty of man.

30

3. Of the neglect of watchfulness and preparation.

31—32

4. Of Gods desertion.

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. XXIIII.X—XII.

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. 1 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

IIII. 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. XXIIII.X—XII.

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 minde 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 Lawes

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 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.III.

Sect. 1-3

THe Occasion,

4

—Scope; and

5—7

—Division of the Text.

8

I. POINT. Samuels voluntary offering himself to the trial,

9—13

—Five probable Reasons thereof.

14—15

II. POINT. Samuels confidence of his own Integrity.

16—18

The Inference and Application.

19—21

III. POINT. 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

40-41

(a special property whereof is to blinde the eyes.)

42. &c.

II. In offering Restitution.

The First Sermon Ad Populum. PROV. XIX.XXI.

Sect. 1-3

BEtween Gods wayes and Ours

4—5

Three remarkable 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 Wisdome 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.

The Author to the Reader.

BY reason of my great distance from the Press, and the flow returns of Papers to and fro, it could not be avoided (without making more stops in the work then was meet) but that many more mistakes must needs escape both the Printers and Correctors observation, then would have done mine had I been neerer, who am best acquainted with mine own hand, and best know mine own minde. Although, to do them both right, I must acknowledge they have used good care and diligence in doing their part. The number of Sermons in the Titles of the pages, and likewise the Texts are sometimes mistaken; slips also there are in point of Orthography or mis-accenting here and there, as Dissentions, Senecdoche &c. Which I desire the Reader of himself to pardon and correct. Those that either do alter, or might obscure the sence, (though the mistake seem but small, as the exchange or omission but of a letter or syllable) so far as in the perusal of the sheets I could observe them, are here presented.

1) 291 marg

STOKE POGEYS. 1647.

2) 313 A 1 and not

—withstanding, and not

End of the text · Robert Sanderson, Twenty Sermons (1656)