Doctrine of Contentment, Table of contents – Errata
THE CONTENTS OF THIS TREATISE.
CHAP. I. COntaining an expoſition of the context, the dividing and expounding the words of the Text and the deduction of a Doctrine, with the method of proſecution thereof.
SECT. 1. Containing an expoſition of the context p. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
SECT. 2. Wherein the words of the Text are expounded p. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Doct. That it is our obliged Duty, which concerns us all to labour after a contented mind, and to acquieſce and reſt ſatisfied with the preſent condition and ſtation, wherein God is pleaſed to ſet us in the preſent world.
CHAP. II. Wherein Contentedneſs conſiſts in five diſtinguiſhing characters
SECT. 1. Containing three characters of Contentedneſs, viz. 1. A contented perſon makes it his buſineſs to bring his mind ſutable to his means. p. 13, 14. 2. A contented perſon is thankfull for all that he hath. p. 14, 15, 16. 3. A contented perſon endeavours againſt coveting thoſe things that are not his own. p. 16, 17. An objection propounded and anſwered. p. 17, 18, 19, &c.
SECT. 2. Containing a fourth and fifth character of Contentment, viz. 1. To go on cheerfully in the works of ones calling. p. 25, 26, 27. 2. To make God our portion p. 28, 29, 30, 31.
CHAP. III. Wherein the Doctrine is illuſtrated by ſeveral examples, and proved by Scripture.
SECT. 1. Wherein the Doctrine is illuſtrated by the examples of Abraham. p. 32. and of Jacob. p. 32, 33. and of Agur. p. 34, 35. and of St Paul. p. 36, 37, 38, 39
SECT. 2. Wherein the Doctrine is proved by Scripture. p. 39. 44.
CHAP. IV. Conſiſting of four Arguments to demonſtrate the truth of the Doctrine.
SECT. 1. Containing two Arguments: The firſt drawn from Gods All-ſufficiency. p. 43, 44, &c. The ſecond Argument is drawn from the wiſdom of God. p. 47, 48, &c. A queſtion propounded how are all things the Intereſt of Saints? and anſwered four ways p. 50, 51
SECT. 2. Conſiſting of a third Argument took from the benefits of Contentment, and and they are upon a temporal account, p. 54. and upon a ſpiritual account. p. 55, 56. Whereunto is added a fourth Argument drawn from the miſchiefs that proceed from diſcontentment p. 57, 58, 59, 60, 61
CHAP. V. Containing an uſe of Reproof and Examination.
SECT. 1. Containing an uſe of Reproof. 1. Of envious perſons. p. 63. 2. Proud perſons. p. 65, 66. 3. Diſcontented perſons. p. 67, 68. 4. Murmurers. p. 71
SECT. 2. Containing an uſe of Examination. 1. Of whom we muſt learn this leſſon of Contentment? For Anſwer. 1. Negatively. 1. Nature cannot teach this leſſon. p. 74. 2. Moral education cannot teach us this leſſon. p. 75. 2. Poſitively. The Holy Scriptures teach this leſſon, and we muſt be taught of God. p. 75. A queſtion is further propounded. What is the object of Contentment? Anſw. In all conditions whatſoever we muſt be content. p. 78. both in proſperity not to be greedy after more. p. 79. and in adverſity not to be diſcontented, becauſe we have no more p. 79. 80, 81, 82
SECT. 4. Containing four Characters of Contentment. 1. A contented perſon is charitable, open-handed, and open-hearted. p. 84. Two impediments muſt be removed, viz. High-mindedneſs and worldly confidence. p. 86
Q. How far charity is to be extended? Anſwer. p. 89. 2. A contented perſon is ſober and moderate in his deſire, after the things of the world. p. 90. 3. A contented man quietly ſubmits to the hand of God. p. 91. 4. A contented man takes regular courſes both to get and keep an eſtate. p. 94, 95.
CHAP. VI. Containing an uſe of Exhortation in ſix moving Conſiderations.
1. Conſider what we brought with us into the world, & what we ſhall carry out of it. p. 97. 2. Conſider that our great comforts are not in outward things. p. 98, 99, 100, 101. 3. Conſider that the myſtery of divine Contentment is an excellent and ſublime myſtery. p. 101. This myſtery conſiſts in four Particulars. p. 103, 104, 105.
SECT. 2. Containing a fourth Motive. 1. Becauſe the art of Contentment is a gainfull art. p. 108. both for the preſent p. 108, 109. and for the future. p. 110. A fifth motive to Contentment is took from the greatneſs of thoſe mercies which we enjoy, and the meanneſs of thoſe things which we want p. 112, 113
SECT. 3. Containing a ſixth motive to Contentment, taken from the companions of Contentment. 1. Faith is a companion of Contentment. p. 115, 116, 117, 118. 2. Patience is a companion of Contentment. p. 119, 120. 3. Heavenly-mindedneſs. p. 120, 121.
CHAP. VII. Containing a fourth Uſe which is for direction; wherein five impediments are to be removed, and ten Duties are to be put in practice.
SECT. 1. Removing five grand Impediments of Contentment. The firſt whereof is unbelief. p. 123, 124. 2. Unthankfulneſs. p. 126. 127. 3. An immoderate care of the world. pag. 129, 130, 131. 4. Inſtability of ſpirit. pag. 132, 133. 5. Voluptuouſneſs p. 135, 136, 137
SECT. 2. Containing five Duties to be practiſed in order to Contentment p. 138
Duty 1. Self reflection. pag. 138, 139. 2. Let us compare our ſelves with others. pag. 141, 142. 3. Labour for ſelf-denial. p. 143, 144. 4. Study the vanity of the creatures. pag. 145, 146, 147. 5. Study the fulneſs that is in Jeſus Chriſt p. 148, 149
SECT. 5. Containing five Duties more. The ſixth in order is to ſtudy the divine promiſes. p. 150, 151, 152. 7. Obſerve the divine providences. pag. 153, 154. 8. Be much in prayer. p. 155. Three parts of prayer are mentioned conſiſting of Confeſsion, Petition and Thankſgiving. p. 156, 157, 158. 9. Exerciſe ſobriety and temperance. pag. 158, 159. 10. We ſhould all drive a trade for heaven p. 160, 161
CHAP. VIII. Containing an uſe of Conſolation.
SECT. 1. Shewing cauſes of Contentment. 1. From God. p. 163. 1. Becauſe God is a Father. p. 164, 165. 2. God is a Shepherd. p. 167, 168, 169. 3. God is a Maſter. p. 170, 171, 172. 4. God is an Huſband 174
SECT. 2. Shewing cauſes of Contentment from our ſelves, as wrought in us by God; two cauſes are mentioned, viz. Peace of conſcience, and a right government of the affections p. 175, 176, &c.
By way of Recapitulation, the ſubſtance of the Treatiſe is repreſented in five Propoſitions, which concludes the whole.
Errata ſic corrigenda.
PAg. 36. lin. 19. leg. foreign & in marg. foreign. & in marg. p. 50. l. 2 Cor. 1. 20. p. 72. lin. 12. l. brayd. p. 80. marg. l. Act. 14. 22. p. 113. lin. 16. l. expoſtulate. p. 132. marg. l. objicit periculis. p. 134. lin. 18. l. reſolution. p. 141. marg. l. feriunt. p. 143. lin antepenult. l. between them.
1 TIM. 6. 8.
And having food and raiment, let us be therewith content.