The Cause and Cure of Ignorance, Table of contents
An Alphabeticall Table, both for the Book, and for the Advertisement.
A.
ACtions, our best actions abominable, except they proceed from right ends, and a heart sanctified. Advertisement.
Aa.
Accuse, wicked accuse the godly of many things, but prove nothing.
Page 68
They will coyne matter to accuse us.
70
They dazle mens eyes with false accusations.
73
And have a great advantage therein of the godly.
63
They have so hardened their hearts, that we were as good admonish a stone.
Ad. Ee
Adversities, distinction of them.
27
Agree, impossible the good and bad should ever agree.
132
Carnall men can agree with any, so they be not religious.
133
Though they differ in other things, they will agree against the godly.
133
Agreement in some points doth but advance hatred the more.
136
Anthipathy, a secret enmity, and antipathy between the wicked and the godly. 2 Look enmity.
All means ineffectuall for want of application.
Ad. A.B
Want of application the cause of all impiety.
Ad. A.B.Z
What chiefly concernes us wee apply to others.
Ad. A.Z
The most prophane can apply the promises which belong only to such as suffer for well-doing.
Ad. D
Hard to say whether their applying the promises, or not applying the precepts and threats, doth most occasion their finall impenitency.
Ad. E
Assitance, divine assistance in time of triall.
192
Atheisme, fruits of it wherewith the lands abounds. Look unbeleef.
23
Atheists on earth, none in hell.
214
Fire and brimstone shall confute all Atheists.
219
The most grounded Atheisme hath a mixture of beleefe.
215.217
Atheists would give all they have to bee sure there were no bell.
216
Their convicted consciences shall be witnesses against their unbeleefe.
218
None so confirmed in Atheisme, but will feare in time of danger.
211
At least on their death beds they confesse a God.
212
B.
Beliefe, unbeliefe, a cause of persecuting us.
202
Proved by testimonies.
ibid.
By examples.
ib.
By experience.
204
Men think they believe, but do not.
ib.
Evidences of mens unbeliefe.
205
A carnall heart flint to God, wax to Satan.
221
That most men believe not an hell, proved undeniably.
226
Did men believe the word, or a judgement to come, they durst not live as they doe.
208.226
Carnall men believe the promises, but neither the precepts, nor threats.
222
All men apt enough to presume upon Gods mercy.
220. Ad. D
All true believers the children of God.
131
All unbelievers children of the divell.
ib.
Sathan the God, King, and father of all unbelievers.
Ad. K
Admonition to beware, before it proves too late.
230
All that hath or can be spoken, will prove fruitlesse, except Gods blessing doe accompany it.
Ad. Hh
Bruising the head, what is meant by it. 32. And what by bruising the heele.
33.
Byble Gen. 3.15. an epitomy of it.
35
C
Causes of hatred and persecution eleven.
127.239
Censure, they censure our actions, and misconsture our intentions.
64
They passe over our good parts. 69 Look murmuring.
To censure all for the faults of a few, is only the part of a fool.
148
But most are such fooles and beasts.
ib.
If Christians, we will imitate Christ, if Gods servants, we will doe what he commands.
Ad. H
Christians, if a tithe of them be Christians that are so called, there are millions of Christians in hell.
232
They combine together, and lay divelish plots to destroy the godly.
105
They will easily finde occasion.
107
Our serving of God shall be ground sufficient.
108
Or a Ministers saving of soules.
ibid.
The manner of their consultations.
106
Would we accompany them in evill, their malice would cease.
144
They condemne us that themselves may be justified. 66. Look judging.
Means to confirm, comfort and strengthen us against the worlds hatred.
12
To consider before it prove too la…e.
214
They will make an evill construction of whatsoever we doe or speake
6
Constancy, such as feare God as immoveable as a rock. 253. Looke profession.
They contemne the godly which is not for want of ignorance.
56
Contempt of Religion makes many resolve against goodnesse.
6
Contrariety a maine cause of hatred and persecution.
130
They are contrary and differ,
1. In their judgements touching Wisdome, Happinesse, Fortitude, Sin, Holinesse.
138
2. In their passions and affections of Love, Feare, Anger, Ioy, &c.
139
3. In their practice, and this breeds many a quarrell.
139
Sufficient hath been spoken to convince the most malicious.
Ad. B
They give devilish counsell against us.
72
Miserable condition of cowardly Christians.
4
Christ and his crosse inseparable.
10
They use to curse the godly.
87
And those that least deserve the same.
90
Curse us that they may discourage us.
ib.
Though they curse, yet God will blesse.
91
How miserably cursers shall bee cursed.
91
They that curse us, would kill us if they durst.
89
D.
Of denying Christ a memorable example.
5. Look profession.
Foule mouthed men and women are devills in Scripture phrase
83
Good men may differ in many things, yet agree in the maine.
157
A vast difference betweene another discipline, and another doctrine.
158
Discretion eats up devotion.
156
Wicked men thinke they grace themselves by disgracing others.
79
How fitly they are called dogs.
81
E.
An enmity or war proclaimed betweene the wicked and godly.
15
The author proclayming
ib.
The Captaines and souldiers betweene whom.
16
Severall uses of instruction.
17
The certainty of this war.
20
Foure lessons of instruction.
21
The end why, threefold.
23
God the author, without being the author of sin.
24
Of which sundry reasons.
ibid.
The same further cleared.
26
Originall sin the originall of this discord.
23
The time threefold.
28
Vse of comfort.
29
The manner of their venting it.
30
The place threefold.
ibid.
What will be the issue, and who shall get victory.
32
This war is perpetuall.
28
It was before the flood.
40
After the flood before the law.
41
After the law before Christ.
ib.
In the time of Christ and his Apostles.
42
After the Apostles in the time of the ten persecutions.
43
From the primitive times hitherto.
44
In the times wherein we live.
46
It will continue to the worlds end.
50
Application of the point.
52
Twenty two signes or properties of this enmity.
53
Foure mentall.
ib.
Eleven verball.
62
Seven actuall.
98
Eleven causes of this enmity.
130
First cause is contrariety.
ibid.
This enmity makes them forget all naturall affection.
49
Severall uses of their enmity.
124, 125
To informe us whether we be children of the devill or members of Christ.
125
Application of the point.
52.168
They envy the godly, because better then themselves.
139
Application of the point
142
And because they fare better.
166
Application first to unhallowed Ministers. 168. Secondly to the rabble.
171
The good mans honour is the envious mans torment.
168
Envy the devils cognizance, as love is Christs
54
Example of the multitude.
239
Some of their excuses.
151
Genesis the 3.15. opened and explained.
14
F.
Triall of a Christian by the fruits of his faith.
Ad. Aa, Bb
Naturall men feare visible powers, not the invisible God.
210
Morall men count zeale madnesse, and Religion foolishnesse.
Ad. Cc.
To bee a Christian requires fortitude.
160
G.
Wicked men manifest their enmity against the religious by their gesture.
98
As the tongue speaks to the ear, so the gesture speaks to the eye.
99
Gods goodnesse aggravates our wickednesse.
234
No living for the godly if their enemies hands were allowed to be as bloody as their hearts.
93
Nothing more contemned then goodnesse.
143
H.
All naturall men hate the religious.
2.60
The best men most hated and spoken against.
1
All the Saints have been hated and persecuted.
11
They so hate holinesse, that they will hate men for it.
Ad.Cc
All hated for Religion, or haters of Religion.
Ad.Dd
Originall of this hatred.
14
They will hate a man to the death for being holy.
6. Look persecution.
None but the desperately wicked will malice his brother for goodnesse.
165
They will hate us, because they have hurt us.
104
Causes of the worlds hatred eleven.
127
Many wives, children and servants hated for being religious.
135
Hatred for Religion the most bitter, implacable, &c.
136
Their hatred extends to the whole generation of the godly.
60
But they have not so much authority as malice.
61
Though their punishment shall be never the lesse.
ibid.
They will neither heare themselves, nor suffer others.
104
They come not to be caught by a Minister, but to catch him,
109
But are taken in the snare they spread for others.
110
As they belong to hell, so they speak the language.
89
A holy life cannot escape persecution.
47
We may appeale to themselves who are the honester men.
145
An humble man will never bee an heretique,
102 see pride.
They will hurt and maime the godly.
115
I.
Ignorance a main cause of hatred and persecution.
172
Proved by testimonies.
173
By examples,
ib.
By experience.
176
Ignorance the cause of all sin.
175
The more Ignorant the more malicious.
177
Ignorance ever makes the worst construction of things.
178
Ignorance causeth suspition, suspition hatred, &c.
ib. Look wisdome, knowledge:
Objection that great Schollers and wise men doe the same, answered,
179
They have inlightned heads, but darke hearts.
179
Their deeds prove them ignorant.
180
That Indifferent to one, that is not so to another.
58
To be scrupulous no ill signe,
159
In cases of a doubtfull nature, best to take the surest side.
ib.
It is well for the innocent, that the wicked cannot keep their own counsell.
94
They judge others by themselves.
67 Look censure,
Meanes to cleare our judgements touching the worlds hatred.
8
Men may doubt, but the Devils beleeve a judgement to come.
219
The worst of men can justifie and think well of themselves.
Ad.D.
Five main reasons why they fight under Sathans banner, and yet thinke themselves Gods servants.
Ad.N.
1 Their Ignorance of spirituall things,
ib.
2 Long custome of this sin hath taken away the sense of it.
Ad.O.
3 They reject all meanes of being bettered,
Ad.P.
4 Because they will not receive the truth, they are given up to beleeve lies.
ib.
5 Sathan the Prince of darkenesse blindes them.
Ad.Q
K.
What knowledge is peculiar to the godly, and what common to them with hypocrites
188
No attaining supernaturall knowledge by any naturall meanes,
190
Saving knowledge such a jewell, that God gives it to none but his children.
ib.
Of which many instances,
191
The same further amplified,
192
See more of this in Wisdome and in Ignorance.
L.
Were it not for the Law, there were no living among wicked men.
49
The first part of conversion is to love them that love God,
180
Nothing hath proved more successefull to Sathan than lyes.
79
Wicked men lye, when they speak the truth,
88 Look slander.
M.
Carnall men think us mad, but wee know them so.
76
Malignants as witlesse as wicked,
175
Wicked mens malice, makes them like beasts or stocks.
116
Their malice a good signe wee belong to God,
13. Look hatred.
Mercy, salvation not more promised to the repentant, than damnation is threatned to the impenitent.
Ad.E
Christ came not to be a patron for sin, but to destroy sin in us, and to sanctifie as well as to save us,
Ad.G.
If we will not hear Christ now, he will not hear us hereafter.
ib.
A powerfull Ministery most opposed.
101
Nor will they be appeased.
103
Of Misprisson,
239
Men mistake good for evill, and evill for good.
Ad.R.
Most men will doe as the most doe.
163
They murmure against the godly.
62
And against God himself.
ib.
For being better than themselves.
63
They would murther the Saints,
117 Look cruelty.
Instead of arguments they take up armes,
ib.
Are exceeding salvage and bloody,
118
Of which five Reasons.
119
N.
Naturall men want both the light of the spirit, and the eye of faith.
189
All naturall men the devils chidren,
131
Their manner is to nickname the godly.
78
Number few, compared with the multitude, shall be saved.
Ad.X.
The difficulty of entring the straite gate,
Ad.Y.
Most men live as if they had no soules.
ib.
O.
We must obey God rather then great ones,
153
But this they call great disorder.
ib.
How far we fall short of primative Christians in our obedience.
333
Occasion of writing upon this subject,
Ad.Gg.
Where Christ comes, there will be opposition.
143
Order and distribution of the whole Book.
37
Originall sin, the originall cause of all discord.
23
P.
No peace to be expected between the seed of the serpent, and the seed of the woman,
21
Wicked men persecute the godly for being better than they.
139
Of which many examples,
140
And further amplified.
142
Formall Christians the greatest persecuters of true Christians.
145
Yet none think better of themselves,
155
Tongue-taunts in Gods account is persecution.
165
The woful reward of persecuting Christs members.
64, 77, 206
But they blesse themselves, and think to speed as well as the best.
208
Why persecuters are not alwayes punished here,
207 Look hatred
They cry up practise, to cry down preaching
170
The preaching of some Ministers the cause of hatred and persecution.
140
Prejudice blindes them.
65
No reclaiming such as are forestalled with prejudice,
7
Prejudice, how to have it cured, and our judgements cleared.
8. Ad.Ff.
The Prelates more r…ady to yeeld their aide, then the rabble to ask it.
74
Wicked men all in extreames, and either presume or dispaire,
223. Look faith.
They are prone to imprison us.
111
Not for any crime.
112
But to prevent further dispute,
ib.
And for other the like reasons.
113
Good men will hold their profession though they lose their lives.
161
Common Protestants can be of any religion.
154
R.
They rejoyce at our supposed evill estate.
58
But most if they see us sin.
59
Religion most opposed by formall professors
9
Most men can be of any religion, which shews they are truly of none.
234
They think to adde to their own reputation by detracting from others.
104
They revile and raile on the godly,
80
They so hate righteousnesse, that they will hate men for it.
75
S.
Satan speakes in and by scoffers, but they know it not, of which many examples,
Ad.L
Satan more servants here than God,
Ad.X
Satan prevailes most by desception of our reason,
Ad.R.
Satan desires no more than to be heard speak
Ad.S.
Hee will put a faire collour upon the fowlest sin, and make the best action odious,
Ad.T
He hath perswaded millions that they do well in persecuting the Saints.
Ad.V
If Satan shewed the book with the baite, his kingdome would not be so populous,
Ad.X
Scandalous lives of some Professors, one cause of hatred and persecution,
240
Wicked men use to flout and scoffe at the Religious.
75
Even for their zeale, purity and holines,
124
They would scoffe us out of our faith,
159
And would effect the same, did not God support us.
160
Millions beaten off from being religious, by their scoffes and reproaches,
3
Some will better abide a stake, then others a scoffe ▪
164
Scoffing counted no sin, and yet worse than all its fellows,
Ad.O.P
The great evill that scoffers doe.
Ad.I.K
All scoffers as bad as Cain, Ishmael, &c.
Ad.C
They are Satans servants,
Ad.I
The reason why all are not beaten off from goodnesse by their scoffes.
Ad.F f
To be scoft out of our goodnesse, how ridiculous.
162
The character of a malicious scoffer.
149
No greater argument of a foule soule,
77
They scoffe at us, God laughs at them,
76
Good counsell for scoffers,
237
Separatiō a main cause of persecution,
240
Flocking after Sermons another cause.
ib.
Satan and sin doe besot the wicked.
220
They use to slander the godly,
83
They traduce whom they cannot sed…ce,
65
Slanderers do satan the best service,
84
Great wits not apter to raise slanders, then others to beleeve them,
85
A slander once raised, never dies,
ib.
At least it leaves the scar of suspicion,
ib.
Wise men wil examin before they believe
86
Their policy in slandering us,
87
They slander us out of policy.
147
Slanders both make and increase jealousies, & disable us from discerning the truth.
84
Their matchles malice in slandering us.
73
It is satan that speakes in and by the slanderer.
78
A slander is the devils heart in their lips
83
Singularity our great and grievous crime,
152
They use to smite the godly, and confute them with fists,
114
Their arguments are al steele and iron,
ib.
Because the Law bindes their hands, they smite with their tongues,
80
How satan playes the Sophister,
158
They speak evill of us, because they cannot do evill to us.
81
They think not as they speak,
146
Satan gets more by subtlety than by violence,
63
Suffering, our Saviour suffered 22 severall wayes from ungodly men,
121
Let none look to fare better than Christ.
126
What a multitude have lost their lives for professing Christ,
42
Comfort for such as suffer.
126
God will assist such as suffer for him.
22
T.
They are wont to carry tales of us to the Rulers,
67
How to hear the talebearer,
70
No musick so sweet, as to hear well of themselves, ill of the Religious.
71
The tale-bearers End.
ib.
The Theefe, most forward to cry stop theef,
87
They use to threaten the godly,
93
Speaking of truth, a main cause of hatred and persecution.
239
Wicked men fly the light.
101
They use to withstand and contrary the truth by us delivered.
100
V.
They will undermine us in talk that they may betray us.
95
Their cunning in this case.
ib.
And dissimulation.
96
They have borrowed this craft from Satan, who sets them on worke.
ib.
Beware we trust them not.
97
W.
A War proclaimed between the wicked and the godly,
15
The time when.
28
Warning, No expecting a voyce from heav…n as Saul had.
Ad. C
And yet if they should it would not do
Ad. D
They are forced to give us warning that we may prevent them.
94
All wicked men are the serpents seed.
16
We cannot anger them worse then to doe well.
137
Wicked beholding to the godly for their lives.
174
How strangely they gull themselves,
150
Many that have a depth of knowledge are not soule wise.
181
Examples of many wise in the worlds esteem yet fools in Gods account.
182
With God the greatest sinner is the greatest foole: and he most wise that is most religious.
182
God regards not braine-knowledge, except it seaze upon the heart also.
183
Rightly a manknows no more then he practiseth.
184
Saving knowledge or wisdom described. 185. That the meanest beleever knows more then the profoundest clark.
186
In what sense the word calls worldly men wise men.
187
Strong braines too wise to be saved.
102
Vengeance makes wise, whom sin makes foolish.
213
They that would have this tallent, must resolve to improve it.
194
The way to obtain true wisdome,
ib.
Instruction from the premises, 195. First, for all naturall men, ibid. Secondly, for such as speak evill of the way of truth, 196. Thirdly, for Gods people, 198. A Fourth Vse, 199. A Fifth, 200. A Sixt, 200. A Seventh Vse 201, Look more in knowledge. & in ignorance
What is meant by the woman and her seed,
17
Their words are to be slighted,
82
If we cannot concoct ill words, we would never indure blows,
162
They will cavill against the very word of God, and oppose the Messengers.
101
Z.
They are zealous against all that are zealous.
76
They per…ecute us out of zeale,
Ad. Cc
Which is the case of all morrall men,
Ad. ib.