The Case and Cure of a Deserted Soul, Table of contents – Imprimatur
THE CONTENTS.
CHAP. 1.
OF Deſertions in generall, as they concerne the godly.
1. That there is ſuch an eſtate, p. 3. Demonſtrated.
1. By the experience of the Saints. pag. 4.
2. By the witneſs of God. pag. 6
CHAP. 2.
2. In what ſence the godly are Deſerted.
1. In Appearance only. pag. 8
2. Really. pag. 9
Three Limitations. pag. 10
1. God leaves them not for ever. ibid.
2. Not in reſpect of his love, but the Acts of Love. pag. 12
3. Not the Acts of Love which are for our being, but for our well being. pag. 15
CHAP. 3.
Foure conſiderations about Deſertions.
1. That a man may miſſe much of Gods externall preſence, and yet enjoy inward communion with him. pag. 19
Two cauſes of this. pag. 21
2. Hee may want the comforting preſence, and yet have the quickning preſence of God. pag. 22
3. He that loſeth Gods quickning Preſence, loſeth alſo his comforting preſence. pag. 23
Two evils that befall ſuch a man. ibid.
4. All theſe may befall a man at once. pag. 25
CHAP. 4.
Of Deſertions in ſpeciall.
Theſe are of two ſorts, the withdrawing of
Influence of Grace.
Of Comfort.
The firſt ſort of Deſertions, is the withholding of Aſſiſting Grace, and is
Reall.
In appearance onelyonly.
1. Reall.
1. The ſtate of it: Gods ſuſpending the arbitrary and wonted Influence of the ſpirit of grace. pag. 26
1. The Act: a negative act. ibid.
2. The object: expreſſed in three things.
1. It is the influence of the Spirit of Grace, not the preſence. pag. 27
2. It is the Arbitrary Influence. ibid.
The neceſſary influence is conſtant both for ſuſtentation, and augmentation. pag. 28
The arbitrary influence, what it is, and why ſo called. p. 30. To what end it ſerves.
1. To Actuate: which it doth,
1. By exciting. pag. 31.
2. By enabling to Act. pag. 33
2. To Regulate. pag. 34
3. To Corroborate. pag. 35
3. It is a ſuſpenſion of the ordinary influence which we were wont to have. pag. 37
There is a twofold Influence. ibid.
Foure advertiſements concerning Gods withdrawing his Aſſiſtance. pag. 38
1. It is never wholly withdrawne. pag. 39
2. Deſertion is onelyonly when the abatement of life is eminent. pag. 41
3. When the deadneſſe is univerſall. ibid.
4. When the deadneſs abides upon the heart. pag. 42
CHAP. 5.
2. The Symptomes of a Deſerted ſtate. pag. 43
Two things in generall obſervable.
1. A man may be deſerted and not know it, with the cauſes of it. pag. 44
1. Much activity from falſe principles. ibid.
2. Gods departure is graduall. pag. 45
3. Men reſt too muſt on other things that deceive them: expreſſed in three particulars. pag. 46
4. They conſider not their eſtates. ibid.
2. It is needfull to know whether wee bee deſerted or not: ſee three reaſons. pag. 47
1. Elſe we ſhall be unthankfull. ibid.
2. We ſhall be ſecure and not enquire after him. pag. 48
3. Not to know, this is to contemne God. pag. 50
CHAP. 6.
The Rules for our helpe in judging of our eſtates.
1. Conſider our graces, in which if wee bee deſerted, there will be a decay and change.
1. In reſpect of Activity. p. 52. in two particulars,
1. In unfruitfulneſſe in good: where are three things conſiderable. pag. 53
2. Indiſpoſedneſſe to good: diſcerned in two things. pag. 56
CHAP. 7.
2. There will bee a change in our light and ſight. pag. 58
A fourefold evill when God hides himſelfe.
1. Obſcurity. pag. 59
The enlightning worke of the Spirit explained in foure things. pag. 61
CHAP. 8.
2. Inefficacy. p. 67. expreſſed in foure things.
1. When a man is not ſo affected with the things he knowes as before. pag. 68
2. Not ſo impelled to duty. ibid.
3. Not ſo reſtrained from evill. pag. 70
4. Not ſo humbled as before. pag. 72
CHAP. 9.
3. Vacuity and emptineſſe. pag. 74
In this eſtate the ſoule hath loſt a threefold excellency.
1. There is leſſe complacency in thoughts of God. pag. 76
2. Leſſe frequency. pag. 77
3. Leſſe conſiſtency. pag. 79
CHAP. 10.
4. Incredulity.
Q. What is the cauſe of unbeliefe prevailing in deſertion.
1. The inevidence of the object of faith. pag. 82
1. When the object is hidden. pag. 84
2. When the ſubject is darke. pag. 85
2. Sathans working. pag. 87
CHAP. 11.
3. There will be a change in the Affections. pag. 88
1. In thoſe Affections that have God and things ſpirituall for their object: thoſe all compriſed in Love.
The acts of love are
Deſire. pag. 90.
Hope. pag. 90.
Delight. pag. 90.
1. Deſires are abated. ibid.
Abatement of Deſires expreſſed in two things. pag. 92
Q. How a man may know when God is his end. pag. 92
A. 1. Conſider the place of the end. pag. 93
2. The power of the end: which is fourefold.
1. It Draweth to it. ibid.
2. It Rules. pag. 95
3. It Retaines and holds the heart with it. pag. 97
4. It quiets the heart ſo farre as it is attained. ibid.
2. Hope is weakned. pag. 99
The decaies of hope are
1. In the certainty of it. ibid.
2. In the Acts of it
Deſire. pag. 101.
Expectation. pag. 101.
Three things for the tryall of theſe. ibid.
3. In the efficacy of it: expreſſed in foure precious effects of hope. pag. 102
3. Delight in God is leſſened. pag. 104
This may be knowne.
1. By forgetfulneſſe of God. ibid.
2. By exceſſive delight in vanities. pag. 105
3. By unwillingneſſe to walke with God: noted in five things. pag. 106
2. Conſider thoſe Affections that have for their object ſin and things carnall, there is a change in them. pag. 109
1. Hatred of ſin is abated. pag. 110
This may be knowne.
1. If occaſions of ſin be leſſe diſliked. ibid.
2. If the Law be leſſe loved. pag. 111
3. If there be leſſe prayer againſt ſin. pag. 112
2. Griefe of ſin is leſſened. pag. 113
Thus of the firſt Rule to judge Deſertions.
CHAP. 12.
The ſecond Rule to judge of deſertions.
2. Conſider the increaſe of ſin. pag. 114
When God departs, ſinne increaſeth: two reaſons. pag. 115
Two conſiderations about the renewed power of ſin. pag. 118
Two cautions in concluding Deſertions by the renewing of ſin. pag. 122
Q. How it may bee knowne when ſinne is growne ſtronger.
A. By the Roote, which is,
1. The Affection. pag. 123
Foure degrees of love to ſin. pag. 124
2. The mind: and that gives ſtrength to ſin.
1. By good opinion of it. pag. 126
2. By working unto ſinne: which it doth three waies. pag. 127
2. By the Branches: the ſpreading of ſin appeares in three particulars. pag. 128
3. By the fruits of ſinne
Inclination. pag. 129.
Action. pag. 129.
In the acting of ſin the power of it appeares in foure particulars. pag. 131
4. By the ſoile that feeds ſin. pag. 134
CHAP. 13.
3. The third Rule to judge of Deſertions is the conſideration of the meanes of Grace. pag. 135
Two conſiderations propounded for the Diſcovery of this. pag. 136
Thus of the Symptomes of Deſertion.
CHAP. 14.
3. The cauſes of Deſertion
Inſtruction. pag. 141.
Correction. pag. 141.
1. Deſertions are inſtructions and teach the knowledge
1. Of our natures. ibid.
1. Our ſinfulneſſe. pag. 142
2. Our weakeneſſe. pag. 145
2. Of our graces. pag. 145
1. In the freeneſs of grace. pag. 146
2. The neceſſity of grace. ibid.
CHAP. 15.
2. Deſertions are corrections. pag. 149
1. Of Pride. ibid.
2. Of Careleſneſſe. pag. 151
1. In not accepting the ſeaſons of grace. ibid.
2. In neglect of the meanes of grace: ſhewed in two particulars. pag. 153
3. In neglect of duties of godlineſſe.
Three failings in duties. pag. 156
4. In neglect of watchfulneſſe. pag. 159
CHAP. 16.
3. Grieving the Spirit. pag. 161
How the Spirit is ſaid to be grieved. pag. 162
Two things by which the Spirit is grieved,
Diſhonour. pag. 163.
Diſobedience. pag. 163.
1. The Spirit is grieved by Diſhonour.
1. Directly, in five things. pag. 164
2. Indirectly, when wee doe ſuch things as occaſion it. pag. 167
CHAP. 17.
2. The Spirit is grieved by Diſobedience, and reſiſtance of the Spirit. pag. 167
The Spirit may be reſiſted in others, two waies. pag. 168
The Spirit may be reſiſted by our ſelves. pag. 169
1. When wee hang off from that good to which we are ſtrongly moved. pag. 170
The ſinfulneſſe of this in foure things. pag. 172
2. By ſinning againſt light.
1. By willing evill. pag. 172
Q. Whether it bee worſe to will evill, than to doe it. pag. 172
2. By doing evill: eſpecially in 7. caſes. pag. 176
3. By voluntary impenitency. pag. 182
Three Reaſons of it. ibid.
CHAP. 18.
4. The Cure of Deſertion: where are Rules preſcribed.
1. Preſervative for all:
1. By way of perſwaſion, that men would labour to maintaine a conſtant communion with God. ibid.
Sixe conſiderations to perſwade us:
1. Wee may loſe much of God. ibid.
2. Wee may loſe that quickly which will hardly be recovered. pag. 185
3. The loſſe will be grievous. pag. 186
4. It is poſſible to be kept. ibid.
Two objections anſwered. pag. 187
5. It is an excellent thing to enjoy God. pag. 189
6. It is neceſſary to have the aſſiſting preſence of God. pag. 197
1. Wee alwaies ſtand in need of divine preſence; ſhewed in many things. pag. 197
2. Eſpecially at ſome times; as in ſeven caſes. pag. 198
CHAP. 19.
2. By way of Direction, how to retaine the happineſſe of Divine Aſſiſtance. pag. 204
1. When you have it acknowledge it.
1. With thankfulneſſe. ibid.
2. With faithfulneſſe. pag. 206
2. Vſe it; elſe we grieve the Spirit. pag. 209
The Spirit is grieved.
1. By omitting of a knowne duty.
1. The ſinfulneſs of this aggravated. pag. 210
2. The fooliſhneſs of it: ſhewed in foure things. pag. 214
2. By remiſneſſe in good. pag. 217
The difference betweene our deficiency in doing good, from the inſufficiency of ſtrength or malignity of heart: in two things. pag. 217
Sinfull defect is,
1. By doing leſſe for quality. pag. 218
2. Leſſe for quantity than we ſhould. pag. 219
CHAP. 20.
1. Q. How may a man know when his deficiency is imputed as ſin to him: anſwered in ſixe things. pag. 221
2. Q. How may a man know that he doth his duty, when the heart is ſtill preſſed to more than is done: Anſwered,
1. By way of Caution:
1. Be liberall. pag. 224
2. Be rationall. pag. 225
Two things vene the ſoule with a kind of ſpirituall oppreſſion:
1. An erroneous conſcience. pag. 226
2. Sathan: two reaſons of it: pag. 228
Q. How a man may know when hee is preſſed to good, that it is by Sathan; Anſwered in three things. pag. 230
2. By way of propoſition.
1. Pro: There are bounds of duties of godlineſs. pag. 233
The bounds of action are,
1. Of extruſion: ſhewed in three rules: pag. 234
A threefold moleſtation by doing leſſe than God calls for. pag. 235
2. Of limitations. pag. 238
Q. Whether a man may doe too much. pag. 238
Three conſiderations about the limits of Duties. pag. 240
2. Pro: There is a prudence directing as well in meaſure as in matter and manner. pag. 245
3. Pro: It is ſafer to exceed, than to come ſhort. pag. 246
4. Pro: A man muſt not make his owne diſpoſition a rule alwaies. pag. 247
Three further conſiderations to cleare the queſtion. pag. 250
CHAP. 21.
3. Direct: Beg aſſiſting grace. pag. 254
In prayer for helpe three things conſiderable:
1. The Riſe: which muſt be
1. A ſtrong deſire of walking with God. ibid.
2. Neceſſity. pag. 256
2. The carriage of our Prayer. pag. 258
3. The end of our Deſire. pag. 261
CHAP. 22.
4. Direct: Keepe Gods favour, and croſſe not his will. pag. 263
Two Rules for this:
1. Keepe up love. pag. 265
The efficacy of love ſhewed in five things. pag. 267
2. Hold faſt this truth, that that is beſt which God wils. pag. 272
Meanes to hold faſt this truth, expreſſed in many particulars. pag. 273
CHAP. 23.
5. Direct: Keepe in Gods way. pag. 279
Two things to be carefully obſerved. ibid.
1. Q. How a man may know that hee is called to any worke: three anſwers to it. pag. 280
2. Q. Whether evill men have that fluſh of Spirit which they have in duty of God, or no: Anſwered in many particulars. pag. 283
CHAP. 24.
6. Direct: Be doing, and wiſely and diligently uſe the meanes of grace. pag. 289
The faults of men in the uſe of the meanes.
1. Prophaneneſs. pag. 290
2. Confidence miſplaced. pag. 291
3. Not comming to them for this end. pag. 292
4. Not uſing them in faith. pag. 293
5. Not drawing out the efficacy of them. pag. 294
Inducements to ſeeke God in this way.
1. It is Gods way. pag. 294
2. His promiſe is with us. ibid.
3. God hath been found. pag. 296
4. It is Gods glory to meet his people. pag. 297
5. Conſider with whom we have to doe. ibid.
CAAP. 25.
2. Counſels to ſuch as are Deſerted. pag. 299
1. Conſider if it be not ſo. pag. 300
2. Make haſte to recover. pag. 302
1. You are at a conſtant loſſe. pag. 302
2. There can be no reaſon of delay. pag. 304
3. Delay is very ſinfull: expreſſed in five things. pag. 305
4. Delay is dangerous: expreſſed in two things. pag. 307
3. Put on to purpoſe: with ſtrength, with continuance. pag. 308
CHAP. 26.
Motives to uſe thoſe counſels.
1. It is poſſible to recover. pag. 310
Three Reaſons of it. pag. 311
Three incouragements. pag. 313
1. The life you have is from Chriſt. pag. 313
2. You have a promiſe. pag. 314
3. You have experience. pag. 316
CHAP. 27.
2. It is neceſſary; Deſertion is no ſtate to be reſted in; for it is
1. Sinfull. pag. 320
This is aggravated in three particulars. ibid.
2. It is hurtfull
1. It cuts off the comforts of the ſoule. pag. 321
2. All things are dead, when you are dead. pag. 322
The loſſe in this ſhewed in two things. pag. 322
3. The heart growes worſe and worſe. pag. 323
4. You may have a worſe time to ſeeke unto God than now. pag. 325
5. God will fetch you in if you come not. pag. 326
6. God is not well pleaſed. pag. 328
3. As Gods preſence with you is, ſo is your life. pag. 326
Sixe incentives to inforce this;
1. If you have but little, you can doe but little. pag. 330
2. Your workes will bee more perfect if you have much. pag. 331
3. The more grace is raiſed, the ſweeter will your way be. pag. 332
4. The leſſe grace, the more corruptions. ibid.
5. The greater meaſure of grace brings in more comfort. pag. 334
6. That little you have is for this end leaſt defective. pag. 336
CHAP. 28.
3. Directions to further indeavours.
1. Quicken deſires after God. pag. 338
A twofold advantage of it. ibid.
2. Bewaile your loſſe.
1. Mourne for the loſs it ſelfe. pag. 339
God will not deny mercy to mourners.
1. When their ſorrowes are great. pag. 343
Foure reaſons of it. pag. 345
2. When ſorrow is ingenious. pag. 348
This ſhewed in ſixe things. pag. 348
2. Bewaile the cauſe. pag. 352
1. Q. Whether the ſubſtraction of the Influences of the Spirit bee alwaies for ſin;
Anſwered in three particulars. pag. 353
2. Q. How a man may find out what ſinne is the cauſe.
A. 1. Sometimes the cauſe is viſible: as in two cauſes. pag. 354
2. When the cauſe is not tranſparent.
1. Purſue the loſs to the birth of it. pag. 254
2. Conſider what things have beene moſt preſſed by God upon you. pag. 355
3. Liſten to conſcience. pag. 356
4. Pray the Lord to ſhew you the cauſe. pag. 357
CHAP. 29.
3. Direct: goe to Chriſt. pag. 369
Two cautions in this. pag. 369
4. Direct: Set your hands unto the worke. pag. 375
That men Regenerate have a power to doe ſomething of themſelves: proved by foure reaſons. pag. 376
Two objections anſwered. pag. 378
The things to be done.
1. Stirre up your ſelves and worke upon your hearts by your underſtandings. pag. 379
Seven Rules helping to quicken the heart by the underſtanding. pag. 382
2. Attend the Ordinances. pag. 384
3. Take the helpe of the Saints. ibid.
4. Doe your firſt workes. pag. 385
An objection anſwered. ibid.
Thus of Deſertions as they are Reall.
CHAP. 30.
2. Deſertions may be in appearance only. pag. 388
The cauſes of this miſtake:
1. Fearefulneſs. pag. 388
2. Miſtake in the cauſe of preſent deadneſs. pag. 300
3. Misjudging our ſelves. ibid.
Error in judgement occaſioned by three things.
1. Spirituall poverty. ibid.
2. Hungring and thirſting after more grace. pag. 392
3. Much love. ibid.
CHAP. 31.
Falſe Rules of our judging our ſelves cauſing miſtake.
1. Falſe Rule: Becauſe we have leſſe vivacity. pag. 395
Conſiderations about vivacity of Spirit. ib.
1. Diſtinguiſh betwixt Gods working in gifts and graces. pag. 395
2. God ſometimes gives more than hee will continue; expreſſed in foure caſes. pag. 397
2. Falſe Rule; becauſe we doe leſſe than we have done. pag. 404
Three conſiderations about this. pag. 406
CHAP. 32.
3. Falſe Rule: Becauſe wee find more ſtirring of corruptions. pag. 409
Five conſiderations for the clearing of this. pag. 409
4. Falſe Rule: Men are too much ſwayed by the opinion which others have of them. pag. 413
5. Falſe Rule: Men think they grow not. pag. 415
The miſtake in this ſhewed in foure things. pag. 416
CHAP. 33.
2. The ſecond ſort of ſpirituall Deſertions is, the eclipſing of the comfort of the ſoule. pag. 422
Three conſiderations premiſed about the comfort of the ſoule.
1. The nature of it. pag. 423
The Saints have but an imperfect comfort, expreſſed in two things. pag. 425
There are 3. degrees of ſpirituall comfort.
1. Peace: which is twofold. pag. 426
2. Ioy. 4.7. 3. Triumph, which conſiſteth in two things. pag. 429
CHAP. 34.
2. The cauſe and roote of comfort. pag. 431
1. Efficient cauſe, God. pag. 431
1. That comfort is of God, appeares in three things. ibid.
2. How this comfort is wrought by God. pag. 433
Three Acts of God concurring in this worke.
1. Act: Preparation, and that:
1. By illumination, expreſſed in foure things. pag. 434
2. By the working of faith. pag. 437
3. By ſanctification. pag. 439
2. Act: Collation of matter of comfort. pag. 441
3. Act: Atteſtation. pag. 443
The doubts by which the ſoule is vexed, reduced to two heads.
1. About the truth of the Goſpell: expreſſed in divers things. pag. 444
2. About themſelves and their intereſt in the Goſpell. pag. 447
Many things make true faith hardly diſcernable. ibid.
Wee have need of the helpe and witneſſe of the Spirit: proved by foure Arguments. pag. 449
Three things obſervable concerning this Teſtimony. pag. 454
2. The matter of ſpirituall comfort. pag. 457
The proper object of ſpirituall comfort expreſſed in two things. pag. 458
Foure things obſervable about this. pag. 459
3. The defectibility of it: comfort may bee loſt. pag. 460
CHAP. 35.
In the particular conſideration of this ſad ſtate of the ſoule, is expreſſed,
1. The caſe: and in that is conſidered,
1. The nature of it: ſet forth in foure things. pag. 461
1. It is a loſſe of comfort in God. pag. 462
2. It is a loſſe of uſuall comfort. pag. 463
The ſpeciall ſeaſons in which God gives ſuch a fulneſs of comfort, as ſhall not continue: expreſſed in five caſes. pag. 464
3. It is an eminent loſs. pag. 465
4. It is not a fit of uncomfortableneſs, but a ſtate. pag. 465
2. The degrees of it. pag. 466
1. When his quieting preſence is much abated: this expreſſed in three things. pag. 466
2. When there is much quickneſs, but no quietneſs. pag. 469
3. When there is neither comfort nor livelineſs. pag. 470
4. When God not only ſuſpends his comforts, but afflicts the ſoule, pag. 472.
And this is done,
1. By rebukes of the Spirit: foure waies. pag. 472
2. By tradition of the ſoule into its owne hands, or Sathans. pag. 476
5. When to all this is added an accumulation of other miſeries. pag. 479
6. When all this is continued. pag. 481
CHAP. 36.
3. The effects of this ſad condition; theſe are expreſſed according to the quality of the perſons thus Deſerted.
1. As they are ſleeping Chriſtians: and they are,
1. Careleſs. pag. 483
2. Declining in affection. pag. 484
3. Apt to he drawne to evill. ibid.
2. As they are awakened: in theſe there are different workings:
1. Evill effects: as
1. Heartleſs complaints. pag. 485
2. Fruitleſs complaints. pag. 486
3. Great unquietneſs: expreſſed in three things. pag. 487
2. Good effects: as
1. Sorrow. pag. 490.
2. Longing deſires. pag. 491
3. Repentance. ibid.
4. Subjection. pag. 492
4. The cauſe of the reſtleſneſs of the ſoule without God. pag. 492
1. From the condition of the ſubject: expreſſed in five things. pag. 492
2. From the object; in reſpect of,
1. The quality of it. pag. 498
There are three things in God which cauſe the wound to bleed much. ibid.
2. The relation in which God ſtands to a beleiver. pag. 503
3. The operation of God. pag. 504
CHAP. 37.
2. The cauſes for which God deales thus with his people. pag. 506
1. To put a difference betwixt Heaven and earth. ibid.
2. In judgement to the world. pag. 510
3. To eſtabliſh the godly in more full comforts. pag. 512
Affliction of the ſoule doth advantage much to further eſtabliſhment: foure reaſons of it. pag. 513
4. The correcting and healing of ſome evill in his people. 517. Theſe evils are,
1. Deadneſs and dulneſs of heart. ibid.
2. Feareleſneſs of God. pag. 519
3. Slightneſs of heart, 521. expreſſed in three things. ibid.
4. Living too much upon the creature: expreſſed in three things. pag. 525
5. Intractableneſs and ſtifneſs of heart. pag. 528
6. Rigidneſs and unmercifulneſs to the ſpirituall eſtate of others. pag. 530
7. Some great tranſgreſſion. pag. 533
5. To ſhew that God is the God of all comfort. pag. 534
6. To revive their eſteeme of mercy. pag. 536
7. That others may be inſtructed. pag. 538
8. To fit them for ſpeciall ſervice. pag. 539
2. The cure of this ſad condition. pag. 542
1. In thoſe in whom the cauſe is naturall. pag. 543
2. In thoſe in whom the cauſe is ſpirituall: and it is applyed,
1. To thoſe that have ſlumbring and drowſie ſpirits. pag. 544
2. To thoſe that are awakened, and ſee their loſſe: to theſe are propounded,
1 Perſwaſives:
1 Comfort is their ſtrength. pag. 546
Three great aſſaults that a man is expoſed unto. ibid.
2. Sadneſs doth much hurt both to themſelves and others. pag. 549
3. Recovery is poſſible: proved by five things. pag. 550
2. Directives:
1. Seeke the Father in the Son. pag. 551
2. Seeke peace much. pag. 555
3. Come in much love to God. pag. 556
Love ſhews it ſelf in two things. pag. 557
Decemb. 4. 1638.
Imprimatur
THO: WYKES.