The Middle Things, Table of contents
The Contents of this Book.
Chap. 1.
Sect. 1. THe Proeme, or Entrance into the Book, Page 1
Sect. 2. Of the firſt Priviledge of a Believer, viz. Juſtification, Page 1
Sect. 3. Of the ſecond Priviledge, viz. Reconciliation, Page 5
Sect. 4. Of the third Priviledge, viz. Adoption, Page 8
Sect. 5. Of the fourth Priviledge, viz. Sanctification, Page 10
Sect. 6. Of the fifth Priviledge, viz. Glorification. Page 12
Chap. 2.
Sect. 1. OF Duties in general, and firſt of the Equity of Duties, Page 13
Sect. 2. Of the inſufficiency of Duties, Page 15
Sec. 3. Of the healing of Duties, Page 16
Sec. 4. No reſting in Duties, Page 17
Sec. 5. Of the aſe and ends of Duties, Page 20
Sec. 6. Of the Saints abilities, or power to do Duties, Page 26
Sec. 7. Of the Saints delights in Duties, Page 28
Sec. 8. Of the eſſential Requiſites in Duties, Page 33
Sec. 9. Of the kindes of Duties, in ſeveral Diviſions, Page 36
Chap. 3.
Sect. 1. OF Duties in particular, and firſt of the nature of Watchfulneſs. Page 38
Sec. 2. Of the objects of Watchfulneſs, ibid.
Sec. 3. Of the maner of Watchfulneſs over Original ſins, Page 39
Sec. 4. Of the maner of Watchfulneſs over Actual ſins, Page 40
Sec. 5. Of the maner of Watchfulneſs over special ſins, Page 41
Sec. 6. Of the maner of Watchfulneſs over our Hearts, Page 45
Sec. 7. Of the maner of Watchfulneſs over our Tongues, Page 48
Sec. 8. Of the maner of Watchfulneſs over our Actions, Page 51
Chap. 4.
Sect. 1. OF the nature of Self-Examination, Page 55
Sect. 2. Of the objects of Self-Examination, Page 57
Sec. 3. Of the maner of Examining our ſins in general, Page 58
Sec. 4. Of the maner of Examining our special ſins, Page 59
Sec. 5. Of the maner of Examining our Hearts, Page 62
Sec. 6. Of the maner of Examining our Tongues, Page 65
Sec. 7. Of the maner of Examining our Actions, Page 66
Sec. 8. Of the time of our Self-Examination, Page 69
Sec. 9. The daily Regiſter of a weak unworthy Servant of Chriſt for ſome years, Page 71
Chap. 5.
Sect. 1. OF the nature of Experiences, Page 86
Sect. 2. Of the gathering of Experiences, ibid.
Sec. 3. Of the improving of Experiences, Page 87
Sec. 4. Of the Sanctification of Experiences in their ſeveral uſes, Page 89
Sec. 5. Of the conſideration of Experiences in a Practical courſe, Page 95
Sec. 6. Of the Experiences of a weak Chriſtian caſt into method, Page 98
§. 1. Judgements on the wicked, ibid.
§. 2. Gods love to his Saints, Page 100
§. 3. Several Chaſtiſements or Afflictions on my ſelf and others, Page 102
§. 4. Performances of gracious Promiſes to my ſelf and others, Page 104
§. 5. The temptations of Sin, Satan and the World, Page 106
§. 6. Victories of the World, Luſts, Temptations, Corruptions, Satan, Page 107
§. 7. Obſervations of Gods Providences, Page 109
§. 8. The breathings of the Spirit in my ſoul and others, Page 111
§. 9. Deceits of the heart beguiling, Page 113
Chap. 6.
Sect. 1. OF the nature of Evidences, Page 117
Sect. 2. Of the gathering of Evidences, ibid.
Sec. 3. Of the improving of Evidences, Page 125
Sec. 4. Of the ſanctification of Evidences in their ſeveral uſes, ib.
Sec. 5. Of the Evidences of a weak unworthy Servant of Chriſt, laid down according to the Rules aforementioned, Page 133
Chap. 7.
Sect. 1. OF the nature and kindes of Meditation, Page 136
Sect. 2. Of the circumſtantials of Meditation, Page 137
Sec. 3. Of occaſional Meditation, Page 138
Sec. 4. Of deliberate Meditation, and the parts thereof, Page 140
Sec. 5. An Example of the Souls love to Chriſt, Page 142
Sec. 6. Another Example of Eternity, Page 151
Chap. 8.
Sect. 1. OF the nature of the Life of Faith. Page 162
Sect. 2. Of the maner of this Life of faith in general, ib.
Sec. 3. Of the maner of this Life of Faith in particular, as in Temporal evils, Page 166
Sec. 4. Of the maner of this Life of Faith in Temporal bleſſings, Page 171
Sec. 5. Of the maner of this Life of Faith in Spiritual evils, Page 175
Sec. 6. Of the maner of this Life of Faith in Spiritual bleſſings, as derived to us from God, and Chriſt, and the Spirit of Chriſt, Page 181
Sec. 7. Of the maner of this Life of Faith in spiritual graces, Page 186
Sec. 8. Of the maner of this Life of Faith in spiritual duties, Page 190
Sec. 9. Of the maner of this Life of Faith in things Eternal, Page 194
Sec. 10. Of the maner of this Life of Faith in regard of others, Page 196
Chap. 9.
Sect. 1. OF the nature of Family-Duties, Page 199
Sect. 2. Of the preparatives to Family-Duties, ibid.
Sec. 3. Of the Duties of Governors in general, Page 201
Sec. 4. Of the Duties of Parents to their Children, Page 204
Sec. 5. Of the Duties of Maſters to Servants, Page 208
Sec. 6. Of the Duties of Huſband and Wife, Page 209
Sec. 7. Of the Duties of Children to Parents, Page 216
Sec 8. Of the Duties of Servants to their Maſters, Page 217
Chap. 10.
Sect. 1. OF preparatives to Chriſtian-Society, Page 221
Sect. 2. Of a mutual exchange of gifts and graces, Page 225
Sec. 3. Of a mutual ſerviceableneſs to the Bodies and Souls of one another, Page 226
Sec. 4. Of a mutual walking together, and holding hands in the Ordinances of Chriſt, Page 229
Sec. 5. Of ſome Orders to which ſome Chriſtians ſubſcribed before Conference, Page 231
Sec. 6. Of ſome Queſtions of Practical Divinity, which at the Conference were propounded and anſwered, Page 232
§. 1. What was the happines of mans condition in innocency? ibid.
§. 2. What are the miſeries of man in ſtate of Nature? Page 233
§. 3. What means hath God appointed to come out of this ſtate? Page 234
§. 4. What are the ſigns of a ſound humiliation? Page 235
§. 5. What are the ſigns of an hard heart? Page 236
§. 6. What means for brokenneſs of heart? Page 237
§. 7. What means for the obtaining, and increaſe of faith? ibid.
§. 8. What are the ſigns of a true juſtifying faith? Page 238
§. 9. What motives to Evangelical Repentance? Page 240
§. 10. What ſigns of true Evangelical Repentance? Page 241
§. 11. How may a Believer Redeemed by Chriſt, acknowledge his thankfulneſs to Chriſt? ibid.
§. 12. What are the ſigns of a ſincere love to Chriſt? Page 242
§. 13. What are the cauſes in us of Chriſt withdrawing from us? Page 243
§. 14. What are the cauſes for which Chriſt on his part withdraws himſelf from us? ibid.
§. 15. What means for the recovery of Chriſts comfortable preſence? Page 244
§. 16. Of what uſe is Chriſt to a Believer already juſtified? Page 245
Sect. 7. Of ſome Queſtions or Caſes of Conſcience, which at the Conference were propounded and anſwered, Page 246
§. 1. Whether a Believer may profit more, or be more intent in publ…ke, or in ſecret Prayer? ibid.
§. 2. Whether a Chriſtian in his own apprehenſion decaying in grace, may not yet grow in grace? and what are the reaſons of his miſtakes? Page 247
§. 3. What ſigns of true grace, though for the preſent but weak? Page 248
§. 4. Whether is a Chriſtian always bound to reprehend an offender? or in what caſes may he forbear? Page 249
§. 5. How may we know whether we profit by afflictions? Page 250
§. 6. How ſhould a Chriſtian fortifie himſelf againſt the reproaches of wicked men? Page 251
§. 7. Whether a true Believer may not ſometimes doubt? and what are the cauſes? Page 252
§. 8. What are the cures or remedies of doubting incident to Believers? Page 253
§. 9. What are thoſe Remora's that hinder the growth of Chriſtianity, or the spreading of the kingdom of Chriſt? ib.
§. 10. What means to preſerve unity and amity amongst Chriſtians, Page 254
Sect. 8. Of ſome Queſtions or Controverted Points, which at the Conference were propounded and anſwered, Page 256
§. 1. Whether doth God ſee ſin in Believers, ſo as to be offended at it? and how may it appear? ibid.
§. 2. Whether are Believers to repent for their ſins? and on what grounds? Page 257
§. 3. Whether are Believers to pray for pardon of ſin? and what are the reaſons? Page 258
§. 4. Whether is it the duty of Chriſtians to obſerve the Lords day as a Chriſtian Sabbath? and what grounds for it? ibid.
§. 5. Whether may not Chriſtians lawfully ſing Davids or Moſes Pſalms? and how may it appear? Page 259
§. 6. Whether admiting of, or joyning with ſcandalous perſons in the Lords Supper be ſin? and how may it appear? Page 260. & ſine operis.
§. 7. What is the duty of admitters and joyners to keep themſelves blameleſs, and the Ordinance undefiled? Page 261
§. 8. In what caſes is it lawful to enter into fellowſhip, aſſociation, confederacy and covenants with ſcandalous ſinners? and in what caſes is it not lawful? Page 262
Chap. 11.
Sect. 1. OF the neceſſity of preparation to the Hearing of the Word, Page 264
Sec. 2. Of the maner of preparation to hear the Word, Page 265
Sec. 3. The duties of the ſoul in hearing the Word, Page 269
Sec. 4. The duties required after hearing, Page 274
Chap. 12.
Sect. 1. OF the two Sacraments of the new teſtament, Page 276
Sect. 2. Of the duties in general, before we receive the Lords Supper, ibid.
Sec. 3. Of the manner of Examining our ſins before the Lords Supper, Page 277
Sec. 4. Of Examination of the wants of graces, Page 278
Sec. 5. Of the Examination of the truth of our graces, and firſt of our Converſion, Page 281
Sec. 6. Examination of Knowledge, Page 283
Sec. 7. Examination of Faith, Page 284
Sec. 8. Examination of Repentance, Page 286
Sec. 9. Examination of Love to the Brethren, Page 288
Sec. 10. Examination of Obedience, Page 289
Sec. 11. Examination of our deſires after this Ordinance, Page 290
Sec. 12. Examination of the growth of graces, ibid.
Sec. 13. Of the duties in Sacrament, of the exerciſe of Repentance, Page 291
Sec. 14. Of the exerciſe of Faith, Page 293
Sec. 15. Of the exerciſe of Thanksgiving, Page 300
Sec. 16. Of the exerciſe of Love and Mercy, Page 301
Sec. 17. Of Examination after Sacrament, and the reſult, if not a good day, ibid.
Sec. 18. Of Thankfulneſs, if a good day, Page 303
Sec. 19. Of Obedience, and faithfulneſs in our lives, Page 304
Chap. 13.
Sect. 1. OF preparation to Prayer, Page 305
Sect. 2. The general duties of the ſoul in Prayer, Page 307
Sec. 3. The particular duties of the ſoul in Prayer, Page 311
Sec. 4. The duties of the body in Prayer, Page 314
Sec. 5. Duties after Prayer, Page 316
Sec. 6. A Caſe of Conſcience: Suppoſe I prayed, how may I know that God hears and will anſwer? Page 317
Sec. 7. A ſecond Caſe: Suppoſe the thing I deſire ſhall not be anſwered, how may I know that yet God doth hear? Page 319
Sec. 8. A third Caſe: Suppoſe I cannot diſcover that God will hear and anſwer, what ſhall I do then? Page 321
Sec. 9. A fourth Caſe: Suppoſe the thing I deſire is anſwered, how may I know it was by my prayers, and not out of common Providence? Page 322
Sec. 10. A fifth Caſe: Suppoſe others joyned with me in prayers, now anſwered, how may I know that my prayers had …n hand in obtaining thoſe anſwers? Page 325
Sec. 11. A ſixth Caſe: Suppoſe I am aſſured that God hath heard and anſwered my prayers, what muſt I do then? Page 327
Sec. 12. A Directory for Prayer, ibid.
Sec. 13. A Form of Prayer in Scripture phraſe, Page 331
Chap. 14.
Sec. 1. OF the nature of Reading the Scriptures, Page 340
Sec. 2. Of fit times and ſeaſons for reading the Scriptures, ibid.
Sec. 3. Of the maner of preparation before reading of Scriptures, Page 341
Sec. 4. Of the neceſſary duties in reading of the Scriptures, Page 343
Sec. 5. Of duties after reading the Scriptures, Page 345
Sec. 6. A Calendar once compoſed, but now referred to the Reader, to ſhew how we may read over the Scriptures ſeveral ways once in a year, Page 346
Sec. 7. Of the Analyſis of the whole Bible, and especially of the Old Teſtament, Page 347
Sec. 8. Of the Pentateuch, or Books of the Law, Page 349
Sec. 9. Of the Prophets Hiſtorical, Page 355
Sec. 10. Of Prophets Dogmatical, Page 362
Sec. 11. Of Prophets Prophetical, Page 364
Sec. 12. Of the New Teſtament; and 1. Of books Hiſtorical, Page 369
Sec. 13. Of Books Doctrinal, Page 373
Sec. 14. Of the Book Prophetical, Page 376
Sec. 15. Of common places for profitable things, Page 377
Sec. 16. Common places obſerved by one in his private reading of Scriptures, ibid.
Sec. 17. Of the uſe of theſe Collections, Page 380
Chap. 15.
Sect. 1. OF preparatives to Faſting, Page 398
Sect. 2. Of the duties required in Faſting, Page 399
Sec. 3. Of duties after Faſting, Page 401
Chap. 16.
Sect. 1. OF preparatives to feaſting or thanksgiving, Page 403
Sect. 2. Of the duties required in thanksgiving, ibid.
Sec. 3. Of duties after thanksgiving, Page 404
Sec. 4. Pſalms ſuitable to this duty, Page 405