The Works of Jeremiah Burroughs 9-11, Table of contents

The Works of Jeremiah Burroughs 9-11 · Table of contents

THE CONTENTS OF These three ensuing Treatises, VIZ. PRECIOUS FAITH, HOPE, AND WALKING by FAITH.

Of Precious Faith.

CHAP. I. THe Meaning of the Words of the Text. Page 1

CHAP. II. Three Observations raised. The first, That Faith is a Precious Grace: Explained. Wherein is shewed what Faith is. 6

CHAP. III. The Preciousness of Faith discovered: First, It's the fruit of Gods Eternal Election. Secondly, It's Precious, because it's Faith that first descries land in the storm of a troubled Conscience. Thirdly, Faith is Precious in regard of it's Object. 8

CHAP. IV. Fourthly, Faith is Precious, because it's that gives a Substance to things hoped for, and an Evidence of things not seen. 14

CHAP. V. Application. What hath been shewed before, may justly make men question whether their Faith be of the right kind. A Note of Tryal laid down. 21

CHAP. VI. Fiftly, Faith is a Precious Grace, because it doth free the soul from the guilt of sin. 24

CHAP. VII. Sixtly, Faith is Precious because it gives an interest in God, in Christ, in the Promises, and in Heaven it self. 26

CHAP. VIII. Seventhly, Faith is precious in regard of the Dignities it puts upon the soul. Dig. 1. It makes a man the Son of God. 2. It makes a man Heir of all the World. 3. It not only makes a man …n Heir, but a Co-beir with Christ. 4. It makes free of the New Jerusalem. 30

CHAP. IX. Eightly, Faith is Precious because it Sanctifies. Ninthly, Because it renews the Image of God, and puts a new life. Tenthly, It's Precious, because it puts a quickness upon all other Graces. Eleventhly, It's Precious because it puts a Dignity upon all the Works of the Saints. 33

CHAP. X. In the Twelfth place, Faith is Precious, because it enableth the soul to do glorious things. 1 It prevaileth with God. 2 It resisteth temptations. 3 It raiseth above discouragements. 4 It can rejoyce in tribulations. 5 It can overcome the world. 6 It can look upon the face of the Holy and Just God, and of Death, with joy. 38

CHAP. XI. XIII. Faith is precious, because it's the special Grace that glorifies God most. 43

CHAP. XII. XIV. Faith is a Precious Grace▪ because it puts the Beleever into a state of Happiness that he can never lose 46

CHAP. XIII. XV. Faith is precious in this, That it's the only condition of the Second Covenant. 47

CHAP. XIV. Use 1. Faith is a rare thing. Use 2. Is of comfort to those on whom God hath bestowed faith. Use 3. Is of Encouragement to those that are seeking after faith. Use 4. Be so in love with this grace of faith, as to be restless till you know you have it. 51

CHAP. XV. Directions how to get Faith: First, God giveth faith by hearing. Secondly, Hear every Truth as that which infinitely concerns your Souls. Thirdly, Think with thy self how miserable a man wert thou, to lose Heaven for a lust. Fourthly, Ad Prayer to thy Hearing. Fifthly, Do not give liberty to your selves to please your Sences too much. Sixtly, Thou must not only deny thy Sence, but your Carnal Reason. Seventhly, If you would have this Precious faith, do not sin against that Historical faith God hath given thee. 55

CHAP. XVI. Another Use. If Faith be so Precious, what pity it is that those that have it should not make more use of it than they do. 60

CHAP. XVII. The Second Doctrine opened: Wherin is shewed, That thy faith is like precious with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. First, It's wrought by the same Almighty Power. Secondly, It justifies thee as well, and as much. Thirdly, It as truly interest thee in God. Fourthly, It as truly make thee a Child of God. Fifthly, As truly interest thee in the Covenant. Object. If a weak faith doth all these, what matter is it whether our faith be weak or strong? Answ. 1. Our weak faith will not bring so much glory to God as a strong. 2. A strong faith will bring much more comfort than a weak faith. 61

CHAP. XVIII. Use 1. Of Comfort to weak ones. Use 2. By this we may see the faith of most men is not true. Use 3. See whether thy faith be better than the faith of Devils. Use 4. To stir up every Beleever to do the highest works that ever any Beleever did, because thou hast like faith. Use 5. Teacheth Christians that think they are eminent in Grace, to have an honorable esteem of their weak Brethren. 65

Of HOPE.

CHAP. I. The Cohaerence: And the Scope and meaning of the Words. 75

CHAP. II. Three Doctrines raised: And a Description of Hope. 80

CHAP. III. Of the Efficient of Hope, It is wrought by the Holy Spirit. 82

CHAP. IV. Of the Object ▪of Hope, Is, 1. Some good. 2. Some future good. 3. A supernatural good. 4. The Object of Hope is a difficult good; and therefore compared to an Helmet, and to an Anchor. 85

CHAP. V. Of the Act of Hope: 1. Quiet waiting. 2. Long expecting. 90

CHAP. VI. Of the Ground of Hope; and that is Faith, Which, First, Makes the thing real. Secondly, It gives us an interest in it. 93

CHAP. VII. Of the Saints being men of Hopes: For, 1. God hath excellent things to communicate, and the Saints are those God hath set apart for the manifesting himself unto. 2. God hath promised glorious things to the Saints. 3. The Saints are born to great Hopes 4. They are called to glorious Hopes. 96

CHAP. VIII. Of the use we are to make of the Saints being men of Hopes. 101

CHAP. IX. Of the Second Doctrine; implying Four Things: First, That sin is a Pollution: And two uses thereof. 104

CHAP. X. Of the Second thing implyed, Viz. That the Saints of God have some remainders of sin in them. And three Ʋses thereof. 108

CHAP. XI. Containg four Answers to such as live in a course of sin, and put it off with this excuse. The best have their sins in them. 110

CHAP. XII. Of the Saints purging themselves from sin. First, An Objection Answered. The Saints after conversion have, 1 A principle contrary to sin. 2 It's an Active Principle. 3 It's a powerful Principle against sin. 113

CHAP. XIII. What work the Saints and Sons of God do, when they purifie themselves. First, A gracious heart is willing, and takes pains to know the worst of its self. Secondly, A gracious heart, 1 Joyns and sides with every Truth: 2. It will seek to maintain every Truth: 3 It will apply the Truth: 4 It submits to the Truth: 5 It will hold the Truth on the heart when the heart would be weary of it. Thirdly, A gracious heart, sets on work all the ability it hath for the opposing of sin. Fourthly, A gracious heart takes up every duty God requires. 118

CHAP. XIV. Of the five last things a gracious heart doth in purifying its self from sin. Fiftly, It's willing to endure any difficulty that it may get power against sin. Sixtly, It especially labors against its chief and master sin. Seventhly, He acts his Faith upon the blood of Jesus Christ. Eightly, He is restless till somthing be done. Ninthly, In all this contention of the heart about sin it doth get somthing. 124

CHAP. XV. The Hope of the Saints makes them purifie themselves. First, Because the Hope of the Saints is of such high, great, wonderful, glorious things: Their Hopes, 1 Are great, and therefore doth elevate their hearts: 2 Their Hopes being great and high, makes them jealous of any thing may contradict their Hopes: 3 The greatness of their Hopes, fills their hearts with comfort, and therefore purifies: 4 The greatness of their Hopes purges their hearts, because it inflames their spirits with love to God. 129

CHAP. XVI. The Second ground why the Saints Hopes makes them purifie themselves: Because their Hopes (usually) cost them very dear. 137

CHAP. XVII. The Third Ground why the Saints Hope makes them purifie themselves: Because their Hope is a Scripture Hope. 140

CHAP. XVIII. Fourthly, The Hope of the Saints must needs be a purifying Hope, Because it's a lively Hope. Fiftly, The Hope of the Saints must be purifying, because they are pitcht upon God and Jesus Christ. 144

CHAP. XIX. Two more Grounds why the Saints Hope makes them purifie themselves. First, Because the things hoped for, are such pure and holy things. Lastly, Because the purging of the heart is but a preparation for the enjoyment of all the Good a gracious heart hopes for. 147

CHAP. XX. APPLICATION. Use 1. Of Reproof of those Hopes that are so far from purging sin, that they are great nourishers of sin. Us. 2. To get the hearts of the most vile sinner to hope in Gods mercy. Us. 3. To help the Saints against that great Temptation, That they have much sin in them. Us. 4. It cuts the sinews of all false Hope. The Hope of most people, It's, 1 A meer contradiction: 2 It's contrary to Gods Plot in Election, and in Redemption. 150

CHAP. XXI. An Exhortation to put away sin. 155

Of Walking by Faith.

CHAP. I. Shewing the Scope and Meaning of the Words, what is meant by Walking, what by Sight; That Christians walk not by carnal Sence, nor spiritual Sence, nor by natural Reason, nor by spiritual Reason only, but a Principle above all these, namely, Faith. 161

CHAP. II. Wherein the Text is opened: and it is shewed that Worldlings guide their way according to sight, i. e. of their Eyes, and according to their other Sences, and according to their natural Reason. 1 The end they propound to themselves is some sensual good. 2 They judg of things according to Sence. 3 Though they have somtimes some convictions and good affections, the main work of their lives is for some good of sence. 166

CHAP. III. Shewing the great evil of walking by Sence. 1 It is beneath a rational Creature, who hath his Reason given him to correct Sence in Natural things; and in things that concern his everlasting Happiness also, at least negatively, to shew him wherein his felicity doth not consist. 2 It is infinitely beneath the spirit of Wisdom. 3 They who are acted by sence, are liable to continual temptations, because the Devil gets into the Rational Soul by the Sensitive first. 4 Men living by sence, are besotted, and without God in the World, very unlikely to come to come to good because the way of Gods bringing to Eternal Life, is above Reason, and above, and contrary to sence; and they who never mind an higher end in the way of their lives, shall perish. 171

CHAP. IV. The Saints walk not by Sence. 1 They give no liberty to the Eyes of their Bodies or thoughts to behold vanity, but pluck out the corruption of their Eyes. 2 They hold on their course though things seem to go never so cross according to sence. 3 They cannot by sence apprehend those great things that take their hearts most. 4 They walk not by sence in respect of spiritual things, but by faith, in the exercise whereof, God hath his chief glory upon Earth. 177

CHAP. V. An Admonition to yong Converts, that think the encrease and decrease of sence and joy, is the encrease and decrease of Grace. 187

CHAP. VI. Worldly men walk according to what they apprehend to be Reason, and that's their happiness; and 'tis good in the way of Justice between man and man, not in Gods Worship and Eternal Happiness. Five Expressions how they are acted by Reason in the course of their lives, and in Gods Worship. 190

CHAP. VII. Reason is not that which should guide a Christian. 1 Reason not corrupted, is uncapable of the way of the Gospel. 2 Reason corrupted is enmity with God, both in the Apprehensive and Discursive part. 194

CHAP. VIII. Reason carrieth men upon corrupt Principles. As 1 It is not good to engage too far in any Cause. 2 It is the safest way to go according to the common streams of the times, and places where we live. 3 Not to venture present things for future, certain for uncertain. 4 It is not likely that a poor contemptible in an, should understand more than the Learned. 5 To be happy, and to be poor and persecuted, are inconsistent. 6 Good meanings, and performance of good duties, are sufficient to make us accepted of God. 7 Zeal from some beyond others, must needs come from Hypocrisie. 196

CHAP. IX. Spiritual Truths are above the light of Natural Reason. As, 1 The necessity of a new Birth. 2 The more a wicked man prospers, the more cursed he is. 3. That God should work the worst things for the Saints good. 4 That the Promises are the greatest riches. 5 That all the World is vanity. 6 That we must be righteous by the righteousness of another. 7. That the Foundation of all Happiness, is self-denial. 8. That there is greater evil in the least sin, than in the greatest affliction. 199

CHAP. X. The danger of mens walking by Reason. 1 The way of the Gospel is above Reason, Rhetorick, and Logick. 2 Reason is excellent, but if we walk according to it, it hardneth against God. 3 The Word works upon weak men sooner than wise, because they cannot fence off the Truth, as wise men with corrupt hearts. 4 It makes men slight in spiritual Duties, without Communion. 5 They will not go through with a Duty, but start aside at every difficulty. 6 If God work grace upon them, they will be fuller of doubts than others in whose understanding the Devil hath no forge 203

CHAP. XI. Use 1. We must not follow the example of men of Parts. Use 2. Men of Parts must be humble. Use 3. In the work of Conversion, judg not according to Reason. Use 4. To rebuke those that come not so high as Reason, or as Heathens. Use 5. Saints must have a Principle above sanctified Reason. 209

CHAP. XII. Saints expect greater glory than they understand: The ground of Faith is Divine Revelation, and this is different from Knowledg, though sanctified, which must be done away, when we shall understand not by way of Reason as now, but by the immediate presence of God. 214

CHAP. XIII. The Walk of a Saint on Earth, is the Walk of Faith. What the Walk of Faith is, is described, 1 Generally. 2 Particularly. First, In respect of its End, which is Twofold: 1 The enjoyment of Communion with God. 2 The glorifying of God (both in a Gospel way.) Secondly, In respect of its Rule. Thirdly, In respect of its Separation from uncleanness in thoughts and actions. Fourthly, In respect of its acting upon Christ for strength to walk. Fifthly, In respect of its acting upon Christ for strength, 1 To resist oppositions, persecutions, outward and inward. 2 To get above discouragements. 3 To be carried through difficulties. Sixtly, In respect of its performance of Duties without self-ends. Seventhly, In respect of its real satisfaction without enjoyment. Eightly, In respect of its dependancy upon God in want of means. Ninthly, In respect of its Progress. Tenthly, Of its constancy. Eleventhly, Of its sutableness to things beleeved. 219

CHAP. XIV. The Saints in all Ages have walked by faith. 1 Enoch. 2 Noah. 3 Abraham. 4 Jacob. 5 All the Patriarks. 6 David. 7 Jonah. 8 Church, though they had less means, and a less glorious Object than we have. 230

CHAP. XV. The necessity of walking by Faith: 1 Because the waies of God are mean and vile to Sence and Reason. 2 That there may be an agreement between us and God. 3 Because many things that are the Rule of our lives, depend meerly upon the will of God revealed without Reason. 4 That we may see the Authority of the Rule, and make it come with power to our hearts. 5 That we may see the reallity of Spiritual things. 6 That we may see through the colors and vain shews that are put upon the waies of Sin. 7 Because the waies of God do somtimes seem contrary to his Word. 8 Because of oppositions, outward and inward. 9 Because by it only we please God. 10 Because the End of the Saints Walking, is above Reason. 11 Because the efficacy of all means we use for any good, depends upon Faith. 236

CHAP. XVI. Of the Excellenty of Faith. Walking by Faith is Excellent: 1 Because it hath higher apprehensions of God than others have. 2 It makes Civil and Natural actions, Heavenly. 3 It brings delight to the soul. 4 It makes us converse much with God in all things we do. 5 By it we most honor God. 6 The soul is freed from fears by it. 7 It makes us do great things for God. 8 It makes a great progress in the waies of God. 9 It causeth uprightness in the heart. 10 We have Salvation present. 11 It is useful in all conditions. 12 It brings a good report from God himself. 13 It makes us die comfortably. 246

CHAP. XVII. An Exhortation to strengthen Faith by looking to the grand Covenant, when we cannot apply particular Promises, and when we can neither apply particular nor absolute Promises, by casting our selves upon Gods Attributes. 254

CHAP. XVIII. Helps for the soul in its walking by Faith. 1 Whatsoever our case is, we have to deal with an All-seeing God. 2 Gods Word is more to be relied upon than his Works. 3 All good that is in all Creatures is eminently in God. 4 No Creature in Heaven or Earth, hath the least power to do good or hurt, any further than God pleaseth to let out himself through them. 5 The way of God in working for his Saints, is often above, without, and contrary to means. 6 God puts the sentence of death upon a thing before he gives it. 7 Whatsoever Promise i… made to any particular of the people of God, that may every Godly man apply to himself, being in the same condition that he was in. 8 No Condition so comfortless a… it may be a sufficient plea for unbeleef.

CHAP. XIX. Encouragements to the soul in its walking by Faith. 1 God tenders himself to all to whom the Gospel comes, in a Covenant of Grace, and not of Works. 2 All the good that God doth for his Creatures, especially in order to eternal Life, is for his Names sake. 3 There is no qualification in the Creature that is made by God as a condition to our beleeving. 4 It is the great Glory of God, and the design that he hath in the world, to glorifie himself in the way of his free Grace, and faithfulness towards men. 5 It's as delightful to Christ to have the end of his Death, as to us to have our souls saved. 6 God leaves his People without Sence of his love for many good ends to them. 7 God▪ hath more Glory in saving than in casting off. 268

CHAP. XX. Motives to draw the heart to beleeve in want of Sence. 1 There's a… great humility, and obedience to God in beleeving, as in any other …ay. 2 It is the safest way in the want of all sence to exercise Faith. 3 It is the soonest way to get the sence of Gods Love. 4 It is the proper time for Faith to act. 5. It is a glorious thing to beleeve in want of Sence. 6 It is that which honors God more than any other Grace. 7 It argues very much love to God. 8 Faith is wrought by the Almighty Power of God.

CHAP. XXI. Motives to stir up weak Beleevers to the exercising of their Faith, when they want Sence. 1 Their Sence of Gods Love afterwards will be sweeter. 2 They be str…nger against Temptations afterwards. 3 It will turn their greatest afflictions into the greatest Blessings. 4 To have jealousie of God for with drawing, is tedious to his spirit. 395

CHAP. XXII. Directions for the exercise of Faith in the want of Sence. First, Be afraid of Ʋnbeleef as much as of Presumption. Secondly, Listen not to any thing that makes against the Word▪ Thirdly, One Promise i… enough to rest upon, though you think other Scriptures are against you. Fourthly, Treasure up some Principles before temptation that you will stick to, As 1 There can be no conclusion of Reprobation, as of Election. 2 It is better to set upon Duties though we cannot do them as we ought, than omit them. 3 Where there is no peace with sin, there sin is not a sufficient ground to hinder the peace of the soul. 4 Where the soul complains for the want of Grace, it cannot conclude against it self that it hath not that Grace. 5 There is a Faith of Adhaerence when there is none of Evidence. 398

CHAP. XXIII. A Fifth Direction for the exercise of Faith in want of Sence; which is, When Reasoning and Temptations wax strong, the way is not to answer them, but to pray. Sixthly, Set before thee, the Covenant of Grace. Seventhly, Act Faith and Repentance afresh. 408

CHAP. XXIV. The Principal Ingredient in every Duty, is the acting of Faith: Refer'd to two Heads: First, How a Christian should walk by Faith in time of affliction. Secondly, Ho… he should walk by Faith when God calls him upon any difficult Service. Hel…s to walk by Faith, when God appears as a… Enemy to the soul. 1 It hath been the condition of the deanest Saints. 2 It is Ʋnbeleef to apprehend him so. 3 If God were really so, fly not from him. 4 If thy soul be at enmity with sin, God is not thine Enemy. 5 There is enough in Christ to reconcile Enemies. 6 Consider it is for thy negligence. 7 Trust in God though he appear never so terrible. 415

CHAP. XXV. Encouragement for a Saint at that time when God lets the Devil out upon him. 1 The Devil was more upon thee, when thou wertless sensible of him. 2 God hath good ends in it. 3 Consider that Christ himself was tempted, for two Ends: First, That he might he a merciful High-Priest. Secondly, That he might take out the venom of temptation. 4 Consider Christ prayeth for the tempted. 5 Christ hath broke the Serpents head. 6 Consider the Promises that temptation shall not prevail. 7 Think not to overcome Satan by Reason. 8 The power of sin is a greater evil than the strongest temptation. 9 Walk by Faith in the stirrings of corruptions. 420

CHAP. XXVI. Saints must walk by Faith in time of Afflictions 1 They may see the Love of God therein. 2 The Wisdom of God. 3 The Faithfulness of God. 4 The Tenderness of God. 5 The Protection of God. 6 The Strength of God. 7 The Glory God takes in delivering. 428

CHAP. XXVII. Faith helps the soul in time of affliction. 1 By taking away guilt, which makes afflictions heavy. 2 And by turning them into good. 3 By concluding deliverance as present. 4 By resting upon the Word. 5 By making up all comforts in God. 415

CHAP. XXVIII. Use. Exhortation to exercise Faith in the Evil Day. 419

FINIS.

p. 1Precious Faith.

The Second Epistle of PETER, the first Chapter Part of the first Verse.

To them that have obtained like precious Faith with us.