The Use and Practice of Faith, Index
AN ALPHABETICAL TABLE Of the Principal CONTENTS.
A
Abſtinence.
ABſtinence from ſin is far from Mortification, Page 158
Accuſation.
Satan accuſes God of envy and ſeverity, to hinder reconciliation 'twixt God and Man, p 536, 537
Acting. Activity.
Activity of faith is the excellency of it, 556
The acting of faith moſt honours God, 557
It brings moſt comfort and hearts-eaſe to us, ibid.
Acting of faith brings advantage and advance, 558, 559
The not acting of faith foils and ſhames Chriſtians, 559
Gods outward actings for us, carry proportion to his inward actings upon us, 558
Could we but act faith, nothing could make us miſerable, 559
Helps for the acting of faith, 560
See living by faith.
Adoption. See Heirſhip.
It proves our right to a heavenly Inheritance, 344
Adoption in the Civil Law, how taken, 344
Adoption uſed in a threefold caſe, ibid.
Double act of free-grace in Adoption, 345
Difference 'twixt Divine and Humane Adoption, ibid.
The Spirit of Adoption implies two things, 347
The Spirits teſtimony of our Adoption, what it is, ibid
Adverſity.
The juſt live by faith in Adverſity, 49
In relation to inward and outward troubles, 50, 51
See Troubles.
Motives to live by faith in Adverſity, 65, 66
Reproof to ſuch who do not ſo, 66
It argues a threefold evil, 67
Affliction.
Faith makes a right uſe of Afflictions for growth in Sanctification, 131
Antipodes.
The diſcovery of Antipodes in the new world, from 429 to 434
Apoſtacy. See Backſliding.
Confutation of the Doctrine of the Saints Apoſtacy, 241, 242, 243
See Perſeverance.
Examples of Gods Judgements on Apoſtates, 250, 251
Apoſtacy is the fruit of Ʋnbelief, Hypocriſie, Hereſie, 464
Apoſtates triumph'd over be damned spirits, 491
Arraignment.
The proceſs of faith in the Arraignment of ſin, 152, 153, 154
The Arraignment of Ʋnbelief, 467
Aſcenſion.
Chriſts Aſcenſion a pledge of believers glorification, 348
Aſſurance of Juſtification.
Faith uſes 12 means to attain it, from 92, to 97
Four Reaſons for the trial of the truth of aſſurance, 97
Three Marks of true aſſurance, 97, 98
Faith anſwers all objections which may cloud aſſurance, 99, 100, 101
The juſt live by faith in expectation of aſſurance, 101, 102
Five Ʋſes of living by faith in order to aſſurance, 103, 104
One in a ſtate of grace may be aſſured of Salvation, 247
How faith aſſures of heaven, from 342, to 351
Motives to get aſſurance of Eternal life, 374, to 379
Want of aſſurance and joy may conſiſt with ſtrong faith, 514
Divine Attributes rightly apprehended and applied, breed aſſurance, 96
Atheiſm. Atheiſt.
Inſtances of two grand Atheiſts, 356, 363
Living upon Self, is a high degree of Atheiſm, 432
Atheiſm is the fruit of Ʋnbelief, 464
Attributes of God.
They are ſpecial means to beget faith, 538, 539
Rightly apprehended and applied they breed aſſurance, 96
Augmentation. See Growth.
The juſt by faith draw increaſing vertue from Chriſt, 190, 191
Reaſons of ſpiritual Augmentation, 192, to 195
Augmentation in grace is by faith, 195, to 199
See Growth in grace.
B
Backſliding.
Difference 'twixt a believer and a hypocrite in this, 215
It is a great diſhonor to backſlide, 250
See Apoſtacy.
Beauty, or Compleatneſs.
Believers are the moſt beautiful perſons, 479
Believers.
Their deſcription and condition, 1
They lead a ſuper-excellent life in ſeven particulars, 8, 9, 10, 11
They only can have comfort againſt a ſixfold condemnation, 417, 418, 419
Chriſt is the Principle and End of their duties, 447
The believing creature is a praying creature, 448
The complicated excellencies of a believer, from 471, to 481
Benefit:
How far one mans faith may benefit another, 38
Bleſſings.
Seven belong to the natural life, for which the Saints live by faith, 70, 71, 72, 73
Blindneſs of minde.
Gods judicial inflicting of it, juſtified, 496, 497
Book.
God hath a threefold Book, 395, 396
C
Carefulneſs,
In worldly things, a ſign of weak faith, 572
Carriage. See Converſation.
Care of our carriage in this life, is a ſign of right to heaven, 362
Cenſure.
The wicked cenſure Religion to breed Melancholy, 319, 320
Certainty.
True grace is certain, and durable above all things, 247, 248
Charter.
The believers Charter for Eternal Life, 341, 342
Chaſtiſement
Gods, is caſtigatory probatory Purgatory, 504
Chriſt
His Merit, Interceſſion and Spirit, is a cauſe of Perſeverance, 239
Chriſt was an Example of Perſeverance, 256
See Perſeverance.
Overlooking the terms on which Chriſt is to be had, viz. the Croſs, is a cauſe of unexpected ſadneſs, 314
Difference 'twixt the life of Chriſt and a believers, 425
What it is to receive Chriſt on Goſpel-terms, 560
To clear up our intereſt in Chriſt, is a means to act faith, ibid.
Church.
Church of Chriſt compared to a Ship, 349
Circumſpection.
It ought to be ſeen in our affections, meditations, ſpeeches, actions, 362, 363, 364
Civility. See Morality.
It is dangerous to reſt in it, and truſt to it, 119
Difference 'twixt Civility and Sanctification, ibid.
Combat.
Differences 'twixt a true and falſe combat with ſin, 160
Comfort. See Conſolation.
Sound comfort flows from proving our own faith, 43
The Comforter abides for ever, though not the act of Comfort, 272
Communion.
Chriſtian Communion is a means to increaſe faith, 579
Compaſſion.
The Juſt live by faith in point of Compaſſion, and how, 54
Condemnation.
Believers are ſet free from a ſixfold condemnation, 111, 112
The intailment of Condemnation on Ʋnbelievers, 417 418, 419, 421
Confeſſion.
Reſolute confeſſion of Chriſt, is a means of aſſurance, 95
Confidence. See Pride.
Self-confidence hinders growth in grace, 231
Sinful confidence, how manifold and dangerous, 6
Carnal confidence in ſpiritual friends, 41
Conſcience
Renewed by faith, it acquits and quiets, 299
The teſtimony of a renewed Conſcience, is nothing elſe but a reflex act of faith, 301
Conſcience purified, makes the believer cheerful, 308
A good Conſcience is a means to keep faith, 550
Conſolation. Vide Comfort. Vide Joy.
The juſt live by faith the life of Conſolation, 278
Conſolation is the Saints complete Commencement, 279
The ſuburbs of heaven in the conſolations of faith, 280, 281
Chriſts beſt reſerve in the Wine of Joy, 282
Proofs from Scripture, that the juſt live the life of Conſolation, 282
The juſt live the life of Conſolation by faith, 283
Faiths activity the magazine of Comfort, 284
Gods deſign in promoting the Saints Comfort, 284, 285, 286, 287, 288
The influence of faith into Conſolation, 288, to 292
Conſolation, what properly, 292
Conſolation from the touch of faith, 292, 293
The Word and Sacraments, are the Breſts of Conſolation, 393, 394, 395
Reaſons why Conſolation comes by faith, 298, 299, 305, 306
We muſt try our Comforts by our Graces, and not our Graces by our Comforts: See why 300, to 304
It is eaſier to be deceived in our Comforts than Graces, 301
See Joy.
Papiſts rob of Comfort, while of faith, 321
Comfort from ſenſe and ſenſual delights, ends in ſorrow, 321
To refuſe to be comforted by the Promiſes, diſhonors God, 322
Comfort in falſe Doctrine and Prophets, dangerous, 322
Motives to live by faith the life of Comfort, 323
Conſolation brings activity of Obedience, 323
There may be ſtrong faith where little comfort, 514
Conſtancy. See Perſeverance.
Gods conſtancy in his love, a motive to perſeverance, 249
Converſation. See Carriage.
Ʋnneceſſarily imbraced with wicked ones, hinders growth in grace, 230
Converſion,
Ʋnbelievers rarely Convert others; if they do, they take no joy in it, 39
The method of converting grace, how it gradually proceeds from conviction of ſin to a cloſing with Chriſt, 521, 522
Its not the Word without the Spirit, which can convert, 529
Converſion of Souls is a moſt excellent work, for ſeven Reaſons, from 585, to 600
Such reproved who ſlight the converting of others, 602, 603, 604
Exhortation to convert ſouls, 606
Eight Motives to convert others, from 607, to 610
Means for the converſion of others, from 610, to 612
Exhortation to People to be willing to be converted, and to attend on ſuch means as are proper for it, 612, 613, 614, 615, 616
The miſery of ſuch who are not converted, 613
The happineſs of converted ones, 614
Objections of Diſcouragement anſwered, 614, 615
Thankfulneſs for our own and others Converſion, 616
Conviction.
It is an act of the comforting Spirit, though not an act of Comfort, 272
The Spirit convinces of ſin by opening and applying the Law, 520, 521
Covenant of Grace.
This is a cauſe of the Saints perſeverance, 238
Creature-inconſtancy.
Faith triumphs over it, 261, 262
Curioſity.
Vain curioſity concerning heaven, condemned, 359
D
Deadneſs of Spirit.
Gods Children ſubject to it, 172
Cauſes of ſpiritual deadneſs, which is fourfold, 173
Sinful deadneſs springs from four privative cauſes, and from four poſitive cauſes, 173
Penal and probational deadneſs, 174
Saints recover by faith out of deadneſs, 174, 175
Reaſons why faith recovers out of deadneſs, 175, 176
Four Arguments or Meditations whereby faith quickens, 177
Motives to quicken under deadneſs, 179, 180, 181, 182, 183
Means to quicken under deadneſs, 184, 185, 186, 187
Vide Vivification.
Death. Die.
Faith in death, 58 469
Six Reaſons why believers die in faith, 59, 60
No need of faith after death, 61, 62
Chriſts death applied by faith, a means of Sanctification, 126
Greater happineſs in the death, than life of Believers, 318, 319
Degrees of Chriſts Conqueſt over Death, from 368, to 373
Believers conquer Death in rectified opinion of it, 370
Reaſons why true Believers are loth to die, 372
Deſertion.
The juſt live by faith under deſertion, 50
Faith triumphs over fear of Divine deſertion, from 267, to 275
Deſertion in appearance only, 267, 268 269
Deſertion in reſpect of temporals onelyonly, 270
Deſertion in reſpect of Spiritual means, 271
Deſertion in reſpect of Spiritual comforts, 271, 272
God deſerts his people onelyonly in acceſſory graces, 273, 274
Vide Forſaking.
Deſpair.
It is Reproved, 358, 359
It quits the Ʋſe of the Ordinances, 510
Deſires.
Strong deſires after Chriſt are the ſeeds of faith, 533
Diligence.
It leads to aſſurance in the uſe of holy means, 95
What it implies, and how it breeds faith, 541
Diſcipline.
Holy diſcipline and ſtrictneſs, the ſphere of Comfort, 297, to 300
Diſcouragement.
Faiths triumph over five main diſcouragements, 261
Doctrines.
Theſe are to be judged true or falſe, as they ſlander or advance the life of faith, 448, 449
Doubting.
Frequency of it, a ſign of weak faith, 571
Duration.
Faith muſt be acted as long as we live, yet love excels it in duration, 60, 61
Duties.
Backwardneſs to holy duties, and remiſſneſs in them, is a ſign of a weak faith, 572
E
Election.
It is a cauſe of perſeverance, 237
Doubting of Election hinders believing, 505
Envy.
It is an Impediment of growth in grace, 230
Eſtabliſhment in Faith.
Reaſons why we ſhould labor to be eſtabliſht both in the Doctrine and Grace of faith, 544
The benefit of Eſtabliſhment in the faith, ibid.
Enemies which oppoſe the eſtabliſhment of faith, 545
Though faith cannot be loſt, yet God eſtabliſhes in the uſe of means, 545
Seven Means of eſtabliſhing faith, 548, to 556
See Keeping of Faith.
Eternal. See Life.
Examination. See Trial.
Evidence of grace upon examination brings comfort, 300
Examine two things in order to the Sacrament, 577
Excellency.
Faiths excellency in two respects, 62, 63
The complicated excellencies of a believer, 477
Example.
Examples of crowned Saints a means of perſeverance, 255
Experiences.
Theſe called to minde breed aſſurance, 96
They are a firm ground for future faith, 409
Reaſons for the deduction of faith from experiences 410
They are a means to increaſe faith 581
F
Faith.
Its definition in eight branches 19, 20
What it is to live by faith, in five particulars 21, 22
Faith, Life and Chriſt come all together, yet in order 23
Faith deſcribed in ſeven faculties of ſpiritual life 23, to 28
Why Saints live by faith rather then any other grace, 28, 29, 30
Why no man can live, but by his own faith, 33, 34
Caution in four particulars amplifying that truth, 35, 36, 37
Reſtriction of it in four Conſiderations, 38, 39
Make much of faith as your life in troubles, 64, 65
True faith is known by its renewing and fructifying vertue 141
Faith is the root of holineſs and fruitfulneſs, 144
Faith reſembles the expulſive faculty in the body 150
Faiths triumph over perſonal weakneſſes, 263
Its triumph over ſinful diſtempers, 264
Faiths triumph over uncertain events, 264, 265
Its triumph over fear of ſinning or ſuffering, 266, 267
Its triumph over fear of divine deſertion, 267, 268
See Deſertion.
Faith reflects on Sanctity and Sincerity to comfort, 299
Faith produceth comfort, as it makes future good things to be (as it were) preſent, 305 306
Want of acting faith in Gods Word and Works, though there be the habit, is a great cauſe of ſadneſs, 313, 314
Faith is the mother and nurſe of ſpiritual joy 328
Faith to be acted ſeven wayes for the increaſe of joy, 328 to 334
Faith aſſures that eternal life is the Believers 341
How faith aſſures a Believer of heaven, 342 to 351
Examination of true faith as it reſpects eternal life, 362
Faith lifts up a man above the troubles of the world, 377 382 383
Faiths manly choice, or charm againſt proſperity 385
What are the Reaſons why the Juſt muſt live by faith 398 to 417
Living by faith a very reaſonable duty 399
Faith puts life into the Promiſes 400
Faith is a Saints ſecurity for all his hopes 400, 401
The exerciſe of faith keeps the ſoul humble 401
Faith makes up the match 'twixt Chriſt and the ſoul, 411
Faith is the Conduit-pipe to convey ſpiritual life 412
Faith brings in a revenue of honor to God 413
In both Covenants God required faith, but with a large difference; what that is. ſee 414 415
Faith eſtabliſhes ſalvation on freer and ſurer grounds then the firſt Covenant did or could 415
Faith diſcovers life in the midſt of death 417
The triumph of faith over a ſixfold condemnation 418
Faith a Cordial againſt fainting fears 420
Faith not an Evidence, but an inſtrument of ſpiritual life 427
Faith not improved, expoſes to reproach 436
Faith ſeems extinct where it is not exerciſed 437
The conduct of faith in every action, condition and choice, 436, 437, 438
The Touch-ſtone of true juſtifying faith 442, 443
The Fruits and Effects of ſaving faith 444, 445
Faith never gives quiet poſſeſſion to ſin 446
Living by faith the touchſtone to try all Doctrines and Religions, whether they be true 448, 449
The life of gratitude for the life of faith 449
Faith ſuch a gift as is all in all
Faith in order of working is the root of other graces 451
Faith cannot be implanted by any creature 452
The wonders of faith in its ſeveral ſteps 453
Faiths rarity or ſcarcity, 458
Exhortation to get faith, 469
The notable exploits of faith 472
True faith is omnipotent faith 473
Faiths ſafety is grounded on the promiſe 475
Faith conſults with God in the Word 476
Faith is the Chriſtians Al-ſufficiency 478
Faith honors God 480
Faith and Life come into the ſoul both at once 481
Faith makes to proſper 481
Faith a ſweet companion from firſt to laſt 483
Means how to get Faith.
Impediments and Hindrances of faith, together with Directions to remove them, 486 to 515
Faith no eaſie matter, though it makes all things eaſie 515
Poſitive means of faith to beget it 517 to 543
Exhortation to keep faith 543
Faith a Treaſure to be ſecured ibid.
The general uſefulneſs of faith 544
Reaſons why we ſhould look to the preſerving of our faith, 544 to 548
Compariſons to excite charineſs over faith 546
Faith is a ſpiritual charm or antidote 547
Means of preſerving faith, 548 to 556
Exhortation to act faith, and to live by it 556
Far better to put faith then mony to uſe ibid.
Motives to act faith, 556 to 560
Means to act faith, 566 to 564
Six Motives to increaſe in faith 565 to 571
Signs of a weak faith 571
Means for the increaſe of faith 574
Fear.
Filial fear of God aſſures of his love 95
Difference 'twixt true and falſe fear of God 304
Forgiveneſs.
We muſt imitate God in forgiving others, yet this overthrowes not Civil Courts of Judicature 108, 109
Ignorance of Gods forgiveneſs cauſes great ſadneſs 313
Forſaking. See Deſertion.
God only forſakes his people gradually, and for a time 274
Reaſons of Gods forſaking his people 275 to 278
It confirmes a fivefold good 276, 277
Free Spirit of God.
How many wayes ſaid to be free 552, 553
What the free Spirit of God ſets believers free from, 553
Gods free Spirit eſtabliſheth in freedom 554
See Chriſtian Liberty.
Friends.
What to deſire for our beſt friend 317, 3…8
Fructification. Or New Obedience.
How faith hath influence into ſpiritual fructification, 135
Faith makes ſinners become good trees 136
Faith diſcovers what is good fruit, 137
Faith excites the ſoul to be fruitful two wayes, ibid.
Faith ſuits our fruit to the ſeaſons of grace, 137, 138
Faith ripens the fruits of new obedience 139
Faith procures acceptation of our fruitfulneſs, 139, 140
Motives to be fruitful in ſeaſon, 147, 148
Fulneſs.
There is a fulneſs of the ſubject and object in heaven, 339, 340
Sight of Chriſts fulneſs, is a means to beget faith, 539 540
G
Gift.
Faith is Gods gift 449
Faith is a gift neceſſary to the very being of a Chriſtian,
Faith is ſuch a gift which none but God can give, 451
Faith is a moſt precious gift, 455, 456, 457
Faith is a rare gift, 457
Glory.
The more we aim at Gods glory, the more we grow in grace, 212
There is much glory in the ſufferings and reproaches of Believers, 480
Goſpel.
Goſpel revelation requires ſolemn gratulation, 459
Grace. See Growth in Grace
An elegant deſcription of its nature in a Metaphor, 302
How to diſtinguiſh common grace from ſaving, 303, 304
An hypocrite cannot deſire grace as grace 304
Growth in Grace. See Augmentation.
Juſt live the life of ſpiritual growth 191, 192
Reaſons of ſpiritual growth, 192, 193, 194, 195
The influence of faith into ſpiritual growth, 195, 196
Four Reaſons why the growth of grace depends on faith, 196, 197, 198, 199
Life of grace is always on the growing hand, 199, 200
There are degrees in grace, ergo aſpire to increaſe, 201
Reproof for want of due growth 202
Reproof of ſuch as think themſelves perfect, 202, 263
Reproof of ſuch who decline in grace, 203
Reproof of ſuch who hinder growth in others, but grow in ſin themſelves, 204, 205
The touchſtone of true ſpiritual growth, 205 to 217
Vide Strength. Vide increaſe
What to judge in the ſenſe of want of growth, 214, 215
Humiliation for want of growth 217, 218
Thankfulneſs for growth, againſt oppoſition, 218, 219
Motives to grow in grace, 220 to 226
Means of ſpiritual growth, 226 to 231
Seven Impediments of ſpiritual growth, 229, 230
Comfort to young beginners in grace, 231 232
How ſtrong grown Saints ſhould carry themſelves toward the weak, 232
H
Hagiography,
Or ſpiritual boundaries to the looſe profeſſing world, 434 435
Hardneſs of Heart.
Gods judicial hardning of the heart, is an Impediment of faith, 492
Divine juſtice juſtified in adding judicial hardneſs to wilful & affected, 493, 496
Partial hardneſs mourned over, is probational, 495
Health.
How the juſt live by faith for it 70
Heaven See Life Eternal.
A fourfold fulneſs of the ſubject in heaven 439, 340
A fivefold freedom in heaven 340
Chriſts being in heaven aſſures believing of glory 348
Heaven a reſerved inheritance, why? 350, 351, 352
Curious Queſtions concerning Heaven, condemned 359
The meditation of heaven is to be improved, 360, 361
The excellency of heaven in five reſpects 388, 389
Citizens of heaven known by their Language 365
Degrees of Glory in heaven 221
Heavineſs.
Riſe of the Saints heavineſs from 312 to 317
See Sadneſs
Heirſhips.
Difference twixt heavenly & earthly heirs 345, 346
See Adoption
Hereſie.
It is the daughter of unbelief and hypocriſie 463, 464
Holy.
Holy life is a ſign of Right to Heaven 366, 367
Honour.
It is a Chriſtians honour to perſevere 249 250
Believers are the only right honorable ones 480
Hope.
The touchſtone of ſound celeſtial hope 362 to 373
Hope of heaven is a buckler againſt fear of adverſity, 382
Hope of heaven is a charme againſt proſperity 385
Humility. Humiliation.
It is a means to attain aſſurance, 95
Feigned humility is the root of licentiouſneſs, 143
Laying too much ſtreſs on the depth of humiliation is a great hindrance of Believing, 502, 503
Reaſons why humiliation muſt Precede faith, 522, 523 524
Humility in all the periods or degrees of grace, 525
Hypocriſy.
It is an impediment of ſpiritual growth 230
How far an Hypocrite may go, 257
Wherein an Hypocrite comes ſhort, 258
An hypocrite cannot rejoyce in the whole word of God, 302, 303
Hypocriſy ſprings from unbelief, 463
I
Ignorance.
Ʋnbelief is the root and parent of it, 462
Increaſe.
There is a divine and diabolical increaſe, 213
How the increaſe of the natural man in moral vertues, differs from the increaſe of God in ſaving graces, 213, 214
See growth, See ſtrength
Injoyment.
Believers have the firmeſt tenure and ſweeteſt injoyment of earthly bleſſings, 77, 78
Intereſt.
Intereſt in Chriſt clears up intereſt in the covenant of grace; and this, an intereſt to all the promiſes, of which ſons in Chriſt are heirs, 560
Joy ſee Conſolation.
How to diſcern the joy of a hypocrite from that of a Saint 302, 303
The joy of a Believer excells all natural worldly ſinful Joy in 10. Properties, from 323, to 328
Means to breed, Spiritual Joy 328, to 344
Judgment.
Faith applies the laſt judgment as a means of ſanctification, 127, 128
Judgments on unbelievers, 466
Examples of Gods judgments on apoſtates, 250, 251
Juſt.
Who are ſuch, and why ſaid to live by faith, not by their juſtice 31
None are juſt or juſtified till thy believe 32
Juſtification.
The life of Faith in juſtification 80
The definition of it; which contains, the act, object, and application of both, and its fourfold cauſality, 81 to 85
Faith puts forth a fourfold act upon the conſcience & heart of a ſinner to fit him for pardon 86, 87
Faith how it acts in the continuance of juſtification 88
Faith how it fetches in aſſurance of juſtification
Faith moves a man to deſire more faith, in order to aſſurance of his juſtification, and uſes 11 Motives 89 to 92
Ʋſes of the Doctrine of faith in juſtification 105
Juſtification by free grace breeds humiliation 105 106
Four Marks of true juſtification 107
We muſt not juſtifie ſinners, or condemn Saints 108
Motives to ſeek for the fivefold benefit of juſtification 110, 111
Juſtification and ſanctification are inſeparable twins, 141, 142
The firſt and ſecond evidence of juſtification, what? 301
K
Keep. See Eſtabliſh.
Exhortation to keep faith, 543
Reaſons why we ſhould look to the keeping of our faith. 544
Seven Means whereby to keep faith 548 to 552
See Free Spirit.
See Perſeverance.
L
Libertiniſme.
The root of it is feigned humility and lazineſs 143
Liberty.
Faith and Chriſtian Liberty ſupport each other 554
Many account it their liberty to ſin 555
See Free Spirit.
Life Spiritual.
Gods People are in a ſtate of life by way of eminency 8
The excellency of the Saints Life in ſeven particulars, 8, 9, 10, 11
Saints Life is a hidden life, and why 12
Spiritual life proved to be exiſtent in believers 12
Spiritual life very deſirable 13
Signes of Spiritual life 14 15, 16
Life Natural.
Five evil and troubleſome concomitants of it 60
Believers injoy it by faith upon different grounds from unbelievers 67, 68
Saints live a natural life by faith in ſeven reſpects 68, to 76
Life Spiritual
Is twofold, either the life of Juſtification or Sanctification; the juſt life by faith in both, 79, 80
Four differences twixt true living Spiritual actions and falſe 187, 188
Spiritual life is alway increaſing 199, 200
The comlineſs and pleaſantneſs, profit, equity, ſafety, and neceſſity of ſuch a life as it increaſeth, 200 to 226
Vide growth.
Life Eternal. See heaven.
The work of faith about eternal life 334
It aſſures, that there is an eternal life from ſcripture and reaſon, with the degrees of it 335, 336
What the happineſs of eternal life is 336 337
Wherein it conſiſts, from 337 to 341
Confutation of thoſe who deny eternal life, 353, 354
Motives to get aſſurance of eternal life, from 374 to 379
Means to get this aſſurance
The believers homage-penny for eternal life 386
The excellency of eternal life, from 388 to 391
Life of unbelievers.
They live on their luſts, pleaſures, upon Creatures, and upon a fivefold undoing ſelf 429 to 434
Limiting of God.
It is a great impediment of faith, how cured 499 500
Logick.
Faiths holy logick 348, 349,
Love of God.
It is a reaſon why the Saints perſevere, 237, 238
The want of feeling it ſhould not hinder believing, 503
Love to God, is a means to increaſe faith, 580
Love to the Saints.
Difference 'twixt that which is true and falſe, 304, 305
Luſt.
Love of luſt is the life of a ſinner, 429
Luſts haboured oppoſe faith, with conſiderations how to abandon them, 501
M
Marriage.
How Saints live by faith in it, and in ſingle eſtate, 73
Meanes.
In the conſervation of the natural life, muſt be uſed in faith, 68, 69
Meditation.
It is the fruit of holy affection 364
Meditation on Gods Attributes, eſpecially mercy, is a good means to beget faith 536
Melancholy.
It is a ſcandal to Chriſtian profeſſion, 319, 320
Mercy.
Gods mercy becomes a ſuiter to mans miſery 537
Miniſtry. See Preaching
What the chief work of a Miniſter is 427, 428
The dignity of the Miniſtry, 601
Exhortation to Miniſters to preach in a ſoul-ſaving way, 611, 612
God uſually bleſſes a ſetled proper Miniſtry 42
Merry.
Merry madneſſe 311
Morality.
Difference 'twixt morality and Sanctification in nine reſpects, 119, 120, 121
Mortification.
The influence of faith into the life of mortification, 149
The art of faith in mortifying of luſts, 151 to 154
Reaſons why faith will have ſin to be mortified, 155, 156
Error of ſuch who refuſe to believe till ſin he mortified 158
Marks of true mortification 159, 160
Enemies unto, and juglers in mortification reproved, 161
Alarm to Mortification, 163
Motives to Mortification, 164 165
Means of Mortification, 166, 167, 168, 169
Murther.
Soul Murther, is the worſt kind 17, 470
N
Natural men.
They are diſtinguſht into two ranks 532
Neceſſity
Of faith in Adverſity 64
New Obedience. See Fructification.
Nouriſhment.
Strong deſires after Spiritual nouriſhment, are a ſigne of Growth is Grace, with three Cautions in this particular 206, 207, 208, 209
Nurſery Spiritual.
Faith lays hold on Chriſt in the Ordinances, as breaſts of Conſolation, and thence draws ſtrength 293, 294, 295
O
Oppoſition.
There is no true faith without Oppoſition, 514, 515
He that would believe, muſt break thorow oppoſition 515, 516
Gods Spirit delights to grapple with the greateſt oppoſers of his word and wayes that he may convert them 516
Ordinances. See Word.
Deſpiſing of them, is an impediment of Spiritual growth 230
Neglect of the ordinances hinders believing 505
Five cauſes why men neglect the ordinances 505 to 511
Though it be not in the Power of the ordinances, to beget or increaſe faith, yet they are to be uſed 516, 517
They who live above, that is, without ordinances are abſurd 518, 519
P
Papiſts, and carnal Profeſſors.
Theſe make Sanctification & juſtification devour each other 141, 142
Papiſts faith is cobled up of pride and ignorance 40
Pardon.
A pardoned ſtate is a peaceable ſtate 296
Paſſion.
How faith moderates and ſubdues the Paſſions of Cares, fear and ſorrows 52, 53 477
Patience.
Faith in adverſity teaches and exerciſes patience 64
Peace.
Saints live by faith for it, in two reſpects 71
The golden chain and order of righteouſneſs, peace and Joy 296
Perfection.
Conceit of perfection is an impediment of ſpiritual growth 229
Knowledg, Love, Obedience, and Joy, are perfect in Glory 338, 339
Perſeverance.
Faith triumphs in the life of Perſeverance 233, 234
Proofes from ſcripture that the juſt doth perſevere 235
Perſeverance is by vertue of faith 236
Reaſons why the juſt ſhall perſevere 237 to 240
Reaſons why perſeverance is through faith 240, 241
Confutation of the doctrines of falling from grace 241
Five conceſſions wherein there may be a falling away 242
Exception to 7 particulars which can never be loſt 243 244
Objections againſt perſeverance anſwered 245, 246
Motives to perſeverance from 249 to 253
Means of perſeveranee from 253 to 257
Truth of grace demonſtrated by perſeverance 257
Thankfulneſs for perſeverance 259, 260
Faiths incouragement to perſevere amidſt all diſcouragements 261
Vide eſtabliſhment in faith.
Poſterity.
Saints live by faith for bleſſings on poſterity 73
Power of God.
It is a cauſe of the Saints perſeverance 239
Praiſe.
It is due from Saints for their ſpiritual life 11, 12
Prayer.
The exerciſe of it, is a meanes of aſſurance 94
As alſo obſervation how God hears our prayers 94
The prayer of faith, is a means of ſanctification 131, 132, 133
Prayer is a means of ſpiritual growth 226, 227
Prayer is a means to increaſe ſpiritual Joy 3…9
Prayer may ſubdue hereticks when reaſon cannot, 357
Prayer & preaching muſt not juſtle out each other, 529
Prayer a means to beget faith 527, 529
Natural men ought to pray, though they cannot pray acceptably without faith, 530, 531
Pray, that thou maiſt believe & believe that thou maiſt pray with acceptation, 533
Prayers of others, helpful to converſion, 533
Whether a natural man ought to pray? The queſtion ſtated affirmatively, and all objections anſwered, 530, 531, 532
Prayer is a good means to preſerve faith 551, 552
Prayer is a means to increaſe faith 578
Preaching. See Miniſtry.
The right Art of ſucceſsful preaching, 427, 428
Precious.
Three things very precious, 455
The precious touch of faith in four reſpects, 456, 457
Prejudice.
It quarrels the means of faith its cure 506, 507
Preſumption
It poſtdates the uſe of means which ſhould beget faith, 509 510
Preſumption of having faith already hinders believing, together with its cure, 510, 511
Differences 'twixt preſumption and true faith in the conception, birth, growth, iſſue or fruits, 511, 512
Preſumption is a Monſter of pride and ſecurity, 513
Pride.
Pride in the reaſon and will ſubdued in Sanctification, 117, 118
It is an hindrance of ſpiritual growth 231
Pride and unbelief are aſſociates 2, 3
Proud perſons are neither obedient nor ſafe 3
Pride how manifold, and how dangerous 5, 6
Rank pride is the root of Popiſh Sanctity 143
Pride contemns the meanes of faith 507, 508
Profeſſion.
Multitudes make a profeſſion of faith, who live not by it, 434, 435
Promiſes.
Three-ſorts of them all tending to aſſurance 92, 93
Apply the promiſes of growth for growth in grace, 228 229
Promiſes applyed are a believers livelyhood 414, 415
Our own unworthyneſs pleaded againſt the promiſes is a main hindrance of believing, its Cure 502
Direction in applying of the promiſes 526
Faith built on falſe promiſes of our own, will fail 551
Promiſes to increaſe faith, are a means to increaſe it 575
Proſperity.
How the juſt live by faith in Proſperity 46, 47, 48
The temptations of proſperity 385
Proteſtants.
Their Apology againſt papiſts in point of work 144
Purchaſe.
The wiſeſt purchaſe, is faith in Chriſt 468, 469
Q
Queſtions.
Curious vain queſtions concerning the ſtate of glory, buſy mens fancies, when as their faith ſhould be acted to make ſure their intereſt in that ſhate 359
R
Rainbow.
How grace is like it, as a ſign of ſparing mercy 301, 302
Rarity.
Faith is the greateſt Rarity in the world 458
Receive.
What it is to receive, Chriſt on Goſpel terms 560
Regeneration. See Unregeration.
Love to God, his word, Saints, holineſs, an effect of it, 98
Difficulty of the new birth, it is not without doubting, 98
We are not born again of bloods nor of the will of the fleſh, nor of the will of man; how this is to be underſtood, See 528
See Sanctification.
Rejoyce. See Joy.
It is the heigth of wickedneſs to rejoyce in it 321
To rejoyce in the creature as it draws from God, is ſinful 321
Relations. See Friends
Religious.
Religious life, is the only comfortable life 310, 311
Religious perſons muſt neither be jovial nor auſtere 320
Religion no fruitleſs Profeſſion 358
Renunciation
Of ſelf, a reliance onelyonly on free grace, brings aſſurance 96
Reſurrection.
Chriſts Reſurrection is a means of Sanctification, 126, 127
Reſurrection of the Body, proved 354, 355
Riches.
A Believers Riches are inexhauſtible 477, 478
Righteouſneſs.
That of Sanctification is not to be confounded with that of Juſtification, yet they are inſeparable 32, 33
S
Sabbath
Rightly ſanctified, it is a ſhort and little heaven, 381
Sacrament.
Faith applies Chriſt in the Sacraments for Sanctification 130
A complaint for neglect of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper 294
Sacraments are a means to increaſe faith 576
Sacrament not to be given to dead-hearted unbelievers, 577
Complaint for interruption of the Sacrament, and the corruption of it as the cauſe, 578
Sadneſs. See Heavineſs.
Ʋnbelief is the spring of ſadneſs 307, 308, 309
Why the Lord ſuffers his Saints to fall into ſadneſs 315, 316
See Conſolation.
Sanctification. Vide Regeneration.
The ſubmitting to the Spirit in this Work, is a means of aſſurance 94
The life of faith in Sanctification 113
There is a life of Sanctification in Believers, beſides that which is inherent in Chriſt himſelf, proved by four Arguments, 114, 115
How Sanctification and Juſtification differ, in four respects, 116
What Sanctification is, and wherein it conſiſts, 116, 117
It works an holy change on the whole man, 118
Difference 'twixt Sanctification and Morality, in nine respects 119, 120, 121
Means whereby Sanctificacation is wrought 122
Faith applies Chriſt for union as the root of Sanctification 123
Faith applies Chriſts death for Sanctification and his Reſurrection 126, 127
Faith applies Chriſts ſecond appearing and the laſt Judgement for Sanctification 127, 128
Faith applies the Word of Chriſt for Sanctification, 128, 129
Faith makes uſe of the Sacraments for increaſe of Sanctification 130
Faith rightly uſes and applies affliction for Sanctification 131
The Prayer of Faith is a means to ſanctifie, 131, 132, 133
Reaſons of the neceſſity of Sanctification (five) 134, 135
Five Motives to the life of Sanctification, 145, 146
There are degrees in Sanctification 201, 202
Vide Growth.
Sanctification not the meritorious ground of comfort, yet a neceſſary qualification evidencing our right to comfort 297, 298
Satan.
Satans rage ſhould be a motive to perſeverance 252
Satan is a great enemy to the comfort of the Saints, 315
Reaſons why Satan is ſuch an enemy to faith, 424, 488, 489
Satan preſents and applies the Promiſes in a wreſted ſenſe and for licentious ends, 511, 512
Scriptures.
They are a ſtaff to believing Pilgrims 403
Arguments to prove their Divine Authority, 404, 405
Accompliſhment of Scripture-Prophecies, is a wh…tſtone to ſharpen our aſſent to their Divine Authority, 406, 407
There is all the reaſon in the world why we ſhould believe the Scriptures, 408, 409
Sealing of the Spirit.
It is a conſequent priviledge of believing 93
Security.
It is the off-spring of the Devil and Ʋnbelief, 462
Security twofold, Spiritual and Carnal 246, 247
The Saints Security for a ſevenfold treaſure 243. 244
The beſt ſecurity for the beſt purchaſe 380
Seducers.
Their ſleights to beguile unſtable Souls 254
Seducers are the Devils Factors 604
Self.
Shifting ſelf is ſhiftleſs folly, 433
Self a great Impediment of faith 486
Its Cure 487
Self-love.
The bleſſing of it is a ſign of growth in grace, 205, 206
There is a fivefold ſelf contrary to the life of faith, 431, 432, 433
Senſe.
Living by Senſe is a great impediment of faith, 503, 514
Sin.
It diſhonours God and wrongs the Soul, forſake it as the higheſt demonſtration of ingratitude 393, 395
Sins great defilement in five respects 155
Believers have ſin remaining to be mortified 157
Life of ſin lies in the will; ergo ſubdue deſires, 158
Sin may revive where it is mortified 159
Comfort againſt the vigour and rigour of ſin, 169, 170
Scandalous ſins cauſe great ſadneſs 312
Inordinate aggravation of ſin ſinks into ſadneſs, 312, 313
Sincerity.
The excellency of ſincere grace, in that 'tis durable, 247, 248
Sloth.
It recoils from the means of faith. Its Cure, 508, 509
Society.
Good ſociety is a means of begetting faith, 533, 534, 535
Soul.
Eternal life of the Soul proved 356, 357
See Life Eternal
Speech.
Our ſpeeches either condemn or juſtifie us 365
Spirit of God.
What its teſtimony and witneſs is 347
The Spirits teſtimony may be ſeparated from its fruits 347, 348
Difference 'twixt the Spirits in dwelling in Believers, and common aſſiſtance in hypocrites 426, 427
The Spirits perſwaſion outweighs and quickens all means & motives in drawing to Chriſt 454, 455
We muſt pray for Gods free eſtabliſhing Spirit 552
What Gods free Spirit is, from what he ſets believers free, and how he eſtabliſhes, 552, 553, 554, 555
See Free Spirit. See Eſtabliſhment.
Strength.
A believers ſtrength, 471, 472, 473
Strength to do duties and reſiſt temptations, a ſign of growth 209, 210
Strength to bear afflictions and injuries, a ſign of growth 210, 211
Strength to bear others infirmities, as alſo to ſhake off Ceremonies, a ſigne of growth 211
Its part of our ſtrength to be ſenſible of weakneſs 212
Succeſs.
This in the improvement of natural life, is fetcht in by faith, and that in ſix reſpects 71, 72
Sufficiency.
All-ſufficiency, Self-ſufficiency, Sole-ſufficiency in Chriſt 540
T
Temptation.
The juſt live by faith in temptation 50
Satan tempts ſinners to conceit God to be either all Mercy or all Juſtice, 536
Yielding to temptations is a ſign of weak faith 573
Such who tempt others to ſin, are Satans factors, and ſhall have deep condemnation, 604, 605
Thankfulneſs.
Be thankful for the life of Juſtification 109, 110
The Saints thankfulneſs for the bloſſomings of Eternal life 391, 392, 393
How that thankfulneſs is expreſt 393 to 397
Thankfulneſs for faith, with the grounds of it 449
Time.
The Juſt live by faith in reſpect of all the parts of Time 44, 45.
Tradition.
Traditional faith is unſound, 40, 41
Trial.
True faith is tried by undergoing adverſity 63
We muſt try our comforts by our graces, and not our graces by our comforts, 300 to 304
Triumph.
The triumph of damned Spirits over unbelievers, 491
Troubles.
Theſe are various, yet the Saints live by faith in them 51
Manner of living by faith in troubles, nine ways, 55, 56
Means of living by faith in troubles, five ways, 57, 58
Truſt.
Such reproved who ſay they truſt God with their ſouls, and yet cannot truſt him for temporals 75, 76
Falſe truſt on Creatures or Grace received, hinders faith, together with its Cure 498, 499
V
Valuation. See Precious.
A Believer neither over nor under-values his natural life 74
Viſion.
Viſion of God fourfold 337
Perfect Viſion cauſes perfect transformation ibid
Vivification.
The livelineſs of faith in the cure of ſpiritual deadneſs, 171
What meant by Vivification, 172
Reaſons why the Juſt live by faith the life of Vivification 175, 176
Four Arguments or Meditations whereby faith quickens 177
Reproof of ſuch who act not faith for Vivification, 178, 179
Motives to Vivification, 179, 180
Means to live the life of Vivification, 184, 185, 186, 187
Trial of true faith by its vivifying power, 187, 188, 189
Vide Deadneſs.
Unbelief. Unbelievers.
Unbelief is a piece of pride, 3
It makes the heart and condition not right 4, 5
Unbelievers lead a ſordid life, 8
Unbelief is the ſpring of ſadneſs 307, 308, 309
Unbelief was the root of mans firſt Apoſtacy 415
Their dead condition 423
Humiliation for Unbelief, 459
Unbelief is the Goliah-ſin, 460
Unbelief grieves the Spirit, but pleaſes the Devil, 461
The monſtrous brood of Unbelief 462
The Unbeliever is the greateſt Time-ſerver 464
Unbelief is a Stepmother to grace 465
Unbelief is the Nurſe that maintains life in every ſin, and which binds it on the Soul 465, 466
Unbelief is a mercileſs Sequeſtrator 466
The Arraignment of Unbelief 467
Unbelief is the greateſt Self-murther 470
The contrariety of preſumption and deſpair unite in the Unbelievers ruine, 510
Naturally we have hard unbelieving thoughts of God 536
Unbelief is a going out from God into our ſelves, 539
Unchangeable.
Gods unchangeable nature is the cauſe of the Saints perſeverance 239
Union.
Signs of spiritual actions flowing from Union with Chriſt 124, 125
Union with God is unchangeable 50
Unregenerate.
Their Soul is no fit ſoil for comfort 309, 310
See Regeneration
Unſetledneſs
In Gods truth its a ſign of weak faith 571
W
Watching.
Watching over one another, is a means of perſeverance 255
Wealth.
How the Juſt ſhall live by faith for it 70
Wiſdom.
The believer is the onelyonly wiſe builder 474
The believer is never at a ſtand, becauſe Chriſt is his Wiſdom, 475, 476, 477
Word. See Ordinances.
Faith applies the Word of Chriſt for Sanctification, 128, 129
The Word mixt with faith is a means of growth, 227, 228
The Word is one of Chriſts Breſts 293
How the Word works faith; 443
Cavilling and mocking at the Word is the Seal of Ʋnbelief 494
The Word is the life of faith 517
The Word and Spirit go hand in hand 518
The Word both the object and inſtrument of faith 518
Living above the Word, is living by a deluded fancy, and not by faith, ſuch are neerer Hell 518
The Word is appointed to work faith, not miracles 519
Every divine Word is an object of faith, eſpecially the Promiſe 520
Attendance on the Word, a means to increaſe faith 574
Worldly. World.
Worldly-mindedneſs reproved 361, 362
Worldly-mindedneſs ſprings from unbelief 464
The VVorld tries fair means and foul to hinder faith 489
Wordly examples of the multitude not to be follow'd, 490
FINIS.
End of the text · Matthew Lawrence, The Use and Practice of Faith (1657)