Three Decades of Sermons, Table of contents 2 – Decade 2
The Contents of this Second Decad.
SERM. I.
JOb 13. 26. For thou writeſt bitter things againſt me, and makeſt to poſſeſſe the inquities of my youth.
The Text divided, p. 2. and explained by anſwering 5. Queries, 1. What's meant by bitter things, p. 3. 2. What's meant by writing of them, p. 3. 3. What's meant by the ſins of youth, p. 4. 4. What's meant by poſſeſsing the ſins of youth; p. 5. 5. Why doth Job a holy man (whoſe ſins were pardoned) complain of himſelf, p. 6.
Doct. That ſins committed in our youth will cauſe much ſmart and bitterneſſe in our elder years.
Method of handling the Doctrine.
1. By Scripture proof, p. 7.
2. By three Reaſons. 1. D…awn from the rule of Juſtice: p. 8. Reaſ. 2. Drawn from the nature and quality of ſin, p. 9. Reaſ. 3. Drawn from four Aggravations of youthfull ſins, viz. 1. They are committed with a great deal of violence, p. 9. 2. They are committed with abundance of delight. p. 10. 3. Young men make many vain pretences, ibid. 4. Youthfull ſinnes are committed after many Invitations, Calls, and Warnings, p. 11.
3. By improving all in four Uſes, 1. For Humiliation, p. 12, 13, 14. Here are four ſins eſpecially reproved; 1. Voluptuouſneſs, p. 15. 2. Contempt of Superiours, p. 16. 3. Affectation of Novelty, p. 17. 4. Pride, p. 18. Uſe 2. For Exhortation, p. 19. Four Conſiderations are preſt. 1. From Gods Omniſcience, p. 20. 2. God keeps Record, ibid. 3. Conſider what ſinne will coſt thee, ibid. 4. Conſider the four laſt things, p. 21, 22. Uſe 3. For Direction. 1. Be humbled for all ſins, p. 22. 2. Look through thy Humiliation to Chriſt, p. 23. 3. Walk circumſpectly, ibid. Uſe 4. For Conſolation, ibid.
SERM. II.
Gen. 6. 3. And the Lord ſaid, my Spirit ſhall not alwaies ſtrive with man, for that he alſo is fleſh, yet his dayes ſhall be an hundred and twenty years.
The Text Divided and Explained, p. 28, 29.
Doct. 1. That it is a most dreadfull judgement upon a people when the Spirit of God refuſeth to ſtrive any longer with them, p. 30.
Doct. 2. That it's an exceeding great mercy to a people, when the Lord vouchſafeth them time and ſpace of Repentance, ibid.
Method of handling the firſt Doctrine.
1. From Scripture Teſtimony, p. 30, 31, 32. Three ſignes of Night, 1 When ſhadows grow long, p. 32. 2. When wild beaſts goe abroad, and 3ly. when Labourers go to their reſt, p. 33.
2. Seven wayes the Spirit ſtrives: 1. By its Motions, p. 35. 36. 2. By the Miniſtery of the Word, p. 37, 38. 3. By the checks and convictions of conſcience, p. 39, 40. A fourfold Rule for examining of conſcience, p. 40. 4. By the tenders of mercies, p. 41. 5. By the exerciſe of patience, p. 42. 6. By National Judgements, p. 43. 7. By Perſonal Judgements, p. 44.
SERM. III. upon the ſame Text, viz. Gen. 6. 3.
3. Reaſ. 1. Becauſe man is fleſh, p. 45, 46. Reaſ. 2. Becauſe the Spirit is a free Agent. p. 47. Reaſ. 3. Drawn from the rule of Divine Juſtice, p. 48, 49.
4. For Application. Uſe 1. For Information, of the greatneſſe of the Judgement when the Spirit ceaſeth ſtriving; in 4. Aggravations: 1. God takes away his Ordinances, p. 50. 2. God ſuffers not the Spirit to work by the Ordinances. 3. God gives them over to a Spirit of deluſion, ibid. 4. God gives them over to a hard heart: p. 53. …ſe 2. For Exhortation. Three Morives: 1. From the brevity of our lives, p. 55. 2. From the Ʋncertainty of the Spirits ſtriving, ibid. 3. From the certainty of the Day of Judgement, p. 56. Uſe 3. For Reproof of 4. ſorts of perſons eſpecially. 1. Such as contemne the Spirit, p. 56. 2. Such as are barren and unfruitfull, p. 57. 3. Such as are ſecure, p. 57. 4. Impenitent perſons, p. 57. Uſe 4. for Examination in three Queries. 1. How we may distinguiſh the ſtrivings of Gods Spirit from a ſpirit of error and deluſion, p. 58, 59. 2. How we may diſtinguiſh the ſtrivings of Gods Spirit from our own ſpirit, p. 59. 3. How we may know whether Gods Spirit hath effectually ſtroven with us, p. 59, 60. Uſe 5. for Direction, in four particulars, p. 60. Uſe 6. for Conſolation.
Doct. 2. That it is an exceeding great mercy, when the Lord vouchſafes unto any perſon time and ſpace for Repentance, p. 60. Reaſ. 1. To glorifie the Riches of Gods Mercy, p. 61. Reaſ. 2. To glorifie his Juſtice, ibid. Reaſ. 3. At the requeſt of Gods ſervants many are ſpared, ibid. Vſe 1. For admiration of Gods infinite mercy. Vſe 2. For terrour unto preſumptuous ſinners Convictions. 1. It's great folly to put off Repentance, 2. It argues great contempt, 3. It argues high preſumption. Uſe 3. for Exhortation, in four Conſiderations. 1. Now the Spirit ſtrives, 2. Now is the limited time, 3. Now is the accepted time, 4. Now once paſt cannot be recalled. Uſe 4. for Caution, in five particulars, 63, 64. The 5. …ſe for Admonition, in five particulars, p. 64, 65. The 6. Vſe is for Comfort, ibid.
SERM. IV.
2 Pet. 3. 11. Seeing then that all theſe things ſhall be diſſolved, what manner of perſons ought ye to be in all holy converſation and godlyneſſe?
The Coherence and Text explained and divided, p. 65, 66, 67, 68.
Doct. That the ſerious conſideration of the day of Judgement ſhould in an eſpecial manner engage us unto an holy life and converſation, p. 69.
Method of handling the Doctrine.
1. By Scripture Teſtimony, p. 69, 70. 2. By evidence of three Reaſons. 1. Becauſe onelyonly holy perſons ſhall be able to ſtand in judgement, p. 71. Q. Whether the Saints ſhall have their ſins mentioned at the day of Judgement? p. 71. Reaſ. 2. This is the preſent time, ibid. Reaſ. 3. Judgement returns all as death leaves them, p. 72. 3. By particular Application in five Vſes. 1. For terrour unto three ſorts: 1. Scoffers at holyneſſe, p. 73. 2. Hypocrites, p. 74. 3. Secret ſinners, p. 75. Vſe 2. for Exhortation, p. 76, 77. 9. Motives 1. We are elected unto Holyneſſe, p. 78. 2. We are created unto Holyneſſe, ibid. 3. We are redeemed to be holy, ibid. 4. Its Gods will that we ſhould be holy, ibid. 5. Holyneſſe is our calling, p. 79. 6. Heaven is a place for holy perſons, ibid. 7. There ſhall be holy employment, ibid. 8. There ſhall be holy company, ibid. 9. This is the time of labouring after holyneſſe, ibid. Uſe 3. for Examination. in 12. Characters: 1. Spiritual poverty, p. 80. 2. High eſtimation of Jeſus Chriſt, ibid. 3. The heart is in love with holyneſſe, p. 81. 4. Irgenuous ſorrow for ſinne, ibid. 5. Mourning for others ſins, p. 82. 6. The heart approves it ſelf to God, ibid. 7. There will be a preſsing forward towards perfection, p. 83. 8. A strict watch over the heart, ibid. 9. The deſire and endeavour muſt be univerſally extenſive, ibid. 10. The Spirit is without guile, p. 84. 11. There will be the practiſe of Mortiſication and Vivification, p. 85. 12. A burning in love to Jeſus Chriſt, ibid. Uſe 4. for Direction, in 6. Particulars: 1. Pray for the ſpirit of ſanctiſication, p. 85. 2. Waſh and cleanſe thy heart, ibid. 3. Be exerciſed in Meditation, p. 86. 4. Conſider the Omnipreſence and Omniſcience of God, ibid. 5. Set an high eſtimate on Gods Ordinances, ibid. 6. Aſſociate your ſelves with holy company, p. 87. Uſe 5. for Conſolation.
SERM. V.
Joh. 3. 10. Jeſus anſwered and ſaid unto him, art thou a Maſter of Iſrael, and knoweſt not theſe things?
The Text divided and expounded, p. 91.
Doct. There may be, and are many men, otherwiſe of great Learning, yet groſly ignorant in the maine Fundamental Doctrine of Regeneration, p. 92.
This is proved by Scripture Inſtances, p. 92. and by 3. Reaſons. 1. From the nature of Regeneration, p. 93. Reaſ. 2. Drawn from the Nature of Unregeneracy in a fourſold eſtate. 1. Of Impurity, p. 94. 2. Of Enmity, ibid. 3. Of Blindneſſe, ibid. 4. Of Death, p. 95. Reaſ. 3. From the Free workings of Gods Spirit.
Application in 5. Uſes.
1. For Exhortation, and that to Teachers, p. 96, 97. and to Diſciples, p. 98, 99.
Uſe 2. For Information.
1. What Regeneration is not. 1. Not in Nicodemus his ſenſe, p. 100.
2. Not in a new Phyſical Beeing, ibid. 3. Not in Civility and Morality, ibid. 4. Not in great parts and abilities, p. 101. 5. Not in common graces, ibid. 6. Not in a bare Profeſsion of Chriſt, ibid. 2. What Regeneration is: 1. The new Nature, p. 102. 2. A new Vnderſtanding, ibid. 3. A new Will, ibid. 4. New Affections, ibid. 5. A new Heart, ibid. 6. A new life, ibid.
Uſe 3. for Excitation.
Mot. 1. From the Neceſsity, p. 102. 2. Unregenerate perſons can obtaine no acceptance, p. 103. 3. Nothing defiled ſhall ever come into heaven, ibid.
Uſe 4. for Direction.
1. Pray hard for Divine Wiſdom. 2. Wait upon God in his Word. 3. Pray for the Spirit.
Uſe 5. for Conſolation. And their duty is:
1. To pra…ſe God. 2. To walk as becommeth Converts. 3. To ſet an high price on Gods love.
SERM. VI.
Eſth, 9. 27, 28. The Jews ordained, and took upon them, and upon their ſeed, and upon all ſuch as joyned themſelves unto them, ſo as it ſhould not faile, that they might keep theſe two daies, according to their writing, and according to their appointed time every year, &c.
The Text divided and expounded.
Doct. That it's the duty of a delivered people to keep mercies upon Record, and make a thankfull remembrance of ſignal deliverances, and perpetuate the Memorial thereof from Generation to Generation, p. 108.
Reaſ. 1. Becauſe Gods name and honour is from Eternity to Eternity, p. 109. Reaſ. 2. Becauſe Thankfulneſs is Gods Tribute, ib. Reaſ. 3. Drawn from the excellency of the Duty. Reaſ. 4. Drawn from many obligations, viz. 4. Vinculo Creationis, Redemptionis, Gratitudinis, Gloriae divinae promovendae, p. 110, 111. Vſe 1. For Information. In the Popiſh Treaſon eight particulars are conſidered. 1. Length of time in projecting, p. 112. 2. Ʋnwearied pains, p. 113. 3. Cunning conveyance, ibid. 4. Inveterate malice, ibid. 5. The perſons acting, p. 114. 6. The perſons againſt whom, p. 115. 7. The place, ibid. and 8. their cruelty, ibid. Obſerve, 1. The Means of diſcovery by Auricular Confeſſion, p. 116. 2. The ſeaſonableneſſe, p. 117. 3. The juſt Retribution, ibid. Vſe 2. for Caution. 7. Popiſh opinions. 1. That the Pope is Chriſts Vicar, p. 119. 2. That he hath power of b…nding and looſing. 3. That he may depoſe Princes, ibid. 4. That Proteſtant Princes may be Excommunicated, ibid. 5. That they may be murthered, ibid. 6. That Faith is not to be kept with Hereticks, ibid. 7. That Equivocation is lawfull. Proteſtants Principles: 1. That the Pope is foreign, p. 120. 2. That a Papiſt cannot goe beyond a Reprobate, ibid. 3. That the e…ought to be no peace with Rome, ibid. 4. That a Papiſt living and dying in the opinion of his own merits cannot be ſaved, p. 121. 5. That Babylon is Rome, ibid. Vſe 3. for Exhortation. 1. Remember, and tranſmit the memory of this day to Poſterity, p. 121. 2. Praiſe God for the Deliverance, p. 122. 3. Remember and be vigilant, ibid.
SERM. VII.
Rom. 2. 16. In the day that God ſhall judge the ſecrets of men by Jeſus Chriſt according to my Goſpel.
The Text divided and expounded, p. 124, 125, 126.
Doct. 1. There ſhall be a day of Judgement, p. 126.
Doct. 2. At that day the ſecrets of all mens hearts ſhall bee judged.
Doct. 3. Chriſt ſhall be Judge at that day.
Method of handling.
The firſt Doctrine proved by Scripture out of the Old and New Teſtament, p. 126. and confirmed by ſix Arguments: 1. From Gods Decree, p. 127. 2. From Gods Iuſtice, ibid. 3. From conviction of conſcience, p. 128. 4. From the dependance and connexion between the Reſurrection and day of Iudgement, ibid. 5. From the generall expectation of the Saints, p. 129. 6. From Gods glory, ibid. Vſe 1. For Reproof to ungodly perſons, p. 131, 132. Vſe 2. for Inſtruction, to Magiſtrates and Miniſters. 6. Leſſons commended. 1. Entertain ſerious thoughts concerning the day of Iudgement, p. 134. 2. Let this conſideration engage us to holyneſſe of life and converſation, ibid. 3. Let this read us a Lecture of Patience, p. 135. 4. Lets be engaged to watchfulneſſe. 5. Lets learn to fear God, ibid. 6. Lets learn compaſſion and charity, ibid. Vſe 3. for Conſolation. 1. From the nature of the day, p. 136. 2. From the Iudge, Chriſt, ibid. 3. From the ſentence, ibid. 4. From the eternal happineſſe, ibid.
Doct. 2. That at the day of Iudgement the ſecrets of all mens hearts ſhall be judged, p. 136.
Reaſ. 1. Drawn from Gods Omniſcience, p. 136. Reaſ. 2. From Gods juſtice, p. 137. Reaſ. 3. For the acquitting of the godly, ibid. Reaſ. 4. For the further condemnation of the wicked, p. 138. Vſe 1. for terror unto the wicked, ibid. Vſe 2. for comfort to the godly, p. 139. 3. For counſel to both, p. 140.
Doct. 3. At the day of Judgement Jeſus Chriſt ſhall be Judge, p. 140.
1. Proved by Scripture, p. 140. 2. By 3. Reaſons. 1. From Equity and Retaliation, ibid. Reaſ. 2. For the comfort of the godly, ibid. Reaſ. 3. For the terrour of the wicked, ibid. Q. 1. Is the Father excluded? A. p. 141. Q. 2. How ſhall Chriſt appear? A. p. 141. Q. 3. Whom ſhall Chriſt judge? A. ibid. Q. 4. What will be the manner of Chriſts judging? A. ibid. Q. 5. What ſigns are there of this day? A. p. 143. Q. 6. Why God defers the day of Iudgement? A. ibid. Q. 7. Whether man can determine when the day of Iudgement ſhall be? A. p. 143. Q. 8. Whether we muſt deſire this day? A. p. 144. 4. Ob…ections anſwered, p. 144, 145. Vſe 1. for comfort unto the godly, ibid. Vſe 2. for terrour unto the wicked, ibid. Vſe 3. for Exhortation to prepare for the coming of Chriſt, p. 148.
SERM. VIII.
Mat. 10. 17. Good Maſter! what ſhall I do that I may inheherit eternall life? pag. 148.
The Text divided and expounded, p. 148, 149.
Doct. The main inquirie and buſineſſe of Chriſtians ought to be employed concerning their eternal condition, p. 150. Method propounded.
1. What Eternity is? It is anſwered negatively by four Propoſitions: 1. Eternity admits no ſucceſſion of time, p. 150. 2. Eternity admits no alterations, ibid. 3. Eternity admits no augmentation nor diminution, p. 151. 4. Eternity admits no revocation, ibid. Eternity is defined and explained particularly, p. 152, 153.
2. The Doctrine is illuſtrated by Scripture examples, p. 153.
3. By Scripture Precepts, p. 153, 154.
4. By Scripture Reaſons. 1. Privatively: Becauſe 1. We are freed from ſin. 2. From Tentations of Fleſh, Devil, and World, p. 154, 155. 3. We are freed from Puniſhments, p. 155. 2. Poſitively. 1. The Saints ſhall enjoy the bleſſed viſion, p. 155, 156. 2. They ſhall enjoy the Society of Saints and Angels, ibid. 3. They ſhall be buſied in rare employments, p. 156. 4. This employment ſhall be in our Fathers houſe, p. 157. 5. Glorifyed Saints ſhall keep an Eternal Sabbath in heaven, ib. Vſe of Exhortation, p. 157. 4. Motives preſſed. 1. The ſtudy of Eternity is an honourable ſtudy, p. 159. 2. This is a ſweet ſtudy, p. 160. 3. This is a profitable ſtudy, ibid. 4. This is a ſeaſonable ſtudy, p. 161.
SERM. IX.
Mal. 1. 14. But curſed be the Deceiver, which hath in his flock a Male, and voweth and ſacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing: For I am a great King, ſaith the Lord of Hoſts, and my Name is dreadfull among the Heathen.
The Coherence and Text expounded, p. 162, 163, 164, 165. Doctrine handled.
In all our ſervices, its Gods expectation, and our obliged duty, is offer the beſt we can poſſible unto the Lord, p. 166.
Method propounded.
1. How muſt our ſervices be performed in the beſt way? A. In ſix diſtinguiſhing Characters. 1. All muſt be performed with a pure heart, p. 167. 2. The beauty of the ſeaſon muſt be regarded, ibid. 3. We muſt make Religion our buſineſſe, p. 168. 4. We muſt do all in Faith, p. 169. 5. We muſt do all in the Name of Chriſt, ibid. 6. We muſt doe all with reverence and godly fear, p. 170.
2. The Doctrine is aſſerted and proved by Scripture, p. 171, 172.
3. By Application: 5. Vſes are made. Vſe 1. For Exhortation: 1. To all in generall, p. 173. 2. To Magiſtrates and Miniſters in particular, ibid.
SERM. X. upon the ſame Text.
7. Conſiderations: 1. From the Majeſty of God, p. 176. 2. From the Holyneſſe of God, ibid. 3. From the Equity of the Duty, p. 177. 4. From the credit of the Goſpel, p. 178. 5. From the greatneſſe of the ſin, made up of 4. Ingredients, viz. Folly, Contempt, Preſumption, Sacriledge, p. 179, 180, 181. Notwithſtanding failings all will be accepted through Chriſt, p. 181, 182. 7. Conſider the dreadfull curſe againſt Hypocrites, p. 182. Vſe 2. for Reproof. 1. Of the Hypocrite, p. 183. 2. Of negligent, lazy perſons, p. 184. 3. Of ſuch who put off Repentance to old age, p. 185. Vſe 3. for Examination. 1. Whether we give God the beſt in Duties, p. 186, 187, 188, 189, 190. 2. Whether we give God the beſt in our Graces, p. 191. 3. Whether we give God the beſt in our lives and converſations, ibid. & p. 192. Vſe 4. for Direction. 1. What impediments are to be removed? A. 1. An ignorant mind, p. 192. 2. A frothy vain ſpirit, p. 192, & 193. 3. A worldly ſpirit, ibid. 4. An unbeleeving heart, ibid. 2. What duties are to be practiſed? A. 1. Set God before thine eyes, p. 193. 2. Labour for ſincerity of heart, ibid. 3. Embrace the preſent ſeaſon, p. 194. 4. Be much in prayer, ibid. 5. Make Religion thy buſineſſe, ibid. Vſe 5. for Conſolation. Conſid. 1. Infirmities befall the beſt, p. 194. 2. Gods Children allow not themſelves in ſinne, p. 195. 3. A ſincere heart is accepted, ibid. 4. A ſincere heart labours for more Grace, ibid. 5. We muſt not goe by others examples, ibid. 6. Perſeverance obtaines the Crown, ibid.
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