None but Christ, Table of contents
The Contents.
CHAP. I.
THe openining of the words of the Text. pag. 1.
Doct. The great leſſon that every one ought to ſtudy and learn, is to know Jeſus Chriſt. p. 4.
CHAP. II.
Of the Incarnation of Chriſt.
1. That Chriſt is the ſecond p…rſon, and why? p. 6.
2. That Chriſt is the ſon of God, and how he is ſaid to be his ſon. p. 7.
3. That Chriſt is truely God. p. 10.
4. That Chriſt is truely man. p. 11.
5. That Chriſt is God and man united together. p. 15.
CHAP. III.
A ſhort view of the ſufferings of Chriſt before he ſuffered upon the croſſe. p. 17.
In eleven particulars. In his
1. Conception, p. 17.
2. Birth, ibid.
3. Circumciſion, p. 20.
4. Temptation, ibid.
5. Private life, p 21.
6. Agony, ibid.
7. Apprehenſion and betraying, p. 22.
8. Arraignment, p. 23.
9. Mocking, ib…d.
10. Scourging, p. 25.
11. Condemnation. p. 27.
CHAP. IV.
A relation of the ſufferings of Chriſt upon the Croſſe. p. 27.
Firſt in that Chriſt dyed for us. ibid.
Secondly, in that Chriſt did more then barely dye for us in three reſpects.
1. Firſt, In that he dyed a ſhamefull death. p. 29. It was ſhame full in five reſpects, becauſe
1. They made him carry his owne Croſſe, p. 30.
2. They ſtript him naked, ibid.
3. He was hanged, ibid.
4. He was hanged in the midſt between two theeves, p. 31.
5. He was inſulted over in his miſery, ibid.
II. Secondly in that he dyed a bitter and painfull death in two reſpects. p. 32.
1. In what he ſuffered from men in foure particulars. ibid.
1. They gave him Gall and Vinegar to drink. ibid.
2. They racked him. p 34.
3. They nayled his hands and feet to the Croſſe. ibid.
4. He continued hanging about ſix houres. ibid.
2. In what he ſuffered from God, even the heavy wrath of God due to us for all our ſins. p. 35.
III. Thirdly, In that he dyed for his enemies &c. p. 37.
CHAP. V.
Of the ſatisfaction of Chriſt. p. 38.
1. That there is ſalvation in no other. p. 38.
2. That there is full & perfect ſalvation in Chriſt. p. 40.
CHAP: VI.
We muſt ſtudy to know Chriſt with particular application; That Chriſt is our Saviour, and that he dyed for us, and gave himſelf for us. p. 43.
Obj. A man may be ſaved without this knowledge?
Anſw.
Affirmatively. p. 45.
Negatively. p. 46.
Obj. No man can know Chriſt to be his in particular: with the Anſwere. p. 47. 48.
CHAP. VII.
We muſt ſtudy to know Chriſt with an affectionate knowledge. p. 49.
CHAP. VIII.
We muſt ſtudy to know Chriſt with a virtuall and operative knowledge. p. 54.
1. In Giving us power againſt the dominion of ſinne. p. 55.
2. In raiſing us up to newnes of life. p. 57.
CHAP. IX.
Of the ſweetneſſe and excellency of the knowledge of Chriſt. p 58.
1. Becauſe it hath the moſt excellent Revelation. p. 60.
2. Becauſe the excellency of all other knowledge is ſupereminently in Chriſt in five reſpects. p. 61.
1. The excellency of the knowledge of God conſiſteth in the knowledge of Chriſt in three reſpects. ibid.
In regard of
1. His perſon. ibid.
2. The worke of Redemption. p. 62.
3. Our Relation to God. p. 63.
2. The excellency of the knowledge of the word of God conſiſts in the knowledge of Chriſt. p. 66
3. The knowledge of Chriſt is more excellent then all other knowledge whatſoever. p. 68.
4. The excellency & honour of a man is that he knoweth Jeſus Chriſt. p. 70.
5. The excellency of all our workes, is from our knowledge of Chriſt. p. 73.
CHAP. X.
That the knowledge of Chriſt and him Crucified is the moſt profitable knowledge. p. 75.
1. Reaſon, becauſe Chriſt gives us better things then the world can help us to. p. 76.
As the grace of
1. Juſtification,
p. 77, 78. p. 79.
2. Acceptation,
3. Sanctification,
4. Adoption,
5. Reconciliation,
6. Co-operation,
7. Corroboration,
8. Co-agulation,
9. Preſervation,
10. Conſolation,
11. Glorification.
2 Reaſon, becauſe Chriſt gives that which contents and ſatisfieth the ſoule of man. p. 80.
3. Reaſon, becauſe Chriſt gives more durable riches▪ then the world. p. 81.
4. Reaſon, becauſe Chriſt gives earthly things alſo into the bargain. p. 82.
Which appeares in foure particulars.
1. Certainty of proviſion. p. 82.
2. Better right. p. 85.
3. With our fathers bleſſing. ibid.
4. As pledges of future hopes. p. 86.
CHAP. XI.
That the knowledge of Jeſus Chriſt and him crucified is the moſt comfortable knowledge. p. 87.
Eſpecially in foure conditions. of
In time
1. Spirituall diſtres. 88.
2. Greateſt perſecution p. 89.
3 Greateſt afflictions. 92
Becauſe they ſhall worke for our good. ibid.
A threefold good
1. Temporall.
2. Spirituall. p. 39.
For they,
1. Keep the heart tender, p 94.
2. Keep us from back-ſliding. p. 94.
3. Make us fear to ſin, ibid.
4. Make us grow in holineſſe, ibid.
3. For our eternall good. p. 95.
4. The knowledge of Chriſt is moſt comfortable in the houre of death. p. 96.
Becauſe, we are ſure to dye,
1. Comfortably. ibid.
2. Bleſſedly. p. 98.
CHAP. XII.
Uſe 1. A reproofe of thoſe that know nothing of Jeſus Chriſt, as Heathens, Turkes Jewes, Papiſts, and ignorant perſons. p▪ 101.
Becauſe
1. Their ignorance is inexcuſable. p. 105.
2. An ignorant heart is an evil heart. p. 106
3. All their workes are works of darkneſſe. ibid.
4. They can have no Repentance ibid.
5. They are full of feare. p. 107
6. Such have no part in Chriſt. ibid.
Qu. What helps are there to get knowledge. p. 108
Anſ. 1. To ſtudy a Catechiſme. ibid.
2. The uſe of other meanes. p. 109
3. To practiſe what we know. ibid.
4. To be much in prayer. p, 110
CHAP. XIII.
Vſe 2. A reproof of thoſe that ſtudy to know all things elſe ſave Jeſus Chriſt and him crucified. p. 110.
Viz. Such as ſtudy vanities, curioſities, arts and ſciences, &c. with the neglect of the ſtudy of Chriſt. 111
CHAP. XIV.
Uſe 3. A reproofe of three ſorts.
I. A reproofe of thoſe that ſtudy to know Chriſt only by ſpeculation. p. 124
1. Becauſe it is unprofitable and vain. p. 121
2. Becauſe it is very dangerous and hurtfull. p. 123
It is dangerous in three reſpects.
1. Becauſe it breeds bitterneſſe and vexation. p. 123.
2. Becauſe if Chriſt be not our Saviour he will be our judge. p. 124.
3. Becauſe it will aggravate our condemnation. p. 125.
II. A reproofe of thoſe that know Chriſt with ſpeculation, but not with affection. p. 130
III. A reproofe of thoſe that content themſelves with a ſpeculative knowledge of Chriſt, but know him not virtually and operatively.
CHAP. XV.
Uſe 4. An exhortation to be thankfull and contented in every condition if we know Ieſus Chriſt ſavingly. p. 136.
1. Becauſe Chriſt is the greateſt gift that God hath to give, or that we can receive. p. 138
2. Becauſe Chriſt is the richeſt gift. p. 138
3. Becauſe Chriſt is the choyceſt gift. ibid.
4. Becauſe Chriſt is the rareſt gift. p. 141
5. Becauſe Chriſt is the ſweeteſt gift. p. 143
6. Becauſe Chriſt is the freeſt gift. p. ibid.
CHAP. XVI.
Uſe 5. An exhortation to all to ſtudy the knowledge of Chriſt ſavingly. p. 146
1. Becauſe we want nothing more then Chriſt. p. 147
2. Becauſe God is ready and willing to give Chriſt to thoſe that ſeek him. ibid
Helpes ormeanes to attain to the ſaving knowledge of Chriſt. p. 149
1. To ſee the worth of Chriſt. ibid.
2. To ſee thy need of Chriſt and miſery without him. p. 150
3. To be ſick with thy ſins. p. 153
4. To be ſick for Chriſt. p. 154
5. To be willing to part withall for Chriſt. p. 155
6. To ſeek Chriſt with prayers and tears. p. 156
CHAP. XVII.
Uſe 6. A Ʋſe of examination whether we know Chriſt Jeſus ſavingly. p. 157
Becauſe
1. Our hearts are deceitfull. p. 158
2. The danger of this deceit. p. 158
3. Satan will try it. p. 159
4. The benefit of tryall is very great.
Whether we be
deceived. p. 159.
not deceived. ibid.
Foure generall rules to preſerve us from being deceived. p. 159.
1. To be willing to know the truth concerning our ſpirituall condition p. 161.
2. To judge our ſelves by the right rule, that is, by a promiſe in thy word. p. 162.
3. To get aright underſtanding of that rule or promiſe. p. 166.
4. To reſt upon that promiſe, and not be beaten off from it. p. 167.
Eleven ſignes or markes whereby a man may know Chriſt is his in particular. p. 167.
The firſt ſigne
1. If it were wrought and is confirmed by the word preached 169
The ſecond ſign
2. If the heart were ever prepared for the receiving of Chriſt. p. 170
The 3d ſign
3. From the right operations of faith in the heart which are foure
1. It is little at the firſt. p. 173
2. It increaſeth daily. 174
3. It oppoſeth infidelity. ib.
4. It beleeves temporall promiſes. p. 175
The 4th ſigne.
4. Repentance for ſin. p 176
The 5th ſigne.
5. Poverty of ſpirit. p. 179
CHAP XVIII.
The ſixth ſigne of the ſaving knowledge of Chriſt is love. p. 181
I. Love to God. ib.
II. Love to Chriſt. p. 182
III. If we love the Saints 3. wayes. ibid.
1. With a ſpirituall love. p. 183.
2. With an univerſall love. ibid.
3. With a ſpeciall love: which conſiſteth in four particulars
1. In an high eſteem of them. p. 184
2. In a readineſſe to help them. ibid.
3. In delighting in their company. ib.
4. In ſympathizing with them. p. 187.
IV. If we love the word of God with a ſincere love. p. 188.
V. If we love the wicked with a love of pity. p. 189.
CHAP. XIX.
The ſeventh ſigne of the ſaving knowledge of Chriſt namely the ſpirit of prayer. p. 192.
The ſpirit of prayer conſiſts of two particulars.
1. The heart is excited to be often with God in prayer. p. 193.
2. The heart is inabled to pray ſpiritually.
That is
1. To pray in faith. p. 195.
2. To pray fervently. p. 196.
3. To pray with ſpirituall deſires. p. 197.
CHAP, XX.
The eighth ſigne of the ſaving knowledge of Chriſt, is univerſall obedience. p. 198.
The ninth ſigne is ſelfe-denyall. p. 201.
The tenth ſigne, when the utmoſt end of all our actions is ſupernaturall.
CAAP. XXI.
The eleventh ſigne is the witneſſe of the ſpirit. p. 207.
1. The ſpirit perſwades thy conſcience thou art a child of God. ibid.
2, The ſpirit fils the ſoule with raviſhing joy. p. 208.
How to know it is the witneſſe of the ſpirit, and not a deluſion.
1. This witneſſe is uſually ſent when the ſoule is mourning for ſin. p. 208.
2. It witneſſeth always according to the word. p. 209
3. It fils the heart with love and thankfulneſſe. ibid.
4. The ſpirit bears witneſſe with our ſpirits, that it is not a deluſion. ibid.
CHAP. XXII.
An aſſoyling of ſome doubts and ſcruples, whereby a true beleever doth queſtion whether Chriſt is his or no. p. 211.
The firſt doubt, becauſe I know not the time of my converſion. p. 212.
The ſecond doubt, becauſe I know not whether I were ever ſufficiently prepared to receive Chriſt. p. 213.
The third doubt, becauſe I am moleſted with ſo many temptations and doubts. p. 215.
The fourth doubt, becauſe my faith failes me. p. 216.
The fifth doubt, becauſe I want aſſurance and comfort. p. 217.
The ſixth doubt, becauſe I have ſuch ſtrong luſts ſtill remaining. p. 220.
The ſeventh doubt, becauſe I have relapſed unto my old ſins. ibid.
Object. Yea but old ſins relapſed into are not pardoned before actuall repentance. p. 22….
Anſwer, they are pardoned to a beleever before actual repentance. ibid.
1. Becauſe after faith there is no place or time for condemnation. p. 222.
2. He is ſtill regenerated. p. 224.
3. He is ſtill a beleever and penitent perſon, in habit at leaſt. p. 224.
4. He is ſtill a member of Chriſt. ibid.
5. He is ſtill an adopted child. p. 225.
6. Then actuall repentance is required neceſſarily for the pardon of the ſmalleſt ſinnes. ibid.
7. Then a beleever ſhall certainly live ſo long after agroſſe ſin, till he doth actually repent. p. 226.
8. Why is not actuall faith alſo neceſſary before actuall pardon. p. 227.
9. Then a beleever may feare at that time to be damned. ibid.
10. The opinion of many learned Divines. p. 230.
The Objections anſwered
1. Object. from Rom. 3. 15. anſwered p. 231.
2. Object. from Matth. 10. 28. ibid.
3. Object. from 1. Cor. 6. 9. 10. 11. ibid.
4. Object. A lapſed beleever hath not loſt his right to, but fitneſſe for heaven. anſwered p. 232.
5. Object. Sin muſt be committed before it can be pardoned. anſwered. p. 233.
7. Object. What need we then feare our ſins, or ask pardon for them? anſwered p. 234.
8. Object. The qualification required for pardon is repentance. anſwered p. 235.
9. Object. Then David might joy in God as his God whilſt he lay in his ſin? anſwered p. 236.
10. Object. from Jer. 3. I will forgive their iniquities; therefore they were not▪ pardoned before. anſwered. p. 237.
8. Doubt. Becauſe I feare I am an hypocrite. p. 238.
9. Doubt. Becauſe I have hardneſſe of heart. p. 239.
10. Doubt Becauſe I have ſuch Atheiſticall and blaſphemous thoughts. p. 240.
11. Doubt. Becauſe I profit not by hearing the word preached. p. 241.
12. Doubt. From the little meaſure of grace received. p. 243.
13. Doubt. Becauſe I have no gift of prayer. p. 245
1. Becauſe I cannot pray but in a forme. p. 246
2. Becauſe I pray not in faith. p. 247
3. Becauſe God doth not hear my prayers. ibid.
14. Doubt. I do not grow in grace. p 248
15. Doubt. The Saints do not love me. p. 251
16. Doubt. Becauſe I meet with ſo many afflictions. p. 253
CHAP. XXIII.
Uſe 7. An exhortation to the miniſters of the Goſpell, eſpecially to preach Jeſus Chriſt to the people p. 2…6
1. Becauſe the preaching of Chriſt is moſt profitable for the people. p. 257
2. Becauſe it is moſt comfortable to the people. ibid.
3. Becauſe it is the readieſt way to bring the people to repentance. ibid.
4. Becauſe it brings greateſt comfort to the miniſters to bring men to Chriſt. p. 259
5. Becauſe it is moſt profitable to the Miniſters to preach Chriſt. p. 260
Object. Is it not lawfull then to preach the Law? which is anſwered. p. 261
Negatively.
Poſitively.
A ſecond exhortation to Miniſters of the Goſpell to preach Chriſt in ſuch a manner, as the people may beſt come to the ſaving knowledge of Chriſt, which conſiſts in nine particulars. p. 265
1. To preach Chriſt plainly and perſpicuouſly. p. 265
Five helps to preach Chriſt plainly.
1. A competent meaſure of learning. p. 27….
2. To be mighty in the Scriptures. p. 273
3. Be much in meditation. p. 274
4. Be much in Catechiſing or handling the fundamentall points of religion. p. 275
5. Study to know the ſtate of the flock. p. 275
2. To preach Chriſt painfully. p. 276
3. To preach Chriſt profitably. p. 281
4. To preach Chriſt faithfully. p. 283
5. To preach Chriſt zealouſly. p. 284
6. To preach Chriſt lovingly. p. 286.
7. To preach Chriſt wiſely. p. 288
8. To preach Chriſt ſincerely. p. 290
9. To preach Chriſt exemplarily. p. 293
CHAP. XXIIII.
Uſe 8. An exhortation to thankefulneſſe for Chriſt revealed in the Goſpell.
1. Becauſe Chriſt is revealed but to a few. p. 330
2. Becauſe the Revelation of Chriſt is ſo great a bleſſing. p. 305
3. Becauſe where Chriſt is preached, there ſome Elect are to be ſaved. p. 307
4. Becauſe uſually outward bleſſings do accompany the Goſpel. p. 308
1 COR. 2. 2.
I deſired to know nothing among you ſave Jeſus Chriſt and him crucified.