The Sacred Mystery of the Government of the Thoughts, Table of contents
The Contents hereof.
FIrſt, the occaſions of this Treatiſe are diſcouered together with the maine Scope & vſe thereof, as alſo diuers Rules are layde downe concerning the Methode thereof, and benefite thereby. Chap. 1.
2 There is a generall deſcription of thoughts propounded. Namely, 1. What they are, with a particular explication of this deſcription, diſcouering the kinds and proper ſubiect of them. Chap. 2.
3 The vſes of thoughts in generall, are laid open. Cha. 3.
4 It proceedeth to the deſcription of good thoghts, where 1. the deſcription is explayned. 2. The diuers kindes of good thoughts are diſtinguiſhed together with the benefites of them. Chap. 4.
5 Generall rules are propounded for the well ordering of the thoughts and the purifying of them. Chap. 5.
6 As alſo diuers markes are diſcouered, whereby the goodneſſe of our thoughts may be tryed, with the vſe thereof. Chap. 6.
7 It is ſhewed what euill thoughts are in generall, here the deſcription is explained, the cauſes of them opened, and the diuers kindes thereof generally diſcouered, with generall rules hereto. Chap. 7.
8 It is added, how theſe euill thoughts may be preuented and mastered, to this end diuers preſeruatiues both in generall and particular are propounded together with the vſes thereof. Chap. 8.
9 It is manifested how euill thoghts differ in the regenerate and vnregenerate. Chap. 9.
10 Three ſpeciall kindes of euill thoughts are diſcouered, wherewith the Saints are troubled, wherof the firſt is blaſphemous and impious thoughts concerning God, religion, & where the cauſes of them are layde downe: And here
1 How to diſcerne them to proceede from naturall corruption.
With the remedie thereof.
2 How to diſcerne them to be caſt in by Sathan: With
1 The cauſes thereof, and
2 Danger and
3 Remedies of the ſame.
Together with a tryall of their comfortable iſſue: Chap. 10.
11 A ſecond kinde of theſe thoughtt are layd open: Namely, Melancholy Imaginations: where
1 The occaſions of them are opened.
2 Their nature is diſcouered and explained.
3 The inward cauſes there-ripped vp.
4 The outward cauſes layde open.
5 Their differences, are propounded.
6 Their effects diſcouered.
7 Their remedy adioyned.
8 With the tryall thereof. Chap. 11.
12 A 3, ſort of euil thoughts is propounded: Namely Wandering and idle thoughts interrupting in holy duties, & where
1 Is deſcribed what they are, & the deſcriptiō explained.
2 The cauſes thereof ripped vp.
3 Their kinds are diſcouered
4 Their effect, layd open.
5 Their remedy applyed. With
6 The triall thereof. Ch. 12
13 Diuers caſes of conſcience atre reſolued. 1. Concerning Thoughts in generall. As,
1 Whether they bee free, wherc.
1 What this meaneth.
2 The pretences hereof.
3 The true grounds of this deluſion are diſcouered.
4 With the danger thereof.
5 The deluſion is diſcouered and refuted. And
6 The colours thereof detected.
7 With the vſe thereof, Chap. 13.
14 Speciall caſes of conſcience are diſcuſſed: 1 concerning good thoughts, and that on the right hand and, 2 on the left.
3 With the reſolution and victory thereof, and vſe of the ſame. Chap. 14.
Where ſpecially of dreames and fancies.
15 Speciall caſes of conſcience are determined concerning euill thoughts, with the vſe thereof. Chap. 15.
16 The generall vſe of the whole treatiſe prrpounded. with promiſe of further light. Chap. 16.
17 The Concluſion of the whole. Chap. 17.