and be put upon searching under another term. But here we need only turn to the subject inquired after, and, without any such stops, find Scriptures full and apt thereto (by whatsoever terms or phrases they are expressed) occur to our eye at an instant; and, mostly, all that the Scripture affords on that subject.

II. To give some light into the method, and the use of this work.

1. Take notice, that, in Chap. XI. [Of the Failings of God's Children], the first texts are to prove each person's title to that appellation, then the next following, his failings: and this is done on purpose, that it might appear these are the Failings of God's Children; and so proper to the Head..

2. Note also, That the words in a parenthesis, beginning with (or) are the marginal readings.

3. Some general heads have no particulars following, but the whole placed under that general head. This is so done, either because the texts which the Scripture affords on that subject are but few, and so easily run through; or that the matters are so various, that almost every verse carries a distinct meaning in it, yet still relating to the general head; as in that [The Privileges of the Righteous), each text is almost a distinct privilege: so in that [Of the Character of Saints], and some others of like nature. And here to have descended to particular heads, would have been tedious and unnecessary; for the words being there transcribed, the Reader may presently inform himself in the whole, and in every particular.

LASTLY. A little pains in observing the CONTENTS or Table in the front of the book, which doth contain the general and particular heads, and also the references thereto, directing to Chapter and Page where each lieth, will enable us to discern more of the method and usefulness of the work, than can be well expressed in a short Introduction.

This therefore shall suffice, presuming the work itself will shew its own usefulness and advantage; holding a man to one subject, and yielding variety of matter to enforce it upon the mind, and leave impressions there: when the bare reading a chapter or two, which some use to do as a task, proves not effectual for that end; and searching proves laborious, and often discouraging and fruitless too.

WHEREIN THE SEVERAL GENERAL HEADS ARE SPECIFIED, THE
SECTIONS AND SUBDIVISION SET DOWN IN ORDER, WITH A

REFERENCE TO THE CHAPTER AND PAGE.

in Page

Page

CHAPTER I.

Sect. 1. SHEWING what religion is, and First. Of his first state - - 28

how the knowledge of it is to be at-

Secondly. Of his fall . - ib.

tained . - - - - -

Thirdly. Of man's state by nature,

Sect. 11. The necessity of searching the

since sin entered - - - 29

Scriptures - - - - - ib. Sect. I. Corrupt, unclean, and despe-
Sect. 1. Of the Scriptures, their au-

rately wicked - • - - ib.
thority, use, end, and excellency -

See more of sin, chap. xiv.
See preaching of the word, chap. XXV. Sect. II. Ignorant, opposing the true

Chap. II. Of God: his nature, attri-

God, and adoring idols - 34

butes, and works - - - -

See more of ignorance, chap. xxxvi.
Sect. 1. His names, and titles - -

Sect. iii. In servitude to Satan and

Sect. 11. He is a Spirit -

sin - - - - - - 36

• - 9

Sect. Ili. His excellency, majesty,

Sect. iv. The sad fruit and end of sucha...

greatness, Perfection, glory, and

a state - - - - - ib,

sovereignty, and absoluteness. His

See more of God's judgments against

providence - - - -

sinners, chap. xiv. .

See more in the duty of fearing God,

Fourthly. Under what case the law

chap. xiv.

concludes men - - • 39

Sect. iv. He is invisible - - 17

Sect. 1. Under sin and guilt - - ib.

Sect. v. He is incorruptible

ib.

Sect. 11. Under the curse thereof - 40

Sect. vi. He is the most strong, al-

Sect. 111. The deeds of the law, or

mighty, and omnipotent God; a

sacrifices under it, cannot justify

or purge from sin, but still leave

rock - - -

Sect. vir. Heis Omniscient, omnipre-

sinners under guilt, condemnation,

sent, immense - -

and wrath - - - - ib.

Sect. viii. He is most wise .

Chap. V. Of man's salvation and re-

Sect. ix. He is most holy

demption; how it came, and by what

Sect. x. He is most just

means -

- 42

Sect. XI. He is compassionate, piti-

Sect. 1. From God only, and no

ful, and merciful - - - 21 otherwise •
See chap. xxxi.

Sect. 11. Who he is, and by whom

Sect. xli. He is long-suffering, and

this salvation is conveyed, and

patient - -

wrought: Jesus Christ - -

Sect. xn. He is gracious, good,

Sect. ni. The excellency of this Sa-
bountiful - -

viour, his fulness, and dignity in

Sect. Xiy. He is faithfulness

his person and authority . - 49

truth

Sect. iv. The excellency of this Sa-

Sect. xv. He is unchangeable -

viour, his fulness, and dignity in

Sect. xvi. Heis infiniteandụnsearch-

nfinitegeable.... 23

his nature - - - - -

able - - - - -

Sect. xvii. He is eternal .

ib. See more in pardon and salvation by
.

Christ alone, chap. viii.
Sect. XVIII. He, only, is the true and
living God -

CHAP. VI. How Christ wrought this sal-
See of worshipping God, chap. xiv. vation for sinners: what he was
Idolatry, chap. xxxviii.

made, and is, and what he did, in

CHAP. III. Of the one God, Father,

order to it - - - - . - 55

Sect. I. He is Mediator - - ib.

Son, and Spirit; or the Trinity - 25

See more of Christ's excellency, chap. v.

Sect. II. He took upon him the na-

ture of man, and humbled himself ib.

sect. iii.

Sect. 111. He is made an High Priest 57

See more of the Spirit, chap. xix. sect. i.

Sect. iv. He offered bimself to God as
CHAP. IV. Of Man, in his first estate,

a sacrifice; suffered for the sins of
wherein he was created; and of his
fall - - - - - - 28 shedding of his own blood, by

and

Page 1

Page

which he entered into the holiest

Spirit, which are indispensably ne-

for us . .. - -'.' • 58 cessary to real saints rom'94
Seet. v. He fulfilled all righteousness See more of the fruits of faith, chap. ix.
of the law; bore the curse; took

Of the fruits of the Spirit, chap. xix. "

away the hand-writing of ordinan-

In duties, chap. xiv. xv. xvi.

ces; is our righteousness -, - 61 In each duty in affliction, chap. xx.
See more of justification, chap viii.

In duties to magistrates, chap. xxii.

Sect. vi. He sanctifieth us: is our

Chap. XI. The children of God them-

sanctification - - - . 62

selves may be overtaken in faults ; are

Sect. vii. He riseth from the dead ib.

not free from sinful dispositions and
Sect. viii. He ascended into heaven:

inclinations in this life; and there-

is our way to the Father, our advo-

fore may deserve to be chastised of

cate and intercessor there - - 63

God

- - - - - 103

Sect. IX. He is made our king and

Sect. 1. In general it is affirmed ib.

head, to encounter, and conquer Sect. 11. Particular instances of the

our enemies : to rule for and in us 65

failings of God's children recorded 104

Sect. x. He is our prophet and shep-

Sect. III. God will punish and correct

herd, to teach, guide, and feed us 66

the righteous for sin - - - 108

Sect. xi. He is our all, in all things:

See God's threatenings and judgments

· our completeness and perfection - 68

against sin and sinners, chap. xiv.

Chap. VII. God's free choice of us in

CHAP. XII. Of the privileges of the

Christ Jesus to eternal life, and call-

righteous, and their excellency above
ing of us according to his purpose

others: what God hath done, doth,

and grace - - -

69

and will do for them, more than for

CHAP. VIII. Pardon and remission of others; and what they can do with

sins; reconciliation and peace with God, &c. - - - - 109

God; justification and sanctification See more in the next chapter of union

before God; eternal life and salva-

and relation to Christ.

tion free, through the grace of God, See the advantages of faith, chap. ix.

by the death, sacrifice, and sufferings See privileges in afflictions, chap. xx.

of Christ - -

- 74 In times of common calamities, chap. xxi.'

In general -

See the glory reserved for believers.

In particular -

chap. XXXV.

Sect. 1. Pardon of sins ·

ib.
Sect. II. Reconciliation and peace

CHAP. XIII. Of the union and relation

between Christ and his church, and

with God - - - -

their mutual love and esteem; toge-

Sect. 111. Justification and sanctifica-

ther with the manifestation thereof 119

tion before God - - - 78

Sect. iv. Eternal life and salvation 80

CHAP. XIV. Of the duties of believers,

See more in chap. ix. sect. i.

especially such as would excel. First.

Toward God

CHAP. IX. How men have the benefit

Sect: 1. In general, to live to God,

of this salvation; or by what means

not to themselves: to be holy, fruits

it becomes theirs in particular . 82

Sect. 1. By faith - - -

ful, walking in the light, in an

- ib.
Sect. vi. Óf faith, in its nature and

honest, heavenly, and spiritual

conversation, worthy of their high
object, use, benefits, and advanta-

calling : to glorify God, and mind
ges, further than as before, relating

the things above - - ib.

to this salvation

In its nature and object . . ib.

Sect. Il. In particular : to love God

Sect. III. Farther benefits and advan-

the Father, and our Lord Jesus

Christ, and set our affections on

tages of faith - - - - 88

things above - - - 126

See more, trusting in God, chap. xvi.

Sect. IV. The effects or fruits, by

Sect. ill. As fruits of love to God and

Christ, to delight themselves in

which we know a right faith - 90

See fruits of the Spirit, chap xix,

God, long for, pant after him,

make their boast of, glory and re-

Sect. v. The dangerous state and is-

joice in God and Christ, as their ,

sue of unbelief -. - • - 92

portion and rest. And to obey and

CHAP. X. Characters of saints, good

hearken to the laws and words of

men. believers. appearing in word

God and Christ. - - 127

and deed -

- - - 94 First. To delight in, long for, pant

Sect. 1. That such may be known

after, make their boast of, glory.

from others by their fruits . .. ib.

and rejoice in God and Christ,

Sect. It. The particular fruits of the

as their portion and rest · ib.

-

-

-

-

Page 1

danger

.

.

.

.

Page

any error or sin : the reasons : our Sect. III. Masters to their servants,

and servants to their masters - 242

See more instances of the failings of Sect. iv. Magistrates to subjects, and

Gods children, chap. xi.

subjects to magistrates . • 243

of the tempers, methods, &c. chap. See magistrates at large, chap. xxii.

xxviii.

Chap. XV. Duties of believers, bre-

CHAP. XVII. The duties of believers to-

ward men : those who are without,

thren in the Lord, each to other, as

unbelievers, enemies -

such; and as standing in that rela--

Sect. 1. In general

. ib.

tion one to another

Sect. II. In particular; not to judge

Sect. 1. To love each other: the kinds

them, or to speak evil of them - 244

of it - - - - ib.

Sect. 111. Be just, righteous, true and

Sect. II. To sympathise with each

faithful to, and with them, in all

other in pity and compassion; help

things of trust and dealing - 245

and comfort one another, and

Sect. iv. To live peaceably, not in-

bear one another's burdens - 223

termeddling with others; nor idle,

See also this duty, how we should be-

or trifling - - - - 246

have to the afflicted, chap. XX.

Sect. v. Not to be discontented, an-

Sect. 111. To honour and esteem each

• other: and be kind and affection-

gry, or revengeful against them;

but to behave themselves meekly,

ate -

-

-

- 225

See more of walking humbly, chap. xiv.

gently, and patiently toward them;

Sect. IV. Not rashly and unadvised-

bearing wrong -

See more of meekness, chap. xiv.

ly to take up a prejudice against

Sect. vi. To pity them, shew them

any, believe reports, take offence.

mercy, pray for them, and return

or be angry: but tenderly forgive,

cover faults, and restore offenders

them good for evil, love for ha-

tred -

-

247

in love - - - - ib.

Sect. vi. To behave humbly and

Sect. v. To live peaceably, avoid whis-

courteously toward all; giving

pering, tale-bearing, and whatso-

them due respect - • 248

ever tends to divide or disturb

Sect. viii. To avoid all unnecessary

peace - - - - 227

Sect. vi. To rebuke, reprove, exhort,

society and fellowship with wicked

men -

admonish, and warn each other,

-

- 249

&c. To take such rebukes, &c. Chap. XVIII. How men come truly and

well from each other - - 229 spiritually to know the only true

I. To rebuke, exhort, &c.

God, and Jesus Christ whom he hath

II. To take such rebukes, &c. well 230 sent; and the mysteries of salvation

See more of church discipline, chap.xxv. by him. To believe it, bring forth

Sect. vii. To confess to and pray for fruit, and persevere through difficul-

each other

ties, to eternal life

Sect. viii. To be of one mind - 231

Sect. 1. Man of himself not able to

Sect. ix. To walk wisely and chari-

do these things -

tably one toward another: and in Sect. II. God in Christ doth all free-

things indifferent, to have respect

ly; and that according to pro-

to the weak, and to avoid of-

· mise - .

- 251

fences -

- -

- ib.

I. In general -

- ib.

Sect. x. To distribute and communi-

II. In particular, God gives the

cate to each others' necessities :

knowledge of himself, &c. in

give to the poor - .

the gospel - - - 254

See more in shewing mercy to all, chap.

See more of knowledge, chap. xxxvi.

xvii.

Sect. II. To give faith or ability to

of giving to enemies, chap. XX.

believe

- - 256

Of church collections for the poor, chap. Sect. iv. To make fruitful, to ena-

xxv.

ble to subdue sin, and profit in

grace - - -

- 257

CHAP. XVI. Duties of believers toward

Sect. v. To give power to persevere

each other, as they stand related one

in faith and obedience - - 259

to another in the flesh - - 236

See more of perseverance, chap. xiv.
Sect. 1. Husbands to wives, and wives Sect. vi. God, in Christ, doth com-
to husbands. Of marriage, &c.

mand, encourage, and invite by
Of women

- - ib. promises, to come to him for these

Sect. 11. Parents to their children,

and cast our care upon him - 262

and children to their parents. - 239 CHAP. XIX. How God works and effects

250

able