The Whole Works of the Rev. W. Bates

1. The nature of meditation. It is speculative or practi-

ila
cal; occasional or deliberate,

CHAP.

Page.

II. The necessity of meditation. Disability, business, la-

ziness, and sensual pleasures are hinderances to this

duty,

120

III. The time for meditation. How frequent? How long

should it continue ? Morning, night, and the sabbath,

proper seasons,

པཀ

124

IV. The advantages of meditation. It improves the facul-

ties of the soul, gives efficacy to ordinances, increases

graces, brings comfort, and promotes holiness, 128

V. Rules for managing meditation to advantage,

12G

136

VI. Use first of trial. The thoughts of a man indicate his

character. The difference between voluntary and in-

TE951 1959 in 16913

jected thoughts,

146

VII. Use second of reproof. To carnal men for neglecting

this duty. To regenerate men for omission, and re-

101 On 1971 1972 1078

missness,

150

VIII. Use third of exhortation. The duty enforced by va-

rious arguments,

153

IX. The foregoing rules exemplified in a meditation on the

men TOP ERITE 100 DO 2011

sufferings of Christ,

157

III. ON THE FEAR OF GOD.

Job 28. 28. And unto man he said, behold the fear of the Lord,

that is wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding.

1. The nature of the fear of Goda:

168

II. The objects of the fear of God,

169

III. The difference between servile and filial fear,

173

IV. The effects of filial fear,

179

The consistency between the fear of God and other

graces,

183

VI. How threatenings and judgments should operate upon
the fears of a christian,

189

VII. An exhorfglion to the fear of God,

193

M. What heavenly wisdom is,

194

•༡ T.) (1)

IX. How the fear of God is yvigdom,

197

X, On the falşe wisdomas of this world,

202

XI. The folly of worldly wise men in their pursuits,

207

XII. Human knowledge insuficieyt to make a man wise,

XIII. Mere speculation of divine truths also insufficient, 212

XIV. Warning against hardness of heart, and presumption,

which quench ths fear of God, "'

XVI. On the evil of superstitious fear,

228

:-210

1. O

IV. THE FOUR LAST THINGS.

Dedication to Lady Russell.
ON DEATH.

Heb. 2. 15. And deliver them, who through fear of death were

all their lifetime subject to bondage.

CHAP.

Page.

1. Proofs of Christ's deity. How the devil is said to have

the

power of death. An account of death's entrance

into the world,

237

II. What the fear of death includes. The passion of fear

in general. The special causes that make death so

fearful. The bondage of men from the fear of death.

Reasons why men do not always feel this fear,

244

III. How the death of Christ frees us from the tormenting

fear of death. It redeems us from the curse, makes

death a blessed advantage, frees the saints from afflic-

tions, and obtains for them the highest positive good, 256

IV. Why believers are subject to death since the sting of it

is taken away. They die that sinful frailties may be

abolished, that their graces may be exercised, and be-

cause the natural body is incapable of a celestial di-

vine life. Their resurrection is delayed till the coming

of Christ. Proofs of the certainty of their re-

surrection,

264

V. The qualifications of those who have a right to this

privilege. Union with Christ is absolutely requisite.

The Spirit is the bond of this union. He illuminates

the understanding, inspires love to God, and commu-

nicates power to do the divine will,

271

VI. Application of the subject. How great are our obliga-

tions to the Redeemer. " It should be our great busi-

ness to overcome the fear of death. Necessity of re-

conciliation with God. The danger of delaying re-

pentance,

278

VII. Application continued. The desperate hazard of trust-

ing to sick-bed and death-bed repentances. Such in-

stances very few, and extremely uncertain,

288

VIII. Application concluded. Rules how death may be ren-

dered comfortable. The duties of dying saints. 296

ON ETERNAL JUDGMENT.

Acts 17. 31. Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he

will judge the world in righteousness, by that man whom
he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto

all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

CHAP.

Page.

I. The coherence of the text, Divine prerogative to judge

the world. Qualifications of Christ for that office.'

Why the day of Judgment is called the great day, 309

II. The equity of the divine law which will be the rule of

judgment,

316

III. The wisdom and justice of God in ordaining eternal

death to be the punishnient of sin,

322

IV. The evidence of facts produced as the reason of judg-

ment. The books will be opened, divine omniscience

will give evidence, conscience will bear testimony, and

numerous witnesses will appear. The impartiality of

the sentence,

326

V. Application of the subject. The certainty of a future

judgment. It is a vindication of the proceedings of

providence, a comfort to the saints under persecution,

à restraint from secret sins, a remedy for sensual temp-

tations, and a motive of terror to the wicked,

342

VI. Application concluded. Preparatives for the last judg-

ment. Faith in Christ. Sincere obedience. Self-

examination. Improvement of talents. Zeal for the

cause of Christ. Love to the saints,

355

ON HEAVEN.

Psalm 16. 11. Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy pre-

sence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures

for evermore.

The divine presence is the felicity of the saints. The

glory of the place described. The happiness of hea-

ven illustrated by sensible representations,

369

II. In heaven there is an exemption from all evils, and the

enjoyment of all blessings,

374

III. The vision of God in heaven. His works and word,

his decrees and counsels will be revealed to the blessed, 378

IV. Effects of the vision of God. A glorious likeness.

Humble veneration of His excellencies. Ardent love

to Him,

384

V. Union with God and its effects. Perfect knowledge.

Pure love. Supreme joy,

389

VI. Communion with saints and angels. The felicity of
heaven is everlasting,

395

The ap-

CHAP.

Page,
VII. The felicity of heaven is not diminished by the num-

ber of its possessors. It continues for ever.
plication. The woful folly of sinners in refusing this

happiness. It originates in the mercy of God, and is

obtained by the obedience of Christ,

404

VIII. The qualifications of those who shall obtain heaven.

The nature and necessity of regeneration, and sanc-

tification.

413

IX. The necessity of faith in Christ. We must choose hea-

ven as our supreme happiness. This choice must be

sincere,

422

X. Our ehoice of heaven must be lasting. The proper-

ties of saving perseverance,

435

XI. Directions how to fix our choice aright upon the felicity

of heaven,

446

XII. On the steadfast belief, and serious consideration of

eternal realities,

454

XIII. Objects which give vigour to the serious considera-

tians of the soul, and determine it to choose heaven, 464

XIV. Additional motives to encourage us to seek the king-

dom of heaven,

470

ON HELL.

Mark 9. 48. Where their worm dieth qot, and the fire, is not

quenched.

1. Exposition of the text. The dreadful nature of future

punishment,

481

II. The eternal duration of future punishment,

492

III. Practical inferences. The mercy of God in salvation.

The depravity of sinners. The wages of sin. "Our in-

finite obligations to Jesus Christ.

500

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The Whole Works of the Rev. W. Bates, Volume 3