One Hundred Select Sermons

SERMON L.

IN the Text itself we have two General Parts considerable of us, First, The positive Admonition or Instruction itself. Secondly, The enforcement of the Practice or Observation of it. The Admonition itself, that we have in those words, We ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard: The enforcement or argument which is used for the Obseration of it, is twofold; the one is antecedent, in the word of Connection, Therefore; and the other is consequent in the close and conclusion of the verse, taken from the danger, which otherwise we are subject unto, Lest at any time we should let them slip.

We begin with the first General, viz. The Admonition or Instruction itself, We ought to give the more earnest heed to the things. Wherein again two particulars more: First, The thing itself simply required, and that is attention to the word Preached, We ought to give heed, &c. Secondly, The Comparative illustration, or enlargement of it, We ought to give heed more abundantly, or more earnest heed.

First (I say) here's the Duty itself in its simple Proposition, attention to the word Preached and heard, We ought to give heed, &c. This is that which every Christian owes to such Dispensations as these are. Whiles the Lord does afford us his Ministry, and the Preaching of his Word and Gospel amongst us, we ought to attend, and give good heed hereunto. For the opening of this a little unto us; there's a threefold Attention which is required of us to this purpose, First, Before we hear. Secondly, In hearing. Thirdly, After we have heard. Before we hear, to bring us to it. In hearing, to order us at it. After hearing, to make us partakers of the benefits, and comforts, and privileges which are conveyed by it.

First, I say, Before we hear; we are to give heed, that is, to attend upon it, forasmuch as God does offer and hold forth his Gospel unto us in the Preaching and Ministry of it, it concerns us to attend hereupon with all diligence, that is, to take all good advantages and opportunities which are afforded unto us of hearing such things as these are. It is the voice and conclusion of wisdom, Prov. 8.34. Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. We ought to take care that we hear, to attend upon: that's the first attention.

Secondly, When or whiles we hear, to attend unto: that's another. It is not enough for us to present our Bodies in these services, no, but we must our minds likewise; we must not only hear a noise or sound in general, but we must also mark what we hear in particular; as Lydia, it is commended in her, Act. 16.14. Whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken by Paul: She observed what came from him, so should we do likewise, when we are employed in such performances as these are, which we are now about; we should mind what we are a doing, and take heed of all extravagancy and aberration of spirit whatsoever.

Thirdly, After hearing: that's another attention also requisite; and (to speak truly) that which is more especially here intended in this place, We ought to give earnest heed to the things which we have heard; that is, not to satisfy ourselves in this, that we have heard them, but to take care of them afterwards, that we keep and retain them; we are to apply our minds unto them, as the Original word here signifies and imports in the proper notion of it.

The things which we have heard, What were they? that is, the blessed Truths of salvation; the pardon of sin, and the free mercy of God in Christ: These are the things which he means, the particulars are not set down, but we are to take them under this general expression, whereby he intends the Doctrine of the Gospel; and that in all the Branches and Parts of it; these are the things which we have heard; and these are the things which we ought to give heed unto, and that to several purposes and intents, as we may take them in this following Explication.

First, We are to take care that we understand them; we have heard them, but that's not all which is required of us; we must in some manner comprehend them likewise: The Gospel calls for this from us in the hearing of it, Understandest thou what thou readest? says Philip to the Eunuch of Ethiopia, Act. 8.30. when he read a piece of the Gospel: so say I here, Understandest thou what thou hearest? also we must be careful to hear with understanding, in Matth. 13.19. When any one hears the word of the kingdom, and understands it not, then comes the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart: this is he which received the seed by the way side. So then we must take heed that we understand it: that's one Branch of the Caution here propounded.

Secondly, We must also believe it; that's another thing which this our heed and carefulness must extend unto likewise; as conceive of it, so assent unto it. The Gospel, it calls for this to make it effectual, as we may see by the opposite miscarriage, Heb. 4.2. Unto us was the Gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, because it was not mixed with faith in them that heard it; or because they were not by faith united to it: without faith no prosit at all by the word Preached or heard by us.

Thirdly, Remeber it; take care of that also; we must lay it up in our memories and minds: Blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it, Luk. 11.28. Look as it is with meat in the stomach, if it be not there kept and retained, it will not do any good as to the nourishment of him that receives it; even so is it likewise with the Word of God in the mind; where it is not in some manner remembered, it will not be improved.

Fourthly, Be engrafted into it; that's the head which is here principally required. We must take care that the things which we have heard be wrought and riveted into us, and digested in us, and made our own; it is not enough for us to hear the word, nor understand it, nor to yield assent unto it, nor to remember it in a notional manner; no, but it must as it were be incorporated an naturalized into our hearts; our souls must do with it, as nature does with meat in the stomach, sucking out a strength suitable to every part and member of the body; we should never leave thinking of it, till we are changed and transformed into it, and have the proper impressions of it fastened upon our souls and spirits. This is that which we must take care of, and apply ourselves unto, and which (as I conceive) is chiefly here meant by the Apostle, when he here tells us, That we ought to give heed to the things, &c. So to hear them, as to close with them, and to be changed and wrought upon by them. This is to give heed as we ought.

And observe, that we ought to do it likewise. Take notice of that; it is not a matter of advice only, but a matter of command; it is not arbitrary only, but necessary; there's an oportet in it, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , We must give heed. It is our duty and concernment so to do; that which God requires of us, and that which he will call us to an account for, if we neglect to do it, that we may not think ourselves at liberty in this particular: We ought to give this earnest heed, that those things which we have heard be imprinted and fastened upon our hearts.

But how, may some say, may this be done? what course shall we take for the effecting and doing of it? Now for this there are four Helps, which do very much conduce hereunto: The first is Meditation upon them; that's a good means to fasten them, and to make them to take rooting in us; when we revolve them, and turn them in our minds, when we are often thinking of them; those things which are much in the thoughts, will be much in the affections consequently, which do follow from them. As on the other side take it in evil: What's the reason that carnal persons are many times so ill disposed and affected in their carnal way? It is because they have answerable musings, and workings, and meditations in their own minds; they have naughty thoughts and devices, and accordingly have naughty practices suitable to them; even so is it also here in Goodness: Those that have gracious and holy Meditations, they are in a fair way for holy Affections: Those which are much in thinking of the word, they are likely to have much benefit by it. For this we have an example in the Prophet David, who made the Law and Word of God his continual Meditation, and we see what he got by it. It is this ruminating and chewing of the cud, which is most beneficial, as it is the third concoction which causes nourishment. Therefore let us look to that, it is a great means to make us to profit and benefit by the word, this Meditation.

The second is Conference; that's another help likewise: as working them in our own thoughts, so discoursing with others likewise about them; that's a good means to imprint them, and to get them written in the tables of our hearts; therefore we find them both join'd together, Meditation and Discourse, Deut. 6.6, 7. These words which. I command thee this day, they shall be in thine heart; and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the may when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. Whiles we speak of these things to others, we do hereby the better work them into ourselves; that's the second.

The third is Prayer, and calling upon God for his blessing of them to us: As it is not our meat eating that nourishes us, but the blessing of God upon it; so it is not the word of God heard that profits us any further than as he concurs with it. Therefore we should thus far also take heed to the things that we have heard, as to beg the influence of his Spirit upon us, that we may reap benefit by them; we should desire him to set home every Truth most effectually upon us, and to give us affections in ourselves answerable to the nature of it; humble spirits from Truths of Conviction, and cheerful spirits from Truths of Consolation, and settled spirits from Truths of Instruction; still we should have recourse to God for his assistance and blessing of us, as before we come to hear, so after we have departed from it.

Lastly, • ractise that which we hear and know already; we are never thoroughly sure of any Doctrine, till we come to this; when it works out into our life, this will work it more into our hearts, and so again by reflection; when we take things only with the ear, and never make any use of them, nor draw them out into practice, we are from hence but the more hardened against them; but when we act them, then we suck strength and virtue from them: Therefore, says our Savior, If ye know these things, happy are ye, if ye do them, Joh. 13.17. And again Joh. 7.17. If any man do his will, he shall know of the Doctrine, whether it be of God or no, &c. These are the helps which tend to the working of these things upon our souls, which accordingly we should take care of about them. And so much for the first Particular in this first General, viz. the thing itself simply required, attention to the things which we heard, &c.

Now the second is the Comparative Illustration, in the word more earnest, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , which does qualify it, and advance it to us; it is not any ordinary attention, which will here suffice or serve the turn, but such as is more intense and abundant, as the word properly signifies; and we may state the comparison according to a threefold reference, which seems to be carried in it. First, In reference to other matters of a lower nature; We ought to give more earnest heed to these things which are spiritual, and matters of Religion, than to carnal, and matters of the world. Secondly, In reference to other Doctrine, and of a lower dispensation; We ought to give more earnest heed to the Gospel, and the Doctrine of Christ, than to the Law and the Administrations of Moses. Thirdly, In reference to ourselves, and our own carriage and behavior for time past; We ought to give more earnest heed now to these things, than has formerly been done by us. Thus shall we see how this Caution here holds by way of comparison.

First, In reference to other matters of a lower nature; We ought to give more earnest heed to these things which are spiritual and matters of Religion, than to carnal and matters of the world. This at the first hearing will perhaps be thought to be a superfluous admonition, for who is there almost that in words will not be ready to profess it? and yet when it comes to the practice, who is there that walks answerable to it? What heed and earnest heed do men give to these things here below, and in the mean time neglect the great matters of Christ and Religion, and the Gospel, and such things as these; now here's a corrective for us, We ought to give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard.

And that upon this account especially, because indeed they are matters of greater consequence and importance to us, every wise and rational man will frame his heed answerable to the object which it is employed about: now if this be so, should not these things of Christianity have the greatest heed and regard from us? For what is there of greater interest and concernment than these things are? Currite propter animam, tota exaggeratio hoec est quod dicitur propter animam, says St. Austin to this purpose; Run for your souls, this is the weight of all, that it is said to be for your souls. Is it not a mad and foolish thing to pamper our bodies, and to neglect our spirits, to pursue Temporals, and to despise Eternals? to grasp earth, and to lose heaven? Why this is the state and condition of many a wretched person in the world. There are many which if they be to strike up a bargain, or to make a purchase, or to compass any worldly design, Oh how wary and cautious will they be! give all the heed that may be here, and to such advice as might further them in it; but as for these things of an higher nature, and which concern the welfare of their souls forever, here they are more careless and remiss, give no heed or attention at all; now this comparison here puts them in mind, We ought to give more earnest heed, &c.

Secondly, In reference to other Doctrines, and of a lower Dispensation; We ought to give more earnest heed to the Gospel and Doctrine of Christ, than to the Law, and Administrations of Moses. This is another force of this Comparison; and it seems to be very much intended by that which follows in the second and third Verses. The Apostle here prefers the Gospel before the Law, and would have us to do so likewise in our attention: We ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard; that is, to these Evangelical points and truths which we have been acquainted now withal; they do call for so much the greater and more accurate heed from us. As for the ground whereupon they do so, that we shall see hereafter, when we come to the Inforcement of his Admonition, as it is signified in the word therefore, the particle of Connection; we may here now only take notice of the thing itself, That this greater and more earnest heed is required of us, and expected from us to the Gospel, than to the Law. This is not so to be taken, as if hereby we disparaged the Law, or took from the authority of it, which hath a respect due unto it as well as the Gospel; but forasmuch as in it we have not God so fully manifested and laid open and declared to us, as we have in that; here it is (as we shall see more anon) that greater heed is required unto it.

Thirdly, This Comparative expression it may be carried in reference to themselves, and their own behavior as to time now past; they had began now a little to decline and to languish in their zeal for the Faith, and the profession of the Gospel; now the Apostle would hereby provoke them and excite them, and stir them up to better diligence for time to come; We ought to give more earnest heed, that is, than hitherto, and as yet we have done, to such things as these are. According to which Explication the Emphasis does not lie so much in heed, as it does in earnest; some kind of heed they gave to them such as it was, but it was not that which was enough or sufficient for them to give; he would have them now to mend their pace, to grow hotter and more eager in these thing than they had formerly been, and not to be so sluggish and remiss in them as they seemed now to be, which accordingly concerns us all even for our own parts to take to heart. And so now I have done with the first General part of the Text, which is the Admonition or Instruction itself, both absolutely propounded; as also comparatively illustrated, We ought to give the more earnest heed, &c.

The second is the Inforcement of its observation by way of Argument; and this is twofold: First, From the equity of it, in the word of connection, therefore. Secondly, From the danger of the contrary, in the close and conclusion of the verse, Lest at any time we should fail, or let them slip.

First, Here's an Argument from the equity of it, which relates to what he had said before in the precedent Chapter, wherein he had fully set forth the Dignity both of Christ's Office and Person, which the Doctrine of the Gospel does treat of, and discourse about;upon those promises he does infer this conclusion, therefore. To speak distinctly of it, there are three special Arguments which this Exhortation is founded upon, why we ought more abundantly to give heed to this Doctrine of the Gospel, in comparison with the Doctr. of the Law.

First, The Authority of the speaker, and minister of it, which is Christ the Son of God; whereas the other was Angels and men. Thus in v. 2. of this Chap. it is called the word spoken by Angels, the Law. Whereas the other, to wit, the Gospel, is said to be first of all spoken by the Lord, that is, Christ himself. And again Chap. 1. v. 1, 2. God who at sundry times, &c. where the Apostle lays a very great stress upon this as to the Ministry of the Gospel, that it is dispenst through the hans of Christ.

First, For the Dignity of his Person, so excellent simply in himself; the more eminent the Person is that speaks to us, the more cause and reason we have to heed the things which are spoken for the Persons sake, it being a piece of great indignity to stop our ears to any one of worth speaking to us: such an one is the Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of Glory; and therefore see that ye refuse not him that speaketh, as it followeth also in Heb. 12.25.

But then secondly, There's not only his person, but also his relation, that's another thing in it which the Apostle seems to stand upon, and is to be referred hereunto. There are many eminent persons considered simply in themselves, but all their eminency it is within themselves, and in the compass of those persons of theirs such as they are; yea, but this person now which speaks to us in the Ministry of the Gospel, He is not only eminent for his person, but also for his relation; for he is the son of God himself, and so much better than the Angels even in that consideration also: For unto which of the Angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee, &c. Heb. 1.5.

Then thirdly, There is also his estate; there's a great matter in that likewise, we respect men much according to that; if a man speak to us, which is a great heir, who has many lands and possessions, which belong to him we are apt to give heed unto him. Now for this, it is also observable in Christ, who speaks to us in the Gospel, for he is appointed heir of all things, and hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than Angels. The Apostle lays a force upon that in the place before cited, which is thereforemuch considerable in this business.

Lastly, His activity for us; there's much likewise in that. We have great cause to respect a Benefactor, one that has done us great courtesies and favors, when he speaks to us, he should be hearkened to by us. Now this is also remarkable in Christ, for he hath himself purged our sins, and upon this account (to manifest the certainty and and fullness of it) is set down on the right hand of the Majesty on high, Heb. 1.3. So then that's the first ground of this Attendance implied in this Therefore, viz. the authority of the speaker. The Lord Jesus Christ himself, eminent for his 1. Person, 2. for his relation, 3. for his estate, 4. for his activity for us.

The second is, the excellency of the things themselves, which are spoken of; that's another thing which calls for attention; yea not only invites it, but commands it. If a man of worth shall speak to us yet if he shall not speak to us like to himself, speak but of slight and trivial matters, we regard him not for all that, nor give heed unto him: a speech is commendable not only from the speaker but the matter; and in this the Gospel carries it likewise, Lord to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life, say the Apostles, Joh. 6.68. The Gospel it treats of such points as no other word does besides, as containing very great and admirable mysteries in it; which we have joined all together there in one chain, 1 Tim. 3.16. God manifested in the flesh, justified in the spirit, seen of Angel • preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up unto glory. What rare and admirable Doctrines and Dispensations these are! such things as the very Angels desire to peep into, 1 Pet. 1.12. If we look no further than the height and sublimity and transcendency of the points themselves, they are such as may well command our heedfulness and attention to them, even in that respect alone, and nothing besides with it.

But then thirdly, If we shall add to all this the circumstances attending upon it, as the profitableness and advantagiousness of this Doctrine, the interest which ourselves have in it, the sweetness which is in the observation of it; this will now set it on so much the more, and put an edge upon this therefore, indeed, to make it effectual to purpose; let points be never so excellent considered simply in their own nature, yet if they have not a tang of some profit or benefit in them, there are some people which will never regard them. What does a Merchant or Tradesman care for a discourse of Metaphysics? Very fine notions indeed and speculations which tickle the fancy, ye • but they have no gain or profit in them Dic aliquid tandem de tribus capellis; as he said, speak somewhat which tends to our advantage. Why this now is the commendation of the Gospel, that it treats not only of things which are excellent, but of things which are profitable; for it is the ministration of righteousness, the Doctrine of Reconciliation, the glad tidings of peace. There is life and immortality which is brought to light by it, as the Apostle Paul tells us in 2 Tim. 1.10. Look then as any would give heed when anything is spoken of, which has any profit in it, in the like manner should they give heed to the Gospel, which is a Doctrine so far esteemed even upon this consideration.

But then further, there's our own interest in it likewise, that's somewhat more; profit if it belongs not to us, is no such pleasing theme to hear of; but when our selves are concerned in it, this makes us to prick up our ears, and to give attention to it; now this is also in the Gospel, it is our own interest; it is that which we men are concerned in more than any other; the Angels have share in it, but by reflection; we men in a more direct and immediate manner; and we Gentiles also amongst the rest, we ought to give the more heed to it, for that also that it is not such a business as is limited and confined to one sort of people, the people of the Jews, but extended to all kind of Nations and people whatsoever, which may have comfort and benefit by it.

Then again yet further, possibly the sweetness of the observation of it; there's a great encouragement in that likewise; there's many things which are matters of profit, and which a man also has good interest in them, and title to them; yea but they are hard to come by; it is not so easy a matter to reach them, and compass them, and attain unto them; yea, but now this is here considerable in the Gospel, that it carries a great deal of easiness and facility with it, especially having the strength of the Spirit going along with it, which does impart and communicate ability for the performance of those things which it commands and requires of us. Therefore it is said, 1 Joh. 5.3. His commandments are not grievous. And again, Mat. 11.30. My yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Whereas speaking of the Law, he says, It was such a yoke which neither we nor our fathers were able to bear; and so was a discouragement to those upon whom it was imposed. And that's the third Argument included in this Connection, therefore; and so much for the first branch of the Inforcement.

The second is from the danger of the contrary, Lest at any time we should let them slip, or fail; that is, either lose the things, or lose ourselves; for the words may very well carry either sense and exposition in them, according to the Original Text, in which they run thus, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , Ne quando praeter fluamus. It seems to contain a double Metaphor in it: First, From a leaking vessel which has some hole or other made in it, from whence it is uncapable of holding that liquor which is put into it; so shall we be as to the points of the Gospel, if we do not give better heed unto them, we shall no sooner hear them than we shall let them slip from us, like vessels that run. A careless and negligent hearer, he is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , a breaking and running vessel, he is a bag with holes in it, which lets out as fast as it receives. This is that which we are to take care of, that it be not so with us: and so according to this sense, these words, Lest we should let them slip, may not be so much a Motive or Argument, as rather indeed a part of the Admonition and Instruction itself, which he tenders unto us; and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , is here opposed to 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ; letting slip, is opposed to giving heed; we ought not to do this, but that, to give heed to those things which we have heard, and not to let them slip. Where again we have two rhings considerable: First, The supposed danger. Secondly, The care which is to be used for the avoiding of it: The danger supposed, that's this, that we are apt and ready to do so, without better heed; we are ready to let these things slip; the care which is to be used for the avoiding of it, that is, by taking good heed; we are to take heed lest we let them slip.

First, I say here's the supposed danger; we are apt to do so, to let them slip; when we have heard any such points as these are, to let them go from us; otherwise the Apostle would not have laid such a strict charge and caution upon us, as considering the danger, and accordingly sets and applies himself what he can to the prevention of it in us.

Now the danger lies in these respects: First, In regard of the state and condition of our own minds themselves, which are for the most part, but very slight and superficial retainers: we have but weak and slippery memories, and we have but easy and shallow understandings, and we have but hollow and empty hearts for the most part in us, and these do very quickly let slip: Those which have no Grace at all in them, they are hallow quite thorough, a bottle with the stopple out of it, a tub full of holes indeed; those which have Grace, and are born again, and have oil in their vessels, these vessels of theirs are very chary, and tender, and weak, and impersect in them, insomuch as they are ever and anon ready to run out, if there be not the greater care and circumspection had about them, and looking unto them. So then that's one account of this danger, to wit, from the state and condition of our own minds themselves.

The second is from the cares, and pleasures, and profits, and businesses of the world mingling themselves with us. These are another occasion of this breaking, or over-flowing: As a vessel when it has Wine in it, if ye put too much water into it, it will make it run over; or if ye pierce it, then it will run out. This is the notion and condition of these worldly matters, they are great piercers, which make holes in the heart, and let out that precious liquor which is put into them; as it is said expressly, in 1 Tim. 6.10. The love of money is the root of all evil, which while some have coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves thorough with many sorrows. The love of money, and of the world, it is a piercer, and such as will have sorrow attend it in those persons which give themselves to it. When men shall come to such performances as these are, which we are now about; and then presently when they come home to their houses, fall to their thoughts and discourses of their gain, and profit, and commodity, and such things as these are; how can they choose but make holes in their hearts, and let slip such kind of Doctrines and Truths as are Preached unto them.

Thirdly, Satan, he stands at our elbows, and gives us a jog; that's another cause of this danger whereof we now speak: though a cup or vessel be sound and whole, no piercing at all of it, yet if it be shaken, it may chance to overflow, to spill and let out that which is in it: and so is it here, as we have it in the parable of the sower, Mat. 13.19. the place before alleged, speaking of a mindless hearer, Then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth the word out of his heart. Thus much for the danger supposed; we are apt and ready to let slip those things which we have heard: That's taken for granted.

Now further, We ought to avoid it, and to take heed of it; to take heed, lest we let them slip. This is that which the Apostles Exhortation and Admonition does extend itself to; and that as we may draw it out as to a threefold Inlargement: First, That they slip not out of our memories, that we do not forget them. Secondly, That they slip not out of our hearts, that we do not despise them. Thirdly, That they slip not out of our practice, that we do not prove disobedient to them, or decline and depart from them. In all these respects are we to take heed of letting them slip.

First, Not out of our memories; we are to look to that, that we be not forgetful hearers, Jam. 1.25. We can remember stories, and toys, and fables, such things as those are; what a shame is it for us to forget the Points and Doctrines of Religion, which are of so much worth and excellency in themselves, and so much benefit also to us!

Secondly, Not out of our hearts and affections, let them not slip thence; let not these grow cold towards them, or lose the savor and impression of them; but let us be careful that they be strongly rooted and fastened in us there; as it is said of the good ground, Luk. 8.15. that they are such as in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, &c.

Thirdly, Not out of our lives and conversations; that we depart not from the practice of it: Thus Jam. 1.25. forgetting is opposed to doing; he that practices not the wor, he forgets it, let him remember it never so much in the notion or speculation of it. There's a memory of the heart, as well as a memory of the head; and a forgetfulness and slipperiness of the life and conversation, as well as of the mind and understanding; therefore here let not slip neither.

And take notice of one word more, which is at any time, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ; there's much in that also, as to the continuance and duration of it; there are some which perhaps they do not let slip these things presently, neither out of their memories nor hearts, nor lives, yea but within a little while they do all. Now the Apostle here takes care of this, Lest at any time we should let them slip; not only whiles we are hearing them, but hereafter, for time to come.

And thus much of the first Metaphor here signified, as it may be taken from a leaking vessel, which lets slip the liquor put into it.

The second is from water which is spilled on the ground and cannot be gathered up; and here as the other had reference to the Doctrine, so has this likewise to the persons; lest we ourselves should fail or flow away; that is, perish eternally. According to this sense we find the word used in that place, 2 Sam. 14.14. For we must needs die, and are as water spilled on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again. And so it notes unto us the punishment which is consequent to careless Christians, which do not mind and heed Religion, and the Doctrines and Instructions of it, so as to practice and keep them. They do not only lose the points and truths, but themselves with them. And neglecting these opportunities of Grace which are here afforded unto them in the Preaching and Ministry of the Gospel, do perish irrecoverably, there being hereafter no recollecting or gathering up of them.

That's the second Metaphor here included for the opening of this passage to us; so much for that, and likewise of the whole Verse itself.

A

Angels.
• Why called Angels of God 4
• Their ascending and descending, what 4, 5, 8
• Why they have a special regard to Christ 5
• Have a double Ministry 5
• Why willing to attend the Church 5
• Not only one but many attend every Christian 5
• Why they appear not so frequently as formerly 5
• How they assist a Christian 6, 8

Afflictions.
• Lawful to pray against them, but how? 39, 40, 41
• Why compared unto fire and Iron furnace 47, 244
• God's ends in them 48, 187, 247, 186
• Why God delivers out of them Comfort under them. See comfort. 52
• On the godly, why called chastenings 185
• Afflistions improved 187
• Dangerous not to improve them 351

Aged.
• Advice to aged persons 67, 374
• Mercies of former, should be acknowledged in after ages 105

Awaking.
• How taken 201
• What to awake with God 202
• Why we should awake with God 204, 205, 206
• Helps to awaking with God 206
• Awakening considerations for presumptuous sinners 231
• See Sinner 129

Apostasy.
• The odiousness of it 357
• Whence it springs 371

Adultery.
• A horrid sin 378

B

Bless.
• How God blesses his people 32

Bones.
• How taken in Scripture 65

Birth.
• The mercies attending our natural births 107
• Lawful to celebrate birth-days, but how? 108

Breast.
• The blessings of the Breast 108

Blasphemy.
• What it is 119
• A distinction concerning it 119

Brethren.
• Three sorts of them 194
• For Unity amongst them, see Unity. Touching discord amongst them, see Discord.

Behold.
• Carries a threefold Emphsis 198

Branch and Root.
• How taken 273

Bowels.
• How taken 359, 365

C

Christ.
• How resembled by Jacob's Ladder 2
• How inferior to God the Father 6
• With what eyes we should behold him 7
• Why resembled to the Sun 151
• Why called the son of man 400

Church.
• Doubly considered. 4
• Why God will deliver it 49
• How to endeavor its continuance 51
• Why its deliverances should be had in perpetual remembrance 52, 105
• When God will deliver it 125
• Comfort to the Church in General 127

Care.
• In God; What? 17
• Why God cares for his Church 18, 21
• How to improve God's care 22

Charity.
• Motives to it towards the poor 37, 189

Christians.
• The Hypocritical, or almost Christian, see hypocrite 371
• In three cases (especially) God renews their strength 309
• Comfort to weak Christians 310
• A touchstone of true Christianity, why called God's Inheritance 311
• See Inheritance.
• Compared to Eagles in several respects, how God keeps them 311
• See Temptation.
• Special comforts 55, 62, 93, 130, 154, 210, 246, 254, 257
• Should not mingle with others corruptions, Why? 369
• Why they mourn under desertion 96
• Why called the sons of men 149
• Why God continues them in the world 189, 190
• How the awe is still with God 202, 206
• Why in the 17. Pro. 3. compared to Silver and Gold 243
• In what respects wise 259

Care.
• Arguments against carking cares 109, 241

Cake.
• Not turned, what it signifies 370

Conversion.
• Touching, knowing the time of it 112
• Its Act 293
• Whether a man can convert himself or no? 295

Cup.
• What it signifies in Scripture 128, 129

Conference.
• Christian conference a profitable and excellent duty 175, 195, 218

Communion,
• Or converse with God, wherein it consists 203

Commit.
• Touching committing our works to God, see Works.

Crying.
• What it signifies 408

Counsel.
• Listning to good counsel, a threefold Argument of Wisdom 224
• How far the counsels of God may be known, how not 258
• Means tending to the knowing of God's counsels 258

Company.
• The danger arising by bad Company 368

Cities.
• Why God often sends greater judgments on them than other places 401

D

Despise.
• The ways wherein God is despised 114, 119
• Whence despising of God springs 116
• The danger of despising God 117

Dregs.
• What they signify 135

Death.
• Comfort against it 192
• Sinful in three cases to desire it 413

Discord.
• The evil of it implied 197, 198
• Whence it springs 222

Delight.
• What in Christians God delights in 208
• The properties of God's delighting in his people 209
• Signs of God's delighting in us 211
• The ground of it, or what it is 220
• A threefold delight respecting Religion 221

Doubtings.
• Whence they arise 211

Day.
• The Sabbath, a pleasant day 218
• Day of the Lord, taken three ways 412
• A threefold wicked desiring a day of the Lord, or death 412
• The day of Judgment desirable on a threefold account 416

Darkness.
• What it signifies in Scripture 352
• Day of the Lord darkness to wicked men, with the ground thereof 41
• Day of the Lord darkness and not light, threefold Emphasis in it 148

Devouring.
• What signified by it 379

Despair.
• Motive to a despairing sinner to hope 385
• The evil of despair 385, 386
• Whence it springs 386

E

Eye.
• Look on Christ with a fourfold eye 7
• God's Eye, what it signifies 20
• God's Eye hath three properties 21

Examples.
• Bad, their evil 46

Examination.
• Why we should be much in self-examination 245

England.
• See Nation.
• Deliverance from Gun-powder-treason, a great Mercy. 52, 62

Error.
• Prejudicial to the soul 303, 394, 377
• On the right, and on the left hand; what? 302

Ezekiel.
• Why called the son of man 401

Feasts.
• The evils oft attending them 79
• When laudable 78

Faith.
• Encouragements to it 150

Fruitfulness.
• Arguments to it 189

Fear.
• The advantages of holy fear 212

Forgetfulness,
• Of God, opened in four particulars 287

Formality.
• See Hypocrite.
• Its consistency with profaneness 345
• The dreadful evil of it 375
• Setting of the face, its different notion 402

G

God.
• His standing, What? 6
• His face, What? 84, 140
• What the hiding of his face implied 85, 96
• Why resembled to the Sun 151
• How to know he is our God 111
• What his being our God implies 111
• God speaks to the hearts of men three ways 138, 298
• To seek God's face, What? 141
• His wings, What? 149
• The ways wherein despised
• See despise

God.
• See forward.

Grace or Holiness.
• See Godliness.
• Why God will certainly perfect it 113
• Whence indisposition and averseness unto it springs 384
• A Christians duty, disposition, and privilege to grow in it 306
• Motives to recover decaying grace 306, 307
• A threefold difference between saving-grave and mere morality 308
• Helps to recover decaying, and strengthen weak grace 309

God.
• What kind of shield he is 153
• God's comforts; What? 165
• Why called the most high 183
• God's right hand; What? 183
• God's songs in the night; What? 202
• God's counsel, how taken? 253
• What God's saying signifies? 278
• A double object of God's guidance 301

Godliness.
• See Grace.
• The gain of Godliness 224

Guide.
• How to discern between the guidance (or dictates) of God's Spirit, and the spirit of delusion 303

H

Hearing.
• The right hearer 139, 300
• Why many get no good by hearing the word Preacked 139, 140, 385

Heart.
• The speaking of the heart; What? 119
• God's trying it; What? 245
• How taken 252
• How a grieved heart eases itself 362
• Discovery of a tender heart 365

Humbling.
• Humbling considerations 251, 253, 392

Head.
• What it signifies in Scripture 124, 127
• Head and tail, how taken 273

Hypocrite.
• See Professor.
• See Formality.
• Terror to Hypocrites 246
• Condemned by God, and often by conscience, described 347, 348, 371
• Its odiousness 347
• Its danger 349

Hell.
• How taken 282
• How to escape it 288

Heathens.
• What to think of those who never heard of Christ 287

I

Inheritance.
• Implies three things 50

Justification.
• Why no condumnation to justified persons 95
• Infancy. Mercy vouchsafed in it.
• See Mercy.

Judgments.
• When God will pour them upon a people 133
• Pouring out Judgments; What? Ibid
• Why God sometimes brings great Judgments upon his own people Ibid
• Dregy judgments; What 135
• How Christians foresee them 363
• Who most like to be secured, and who to be exposed under public judgments 409, 410, 411

Joy.
• When holy 177

Infirmities.
• Whence they flow 178
• Men have their especial infirmities 179
• Wherein infirmity consists Ibid

Impenitency.
• See Presumption.
• The evil of it 268

Ignorance.
• Several sorts of it supplied 383

K

Knowledge.
• THe difference between saving, and merely notional Knowledge 148

L

Loving-kindness
• Of God taken two ways 143, 146
• The excellency of God's loving-kindness 144

Love.
• How to keep ourselves in the love of God 146

M

Gospel-Ministers.
• WHy called Angels 7
• Caution to them 280, 402, 386, 362
• Direction to them, 404, 405, 366
• Ministerial Qualifications 399
• A sad judgment to be deprived of their persons 403

Magistrates.
• Why compared to a head 272

Mercy.
• Outward, when given in mercy 33
• Outward Mercies in themselves good things 36, 40
• Mercies attending our Births. See Births.
• Mercies attending Infancy
• See Infancy.
• The especial mercies of God 146, 295
• The extent of pardoning mercy 295

Meditation.
• Whence holy meditation proceeds 170, 311
• Its objects 172
• Helps to it 173, 175
• How taken 174
• Its excellency above other duties 175
• Motives to it 176
• See its excellency.
• When right 364

Melancholy.
• The evil of it in a Christian more than others 220

Mind.
• Express'd in Scripture by bowels, the reason of it 360
• Why a Christian minds heaven and heavenly things 311

Marriage.
• Touching mixed ours 368

N

• Touching Natural ability 294, 295, 397

Nation.
• Wherein a Nations strength lies 378
• A Nations gray hairs, or the fore-runners of a Nations period 382

O

Orphans.
• God's care of them 110

Obedience.
• The properties of true obedience implied 141

Prayer.
• AGainst praying to Angels and Saints departed 25, 137
• Why God oft answers prayer in kind 42
• When answer of prayer in kind is done in love 43
• Special seasons of prayer 138, 204
• Acceptable prayer 177
• The power of it 213
• A pleasant comfortable duty 217
• Neglect of it a great evil 356

Presumption.
• See Impenitency.
• Whence it springs 28, 98, 123, 263, 264, 350
• One branch of it 348, 350
• Caution to presumptuous sinners 305

Peace.
• The excellency of peace with God 96
• How to get and keep pease with God 92, 281
• A threefold peace 221, 276, 279
• Christian peace considered as a grace and as a privilege 277
• On what a sinners peace is grounded 278

Parents.
• Mothers (if able) ought to unrse their children 109
• Patents duty towards children 110, 248

Promises.
• How God makes good temporal promises, implied 158

Preaching.
• What power God puts forth in it 299

Providence.
• How far we may, and how far not know its events 258, 260

Pride.
• In Habit, and naked Shoulders and Breasts reproved 265

Pardon.
• The extent of pardoning mercy 295
• God pardons repeated sins 296

Profaneness.
• Its concomitancy with formality, and the grounds thereof 346

Passions.
• The evil of them 363

Professor. See Hypocrite.
• Three things carry on empty profissors of Religion 308

R

Remember.
• God what 9
• Help to remember God 10
• Motives to remember God 11

Riches.
• How God gives power to get it,
• considered
  • 1. Positively 12
  • 2. Negatively 13
• When given in mercy 33

Religion.
• Not a dull but a pleasant thing, and thereby vindicated 216, 219
• Why so few delight in it 200
• Two extremes in the professors of it 372

Reproof.
• How to give it, implied 29
• To receive it, a threefold Argument of wisdom 224
• to refuse it dangerous 229, 230, 389

Rolling.
• Our burdens on God, what 236

Repentance.
• Wherein it consists 290, 291, 293
• Three things look like repentance, but are not it 291
• A threefold call unto it 301
• Arguments to speedy repentance 182

Reason.
• Its deficiency 287

Running. See Walk.
• The Christian race, what it implies 312

S

Soul.
• Hath a threefold presence 24
• The companions of wicked men's souls 204

Sin.
• How God often discovers secret sins 26
• Impudency the height of sin 28
• How men hide them 72
• Why men delight in them 75
• Its evil 75, 373, 390, 391
• Against the Holy Ghost; what? 76
• Why other men's sins are grievous to the godly 78, 406, 407
• Three sorts of sins 81
• Personal sins may procure public Judgments: and why? 88

Sinners.
• Present misery 56, 57, 176, 192, 263, 393
• Future misery 58, 59, 69, 283, 288, 231
• Relief to great (if) penitent sinners 296
• God can punish them from within themselves: How? 361

Silence.
• How sometimes taken 58, 59

Sighing.
• What it signifies 408
• Its aggravations 122, 133, 263
• Helps against persisting in it 126
• Continuance in it dangerours 395
• When a people's sin seems to be full 133
• Whence obstinacy in sin arises 388
• When is sin come to an habit? 396

Sensoriousness.
• A check to it 178, 247

Salvation.
• Neglecters of the great salvations, who they are? implied 227
• Whence the neglect of the great salvation springs Ibid.

Scorner.
• Described 227
• Whence scorning springs Ibid.
• What danger a scorner is in 228, 414

Soul.
• How it's said to hear 364

Stupidity.
• Wherein it lies 382
• Whence it proceeds 383

Speech.
• Men speak two ways 388
• God speaks two ways 298

Spirit.
• How to discern between the leadings or dictates of God's Spirit, and the spirit of delusion 303
• Encouragement to attend its motions 304

T

Temptations.
• How God keeps Christians from and under them 54

Thankfulness.
• Its ground 105

Thoughts.
• Their perplexity and inconstancy 159
• Motive to watch them 160, 292
• The properties of God's thoughts towards his people 169
• Whence holy thoughts proceed 170
• A great blessing to have them established 240
• Whence instability of Thoughts in business arises 240, 249, 250
• The evil of anxious thoughts.
• See Care.

Trumpet.
• Signifies three things 363

Toleration.
• Universal, condemned 371
• How taken 241
• Touching blasphemous thoughts. See Blasphemy.
• The corruption of the Thoughts 292

Time.
• How a Christian hides himself in evil times 261
• How God hides his people in evil times 262

Trouble.
• Christians apt to much trouble and fear, with the ground thereof 117
• Trouble for sin good 118
• Misery the occasion of trouble 119
• Trouble when unlawful 120
• Why Christ would not have Christians much troubled 121
• How Christians may preservs themselves from trouble 122

V

Unbelief
• The grounds of it 98
• The evil of it 102, 286

Unity
• How the Gospel tends towards it 194
• Who should especially maintain it 194
• Or its extent 196
• Its excellency 197
• Menas to get and preserve it 199

W

Walk.
• See Way.
• See Running.
• Motives to circumspect Walking 8
• Upright walking; what 159
• Motives to diligence in our Christian course, implied 207

Word.
• Why men under the same word are not a-like wrought upon 139
• The excellency of God's Word 254
• Barrenness under it a great evil 270, 354
• What it is to see the word of the Lord 357
• Dropping of words; what 404
• A word behind, how taken? 298, 299, 300
• God's word, powerful 299

Wound.
• How God wounds sinners 124
• God's wounding the head; what? Ibid.

Watch.
• Motives to watch the thoughts 160
• See Thoughts. 253

Works.
• Arguments moving to good works
• See Fruitfulness.
• See Charity.
• What, and how to commit our works and ways to God 234, 235 236, 239
• Why we should commit our ways and works to God 235, 237
• What we may not commit to God 239
• What works me may commit to God 235, 239

Ways.
• See Walk.
• Godliness a pleasant way in three particulars 219
• Four things apt to make a Christian faint in his way 312
• How to be kept from fainting in God's way 312

Wicked.
• Persons, who 275, 292

Wilderness.
• What it signifies in Scripture 352

War.
• Its grievousness 365
• A foreign war in some respects more grievous than a domestic one 379

Waiting.
• See Hope.

Y

Youth.
• Sins of youth or youthful lusts, what 84
• How men possess the sins of their youth 66
• Why sins of youth afterwards prove dreadful Ibid.
• Motives to early godliness 66, 70, 376
• Lamentation over the sins of the youth of this age 68

A

Afflictions.
• QUieting considertions under them 51
• See Contentment.

Anthropomorphites.
• Confuted 135

Accursed.
• What it signifies 340
• Why many in Scripture might, but we must not curse others 341

Apostasy.
• The evil of it 421
• Twofold 431

B

Behold.
• How used in Scripture 65

Bosom.
• What it implies 136

C

Conversion.
• Morality (accidentally) may set a man further from it than profaneness 12
• See Morality.
• Whether Cornelius, Nathaniel, the Eunuch, Lidia, &c. were converted or not 13
• A twofold conversion 79
• How men may be said to convert themselves, how not 79
• Labor to convert others, why 81
• By what means to endeavor others conversion 82
• Cannot be promerited 86, 156
• How far we may, how we cannot resist it 87
• Touching knowing the moment of it 89

Counsel or advice.
• How to be given 41

Christian.
• Unprofitable Christians hurtful to others 32
• Christians should improve one another 37
• Take heed of discouraging young Christians 54
• His choice justified. See Election.
• Support to weak Christians 69
• Lawful for them to eye the recompense of reward 423
• In what respects Kings and Priests 444
• Their excellency 445
• Why they desire Christ's second coming 449

Censoriousness or evil surmisings.
• A check to it 14, 39, 57, 61, 63, 64, 73

Children.
• How the word is taken 364
• Weak Christians compared to children 365

Calling.
• Over-doing in a man's particular calling, whence it springs 44
• How men offend in their particular callings 44
• A double end of particular callings 50
• Touching effectual calling 286
• Christ's inviting those that thirst is favor and honor 455

Care.
• The evil, the causes, the remedies of distracting cares.
• See Thoughts.

Conversion.
• Travails in conversion, what 365
• Its nature 368
• Why God converts by the word preached 93, 285
• Both Jews, and fullness of the Gentiles shall be converted 288
• We should labor to convert others 429

Church.
• What, and why so called 286
• How its censures should be administered 344
• Why called Christ's Bride or spouse 447

Contentment.
• Arguments to it 51, 116
• Coming to Christ, what 105, 109, 144, 145
• Various comings of Christ 125, 152
• Touching Christ's coming to Judgment. See Judgment.

Comfort.
• When others forget us in their prayers 69
• From Christ's Intercession. See Intercession.
• Choice comforts to believers 137, 132, 437, 442
• Comfortless, what it denotes 149
• Comfort when friends desert 150
• Christ why styled the first-begotten of the dead 438
• Why styled Prince of the Kings of the earth 439
• Touching his eternal Generation. See Generation.
• Forming Christ in us, what 368, 369
• Is true God 135, 136
• How the Way 140, 141
• How a faithful Witness 434
• How the Truth 142
• How the Life 143
• How the Resurrection 144
• How the Power of God 289
• How the Wisdom of God 289

Distance.
• From God threefold 9
• Persons at a distance from God in one sense, may be near in another 11

Discretion.
• Lies in two things 15

Discretion.
• Lies in two things 15

Duties.
• Man by nature apt to think he pleases God by outside duties, the ground thereof 421
• We may over-do some duties 44
• Take heed that duties interfere not 54
• Why continued under weaknesses in them 165
• What strength cannot carry us acceptably through them 165

Diligence.
• Motives to it in Religion 47, 59
• Motives to diligent hearing the word preached 98

Doctrines.
• General rules to judge of Doctriues 49

Disciple.
• A disciple indeed displayed 101, 103
• Several sorts of disciples 102

Discord, divisions, contentions.
• Amongst nearest relations, whence they especially arise.
• See Relations.
• Touching Unity. See Unity.

Decays.
• How to recover from under spiritual decays 80

Death.
• Comforts against death 118, 131, 438
• Comfort under the loss of near and dear relations 132, 450
• Several kinds of it 314
• A great death, what 314
• Why God delivers his people from death, threatening dangers 316

Despise.
• How sinners despise the goodness of God 349
• Whence a sinners despising God's goodness arises 350
• Take heed of despising God's goodness, why 351

Destruction.
• What it implies 414

Dectrine.
• Of Christ, how taken 425

E

Error.
• General rule for discerning errors 49
• Something tolerating it. See Toleration.

Election.
• Helps to right choosing 55
• A Saints choice vindicated 59
• All elected shall be converted 106
• None converted but the Elect 110

Ear.
• The evil of an itching ear 277

Enthusiasts.
• Condemned 340
• See Prophesy.

Examination.
• A Christians duty 385
• Motives to it 385
• Whence non-examination arises 385
• By what we should examine ourselves 386

F

Fool.
• Sinners are fools, in what respect. See Sinners.

Feet.
• Sitting at the feet, what it signifies 38

Flesh.
• Lusts of the flesh, what 377

Feasts.
• The faults attending them 38

Faith.
• How it helps in temptation 75
• Threefold 94
• Its excellency 263
• Saving faith, what 263, 264
• Signs of true faith 264

Free-will, and free grace.
• How to be able to judge aright touching both 91, 92
• Touching free-will 155, 405

G

God.
• The several ways God speaks 17
• How far God is seen, and in what sense not seen 133
• Wisdom of God, how taken 251

Given.
• Men given to Christ several ways, 105, 106

Godliness.
• Vindicated against its being charged with folly 20
• Rewards of it twofold 58

Grace.
• No falling from it 58, 74, 87
• How far we may, how far we cannot resist it 87
• Free-grace 259
• Its excellency above gifts 294
• Caution against decays in it 421
• How Christ derives it to Christians 427
• One difference between common and saving Grace 428

Glory.
• Different degrees of it 120
• How Christ prepares it 122
• How Christ makes us meet for it 124

Generation.
• Touching Christ's Eternal Generation 135

Gospel.
• Its Excellency above the Old Testament 138, 327
• Why God deprives a people of it 148
• How men act against it 328, 329
• Dangerous to oppose it 328
• How we further its progress 340
• Its unvariableness 344

Greeks.
• Who are meant by them in Scripture 268

Gifts.
• Touching Gifts 292
• Grace more excellent than Gifts 294

H

Hearing.
• Right hearing 38, 97, 262, 263, 345, 460
• Reproof to mandering hearers 38, 96
• We must labor to understand what we hear 461
• Helps to the keeping of the word which it heard Ibid.
• Why we must give most diligent heed not to let what we hear slip 462
• Hearing Preferred before reading 262
• Why, take heed of an itching ear in hearing 277
• Whence it becomes unprofitable 263, 279, 280
• Why we should stay the Ministerial Benediction 407
• How people lose what they hear 420

Habitation.
• Directions in choosing one 50
• Humbling Considerations 257, 291, 430

House.
• Of God: how taken? 117
• Mansion-house; What? 119
• Comfort to houseless Christians 131

Hell.
• The punishment of loss most dreadful 430

I

Interruptions.
• Which God gives, twofold 18

Infirmities.
• Many Christian infirmities discovered 39, 40

Justification.
• How Christ makes way for it 122

Intercession.
• Comfort from Christ's 70, 71

Ignorance.
• Of a sinner in four particulars 90
• All men ignorant respecting Providence in two things 111
• Three sorts of ignorance 354

Judgment.
• Why Christ will come to it 126
• How Christ will come to it 126
• How Christ knew? how not? the day of judgment 172
• The suddenness of it 415

Image.
• Images in worship condemned 134

Jealousy.
• Its nature 326
• Reproved Temporal 383
• Reproved Spiritual 419

K

Kingdom.
• OF God: how taken? 8

Knowledge.
• How wicked men know God: how not? 254
• Its opposites 102
• A twofold knowledge implied 435

L

Life.
• Threefold Christ communicates 143
• A Christians life compared unto a walk.
• See Walk.

Learning.
• Commended 255, 258
• In what respects disparaged 256, 270, 283

Love,
• Of God, safe and sweet, as conveyed thorough Christ 430
• The love of Christ amplified 440, 443

M

Morality.
• Not meritorious of special Grace 11
• Let alone to itself, would never be Grace 12
• Morality (accidentally) may set a man further from Conversion than Profaneness 12

Ministry.
• Ministers, their work 27, 31, 99, 271, 332
• Several titles given them 28
• Encouragement to them in their work 31, 32, 93, 262, 285, 310, 371
• Pusillanimity a great evil in a Minister 41
• Why the devil most tempts them 64
• The chief subject of their preaching 97, 274

Mind.
• Take heed of worldly-mindedness, why 43
• Earthly-mindedness reproved 48
• Helps to heavenly-mindedness 48

Marriage.
• Directions in choosing a yoke-fellow 50
• The difference between Christ's and Ministers teaching.

Millenaries.
• No personal reign 128

Ministers.
• Two things Ministers should take heed of in preaching 260, 272
• Reproof to scandalous Ministers 279, 298
• Cautions respecting their studies 297
• Touching their preaching. See Preaching.
• Motive to promote their diligence 302
• Two parts of the Ministry 332
• Must be assured of the truth of what they preach 341
• Their travelling in birth, what 365
• Assiduity required in a Minister 366
• The honor of it 371
• See their titles 434
• Reproof to the invaders of the Ministry 384
• How faithful Ministers shall receive a (though it may be not a full) reward 424

Mercies.
• Outward, when sanctified 348
• Meanness and sinfulness hinder not from partaking of mercies 459

Memory.
• Helps to it 420

Magistrates.
• A main ground of subjects obedience to Princes 429

N

Necessity.
• The one thing necessary 46
• All things disparaged in comparison of the one thing necessary 51, 58, 59
• To choose the one thing necessary, an argument of four things 55
• Natural ability. See free-will, and free grace.
• What it may, what it cannot do 155
• Pelaginas confuted 166

Natural condition.
• A miserable condition 159, 160

O

Ordinances.
• Touching those who are without Gospel-ordinances 9
• Whence their efficacy arises 31

P

Pharisee.
• What their righteousness was 1
• Touching Pharisaical righteousness. See Rightousness
• Prodigies and signs 266

Punishments.
• Degrees of punishments 4

Peace.
• What peace Christ's death obtains 275
• What it implies 406

Patience,
• Of God 29
• Why God bears long Ibid

Pride.
• How it discovers itself 39, 430

Proveing.
• How taken 385

Prayer.
• Satan sometimes prays 65
• Comfort when we cannot pray. See Comfort.
• Why Christ prayed, although he could do all things without it 72
• Encouragement to it 446

Papist,
• And Jew, wherein a like 266
• Transubstantiation 267, 269
• Against their Tradition 339

Perseverance.
• True Christians shall persevere. 76, 87, 369
• See Grace.
• Persevere in two things 103
• Helps to it Ibid
• Whence the opinion of falling away arises 369
• Motives to it 408

Providence.
• Our ignorance touching Providence twofold 111
• The intricacies of Providence, and the reason thereof 112
• Not for us to foretell its future events 113
• What in Providence God will at last make manifest 114
• The properties of God's Providence Ibid.
• When God will vindicate his Providence 115

Prophesy.
• See Enthusiasts.
• Not for its to foretell future events of Providence 174, 213
• Imagainary Revelations censured 337
• Opposers of Christ's prophetical office 436

Perswading.
• How taken 305

Preaching.
• How men come to count it foolishness 261
• What it is 261, 337
• Whence its efficacy arises 261
• Why it profits not without faith 263
• Directions touching it 270, 271, 298, 350, 274, 278, 437, 382, 301
• What it is to preach Christ crucified 276
• Whence it becomes unprofitable 263, 279, 280

Parents.
• Duty to their Children 266

R

Pighteousness.
• OF Scribeds and Pharisees; what? 12
• Defectiveness of the righteousness of Scribes and Pharisees 3, 10
• The Principles of Pharisaical righteousness 3
• Why Pharisaical righteousness cannot bring to Heaven Ibid.
• Pharisaical righteousness (in a sense) worse than notorious sins 4
• Civil righteousness commended 5
• The righteousness exceeding that of Scribes and Pharisees Ibid.
• Moral righteousness not meritorious of saving-grave 11

Reproof.
• How to be administered 41, 46
• The best of Christians ought to be reproved 41
• Cautions to be observed in reproving a good man 42

Riches.
• Their vanity 25

Resurrection.
• Why Christ is so called 144

Religion.
• The one thing necessary 47
• Motives to diligence in it.
• See Diligence.
• What required unto being acceptably religous 56
• Whence staggering in it arises Ibid.
• Religion justified 59, 47, 91
• What in it chiefly to be minded 296

Relations.
• Whence discord between nearest relations especially arises 53
• Comfort under the loss of them 132, 450

Reason.
• The impotency of human reason 90, 91, 112, 173 254, 255, 259, 269
• How it discovers God 133
• A check to the Contemners of it 269

Rehearsed.
• In Scripture of the same words, what it implies 341

Repentance.
• How the goodness of God leads unto it: how not? 353

Reward.
• Touching it 423

S

Scribes.
• Their office 1
• Stumling-block 281

Satan.
• Why he most tempts the godly, and those especially most godly 62
• Why most of all be iempts Ministers 64
• His winnowings; what? 67

Sincerity.
• A double effect of it 101

Sinner.
• In what respects a fool 19
• His danger and misery in this life 24, 426
• His ignorance 90
• Encouragement ot prosligate sinners to repent 108
• His impotency 163
• Different sinners have their different corruptions, whence it is 265
• Why God bestows many good things on them, and bears long with them 347
• How without God in the world 426

Spirit,
• Of God, why compared to wind 85
• How to get its supplies 168
• What it is to walk in it
• See Walk.
• How it witnesseth the Truth of Scripture 435

Scepticism.
• The danger of it 266

Scandal.
• What it is, implied 281

Lord's-Supper.
• What eating and drinking damnation signifies 282

Sin.
• An umprofitable thing, in what respects 356
• Whence men come to be ashamed of it 359
• Its aggravations 422
• Its heinous nature discovered 442
• How men sin against the blood of Christ? 443

Speaking.
• A threefold speaking 411

Security.
• The danger of it 416, 417

Salvation.
• A Christians certainty of it 433
• In what sense it's said a Child of God cannot sin 325

T

Thoughts.
• Vanity of them 18
• The evil of distraction in them 45, 50
• Causes of distraction in them 45, 52
• Remedies against their distraction 45, 52
• Taking freely what it imports 458

Temptations.
• Why Satan must tempts the godly, and those especially most godly 62
• Why he most of all tempts Ministers 64
• Support under Temptation 65, 72, 75, 79, 87
• Walk against them 66, 74
• Why God suffers his to fall into them 73
• How faith helps under them 75
• Whence Christians come to recover out of them 78
• The evil that comes by them 80
• The good that comes by them 62

Time.
• What knowledge of the times concerns us: what not? 113, 130, 171
• What times, it's not fur us to know 169

Terrors.
• Of the Lord, what? 303
• Thirst spiritual, what it implies 455
• The excellency of spiritual thirst 456

Teason.
• Gun-powder Treason 317

Truth.
• How taken in Scripture 328

Toleration,
• Against universal toleration 337

Tradition.
• When equalized with Scripture, condenned 339

V

Vanity.
• OF Thoughts. See Thoughts.

Unity.
• Among Christians 408, 409
• Bounded 409

Unbelief.
• The heinousness of it 436
• Voice of Christ in the Ministry, the voice of the spirit in the conscience, and the voice of the spirit in the Spouse to be heard 453, 454

W

Way.
• Encourage any coming on in the Ways of God, why? 14

Word.
• Ingemindation of words, its end 41, 60

World.
• Take heed of worldly-mindedness: See Mind.
• Why continued 106
• How taken in Scripture 152

Watch.
• Against temptation; why? 66, 67
• Motives to it 418

Work.
• How Christ helps to the performance of a good work 164
• Good works, in what respects disparaged 156

Wisdom.
• Humance, in what respects disparaged 156

Walk.
• To walk in the spirit; what? 372, 373
• What it implies 374, 400
• How walking in it secures against sin 380
• Touching a Christians rule to walk by 403, 404
• Water of life, what understood by it 456
• What understood by, Whosoever will let him take of the water of life.

Y

Youth.
• Motives to early Godliness 52
• Good education a great blessing. 266

Z

Zeal.
• How Christians come to decay in it 421