English Puritan & Reformed

A Christian Directory

Richard Baxter (1615-1691) · 3,263,885 words · 14506 min

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The source for this document is https://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/eebo/A26892.0001.001

Project Note

This is licensed under Creative Commons CC BY-NC-ND. This license allows reusers to copy and distribute the material in any medium or format in unadapted form only, for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.

The source of this document is the Early English Books Online (EEBO-TCP) website. Those books were transcribed in a character for character manner and can be very cumbersome to read since there was no standard spelling during that time. Many spelling variations such as "unlesse", "vnlesse", and "vnles" regularly appear.

This project was conceived to clean up those books as much as possible and make them more accessible to the interested reader, leading to the creation of a massive list of variant spellings and their corrections. This was used to clean up the text, but is of course only as complete as the list itself. Because of the nature of the original transcription, some words have missing characters or places where the original language (e.g., Greek) was not transcribed. This effort does not change that. Be aware that the original transcription can also be faulty and in some cases entire sentences may be missing.

Although this is no substitute for a properly compared, proofed, and scholarly edition, I believe that the result is a document which is far more accessible, particularly for searching for terms using standard spelling. The document has been cleaned and presented in what I hope is a pleasing and useful format for the vast majority of Christian brothers and sisters who just want access to read these spiritually nourishing works.

However, a word of warning: The Puritans were a very diverse group of people and their age was characterized with godliness, but also much upheaval, disputation and strife. They disagreed on many doctrines and some of these works contain less orthodox or Scriptural views than others. The reader is strongly advised to read with discernment, particularly if it is unknown whether author is trustworthy.

This project took a huge amount of time and skill to bring to fruition. I would particularly like to thank David Jonescue for the initial list of Puritans he found on EEBO and the concept behind this project as well as the continuous, unceasing efforts toward seeing this complete. Without his labor, this would not be available. Alex Sarrouf was invaluable in providing the initial list of over 7,000 spelling variations he had identified and corrected, as well as continuing to review more than 16,000 additions to that list for any typos.

Logan West
(with David Jonescue and Alex Sarrouf)
www.puritansearch.org

A Christian Directory: Or, A SUMM of PRACTICAL THEOLOGIE, AND CASES OF CONSCIENCE. Directing Christians, how to USE their Knowledge and Faith; How to improve all Helps and Means, and to Perform all Duties; How to Overcome Temptations, and to escape or mortify every Sin.

In Four Parts,

I. CHRISTIAN ETHICKS (or private Duties.)
II. CHRISTIAN OECONOMICKS (or Family Duties.)
III. CHRISTIAN ECCLESIASTICKS (or Church Duties.)
IV. CHRISTIAN POLITICKS (or Duties to our Rulers and Neighbors.)

By RICHARD BAXTER.

Mal. 2. 7▪ 8.

The Priests lips should keep Knowledge, and they should seek the Law at his mouth; for he is the messenger of the Lord of Hosts. But ye are departed out of the way: Ye have Caused many to stumble at the Law; ye have corrupted the Covenant of Levi—

Matth. 13. 52.

Every SCRIBE which is instructed unto the Kingdom of Heaven, is like unto a man that is an Housholder, which bringeth forth out of his Treasure things New and Old.

Heb. 5. 13, 14.

For everyone that useth Milk is unskillful in the Word of Righteousness: for he is a Babe: But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age: Those who by reason of USE, have their senses exercised to discern both Good and Evil.

2 Tim. 2. 14, 15, 16.

Of these things put them in remembrance; charging them before God, that they STRIVE not about WORDS, to no profit, but to the subverting of the Hearers: Study to show thyself approved UNTO GOD, a Workman that needeth not to be ashamed, RIGHTLY DIVIDING the word of Truth. But shun profane and vain Bablings; for they will increase unto more Ungodliness, and their Word will eat as doth a Canker.

2 Pet. 3. 16.

In which ( Paul's Epistles) are some things hard to be understood: which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other Scriptures to their own destruction.

LONDON, Printed, by Robert White, for Nevill Simmons, at the Sign of the Princes Arms in S ^t . Paul's Church-yard. 1673.

Advertisements.

READERS,

T HE Book is so big that I must make no longer Preface, than to give you this necessary short account, 1. Of the Quality, 2. And the Reasons of this Work.

I. The matter you will see in the Contents: As Am • sius his Cases of Conscience are to his Medulla, the second and Practical part of Theology, so is this to a Methodus Theology which I have not yet published. And 1. As to the Method of this, it is partly natural, but principally Moral, that is, partly suitable to the real order of the Matter, but chiefly of usefulness, secundum ordinem Intentionis, where our reasons of each location are fetched from the End. Therefore unless I might be tedious in opening my reasons à fine for the order of every particular, I know not how to give you full satisfaction. But in this Practical part I am the less solicitous about the Accurateness of method, because it more belongeth to the former Part (the Theory) where I do it as well as I am able.

2. This Book was written in 1664. and 1665. (except the Ecclesiastic Cases of Conscience, and a few sheets since added): And since the Writing of it, some invitations drew me to publish, my Reasons of the Christian Religion, my Life of Faith, and Directions for weak Christians: by which the work of the two first Chapters here is fullier done: And therefore I was inclined here to leave them out. But for the use of such Families as may have this without the other, I forbore to dismember it.

3. But there is a great disproportion between the several parts of the Book. 1. The first Part is largest, because I thought that the Heart must be kept with greatest diligence, and that if the Tree be good the fruit will be good; and I remember Paul's counsel, 1 Tim. 4. 16. Take heed to thyself and unto thy Doctrine: Continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself and them that hear thee. Nothing is well done by him that beginneth not at home: As the man is, so is his strength, and work. 2. The two first Chapters are too course and tedious for those of the higher form, (who may pass them over). But the rest must be spoken to; To whom that is unprofitable which is most suitable and pleasant to more exercised and accurate wits. The Grand. Directions are but the explication of the essentials of Christianity, or of the Baptismal Covenant, even of our Relation-duties to God the Father, Son (in several parts of his Relation) and of the Holy Ghost. The doctrine of Temptations is handled with brevity, because they are so numerous; lest a due amplification should have swelled the Book too much; (when a small part of their number maketh up so much of Mr. John Downame 's great and excellent Treatise called The Christian Welfare. ) The great radical sins are handled more largely than seemeth proportionable to the rest, because all die when they are dead. And I am large about Redeeming Time, because therein the sum of a holy obedient life is included.

4. If any say, Why call you that a sum of Practical Theology which is but the Directing part, and leaveth out the explication, reasons, various Uses, marks, motives, &c? I answer, 1. Had I intended Sermonwise to say all that might well be said on each subject, it would have made many Volumes as big as this. 2. Where I thought them needful, the explication of each duty and sin is added, with marks, contraries, counterfeits, motives, &c. And Uses are easily added by an ordinary Reader, without my naming them.

5. I do especially desire you to observe, that the resolving of practical Cases of Conscience, and the reducing of Theoretical knowledge into serious Christian Practice and promoting a skillful facility in the faithful exercise of universal obedience, and Holiness of heart and life, is the great work of this Treatise; And that where I thought it needful the Cases are reduced to express Questions and Answers: But had I done so by all, many such Volumes would have been too little: And therefore I thought the Directing way most brief and fit for Christian practice: For if you mark them, you will find few Directions in the Book, which may not pass for the answer of an (implied) Question or Case of Conscience, And when I have given you the Answer in a Direction, an ingenious Reader can tell what Question it is that is answered; And so, many hundred Cases are here resolved, especially in the two first Parts, which are not interrogatively named.

6. And I must do myself the right as to notify to the Reader, that this Treatise was written when I was (for not-subscribing, Declaring, &c. ) forbidden by the Law to Preach, and when I had been long separated far from my Library and from all Books, saving an inconsiderable parcel which wandered with me, where I went: By which means this Book hath two defects: 1. It hath no Cases of Conscience but what my bare memory brought to hand: And Cases are so innumerable, that it is far harder, methinks, to remember them, than to answer them: whereby it came to pass that some of the Ecclesiastical Cases, are put out of their proper place, because I could not seasonably remember them. For I had no one Casuist but Ames with me. But (after about twelve years separation) having received my Library, I find that the very sight of Sayrus, Fragoso, Roderiquez, T • l • t, &c. might have helped my memory to a greater number: But perhaps these will be enough for those that I intend them for. 2. And by the same cause the Margin is unfurnished of such citations as are accounted an Ornament, and in some cases are very useful. The scraps inserted out of my few trivial Books at hand being so mean, as that I am well content (except about Monarchy Par. 4.) that the Reader pass them by as not worthy of his notice.

And it's like that the absence of Books, will appear to the Readers loss in the materials of the Treatise: But I shall have this advantage by it that he will not accuse me as a plagiary; And it may be some little advantage to him, that he hath no transcript of any man's Books, which he had before, but the product of some experience, with a naked unbiased perception of the Matter or Things themselves.

7. Note also that the third and fourth parts are very much defective of what they should contain, about the Power and Government of God's officers in Church and State; of which no Readers will expect a reason but strangers, whose expectations I may not satisfy. But as I must profess that I hope nothing here hath proceeded, from Disloyalty, or disrespect to Authority, Government, Unity, Concord, Peace or Order, or from any opposition to Faith, Piety, Love, or Justice; so if unknown to me, there be anything found here, that is contrary or injurious to any one of these, I do hereby renounce it, and desire it may be taken as non-scriptum.

II. The Ends and Uses for which I wrote this Book are these: 1. That when I could not Preach the Gospel as I would, I might do it as I could. 2. That three sorts might have the benefit as followeth.

I That the Younger and more unfurnished, and inexperienced sort of Ministers, might have a promptuary at hand, for Practical Resolutions and Directions on the subjects that they have need to deal in. And though Sayrus and Fragoso have done well, I would not have us under a necessity, of going to the Romanists for our ordinary supplies: Long have our Divines been wishing for some fuller Casuistical Tractate: Perkins began well. Bishop Sanderson hath done excellently de Iuramento; Ames hath exceeded all, though briefly: Mr. David Dickson hath put more of our English Cases about the state of Sanctification, into Latin, than ever was done before him. Bishop Ier. Tailor hath in two Folio's but begun the copious performance of the work. And still men are calling for more, which I have attempted: Hoping that others will come after and do better than we all.

If any call it my Pride to think that any Ministers or Students are so raw as to need anything that I can add to them, let him but pardon me for saying that such demure pleadings for a feigned Humility, shall not draw me to a confederacy with Blindness, Hypocrisy and Sloth, and I will pardon him for his charge of Pride.

It is long ago since many foreign Divines subscribed a request, that the English would give them in Latin a sum of our Practical Theology; which Mr. Dury sent over, and twelve great Divines of ours wrote to Bishop Usher (as Dr. Bernard tells you in his Life) to draw them up a form or Method: But it was never done among them all; And it's said that Bishop Downame at last undertaking it, he died in the attempt. Had this been done, its like my labor might have been spared. But being undone, I have thus made this Essay. But I have been necessitated to leave out much (about Conversion, Mortification, Self-denial, Self-acquaintance, Faith, Justification, Judgment, Glory, &c. ) because I had written of them all before.

II. And I thought it not unuseful to the more Judicious Masters of Families; who may choose and read such parcels to their Families, as at any time the case requireth. And indeed I began it rudely, with an Intention of that Plainness and Brevity which Families require: But finding that it swelled to a bigger bulk than I intended, I was fain to write my Life of Faith, as a Breviate and Substitute, for the Families and persons that cannot have and use so large a Volume: (presupposing my Directions for sound Conversion, for weak Christians, and for p • ace of Conscience, printed long ago.)

III. And to private Christians I thought it not in vain, to have at hand so Universal a Directory and Resolution of Doubts; not expecting that they remember all, but may on every occasion, turn to such particulars as they most need.

But I must expect to be assaulted with these Objections (And it is not only profane deriders and malignant enemies, that are used by Satan to • ilifie and oppose our service of God).

Object. I. You have written too many Books already: Who do you think hath so little to do as to read them all? Is it not Pride and self-conceitedness to think that your scriblings are worthy to be read? and that the world hath need of so much of your instructions? as if there were no wise men but you? You have given offense already by your writings: you should write less and Preach more.

Answ. 1. I have seldom, if ever, in all my Ministry, omitted one Sermon for all my Writings: I was not able to Live in London nor ride abroad; But through God's mercy I seldom omitted any opportunities at home.

2. And if I Preach the same Doctrine that I write, why should not men be as angry with me for preaching it, as for writing it. But if it be good and true, why is it not as good Preach by the Press to many thousands, and for many years after I am dead, as to Preach to a Parlour full for a few hours? Or why is not both as good as one?

3. I will not take the Reverend Objector to be ignorant that Writing, and publishing the Word of God by it, is preaching it, and the most public preaching: And hath the example of the Apostles and Evangelists as well as speaking: And one is no more appropriate to them than the other: though the Extraordinaries of both be proper to them. And do you not perceive what self-condemning contradiction it is, at the same time to cry out against those that dissuade you from preaching, or hinder you, and tell you it is needless, and you are proud to think that the world needeth your preaching, and yet yourselves to say the very same against your brethren's preaching by the Press. I know an ignorant illiterate Sectary might say, Writing is no preaching, and you are called to preach and not to write; But I must reverence you more than to suppose you so absurd. Other men forbid you but less public preaching, and you reproach me for more public Preaching: that's the difference. How hard is it to know what Spirit we are of? Did you think that you had been Patrons of idleness, and Silencers of Ministers, while you declaim so much against it. Your pretence that you would have me preach more is feigned. Are you sure that you preach ofter than I do? When I persuaded Ministers heretofore to Catechize and instruct all their Parishes personally, family by family, you said it was more toil than was our duty: and now you are against much Writing too; and yet would be thought laborious Ministers.

And as to the number and length of my Writings, it is my own labor that maketh them so, and my own great trouble, that the world cannot be sufficiently instructed and edified in fewer words. But 1. Would not all your Sermons set together be as long? And why is not much and long preaching blameable, if long Writings be? 2. Are not the works of Augustine and Chrysostom, much longer? Who yet hath reproached Aquinas or Suarez, Calvin or Zanchi, &c. for the number and greatness of the Volumes they have written? Why do you contradict your selve • by affecting great Libraries? 3. When did I ever persuade any one of you, to buy or read any Book of mine? What harm will they do those that let them alone? Or what harm can it do you for other men to read them? Let them be to you as if they had never been written, and it will be nothing to you how many they are. And if all others take not you for their Tutors to choose for them the Books that they must read, that is not my doing, but their own. If they err in taking themselves to be fitter Judges than you, what tendeth most to their own Edification, why do you not teach them better? 4. Either it is God's Truth, or Error which I write. If Error, Why doth no one of you show so much Charity, as by Word or Writing to instruct me better, nor evince it to my face, but do all to others by backbiting? If Truth, What harm will it do? If men had not leisure to read our Writings, the Booksellers would silence us, and save you the labor: For none would Print them. 5. But who can please all men? Whilest a few of you cry out of too much, what if twenty or an hundred for one be yet for more? How shall I know whether you or they be the wiser and the better men?

Readers, you see on what terms we must do the work of God? Our slothful flesh is backward, and weary of so much labor: Malignant enemies of piety are against it all. Some slothful brethren think it necessary to cloak their fleshly ease, by vilifying the diligence of others. Many Sects whom we oppose, think it the interest of their cause (which they call God's cause) to make all thats said against them seem vain, contemptible and odious; which because they cannot do by Confutation, they will do by backbiting and confident chat. And one or two Reverend Brethren, have, by the wisdom described exactly, James 3. 15, 16. arrived at the liberty of backbiting and Magisterial sentencing the works of others, (which they confess they never read,) that their Reputation of being most Learned, Orthodox, Worthy Divines, may keep the Chair at easier rates, than the wasting of their flesh in unwearied labors to know the truth, and communicate it to the world. And some are angry, who are forward to write, that the Booksellers and Readers silence not others as well as them.

Object. II. Your Writings differing from the common judgment have already caused offense to the godly.

Answ. 1. To the Godly that were of a contrary opinion only; Sores that will not be healed, use to be exasperated by the Medicine. 2. It was none but healing Pacificatory Writings, that have caused that offense. 3. Have not those dissenters Writings more offended the Godly that were against them? They have but one trick, to honor their denial, which more dishonoreth it, even by unsanctifying those that are not of their minds. 4. If God bless me with opportunity and help, I will offend such men much more, by endeavoring further than ever I have done, the quenching of that fire which they are still blowing up, and detecting the folly and mischief of those Logomachies by which they militate against Love and Concord, and enflame and tear the Church of God. And let them know that I am about it. But some Pastors as well as people, have the weakness to think that all our Preachings and Writings must be brought under their dominion, and to their bar, by the bare saying that [ We offend the Godly ] that is, those of their opinion, which they falsely call by the name of scandal. 5. But I think they will find little Controversy to offend them in this Book.

Object. III. You should take more leisure, and take other men's judgment of your Writings before you thrust them out so hastily.

Answ. 1. I have but a little while to live, and therefore must work while it is day. Time will not stay. 2. I do show them to those that I take to be most judicious, and never refused any man's censure; But it is not many that have leisure to do me so great a kindness. But that I commit them not to the perusal of every Objector, is a fault uncurable, by one that never had an Amanuensis, and hath but one Copy usually. 3. And if I could do it, how should I be sure that they would not differ as much among themselves, as they do from me? And my Writings would be like the Picture which the great Painter exposed to the censure of every passenger, and made it ridiculous to all, when he altered all that everyone advised him to alter. And, to tell you the truth, I was never yet blamed by one side as not sufficiently pleasing them, but I was blamed also by the contrary side, for coming so near them: And I had not wit enough to know which party of the accusers was the wiser? And therefore am resolved to study to please God and Conscience, and to take man-pleasing, when inconsistent, for an impossible and unprofitable work, and to cease from man whose breath is in his Nostrils, whose thoughts all perish as he passeth off the Judicature of his Stage, to the Judicature of God.

Object. IV. Your Ecclesiastical Cases, are dangerously reconciling, tending to abate men's zeal against Error.

Answ. The world hath long enough escaped the danger of Peace and Reconciliation: It had been well if they had as long escaped the danger of your Conceited-Orthodox strife, which hath brought in confusion and all evil works: I take it to be a Zeal effectively against Love, and against Unity, and against Christ, which with the Preachers of extremes, goeth under the name of a Zeal against Error, and for Truth.

Object. V. Are all these Numerous Directions to be found in Scripture? Shew us them in Scripture, or you trouble the Church with your own inventions.

Answ. 1. Are all your Sermons, in the Scripture? And all the good Books of your Library in the Scripture? 2. Will you have none but Readers in the Church, and put down Preachers? Sure it is the Reader that delivereth all and only the Scripture. 3. Are we not Men before we are Christians? And is not the Light and Law of Nature, Divine? And was the Scripture written to be instead of Reason, or of a Logic, or other subservient Sciences? Or must they not all be sanctified and used for Divinity? 4. But I think that as all good Commentaries and Sermons, and Systems of Theology are in Scripture, so is the Directory here given, and is proved by the evidence of the very thing discourst of, or by the plainest Texts.

Object. VI. You confound your Reader by Curiosity of distinctions.

Answ. 1. If they are vain or false, shame them by detecting it, or you shame yourselves by blaming them, when you cannot show the error: Expose not yourselves to laughter by avoiding just distinction to escape confusion; that is, avoiding knowledge to escape Ignorance, or Light to escape darkness. 2. It is ambiguity and confusion that breedeth and feedeth almost all our pernicious Controversies: And even those that bring in error by vain distinction, must be confuted by better distinguishers, and not by ignorant Confounders. I will believe the Holy Ghost, 2 Tim. 2. 14, 15, 16. that Logomachie is the plague by which the hearers are subverted, and ungodliness increased; and that Orthotomie or right dividing the Word of Truth is the Cure. And Heb. 5. 15. Discerning both good and evil, is the work of long and well exercised senses.

Object. VII. Is this your reducing our faith to the primitive simplicity, and to the Creed? What a toilsome task do you make Religion by overdoing? Is any man able to remember all these numberless Directions.

Answ. 1. I pray mistake not all these for Articles of Faith. I am more zealous than ever I was for the reduction of the Christian faith to the primitive simplicity; and more confident that the Church will never have Peace and Concord, till it be so done, as to the test of men's Faith and Communion. But he that will have no Books but his Creed and Bible, may follow that Sectary, who when he had burnt all his other Books as bumane inventions, at last burnt the Bible, when he grew Learned enough to understand, that the translation of that was Human too.

2 If men think not all the Tools in their Shops, and all the Furniture of their Houses, or the number of their Sheep, or Cattle, or Lands, nor the number of Truths received by a Learning intellect, &c. to be a trouble and toil, why should they think so of the number of Helps to facilitate the practice of their duty? If all the Books in your Libraries make your Studies or Religion toilsome, why do you keep them? and do not come to the Vulgar Religion, that would hear no more but [ Think well, speak well, and do well ], or [ Love God and your neighbor, and do as you would be done by ]. He that doth this truly, shall be saved: But there goeth more to the building of a house, than to say, Lay the foundation, and raise the superstructure: Universals exist not but in individuals; and the whole consisteth of all the parts.

3. It is not expected that any man remember all these Directions. Therefore I wrote them, because men cannot remember them, that they may upon every necessary occasion, go to that which they have present use for, and cannot otherwise remember.

In sum, to my quarrelsome Brethren I have two requests, 1. That instead of their unconscionable, and yet unreformed custom of backbiting, they would tell me to my face of my offenses by convincing evidence, and not tempt the hearers to think them envious: and 2. That what I do amiss, they would do better: and not be such as will neither laboriously serve the Church themselves, nor suffer others: and that they will not be guilty of Idleness themselves, nor tempt me to be a slothful servant, who have so little time to spend: For I dare not stand before God under that guilt: And that they will not join with the enemies and resisters of the publication of the Word of God.

And to the Readers my request is, 1. That what ever for Quantity or Quality in this Book is an impediment to their regular universal obedience, and to a truly holy life, they would neglect and cast away: 2. But that which is truly Instructing and Helpful, they would diligently Digest and Practice; And I encourage them by my testimony, that by long experience I am assured, that this PRACTICAL RELIGION will afford both to Church, State and Conscience, more certain and more solid Peace, than contending Disputers, with all their pretences of Orthodoxness and Zeal against Errors for the Truth, will ever bring, or did ever attain to.

I crave your pardon for this long Apology: It is an Age where the Objections are not feigned, and where our greatest and most costly services of God, are charged on us as our greatest sins; and where at once I am accused of Conscience for doing no more, and of men for doing so much: Being really

A most unworthy Servant of so good a Master RICHARD BAXTER.

THE CONTENTS OF THE First TOME: Christian Ethics.

The Introduction. page 1, 2.

CHAP. I.

D Irections to Unconverted graceless sinners for the attainment of saving Grace: §. 1. What is presupposed in the Reader of these Directions. p. 3
Containing Reasons against Atheism and Ungodliness. §. 2 Twenty Directions. p. 6
§. 3. Thirty Temptations by which Satan hindereth men's conversion. p. 26
Ten Temptations by which he would persuade men that their heinous mortal sins which prove them unconverted, are but the pardoned infirmities of the penitent. p. 33

CHAP. II.

Directions to weak Christians for their establishment and growth. p. 36
Direct. 1. Against receiving Religion merely for the Novelty or Reputation of it. ibid.
Direct. 2. Let Judgment, Zeal and Practice go equally together. p. 38
Direct. 3. Keep a short Method of Divinity, or a Catechism, still in your memory. p. 39
Direct. 4. Certain Cautions about Controversies in Religion: Heb. 6. 1. opened. p. 40
Direct. 5. Think not too highly of your first degrees of Grace or Gifts. Time and diligence are necessary to growth. How the Spirit doth illuminate. The danger of this sin. p 41
Direct. 6. Let neither difficulties nor oppositions in the beginning discourage you. Reasons. p. 43
Direct. 7. Value and use a Powerful faithful Mininistry. Reasons: Objections answered. p. 45
Direct. 8. For Charity, Unity and Catholicism, against Schism: Pretences for Schism confuted. p. 47
Direct. 9. Let not sufferings make you sin, by passion, or dishonoring authority. p. 49
Direct. 10. Take heed of running from one extreme into another. p. 50
Direct. 11. Be not too confident in your first apprehensions or opinions, but modestly suspicious of them. p. 51
Direct. 12. What to do when Controversies divide the Church. Of silencing truth. p. 52
Direct. 13. What Godliness is: The best life on earth. How Satan would make it seem troublesome and ungrateful, 1. By difficulties. 2. By various Sects. 3. By scrupulosity. 4. By your overdoing in your own inventions. 5. By perplexing fears and sorrows. 6. By unmortified lusts. 7. By actual si • s. 8. By ignorance of the Covenant of grace. p. 54
Direct. 14. Mortify the flesh, and rule the senses, and the appetite. p. 57
Direct. 15. Be wary in choosing not only your Teachers, but your Company also. Their Characters. p. 58
Direct. 16. What Books to prefer and read, and what to reject. P. 60
Direct. 17. Take not a Doctrine of Libertinism for Free Grace. p. 61
Direct. 18. Take heed l • st Grace degenerate, into Counterfeits, formality, &c. p. 63
Direct. 19. Reckon not on prosperity or long life, but live as dying. p. 65
Direct. 20. See that your Religion be purely Divine: That God be your First and Last and All: Man nothing. p. 66

CHAP. III.

The General Grand Directions for walking with God, in a life of faith and Holiness; Containing the Essentials of Godliness and Christianity. p. 69
Gr. Dir. 1. Understand well the Nature, Grounds, Reason and Order of Faith and Godliness: Propositions opening somewhat of them. The Reader must note, that here I blotted out the Method and Helps of Faith, having fullier opened them in a Treatise called The Reasons of the Christian Religion, and another of the Unreasonableness of Infidelity.
Gr. Dir. 2. How to live by Faith on Christ. How to make Use of Christ, in twenty necessities. p. 72
Gr. Dir. 3. How to Believe in the Holy Ghost, and live by his Grace. His Witness, Seal, Earnest, &c. Q. When good effects are from Means, from our Endeavor, and when from the Spirit? p. 77, 78
Gr. Dir. 4. For a True, Orderly and Practical Knowledge of God: A Scheme of his Attributes. p. 81, 82
Gr. Dir. 5. Of self resignation to God as our Owner: Motives, Marks, Means. p. 83
Gr. Dir. 6. Of subjection to God as our Sovereign King. What it is? How to bring the soul into subjection to God: How to keep up a Ready and Constant Obedience to him. p. 85
Gr. Dir. 7. To Learn of Christ as our Teacher: How? The Imitation of Christ. p. 90
Gr. Dr. 8. To obey Christ our Physician or Savior in his Repairing, healing work. p. 95
How each faculty is diseased or depraved? The Intellect: its acts and maladies: The Wi •• : Q. Whether the Locomotive and sense can move us to sin without the Consent of the Will ( • r Reason) upon its bare Omission? The sin of the Memory, Imagination, affections, sensitive appetite, exterior parts, which need a Cure. Forty intrinsical evils in sin which make up its Malignity. The common Aggravations of sin: Special aggravations of the sins of the Regenerate. Directions to get a hatred of sin: How to cure it. p. 95
Gr. Dir. 9. Of the Christian Warfare under Christ: Who are our Enemies: Of the Devil: The state of the Armies, and of the War between Christ and Satan. The ends, grounds, advantages, auxiliaries, instruments and methods of the Tempter. p. 104
How Satan keepeth off the forces of Christ, and frustrateth all means. Christ's contrary Methods. p. 109
Tit. 2. Temptations to particular sins, with Directions for preservation and Remedy. 1. How Satan prepareth his baits of Temptation. p. 111
2. How he applieth them. p. 114
Tit. 3. Temptations to draw us off from duty. p. 124
Tit. 4. Temptations to frustrate holy duties. p. 126
Gr. Dir. 10. How to work as servants to Christ our Lord. The true doctrine of Good Works. p. 128
Directions for our serving Christ in well doing, p. 130. Where are many Rules to know what are good works, and how to do them acceptably and successfully.
Q. Is doing good, or avoiding sin to be most looked at in the choice of a Calling or Employment of life? p. 133
Q. May one change his Calling for advantages to do good?
Q. Who are excused from living in a Calling, or from Work? p. 124
Q. Must I do a thing as a Good work, while I doubt, whether it be good, indifferent, or sin? p. 134▪
Q. Is it not every man's duty to obey his Conscience? p. 135
Q. Is it not a sin to go against Conscience?
Q. Whether the formal cause alone do constitute obedience?
Q. How sin must be avoided by one that hath an erroneous conscience?
Q. How can a man lawfully resist or strive against an erring conscience, when he striveth against a supposed truth?
Q Is not going against conscience, sinning against Knowledge? p. 136
Q. When the information of conscience requireth a long time, is it not a duty to obey it at the present?
Q. May one do a Great Good when it cannot be done but by a Little sin (as a Lye)?
Q Must I not forbear all Good Works, which I cannot do without sin?
Q Must I forbear a certain great duty (as preaching the Gospel) for fear of a small uncertain sin?
Q. What shall a man do that is in doubt after all the means that he can use? p. 137
Sixteen Rules to guide a doubting conscience, and to know among many seeming duties, which is the greatest, and to be preferred, p. 137
Gr. Dir. 11. To LOVE GOD as our Father and Felicity and End. The Nature of holy Love. God must be Loved as the Universal Infinite Good: Whether Passionately? What of God must be loved? p. 141
What must be the Motive of our first Love? Whether God's special Love to us? The sorts of holy Love? Why Love is the highest Grace? p. 143
The Contraries of holy Love. How God is Hated? The Counterfeits of Love. p. 144
Directions how to excite and exercise Divine Love. ibid.
How to see God: Signs of true Love. p 154
Gr. Dir. 12. Absolutely to Trust God with Soul, Body and all, with full acqui • scence: The Nature of Trust (of which see more in my Life of Faith, and Disp. of Saving Faith. ) p. 157. The Contraries: The Counterfeits: Q. Of a particular faith? The Uses of Trust. p. 158. Fifteen Directions for a quieting and comforting Trust in God. p. 158
Gr. Dir. 13. That the temperament of our Religion may be a DELIGHT in God and Holiness. Twenty Directions to procure it: with the Reasons of it. 162
Gr. Dir. 14. Of THANKFULNESS to God our grand Benefactor. The signs of it. Eighteen Directions how to obtain and exercise it. 167, &c.
Gr. Dir. 15. For GLORIFYING God. Ten Directions how the Mind must Glorify God. Ten Directions for Praising God, or Glorifying him with our Tongues. Where are the Reasons for Praising God. Twelve Directions, for Glorifying God by our Lives. p. 172
Gr. Dir. 16. For Heavenly mindedness; and
Gr. Dir. 17. For Self-denial: Only named, as being formerly written of at large. p. 180
An Appendix of the Reasons and measure of Divine and Self-love. p. 182

CHAP. IV.

Subordinate Directions, against the Great sins most directly contrary to Godliness.
Part 1. Directions against Unbelief. Q. Whether it be Unbelief not to believe that our own sins are pardoned, and we elected? Can a man be surer that he believeth, than he is that the thing believed is true? The Article of Remission of sin is to be believed applyingly, p. 196. Thirty six Dir. or helps against Unbelief.
Q. Why the Prophets were to be believed?
Part 2. Directions against Hardness of Heart. What it is. The evil and danger of it. p. 204
Part 3. Directions against Hypocrisy. What it is, and who are Hypocrites. The Helps. p. 210
Part 4. Directions against Inordinate Man-pleasing, or Idolizing man, or that over-valuing man's favor which is the fruit of Pride and Cause of Hypocrisy. What the sin is, and is not. The difficulty of Man-pleasing. Pleasing God is our business and End. The Motives to it. The signs of it. p. 218, &c.
Part 5. Directions against Pride and for Humility. What they are. The Inward seemings of Pride that are not Pride. The Outward seemings of Pride that are not it, p. 229. The Counterfeits of Humility, p. 232. Signs of the worst part of Pride, against God. p. 232. Signs of the next degrees of Pride against God. p. 235. Signs of Pride in and about Religious duties. p. 237. Signs of Pride in common converse. p. 239. The dreadful consequents of Pride. A summary of the signs of Humility. p. 247 Many considerations and helps against pride.
Part 6. Directions against Covetousness, Love of Riches and Worldly Cares. p. 254. What Love of Riches is lawful? what unlawful? and what is Covetousness? The malignity of it? The signs of it. Counterfeits or false signs of one not Covetous, which deceive many. False signs or appearances of Covetousness, that cause many to be falsely accused. Means to destroy it.
Part 7. Directions against the master sin, Sensuality, Fleshpleasing, or Voluptuousness. p. 264.
The nature of Flesh-pleasing. What meant by Flesh? and what is man's Corruption. What flesh-pleasing is unlawful, and how far a sin. The malignity of the sin. The Plea or Excuses of Flesh-pleasers, answered. Counterfeits of Mortification or temperance, which deceive many flesh-pleasers. Seemings of sensuality which are not it. The enmity of the flesh. p. 264

CHAP. V.

Further subordinate Directions for the next great duties of Religion, necessary to the right performance of the Grand Duties. p. 274. and first, Directions for Redeeming or well improving Time. What is time here, and what are Opportunities? What Redeeming it is? To what uses, and from what, and by what, Time must be Redeemed. Directions Contemplative, for improving Time. p. 276. Directions contemplative for taking the due season, p 283. Directions Practical for Improving Time, p. 285. Rules to know what Time must he spent in. Thieves or Time-wasters to be watched against, p. 288. 1. Sloth, 2. Excess of sleep; 3. Inordinate adorning of the body: 4. Pomp and Curiosity in attendance, house, furniture, provision, entertainments, Complement and servitude to the humor of Time-wasters. 5. Needless Feasting, gluttony and tippling. 6. Idle talk. 7. Vain and sinful company. 8. Pastimes, inordinate Recreations, sports, plays. 9. Excess of worldly business and cares. 10. Vain and sinful Thoughts. 11. Reading vain books, Romances, Play books, &c. and vain studies. 12. An ungodly heart which doth all things for a carnal end. Eight sorts especially called to Redeem Time.

CHAP. VI.

Directions for the Government of the Thoughts. p. 294
Tit. 1. Directions against evil and idle Thoughts. ibid.
Tit. 2. Directions to furnish the Mind with good Thoughts. Twenty great Subjects or Promptuaries affording abundant matter for Meditation. p. 298
Tit. 3. Directions to make Good Thoughts Effectual. 1. General Directions for Meditation or good Thoughts, p. 304. 2. Particular Directions about the work of Meditation. p. 306
Tit. 4. The difference between a contemplative and an Active Life. Q. 1. What is a contemplative life? Q. 2. Is every man bound to it? Q. 3. Whose duty is it? Q. 4. How far are all men bound to contemplation? Answered in twelve Rules. p. 309
Tit. 5. Directions to the Melancholy about their Thoughts. Signs of Melancholy. The Causes. Directions for cure. Special truths to be known for preventing causeless troubles, &c. p. 312, &c.
Tit. 6. Twenty Directions for young Students for the most profitable ordering of their studying Thoughts, p. 319. Twenty Instances of extremes to be avoided. p. 323

CHAP. VII.

Directions for the Government of the Passions.
Tit. 1. Directions against all sinful Passions in general. p. 327
Tit. 2. Directions against sinful Love of Creatures. 1. Helps to discover sinful Love. 2. Helps to m • rtisie sinful Love. p. 329
Tit. 3. Directions against sinful Desires and Discontents. p. 332
Tit. 4. Directions against sinful mirth and pleasure. p. 335
Tit. 5. Directions against sinful Hopes. p. 338
Tit. 6. Directions against sinful Hatred, aversation or backwardness towards God and Godliness. p. 339
Tit. 7. Directions against sinful Anger. 1. Directions Meditative against it, p. 341. Two Directions practical against it. p. 342
Tit. 8. Directions against sinful fear, 1. Of God. p. 344. 2. Against sinful fear of the Devil, p. 345. 3. Against the sinful fear of men, and of sufferings by them. p. 346
Tit 9. Directions against sinful Grief and trouble of mind. When sinful— p. 351
Tit. 10. Directions against sinful • espair (and doubting). What it is. When the day of Grace is past. What sin is mortal and what is Infirmity, &c. p. 355, &c.

CHAP. VIII.

Directions for the Government of the senses.
Part 1. General Directions to Govern them all by faith, p. 361. Deny not all our senses as the Papists. p. 363
Part 2. Particular Directions for the Government of the Eyes. p. 366
Part 3. Directions for the Government of the Ear. p. 368
Part 4. Directions for the Governing the Taste and Appetite. p. 370
Tit. 1. Directions against Gluttony, 1. What it is. 2. What are its Causes: 3. The greatness of the sin. 4. Directions and Helps against it. Rules for the Measure of Eating.
Tit. 2. Against excess of Drink, and drunkenness. 1. What it is, The various degrees. 2. The Causes. 3. The greatness of the sin. 4. The Excuses of it. Q. May we drink when thirsty, &c. Q. May one drink healths? 5. Twenty Questions for the conviction of drunkards. Twelve Questions to prove that it's their willfulness and not mere disability to forbear. Practical Directions against Tipling, &c. p. 381
Part 5. Tit. 1. Directions against Fornication and all uncleanness: The Greatness of the sin; Directions for the Cure. p. 394, &c.
Tit 2. Directions against Inward filthy Lusts. p. 400
Part 6. Directions against sinful excess of sleep. 1. What is e • c • ss. 2 The Evil of it. Q. Whether Love of sleep may be a mortal s • n. The Cure. p. 404
Part 7. Directions against sinful D • eams. p. 407

CHAP. IX.

Directions for the Government of the Tongue. p. 408
Tit. 1. The General Directions. The moment of it. The Duties of the Tongue. Thirty Tongue sins. The Cure. p. 408, &c.
Tit. 2. Directions against profane swearing, and using God's name unreverently and in Vain. p. 414 What is an Oath. What is a lawful Oath. How far the Swearers Intent is necessary to the being of an Oath. How far swearing by Creatures is a sin. Q. Is it Lawful to l • y the hand on the Book and kiss it in taking an Oath? p. 416. Q. Is it lawful to give another such an Oath or worse? When God's name is taken in vain. The greatness of the sin. The Cure.
Tit. 3. Directions against Lying and dissembling. p 421. What Truth is? How far we are bound to speak truth. Q. Whether to everyone that asketh us? Q. 2. Or to everyone that I answer to? Q. 3. Are we bound ever to speak the whole Truth? Q. 4. Is all L • gical f • lshood a sin, (that is, to speak disagreeably to the Matter.) Q 5. Or to speak contrary to our minds? Q 6. Is it a sin when we speak not a known untruth, nor with a ••••• se to deceive? Q 7. Or is this a Lye? Q. 8. Must our words be ever true in the proper literal sense? Q 9. Must I speak in the common sense, or in the Hearers sense? Q. 10. Is it lawful to deceive another by true words? Q. 11. Doth Lying c • ns •••• in Deceiving, or in speaking falsely as to the Matter, • r in speaking contrary to our minds? What a Lye is? How sin is Voluntary? The Intrinsical Evil of Lying. The Cure. ad p. 428
Q. 1. Is often Lying a certain sign of a graceless state? Where the question is again fully resolved (because it is of great importance), What sin is Mortal, and what is Mortified?
Q. 2. Is it not contrary to the light of nature to suffer, e. g. a Parent, a King, myself, my Country rather to be destroyed than to save them by a harmless lie? The case of the Midwives in Egypt and of Rahab opened.
Q. 3. Is deceit by Action lawful▪ which seemeth a Practical Lye? And how shall we interpret Christ's making as if he would have gone further, Luk. 24. 28. and D • vid's feigning himself mad, and common stratagems in War, and doing things purposely to deceive another?
Q. 4. Is it lawful to tempt a Child or Servant to Lye, merely to try them?
Q. 5. Is all equivocation unlawful?
Q. 6. Is all mental reservation unlawful?
Q 7. May Children, Servants or Subjects in danger use words which tend to hide their faults?
Q. 8. May I speak that which I think is true, but am n • t sure?
Q 9. May I believe or speak that of another by way of news, discourse, character, which I hear reported by Godly credible persons, or by many. ad p. 430
Tit. 4. Directions against Idle talk and ba • ling. What is not Idle talk: and what is. The sorts of it. The greatness of the sin, in general, and the special aggravations. The Cure. Who must most carefully watch against this sin. p. 431
Tit. 5. Directions against filthy ribbald, seurril us talk. p. 437
Tit. 6. Directions against profane deriding, s •• rning or opposing Godliness. p. 438. What the sin is? The greatness of it, and •••• tish impudence, and terrible consequents. The Cure.

CHAP. X.

Directions for the Government of the Body.
Part 1. Direction about our Labor and Callings. p. 447
Tit. 1. Directions for the right choice of our Labors or Callings. Q 1. Is Labor necessary to all? Q. 2. What Labor is necessary? Q. 3. Will Religion excuse us from Labor? Q. 4. Will Riches excuse us? Q. 5. Why Labor is necessary. The good of it. Q. May a man have a Calling consisting of various uncertain works? Q. 2. May one have divers Trades or Callings at once? Directions. p. 447
Tit. 2. Directions against Sloth and Idleness. What it is, and what not. The aggravations of it. The Signs of Sloth. The Greatness of the sin: Who should be most careful to avoid it. p. 451
Tit. 3. Directions against Sloth and Laziness in things spiritual, and for Zeal and Diligence. The kinds of false Zeal. The mischiefs of false Zeal. The Signs of holy Zeal. The excellency of Zeal and Diligence. Motives to excite us to it. Other helps. p. 456
Part 2. Directions against sin in Sports and Recreations. p. 460. What Lawful Recreation is: Eighteen necessary qualifications of it: or eighteen sorts of sinful recreation. Q. Must all wicked men forbear recreations? Q. What to judge of Stageplayes, Gaming, Cards, Dice, &c. The evil of them opened. Twelve convincing Questions to them that use or plead for such pastimes. Seven more Considerations for vain and sportful Youths. Further Directions in the use of Recreations.
Part 3. Directions about Apparel, and against the sin therein committed. Q. 1. May pride of Gravity and Holiness be seen in apparel? Q. 2. How else it appeareth. Q. 3. May not a deformity be bid by Apparel or painting? Q. 4. May we follow the fashions? Further Directions ad p. 465, &c.

TOME II. Christian Economics.

CHAP. I.

DIrections about Marriage for Choice and Contract. p 475
Whether Marriage be indifferent? Who are called to marry: Who may not marry? Q. What if Parents command it to one that it will be a hurt to? Q. What if I have a corporal necessity, when yet marriage is like to be a great incommodity to my soul? Of Parents prohibition. Q. What if Parents forbid marriage to one that cannot live chastely without it? or when affections are unconquerable? Q. What if the child have promised marriage, and the Parents be against it? Of the sense of Numb. 30. How far such promise must be kept Q. What if the Parties be actually married without Parents consent? Q. May the aged marry that are frigid, impotent, sterile? The incommodities of a married life to be considered by them that need restraint. Especially to Ministers. p. 482. Further Directions. How to cure lustful Love. Several Cases about marrying with an ungodly person.
Q. 1. What Rule to follow about prohibited degrees of Consanguinity? Whether the Law of Moses, or of Nature, or the Laws of the Land, or Church, &c. p. 486
Q. 2. What to do if the Law of the Land forbid more degrees than Moses Law. p. 487
Q. 3. Of the Marriage of Cousin Germans, before band.
Q. 4. What such should do after they are married.
Q 5. What must they after do that are married in the degrees not forbidden by name, Lev. 18. and yet of the same nearness and reason.
Q. 6. If they marry in a degree forbidden, Lev. 18. may not necessity make it lawful to continue it, as it made lawful the marriage of Adams Sons and Daughters.
Q. 7. Whether a Vow of Chastity or Celibate may be broken, and in what cases. p. 488

CHAP. II.

Directions for the choice of 1. Servants, 2. Masters. p. 490

CHAP. III.

Dispute. Whether the solemn Worship of God in and by families as such, be of Divine appointment? Aff. proved against the Cavils of the profane, and some Sectaries. p. 493. What solemn Worship is. What a family. Proof as to Worship in general: Family-advantages for Worship. The Natural obligation on families to worship God. Families must be sanctified societies. Instructing families is a duty. Family discipline is a duty. Solemn prayer and pr • ise is a family duty. Objections answered. Of the frequency and seasons of family worship. 1. Whether it should be every day, 2. Whether twice a day, 3. Whether Morning and evening.

CHAP. IV.

General Directions for the holy Government of famili 〈…〉 How to keep up Authority. Of skill in Governing. Of holy Willingness. p. 509

CHAP. V.

Special Motives to persuade men to the holy Government of their families, p. 512

CHAP. VI.

Motives for a holy and careful Education of Children. p. 515

CHAP. VII.

The Mutual Duties of Husbands and Wives towards each other. p. 520. How to maintain due Conjugal Love: Of Adultery. Motives and Means against dissention. Motives and means to further each others salvation. Further duties.

CHAP. VIII.

The special duties of Husbands to their Wives. p. 529

CHAP. IX.

The special duty of Wives to their Husbands. p. 531 Q. How far may a Wife give, without her Husbands Consent. Q. Of Wives propriety. Q Is a Wife guilty of her Husbands unlawful getting if she keep it: And is she bound to reveal it, (as in robbing)? Q. May a Wife go hear Sermons when her Husband forbiddeth her? Q. Must a woman proceed to admonish a wicked Husband when it maketh him worse. Q. What she must do in Controverted Cases of Religion, when her judgment and her Husbands differ. p. 534. Q. How long, or in what Cases may Husbands and Wives be distant. p. 535. Q. May the bare Commands of Princes separate Husbands and Wives, (as Ministers, Judges, Soldiers). Q. May Ministers leave their Wives to go abroad to preach the Gospel. Q. May one leave a Wife to save his life in case of personal persecution or danger? Q. May Husband and Wife part by consent, if they find it to be for the good of both? Q. May they consent to be divorced, and to marry others? Q. Doth Adultery dissolve marriage. Q. Is the injured person bound to divorce the other, or left free? Q. Is it the proper privilege of the man to put away an adulterous Wife, or is it also in the woman's power to depart from an adulterous Husband? Q. May there be putting away, or departing without the Magistrates divorce or license? Q. Is not Sodomy, and Buggery as lawful a reason of divorce as Adultery. Q. What if both parties be adulterous? Q. What if one purposely commit adultery to be separated from the other: Q. Doth Infidelity dissolve the relation? Q. Doth the desertion of one party disoblige the other? Q. Must a woman follow a malignant Husband that goeth from the Means of Grace? Q. Must she follow him, if it be but to poverty or beggary? Q. What to do in case of known intention of one to murder the other? Q. Or if there be a fixed hatred of each other? Q What if a man will not suffer his Wife to hear, read or pray: or do beat her so, as to unfit her for duty: or a woman will rail at the Husband in prayer time, &c. Q. What to do in danger of life by the Pox or Leprosy, &c. Q Who may marry after parting or divorce. p. 539. Q Is it lawful to suffer, yea, or contribute to the known sin materially of Wife, Child, Servant, or other relations: Where is opened what is in our Power to do against sin, and what not. p. 539. Q. If a Gentleman have a great Estate by which he may do much good, and his Wife be so Proud, Prodigal and peevish, that if she may not waste it all in house keeping and pride, she will die or grow mad, or give him no quietness, What is his duty in so sad a case. p. 542

CHAP. X.

The Duties of Parents for their Children. Where are twenty special Directions for their Education. p. 543

CHAP. XI.

The Duties of Children towards their Parents. p. 547

CHAP. XII.

The special Duties of Children and Youth towards God. p. 552

CHAP. XIII.

The Duties of Servants to their Masters. p. 554

CHAP. XIV.

Tit. 1. The Duty of Masters towards their Servants. p. 556
Tit. 2. The Duty of Masters to Slaves in the Plantations. p. 557
Q. 1. Is it lawful for a Christian to buy and use a man as a Slave?
Q. 2. Is it lawful to use a Christian as a Slave? p. 558
Q. 3. What difference must we make between a Servant and a Slave?
Q. 4. What if men buy Negro's or other Slaves of such as we may think did steal them, or buy them of Robbers and Tyrants, and not by Consent? p. 559
Q. 5. May I not sell such again and make my money of them?
Q. 6. May I not return them to him that I bought them of?

CHAP. XV.

The Duties of Children and fellow servants to one another. p. 561

CHAP. XVI.

Directions for holy Conference of fellow servants and others. p. 562
Q. May we speak good when the Heart is not affected with it? Q. Is that the fruit of the Spirit which we force our tongues to?

CHAP. XVII.

Directions for every member of the family how to spend every (ordinary) day of the Week. p. 565

CHAP. XVIII.

Directions for the holy spending of the Lord's Day in families. Whether the whole day should be kept holy? p. 569
Tit. 2. More particular Directions for the Order of holy duties on that day. p. 572

CHAP. XIX.

Directions for profitable Hearing God's Word preached. p. 573
Tit. 2. Directions for Remembering what you Hear. p. 575
Tit. 3. Directions for Holy Resolutions and Affections in hearing. p. 576
Tit. 4. Directions to bring what we hear into practice. p. 577

CHAP. XX.

Directions for profitable Reading the holy Scriptures. p. 579

CHAP. XXI.

Directions for Reading other Books. p. 580

CHAP. XXII.

Directions for right Teaching Children and Servants so as is most likely to have success. The sum of Christian Religion. p. 582

CHAP. XXIII.

Directions for Prayer in general. p 587
A Scheme or brief Explication of the Exact Method of the Lord's Prayer. p. 590
Tit. 2. Cases about Prayer. p. 591. Q. 1. Is the Lord's Prayer to be used as a form of words, or only as a Directory for Matter and Method? Q. 2. What need is there of any other prayer, if this he perfect? Q. 3. Is it lawful to pray in a set form of words? Q. 4. Are those forms lawful which are prescribed by man, and not by God? Q 5 Is free praying, called extemporate, lawful? Q. 6. Which is the better? Q. 7. Must we ever follow the Method of the Lord's Prayer? Q. 8. Must we pray only when the Spirit moveth us, or as Reason guideth us? Q. 9. May be pray for Grace who desireth it not? Q. 10. May he pray that doubteth of his interest in God, and dare not call him Father as his Child? Q. 11. May a wicked man pray, or is he ever accepted? Q. 12. May a wicked man use the Lord's Prayer? Q. 13. Is it Idolatry, or sin always to pray to Saints or Angels? Q. 14. Must the same man pray secretly, that hath before prayed in his family? Q. 15. Is it best to keep set hours for prayer? Q 16. May we join in family prayers with ungodly persons? Q. 17 What if the Master or speaker be ungodly or a Heretic? Q. 18. May we pray absolutely for outward mercies, or only conditionally? Q. 19. May we pray for all that we may lawfully desire? Q. 20. How may we pray for the salvation of all the world? Q. 21. Or for the Conversion of all Nations? Q. 22. Or that a whole Kingdom may be converted and saved? Q. 23. Or for the destruction of the enemies of Christ, or the Kingdom? Q. 24. What is to be judged of a particular faith? Q. 25. Is every lawful prayer accepted? Q. 26. With what faith must I pray for the souls or bodies of others? Q. 27. With what faith may we pray for the Continuance of the Church or Gospel. Q. 28. How to know when our prayers are heard. Q. 29. How to have fullness and constant supply of matter in our prayers. Q 30. How to keep up fervency in prayer? Q 31. May we look to speed ever the better for anything in ourselves or our prayers? Or may we put any trust in them? Q. 32. How must that person and prayer be qualified which God will accept. to p. 598
Tit. 3. Special Directions for family prayer. ibid.
Tit. 4. Special Directions for secret prayer. p. 599

CHAP XXIV.

Directions f • r families about the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper. p. 600
What are the Ends of the Sacrament? What are the Parts of it? Q. 1. Should not the Sacrament have •••• preparation than the other parts of worship? Q 2. How oft should it be administered? Q. 3. Must all members of the visible Church communicate? Q. 4. May any man receive it, that knoweth himself unsanctified? Q. 5. May an ungodly man receive it, that knoweth not himself to be ungodly? Q. 6. Must a Christian receive who doubteth of his sincerity? Q. 7. What if Superiors compel a doubting Christian to receive it, by excommunication or imprisonment? What should be choose? Q. 8. Is not the case of an hypocrite that knoweth not himself to be an hypocrite, and of the sincere who knoweth not himself to be sincere, all one, as to communicating? Q. 9. Wherein lieth the sin of an ung • dly person if he receive? Q. 10. Doth all unworthy receiving make one liable to damnation? or what? Q 11. What is the particular preparation needful to a fit Communicant? p. 653. Marks of sincerity. ibid. Preparing duties. Q 1. May we receive from an ungodly Minister? Q 2. May we communicate with unworthy persons in an undisciplined Church? Q. 3. What if I cannot communicate unless I conform to an imposed gesture, as sitting, standing or kneeling? Q. 4. What if I cannot receive it, but as administered by the Common Prayer? Q. 5. If my conscience be not satisfied, may I come doubting? Obj. Is it not a duty to follow conscience as God's Officer? What to do in the time of administration? 1. What Graces must be exercised. 2. On what objects? 3. The Season and Order of Sacramental duties. ad p. 610

CHAP. XXV.

Directions for fearful troubled Christians who are perplexed with doubts of their sincerity and justification? Causes and Cure. p. 612

CHAP. XXVI.

Directions for declining backsliding Christians, about perseverance. p. 616
The way of falling into Sects, and Heresies, and Errors. And of declining in Heart and Life. Signs of declining. Signs of a graceless state. Dangerous signs of impenitency. False signs of declining. Motives against declining. Directions against it. p. 616
Tit. 2. Directions for perseverance, or to prevent backsliding. p. 618
Antidotes against those doctrines of presumption which would binder our perseverance. p. 623

CHAP. XXVII.

Directions for the poor. The Temptations of the poor. The special Duties of the poor. p. 627

CHAP. XXVIII.

Directions for the Rich. p. 632

CHAP. XXIX.

Directions for the weak and aged. p. 634

CHAP. XXX.

Directions for the sick. p. 637
Tit. 1. Directions for a safe death, to secure salvation. I. For the unconverted in their sickness. (A sad case): 1. For Examination, 2. For Repentance, 3. For faith in Christ, 4. For a new heart, love to God, and resolution for obedience. Q. Will • ate Repentance serve the turn, in such a case? II. Directions to the G • dly for a safe departure. Their Temptations to be resisted. p. 637
Tit. 2. How to profit by our sickness. p 642
Tit. 3. Directions for a comfortable or peaceable Death. p. 644. Directions for resisting the Temptations of Satan in time of sickness. p. 648
Tit. 4. Directions for doing good to others in our sickness. p. 651

CHAP. XXXI.

Directions to the friends of the sick that are about them. p. 653
Q. Can Physic lengthen men's lives? Q. Is it meet to make known to the sick their danger of death? Q Must we tell bad men of their sin and misery when it may exasperate the disease by troubling them? Q. What can be done in so short a time? Q. What to do in doubtful cases? Q. What order should be observed in counseling the ignorant and ungodly when time is so short? Helps against excessive sorrow for the death of friends; Yea, of the worst.
A Form of Exhortation to be read in Sickness to the Ungodly, or those that we justly fear are such. p. 657
A Form of Exhortation to the Godly in Sickness; For their comfort. Their dying groans and joys. p. 662

TOME III. Christian Ecclesiastics.

PART. I.

CHAP. I.

OF the Worship of God in General. The Nature and Reasons of it, and Directions for it. How to know right Ends in worship, &c. p. 673

CHAP. II.

Directions about the Manner of worship, to avoid all corruptions, and false unacceptable worshipping of God. p. 680. The disadvantages of ungodly men in judging of holy worship. Q. How far the Scriptures are the Rule or Law of Worship and Discipline, and how far not? Instances of things undetermined in Scripture. What Commands of Scripture are not universal or perpetual? May danger excuse from duty, and when? Rules for the right manner.

CHAP. III.

Directions about the Christian Covenant with God, and Baptism. p. 688. The Covenant, what? The Parties, Matter, Terms, Forms, necessary Modes, Fruits, &c. External Baptism, what? Compleat Baptism, what? Of Renewing the Covenant.

CHAP. IV.

Directions about the Profession of our Religion to others. The greatness of the duty of open Profession. When and how it must be made. p. 692

CHAP. V.

Directions about Vows and particular Covenants with God. p. 694
What a Vow is. The sorts of Vows. The use, the obligation. Whether any things be indifferent: and such may be Vowed? As Marrying, &c. May we Vow things Indifferent in themselves, though not in their circumstances? In what Cases we may not Vow. What if Rulers command it? What if I doubt whether the Matter imposed be lawful? Of Vowing with a doubting Conscience.
Tit. 2. Directions against Perjury and Perfidiousness: and for keeping Vows and Oaths: The heinousness of Perjury: Thirty six Rules about the obligation of a Vow, to show when and how far it is obligatory; useful in an age stigmatized with open Perjury. (Mostly out of Dr. Sanderson ). What is the Nullity of an Oath? Cases in which Vows must not be kept. p. 700
How far Rulers may Nullifie a Vow? Numb. 30. opened. Of the Accidental Evil of a Vow. Of Scandal. Q. Doth an error de persona caused by that person disoblige me? ibid.

CHAP. VI.

Directions to the people concerning their Internal and private duty to their Pastors, and their profiting by the Ministerial Office and Gifts. p. 714
The Ministerial Office opened in fifteen particulars: The Reasons of it. The true old Episcopacy. Special duties to your own Pastors above others. Of the Calling, Power, and Succession of Pastors. The best to be preferred. The Order of Minirial Teaching, and the Resolution of faith. How far Human faith conduceth to Divine. Of Tradition: What use to make of your Pastors. to p. 724

CHAP. VII.

Directions for the discovery of Truth among Contenders, and how to escape Heresy and deceit. Cautions for avoiding deceit in Disputations. p. 725

CHAP. VIII.

Directions for the Union and Communion of Saints, and for avoiding unpeaceableness and Schism. p. 731
Wherein our Unity consisteth? What diversity will be in the Churches. What Schism is? What Heresy? What Apostasy? Who are Schismatics? The degrees and progress of it. What Separation is a duty: Q. Is any one form of Church Government of Divine appointment? May man make new Church Officers: The Benefits of Christian Concord; to themselves, and to Infidels. The mischiefs of Schism? Whether Papists or Protestants are Schismatics? The aggravations of Division. Two hindrances of our true apprehension of the evil of Schism. Direrections against it. Of imposing defective Liturgies. The Testimonies of antiquity against the bloody and Cruel way of Curing Schism. Their Character of Ithacian Prelates.

CHAP. IX.

Twenty Directions how to worship God in the Church Assemblies. p. 755

CHAP. X.

Directions about our Communion with holy souls departed, now with Christ. p. 758

CHAP. XI.

Directions about our Communion with the holy Angels. p. 763

The Contents of the Ecclesiastical Cases of Conscience added to the Third Part.

Q. 1. HOw to know which is the true Church among all pretenders, that a Christians Conscience may be quiet in his Relation and communion? p. 771
Q. 2. Whether we must esteem the Church of Rome a true Church? And in what sense some Protestant Divines affirm it, and some deny it? p. 774
Q. 3. Whether we must take the Romish Clergy for a true Ministry? p. 775
Q. 4. Whether it be necessary to believe that the Pope is the Antichrist? p. 777
Q. 5. Whether we must hold that a Papist may be saved? p. 778
Q. 6. Whether those that are in the Church of Rome are bound to separate from it? And whether it be lawful to go to their Mass or other worship? p. 779
Q. 7. Whether the true calling of the Minister▪ by Ordination or Election be necessary to the essence of the Church? ibid
Q. 8. Whether sincere faith and Godliness be necessary to the being of the Ministry? And whether it be lawful to hear a wicked man, or take the Sacrament from him, or take him for a Minister? p. 780
Q. 9. Whether the people are bound to receive or consent to an ungodly intolerable heretical Pastor, (yea or one far less fit and worthy than a competitor) if the Magistrate command it, or the Bishop impose him? p. 781
Q. 10. What if the Magistrate command the people to receive one Pastor; and the Bishop or Ordainers another, which of them must be obeyed? p. 787
Q. 11. Whether an uninterrupted succession either of right Ordination or of conveyance by jurisdiction, be necessary to the being of the Ministry, or of a true Church? p. 787
Q. 12. Whether there be or ever was such a thing in the world, as one Catholic Church constituted by any head besides or under Christ? p. 789
Q 13. Whether there be such a thing as a visible Catholic Church, and what it is? ibid.
Q. 14. What is it that maketh a visible member of the universal Church, and who are to be accounted such? p. 790
Q. 15. Whether besides the profession of Christianity, either testimony or evidence of conversion or practical Godliness be necessary to prove a man a member of the Universal visible Church? ibid.
Q. 16. What is necessary to a man's reception into membership in a particular Church, over and above this foresaid title? Whether any other trials, or Covenant or What? p. 791
Q. 17. Wherein doth the Ministerial office Essentially consist? p. 792
Q. 18. Whether the people's choice or consent is necessary to the office • f a Minister in his first work, as he is to convert Infidels and Baptize them? And whether this be a work of office, and what call is necessary to it? p. 793
Q. 19. Wherein consisteth the power and nature of Ordination? and To whom doth it belong? and Is it an act of jurisdiction? and Is imposition of hands necessary in it? p, 794
Q. 20. Is ordination necessary to make a man a Pastor of a particular Church as such? and Is he to be made a General Minister, and a particular Church-Elder or Pastor at once, and at one Ordination? p. 795
Q. 21. May a man be oft, or twice ordained? p. 796
Q. 22. How many ordainers are necessary to the validity of Ordination by Christ's Institution, Whether one or more? p. 798
Q. 23. What if one Bishop Ordain a Minister and three or many or all the rest protest against it, and declare him no Minister or degrade him, is he to be received as a true Minister or not? ibid.
Q. 24. Hath a Bishop power by divine right to ordain, degrade or govern, excommunicate or absolve in another Diocese or Church, either by his consent, or against it? And doth a Minister that officiateth in another's Church, act as a Pastor; and their Pastor; or as a private man? And doth his Ministerial office cease when a man removeth from his flock? p. 799
Q. 25. Whether Canons Be Laws, and Pastors have a Legislative power? p. 800
Q. 26. Whether Church-canons or Pastors directive determinations of matters pertinent to their Office, do bind the Conscience, and what accidents will disoblige the people; you may gather before in the same case about Magistrates Laws, in the Political Directions: As also by an impartial transferring the case to the precepts of Parents and School-masters to Children without respect to their power of the Rod (or supposing that they had none such?) p. 802
Q. 27. What are Christ's appointed means of the Unity and Concord of the Universal Church, and consequently of its preservation, if there be no human Universal Head and Governor of it upon Earth? And if Christ hath instituted none such, whether prudence and the Law of Nature oblige not the Church to set up and maintain an universal Ecclesiastical Monarchy or Aristocracy; seeing that which is every man's work, is no man's, and omitted by all? p. 802
Q. 28. Who is the Judge of controversies in the Church? 1. About the Exposition of the Scriptures and Doctrinal points in themselves. 2. About either Heresies or wicked practices, as they are charged on the persons who are accused of them: That is, 1. Antecedently to our practice, by way of regulation. 2. Or consequently by judicial sentence (and execution) on • ffenders? p. 803
Q. 29. Whether a Parents power over his Children, or a Pastors or many Pastors or Bishops over the same Children as parts of their stocks, be greater, or more obliging in matters of Religion and public Worship? p. 804
Q. 30. May an office Teacher or Pastor be at once in the stated relation of a Pastor, and a Disciple to some other Pastor? ibid.
Q. 31. Who hath the power of making Church-Canons? p. 805
Q. 32. Doth Baptism as such enter the Baptized into the Universal Church; or into a particular Church, or both? and is Baptism the particular-Church-Covenant as such? ibid.
Q. 33. Whether Infants should be Baptized, I have answered long ago in a Treatise on that Subject?
- Q. What Infants should be Baptized? And who have right to Sacraments? And whether Hypocrites are univocally or equiv • cally Christians and Church-members, I have resolved in my dispute. of Right to Sacraments. p. 806
Q. 34. Whether an unbaptized person who yet maketh a public profession of Christianity be a member of the visible Church? And so of the Infants of believers unbaptized? ibid.
Q. 35. Is it certain by the word of God, that all Infants baptized, and dying before actual sin are undoubtedly saved, or what Infants may we say so of? p. 807
Q. 36. What is meant by this speech, that Believers and their seed are in the Covenant of God; which giveth them right to Baptism? p. 812
Q. 37. Are believers Children certainly in Covenant before their Baptism; and thereby in a state of salvation; or not till they are baptized. p. 813
Q. 38. Is Infants title to Baptism and the Covenant benefits given them by God in his Promises upon any proper moral condition, or only upon the condition of their natural relation: that they be the seed of the faithful? ibid.
Q. 39. What is the true meaning of Sponsors, (Patrimi) or God Fathers, as we call them; and Is it lawful to make use of them? p. 814
Q. 40. On whose account or right is it that the Infant hath title to Baptism and its benefits? Is it on the Parents, Ancestors, Sponsors, the Churches, the Ministers, the Magistrates, or his own? p. 815
Q. 41. Are they really baptized who are Baptized according to the English Liturgy and Canons, where the Parent seemeth excluded, and those to consent for the Infant who have no power to do it? p. 817
Q. 42. But the great question is How the Holy Ghost is given to Infants in Baptism, and whether all the Children of true Christians have inward sanctifying grace? Or whether they can be said to be justified and to be in a state of salvation, that are not inherently sanctified? and whether any fall from this Infant state of salvation? p. 817
Q. 43. Is the right of the Baptized (Infants or adult) to the sanctifying operations of the Holy Ghost now Absolute? or suspended on further conditions? And are the Parents further duty for their Children such conditions of their Children's reception of the actual assistances of the spirit? or Are Children's own actions such conditions? and May Apostate Parents forfeit the C • venant benefits to their baptized Infants or not? p. 821
Q. 44. Doth Baptism always oblige us at the present, and give grace at the present, and is the grace which is not given till long after, given by baptism, or an effect of baptism? p. 823
Q. 45. What is a proper violation of our Baptismal Covenant? p. 824
Q 46. May not baptism in some cases be repeated, And when? ibid.
Quest. 47. Is baptism by Lay men or women lawful in cases of necessity? or are they nullities, and the person to be rebaptized. p. 825
Q. 48. May Anabaptists that have no other error, be permitted in Church Communion? p. 826
Q. 49. May one offer his Child to be baptized, with the sign of the Cross, or the use of Chrisms, the white garment, milk and honey or Ex • rcisms as among the Lutherans, who taketh these to be unlawful things? ibid.
Q. 50. Whence came the ancient universal Custom of Anointing at baptism, and putting on a white garment and tasting milk and honey; and Whether they are lawful to us? p. 827
Q 51. Whether it be necessary that they that are baptized in infancy, do solemnly at age review and own their baptismal Covenant before they have right to the state and privileges of Adult members? and if they do not, Whether they are to be numbered with Christians or Apostates? p. 827
Q. 52. Whether the Universal Church consist only of particular Churches and their members? p. 828
Q. 53. Must the Pastor first call the Church, and aggregate them to himself, or the Church first Congregate themselves and then choose the Pastor? p. 829
Q. 54. Wherein doth a particular Church of Christ differ from a consociation of many Churches? ibid.
Q. 55. Whether a particular Church may consist of more Assemblies than one? or must needs meet all in one place? ibid.
Q. 56. Is any form of Church-Government of Divine Institution? p. 830
Q. 57. Whether any forms of Churches and Church-Government or any new Church-officers may lawfully be invented and made by ma • ? p. 832
Q 58. Whether any part of the proper Pastoral or Episcopal power may be given or deputed to a Lay man, or to one of any other office; or their proper work may be performed by such? p. 839
Q. 59. May a Lay man Preach or expound the Scriptures? or what of this is proper to the Pastors office? p. 840
Q 60. What is the true sense of the distinction of Pastoral power in foro interiore & exteriore, rightly used? ibid.
Q. 61. In what sense is it true that some say that the Magistrate only hath the external Government of the Church, and the Pastor the Internal. p 841
Q. 62. Is the trial, judgment, or consent of the Laity necessary to the admittance of a member into the universal or particular Church? ibid.
Q. 63. What power have the people in Church Censures and Excommunication? p. 842
Q. 64 What is the people's remedy in case of the Pastors male-administration? ibid.
Q. 65. May one be a Pastor or a member of a particular Church who liveth so far from it, as to be uncapable of personal communion with them. p. 843
Q. 66. If a man be injuriously suspended or Excommunicated by the Pastor or people, which way shall he have remedy? ibid.
Q. 67. Doth presence always make us guilty of the • vils or faults of the Pastor in God's Worship, or of the Church? or In what cases are we guilty? ibid.
Q. 68. Is it lawful to communicate in the Sacrament with wicked men? p. 844
Q. 69. Have all the members of the Church right to the Lord's Table, and is suspension Lawful? ibid.
Q. 70. Is there any such thing in the Church, as a rank or Classis or species of Church-members at age who are not to be admitted to the Lord's Table but only to the hearing the Word, and Prayer, between Infant members and adult-confirmed ones? p. 845
Q. 71. Whether a form of Prayer be lawful? p. 847
Q. 72. Are forms of prayer or Preaching in the Church Lawful? ibid.
Q. 73. Are public forms of man's devising or composing Lawful? ibid.
Q. 74. Is it lawful to Impose forms on the Congregation or the people in public Worship? p. 848
Q. 75. Is it Lawful to use forms composed by man and imposed not only on the people, but on the Pastors of the Churches? ibid.
Q. 76. Doth not the calling of a Minister so consist in the exercise of his own ministerial gifts, that he may not officiate without them, nor make use of other men's gifts instead of them? p. 849
Q. Is it lawful to read a Prayer in the Church? p. 850
Q. 77. Is it Lawful to Pray in the Church without a prescribed or premeditated form of words? ibid.
Q. 78. Whether are set forms of words, or free praying without them the better way; and what are the Commodities, and Incommodities of each way? p. 851
Q. 79. Is it Lawful to forbear the Preaching of some truths, upon man's prohibition that I may have liberty to Preach the rest? yea and to promise to forbear them, or to do it for the Churches peace? p. 853
Q. 80. May or must a Minister silenced, or forbid to Preach the G • spel, go on still to Preach it against the Law? p. 854
Q. 81. May we lawfully keep the Lord's day as a fast? p. 855
Q. 82. How should the Lord's day be spent in the main? ibid.
Q. 83. May the people bear a vocal part in Worship, or do anymore than say, Amen. p. 856
Q. 84. Is it not a sin for our Clerks to make themselves the mouth of the people, who are not ordained Ministers of Christ? p. 857
Q. 85. Are repetitions of the same words in Churchpra • ers, lawful? p. 858
Q. 86. Is it lawful to bow at the name of Jesus? ibid.
Q. 87. Is it Lawful to stand up at the Gospel as we are appointed? ibid.
Q. 88. Is it lawful to kneel when the De • alogue is read? p. 859
Q 89. What Gestures are fittest in all the public Worship? ibid.
Q. 90. What if the Pastor and Church cannot agree, about singing Psalms, or what Version or Translation to use, or time or place of meeting, &c. ibid.
Q. 91. What if the Pastor excommunicate a man, and the people will not forbear his Communion, as thinking him unjustly excommunicated? p. 860
Q. 92. May a whole Church, or the greater part be excommunicated? ibid.
Q. 93. What if a Church have two Pastors, and one excommunicate a man and the other absolve him, what shall the Church and the Dissenter do? p. 861
Q. 94. For what sins may a man be denied Communion or Excommunicated; Whether for impenitence in every little sin; Or For great sin without impenitence? ibid.
Q. 95. Must the Pastor examine the people before the Sacrament? ibid.
Q. 96. Is the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper a Converting Ordinance? p. 862
Q. 97. Must no man come to the Sacrament that is uncertain or doubtful of the sincerity of his faith and repentance? ibid.
Q. 98. Is it Lawful or a duty to join oblations to the Sacrament and how? p. 863
Q. 99. How many Sacraments are there appointed by Christ? ibid.
Q. 100. How far is it lawful, needful or unlawful for a man to afflict himself by external penances for sin? p. 864
Q. 101. Is it lawful to observe stated times of fasting imposed by others, without extraordinary occasions; And particularly, Lent? p. 865
Q. 102. May we continue in a Church where someone Ordinance of Christ is wanting; as Discipline, Prayer, Preaching or Sacraments, though we have all the rest? p. 866
Q 103. Must the Pastors remove from one Church to another, when ever the Magistrate commandeth us, though the Bishops contradict it, and the Church consent not to dismiss us? And so of other cases of disagreement? p. 867
Q. 104. Is a Pastor • bliged to his flock for life; or is it Lawful so to oblige himself; And may he remove without their Consent? And so also of a Church member, the same questions are put. p. 868
Q. 105. When many men pretend at once to be the true Pastors of a particular Church, against each others title, through differences between the Magistrates, the Ordainers and the flocks, what should the people do, and whom should they adhere to? p. 869
Q. 106. To whom doth it belong to Reform a Corrupted Church; To the Magistrates, Pastors, or People? p 869
Q. 107. Who is to call Synods; Princes, Pastors or People? ibid.
Q. 108. To whom doth it belong to appoint days and Assemblies for public Humiliation and Thanksgiving? p. 870
Q. 109. May we omit Church Assemblies on the Lord's day, if the Magistrate forbid them? ibid.
Q. 110. Must we obey the Magistrate if he only forbid us Worshipping God, in such a place, or Country, or in such numbers, or the like circumstances? p. 871
Q. 111. Must Subjects or Servants forbear weekly Lectures, Reading, or such helps, above the Lord's days worship, if Princes or Masters do forbid them? p. 871
Q. 112. Whether Religious Worship may be given to a Creature and what? p. 872
Q. 113. What Images, and what use of Images, is Lawful or Unlawful. p. 873
Q. 114 Whether Stage-plays where the virtuous and vicious are personated be lawful? p. 877
Q. 115. Is it ever unlawful to use the known Symbols and badges of Idolatry? p. 878
Q. 116. Is it unlawful to use the Badge or Symbol of any error or sect in the Worship of God? p. 879
Q. 117. Are all Indifferent things made unlawful to us, which shall be abused to Idolatr • us Worship? p. 879
Q. 118. May we use the names of week days which Idolat • rs honored their Idols with, • s Sunday, Monday, Saturday, and the rest; And so the Months? p. 880
Q. 119. Is it lawful to pray secretly when we come first into the Church, especially when the Church is otherwise employed? ibid.
Q. 120. May a Preacher kneel down in the Pulpit and use his private prayers when he is in the Assembly? p. 881
Q. 121. May a Minister pray publicly in his own name singly, for himself or others; or only in the Churches name, as their mouth to God? ibid.
Q. 122. May the name Priests, Sacrifice, and Altar be lawfully now used instead of Christ's Ministers, Worship, and the Holy Table? p. 882
Q. 123. May the Communion Table be turned Altarwise and Railed in, And is it lawful to come up to the Rails to communicate? p. 882
Q. 124. Is it lawful to use David's Psalms in our Assemblies? p. 883
Q. 125. May Psalms be used as prayers, and praises and Thanksgivings? or only as Instructive; Even the Reading as well as the singing of them? ibid.
Q. 126. Are our Church-Tunes Lawful being of man's invention? p. 884
Q. 127. Is Church Music by Organs or such Instruments Lawful? ibid.
Q. 128. Is the Lord's day a Sabbath, and so to be called and kept, and that of Divine institution, And is the seventh day Sabbath abrogated, &c? p. 885
Q. 129. Is it Lawful to appoint human Holy days, and observe them? ibid.
Q. 130. How far is the holy Scriptures a Law and perfect Rule to us? p. 886
Q. 131. What Additions or human Inventions in or about Religion not commanded in Scripture, are Lawful or Unlawful? p. 887
Q. 132. I • it unlawful to obey in all th • se cases, where it is unlawful to impose and command, or in what cases; And how far Pastors must be believed and obeyed? p. 888
Q. 133. What are the additions or inventions of m • n, which are not f • rbidden by the Word of God (whether by Rulers or by private men invented)? p. 889
Q 134. What are the mischiefs of unlawful Additions in Religion? p. 891
Q. 135. What are the mischiefs of men's error on the other extreme, who pretend that Scripture is a Rule where it is not, and deny the aforesaid lawful things, on pretence that Scripture is a perfect Rule (say some for all things)? p. 892
Q. 136. How shall we know what parts of Scripture precept or example were intended for universal constant obligation, and what were but for the time and persons that they were then directed to? p. 893
Q. 137. How much of the Scripture is necessary to salvation to be believed and understood? p. 894
Q. 138. How may we know the Fundamentals, Essentials, or what parts are necessary to salvation? And is the Papists way allowable that (some of them) deny that distinction, and make the difference to be only in the degrees of man's opportunities of knowledge? p 895
Q 139. What is the use and Authority of the Creed; And is it of the Apostles framing or not; And is it the Word of God, or not? p 896
Q 140. What is the use of Catechisms? p. 897
Q. 141. Could any of us have known by the Scriptures alone the Essentials of Religion from the rest, if tradition had not given them to us in the Creed as from Apostolical Collection? ibid.
Q. 142. What is the best method of a true Catechism or sum of Theology? p. 898
Q. 143. What is the use of various Church-Confessions or Articles of faith? ibid.
Q. 144. May not the subscribing of the whole Scriptures serve turn for all the foresaid ends without Creeds Catechisms or Confessions? ibid.
Q. 145. May a man be saved that believeth all the Essentials of Religion as coming to him by verbal Tradition, and not as c • ntained in the Holy Scriptures, which perhaps, he never knew? p. 899
Q 146. Is the Scripture fit for all Christians, to read, being so obscure? ibid.
Q. 147. How far is Tradition and men's words and Ministry to be used or true •• ed in, in the exercise of faith? p. 900
Q 148. How kn • w we the true Canon of Scripture from Apocrypha? ibid.
Q. 149. Is the public Reading of the Scripture the proper w • rk of the Minister; or may a Lay man ordinarily do it, or another officer? p. 901
Q 150. Is it Lawful to Read the Apocrypha, or any good Books besides the Scriptures to the Church; as • omili • s, &c? ibid.
Q 151. May Church Assemblies be held, where there is no Minister? or what public Worship may be so performed by L • y men (As among In • idels or Papists where persecuti • n ha • h killed, imprisoned or expelled the Ministry)? p. 902
Q. 152. Is it Lawful to subscribe or profess full assent and consent to any religious Books besides the Scriptures, seeing all men are fallible? ibid.
Q. 153. May we lawfully Swear obedience in all things lawful and honest, either to Usurpers, or to our Lawful Pastors? ibid.
Q. 154. Must all our Preaching be upon some Text of Scripture? p. 904
Q. 155. Is not the Law of Moses abrogated? and the wh • le Old Testament out of date, and therefore not to be Read publicly and Preached? ibid.
Q. 156. Must we believe that Moses Law did ever bind other Nations, or that any other parts of the Scripture bound them or belonged to them? or that the Jews were all God's visible Church on earth? p. 905
Q. 157. Must we think accordingly of the Christian Churches n • w, that they are only advanced above the rest of the World as the Jews were, but not the only people that are saved? p. 906
Q. 158. Should not Christians take up with Scripture wisdom only, without studying Philosophy or other Heathens human Learning? p. 907
Q. 159. If we think that Scripture and the Law of Nature are in any point contradictory to each other, Which must be the standard by which the other must be tried? p. 908
Q. 160. May we not look that God should yet give us more Revelations of his will, than there are already made in Scripture? ibid.
Q. 161. I • not a third Rule of the Holy Ghost, or perfecter Kingdom of Love to be expected, as different from the Reign of the Creator and Redeemer? p. 909
Q. 162. May we not look for Miracles hereafter? p. 910
Q. 163. Is the Scripture to be tried by the spirit, or the Spirit by the Scripture? and which of them is to be preferred? ibid.
Q. 164. How is a pretended Prophet, or Revelation to be tried? p. 911
Q. 165, May one be saved who believeth that the Scripture hath any mistake or errors, and believeth it not all? ibid.
Q. 166. Who be they that give too little to the Scriptures, and who too much, and what is the danger of each extreme? p. 912
Q. 167. How far do good men now Preach and pray by the spirit? p. 913
Q. 168. Are not our own Reasons, studies, memory, strivings, Books, Forms, Methods, and Ministry needless? yea a hurtful quenching or preventing of the Spirit, and setting up our own instead of the spirits operations? p. 914
Q. 169. How doth the Holy Ghost set Bishops over the Churches? p. 914
Q. 170. Are Temples, Fonts, Utensils, Church-Lands, much more the Ministry, holy? and What reverence is due to them as holy? p. 915
Q. 171. What is Sacrilege, and what not? p. 916
Q. 172. Are all Religious private-meetings, forbidden by Rulers, unlawful Conventicles, or are any such necessary? p. 916
Q. 173. What particular Directions for Order of Studies and Books should be observed by young Students who intend the Sacred Ministry? p. 917
Q. 174. What Books should a poor man choose that for want of money or Time can have or read but few. There are three Catalogues set down (but somewhat disorderly as they came into my memory.)
1. The smallest or Poorest Library.
2. A poor Library, that hath considerable Additions to the former.
3. Some more Additions to them, for them that can go higher, With some additional Notes. p. 921

TOME IV. Christian Politicks.

CHAP. I.

GEneral Directions for an Upright Life. p. 1
The most passed by on necessary reasons.

CHAP. II.

A few brief Memoranda to Rulers, for the interest of Christ, the Church and men's salvation. p. 5

CHAP. III.

Directions to Subjects concerning their duty to Rulers. p. 9. Of the Nature and Causes of Government. Mr. Richard Hookers Ecclesiastical Policy as it is for Popularity, examined and confuted. Directions for obedience. Duty to Rulers. Q. Is the Magistrate Judge in Controversies of faith or worship? p. 20. Q. 2. May the Oath of Supremacy be lawfully taken, in which the King is pronounced Supreme Governor, in all Causes as well Ecclesiastical as Civil? p. 20. Q. 3. Doth not this give the Pastors power to the Magistrate? Q. 4. Hath the King power of Church Discipline and Excommunication? Q. 5. If Kings and Bishops differ, which must be obeyed? Q. Is he obliged to suffer, who is not obliged to obey? p. 25. Of admonition of Rulers. Q. 1. Whether the sound Authors of Politicks be against Monarchy? Q. 2. Whether Civilians be against it? Q. 3. Are Historians against it? Greek, Roman, or Christian? Q. 4. Whether Athens, Rome, Aristotle, Philosophers, Academies be against it? Q. 5. Are Divines and Church discipline against it? Q. 6. Is Scripture and Christianity against it? Objections answered. Q. Are Papists, Prelatists and Puritans against it? Bilson and Andrew's Vindication of the Puritans: Christianity is the greatest help to Government: Further Directions.
Tit. 2. Q. Whether man's Laws bind the Conscience?
Q. Is it a sin to break every Law of man? More fully answered. p. 36, 37

CHAP. IV.

Directions to Lawyers about their Duty to God. p. 39

CHAP. V.

The Duty of Physicians. p. 43

CHAP. VI.

Directions to Sch • olmasters about their duties for Children's souls. p. 44

CHAP. VII.

Directions for Soldiers about their duty in point of Conscience. (Princes, Nobles, Judges and Justices, are past by, lest they take Counsel for injury ). p. 46

CHAP. VIII.

Advice against Murder. p. 50. The Causes of it. Wars, Tyranny, malignant persecuting fury. Unrighteous judgment, oppression and uncharitableness, Robbery, Wrath, Guilt and Shame, Malice and Revenge, wicked Impatience, Covetousness, Ambition, &c. The Greatness of the sin. The Consequents.
Tit. 2. Advice against Self-murder. The Causes to be avoided. Melancholy, worldly trouble, discontent, passion, &c. p. 54. Besides Gluttony, Tipling and Idleness, the great Murderers.

CHHP. IX.

Directions for the forgiving of injuries and enemies, Against wrath, malice, revenge and persecution. Practical Directions. Curing Considerations, Twenty, p. 56

CHAP. X.

Cases resolved about forgiving wrongs, and debts, and about self defense, and seeking • ur Right, by Law or otherwise. p. 61
Q. What injuries are we bound to forgive, Neg. and Affir. resolved.
Q. 2. What is the meaning of Matth. 5. 38, &c. Resist not evil, but whosoever shall smite thee, &c. p. 63
Q. 3. Am I bound to forgive another if he ask me not forgiveness? Luke 17. 3, &c. p. 64
Q. 4. Is it lawful to sue another at Law? 1 Cor. 6. 7.
Q. 5. Is it lawful to defend our lives or estates against a Robber, Murderer, or unjust Invader by force of Arms?
Q. 6. Is it lawful to take away another's life in defending my purse or estate only? p. 65
Q. 7. May we kill or wound another in defense or vindication of our honor or good name? p. 66

CHAP. XI.

Special Directions to escape the guilt of persecution: Determining much of the Case about Liberty in matters of Religion. p 67. What is persecution. The several kinds of it. The greatness of the sin. Understand the Case of Christ's interest in the world. Q. Whether particular Churches should require more of their members as Conditions of Communion, than the Catholic Church? and What? Penalties to be chosen that hinder the Gospel least. More Directions, to the number of forty one.

CHAP. XII.

Directions against Scandal as Given. p. 80. What Scandal is, and what not? The sorts of scandalizing. The Scripture sense of it. Twenty Directions.

CHAP. XIII.

Directions against Scandal taken, or an aptness to receive hurt by the words or deeds of others: Especially quarrelling with Godliness. p. 88. or taking encouragement to sin. Practical Directions against taking hurt by others. p. 90.

CHAP. XIV.

Directions against soul-murder and partaking of other men's sins. p. 92
The several ways of destroying souls. How we are not guilty of other men's sin and ruin.

CHAP. XV.

General Directions for furthering the salvation of others. p. 95

CHAP. XVI.

Special Directions for holy Conference, Exhortation and Reproof.
Tit. 1. Motives to holy Conference and Exhortation. p 97
Tit. 2. Directions to Christian edifying discourse. p. 100
Tit. 3. Special Directions for Exhortations and Reproofs. p. 101

CHAP. XVII.

Directions for keeping Peace with all men. How the Proud do hinder Peace. Many more Causes and Cures opened. p. 103

CHAP. XVIII.

Directions against all Theft, fraud or injurious getting, keeping or desiring that which is another's. p. 107
Tit. 2. Cases of Conscience about Theft and such injuries? Q. 1. Is it sin to steal to save ones life? Q. 2. May I take that which another is bound to give me, and will not? Q. 3. May I take my own from an unjust borrower or possessor, if I cannot otherwise get it? Q. 4. May I recover my own by force from him that taketh it by force from me? Q. 5. May we take from the Rich to relieve the poor? Q. 6. If he have so much as that he will not miss it, may I take some? Q. 7. May not one pluck ears of Corn or an Apple from a Tree, &c. Q. 8. May a Wife, Child, or Servant take more than a Cruel Husband, Parent, or Master doth all • w? (May Children forsake their Parents for such Cruelty). Q. 9. May I take what a man forfeiteth penally? Q. 10. What if I resolve when I take a thing in necessity to make satisfaction if ever I be able. Q. 11. What if I know not whether the Owner would consent? Q. 12. May I take in jest from a friend, with a purpose to restore it. Q 13. May I not take from another to prevent his hurting himself. Q. 14. May I take away Cards, Dice, Play-books, Papist-books by which he would hurt his soul. Q 15. May not a Magistrate take the Subjects goods when it is necessary to their own preservation? Q 16. May I take from another for a holy use? p. 109, &c.

CHAP. XIX.

General Directions, and particular Cases of Conscience, • bo • t Contracts in general, and about Buying and selling, borrowing and lending, and Usury in particular. p. 113
Tit. 1. General Directions against injurious bargaining and contracts, ibid.
Tit. 2. Cases about Justice in Contracts. p. 114.
Q. 1. Must I in all Cases do as I would be done by?
Q. 2. Is a Son bound by the Contracts which Parents or Guardians made for him in his Infancy?
Q 3. Is one obliged by a Contract made in ignorance or mistake of the matter?
Q. 4. Doth the contract of a man drunk, or in passion or melancholy bind him?
Q 5. May another hold such a one to his contract, or if he give or play away his money?
Q. 6. Am I obliged by Covenanting words without a Covenanting intent?
Q. 7. May I promise a Robber money to save my life, or to save a greater commodity?
Q. 8. May I give money to a Judge or Magistrate to hire him to do me justice, and not to wrong me, or not to persecute me?
Q. 9. If I make such a contract, may the Magigistrate take it of me?
Q 10. If I promise money to an Officer or Robber under a force, am I bound to pay it when the necessity is over? So of other constrained promises.
Q. 11. May I promise a Thief or Bribe-taker to conceal him, and must I keep that promise?
Q. 12. Must I keep a promise which I was drawn into by deceit?
Q 13. Is it a Covenant when neither of the contracting parties understand each other?
Q. 14. Must I stand to a bargain made for me by a friend or servant, to my injury?
Q. 15. If I say I will give one this or that, am I bound to give it him?
Q 16. Doth a mental promise not uttered oblige?
Q. 17. May I promise to do a thing simply unlawful, without a purpose to perform it, to save my life?
Q. 18. May anything otherwise unlawful become a duty upon a promise to do it?
Q. 19. May he that promised for a reward to promote another's sin, take the reward when he hath done it?
Q. 20. Am I bound by a contract without witness or legal form?
Q 21. May an Office in a Court of Justice be bought for money?
Q. 22. May a place of Magistracy or Judicature be bought?
Q. 23. May one sell a Church Benefice or Orders?
Q. 24 May one buy Orders or a Benefice?
Q. 25. May I give money to Servants or Officers to assist my Suit?
Q. 26. May I after give by way of gratitude to the Bishop, Patron? &c.
Q. 27. May a Bishop or Pastor take money for Sermons, Sacraments, or other Offices?
Q. 28. May I disoblige another of his promise made to me?
Q. 29. What if it be sec • nded by an Oath?
Q. 30. Doth a promise bind, when the cause or reason proveth a mistake?
Q 31. What if a following accident make it more to my hurt than could be foreseen?
Q. 32. Or if it make it injurious to a third person?
Q. 33. Or if a f • llowing accident make the perf • rmance a sin?
Q. 34. Am I bound to him that breaketh Covenant with me?
Q. 35. May I contract to do that, which I foresee like to become impossible, before the time of performance?
Tit. 3. Cases about Justice in Buying and Selling. p. 120
Q 1. Am I bound to endeavor the gain of him that I bargain with as well as my own?
Q. 2. May I take more for my labor or goods than the worth, if I can get it?
Q. 3. May I ask more in the Market than the worth?
Q. 4. How shall the worth of a Commodity be judged of?
Q. 5. May I conceal the faults, or make a thing seem better than it is, by setting the best side outward, adorning, &c.
Q. 6. If I was deceived, or gave more than the worth, may I do so to repair my loss?
Q. 7. If I foresee a cheapness of my Commodity (as by coming in of Ships, &c. ) must I tell the buyer of it that knoweth it not?
Q. 8. May I keep my Commodity if I foresee a dearth?
Q. 9. May one use many words in buying and selling?
Q. 10. May I buy as cheap as I can, or below the worth?
Q. 11. May I sell dearer for another's necessity? (Cases instanced in).
Q. 12. May I take advantage of the buyers ignorance?
Q. 13. May I strive to get a good bargain before another?
Q. 14. May I buy a thing, or hire a servant, which another is first about, or call away his Chapman?
Q. 15. May I dispraise another's Commodity, to draw the buyer to my own?
Q. 16. What to do in cases of doubtful equity?
Q. 17. What if the buyer lose the thing bought before the payment? (as, a Horse die, &c. )
Q. 18. If the thing bought (as Amber-Chryse, Jewels, &c. ) prove of much more worth than either party expected, must more be after paid?
Q. 19. What if the title prove bad which was before unknown?
Q. 20. If a change of powers overthrow a title speedily, who must bear the l • ss? p. 120
Tit. 4. Cases about Lending and B • rrowing.
Q 1. May one borrow money, who seeth no probability that he shall be able to repay it?
Q 2. May one drive a Trade with borrowed money, when success and repayment is uncertain?
Q. 3. May be that cannot pay his debts, retain anything for his food and raiment?
Q. 4. May one that breaketh, secure that to his Wife and Children, which on Marriage he promised, before he was in debt?
Q. 5. May one that breaketh retain somewhat to set up again, by compounding with his Creditors?
Q. 6. May I in necessity break my day of payment?
Q. 7. May I borrow of one to keep day with another?
Q. 8. May one that hath no probability of paying the last man, borrow of one to pay another?
Q. 9. Is it lawful to take pledges, pawns or mortgages for security?
Q. 10. May a fo • feiture, pledge or mortgage be kept, on Covenant breaking?
Q. 11. May I take the promise or bond of a third person as security for my money?
Q. 12. Is it lawful to lend upon usury, interest or increase?
Q. 13. Whom are we bound to lend to?
Q. 14. Is it lawful to take money on usury, in such cases as the Lender sinneth in?
Q 15. Doth not contracting for a certain sum make usury the more unlawful? p. 124
Tit. 5. Cases about Lusory Contracts.
Q. 1. Is it lawful to lay wagers about the truth of our discourses?
Q. 2. Is it lawful to lay wagers about Horse-races, Dogs, Hawks, &c.
Q. 3. May one give money to see Games or Activities, Bear-baitings, Plays, &c.
Q 4. Is it lawful to play for money at Cards, Dice, Lottery, &c.
Q. 5. Or at Games, of Activity, as Bowling, Shooting, Running, &c.
Q. 6. If the looser prove angry and unwilling to pay, may I get it of him by Law? p. 129
Tit. 6. Cases about losing and finding.
Q. 1. Must we seek out the loser to restore what we find?
Q. 2. May I take a reward as my due, for restoring what I found?
Q. 3. May I wish to find anything in my way, or be glad that I find it?
Q. 4. May I not keep it, if no owner be found.
Q. 5. If others be present when I find it, may I not conceal, or keep it to myself?
Q 6. Who must stand to the loss of goods trusted to another? p. 130
Tit. 7. Directions to Merchants, Factors, Travelers, Chaplains, that live among Heathens, Infidels or Papists? p. 131
Q. 1. Is it lawful to put ones self or servants, specially young unsettled Apprentices, into the temptations of an Infidel, or Popish Country, merely to get Riches as Merchants do? p. 131
Q. 2. May a Merchant or Ambassador leave his Wife, to live abroad? p. 132
Q. 3. Is it lawful for young Gentlemen to travail into other Kingdoms, as part of their education? The danger of Common Traveling. p. 133
Directions for all these Travelers in their abode abroad. p. 135

CHAP. XX.

Motives and Directions against Oppression. The sorts of it. The greatness of the sin of Oppression. The Cure. p. 137
Tit. 2. Cases about Oppression, especially of Tenants. p. 140
Q. 1. Is it lawful to buy land of a liberal Landlord, when the buyer must needs set it dearer than the S • l • er did?
Q. 2. May one take as much for his Land as it is worth?
Q. 3. May he raise his Rents?
Q. 4. How much below the full worth must a Landlord set his Land?
Q. 5. May not a Landlord that is in debt, or hath a payment to pay, raise his Rents to pay it?
Q. 6. If I cannot relieve the honest poor, without raising the Rent of Tenants that are worthy of less charity, may I do it?
Q. 7. May I penally raise a Tenants Rent, or turn him out, because he is a bad man?
Q. 8. May one take house or Land while another is in possession of it?
Q. 9. May a rich man put out his Tenants to lay the Lands to his own d • mesnes?
Q. 10. May one Tenant have divers Tenements?
Q. 11. May one have divers Trades?
Q. 12. Or keep shops in several Market Towns.

CHAP. XXI.

Cases and Directions about Prodigality and sinful waste.
What it is? p. 143. Ways of sinful waste.
Q. 1. Are all men bound to fare alike? Or what is excess?
Q. 2. What cost on visits and entertainments is lawful? (Whether the greatest good is still to be preferred?)
Q. 3. What is excess in buildings?
Q. 4. May we not in building, diet, &c. be at some charge for our Delight, as well as for Necessity?
Q. 5. When are Recreations too costly?
Q. 6. When is Apparel too costly?
Q. 7. When is Retinue, Furniture and other pomp too costly?
Q. 8. When is House-keeping too costly?
Q. 9. When are Children's Portions too great?
Q. 10. How far is frugality in small matters a duty?
Q. 11. Must all labor in a Calling?
Q. 12. May one desire to increase and grow rich?
Q. 13. Can one be prodigal in giving to the Church?
Q. 14. May one give too much to the poor?
Q. 15. May the Rich lay out on conveniences, pomp or pleasure, when multitudes are in deep necessities?
Directions against Prodigality. p. 143, &c.

CHAP. XXII.

Cases and Directions against injurious Law suits, witnessing and judgment. p. 148
Tit. 1. Cases of Conscience about Law suits and proceedings.
Q. 1. When is it Lawful to go to Law?
Q. 2. May I Sue a poor man for a Debt or Trespass?
Q. 3. May I Sue a Surety whose interest was not concerned in the debt?
Q. 4. May I Sue for the Use of Money?
Q. 5. May Law Suits be used to vex and humble an insolent bad man?
Q. 6. May a rich man use his friends and purse to bear down a poor man that hath a bad cause?
Q. 7. May one use such forms in Law Suits (Declarations, Answers, &c. ) as are false, according to the proper sense of the words?
Q. 8. May a guilty person plead Not guilty?
Q. 9. Is a man bound to accuse himself, and offer himself to justice?
Q. 10. May a witness voluntarily speak that truth, which he knoweth will be ill used?
Q. 11. May a witness conceal part of the truth?
Q. 12. Must a Judge or Jury proceed secundum allegata & probata, when they know the witness to be false or the Cause bad, but cannot evince it?
Tit 2. Directions against these sins. p. 150. The evil of unjust Suits. The evil of false witness. The evil of unjust judgments. The Cure. p. 150

CHAP. XXIII.

Cases of Conscience and Directions against backbiting, Slandering and Evil speaking. p. 152
Tit. 1. Q. 1. May we not speak evil of that which is evil?
Q. 2. May not the contrary be sinful silence and befriending men's sins?
Q. 3. What if Religious credible persons report it?
Q. 4. If I may not speak it, may I not believe them?
Q. 5. May we not speak ill of open persecutors or enemies of Godliness?
Q. 6. What if it be one whose reputation countenanceth his ill Cause, and his defamation would disable him?
Q. 7. If I may not make a true Narrative of matters of fact, how may we write true Histories for posterity?
Q. 8. What if it be one that hath been of • admonished?
Q. 9. Or one that I cannot speak to, face to face.
Q. 10. In what Cases may we open another's faults?
Q. 11. What if I hear men praise the wicked, or their sins?
Tit 2. Directions against back-biting, slandering and evil speaking. p. 154
Tit. 3. The great evil of these sins. p. 155

CHAP. XXIV.

Cases of, and Directions against Censoriousness, and sinful judging. p. 157
Tit. 1. Cases. Q. 1. Am I not bound to judge truly of everyone as he is?
Q. 2. How far may we judge ill of one by outward appearance, as face, gesture, &c.
Q. 3. How far may we censure on the report of others?
Q. 4. Doth not the fifth Command bind us to judge better of Parents and Princes than their lives declare them to be?
Q. 5. Whom must we judge sincere and holy Christians?
Q. 6. Is it not a sin to err, and take a man for better than he is?
Q. 7. Whom must I take for a visible Church member?
Q. 8. Whom must I judge a true Worshipper of God?
Q. 9. Which must I take for a true Church?
Q. 10. Whom must we judge true Prophets, and true Pastors of the Church? p. 157
Tit. 2. Directions for the Cure of sinful Censoriousness. p. 159
Tit. 3. The evil of the sin of Censoriousness. p. 160
Tit. 4. Directions for those that are rashly censured by others? p. 162

CHAP. XXV.

Cases and Directions about Trusts and Secrets? p. 163
Tit. 3. The Cases. Q. 1. How must we not put our Trust in man?
Q. 2. Whom to choose for a Trust?
Q. 3. When may I commit a secret to another?
Q. 4. Must I keep a secret when I am trusted with it, but promise it not?
Q. 5. What if a secret be revealed to me, without desire to conceal it?
Q. 6. What if it be against the King or State?
Q. 7. What if it be against the good of a third person?
Q. 8. What if a man in Debt do trust his Estate with me to defraud his Creditors?
Q. 9. What if a delinquent intrust his Person or Estate with me to secure it from penalty?
Q. 10. What if a friend entrust his Estate with me, to secure it from some great Taxes to the King?
Q. 11. What if a man that suffereth for Religion commit his person or Estate to my trust?
Q. 12. If a Papist or erroneous person entrust me to Educate his Children in his error when he is dead, I being of his mind, must I perform it when I am better informed?
Q. 13. What if one turn Papist, &c. after another hath committed his Children to him?
Q. 14. Must I wrong my Estate to satisfy a dying friend in taking a trust?
Q. 15. What if after, the trust prove more to my hurt than I could foresee?
Q. 16. What if he cast the trust on me, without my promise to accept it?
Q 17. May I not ease myself of a trust of Orphans, by casting it on the surviving kindred, if they calumniate me as unfaithful?
Tit. 2. Directions about Trusts and Secrets? p. 166

CHAP. XXVI.

Directions against SELFISHNESS as it is contrary to the love of our Neighbor. The nature and evil of the sin; and the Cure. ibid.

CHAP. XXVII.

Cases and Directions for Loving our Neighbors as ourselves. p. 168
Tit. 1. The Cases. Q 1. How must I Love another as myself, in degree, or kind, or only reality?
Q. 2. What is the true nature of Love to myself and others?
Q. 3. If none must be Loved above their worth, how doth God love sinners?
Q. 4. Must I love all in degree as much as myself?
Q. 5. Must I love anymore than myself?
Q. 6. Must I love other men's Wife, Children, &c. better than my own, when they are better?
Q. 7. Who is that Neighbor whom I must love as myself?
Q. 8. Must we Love and pray for Antichrist, and those that sin against the Holy Ghost?
Q. 9. Must we not hate God's enemies?
Q. 10. May I not wish hurt to another more than to myself? p. 168
Tit. 2. Directions to Love our Neighbors as ourselves. p. 171
Tit. 3. The Reasons and Motives of Love to our Neighbor. ibid.

CHAP. XXVIII.

Cases of and Directions for the Love of Godly persons as such. p. 173
Tit. The Cases. Q. 1. How can we love the Godly, when none can know another to be sincere?
Q. 2. Must we Love them as Godly that give no account of the time, manner, or means of their Conversion?
Q. 3. What if they are so ignorant that they know not what faith, repentance, conversion, &c. are?
Q. 4. Must I take the Visible members of the Church for truly Godly?
Q. 5. Must we take all visible members equally to be Godly and Lovely?
Q. 6. Must we love all equally, strong and weak, that seem sincere?
Q. 7. Must we love those better that have much grace and little useful gifts, or those that have less grace and more profitable gifts for the Church?
Q. 8. Must we love him as Godly who liveth in any heinous sin?
Q. 9. Must an Excommunicate person be Loved as Godly, or not?
Q. 10. Can an unsanctified man truly Love a Godly man?
Q. 11. Can he love him because he is Godly?
Q. 12. May he love a Godly man because he would make him Godly?
Q. 13. Doth any such love the Godly more than others?
Q. 14. Do all true Christians love all the Godly that wrong them, or differ from them?
Q. 15. What is that love of the Godly which proveth our sincerity, and which no Hypocrite can reach to?
Tit. 2. Directions for true Loving the Children of God. p. 176
Tit. 3. Motives or Meditative helps to Love the Godly? p. 177
Tit. 4. The hind • rances and enemies of Christian Lo •• . p. 178
Tit. 5. The Counterfeits of Christian Love. p. 179
Tit. 6. • ases and Directions for Intimate special friends. p. 180
Q. 1. Is it lawful to have an earnest desire to be loved by others: Especially by someone above all others?
Q. 2. Is it lawful, meet or desirable, to entertain that extraordinary affection to any, which is called sp • cial Friendship? or to have one endeared intimate friend, whom we prefer before all others?
Q. 3. Is it meet to have more bosom friends than • e?
Q. 4. Is it meet for him to choose any other bosom friend, that hath a pious Wife? and is any so fit for this friendship as a Wife?
Q. 5. Is it meet to Love a friend for our own commodity? Must I or my friend be the chief end of my Love or friendship?
Q. 6. May we keep any secret from such a friend? or have any suspicion of him, or suppose that he may prove unfaithful?
Q. 7. May we change an old bosom friend for a n • w one?
Q. 8. What Love is due to a Minister that hath been the means of my Conversion?
Q. 9. What is the sin and danger of Loving another too much?
Q. 10. What must be the Qualifications of a bosom friend?
Twenty things necessary to such friendship; so rare as prove it rare:
Directions for the right use of special friendship. p. 184

CHAP. XXIX.

Cases and Directions for Loving Enemies and doing them good (beside what is said before Chap. 9. of forgiving them.) p. 189
Tit. 1. Q. 1. Whom must I account and Love as an Enemy.
Q. 2. Why and how must an Enemy be loved?
Q. 3. Must I d • sire God to forgive him while he repenteth not?
Q. 4. What if he be my Enemy for Religion, and so an Enemy to God?
Q. 5. What if my benefits enable and embolden him to do hurt?
Q. 6. May I not hurt an Enemy in my own Defense, and wish him as much hurt as I may do him?
Q. 7. Must Kings and States Love their Enemies? How then shall they make Wa • ?
Tit. 2. Motives to Love and do good to Enemies? p. 187
Tit. 3. Directions for the practice. p. 188

CHAP. XXX.

Cases and Directions about works of Charity. p. 189
Tit. 1. The Cases. Q. 1. What are the Grounds and Motives of good works?
Q. 2. What is a good work which God hath promised to reward?
Q. 3. What particular good works should one choose at this time, that would best improve his masters stock?
Q. 4. In what order must we do good works, and who must be preferred?
Q. 5. Is it better to give in life time or at death?
Q. 6. and 7. Must we devote a certain proportion of our incomes? and what proportion? A Letter to Mr. Gouge on that question. p. • 92
Tit. 2. Directions for works of Charity (besides those Tom. 1. Ch. 3. ) p. 199

CHAP. XXXI.

Cases and Directions about Confessing sins and injuries to others. Tit. 1. The Cases. p. 201
Q. 1. When must we confess wrongs to those that we have wronged?
Q. 2. What will excuse us from such Confessions?
Q. 3. Must I confess a purpose of injury which was never executed?
Q. 4. When must sins against God be confessed to men?
Tit. 2. The Directions for just confessing sin to others. p. 202

CHAP. XXXII.

Cases and Directions about satisfaction and Restitution. p. 203
Tit. 1. The Cases. Q. 1. What is Satisfaction, what Restitution, and when a duty? Q. Why did they restore fourfold by the Law of Moses?
Q. 2. How far is Satisfaction and Restitution necessary?
Q. 3. Who are bound to make it?
Q. 4. To whom must it be made?
Q. 5. What Restitution is to be made for dishonoring Rulers or Parents?
Q. 6▪ How must Satisfaction be made for Slanders and Lyes?
Q. 7. And for tempting others to sin, and hurting their souls?
Q. 8. And for Murder or Man-slaughter?
Q. 9. I • a Murderer bound to offer himself to justice?
Q. 10. Or to do execution on himself?
Q. 11. What Satisfaction is to be made by a Fornicator or Adulterer?
Q. 12. In what cases is a man excused from Satisfaction and Restitution?
Q. 13. What if Restitution will cost the Restorer more than the thing is worth?
Q. 14. What if confessing a fault will turn the rage of the injured person against me to my ruin? p. 203
Tit. 2. The Directions for Practice. p. 206

CHAP. XXXIII.

Cases and Directions about our obtaining pardon from God. p. 206
Tit. 1. The Cases. Q 1. Is there Pardon to be had for all sin without exception?
Q. 2. What if one oft commit the same heinous sin?
Q. 3. Is the day of Grace and Pardon ever past in this life?
Q. 4. May we be sure that we are pardoned?
Q. 5. Can any man pardon sins against God, and how far?
Q. 6. Is sin forgiven before it be committed?
Q. 7. Are the Elect Pardoned and Justified before Repentance?
Q. 8. Is Pardon or Justification perfect before Death?
Q. 9. Is our pardon perfect as to all sins past?
Q. 10. May Pardon or Justification be lost or reversed?
Q. 11. Is the pardon of my own sin to be Believed • ide Divina? and is it the meaning of that Article of the Creed?
Q. 12. May one in any kind Trust to his own Faith and Repentance for his Pardon?
Q. 13. What are the Causes and Conditions of Pardon? p. 208
Tit. 2. Directions for obtaining Pardon from God? p. 209

CHAP. XXXIV.

Cases and Directions about self-judging. p. 210
Tit. 1. The Cases. Q. 1. What are the Reasons, Uses and Motives of Self-judging?
Q. 2. What should ignorant persons do whose capacity will not reach to so high a work as true self-examination and self-judging?
Q. 3. How far may a weak Christian take the judgment of his Pastor or others about his sincerity and justification?
Tit. 2. Directions for judging of our Actions. p. 211
Tit. 3. Directions for judging of our estates, to know whether we are Justified and in a state of life? p. 212, &c

THE CONTENTS OF THE First TOME: Christian Ethics.

The Introduction. page 1, 2.

CHAP. I.

D Irections to Unconverted graceless sinners for the attainment of saving Grace: §. 1. What is presupposed in the Reader of these Directions. p. 3
Containing Reasons against Atheism and Ungodliness. §. 2 Twenty Directions. p. 6
§. 3. Thirty Temptations by which Satan hindereth men's conversion. p. 26
Ten Temptations by which he would persuade men that their heinous mortal sins which prove them unconverted, are but the pardoned infirmities of the penitent. p. 33

CHAP. II.

Directions to weak Christians for their establishment and growth. p. 36
Direct. 1. Against receiving Religion merely for the Novelty or Reputation of it. ibid.
Direct. 2. Let Judgment, Zeal and Practice go equally together. p. 38
Direct. 3. Keep a short Method of Divinity, or a Catechism, still in your memory. p. 39
Direct. 4. Certain Cautions about Controversies in Religion: Heb. 6. 1. opened. p. 40
Direct. 5. Think not too highly of your first degrees of Grace or Gifts. Time and diligence are necessary to growth. How the Spirit doth illuminate. The danger of this sin. p 41
Direct. 6. Let neither difficulties nor oppositions in the beginning discourage you. Reasons. p. 43
Direct. 7. Value and use a Powerful faithful Mininistry. Reasons: Objections answered. p. 45
Direct. 8. For Charity, Unity and Catholicism, against Schism: Pretences for Schism confuted. p. 47
Direct. 9. Let not sufferings make you sin, by passion, or dishonoring authority. p. 49
Direct. 10. Take heed of running from one extreme into another. p. 50
Direct. 11. Be not too confident in your first apprehensions or opinions, but modestly suspicious of them. p. 51
Direct. 12. What to do when Controversies divide the Church. Of silencing truth. p. 52
Direct. 13. What Godliness is: The best life on earth. How Satan would make it seem troublesome and ungrateful, 1. By difficulties. 2. By various Sects. 3. By scrupulosity. 4. By your overdoing in your own inventions. 5. By perplexing fears and sorrows. 6. By unmortified lusts. 7. By actual si • s. 8. By ignorance of the Covenant of grace. p. 54
Direct. 14. Mortify the flesh, and rule the senses, and the appetite. p. 57
Direct. 15. Be wary in choosing not only your Teachers, but your Company also. Their Characters. p. 58
Direct. 16. What Books to prefer and read, and what to reject. P. 60
Direct. 17. Take not a Doctrine of Libertinism for Free Grace. p. 61
Direct. 18. Take heed l • st Grace degenerate, into Counterfeits, formality, &c. p. 63
Direct. 19. Reckon not on prosperity or long life, but live as dying. p. 65
Direct. 20. See that your Religion be purely Divine: That God be your First and Last and All: Man nothing. p. 66

CHAP. III.

The General Grand Directions for walking with God, in a life of faith and Holiness; Containing the Essentials of Godliness and Christianity. p. 69
Gr. Dir. 1. Understand well the Nature, Grounds, Reason and Order of Faith and Godliness: Propositions opening somewhat of them. The Reader must note, that here I blotted out the Method and Helps of Faith, having fullier opened them in a Treatise called The Reasons of the Christian Religion, and another of the Unreasonableness of Infidelity.
Gr. Dir. 2. How to live by Faith on Christ. How to make Use of Christ, in twenty necessities. p. 72
Gr. Dir. 3. How to Believe in the Holy Ghost, and live by his Grace. His Witness, Seal, Earnest, &c. Q. When good effects are from Means, from our Endeavor, and when from the Spirit? p. 77, 78
Gr. Dir. 4. For a True, Orderly and Practical Knowledge of God: A Scheme of his Attributes. p. 81, 82
Gr. Dir. 5. Of self resignation to God as our Owner: Motives, Marks, Means. p. 83
Gr. Dir. 6. Of subjection to God as our Sovereign King. What it is? How to bring the soul into subjection to God: How to keep up a Ready and Constant Obedience to him. p. 85
Gr. Dir. 7. To Learn of Christ as our Teacher: How? The Imitation of Christ. p. 90
Gr. Dr. 8. To obey Christ our Physician or Savior in his Repairing, healing work. p. 95
How each faculty is diseased or depraved? The Intellect: its acts and maladies: The Wi •• : Q. Whether the Locomotive and sense can move us to sin without the Consent of the Will ( • r Reason) upon its bare Omission? The sin of the Memory, Imagination, affections, sensitive appetite, exterior parts, which need a Cure. Forty intrinsical evils in sin which make up its Malignity. The common Aggravations of sin: Special aggravations of the sins of the Regenerate. Directions to get a hatred of sin: How to cure it. p. 95
Gr. Dir. 9. Of the Christian Warfare under Christ: Who are our Enemies: Of the Devil: The state of the Armies, and of the War between Christ and Satan. The ends, grounds, advantages, auxiliaries, instruments and methods of the Tempter. p. 104
How Satan keepeth off the forces of Christ, and frustrateth all means. Christ's contrary Methods. p. 109
Tit. 2. Temptations to particular sins, with Directions for preservation and Remedy. 1. How Satan prepareth his baits of Temptation. p. 111
2. How he applieth them. p. 114
Tit. 3. Temptations to draw us off from duty. p. 124
Tit. 4. Temptations to frustrate holy duties. p. 126
Gr. Dir. 10. How to work as servants to Christ our Lord. The true doctrine of Good Works. p. 128
Directions for our serving Christ in well doing, p. 130. Where are many Rules to know what are good works, and how to do them acceptably and successfully.
Q. Is doing good, or avoiding sin to be most looked at in the choice of a Calling or Employment of life? p. 133
Q. May one change his Calling for advantages to do good?
Q. Who are excused from living in a Calling, or from Work? p. 124
Q. Must I do a thing as a Good work, while I doubt, whether it be good, indifferent, or sin? p. 134▪
Q. Is it not every man's duty to obey his Conscience? p. 135
Q. Is it not a sin to go against Conscience?
Q. Whether the formal cause alone do constitute obedience?
Q. How sin must be avoided by one that hath an erroneous conscience?
Q. How can a man lawfully resist or strive against an erring conscience, when he striveth against a supposed truth?
Q Is not going against conscience, sinning against Knowledge? p. 136
Q. When the information of conscience requireth a long time, is it not a duty to obey it at the present?
Q. May one do a Great Good when it cannot be done but by a Little sin (as a Lye)?
Q Must I not forbear all Good Works, which I cannot do without sin?
Q Must I forbear a certain great duty (as preaching the Gospel) for fear of a small uncertain sin?
Q. What shall a man do that is in doubt after all the means that he can use? p. 137
Sixteen Rules to guide a doubting conscience, and to know among many seeming duties, which is the greatest, and to be preferred, p. 137
Gr. Dir. 11. To LOVE GOD as our Father and Felicity and End. The Nature of holy Love. God must be Loved as the Universal Infinite Good: Whether Passionately? What of God must be loved? p. 141
What must be the Motive of our first Love? Whether God's special Love to us? The sorts of holy Love? Why Love is the highest Grace? p. 143
The Contraries of holy Love. How God is Hated? The Counterfeits of Love. p. 144
Directions how to excite and exercise Divine Love. ibid.
How to see God: Signs of true Love. p 154
Gr. Dir. 12. Absolutely to Trust God with Soul, Body and all, with full acqui • scence: The Nature of Trust (of which see more in my Life of Faith, and Disp. of Saving Faith. ) p. 157. The Contraries: The Counterfeits: Q. Of a particular faith? The Uses of Trust. p. 158. Fifteen Directions for a quieting and comforting Trust in God. p. 158
Gr. Dir. 13. That the temperament of our Religion may be a DELIGHT in God and Holiness. Twenty Directions to procure it: with the Reasons of it. 162
Gr. Dir. 14. Of THANKFULNESS to God our grand Benefactor. The signs of it. Eighteen Directions how to obtain and exercise it. 167, &c.
Gr. Dir. 15. For GLORIFYING God. Ten Directions how the Mind must Glorify God. Ten Directions for Praising God, or Glorifying him with our Tongues. Where are the Reasons for Praising God. Twelve Directions, for Glorifying God by our Lives. p. 172
Gr. Dir. 16. For Heavenly mindedness; and
Gr. Dir. 17. For Self-denial: Only named, as being formerly written of at large. p. 180
An Appendix of the Reasons and measure of Divine and Self-love. p. 182

CHAP. IV.

Subordinate Directions, against the Great sins most directly contrary to Godliness.
Part 1. Directions against Unbelief. Q. Whether it be Unbelief not to believe that our own sins are pardoned, and we elected? Can a man be surer that he believeth, than he is that the thing believed is true? The Article of Remission of sin is to be believed applyingly, p. 196. Thirty six Dir. or helps against Unbelief.
Q. Why the Prophets were to be believed?
Part 2. Directions against Hardness of Heart. What it is. The evil and danger of it. p. 204
Part 3. Directions against Hypocrisy. What it is, and who are Hypocrites. The Helps. p. 210
Part 4. Directions against Inordinate Man-pleasing, or Idolizing man, or that over-valuing man's favor which is the fruit of Pride and Cause of Hypocrisy. What the sin is, and is not. The difficulty of Man-pleasing. Pleasing God is our business and End. The Motives to it. The signs of it. p. 218, &c.
Part 5. Directions against Pride and for Humility. What they are. The Inward seemings of Pride that are not Pride. The Outward seemings of Pride that are not it, p. 229. The Counterfeits of Humility, p. 232. Signs of the worst part of Pride, against God. p. 232. Signs of the next degrees of Pride against God. p. 235. Signs of Pride in and about Religious duties. p. 237. Signs of Pride in common converse. p. 239. The dreadful consequents of Pride. A summary of the signs of Humility. p. 247 Many considerations and helps against pride.
Part 6. Directions against Covetousness, Love of Riches and Worldly Cares. p. 254. What Love of Riches is lawful? what unlawful? and what is Covetousness? The malignity of it? The signs of it. Counterfeits or false signs of one not Covetous, which deceive many. False signs or appearances of Covetousness, that cause many to be falsely accused. Means to destroy it.
Part 7. Directions against the master sin, Sensuality, Fleshpleasing, or Voluptuousness. p. 264.
The nature of Flesh-pleasing. What meant by Flesh? and what is man's Corruption. What flesh-pleasing is unlawful, and how far a sin. The malignity of the sin. The Plea or Excuses of Flesh-pleasers, answered. Counterfeits of Mortification or temperance, which deceive many flesh-pleasers. Seemings of sensuality which are not it. The enmity of the flesh. p. 264

CHAP. V.

Further subordinate Directions for the next great duties of Religion, necessary to the right performance of the Grand Duties. p. 274. and first, Directions for Redeeming or well improving Time. What is time here, and what are Opportunities? What Redeeming it is? To what uses, and from what, and by what, Time must be Redeemed. Directions Contemplative, for improving Time. p. 276. Directions contemplative for taking the due season, p 283. Directions Practical for Improving Time, p. 285. Rules to know what Time must he spent in. Thieves or Time-wasters to be watched against, p. 288. 1. Sloth, 2. Excess of sleep; 3. Inordinate adorning of the body: 4. Pomp and Curiosity in attendance, house, furniture, provision, entertainments, Complement and servitude to the humor of Time-wasters. 5. Needless Feasting, gluttony and tippling. 6. Idle talk. 7. Vain and sinful company. 8. Pastimes, inordinate Recreations, sports, plays. 9. Excess of worldly business and cares. 10. Vain and sinful Thoughts. 11. Reading vain books, Romances, Play books, &c. and vain studies. 12. An ungodly heart which doth all things for a carnal end. Eight sorts especially called to Redeem Time.

CHAP. VI.

Directions for the Government of the Thoughts. p. 294
Tit. 1. Directions against evil and idle Thoughts. ibid.
Tit. 2. Directions to furnish the Mind with good Thoughts. Twenty great Subjects or Promptuaries affording abundant matter for Meditation. p. 298
Tit. 3. Directions to make Good Thoughts Effectual. 1. General Directions for Meditation or good Thoughts, p. 304. 2. Particular Directions about the work of Meditation. p. 306
Tit. 4. The difference between a contemplative and an Active Life. Q. 1. What is a contemplative life? Q. 2. Is every man bound to it? Q. 3. Whose duty is it? Q. 4. How far are all men bound to contemplation? Answered in twelve Rules. p. 309
Tit. 5. Directions to the Melancholy about their Thoughts. Signs of Melancholy. The Causes. Directions for cure. Special truths to be known for preventing causeless troubles, &c. p. 312, &c.
Tit. 6. Twenty Directions for young Students for the most profitable ordering of their studying Thoughts, p. 319. Twenty Instances of extremes to be avoided. p. 323

CHAP. VII.

Directions for the Government of the Passions.
Tit. 1. Directions against all sinful Passions in general. p. 327
Tit. 2. Directions against sinful Love of Creatures. 1. Helps to discover sinful Love. 2. Helps to m • rtisie sinful Love. p. 329
Tit. 3. Directions against sinful Desires and Discontents. p. 332
Tit. 4. Directions against sinful mirth and pleasure. p. 335
Tit. 5. Directions against sinful Hopes. p. 338
Tit. 6. Directions against sinful Hatred, aversation or backwardness towards God and Godliness. p. 339
Tit. 7. Directions against sinful Anger. 1. Directions Meditative against it, p. 341. Two Directions practical against it. p. 342
Tit. 8. Directions against sinful fear, 1. Of God. p. 344. 2. Against sinful fear of the Devil, p. 345. 3. Against the sinful fear of men, and of sufferings by them. p. 346
Tit 9. Directions against sinful Grief and trouble of mind. When sinful— p. 351
Tit. 10. Directions against sinful • espair (and doubting). What it is. When the day of Grace is past. What sin is mortal and what is Infirmity, &c. p. 355, &c.

CHAP. VIII.

Directions for the Government of the senses.
Part 1. General Directions to Govern them all by faith, p. 361. Deny not all our senses as the Papists. p. 363
Part 2. Particular Directions for the Government of the Eyes. p. 366
Part 3. Directions for the Government of the Ear. p. 368
Part 4. Directions for the Governing the Taste and Appetite. p. 370
Tit. 1. Directions against Gluttony, 1. What it is. 2. What are its Causes: 3. The greatness of the sin. 4. Directions and Helps against it. Rules for the Measure of Eating.
Tit. 2. Against excess of Drink, and drunkenness. 1. What it is, The various degrees. 2. The Causes. 3. The greatness of the sin. 4. The Excuses of it. Q. May we drink when thirsty, &c. Q. May one drink healths? 5. Twenty Questions for the conviction of drunkards. Twelve Questions to prove that it's their willfulness and not mere disability to forbear. Practical Directions against Tipling, &c. p. 381
Part 5. Tit. 1. Directions against Fornication and all uncleanness: The Greatness of the sin; Directions for the Cure. p. 394, &c.
Tit 2. Directions against Inward filthy Lusts. p. 400
Part 6. Directions against sinful excess of sleep. 1. What is e • c • ss. 2 The Evil of it. Q. Whether Love of sleep may be a mortal s • n. The Cure. p. 404
Part 7. Directions against sinful D • eams. p. 407

CHAP. IX.

Directions for the Government of the Tongue. p. 408
Tit. 1. The General Directions. The moment of it. The Duties of the Tongue. Thirty Tongue sins. The Cure. p. 408, &c.
Tit. 2. Directions against profane swearing, and using God's name unreverently and in Vain. p. 414 What is an Oath. What is a lawful Oath. How far the Swearers Intent is necessary to the being of an Oath. How far swearing by Creatures is a sin. Q. Is it Lawful to l • y the hand on the Book and kiss it in taking an Oath? p. 416. Q. Is it lawful to give another such an Oath or worse? When God's name is taken in vain. The greatness of the sin. The Cure.
Tit. 3. Directions against Lying and dissembling. p 421. What Truth is? How far we are bound to speak truth. Q. Whether to everyone that asketh us? Q. 2. Or to everyone that I answer to? Q. 3. Are we bound ever to speak the whole Truth? Q. 4. Is all L • gical f • lshood a sin, (that is, to speak disagreeably to the Matter.) Q 5. Or to speak contrary to our minds? Q 6. Is it a sin when we speak not a known untruth, nor with a ••••• se to deceive? Q 7. Or is this a Lye? Q. 8. Must our words be ever true in the proper literal sense? Q 9. Must I speak in the common sense, or in the Hearers sense? Q. 10. Is it lawful to deceive another by true words? Q. 11. Doth Lying c • ns •••• in Deceiving, or in speaking falsely as to the Matter, • r in speaking contrary to our minds? What a Lye is? How sin is Voluntary? The Intrinsical Evil of Lying. The Cure. ad p. 428
Q. 1. Is often Lying a certain sign of a graceless state? Where the question is again fully resolved (because it is of great importance), What sin is Mortal, and what is Mortified?
Q. 2. Is it not contrary to the light of nature to suffer, e. g. a Parent, a King, myself, my Country rather to be destroyed than to save them by a harmless lie? The case of the Midwives in Egypt and of Rahab opened.
Q. 3. Is deceit by Action lawful▪ which seemeth a Practical Lye? And how shall we interpret Christ's making as if he would have gone further, Luk. 24. 28. and D • vid's feigning himself mad, and common stratagems in War, and doing things purposely to deceive another?
Q. 4. Is it lawful to tempt a Child or Servant to Lye, merely to try them?
Q. 5. Is all equivocation unlawful?
Q. 6. Is all mental reservation unlawful?
Q 7. May Children, Servants or Subjects in danger use words which tend to hide their faults?
Q. 8. May I speak that which I think is true, but am n • t sure?
Q 9. May I believe or speak that of another by way of news, discourse, character, which I hear reported by Godly credible persons, or by many. ad p. 430
Tit. 4. Directions against Idle talk and ba • ling. What is not Idle talk: and what is. The sorts of it. The greatness of the sin, in general, and the special aggravations. The Cure. Who must most carefully watch against this sin. p. 431
Tit. 5. Directions against filthy ribbald, seurril us talk. p. 437
Tit. 6. Directions against profane deriding, s •• rning or opposing Godliness. p. 438. What the sin is? The greatness of it, and •••• tish impudence, and terrible consequents. The Cure.

CHAP. X.

Directions for the Government of the Body.
Part 1. Direction about our Labor and Callings. p. 447
Tit. 1. Directions for the right choice of our Labors or Callings. Q 1. Is Labor necessary to all? Q. 2. What Labor is necessary? Q. 3. Will Religion excuse us from Labor? Q. 4. Will Riches excuse us? Q. 5. Why Labor is necessary. The good of it. Q. May a man have a Calling consisting of various uncertain works? Q. 2. May one have divers Trades or Callings at once? Directions. p. 447
Tit. 2. Directions against Sloth and Idleness. What it is, and what not. The aggravations of it. The Signs of Sloth. The Greatness of the sin: Who should be most careful to avoid it. p. 451
Tit. 3. Directions against Sloth and Laziness in things spiritual, and for Zeal and Diligence. The kinds of false Zeal. The mischiefs of false Zeal. The Signs of holy Zeal. The excellency of Zeal and Diligence. Motives to excite us to it. Other helps. p. 456
Part 2. Directions against sin in Sports and Recreations. p. 460. What Lawful Recreation is: Eighteen necessary qualifications of it: or eighteen sorts of sinful recreation. Q. Must all wicked men forbear recreations? Q. What to judge of Stageplayes, Gaming, Cards, Dice, &c. The evil of them opened. Twelve convincing Questions to them that use or plead for such pastimes. Seven more Considerations for vain and sportful Youths. Further Directions in the use of Recreations.
Part 3. Directions about Apparel, and against the sin therein committed. Q. 1. May pride of Gravity and Holiness be seen in apparel? Q. 2. How else it appeareth. Q. 3. May not a deformity be bid by Apparel or painting? Q. 4. May we follow the fashions? Further Directions ad p. 465, &c.

TOME II. Christian Economics.

CHAP. I.

DIrections about Marriage for Choice and Contract. p 475
Whether Marriage be indifferent? Who are called to marry: Who may not marry? Q. What if Parents command it to one that it will be a hurt to? Q. What if I have a corporal necessity, when yet marriage is like to be a great incommodity to my soul? Of Parents prohibition. Q. What if Parents forbid marriage to one that cannot live chastely without it? or when affections are unconquerable? Q. What if the child have promised marriage, and the Parents be against it? Of the sense of Numb. 30. How far such promise must be kept Q. What if the Parties be actually married without Parents consent? Q. May the aged marry that are frigid, impotent, sterile? The incommodities of a married life to be considered by them that need restraint. Especially to Ministers. p. 482. Further Directions. How to cure lustful Love. Several Cases about marrying with an ungodly person.
Q. 1. What Rule to follow about prohibited degrees of Consanguinity? Whether the Law of Moses, or of Nature, or the Laws of the Land, or Church, &c. p. 486
Q. 2. What to do if the Law of the Land forbid more degrees than Moses Law. p. 487
Q. 3. Of the Marriage of Cousin Germans, before band.
Q. 4. What such should do after they are married.
Q 5. What must they after do that are married in the degrees not forbidden by name, Lev. 18. and yet of the same nearness and reason.
Q. 6. If they marry in a degree forbidden, Lev. 18. may not necessity make it lawful to continue it, as it made lawful the marriage of Adams Sons and Daughters.
Q. 7. Whether a Vow of Chastity or Celibate may be broken, and in what cases. p. 488

CHAP. II.

Directions for the choice of 1. Servants, 2. Masters. p. 490

CHAP. III.

Dispute. Whether the solemn Worship of God in and by families as such, be of Divine appointment? Aff. proved against the Cavils of the profane, and some Sectaries. p. 493. What solemn Worship is. What a family. Proof as to Worship in general: Family-advantages for Worship. The Natural obligation on families to worship God. Families must be sanctified societies. Instructing families is a duty. Family discipline is a duty. Solemn prayer and pr • ise is a family duty. Objections answered. Of the frequency and seasons of family worship. 1. Whether it should be every day, 2. Whether twice a day, 3. Whether Morning and evening.

CHAP. IV.

General Directions for the holy Government of famili 〈…〉 How to keep up Authority. Of skill in Governing. Of holy Willingness. p. 509

CHAP. V.

Special Motives to persuade men to the holy Government of their families, p. 512

CHAP. VI.

Motives for a holy and careful Education of Children. p. 515

CHAP. VII.

The Mutual Duties of Husbands and Wives towards each other. p. 520. How to maintain due Conjugal Love: Of Adultery. Motives and Means against dissention. Motives and means to further each others salvation. Further duties.

CHAP. VIII.

The special duties of Husbands to their Wives. p. 529

CHAP. IX.

The special duty of Wives to their Husbands. p. 531 Q. How far may a Wife give, without her Husbands Consent. Q. Of Wives propriety. Q Is a Wife guilty of her Husbands unlawful getting if she keep it: And is she bound to reveal it, (as in robbing)? Q. May a Wife go hear Sermons when her Husband forbiddeth her? Q. Must a woman proceed to admonish a wicked Husband when it maketh him worse. Q. What she must do in Controverted Cases of Religion, when her judgment and her Husbands differ. p. 534. Q. How long, or in what Cases may Husbands and Wives be distant. p. 535. Q. May the bare Commands of Princes separate Husbands and Wives, (as Ministers, Judges, Soldiers). Q. May Ministers leave their Wives to go abroad to preach the Gospel. Q. May one leave a Wife to save his life in case of personal persecution or danger? Q. May Husband and Wife part by consent, if they find it to be for the good of both? Q. May they consent to be divorced, and to marry others? Q. Doth Adultery dissolve marriage. Q. Is the injured person bound to divorce the other, or left free? Q. Is it the proper privilege of the man to put away an adulterous Wife, or is it also in the woman's power to depart from an adulterous Husband? Q. May there be putting away, or departing without the Magistrates divorce or license? Q. Is not Sodomy, and Buggery as lawful a reason of divorce as Adultery. Q. What if both parties be adulterous? Q. What if one purposely commit adultery to be separated from the other: Q. Doth Infidelity dissolve the relation? Q. Doth the desertion of one party disoblige the other? Q. Must a woman follow a malignant Husband that goeth from the Means of Grace? Q. Must she follow him, if it be but to poverty or beggary? Q. What to do in case of known intention of one to murder the other? Q. Or if there be a fixed hatred of each other? Q What if a man will not suffer his Wife to hear, read or pray: or do beat her so, as to unfit her for duty: or a woman will rail at the Husband in prayer time, &c. Q. What to do in danger of life by the Pox or Leprosy, &c. Q Who may marry after parting or divorce. p. 539. Q Is it lawful to suffer, yea, or contribute to the known sin materially of Wife, Child, Servant, or other relations: Where is opened what is in our Power to do against sin, and what not. p. 539. Q. If a Gentleman have a great Estate by which he may do much good, and his Wife be so Proud, Prodigal and peevish, that if she may not waste it all in house keeping and pride, she will die or grow mad, or give him no quietness, What is his duty in so sad a case. p. 542

CHAP. X.

The Duties of Parents for their Children. Where are twenty special Directions for their Education. p. 543

CHAP. XI.

The Duties of Children towards their Parents. p. 547

CHAP. XII.

The special Duties of Children and Youth towards God. p. 552

CHAP. XIII.

The Duties of Servants to their Masters. p. 554

CHAP. XIV.

Tit. 1. The Duty of Masters towards their Servants. p. 556
Tit. 2. The Duty of Masters to Slaves in the Plantations. p. 557
Q. 1. Is it lawful for a Christian to buy and use a man as a Slave?
Q. 2. Is it lawful to use a Christian as a Slave? p. 558
Q. 3. What difference must we make between a Servant and a Slave?
Q. 4. What if men buy Negro's or other Slaves of such as we may think did steal them, or buy them of Robbers and Tyrants, and not by Consent? p. 559
Q. 5. May I not sell such again and make my money of them?
Q. 6. May I not return them to him that I bought them of?

CHAP. XV.

The Duties of Children and fellow servants to one another. p. 561

CHAP. XVI.

Directions for holy Conference of fellow servants and others. p. 562
Q. May we speak good when the Heart is not affected with it? Q. Is that the fruit of the Spirit which we force our tongues to?

CHAP. XVII.

Directions for every member of the family how to spend every (ordinary) day of the Week. p. 565

CHAP. XVIII.

Directions for the holy spending of the Lord's Day in families. Whether the whole day should be kept holy? p. 569
Tit. 2. More particular Directions for the Order of holy duties on that day. p. 572

CHAP. XIX.

Directions for profitable Hearing God's Word preached. p. 573
Tit. 2. Directions for Remembering what you Hear. p. 575
Tit. 3. Directions for Holy Resolutions and Affections in hearing. p. 576
Tit. 4. Directions to bring what we hear into practice. p. 577

CHAP. XX.

Directions for profitable Reading the holy Scriptures. p. 579

CHAP. XXI.

Directions for Reading other Books. p. 580

CHAP. XXII.

Directions for right Teaching Children and Servants so as is most likely to have success. The sum of Christian Religion. p. 582

CHAP. XXIII.

Directions for Prayer in general. p 587
A Scheme or brief Explication of the Exact Method of the Lord's Prayer. p. 590
Tit. 2. Cases about Prayer. p. 591. Q. 1. Is the Lord's Prayer to be used as a form of words, or only as a Directory for Matter and Method? Q. 2. What need is there of any other prayer, if this he perfect? Q. 3. Is it lawful to pray in a set form of words? Q. 4. Are those forms lawful which are prescribed by man, and not by God? Q 5 Is free praying, called extemporate, lawful? Q. 6. Which is the better? Q. 7. Must we ever follow the Method of the Lord's Prayer? Q. 8. Must we pray only when the Spirit moveth us, or as Reason guideth us? Q. 9. May be pray for Grace who desireth it not? Q. 10. May he pray that doubteth of his interest in God, and dare not call him Father as his Child? Q. 11. May a wicked man pray, or is he ever accepted? Q. 12. May a wicked man use the Lord's Prayer? Q. 13. Is it Idolatry, or sin always to pray to Saints or Angels? Q. 14. Must the same man pray secretly, that hath before prayed in his family? Q. 15. Is it best to keep set hours for prayer? Q 16. May we join in family prayers with ungodly persons? Q. 17 What if the Master or speaker be ungodly or a Heretic? Q. 18. May we pray absolutely for outward mercies, or only conditionally? Q. 19. May we pray for all that we may lawfully desire? Q. 20. How may we pray for the salvation of all the world? Q. 21. Or for the Conversion of all Nations? Q. 22. Or that a whole Kingdom may be converted and saved? Q. 23. Or for the destruction of the enemies of Christ, or the Kingdom? Q. 24. What is to be judged of a particular faith? Q. 25. Is every lawful prayer accepted? Q. 26. With what faith must I pray for the souls or bodies of others? Q. 27. With what faith may we pray for the Continuance of the Church or Gospel. Q. 28. How to know when our prayers are heard. Q. 29. How to have fullness and constant supply of matter in our prayers. Q 30. How to keep up fervency in prayer? Q 31. May we look to speed ever the better for anything in ourselves or our prayers? Or may we put any trust in them? Q. 32. How must that person and prayer be qualified which God will accept. to p. 598
Tit. 3. Special Directions for family prayer. ibid.
Tit. 4. Special Directions for secret prayer. p. 599

CHAP XXIV.

Directions f • r families about the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper. p. 600
What are the Ends of the Sacrament? What are the Parts of it? Q. 1. Should not the Sacrament have •••• preparation than the other parts of worship? Q 2. How oft should it be administered? Q. 3. Must all members of the visible Church communicate? Q. 4. May any man receive it, that knoweth himself unsanctified? Q. 5. May an ungodly man receive it, that knoweth not himself to be ungodly? Q. 6. Must a Christian receive who doubteth of his sincerity? Q. 7. What if Superiors compel a doubting Christian to receive it, by excommunication or imprisonment? What should be choose? Q. 8. Is not the case of an hypocrite that knoweth not himself to be an hypocrite, and of the sincere who knoweth not himself to be sincere, all one, as to communicating? Q. 9. Wherein lieth the sin of an ung • dly person if he receive? Q. 10. Doth all unworthy receiving make one liable to damnation? or what? Q 11. What is the particular preparation needful to a fit Communicant? p. 653. Marks of sincerity. ibid. Preparing duties. Q 1. May we receive from an ungodly Minister? Q 2. May we communicate with unworthy persons in an undisciplined Church? Q. 3. What if I cannot communicate unless I conform to an imposed gesture, as sitting, standing or kneeling? Q. 4. What if I cannot receive it, but as administered by the Common Prayer? Q. 5. If my conscience be not satisfied, may I come doubting? Obj. Is it not a duty to follow conscience as God's Officer? What to do in the time of administration? 1. What Graces must be exercised. 2. On what objects? 3. The Season and Order of Sacramental duties. ad p. 610

CHAP. XXV.

Directions for fearful troubled Christians who are perplexed with doubts of their sincerity and justification? Causes and Cure. p. 612

CHAP. XXVI.

Directions for declining backsliding Christians, about perseverance. p. 616
The way of falling into Sects, and Heresies, and Errors. And of declining in Heart and Life. Signs of declining. Signs of a graceless state. Dangerous signs of impenitency. False signs of declining. Motives against declining. Directions against it. p. 616
Tit. 2. Directions for perseverance, or to prevent backsliding. p. 618
Antidotes against those doctrines of presumption which would binder our perseverance. p. 623

CHAP. XXVII.

Directions for the poor. The Temptations of the poor. The special Duties of the poor. p. 627

CHAP. XXVIII.

Directions for the Rich. p. 632

CHAP. XXIX.

Directions for the weak and aged. p. 634

CHAP. XXX.

Directions for the sick. p. 637
Tit. 1. Directions for a safe death, to secure salvation. I. For the unconverted in their sickness. (A sad case): 1. For Examination, 2. For Repentance, 3. For faith in Christ, 4. For a new heart, love to God, and resolution for obedience. Q. Will • ate Repentance serve the turn, in such a case? II. Directions to the G • dly for a safe departure. Their Temptations to be resisted.