Cons. II. That such who are so ex-
ercised are blessed and happy;
and so pronounced in scripture:
it is a seal of sonship, of God's choice love, and of their salvation ib.
Cons. III. That God well knows
the designs and ways of Satan,
and of all the adversaries of be-
lievers: and that they can do no
more, nor proceed further against
us, than God permits. He turns
about their purposes
- 286
Cons. IV. That God orders and de-
termines the measure, manner,
time, and continuance of afflic-
tions and persecutions; and that
according to our necessities
Cons. V. That God doth sometimes
make enemies and persecutors
themselves to attest the saints'
innocency when they suffer; and
will surely avenge them of their
adversaries
Cons. VI. That God will comfort,
uphold, and preserve his, in all
their troubles, and not lay more
upon them than they can bear - 291
See common calamities, chap.
xxi.
as a church, and one to another
as members thereof
Secondly. The dignity, privileges, and
blessings belonging to the church of
Jesus Christ in general, as such
See union and relation between Christ
and his church, chap. xiii.
Thirdly. Of the qualifications of mem-
bers of the church of God; what they
should be
Fourthly. Of the property that particular
churches had in their members, and of
others joining themselves to them
Fifthly. Of letters commendatory, and
the churches receiving of such as were
recommended to them by word or
letter
Sixthly. Of the order of the churches in
their assemblies and meetings: their
stated regulations in their constant
worship -
Seventhly. Of miraculous gifts of prayer,
prophesying, psalms, tongues, &c. which
the members of churches received: how
they used them in the church assem-
blies, and elsewhere, for the edification
one of another, and instruction of
others: the order how they should be
used, directed: such gifts to be desired
for this end
Eighthly. Of other acts done in and by
these particular churches, in sending
messengers to other churches; and,
upon occasion, determining controver-
sies in religious matters, writing and
sending epistles and other affairs. Of
their meeting together in order hereto,
and hearing such epistles: the epistles
directed to the whole body
See church discipline in this chapter, sect. xiii.
Ninthly. Of the ending of controversies
arising between the members of the
church; to avoid going to law before
the infidels
Tenthly. Of the relief of the poor of the
churches, and their contributions to
the necessity of other churches, and
the order of it -
See distributing to the poor at large,
chap. xvii.
Eleventhly. Of the officers of particular
churches; their power, duty, and re-
compense: how they should be quali-
fied for their office; and of the churches'
duty to them as such
I. Of the officers' power, duty, qua-
lification, and recompense
See more of gospel preachers in
general, chap. xxiv.
II. Complaints of, and threatenings
against evil officers or ministers
Ord. V. Discipline, church censures,
or removing of scandals
See more of rebuking one another,
chap. xv.
CHAP. XXVI. Of hypocrites and hypo-
crisy the spirit and practices of such,
who are very formal and earnest in and
about the external parts of worship and
profession, and in a show for God; yet
high in their opposition of Christ, the
truth of the gospel, and power of god-
liness in others -
See more of their persecuting temper,
chap. xx.
Sect. 1. The great danger of hypocrisy,
and formality, and the end of hypo-
crites
See sincerity, chap. xiv.
CHAP. XXVII. Of the conscience
CHAP. XXVIII. Of the devil: of his
subtilty by himself, and by his instru-
ments, wicked men, false teachers, de-
ceivers, and seducers. The description
of them
Sect. 1. Of Satan, the devil himself
See more, sinners' bondage, chap. iv. Sect. I. The instruments of Satan: se- ducers, deceivers, &c.
CHAP. XXIX. Of consideration, medita-
tion, pondering upon, and serious weigh-
ing of the things of God, his word and
works, &c.
CHAP. XXX. Of the thoughts, mind, and
affections -
CHAP. XXXI. Of repentance in general;
in what sense God cannot repent, and
how he is said to repent; of repent-
ance in man, and his turning to God
from sin
Sect. 1. In what sense God cannot re-
pent; and how he is said to repent ib.
Sect. I. Of repentance in man, and his
turning to God
SECTION 1.-Shewing what Religion | God is to be worshipped, and what
is, and how the knowledge of it is to be obtained.
UNDER the name of Religion is comprehended all that worship and service which is due from men to God: whatever we ought or are bound to do in obedience to him; whatever he will reward us for doing, or punish us for
those laws and ordinances are, which he hath commanded us to observe.
And then, for our greater encouragement to serve God, in all such things as we shall find to be enjoined us, and to persevere in our obedience to him; it is requisite for us to know for them who love and obey him, and what happiness God hath prepared such as transgress his commandments. what misery he hath provided for How great, how certain, and of what continuance, both the joy and the terror of the Lord are.
ing the Scriptures.
THESE are the things in which every man is concerned to be well instructed; and the truest and shortest way of attaining such knowledge as this, is, by searching the Scriptures:
In order, therefore, to worship and serve God as we ought to do, we must first believe that he is; that he hath given us laws and commandments to keep; that he is a rewarder, of them who diligently seek him, and of such SECT. 2.-The Necessity of Searchas do according to all that he hath commanded them: and that he taketh vengeance on them that obey him not. And for the better understanding the nature and extent of our duty, in all respects, together with the grounds and reasons of our obligations; it behoves us in the next place to inform ourselves as truly and particularly as we can, who the Lord is whom we are to serve; what attributes and perfections belong to him, and what works he hath wrought; as also, what manner of beings we ourselves are, who are commanded to serve him; what capacities and inclinations we have; what state and condition we are in, and in what relation we stand to God.
After which it will be necessary for us to inquire, how and in what manner
For they are they which testify of God; which shew us what is good, and what the Lord doth require of us; which set before us the way of life, and the way of death; and which teach us what we must do to be saved from the wrath to come, and to inherit eternal life.
The way of man is not now in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. Though we can by nature do many things contained in the law of God; and though we can
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