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CHAP. II. Animadversions from a French writer,

nameless. His pretence to confute Spinosa.

The opinion of the world's being made of in-

dependent self-existing matter; chosen by him

and asserted against two other opinions. That

of matter's being created out of nothing rejected,

and falsely charged with novelty. Moses, and

the author to the Hebrews misalleged, vindicat-

ed. Self-originate, independent matter disproved:

asserted by this author with evident self-contra-

diction; and without necessity. .

CHAP. III. The reason of what next follows. Di-

rections to readers not wont to inquire into the

grounds of their religion. A summary and

plainer proposal unto such, of what hath been

said in the former Part, concerning God's exist-

ence and conversableness with men. The reason-

ableness (so much being already evinced) of

alleging, and relying upon the testimony of the

Holy Scriptures. The expressness of that testi-

mony concerning the unity of the Godhead, the

trinity therein. The absolute perfection of the

divine nature. The infiniteness of God's know-

ledge, power, goodness, and presence. His pro-

pensions towards men, and aptness (supposing

there were no obstruction) to human converse.

Matters of doubt herein resolved.

CHAP. IV. That there is an obstruction to this

intercourse. The method of the following dis-

course, Man's apostacy from God, and the

vitiated state of his nature; not only represented

in the sacred writings, but also acknowledged

and lamented by pagans:-very mistakenly, in

some respects; wherein perhaps some of them

not justly understood. This not the primitive

state of man; therefore not to be imputed to

the Author of nature. The temple of God

hereby became unfit for the divine presence.

Unsuitable. Disaffected. Hereupon forsaken,

and most justly. . .

CHAP. V. The restitution of this temple undertaken

by the Emmanuel: First,more darkly prefigured;

afterward, more clearly manifested. This con-

stitution of Emmanuel sufficient. Necessary for

this purpose. That he was himself to be the plat-

form, the foundation, and the founder of it.

The original temple. And was, in order hereto,

also a sacrifice; to procure that God might

honourably, and without wrong to his governing

justice, return, and have his abode with men.

And that they might become prepared to receive

his returning presence. For which purpose he

hath in him the power of giving the Holy Spirit,

on the account of this sacrifice. That when God

is, for the sake of it, willing; we might no

longer remain unwilling. That unwillingness

to be overcome by the power and spirit of

Emmanuel; as hereafter to be more fully shown.

But working (suitably to an intelligent subject)

in a rational way. To which a great accom-

modateness, in the constitution of Emmanuel.

As demonstrating divine love, and holiness. In

its loveliness. Possibility of being attained.

CHAP. VI. The necessity of this constitution of

Emmanuel to the erecting God's temple in the

world. The discoursing of this matter, proper

on this occasion. As to God's part herein, first,

proposed to show, both that a recompense was

necessary to be made, and that it could be made

no other way. Towards the evincing the former,

sundry things gradually laid down. The point

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itself argued, by considering the injury done to

the divine, with what we may suppose done to a

human, government; where repentance not con-

stantly thought a sufficient recompense; other-

wise, a penitent delinquent was never to be pu-

nished. Difference between God's pardon and

man's in most usual cases. Recompense for

wrong done to government, quite another thing

from what answers the appetite of private re-

venge. Expressions that seem to import it in

God, how to be understood. Shown that they

import no more than a constant will so far to

punish offences, as is necessary for the asserting

and preserving the rights and dignity of his go-

vernment. So much most agreeable, and neces-

sarily belonging to the perfection of the divine

nature. And if the justice of a human govern-

ment requires it, of the divine much more. . . 84

CHAP. VII. The notion of justice in the divine

government, and in a human, not altogether the

same. A thing said to be just, in a negative and a

positive sense. The question discussed. Whether

God's will to punish sin were, antecedently to

his legal constitution to that purpose, just, not

only in the former sense, but in the latter also?

Volenti non fit injuria, as to man needs limita-

tion. Holy Scripture speaks of God's punishing

sin, not merely as a concomitant of justice, but

an effect. His will to punish it must proceed

from justice; not, primarily, according to the

common notion of justice, as it respects the

rights of another; therefore another notion of

it (as to him) to be sought. God's rights so una-

lienable, that he cannot quit them to his own

wrong as man can. Secondarily, according to

the other notion, his right to punish depends not

on his legal constitution, but that on it. That he

cannot altogether quit it, no detraction from

him. Justice, in a larger notion, doth further

oblige to insist upon recompense; viz. universal

justice, as especially it comprehends his holiness,

his wisdom. The fitness of God's methods here-

in not to be only contemplated by men, but an-

gels. In what sense punishments to be reckoned

debis. This matter summed up.

CHAP. VIII. The first head thus far insisted on,

that a sufficient recompense was necessary: the

second succeeds, that no less was sufficient than

that made by Emmanuel. Dishonour to have

insisted on less. What the divine estimate in

this matter was, his own word shows. His love

to offenders otherwise under restraint. Pro-

posed to consideration, 1. How great things

were to be remitted, the sins of all times, and

ages. Not from insufficiency unapplicable to

all sinners. Remission to be granted, by a uni-

versal law. 2. How great to be vouchsafed.

Which follows. .

CHAP. IX. Concerning the gift or communication

of the Spirit. The Gospel the means of it. The

inseparable connexion hereof with the former, the

imparting of righteousness, for removing the guilt

of sin. In what sense the Holy Spirit of God is

said to be given, or communicated. What per-

sonal union signifies. How personal presence,

vital union, communicated influences, concern

the inquiry. In what respect the necessity assert-

ed of this communication. Since such fulness of

Spirit in Emmanuel, purposely for communica-

tion; how comes it to pass he, thereby, raises no

more such temples; the necessity of this com-

munication, for this purpose, represented two

ways: by showing, !. Thy he Ioly Scripture

teaches that God doth give his Spirit, though

under distinct notions, only through Christ. 2.

That it was most reasonable, and therefore ne-

cessary it should be so. The doctrine of Scrip-

ture herein proposed under six heads.

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CHAP. XI. The sixth head proposed before, now

insisted on. That for the purpose of inhabiting

this temple, already formed, the Spirit is given by

the Emmanuel, as a trustee. The Oeconomus,

or chief Steward of God's household. And by a

certain, known rule. Giving them, that are to

partake therein, the ground of a rightful claim

unto this great and most comprehensive gift.

Whereupon to be considered, The dueness,

amplitude, or comprehensiveness thereof. (1.)

The dueness of it. 1. By promise. 2. By this

promise, its having the form of a covenant, resti-

pulated on their part. 3. From their state of

sonship, as regenerate. Adopted. 4. From their

being to receive it by faith. (2.) Its ample ex-

tent, measured by the covenant, considered partly

in actu signato. In actu exercito. Infers recon-

ciliation, relation. The summary of the covenant

refers to it. The conclusion.

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The Reconcileableness of God's Prescience of the

Sins of Men, with the Wisdom and Sincerity of his

Counsels, Exhortations, and whatsoever Means he

uses to prevent them. In a Letter to the Hon. Robert

Boyle, Esq. To which is added a Postscript in De-

fence of the said Letter.

Man's Creation in a holy but mutable State.-Eccl.

vii. 29. Lo, this only have I found, that God hath

made man upright; but they have sought out many

inventions.

A Calm and Sober Inquiry concerning the Possi-

bility of a Trinity in the Godhead, in a Letter to a

Person of worth; occasioned by the lately published

Considerations on the Explications on the Doctrine

of the Trinity, by Dr. Wallis, Dr. Sherlock, Dr.

S-th, Dr. Cudworth, &c. Together with certain

Letters, formerly written to the Reverend Dr. Wal-

lis on the same subject.

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CHAP. IX. The pleasure arising from knowing or

considering ourselves to be like God: from con-

sidering it, 1. Absolutely, 2. Comparatively, or

respectively: To the former state of the soul,

To the state of lost souls, To its pattern, To the

way of accomplishment, To the soul's own ex-

pectations, To what it secures. The pleasure

whereto it disposes, of union, communion. A

comparison of this righteousness, with this bless-

edness.

CHAP. X. The season of this satisfaction, which

is two-fold; at death, and at the resurrection.

The former spoken to; wherein is shown, That

this life is to the soul (even of a saint) but as a

sleep: That at death it awakes. As to the latter;

That there is a considerable accession to its hap-

piness at the resurrection.

CHAP. XI. An introduction to the use of the doc-

trine hitherto proposed. The use divided into

Inferences of truth, Rules of duty. 1. Infe-

rence, That blessedness consists not in any sen-

sual enjoyment. 2. Inference, The spirit of man

(since 'tis capable of so high a blessedness) is a

being of high excellency.

CHAP. XII. Inference 3. That a change of heart

is necessary to this blessedness. The pretences

of ungodly men, whereby they would avoid the

necessity of this change. Five considerations

proposed in order to the detecting the vanity of

such pretences. A particular discussion and re-

futation of those pretences.

CHAP. XIII. Fourth Inference. That the soul in

which such a change is wrought, restlessly pur-

sues this blessedness till it be attained. Fifth

Inference. That the knowing of God, and con-

formity to him, are satisfying things, and do now

in a degree satisfy, according to the measure

wherein they are attained. Sixth Inference, That

the love of God towards his people is great, that

hath designed for them so great, and even a satis-

fying good.

CHAP. XIV. 7. Inference. That since this bless-

edness is limited to a qualified subject, "I in

righteousness," the unrighteous are necessarily

left excluded. 8. Inference. That righteousness

is no vain thing, inasmuch as it hath so happy

an issue, and ends so well.

CHAP. XV. Two other inferences, from the con-

sideration of the season of this blessedness: The

former, that inasınuch as this blessedness is not

attained in this life, the present happiness of

saints must in a great part consist in hope. The

latter, that great is the wisdom and sagacity of

the righteous man, which waves a present tempo-

rary happiness, and chooses that which is distant

and future.

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The Love of God and our Brother, considered in
Seventeen Sermons, on 1 John iv. 20. He that loveth
not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love
God whom he hath not seen? Preached at a weekly
morning Lecture at Cordwainer's Hall, in the year
1676.

THIRTEEN SERMONS ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS.

SERM. I. Times and Seasons reserved in the Fa-
ther's own power.-Acts i. 7. And he said unto
them, It is not for you to know the times or the sea-
sons, which the Father hath put in his own power.
SERM. II. Believers troubled, yet not distressed.
-2 Cor. iv. 8 We are troubled on every side,
yet not distressed.

SERM. III. Wherein afflictions are to be accounted
joyful.-James i. 2. My brethren, count it all joy
when ye fall into divers temptations.
SERM. IV. The Improvement of Afflictions desi-
red.-1 Peter v. 10. But the God of all grace,
who hath called us into his eternal glory by Christ
Jesus, after that ye have suffered awhile, make you
perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
SERM. V. The Sin and Consequence of vexing the
Holy Spirit.-Isa. Ixiii. 10. But they rebelled,
and vexed his Holy Spirit: therefore he was turn-
ed to be their enemy, and he fought against them.
SERM. VI. Obedience to be united with hearing
the Word.-James i. 22. But be ye doers of the
word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own
selves.

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SERM. VII. The Parable of the Unjust Judge.
Luke xviii. 1-8. And he spake a parable unto
them to this end, that men ought always to pray,
and not to faint; saying, There was in a city a
judge, which feared not God, neither regarded
man: and there was a widow in that city; and she
came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adver-
sary. And he would not for a while; but afterward
he said within himself, Though I fear not God,
nor regard man; yet because this widow troubleth
me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming
she weary me. And the Lord said, Hear what the
unjust judge saith. And shall not God avenge his
own elect, which cry day and night unto him,
though he bear long with them? I tell you that
he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when
the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the
earth?

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SERM. IX. Christians exhorted not to sleep, as do
others.-1 Thes. v. 6. Therefore let us not sleep,
as do others.

SERM. X. Jerusalem rebuilt in troublous times.-
Dan. ix. 25. The street shall be built again, and
the wall, even in troublous times.
SERM. XI. David's prayer, that the way of God may
be known upon Earth.-Psalm lxvii. 2, 3. That
thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health
among all nations. Let the people praise thee, O
God, let all the people praise thee.

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A Sermon on the Thanksgiving-day, Dec. 2, 1697.

-Psalm xxix. 1. The Lord will bless his people with

peace.

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A Sermon for the Reformation of Manners.-

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A Funeral Sermon for that very reverend and most

laborious Servant of Christ, in the Work of the

Ministry, Mr. Matthew Mead, who deceased

Oct. 16, 1699.-1 Tim. iv. 16. Thou shalt both
save thyself and them that hear thee.

A Funeral Sermon for that faithful, learned, and
most worthy Minister of the Gospel, the Rev.
Peter Vink, B. D. who deceased Sept. 6, 1702.
-Acts v. 20. Go, stand and speak in the temple
to the people all the words of this life.
A Funeral Sermon for Mrs. Esther Sampson.-
Luke xiii. 16. And ought not this woman, being
a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound,
lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on
the sabbath day?

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A Discourse relating to the much-lamented Death
and solemn Funeral of Queen Mary.-Heb. xii.
23. And to the spirits of just men made perfect.
A Funeral Sermon on the Death of Mrs. Margaret
Baxter.-2 Cor. v. 8. We are confident, I say, and
willing rather to be absent from the body, and to
be present with the Lord.

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I. An Introduction, proving the Necessity of their
being taught, in Two Lectures, on Heb. v. 12.
Ye have need that one teach you again, which be
the first principles of the oracles of God.

II. The Existence of God, manifest from the Crea-

tion, in Four Lectures, on Rom. i. 20. For the

invisible things of him from the creation of the

world are clearly seen, being understood by the

things that are made, even his eternal power and

Godhead; so that they are without excuse.

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