* To the Reader. Hen it was told David after the defeat of Abfolom, that Ahimaaz the fonne of Zadok came running, the King faid, He is a good man, and cometh with good tideings. I may truly fay fo of these Sermons, and the reverend Author of them, He is a good man, and therefore we may be fure that he bringeth good tydings with him. He is aright Nathanael, a true Ifraelite, without guile, an able Preacher, a vigilant Governour, a faithfull friend, a bountifull distributer, to whom much of the Character of Ariftotles magnanimous man doth exactly agree, parte, parecipin, y déver, και πράξει φανερῶς, παῤῥησιαςικός, ἀληθετικός, who dares openly to love a friend, when others reje& him, and openly to difprove the faults of those whom others feare and flatter. As as the man and his Communication, fuch is his doctrine,, found, wholfome, favory, edifying, not meerly notionall and fuited onely to the fancy, but properly calculated for the Confcience and converfation, unto which the more any doctrine is fitted, the more it is according to the mind of the fpirit of Chrift fpeaking in the Word, and to the direction of his Apoftles, who ufed great plainneffe of speech, and fuch demonftration of the Spirit and power, as might manifeft the truth to every mans confcience in the fight of God, who gave inftruction unto others whom they had separated to the work of the Gospell, to hold fast the wholfome forme is of of found words, by found doctrine to Exhort and Convince gainfaiers, to fhew in doctrine incorruptnesse, gravity, fincerity, found fpeech which cannot be condemned, to speak, to rebuke, to cxhort with all Authority, to teach men to maintaine good workes for necessary uses, to preach fuch things as are good and profitable unto men. Though I have not had opportunity to perufe all thefe Sermons, yet having been an hearer of many of these, and finding in those which I have read the fame even and ferious fpirit, and withall great variety of profitable matter, I may safely commend them to the Chriftian Reader as Sermons drawn according to thefe prefcripts of the Apoftle, and confequently very ufefull unto publick edification, unto which all our ftudies, labours, and writings fhould be fubfervient. Apr. 4. 1660. Thine in our Common Lord EDWARD REYNOLDS: termined not to know any thing among you fave Jefus Chrift and him crucified. p. 1. The Doctrine propounded. That it's a choice fruit of wifde to winne foules unto God, pag.51. Methed propounded. 1 the proofe of the Poynt, pag. 52.53. 2. 4 Arguments for confirmation, p. 53.54,55. 3. Two Characters of him that is lik lift to winne foules, pag. 56. 57. 58, 59, 60, 61. The Text divided, p.3: and handled. 1 Concerning knowledge in Generall, p. 4.5, 6. 2 Concerning the knowledge of Chrift, pag. 7.8. And this knowledge hath 3 characters; Fundamentall excellent, and feule-faveing, 4. Applic. 1. For Humiliation. pag. 9. 3 Cautions concerning the use of humane learning, pag. 11. 12. 3 Concerning the knowledge of Chrift crucified, pag. 13. 14. Applic: what Minifters must teach, pag. 14. pag. 63. 3. For Direction in 7 particulars, pag. 66, 67. SER M. IV. 15. 10. 2 What all must learne, PM Atth:13. 45, 46. pag. 68 16. 17, 18. 1 SERM. II. Er: 45. v. 5. them not? Text devided, pag. 22. Severall, forts of feekers, pag. 25. 26, 27, 28, 29,30. Again the Kingdome of Hea ven is like unto a Merchant man, feeking godly Pearles, who when hee had found one Pearle of great price,bee went and fold all that hee had & bought it. The Context opened, pag. 69. 70. The Text divided, pag. 71.72. Two Doctrines raised, pag. 73, Doct: 1. That every true Believer is a Merchant of goodly Pearles. Method propounded. 1. By illu ftrating the fimilitude in feven particulars. pag. 73.74. 2. By applying the properties of a Merchant in 6 particulars,p.78.79.80.81.82. Doct.2.That every Spirituall Merchant-venturer must fell all for the purchase of the pearle of price. p. 83. Method propounded. 1 The Doctrine illuftrated by excan SERM. VI. Ab. 2. 3. For the vision is yet ples, p. 83,84. 2 Proved by Pracepts |rations, pag. 112. fons, pag. 88, 89, 90. Use 2. For examination in 3 Queries, p. 90, 91. Ufe 3. For exhortation in 6 Particu-end, it shall speak and not lye : lar duties, pag. 91, 92, 93. Ufe 4. it tarry, wait for it, because it will For Direction in 5 Particulars, pag. Surely come: it will not tarry,pag.113. ven in the behalfe of Chrift, not on Doct. That in troublesome times when the vifion is darke, and seemes to tarry, then in a peculiar manner we should wait upon God for the ac- complishment thereof, pag. 118, Method of handling the Doctrin. What it is to wait? Anf: In Doctrine raifed. That it's the Du-1. ty of true Believers not only to believe Method propounded. 1. By way of illuftration, pag. 67, 98, 99. 2 The Doctrine confirmed by 4 Rea-Etrine applyed. 1. For Reproofe,pag. fens, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104. 130, 131. Ufe 2. For exhortation 3 The Doctrine applyed. 1 For reproof wherein 8 Propofitions are commended, and Discovery of 6 forts of Perfons pag. 132, 133, 134, 135.Use 3. for all, pag. 107, 108. Use 3 For I When have wee a cal! to fuffer. A. In three cafes, p. 110, III. 2 How must wee fuffer? A. |