Prayer Or a Discourse wherein the Nature of Prayer is open'd the Kinds of Prayer are handled and the right manner of Praying discovered Several Cases about this Duty are Resolved From Eph. 6. 18. Praying always with all Prayer and Supplication in the Spirit c. Unto which is added a Direction for the Attaining the Gift of Prayer That Family-Duty may not be omitted nor Secret Duty discouraged through Inability of Utterance and Expression A Heaven or Hell upon Earth Or a Discourse concerning Conscience on Acts 24. 16. Herein do I exercise my self to have a Conscience c. The True Touchstone which shews both Grace and Nature Or a Discourse concerning Self-Examination by which both Saints and Sinners may come to know themselves Whereunto are added sundry Meditations relating to the Lords Supper The more Excellent Way to Edifie the Church of Christ Or a Discourse concerning Love The Design of which is to Revive that Grace now under such decays among Protestants of ALL Perswasions The Conversion of the Soul Or a Discourse Explaining the Nature of that Conversion which is sincere and Directing and Perswading all to cease their Loving Sin and Death and to Turn to God and Live A Warning given to Sinners to prepare for Judgment to flee from Wrath to come and turn from All Sin but especially the Sin which does most easily beset them The Little Childs Catechism In which the Principles of the Christian Religion are in plain Words and short Answers laid down and suited to the Memories and Understandings of Little Children Whereunto are added several short Histories which may both please and profit them as also Directions how to Pray The Principles of the Doctrine of Christ Or a Catechism in which is contained the Sum of the Christian Religion or what is necessary to be believed and done in order to Salvation The Answers being but Seventeen in number and in very plain words easie to be understood Unto which is added a Catechism for Conscience wherein the Consciences of the Ignorant the grosly Profane the Young the meerly Mortal and the Hypocrites are examined in order to their Instruction and Awakening and the Consciences of the sincere Christians are tried in order to their Peace and Comfort The Saints Triumph over the Last Enemy In a Sermon Preached at the Funeral of that Zealous and Painful Minister of Christ Mr. James Janeway Unto which is added His Character His sore Conflict before he died And afterwards His Triumphant manner of departing from Earth to the Heavenly Inheritance On 1 Cor. 15. 55. O Death where is thy sting Israels Lamentation at the Death of a Prophet In a Sermon Preached at the Funeral of that Holy Learned and Painful Minister of Christ Mr. Thomas Cawton And now published at the earnest Desire of the Hearers On 1 Sam. 25. 1 And Samuel died and all the Israelites were gathered together and lamented him A Funeral Sermon Occasioned by the Death of Mr. George Baker First Preached and then Published at the earnest Desire of his Relations On 1 〈◊〉 1. 17. Pass the Time of your Sojourning â—â—re in Fear The Great Change Discoursed of in a Funeral Sermon occasioned by the Death of Mrs. Martha Thompson late Wife of Captain William Thompson in Wapping On Job 14. 14. All the days of my appointed time will I wait till my change come The Good of Affliction Psalm 119. 71. It is good for me that I have been afflicted that I might learn thy Statutes THough I appear not in the face of this Assembly as One risen from the dead yet as One raised from the very brink of the Grave and am again sent to Preach the Word of Life the Gospel of Salvation Since I was last in this place I have been brought very near to another World and when I had a clearer view of it I found that God was All and that all this World was nothing less than nothing and vanity When Sickness lies heavy and the last Enemy Death seems entring in at the door believe me then it appears that Divine Favour is better than Life the succours of our merciful and faithful High-Priest the Lord Jesus the supports of his Grace and that Peace of God which passes all understanding are things of real and of the highest value I did not know but that my Work and Life might be just ending but that I might quickly be in that place where I should see Man no more nor Preach any more the Word of Reconciliation But behold in Answer to the prayers of many health is restored and my Sickness will prove good both to me and you if I am more sincere in the exercise of and you are more serious in your attendance upon my Ministry I have been Once and again brought back from the gates of Death my obligation is increased to live more to God and to endeavour to do more good to the Souls of men I wish these ends of my life towards the conclusion of it may be attained more than ever The dealings of God with me of late have been very remarkable I desire aright to regard the operation of his hands and wisely to consider of his doings He has come into my house with a Rod in his hand and to one Member of my Family he gave a deadly blow and others he has struck down though not quite yet near to the Grave I my self have been of late twice seized with a Death threatning Malady and am here before you all to accept the punishment of my iniquity whereby infinitely worse has been deserved than what I have undergone I kiss the Rod for the needful healing strokes of it which I have felt and great reason I have to proclaim my Chastizers faithfulness and love and how good 't is for me that I have been afflicted In the words which I have read these particulars are observable 1. Here is an Exercise sharp and sore to Nature and which will put Grace upon the Tryal and prove the truth and strength of it and this Exercise is Affliction 2. The Person thus exercised is the Psalmist who was both Saint and Preacher Saints are afflicted that they may be more throughly sanctified Preachers are afflicted that they may Preach and labour to better purpose 3. From whom came the Psalmists Affliction the Rod which he felt was in God's hand To Him he speaks in the Text being sensible he had to do with God and God had to do with him Rods though of sins meriting are of God's making All bitter Cups are of God's own mingling the kind the measure the continuance of Affliction is of the Lord 's own appointment 4. The Issue of Affliction follows it issued well in the Psalmists truest good it made him really better than he was before therefore good for him indeed It was medicinal to his Soul the inward man was more renewed heart and life both very much amended 5. Here is a demonstration that Affliction was thus
better things of Eternity All this may be well matter of great delight The more you love the Word the greater will be your Peace and you will hold on in the best ways without offence or stumbling Psal 119. 165. Great Peace have they that love thy Law and nothing shall offend them 4. You have truly learned the Word of God when you keep it both in Heart and Life Not to keep it in the Life is a scandalous contempt of the Word not to keep it in the Heart though there be a specious form and shew of Religion is but demure and abominable Hypocrisie If the Word be in your Hearts how will it as nourishing Food well concocted there make you strong in Spirit It will make your Hearts both clean and comfortable and as a powerful Antidote expel Sins Poyson Psal 119. 11. Thy Word have I hid in my Heart that I might not Sin against Thee Let not Sin but the Word Reign in your Mortal Body that none of the Members of it may be defiled and debased in wicked Works and Services Prize all the Ordinances and Institutions of the Word of God neglect none be negligent in none The more these are prized and used the greater Reason you will see to persist in the use of them for the greater spiritual Benefit will sensibly be reaped That Noble Pair had learned the Word indeed of whom it was said Luk. 1. 6. And they were both righteous before God walking in all the Commandments and Ordinances of the Lord blameless 5. You have truly learned the Word of God when your care is to commend it and to adorn it in all things The more this Word is in your Mouths the more Edifying will your Discourse be Speak much of this Word and for it nay if you speak much of it as it is you will speak for it for the Word will commend it self Mind those Injunctions Eph. 4. 29. Let no corrupt Communication proceed out of your Mouths but that which is good to the use of Edifying and which may administer Grace to the hearers And Deut. 6. 6 7. These Words which I command thee this day shall be in thy Heart and thou shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thy House and when thou walkest by the way when thou liest down and when thou risest up How can it be said the Word has been entertained in your Hearts if you are not ready to commend it that it may have a Room in the Hearts of others And let not your Commendation of the Word be verbal onely but real Let your Conversations ever become the Gospel Live suirably to such a pure Holy and Heavenly Word and walk worthy of God who by this Word has called you to his Kingdom and Glorâ— â— Thes 2. â—â— 6. You have truly learned the Word of God when you do every things by its Direction not onely your Duty towards God but your Duty towards Man In all your ways God is to be eyed and acknowledged that by his Word your Paths may be directed Prov. 3. 6. Trade must be managed by the Word and the rules of Truth and Justice and Equity laid down there this is the way to grow Rich with a Blessing and without the Addition of Sorrow A Family must be order'd by this Word and all the Members of Families and the Governours of them must learn their Relative Duties from the Word of God Recreations must be regulated hereby else there may quickly be a forgetting of God an excessive delight in them and too great an expence of precious time Nothing can be well done if the Word be not regarded in the doing of it and nothing can be ill done or miscarry under the Words Conduct 7. You have truly learned the Word of God if you never depart from it Persevering in Obedience will prove you 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 indeed Disciples Joh. 8. 31. Jesus said to those Jews who believed in him if ye continue in my Word then are ye my Disciples indeed This shews the Lord himself has been your Teacher and is teaching you still and strengthning you together Psal 119. 33. Teach me O Lord the way of thy Statutes and I shall keep it to the end And V. 102. he says I have not departed from thy Judgments for thou hast taught me Stick unto his Testimonies and cleave unto the Lord with such a Resolution as neither Mammon Sin nor Satan may ever shake You can never change your Lord or his Service but you must change infinitely for the worse therefore be stedfast unmoveable always abounding in his work Though the Mountains depart and the Hills be removed yet do you abide with God and stand fast in the Faith unto the Death that you may receive the Promised Crown of Life and wear it for evermore FINIS ERRATA PAge 49. line 16. for broken read troden p. 53. l. 9. f. in r. as p. 56. l. 29. f. the r. yet p. 64. l. 16. f. diligent r. vigilant p. 76. l. 17. f. undenied r. underived p. 77. l. 12. f. Tabb r. Fable Books Printed for and sold by Tho. Parkhurst at the Bible and Three Crowns in Cheapside near Mercers Chappel A Body of practical Divinity consisting of above 176 Sermons on the lesser Catechism composed by the Reverend Assembly of Divines at Westminster with a Supplement of some Sermons on several Texts of Scripture by Tho. Watson formerly Minister of St. Stephens Walbrook Printed from his own hand writing recommended by several Ministers to Masters of Families and others Synodicon in Gallia Reformata or the Acts Decrees Decisions Canons of the Reformed Churches in France Being 1. A most faithful and impartial History of the rise growth perfection and decay of the Reformation in that Kingdom with its fatal Catastrophe upon the revocation of the Edict at Nants in the year 1685. 2. The Confession of Faith and Discipline of those Churches 3. A Collection of Speeches Letters Sacred Politicks Cases of Conscience and Controversies in Divinity determined and resolved by those Grave Assemblies 4. Many excellent expedients for preventing and healing Schisms in the Churches and for re-uniting the dismembred Body of divided Protestants 5. The Laws Government and Maintenance of the Colledges Universities and Ministers together with their Exercise of Discipline upon delinquent Ministers and Church Members 6. A Record of very many illustrious Events of Divine Providence relating to those Churches The whole collected and composed out of the Original Manuscript Acts of those renowned Synods a work never before extant in any Language in two Vol. by John Quick c. Fol. The Sure Mercies of David Or a Second Part of Heart-treasure Wherein is contained the sum and substance of Gospel-mercies purchased by Christ and Promised in the Covenant of Grace together with the several ways how they are made sure to all the Heirs of Promise and how they are to be improved for the Saints Fort and Defence Settlement and Incouragement in shaking and backsliding times By O. Heywood Closet-prayer a Christian Duty Or a Treatise upon Mat. 6. 6. By O. Heywood Baptismal Bonds renewed Being some Meditations upon Psal 50. 5. By O. H. M. A. Meetness for Heaven promoted in some brief Meditations upon Colos 1. 12. Discovering the nature and necessity of habitual and actual Meetness for Heaven here in all that hope for Heaven hereafter By O. H. An Epistolary Discourse on the great assistances to a Christians Faith and for a more Intire Rest and Assurance in the highest Trials and Adventures thereof With a Second Part upon the Present Times and these rare Vicissitudes of Providence in the Publick State of Britain in this Age. To which an Appendix is added in the Close By R. Fleming A Discourse of Earthquakes as they are Supernatural and Premonitory Signs to a Nation with a respect to what hath occurred in this Year 1692. And some special Reflections thereon As also on that Security and Assurance of Mind which is attainable in the Light and Power of Religion under the greatest Surprizals and Terrors of Sense With some Enquiry upon the Grounds both of our Fears and Hopes as to the publick State of the Church of Christ in this Day By the Author of the Fulfilling of the Scriptures The Confirming Work of Religion Or its Great Things made plain by their Primary Evidences and Demonstrations Whereby the meanest in the Church may soon be made able to render a Rational account of their Faith Written by R. Fleming Author of the Fulfilling of the Scriptures A Defence of Mr. M. H's Brief Enquiry into the Nature of Schism and the Vindication of it With Reflections upon a Pamphlet called the Review c. And a Brief Historical Account of Non-conformity from the Reformation to this Present Time England's Alarm Being an account of God's most Considerable Dispensations of Mercy and Judgment towards these Kingdoms for Fourteen Years last past And also of the several sorts of Sins and Sinners therein Especially the Murmurers against the Present Government With an Earnest Call to speedy Humiliation Supplication and Reformation as the Chief Means of Prospering their Majesties Counsels and Preparations Dedicated to the King and Queen A Sermon Preached at the Funeral of the Reverend Mr. Thomas Shewell Master of Arts and Minister of the Gospel in Coventry Who went up well into the Pulpit Jan. 15. and having Prayed and Named the Text Rom. 5. 12. was seised by an Apoplexy and dyed within a few Hours By William Tongue Minister of the Gospel The Good of Early Obedience By M. Mead. A Practical Expos on the 130. Psalm The Grace and Duty of being Spiritual Minded The Declaration of the Glorious Mistory of the Person of Christ These three by J. Owen D. D. Redemption of Time the Duty and Wisdom of Christians in evil days By S. Wade Minister at Hamersmith The Vanity of Man being a Discourse fitted for Funeral occasions By S. Shaw Several Discourses concerning the actual Providence of God in three Parts Above one hundred Sermons on the Canticles These two by the Reverend John Collings D. D. of Norwich FINIS
A PRESENT For such as have been SICK and are RECOVERED Or a DISCOURSE concerning The GOOD which comes out OF THE EVIL of AFFLICTION Being several Sermons Preached after his being raised from a Bed of Languishing By Nathanael Vincent M. A. Minister of the Gospel Psal 119. 75. I know O Lord that thy Judgments are right and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Metrodor London Printed by T. S. for Tho. Parkhurst at the Bible and Three Crowns in Cheapside near Mercers-Chappel 1693. THE EPISTLE DEDICATORY To his Honoured Elder and onely Brother Mr. John Vincent of North-hill in the County of Cornwall Dear Brother THough you affect to lead a retired Life Procul negotiis Ut Prisca Gens mortalium Yet I presume this Dedication will not be unacceptable to you since it signifies my Recovery from those Distempers which I thought would have left you without a Brother in the World Many indeed were concerned for me Desired and Prayed that I might be spared and restored I wish my Pains may be blesst and beneficial to them according to their Hopes and Expectations They are thankful to God that they still enjoy my Labours and I know the restoring of my Health will be matter of your Thanksgiving who are so full of Brotherly Affection 'T is Pitty a Man of your Learning Parts and Prudence has not appeared in a more Publick Station You might have been a more Common Good more your Countreys Ornament and Benefactour if your excess of Modesty had not cast a Veil over your great Abilities I take it for granted that as you have done so you will still adhere to His Opinion who said Bene qui latuit bene vixit And may you much enjoy your self My Dear Brother and which is infinitely better may you enjoy much of God in your Beloved â—olitude May that small Company which have the Happiness of your Acquaintance be directed by your Advice when they need it and better'd by your Example And may all the Gentry in my Native Countrey of Cornwal look upon all Debauchery and Wickedness as Bruitish and as much below them as you do I wish the Sword of Justice were in your hand if it were I perswade my self that the Profane who deserve it woul feel the Edge of it and your unblemisht Life falling under greater Observation would make those that are otherwise ashamed of the Spots wherewith their Lives are stained I know you are not a Stranger to Afflictions of diverse kinds This Book which I here Present you with is not improper for your Perusal 'T is my Desire that no good thing may be withheld from You or Yours and that all Evils by their Sanctification to you may have their Nature quite alter'd and work together for your good May Divine Grace be sufficient for you till you are brought safe to the Heavenly Glory and Kingdom There are the best wishes for you that can be and are the constant daily ones of Your most Affectionate Brother and humble Servant for Christs Sake Nathanael Vincent TO THE READERS Especially those who attend upon my Ministry AFfliction is an Argument much Discoursed of and the thing it self is commonly felt for Man is born unto trouble as the Sparks fly upward And yet how few know how to improve Affliction so as to be indeed the better for it Judgments though dreadful ones have little amended this Present Age. Rods have been spent in vain for men have received no Correction Sin is an inveterate and stubborn malady hard to be cured the League between the Heart and its beloved Lusts is not easily broken Sinners are inexcusable in not hearing when God speaks to them but when he smites them and yet they are as if they were without Sence how void do they shew themselves both of Grace and Reason Affliction in this World is in Order to amendment and so to prevent future Sorrows and Wrath in the next And Happy those who turn to Him that smites them and are afraid of feeling the uttermost of Sin 's desert and God's displeasure But they who will not be purged in the Furnace of Affliction now but hold fast Deceit and refuse to return from their evil and destructive Ways shall be thrown at last into the flaming Furnace of Hell-fire whose heat will never end or abate and unalterable Confirmation in Wickedness will be a great part of their Eternal Misery The Word of God commands that the Rod should be heard and how feelingly does it teach and how dull and stupid are they who will not learn the Lessons of it The design of this Treatise is to make Affliction beneficial to them that labour under it that they may not endure a great deal of Sickness Pain and trouble to no purpose Corporal Distempers are Spiritual Physick and this Book shews what the Regimen Government is which they should be under that use it that it may work well and conduce to the soundness of the Mind and the Souls Healthiness Now the Prosperity and Health of the Soul is beyond all Conception valuable Where this Health is how clear is the Judgment how Pure the Conscience How Conformable the Will unto the Will and Law of God which is so Holy Just and Good How rightly are the Affections placed Sin being most hated which is really most hateful and the Lord being loved above all who is most worthy to be loved Such an Healthy Soul has a good Appetite unto spiritual Food is strong to walk with God and to work hard for God 't is strong to resist Temptations to Evil and to maintain the Combate with spiritual Enemies and to bear Persecution for the sake of Righteousness Finally an Healthy Soul is strong through Faith Fear Love and Patience to persevere in well-doing till Glory Honour Life and Immortality are attained Such Healthy Souls I wish all afflicted Ones and that the following Instructions and Counsels may have a mighty Influence and Efficacy this way I my Self of late have again and again drunk of the bitter Cup of Affliction I desire and hope to Experience more and more the Medicinal Vertue of it And much good may this Cup do to all that have it put into their hands The Text I handle was the first I preached upon after I come out of a Sick-bed into the Pulpit My design in Publishing these Sermons is that the Hearts of the Afflicted may be stedfast with God after he has thrown the Rod out of his Hand and that the Rod may bring forth more lasting Fruits of Righteousness N. V. These Books written by the Reverend Author are sold by Tho. Parkhurst at the Bible and â—hree Crowns at the lower end of Cheapside near Mercers-Chappel VVOrthy Walking Pressed upon all that have 〈…〉 Call of the Gospel From Eph. 4. 1. I therefore the Prisoner of the Lord beseech you that ye walk worthy of the Vocation wherewith ye are called The Spirit of