XIII. An exhortation to the pursuit of heaven and heavenly things . 158
'wherefore TAKE UNTO YOU THE WHOLE ARMOUR OF GOD.' Ver. 1-3.
I. The reason why the apostle renews the same exhortation ; and
also what truths ministers are often to preach to their people 163 II. The best of saints subject to decline in their graces, and why we
are to endeavour a recoverj' of decays in grace . .165
III. A cautionary direction from what we may not, as also from what
we may judge, our graces to be in a declination . . 166
IV. A word of counsel for the recovery of declining grace . .169
V, The words opened, and what is meant by the evil day: "That
ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, having done, " &c. 1 72
VI. Sheweth that the day of afHiction is evil, and in what respects ;
as also unavoidable; and why to be prepared for , .173
VII. The application of the point . . . . 178 VI II. The second argument with which the exhortation is pressed,
drawn from the assured victory which shall crown the soul's conflict if in this armour, where several points couched in the argument are brieflj^ handled . . .183
'stand THEREFORE.' Vcr. 14.
I. Wherein is briefly shewed the necessity of resisting Satan's
temptations, with the danger of yielding to them . .196
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II. Wherein is shewed, what it is for a Christian to stand in order, together with his duty in this particuUir, and the danger of stragglers from tlieir own place . . .198
III. Wlierein is contained the third and last importance of the word "stand," and the Christian's dntj' of standing on his watch spoken to; why he is to watch, and how he should . . 203
' HAVING YOL'R LOINS GIRT ABOUT WITH TRUTH.' VcT. 14.
I. A brief explication of the words . . . 207
II. Wherein is shewn, it is the Christian's duty to labour for a judg- ment established in the truth, with the reasons of it; as also some application of the point . . . . 208
III. Some directions for the establishing the judgment of professors
in the truth . . . . .213
IV. Wherein is contained the second way of having our loins girt
with truth, viz., so as to make a free and bold profession of it; and why this is our duty ; and a short exhortation to it .216
V. A direction or two fur the girding of truth close to us in the pro- fession of it . . • . •. . 220 VI. Of the second kind of truth: truth of heart, or sincerity, with the kinds of it ; and in particular, of moral uprightness, toge- ther with its deficiency ; and a double caution about this ; the one to the saints, the other to the morally upright person . 226 VII. Of evangelical or godly sincerity, what it is, and what uncome-
liness this girdle covers, as also how it covers them . . 229
VIII. An account why sincerity covers the saints' uncomeliness . 236
IX. Of the odious nature of hypocrisy, and hatefulness of it to God 240 X. Where all are stirred uj) to put themselves upon the trial, whether sincere or not; three arguments used to provoke to the work ; and four false characters, by which the hypocrite flatters himself into a conceit of being upright . . 246
XI. The weak grounds whereby tempted souls argue against their
own uprightness ..... 2.50 XII. Four chai'acters of truth of heart, or sincerity . . . 254
XIII. A word of direction to those who, upon trial, are foimd unsound
and false-hearted . ... . 261
XIV. An exhortation to those who, upon trial, are found to be true in
heart, or sincere, to wear this belt close girt to them in the daily exercises of it ; with directions for that 2:)urpose . . 264
XV. Counsel and comfort to those who are sincere, but drooping, doubting soids, who neither are condemned absolutely in their consciences for hypocrites, nor fully absolved from the sus- picion of it in their own thoughts . . . 272 XVI. Wherein the second reason of the metaphor is opened ; why sincerity is set out by the soldier's belt; viz., from the esta- blishing and strengtliening nature of this grace, particularly of a preserving strength it hath ; with some special seasons wherein the hypocrite falls off . . . 277 xvii. Of a recovering strength that sincerity hath, and whence . 280 xviii. Of a supporting and comforting projjcrty sincerity hath shewn
in several particular instances . . . . 282
xix. A brief applicatory improvement of the point, both in general
and particular branches also . . . 288
'and having on the BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.' Vcr. 14.
I. Contains the explication of the words . , , 291
II. A short point from the connexion of this j)iecc of armour with
the first ; righteousness with truth . . . 294
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HI. Wherein the grand point from tlie word is laid down, that the Christian's especial care should be to keep on his breastplate, ^, e. maintain the power of holiness in his conversation ; with the first reason of the point taken from God ; his design as to this . . . . . .295