VII. The Divinity of tlie ScriptiU'c proved from its preceptive part . 567
vni. The heart-searching property of the Scriptiu-es . . . 570
IX. The property of the word to awaken and terrify the conscience . 571
X. The comforting property of the word to bleeding consciences . 572
XI. The converting power of the word . . . 573
XII. Why the word of God is called the sword of tlie Spirit, and from
it the point raised . . . . . . 576
XIII. Wherein is shewn how the persecutors of God's truth and church
are conquered by this sword .... 577
XIV. Wherein it is shewn how victorious a sword over the seducer and
heretic the word of God is . . . . 579
XV. Our third enemy made up of an army of corruptions and lusts within, and the power of this sword of the Spirit to conquer them . . . . . . .581
XVI. The fourth and last enemy the Christian engageth, made up of many troops of afflictions, together with his victory over them, obtained by tliis sword of the word . . . . 583
XVII. The Church of Rome charged of liigh presumption and great
cruelty in disarming the jieople of this sword of the Scriptures 584 XVIII. Against the same Church of Rome, for imputing insufficiency to
the Scriptures ..... 586
XIX. Sheweth the great wickedness of those who lift up this sword in
defence of any sin . . . . . 586
XX. An exliortation to thankfulness for this sword of the word, whereby we are enabled to stand on our defence against our greatest enemies ... . . 58/
xxi. An exhortation to the study of the word . . . 590
XXII. Several carnal shifts and objections that some bring to excuse
them from the study of the Scriptures removed . . 592
XXIII. Coiitaiiieth four directions to the Christian in the use of this
sword for his defence against the first enemy, the persecutor 595
XXIV. Directions to the Christian how to make use of the sword of the
word for his defence against errors and seducers . . 599
XXV. Directions how to use this sword for cutting down and conquer- ing the lusts in our own bosoms, and temptations to sin from without ...... 603
XXVI. Some Scripture answers, fitted to the common arguments of the tempter, with which he usually enticeth to .sin, are here brought to the Christian's hand for liis defence . . , 607
xxvii. Two directions more, how to use the word for our defence
against temptations to sin . . . .611
;xviii. How the Christian may use tin- sword of the word for his de- fence in any affiiction, and a direction towards it . .613
XXIX. Five directions more upon the same account . • . 616
XXX. The whole discourse on this piece, shut up with an exhortation
to ministers, to whom this sword is especially committed . 620
CONTENTS.
PRAYING ALWAYS WITH ALL PRAYER AND .SUPPLICATION IN THE SPIRIT, AND WATCHING THEREUNTO WITH ALL PERSEVERANCE AND SUPPLICATION FOR
ALL SAINTS.'— Ver. 18.
CHAP.
PAGE
VI.
VII.
VIII. IX.
XII.
XIII.
XIV.
XV.
XVI. XVII.
XIX.
XX.
XXI.
XXII.
XXIV. XXV.
XXVII.
XXVIII.
XXIX.
XXX.
XXXI.
XXXII.
XXXIII.
XXXIV.
XXXV. XXXVI.
XXXVII. XXXVIII,
Prayer's usefulness and necessity for the saint's defence in his warfare shewn, and one reason given of the point .
The influence prayer hath on all the graces of a saint, shewn .
Prayers' prevalency with God, the third reason given
The question answered, Why God requires prayer for that which he hath promised before to give .
A sharp reproof to all prayerless sovils ; with the dismal state that such are in, shewn ... . .
An exhortation to the saints that they abound in this duty
Two stratagems whereby Satan labours to keep the weak Chris- tian from the duty of prayer .....
Satan's policy to keep a soul from this duty, upon a pretence of present indispo.sition of body . . . .
The same upon indisposition of heart
The same to start some worldly business, to be dispatched in the hour of prayer, repelled .....
The same, to discourage from it under pretence that the mercies he would beg are too great ....
The same to interrupt in prayer by wandering thoughts
Contains the first cause of roving thoughts in prayer
Contains the second cause of wandering thoughts in prayer
Contains a third cause of wandering thoughts in prayer
The last cause of wandering thoughts in prayer, and its remedy
Some consolatory considerations, for the Christian dejected over- mvich for wandering thoughts in prayer
Satan's last design upon the saint's prayer, and first impediment that may obstruct the acceptation of it in heaven
The second thing that may hinder the same
The third and fourth hindrance to the same
The fifth cause of the same . . . . .
Four rules whereby we may know whether wo exercise faith in prayer ......
The second policy with which Satan labours to defeat the saint, i. e., to whisper false fears into his ear, that his prayer is not heard .....
The saint's arms against Satan's first cavil at his prayers