CHAP. VI.
Directions unto the exercise of our thoughts on things above ; things future, in- visible and eternal ; on God himself, with the difficulties of it, and oppositions unto it, and the way of their removal. Right notions of future glory slated 291
vi CONTENTS.
Page CHAP. VII.
Especial objects of spiritual thoughts on the glorious state of heaven, aad what belongs thereunto. First, of Christ himself. Thoughts of heavenly glory, in opposition unto thoughts of eternal misery. The use of such thoughts. Ad- vantage in sufferings 309
• CHAP. VIII.
Spiritual thoughts of God himself. The opposition onto them and neglect of them, with their causes and the way of their prevalency. Predominant cor- ruptions expelling due thoughts of God, how to be discovered, &c. Thoughts of God, of what nature, and what they are to be accompanied withal, &c.' • 318
CHAP. IX.
What of God or in God we are to think and meditate upon. His being; rea- sons of it _; opposition to it; the way of their conquest. Thoughts of the om- nipresence and omniscience of God, peculiarly necessary. The reasons hereof. As also of his omnipotency. The use and benefit of such thoughts 337
CHAP. X.
Sundry things tendered unto such as complain that they know not how, that they are not able, to abide in holy thouglits of God, and spiritual or heavenly things, for their relief, instruction, and direction. Rules concerning stated spiritual meditation . • • • • • • 352
PART II.— CHAP. XI. The seat of spiritual miadedness in the affections. The nature and use of them. The ways and means used by God himself, to call the affections of men from the world • • • • ■ 371
CHAP. XII.
What is required in, and unto, our affections, that they may be spiritual. A threefold work on the affections described 390
CHAP. XIII.
The work of the renovation of our affections. How differenced from any other
impression on, or change wrought in, them, and how it is evidenced so to be.
The first instance in the universality accompanying of afTections spiritually
renewed. The order of the exercise of our affections with respect unto their
t objects '^'^^
CHAP. XIV.
The second difference between affections spiritually renewed and those who have * been only changed by light and conviction. Grounds and reasons of men's delight in duties of divine worship, and of their diligence in their perform- ance whose minds are not spiritually minded. « 406
CONTENTS. vii
Page CHAP. XV.
Delight of believers in tlie holy institutions of divine worship. The grounds and reasons thereof. The evidence of being spiritually minded thereby, &c. • • • 414
CHAP. XVI.
Assimilation unto things heavenly and spiritual in affections spiritually renewed. This assimilation the work of faith : how, and whereby. Reasons of the want of growth in our spiritual affections as unto this assimilation 432
CHAP. XVII.
Decays in spiritual affections, with the causes and dangers of thera. Advice unto them who are sensible of the evil of spiritual decays 446
CHAP. XVIII.
The state of spiritual affections when they are daily exercised and improved. Their pattern, rule, and measure of attainment 460
CHAP. XIX.
Inquiry into the frue notion and consideration of spiritual things which renders them the object of spiritual affectations, and causes them to cleave to them with delight and complacency • 469
CHAP. XX. -
The way of the soul's application of itself, and adherence unto, spiritual objects, by its affections i t... 473
CHAP. XXI. How being spiritually minded is life and peace ' 48,5
X
THE NATURE, POWKR, DECEIT, AND PREVALENCY,
OK THE HEMAINDERS OF
I N D W E L L I N G S I N
IN BELIEVERS;
TOGETHER
WITH THE WAYS OF ITS WORKING, AND MEANS OF PREVENTION ;
OPENED, EVINCED, AND APPLIED, WITH A RESOLUTION OF SUNDRY CASES
OF CONSCIENCE THEREUNTO APPERTAINING.
O viretched 7nan that I am, who shall deliver me from the body of this death! I thank God, through Jesus Christ our Lord, — Rom. vii. 24, 25.
VOL. XIII.
THE PREFACE. ,, ;
That the doctrine of orio-inal sin is one of the funda- mental truths of our Christian profession, hath been al- ways owned in the church of God. And an especial part it is of that peculiar possession of truth, which they enjoy, whose religion towards God is built upon, and resolved into, divine revelation. As the world by its wisdom never knew God aright, so the wise men of it were always utterly ignorant of this inbred evil in themselves and others. With us the doctrine and con- viction of it lie in the very foundation of all wherein we have to do with God, in reference unto our pleasing of him here, or obtaining the enjoyment of him here- after. It is also known what influence it hath into the great truths concerning the person of Christ, his media- tion, the fruits and effects of it, with all the benefits that we are made partakers of thereby. Without a suppo- sition of it, not any of them can be truly known, or savingly believed. For this cause hath it been largely treated of by many holy and learned men, both of old and of latter days. Some have laboured in the disco- very of its nature, some of its guilt and demerit; b}*^ whom also the truth concernino; it hath been vindi- cated from the opposition made unto it, in the past and present ages. By most these things have been consi- dered in their full extent and latitude, with respect unto all men by nature, with the estate and condition of them who are wholly under the power and guilt of it. How thereby men are disenabled and incapacitated in them- selves to answer the obedience required either in the law or the gospel, so as to free themselves from the curse of the one, or to make themselves partakers of the bless- ing of the other, hath been by many also fully evinced. Moreover, that there are remainders of it abiding in