them who then can weaken or overthrow their comfortable state If God be for us who can be against us Rom. 8.31 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord and he delighteth in his way Though he fall he shall not be utterly cast down for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand Psal 37.23 24. weâ—l therefore may it be said of them as Psal 144.15 Happy is that people that is in such a case yea happy is that people whose GOD is the Lord. The second Use for instruction More particularly this is a sure ground of perseverance to every true child of God in the state of grace for they are true members of that Church which God himself will stablish The use for admonition For admonition this must stirre up every one effectually to labour to be truly born again in Gods Church for the Devill goes about like a roaring lyon seeking whom hee may devoure 1 Pet. 5.8 And only they that be truly regenerate shall be able to withstand his assaults for they only have the Lord with them and for them Now true regeneration contains a totall change both in mind heart and life and is indeed the work of God by his spirit yet in the means the word and prayer wherein we must exercise our selves in an holy manner and beware we doe not quench the spirit or coole any good motion begun thereby Verse 6. The Lord shall count when he writeth up the people that this man was born there Selah The meaning of the words THis verse setteth out another great priviledge of Sion Gods true Church in regard of the honour and happinesse of every true member of it namely that when God writeth down the names of the people that belong unto him he doth count and reckon those for his that be born again in the Church For the better understanding whereof we must know that the Prophet doth here speak of God after the manner of great personages who use to write and enrowle in a book the names of those that they accept and receive into their houses and families as members thereof to any place of service for which see Gen. 40.20 Pharoah on his birth day making a feast unto all his servants lifted up the head of his chief butler and of his chief baker among his servants that is taking a view of all his servants according to their names written in his book as the same phrase is used Numb 31.49 there translated taking the sum which in Genesis is rendred lifting up the head he reckoned his chief butler and chief baker among his servants In like manner the scripture calleth the Church the house of the living God 1 Tim. 1.15 and for our better conceiving of his certain and perfect knowledge remembrance both of all things that ever were are or shall be in the world and also of all those persons that in a speciall manner belong unto him as true members of his Church on earth whom he means to glorifie in heaven doth tell us of certain books which God hath even three in number which we may not uafitly thus distinguish by name First the book of his eternall prescience Psal 139.16 Thine eyes did see my substance yet being unperfect and in thy book all my members are written which in continuance were fashioned when as yet there was none of them This is nothing else but his perfect eternall foresight of all things before they were whereby he knew them as perfectly as if they had been actually written in a book The second is the book of his actuall providence whereby he doth most perfectly take actuall knowledge of and remember all things whatsoever even every thought word and deed of every man Hereof see Psal 139.1 2,3 O Lord thou hast searched me and known me Thou knowest my down sitting and mine uprising thou understandest my thought a farre off c and Psalm 56.8 Thou tellest my wanderings put thou my tears into thy bottle are they not in thy book and according to this he will judge the world Rev. 20.12 I saw the dead both small and great stand before God and the books were opened and another book was opened which is the book of life and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books according to their works The third is the book of life which is Gods eternall purpose for the saving of his elect by Christ actually declared by their effectuall calling or regeneration by the holy ghost in this life in which estate they are referved and kept for glory This book may be said to betwice written in First from all eternity in Gods purpose whereof see Rev. 13.8 whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world Secondly actually in Gods work of effectuall calling or regeneration in the time of naturall life which is termed Gods calling according to purpose Rom. 8.28 And indeed of this latter writing in the book of life by regeneration or effectuall calling is this place to be understood As if he should have said That the Church hath great honour and the true members of it great happinesse is hereby apparent that when God writes up the people actually in the book of life that be is he reckons those for his that be regenerate and born again in his Church In the words thus understood note two things First Gods work of speciall mercy to the true members of the Church Secondly the quality and condition of those persons to whom the foresaid work of mercy is certainly vouchsafed The first observation For the first Gods speciall work of mercy to the true members of the Church is this he actually writes their names in the book of life and then reckons and accounts them to be his own This is plainly shewed in his golden chain Rom. 8.29 40 Whom he did foreknow he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his son that he might be the first born among many brethren Moreover whom he did predestinate them he also called and whom he called them hee also justified and whom he justified them he also glorified Vpon this effectuall calling he bids his Disciples rejoyce that their names were written in heaven Luke 10.20 and upon the good effects and signs of effectuall calling he saith of certain teachers that were zealous of Gods glory in the Church of Philippi that their names were in the book of life Phil. 4.3 The reason hereof may be two wayes confidered The first Reason First of the fact it self in God writing mens names in the book of life and that is only Gods good pleasure According as he hath chosen us in him before the beginning of the world that we should be holy and without blame before him in love Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself according to the good pleasure of his will Eph.
Worship Neither dignity nor distresse should exempt men from the zealous pursuit of Gods holy worship 84.3 Till we have hearts for Gods worship we have â—o souls fit for heaven 84.16 Wrath. WHat sinnes especially provoke God to wrath â—5 20 21 22. Z. Zeal HOw to get zeal and fervency in prayer 27.58 59. Zion How God was seen in Zion 84 55. Zion a type of the Church 84.56 A Table of some places of Scripture explained or vindicated in these Expositions of the 27.84.85 and 87. Psalmes   Psal Page Genesis 2 1 THe Host of Heaven and earth 84 6 6 5 heart evill continually 27 68 40 20 Pharaoh lifted up the head of the chief Butler 87 122 Exod. 20 3 Before me 27 62 20 5 Visiting iniquities of fathers on children 84 4 21 13 14 Take him from mine Altar that he may dye 27 39 23 21 Will not pardon your transgression 85 16 24 4 Twelve Pillars Twelve Tribes 84 10 Joshua 24 19 Will not forgive the transgression 85 16 Judges 2 16 Jud es which delivered them 85 25 1 Sam. 21 12 13 David feigned himself mad 27 22 22 15 Did I then begin to enquire for him 27 36 2 Sam. 6 17 David set the Ark in his place 27 54 2 King 2 14 Where is the God of Elijah 84 59 2 Chron. 7 14 Seek my face 27 63 Job 26 14 Lo these are parts of his wayes 27 93 28 13 Wisdome not in the land of the living 27 125 40 19 Chief of Gods wayes 27 93 Psalm 10 16 Heathen perished out of Gods land 85 6 18 28 Thou wilt light my candle 27 3 18 48 From the violent man 27 118 24 7 The King of glory shall come in 84 7 25 19 Cruell or Hatred of violence 27 120 35 25 Ah so â—ould we have it 27 107 37 9 They shall inherit the earth 27 137 37 32 The wicked watcheth the righteous 27 29 38 5 Because of my foolishnesse 85 66 41 2 Wilt not deliver him to the soul or will of his enemy 27 107 46 4 Though the earth be removed 87 120 46 5 God is in the midst of her 27 43 52 5 Root thee out of the land of the living 27 126 53 4 They eat up Gods people as bread 27 13 Psalm Vers Psalm Page 69 12 They that sate in the gate 27 103 72 11 All nations shall serve him 87 111 72 6 My doctrine shall drop as the rain 84 33 74 9 We see not our signes 85 49 77 19 Thy way is in the sea 27 93 88 18 My kinsmen stand afarre off 27 86 89 10 Broken Rahab in pieces 87 102 89 15 Blessed that know the joyfull sound 27 52 103 7 He made known his wayes unto Moses 27 93 105 4 Seek the Lord and his strength 27 63 119 58 I entreated thy favour with my whole heart 27 66 140 4 Preserve me from the violent man 27 118 Proverbs 2 7 A buckler to them that walk uprightly 84 62 13 4 The sluggard desireth and hath nothing 27 30 19 6 A friend to him that giveth gifts 85 91 22 15 Foolishnesse in the heart of a childe 85 66 26 11 As a dog to his vomit so a fool 85 66 Canticies 5 4 My beloved put in his hand 27 67 Isaiah 11 6 The wolf shall dwell with the lamb 27 123 30 26 Light of the Moon as the light of the Sun 87 98 37 35 For my own sake and Davids sake 27 44 38 11 In the land of the living 27 126 51 9 Hath cut Rahab wounded the Dragon 87 102 Ezekiel 47 1 Waters issued from under the threshold 87 133 Daniel 9 17 Cause thy face to shine for the Lords sake 84 65 66 Hoseah 12 4 He had power over the Angel 84 59 Joel 3 18 A fountain forth of the Lords house 87 133 Zechariah 13 1 A fountain for sinne and uncleannesse 87 132 Malachi 1 1 2,3 The word of the Lord to Israel 87 85 Matthew 3 15 To fulfill all righteousnesse 85 99 5 29,30 If thy right eye offend pluck it out 85 15 6 9 Our father which art in heaven 85 59 18 20 Meet together in my name 27 55 23 33 Generation of Vipers 27 102 23 37 I would have gathered you but you would not 87 113 Luke 1 6 Righteous before God 85 14 8 18 From him shall be taken what he seemeth to have 87 109 10 10 Rejoyce that your names are written in heaven 87 124 John 3 21 He that doth truth cometh to the light 27 5 4 14 In him a Well of water springing up 27 90 7 37 39 If any man thirst let him come to me and drink 84 15 10 14 Workers of iniquity he knowes not 84 34 John 15 19 I have chosen you out of the world 84 68 Acts 7 51 Ye do alwaies resist the Holy Ghost 87 113 Romanes 7 20 No more I but sin that dwelleth in me 27 91 Romanes Vers Psalm Page 7 23 Captivity to the Law of sinne 27 98 12 2 Fashion not your selves 84 68 69 1 Corinthians 1 21 The world by wisdome knew not God 27 33 11 22 Despise ye the Church of God 27 55 2 Corinthians 4 1 As we have received mercy we fains not 85 80 6 15 What concord hath Christ with behall 27 119 Gal. 4 27 The desolate hath more children then c. 87 116 Philip. 2 11 Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling 27 127 4 3 Whose names are in the booâ— of life 87 124 1 Timothy 4 16 Thou shalt save thy self 85 25 Hebrewes 11 10 A City whose builder and maker is God 87 79 James 1 15 Lust conceiving bringeth forth sinne 27 109 110 1 Peter 2 5 Ye also as living stoves are built up c. 87 93 2 Peter 1 19Vntill the day Star arise in your hearts 27 34 1 John 2 4 The truth is not in him 85 14 2 19 They would have continued with us 27 32 Revel 7 9 Clothed with white robes and palmes in their hands 87 89 13 8 Whose names are not written in the book of life 87 123 20 12. And the bookes were opened 87 122 Materiall faults escaped in Printing the Expositions of the 27. 84 85 and 87. Psalmes fit to be amended before reading IN the Epistle to Sir Robert Hatley page 2. line 28. for effect read affect In the Exposition of the 17. Psalme p. 6. l. 5. for prayer râ—pray l. 11 for uâ—r us p. 55 l. 22 for recreation r. correction p. 61 l. 8. for so r. sow l. 7. after evils r. as 2 Chron. 7 13 14. Thirdly to the comfortable fruition of all needfull good l. 26 after worship r. under the Gospel prophetically p. 66 l. 23 for 20 r. 10 p. 68. l. 7. for scattered r. flattered p. 80. l. 30 for need r. deep p. 81 l 14 for carnall r. corporall p. 82. l. 6 for bed r. God p. 87 〈◊〉 last r. the stream l. 34. for head r. hand p. 97. l. 8. after humility r. and meeknesse Psal 25.9 the meek will he teach his way p. 103. l. 28 for exposition read opposition p 107. l. 33 after great r and for danger p. 125. l. 2. r. had not p. 131. l. 3. r. prosperity p. 136. l. 9. for conferenâ—â—â—r reference l. 34. r. hath not p. 142. l. 24 r the Prophet In the Exposition of the 84 Psalm p. 17 l. 5. r. maintenance p. 37. l. 34 r. whom whosoever p 4â— l. 4. r. shall not see In the Epistle to Sir Robert Whitney l. 4. r. Sir In the Exposition of the 85 Psalm p. 4. l 32. r. the Lord p. 5. l 11. r. blessings they have received from him though notwithstanding those blessings they lye p. 11 l. 6. Dele brought back his people that had p. 14. l. 12. r. this life p. 17 l. â—â— after diligence r. hereunto to become Gods people that so they may have title p. 18. l. 18. after also r. describeth the blessednesse of the man unto whom God l. 19. after 7. r. See Mat. 9 â— p. 2â— l. 10. in the margin read to wrath p. 21. l. 17 r. these men p. 25. l. 10. for Pal. r. verse l. 22. r. got not p. 73 l. 3. for serve r. fear p. 76. l. 10. r. and those that follow l. 12. r. raciows p. 101. l. 25. r. an Atheist In the Exposition of the 87. Psalm p 98. l 20. r. Hobab p. 108. l. 18. r. effectuall p. 110. l. 21. for wrath r. watch p. â—â—â— l. 33. after for r the conversion of Rebels First they must endeavour in p. 115. l. 30. r. and renown p. 118. l. 4. r. belliever l. 7 â—â— instant p. 126. l. 16. for word r. work Iâ—â—â—â—â— faults are left to the Readers ingenuity FINIS
here spoken of must be understood to denote the true Church of God in all ages as being in the Prophets time when this Psalme was penned both the chief feat and true type thereof so as for us the point here contained is this The true Church of God is Gods own City The first observation Hence it is called Jerusalem from above Gal. 4.26 The heavenly Jerusalem the holy City the new Jerusalem the great City the holy Jerusalem Rev. 21.2 10. The reason hereof is Gods free grace and favour choosing his Church in Christ to be his own by covenant The reason even his house Heb. 3.6 1 Tim. 3.15 His Temple so as he will dwell in them and walk in them 2 Cor. 6.16 And so his city where the Tabernacle of God is with men Revel 21.3 This serves for instruction and for admonition The use for instruction For instruction to our great comfort that God certainly will defend his Church against all enemies for so much will every King do for his chief city that is the chamber of his Kingdome and every housholder for his own habitation as Mat. 24.43 If the good man of the house had known in what watch the thiefe would have come he would have watched and would not have suffered his house to be broken up See Gods promise and performance for Jerusalem while it remained the seat of his Sanctuary Is 37.35 I will defend this City to save it for mine own sake and for my servant Davids sake Hereupon the people of God say God is our refuge and strength a very present help in trouble Therefore will we not fear though the earth be removed and though the Mountains be carried into the midst of the Sea Though the Waters thereof roare and be troubled though the Mountains shake with the swelling thereof There is a river the streams whereof shall make glad the City of God the holy place of the Tabernacles of the most high God is in the midst of her she shall not be moved God shall help her and that right early Psal 46.1 c. God is known in her pallaces for a refuge Psal 48.3 And for the true Church her selfe in all ages Vpon this rock will I build my Church and the gates of hell shall not prevaile against it Mat. 16.18 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgement thou shalt condemne Isaiah 54.17 The first use for admonition For admonition it serves two wayes First as we desire true safety and salvation eternall so to joyn our selves truly to Gods Church for upon Mount Sion shall be deliverance Obad. 17. This is as Noah's Ark into which all must come that look to be saved from the deluge of damnation Heb. 11.7 Therefore it is said that God added to his Church daily such as should be saved Acts 2.47 Now the way into Christs Church is by true repentance and faith in Christ Jesus as Acts 2.38.41 Then Peter said unto them Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sinnes and ye shall receive the gift of the holy Ghost Then they that gladly received his Word were baptized and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand soules The second use for admonition Secondly when we do professe the truth of Chirst we must walk worthy of this holy place by a continuall daily strife and endeavour after sanctification testified in new obedience Hereinto none do enter or continue that are unholy or prophane There shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth neither whatsoever worketh abomination or maketh a lye but they which are written in the Lambs book of life Rev. 21.27 This is Gods holy city not only in regard of the owner God himself but of all the free denisons the true inhabitants thereof Gods people are an holy nation 1 Pet. 2.9 and the Lord saith Be ye holy for I am holy Levit. 11.44 45. Even holy in abstaining from outward pollution by unclean creatures The same duty is enjoyned upon the prohibiting of idolatry and witchcrafts Levit. 20.7 So that whether the sin be small or great we must abstain from it because we have an holy God and live in an holy place which is his Church as we say in the confession of our faith I beleev the holy Catholike Church Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord and who shall stand in his holy place He that hath clean hands and a pure heart c. Psal 24.3 4. Hence was the use of the paddle in the camp to cover their excrements because God walked in the midst of the camp Deut. 23.13 14. The second thing to be noted here is the declaration of the Churches happinesse in the sure ground of her certain hopes of her future blessings namely Gods gracious promises of glorious things to be done unto her every one whereof is mentioned in Gods Word as the phrase in the originall doth imply joyning a participle of the singular number to a noune of the plurall which some render thus Glorious things is spoken of thee meaning that every one of them concerning the Churches happinesse is particularly mentioned in Gods Word The second Observation Mark then that God in his word doth plainly and particularly mention exceeding glorious things belonging to the Church touching her future happinesse These do concern partly her happy deliverance from evils for God shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities Psal 130.8 When thou passest through the waters I will be with thee and thorow the rivers they shall not overflow thee when thou walkest thorow the fire thou shalt not be burnt c. Is 43.2 c. But chiefly her fruition of blessings even in this world under the Kingdome of Christ called the accepted time and day of salvation 2 Cor. 6.2 the time of reformation Heb. 9.10 Glorious things indeed were spoken of these times as 1 Cor. 2.9 Eye hath not seen nor ear heard neither have entred into the heart of mans the things which God hath prepared for them that love him 1 Pet. 1.12 See some particulars which are for quality admirable and for number almost innumerable Now the light of the Moon shall be as the light of the Sunne and the light of the sunne shall be seven fold Is 30.26 meaning that there shall be a wonderfull encrease of knowledge and of the comforts of grace Now Kings shall be her nursing fathers and Queens her nursing mothers c. Is 49.23 Adde hereunto Is 54.1 2,3 11 12 13. and Is 60. 1 2. and 62.1 2. and 65.17 18. and 66.11 12. and the 21. and 22. chapters of the Revelation And whatsoever shall be wanting to the Church or to any true member thereof in this world shall be superabundantly supplyed and recompenced in the world to come as Rom. 8.18 1 Cor. 15.53 54. 2 Cor. 4.14 16.
1.4 5. I thank thee O Father Lord of heaven and earth because thou hast revealed them unto babes even so father for so it seemed good in thy sight Mat. 11.25 26. The second Reason Secondly of this manner of expressing Gods speciall favour in effectuall calling saying it is his writing their names in the book of life For thus he speaketh partly for his own sake to manifest the stablenesse of his counsell and purpose for their salvation for in Gods divine wisdome and good pleasure it is as sure and firm as if their names were really written in a book partly also for the true peace and comfort of those that be truly and effectually called that they may not doubt of their happy estate but in and by this strong consolation of Gods writing their names in the book of life encourage their hearts to perseverance against all oppositions from the world the flesh and the devill as Rom. 8.33,35,38,39 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods elect c. This serves for instraction and for admonition The use for instruction For instruction see here that the state of the true members of Gods Church is for Gods speciall favour and life eternall most stable and firm for God hath written their names amongst his people in the book of life and accompts them for his own Now them that be thus his own he loves to the end John 13.11 The gifts of grace in this calling are without repentance Rom. 11.29 This their estate hath a sure foundation he knoweth them to be his 2 Tim. 2.19 This is to be marked to arme our selves against the uncomfortable doctrine of Papists and Arminians that teach the true Saints of God may fall from grace For admonition to give all diligence unto the assurance of this estate for our selves which is St. Peters counsell The use for admonition 2 Pet. 1.5 6 7 10 11. where also he shewes the way by adding grace to grace and expressing the truth thereof in obedience Giving all diligence adde to your faith vertue and to vertue knowledge c. And give diligence to make your calling and election sure for if ye do these things ye shall never fall c. The second observation The second point to be noted is the quality and condition of those parties whom God writes with his people in the book of life and so reckons for his own They are borne there that is born again by regeneration in the true Church See 1 Pet. 1.3 4. Blessed be the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead To an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that fadeth not away reserved in heaven for you And James 1.18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures The Reason The reason is plain for by effectuall calling which is actually writing in the book of life men are brought into spirituall society and fellowship with God in Christ 1 Cor. 1.9 which necessarily requires regeneration For the state of man in corrupt nature is darknesse under the power of Satan which can have no society with God as 2 Cor. 6.14.16 2 John 1.6 Therefore it is said they that are brought to the state of sonnes by faith are born again John 1.12 13. 1 John 5.1 The first Use for instruction This serves for instruction admonition and comfort For instruction two waies First that mans particular state in soule for fruition of Gods saving love and favour in Christ may be known by ordinary grace without extraordinary revelation For whosoever is born again is in that estate his name is actually written in the book of life as this text implies Now the state of this new birth may be known by faith 1 John 5.1 with 2 Cor. 13.5 The second Use for instruction Secondly see here the great necessity of the faithfull dispensation of the word in the preaching of it unto mans true happinesse for without regeneration there is no salvation John 3.3 5. Except a man be born again he cannot see the Kingdome of God And the word preached is the means in which God works as before Jam. 1.18 1 Pet. 1.23.25 Consider that though God can convert without preaching by his absolute power yet he is pleased to work by this meanes For after that in the wisdome of God the world by wisdome knew not God it pleased God by the foolishnesse of preaching to save them that believed 1 Cor. 1.21 as in the Eunuch Acts 8.27 c. and in Cornelius Acts 10.1 c. The Use for admonition For admonition this must stirre up every one to give all diligence to get into the state of regeneration It is indeed Gods work but ordinarily by his spirit in the ministry of the word both the law to break up the fallow ground and the Gospell to cast in the feed of grace as before 1 Pet. 1.23.25 We must therefore exercise our selves in this word and pray for the word of the spirit and so to use these ordinances that we may have title to the work and blessing of the spirit In which holy endeavour breaking of the course of sin and hungring and thirsting after grace wee must continue till we find our selves renewed and our selves horne again The Use for comfort For comfort to those that find and feel this blessed work of the new birth for blessed are they this work shewes their names are written in heaven and they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation Let us Took well therefore unto both parts of it as well in the mortification of corruption as in the repaire and renewing of Gods Image and then we cannot want the comfort of assurance to have our names written in the booke of life Verse 7. As well the singers as the players on instruments shall be there all my springs are in thee The meaning of the words IN these words the Prophet concludes the Psalm with two most comfortable priviledges and prerogatives of the Church first that it is the only place for true delight and pleasure secondly that it is the well head of all heavenly and spirituall blessings The first he expresseth in a Metonymie of the efficient naming singers and players on instruments which were speciall agents in the cheerfull praising of God under David and Solomon and in the succeeding times of legall service as we may see for Davids time 1 Chron. 9.33 and 25.1 2,3 Which vocall musick did prefigure the joy of the holy Ghost under the gospell and so sheweth plainly The first observation That the Church of God under the gospell for the true members of it is the only place for true spirituall joy and rejoycing for evermore So it is prophecied Is 35.10 The ransomed
children unto Abraham of stones as Mat. 3.9 to whom all things are possible Mat. 19.36 and nothing is too hard Jer. 32.27 Lastly doth heavinesse and deadnesse of heart oppresse thee Then get thee to the comforter even to God in Christ by his holy spirit who is the God of hope that can fill thee with all joy in believing Rom. 15.13 FINIS A Table of some speciall matters contained in these Expositions of the 27.84.85 and 87. PSALMES The first number hath reference to the Psalme the second to the Page A. Abraham HOw the Sonnes of Abraham may be known 85.26 Affliction How to be so prepared for afflictions as that we may glorifie God under them 27.42 43. How the godly may comfort themselves in afflictions 27.47 All affliction comes by divine dispensation 85.36 The difference between Gods children and naturall men under affliction 85.43 44. Anger Anger what it is how and why ascribed unto God in Scripture 85.18 19. Speciall means to turn away Gods anger 85.22 23. Gods anger may continue long towards his own people and why 85.37,38,39 Anointed All true believers are Gods anointed 84.67 68. What we must do that we may be of the number of Gods anointed ones 84.68 69. Answer Why God doth sometimes deny to give gracious answers to the prayers of his servants 27.56 What we must do that we may be enabled to to wait and listen for a gracious answer when we have prayed 85.60.61 What is required of men that they may walk worthy of the Lord and labour in some measure to answer his bounty 85.92 Apostasie They that end in Apostasie began in hypocrisie or at least had only an humane acquired faith 27.89 90. Assembly Christian Assemblies for Evangelicall worship are lovely places 84.15 B. Behave HOw Gods children must behave themselves when he hides his face from them 27.73 Mens behaviour and carriage towards their brethren will discover and manifest their estate and condition before God 85.89 Blessing The right way to partake of the best blessings 27.129 130. What it is to be blessed 84.36 The difference between Gods children and naturall men in the fruition of temporall blessings 85.48 Though many times they want the possessions yet the right of all Gods blessings belongs to them that are in Christ 85.90 They that live in sinne and want faith have no part in the best blessings have starved souls though in pampered and well clad bodies 85.92 There is small hope of Gods blessing to accompany the devils getting 85.92 The earthly blessings of Gods providence are attendants on the heavenly blessings of his grace 85.93 Book God hath three Books and what they are 87.122 C. Calling HOw men must wait upon the Gospel preached for an holy calling 87.106 Effectuall calling is actually writing in the book of life 87.125 Captivitie What sins brought the Captivity 85.10 Censure He that shall refuse subjection to the censure of the Church must be cast out as an heathen 85.101 Charmes Conjurers charmes are prayers to the devill 85.28 Church What wonderfull blessings are certainly enjoyed in Gods house his Church and no where else 27.25 26 27. In the visible Church hypocrites may have a place for outward worship 84.10 Gods Church on earth is fitly compared to the Moon and why 85.34 Gods true Church seeking Gods salvation pleads mercy not merit 85.56 The true Church is a spirituall building of Gods own founding and making 87.79 The inseparable property of Gods true Church is that it is holy and sanctified 87.82 Prophane and wicked persons are no true and lively members of the Church 87.82 83. God loves his Church above all other states and conditions of men in the world whatsoever 87.85 The greatnesse of Gods love to his Church seen in three things 87.86 87 88 89 90. How to know the true Church and how to become true members of it 87.93 The true Church of God is his own city 87.95 Gods Church is as Noahs Ark unto which all must come that look to be saved from the deluge of damnation 87.96 What the way into Christs Church is ibid. Why God doth mention glorious things to belong to his Church 87.98 99. The outward state of Gods Church in this world is many times not onely mean but miserable 87.99 The happinesse of Gods Church and children must be measured by their present title to Gods favour in Christ and their certain title to suture glory ibidem Gods Church is Gods kingdom into which man in the corrupt state of nature cannot enter as heir to inherit 87.107 By what titles Gods Church is his more then any other people in the world 87.120 The Church of God is the onely place for spirituall joy 87.127 What incomparable blessings God vouchsafeth to his Church which makes it the place for spirituall joy 87.128.129 Out of the Church no salvat on and why 87. â—34 â—35 The Church of God is surpassing excellent and happy above all other states of people in the world 87.135 Comfort True courage and comfort in evill times is the Lords gift 27.9 The right way to sound comfort and true patience in any distresse or bodily misery 84.44 45. Contempt Gods people sometimes are in great contempt and why 85.74 Conversion No mans conversion is to be despaired of 87.113 What they must do that wish and wait for the conversion of rebels 87.113 114. Multitude of converts is an evidence of Gods speciall favour 87.116 Corruption Naturall corruption judgeth many of Gods wayes unequall 27.98 The terrour that corruption causeth in the godly may easily manifest how terrible the tyranny of it is in naturall men 27.108 How to know where corruption bears dominion 27.108 â—09 110. Corruption of nature in the heart bewrays its dominion in naturall men by their ordinary practise of sinne in life 27.122 123. Originall corruption is in Gods people in a different manner and measure according to their estate before God 85.13 14. Originall corruption is not quite taken away by baptisme 85.14 Covenant They that stand rightly in covenant with God are in an happy estate 27.4 How to get into Covenant with God 27.6 Countenance We should labour in our countenances to expresse truly the affections of our hearts 84.64 65. Courage The way to get spirituall courage 27.141 142. Courts Gods Courts are the place of his solemn worship here on earth 84.70 D. Delay WHy God sometimes useth long delayes in answering the prayers of his children 84.58 Deliverance Deliverance by unlawfull meanes is not of God but the devill 85.58 Disease Sinne is a deadly disease in the soul to which turning back is a spirituall relapse more dangerous then a corporall 85.68 Displeasure The sense of Gods displeasure in a state of misery is to Gods people as a state of death and why 85.42 43. Doubling Doubling requests in prayer shewes fervency and earnestnesse for audience 84.57 Dwell What it is to dwell in Gods house 27.24,32 Three things required of them that would dwell in Gods