A saint or a brute the certain necessity and excellency of holiness, &c. ... / by Richard Baxter.

The Contents.

Part 1.

• PReface: The contempt of Godliness rebuked, pag. 1
• Godliness described: What it containeth; and what I mean by Godliness throughout this Treatise, p. 5
• Signs of true Godliness, p. 14
• Directions for such as will be soundly and sincerely godly, p. 18

• LUke 10 41, 42. The design of the Treatise, p. 1
• The Text explained, p. 3, &c.
• 1. Obs. Nearest natural relations are not alwayes of one mind in the matters of salvation, p. 8
• 2. Obs. When Christ cometh into the house, he is presently at work for the hearers souls, p. 8
• 3. Obs. When the word is preached we must hear, p. 9
• 4. Obs. The humility of Disciples in those times. ib.
• The sense of the Text in seven Doctrines, p. 10
• Doct. 1. One thing is Needful: It is One thing that is absolutely Necessary; but they busie themselves about many, that neglect this one, p. 11
• In what respect it is One, and but One, ibid.
• How the troubling matters of the world are many, p. 13
• How far the One thing is Necessary, p. 15
• Q••. Are not other things Needful in their places? p. 18
• The Application 1. by way of inquiry, how you have sought the One thing Necessary, p. 20
• How a true Christian differeth from all hypocrites, p. 22
• ...

• 1. Whatever you have been doing in the world, you have but lost your Time, if you have not done the One thing Needful, p. 25
• 2. And you have lost all your labour, p. 26
• 3. You have been busily undoing your selves, p. 29
• 4. You have unman'd your selves, and lived below your Reason, and as beside your wits, p. 32
• The madness of them that are afraid of being Godly, lest it make them mad, p. 34
• 5. You have but abused and lost all your mercies, p. 37, 38
• 6. You have neglected Christ, his Grace and Spirit, p. 40
• 7. Your hopes and peace are but delusions and irrational, p. 41
• Use 2. To lament the distracted course of worldlings, p. 43
• Use 3. Exhortation: What course will you take for time to come? p. 48
• Consider 1. It is Necessity that is pleaded with you, p. 51
• 2. It is but One thing that God hath made Necessary, p. 56
• 3. This One thing is that Good part, p. 59
• 4. This Good part is offered you, and you have your choice, whether God or the world, heaven or earth shall be your portion, p. 61
• Qu. How is it in our choice? have we free-will? p. 63
• 5. If you choose it, it shall never be taken from you. p. 65
• A full confutation of those ungodly ones that deny the Necessity of a holy life, p. 69. in 30 Queries.
• Obj. It is not Godliness, but your procise way that we call needless. The particulars of a holy life examined, p. 83. 1. Much preach∣ing and hearing, p. 85
• 2. Reading Scriptures, 3. and servent Prayer, p. 86
• 3. Diligent instructing families, p. 88
• 4. The holy observation of the Lords Day justified, p. 89
• 7. Strictness of life in avoiding sin, p. 92
• 8. The rigour of Church Discipline, p. 94
• Obj. It is but few that are so strict. p. 97

The second Part.

• CHap. 1. Holiness and its fruits are the Best part: Wherein the Happiness of Saints consisteth, p. 101. Why most men choose it not. What is set in the Ballance against it, p. 110
• The excuses of refusers answered, p. 112
• ...

• Chap. 2. What he must do in reason, that will be resolved which is the best part and way: And who shall be the judge, p. 114
• Chap. 3. Twenty Queries for the full conviction of all Rational men that are willing to understand the truth, that There is a Life to come of Happiness to the Godly, and Misery to the Ungodly: With fifteen Queries for the conviction of Infidels, that the Go∣spel is the infallible Word of God, p. 130
• [Those that have not read the second Part of my Saints Rest, and Treatise against Infidelity, and doubt of the Truth of the Scripture or the life to come, may read this third Chapter first, and so proceed to the rest of the Book.]
• Clem. Writer's Objections answered, p. 157
• Chap. 4. Holiness is Best for all Societies, p. 159
• 1. It uniteth all in One head and Center, p. 160
• 2. It hath the most uniting, excellent, powerful end of duty, p. 161
• 3. It takes away the Ball of the worlds contention that breaketh So∣cieties, ibid.
• 4. It destroyeth selfishness, which is the destroying principle, p. 162
• 5. It hath the most righteous Laws, ibid.
• 6. It is contrary to all disturbing evil, ibid.
• 7. It effectually disposeth the mind to duty, p. 163
• 8. It cleanseth the very heart, and killeth secret sin. 9. It cementeth Societies with unfeigned Love, ibid.
• 10. It maketh Princes and Rulers a double blessing: Manifested in five particulars, p. 164
• 11. It maketh the most Loyal and obedient subjects. For 1. it makes them know themselves p. 166. 2. And to see God in their Rulers. 3. And to obey and submit for conscience sake, p. 167. 4. And destroyeth self-seeking. 5. And consisteth in Charity. 6. Proc••reth Divine blessings. 7. And makes men meck, and patient, and for∣bearing. 8. Disposeth to concord. 9. Assureth of the greatest re∣wards of obedience. 10▪ And confirmeth against all temptations to disobodience, p. 168
• Object. Have not the greatest rebellions been caused by your godly men! as the Waldenses, Bohemians, French and others nearer us? Answered, p. 169, 170. specially to Papists, p. 173, 174
• 12. Godliness makes men true to their Covenants; ibid.
• 13. It teacheth the true method of obeying, p. 175
• 14. It maketh men of publike spirits. 15. It maketh it their busi∣ness to do good. 16. It makes men love enemies, and forgive

• wrongs. 17. It interesseth Societies in the favour and protection of God, p. 176
• 18▪ It is the surest way to all supplies. 19. It is the Honour of So∣cieties. 20. It must be best that is so heavenly, p. 177
• Chap. 5. Times of Holiness are the Best Times, p. 178. Those that say, It never was a good world since there was so much Godliness, and so much preaching, are fully confuted by twenty Argu∣ments. And their cavils answered. p. 181, &c.
• Chap. 6. Holiness is the only way of safety, p. 196
• Chap. 7. Holiness is the only Honest way. The dishonesty of the ungodly proved, p. 205
• Chap. 8. Holiness is the most Gainful way▪ proved, p. 219
• Chap. 9. Holiness is the most Honourable way, p. 232. A reproof of the reproach of Holiness in England: And full proof of the Honour of a Godly life. ibid.
• Obj. It tends to make the godly proud to tell them of their Honour. Answ. Many Reasons for full confutation of this Objection, p. 258
• The baseness of the ungodly, p. 265
• Chap. 10. Holiness is the most Pleasant life, p. 269
• Proved: I. From the Nature of the thing, and 1. From the Reve∣lations of God, and the Knowledge of Believers, p. 270
• 2. From the Will and Affections, the nature and operations of Grace therein, p. 277
• 3. From the quality of External holy duties, p. 282
• 4. From the Objects of holy Acts, p. 302, 303
• Objections answered, p. 307, 308
• II. From the Helps and Concomitants, p. 310
• From the Effects, p. 312
• The Aggravations of the Delights of Holiness compared with the Delights of sin, p. 314
• Obj. Of the sad lives of Believers, Answered, p. 323
• Obj. Doth not God command men to fast and mourn? p. 339
• Use: Reproof to those that can find no matter of pleasure in a holy life. p. 341
• The greatness of their sin and misery, p. 342
• Directions, Shewing such graceless persons what to do, that they may come to Delight in God and Godliness, p. 348
• Use 2▪ Reproof to those self troubling Christians, who live as sadly as if there were little pleasure to be found in God, p. 353
• Considerations fit to cure this sad disease, p. 354
• ...

• Qu. Whether it be not Hypocritical affectation, to seem conformable for fear of discouraging men from Religion: Fully answered, p. 359
• Obj. I could rejoyce if I knew my title to the promises, p. 362
• Obj. I have cause of sorrow, p. 363
• The considerations prosecuted, p. 364
• Twelve Directions to sad self-troubling Christians, how they may live a Joyful life, and find Delight in God and Godliness, p. 374.