Graphautarkeia, or, The Scriptures sufficiency practically demonstrated wherein whatsoever is contain'd in Scripture, respecting doctrine, worship or manners is reduced to its proper head, weighty cases resolved, truths confirmed, difficult texts illustrated and explained by others more plain.

Title

Graphautarkeia, or, The Scriptures sufficiency practically demonstrated wherein whatsoever is contain'd in Scripture, respecting doctrine, worship or manners is reduced to its proper head, weighty cases resolved, truths confirmed, difficult texts illustrated and explained by others more plain.

Publication

London :: Printed for Sampson Evans ...,

1676.

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Subject terms

Bible -- Indexes.

Link to this Item

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"Graphautarkeia, or, The Scriptures sufficiency practically demonstrated wherein whatsoever is contain'd in Scripture, respecting doctrine, worship or manners is reduced to its proper head, weighty cases resolved, truths confirmed, difficult texts illustrated and explained by others more plain." In the digital collection Early English Books Online. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/A41801.0001.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed April 29, 2025. content_copy

Contents

• imprimatur
• title page
• THE PREFACE.
• The PREFACE to the Reader.
• A Table of the several Heads herein contained, and their Subdivisions, in order as they lye, and Directing to Chapter and Page.
• errata
• An Alphabetical Table of the most and prin∣cipal things contained in this Book.
• CHAP. I. Of the Scriptures, Written Word of God, the Word of Truth, their Authority, Use, End and Excellency, Heb. 1. 1. ch. 2. 3, 4.
• CHAP. II. Of GOD.
  • First, his Names and Titles.
  • 2dly. He is a Spirit.
  • 3dly, His Excellency, Majesty, Greatness, Perfection, Glory, and Soveraignty, and Absoluteness.
  • 4thly, He is Invisible.
  • 5thly, Incorruptible.
  • 6thly, He is the most strong, Almighty, and Omnipotent God, a Rock.
  • 7thly, He is Omniscient.
  • 8thly, He is most Wise.
  • 9thly, He is most Holy.
  • 10thly, He is most just.
  • 11thly, He is Compassionate, Pitiful, and Merciful.
  • 12thly, He is long-suffering, and patient.
  • 13. He is Gracious, Good, Kind, and Bountiful.
  • 14. He is faithfulness and truth.
  • 15. He is unchangeable.
  • 16. He is infinite and unsearchable.
  • 17. He is eternal.
  • 18. He only is the true and living God.
• CHAP. III. Of the one God, Father, Son and Spirit, or the Trinity.
• CHAP. IV. Of Man in his first estate, wherein he was created, and of His fall.
  • Of his first state.
  • Of his fall.
• CHAP. V. Of Mans state by nature, since sin entered.
  • 1st. Corrupt, unclean, and desperately wicked.
  • 2dly. Ignorant, and sottishly opposing the true God and his ways, and adoring I∣dols of stocks and stones.
  • 3dly. In servitude and subjection to Satan and Sin.
  • The fad fruit and end of such a state.
• CHAP. VI. The Case the Law concludes men under.
  • Under sin and guilt.
  • Under the curse thereof.
  • The Deeds of the Law, or sacrifices under it, cannot justifie, o but still leave sinners under guilt, condemnation and wrath.
• CHAP. VII. Of Mans Salvation, and Redemption, how it came, and by what means.
  • From God only and no otherwise.
  • Who is he, in and by whom this salvation is conveyed and wrought. John 1. 17. It is Jesus Christ.
  • The excellency of this Saviour, and his fulness and dignity.
    • In his person and authority.
    • In his Nature.
• CHAP. VIII. How Christ wrought this Salvation for sinners, and what he was made, and is; what he undertook, and did, in order to it.
  • First, He is Mediatour.
  • 2dly. He took upon him the nature of man, and humbled himself.
  • 3dly, He is made an high Priest.
  • 4thly, He offered himself as a sacrifice to God, suffered for the sins of man∣kind, and so made peace through the shedding of his own blood, by which he entered into the Holiest for us.
  • 5thly, He fulfilled all righteousness of the Law, bare the Curse, took away the hand-Writing of Ordinances, is our righteousness.
  • 6thly. He sanctifieth us, is our sanctification.
  • 7thly. He ariseth from the dead.
  • 8thly. He ascended into Heaven, is our way to the Father, our Advocate and Intercessour there.
  • 9thly. He is made our King and Head, to encounter and conquer our enemies, to Rule for us, and in us.
  • 10thly. He is our great Prophet and Sheepherd, to teach, guide, and feed us.
  • 11thly, He is our all in all things, our compleatness and perfection.
• CHAP. IX. Gods free choice of His in Christ to Eternal Life, and calling them according to his Purpose and Grace.
• CHAP. X. Pardon and remission of sins, reconciliation and peace with God; Justification and Sanctification before God; eter∣nal-life and Salvation, free through the grace of God only; by the death, sacrifice and sufferings of Christ with∣out Works.
  • In General.
  • In Particular. Pardon of Sins.
  • Reconciliation to, and peace with God.
  • Justification and Sanctification before God.
  • Eternal life and Salvation.
• CHAP. XI. How Men have the benefit of this Salvation, or by what means, it becomes theirs, in particular.
  • By Faith.
  • Of Faith, in its Nature, and Objects, and Use, Benefits and advantages, further the nas before, as relating to this Salvation.
    • 1. In its Nature and Objects.
    • 2dly. In its Use, Benefits, and Advantages, further.
  • dly, In its effects, or the fruits by which it's known to be true.
  • The dangerous state and issue of Unbelief.
• CHAP. XII. Characters of Saints, Good men, and Believers, appearing in word and deed.
  • 1. That such may be known from others by their fruits.
  • 2dly, Of the particular fruits of the Spirit in them, or good things appearing, or necessary to be in such who are real Saints.
• CHAP. XIII. Saints, Believers, the Children of God themselves may be overtaken with faults, are not altogether free from sinful dispositions and inclinations, in this Life: and may be corrected of God for them.
  • 1st. In general it is affirmed.
  • 2dly, Particular instances of the Saints failings recorded.
  • 3dly, That God will punish or correct his for sinning.
• CHAP. XIV. Of the Priviledges of Saints, and their excellency above others: VVhat God hath done, doth do, and will do for, and be unto them, more than others; and what they can do with God, &c.
• CHAP. XV. The Union and Relations between Christ and his Church; and the mutual love and esteem each of other, and the manifestation thereof.
• CHAP. XVI. Of the Duties of Believers, such as profess to be Saints.
  • First, Towards God.
  • In Particular. 1st, To love God, and the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
  • As fruits of love to God and Christ. To delight themselves in him, long for, and pant after him; make their boast of, and glory and rejoyce in God and Christ, as their portion, all, and rest; and to obey and hearken to him.
    • First, To delight in, long for, pant after, make their boast of, glory and rejoyce in God and Christ, as their portion, all, and rest.
    • 2dly, To obey and hearken to the Laws and Word of God in Christ.
  • part
  • Believe, imbrace, and be found in the practice of nothing, in the things of God, and about his worship, but that which clearly (according to Precepts, Rules, and Examples of the Scriptures) appears to be Christs mind, upon which we can in faith expect acceptance.
  • To Pray unto God: of Prayer at large.
  • To take special notice of the Acts of Gods Goodness and Mercy, keep memorials thereof, celebrate his praises, extol him, and stir up others so to do.
  • To fear God alone; and none else: the Arguments for it.
    • Not to fear any els: or, other fear.
    • Fear God.
  • To trust in God, and in none else, in all Cases: The Arguments thereto.
    • 1. Not in any else.
    • 2. In God alone, a suitable Object.
  • To look believingly unto, hope in, and patiently wait for God in all cases: the Arguments hereto.
  • To walk humbly before God, abasing self; opposing all high thoughts within us, and avoid boasting of our selves: the Reasons.
  • To be moderate, meek, patient and quiet in all things: And the encouragements thereto.
  • To take heed to our lips, that our words be not rash, but true, seasonable, well ordered and savoury.
  • To acknowledg and mourn for sin, depart from it, and watch against it, the arguments: God complains of it, reasoning with sinners about it; threatnings and judgments a∣gainst sin and sinners.
    • 1. What sin is.
    • 2. Acknowledg sin unto God, both their own and others: and mourn for them.
    • Depart from sin and all appearance of it; hate it, and avoid the occasions of it. The reasons thereof.
    • 4. Gods reasonings with, complainings of, and threatnings, and judgments against Sinners for their several sins, disobedience, and rebellions.
  • To own and profess the true God and our Lord Jesus Christ, boldly before men and: to wait for Christs second coming.
    • 1. To own and confess the true God and our Lord Jesus Christ before mn.
    • To wait for Christs second coming.
  • To walk with God heartily, uprighty, sincerely, and to follow him fully and zealously: The reasons thereof.
  • To stick fast to God, and not to depart from him: abide in the faith and pra∣ctice of what we know of his Will, and persevere to the end. The reasons. That the Saints shall be kept.
    • To persevere and abide with God in the faith and practise, &c.
    • That the saints, believers, shall be kept: Have power given them to persevere and abide in the faith, &c. Christ will uphold them.
  • To take heed to observe, and watch diligently over our selves, with a holy jealousie and fear, lest we should apostatize and depart from God, his truth and wayes, into any error or sin. The reasos: our danger.
• CHAP. XVII. Of the Duties of Saints, Believers, Brethren in the Lord, each to other, as such, and as standing in that relation one to another.
  • 1st. To love one another; the kinds of it.
  • 2dly, From love, to sympathize with each other in pity and compassion, help and com∣fort one another, and bear one anothers burthen: have mutual care.
  • 3dly, To honour and respect each other: and be kind and affectionate.
  • 4dly, Not rashly, easily and unadvisedly take up a prejudice against any; believe reports, take offence or be angry; but tenderly to forgive, cover faults, restore such as have offended, in meekness, love and privacy.
  • 5lthy, To live peaceably among themselves: avoid whispering, tale-bearing, and whatsoever tends to provoke, divide, or disturb the peace among them.
  • 6thly, To rebuke, reprove, exhort, admonish, and warn each other for, and about sin, and their duty. And to take such rebukes, &c. well and kindly from each other.
    • 1st To rebuke, &c.
    • To take rebuke, admonition, &c. well from each other.
  • 7thly, To confess sin to, and pray each for other.
  • 8thly, To be of one mind.
  • 9thly, To walk wisely and charitably one towards another: and in things indifferent to have respect to the meek; to avoid offenoes.
  • 10thly, To distribute, and communicate to one anothers necessities: give to the poor.
• CHAP. XVIII. The Duties of Saints, Believers, each towards other, as they stand related one to another in the flesh.
  • 1st. Husbands to Wives, and Wives to Husbands. Of Marriage, &c.
  • 2dly, Parents to their Children, and Children to their Parents.
  • 3dly, Masters to their servants, and servants to their masters.
  • 4thly, Magistrates to subjects, and subjects to magistrates:
• CHAP. XIX. Saints, Believers Duties towards all men, those who are without, Unbelievers, Enemies.
  • 1st. In general.
  • 2dly, In particular, not to judg them, or speak evil of them.
  • 3dly, Be just, righteous, true and faithful to, and with them, in all things of trust, and dealing.
  • 4thly, Live at peace with them, every one doing their own work: not intermed∣ling with others, nor idle, or trifling.
  • 5thly, Not to be discontented, angry, or revengeful against them: But to behave themselves meekly, gently and patiently towards them, bearing wrong.
  • 6thly, To pity them, shew them mercy, pray for them, and requite them good for evil: love for hatred.
  • 7thly, To behave themselves humbly, and courteously towards all, giving them due respect.
  • 8thly, To avoid all unnecessary Society and fellowship with wicked men.
• CHAP. XX. How men come truly and spiritually to know the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent, and the Myste∣ries of Salvation by him, and expressed in the Word. To believe it, bring forth fruit, and persevere therein, through difficulties, to Eternal Life.
  • First, Man of himself, can do neither of these.
  • 2dly, God in Christ doth all freely, and hath promised so to do.
    • 1st, In General.
    • 2dly, In particular; To give knowledg of himself, and of Jesus Christ, and of the Mystery of Salvation by him, in the Gospel, and of our Duty.
    • To give Faith, or enable to believe.
    • To make them fruitful, or enable them to subdue sin, profit in grace and activity for God.
    • To give power and ability to persevere in faith and obedience, through straits and tentations, to eternal life.
    • God in Christ doth command, invite, and encourage, by promises, to come to him for teachings, spiritual life and strength; to bring forth fruit, ond persevere, and to east our care upon him for all.
• CHAP. XXI. How doth God work and effect these things in the hearts and spirits of his Elect?
  • By his Spirit whom he promised to them.
  • Of the spirit of God further, his being given to, and dwelling in the Saints, and working in them and others: The nature, appearance, and fruit of the spirit: and the Saints duty towards the spirit, in following him, and not sin∣ning against him: grieving him, or quenching him.
    • 1st. Of the spirit given to, and in the Saints, and others: and what he did, and doth.
    • 2dly, The nature, workings and fruits of the spirit.
    • 2dly, Saints Duty towards the Spirit.
      • 1st, In following after him, and making use of him.
      • 2dly, Not to sin against, grieve, or quench the Spirit.
• CHAP. XXII. Of Afflictions, Troubles, and Persecutions.
  • To whom they belong, or who may expect them.
    • 1st, Common to all.
    • 2dly, More especially, the Saints, Believers, such as are born of the Spirit.
      • First, The Holy Ghost affirms this.
      • Secondly, That the Saints have been so exercised with afflictions, in soul and body, from God: and in their bodies and outward concerns, from men, by perse∣cutions.
        • 1st, From God more immediately.
        • Secondly, From men, by persecutions of various kinds: Gal. 4. 20.
        • 2dly, From hypocritical professors of the true God, Jews, men zealous of the law and traditions.
  • Secondly, For what ends doth God chastise his children, and suffer them to be per∣secuted.
    • 1st, To exercise and try their faith and obedience.
    • 2dly, To humble and purge them.
    • 3dly, To make them to remember God, and things above: look to, own them, and close with them.
    • 4thly, For Gods own glory, and the furtherance of the Gospel.
    • 5thly, For the effecting of great good and advantage to those who are exercised with trouble, &c.
  • Thirdly, The considerations which should stay, bear up, and comfort the spirits of Saints in their afflictions, and under persecutions.
    • subpart
    • 2dly, That such who are so exercised, are blessed, and happy, and so pro∣nounced in Scripture: a seal of their sonship, and Gods choice love to them, and of their salvation.
    • 3dly, That God well knows the design and ways of Satan, and all the adver∣saries of believers: and that they can do no more, or proceed further a∣gainst the Saints, than what God permits: he turns about their pur∣poses.
    • 4thly, That God orders and determines of the measure, manner, time, and continuance of afflictions and persecutions, and that according to our need
    • 5thly, That God doth sometimes make enemies, and the persecutors themselves, to acknowledg the Saints innocency when they suffer. And will surely avenge them upon their adversaries.
    • 6thly, That God will comfort, uphold, and preserve his in all their troubles: and not lay more on them than they can bear.
    • 7thly, That the Saints are near and dear to God in Christ, so that he takes special notice of their afflictions and troubles, and is said to be persecuted and afflicted in their persecutions and afflictions.
    • 8thly, That the greater the afflictions and distresses of the Saints have been, the more wonderful have their deliverances been: and then hath Salvation been nearest, when Extremity was highest, and Danger greatest.
    • 9thly, That Afflictions and Persecutions, shall be for the great good of Saints.
    • 10thly, That God will not always chide, nor suffer his to be under afflictions and persecutions; they shall have an end, he will bring deliverance, and restore joy.
    • 11thly, That afflictions and persecutions have been the lot of Christ himself, and of the Saints in all ages.
  • Fourthly, What are the Duties of the Saints, and how they ought to behave them∣selves under their afflictions and sufferings, both towards God and men.
    • 1st, Towards God.
      • 1st, To eye God in them, afflictions being sent of him.
      • 2dly, To submit to God, with an humble, quiet, and silent spirit, under troubles.
      • 3dly, To confess their sins, and justifie God.
      • 4thly, To hold fast to God, own the Lord Jesus, his people, and ways, in the midst of trouble, afflictions, and persecutions.
      • 5thly, To be chearful under affliction, and rejoyce to be counted worthy to suffer for Christ.
      • 6thly, To cry to the Lord for help, support, and salvation.
      • 7thly, Not to fear, but believing, commit their case to God, and quietly wait for his salvation.
    • Secondly, The duties of saints, and how they ought to behave themselves to∣wards enemies and persecutors, in a time of persecution and suffering from them.
      • 1st, To be patient, quiet, and sober towards them: not revenge, or return evil for evil, or reviling for reviling, but forgive them.
      • 2dly, Not to desire, or rejoyce in the hurt of enemies and persecutors.
      • 3dly, To pray for, and do good to Persecutors and Enemies.
      • 4thly, To use lawful, and honest means for avoiding and easing of, and delivering themselves from afflictions and persecutions.
      • 5thly, To look to the cause of our sufferings, that it be for well-doing, for Christ, and a good conscience: and not as busie-bodies in things unnecessary.
    • The Duties of others: and how they ought to behave themselves towards such who are afflicted and persecuted.
• CHAP. XXIII. Of Publick or common Calamities and Judgments.
  • First, That they are of Gods ordering, and none can keep them off.
  • 2dly, The priviledges of the Saints and servants of God, in such a time.
  • 3dly, The duties of Saints in such a time.
• CHAP. XXIV. Of Magistrates and Magistracy.
  • First, That Magistracy is an Ordinance of God: That by him are Magistrates advanced to Offices, &c. The Titles given them.
  • 2dly, What they are in the sight of God, and considered as men.
  • 3dly, What are the Duties of Magistrates: and what they should be, negatively and affirmatively.
  • The duties of subjects to their magistrates, in respect both to their persons and decrees.
    • 1st, What they may not do: when and wherein they may not obey them.
    • 2dly, What they ought to do, or wherein they should acknowledg and obey them.
    • 3dly, Give them due honour and respect: not contemn their persons, or speak evil of them.
    • 4thly, To pray for them.
    • 5thly, To endeavour to get good Magistrates.
    • 6thly, To be content with such Magistrates which God hath set over us, although they be not such as they should be.
• CHAP. XXV. Of an Oath for Testimony, Confirmation, and ending of Controversies, and other occasions.
• CHAP. XXVI. Of Preachers in general: Gospel-Ministers, of what spirits they should be, their Duty and Recompence.
• CHAP. XXVII. Of the Church of Christ under the several notions thereof, and the things belonging to the same in the general; and also as considered in the several Congregations, and parti∣cular Churches thereof.
  • The several acceptations of the Church mentioned in Scripture.
    • 1st. General, or Universal.
    • 2dly, Universal, Visible.
    • 3dly, Particular visible Churches of believers, who are joyned together as one bo∣dy, and usually meet together in one place, for the participation of the same Ordinances, and exercising Duties as a Church, and one to another as members thereof.
  • The Dignity, Priviledges, and Blessings, belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ in general, as such.
  • Of the Qualification of the Members of the Churches, what they should be.
  • Of the propriety that particular Churches had in their members, and of others joyning themselves to them.
  • Of Letters commendatory: or the Churches receiving of such who were recom∣mended them from others, by word, or Letter.
  • Of the Order of the Churches, in their Assemblies and Meet∣ing: what they did there, as their Duty; and how they should order it, in their constant Worship.
  • Of the gifts which the members of Churches received: Of Prayer, Prophecying, Psalms, Tongues, &c. and how they did use them in the Church-assemblies, and elswhere, for the edification and good one of another, and of others: the order how they should be used, directed: such gifts to be desired for this end.
  • Of other acts done in and by these particular Churches, in sending out messengers to other churches; and upon occasions, determining of controver∣sies in religious matters; writing and sending Epistles, and ordering other affairs. Of their meeting together, in order hereto, and receiving, and hearing such Epistles: the Epistles directed to the whole body, and they concerned in it.
  • Of the ending of controversies arising between the members of the Churches, to avoid going to law before others.
  • Of the relief of the poor of the Churches, and their contributions to the necessity of other Churches, and the order of it.
  • Of the Officers of particular Churches, their Power, Duty, and Recompence: how they should be qualified for the Of∣fice; and of the Churches duty to them as such.
    • First, Of Officers Power, Duties, &c.
    • Complaints of, and threatnings against evil Officers, or Ministers of the Church.
    • 3dly, The Churches duty towards their Officers, and such other who labour among them.
    • Of the Election and ordination of Officers in Churches.
  • Of laying on of hands upon the several occasions, and to the several ends in Scripture mentioned.
  • Of the several Ordinances of Christ, to be observed in and by the Churches of Christ, and elswhere.
    • First, Prayers.
    • Secondly, Reading, teaching, and preaching of the word of God, Prophesying.
    • 3dly, Baptisms.
    • 4thly, Breaking of bread, or the Lords Supper.
    • 5thly, Discipline, Church-censures, or removing of Scandals.
• CHAP. XXVIII. Of Hypocrites and Hypocrisie: The spirits and practises of such who are very formal and earnest in the external part of worship and profession, and in a shew for God, yet high in their opposition of Christ, the truth of the Go∣spel, and power of Godliness in others.
  • The great danger of Hypocrisie and formality, and end of Hypocrites.
• CHAP. XXIX. Of the Conscience.
• CHAP. XXX. Of the Devil, of his subtilty, wiles and ways, by himself, and in and by his instruments, wicked men, false-teach∣ers, deceivers and seducers. The description of them, and what concerns the Saints therein.
  • First, Of Satan, the Devil himself.
  • 2dly, The instruments of Satan, Seducers, Deceivers, &c. Saints Duty.
• CHAP. XXXI. Of Consideration, Meditation, pondering upon, and serious weighing of the things of God, his Word and Works, our selves, &c.
• CHAP. XXXII. Of the Thoughts, Mind, and Affections.
• CHAP. XXXIII. Of Repentance in general; wherein God cannot repent; and wherein, or how, he is said to repent. Repentance in Man, and his turning to God from Sin, and in such who have back-slidden from following God: and other∣wise.
  • First, Wherein God cannot repent: and wherein, or how he is said to repent.
  • Secondly, Repentance in Man in general, and his turning, &c.
• CHAP. XXXIV. Of Death; the laying down of these Tabernacles.
• CHAP. XXXV. Of the Resurrection of the Dead.
• CHAP. XXXVI. Of Christs second coming to the Judgment, and rendring unto every man according to his deeds done in the body, whether good or bad.
• CHAP. XXXVII. Of the glory prepared for the Saints, and reserved to be given to them at the appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ.
• CHAP. XXXVIII. Of knowledg and understanding in and about Divine things, and of the want thereof: Ignorance about such things, and the evil thereof.
• CHAP. XXXIX. Of this present World, and the Riches, Honours, Pleasure, and other things in this World; the use of them, the snares and tentations in them, and of the Saints duty in relation to them.
• CHAP. XL. Of Idolatry: setting up and worshipping of strange gods, graven Images.
• CHAP. XLI. Of Angels appearing to men: What they are, and do.
• CHAP. XLII. Of the Parables and the Similitudes which Christ spake.
• CHAP. XLIII. Of the Miracles, and the wonderful things which were done by Christ and his Apostles.
• CHAP. XLIV. Of the Kings of Israel and Judah: How they came to their Power and Office.
• CHAP. XLV. Of Sacrifices and Altars, and calling upon the name of the Lord, before the giving of the Law.