The Christians tvvo chiefe lessons viz. selfe-deniall, and selfe-tryall. As also the priviledge of adoption and triall thereof. In three treatises on the texts following: viz. Matt. 16.24. 2 Cor. 13.5. Iohn 1.12,13. By T.H.

The Contents of the Treatise of Selfe-triall. On 2 CORINTH. 13.5.

Doctrine 1.

• COnversion of soules is a sure testimony of the truth and lawfulnesse of that ministery by which they are conver∣ted. 203

Reason.

• Because there is no promise of the Spirits assistance to ac∣company any Teachers, but such as God sends. 204

Vse.

• To confute sectaries, who reject the ministerie of the Church of England. Ibid.

Doctrine 2.

• It is possible for a man to know, whether he be in the state of Grace, or no. 204

Vse.

• 1. To confute that tenet, that no man can be assured of his salvation. 205
• 2. Exhort. To use all meanes to get assurance of our being in the state of Grace. Ibid.

Doctrine 3.

• Men are naturally apt to mis-judge themselves touching their spirituall estate. 206

Reason.

• 1. Ground is taken from the deceitfulnes of mans heart. ••07
• 2. From Satans continuall endeavour to corrupt the judge∣ment, and make a naturall man well conceited of himself. Ibid.

Vse.

• Not to beleeve our owne deceitfull hearts, and perverted judgements in the matter of our salvation. Ibid.

Doctrine 4

• A mans spirituall estate is not alway discernable to him∣selfe. 208

Reasons.

• 1. God orders it so, to keepe the heart humble, &c. 209
• 2. To punish our former carelesse respect of his mercy to us. 210

Vse.

• Comfort to Christians that are dejected for want of assu∣rance, that they belong to the election of grace. Ibid.

Doctrine 5.

• Every one is bound carefully to examine his owne estate to Godward, (i.) whether he be in the state of Grace, or no. 211

Reason.

• 1. Because the heart is so deceitfull, that it is difficult truly to know a mans owne estate. 212
• 2. Because the state of glory depends upon our being in the state of grace here. Ibid.
• Three sorts of men thinke themselves in the state of Grace, who are deceived with the false shadowes of it.
  • 1. The Civill man.
  • 2. The Formalist.
  • 3. The Temporary Professour.
  213
• ...

• What Civill Righteousnesse is. Ibid.
• What the Grounds of Civill Righteousnesse are. 214
• What the Deceits are▪ whereby the Civill man beguiles him∣selfe. Ibid.
• The Civill mans first Self-beguiling Deceit: viz. applauding himselfe in his good dealings and good meaning, discovered 3. wayes. Ibid.
• 2. Deceit, In a comparative Righteousnesse, discovered 4. wayes. 216
• 3. Deceit, In a restraint from the outward act of sinne, an∣swered 3 wayes. 218
• 4. Deceit, In out-stripping many Professours in his Pra∣ctice, discovered three wayes. 219
• 5. Deceit, In his harmelesse conversation, discovered 2. wayes. 221
• 6. Deceit, In being well esteemed and reported of among his neighbours, discovered 3. wayes. 222

The second false Shadow.

• Formall Righteousnesse. 223
• What it is. 224
• Formalists may performe 6. sorts of duties of the first Table. Ibid.
• What the Grounds of Formall Righteousnesse are, and of rest∣ing in it. 3. 225
• The Formalists first Deceit, whereby he gathers confidence that his courses are approved of God: viz. In that he en∣dures scoffes and troubles for the duties he performes, dis∣covered 3. wayes. 227
• 2. Deceit, In good mens applauding him in his courses, dis∣covered 3. wayes. 229
• 3. Deceit, In the seeming agreement betwixt him and the most forward Professours in Religious duties, discovered 2. wayes. 230

Vse.

• Exhort. To beware of resting in Formall Righteousnesse, •• pressed by 4. Mo••ives. 231, 232
• ...

• The 3. false Harbour wherein the soule rests it selfe: viz. Temporary Righteousnesse. 233
• What it is. Ibid.
• What the Grounds of it are. 234
• The Temporaries first Deceit; Jn that he can rejoyce in the Word. 235
• A fivefold difference betwixt the joy of the Temporary and the Elect, in hearing the Word. Ibid.
• 2. Deceit, Jn his inward sorrow for sinne, discovered 4. wayes. 238
• A twofold difference betwixt the Temporaries sorrow for sin, and the true Christians. 239
• 3. Deceit, In his good motions, desires, and purposes. 240
• A threefold difference betweene the Temporaries desires, and those in true Converts. Ibid.
• 4. Deceit, In his forwardnesse to good duties, discovered 3. wayes. 241
• 5. Deceit, In that he findes the Lord rewarding him for what he doth, discovered 2. wayes. 243

Vse.

• Exhort. Not to rest in these imperfect motions that are com∣mon to the Temporary. 244
• Motives to perseverance. 3. Ibid.
• Foure particulars discussed for direction in the duty of Selfe-triall. 246
  • 1. What Graces are of the Essence of a Christian.
  • 2. What their nature is. Ibid.
  • 3. What is the least measure of them.
  • 4. What be the severall markes of them.
• 1. Faith, what it is, and what is the least measure of it. 248
• Markes of true faith. 6. 250
  • 1. It purifies the heart.
  • 2. Spirit of Prayer.
  • 3. It followes legall humiliation. 251
  • 4. It is assaulted with doubtings. 252
  • 5. It is wrought and increased by the Word.
  • 6. It breeds conteniment in all estates. 253

Vse.

• To discover the faith of most to be counterfeit. 254
• 2. Godly sorrow, what it is, and the least measure of it. 256

Markes of it.

• 1. Jt springs from sense of Gods mercies. 258
• 2. It is lasting.
• 3. Of generall extent.
• 4. Cured onely by consolations of the Scriptures. 260
• 5. Attended with a traine of other graces. 261

Vse.

• Not to rest in legall affrightments, or worldly griefe in stead of godly sorrow. 262
• 3, Change of minde, what it is. 263
• The least measure of it. 264

Markes of it.

• 1. It is totall.
• 2. It makes a man victorious. 265
• 3. It is wrought by the word. 266
• 4. It causeth to differ from naturall men in divers proper∣ties. 267
• 5. Jt causeth difference in the manner of sinning. 269

Vse.

• To discover divers living in the Church not to be living members of it. 270
• 4. New obedience, what it is, the least measure of it. 271

Markes of it in generall.

• 1. It is grounded on the Word. 273
• 2. It is universall. Ibid.
• 3. It is constant. 275
• 4. It is of a growing nature. 278

Markes of it in particular.

• 1. Love to good men for goodnesse sake. 279
• 2. Meeknesse of spirit. Ibid.
• 3. Mercifulnesse. 280

Vse.

• To discover the obedience of 5. sorts to be unsound. Ibid.

Vse.

• Exhort. To the practice of the duty propounded in the for∣mer Doctrine: viz. exactly to try our selves whether in the state of Nature, or of Grace. 281

Motives.

• 1. No sound comfort to be had, till we know our selves to be in the state of Grace. Ibid.
• 2. We are many wayes subject to be mistaken in judging our estate. 282
• 3. The irrecoverablenesse of the danger of being mistaken herein. 283
• 4. In other things men count it wisdome to try before they trust. Ibid.
• 5. It is a maine end of our time allowed us, to gaine the as∣surance of a better life. 284