The sure mercies of David: or, a second part of Heart-treasure. Wherein is contained the supream and substance of gospel-mercies purchased by Christ, and promised in the covenant of grace, together with the several ways how they are made and are to be improved for the saints fort and defence, settlement and incouragement in shaking and back-sliding times. Being the fruit of some meditations upon Isa. 55. 3. By O. Heywood an unprofitable minister of the gospel.

The Contents of the Book.

CHAP. I.

• THe Context and exposition of the words. 1
• Several Doctrines raised, one insisted on. 6

CHAP. II.

• What are the mercies of the Covenant. 9
• 1. The parties covenanting 11
• 2. The consideration paid. 12
• 3. The conditions required, which are four. 14
• 4. The graunt, that's God himself. 15
• 1. What God is to the soul in four things. 19
• 2. What God graunts to it. 20

CHAP. III.

• In what respects these mercies are sure. 26
• 1. Infallibility. 28
• 2. Immutability. 30

CHAP. IV.

• What ways God takes to make them sure. 33
• 1. Passing his word. ib.
• 2. Putting it into writing. 34
• 3. Calling in witnesses. ib.
• 4. Setting to his seal. 35
• 5. A solemn oath. 36
• 6. Giving a pledge. 37
• 7. Doing a great part of the work. 38
• 8. Confirmation by miracles. 40
• 9. Singular ways of reporting them. 41
• 10. Marriage knot made from Hos. 2.19.43

CHAP. V.

• How these mercies are made sure in and by Christ. viz. by 47
• 1. His hypostatical union. ib.
• 2. His spiritual Ʋnction. 49
• 3. The Covenant of redemption. 50
• 4. The execution of his offices. 53
• As Prophet, Priest, King. 54
• In his state of Humiliation. 55
• Exaltation. 56
• Resurrection. ib.
• Ascention. 57
• Session. ib.
• Intercession. 59

CHAP. VI.

• 1 Ʋse of Confutation 63
• 1. Atheists. ib.
• 2. Papists, as to 1. Merit. 67
• 2. Assurance. 70
• 2. Arminians as to 1. Ʋniversal Redem∣ption. 72
• 2. Final Apostasie. 75
• 4. Socinians, concerning Christs satisfaction. 76

CHAP. VII.

• 2. Ʋse of instruction. 1. In the difference be∣twixt the two Covenants. 79
• In this see, 1. Gods grace and mercy. ib.
• 2. His infinite wisdom. 82
• 2. The difference betwixt Covenant and Com∣mon mercys. 85
• 1. In the Fountain. 86
• 2. In the dimensions. ib.
• 3. In the operations. 88
• 4. In the duration. Of both 90
• 3. In the difference betwixt gifts & graces. 93
• 1. In their Original. 94
• 2. In their Nature. 95
• 3. In their Retinue. ib.
• 4. In their Ends and Effects. 96
• 4. See the Truth of Christian Religion. 98

CHAP. VIII.

• 3 Ʋse, Of Examination. 104
• 1. Whether we have accepted God as our God. 106
• 2. Whether we have given up our selves to him. 109
• 1. Really. 110
• 2. Readily. 112
• 3. Resolvedly. 114
• 4. Ʋnreservedly. 116
• i. e. Totally. Finally.
• 3. Whether we have new-covenant dispositions, which are such as these, viz.
  • 1. Saving illumination. 120
  • 2. Law writ in our hearts. 122
  • 3. One heart, one way. 123
  • 4. The fear of God. 125
  • 5. Sanctification. 126
  • 6. A new Heart, Spirit. 128
  • 7. A soft Heart. 129
  • 8. Spiritual Obedience. 131
• 4. Try by the nature of these sure mercies, which are,
  • 1. Transforming. Mercies. 133
  • 2. Comforting. Mercies. 134
  • 3. Raising. Mercies. 135
  • 4. Inlarging Mercies. 136

CHAP. IX.

• 4. Ʋse of Conviction, 1. Of Sinners.
• 1. They are under a sure sentence of wrath. 138
• 2. Not sure to be a moment out of Hell. 142

• ... 3. Their mistake will aggravate their state. 144
• 4. The nature of these mercies Tormenting. 145
• 2 Conviction is of Saints.
  • 1. They indent with God. 149
  • 2. They compound about these mercies. 150
  • 3. They live not upon them. 152
  • 4. They live not up to them. 155
• Walking,
  • 1. Ʋnholily. 156
  • 2. Ʋnsteadily. 157
  • 3. Ʋncomfortably. 159
  • 4. Ʋnfruitfully. 162
• Bringing forth small and sour fruits. ib.

CHAP. X.

• 5 Ʋse of Exhortation, Look after interest in these sure mercies, pressed by Motives. 166
• 1. Nothing else can be made sure. 167
• 2. Else common mercies are accursed. 168
• 3. Else choicest duties are not accepted. 169
• 4. Else you can have no solid ground of peace. 171
• 5. These render every state safe. 173
• 6. These mercies influence our spirits. 174
• 7. These bring the soul to Heaven. 175
• Children of godly Parents exhorted to embrace Covenant-mercies by two Arguments. 177

CHAP. XI.

• 6 Ʋse is of Direction, referring to four heads.
• 1. What is a soul to do to get interest in these mercies?
  • 1. Make a strict enquiry into your state. 185

• ...
  • ... 2. Work on your hearts the mysterie of mer∣ciless state. 186
  • 3. Be thankful for, not content with common mercies. 188
  • 4. Cast out and cashier all sin. 190
  • 5. Renounce your own righteousness. 191
  • 6. Close in with Jesus Christ. 192
  • 7. Enter into a solemn Covenant with God. 194

CHAP. XII.

• 2. Head, How a doubtful soul may be assured of its title to these sure mercies? 197
  • 1. Study Sciptures and promises. 198
  • 2. Attend on a quickning ministry. 199
  • 3. Improve the states of the Covenant. 200
  • 4. Ply the throne of grace. 201
  • 5. Walk close with God. 202
  • 6. Be much in self-observation. 204
  • 7. Recollect former experiences. 205
  • 8. Strengthen every grace of the spirit. 206
  • 9. Lay all the stress on Gods free-grace. 207
  • 10. Exercise your selves in thank fulness. 209
  • Four Motives to labour for assurance. 211

CHAP. XIII.

• 3 Head, In what cases may a Covenanted soul make use of these sure mercies?
  • 1. In case of dissetiling suggestions to Atheism. 218
  • 2. In case of guilt upon the conscience. 220
  • 3. In case of afflictions persecutions. 223
  • 4. In case of spiritual famine. 224

• ...
  • ... 5. In back slidings, and fears of apostacy. 227
  • 6. In desertions, as to quickning comfort. 229
  • 7. In the hour and power of death. 234

CHAP. XIV.

• Head, How a Covenanted soul must behave himself with reference to these mercies?
  • 1. Believe and receive them readily. 239
  • 2. Improve them in particular needs. 240
  • 3. Be content with these mercies. ib.
  • 4. Walk worthy of them. 241
  • 5. Be active and passive for them. 242
  • 6. Plead these mercies for posterity. ib.
  • 7. Breath after a full possession of them. 243

CHAP. XV.

• Ʋse of thank fulness for these Covenant-mercies.
  • 1. Free. 246
  • 2. Dear. 247
  • 3. Deep. ib.
  • 4. Designed. ib.
  • 5. Dignifying. 248
  • 6. Sanctifying. ib.
  • 7. Separating. 249
  • 8. Sealing. ib.
  • 9. Extensive. ib.
  • 10. Comprehensive. 250