Chapter X
Application : A reproof of those that pray, but look not after the re
turns of their prayers. The causes of this neglect are
Temptations
3. From not obtaining what we formerly prayed for; answered by four things, ...... 400 More sinful discouragements; as
1. From want of assurance that our persons are accepted,
2. From the weakness of our prayers; four answers to it, . 399
1. From slothfulness in praying, ... 401
2. Looking at prayer as a duty only, and not as a means to ob
tain, . . . . . .401
. - 402
3. Falling into sin after prayers,
TIDINGS OF PEACE.
Six observations more out of the text
Reason, ... Three uses, ... 406
1. That God doth sometimes not speak peace to his own people, 405
2. The cause thereof some folly, . 406
3. God only can speak peace, . 407
THE TEIAL OP A CHRISTIAN S GROWTH. XIX
PAGE Four reasons, . 407 Two uses, ...... 408
4. God easily can give peace, .... 408 Two reasons, ...... 408 Two uses, ...... 409
5. God will certainly speak peace to his people, . . 410 Three reasons, . . . . . .410
Use, 411
THE FOLLY OF RELAPSING. The sixth observation
. 413 Two uses, ...... 416
6. After peace spoken, his people should return no more to folly, 413 The sin and folly of relapsing shewn by two reasons,
Temptations from relapse into the same sin, after peace spoken
answered By Scriptures,
. . . . . .418 By three examples, . . . . .419 By four reasons, . . . . .421 Six cautions, ...... 423
To THE READER, ...... 433
IIL-THE TEIAL OF A CHRISTIAN S GROWTH,
INTRODUCTION.
The sum and division of the words, and the subject of this discourse, 435 Some observations premised of this parable of the vine
First observation How Christ is a vine, and the only true vine, 436 Second observation How God the Father is the husbandman; declared in five things, ..... 438 Third observation Two sorts of branches in the vine, fruitful and
unfruitful, ...... 439 An interpretation of these words, branches in me that bringnot forth fruit, by three things,
. . .439 Three several sorts of branches that prove unfruitful,
. 440 Some differences between true branches and temporary
true fruit, .... 442
branches, grounded on the text
Difference 1. Temporary believers bring not forth true
fruit and what it is that makes a good work to be
explained, ..... 443 The question, Whether in every act a Christian doth all in
Difference 2. Temporary branches bring not forth fruit
in Christ ; what it is to bring forth fruit in Christ
solved by three things, .... 445 That every believer doth five things, which are truly and in-
Christ, by his fetching virtue distinctly from him? re
terpretatively to bring forth fruit in Christ, . . 446
XX CONTENTS.
Fourth observation In the most fruitful "branches there remain
corruptions to be purged out ; the reasons of it, . 448
Fifth observation That yet for their corruptions God takes not such away, . . . . . .451 Sixth observation Unfruitful branches God in the end cuts off, 454 Four degrees of God s cutting them off, founded on the text, 455