Brief Table of Contents

Vindiciae Pietatis - A Vindication of Godliness
Important Notes to the Reader
Editor’s Introduction
Author’s Introduction — The Epistle Dedicatory
Sermons on Ephesians 5:15
Sermons on John 1:47
The Application
Appendix A: The Open Manhole
Appendix B: Editorial Philosophy
Scripture Index
Alphabetical Index

Table of Contents

Vindiciae Pietatis - A Vindication of Godliness
Important Notes to the Reader
Change Log
Editor’s Introduction
Author’s Introduction — The Epistle Dedicatory
Sermons on Ephesians 5:15
The Text Opened
The Doctrine Propounded: Precisians Are No Fools
The Doctrine Explained
Precisians are Described
Negatively:
Not a Pharisee
Not a Fanatic
Not an Extremist
Positively:
Their Makeup, or Constitution: They Are Formed after the Image of God
Their Way or Conduct of Life
Precisians Are the Sort Who Walk in the Right Way
The Right Way Described
The Old and Good Way
The New and Living Way
The Difficult and Narrow Way
The Right Way Is Proved to Be the Most Excellent Way
It Is the Way of Truth
It Is the Way of Righteousness and Holiness
It Is the Way of God
It Is the Way of the Kingdom
Precisians Are the Sort Who Are Upright in the Way
The Uprightness of Precisians Is Considered with Respect to the Commandments
They Have Respect for Every Commandment
They Have Respect for the Most Spiritual and Inward Part of Every Commandment
They Endeavor to Observe Every Commandment to the Utmost
Two Things Added
When Precisians Have Done All They Can, They Acknowledge That They Are Unprofitable Servants
Whatever Precisians Have Done, They Dare Not Trust in It or Be Found in Their Own Righteousness
Their Uprightness with Respect to Conscience
They Take Great Care of Conscience
They Carefully Pay Attention to Conscience, Listening to It and Following It without Turning Aside
Precisians Will Not Be Drawn Aside from This Way
A Summary Description of These Precisians
Precisians Are Proved to Be Not Fools
God Counts Them No Fools
They Will Not Be Deemed Fools at the Last Day by God or People
The Characteristics of Wise People Are Found in Them
They Understand Themselves Correctly
They Build Surely
They Have the Treasures of Wisdom
They Have Gotten the Pearl
They Have Gotten the White Stone
They Have Gotten the White Robe
They Have Gotten the Adoption
They Have Gotten the Kingdom
Use of the Doctrine
Advising against Reproaching Precisians
Inviting People to Join the Precisians
Evidence for the Absolute Necessity of Precise Godliness
From Scripture
Scripture Commands
Scripture Instructions
Scripture Examples
Scripture Promises
Scripture Prayers
Implications
From Reasons Drawn from Scripture: Six Propositions
Inward Holiness Is Indispensably Necessary for Salvation
Inward Holiness Is a Holy Frame or Habit
Inward Holiness Consists of a Universal Compliance of the Heart with the Entire Will of God
Inward Holiness Reigns in, and Has Preeminence in the Soul
Inward Holiness Will Necessarily Bring Forth a Precise Life
Whoever Is Not of a Precise Life Is Undoubtedly Bound for Damnation
Sermons on John 1:47
The Text Opened
The Doctrine Propounded: Godliness Is No Fantasy
The Doctrine Explained
The Doctrine Confirmed
The Principles and Doctrines of Godliness Are Not Fantasy
The Being and Holiness of God
Sin
Mankind Are Sinners
Sin Is the Greatest of Evils
Spiritual Sins Are the Greatest of Sins and Soul Pollution is the Most Foul Pollution
Sin Is the Root of All Misery
Of Redemption
Of Regeneration
There Is Such a Change and It Is Necessary for Salvation
The Change Made by Regeneration Is a Great and Mighty Change
The Change Made by Regeneration Is an Inward Change
Of Faith
Of Good Works
Defining Good Works
Good Works Are Necessary
Objection to the Necessity of Good Works
Solution to the Objection
Of the Last Judgment
Worship in the Spirit
Worship from the Heart
Worship through the Spirit
Walking in the Spirit
What Is Meant by the Spirit
What Is Meant by Walking in the Spirit
Walking in the Spirit is Not a Fantasy
The Application
Application for the Ungodly
Principles to Be Deeply Fixed in Your Hearts
Eternal Things Are Unspeakably More Worthy of Consideration than Temporal Things
Things Not Seen Are as Infallibly Certain as Things That Are Seen
According to Your Choice in This World Must Be Your Eternal Destiny in the World to Come
Make Your Choice
Embark with Christ
The Need of a Sinner for A Deep Sense of His Sin and Misery
The Need of a Sinner to Despair of Himself and All Else except Christ
The Threefold Authorization God Gives to Sinners to Come to Christ
God’s Appointment of Christ as Savior
God’s Command
God’s Promise
The Sinner’s Response
Surrender and Deliver Yourselves Up to God in Christ
Christ Appoints Your Work
Christ Appoints Your Station and Condition
Confirm and Complete All by Solemn Covenant
Directions: Set Apart Time
Earnestly Seek God
Earnestly Consider
Search Your Hearts
Directions: Compose Your Spirits
Directions: Use God’s Strength
Directions: Resolve to Be Faithful
Directions: Confirm Your Covenant with God
A Model Personal Covenant
The Author’s Advice
Application for the Godly
Advantages of Holy Duties
Holy Duties Are the Exercise of Grace
In Holy Duties We Have an Intimate Interaction with God
From Holy Duties We Obtain New Supplies and Fresh Influence from God
Holy Duties Are Our War against Corruption and Our Striving against Sin
The Right Performance of Holy Duties
Directions for the Duty of Prayer
Be Constant in the Exercise of Daily Prayer
Come to Prayer with Actual and Great Expectation
Saints: Learn the Skill to Plead with God in Prayer
Sinners: Learn the Skill to Plead with God in Prayer
Pray in Faith
Directions for the Duty of Holy Meditation
Matter for Meditation
Particular Advice for Better Managing the Duty of Holy Meditation
Directions for the Duty of Self-Examination
Matter for Examination: Whether You Are in a State of Grace or Sin
Matter for Examination: Whether You Are in a Thriving and Flourishing State of Grace
Directions for the Duty of Renewing the Covenant
Premise: Every Sincere Christian Is in Covenant with God
Premise: Christians Are Guilty of Much Treachery and False Dealing with God
Premise: All Our Breaches of the Covenant Weaken Our Bond to It
Premise: Renewing Your Covenant Revives the Obligations of It
Direction: When to Renew Our Covenant
Direction: How to Renew Our Covenant
The Right Improvement of Holy Duties
Vigorously Strive to Enjoy Perceptible Communion with God
Be Careful to Maintain and Keep Alive Whatever You Received from God during Duty
Directions for Carrying On a Constant Holy Course of Life
Pursue Your Purpose, God, and Your Own Salvation and Keep These in View
Walk on Your Way in the Name of Christ, or Live by Faith
Deny Yourselves
Put Yourselves in Upright Condition
Do Not Allow Yourselves to Practice Any Known Sin
Do Not Live in Neglect of Any Known Duty
Beware of the World
Be Humble
Be Temperate
Pursue Peace
Carry Yourselves Well toward Others
Carry Yourselves Well toward All People
Carry Yourselves Well toward Your Families
Four General Directions for a Conclusion of the Whole
Be Sincere
Be Steady
Be Fruitful
Be Steadfast
The Great Danger of Falling Away from God and a Holy Life in Times of Trouble
What Kinds of Troubles Are the Greatest Temptations to Apostasy and Backsliding
What Is the Best Way to Prevent Apostasy in Times of Tribulation
Appendix A: The Open Manhole
Introduction
The Nightmare
The Cure Explained
Will You Take the Cure and Inherit Eternal Life?
Appendix B: Editorial Philosophy
Colophon
Scripture Index
Alphabetical Index