CHAPTER IV.

SUBORDINATE DIRECTIONS AGAINST THOSE GRAND HEART SINS, WHICH ARE DIRECTLY CONTRARY TO THE LIFE OF GODLINESS AND CHRISTIANITY.

[Sidenote: The recital of such sins as the former positive directions do detect, and afford help against.]

The positive directions to the essential duties of godliness and christianity have already given you directions against the contrary sins: as, in the first grand direction you have helps against direct unbelief. In the second you have directions against unbelief, as it signifieth the not using and applying of Christ according to our various needs. In the third you have directions against[134] all resisting or neglecting the Holy Ghost. (Which were first, because in practice we must come by the Son and the Spirit to the saving knowledge and love of the Father.) In the fourth you have directions[135] against atheism, idolatry, and ungodliness. In the fifth you have directions against self-idolizing, and self-dependence, and unholiness in alienating yourselves from God. In the sixth you are directed against rebellion and disobedience against God. In the seventh you have directions against unteachableness, ignorance, and error. In the eighth you have directions against impenitency, unhumbleness, impurity, unreformedness, and all sin in general as sin. In the ninth you are directed against[136] security, unwatchfulness, and yielding to temptations, and in general against all danger to the soul. In the tenth you are directed against barrenness, unprofitableness, and sloth, and uncharitableness; and against mistakes in matter of duty or good works. In the eleventh you are directed against all averseness, disaffection, or cold indifferency of heart to God. In the twelfth you are directed against distrust, and sinful cares, and fears, and sorrows. In the thirteenth, you are directed against an over sad or heartless serving of God, as merely from fear, or forcedly, without delight. In the fourteenth, you are directed against unthankfulness. In the fifteenth, you are directed against all unholy or dishonourable thoughts of God, and against all injurious speeches of him, or barrenness of the tongue, and against all scandal or barrenness of life. In the books referred to in the sixteenth and seventeenth, you are directed against selfishness, self-esteem, self-love, self-conceit, self-will, self-seeking, and against all worldliness, and fleshliness of mind or life. But yet, lest any necessary helps should be wanting against such heinous sins, I shall add some more particular directions against such of them as were not fully spoken to before.

FOOTNOTES:

[134] Of the sin against the Holy Ghost, I have written a special treatise in my "Unreasonableness of Infidelity."

[135] Since the writing of this, I have published the same more at large in my "Reasons of the Christian Religion," and in my "Life of Faith."

[136] Of presumption and false hope, enough is said in the "Saints' Rest," and here about temptation, hope, and other heads afterward.