dress of this publick nature : you love the real and folid fatisfactions, not the pomp and shew, those fplendid incumbrances of life : your rational and virtuous pleasures burn like a gentle and chearful flame, without noise or blaze. However, I cannot but be confident, that you'll pardon the liberty which I here take, when I have told you, that the making the best acknowldgement I could to one, who has given me so many proofs of a generous and paffionate friendship, was a pleasure too great to be refifted. I am,

THE

CONTENTS.

The INTRODUCTION, wherein is mewn

the Connexion betwixt this, and the author's for-

mer treatises, concerning an Enquiry after Hap-

piness. A mort comparison between fecular and

religious Perfe£tion. The design of this book' de-

clared, and justified from fome exceptions ; and

the method of the whole laid before the Reader.

Page i.

SECT. I.

Of Religious Perfection in general.

Chap. 1. D Erfection, a confirmed habit of holiness.

I This notion conformable to reason and

fcripture. The nature of an habit considered, accor-

ding to four properties of it

2 Page 1

Chap. 2. This notion of Perfection countenanced by all

parties, however different in their expressions. Some

jbort reflections upon what the Pelagians, the Pa-

pilts, the Quakers, and the mystical writers have

faid concerning Perfection

: : 17

Chap. 3. Several inferences deduced from the true nun

tion of Perfection. With a plain method how per-

suns may judge of their present state. The difference

between the extraordinary primitive conversions, and

those which may be expected in our days. With a

remark about infused babits :

27

Chap. 4. A general account of the blessed Fruits and

Advantages of Religious Perfeétion; which is rem

A 3

duced

duced to these four heads. I. As it advances the

honour of the true and living God, and his son le-

fus in the world. 2. As it promotes the good of

mankind. These two treated of in the chapter of

Zeal. 3. As it produces in the perfe& man a fu'l

al zrance of eternal happiness and glory. 4. As it

puts hina in poliecon. of true happiness in this life.

These two last, Afiurance, and present Happiness

or Pleasure, bandied in this chapier. Where the

pleajures of the finner, and of the perfect Clariflian,

are compared

Page 44

Chap. 5. Of the attainment of Perfection : with a

particular account of the manner, or the several steps

by which man advances, or grows up to it : with

'thrce Remarks to make this discourse more 1feful,

and to free it from some scruples .

.77

Chap. 5. Of the Means of Perfection. Five generid

- obfervations, serving for directions in the use of gof-

pel-means, and instrumental duties, 1. The prac-

tice of Wisdom and Virtue is the bejt means to

improve and strengthen both. 2. The two general

and immediate instruments, as of Conversion so of

Perfe&ion too, are the Gospel and the Spirit. 3.

The natural and immediate fruit of Meditation,

Prayer, Eucharist, Plalunody, and goud Conversa-

țion, or Friendship, is, the quiikening and enliven-

ing the Conscience; the fortifying aid confirming

our Resolutions ; and the railing and keeping up an

heavenly Frame of Spirit. 4. The immediate ends

of Discipline, are the subduing the 'Pride of the

heart, and the reducing ihe Appetites of the body,

5. Some kinds of life are better suited to the great

ends of religion and virtue, than others : 92

Chap. 7. Of the Motives to Perfection. Several mo-

tives summed up in port, and that great one, of

having the other Life in our view, insisted upon

:..."

iso. . . 138

SECT.

SECT. II.

Of the several Parts of Perfection, Illumination, Li-

berty, and Zeal. .

- Page 145

Chap. 1. F Illumination. I. The distinguifping cha-

v racter of illuminating truths. 1. They

purify us. 2. They nourish and strengthen us. 3.

They delight us. 4. They procure us a glorious re-

ward. II. The nature of illuminating knowledge,

1. It must be deeply rooted. 2. It must be distinct

and clear. 3. It must be throughly concocted 148

Chap. 2. Of the Fruits and Attainments of Illumi-

nation. That Illumination does not depend so much

- upon a man's outward Parts, extraordinary Parts,

acquired Learning, &c. as upon his moral Qualifi:

cations ; such as Humility, Impartiality, and Love

of the Truth. Four directions for the attainment

of illumination. 1. That we do not fuffer our minds

to be engaged in quest of knowledge foreign to our

purpose. 2. That we apply our selves with a very

tender and sensible concern to the study of illumina-

ting truths. 3. That we act conformable to those

Measures of light which we have attained. 4. That

we frequently address our selves to God by Prayer,

for the illumination of his grace. The chapter con-

cluded with a prayer of Fulgentius

180

Chap. 3. Of Liberty in general. Tbe notion of it trum

ly stated and guarded. The fruits of this Liberty.

1. Sin being a great evil, deliverance from it is great

bappiness. 2. A freedom and pleasure in the acts of

righteousness and good works. 3. The near relation

it creates between God and us. 4. The great fruit

of all, eternal life. With a brief exhortation to en.

deavour after deliverance from fin

205

Chap. 4. Of Liberty, as it relates to original sin. The

nature of which considered, chiefly with respect to its

Correption. How far this distemper of nature is

curable. Which way this cure is to be effekted, 269

A4

Chap

Chap. 5. Of Liberty, with respect to sins of Infirmity,

Ån Enquiry into these three things. 1. Whether there be any sucka fins, viz. Sins in which the most perfect live and dic. 2. If there are, what they be ; or what distinguishes them from damnable or mortal sins,

3. How far we are to extend the liberty of the per· feet man in relation to these fins : Page 296 Chap. 6. Of Liberty, as it imports freedom or delive

rance from Mortal Sin. What mortal sin is. Here · the perfe&t man must ble free from it ; and which way this Liberty may be best attained. With some rules for the attainment of it

: : 316 Chap. 7. Of Unfruicfulness, as it confills in Idle

ness. Idleness, either habitual or accidental. Consi

derations to deter men from the fin of Idlenefs 352 Chap. 8. Of Unfruitfulness, as it confifts in Luke· warmness or Formality. The causes from which

Lukewarmness proceeds. The folly, guilt, and dan

ger of a Laodicean state : : 367 Chap. 9. Of Zeal. What in general is meant by

Zeal; and what is that Perfection of boliness in which it consists. Whether the perfect man must be adorned with a confluence of all virtues ; and to what

degree of boliness he may be supposed to arrive 398 Chap. 10. Of Zeal, as it consists in good Works.

That our own security demands a Zeal in these good works : so likewise do the Good of our Neighbour, and the Glory of God, which are much more pro

moted by good works io. i 418 Chap. 11.' of Humility. How necessary it is to Perfection