To the Right Reverend Father in GOD,

GEORGE,

By Divine Providence

Lord Bishop of BATH and WELLS.

/ My LORD,

Hould I but fo much as think of a

ny other countenance or patronage to thefe following papers (as poor and mean as they are) from one either of other or lower principles than your Lordship, it would, inftead of a be-coming and due address, prove a direct affront to your honour.

My Lord, your Lordship was bred in two of the most eminent feminaries, for loyalty and learning perhaps in: Europe, viz. in the King's School at: Weftminster, and in that noble College, of Chrift-Church of Oxford, in each of which you grew up not barely as in a School or College, but as in your proper, genuine, and connatural Element, A 2 and

and accordingly took and drank in thoroughly from thence all that they were remarkable and great for: and they, my Lord, in requital have made your Lordship what you now so deservedly are, and what all fo unanimoufly accounted your Lordship to be.

But, my Lord, it is time for me in modesty (and that to fpare your Lordship's, as well as to fhew my own) to withdraw, and calmly and filently contenting my felf with the naked contemplation and admiration of your Lordship's fuperlative worth and virtues (being utterly unable to reach the very lowest pitch of them by the beft and highest of my expreffions) I muft with the utmost deference (the only height which I would aspire to) fincerely own, avow, and (both with band and heart) subscribe myself,

My LORD,

Your Honour's ever Faithful,

Humble, and Obedient Servant,

ROBERT SOUTH.

THE

Chief HEADS

OF THE

SERMONS in VOL. VI.

The Chief Heads of the three firft Sermons of this Volume, are printed p. xxiv, &c. of VOL. II. as they relate to the Subject there treated of.

2

SERMON IV, V. and VI.

PE

9.

ET. ii. The Lord knoweth, how to deliver the godly out of temptation. p. 123. Man's condition, with reference to temptation, is so desperate; that without the affistance of a fuperior good fpirit he can't be an equal match for the Evil-one, pag. 123 to 127. And the Text fets forth to us the fignal mercy of God to the godly or truly pious perfons, 127 to 130. in delivering them from all temptations or trials, chiefly fuch as are defigned to corrupt them, 130 to 137. ift. All the ways of deliverance from temptation, may be reduced to thefe,

137:

1. Of being kept from it, 137 to 145. 2. Of being fupported under it, 145 to 152.

3. Of being brought out of it, 152. when the temptation has in fome measure prevailed; for there are several degrees, 153. viz. feduction, 153. enticement, 154. consent of the will, 155. commiffion of fin, 155. and the habitual reigning of fin, 156 to 160. Into which last state thofe fcarcely fall, who are actually in a state of grace, 160. From the foregoing particulars we may learn,

1. The great goodness and wisdom of God, in the fevereft precepts of religion, 161 to 163. 2. The most effectual method of dealing. with a temptation, viz. prevention, 163 to 166. 2dly. The impulfive caufes inducing God thus to deliver the godly, 170. are, 1. The free mercy of God, 170 to 175. 2. The prevailing interceffion of Chrift, 175 to 180. With fome objections answer'd, 180 to 184. and a cafe refolved concerning the fallibility of regenerate perfons, 184 to 187, and the feveral affurances of regeneration, 188 to 194. and the expectations men may have of being deliver'd, 184. in relation to the ways of entring into temptation, 195 to 197. illuftrated by inftances of different fuccefs, 197 to 200. with a confutation of fome pretences alledged by fome bold men, who unwarrantably put themselves upon trial, 200 to 206. 3dly. Deliverance out of temptation is a tranfcendent privilege, 210. Which will appear from those intolerable evils, confequent

upon

upon a prevailing temptation, 210, 211. viz. 1. The foul's utter lofs and damnation, 211 to 215.

2. Lofs of a man's peace with God and his own conscience, 215 to 222. 3. Temporal judgments of God in fome fignal and fevere affliction,

4. The difgrace and reproach,

upon our chriftian profeffion.

222 to 227. which it cafts

227 to 235.

With fome useful inferences, 235 to 238. and directions for a man not to be peremptory with God in his prayers, for any particular enjoyment or state of life, 238, 239. but to acquiefce in the ftate allotted him by providence, 239 to 241.

SERMON VII.

REVEL. iii. 10. Because thou haft kept the word of my patience, therefore will I keep thee from the hour of temptation; which is coming upon all the world, to try the inhabitants of the earth. p. 245. Nothing more fets off the greatness of God's mercy in delivering his people out of temptation, than the critical time of his vouchfafing it, p. 246, 247. For,

ift, There is a certain proper season and hour, which gives a peculiar force and efficacy to temptation, 247 to 251. 2dly, A temptation attains its proper season and hour by these means,

251.

1. By the original, univerfal corruption of

man's nature,

A 4

252. 2. By