Grad BJ 1481

67.

1734 1.3.

Buhr

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INNER TEMPLE, Esquire.

Here present you, my dear Friend, with a discourse, wherein I labour to ad

vance the great and true ends of life, the glory of God, and the perfection and happiness of man. I cannot, I confess, pretend to have come up to the dignity of my fubject; yet I have done what I could, and have attempted it with my utmost force. I know you too well to imagine you fond of an address

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The Epistle Dedicat dress of this publick natur love the real and folid fatis not the pomp and shew, tha did incumbrances of life : tional and virtuous pleafur like a gentle and chearfu without noise or blaze.

Ho

cannot but be confident, th pardon the liberty which Ih when I have told you, that king the best acknowldg could to one, who has give many proofs of a generous fionate friendship, was a ple great to be refifted. I am

Dear Sir,

Unfeignedly Yo

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THE

CONTENTS.

The INTRODUCTION, wherein is shewn

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

mer treatises, concerning an Enquiry after Hap-

piness. A short comparison between secular and

religious Perfection. The design of this book de-

clared, and justified from some exceptions; and

the method of the whole laid before the Reader.

Page i.

A S.

Chap. 1.

SECT. I.

Of Religious Perfection in general.

1. Derfection, a

confirmed habit of holiness.

This notion conformable to reason and

Scripture. The nature of an habit considered, accor-

ding to four properties of it

Page I

Chap. 2. This notion of Perfection countenanced by all

parties, however different in their expressions. Some

short reflections upon what the Pelagians, the Pa-

pilts, the Quakers, and the mystical writers have

Said concerning Perfection

17

Chap. 3. Several inferences deduced from the true no-

tion of Perfection. With a plain method how per-

Sons may judge of their present state. The difference

between the extraordinary primitive converfions, and

those which may be expected in our days. With a

remark about infused habits

27

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

Advantages of Religious Perfection; which is re-

A 3

duced

The CONTENTS

duced to these four heads.
I. As it adv

honour of the true and living God, and h

fus in the world. 2. As it promotes th

mankind. These two treated of in the o

Zeal. 3. As it produces in the perfect

affurance of eternal happiness and glory.

puts him in poffeffion of true happiness in

These two last, Affurance, and present

or Pleasure, handied in this chapier. L

pleasures of the finner, and of the perfect

are compared

Chap. 5. Of the attainment of Perfection

particular account of the manner, or the f

by which man advances, or grows up to

three Remarks to make this discourse w
and to free it from some scruples

I

Chap. 5. Of the Means of Perfection. F

obfervations, ferving for directions in the

pel-means, and instrumental duties.

tice of Wisdom and Virtue is the bes

improve and strengthen both. 2. The to

and immediate instruments, as of Conve

Perfection too, are the Gospel and the

The natural and immediate fruit of

Prayer, Eucharift, Pfalmody, and govo

tion, or Friendship, is, the quickening a

ing the Confcience; the fortifying and

our Resolutions; and the raising and ke

heavenly Frame of Spirit. 4. The imr

of Discipline, are the subduing the P

heart, and the reducing the Appetites

5. Some kinds of life are better suited

ends of religion and virtue, than others

Chap. 7. Of the Motives to Perfection.

tives fummed up in short, and that g

having the other Life in our view, i

t