He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.-ST. LUKE Viii. 8.

And behold, I come quickly, and my reward is with me.- REV. xxii. 12.

PUBLISHED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE TRACT COMMITTEE.

LONDON:

SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE,
NORTHUMBERLAND AVENUE, CHARING CROSS, W.C.;

43, QUEEN VICTORIA STREET, E.C.;
BRIGHTON: 129, NORTH STREET.

An inquiry into the reason, why the generality of Chris-

tians fail so far short of the holiness and devotion of

Christianity

Pagc

13

CHAPTER III.

Of the great danger and folly of not intending to be as

eminent and exemplary as we can, in the practice of all

Christian virtues

CHAPTER IV.

We can please God in no state or employment of life, but by

intending and devoting it all to His honour and glory

CHAPTER V.

37

Persons that are free from the necessity of labour and em-

ployments, are to consider themselves as devoted to God

in a higher degree

CHAPTER VI.

Containing the great obligations and the great advantages

of making a wise and religious use of our estates and

fortunes

CHAPTER VII.

How the imprudent use of an estate corrupts all the tem-

pers of the mind, and fills the heart with poor and

ridiculous passions through the whole course of life;

represented in the character of Flavia

Page

64

75

CHAPTER VIII.

How the wise and pious use of an estate naturally carrieth

us to great perfection in all the virtues of the Christian

life; represented in the character of Miranda

84

CHAPTER IX.

Containing some reflections upon the life of Miranda; and

showing how it may, and ought to be imitated by all

her sex

CHAPTER X.

Showing how all orders and ranks of men and women of all

ages are obliged to devote themselves unto God

CHAPTER X1.

Showing how great devotion fills our lives with the greatest

peace and happiness that can be enjoyed in this world

97

114

134

CHAPTER XII.

The happiness of a life wholly devoted to God, farther proved,

from the vanity, the sensuality, and the ridiculous poor

enjoyments, which they are forced to take up with, who

live according to their own humours. This represented in

various characters

Page

153

CHAPTER XIII.

That not only a life of vanity or sensuality, but even the

most regular kind of life, that is not governed by great

devotion, sufficiently shows its miseries, its wants, and

emptiness, to the eyes of all the world. This represented

in various characters

. 170

CHAPTER XIV.

Concerning that part of devotion which relates to times and

hours of prayer. Of daily early prayer in the morning.

How we are to improve our forms of prayer, and how to

increase the spirit of devotion.

CHAPTER XV.

Of chanting, or singing of psalms in our private devotions.

Of the excellency and benefit of this kind of devotion. Of

the great effects it hath upon our hearts. Of the means

of performing it in the best manner

CHAPTER XVI.

Recommending devotions at nine o'clock in the morning,

called in Scripture the third hour of the day. The sub-

ject of these prayers is humility

187

214

235

CHAPTER XVII.

Showing how difficult the practice of humility is made, by

the general spirit and temper of the world. How Chris-

tianity requireth us to live contrary to the world

250