A59657:135
Certain select cases resolved specially tending to the right ordering of the heart, that…
Certain select cases resolved specially tending to the right ordering of the heart, that we may comfortably walk with God in our general and particular callings / by Thomas Shepherd ...Certain select cases resolved specially tending to the right ordering of the heart, that we may comfortably walk with God in our general and particular callings / by Thomas Shephard ...
London: printed by W.H. for John Rothwell, 1650
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Yet (dear Sir) give not over this Trade,1 you will doubtless find it gainful, when it may be God hath laden you more with these ⟨p. 46⟩thoughts, and made you loath your self for them. But the thing seems strange to me, if I mistake you not, viz. that your heart will not be persuaded, but that you must resolve your doubts concerning the perfection of Scripture, not by seeking to harmonise those passages that seem to cross one another, but by ascribing some humanity or error, (if I may interpret you) to the pen-men, seeing St. Paul saith, We prophesy but in part. and seeing one of the Evangelists leaves out the doxology in the Lords prayer.
Yet (deare Sir) give not over this Trade,1 you will doubtlesse finde it gainefull, when it may be God hath laden you more with these ⟨p. 46⟩thoughts, and made you loath your selfe for them. But the thing seemes strange to me, if I mistake you not, viz. that your heart will not be perswaded, but that you must resolve your doubts concerning the perfection of Scripture, not by seeking to h•rmonise those passages that seeme to crosse one another, but by ascribing some humanity or error, (if I may interpret you) to the pen-men, seeing St. Paul saith, We prophesy but in part. and seeing one of the Evangelists leaves out the doxology in the Lords prayer.
- 1Answ.
Sir, if you take these thoughts, arising from these and the like grounds, as your burden, I do not blame you, but pity you in that respect; but if your judgement indeed think so, I am sorry you should harbour such thoughts one hour within doors: for you know that holy men writ the Scriptures (but so far they might err, but it is added) as they were inspired, or (as the Original hath it) as they were moved or carried in the arms of the holy Ghost, and so how could they err? how could God lie? It is true, Paul did prophesy but in part, and is this an argument, because he did not prophesy fully, therefore in some things he did not prophesy truly; I am persuaded you will say there are many things my poor thoughts have suggested to you, as true; and yet I am persuaded I do in them prophesy (if I may so say) but in part. The Spirit of God directed the four Evangelists to write, yet so, as they did not all write what another writ, but in