A59657:136
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.
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 ⟨p. 47⟩great wisdom left some things doubtful, and short in one, which are more clear and full in another: and hence the Doxology is fully set down in one, and not in another, and many reasons I could set you down why, but that it is needless. I grant you ought not to put up all with a charitable opinion of Scripture, but if you can, by reason, reading, and comparing, help your heart to a full persuasion, this is Scripture: but many things you cannot get satisfaction for, by that way and means, but still your Spirit will be left dark and doubtful; What course will you here take for resolution, which is Scripture? The Papists say it is so, because the Church hath christened it for Scripture; you say you will see reason for it that it is so, or else you cannot be satisfied, then I fear you will never be satisfied. (I think) In this case therefore these two things you are to do,
Sir, if you take these thoughts, arising from these and the like grounds, as your burden, I do not blame you, but pitty you in that respect; but if your judgement indeed thinke so, I am sorry you should harbonr such thoughts one houre within doores: for you know that holy men writ the Scriptures (but so far they might erre, but it is added) as they were inspired, or (as the Originall hath it) as they were moved or carried in the armes of the holy Ghost, and so how could they erre? how could God lie? It is true, Paul did prophesie but in part, and is this an argument, because he did not prophesie fully, therefore in some things he did not prophesie truly; I am perswaded you will say there are many things my poore thoughts have suggested to you, as true; and yet I am perswaded I doe in them prophesie (if I may so say) but in part. The Spirit of God directed the foure Evangelists to write, yet so, as they did not all write what another writ, but in