A59657:44
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.
And therefore (Dear Sir) faint not, for Jesus Christ ⟨p. 3⟩will raise a world of blessings out of your present Chaos and confusions. But I make hast to answer. Before your reply to my first Letter; your complaints are many.
Your first trouble is, concerning your disturbances in civill affairs, by the secret injection of Religious thoughts; so that you know not how to follow the one, without hazard of grieving the spirit, and breaking your peace, in not maintaining and nourishing the same time the other: and hence being drawn to go two ways at the same time (which you cannot well do) your heart is disquieted, and your peace much interrupted.
Your first trouble is, concerning your disturbances in civill affairs, by the secret injection of Religious thoughts; so that you know not how to follow the one, without hazard of grieving the spirit, and breaking your peace, in not maintaining and nourishing the same time the other: and hence being drawn to go two waies at the same time (which you cannot wel do) your heart is disquieted, and your peace much interrupted.
This of yours, puts me in mind of the complaint of an honest, yet plain man, to an able Minister once, who in bewailing his condition to him, among other miseries, that was not the least: (viz.) that he was exceedingly troubled with good thoughts, so that he could not follow his place, unless very oft he did stand still and pray, for fear of grieving the Spirit, (as he thought) and l••ing his season of being heard in Heaven: (for said Conscience o•t unto him) how dost thou know but this may be thy accepted time, and if thou dost not take it, it may be thou shalt never have it again? I have forgot the Ministers answer, but I am sure in these complaints you go not alone: I have lately known one very able, wise, and godly, put upon the Rack in these kind of thoughts by him, that envying Gods peoples peace, knows how to change himself into an