A59685:356
The sound believer, or, A treatise of evangelical conversion discovering the work of Christs…The sound beleever, or, A treatise of evangelicall conversion discovering the work of Christs…
The sound believer, or, A treatise of evangelical conversion discovering the work of Christs spirit in reconciling of a sinner to God / by Tho. Shepard ...The sound beleever, or, A treatise of evangelicall conversion discovering the work of Christs spirit in reconciling of a sinner to God / by Tho. Shepard ...
London: printed for R. Dawlman, 1645
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.
1. Consider, who it is that doth call you; is it Man or Ministers think you? you might never come then; no, it is Jesus Christ himself that calls you by them: Why do many discouraged Spirits refuse to come? it is because they think deceitful man, or charitable men call them, but the Lord hath no respect unto them; Oh foolish conceit! I tell you their Ministry is not an act of their charity, wishing well to the salvation of all, but it is an act of Christs love and sovereign authority: Mat. 28.18, 19, 20. So that what they do, it is in Christs stead, 2 Cor. 5.19, 20. if Christ was present, he would call thee to him with more bowels then any compassionate Minister can: & I assure you, to receive them, is to receive Christ; to despise them, is ⟨p. 240⟩to despise Christ, John 13.20. and therefore Eph. 2.14. although the Apostles preached to the Ephesians, yet it is said, that Christ came and preached to them. If any Minister preacheth any other doctrine of grace then what Christ hath delivered, let him be accursed: But if they publish his mind and his call, look upon them as if the Lord himself called unto you, lest the Lord accurse you, and all their Ministry to you: the Lord Jesus did not cast off the Jews for crucifying of him and shedding his blood, until the Gospel of grace published by his messengers, came to them, and that was rejected; then Paul waxed bold, and said, because you put away the word from you, we leave you; Acts 13.46.
1. Consider, who it is that doth call you; is it Man or Ministers think you? you might never come then; no, it is Jesus Christ himselfe that calls you by them: Why doe many discouraged Spirits refuse to come? it is because they think deceitfull man, or charitable men call them, but the Lord hath no respect unto them; Oh foolish conceipt! I tell you their Ministery is not an act of their charity, wishing well to the salvation of all, but it is an act of Christs love and soveraigne authority: