A59692:124
Subjection to Christ in all his ordinances and appointments the best means to preserve…
Subjection to Christ in all his ordinances and appointments the best means to preserve our liberty : together with a treatise of ineffectual hearing the word ... : with some remarkable passages of His life / by Thomas Shepard ...
London: printed by S.G. for John Rothwell, 1657
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
Oh the light, life, prayers you might have, the heavenly conference ye will have together, that it would do a mans heart good to be with such a Christian; that those that are with you might say, Verily God is in this man; verily there is joy in heaven when the Saints keep in this frame.
4. When the soul yields thus to the will of Christ for Christs ends; for such is the subtle wretchedness of mens hearts, that men would have Christ glorify himself, that he may glorify and honour them; like Simon Magus, that would give any money for Apostolical gifts, that he might be some body that way also: Now if a man shall submit, go to Christ for gifts and parts, that's to set up another King, to advance a mans self; and so also sin and the devil, and Christ must be made a servant for this end; He is now no King: like a Rebel that is not content, that thousands of the Kings Subjects should serve him, but he will have the Prince serve him a so: Every man will say, this doth utterly overthrow the Kingdom of such a Prince. When a man shall secretly fight against the Lord, and be for himself; and for the devil and sin within; When a man shall make all the creatures serve him, the soldiers of his army; meat, drink, and outward comforts, this is a marvellous thing; Ay, but when a man shall make Jesus Christ, & God himself, and profession of Christ, make these to serve him, to raise up his name, this the Lord takes very ill.
4. When the soul yields thus to the will of Christ for Christs ends; for such is the subtill wretchednesse of mens hearts, that men would have Christ glorifie himself, that he may glorifie and honour them; like Simon Magus, that would give any money for Apostolicall gifts, that he might be some body that way also: Now if a man shall submit, go to Christ for gifts and parts, that's to set up another King, to advance a mans self; and so also sin and the devill, and Christ must be made a servant for this end; He is now no King: like a Rebell that is not content, that thousands of the Kings Subjects should serve him, but he will have the Prince serve him a so: Every man will say, this doth utterly overthrow the Kingdom of such a Prince. When a man shall secretly fight against the Lord, and be for himself; and for the devil and sin within; When a man shall make all the creatures serve him, the souldiers of his army; meat, drink, and outward comforts, this is a marvellous thing; Ay, but when a man shall make Jesus Christ, & God himself, and profession of Christ, make these to serve him, to raise up his name, this the Lord takes very ill.