A59692:88
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.
What do you think was the moving cause of all those bloody persecutions, when the blood of dogs was more precious then of Christian Churches? were not they godly? yes, I do not doubt of it: but as it was here, though humbled they must be in bondage, because they had cast off the government of the Lord Jesus. And hence in the Apostles time evil times were come, sad apostasies from the truth, and because it was long before they were low enough. And hence, Revel. 6. till the […] was opened; no crying, as it was with Israel in bondage, no prayer to purpose, and because the Lord saw they would abuse all liberties if they had them. And hence in Constantine's time, when peace came in, contention came with it, and so abused all, that their peace was their poison. And hence in the primitive Churches, they began to cast off the government of the Lord Jesus, murmurings there were, hence came persecution; but they were a precious people, and made blessed use of it. And the Lord couples their chief persecution with their rest. And 'tis said, Acts 9. 31. Then had the Churches rest, &c.
What do you think was the moving cause of all those bloody persecutions, when the blood of dogs was more precious then of Christian Churches? were not they godly? yes, I do not doubt of it: but as it was here, though humbled they must be in bondage, because they had cast off the government of the Lord Jesus. And hence in the Apostles time evill times were come, sad apostasies from the truth, and because it was long before they were low enough. And hence, Revel. 6. till the 〈…〉 was opened; no crying, as it was with Israel in bondage, no prayer to purpose, and because the Lord saw they would abuse all liberties if they had them. And hence in Constantines time, when peace came in, contention came with it, and so abused all, that their peace was their poyson. And hence in the primitive Churches, they began to cast off the government of the Lord Jesus, murmurings there were, hence came persecution; but they were a precious people, and made blessed use of it. And the Lord couples their chief persecution with their rest. And 'tis said, Acts 9. 31. Then had the Churches rest, &c.