A59693:343
Theses Sabbaticæ, or, The doctrine of the Sabbath wherein the Sabbaths I. Morality, II.…
Theses Sabbaticæ, or, The doctrine of the Sabbath wherein the Sabbaths I. Morality, II. Change, III. Beginning. IV. Sanctification, are clearly discussed, which were first handled more largely in sundry sermons in Cambridge in New-England in opening of the Fourth Commandment : in unfolding whereof many scriptures are cleared, divers cases of conscience resolved, and the moral law as a rule of life to a believer, occasionally and distinctly handled / by Thomas Shepard ...Theses Sabbaticæ, or, The doctrine of the Sabbath wherein the Sabbaths I. Morality, II. Change, III. Beginning. IV. Sanctification, are clearly discussed, which were first handled more largely in sundry sermons in Cambridge in New-England in opening of the Fourth COmmandment : in unfolding whereof many scriptures are cleared, divers cases of conscience resolved, and the morall law as a rule of life to a believer, occasionally and distinctly handled / by Thomas Shepard ...
London: printed by T.R. and E.M. 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 so abou• to befool and non-plus and puzzle the people of God (as the story relates of the German woman desirous to rid the house of her husband) who first making him drunk, and casting him into a sleep did so shave him, and dress him, and cut and clip him, that when he awakened, he knew not what to think of himself, or to say who he was: for by looking ⟨p. 112⟩upon and in himself, he thought he was the woman's husband, and yet by his new cut and habit, he almost believed that he was a Friar, as his wife affirmed: Sanctification is an evidence alway in it self of a justified estate, although it be not alway evident unto us, and therefore what though a Christian sees his sanctification and graces to day, and cannot see them, but is doubtful about them, suppose to morrow? shall he therefore reject it as a doubtful evidence; which is ever clear enough in it self, though not alway to our discerning? for I would know what evidence can there be of a justified estate, but partly through dimness and weakness of faith (which is but imperfect and therefore mixed with some doubtings all a mans life, sometime or other) and partly through the wise and adored providences of God to exercise our faith, but that some time or other it cannot be discerned? is the immediate testimony of Gods Spirit (which some would make the only evidence) alway evident, and the shinings, sheddings and actings of it never suspended, but that by some means or other they will be at a loss? why then should sanctification be excluded as a doubtful evidence, because sometime it is, and at other times not discerned? I know there are some who perceiving the conceived uncertainty of all such evidences, have therefore found out a strange catholicon for these sick times, a sure way of evidencing and leading all mens consciences in a way of peace and unshaken assurance of the love of Christ; and therefore they make (which I name with horror) the sight of corruption and sinful pollution, through the promise of the Gospel, the certain and settled evidence of life and salvation, which opinion the least I can say of it, is that which Calvin said in the like case, to be exundantis in mundum suroris Dei slagellum. Woe to the dark mountains of Wales, and the fat valleys, towns and cities in England, and sea coasts and Islands in America, if ever this delusion take place:
and so abou• to befool and non-plus and puzzle the people of God (as the story relates of the German woman desirous to rid the house of her husband) who first making him drunk, and casting him into a sleep did so shave him, and dresse him, and cut and clip him, that when he awakened, he knew not what to thinke of himselfe, or to say who he was: for by looking