A59693:373
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.
I wonder how it can then convince them of pardon of sin and ⟨p. 124⟩reconciliation, before they do believe? unless we will imagine it to be a lying spirit, which is blasphemous. These things not considered of, have and do occasion much error at this day in the point of evidencing, and hath been an inlet of deep delusion, and open gaps have been made hereby to the loose ways and depths of Familism and gross Arminianism, and therefore being well considered of, are sufficient to clear up the ways of those faithful servants of the Lord (who dare not sow pillows, nor cry peace to the wicked, much less to sinners as sinners) both from the slanderous imputation of legal ministrations after an old Testament manner, as also of making works the ground of faith, or the causes of assurance of faith; the free offer being the ground of the one, and the free promise the cause and ground of the other: Briefly therefore.
I wonder how it can then convince them of pardon of sin and ⟨p. 124⟩reconciliation, before they do beleeve? unlesse we will imagine it to be a lying spirit, which is blasphemous. These things not considered of, have and do occasion much errour at this day in the point of evidencing, and hath been an inlet of deep delusion, and open gaps have been made hereby to the loose waies and depths of Familism and grosse Arminianism, and therefore being well considered of, are sufficient to clear up the waies of those faithfull servants of the Lord (who dare not sow pillows, nor cry peace to the wicked, much lesse to sinners as sinners) both from the slanderous imputation of legall ministrations after an old Testament manner, as also of making works the ground of faith, or the causes of assurance of faith; the free offer being the ground of the one, and the free promise the cause and ground of the other: Briefly therefore.
1. The free offer of grace is the first evidence to a poor lost sinner that he may be beloved. 2. The receiving of this offer by faith (relatively considered in respect of Christs spotless righteousness) is the first evidence showing why he is beloved, or what hath moved God actually to love him. 3. The work of sanctification (which is the fruit of our receiving this offer) is the first evidence showing that he is beloved.