A93085:102
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; how we may know whether we have heard the same effectually: and by what means it may be come effectual unto us. With some remarkable passages of his life. By Tho. Shepherd, late pastor of the Church of Christ in Cambridge in New-England. Now published by Mr. Jonathan Michel pastor of the said church in New England.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; how we may know whether we have heard the same effectually: and by what means it may be come effectual unto us. With some remarkable passages of his life. By Tho. Shephard, late pastor of the Church of Christ in Cambridge in New-England. Now published by Mr. Jonathan Michell pastor of the said church in New England.
London: printed for John Rothwell, 1652
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.
But now on the contrary if thou canst be content to receive the ordinances of Christ, or the consolations of Christ, or some of the commands of Christ, and that is all, and the Lord never ⟨p. 37⟩gave thee a heart to close with Christ himself, it 's a strange thing to thee, that which is the main thing, the Diamond in the Ring of the Gospel; thou art yet far enough off from the kingdom of God; I dare not say, nor think for all the world, that ever the kingdom of God came to thy heart. Again, if you have received Christ, but not with thy whole soul: that now the offer, promises, blood, life, grace, glory in the Gospel, are grown common things to thee; that the Lord never sent thee home wondering at the glory of Gods grace to a poor wretch, never yet saidst, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord: the Lord never yet lay next thy heart, or if thou hast had some liking, and some love and affections in pangs; yet the Lord is not only precious, and exceeding dear in thy heart, thy heart breaks not for grief that thou hast so much slighted him, so little born him on thy heart; It is a sign that the Lord hath begun to reveal himself to thy soul, when he gives thee a heart to mourn for thy standing out against him, but this never came to thy soul.
But now on the contrary if thou canst be content to receive the ordinances of Christ, or the consolations of Christ, or some of the commands of Christ, and that is all, and the Lord never ⟨p. 37⟩gave thee a heart to close with Christ himself, it 's a strange thing to thee, that which is the main thing, the Diamond in the Ring of the Gospel; thou art yet farre enough off from the kingdome of God; I dare not say, nor think for all the world, that ever the kindome of God came to thy heart. Again, if you have received Christ, but not with thy whole soul: that now the offer, promises, blood, life, grace, glory in the Gospel, are grown common things to thee; that the Lord never sent thee home wondering at the glory of Gods grace to a poor wretch, never yet said'st, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord: the Lord never yet lay next thy heart, or if thou hast had some liking, and some love and affections in pangs; yet the Lord is not only precious, and exceeding dear in thy heart, thy heart breaks not for grief that thou hast so much slighted him, so little born him on thy heart; It is a signe that the Lord hath begun to reveal himself to thy soul, when he gives thee a heart to mourne for thy standing out against him, but this never came to thy soul.