A93085:104
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.
2. When the whole soul closeth with the whole will of Christ, having thus received him; for if a Prince become, and people will not be ruled by him, nor any laws that he makes, though never so good, but what they list, the Kingdom is cast off; For, beloved, ⟨p. 39⟩there is a marvellous common deceit in mens hearts, they would not for all the world but have Christ; ay, but the will of Christ is neglected, that is a clog, and the burden of the Lord of hosts; Christ is sweet, and his will is bitter; Christ is precious, and his will is vile. Why do you make him a King, and ye will make laws for Christ, and you will rule Christ, and his will shall not stand? here is no King; Such kind of idle Libertines were in the Apostles time, 1 Joh. 1.6. If we say We have fellowship with him, and Walk in darkness, we lie, and there is no truth in us: But now when the whole soul does submit to the whole will of the Lord, now his Kingdom is come indeed, when his will is thus sweet. Dan. 7.27. His Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom, and all nations shall serve him: and his servants ye are whom ye obey, whether Christ, the devil, or your own hearts.
2. When the whole soul closeth with the whole will of Christ, having thus received him; for if a Prince become, and people will not be ruled by him, nor any lawes that he makes, though never so good, but what they list, the Kingdome is cast off; For, beloved, ⟨p. 39⟩there is a marvellous common deceit in mens hearts, they would not for all the world but have Christ; ay, but the will of Christ is neglected, that is a clog, and the burden of the Lord of hosts; Christ is sweet, and his will is bitter; Christ is precious, and his will is vile. Why do you make him a King, and ye will make lawes for Christ, and you will rule Christ, and his will shall not stand? here is no King; Such kinde of idle Libertines were in the Apostles time, 1 Joh. 1.6. If we say We have fellowship with him, and Walk in darkness, we lie, and there is no truth in us: But now when the whole soul does submit to the whole will of the Lord, now his Kingdome is come indeed, when his will is thus sweet.