A93085:106
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.
now when the soul submits to both, then Christ rules in his Kingdom; sometime you meet with Christs directing will; now this is mens frame, naturally they will not see it, they Will not come to the light, John 3.20. they are led by their own counsel, and will not regard the light and counsel of God in his word; they will quarrel with the ⟨p. 40⟩light when it is cross to their ends, gain, honour and the like; men have high thoughts against the Lord Jesus, 2 Cor. 10.5. Casting down imaginations, and every high thought that exalteth it self against the knowledge of God. And again, if men do see it, yet like the devil that has much light, they do not love it, nor out of love (not unless it be out of fear) subject to it, like Balaam that had no love to Gods command, but only was acted by fear and constraint; now when the soul continues thus, it casts off Christs Kingdom; but if the whole soul first comes to the light, though it sees little, sets the whole will of Christ before it, Psal. 18.22. saith David; I have kept the ways of the Lord, and have not wickedly departed from my God, and though it hath had many quarrellings against the truth of God, yet now it hath not, nor dares not, but says, Lord, teach me; the. Lord gives them hearts to lye down at the feet of any man that shall show them any thing that is amiss in them, and they say with David, Lord, search me, and try me: I have many crooked ways, and therefore, good Lord, find them out, and therefore come to the Lord for that end; and though there be something in them that is desperately contrary to the good will of God, yet there is an inward man that does delight in the law of God, and when the Lord is pleased to give them an heart to ⟨p. 41⟩submit to the will of God; Oh the soul doth wonder at the Lord, that the Lord should show him any thing, and help him against temptations; and though there be a great deal of weariness in the ways of God, yet there is a spirit within him, that it is indeed heaven it self to him to be in the ordinances of God; now ye stoop to the directing will of Christ, when this is rhy way, though thou goest oft out of it, yet comed in it again, as sin is a wicked mans way, although he goeth a thousand times out of it.