A93085:110
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.
3. When the soul doth thus submit to the will of Christ, by virtue of the power and Spirit of Christ, i. e. when the soul doth not submit by virtue of its own power, strength or ability, for this is for gne power; But as it do h seek to submit to the will of Christ, so it would have Christ himself, act it and rule it, and so enable it to submit there unto; Now is the Kingdom of God come near to that heart. And herein Christs Kingdom is different from Princes, they give laws that men may keep them by there own, might; hence they command no impossible things, but the will of Christ is so cross to a carnal heart, that 'tis impossible man of himself should submit to it: But the Lord doth it for this end, chat the soul should then come to Christ in its need, that he would do all the good pleasure of his will, and now the Lord himself reigns, and that gloriously, Rom. 8 1, 2. For the law of the Spirit of life which is in Christ Jesus, hath made me free from the law of sin and death. Acts 5.31. A Prince and Saviour, for to give ⟨p. 45⟩repentance and remission of sint. It is part of his Princely power for to give remission of sins; both in turning from sin, and to God, and all the ways of God, and now you exalt him when he is thus set up: 1 Cor. 4.20. The Kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. The power of Christ Jesus is come into thy soul, and the soul is under the Kingdom of the Lord Jesus, when it doth lye under the mighty power of the Lord Jesus Christ, 2 Thess. 1. 11, 12. We pray always for you, that the Lord would work and fulfil the good pleasure of his will, and the work of faith in power, that Christ may be glorified. Yea, then is Christ glorified when God omnipotent reigns over sin and unbelief; and when the Lord doth this, not only the Kingdom of God is now come, but the Kingdom of Christ in glory is come; there is many a poor soul thinks Christ rules him not, because he cannot do this nor that, became he finds his heart unable, and unwilling for to submit to the will of Christ; I find no strength at all, saith the soul, and I go to Christ and find not strength conveyed, and now he thinks he is not under the Kingdom of Christ. I answer, that is not the question; but hath the Lord made thee willing in the day of bis power? when the soul doth lye under the power of the Lord Jesus Christ;