A93085:124
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.
This is the main and first Original of all the rest. Now it is manifest, the power of Christ Jesus, the supreme power of Christ is cast off; for a man do's profess by this, that not the will of Christ, but his own will shall rule him; Christ shall not be Lord, but as they said, Jer. 2.31. We are Lords, we will come no more at thee. When the League and Covenant between Prince and People is broke, then he is cast off from being King; this is certain, the Lord never did receive any people to himself from the beginning of the world to this day, but he hath done it by some Covenant: Nor never any people took the Lord to be their God, but by some Covenant, they bound themselves to the Lord. Whereby they were either made his people, or continued to be his people, and he their God; but I cannot now stand to clear this. Now look, as when the Lord breaks his Covenant, he casts them off from being his people; (though this he never doth to the Elect) So when people break Covenant with him, they cast him off as much as in them lies, from being their God; they do as much as in them lies, make the Lord to ⟨p. 56⟩be no God. You shall see therefore, Hosea 10.3. They say, we have no King; because we feared not the Lord. It is the speech of Conscience, and that at a sad time; wherein they did not fear the Lord; They have spoken words, swearing falsely, and breaking the Covenant. In their time of Covenanting with the Lord, there seemed to be much sorrow and humiliation; yet in these very Covenants, Hemlock did spring up, and hence captivity came. Many times the Covenants that are made, there is such outward seeming reality; that not only men, but the Lord speaking after the manner of men, He thinks certainly these Promises, these Covenants will never be broke; yet they are broken. Isa. 65.8, 9, 10. I said, surely, saith the Lord; This is a people that will not lie. Such profession, and such acknowledgements, &c. so it is said; In all their afflictions, he was afflicted, and the Angel of his presence did redeem them: But afterward, they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: They cast off the Government of the Lord, they would not be under the bonds of the Lord, and so he was turned to be their enemy; this is that which brings captivity and bondage. Jerm. 2.14, 15, &c. Is Israel a servant, saith the Lord? ye shall see the reason why he was so;