A93085:127
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 a people shall impenitently break Covenant, as hath been said: that men can study arguments, how to nullify Church-covenant; nay, worse when in Covenant, then ever before; and the business is, they are loath to be in bonds; when men shall grudge the truth of the Lord, others if their judgements be not set against it; yet notwithstanding, in deed and practice, they live as if they had never been in Covenant. Once they were a pleasant plant; but now they are degenerated, as the Lord doth there complain. Beloved, when it is thus, the League between the Prince of peace, and the Church is broke; they do as much as in them lies, seek to cast off the Lord from ruling over them.
Now when a people shall impenitently break Covenant, as hath been said: that men can study arguments, how to nullifie Church-covenant; nay, worse when in Covenant, then ever before; and the businesse is, they are loath to be in bonds; when men shall grudge the truth of the Lord, others if their judgements be not set against it; yet notwithstanding, in deed and practice, they live as if they had never been in Covenant. Once they were a pleasant plant; but now they are degenerated, as the Lord doth there complaine. Beloved, when it is thus, the League between the Prince of peace, and the Church is broke; they do as much as in them lyes, seek to cast off the Lord from ruling over them.
2. When there be additions made to the Ordinances of Christ, by humane ordinances and inventions of men; let any set up new ordinances, new inventions of men, they set up new gods; and they do as Subjects set up new Kings, which is indeed to pull down him that was, and so they do to Jesus Christ; ⟨p. 60⟩they do deny the supreme headship of Christ, and his authority over them; though it may seem a small thing, yet thus it is: And hence ye shall observe Jeroboam's calves, though they worshipped the same God which was at Jerusalem, varying only in circumstance; yet the Lord professeth, that they had set up new Gods, and so indeed did pull down the true God and his government from over them, and this brought bondage. And hence,