A93085:130
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.
It is said, that Rehoboam and all the people walked in the worship of the Lord three years; ⟨p. 62⟩but in one year, Rehoboam and all the people fell off from the worship of the Lord. O therefore take he•d of this, when the tentation comes: 1. When the Lord bows the hearts of those in authority, men of eminency to fall this way, then multitudes follow; as, vers. 1. Rehoboam sinned and Israel with him. 2. When persecution ariseth for the truth, Gal. 5.12. They must be circumcised to avoid persecution. 3. When mens hearts are surfeited with the Ordinances of God, and weary of them; when the Ordinances of the Lord Jesus Christ, men find no benefit by them, the heart of man will then be making out after some thing of its own; then we must look for Apostles, Prophets, and Evangelists, and this curiosity, and the other nicety; then a conceit and imaginary picture of a mans own, is more beautiful then all Gods Ordinances besides, and all Religion is placed there; it may be in extending too far any Ordinance it self, though it may seem little at first; yet when it is thus, then look for evil times.
It is said, that Rehoboam and all the people walked in the worship of the Lord three years; ⟨p. 62⟩but in one year, Rehoboam and all the people fell off from the worship of the Lord. O therefore take he•d of this, when the tentation comes: 1. When the Lord bows the hearts of those in authority, men of eminency to fall this way, then multitudes follow; as, vers. 1. Rehoboam sinned and Israel with him. 2. When persecution ariseth for the truth, Gal. 5.12. They must be circumcised to avoid persecution. 3. When mens hearts are surfetted with the Ordinances of God, and wearie of them; when the Ordinances of the Lord Jesus Christ, men finde no benefit by them, the heart of man will then be making out after some thing of its own; then we must look for Apostles, Prophets, and Evangelists, and this curiosity, and the other nicity; then a conceit and imaginary picture of a mans own, is more beautiful then all Gods Ordinances besides, and all Religion is placed there; it may be in extending too far any Ordinance it self, though it may seem little at first; yet when it is thus, then look for evil times.