A93085:131
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 as a people seek to abolish and destroy any Ordinance of Christ, but especially if on this ground; either because of some outward evil they bring with them, in the fruition of them, or hope of some outward good they shall receive by casting them off, or because of no good they reap by the ⟨p. 63⟩enjoyment of them: Whensoever ye see this, that they are cast off on this ground, then look for bondage; for it will come on whole countries in general, and on particular persons: For Jesus Christ is in his Ordinances, and his Throne is not only in Heaven among the Angels; but, Isa. 9.7, 8, 9. He sits on the throne of David, among his Church and People; and pull these down, you pull down Christs throne, the Prince of peace; when ye pull down his Ordinances. 1 John 2.19. there were many that did seem to be for Christ, and yet against Christ, this is one sign by which he notes them; They went out from us, for they were not of us: that it might be made manifest they were not of us. Now I say, when men shall pull down the Ordinances of Christ, and withdraw themselves from the communion of Saints; and when it is for one of these ends, in regard of some outward evil that the Ordinances do bring with them, or some outward good they shall get by casting them off; then certainly look for bondage. As a Prince that hath one near him, he may attempt change of things in State; but when he is set a work by a foreign State, and is a pensioner to the Pope or Spaniard: Now he is real to root out the Prince; and this provokes.
3. When as a people seek to abolish and destroy any Ordinance of Christ, but especially if on this ground; either because of some outward evil they bring with them, in the fruition of them, or hope of some outward good they shall receive by casting them off, or because of no good they reap by the ⟨p. 63⟩enjoyment of them: Whensoever ye see this, that they are cast off on this ground, then look for bondage; for it will come on whole countreys in general, and on particular persons: For Jesus Christ is in his Ordinances, and his Throne is not only in Heaven among the Angels; but,