A93085:132
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.
So here, many times a Christian, he may in conscience speak against some of the ways ⟨p. 64⟩of the Lord, and this may be the condition of the Saints and people of God, and they may speak it in conscience; and this may be tolerated, when it is for want of light; nay, they may through stubbornness of spirit, cast off Ordinances; but when now it is for this reason, though he hath indeed his colours for it; you shall, saith Satan, have this gain, and this ease, and these conveniences; and what do you do with Ordinances? and now a man begins to find out arguments; and saith, Satan, If ye attend to the enjoyment of Ordinances, here be these miseries, therefore away with some of Gods Ordinances at least. Oh, brethren, when it is thus, that there is this secret pension from the world, that now had the Lord Jesus, the honours of the world attending on them, then they could make much of them; but because they come with poverty, therefore they can plot and speak against them, and in time come to cast off the Ordinances of the Lord Jesus; It is certain the Lord bath bondage for such souls, and you will certainly find this true one day. Mal. 3.14, 15. The people, they say; What profit is it that we have served the Lord, and that we have walked mournfully before him? and hence, they forsook the Lord; Hence, Chap. 4.1, the Lord threatens, that He will burn them up, both root and branch. The Lord hath consuming fire for such one day.
So here, many times a Christian, he may in conscience speak against some of the ways ⟨p. 64⟩of the Lord, and this may be the condition of the Saints and people of God, and they may speak it in conscience; and this may be tolerated, when it is for want of light; nay, they may through stubbornnesse of spirit, cast off Ordinances; but when now it is for this reason, though he hath indeed his colours for it; you shall, saith Satan, have this gain, and this ease, and these conveniences; and what do you do with Ordinances? and now a man begins to finde out arguments; and saith, Satan, If ye attend to the enjoyment of Ordinances, here be these miseries, therefore away with some of Gods Ordinances at least. Oh, brethren, when it is thus, that there is this secret pension from the world, that now had the Lord Jesus, the honours of the world attending on them, then they could make much of them; but because they come with poverty, therefore they can plot and speak against them, and in time come to cast off the Ordinances of the Lord Jesus; It is certain the Lord bath bondage for such soules, and you will certainly finde this true one day.