A93085:153
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.
2. They have a power given them of binding and loosing; By admonition of any one, that being received in, shall sin against their communion, and the Lord in it; thereby to defile the whole body, and to provoke the wrath of the Lord against the same; and this is mentioned, Matth. 18. and by the Apostle, 1 Cor. 5.1, 4. and this is given to them, to use against whatever sinner or offender it be; be he great or small, Prince or Peer; if he be a brother, he is to lye down here: An admonition is an arrest and message from God, from Christ Jesus the King of Kings; Eglon must come down from his throne, when this is brought.
Now I grant again, this power may be abused miserably; as to admonish without conviction, or without compassion and love, but in heat & passion, &c.Yet this is the part ⟨p. 83⟩of Christs binding power in his Church; which when 'tis done, 'tis bound in heaven.
Now when men come to that pass, that they do not only sin (for that the Lord pardons) but are grown to that height, that they cast off all reproofs, and Christ-like admonitions for sin: steeped it may be in many tears and prayers before they came, and sweetened with the Spirit of mercy and terror of Christ Jesus in the mouths of his servants, this brings under bondage. 'Tis not sin so much, for this will be; but when they cannot abide reproofs, they are iron morsels, cannot be digested; and hence, sometime hide it, and twenty shifts, and half as many lies; or if it be found out, defend it; and fall a fencing and thrusting, and try it out to the last, or extenuate it twenty ways, that a beam is a mote; and which is worse, their hearts rise and swell, and they bear a privy grudge against them, as if they were their enemies, because they tell them the truth; when they should say; Let the righteous smite me.