A93085:159
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.
Quest. What are those means that are left to the Saints themselves, Quest. even private Members to exercise in Christian communion for men and women; and so you may see when these are neglected, or not improved, the power of Christ in his Church is cast off so far forth?
Answ. 1. The first is, Answ. a Spirit of dear Christ-like love one to another, every one to all, and all to that one again; being ready to express it self, in procuring the ⟨p. 86⟩good of others as well as its own: This doth sweeten communion very much, and edifies, quickens, and encourageth a Christian in his whole course marvellously. Eph. 4.16. Making increase of the body, unto the edifying it self in love. Love edifieth, 1 Cor. 8.1. Knowledge puffeth up, but Charity edifieth. It's the joy of the Saints, and that which makes the Saints to bless God in heaven; where, take any one singly, all jointly besides honour it, tender it, and seek the good of it; and that one blesseth God, and seeks their good more then its own again; and this is prophesied, Zeph. 3.9. That they may call upon the name of the Lord, to serve him with one consent, to serve the Lord with one shoulder; to help one .another spiritually and outwardly, where there be many griefs and burdens which depress the spirits, and make it unserviceable, is removed: As, what is there that doth alienate the hearts of men more from God and his Church, but want of love? Now when mens love grows cold, that a godly man is not esteemed whiles he lives, nor his death lamented so much as the loss of a swine. When people grow strange one to another, and take distastes and prejudices; when they can sit by the fire-side, and censure, and whisper; and make offences, and take offences; and minds divide, and hearts divide; that if you ask what such a ⟨p. 87⟩