A93085:16
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 certain the foundations of after-sorrows and ruins to the Church, have ever been laid in the days of her prosperity, and peace, and rest, when she enjoys all her pleasant things. This the watchmen of Israel should foresee, and therefore what should they do but seek to humble and awaken, and search and melt mens hearts, and warn every one night and day with tears, that in the day of ⟨image 5⟩their peace, they may not sin away the things of their Peace. There are therefore three requests, which we would desire to beg of God, with bended knees for England, to perpetuate the present prosperity and peace thereof; and let us commend them to the mourning and praying ones amongst us, that they would be the Lords remembrancers in these Petitions.
It is certain the foundations of after-sorrowes and ruines to the Church, have ever been laid in the dayes of her prosperity, and peace, and rest, when she injoyes all her pleasant things. This the watchmen of Israel should foresee, and therefore what should they do but seek to humble and awaken, and search and melt mens hearts, and warne every one night and day with teares, that in the day of ⟨image 5⟩their peace, they may not sinne away the things of their Peace. There are therefore three requests, which we would desire to beg of God, with bended knees for England, to perpetuate the present prosperity and peace thereof; and let us commend them to the mourning and praying ones amongst us, that they would be the Lords remembrancers in these Petitions.
I. A right understanding and sober use of liberty. For when People come first out of bondage, they are apt to be not only somewhat fond of their liberties, but to wax giddy and wanton with liberty, and instead of shaking off the bloody yokes of men, to cast off at least in part the Government and blessed yoke of Christ also. Hence it comes about that a day of rest from persecution, which should be a day of liberty to the Saints to serve God, may become a day of great seduction, and of liberty to seducing Spirits, to deceive, and damn, and mislead them from the truths and ways of God. But the machinations of men, though in conjunction with the powers and gates of hell, shall certainly fall at last before Truth and Prayer. And of this is the first Treatise which is seasonably published.