A93085:162
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.
Now when people are false herein to their brethren, and to their Covenant; to their God, and to their own souls; (for there is no one prayer thou makest that shall be lost; but if it attain not a blessing for others, it shall return again into thy bosom). When there shall be no heart to spend prayer, or shed tears for them, whom Christ hath shed his blood for; now, you cast off the Kingdom of Christ.
Now when people are false herein to their brethren, and to their Covenant; to their God, and to their own soules; (for there is no one prayer thou makest that shall be lost; but if it attaine not a blessing for others, it shall returne again into thy bosome). When there shall be no heart to spend prayer, or shed tears for them, whom Christ hath shed his blood for; now, you cast off the Kingdome of Christ.
Oh Brethren, consider of it, when there shall be many a soul in a Church taken by Satan's temptations, and held in temptations, and ready to be overcome by temptations; and it may be, would not be so, but because thou dost not pray; public Ordinances, the ministry of the word, little good done thereby; because, thou hast no heart to pray. Acts 4.31. And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were met together; and they were all filled with the holy Ghost. This is the reason, the hearts of thy children, servants, and fellow-brethren remain secure and unshaken by all the Sermons ⟨p. 89⟩they hear; nothing doth them good, nothing will pierce or penetrate their adamant-like, hearts; because, thou hast no heart to pray for them, or at least, not to purpose.
Oh Brethren, consider of it, when there shall be many a soul in a Church taken by Satans temptations, and held in temptations, and ready to be overcome by temptations; and it may be, would not be so, but because thou dost not pray; publick Ordinances, the ministery of the word, little good done thereby; because, thou hast no heart to pray.