A93085:176
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.
There are two causes why they receive no good.
1. From a mean esteem of the Saints; looking on them as men, and not as an Ordinance of Christ; their persons, prayers, and speeches. And this is a rule; Men never gain any good by that Ordinance which they despise• if all were Scholars, Ministers, or Saints glorified, they could then esteem them. Hence, Eph 4.16. Edifying is by love; Making increase of the body, edifying it self in love.
1. From a mean esteem of the Saints; looking on them as men, and not as an Ordinance of Christ; their persons, prayers, and speeches. And this is a rule; Men never gain any good by that Ordinance which they despise• if all were Schollers, Ministers, or Saints glorified, they could then esteem them. Hence, Eph 4.16. Edifying is by love; Making increase of the body, edifying it self in love.
2. From want of being poor in spirit, and sensible of their extreme need of Christ continually in all means: Beggars will pick up crumbs, and watch for a word of encouragement. Isa. 11.6. A little child shall lead the Wolfe and the Lion; that is, when ⟨p. 95⟩the Lord hath humbled the heart of a man. Oh, when a Christian thinks none so poor and shallow, and heartless as I, and every one is better then I, however I need more then any: This soul will be glad to suck the breast; and the Lord will fill others with light and life, and his own bowels, to do such a one good. Whereas, else they are shut up, and they find no good conveyed to them by any of the Ordinances of the Lord, nor any presence of God in them.