A93085:204
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.
4. Hence when men shall not take warning of evils to come upon evident grounds, ⟨p. 108⟩it's casting off the Lords yoke; & when they come on thee, thou mayest say it is because I have refused to hearken to my watchers, they warned me of this, and it may be you will find else such evils which the scripture notes, according to the word of the Lord by his servant Elisha, so will the Lord make good the words and threatenings of his faithful servants.
4. Hence when men shall not take warning of evils to come upon evident grounds, ⟨p. 108⟩it's casting off the Lords yoke; & when they come on thee, thou mayest say it is because I have refused to hearken to my watchers, they warned me of this, and it may be you will finde else such evils which the scripture notes, according to the word of the Lord by his servant Elisha, so will the Lord make good the words and threatnings of his faithful servanrs.
5 They have power of public reproof of any member of the Church, in case of plain, open and public offences; others without leave cannot, nor ought not, although others may tell them. Reproofs are part of the power peculiar to the governors in any society, where governors are present especially, and at hand; as now in a family, no wise man will suffer brawls amongst his children or servants, but says he, tell me. 1 Tim. 5.20. Now this is sad when a man cannot forbear reproof of others, nor hear reproofs of Elders, but turns again, and will be judge in his own cause though never so gross, a sign of an extreme froward high spirit, Hosea. 4.4. which makes the Lord to take away Elders as soon as any sin is committed, and stop their mouths.