A93085:212
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 Because if here be not attendance you will quickly see the miserable ruin and fall of Churches, more sad then the burning of Solomons temple. 'Tis observed of Jeroboam, when he was sacrificing he had no leprosy, but when he stretched out his hand against the Prophet it was withered; for the Lord will not bear here, they may be despised, and you may think your selves Kings without them, 1 Cor. 4.8. and they will say so, they may rule as they will, but you will do as you lift. But the Lord will be provoked for this, all Satan's subtlety lies here; disgrace the Elder says one, divide them says another, pull them down says the third, that there may be no King in Israel, no nor in Zion, that we may do what is right in our own eyes.
4 Because if here be not attendance you will quickly see the miserable ruine and fall of Churches, more sad then the burning of Solomons temple. 'Tis observed of Jeroboam, when he was sacrificing he had no leprosie, but when he stretched out his hand against the Prophet it was withered; for the Lord will not bear here, they may be despised, and you may think your selves Kings without them, 1 Cor. 4.8. and they will say so, they may rule as they will, but you will do as you lift. But the Lord will be provoked for this, all Satans subtilty lies here; disgrace the Elder sayes one, divide them sayes another, pull them down sayes the third, that there may be no King in Israel, no nor in Sion, that we may do what is right in our own eyes.
3. Try when the external Kingdom of Christ in a Common-wealth is cast off; for when any Common-wealth is ordered according to the sacred will of Christ, by such persons especially whose aim is to advance the Kingdom of Christ by their rule and power, 'tis then become the Kingdom of Christ Jesus. And hence, Revel. 11.15. when the seventh trumpet is blown, and the