A93085:217
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.
Secondly, There is some inferior power, by some superior power, set over particular Persons, Cities, and Townes, for the well ordering of them. The ground of this is, that natural necessity which Jethro propounded from God to Moses, Exod. 18.17, 18. 'Tis not good for thee to be alone, but thou wilt both wear out thy self, and thy people. Public authority must have many eyes, and many hands; and like a River that is to water a Country, it must have many streams: And hence they had in the Common-wealth of Israel, which was for God, in every City Judges, and in Townes, such as were over fifties and tens, Exod. 18.25. which it seems continued long, till all fit men for government were taken away; and then Isaiah 3.3. their condition is lamented.
Secondly, There is some inferiour power, by some superiour power, set over particular Persons, Cities, and Townes, for the well ordering of them. The ground of this is, that natural necessity which Jethro propounded from God to Moses, Exod. 18.17, 18. 'Tis not good for thee to be alone, but thou wilt both wear out thy self, and thy people. Publick authority must have many eyes, and many hands; and like a River that is to water a Countrey, it must have many streams: And hence they had in the Common-wealth of Israel, which was for God, in every City Judges, and in Townes, such as were over fifties and tens, Exod. 18.25. which it seemes continued long, till all fit men for government were taken away; and then Isaiah 3.3. their condition is lamented.
Now the form of this government is not in all Common-wealths alike, the Lord not binding to any; and hence called [Greek or Hebrew], an ordinance of men. Hence it is a foolish vanity to ask a warrant in Scripture for such a form of Government; for humane wisdom may teach this, though not in Church-government. Yet this supreme and inferior Government hath been in all Kingdoms, 1 Pet, 2.13, 14. to both which subjection is required; to refuse to give it, is to cast off the Lords Government; and there are couched four reasons in that place to prove this.