A93085:249
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.
2. Because either men have rules to walk by, or their own wills and apprehensions are to be rules, but not so, because mens wills are not only corrupt; but it's a peculiar prerogative to God to be obeyed, because of his will. The reason or wisdom which makes a rule, binds; which if it be right, is part of the law writ in the heart, which is most plainly seen and fully opened in the word, whence direction is to be had.
2. Because either men have rules to walk by, or their own wills and apprehensions are to be rules, but not so, because mens wills are not only corrupt; but it's a peculiar prerogative to God to be obeyed, because of his will. The reason or wisdome which makes a rule, binds; which if it be right, is part of the law writ in the heart, which is most plainly seen and fully opened in the word, whence direction is to be had.
3. Humane laws or orders thus, either see down in the word or deducted from the word, and applied by those that be in place in Townes; though they do not bind conscience firstly, as humane, or by humane power, (i. e. as published and imposed by man;) yet they do bind secondarily, i. e. by virtue of the Law of God, wherein they are contained, or from whence they are derived and deducted, and according to which they are opposed; they are like subpoenas in the Kings name, or writ of arrest, which by virtue of higher power challenge obedience; And thus to break these, is to sin against God, and makes the conscience liable to punishment from God: And the reason is,
3. Humane lawes or orders thus, either see down in the word or deducted from the word, and applied by those that be in place in Townes; though they do not binde conscience firstly, as humane, or by humane power, (i. e. as published and imposed by man;) yet they do binde secondarily, i. e. by vertue of the Law of God, wherein they are contained, or from whence they are derived and deducted, and according to which they are opposed; they are like subpoenas in the Kings name, or writ of arrest, which by vertue of higher power challenge obedience; And thus to break these, is to sin against God, and makes the conscience liable to punishment from God: And the reason is,