A93085:256
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. Hence, if the law be made only for the private good of themselves, or any particular person, and hurts the public, that's not according to God. Admirable was Joshuas spirit herein, Josh. 19.49, 50.
2. Hence, if the law be made only for the private good of themselves, or any particular person, and hurts the publick, that's not according to God. Admirable was Joshuas spirit herein, Josh. 19.49, 50.
3. If laws be only in appearance and pretence for public good, and not really, they bind not; none must do evil, much less make a law of it, for public good. Nothing more usual then to make evil laws and orders, crossing Gods law, and to pretend public good; which ever prove the public pests and plagues, and cankers of that place, as Jeroboam's command for Religion. Somethings are forbidden plainly, they make not for public good, but hurt, the statutes of Omri. Other things are indifferent in their nature, as swine to go abroad, or to be shut up; but inconvenient in their use, and hurtful and scandalous, and that really to the general. They are not for public good, whatever is pretended; somethings are plainly commanded, they are for the public good circumstantiated; some things are indifferent in their nature, but ⟨p. 129⟩convenient and comfortable in their use, those are indeed according to God. And such things may be discerned, they are so obvious and sensible, of such necessity and such profit, when duly considered by persons not blinded with their private interests.
3. If lawes be only in appearance and pretence for publick good, and not really, they binde not; none must do evil, much lesse make a law of it, for publick good. Nothing more usuall then to make evill lawes and orders, crossing Gods law, and to pretend publick good; which ever prove the publick pests and plagues, and cankers of that place, as Jeroboams command for Religion. Somethings are forbidden plainly, they make not for publick good, but hurt, the statutes of Omri. Other things are indifferent in their nature, as swine to go abroad, or to be shut up; but inconvenient in their use, and hurtful and scandalous, and that really to the generall. They are not for publick good, whatever is pretended; somethings are plainly commanded, they are for the publick good circumstantiated; some things are indifferent in their nature, but