A93085:258
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 things indifferent, which may as well be left undone as done, and so public good no way advanced, are not of God that any should restrain them: For the liberty which Christ hath purchased by his blood, and which Gods law gives; no law of man can abolish, or take away. It's the cry of the claw-backs of Princes, that they have power in things indifferent, i. e. such things which make as much for public good, not to use, as use; the truth is, he hath least power here; because they are idle and Idol laws, no hurt, nor is there good in them: And hence, some of the most rigid Schoolmen maintain such laws bind not conscience: we are not to seek our private only; now all humane laws are helps to seek public.
4. Hence things indifferent, which may as well be left undone as done, and so publick good no way advanced, are not of God that any should restrain them: For the liberty which Christ hath purchased by his blood, and which Gods law gives; no law of man can abolish, or take away. It's the cry of the claw-backs of Princes, that they have power in things indifferent, i. e. such things which make as much for publick good, not to use, as use; the truth is, he hath least power here; because they are idle and Idollawes, no hurt, nor is there good in them: And hence, some of the most rigid Schoolmen maintaine such lawes binde not conscience: we are not to seek our private only; now all humane lawes are helps to seek publick.
5. That laws made for and according to God for public good, if they do not destroy some mens particular; only for sometime pinch and press hard upon his particular good, or their particular good, men are bound in conscience here to submit. True, 1. If it were possible, all laws for ⟨p. 130⟩public good, should hurt no particular man, and Townsmen, if they can; should help those that are hurt; yet because no laws, but usually they will press on some mans particular; the heaviest end of a staff that is to be borne, must fall on some mans shoulder, and such laws must be made. Hence a man is to bear and submit cheerfully, i. e. from the rule of love, which will abate of particular for the general good; love that more then mine own. 2. The law of justice, a man is to do as he would be done by; there is no man, but if his good was advanced by the general, but would be content that some particular should be pinched. 3. The law of nature: The stomach is content to be sick, and body weak, to heal the whole body. Hence Christians should not think that Townsmen are careless, unjust, and aimed at their hurt, when it is thus.