A93085:268
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.
But if the heart grows loose and licentious, and breaks the Lords bonds and yokes, and will be led by your own fleshly ends and lusts, and so go on quietly: Be you ⟨p. 134⟩assured, this truth shall have a time to take hold of such spirits; and know it assuredly, 'tis not to be in Christs Family or Kingdom; 'tis not scrambling for promises, catching at Gods grace, talking of assurance of Gods love; which will shelter you from the wrath of the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords; to whom God hath sworn, That every knee shall how. 'Tis service and subjection which the Lord aims at, and which the Lord looks for. I know 'tis Gods grace which only can save; but it will never save when it is turned into licentiousness.
But if the heart growes loose and licentious, and breaks the Lords bonds and yokes, and will be led by your own fleshly ends and lusts, and so go on quietly: Be you ⟨p. 134⟩assured, this truth shall have a time to take hold of such spirits; and know it assuredly, 'tis not to be in Christs Family or Kingdome; 'tis not scrambling for promises, catching at Gods grace, talking of assurance of Gods love; which will shelter you from the wrath of the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords; to whom God hath sworne, That every knee shall how. 'Tis service and subjection which the Lord aimes at, and which the Lord looks for. I know 'tis Gods grace which only can save; but it will never save when it is turned into licentiousnesse.
Do not say, There is no danger of it, here where we have such means, and such liber•••s are.