A93085:336
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. This inward word is double. 1. Ineffectual, (though inward.) 2. Effectual.§2 ⟨p. 158⟩1. Ineffectual, is that which hath some inward operation upon the heart, but it attains not Gods end to bring a man into a state of life; and thus, Heb. 6.2, 5. Many tasted of the good word of God, yet fell away. And such a heart is compared to a field which a man ploughs and sows, and rain falls on it, and yet the end is not attained, it brings forth thistles; and this many Jews did hear, and hence had some kind of faith in Christ. 2. Effectual, is that which hath such an inward efficacy upon mens hearts, as that God attains his end thereby, Isa. 55.11. and brings men to a state of life, of which Christ speaks, John. 6.45. and this voice none but the Elect hear; and of this Christ speaks here, as appears, verse 38. Him whom he sent, ye believe not. Hence it is you have heard God at no time. Hence he speaks of such a hearing and knowing, such a hearing outwardly, as is accompanied with such a hearing inwardly, Joh. 14.17. so that many men may hear the word spoken outwardly, but never inwardly: they may hear it inwardly, but never effectually, translating them from state to state, from death to life, from life to life and glory. No sense of the Majesty of God speaking, nor effectual hearing of the word spoken. When the Sun is down the Moon may arise, but yet a man is cold and dark; but when the Sun ariseth, on it warms, nourisheth and ⟨p. 159⟩cherisheth, &c. nothing is hid from it; so it is here, when the Lord speaks inwardly and effectually to the heart.
2. This inward word is double. 1. Ineffectual, (though inward.) 2. Effectual.§2 ⟨p. 158⟩