A93085:342
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.
Use 2. Use 2 Hence see why the Saints find such changes and alterations in themselves when they come to hear; sometimes their hearts are quickened, fed and cherished, ⟨p. 162⟩healed and comforted, relieved and visited; sometime again dead and senseless, heavy and hardened. Mark 8.17, 18, 21. How is it ye do not under stand? Nay which is more, that the same truth which they hear at one time, should affect them, and at another time doth not; the same thing which they have heard a hundred times, and never stirred them, at last should. The reason is, they heard the Word of God spoken at one time, but not God speaking; and they heard the Lord speaking that same Word at another time; the Lord is in his Word at one time, the Word goes alone at another time; as in Eliab, the Lord was not in the whirlwind, but he spake in the still voice, and hence there he was to Elijah, Luke 24 25. with 32. not that you are to lay blame on the Lord; for he blows where he listeth; but to make us see 'tis not in outward means, nor 'tis not in our own spirits to quicken our selves; and to make us ashamed of our own darkness, that when he speaks, yet we cannot hear, there is so much power of spiritual death and Satan yet within us, only out of his pity he speaks sometimes; not that you should despise the outward word; No, no, the Lord is there shining in Perfection of glory, and that which doth thee no good, the Lord makes powerful to some others. But prize the Spirit of God in that Word, which alone can speak to thee.
Ʋse 2. Ʋse 2 Hence see why the Saints finde such changes and alterations in themselves when they come to heare; sometimes their hearts are quickned, fed and cherished, ⟨p. 162⟩healed and comforted, relieved and visited; sometime again dead and senselesse, heavy and hardned. Mark 8.17, 18, 21. How is it ye do not under stand? Nay which is more, that the same truth which they hear at one time, should affect them, and at another time doth not; the same thing which they have heard a hundred times, and never stir'd them, at last should. The reason is, they heard the Word of God spoken at one time, but not God speaking; and they heard the Lord speaking that same Word at another time; the Lord is in his Word at one time, the Word goes alone at another time; as in Eliab, the Lord was not in the whirlwinde, but he spake in the still voice, and hence there he was to Elijah,