A93085:358
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.
Hence when men shall hear many things, but to what end do you hear, or what virtue have the things you hear? Do they only please fancy for a time? or do you hear to increase your knowledge and parts? or do you hear for custom and company, and to quiet conscience? or are you affected and sunk, but not driven by all to lay thy head on Christ? the Lord never spake yet to thee; when the word hath laid you on this foundation, truly it's office is done and ⟨p. 172⟩ended, Gods end is now attained, &c.
Hence when men shall hear many things, but to what end do you heare, or what vertue have the things you hear? Do they only please fancy for a time? or do you hear to increase your knowledge and parts? or do you hear for custome and company, and to quiet conscience? or are you affected and sunk, but not driven by all to lay thy head on Christ? the Lord never spake yet to thee; when the word hath laid you on this foundation, truly it's office is done and ⟨p. 172⟩ended, Gods end is now attained, &c.
Oh try your selves here, have you heard, but never heard the voice of the Lord, rushing upon thee with Majesty, speaking to thy hearty and the very secrets of it, but have said, This is for others, and when you have thought the man hath spoken to you, your hearts have then swollen against him? or have you thus heard, but all dies and withers like flowers, the same heart still? or have you had some powerful stroke which remains, but it forceth you not out of your selves to Christ, there to rest, there to joy, there to live, there to die? truly your time hath been spent in vain, you never yet heard the Lord speak. Oh mourn for it, thou art still in thy blood, if he never said Live; in thy bondage, if the Lord never said, Come forth. This is the condition of many to be lamented with tears. But if thou hast thus heard particularly, and though bat little light, life and peace, yet it is of eternal efficacy, and all to draw thee to Christ; then bless the Lord: For blessed are your ears that hear, and I say as Moses said,