A93085:360
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.
Object. Object. But may not many of the Saints ⟨p. 173⟩hear, and hear the Lord speak; but not feel this everlasting power and efficacy?
Answ. I would not lay a foundation of unthankfulness, nor discourage any; Answ. and therefore, note for answer these particulars.
Answ. I would not lay a foundation of unthankfulnesse, nor discourage any; Answ. and therefore, note for answer these particulars.
1. There may be an eternal efficacy of the Word, and yet lie hid, and not felt for a time. The Word is compared, you know, to seed, and that in this respect; the seed it is cast under the clod in the winter-time, and it hath a virtue in it to grow; but it is hid, and comes not to blade of a good while; and when it doth blade, yet it bears not fruit of a long time: So here, the Lord may cast the seed of his Word into the heart; but it is hidden for a time, it is not felt as yet, but there it is; a word of threatening, a word of promise, a word of Command; a man may cast it by, and say, It belongs not to me; a man may slight the command for a time: Yet notwithstanding, the Lord having cast his seed into the heart; it shall spring up. As many a child, the father speaks to it, and applies the word home to it, when it is of some years; the child regards it not: But now stay some time, till the Lord do bring it into some sad affliction; now a man begins to think, I remember what my father spake to me once, & I regarded it not then: ⟨p. 174⟩Now this seed which was cast when the child was young, it shall spring up twenty years after.