A93085:363
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. After that a Christian hath had the feeling of the efficacy of the word, he may lose the feeling of it again, and yet the being of it may remain; and the reason is this, partly because there is not always need of feeling the like efficacy in the word. A man may have by the word a marvellous deal of assurance of Gods love, and sense of mercy and joy in the holy Ghost, he may have this in the feeling of it: This word, it did lie ⟨p. 175⟩hid for a time; afterward it springs up and gives him peace. But he loses his peace again, his Sun do's set, and it is midnight with him within twenty four hours, and he is as much in the dark as before; Now the being of this peace is there, but he hath no need of the feeling of it at all times; the Lord he will reserve that till some time of tentation, that he shall meet withal. As Paul, he had marvellous Revelations; but Paul had more need of humiliation, then exaltation; and there was not that use of Pauls having those glorious manifestations to him; I will glory in my infirmities: There was need for Paul to know the evils of his heart, that he might walk humbly; and it did not make so much for the glory of the Lord, as this that Paul should say; I have this misery and darkness, and sins, and yet Jesus Christ he will take away all: There was not need for Paul to have those joys at all times, that he had at one time. So the Lord he gives a Christian joy and peace, now there is no need for a Christian to have it always. I will pour floods of water on dry ground: Beloved, if there should be nothing but rain, rain every day and night, the ground would be glutted with rain, and so turned into a puddle; but when the land is dry and thirsty, now the ground hath need of rain: Let the Earth make use of that rain it hath: and when it is dry and ⟨p. 176⟩thirsty, I will give more, saith the Lord. So the Lord he gives the soul joy and peace; Now, if it should continue, the very peace and joy of God, would not be pleasant to the soul; or at least, not so pleasant as it will be, when the Lord takes it away, and gives it the soul again. A Christian comes to the meeting-house, and the Lord fills the sails of a poor soul, that he wonders the Lord should meet him, and speak so suitably to him: But as soon as he is gone out again, this is the complaint of the soul, all is lost again; now the soul it falls a mourning again.