A93085:365
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.
3. The eternal efficacy of the word and voice of God; it may be preserved in an internal spirit of prayer, for the continuance of it while a man hath it, and for the return of it when it is lost. Ps. 119.4, 5. Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently. David he knew his own weakness; yet he intimates with what power it came on his heart: Oh! that my soul were directed to keep thy statutes; When the soul sees the beauty of a command, and the good will of God, ⟨p. 177⟩how sweet it is, and how amiable the way and work of God is, Oh that my heart were directed to keep thy statutes. And so when it is gone, Psal. 63.3. My soul thirsteth after thee, Lord, saith David, that I may see thy glory and power, as I have seen thee in thy sanctuary. He doth not say, that I may see thy glory and power in thy sanctuary, though that might be too; no, but that I may see thy glory and power, as I have seen thee in thy sanctuary. David he did find a want of seeing him as he had done; yet the virtue of it did remain in a spirit of thirsting, and desire; My soul thirsteth for thee, as in a dry land where no water is, that I may see thee. A Christian may have at sometime such a glimpse (in hearing the word) of Gods grace, of the exceeding riches of Gods grace, and the love of God to him, that he may be in a little heaven at that time, ravished in the admiration of that mercy, that ever God should look to him. It is so, and the word says so, and the soul is ravished with wonderment at it; yet God is gone again, and the soul loses it. Now the soul thinks, I have lost the efficacy of Gods word, but it is not so; for thus it may be preserved. Oh that I may see this God as I have done: And all his life-time the soul may find the want of this, and yet it may be preserved in a spirit of prayer. For whom the Lord hath given once a glimpse of his ⟨p. 178⟩glory; the soul it cannot be at rest, but it breatheth for more of that mercy and presence; a Christian may find his spirit marvellously refreshed at the word, he may taste how good the Lord is, and he may lose it again: but this may be preserved in a spirit of longing after this God, and presence again. And I will say this, Brethren, A Christian may find no good by the word to his apprehension; he sees the admirable blessed estate of the Saints, and exceeding riches of God in Christ, sees the sweetness of the ways of God;